CHAP. V.] 



CLASSIFICATION. 



The Opisthocomi consist of one family containing a single 

 species, the " Hoazin " of Guiana. 



Family 93. Opisthocomidae. 



The Accipitres, or birds of prey, which were long considered 

 to be the highest and most perfect order of birds, are now 

 properly placed lower down in the series, their affinities being 

 more with the aquatic than with the perching birds. The 

 following is the arrangement adopted by Mr. Sharpe in his 

 recently published British Museum catalogue of diurnal birds 

 of prey : — 



Sub-orders. Fam. 



; 91. Vulturidae 

 Falcones 95. Serpentariidce 



1 96. Falconida? 



Pandiones...97. Pandionida? 

 Striges ...98. Strigidse 



Sub-families. 

 ( Vulturinre .. .. 

 \ Sarcorhamphinre 

 Poly born iae 

 Accipitrinse 

 ( Buteoninse 

 Aquilinte . . . 

 k. Falconinre 



Vultures. 



Turkey-buzzards. 



Caracaras. 



Hawks. 



Buzzards. 



Eagles. 



Falcons. 



Fishing-eagles. 



Owls. 



The Grallse or Grail atores are in a very unsettled state. The 

 following series of families is in accordance with the views of 

 some of the best modern ornithologists : 



99. Rallidae ... 

 100.' Scolopacidae 



101. Chionididse 



102. Thinocoridse 



103. Parridse ... 



104. Glareolidae 



105. Charadriidse 



106. Otididse ...» 



107. Gruidse ... 



108. Cariamidas 



109. Aramida?... 



110. Pspphiidse 



111. Eurypygida? 



112. Rhinochoetida3 



113. Ardeida3 ... 



114. Plataleidae 



115. Ciconiidse 



116. Palamedeidse 



117. Ph£enicopterida3 



Rails, &c. 



Sandpipers and Snipes 



Sheath-bills. 



Quail-snipes. 



Jacanas. 



Pratincoles. 



Plovers. 



Bustards. 



Cranes. 



Cariarnas. 



Guaraunas. 



Trumpeters. 



Sun-bitterns. 



Kagus. 



Herons. 



Spoonbills and Ibis. 



Storks. 



Screamers. 



Flamingoes. 



