LONG-TAILED TITMOUSE. 
181 
INSESSORES. 
DENTIROSTRES. PARTED. 
PLATE LXXXI. 
LONG-TAILED TITMOUSE. 
Pares caudatus. 
The Long-tailed Titmouse is known all over Europe, 
and in the northern and temperate parts of Asia, in situations 
of a sylvan character. From the central parts of Europe many 
of this species depart for milder climes in the autumn, for 
the purpose of passing the winter, but with us they remain 
the Avhole year. During the spring they are seen in pairs, 
but in autumn and winter these interesting little birds are 
seen following their vocation in families ; the little party con¬ 
sisting usually of about a dozen. Constantly in motion from 
tree to tree, and flying in a straight line with much rapidity, 
they remind the spectator of the pictured representation of a 
flight of arrows. Their movements are noiseless, on account 
of the soft and silky nature of their plumage ; but their pre¬ 
sence may always be detected by the musical family cry, zit! 
zit! which is continually reiterated among the little party. 
From the small size of the body, and its exceeding lightness, 
and from the length of the tail, these little creatures in windy 
weather appear hardly able to preserve their balance when on 
the wing. 
Much aflection seems to subsist among the members of 
each little family, and they always roost together. Perched 
side by side upon a horizontal branch, among thick foliage, 
their feathers puffed up, their heads behind their wings, and 
