HONEY-EATERS. 69 



FAMILY IV. MELIPHAGAD.E. 



(Honey-eaters.) 



" This extraordinary group," observes Mr. 

 Vigors, "the existence of the much more con- 

 siderable portion of which was unknown to the 

 Swedish naturalist, for which there was conse- 

 quently no place in his system, occupies a promi- 

 nent and important situation in the ornithological 

 department of nature. Chiefly confined to Aus- 

 tralia, where they abound in every variety of 

 form, and in an apparently inexhaustible multi- 

 tude of species, they find a sufficient and never- 

 failing support in the luxuriant vegetation of that 

 country. There the fields are never without 

 blossom, and some different species of plants, 

 particularly the species of Eucalyptus, afford a 

 constant succession of that food which is suited 

 to the tubular and brush-like structure of the 

 tongue in -these birds. Their numbers and variety 

 seem in consequence to be almost unlimited." * 



The Honey-eaters in some measure depart from 

 the tenuirostral type, in the increased strength and 

 stoutness of the beak; this organ is compressed, 

 awl-shaped, and arched ; with the tip distinctly 

 notched. The feet are large and strong, the 

 hinder toe much developed. The tongue is still 

 capable of protrusion, but in a subordinate de- 

 gree ; it terminates in a brush of hairs. 



These birds are found only in New Holland, 

 and the adjacent islands, where they feed on the 

 nectar and pollen of flowers, on insects, and on 



* Linn. Trans, vol. xv. 



