that connect the Orders and Families of Birds. 467 



its analogous type in this family. Their approach to the Scan- 

 sorial tribe is strongly conspicuous. The hind toe of the greater 

 portion of the group is long, powerful, and apparently formed 

 for climbing*. In this point of view they seem in Australasia to 

 supply the place of the genuine Pici ; no species of Woodpecker., 

 as far as I have been able to ascertain, having hitherto been found 

 in that country. This strong affinity to the Scansores is preserved 

 by their forming one of the extremes of the present circle, which 

 comes in contact with that tribe. I have indeed some doubts 

 whether, in consequence of this affinity, they may not be even still 

 more intimately united to that group, and form the immediate 

 point of junction of the present tribe with the Certhiada. I have 

 consequently entered them and their conterminous families into 

 the above tabular series with a mark of uncertainty. Time, with 

 more accurate examination of their manners and internal eco- 

 nomy, will clear away, it is to be hoped, these and similar points 

 of doubt respecting groups so interesting. The following facts, 

 however, are I think sufficiently decided, namely, that the three 

 last-mentioned groups, the Promeropida, Meliphagida, and Nec- 

 tariniadcE constitute distinct and prominent divisions in the tribe, 

 of which by that generally stronger and more perfect t confor- 

 mation, which distinguishes them from the more typical families, 

 they form the aberrant groups ; that they are united among them- 

 selves by general affinities ; and that they connect the tribe on 

 each side with the conterminous tribes that approach it, that is, 



* Mr. Lewiiij in the generic description of Meliphaga in his " Birds of New Hoi- 

 land," has strongly pointed out this character. 



■f In a group, which is itself aberrant in a division of a higher denomination, the typical 

 forms will necessarily be more imperfect than those which deviate from the type, when- 

 ever the latter are more nearly united to the more perfect groups of the higher division : 

 in this case the minor aberrant groups will partake in some degree of their perfection ; 

 while the former, situated most remotely from them, will of consequence partake of it 

 to a less extent. 



VOL. XIV. 3 P - with 



