326 ZOOLOGY. 



Sl'b-Order 2. Tenuirostres, or Slender-billed Birds. 

 Bill always slender, generally long and curved ; tongue usually with a 

 fascicle of slender hair-like filaments at the point. Size generally small. 

 This tribe contains the smallest of all birds. 



The length and slenderness of the bill are the peculiar characters of this 

 group, which is con)posed of birds found in all parts of the world. Nearly 

 all the species are supposed to derive their subsistence, in a measure, from 

 the nectar of flowers, though it is quite certain that very many of them 

 capture small winged insects also. Tiiere is scarcely a species in this 

 <rroup which does not possess elegance of form and beauty of plumage. 



F.-vM. 1. UpupiDiE, OR Hoopoes. Bill lengthened, slender, generally 

 curved, compressed ; wings long, rounded ; tail generally long and ample ; 

 tarsi generally strong and short ; feet strong. Size rather large. 



A family containing some of the most magnificent of birds. They are 

 restricted to the old world, and are said to feed upon succulent fruits and 

 the juices of flowers. 



Suh-fam. 1. Upupina>, or Hoopoes. Bill lengthened, slender, and greatly 

 compressed. Wings and tail more or less long and rounded ; tarsi strong 

 and usually short ; toes long, strong, claws strong and curved. Size rather 

 large, generally crested. 



The species of this sub-family are restricted to the old world. The 

 Hoopoe of Europe (Upupa epops) is its representative in that continent. 

 It derives its name from its note, and is very common in the south during 

 the summer. 



There are several other species of Hoopoes inhabiting Africa and India. 

 In Africa is also found the genus Irrisor, which belongs here, composed 

 of a considerable number of very handsome dark plumaged birds, generally 

 of elegant form and with long graceful tails. They are found throughout 

 the entire continent of Africa and live in trees, creeping among the 

 branches in search of insects, which with fruits compose their food. They 

 roost and breed also in the holes of trees. Irrisor erythrorhynchus and 

 inelanoHnjnclnis are the most common species. Several species are found 

 in Liberia and other countries of Western Africa. 



Sub-fam. 2. Epimachince, or Plumed Birds. Bill long, rather strong, 

 curved margins obtuse and tip acute ; wings moderate, rather rounded ; 

 tail various, generally even or graduated. Tarsi more or less strong, long, 

 and usuallv covered with scales ; toes long and strong, hind toe armed with 

 a strono- claw. Size rather large. Colors dark in the males and very 

 beautiful. 



Nearly all these beautiful birds are found in the island of New 

 Guinea, one species only in New Zealand, and one in Australia. Though 

 long known to naturalists, and known also extensively on account of the 

 trade in their skins, which the natives of New Guinea have maintained for 

 centuries, their habits and history are entirely unknown. The Epimachus 

 suverhus is cuiunion in collections, and is frequently met with in ornamental 

 cases of stuffed birds. It has very fine, black, velvet-like plumage, with 

 a curious bfeast-plate, or rather apron, of detached feathers, which are 

 530 



