AVES. 331 



This sub-family is composed of nearly one hundred birds, the majority 

 of which are restricted to Australia, and much resemble the preceding in 

 general characters and habits. In addition to the food of the birds of 

 that sub-family, some of the species of the present eat berries and other 

 fruits. 



The Tropidorhynchus corniailatus is one of the best known species of 

 Australian birds. It has I'eceived from the colonists the significant but not 

 very poetical name of " Leather-head," from the baldness of the part 

 alluded to. 



About a dozen species, constituting the genus Phyllornis, which are 

 arranged here, inhabit Java and other islands of the Indian Archipelago. 

 They are mostly clothed in plumage of a beautiful green or blue color, and 

 appear to be abundant in those localities. 



Sub -f am. ^3. MelithreptincB. Bill short, somewhat conic, compressed 

 towai'ds the tip, which is curved ; wings more or less long ; tarsi short and 

 strong ; toes long ; claws moderate. 



A group of about twenty birds, strictly peculiar to Australia. Their 

 habits and manners appear to be very similar to those of the preceding sub- 

 families, though they appear to be more insectivorous. For the purpose 

 of capturing insects they frequent flowering plants, and occasionally are 

 observed on the ground in the pursuit of beetles and other similar insects. 

 The Psopliodes crepitans, w^hich belongs here, is one of the common birds 

 brought in collections from Australia. 



Fam. 5. Certhiad^, or Creepers. Bill long, slender, more or less 

 curved ; nostrils small ; wings usually short and rounded, sometimes rather 

 pointed. Tail various, frequently terminated in abrupt points ; tarsi and 

 feet generally rather strong. 



These are the Creepers, Nuthatches, &c., some species of which inhabit 

 the northern, but the much larger portion the southern regions of the globe. 

 They are generally of small size, and resemble, in some respects, the scan- 

 sorial birds (woodpeckers, &c.). 



Sub-fam. 1. FurnarincB, or Oven Birds. Bill rather long, curved, 

 frequently compressed ; wings short, rounded ; tarsi and feet strong ; toes 

 long. Tail broad, rounded, the feathers of which are frequently terminated 

 in soft points. 



This sub-family consists of about thirty birds, which have obtained the 

 name of oven birds from their constructing nests somewhat of the shape 

 indicated by the name, which are generally built in an exposed situation, 

 as on the dead branch of a tree, or sometimes in the immediate neighbor- 

 hood of houses or other buildings. When finished, it has the appearance 

 of an oven several inches in diameter, with the entrance in the side. There 

 are, however, several species of this sub-family which construct nests of 

 the ordinary description, and some which live almost exclusively upon the 

 ground, and make their nests in holes. 



The birds here classed are exclusively found in South America and the 

 West Indies. Furnarius rufus, Lochmias squamatula, and some others, 

 are common species. 



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