FAM. PARID&A 
BY C. E. HELLMAYR 

Characters. Bill relatively small, much shorter than the head, more or 
less conoidal, but extremely variable as to relative length, thickness and degree of curvature; 
the maxillary tomium usually smooth, very rarely with a slight subterminal notch (Parisoma), 
in one subfamily (Paradoxornithinae) more or less deeply sinuated; gonys relatively long (twice 
as long as mandibular rhami). Nostrils mostly very small, roundish, non-operculate, entirely 
concealed by antrorse latero-frontal plumules, sometimes, however, operculate, longitudinal 
and more or less exposed, Rictal bristles usually distinct, though never very conspicuous, some- 
times (Remizinae, Psaltriparinae) even obsolete. Wing rather long, rounded; third to sixth 
primaries longest ; second primary exceedingly variable in length, either about equal to seventh 
or eighth, or (in subfamilies Certhiparinae and Paradoxornithinac) not longer than secondaries ; 
first primary about half as long as second, sometimes (Remizinae, Panurinae) rudimentary, 
scarcely obvious. Tail variable in length, seldom only half as long as wing (in genus Cep/halo- 
pyrus), usually about as long, sometimes much longer than wing, rounded, graduated or 
emarginate, Tarsus variable in length, but always decidedly longer than middle toe with claw ; 
acrotarsium scutellate or booted; proportion of toes variable, usually outer toe slightly longer 
than inner toe, but slightly shorter than middle toe (except in Mohoma, in which genus outer 
and middle toes are equal), hallux equal in length to inner toe, but stouter, its claw much 
larger than those of anterior toes, sometimes nearly as long as the digit; basal phalanx 
of middle toe adherent to lateral toes for most, if not the whole, of its extent. Plumage lax, 
soft and copious. 
