380 



PARID^E. 



and one quarter : the first feather very short ; the second 

 feather considerably shorter than the third ; the fourth and 

 fifth each a little longer than the third ; the fifth the 

 longest in the wing. 



Females differ but little from males except in having 

 more black about the head. 



Young birds, as described by Mr. Blyth, have the irides 

 at first much lighter in colour than those of the old birds ; 

 the top of the head white ; ear-coverts dull black : cheeks, 

 and sides of the neck, mottled with dusky brown ; the black 

 on the back not so pure in colour, and the tail-feathers 

 while growing of variable comparative lengths. 



The vignette below represents the nest of this bird. 



