34 THE BIRDS OF DEVON. 



British Long-tailed Titmouse. Acredula rosea 



(Blyth). 



[Bottle-Tit, Long-tailed Pie, Long-tailed Cap'n : Dev.'] 



Eesident, generally distributed and abundant. Breeds. The " Long- 

 tailed Pie " and its beautiful nest are known to every birds'-nesting boy 

 in Devonshire. 



This species and the Gold-crest are the smallest of our native British 

 birds. It is generally to be seen travelling about in little companies of a 

 dozen or more, consisting of the old birds and the brood of the previous 

 year, and "where one goes the others follow, like a game of " follow-ray- 

 leader," the one in front often calling to the next in order with a shrill 

 scolding twitter. Except just at the pairing-time, it is rare to find only 

 two of these little Tits together. The old birds and young roost together 

 at night, clinging to each other like a swarm of bees, as we have witnessed 

 at Oidleigh. (M. A. M.) 



The beautiful bottle-shaped nests of these little birds vary very greatly 

 in the materials of whicb they are constructed. Two we met with in a 

 pheasant-cover, at no great distance apart, were built, the one almost 

 entirely of withered oak-leaves and lichens, the other of moss and Pheasant- 

 feathers, some of the short bright neck-feathers of the cock Pheasant being 

 stuck, evidently for the purpose of adornment, around the tiny entrance- 

 hole. The Long-tailed Tit probably occasionally rears a second brood, as 

 we once had a nest sent to us which Avas cut out of a damson-tree, the 

 little branches to which it was suspended being covered with ripe fruit. 

 (M. A. M.) 



In the winter-time Long-tailed Tits frequent alder-beds in company 

 with Lesser Pcdpolls and Siskins, and in early spring are sometimes seen 

 mingled with Willow-Wrens and other small birds. They sometimes 

 unite in large flocks with other species of Titmouse. 



Their numbers are probably recruited by immigration in winter, as small 

 flocks are sometimes observed on the coast at that season (J. G., Zool. 

 1874, p. 8910); and, perhaps, the White-headed continental form of the 

 species may reach our county in the autumn with other migratory birds. 

 We have ourselves received a specimen shot near Cambridge, and ]Mr. J. 

 Gatcombe obtained one from the neighbourhood of Bridgwater, in October 

 1871, and considered that it might be more common in England than 

 is generally supposed. 



Great Titmouse. Pams major, Linn. 



[Ackmeel, Ackmal, Ackmall, Ackmaul, Hackmall, Heckmal, Hickmall, 

 Hickcmal, Hickymal, Heckymal, Ha'keymaul, Hagmall, Big 

 Hickmull, Eckmall, Lckmal, Ox-eye, Black-headed Bob : Dev.\ 



Resident, generally distributed in wooded districts, and common. 

 Breeds. This species is remarkably powerful for its size, and will strike 



