iOO Synopsis of the Birds 



feed also on flesh, often perforating the skulls of sickly 

 birds, even of their own species, and eat the brain. Pugnacious; 

 attacking much larger birds, and often killing weaker ones ; 

 defend their young courageously. Breed once a year; eggs 

 numerous, in some species eighteen or twenty. Voice un- 

 pleasant, garrulous. Flesh bitter, unpalatable. Easily tamed, 

 and fed with cheese and nuts in the aviary. ' 



Inhabit all climates, except South America. 



156. Parus bicolor, L. Crested ; plumbeous ; beneath whitish: 

 flanks tinged with dull reddish-orange. 



Crested Titmouse, Partis bicolor, Wils. Am. Om i. p. 137- 

 pi. S.fig. 5. 



Inhabits North America as far north as Greenland : rather 

 rare in Pennsylvania ; more common in northern regions. 



157. Parus articapillus, l. Not crested ; plumbeous ; 

 crown, cervix and throat black ; cheeks and beneath whitish ; 

 tail two inches long. / 



Young, crown dirty brownish. 



Black-capt Titmouse, Parus atricapillus, Wils. Am. Om. 



i. p. 134. pi. 8- fig- 4- 



Inhabits the continent of North America ; more common 

 in the northern regions : common. Exceedingly allied to 

 Parus palustris of Europe. 



FAMILY XIV. PASSERINI. 



Passerini, III. Conirostres, Dentirostres, Cav. Latr. 

 Granivores, Pericalles, Canori, Vieill. Conoramfi, Ranz. 

 Order Granivores, Temm. 



Bill short, robust, conic, slightly curved at tip; edges 

 generally entire : nostrils basal. Feet moderate ; tarsus 

 rather slender, annulated, naked ; inner toe free ; outer free, 

 or united at base only : nails moderate, compressed, incurved, 

 acute. Wings rather short. Tail of twelve feathers. 



