MANUAL OF NATURAL HISTORY. 39 



9. FAMILY. Sun-Birds (Promeropidse). Bill gene- 



rally lengthened, slender, curved or straight, 

 gradually compressed from base to tip, cut- 

 ting margins sometimes finely toothed ; nos- 

 trils covered by a long membranous or hard 

 scale ; claws curved and acute. Males gene- 

 rally remarkable for brilliancy of plumage. 



10. FAMILY. Humming-Birds (Trochilidse). Bill 



more or less long, slender, straight or curved, 

 generally acute ; tongue long, capable of being 

 darted forward at the will of the bird ; tarsi 

 very short, more or less clothed with feathers ; 

 toes more or less united at base ; claws curved ; 

 wings very long. 



11. FAMILY. Honey-Eaters (Meliphagidse). Bill va- 



riable in length, of moderate strength, curved, 

 often rather broad at base and gradually com- 

 pressed to tip, which is acute and notched, 

 sometimes subconic; nostrils in a large groove, 

 covered by a scale ; tongue extensile, with a 

 pencil of fibres at tip ; outer toe united at the 

 base. 



12. FAMILY. Creepers (Certhiidse). Bill more or 



less lengthened, often slender, compressed, 

 arched, or with culmen curved or straight ; 

 nostrils covered by a scale, or with bill 

 broader and nostrils placed in a long groove ; 

 tarsi and toes very strong, the latter fur- 

 nished with curved claws, hind toe long, 

 and armed with a strong claw; tail feathers 

 often rigid, with shaft projecting and pointed. 



