40 PASSERES 
Coloration. Back black or grey, most of the species with more or less pink on shoulders 
and uropygium; head above either pure white (4. c. caudatus) or with more or less distinct, 
brown or black stripes along sides of pileum. Wings dusky, inner secondaries edged with white 
or greyish, Sides of head white or buff. Under parts white or dingy buff, flanks and under tail 
coverts washed with rosy; sometimes a blackish or dark grey patch on the lower throat. 
Rectrices black, the three or four lateral ones with long white tips. Plumage copious and soft. : 
Sexes alike. Young with broad head-stripes and back dull dark brown, without any rosy on 
rump or shoulders; under parts dingy whitish, in 4. c. glaucogularis and A. c. vinaceus throat 
and foreneck strongly tinged with rufous. 
Geographical Distribution. Palearctic Region, in the east ranging southward to 
tropical China. i 
Habits and Nidification. The Long-tailed Tits inhabit forests, gardens, parks and bushy 
districts, but, at least in Europe, are not found in the mountains. The nest is a bulky, well- 
woven structure of moss, lichens, spider’s webs etc., inside lined with feathers and other soft 
materials, the entrance a small hole on one side, and is placed, at from 1 to 3 metres above 
the ground, on a small tree or bush. The eggs, seven or more in number, are dull white, 
mostly punctulated or speckled with pale red. 
Monotypic. One species with fourteen subspecies. 
KEY TO THE SUBSPECIES OF A:GITHALOS CAUDATUS 
1. With a more or less distinct greyish or dark grey patch on lower 
throat . 
AU ULO TIENT GHENT TALL, rn a SV Se ee 
2. Upper back black. Greyish throat-patch but slightly indicated. . . 5. A. CAUDATUS MACEDONICUS. 
— Upper back like rump ashy grey. Dark grey throat-patch very distinct . . . . . . . .. .. 3. 
3. No dusky spots on chest; colour of breast and abdomen brownish 
buff; greater part of head above glossy black, forehead and a 
vathey nayvrow stripe along middle of hind-crown and occiput 
buffy what ee em ee Rea ee a Eo 
— With a vow of dusky spots across chest; colour of breast and abdomen 
white, but slightly shaded with buffish; forehead and a continuous 
broad stripe along pileum and occiput whitish : 5. 
4. Smalley : wing 55-60, tail 60-65 mm. Throat-patch darker : nearly 
slate-ovey . eo ee we eS 2 os AS CAUDATUSIGLAUCOGUIARISIaACE 
— Larger : wing 62-63, tail 79-89 mm. Throat-patch lighter: ashy grey 14. A, CAUDATUS VINACEUS ad. 
5. Back and rump darker grey; pale crown stripe and under parts more 
DUB eS ol ee 3 Ae) Be ee oie aT UAC TOS ARE 
— Back and vump cleaver grey, pale crown stripe and under parts 
nearly WHE ew De ADCO DATIOS ueASSEMIIE 
f 13. A. CAUDATUS GLAUCOGULARIS juv. 
6. Throat and chest dull rufous ) ; J 
( 14. A. CAUDATUS VINACEUS juv. 
—" Phroutiand chestwhite likewohui . 9 = = |: ee ee 7- 
7. Upper back glossy black without any grey; lateral interscapular 
Bis} 
feathers rosy, sometimes ULM WIth OKey: ee —. 3) ss yen eke 8. 
