86 INTRODUCTION. 



zoology can be laid out only by a zootomist ; but the details 

 of the system may occasionally, perhaps frequently, but never 

 with absolute certainty, be elaborated by him who regards only 

 the exterior. No rational system of ornithology has erer ap- 

 peared, for these two reasons : because no system-maker has 

 been equally acquainted with the internal structure, the exter- 

 nal parts, and the habits and actions of birds ; and, more espe- 

 cially, because birds have not yet been subjected to a sufficiently 

 minute examination. I have been induced to offer these re- 

 marks because I regret that the science has been degraded by 

 having been left entirely in the hands of those Avho appear to 

 despise, because they have no knowledge of, the internal struc- 

 ture of birds ; and I have considered it my duty to impress 

 upon the student the necessity of dissecting with all diligence. 

 Were it possible to cast away all the knowledge already ac- 

 quired, and commence anew upon the plan of considering birds 

 as admirable specimens of divine workmanship, to be examined 

 in all their details, we should, I believe, be great gainers in 

 real knowledge. 



I have now to point out briefly the parts observable in the 

 exterior of a bird, and for this purpose make reference to the 

 figure of a Kestrel in outline, Fig. 84. 



It has already been stated that a bird may be primarily di- 

 vided into certain parts : The head, a ; the neck, h ; the body, 

 f , c ; the tail, d ; the anterior extremities or wings, e ; and the 

 posterior extremities or legs, /. The basis of all these parts 



be able to classify those native birds which, from being common, might be pro- 

 cured for dissection ; but thousands of others must be left undetermined : and 

 after all, however elaborate might be his system, it would be utterly useless for 

 practical purposes, and unintelligible to all but professed anatomists." A 

 serious refutation of opinions like these, which belong to the " dark ages,'* 

 would seem in some measure ludicrous ; and therefore I offer no comment upon 

 them. Yet the same writer elsewhere exultingly exclaims — " How superficially 

 do we study nature !" We truly, — men in general, — but not the discoverers of 

 " the only natural method." Yet also, Mr. Macleay, the founder of the cir- 

 cular system, distinctly declares that ** the only probability of our ever under- 

 standing the great scheme of the creation must depend on studijing the method 

 in ichich the organs and properties of natural beings vary ," and Mr. Swainson 

 quotes this with approbation, even while recommending a method constructed 

 of bills, feet, and feathers, without a single muscle or nerve. 



