\xii INTRODUCTION. 



Though this is the basis of classification, there is a tendency in 

 the present day to split and divide these, and to upset the order of 

 arrangement, owing to structural and external characters combined, 

 being made the basis, hence we see the Raptores placed after the 

 Parrots, and the Passeres holding the first place, as in the following 

 rather mixed arrangement : 



I. Passeres ; II. Macrochires ; III. Pici ; IV. Coccyges ; V. Psittaci ; 

 VI. Striges ; VII. Accipitres ; VIII. Steganopodes ; IX. Herodiones ; X 

 Anseres ; XI. Columbae ; XII. Gallinae ; XIII. Geranomorphse ; XIV. 

 Limicolae ; XV. Gaviae ; XVI. Tubinares ; XVII. Pygopodes. It is 

 needless to defend this system ; it cannot be done ; the oldest 

 system must survive, 



Raptores, or birds of prey, are distinguished by their crooked bill 

 and claws, by means of which they are enabled to overcome, and in 

 the order of nature to prey upon other birds and small quadrupeds, 

 to keep that necessary balance so needful. They hold the same 

 rank among birds as the Carnivora among the quadrupeds. They are 

 divided into two families, the diurnal and nocturnal, the latter being 

 the owls, which issue at dusk. The diurnal species are the eagles, 

 vultures, kites, falcons, hawks, &c. They are readily distinguished 

 by having their nostrils placed in a naked skin or cere, and their 

 feet bearing three toes before and one behind and their eyes placed 

 laterally ; while the Striges, or nocturnal species, have their nostrils 

 covered with stiff hairs, the outer toe reversible ; eyes large, and 

 directed forwards. The Passerine birds form the largest class. 

 They are all very nearly alike in structure, and are divided according 

 to the position of their exterior toe, those having the midtoe united 

 to the middle by one or two joints only ; and those with the exterior 

 toe united to the middle one as far as the last joint but one. The 

 next order is that of the Climbers or Scansores, with both the outer 

 and great toe directed backwards. Following this are the Galli- 

 naceous birds, or Rasores of some : birds of heavy gait, short, 

 rounded wings, heavy flight, such as peafowls, game jungle 

 cock, &c. The Waders or Grallatores, comprising the 5th order, are 

 distinguished by the naked tarsus and a portion of their thighs also, 

 their long legs, which they lay back under the tail feathers in 



