ese di tas (OW WACar Il any ly

271. Pomatorhinus temporalis : , : : ae NO IV Rie 20:
Turdus frivolus, Lath. Gen. Hist. vol. v. p. 127 ?

272. Pomatorhinus rubeculus, Gould ; : ‘ : i; : : : : . ‘ V0) ee Vie bel ea

273. Pomatorhinus superciliosus, Vig. § Horsf. : t : : : ; : Wola RiE22:

Family MELIPHAGIDA, Mg.

By far the greater and most prominent portion of the botany of Australia consisting of only two or three
genera of trees—the Hucalypti, Banksia, &c.—we should naturally expect its ornithology to comprise some great
eroups of birds destined to dwell thereon, and such we find to be the case, the true Honey-eaters and the Honey-
feeding Parrakeets beg 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 Meuipnaca, Me. & Horsf.
8 S

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; i disposition they are tame and familiar; and they frequent the Banksie 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 Novee-Hollandie  . : : , : : ; NOI ES ele ose
275. Meliphaga longirostris, Gould 3 ‘ : : : : : : : ‘ : Wolk Wee le OAe
276. Meliphaga sericea, Gould : : i : : : : 4 Wolk WeoRie 25:
277. Meliphaga mystacalis, Gould : : : : : : : : : ; : Wok, IW, JP, OG.

278. Meliphaga Australasiana ; : i 3 : : 5 NO IRV eater

Certhia pyrrhoptera, Lath. Gen. Hist. vol. iv. p. 197 ?

Genus GrycipHiia, Swains.

The members of this genus resort to higher trees than the Meliphage, 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, habit the southern parts of the country, the G. fasciata the northern portion, and
the little G. ocularis is universally distributed over the country, 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 : : : ; WOR ADS 1, @ee
Certhia melanops, Lath. Gen. Hist. vol. iv. p. 173?

280. Glyciphila albifrons, Gould. : : ; . : : : : : : : Vol We Ein29.

281. Glyciphila fasciata, Gould ; : : : : : ; : : WO II. IAL BO,

282. Glyciphila ocularis, Gould : :; ; : : Vol ye Rio

 

 

 

 

 

 

4 + aw
natieenieh eae ok et See ee