PARUS 173" 



with pale red underlying shell blotches and dark red surface 

 markings, and measure about 0*65 by 0*52. 



Its general call-note resembles than that of P. borealis, but 

 is louder and deeper in tone. 



252. SUBSP. PARUS OBTECTUS. 



Parus obtectus, Cabanis, J. f. O. 1871, p. 237 ; Gadow, Cat. B. Br. Mus, 

 viii. p. 35 ; Turner, Nat. Hist. Alaska, p. 182, pi. x. ; P. grisescens, 

 Sharpe and Dresser, B. of E. iii. p. 129 (1871). 



Ad. (E. Siberia). Differs from P. cinctus in having the crown and upper 

 parts paler and greyer, the back with scarcely any trace of rufous ; under 

 parts white, the flanks faintly washed with warm buff. Culrnen 0*48, 

 wing 2-75, tail 277, tarsus 0*62 inch. 



Hob. Siberia, ranging west as far as the valley of the- 

 Yenesei where it meets P. cinctus ; occasional in Alaska. 



This eastern form of P. cinctus does not differ in habits from 

 that species. Godlevski found it numerous on passage in October 

 in the southern Baikal district, consorting with P. baicalensis, 

 from which it was easily distinguishable by its harsh call-note. 

 Judging from Turner's plate the Alaskan bird has the flanks a 

 little more rufescent than the Siberian bird. 



It has been found breeding in Alaska, and its nest and eggs 

 were taken, but no description of them appears to have been 

 published. 



253. WHITE-BROWED TITMOUSE. 

 PARUS SUPERCILIOSUS. 



Parus superciliosus (Prjev.) Mongol i Strana Tangnt, ii. p. 53 (1876) ;, 

 Pleske, Prjevalsky's Keisen, ii. Vbgel, p. 160. 



$ ad. (Kan-su). Crown and throat deep black ; upper parts ashy blue- 

 grey, paler towards the nape ; wings and tail blackish, externally margined 

 with ashy grey ; sides of head and neck below the eye and under parts pale 

 rufous, paler on the middle of the abdomen ; a distinct pure white super- 

 ciliary stripe from the base of the bill over the eye ; bill blackish ; legs 

 blackish plumbeous; iris dark brown. Culmen 0'4, wing 2-55, tail 2 '8>, 

 tarsus 0'85 inch. Sexes alike. 



Hob. Mongolia (Kansu and the upper Chuanche). 



Inhabits the bushes in the alpine zone of the mountains, and 

 is seen in small flocks, often in company with Leptopcecile in the- 

 rhododendron and caragana thickets. Its call-note is a loud 

 whistle reminding one of that of Ehopophilus. Mr. Grum- 



