BRITISH BIRDS. 
2 43 
THE LONG-TAILED TITMOUSE. 
( Varus caudatusy Lin . — La Mefange a longue queue , Buff.) 
The length of this bird is nearly five inches and 
a half, of which the tail itfelf is rather more than 
three inches : Its bill is very fhort and black ; eyes 
hazel, the orbits red ; the top of the head is white, 
mixed with gray ; through each eye there is a broad 
black band, which extends backwards, and unites 
on the hind part of the head, from whence it paffes 
down the back to the rump, bordered on each fide 
with dull red ; the cheeks, throat, and breafi: are 
white ; the belly, fides, rump, and vent are of a 
dull rofe colour, mixed with white ; the coverts of 
the wings are black, thofe next the body white, ed- 
ged with rofe colour; the quills are dulky, with 
pale edges ; the tail confifts of feathers of very un- 
equal lengths, the four middle feathers are wholly 
black, the others are white on the exterior edge 5 
legs and claws black. 
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