FAM. PARIDA® 
Oo 
3. Bill with evther culmen oy gonys (usually both) distinctly convex, tts tip 
not acute. First primary about half as long as second, the latter 
always shorter than seventh. Rictal bristles distinct . . . I. Subfam. Partnz. 
— Bill with both, culmen and gonys, nearly straight, its tip acute. Furst 
primary decidedly less than half as long as second, usually vudimen- 
tary, scarcely exceeding primary-coverts, the second longer than seventh. 
LORE USES WOSWIE gs lk eg] 6a SUOMI, IROEAINED. 
4. Bill extremely elevated, very much deeper than wide, with outlines strongly 
convex, and culmen much rounded above; maxillary tomium more or 
less deeply sinuated. Nostrils non-operculate, small, roundish, entirely 
concealed by dense, antyorse, latero-frontal plumules. . . . . . 4. Subfam. PaRaDOXORNITHINE. 
—- Bill not elevated, as wide as, or even wider than, deep, with culmen 
but slightly convex for terminal half and distinctly ridged ; maxillary 
tomium without trace of sinuation. Nostrils distinctly operculate, large, 
longitudinal, posteriorly overhung hy bristly latero-frontal plumules. 6. Subfam. CERTHIPARINE. 
1. SUBFAM. PARIN4E 
THE TITMICE 
In this group I include, besides the true Tits (Paras), the old-world genera Melanochlora, 
Penthornis, Parisoma (s. strict.), Aphelocephala and Sphenostoma. Vhey are all, without 
exception, small-sized birds with rather strong, distinctly convex, more or less blunt bill, 
rounded, even or slightly emarginate tail, composed of equally broad rectrices, and with inter- 
orbital septum without any large, central foramen. 
Characters. Bill relatively small, much shorter than head, about equal to, or longer 
than, inner toe without claw, much longer than deep, with either culmen or gonys (usually 
both) distinctly convex, its tip not acute; maxillary tomium with or without subterminal notch. 
Nasal opening occupying much less than basal half of maxilla, either operculate and then mostly 
exposed, or non-operculate and concealed by antrorse latero-frontal plumules. Wing rather long, 
rounded; third, fourth and fifth, or fourth and fifth, primaries longest; second primary always 
shorter than seventh, equal either to eighth or to ninth; first primary about half as long as 
second. Tail variable as to relative length, even, rounded, or slightly emarginate; rectrices 
broad, more or less rounded at tip. Tarsus much less than twice as long as middle toe (without 
claw); acrotarsium distinctly scutellate; middle toe longest, outer toe slightly longer than 
inner; basal phalanx of middle toe adherent to inner toe for entire length, to outer toe for more 
than half its length; hallux equal in length to inner toe, but stouter. Interorbital septum without 
any large central foramen. Plumage soft and copious. 
Coloration variable (see genera). Sexes sometimes alike, sometimes more or less 
different. 
Geographical Distribution. Palearctic, Neartic, Indo-Malayan, Australian and Ethio- 
pian Regions. 
