486 Mr. N. A. Vicors on the Natural Affinities 
level with the front toes, and thus reconduct us to the Colum- 
bide. Their bills also, more lengthened than those of Craz, 
approach most nearly to those of the Pigeons, which, on the 
other hand, seem to meet them by the stronger form and curva- 
ture of the bill of Vinago, which deviates in these particulars 
from the general structure of its own family. The genus Orta- 
lida in particular, the feathered cheeks of which are distinguished 
from the naked face of Penelope, brings us in immediate contact 
with that family. Here it is, in this extreme of the order, that 
I would assign a place to the beautiful New Holland genus Me- 
nura, Lath., a group that has hitherto afforded more difficulties 
to the systematic writer than any other in the class. By modern 
authors it is generally placed among the Perchers*, on account 
of the length and low position of the hind toe. But its habits 
and manners are gallinaceous, as far as we can ascertaint, and 
its general appearance decidedly evinces an affinity to the Ra- 
sores. The deviation in the structure of the foot from that of the 
typical Rasorial groups only indicates its being placed at a di- 
stance from them, and in that extreme of the order which con- 
nects itself with the conterminous order of Perchers. ‘The same 
deviation, it has been seen, is found in other groups of its own 
family, and in the adjoining family of Columbide. A group 
* M. Temminck places this genus in his order * Insectivores” in the midst of the 
Thrushes, and in the following succession: Turdus, Cinclus, Menura, Pitta, &c. 
(Man. d'Orn. p. \vi.). M. Cuvier assigns it a nearly similar situation (Regne Anim. i. 
p. 361.)). M. Vieillot, on the other hand, though he includes it in his second order, 
which corresponds with our-Insessores, places it at the extremity of it, and near the 
groups of the Columba and Penelope. (Analyse d'une Nouv. Orn. Elem. p. 48.). His 
views thus nearly correspond with mine. M. Illiger has at once ranked it with the 
Rasores. (Prod. Man. et Av. p. 241.). 
+ Mr. Caley informs me, that, from the observations he was enabled to make on 
these birds during his stay in New Holland, it is his opinion that they are gallinaceous. 
He generally found them, he tells me, in flocks, and for the most part on the ground. 
newly 
