Lophophanes, Kaup, Entw. Gesch. Europ. Thierwelt, 1829. (Type, Parus cristatus.)
Bæolophus, Cabanis, Mus. Hein. 1850, 1851, 91. (Type, Parus bicolor, L.)
Gen. Char. Crown with a conspicuous crest. Bill conical; both upper and lower outlines convex. Wings graduated; first quill very short. Tail moderately long and rounded. Nests in hollow trees; eggs white with fine red dottings.
Lophophanes bicolor.
823 ♂
Of this genus there are several North American species, all agreeing in general characters. One of these, the L. wollweberi, is given by Cabanis as typical, while he separates the L. bicolor generically under the name of Bæolophus, as having a rather different form of crest, stouter bill and feet, and longer wings. All of our species, however, vary in these characters, each one showing a different combination, so that we prefer to consider all as belonging to the same genus with P. cristatus.
The species, all of which have the under parts uniform whitish, may be arranged as follows:—
L. bicolor. Above plumbeous; forehead black; crown much like the back. Hab. Eastern Province United States.
L. atricristatus. Above plumbeous; forehead whitish; crown black. Hab. East Mexico, north to Rio Grande.
L. inornatus. Above olivaceous; forehead and crown like the back. Hab. South of Middle and Western Provinces of United States.