AXn NEIGHBOURHOOD. 147 



closely observed. I am not aware that the Long- 

 tailed Titmouse possesses any song or notes other than 

 those above mentioned ; in fact, none of the birds of 

 this family are remarkable for their musical powers, 

 though many of them are noisy enough. This little 

 bird has the same habit as the Golden-crested Wren 

 of huddling together in clusters, composed of many 

 individuals, under the branches of some thick ever- 

 green tree in severe weather. I have met with and 

 heard of many such instances in our neighbourhood. 

 On one occasion I saw one of these birds enter a 

 "Woodpecker's hole, but, on examination, found that 

 there was no appearance of any nest therein, and can 

 only suppose that the visit was prompted by curiosity. 

 The w^onderful nest of this species is so well known, 

 and has been so often described, that I shall not 

 enter into any particulars concerning it, except to 

 say that, although it is generally placed in the middle 

 of a thick thorn-bush in our old fences, we once 

 found one swinging with every gust of wind in the 

 leafy extremity of a straggling elder-bush over- 

 hanging a path in one of the plantations at Lilford. 

 The greatest number of eggs we have ever met was 

 eleven, but the average number is about seven ; their 

 usual colour is white, with faint markings of pale 

 rusty red, but many instances have come under our 

 notice in which they were pure white. These birds 

 frequently use their nests as roosting-places in 

 autumn and winter. 



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