PARING. 269 



close to Si/Ivipar7is and Cephalopyrus. Ephthianura is considered by 

 Gray to belong to the MotaciUvi<e, but one species, E. aurifrons, 

 Gould (like Stach//ris cJtrt/scea, in its own oroup), appears to 

 belong to a distinct type, grading towards yEgithalus. 



Sub-fam. ParintE. 



Bill typically rather short, conic, stout, entire ; the narcs tufted; 

 wings moderate, somewhat rounded ; tail short or moderate, long 

 in a few ; tarsus and feet short, stout ; hind toe long, claws well 

 curved. 



The Titmice or Tits are, typically, a strongly marked group of 

 small birds found chiefly in the Old Continent, a few occurring in 

 the more Northern parts of America. They are most abundant in 

 temperate districts, one or two preferring cold climates, and a 

 good many inhabiting the hilly districts of the tropical or juxta- 

 tropical regions. In India they are chiefly confiued to the Hima- 

 layas, only three species extending to the hilly regions of Central 

 and Southern India. They do not appear to be migratory. 



The Tits are characterized by a strong, somewhat acute, and 

 conic bill, and stout legs and feet. They differ i'rom most of 

 the Warblers by having their nares protected by tufts of 

 reflected feathers and hairs, and by their conical, entire bill, which 

 led to their being placed in the Coinrostres, by Cuvier and other. 

 Undoubtedly they iiave a considerable resemblance to some Coni- 

 rostral groups, especially to the Garrulince, and they are indeed 

 very like Jays in miniature. This resemblance to conirostral 

 families is exhibited by others of this, the last dentirostral family ; 

 to wit, the AccentormcB to the Finches, and the MniotiliincB to the 

 Tanagers ; and it is probably a real affinity, for it extends, in some 

 cases, to the internal structure, the stomach being thick, and 

 muscular. But their relation to other tooth-billed genera, such as 

 Ptemthiiis, and Falcunculus, cannot be ignored, and they thus form 

 part of the last and most aberrant division of the Deutirostres. 



l\\ their colours they are mostly sober, compared Avith the Leio^ 

 trichi?ice, black, gray, and white, varied in a few with rufous, and 

 in others pleasingly blended with blue, green, and yellow. Many 

 are crested. 



