Order II. PASSERES. 



Tribe II. Tenuirostres. 



Family IV. MELlPHAGiDiE. 



The third Subfamily, 



MELITHREPTINiE, or Honey-feeders, 



have the Bill short, subconic, with the culmen slightly curved, and the sides much compressed towards 

 the tip, which is sometimes emarginated and acute ; the Wings more or less long, with the fourth to the 

 seventh quills generally the longest ; the Tarsi short and strong ; the Toes more or less long, the lateral 

 toes unequal, the outer the longest, and united at its base ; the Claws moderate, compressed, and acute. 



Manorhina Vieill* 



Bill short, with the culmen and lateral margins curved, and the sides compressed to the tip, which is 

 curved and emarginate ; the gonys moderate and ascending ; the nostrils basal, placed in a broad groove, 

 and partly clothed by the projecting plumes, with the opening closed by a large 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 long and rounded on the sides. Tarsi rather 

 longer than the middle toe, robust and covered with slightly divided scales. Toes rather short, with the 

 outer toe rather longer than the inner, and united at the base, the hind toe long and strong ; the claws 

 long, curved, and acute. 



The birds that compose this genus are peculiar to the Australian Continent. They are generally seen on the 

 Eucalypti in small troops of few individuals, searching among the leaves and flowers for the insects, and in the latter 

 also for the pollen. They are very active, often removing from tree to tree, and while on the branches engaged in 

 seeking for their food, perform a series of singular actions, at the same time spreading out their wings and tail. Occa- 

 sionally they are observed at the roots of the trees examining for hard-winged insects. The nest is formed of fine twigs 

 and coarse grass, lined with wool, &c, and it is usually placed among the small upright branches of small trees. 



1. M. melanophrys (Lath.) G. R. Gray. Lamb. Icon. ined. ii. 48. 

 —Manorhina viridis Vieill. Gal. des Ois. t. 149-, Jard. & Selby, 111. 

 Orn. pi. 78. ; Myzantha flavirostris fig. % Horsf. Gould, B. of 

 Austr. pi. 



2. M. garrula (Lath.) Vig. & Horsf. Lamb. Icon. ined. i. 56., 

 Gould, B. of Austr. pi. 



3. M. obscura Gould, Proc. Z. S. 1840. p. 159-, B. of Austr. pi. 



4. M.flavigula Gould, Proc. Z. S. 1839. P- 1*3., B. of Austr. pi. 



5. M. lutea Gould, Proc. Z. S. 1839- p. 144., B. of Austr. pi. 



6. M. citreola Gould, Proc. Z. S. 1839. P- 144. 



* Established by Vieillot in 1825 (Galerie des Oiseaux). Myzantha of Vigors and Dr. Horsfield (1826), and Philanthus of M. Lesson, 

 Cl 831), are synonymous. 



