206 
BIBD-LIFE. 
Even to the present day its habits are but indifferently 
known; but all fresh information we receive concerning 
it proves it to be a most remarkable bird. 
The Southern Archipelago is also noted for its remark¬ 
able Scansores , or climbing birds. On the larger islands 
there are no Woodpeckers to be found, but why they 
are absent cannot easily be explained. On the other 
hand, there are other climbing birds in profusion. 
Those characteristic of Australia are the Honey-eaters 
(Meliphciga), which, in some respects, remind us of the 
Bee-eaters, though, at the same time, the tongue 
differs essentially, that of the latter being filiform. 
They frequent the gum-trees, which form a pro¬ 
minent feature in the landscape of Australia; and 
these are so constantly associated, that the sight of 
either invariably suggests the presence of the other. 
They feed upon insects, pollen, and the rich honey 
of these trees, and obtain this food with their long 
brush-like tongues, which are specially and wonderfully 
adapted for that purpose. The Poe or Tui, which we 
have already mentioned, belongs to the same family, 
and is one of the most celebrated singing birds of the 
Southern Archipelago. 
Amongst the group of Kingfishers there are several 
remarkable species. The greater part of the Laughing 
Jackasses, King-hunters, &c. (. Dacelo , Tanysiptera , Syma ), 
find shelter in this part of the world. It is true that 
these also occur in Asia and Africa, but they are only 
found in perfection in the Southern Archipelago. This 
region is the native land of several remarkable Cuckoos, 
including the giant of them all, the Channel-bill 
(.Scythrops novce hollandice). Pigeons and Doves abound 
in the Southern Archipelago, and the most singular 
