SYSTEMATIC ARRANOEINtENT OF THE GENERA OF BIRDS vii 



the middle; nostrils partly concealed by small bristly feathers, 

 directed forwards ; first primary very short, second much shorter 

 than the third, fourth and fifth longest ; tail moderate ; tarsus 

 slender, rather long. ' Page 33 



fa:\iily parid.e 



(Tits) 



Bill short, straight, conical, sharp-pointed, destitute of a notch ; nostrils 

 basal, concealed by reflected bristly hairs. Small birds, remarkable for their 

 activity, not highly gifted with musical power, constantly flitting and climb- 

 ing about trees and bushes, which they e.xamine for small insects, suspending 

 themselves in all attitudes, feeding also on grains and fruits, and not sparing 

 small birds when they are able to overpower them. 



13. AcREDULA (Long-tailed Tit). Bill much compressed, both mandibles 



curved, upper considerably longer than lower. Eyelids with wide 

 bare margins. Length of wing quills increases to fourth and fifth, 

 which are longest. Tail very long, narrow, graduated, outer feathers 

 one-third length of middle pair. Tarsus long, feet moderate. 



Page 35 



14. Parus (Great, Blue, Cole, Marsh, and Crested Tits). Bill slightly 



compressed, upper mandible hardly longer than lower. First wing 

 quill short, fourth or fifth longest. Tail moderate, even or slightly 

 rounded. Tarsus moderate, feet strong. Page T,y 



FAMILY PANURID.E 



(Reedlings) 



15. Panurus (Bearded Tit or Reedling). Bill short, subconical; upper 



mandible curved at tip and bending over lower one, which is nearly 

 straight ; the edges of both somewhat inflected and not notched. 

 Nostrils basal, oval, pointed in front and partly covered by reflected 

 bristly feathers. Wing with ten quills, first almost obsolete, third 

 longest, fourth and fifth nearly equal to it. Tail very long and, 

 much graduated. Tarsus long and scutellate in front ; feet stout , 

 claws not much hooked. Page 42 



FAMILY SITTID^ 



(Nuthatches) 



16. SiTTA (Nuthatch). Bill moderate, strong, and slightly conical; lower 



mandible ascending from angle to point. Tongue short, horny 

 tip abrupt and furnished with strong bristles. Nostrils basal, 

 rounded, in deep hollow, covered by short feathers and hairs. Wings 

 rather long ; first quill much shorter than second, fourth or fifth 

 longest. Tail short, flexible, broad, nearly square. Legs short, 

 stout, tarsi scutellate ; toes long, strong, hind toe especially, outer 

 toe joined at base to middle toe ; claws large, much hooked. 



Page 44 



FAMILY CERTHITD.F: 



(Creepers) 



Bill either straight and subulate or slender, long, and curved ; nostrils 

 basal ; tail never emarginate ; fourth toe coalesced at first phalanx with 

 middle toe. Principally insectivorous. 



17. Certhia (Creeper). Bill rather long, slender, compressed, decurved, 



pointed ; nostrils basal, lateral, elongate, partly covered by mem- 



