Mr. Vigors's Sketches in Ornithology. 37 



Art. VIII. Sketches in Ornithologt/ : or Obserisations on 

 the leading Affinities of some of the more extensive groups 

 of Birds. By N. A. Vigoiis,>/2. Esq, M.A. F.L.S. 



[Continued from Vol. I. p. 446.] 

 ON A GROUP OF PSITTACIDiE KNOWN TO THE ANCIENTS. 



Although, in a scientifick point of view, the value of any sub- 

 ject of Natural History is little enhanced by the consideration of 

 its having been known to the ancients, yet the researches which 

 have tended to elucidate such groups of Nature as have met with 

 their regard or attention have not been altogether unproductive of 

 advantage. We cannot expect, it is true, that ancient science, li- 

 mited as were the means of investigation which it possessed, and 

 scanty as are the relicks relating to it which have survived the rav- 

 ages of time, can add much to the stock of modern information 

 on such subjects ; yet on the other hand, the application of 

 modern science to classical literature amply confers that benefit 

 which it may not derive in return, in bringing to light many 

 'l)eauties, and clearing up many obscurities in the pages of anti- 

 quity. 



But there is another point of view in which the interest of such 

 researches is strongly apparent. In general we are acquainted 

 with the ancients chiefly through the records of their most splen^ 

 did actions. The dignity of history and the elevation of poetry 

 to which we are almost exclusively indebted for our knowledge of 

 ancient manners, confine the representations which are transmitted 

 to us of them, for the most part, to those which are most important 

 and heroick. We are presented with little beyond the atchieve- 

 ments or the apothegms of the warriour, the statesman, or the 

 philosopher. All the minour occurrences of domestick life, all 

 the more endearing traits of private feeling, are cast into the 

 shade.* We see the ancients almost always in full dress, almost 

 always in the stately attitudes, and on the exalted pedestals of 

 life. It is only by scattered references that we are enabled to 

 enter into their homes and their bosoms, and investigate the 



