CATAI. OGUP] 



BIRDS 



Order II. PASSERIFORMES 



(Cat. B. vol. iii. p. 1). 



Suborder I. PASSERES 



(Cat. B. vol. iii. p. 6). 



Group IV. CINNYRIMORPH^ 



(Cat. B. vol. iii. p. 3). 



Family NECTARINIID^E.* 



BiU always much pointed, often elongated and curved. Tongue 

 long, protractile, ending in a tube anteriorly bifid. Nostrils rounded, 

 not hidden by bristles or feathers, but protected by a coriaceous 

 membraue. llictal and nasal bristles completely wanting. First 

 primary always present, varying in size; tip of wing formed by 

 3rd to ath primaries. Tarsus anteriorly covered with transverse 

 scales ; hallux and claws short. Principal ground-colours yellow 

 and green, frequently with the addition of other ornamental and 

 metallic colours, which as a rule, like the pectoral tufts, are cha- 

 racteristic of the male. Feathers of crown always short, never 

 forming a crest. Generally two white eggs are laid in a woven 

 pendent nest. Non-migratory. 



liau(je. Ethiopian, Indian, and Australian Kegions. 



* With reference to the description of the metallic colours in the Sun-birds, 

 see my paper in the 'Proceedings of the Zoological Society' for 1882, p. 409: 

 but I observe here, that " position A" means that the eye is placed between 

 the bird and the light, the eye and the light almost in a level with the planes 

 to bo examined ; " ])Osition B," the bird is placed vertically to the light, the eye 

 being still between the light and the bird ; '" position C," the bird is held in nearly 

 the same level with, but between, the eye and the liglit. 



YOl, IX. B 



