PASSERES. 15 
work if was pointed out that the juvenile plumage of the 
‘‘10-primaried ” Passeres seemed to consist of five types. ‘ In 
the first the nestling resembles the adult female; in the second 
the nestling resembles the adult female but is more brightly 
coloured and generally suffused with yellow; in the third the 
nestling is cross-barred ; in the fourth it is stre aked; in the fifth 
and last mottled or squamated.” 
These divisions of the Passeres seem to be of great importance 
and have been adopted in this edition with but very minor 
modifications. 
‘The whole system of classification here accepted is merely pro- 
visional and does not, and cannot, pretend to be final, but it is 
hoped that it will provide a sound basis upon which future 
Ornithologists can work. No classification will be found upon 
which there is universal agreement. Many Ornithologists hold 
that, whilst it is sound science to split species ad infinitum, it is 
equally unscientific to use the same arguments for splitting 
genera and families. I have considered classification purely as a 
means to an end—. ¢. to enable the student to recognize any bird 
whose name and position he desires to ascertain. It ‘lumping’ 
will assist him in this, I have amalgamated genera and families ; 
but if lumping, by creating huge, unwieldy families, will lead to 
his confusion, I have split “them so as to render his work easier 
and quicker. Each Order will be dealt with in turn as it is 
reached in the succeeding volumes. 
Scheme of Indian Passerine Families. 
A. (Diacromyopt1.) Syringial muscles of the syrinx 
coats on the ends of ‘the bronchial semi-rings. 
. The edges of the mandibles never serrated though 
_ Sometimes notched. 
Tongue non-tubuiar and not bifid or tufted. 
ee The hinder part of the tarsus longitudinally 
laminated. , 
«*, Wing with ten primaries, the 11th too 
minute to be seen. 
a*, Nostrils clear of the line of the fore- 
head and nearer the commissure than 
the culmen. 
a. Plumage of the nestling like that of 
the adult female, but duller and 
sometimes darker. 
a, Nostrils completely hidden by 
feathers or bristles. 
a. First primary exceeding half 
the second in length; plumage 
LOSS eA IITA, 2 shies =e cle = 2 Corvide. 
bo’. First primary less than half 
RECOM Oye yet acl s, Pale eee 4 eeay os Paride. 
ce’. First primary exceeding half 
second ; plumage lax and soft. Paradoxorni- 
thidz. 
