326. ZOOLOGY. 
Sus-Orper 2. TENuIROSTRES, OR SLENDER-BILLED Birps. 
Bill always slender, generally long and curved; tongue usually with a 
fascicle of slender hair-like filaments at the point. Size generally small. 
This tribe contains the smallest of all birds. 
The length and slenderness of the bill are the peculiar characters of this 
group, which is composed of birds found in all parts of the world. Nearly 
all the species are supposed to derive their subsistence, in a measure, from 
the nectar of flowers, though it is quite certain that very many of them 
capture small winged insects also. There is scarcely a species in this 
group which does not possess elegance of form and beauty of plumage. 
Fam. 1. Upuprps, or Hooposs. Bill lengthened, slender, generally 
curved, compressed ; wings long, rounded ; tail generally Jong and ample ; 
tarsi generally strong and short; feet strong. Size rather large. 
A family containing some of the most magnificent of birds. They are 
restricted to the old world, and are said to feed upon succulent fruits and 
the juices of flowers. 
Sub-fam. 1. Upupine, or Hoopoes. Bill lengthened, slender, and greatly 
compressed. Wings and tail more or less long and rounded; tarsi strong 
and usually short ; toes long, strong, claws song and curved. Size rather 
large, generally crested. 
The species of this sub-family are restricted to the old world. The 
Hoopoe of Europe (Upupa epops) is its representative in that continent. 
It derives its name from its note, and is very common in the south during 
the summer. 
There are several other species of Hoopoes inhabiting Africa and India. 
In Africa is also found the genus Irrisor, which belongs here, composed 
of a considerable number of very handsome dark plumaged birds, generally 
of elegant form and with long graceful tails. They are found throughout 
the entire continent of Africa and live in trees, creeping among the 
branches in search of insects, which with fruits compose their food. They 
roost and breed also in the holes of trees. Lrrisor erythrorhynchus and 
melanorhynchus are the most common species. Several species are found 
in Liberia and other countries of Western Africa. 
Sub-fam. 2. Epimachine, or Plumed Birds. Bill long, rather strong, 
curved margins obtuse and tip acute; wings moderate, rather rounded ; 
tail various, generally even or graduated. ‘Tarsi more or less strong, long, 
and usually covered with scales; toes long and strong, hind toe armed with 
a strong claw. Size rather large. Colors dark in the males and very 
beautiful. 
Nearly all these beautiful birds are found in the island of New 
Guinea, one species only in New Zealand, and one in Australia. Though 
long known to naturalists, and known also extensively on account of the 
trade in their skins, which the natives of New Guinea have maintained for 
centuries, their habits and history are entirely unknown. The Epimachus 
superbus is common in collections, and is frequently met with in ornamental 
cases of stuffed birds. It has very fine, black, velvet-like plumage, with 
a curious breast-plate, or rather apron, of detached feathers, which are 
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