EINE 10183 (@) 1D) UE (EP IO) INT.

Ixvill
Genus Tricnociossus, Vig. & Horsf.

The arboreal group of Trichoglossi or honey-eating Lorikeets, if not so numerous in species as the grass-

feeding Parrakeets, are individually much more abundant and are more universally dispersed, being found in every

part of the country yet visited ; several species inhabit New South Wales: only one has yet been found in Western

Australia. Other members of the genus are found in New Guinea and the Moluccas, but Australia is the oreat
nursery for the birds of this form.

In their structure, habits and mode of nidification, and in their economy, no two groups of the same family
can be more widely different than the Trichoglossi and the Platycerci; the pencilled tongue, diminutive stomach,
thick skin, tough flesh, and foetid odour of the former presenting a decided contrast to the simple tongue,
capacious crop and stomach, thin skin, delicate flesh and freedom from odour of the latter; besides which the
Trichoglossi possess a strong os furcatorium, which organ is wanting in the Platycerci ; hence while the Trichoglossi
are powerful, swift and arrow-like in their flight, the Platycerci are feeble, pass through the air in a succession of
undulations near the ground, and never fly to any great distance. ‘The mode in which the two groups approach
and alight upon and quit the trees is also remarkably different ; the Trichoglossi dashing among and alighting upon
the branches simultaneously, and with the utmost rapidity, and quitting them in like manner, leaving the deafening
sound of their thousand voices echoing through the woods; while the Platycerci rise to the branches after their
undulating flight and leave them again in the like quiet manner, no sound being heard but their inward piping
note.

The eggs of the Trichoglossi are from two to four in number.

409. Trichoglossus Swainsonii, Jard. & Selb. . : : : : Vol Ve Rie4s
410. Trichoglossus rubritorquis, Vig. §& Horsf. . : : E : : ‘ d ; : Vol. V. PI. 49,

“ Procured at Port Molle on the north-east coast, previously only found at Port Essington.” —J. M‘Gillivray.

411. Trichoglossus chlorolepidotus . é ; : : : : Wok Wo JPL &
412. Trichoglossus versicolor, Vig. . : ; ; : Wall, Wo I
413. Trichoglossus concinnus : : f : f : ; : : E Wool Wo 12
414. Trichoglossus porphyrocephalus, Diet.  . : : : : Wola eater

415. Trichoglossus pusillus —. : : . : : : : : : Vol. V. Pl. 5:

Order RASORES, J//.
Family COLUMBIDA, Leach.

The members of this important family are distributed over every portion of the globe, in no part of which are
they more numerous than in Australia, since that country is inhabited by no less than twenty-one species, which,
like its Psittacide, comprise several well-marked and distinct genera, and appear to be naturally divided into two
great groups, the one arboreal, the other terrestrial; the Piilinopi, Carpophage and Lopholaimus, with their expansive
gullets and broad hand-like feet forming part of the former, and the Phaps, Geophaps and Geopelia the latter. The
Ptilinopt and other allied forms are, in consequence of the peculiar character of the vegetation, confined, without a
single exception, to the eastern and northern parts of the country.

The species of the genus Phaps, a form which I believe to be confined to Australia, are more widely dispersed
than those of any other section of the family, being universally distributed over the entire country from north to
south and from east to west; even the parched deserts of the interior are visited by them if a supply of water

be within reach of their evening flight, which is performed with the most extraordinary rapidity and power.