452 Mr. N. A. Vicors on the Natural Affinities 
first family of the Scansores which meets our attention. "There 
is seldom, perhaps, a surer guide to relations of affinity and 
analogy than common observation ; and a trivial or provincial 
name often anticipates the more correct and scientific views of 
the naturalist. In seeking for the immediate point of junction 
between the two tribes now before us, we are in this manner 
directed at once to the object of our search ; a scansorial ge- 
nus, belonging to the family of Ramphastide, the Scythrops of 
Dr. Latham, being designated, as may be seen in the Collection 
belonging to this Society, by the denomination of ** Psittaceous 
Hornbill.” Whoever will compare this bird with some of the 
extreme species of the Buceros, those I mean without the protu- 
berance on the bill, will readily acknowledge the appropriate- 
ness of the title, and recognise the aflinity which leads us from 
the preceding to the present tribe. "The scansorial fümilies may | 
thus be gripes : 
renflé en dessus, rend = remarquables et lie avec les Toucans."— Cuvier, Regne Anim. i. 
p-418. The general accounts which we have of the manners of these birds tend equally 
to assimilate them. Mr. Swainson informs me, from observations made during his re- 
searches in South America, that he has every reason to suppose that the Ramphastide 
are accustomed to feed during the season of incubation upon the eggs and young of other 
birds. I have here to add, that a specimen of the R. erythrorhynchos, Gmel., now alive 
in this country, shows an evident partiality to animal food, and a disposition to prey upon 
weaker birds. Iam informed that, shortly after its arrival in this country, it seized upon a 
small-bird that accidentally came within its reach, and devoured it in a truly raptorial 
manner. It has since been occasionally fed with small-birds, and with eggs, which seem 
to be its favourite food. ‘These manners accord with those of Buceros, as detailed in 
M. Cuvier's valuable observations. See note *, p. 449. Nov. 1824. 
* Or in this manner, if we distinguish the typical families : 
Normal group. 
Digitis zygodactylis, haud retrac- f Psittacide. 
E. sors Pode: 
Aberrant group. 
postico scansorio, aut zygo- Cuculide. 
- Digitis aut tribus anticis et uno [ecu 
ns: Ramphastide. 
Ramphastide 
