76 
NATURAL HISTORY. [uPPER FLOOR. 
25j) &c.: while the family of Warblers (same Cases) only 
differ from the Thrushes by their beaks being weaker 
and more slender; as the true Warblers, Wrens, Wagtails, 
and Pippits. 
The Granivorous Birds live chiefly on grain, seeds, 
and fruits, as the family of theTanagers (Cases 26 and 27), 
which are peculiar to America; and the Finches (Case 28), 
which are found in all parts of the globe. The Finches, 
which are eminently perching birds, have the claw of the 
hind toe curved; whilst the Larks (Cases 26 and 27), 
which are chiefly found on the ground, have it straight. 
The Tenuirostral Birds have the feet like the two 
former groups, but the hind toes and claws are generally 
much larger than the rest; their bills are slender, com¬ 
pressed, and frequently arched, and their tongue is often 
divided at the tip into numerous filaments, and is used for 
sucking up the honey from the nectaries of flowers. They 
are chiefly confined to warm climates, as the family of 
Honey suckers (Cases 29 and 30), which are peculiar to 
New Holland and the neighbouring islands. They are 
generally of a dull black or olive colour, with compressed, 
subulate beaks. 
The family of Sun Birds (same Cases), from Africa and 
India, have the bill arched and finely toothed on the edge : 
the Hook-bill derives its name from the singularly curved 
form of its beak. In these Cases are also the Wall-Creeper, 
the Pomatorhine, and Scaler, and several species of the 
beautiful genera of Guit-Guit, and Promerops; and the 
Hoopoe. 
The family of Bendrocolaptes (Cases 31 and 32), from 
South America, are generally of a dull brown colour, and 
agree in many characters with the Insectivorous Birds, 
especially the Thrushes. Some have rounded tails, as the 
Anabates, others have the ends of the tail feathers and the 
webs on each side of them rigid like the Woodpeckers, and 
use them in the same manner to support their bodies while 
they peck at the insects on the bark of trees. The Hum-- 
ming Birds (same Cases), have long, very slender bills, 
and long tongues, which they have the power of darting 
forward, like the Woodpeckers, with great force. They 
prey chiefly on insects, and one genus (the Spider-Eaters), 
almost exclusively on spiders. 
