172 
PARID.K. 
measures from the earpal joint to the end of the longest quill- 
feather two inches four lines: the tail two inches two lines ; 
the beak measures three lines from the forehead to the tip, 
and is conical and very blunt; the nostrils are covered 
by very stiff, black hairs, directed forward. The wings have 
the first quill eight lines in length; the second, one inch 
five lines; the third, two inches three lines; the fourth, fifth, 
and sixth, exceed the third by about one line, and are the 
lono'est in the win^j; the tarsi measure eight lines. 
The plumage of this little bird, although less striking 
than that of most of its congenors, is very pretty. The 
whole head is covered with a jet black hood, which includes 
the forehead and nape. The cheeks are white, as are also 
the reflected stiff hairs that extend from the eye to the 
corners of the mouth : the chin is black. The back and 
scapulars are rusty grey, lightest on the upper coverts of 
the tail: the tail and wings are dusky, edged with the colour 
of the back. The under plumage of the body is dull white, 
strongly tinged on the breast and flanks with buff colour. 
The iris is dark brown : the legs and toes bluish-grey. The 
under coverts of the wings are cream-colour; the under sur¬ 
face of the wings and tail feathers pale slate, with white shafts. 
The female and young so nearly resemble the adult male, 
that one description will suffice for all. 
The egg of this species is dull white, without any polish; 
it is very minutely speckled over with reddish brown spots, 
chiefly around the zone at the larger end. The eggs of 
all our indigenous titmice have a marked character, which 
distinguishes them from those of the wren, the creeper, 
and the chiff-chaff; they are more unpolished in surface, 
the markings are paler, and often rough or angular in form, 
instead of smooth and round. A representation of one will 
be found figured 78. 
