86 NORTH AMERICAN 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 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 Parince forming 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 include the Nutliatches in the 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 the ten primaries, and tarsi with scutellfe on tlie anterior 

 half only (as compared with Alaudidce), 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 tenth. 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. 



Subfamily PARING. 



The characters of the subfamily will be found sufficiently detailed above. 

 The genera are as follows : — 



Bill with curved outlines. 

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



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

 Head with feathers full, but not crested. Wings and tail rounded. 



Body full. Tail about equal to wings ; rounded Parus. 



Body slender. Tail much longer than wings ; much graduated . Psaltriparus. 



Bill with outlines nearly straight. 



Head with compact feathers. Wings pointed. 



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



Genus LOPHOPHANES, Kaup. 



Lopho2)hanes, Kaup, Entw. Gesch. Europ. Thierwelt, 1829. (Type, Parus cristattcs.) 

 BceolojMis, Cabanis, Mus. Hein. 1850, 1851, 91. (Type, Pcmis bicolor, L.) 



