

Order II. PASSERES. Tribe II. Tenuirostres. 



The fourth Family, 



MELIPHAGID^E, or Honey-eaters, 



have the Bill more or less long, curved, and usually acute at the tip, which is slightly emarginated ; 

 the Nostrils placed in a large groove, and generally covered with a membranous scale ; the Wings 

 moderate, and the first three quills graduated ; the Tail long and broad ; the Tarsi rather short and 

 strong ; and the Toes more or less long, the outer always united at its base. The Tongue is extensile, 

 and furnished at the tip with a pencil of short slender fibres. 



The first Subfamily, 



MYZOMELINiE, or Honey-creepers, 



have the Bill more or less long, slender, curved, and acute at the tip, which is slightly emarginated ; the 

 nostrils basal, and the opening covered by a membranous scale ; the Wings rather short, with the third 

 and fourth quills usually the longest ; the Tail short and even ; the Tarsi short ; and the Toes moderate, 

 the outer toe longer than the inner, and united at the base. 



Myzomela Vig. fy Horsf.* 



Bill rather long, curved, broad at the base, and gradually compressed to the tip, which is acute ; the 

 culmen rather keeled, and the gonys long and curved ; the nostrils basal, with the opening linear, 

 oblique, and covered by a membranous scale. Wings moderate, with the first quill short, the second 

 rather shorter than the third and fourth, which are equal and longest. Tail rather short and 

 emarginated. Tarsi slender, rather shorter than the middle toe, and covered with transverse scales in 

 front. Toes moderate and slender, with the outer toe rather longer than the inner, and united at its 

 base ; the hind toe long, and rather strong : the claws long, compressed, and acute. 



The species of this genus are found in Australia and in the Island of Tanna, frequenting various plants, from the 

 flowers of which they collect the nectar, but principally the small insects that are found in them, as well as on the 

 thickly foliaged branches. They possess great activity ; and are continually moving from flower to flower,, as well as 

 from branch to branch, in search of their subsistence. At times they are seen perched on a dead branch, pouring 

 forth a weak plaintive note. The nest is composed of grasses, wherein the female deposits two eggs. 



* Vigors and Dr. Horsfield established this genus in 1826 (Linn. Trans, xv.p. Sl6.). Phylidonyris of M. Lesson (1831) is synonymous. 



