Order II. PASSERES. Tribe II. Tenuirostres. Family I. Upupidte. 



The second Subfamily, 



EPIMACHIN.E, or Plumed Birds. 



have the Bill more or less lengthened, slender, and arched to the tips, which are acute ; the Nostrils 

 lateral and placed in a broad basal groove, which is mostly concealed by the projecting plumes of the 

 forehead, leaving the opening small and exposed : the Wings moderate and rounded: the Tail of various 

 lengths, sometimes even or graduated at its end : the Tarsi more or less long, robust, and usually 

 covered with broad scales in front : the Toes long and strong, with the outer toe united at its base ; the 

 hind toe very long, strong, and armed with a powerful claw. 



Neomorpha Gould.* 



Bill more or less long, arched, and acutely pointed, with the culmen, lateral margins, and gonys 

 curved to the tips ; the sides compressed ; the nostrils basal, lateral, and placed in a short, broad, 

 membranous groove, which is mostly covered by the projecting plumes, leaving the opening small and 

 exposed. Wings long and rounded ; with the fifth, sixth, and seventh quills nearly equal and longest. 

 Tail rather long, broad, and somewhat rounded. Tarsi much longer than the middle toe, robust, and 

 covered in front with slightly divided broad scales. Toes long and robust, with the inner toe shorter 

 than the outer and free at the base ; the outer united at its base ; the hind toe two thirds the length of 

 the tarsus, and armed with a very long, strong, curved, acute claw ; those of the fore toes long, curved, 

 and acute. 



The typical species of this division is an inhabitant of New Zealand, especially on the Torirua range of mountains. 

 It is usually observed perched on the lower branches of the trees, quickly moving from branch to branch, and at the 

 same time spreading out its tail, and throwing up the wings in a grotesque manner. The food of this bird consists of 

 seeds, and various kinds of insects. 



N. Oouldii G. R. Gray, List of Gen. of Birds, p. 15. — Neomorpha aeutirostris et N. crassirostris Gould, Proc. Z. S. 1835. p. 144., 

 B. of Austr. pi. ; O. Des Murs, Iconogr. Ornith. pt. i. t. 2. 



Established by Mr. Gould in 1836 (Proc. Zool. Soc. 1836, p. 144.). 



