51 



I proposed in 1890 the following alternative scheme, so as to 

 include all the Old- World representatives. 



1. Corvidae (Crows). I 19. Nectarmiidfe (Sunbirds). 



2. Paradiseidse (Birds of Paradise). [ 20. Dicseidte (Flower-peckers). 



3. PtilonorlijTicliidas (Bower-birds). : 21. Parida? (Titmice). 



4. Sturnidse (True Starlings). | 22. Regulidte (Goldcrests). 



5. Eulabetidse (Tree-Starlings). 23. Laniida^ (Shrikes). 



6. Artamidse (Swallow-Shrikes). 24. Ampelidaj (Chatterers), 



7. Dicruridee (Drongos). 'i 2o. Vireonidse (Greenlets). 



8. Oriolidse (Orioles). j 26. Sylviidje (Warblers). 



9. Icteridae (Haugnests). 27. Tiirdidaj (Thrushes). 



10. Ploceidfe (Weaver-birds). | 28. Cinclidaj (Dippers). 



11. Tanagridse (Tanagers). 29. Troglodytidaj (Wrens). 



12. Coerebidse (American Creepers). 30. Accentoridae (Accentors). 



13. Fringillidffi (Finches). .31. Timeliidje (Babblers). 



14. Alaudidaj (Larks). 32. Pjcnonotida} (Bulbuls). 



15. Motacillidse (Wagtails and Pipits). 33. Campophagidje (Cuckoo-Shrikes). 

 IG. Mniotiltidffi (American Warblers). 34. MuscicapidiB (Flycatchers). 



17. Certhiidas (Creepers). 35. Hirundinidse (Swallows). 



18. Meliphagidse (Honey-eaters). 



It may be as well to reproduce the concluding sentences of 'The 

 Field ' review of Oates^s book : — 



" As with Dr. Shufeldt's arrangement, so with ours, there are one or two awkwardly 

 placed families. It is annoying to have to separate the Paridce so far from the 

 Certhiidce ; but we do not see where else to put the MeUphagidce. The Sturnidce, too, 

 are further from the Crows than we should prefer to see them; but if we begin with 

 the Corvidce, which we think it is desirable to do, the transition to the Paradise-birds 

 seems natural, and thence the way is easy thYowgh. Xmitliomelm to Amhlyornis. Then 

 comes a break ; for we do not think that there is any real affinity between the Orioles 

 and the Bower-birds, and the SturnidcB come here as the nearest position available in 

 the vicinity of the Corvidce. Recognizing the sense of Mr. Oates's family Eulabetida;, 

 we can pass by way of Calornis to the Oriolidce, and thence to the Arfnjnidce and 

 Dicniridce. It would not surprise us if, when the osteology and anatomy of these two 

 last families are worked out, they are taken completely away from their present 

 position and placed nearer to the Muscicapidce or the Laniidce. At present we do not 

 know any better place to put them. That the Orioles of the Old World and the Orioles 

 of the New World should come somewhere near each other is convenient, and then the 

 passage to the Weavers, Tanagers, and Finches is easy ; but the position of the C'osrebidce 

 does not quite please us. The latest exponent of the group. Dr. Sclater, considers that 

 they are related to the Tanagridce on one hand and to the Ce)-thiidcB and Mniotiltidce 

 on the other. Dr. Shufeldt places them next to the latter family, and it may be that 

 their Mniotiltiue will oven-ide their Tauagrine affinities. We have already alluded to 

 the connection between the Alandida and Fringillidcs by means of the Horned Larks 

 and the Snow or Lapland Buntings, and by placing the MotacilUdce next in order we 

 can proceed to the Mniotiltidce by way of Sitmis, as Dr. Shufeldt has pointed out. 

 From Mniotilta to Certhia seems an easy transition, and then, no doubt, we ought to 

 go to the Nuthatches and Tits. But we can find no more convenient position than 

 this for placing the Meliphayidai and the Nedariniidce, and the thread of continuity is 

 once more taken up by the Dicceidce, which form a good connecting link with the 

 Paridce by way of Prio7iochi!us, Pardalohis, but above all by Oreocharis. From Paridce 



£ 2 



