On the arrangement of the genera of Birds, 391 



ON THE ARRANGEMENT OF THE GENERA OF BIRDS. 



Having being frequently requested by several of my Orni- 

 thological friends to furnish them with a list of the genera of Birds 

 as they arrange themselves under their Orders and Families, in 

 consonance with the views exhibited in a paper " On the Affi- 

 nities of Birds," lately inserted in the Linnean Transactions, I am 

 induced to draw out the following tabular sketch of the genera 

 which have hitherto been published in Ornithology. It was the 

 object of that Paper to give only the general view of the various 

 groups of Birds as they displayed their affinities and analogies 

 among themselves, without entering into the particulars of the 

 minuter subdivisions. Many established genera were of conse- 

 quence overlooked in it, as not bearing upon the general subject, 

 which will be enumerated in the following Synopsis. I am not in 

 general friendly to sketches of the present description, in which 

 the characters and affinities of groups are not explained and 

 illustrated. Such skeletons of systems always begin where they 

 should end ; in taking for granted, instead of attempting to prove, 

 the propriety of the views which they profess to follow : — they 

 assert, in fact, where they should demonstrate. The following 

 sketch, however, may be considered as in some measure supplemen- 

 tary to the general principles laid down in the Paper to which I 

 have alluded, and must be viewed only with a reference to it. As 

 such it may be useful, meagre as it is, in supplying the place, for a 

 time, of a more detailed and perfect exposition of the subject. 

 And I take this opportunity of adding, that it exhibits the founda- 

 tion of an elementary plan, into which it is my intention to enter 

 more fully at an early period, as introductory to the study of 

 Ornithology. 



I have added the characters of a few generick groups, which 

 serve in some instances to fill up the series of affinity in the fami- 

 lies. The experienced Ornithologist will at once perceive how 

 many more are still necessary for that purpose. 



