100 
Synopsis of the Birds 
feed also on flesh, often perforating the skulls of sickly 
birds, even of their own species, and eat the brain. Pugnacious; 
attacking much larger birds, and often killing weaker ones ; 
defend their young courageously. Breed once a year; eggs 
numerous, in some species eighteen or twenty. Voice un- 
pleasant, garrulous. Flesh bitter, unpalatable. Easily tamed, 
and fed with cheese and nuts in the aviary. 
Inhabit all climates, except South America. 
156. Parus bicolor, L Crested ; plumbeous ; beneath whitish; 
flanks tinged with dull reddish-orange. 
Crested Titmouse , Parus bicolor, Wils. Am. Orn i. p. 137. 
pi. 8. fig. 5. 
Inhabits North America as far north as Creenland : rather 
rare in Pennsylvania ; more common in northern regions. 
157. Parus articapillus, l. Not crested ; plumbeous ; 
crown, cervix and throat black ; cheeks and beneath whitish ; 
tail two inches long. 
Young, crown dirty brownish. 
Black-capt Titmouse , Paries atricapillus, Wils . Am. Orn. 
i. p. 134. pi. 8 .fig. 4. 
Inhabits the continent of North America ; more common 
in the northern regions : common. Exceedingly allied to 
Parus palustris of Europe. 
FAMILY XIV. PASSERINI. 
Passerini, III. Conirostres, Dentirostres, Cuv. Latr. 
Granivores, Pericalles, Canori, Vieill. Conoramfi, Ranz. 
Order Granivores , Temm. 
Bill short, robust, conic, slightly curved at tip; edges 
generally entire: nostrils basal. Feet moderate; tarsus 
rather slender, annulated, naked; inner toe free; outer free, 
or united at base only : nails moderate, compressed, incurved, 
acute. Wings rather short. Tail of twelve feathers. 
