Family PARIDiS; 



THE LONG-TAILED TITMOUSE. 

 Acredula caudata (Linnaeus). 

 Plate io. 



The Long-tailed Titmouse has been separated by naturalists from the rest of 

 the family, as it differs in many particulars, and is easily distinguished from the 

 true Tits by its extremely long graduated tail. 



The Long-tailed Titmice inhabiting Northern and Central Europe have the 

 head pure white, without any black ; this race was obtained on one occasion in 

 Northumberland, and is said to have occurred once in Kent. 



The Long-tailed Titmouse, also called Bottle-Tit, is resident and common 

 throughout the greater part of the British Islands, with the exception of some of 

 the northern and treeless districts. It is found abundantly in larch and birch woods, 

 and about tall hedgerows and plantations, often coming into gardens in woodland 

 neighbourhoods. 



The nest is usually placed in some thick furze-bush or tall thorn-hedge, or it 

 may be built in a fork on the stem of a birch tree. It is oval in shape, with a small 

 hole at the side near the top of the dome, and is most beautifully constructed 

 of lichens, green moss, and cobwebs, woven and felted together, and thickly lined 

 with many feathers. According to Macgillivray, as many as 2379 have been 

 found in one nest. The eggs vary in number from six to eleven or even more. 

 These are white, finely speckled with red. 



The birds feed on insects and larvae, and when the young have left the nest, 

 the families keep together until the following spring. Parties of a dozen or more 

 may be seen at any time during the autumn and winter, constantly uttering their 

 soft chirping notes as they make their way through the woods. They twist and 

 climb all over the thinner twigs and branches, intent on food, and although often 

 scattered, never seem to lose touch or get out of hearing of each other. These 

 parties are often accompanied by other species of Tits, and also by Goldcrests and 

 Tree-Creepers. 



The female resembles the male in colour, but has more black on the head. 



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