

MYZOMELBLE. 



inner, and united at the base ; the hind toe rather long and robust : the claws short, curved, and 

 acute. 



The species are peculiar to the continent of Australia, where they frequent the various species of Eucalypti, for the 

 purpose of procuring the nectar of the flowers, and the small insects that are attracted for the same object. During 

 this occupation, these birds are observed clinging and hanging from the slender flowering branches in a variety of 

 attitudes. Their flight is rapid, and usually at some height in the air. The nest is placed in a low bush, and is 

 composed of grasses, and lined with the soft materials of plants. The eggs are generally two in number. 



1. G. melanops (Lath.) Lamb. Icon. ined. ii. 59- 6l., Vieill. Ois. 

 dor. i. 86. — Certhia fulvifrons Lewin, B. of N. H. pi. 22. ; Meli- 

 phaga albiventris Steph. Gould, B. of Austr. pi. 



2. G. albifrons Gould. Proc. Z. S. 1840. p. 160., B. of Austr. pi. 



3. G.fasciata Gould, Proc. Z. S. 1842. p. 137., B. of Austr. pi. 



4. G. ? ocularis Gould, Proc. Z. S. 1837. p. 154. 



5. G. subocularis Gould, Proc. Z. S. 1837. p. 154. 



6. G. aurita (Lath.) Lamb. Icon. iii. 44. 



7. G. agilis (Lath.) Lamb. Icon. ined. ii. 72. 



ACANTHORHYNCHUS Gould* 



Bill very long, slender, and curved, with the tips of both mandibles very acute ; the sides much 

 compressed, and the gonys lengthened and curved ; the nostrils basal, and placed in a large groove, with 

 the opening linear, and covered with a membranous scale. Wings rather short, with the first quill short, 

 and the fourth and fifth nearly equal and longest. Tail moderate, emarginated in the middle, and 

 rounded on the sides. Tarsi rather longer than the middle toe, slender, and covered with transverse 

 scales. Toes long and slender, with the outer longer than the inner, and united at the base ; the hind 

 toe long : the claws moderate, curved, and acute. 



It is only in Australia that the species are found, where they frequent various flowering plants, especially those of 

 the genera Epacris, Acacia, and Eucalyptus. They appear to be attracted to the flowers of these plants both for the 

 nectar and for the insects that live in them. Their flight is rapid and undulating, but of short duration, and they 

 occasionally rise perpendicularly into the air, uttering at the same time a rather pretty song, though at other times 

 their cry consists of a loud monotonous shriek. The nest is formed in a low bush, and is composed of moss and grass, and 

 lined with feathers. The eggs are generally two in number. 



i. A. tenuirostris (Lath.) Gould, Lamb. Icon. ined. ii. 80., Vieill. 



Ois. dor. t. 60 Certhia cucullata Shaw, Gould, B. of Austr. pi. ;' 



Acanthorhynchus dubius Gould, Proc. Z. S. 1837. p. 25. 



2. A. superciliosus Gould, Proc. Z. S. 1837. p. 24., B. of Austr. 



pi. 



* Mr. Gould established this genus in 1837 (Proc. Zool. Soc. 1837- p. 24.). Leptoglossus (1837) of Mr. Swainson is coequal. 



October, 1846. 



