CATALOGUE 



BIRDS 



Order II. PASSERIFORMES 



(Oat. B. ToLiii. p. 1). 



Suborder I. PASSERES 



(Cat. B. vol. iii. p. G). 



Section C. STUB.NIFORMES 



(Wallace, Ibis, 1874, p. 412). 



The classification adopted iu the third volume of the present work 

 (pp. 1-3) for the arrangement of the Passeriformes was principally 

 that of Mr. Wallace (Ibis, 1874, p. 409), with certain modifications. 

 During the sixteen years which have elapsed since Mr. Wallace pro- 

 pounded his idea of an arrangement of the Passeres, we have 

 learned that the classification adopted in 1877 is somewhat artificial ; 

 the characters which were then thought to be of great importance 

 now seem to be of little worth. Of the three Sections which I 

 have adopted from Mr. AVallace the one treated of in the present 

 volume seems to be the most unnatural. The Starlings are divorced 

 from the Corvidce, to which they are undoubtedly allied ; the 

 Artamidce may be a Sturnine family, but of that I am not yet assured ; 

 the Alaudida; find themselves separated from the Motadllidce, and 

 the Ploceidce from the Fringillidce and Tcteridce. 



VOL. XIII. B 



