It is exceedingly interesting to trace the range of the members of this
genus or the true Crows; not so much on account of their wide
distribution, as from the circumstance of the form being non-existent in
some countries which appear admirably adapted for their well-being; thus
while the species are widely distributed over the whole of Europe, Asia,
Africa, North America, the Indian Islands and Australia, none are to be
found in South America, Polynesia or New Zealand.
269. Corvus Coronoides, _Vig. & Horsf._ Vol. IV. Pl. 18.
This is the only species that has yet been discovered in Australia.
Family ——?
Genus NEOMORPHA, _Gould_.
This form is strictly Polynesian, and the species confined to New
Zealand.
270. Neomorpha Gouldii, _G. R. Gray_ Vol. IV. Pl. 19
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. & Vol. IV. Pl. 22.
Horsf._
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.
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