490 Mr. N. A. Vicors on the Natural Affinities 
M. Cuvier has noticed* the union that takes place between 
the last groups and those of the Ardeide by means of the genera 
Aramus, Vieill., and Eurypyga, Ml. These lead to the extensive 
assemblage of species contained under Ardea, Linn., and Cico- 
nia, Briss., both of which groups are connected by their general 
form and habits, but differ by some minute yet strongly-marked 
generic distinctions. Intermediate between Ardea and Ciconia 
appear those forms which display so remarkable a dilatation of 
bill, the Cancroma, Phenicopterus, and Platalea of Linnæus. 
The two last of these groups are equally distinguished by a 
greater developement of the membrane that connects the toes, 
than is observable in the other Waders which join them on each 
side; and in one of them, the Phænicopterus, this character is 
carried so far to the extreme, as to have occasioned some sy- 
stematists to place the birds of the genus among the Natatores. 
But the whole of the family have a membrane more or less ex- 
tensive at the base of the toes: and if we compare the feet of 
the common Ciconia alba, of the Platalea, and the Phenicopterus 
together, we shall see a gradual increase of this membrane in 
extent until it reaches the extreme in the latter genus. Among 
the groups that are allied to Ciconia, there are many that resemble 
it in general character, but deviate from it by the form of the 
bill. Among these we may particularize Scopus, Linn., distin- 
guished by its more compressed and furrowed mandibles ; the 
Mycteria, Linn., where the point of the bill turns upwards ; and 
the Anastomus, Ill., where the mandibles, united at the base and 
the point, leave an open space in the centre. The genus Tan- 
talus, Linn. bears an evident affinity to the same group, and has 
consequently been united to it in the arrangement of every 
systematic naturalist. It differs chiefly by the downward curva- 
ture of the bill. To this genus may be united the Ibis of M. La- 
- * Regne Anim. i. p. 473. | : 
cepede, 
