234 PASSERES. PARUS. LoNnG-TAILED 
verted position from the ends of the small twigs. Like the 
blue titmouse, it will sometimes nip off the buds, in order to 
arrive at some included larva. Its usual calls are a weak 
chirp, and a hoarser double note, chiefly used when flitting 
from one tree to another. Its notes in the spring, however, 
are more varied, and it can utter a pleasing, though low and 
Nest, &c. short song.—Its nest isa structure of great interest and beau- 
ty, and is commonly fixed in one of the smaller forks of a 
tree branch ; but occasionally amid the closer screen of a fir, 
or the centre of a thick bush of woodbine or thorn. It is of 
a longish oval form, composed of different lichens and wool 
firmly and curiously interwoven, and lined with a profusion 
of feathers. A small hole is left on two opposite sides of the 
nest, not only for ingress and egress, but also to prevent the 
bird, during incubation, from being incommoded by its long 
tail, which then projects through one of the orifices. The 
eggs usually amount to ten or twelve, and are white, with 
fine reddish-brown specks, disposed about the larger end. 
The young, after quitting the nest, continue with their pa- 
rents during the autumn and winter, forming distinct fami- 
lies, which separate early in spring, or as soon as the influ- 
ence of the pairing-season commences. The flight of this 
bird, although usually confined to short distances, is very ra- 
pid, and has not unaptly been compared to the passage of a 
dart through the air. It is often seen in company with the 
gold-crested regulus, and the others of its own tribe. Is 
found throughout Europe, and the colder parts of Asia. 
Piate 51. Fig. 5. Natural size. 
General Bill short, and black. Irides brown. Edges of the eye- 
pees, lids yellow. Forehead and crown of the head white: 
From the bill, passing above each eye, are two streaks 
of black, which join at the nape of the neck, and then 
form one broad streak, which runs down the middle of 
the back. The rest of the back, and the scapulars are 
rose-red. Quills black ; the secondaries deeply edged 
