THE LONG-TAILED TIT. 399 



in broom brakes and in copses of deciduous trees, and rarely 

 in furze or other prickly evergreens. A hollow stump near 

 the ground is preferred for the nest, and as that is abundant 

 in willow grounds, and also in the stools of oak copses that 

 are cut for bark, it is found among them ; but finding a tree 

 fit for its accommodation, it nestles in the thick of the bushes; 

 and in the broom its nest is found near the roots. The nest 

 is formed of moss and vegetable down, the latter, of course, 

 varying with the haunt. The eggs are about the same in 

 number as those of the cole-tit, but a little larger, and the 

 spots more numerous and rather closer together at the thick 

 ends. 



In summer, these birds consume a great number of flies, 

 bees, wasps, moths, and all winged insects generally ; and 

 when the animal supply fails, as the birds do not resort so 

 much to the holes, high branches, and buds of trees, as most 

 others of the genus, they feed more on seeds, especially those 

 of the composite flowers ; but they also resort to the farm- 

 yards in winter, and do not refuse carrion or any other animal 

 garbage, if it comes in their way. 



THE LONG-TAILED TIT (PttTUS Caudatus). 



This species (which, from the peculiar form of its nest, is 

 called the bottle-tit, or bottle-torn, though these names are 

 local, and have little truth of application) is the smallest, 

 but, at the same time, one of the most active and beautiful of 

 the genus. 



The whole length of the bird is about five inches and a half, 

 of which the tail occupies three ; so that the body is really 

 shorter than that of any other British bird j but it is thick 

 and firm in proportion to the length, and the weight is nearly 

 equal to that of the cole-tit. The bill is very short, and as 

 the feathers on the head are rather produced, it appears 

 shorter than it really is j and the lively attitude and peculiar 



