lOf) 



TENUIROSTRES. 



SUn-FAMILY HI. 

 Mellisugix^.* The Straight-hilled Ilummhuj -birds. 



Gen. Chaeac. — Bill more or less lengthened, slender, and straight, the lateral 

 margins more or less dilated over the lower mandible ; the nostrils basal, 

 with the opening sometimes concealed by the projecting jjlumes ; wings 

 long and pointed ; tail of various length and forms ; tarsi very short ; toes 

 more or less long, the outer toe united at its base, and the hind toe long, 

 and armed usuallj' with a long claw. 



Fig. 41,— the racket-tailed humming-bied. 



{McUitiiiga miruhiUs.) 



Tlie Humming-birds belonging to this division 

 frequent tubular flowers, before wliicli they suspend 

 themselves on the wing so steadily that their wings 



* Mel, honey ; sugere, to suck. 



