CHAP. V. | CLASSIFICATION. 97 
The Opisthocomi consist of one family containing a single 
species, the “ Hoazin” of Guiana. 
Family 93. Opisthocomide. 
The Accipitres, or birds of prey, which were long considered 
to be the highest and most perfect order of birds, are now 
properly placed lower down in the series, their affinities being 
more with the aquatic than with the perching birds. The 
following is the arrangement adopted by Mr. Sharpe in his 
recently published British Museum catalogue of diurnal birds 
of prey :— 
Sub-orders. Fam. Sub-families. 
Oe Vulbaridaa Vulturine .. ... Vultures. 
are ‘ Sarcorhamphine Turkey-buzzards. 
Falcones © 95. Serpentariide ... Polyborniz Caracaras. 
Accipitrinz Hawks. 
\ 96. Falconidze ( Buteoninz Buzzards. 
| Aquiline ... Eagles. 
. Falconinee Falcons. 
Pandiones...97. Pandionide Fishing-eagles, 
Striges  ...98. Strigidz Owls. 
The Gralle or Grallatores are in a very unsettled state. 
The 
following series of families is in accordance with the views of 
some of the best modern ornithologists : 
99. Rallidee Rails, &e. 
100. Scolopacidze Sandpipers and Snipes 
101. Chionidide Sheath-bills. 
102. Thinocoride Quail-snipes. 
103. Parride ... Jacanas. 
104. Glareolidee ... Pratincoles. 
105. Charadriide j ... , Plovers. 
106. Otidide ... : ... Bustards. 
107. Gruidee - ... Cranes. 
108. Cariamidze j es. Cariamas. 
109. Aramide... ‘ Guaraunas. 
110. Psophiidz oS Trumpeters. 
111. Eurypyyidee Sun-bitterns. 
112. Rhinocheetidee Kagus. 
113. Ardeide ... Herons. 
114, Plataleidee Spoonbills and Ibis. 
115. Ciconiide Storks, 
116. Palamedeidee es Screamers. 
117. Pheenicopteride ... Flaimingoes. 
