that connect the Orders and Families of Birds. 417 
reopsis in particular evinces still more this affinity. Here the 
thighs are naked above the knee, as in the genuine Waders. 
And this character, as well as many other particulars in its ap- 
pearance in general, so far connects it with both orders, as to 
have caused different systematic writers to place it in each. It 
may here be observed, that the genera which compose the natu- 
ral family of Rallide, are closely allied to the Hæmatopus, Linn., 
which commences the adjoining subdivision of the Waders. They 
are also brought, by means of the circular disposition, which 
I shall dwell upon more fully hereafter, into immediate contact 
with the Tringa of Linnaeus, which terminates the family that 
precedes them. Here, by means of the lobated feet, they are 
connected with Phalaropus, which I arrange, as one of the extreme 
groups of the Scolopacide, close to the genus Tringa, where they 
were placed by Linnæus, and in which situation they are still 
retained by M. Cuvier. The whole of the swimming birds, 
therefore, which are to be found in the Wading order, are thus 
brought into contact and united by uninterrupted links of affi- 
nities. 3 
We have now arrived at the fifth and last division of Birds, 
and have only to trace its connexion with the first, in order to 
complete the circle in which the orders have been asserted to be 
united. The difference between the types of the Raptorial and 
Natatorial groups is at first view as great as can be imagined. 
Frequenting different elements, and performing totally opposite 
functions in nature, they can scarcely be conceived capable of 
being brought within a common sphere of action; while the 
extreme discrepancy in the structure of their feet renders it at 
first sight difficult to conjecture how any modification of it can 
bring them into contact. These difficulties, however, vanish on 
a nearer inspection, and we find a gradual approximation take 
place between these apparently discordant groups, similar to 
what 
