AVES. 331 
This sub-family is composed of nearly one hundred birds, the majority 
of which are restricted to Australia, and much resemble the preceding in 
general characters and habits. In addition to the food of the birds of 
that sub-family, some of the species of the present eat berries and other 
fruits. 
The Tropidorhynchus corniculatus is one of the best known species of 
Australian birds. It has received from the colonists the significant but not 
very poetical name of “ Leather-head,”’ from the baldness of the part 
alluded to. 
About a dozen species, constituting the genus Phyllornis, which are 
arranged here, inhabit Java and other islands of the Indian Archipelago. 
They are mostly clothed in plumage of a beautiful green or blue color, and 
appear to be abundant in those localities. 
Sub-fam. 3. Melithrepting. Baill short, somewhat conic, compressed 
towards the tip, which is curved ; wings more or less long ; tarsi short and 
strong ; toes long; claws moderate. 
A group of about twenty birds, strictly peculiar to Australia. Their 
habits and manners appear to be very similar to those of the preceding sub- 
families, though they appear to be more insectivorous. For the purpose 
of capturing insects they frequent flowering plants, and occasionally are 
observed on the ground in the pursuit of beetles and other similar insects. 
The Psophodes crepitans, which belongs here, is one of the common birds 
brought in collections from Australia. 
Fam. 5. Crerruiap#, or Creepers. Bill long, slender, more or less 
curved ; nostrils small; wings usually short and rounded, sometimes rather 
pointed. ‘Tail various, frequently terminated in abrupt points; tarsi and 
feet generally rather strong. 
These are the Creepers, Nuthatches, &c., some species of which inhabit 
the northern, but the much larger portion the southern regions of the globe. 
They are generally of small size, and resemble, in some respects, the scan- 
sorial birds (woodpeckers, &c.). 
Sub-fam. 1. Furnarine, or Oven Birds. Bill rather long, curved, 
frequently compressed ; wings short, rounded ; tarsi and feet strong; toes 
_long. Tail broad, rounded, the feathers of which are frequently terminated 
in soft points. : 
This sub-family consists of about thirty birds, which have obtained the 
name of oven birds from their constructing nests somewhat of the shape 
indicated by the name, which are generally built in an exposed situation, 
as on the dead branch of a tree, or sometimes in the immediate neighbor- 
hood of houses or other buildings. When finished, it has the appearance 
of an oven several inches in diameter, with the entrance in the side. There 
are, however, several species of this sub-family which construct nests of 
the ordinary description, and some which live almost exclusively upon the 
sround, and make their nests in holes. 
The birds here classed are exclusively found in South America and the 
West Indies. Furnarius rufus, Lochmias squamatula, and some others, 
are common species. 
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