PERCHING-BIRDS. 127 
Long-billed Hemignathus (Hemignathus procerus) (2841), resemble the 
Sun-birds, but the bill is not serrated, others have the bill stout and 
Finch-like, while in one remarkable form, Pseudonestor (2846), 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) (2341) and the 
scarlet feathers of the “ Jiwi”’ (Vestiaria coccinea) (2842). The former 
bird, a drawing of which is exhibited in the Case, is now almost 
extinct. 
Family XXVIII. Meuirnaciv#. Honuy-suckers. 
The Honey-suckers are one of the most characteristic families of 
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 gathermg honey and small 
insects from the cups of flowers. Two subfamilies are recognised : the 
Myzomeline, including the smaller species such as Myzomela (2315-17), 
with the general appearance of Sun-birds ; and the Meliphagine. 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. Among 
the species exhibited we may call attention to the following :—Ptilolis 
gracilis (2825), the representative of a large and widely distributed 
genus, characterised by the ornamental yellow ecar-tufts. Its neatly 
woven cup-shaped nest is suspended from a forked branch. The remark- 
able Tui of New Zealand (Prosthemadera nove zealandie) (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 
resembiance to the clerical bands. It is a favourite cage-bird on 
account of its sweet uotes and powers of mimicry. The Large Wattled 
Honey-eater (Acanthochera carunculata) (2339), a native of Australia, 
exhibited with its nest andeggs. ‘The Friar-Bird (Philemon corniculatus ) 
(2829), also from Australia, with a bare head and curious horn at the 
base of the bill, It will be noted in the skeleton of this species that 
the horn is supported by a bony core. Lastly, Turati’s Honey-eater 
(Melidectes emilii) (2821), a curious form with large wattles on the 
throat, peculiar to New Guinea. 
Family XXTX. Mnrovittipa#., AMERICAN WaARBLERS. 
These birds are entirely confined to the American region and may be 
regarded as representing the Sylviide of the Old World. Generally 
speaking they resemble the Warblers in their mode of life, but some, 
such as Mniotilta varia (2859), are more like Creepers and run up trees 
[Case 78. 
[Case 78. | 
