THE LONG-TAILED TITMOUSE. 331 



nest of no great size, but the interior is so filled with feathers 

 and down that the space is still further limited. 



The nest of the Long-tailed Titmouse is rather variable in 

 shape, but its usual form is shown in the illustration. Generally, 

 it is rather oval, and has an aperture at one side and near the 

 top, through which the birds can pass. I believe that all domed 

 nests, whether of bird or beast, are constructed by at least two 

 architects, one of which remains within, while the other works 

 from without. This is certainly the case with many creatures, 

 and is probably so with alL The materials of which the nest is 

 made are mosses of various kinds, wool, hair, and similar sub- 

 stances, woven by them with great firmness. It is remarkable 

 that in the construction of this nest, which requires peculiar 

 solidity, the Long-tailed Titmouse uses materials like those 

 which are employed by the humming birds, and binds its nest 

 together with the webs of spiders, and the silken hammocks of 

 various caterpUlars. The exterior of the nest is covered with 

 lichens, so that the whole edifice looks very much like a natural 

 excrescence upon the tree or bush in which it is placed, as is the 

 case with the well-known nest of the chaf&nch. 



Sometimes the form of the nest is rather different from that 

 which has been mentioned, and the structure is flask-shaped, 

 the entrance corresponding to the neck of the flask. Now and 

 then a nest is found in which there are two openings, one near 

 the top in the usual position, and the other on the opposite side 

 and near the bottom. The presence of one or two apertures is 

 probably influenced by the position of the nest and the climate 

 of the locality. If the finger be introduced into the aperture, a 

 charmingly soft and warm bed of downy feathers is felt, in 

 which, rather than on which, the numerous eggs repose. 



The bird will build its nest in various trees, but always chooses 

 a spot where the branches are very close and the foliage dense. 

 Tlie gorse bush is a favourite residence of the Long-tailed Tit- 

 mouse, and so deeply is the nest buried in the prickly branches, 

 that it cannot be removed without the aid of thick leather gloves, 

 and a sharp, strong knife. Some skill and artistic taste are 

 required in order to secure a good specimen, and it is difficult to 

 hit the happy medium between cutting away too many branches, 

 and retaining so many that the shape of the nest cannot be seen 

 for their luxuriance. I may mention here that such nests are 



