I'liUCniNG-BIRDS. 127 



Long-hilled Hemignatlius (HeiniynatliKS procerus) (2341). ivsemble the 

 Sun-birds, but tlie bill is not serrated, others liavc the bill stout and 

 Finch-like, while in one remarkable form, Pseitdu/iestor (2346), it is 

 Parrot-like. The splendid feather-cloaks, waist-bands, and mask- 

 decorations of the former Hawaiian Kings were chiefly composed of 

 the yellow plumage of the " Mamo " {Drepanis pacifica) (2347) and the 

 scarlet feathers of the " Jiwi " ( Vcstiaria coccinea) (2342). The former 

 bird, a drawing- of which is exhibited in the Case, is now- almost 

 extinct. 



Family XXVIII. Meliphagid.?!. Honey-suckers. 



The Honey-suckers are one of the most characteristic families of fCase 76.] 

 birds met with in Australia, and range to New Guinea, the Moluccas, 

 and Polynesia. They are chiefly remarkable in possessing an extensile 

 tongue, forked at the tip and broken up into numerous horny fibres, so 

 as to form a brush specially adapted for gathering houey and small 

 insects from the cups of flowers. Two subfamilies are recognised ; the 

 Myzonwruiie, including the smaller sjiecics such as Mi/zomela (2315-7), 

 with the general appearance of Sun-birds ; and the Melipkat/i/ue. The 

 latter contain all the remaining forms, some being larger birds of the 

 size of a Thrush. In many species, parts of the head are bare, and 

 wattles on the sides of the head and throat are often developed. Amono- 



the species exhibited we may call attention to the following : Ptilutis 



(jracUis (2325), the representative of a large and widely distributed 

 genus characterised by the ornamental yellow ear-tufts. Its neatly 

 woven cup-shaped nest is suspended from a forked branch. The remark- 

 able Tui of New Zealand {Prosthemadera nova zealuadia') (2330), com- 

 monly known to the colonists as the " Parson-bird " on account of the 

 peculiar white feathers which adorn its throat and their fancied 

 resemblance to the clerical bands. It is a favourite cao-e-bird on 

 account of its sweet notes and powers of mimicry. The Large Wattled 

 Honey-eater {Acantlwchcera cariincuktu) (2339), a native of Australia, 

 exhibited with its uest and eggs. The Friar-Bird {Philemon corniculatus) 

 (2329j, also from Australia, with a bare head and curious liorn at the 

 base of the bill. It will be noted in the skeleton of this species that tlie 

 horn is supported by a bony core. Lastly, Turati's Ilouey-eater 

 {Melidectes einiUi) (2321), a curious form with large wattles ou the 

 throat, peculiar to New Guinea. 



Family XXIX. Mniotiltid^. American Warbixrs. 



These birds are entirely conflned to the Amsrican region and may be [(1iwe78.J 

 regarded as representing the Sijlvmhe of the Old Woi-ld. Generally 



