310 71/?'. ViGorxs's and Dr. Horstikld's Description of the 



the Trochilidce. The former members are short and rounded, 

 the four first quill-feathers gradually exceeding each other in 

 length, and those Avhich succeed by degrees decreasing. The 

 tail also in the typical species of the family is long and gra- 

 duated. On the other hand, the tarsi and feet are endowed 

 with much strength, and the powers of the hind-toe in parti- 

 cular are conspicuously developed. We have already observed 

 the great deficiency of true climbing birds which prevails in 

 New Holland ; and this peculiarity of the strong scansorial hal- 

 lux may enable the Meliphagidœ in some measure to supply 

 that deficiency. The prevalence also of this character, which 

 they hold in common with the neighbouring family of Certhiada, 

 with which they are also united by the character of the extensile 

 tongue, points out the continuance of the chain of aflinities 

 which connects the neighbouring Tribes of Scansores and Tc~ 

 nnirostres together; and adds another to the numberless in- 

 stances of the harmonious disposition of nature. 



Besides the characters which thus indicate that the Melipha- 

 gidœ are placed at the extremity of the Tribe of Tcmiirostres, 

 there are one or two particulars which separate them from the 

 more typical Honey-feeding groups. Their tongue is di\'ided 

 at the apex into several filaments ; while that of the Trochilida is 

 bifid only at the end. We have not at present suflicient data to 

 determine the general character of the tongues of the other 

 Tenuirostral families, and shall therefore make no comparison 

 with them on a point on Avhich we could speak only partially. 

 One more character must be observed as peculiar to our New 

 Holland group. The nares, which in all the other families of 

 the tribe are situated at the base, and are more or less rounded, 

 are here longitudinal and linear, forming a lengthened slit 

 extending in some instances nearly to half the length of the h'\\\, 

 and partially closed above by a longitudinal membrane. This 

 character prevails so far in the family as to be almost the only 



external 



