v interwoven with wool and feathers ; with the latter it is lined 

 infuch quantities as to completely im-bed the eggs. The exterior 

 of this curious little manfion from the quantity of lichens with 

 which it is formed, fo nearly refembles the bark of the tree 

 whereon it is placed, that it readily efcapes obfervation ; the 

 neft is completely clofed on all fides with the exception of a 

 fmall hole on the lower part. It lays from twelve to eighteen 

 white eggs, fpotted with ruft colour at the larger end ; Mr. 

 Montague obferves, ct the eggs are lefs than thofe of any other 

 Britifh bird, except the golden -crefted wren, weighing about 

 twelve grains. " 



The habits of this fpecies are very fimilartothofe'of the blue 

 Titmoufe, and like it is almoft inceffantly in motion, running 

 up and down the branches of trees in fearch of food, which 

 confifts of the fmaller fpecies of infe&s, alfo the larvse and eggs 

 of thofe that depofit them in the crevices of the bark ; in the 

 winter they aflbciate in fmall flocks of from eight to twelve, 

 and fometimes more, and are kept together by their continual 

 chirping ; like their neft their colours affimilate fo nearly with 

 the white mofs, abundant on trees at that feafon of the year, 

 that was it not for their note it would be difficult to find them. 



Owing to the length of tail, its flight is undulating, and 

 irregular, but moft ufually very quick, feeming to pafs 

 through the air like an arrow; Its provincial names are 

 numerous, and are mod generally given either from the form 

 of its neft or length of tail, as Bottle Tit, Bottle Tom, 

 * Feather Poke, Long-tailed Mag, Long-tailed Pie, Long- 

 tailed Capon, Mum Ruran, Huck Muck, Ragged Robin. 



* This is alfo the provincial name in many parts for the neft. 



