A astralian Birds in the Collection of the Linnean Society. 275 



We have alreacl)^ observed, that no species of the subfamily 

 Macrocercina, or the Maccarcs, the next succeeding group to the 

 subdivision of Cockatoos which we have just quitted, has been 

 found in Australia. Neither has the recently-described genus 

 Psittaccn-a, V., or the Ptrruclie-Aras of M. Le Vaillant, which 

 connects the Maccazcs with the present subfamily of Palccornina, 

 been met with in that country. New Holland, however, supplies 

 the next link in the chain of affinities; and in a singularly beau- 

 tiful assemblage of birds, diminutive in their size, but brilliant 

 and attractive in their plumage, att'ords the representatives of the 

 New^ World Macrocercus. 'J'hese birds, or the genus Nanodes, 

 the characters of which we have given above, have the bill and 

 general form of Macrocercus ; and, with the exception of the 

 naked cheeks, appear perfect Maccazi)s in miniature. The first 

 species enumerated, N. discolor, may be considered the type of "^-i;;^ 

 the group. The two last species will be found jiartially to 

 deviate from this type, as we shall observe in its place, and to 



form the passage to the succeeding genus*. 



1. Dis- 



* The above group is as nearly allied to Pezoponis as to Pluti/cercus ; and it might 

 perhaps, in a rude distribution of species, be included in that genus from a conformity 

 in general appearance and habits. We are induced to keep it separate, in consequence 

 of its close afhnity to the Maccaws, and for the purpose of more strongly marking out, 

 by such a generic separation, one of the intervening gradations by which the species of 

 this extensive family are beautifully connected with each other. Nanodes witii Platy- 

 cercus and Pezoporus form a natural group, the species of which return into themselves 

 in a circular succession; and they thus constitute a minor subdivision of the present 

 subfamily. We take this opportunity of pointing out the other subdivisions with which 

 it is connected. The subfamily of Pa/avniiiia comprises, first, the Panakect Vliar- 

 caa?.ç of South America, or the genus Psittacara, V.; secondly, the present Australian 

 group of Ground Parrakeets, including Nanodes, Platyccrcus, and Pezoponis, and con- 

 nected with the preceding Parrakeet Maccaws by Nanodes discolor ; thirdly, the Indian 

 group oi PaUcornis, which is united with the Ground Parrakeets by means of the New 

 Holland species Pal. Barrahandi ; fourthly, the Parrakeets whose tongue is fila- 

 mentous, such as the Australian and Indian genera Trichoglossus and Lorius, which 



C N 2 join 



v/ 



