NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 201 



groups. But fiiual appeal must not be made from all other characters to these ; 

 but from these— as one of many sets— as collateral testimony — to the total of 

 the rest. As the sole basis for a system of ornithological classification, the 

 scheme will probably remain in critical abeyance only until the time when its 

 brilliancy shall have been forgotten, and its unsoundness alone be remem- 

 bered.* 



Professor Lilljeborg's systemf begins with the same three primary divisions 

 that Nitzsch adopted after abandoning Ratitce, and reducing them to an order 

 of Cursores. Further, however, it differs materially and is in some respects 

 unique. It is particularly to be observed of this system, that no single set of 

 characters — no special theory — guided its formation. The author takes a 

 general average of characters, and seeks to harmonize, as far as passible, con- 

 flicting views of such ornithologists as have been led to propose schemes 

 based upon special investigations. Bonaparte's ideas respecting Altrices and 

 PrcBcoces; Nitzsch's researches on the Carotids and Pterylosis ; Siindevall's re- 

 sults regarding wing-coverts and flexor muscles of the feet ; Cabanis' studies 

 on the scutellation of the tarsus and other points ; Muller's generalizations re- 

 specting the lower larynx; not to mention other data, have all been brought 

 into use, judiciously estimated, and carefully coordinated. It is certainly the 

 most ' catholic' system that has ever been proposed ; there are intrinsic rea- 

 sons why we might anticipate its high excellence. 



Having already given some reasons for my belief that all carinate birds at 

 least may be primarily divided into three groups, I need not Repeat them, in 

 assenting unreservedly to the way in which Professor Lilljeborg draws the 

 lines dividing Natatores, Cursores and Insessores. There are a few ambiguous 

 forms : Phoenicopleridie and Heliornithidoe are among them, coming between 

 the first and second ; some of the more terrestrial pigeons, or gallinaceous 

 birds with barely elevated hind toe, may be others, coming between the 

 second and the last. These may be noticed as well here as anywhere. 



The Flamingoes are purely " grallatorial " in general conformation, but 

 they are palmate, with duck-bill ; and their internal structure is said to re- 

 semble that of Anseres more than Herons. Too much stress must not be laid 

 upon the webbed feet, for some undoubted Grallae are palmate, and all Natatores 

 are not. The carotids show nothing, for they are exceptional in the class of 

 birds. The balance is very even ; there is perhaps no more purely transitional 

 type. The palate bones would carry them near Chenoviorphs; ; the birds are said, 

 also, to be pracocial, another indication to the same efi'ect. But as the author 

 takes the condition of the thigh and cms with reference to the body as a 

 primary feature, he consequently assigns Phcenicopierus to Cursores. Heliorni- 

 thidoe. are, has been said, pretty conclusively fulicarious ; the author does not 

 specially refer to them. Pigeons, usually placed in Rasores as a suborder, are 

 here made an order of Insessores. They are palpable intermediate connecting 

 forms; some terrestrial ones inosculating with Jiasores, others, truly arboreal, 

 as evidently coming under Insessores ; a few are analogized if not actually af- 

 fined with Accipitres. Now it is characteristic of Cursores to walk on the ground ; 



*I should remark that the.se paragraphs were written before I had seen any of the 

 many criticisms that Prof. Huxley's article has called forth. I am more gratified than 

 surprised to find how nearly the views of some authors for whom I entertain high respect 

 agree with my own. I make no change whatever in consequence of what I have lately 

 read ; for though I might now be inclined to add considerably to the above, the appear- 

 ance of the very articles in question has rendered unnecessary what more I should have 

 to say. 



A correspondent, whose name, were I authorized to use it in this connection, would be 

 recognized as that of an eminent ornithologist, writes just now: — " Inasmuch as [this sys- 

 tem] is based upon a single set of characters, it cannot be otherwise than arbitrary, and 

 hence unsatisfactory. So far as the anatomical facts presented are concerned, it has some 

 value; but the arrangement I deem to be on the whole far from a natural one. In short, 

 I cannot regard it as other than a retrograde step, notwithstanding the excellent charac- 

 ter of the author as a naturalist. It is, it seems to me, far inferior to others of a much 

 earlier date." 



f English reprint of original Swedish: P. Z. S., Jan. 1866. 



1869.] 



