THE LONG-TAILED TIT 
There are few birds so quick as we, 
When searching for good fare : 
We peck the crevice of a tree, 
And dart at insects there. 
Sometimes we hear them talk within 
The hollows where we sit : 
“Beware,” they say, “draw in, draw in! 
Outside there is a Tit.” 
When small, before our feathers grow. 
Our parents bring us food: 
Where they obtain it we don’t know. 
But it is very good. 
The Baby Long-tailed Tit is as quaint a little 
creature as could be seen. Even when full grown 
he is the smallest English bird except one, the Gold- 
crested Wren. He has a short hooked beak which, 
with his loose grey down, gives his face a curious 
look, something like that of an old man. Many 
funny names have been given to him, such as 
‘^Mum RufBn,” the ‘‘Bottle Tit,” “Bottle Tom,” 
“ Poke Pudding,” and a score of others. 
The nest of this tiny bird is quite wonderful. 
