Order II. PASSERES. 



Tribe II. Tenuirostres. 



Family IV. Meliphagidve. 



The second Subfamily, 



MELIPHAGINiE, or Honey-eaters, 



have the Bill more or less long and slender, with the tip slightly emarginated, and usually acute ; the 

 Wings moderate and rounded, with the fourth to the sixth quills generally the longest; the Tarsi 

 generally short and strong ; the Toes moderate, with the outer toe longer than the inner, and united at 

 its base ; the hind toe long and strong : the claws moderate, curved, and acute. 



Meliphaga Lewin* 



Bill long, rather slender, broad and elevated at the base, with the culmen and lateral margins curved, 

 and the sides compressed to the tip, which is slightly emarginated and acute ; the gonys long and 

 curved ; the nostrils basal, large, in a broad membranous groove, and the opening covered by a 

 prominent membranous scale. Wings moderate, with the first quill short, the second much shorter than 

 the third, which is rather shorter than the fourth and fifth ; these are equal and longest. Tail rather 

 long, broad, slightly emarginated in the middle, and graduated on the sides. Tarsi as long as, or longer 

 than, the middle toe, and covered in front with transverse scales. Toes moderate, with the inner toe 

 shorter than the outer, which is united at its base : the claws long, slender, curved, and very acute. 



The vast continent of Australia contains most of the species of this genus, though a few have heen discovered on the 

 islands that lie off its northern side. Wherever the Eucalypti and the Banksias are seen in flower, there are 

 found these birds seeking their principal food, which consists of the pollen and juices that abound in the flowers of those 

 trees. They also feed on the small insects that lie concealed in them, and the fruits and berries of various kinds of 

 plants. Their movements among the branches are very active, and at the same time accompanied with a series of graceful 

 and easy motions ; and their rapid and jerking flight is only extended from tree to tree. The note of these birds 

 consists of a loud shrill whistling noise, which however is rather melodious in some species. The nest is usually built 

 in some low tree or bush. It is composed of small twigs, coarse grass, moss, and strips of bark, lined interiorly with 

 soft materials principally derived from plants. The eggs are generally two or three in number. 



1. M. phrygia (Lath.) Lewin, B. of N. H. pi. 14., Le Vaill. Ois. 

 d'Afr. t. 116., B. of Austr. pi. 



2. M. auricomis (Lath.) Vieill. Ois. dor. t. 85. — Philemon ery- 

 throtis Vieill. ; Certhia auriculata Shaw ; Sylvia mystacea Lath. 

 Lamb. Icon. ined. ii. 60. ; Turdus melanops Lath. ; Muscicapa novse 



hollandia: Lath. Lamb. Icon. ined. ii. 40., Swains. Zool. 111. pi. 43. 

 Type of Ptilotis Swains. (1837). 



3. M. chrysotis (Lath.) Lamb. Icon. ined. ii. 68., Vieill. Ois. dor 

 t. 84. — Certhia xanthotis Shaw, Gould, B. of Austr. pi. 



* Established by Lewin in 1808 (Birds of New Holland). It contains Zanthomyza and Ptilotis of Mr. Swainson (1837), the former 

 name Mr. Strickland changed to Xanthomyza in 1841 ; Meliornis of G. R. Gray (1840), which is probably coequal with Strigiceps of M. 

 Lesson (1840) ; and Acanthogenys of Mr. Gould (1837). 



