412 Mr. A. R. Wallace on the Arrangement of the 



the Tanagers, have affinities both with the Mniotiltidse, Frin- 

 gilhdae, and Dicseidse, while they have no close resemblance 

 to any family of either of the other series. The FringilUdaj 

 and the Icteridse naturally follow, and complete the series. 

 The latter seem to be an extreme development of the Ameri- 

 can Fringilline or Tanagrine stock, and to have no imme- 

 diate affinity to the Old- World Starlings, which they represent 

 in a parallel group, just as the Mniotiltidae represent the 

 Warblers. 



The third set of families we are able to separate consists of 

 four only, characterized by possessing ten primaries, as do the 

 typical Passeres, but with the first rudimentary and function- 

 less. Some species belonging to other series closely resemble 

 these ; but the character never prevails throughout an entire 

 family as it does here. This series is not very well marked ; 

 but as it best follows Series B, it is advisable to keep the 

 families which constitute it apart. These are all Old-World 

 groups, not possessing a single representative in the Neotro- 

 pical, and but a solitary species in the Nearctic region. 



Scries C. Sturnoid Passeres. 

 Wing with 10 primaries, the first of which is rudimentary. 



1. Ploceidse. 3. Artamidse. 



2. Sturnidse. 4. Alaudidse. 



The Alaudidse form a transition from the preceding series, 

 where they Avould perhaps be as well placed, the first primary 

 being in some genera rudimentary and of varying size, in 

 others quite absent; and this agrees with their affinity to 

 some forms of Fringillidse (the Buntings), which has been 

 pointed out by many ornithologists. The Ploceidse form a 

 parallel development with the Fringillidse, as do the Sturnidse 

 with the Icteridse. The Artamidae have been the subject of 

 much discussion. They have been placed with the Swallows, 

 the Shrikes, the Drongos, or the Orioles ; but no one has ob- 

 served their resemblance to the Starlings. Yet, as I'cgards 

 general form, the colour and character of the plumage, and 

 the peculiar bill and nostril, they do certainly resemble some 

 Starlings, especially the anomalous Scissirostrum. The form 



