INTRODUCTION. 
Iv 
271. Pomatorhinus temporalis Vol. IV. PI. 20. 
Turdus frivolus, Lath. Gen. Hist. vol. v. p. 127 ? 
272. Pomatorhinus rubeculus, Gotdd Vol. IV. PL 21. 
273. Pomatorhinus superciliosus, Vig. 8f Horsf. . . . Vol. IV. PI. 22. 
Family MELIPHAGID^, Fig: 
By far the greater and most prominent portion of the botany of Austraha consisting of only two or three 
genera of trees — the Eucalypti, BanJcsiae, &c. — we should naturally expect its ornithology to comprise some great 
groups of birds destined to dwell thereon, and such we find to be the case, the true Honey-eaters and the Honey- 
feeding Parrakeets being remarkably numerous ; the former tribe of birds comprise no less than fifty-eight species, 
which appear to be naturally divided into several groups, each characterized by some modification of structure : 
although the whole are truly insectivorous, the pollen and the honey in the flower-cups of the Eucalypti are largely 
partaken of, and for procuring which their lengthened tongue terminating in filaments assuming the form of a 
brush is most admirably adapted, combined with which is a remarkably narrow gape and an incapacious stomach. 
Australia is the great nursery of this tribe of birds, but a few species are found in New Guinea and some of 
the Polynesian islands. 
Genus Meliphaga, Fig. Sf Horsf. 
No example of this genus has yet been discovered in the northern or intertropical regions of Australia, all the 
species known being confined to the southern parts of the continent, the islands in Bass's Straits and Van Diemen's 
Land. The members of this group feed principally upon the pollen and honey of the flower-cups, but occasionally 
upon insects ; in disposition they are tame and familiar ; and they frequent the Banksim in preference to other 
trees. 
The sexes are alike in plumage, and the young assume the adult plumage at an early period of their existence. 
274. Meliphaga Novse-HoUandise Vol. IV. PI. 23. 
275. Meliphaga longirostris, Gould . . Vol. IV. PI. 24. 
276. Meliphaga sericea, Gould Vol. IV. PI. 25. 
277. Meliphaga mystacahs, Gould Vol. IV. PI. 26. 
278. Meliphaga Australasiana . . . . . . Vol. IV. PI. 27. 
Certhia pyrrhoptera, Lath. Gen. Hist. vol. iv. p. 197 ? 
Genus Glyciphila, Sivaitis. 
The members of this genus resort to higher trees than the Meliphaga, are more shy in disposition, possess 
considerable powers of flight, and partake more exclusively of insect food. Of the four Australian species, two, 
G. fulvifrons and G. albifrons, inhabit the southern parts of the country, the G.fasciata the northern portion, and 
the little G. ocularis is universally distributed over the coimtry, and if I mistake not, is also found in New Guinea 
and Timor. 
The young of G. fulvifrons and G. albifrons differ considerably from the adult in their markings. 
279. Glyciphila fulvifrons . Vol. IV. PI. 28. 
Certhia melanops. Lath. Gen. Hist. vol. iv. p. 173 
280. Glyciphila albifrons, Gould . Vol. IV. PI. 29. 
281. Glyciphila fasciata, Gould . Vol. IV. PI. 30. 
282. Glyciphila ocularis, Gould . . . . . . Vol. IV. PL 31. 
