Genus PlHoris. 479 



than the middle claw, a structure which seems to me at total 

 variance with all those Meliphagidw with which I am acquainted. 

 The anterior toes are long and slender, the outer connected to the 

 middle toe as far as the first joint, but the inner deeply cleft to 

 its base. 



Dimensions. — Length of the wings 5 inches; tail 3; tarsi 1 |; 

 middle anterior toe 1 | ; hind toe |. 



Genus. Ptilohis. Mihi. 



Tribe. Tenuirostres.* 



Family. Meliphagidae. Vigors. Mihi. 



Generic Characters. 

 Rostrum longissimum, compressum^ falciforme. 

 Nares basales, plutnosi, aperturd lineari. 

 Tarsi breves. Hallux validus. Tarsus halluxque lequales, 

 plant «• p lance, latce. 

 Cauda brevis, wqualis. 

 AloB rotundatce. 



Bill very long, compressed, sickle-shaped. 

 Nostrils basal, plumed ; aperture linear. 



Tarsi short, hallux strong, and as long as the tarsus. Soles of 

 the feet flat, dilated. 

 Tail short, even. 

 Wings rounded. 



' Independently of the magnificent plumage which adorns this 

 bird, it is one of those whose peculiar structure, at first sight, 

 seems to disturb all our artificial systems, and speculative theories. 

 la its form are united the characters of three distinct families. 

 The metallic brilliancy of its plumage, first leads us to think it a 

 Paradise bird, — a glance at its long curved bill immediately 

 reminds us of Promerops, — until, looking more closely to the 

 feet, we discover, in its strong hallux.^ the complete structure of 



• The five families of this Tribe, I conceive, will be represented by the 

 following Genera: i. Meliphaga, Lowin; 2. iVec/nrinm, Illiger ; 3. Trochilus, 

 Linn.; 4. Promerops, Brisson ; 5. Paradisea, Linn. 



2 K 2 



