65 



Vir. SCANSORES. CLIMBERS. 



In the arrangements of Cuvier and many other naturalists, 

 a vast number of birds differing from each other in form, 

 structure, and habits, but agreeing in having their outer or 

 fourth toe directed backwards, are brought together to consti- 

 tute an order, destitute of any other common character than 

 that just mentioned, and to which the names of Scansores or 

 CHmbers, and Zygodactyli or Yoke-footed Birds, have been 

 apphed. On the same principle, all birds having only the 

 first toe directed backwards ought to constitute a single order, 

 in which Eagles, Pheasants, Pigeons, Finches, and Creepers 

 should be arranged side by side. In truth, a Parrot, a Toucan, 

 a Cuckoo, a Trogon, and a Jacamar, are as essentially different 

 from each other as a Falcon, a Raven, a Nightingale, a Goat- 

 sucker, and a Humming-bird ; and as the groups of the so- 

 called order Scansores present strongly marked differences in 

 their digestive organs, as well as in their habits, I must, in 

 consistency with the principles which I have adopted, reject 

 the opinions of those, however esteemed, who choose on occa- 

 sion to shut their eyes on the truth, 



" The third order of birds, or the Climbers," says -Cuvier, 

 " is composed of birds of which the outer toe is directed back- 

 wards like the hind toe, whence there results a firmer support, 

 of which some genera avail themselves for clinging to the 

 trunks of trees, and climbing upon them. The common name of 

 Climbers, Scansores, has therefore been given to them, although 



VOL. III. F 



