xviii INTRODUCTION 



Western Hemisphere, it was decided to commence 

 with the Finches (Fringillidse), followed by the 

 Icteridse, Sturnidse, and Corvida^, and ending with 

 the Grebes, Penguins, and Tinamus, the last- 

 named family, Tinamid^, connecting the carinate 

 birds with the ratite Rheidae. In this scheme the 

 Thrushes, which certain modern writers place at the 

 head of the class Aves, stand 22 on the list, 

 separating the Swallows (8) by a long interval 

 from the Swifts (36), which are immediately pre- 

 ceded by the Humming-birds (35). The Owls 

 follow the Cuckoos, and are succeeded in their 

 turn by the Osprey, Buzzards, Eagles, and Falcons, 

 followed by the Pigeons, Curassows, and Game- 

 birds in the order named. 



In the wide separation of the Swallows from 

 the Swifts here proposed, although it has the 

 approval of my friend Mr. Saunders, I am wholly 

 unable to agree, being convinced, for reasons 

 hereinafter stated (pp. 108-109), that, in the words 

 of the late Professor W. K. Parker, " The Swallow 

 and Swift are near akin." In addition to what 

 will be found stated at the pages just indicated, it 

 may be remarked that Mr. F. A. Lucas, in an instruc- 

 tive paper on the Tongues of Birds (Report U.S. 

 Nat. Mus., 1895, pp. 1001-1019, with two plates) 

 remarks : — 



"The tongues of the Swifts have a very close 

 resemblance to one another, as do those of the 

 Swallows, and the two groups are so much alike 



