SYLVIAD^. PARIANS. 
4.3 
the bark of buds, and thus extracting the small insects 
that there lie concealed. Of the five types of form, or 
subgenera, proper to the genus PutuSj that which we 
have formerly named Parinoma, is the connecting link 
to Accentor, It is one of those small birds of South 
Africa, figured, indeed, by Le Vaillant, but of which 
the greater part are known only by his plates ; the four 
others are composed of the ordinary or typical titmice 
(Parus), the hangnest titmice (Egitkalus Vig.), the 
Brazilian titmice (^HyloptMus Tern.) and that excess- 
ively rare little bird forming VieiHot’s genus AEgithina, 
Parus and Egithalus are distinguished by their conic, 
sharp-pointed, and entire bills ; while the three aber- 
rant types have this member notched ; but in all five 
the feet (so constantly employed in the great exertion 
of climbing) are particularly strong and muscular j the 
hind toe, also — upon which all climbing birds depend so 
much for assistance — is large and powerful. 
(46.) The discovery of the five subgenera of Parus, 
independent of the verification they afford by their per- 
fect analogy to the correctness of the corresponding 
types of the genus Sylvicola sulwequently detailed, is of 
much importance, since this discovery enables us to 
prove, beyond all reasonable doubt, tliat neither the long- 
tailed nor the bearded tits {Parus caudatus and hiarmi- 
ous) are types either of genera or subgenera. We have 
already alluded to the station in which, after the most 
minute analysis, we have placed the Parus biarrnicus*, 
which is only an aberrant species of the restricted sub- 
genus Parus, as the latter now stands : from this bird al- 
ways hving in the vicinity of water, it becomes that species 
which represents the natato- 
rial type; while,in the greatly 
V developed tail of Parus can- 
to perceive another aberrant 
species, typifying the lla- 
sores. We have repeatedly 
remarked that groups, pre- 
datus (Jig. 129.), easy 
* Classification of Animals, |>p.I270, 271. 
