LOPHOPHANES. t7 



Family PARID^. 



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

 and rounded, not sharp-ridged at base. Nostrils rounded, basal, and con- 

 cealed by 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 Parinae forming a kind of palm for grasping ; outer 

 lateral toe decidedly longer than the inner. Primaries ten : the 1st much 

 shorter than the 2d. Tail feathers with soft tips. 



With Cabanis I include the Nuthatches in the same family with 

 the Titmice, and have prepared the above diagnosis to include both 

 groups. They agree in having a conical bill, not notched nor de- 

 curved, with much rounded culmen, and nearly straight commissure, 

 and rounded nostrils covered with dense bristles. These characters 

 will readily distinguish them, in connection with the ten primaries, 

 and tarsi with scutellfe on the anterior half only (as compared with 

 Alaudidse), from any other American Oscines. 



The two subfamilies may be thus distinguished : — 



Parinae. Body compressed. Bill shorter than the head. Wings rounded, 

 equal to, or shorter than the rounded tail. Second quill as short as the 

 10th. Tarsus longer than the middle toe and claw, which are about 

 equal to the hinder ; soles of toes widened into a palm. Plumage rather 

 soft and lax. 



Sittinae. Body depressed. Bill about equal 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. 



Among the Parinae are several extremes of form, but the American 

 species are sufficiently allied to allow them to be united into one 

 subfamily. 



Subfamily PAPJN^. 



LOPHOPHANES, Kadp. 



Lophophanes, Kapp, Entw. Gesch. Europ. Thierw. 1829. (TypePa/-»s cristatus.) 

 Beeolophus, Cabanis, Mus. Hein. I, 1850-51, 91. (Type Parus hicolor, L.) 



Cabanis, as quoted above, makes a new genus for our Tufted Tit- 

 mouse, on the ground of a difference in the crest, and in having 



