PASSERES 
Nidification. Nest either in holes of various kinds (Parus), or a free, bulky structure 
(Aphelocephala). Eggs mostly white, spotted with brownish red or light red (Parus), or fleshy 
white (4 phelocephala). 
KEY TO THE GENERA OF PARIN A= 
1. Nostrils non-operculate, small, voundish, entirely concealed by antrorse latero- 
frontal plumules. Tongue with distinct horny bristles. Upper tail coverts 
covering not more than basal third of tail, usually much less . 
— Nostrils situated in a large operculated groove, nasal opening roundish, hidden 
by antrorse latero-frontal plumules. Tongue without bristles. Upper tail coverts 
tN 
long, coveyvinge basal’half ofiail . «=. 5 2 «= = = w= | = = 9) 4. Genus APHELOGERHADA: 
— Nostrils operculate, entively exposed. Upper tail coverts short, covering much less 
Hanasalthind of tat 08) 5 en ne ek te es, Se eed ee 
N 
. Bill decidedly longer than hallux (without claw), with culmen more abruptly 
curved, and tip of maxilla slightly uncinate . 
Pp i re wate . Genus PENTHORNIS. 
— Bill about as long as hallux (without claw), with culmen less abruptly curved, 
no 
and tip of maxilla not uncinate Se > eee 
3. Bull stout, much expanded at base; tail strongly rounded, the outermost rectrix 
falling short of the middle pair by length of inner toe with claw . . . . 3. Genus MELANOCHLORA. 
— Bill more slender, not expanded at base; tail even, emarginate, or very slightly 
rounded, the difference between longest and shortest vectrix being much less 
than length ofiinner toe with claw. . 5 . 4. - «© » « = = = &. Genus PARUS- 
4. Bill at base nearly as deep as wide, with culmen rounded and strongly curved for 
the whole of its length; no subterminal notch near end of maxillary tomium. 
Tail much longey than wing =. . 2 2 ee tt le CC CSC SC, GENUS SPHENOSTOMA 
— Bill at base decidedly wider than deep, much compressed terminally, with culmen 
nearly straight for basal half, rather abruptly decurved terminally ; maxillary 
tomium with slight subterminal notch. Tail about equal to length of wing. . 6. Genus PARIsoMA. 
1. GENUS PARUS  LINNuS 
Parus Linneus. Syst Nat, ed. 10, p. 189 (1758) (type by elimination : Pavus majoy Linnzus). 
Lophophanes Kaup, Skizz. Entwicklungsgesch. pp. gt, 92 (182g) (type by elimination : Parus cristatus 
Linneeus). 
Cyanistes Kaup, ibidem, p. 99 (1829) (type : Parus cyanus Pallas). 
Peecile (nec Poecilus Bonelli 1809) Kaup, ibidem, p. 114 (1829) (type by elimination : Pavus palustris 
Linneeus). 
Sylviparus Burton, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. Vol. 3, 1835, p. 154 (1836) (type : Syluiparus modestus 
Burton). 
Peecila Gray, Genera of Birds, Vol. 1, p. 1g1 (1848) (nom. emend. pro Poecile Kaup). 
Penthestes Reichenbach, Avium Syst. Nat. pl. 62 (1850) (type : Pavus lugubvis Temminck). 
Melaniparus Bonaparte, Consp. Gen. Avium, Vol. 1, p. 228 (1850) (sp. : P. niger, leucomelas, leuco- 
pterus, leuconotus). 
Machlolophus Cabanis, Mus. Heinean. Vol. 1, p. 91 (1851) (type : Pavus spilonotus). 
