Order II. PASSERES. 
Tribe IV. Conirostres. 
The third Family, 
STURNIDiE, or Starlings, 
We the Bill more or less long, with the sides compressed, the culmen slightly curved or straight to 
^e tip, which is sometimes emarginated, and the gape often angulated ; the Wings long and pointed , 
the Tail generally long, and even or graduated ; the Tarsi more or less long, strong, and covered in front 
with broad scales ; the Toes long and strong, the hind toe very long and robust; the claws long, cuived, 
a Rd acute. 
The first Subfamily, 
PTILON ORH YN CHIN M, or Glossy Starlings, 
have the Bill strong, moderate, with the sides compressed, and the culmen curved to the tip, which is 
emarginated ; the Wings moderate and pointed; the Tail of various length, and giaduated or eve ; 
Tarsi strong, and covered with broad scales ; the Toes long, strong; the lateral ones unequal ; and the 
rind toe long and strong. 
Ptilonorhynchus Kuhl .* 
Sill moderate, and compressed on the sides, with the culmen elevated and aiched to the tip, tvhic 
emarginated ; the gonys long, and advancing slightly upwards ; the lateral margins curved ; the nostrils 
b asal, lateral, and sunk, with the opening large, and more or less concealed by the projecting plumes. 
K % s . l ong and pointed, with the first three quills graduated, and the fourth and fifth equal and longest. 
W short and even. Tarsi much longer than the middle toe, robust, and covered with broad scales. 
T oes long and strong, with the outer toe the longest ; the hind toe long and robust ; the claws long, 
impressed, and acute. 
These remarkable birds, called by Mr. Gorild the Bower Birds, are peculiar to Australia, where ™ 
*• ‘hat border the principal rivers, a, well as in the cedar brushes. When perched on r the My ° 
•* *•% they emit loud J harsh notes, which, with regard to one of the spectcs, can only be "°“£ 
« the domestic cat. In the autumn they congregate in "e il and the* , alter are 
h male birds of the satin bower birds arc more rarely seen than the le . •- J f i yni .; cms 
etpposed to be from two to three years old before they exhibit their rich glossy black plum. . y 
berries and f raite , especially wild fig, and the native cherry, which when ripe form their cluef food. They are vety 
* It was in 1820 that Kuhl established this genus in his Beitrage. 
