INTRODUCTION. xiii 
which is almost straight ; the edges of both somewhat inflected and not 
notched. Nostrils basal, oval, pointed in front, and partly covered by/re- 
flexed bristiy feathers. Wings with ten quills, the first almost obsolete, the 
third longest, but the fourth and fifth nearly equal to it. Tail very long and 
graduated. Tarsus long and scutellated in front; claws not much hooked 
(p. 99). 
Family ‘PARIDA. 
ACPEDULA, K. L. Koch.—Bill very short, strong, much compressed, both man- 
dibles curved, the upper considerably longer than the lower. Nostrils basal, 
round, concealed by the plumage. Eyelids with broad bare margins. Wings 
with ten quills, gradually increasing in length from the first to the fourth and 
fifth, which are the longest. Tail very long, narrow and graduated, the 
outer feathers being only about one-third of the length of the middle pair. 
Tarsus long and scutellated ; toes moderate ; the anterior toes united so far 
as the second joint, the outer toe longer than the inner, the hind toe stout and 
armed with a long hooked claw (p. 101). 
Parus, Linneus.—Bill strong, straight, rather conical, slightly compressed, upper 
mandible hardly longer than the lower and not notched. Nostrils basal, 
round, covered with reflexed bristly feathers. Wings with ten quills, the 
first short, the fourth or fifth the longest. Tail moderate, even or slightly 
rounded. Tarsus moderate and scutellated; toes as in preceding genus 
(p. 103). 
Family SITTIDZ. 
Sirta, Lznneus.—Bill moderate, strong, and slightly conical, the lower mandible 
ascending from the angle to the point. Tongue short and horny, the tip 
abrupt and furnished with strong bristles. Nostrils basal, rounded, placed 
in a deep hollow, covered by hairs and short feathers. Wings rather long ; 
the first quill much shorter than the second, the fourth or‘fifth the longest. 
Tail short, flexible, broad, and nearly square. Legs short and stout, the 
tarsus scutellated ; toes long and strong—the hind toe especially, the outer toe 
joined at its base to the middle toe ; claws large and much hooked (p. 113). 
Family TROGLODYTID. 
TROGLODYTES, V%ez//ot.—Bill moderate, compressed, slightly curved, without 
any notch, and pointed. Nostrils basal, oval, partly covered by a membrane. 
Wings very short, concave, rounded ; the first quill rather short, the fourth 
or fifth the longest. Tail generally short ; its feathers soft and rounded. 
Tarsus rather long and strong; the middle toe united at the base to the 
outer toe, but not to the inner toe ; hind toe rather long ; claws long, stout 
and curved. Plumage long and soft (p. 115). 
Family CERTHIID. 
CertuiA, Linneus.—Bill rather long, slender, compressed, curved downwards 
and pointed ; nostrils basal, lateral, elongated and partly covered by a mem- 
brane. Wings moderate and rounded ; the first feather short, the fourth and 
fifth the longest. Tail of twelve feathers, long, stiff, pointed, and slightly 
curved downwards. Feet large, the tarsus slender ; the fore toes long and 
