Australian Birds in the Collection of the Linnean Society. 275 
We have already observed, that no. Species of the subfamily 
Macrocercina, or the Maccaws, the next succeeding group to the 
subdivision of Cockatoos which we have just quitted, has been 
found in Australia. Neither has the recently-described genus 
Psittacara, V., or the Perruche-Aras of M. Le Vaillant, which 
connects the Maccaws with the present subfamily of Paleornina, 
been met with in that country. New Holland, however, supplies 
the next link in the chain of affinities; and in a singularly beau- 
tiful assemblage of birds, diminutive in their size, but brilliant 
and attractive in their plumage, affords the representatives of the 
New World Macrocercus. 'These birds, or the genus Nanodes, 
the characters of which we have given above, have the bill and 
general form of Macrocercus; and, with the exception of the 
naked cheeks, appear perfect Maccaws in miniature. The first 
species enumerated, N. discolor, may be considered the type of 
the group. 'The two last species will be found partially to 
deviate from this type, as we shall observe t in its ae and to 
form. the passage to the succeeding genus*. E 5 
^1. Dis- 
js The above group is as nearly allied to Pond as to "Pater eus ; and it might 
perhaps, in a rude distribution of species, be included in that genus from a conformity 
in general appearance and habits. We are induced to keep it separate, in consequence 
of its close affinity to the Muccaws, and for the purpose.of more strongly marking out, 
by such a generic separation, one of the intervening gradations by which the species of 
this extensive family are beautifully connected with each other. Nanodes with Platy- 
cercus and Pezoporus form a natural group, the species of which return into themselves 
in a circular succession; and they thus constitute a minor : subdivision of the present 
subfamily. We take this opportunity of pointing out the-other subdivisions with which 
it is connected. The subfamily of Palæornina comprises, first, the Parrakeet Mac- 
caws of South America, or the genus Psittacara, V.; secondly, the present Australian 
group of Ground Parrakeets, including Nanodes, Platycercus, and Pezoporus, and con- 
nected with the preceding Parrakeet Maccaws by Nanodes discolor ; thirdly, the Indian 
group of Palæornis, which is united with the Ground Parrakeets by means of the New 
Holland species Pal. Barrabandi; fourthly, the Parrakeets whose tongue is fila- 
mentous, such as the Australian and Indian genera Trichoglossus and Lorius, which 
2N2 join 
