

Order II. PASSERES. Tribe II. Tenuirostres. 



The second Family, 



PROMEROPIME, or Sun-Birds, 



have the Bill more or less lengthened, slender, and usually curved throughout its length ; the Nostrils 

 basal, and covered by a scale ; the Wings moderate ; the Tail of various lengths, even or graduated ; 

 the Tarsi moderate, and covered with broad scales ; the Toes moderate, and armed with curved and 

 acute claws. 



The first Subfamily, 



PROMEROPIN.E, or Sun-Birds, 



have the Bill more or less long, slender, curved, with the sides compressed to the tip, which is acute, 

 and the lateral margin sometimes finely serrated; the Nostrils basal, and the opening closed by a 

 membranous scale ; the Wings moderate ; the Tail more or less long, with the middle feathers 

 sometimes prolonged beyond the others; the Tarsi usually short; the Toes moderate; the outer toe 

 rather longer than the inner, and united at its base ; the Claws moderate, curved, and acute. 



Drepanis Temm.* 



Bill more or less long and curved, with the base broad, and the sides compressed to the tip, which is 

 acute ; the gonys long and curved ; the nostrils basal and lateral, with the opening small, and covered 

 by a membranous scale. Wings moderate ; the first quill wanting, the second nearly as long as the 

 third and fourth, which are equal and longest. Tail moderate and even. Tarsi longer than the middle 

 toe, and covered with broad scales. Toes moderate ; the outer toe rather longer than the inner, and 

 united at the base ; the hind toe long and strong ; the claws rather short, compressed, and acute. 



These species inhabit the Sandwich Islands ; they are gregarious, and are usually seen thrusting then- bills and 

 tongues into various flowers to obtain the nectar and insects that conceal themselves in them. The natives catch 

 most of the species by snares for the sake of then: feathers, with which they make their feathered dresses, helmets, and 

 other articles. 



* M. Temminck established this genus in 1820. Vestiaria of Dr. Fleming (1820) is synonymous. It embraces Hemignathus of 

 M. Lichtenstein (1838). 



