360 Letters, Announcement s, ^c. 



conclusion that they were all one group by studying their horns 

 and hoofs, and that the introduction of these troublesome "cha- 

 racters, drawn from the dental arrangement " might " rather 

 have the effect of complicating and rendering obscure what was 

 simple and clear enough without." 



All I can say is, that if you will point out what character, 

 other than the palatine, is common to the assemblage of birds 

 in question, I shall welcome the discovery as the very reverse of 

 a complication or obscuration of ornithic taxonomy. 



Before leaving the Schizognathce, however, I am bound to 

 observe that I do not deserve the credit you are kind enough 

 to give me in one matter (page 92, note) . I have found, since 

 my paper was written, that Lherminier, long ago, and more re- 

 cently Mr. Parker, have strongly insisted on the relationship 

 between the Gulls and the Plovers. 



To sum up, I have endeavoured to show : — 



1st. That the Schizognathee iovm. a very natural assemblage, — 

 a position which I understand you to admit. 



2nd. That the schizognathous structure of the palate is com- 

 mon to, and diagnostic of, all the members of this very large 

 assemblage, with the exception of a very few species belonging 

 to the genera Crax and Dicholophus. This position also is not 

 disputed on your part. 



3rd. Nothing else approaching the nature of a common, still 

 less of a diagnostic character for this great group has yet been 

 discovered. 



I assume that you will assent to this proposition also. And, 

 in that case, I really do not see what foundation is left for the 

 rejection of the group Schizognathce as a primary subdivision or 

 suborder of the Carinatte. 



I think as much could be said on similar grounds for the 

 Dromceognath(E, the jEgithognatha, and the- DesrnognatJice, 

 though it must undoubtedly be admitted that the four natural 

 assemblages^ of birds which compose the last-named suborder 



* That is to say, 1. the Chenomorpht^, AmpJiimorphcE, Pelargomorphce 

 Dysporomorphce ; 2. the Aetomorphee ; 3. the Psittacomorplia ; and, 4. the 

 Coccyf/omorpha;. 



