58 PASSERES. NECTARINIAD^E, 



The Hoopoe usually builds in hollow trees, 

 forming a nest of a few stalks and blades of dry 

 grass mingled with feathers ; here it lays from 

 four to seven eggs of a pale bluish-grey hue. 



Some species of this Family (as the genus 

 Epimachus, Cuv.) are remarkable for the singular 

 development of the feathers of the sides, and for 

 the metallic splendour of their scaly or velvety 

 plumage. They rival the birds of Paradise in 

 beauty, and resemble them in some peculiarities 

 of structure; they inhabit also the same region, 

 the immense island of New Guinea. 



FAMILY II. NECTARINIAD^S. 



(Sun-birds.) 



The numerous species of this Family are birds 

 of diminutive size, but of brilliant plumage, at 

 least in the principal genera, the feathers reflect- 

 ing metallic and gemmed lustre of various hues 



HEAD OF NECTARINIA FAMOSA. 



in most cases ; in some, however, being of rich 

 colours without effulgence. The beak is more 

 or less lengthened, arched, and very slender, 

 generally entire ; the tongue, capable of being 

 protruded, is divided at the tip into filaments, 

 sometimes so numerous as to form a sort of pen- 

 cil or brush, for the purpose of collecting minute 



