304 PAKID^E PAKUS 



Family XII. PARIDuE. 



Bill short (shorter than the head), conical and not notched nor 

 decurved at the tip ; the culmen broad, rounded and not ridged at 

 the base. Nostrils rounded, basal and without any membranous 

 covering, but hidden by dense bristles and feathers directed 

 forward. Wings with ten primaries, the first much shorter than 

 the second, the third, fourth and fifth longest. Tarsus longer than 

 the middle toe and claw, but less than twice the length of the toe 

 without the claw, scutellated anteriorly ; the middle toe united to 

 the lateral toes at the base. Plumage soft and lax, and neither 

 spotted nor streaked. The sexes alike or nearly alike in colour, 

 the young somewhat paler as a rule. 



This family contains about eighty species, distributed over the 

 entire globe with the exception of South America, the Pacific 

 Islands and the Arctic and Antarctic Regions. Six species and 

 subspecies are found in South Africa. The Tits are generally met 

 with in small parties, hunting about bushes and trees for insects 

 and their eggs. The typical Tits build in holes of trees, rocks or 

 on the ground, and lay numerous white eggs sparingly spotted with 

 red ; the Penduline Tits construct elaborately woven domed nests 

 in trees or bushes, and lay pure white eggs. 



Key to the Genera. 



a. Outline of the culmen and gonys curved ; the 



point of bill rather blunt Paras, p. 304. 



b. Outline of the culmen and gonys straight ; the 



point of bill extremely acute JSgithalus, p. 309 



Genus I. PARUS. 



Type. 

 Parus, Linnczus, Syst. Nat. i, p. 341 (1766) P. major. 



Bill short, strong, conical, unnotched, blunt at the tip, the 

 culmen curved from base to tip. Nostrils small, round and con- 

 cealed by bristles and short frontal plumes directed forwards, but 

 without an operculum. Wing with ten quills, the first primary 

 well developed, but less than half the length of the second, the 

 fourth or fifth the longest. Tail slightly rounded or even. Tarsus 

 rather short and scutellated anteriorly ; feet strong, the hind claw 

 strong and hooked. Plumage not streaked nor cross-barred. Sexes 

 alike. 



