64 John Hogg, Esq., on the ClasHfication of Birds. 



of which my first subtribe marks the coursers or running 

 waders. 



The birds in this order possess almost every variety of 

 feet, which are furnished with either three ov four toes. The 

 hind-toe or thumb, when it exists, is generally placed at a 

 varying height upon the tarsus, and does not at all touch 

 the ground, or only does so in a slight degree ; rarely, how- 

 ever, it is attached in the same plane with the fore-toes, and 

 rests altogether on the ground, or presses in a great degree 

 upon it. The mode in which the fore-toes are divided, is 

 likewise variable, and the modifications of the web or mem- 

 brane are numerous, and in some examples exceedingly re- 

 markable. 



The beaks also greatly vary, but for the most part they 

 are of considerable length, and well adapted to searching in 

 water or wet places, for food ; so are the legs, and frequently, 

 too, the necks of the different groups. 



Family 3, Hcematopodidce, is established for the reception 

 of that singular genus Hcematopus, which is of importance, 

 as it leads directly to the following : — 



Tribe II. Cultrirostres, signifying the knife-hills, an ap- 

 pellation very appropriately bestowed on the group by Cuvier. 

 In fact, the bill of these birds, and especially of the Ardeidw, 

 is a most dangerous weapon ; when used as an instrument 

 of defence, they suddenly dart it into their enemy like a long 

 knife or stiletto. 



My second subtribe, Ambulatores, distinguishes the still- 

 er s or Walking-waders ; this ought to be again divided into 

 two or three sections, such as Tardi^ Veloces, &c. 



Tribes III. Pyxidirostres, i. e., box-billed, I have taken for 

 the family Phoenicopteridee, from M. JEdm. de Selys-Long- 

 champs' Classification of Birds, published in his " Faune 

 Beige," Liege, 1842. 



Tribe IV. Since the Spoonbills cannot be correctly classed 

 with the dagger or knife-billed birds, Cultrirostres, I have 

 been compelled to form a new tribe for them, and which I 

 have termed Spathulirostres, the Spatula-billed group. So 

 I have necessarily added another family, Plataleidce. In this 

 and several more nero families, I observe, on a very recent 



