424 BULLETIN 50, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



but much rounded; seventh, sixth, and fifth, or seventh to fourth, 

 primaries longest, the eighth shorter than fifth (sometimes shorter 

 than fourth), the ninth shorter than second (sometimes shorter than 

 secondaries), the tenth about half as long as ninth. Tail longer than 

 wing, the rectrices narrow but with broadly rounded tips, much rounded 

 or graduated. Tarsus about twice as long as middle toe without claw, 

 about one-third as long as wing, slender, the acrotarsium distinctly 

 scutellate; outer toe slightly longer than inner, its claw reaching about 

 to base of middle claw; hallux (without claw) about as long as outer 

 toe, its claw shorter than the digit, strongly curved; basal phalanx of 

 middle toe adherent to outer toe for greater part of its length to inner 

 toe for same distance. 



Coloration. — Above plain gray or olive (if the former, the pileum 

 sometimes brownish, if the latter the pileum gray); beneath pale gray 

 or whitish, sometimes tinged with bufi'y or vinaceous posteriorly; sides 

 of head sometimes black. 



NicLification. — Nest a very bulky purse-like structure, suspended to 

 twigs of bushes or small trees, composed of moss, lichens, spiders' 

 webs, and other soft materials, the entrance a small hole on one side 

 near top. Eggs immaculate white. 



Range. — Western United States and temperate parts of Mexico. 

 (Four species.) 



Among the Old World allies of Psaltriparus that I have been able to 

 examine" the form most nearly related is, apparently, Acanthiparus 

 Gould* from northern India. The type species of this genus is so simi- 

 lar in structural characters to Psaltriparus as to raise serious doubt as 

 to whether their supposed generic difference can be maintained unless 

 based chiefly on great difference in style of coloration. In Acanthipa- 

 rus, however, the tail is shorter than the wing, instead of longer, and 

 the rectrices relatively narrower; the tarsus and wing have the same 

 relative length as in Psaltriparus (being as one to three); the wing- 

 formula is essentially the same, while the relative size and shape of 

 the bill are identical in the two genera; but in Acanthiparus the pri- 

 maries, like the retrices, are relatively narrower, and the adhesion of 

 the anterior toes is apparently more extensive, involving the whole of 

 the basal phalanx of the middle toe. The style of coloration is, in part, 

 very different in the two groups, Acanthiparus having a large white 

 patch on the forehead and fore part of crown, and the under parts of 

 the body vinaceous-brown, darker across the breast, where abruptly 

 contrasted with the pure white of the chest, throat, and sides of neck. 

 The legs and feet are light brown, instead of black as in Psaltriparus. 



« I have not seen representatives of Anthoscopiia Cabanis nor Aegithalopm Heine. 

 b Acanthiparus Gould, Birds of Asia, ii (pt. vii) , 1855, pi. 67 (type, A. niveogutaris 

 Gould). 



