Australian Birds in the Collection of the Linnean Society. 329 
Pedes subfortes, subelongati ; acrotarsiis scutellatis, paratarsiis 
integris. | 
This form offers one of the greatest difficulties to the inves- 
tigator of affinities. The birds that exhibit it are said to be 
Honey-Eaters. This we much doubt. They are found among 
the flowers of the Eucalypti; but this circumstance may arise as 
well from their being in search of the insects abounding in these 
flowers, as of the honey contained in them. It is strange that 
we have never been able to examine a tongue of these birds, 
although the skins are common. Their general appearance 
indicates much of the Shrike. The strong bristles of the rictus 
suggest the idea of their food being animal, and indeed originally 
induced Dr. Latham to place them with the Linnean Muscicape. 
The integrity of the margins of the bill, on the other hand, seems 
to militate against this supposition. The extreme shortness and 
roundness of the wing again, and the long and graduated tail, 
are additional characters that demand consideration. In these 
characters, as well as in the length and softness of the feathers 
on the back, they approach the long-tailed American Thamno- 
phili. On the whole these birds form an interesting object of 
research to the naturalist, who may have the opportunity of de- 
termining their exact station in the Order, by observation of 
their habits and characters in their native country. Until these 
points are ascertained, we leave them at the extremity of this 
family, to which they are usually referred. ; 
1. Crerirans. Psoph. olivaceo-brunneus, subvirescens ; capite 
cristato, jugulo pectoreque nigris; teniá latá utrinque sub 
oculos, rectricumque apicibus albis ; abdomine albo-variegato, 
- femoribus rufescentibus. i | 
Muscicapa crepitans. Lath. Ind. Orn. Supp. p. li. no. 10. 
Coach-whip Honey-Eater. Id. Gen. Hist. iv. p. 187. no. 43. 
VOL. XV. 2v Mr. 
