222 PARUS. 



c 1 . Bastard primary small, not extending to 



the end of the primary coverts (not j u( 



Ethiopian). Subgenus ^Egithalus. *" 



d 1 . Bastard primary large, extending beyond 



the end of the primary coverts. Subgenus Anthoscopus. 



Genus I. PARUS. 



Bill rather blunt, with the culmen curved downwards and the keel 

 upwards. Breed in holes, generally of trees ; construct a solid, rather 

 bulky, nest lined with feathers and lay numerous eggs, up to as many as 

 twelve, which are white spotted or blotched with rufous. They frequent 

 wooded districts mostly, and feed upon insects, buds and fruits, and, at 

 times, do damage to the gardens. They have little or no song, but a loud 

 call-note. 



The genus is represented in the Ethiopian region by about 14 forms, 

 all of which are confined to the African continent ; these are neither 

 migratory nor gregarious, and include 5 subspecies or local races, to which 

 I have given names in the following key. 



KEY TO THE SPECIES AND SUBSPECIES. 



a. Head entirely black. 

 a 1 . Breast black or grey. 



a 2 . Little or no white on the wings. 



ft 3 . Mantle buff leuconotus. ' 



b 3 . Mantle blackish funereus. ^ . 



b 2 . Upper and under wing-coverts mostly 

 white. 

 c 3 . Body blue black with no white on the 

 under tail-coverts. 

 ft 4 . No white on the tail; wing less 



than 3-5 leucomelas. 



a 5 . Wing 3-15 to 3-4 ; Abyssinia to 



Angola, typical. 

 6 5 . Wing 3-0 to 3-1 ; .Gambia to Niger, 



subsp guincnsis. 



b*. Tail partially edged with white; 



wing 3 - 5 insignia. 



