The Long-Tailed Titmouse is familiarly known throughout England, and is 
designated under different titles, according to the locality in which it resides, 
some of its popular names being derived from its shape, and others from its crest. 
In some parts of the country it is called “ Long Tom,” while in others it goes by 
the name of “ Bottle-crested Tit.” 
This pretty little bird is a notable frequenter of trees, hedge-rows, and orchards, 
and is remarkable for its sociable habits, being generally seen in little troops of 
six or eight in number. It appears that the young birds always remain with 
their parents throughout the whole of the first year, so that when the brood 
happens to be a large one, as many as sixteen Long-tailed Titmice may be seen 
hopping and skipping about together. The troop is always under the command 
of one bird, probably one of the parents, who takes the lead, and is copied by the 
others, so that they seem to be playing at a constant game of “ Follow my 
leader.” The leader has a peculiar chirruping cry, which is easily recognisable, 
and which is always uttered as it flits from one branch to another. The nest of 
this species is undoubtedly the most wonderful example of bird architecture that 
is to be found in the British Islands, and is not exceeded in beauty by the home 
of any bird whatever. In form it somewhat resembles an egg, and it is built of 
moss, hair, a very little wool, the cocoon webs of spiders, and the silken hammocks 
of certain caterpillars, all woven into each other in the most admirable manner. 
LONG-TAILED TITMOUSE . — Parus cauddtus . 
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