Australian Birds in the Collection of the Linnean Society. 307 
him that the bird was only seen in summer, that he knew nothing 
of its nest, but that it fed upon figs at the Flats. These birds 
had also been pointed out by the natives to Mr. Caley in their 
flight; at which time he observed them very high in the air, and 
wheeling about with great swiftness. That gentleman adds, that 
the present individual had two large caterpillars and some of the 
gold. beetles (Anoplognathus viridi-eneus, &c., Leach) in its sto- 
mach at the time he shot it. Seeds of the red gum and pepper- 
mint trees have also, as we are informed*, been found in the 
crops of these birds. Like the South American genera Ram- 
phastos and Pteroglossus, which in conjunction with the present 
group compose the family of Ramphastide, they may probably 
be considered to be omnivorous. | 
Tribus. TzwvrRosTREs. Cuv. 
Fam. MzrrirnaciDz. i 
The chief groups which compose the tenuirostral Tribe of the 
Insessores, or that assemblage of birds which derive their main 
nourishment from the suctorial powers of their tongue, are 
distinguished not only by their geographical distribution, but 
by striking peculiarities which point out their greater or less 
accordance with the typical characters of the Tribe. The most 
prominent indication of typical pre-eminence among them is 
exhibited in the superior developement of those organs or 
powers which contribute to the purposes of feeding by suction 
on the wing, and the consequent deficiency of those members 
which are suited for functions of a different nature. And in 
determining the different stations of the various groups of the 
Tribe, we are thus guided to the central or typical assemblage 
by detecting the superior powers of flight exhibited in the wings 
and tail, and the accompanying weakness of the bill and legs. 
* See Latham’s Gen. Hist. ii. p. 501. 
2Rn2 ; In 
