212 New or Little Known Species of Birds. 



those of Africa, except in the feathers on the rump, which, 

 though thick and downy, want the stiff and sharp points. I may 

 add, that in all the species in my possession, from both Asia and 

 New Holland, there appears little difference in the construction 

 of these feathers, the smallest and weakest even possessing 

 feathers of equal strength and rigidity, and with the same 

 sharpened points, as those of Africa. 



No. 3. — JEgithalus Smithii, Jard. Dr Smith's Penduline.* 



^. supra olivaceus, subtus flavescens, fascia frontali obscura, genis 

 juguloque albis. 



iEgithalus was some years since proposed by Mr Vigors to 

 characterize the form exhibited by the penduline titmouse — 

 Parus pendulinus of authors ; at this time the only individual 

 known to exist, inhabiting the south of France and Italy, Poland 

 and Russia, and, according to Vieillot, Siberia. I am now 

 indebted to Dr Smith for a second species from Southern Africa, 

 and trust that he will accept the above testimony of our regard 

 in the dedication of the species to its discoverer. 



The Pendulines differ from the true Titmice chiefly in the 

 form of the bill, which is slender, nearly straight, runs to a sharp 

 point at the tip, and in general form resembles considerably that 

 of the genus Carduelis, to the members of which group, parti- 

 cularly the siskins, it appears somewhat allied by its manners ; 

 and I question much if its future station will be found among 

 the Piprid(B, where Mr Vigors now places it. We are ignorant 

 of the habits of our present species, — that of Europe frequents 

 marshy places, building a suspended nest, in which it resembles 

 the bearded titmouse, (^P.biannicus,) a species which also deviates 

 very considerably from the true parian type. 



The length of this species is about three inches and a half; the 

 bill, bluish black ; upper parts of the plumage, deep brownish oil 

 green ; the feathers on the forehead are black, with narrow white 

 tips, and form a dark narrow frontal band ; the wings are light 

 brown, the feathers with pale edges; the tail is of the same 

 colour, but some of the feathers are wanting. The form, which 

 appears to have been more rounded than in the type of the genus, 

 cannot be exactly ascertained, and the texture is less rigid ; the 

 cheeks and throat are white ; the breast, belly, and vent, rich 

 honey yellow ; the feet and legs are blackish gray. 



References to Plate V. : — 



Fig. 1. JEgithalus Smithii. 



2. «, bill of the Parus, seen from above. 

 b, the same seen in profile. 



3. a, bill of the JSgithalm, from above. 

 b, the same in profile. 



( To be continued.) 



* See Plate 5. 



