that connect the Orders and Families of Birds. 473 



considered as approaching most nearly to the general distribu- 

 tion of Nature. Let us refer to the foregoing table, and com- 

 pare with it, for instance, the eleven orders into which M. Bris- 

 son distributed the birds which correspond with our Insessores. 

 All his separate subdivisions, detached and unconnected in his 

 system by any mutual bond of affinity, until here linked together 

 in one uninterrupted series, may be recognised in the table be- 

 fore us, as forming contiguous groups, united by relations either 

 of true affinity, or of apparent affinity, but real analogy. The 

 same observations may be equally made with respect to the seven 

 orders into which M. Temminck has separated the same tribes, 

 the names of which, Omnivores, Inseciivores, Granivores, Zygo- 

 dactyles, Anisodactyles, Alcions, and Chelidons, will at once sug- 

 gest those particular groups in the above figure with which they 

 correspond. We may extend the same remarks, with some 

 slight modification, to the two orders, and sixteen families into 

 which M. Illiger has subdivided the same groups ; to the two 

 tribes and twenty-eight families of M. Vieillot; and the two 

 orders and five families of M. Cuvier. It is particularly grati- 

 fying to be able to assert, that the two orders of Pica and Pas- 

 seres, into which Linnaeus disposed the present families, also 

 form contiguous groups in the foregoing figure, which divide it 

 into two nearly equal departments. If we take away the LaniadcB 

 from the families before us, wliich, it is to be recollected, that 

 great naturalist arranged among his Accipitres in the last edition 

 of his " Systema Nafura," and draw a line which separates the 

 greater part of the Siumida, together with the Fringillida and 

 Loxiada, the whole of the conterminous Dentirostres, and the 

 typical families of the Fissirostres which adjoin them, we have 

 the Linnean Passeres grouped together on one side of the line, 

 and the Piece on the other. It is to be remembered, that the 

 two orders of the Swedish naturalist have been pronounced by 



the 



