Genus Pomatorhinus, Horsf.
The members of this genus range from India throughout all the islands to Australia, but are not found in Africa or Polynesia; three species are comprised in the fauna of Australia.
Much diversity of opinion exists among ornithologists as to the place this group should occupy in the general system; by most writers they have been placed with the Meliphagidæ, but having had ample opportunities of observing the Australian species in a state of nature, I am enabled to affirm that they do not assimilate in any degree with those birds either in their habits, actions, economy or nidification, in all which particulars they differ from every group of birds that has come under my notice.
| 271. Pomatorhinus temporalis | Vol. IV. Pl. 20. |
- Turdus frivolus, Lath. Gen. Hist. vol. v. p. 127?
| 272. Pomatorhinus rubeculus, Gould | Vol. IV. Pl. 21. |
| 273. Pomatorhinus superciliosus, Vig. & Horsf. | Vol. IV. Pl. 22. |
Family MELIPHAGIDÆ, Vig.
By far the greater and most prominent portion of the botany of Australia consisting of only two or three genera of trees—the Eucalypti, Banksiæ, &c.—we should naturally expect its ornithology to comprise some great groups of birds destined to dwell thereon, and such we find to be the case, the true Honey-eaters and the Honey-feeding Parrakeets being 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.