CLASSIFICATION AND NOMENCLATURE. 19 



it is impossible to exhibit the relations of the different species 

 and genera, without entering upon considerations the develop- 

 ment of which would occupy more space than could with pro- 

 priety be devoted to it. I do not, therefore, profess to add a 

 new system to the many already in partial use, or that have 

 passed away like their authors. Those of Linnaeus, Latham, 

 Blumenbach, Illiger, Vieillot, Temminck, and Cuvier, may all 

 be said to be extinct, for none of these worthies can muster half 

 a dozen followers at the present day. Indeed their systems 

 were never generally adopted even in a single country of Eu- 

 rope. Methods spring up and die like mushrooms, and for the 

 same reason : — they are composed of flimsy and unsubstantial ma- 

 terials, easily elaborated ; and having no solid frame to give them 

 stability, they fall suddenly into decay, withered by the breath 

 of criticism, which but serves to invigorate that which is pos- 

 sessed of real stamina. JNIy object, therefore, in offering the 

 above sketch, is merely to disclose the order which I conceive 

 to be best adapted for the present work. 



The first section, or the Aerial Birds, I reserve for a separate 

 volume, both because I have recently published a short account 

 of the Rapacious species, which is not yet out of print, and be- 

 cause I am desirous of obtaining additional information respect- 

 ing them before giving their extended history to the public. 

 The second section, or that of the Terrestrial Birds, affords the 

 materials for the present volume, in which are described 

 the orders Rasores, Gemitores, Deglubitores, and Yagatores ; 

 the Scrapers, Cooers, Huskers, and Wanderers ; or the Gallin- 

 aceous Birds, Pigeons, Conirostral or Granivorous Birds, and 

 Omnivorous Birds, of authors. 



The nomenclature and sectioning are matters on which I can- 

 not expect that my readers should all agree with me. I have 

 endeavoured to render them as consistent with nature as I 

 could ; but, after all, they must ever be in some measure 

 arbitrarily dealt with. 



