S56 INSESSORES. 



Bird, T. cornutus, (Lat. horned,) in length a little more than four 

 inches. 



Four species are found within the limits of the United States. 

 (1,) The Mango Humming-Bird, T. Mango, found on Florida 

 Keys ; four inches and three-quarters in length ; (2,) the Anna 

 Humming-Bird, T. Anna, found on the Rocky Mountains, to- 

 wards California ; three inches and three-quarters in length ; (3,) 

 the Red-throated Humming-Bird, or Red-throated Honey-Sucker, 

 T. colubris, (Lat. serpentine ;) three and a half inches in length ; 

 ranging from Mexico to 57o N. Lat. This is the species most 

 commonly seen in the State of New York, (Plate X. fig. 4b,) 

 and well known for its golden green color, and its ruby colored 

 throat ; and (4,) the Ruff-necked Humming-Bird, T. rufus, 

 rather more than three inches and a half in length ; discovered 

 by Capt. Cook, who found it abundant at Nootka Sound ; it is 

 met with also in the vicinity of the Blue Mountains of the' Co- 

 lumbia River. 



FOURTH FAMILY. HONEY-EATERS. 

 MeliphagidfE, (Gr. ft&i, meli, honey ; gxtyw, phdgd, to eat.) 



The birds of this family in some measure depart from the 

 tenuirostral type in the increased stoutness of the beak. This 

 organ is, in these birds, awl-shaped and arched, and has the tip 

 distinctly notched ; the hind toe is so strong and robust, that 

 it serves as a support to the bird while taking its food ; the tongue 

 is still capable of protrusion, but in a subordinate degree, and 

 is terminated by a brush of hairs. 



These birds are chiefly confined to Australia, where they feed 

 on the nectar and pollen of flowers. As in that country the 

 fields are never without blossom, they have in the luxuriant 

 vegetation, a support that never fails. They also live on insects 

 and berries. Usually, they are of sombre colors, black or olive- 

 brown, without any metallic lustre. Their nests are cup-shaped, 

 constructed in the forks of small branches of shrubs, not far 

 removed from the ground. The Honey-Eaters are larger than 

 most of the Thin-billed Birds; several species equal a Thrush 

 in size, and some are of considerably greater dimensions. The 

 Warty-faced Honey-Eater, Melipliaga phrygia, is described as 

 sometimes to be seen in great numbers, constantly flying from 

 tree to tree, particularly among those known as the blue gum, 

 from the blossoms of which they extract the honey with their 

 tongues as they pass along. One species is said to pick holes in 

 the bark of trees, and thence to extract insects, very much in 



