6 PASSERES 
Observations. I have been in considerable doubt about the propriety of uniting in a 
single genus the numerous species and subspecies commonly referred to Parus. However, 
several attempts to use the slight structural differences (in shape and size of bill, shape and 
relative length of tail) together with style of coloration as generic characters having entirely 
failed I see no other way out of the difficulty but the one here taken. With regard to the 
question of subdivision of this genus the remarks of Mr. Ridgway (Birds North- and Middle 
Amer. Vol. 3, p. 378) should be consulted. 
KEY TO THE SPECIES AND SUBSPECIES OF PARUS 
1. Head with a distinct, full occipital crest, the crest-feathers being either 
rounded, ov slightly attenuated and recurved at thetip. . . . . . . . =... =... . 
— Head without a distinct, full crest, the occipital feathers being either 
novmally shaped, or very slightly lengthened (section Cyanistes, 
Parus funereus), ov only a few of them are elongated (several 
sforms.of ‘section, Periparus)) 5.6. 2.0 j-- oy in an et 4 De ee eee 
. Plumage above uniform olive-green, lower parts paler. Above the eye 
iS 
a well-defined, bright lemon-yellow stripe, only to be seen when the 
WEQULEVSHAV EN) QUSEC ate tan ee) ey yn Se CODE GMS) 
— Plumage not uniform olwve-green. No bright lemon-yellow stripe above 
U 8 § ay 
HASG Ie ee aide «oe Oe oe ceed) es Pres oS hs 
3. Under parts pale dingy greenish, more yellowish in the middle of the 
abdomen’ ies pine ss ois cee Ge VS eee ee 1 ook Pe aronEsmismopEsmuss 
— Under parts duller, throat and breast move greyish green . . . . 73. P. MODESTUS SATURATIOR. 
4. Upper wing coverts with large white or yellow apical spots. Head 
above metallic black, with a distinct pale nuchal patch, sides of 
head yellow, with a black stveak from eye to sides of neck . . . 5. (MAcHLOLOPHUS). 
— Upper wing coverts without trace of light apical spots. Head above 
never uniform metallic glossy black. No pale nuchal patch; sides 
of head without black streak . . . . . op ae bo 3 ee Ent een eae aT 
5. Throat yellow like the remainder of under parts. Wuchal paveh White. 3, ae 
— Throat more or less black. Nuchal patch yellow. hits. 
6. Head above like all the upper parts glossy greenish black; middle of 
the abdomen with a distinct black longitudinal stripe . . . . So. P. HoLsTI Go. 
— Lateral portions of pileum washed with olive, back etc. dull greenish 
olive-gvey ; no blackish median stripe on the abdomen . . . . 5o. P. Houstr Q. 
7. Forehead yellow, crown black . 
— Forehead black like the crown. . . ae eos SWE o oo oa 2 OR 
8. Back bluish grey, spottéd with black on anterior portion. ie : throat 
and middle of breast down to anal region black, sides and flanks 
Gleanicineveouse so 9%, 22g, a) ee en es eee ee RE oe 
— Back greenish, sometimes varied with blackish on upper portion. Below 
mainly yellow, with more or less of black on throat ; flanks sometimes 
BveytSa ee See Me Me og ee tecd to's) moore, Silica en 
1) P, atricapillus sakhalinensis could not be included in the key, being unknown to the author. 
