432 Mr. N. A. Vicors on the Natural Affinities 
until we find, in the slenderer bill of Alcedo, an approaching 
conformity to the more delicately-shaped bills of the succeeding 
family of Meropide. In the present group of Halcyonide must 
be placed the genus Galbula, Briss., which, though distinguished 
from the present groups by its zygodactyle feet, and as such 
arranged by modern writers among the true Scansores, was origi- 
nally included in the genus A/cedo by that great master of natural 
affinities, Linnæus, on account of the identity of the general 
structure and economy of both groups. Here it must necessarily 
be placed, if we look to natural affinity, rather than to the strict 
dictates of artificial arrangement; and with it, I fancy, may be 
placed some apparently conterminous groups *, of which the toes 
are equally disposed in pairs. ‘The relationship of all to the true 
Scansores may be accounted for by the consideration of that ten- 
dency which opposite sides of a circle of affinity generally evince 
to approach each other. The very difference, however, between 
the feet of Alcedo and Galbula, (which two groups, at the same 
time it must be remarked, agree more intimately in every parti- 
cular of the leg and foot, except the scansorial disposition of the 
toes, than Galbula accords with any of the Scansores in the same 
characters,) is lost in a species of Galbula which I have lately 
inspected from Brazil, where one of the hind toes is wanting, and 
where the foot thus exactly corresponds with that of the three- 
toed Halcyonide, or the genus Ceyx of M. Lacepede. That sin- 
* | allude to the genus Capito of M. Vieillot, and some of its affinities. All these 
exhibit a decided approximation, in general appearance at least, to Alcedo, Linn. The 
kindness of Dr. Horsfield permits me here also to mention two new forms of scansorial 
birds which have lately been added to the collection at the India House from Sumatra. 
These in the old systems would be referred to Bucco, Linn. But the breadth of the 
base of the bill, which, although more lengthened, resembles that of Eurystomus, seems 
to bring them near to the present groups. If they should eventually be found to come 
among them, they will most probably unite the Todide to Capito and the other zygo- 
dactyle Halcyonide. In colouring also there is a strong similarity among all these birds. 
—But such remarks are mere conjecture. The relation in question, which I cannot 
however pass over without an allusion to it, may perhaps only be one of analogy. 
gular 
