Wild Birds Useful awl Injurious. 
71 
few feathers, was found hidden in the rotten branch of a willow, in 
which the tits had made a convenient cavity with an entrance 
only large enough to admit themselves. I watched one of the 
old birds carrying away chips from the excavations, some of 
which I afterwards found a few yards distant. 
The Long-tailed Tit (Acredula caudata ), known in various 
districts as the Oven-builder, Bottle-tit, Mumruffin, or Long-tailed 
chitterty magpie, is distinguished alike by the enormous length 
of the tail attached to its tiny body and by the extreme beauty of 
the nest which it builds. This marvellous piece of work is oval 
in shape, composed of moss, cobwebs, and wool, adorned with 
lichens on the outside, whilst the interior, to which access is 
gained by a single small hole at the side, is densely quilted with 
feathers, of which there are literally thousands. A blackthorn- 
bush is often the site selected, though furze, ornamental shrubs, 
and similar situations attract the attention of the tiny builders. 
The parent birds are very tame, and I once induced a pair to 
make use of some fluffy shreds from the silk lining of my hat, 
placed on the bushes close to a nest, in the construction of 
which they persevered notwithstanding my immediate presence. 
The food of the long-tailed tit consists almost entii’ely of 
“ looper ” caterpillars, beetles, and other small insects, of which 
it is able to obtain an abundant supply, even in winter, 
Wagtails. 
Graceful and buoyant in its actions, the Pied Wagtail ( Mola - 
cilia lugubris ) attracts attention by running nimbly over the 
lawn or by the side of some stream or pond, with its long tail in 
constant motion. Its plumage is a pleasing mixture of black, 
grey, and white, the proportion of these colours varying with 
the season, and with the sex and age of the bird itself. The 
whole length is seven inches, or rather more. In its choice of a 
nesting-place it resembles the robin, though it is not such a neat 
architect. The eggs, four to six in number, are white, abun- 
dantly speckled with grey, and are similar in appearance to 
those of one variety of the house-sparrow. 
The pied wagtail feeds almost entirely on insects, which it 
frequently obtains by following the plough, and it is delightful 
to watch it running lightly across a lawn or roof, or picking up 
aquatic insects by the water’s edge. No doubt small slugs, 
snails, worms, and perhaps a few seeds, give variety to its diet, 
whilst in captivity it has been known to catch and eat minnows. 
It may often be seen on the seashore, attracted thither by the 
punjerong sipall forms of life which swann on the tangled sea^ 
