PAM. PARI IDA 45 
Nidifcation. Nest very bulky, purse-like, suspended or attached to twigs of trees or 
bushes. Eggs white, with or without reddish brown specks. 
KEY TO THE GENERA OF PSALTRIPARIN Az 
1. Tail excessively graduated (the outermost rvectrix being about half as long as the 
median) and much longer than the wing, the difference being at least equal to 
middle toe with claw, but generally much move. . . . . . . . . . 7. Genus ASGITHALOS. 
— Tail much less graduated (the outermost rectrix being at least two-thirds as long as 
the median), equal to, slightly shorter or longer than wing, the difference between 
length of wing and tail being decidedly less than length of tarsus. . . a 6 We ean ace gem ee 
. Basal phalanx of middle toe adherent to lateral toes foy its entire length. Tail 
equal to, or slightly shorter than, wing . . aa ee Sm Weoarce oot al re PS eee a 
— Basal phalanx of middie toe adherent to outer toe only for greater be of its 
length, to imner toe for a less distance. Tatl decidedly longer than wing. . 10. Genus PSALTRIPARUS. 
3. First primary slightly longer than half the second Tail slightly shorter than 
wing. Bill thick, at base decidedly deeper than wide . . . -  g. Genus Psarrria. 
— First primary equal to, or slightly shorter than, half the second. Tail about aed 
to wing. Bill more compressed, at base decidedly wider than deep. . . . . 8. Genus A®GITHALISCUS. 
7. GENUS AZEGITHALOS Jon. HERMANN 
Egithalos J. Hermann, Observ. Zool. p. 214 (1804) (type : Pipya europaea J. Hermann). 
Acredula C. L. Koch, Syst. Baier. Zool. p. 199 (1816) (type : Acredula caudata). 
Mecistura Leach, Cat. Mamm. and Birds Brit. Mus. p. 17 (1816) (sp. un. : M. vagans Leach). 
Paroides L. Brehm, Isis, Vol. 21, p. 1284 (1828) (type : Parus caudatus Linneeus). 
Megistura G. R. Gray, List Genera of Birds, p. 23 (1840) (mom. emend. pro Mecistuva Leach). 
Orites (nec Keyserling & Blasius 1840!) G. R. Gray, List Genera of Birds. ed. 2, p. 32 (1842) 
(sp. un. : O. caudatus). 
Subgenus Megisturus Temminck & Schlegel, Fauna Japon. Aves, p. 71 (1848). 
Characters. Bill very small, much less than half as long as head (exposed culmen about 
equal to length of hallux without claw), very much deeper than wide; culmen strongly curved, 
gonys less so. Nostrils small, nearly circular, entirely hidden by the antrorse, latero-frontal 
plumules. Rictal bristles numerous, though soft and short. Wing rather long, somewhat 
pointed ; fourth and fifth primaries longest; sixth a little shorter, but considerably longer than 
third; first primary decidedly less than half the second. Tail much longer than wing, emarginate 
and at the same time much graduated; the rectrices rather narrow, lengthened, somewhat 
attenuated at tip. Submedian pair longest, the median distinctly shorter and about equal in 
length to the fourth from outside; outer rectrices strongly graduated, the outermost being 
about half as long as the middle pair. Tarsus slender, somewhat shorter than twice the length 
of middle toe without claw; scutes of acrotarsium inclined to fuse into a single, long lamina; 
outer toe slightly longer than inner one; hallux about as long as outer toe, but much stouter, 
with a much stronger as well as longer claw; outer toe united to middle one for its basal 
phalanx. Wing 54-66, tail 65-100 mm. 
