no 



TENUIROSTRES. 



SUB-FAMILY I. 

 Myzomelin.^^." Tlir Honey -creepers. 



Gen. Char AC. — Bill more or less long, slender, curved, and acute at the tip, 

 wbich is slightly emarginated ; the nostrils basal, and the opening covered 

 by a membranous scale ; the wings rather short, with the third and fourth 

 quill-" usually the longest ; the tail short and even ; the tarsi short ; toes 

 moderate, the outer toe longer than the inner, and united at the liase. 



y <^ 



Fig. 42. 



-THE SANGUINEOUS HONEY-CREEPEK. 



{Myzomelu chermeginia.) 



The Honey-creepers are found only in Austr^lia^ 

 where they frequent various plants^ from the flowers 

 of which they collect the nectar^ as well as the small 

 insects found in them. They exhibit great activity, 

 and are continually moving from flower to flower, 

 and from branch to branch, in search of their sub- 

 sistence. Occasionally they may be seen perched on 

 a dead bough, and uttering a weak, plaintive note. 



* /xv^ciw, myzao, to sucT< ; /xeXi, meli, honey ; Honey-suckers. 



