344 Mr. Vigors's Sketches in Ornithology. 



venture to assert, that were we to place specimens of a hundred 

 species of the family in the hands of an intelligent observer, unac- 

 quainted with any scientifick views, and unbiassed by any systema- 

 tick mode of distribution, he would invariably assign them their 

 natural stations among the leading groups I have laid down, sepa- 

 rating them respectively as Eagles, Hawks, or Falcons, Buzzards, 

 or Kites. 



I am aware that high scientifick authority may be adduced to 

 impugn my opinions on this subject. But the argument ad vere- 

 cundiam is one which should be sparingly used, or used only 

 where it may not be turned against him who employs it. If I may 

 feel a diffidence in setting my opinions in array against those of 

 M. Temminck, so strongly, so constantly, so authoritatively ex- 

 pressed on these points, I assume some confidence when I find 

 myself supported by the influence of such names as those of 

 MM. Cuvier and Savigny. I would have no hesitation indeed in 

 appealing to this very tribunal of authority. The preponderance 

 would decidedly be on my side. Every man of science that has 

 written on this subject before the days of Linnaeus, and the 

 greater portion of those who have entered upon it since his days, 

 and who have not been restrained by the strict dictates of his 

 followers, have uniformly concurred in separating the groups 

 before us ; differing, it is true, in the mode, and the extent, but 

 all of one voice as to the principle. Nay even the authority of 

 Linnaeus himself I am not inclined unconditionally to surrender. 

 Although my views may appear to run counter to the letter of his 

 instructions, I am confident they accommodate themselves to the 

 spirit : and I do not hesitate to assert, that when judiciously 

 examined, and faithfully interpreted, his principles of classifica- 

 tion will be found to be not altogether at variance with those of the 

 more liberal of our modern schools. If we look even higher thau 

 to the present aera of science, we shall find that the voice of 

 antiquity is in favour of the separation of these groups. We have 

 already seen* that Pliny has divided the species of the Falconidw 

 into the tribes of Aquilw and Acczpitres; and we may add that 

 Aristotle, the father of Zoology, has equally separated them into 

 * p. 336, and 328. note. 



