86 KORTH AMERIC.l^ BIRDS. 



Family PARID^. — The Titmice. 



Char. Bill generally short, conical, not notched nor decurved at tip. Culmen broad 

 and rounded, not sharp-ridged at base. Nostrils rounded, basal, and concealed liy dense 

 bristles or bristly feathers. Loral feathers rough and bristly, directed forwards. Tarsi 

 distinctly scutellate ; basal joints of anterior toes abbreviated, that of middle toe united 

 about equally for three fourths its length to the lateral: in Parince fbi-niing a kind of palm 

 for grasping; outer lateral toe decidedly longer than the inner. Primaries ten, the first 

 much shorter than the second. Tail-feathers with soft tips. Nest in holes of trees ; eggs 

 white, spotted with reddish. 



With Cabanis we includo tlie Xutliatches in tlie same family with the 

 Titmice, and have prepared tlie above diagnosis to embrace both groups. 

 They agree in having a conical bill, not notched nor decurved, with much 

 rounded culmen, and nearly straight commissure, and rounded nostrils cov- 

 ered with dense bristles. These characters will readily distinguish them, in 

 connection with tlie ten primaries, and tarsi with scutell;x> on the anterior 

 halt' only (as com])ared witli Ahiudi(hr), from any other American Oscincs. 



The two subfamilies may be thus distinguished : — 



Pariuae. Body compressed. Bill shorter than the head. Wings rounded, equal to or 

 shorter than the rounded tail. Second quill as short as the tenth. Tarsus longer than 

 the middle toe and claw, which are about equal to the hinder ; soles of toes widened 

 into u palm. Plumage rather soft and la.\. 



Sittinse. Body depressed. Bill about e(|ual to or longer than the head. Wings much 

 pointed, much longer than the nearly even tail. Tarsus shorter than the middle toe 

 and claw, which are about equal to the hinder. Plumage more compact. 



Subfamily PARIN.^. 



Tlie characters of the siibraiuily will be found sullicicntly detailed above. 

 The genera are as follows : — 



Bill with curved ouiUnes. 



Head with a long pointed crest. Wings and tail rounded. 



Body full and large. Tail about equal to wings .... Lnjiliiijihancs. 

 Head w-ith feathers full, but not crested. Wings and tail rounded. 



Body full. Tail al)out equal to wings; rounded. .... Partis. 



Body slender. Tail nim-h lunger than wings ; much graduated . PsaUriparus. 



Bill with oiitlines nearly straight. 



Head with compact feathers. Wings pointed. 



Body slender. Tail rather shorter than the wings ; nearly even . Auriparus. 



Genus LOPHOPHANES, Kaup. 



Lophnphanes, Kaup, Entw. Gesch. Europ. Thierwelt, 1829. (Type, Parus cristalus.) 

 Boatluphus, Cabanis, Mhs. Hcin. 1850, 1851, 91. (Type, Parux bkolor, L.) 



