304 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, 1890, 



24 Ampelidre (Chatterers). 



25. Vireonidaa (Greenlets). 



26. Sylviida? (Warblers;. 



27. Turdidae (Thrushes). 



28. Cinelidse (Dippers). 



29. Troglodytidas (Wrens). 



30. Aeceutoridse (Accentors). 



31. Tiraeliidpe (Babblers). 



32. Pycnonotidas (Bulbuls). 



33. Carnpophagidae (Cuckoo-Shrikes). 



34. Muscieapidae (Flycatchers). 

 35- Hirundinidee (Swallows). 



11. Tanagridee (Tanagers) 



12. Cserebidse (American Creepers). 



13. Fringillidae (Finches). 



14. Alaudidae (Larks). 



15. Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits). 



16. Mniotiltidse (American Warblers). 



17. Certhiidce (Creepers). 



18. Meliphagidae (Honey-eaters). 



19. NectarinidBe (Sun-birds). 



20. Diceidae (Flower-peckers). 



21. Pandas (Titmice). 



22. Regulidse (Gold-crests). 



23. Laniidse (Shrikes). 

 As with Dr.' Shufeldt's arrangement, so with ours, there are one or two awkwardly 



placed families. It is annoying to have to separate the Paridce so far from the 

 Certhiidce ; but we do not see where else to put the Meliphagidee. The Sturnidae 

 too, are further from the Crows than we should prefer to see them ; but if we 

 begin with the Corvidfe, which we think it is desirable to do, the transition to the 

 Paradise-birds seems natural, and thence the way is easy through Xanthomelus to 

 Amblyornis. Then comes a break, for we do not think that there is any real 

 affinity between the Orioles and the Bower-birds, and the Sturnidoe come here as 

 the nearest position available in the vicinity of the Corvidoe. Recognising the 

 sense of Mr. Oates's family Eulabetidce, we can pass by way of Calornis to the 

 Oriolidce, and thence to the ArtamidcB and Dicruridce. It would not surprise us 

 if, when the osteology and anatomy of these two last families are worked out, 

 they are taken completely away from their present position, and placed nearer to 

 the Muscicapidce or the Laniida*. At present we do not know any better place to 

 put them. That the Orioles of the Old World and the Orioles of the New World 

 should come somewhere near each other is convenient, and then the passage to the 

 Weavers, Tanagers, and Finches is easy, bub the position of the Carebidce does 

 not epiite please us. The latest exponent of the group, Dr. Sclater, considers that 

 they are related to the Tanagridce on one hand and to the Certhiidce and Mnio- 

 tiltidce on the other. Dr. Shufeldt places thern next to the latter family, and it 

 may be that their Mniotiltine will over-ride their Tanagrine affinities. We have 

 already alluded to the connection between the Alandidoe and Fringillidce by means 

 of the Horned Larks and the Snow or Lapland Buntings, and by placing the 

 Motacillidce next in order, we can proceed to the Miiiotiltidce by way of Siurus 

 as Dr. Shufeldt has pointed out. From Mniotilta to Certhia seems an easy 

 transition, and then, no doubt, we ought to go the Nuthatches and Titmic. 

 But we can find no more convenient position than this for placing the 

 Meliphagidee and the Nectariniidoe, and the thread of continuity is once more taken 

 up by the Diceidae, which form a good connecting link with the Partiae by way of 

 Prionochilus, Pardatotus, but above all by Oreocharis. From Parida: to Laniidce 



