508 Mr. N. A. Vigors on the Natural Affinities 



in the fifth and last order of birds we perceive the families of 

 which it is composed following each other in a regular series of 

 affinities, which returns into itself with a continuity similar to 

 that which has been equally apparent in every other great de- 

 partment of the class. 



It now only remains for me to sum up the conclusions that 

 may be drawn from the foregoing observations, and to exhibit in 

 as short a compass as possible the affinities to which I have called 

 so much of the attention of this Society, as connecting the Orders 

 of Birds together and also their Families. For this purpose 1 beg 

 leave to lay before them the following Table of Affinities, which 

 shows at one view the circular succession in which the various 

 groups of the class are united. The divisions which compose the 

 typical order of Insessores will be recognised as more comprehen- 

 sive than those into which the other orders have been resolved, 

 and as forming tribes instead of families. A reference therefore 

 will be necessary to the former table *, which being constructed 

 on similar principles, I subjoined to my observations on that 

 order, for the purpose of completing our information with respect 

 to the regular succession of the families of the class. I shall not 

 here enter into any remarks upon the analogies that may be 



nocturnes, qui chassent et pourvoient k leur subsistance au cr^puscule et k I'aurore, 



surtout pendant les nuits 6clair6es des regions bor6ales. lis (les Petrels propre- 



ment dits) soht plus diurnes que les suivans. Les Petrels puffins sont, de ni^me 



que les Petrels hirondelles, oiseaux nocturnes qui chassent au cr6puscule, et se ca- 

 chent le jour dans les trous des rochers ou dans les tanniers de lapins et des rats, 



et ne sortent de ces retraites souterraines qu'au cr6puscule, ." Temm. Mav. 



p. 801-2 — 4. " On the face of this expanse of waters, and perfectly secure from 

 fowlers, lie all day long, in the winter season, vast flocks of ducks, teals and wigeons, of 

 various denominations ; where they preen, and solace, and rest themselves, till towards 

 sunset, when they issue forth in little parties (for in their natural state they are all birds 

 of the night), to feed in the brooks and meadows ; returning again with the dawn of the 

 morning." White, Nat. Hist, of Selborne, p. 24. ed. 1813. 

 * P. 468. 



V observed 



