78 JIIKDS OF ILLINOIS. 



Fajhly PARID^. — Tirr, Titmice and Nuthatctteb. 



CnARACTEns. Bill more or less conical, without notch, the nasal 

 feathers directed forward and usually concealing the nostrils. Size 

 small (wing less than four inches long). Tarsi distinctly scutellate. 



The above characters are drawn up to include Chdrntra, whose 

 claim to a place in the Family ParidsB is a matter of serious doubt. 

 Sitta, although appearing so very distinct from the typical Paridie 

 is yet so closily connected through Paliearctic forms of the latter 

 (as Parus varhis of Japan) that there can be no doubt of its belong- 

 ing to the same family. 



The North American subfamilies, including Cluinuca, may be de- 

 fined as follows : — 



a.' Bill stout, much shorter than head. Tall about as lone as tho wing, or 

 longer. Hallux shorter than miilille too. 

 !(.' Nostrils coneoaloJ by foiithors. Tarsus with anterior covorlnK scu- 

 tellate on outer siile Parinte. 



!).' Nostrils exposed. Tarsus with anterior covorinR fused on outer sidcChamsBinae. 

 a.' Bill slender, as lone us the head. Tail much shorter than the winK. Hallux 



lODser than middle toe Sittinee. 



Subfamily PARIN.S1.— The Titmice. 



This subfamily, as above characterized, includes three North 

 American Genera, which may be defined as follows: — 



a'. Bill with either the culmon or gonys decidedly convex. Nostrils wholly 

 eoncoalod. Plumaco very lax. 



&•. Tail about equal to ornot much longer than wine, rounded Paras. 



c'. Head not crested (Subgenus I'nnis,) 



c'. Head crested (Subgenus Loiihoiihanea.) 



V. Tail much longer than wing, graduated Psaltriparas. 



a''. Bin with both eulmen and gonys nearly straight, the tip acute. Nostrils 



partly exiiosod. Plumage rather compact Anripams. 



The genera PsaUripanis and Auriparus, as well as the subfamily 

 Chavuebue (the latter including the single genus Chanxea), are extra- 

 limital, belonging to the southwestern portions of the United States. 



Genus PARUS Linn.eus. 

 Subgenus Lophophaues Kacp. 



Lophophanes Kaup. Eutw Gesch. Euro|i. Thier. IS£i. Type. I'arns crislattm Linn. 



IttKolophux Cabanis. Mas. Heln. 1850. 1S'>1. 91. Typo, Panm bicnior LlNN. 



"Gen. Char. Crown with a conspicuous crest. Bill conical: both upper and lower 

 outlines convex. Wings grailuatod: llrst aulU very short. Tail moderately long and 

 rounded. Nests In hollow trees; eggs white with Une rod dottlngs." (Ifisi. Jf. Atn. B.) 



