BRITISH BIRDS. 39 



This is the true Par us caudatus of Linnaeus, distinguished 

 from the common British form by the head in adult birds 

 being entirely white, while the general tints are somewhat 

 brighter. Prof. Collett says that the young, in nestling 

 plumage, have dark eye-stripes. It is a veiy rare 

 wanderer to us. Mr. Halting has recorded the obtaining 

 of two examples in the North of England. 



48a. A. eaudata vagans (Leach). BRITISH LONG- 

 TAILED TITMOUSE. 



Hab. Western Europe, north to Scotland, south to 

 France, east to Belgium and the Rhine. 



Male : forehead and crown white, margined on each side 

 by a black stripe running from bill, over eye, to nape and 

 upper part of mantle, which are also black ; scapulars and 

 back pale brownish-red ; wing-coverts and quills black ; 

 secondaries edged with white ; tail black, three outer 

 feathers each side edged and tipped with white ; under 

 plumage white ; abdomen and under tail-coverts with a 

 rosy tinge ; bill black ; feet blackish-brown ; claws 

 black. Length 5*50. Female has white on crown more 

 restricted. 



Resident and fairly common. In winter wanders in 

 small parties in company with other Titmice, Goldcrests, 

 etc., feeding in the trees upon small insects and their 

 larvae. The beautiful nest, commenced late in March, is 

 placed in holly or hawthorn bushes, sometimes high up in 

 forks of oak or other trees, occasionally in furze ; in shape 

 oval, with a small entrance near top ; composed of lichens, 

 moss, and spiders' webs, lined with a quantity of small 

 feathers. Eggs : 7 to 10 ; white, finely speckled with pale 

 red-brown around larger end ; size '55 by "43. Usual 

 note a quick shrill zee, zee, zee. May be distinguished by 

 its small size and long tail. 



