titmice. 
165 
lined with the softest materials. The parents are 
most assiduous in attending on their brood, and 
in defending them from any attempts to force an 
entrance to their citadel. They lay numerous 
eggs. The notes of all are shrill and wild, and 
small troops, feeding in company, are responded 
to by each other in their tract through the wood, 
or along the hedge row. At the commencement 
of the breeding season the song of the male is 
long continued and little varied. In some it is 
harsh and grating, and is continued for more 
than an hour with little intermission. With a 
few exceptions, there is much alliance in the 
colours of the group. Steel bluish black, in broad 
markings, contrasted with white and yellow, and 
on the upper parts yellowish green or gray are 
the prevailing tints, several possess a crest cap- 
able of being raised or depressed at pleasure. 
Their appearance is always clean and enga- 
ging- 
Paros, Generic character , — Bill strong, sub- 
conical, comparatively short, sharp pointed ; 
notch obliterated, or barely perceptible ; 
nostrils covered with setaceous feathers ; 
wings w-ith the first quill short, four, five, 
six nearly equal and largest ; tail commonly 
of moderate length, rounded, very seldom 
square ; feet and legs strong and powerful, 
fore toes unequal ; hallux very powerful, 
nearly equaling the outer toe in length. 
Types, P. major, cceruleus. 
