510 



PARID^. 



The whole length from the bill to the end of the tail is 

 about five inches and a half, but the body is smaller than 

 that of any British bird except the species of Bcgulus. 

 From the carpal joint to the end of the wing two inches and 

 one quarter. 



Females differ but little from males except in having more 

 black about the head. The young have the irides of a straw- 

 colour ; the top of the head very white ; but the ear-coverts 

 and sides of the neck are dull black, and the scapulars greyish- 

 white ; all the feathers, save those of the tail, which in the 

 adult are pure black, are in the young sooty-black, and there 

 is no trace of any red tinge except on the vent and lower 

 tail-coverts, which are nearly as bright as in the adult. 



The vignette below represents the nest of this bird. 



