50 INTRODUCTION. 



1st, according to the presence or absence of the membranes 

 uniting the toes, and according to the greater or less perfection 

 of such membrane, where it does exist ; 2d, according to the 

 number and disposition of the toes ; and 3d, according to the 

 form of the beak. The birds whose toes are without membranes 

 compose the first seventeen orders. Those which have four toes, 

 and the legs covered with feathers to the heel, are contained in 

 the first fourteen. Those which have the four toes separated 

 from their commencement are confined to the first thirteen. 

 Those which have three anterior toes and one posterior are con- 

 fined to the first twelve. The last nine orders are composed of 

 birds whose toes are furnished with membranes in their entire 

 length. 



TEUMINCK'S SYSTEM, 



"Which was published in 1820, is founded upon the manners 

 and organization of birds. It contains twenty orders, which are 

 as follows : 1st, Rap aces, or Birds of Prey ; 2d, Omnivores, or 

 General Feeders ; 3d, Insectivores, or Insect-eaters ; 4th, Gra- 

 nivores, or Grain-eaters ; 5th, Zigodactyli, having two toes before 

 and two behind ; 6th, Anisodactyli, with three before and one 

 behind ; 7th, Alcyones, or Halcyons ; 8th, Chelidones, or Swal- 

 lows ; 9th, Columbce, or Pigeons ; 10th, Gallince, or Poultry ; 

 llth, Alectorides, or Cock-like ; 12th, Cursores, or Hunners ; 

 13th, Grallatores, or Waders ; 14th, Pinnatipedes, with only the 

 rudiments of webs between the toes ; 15th, Palmipedes, or web- 

 footed ; 16th, Inertes, with wings unfit for flight. 



THE QUINARY SYSTEM 



Is so called because the species are divided into groups of five, 

 having certain common characteristics or affinities. The leading 

 divisions, or orders, are as follows : 1. Raptor es, Birds of Prey, 

 including Vultures, Falcons, Owls, &c. ; 2. Incessores, Perchers, 

 divided into Cleft-biUs, Toothed-bills, Conic-bills, Slender-bills, 

 and Climbers ; 3. Rasores, Scratchers, as Doves, Pheasants, 

 Grouse, Ostriches, &c. ; 4. Grallatores, Waders, as Cranes, 

 Herons, Snipes, E/ails, Plovers, &c. ; 5. Natatores, Swimmers, 

 including most of the Aquatic Birds. These orders are divided 

 and subdivided into Tribes and Families of five, but some of the 

 links of the chain which ME. VIGORS has ingeniously constructed 

 are yet wanting. 



The beauty and convenience of this system must be ac- 

 knowledged, as well as the classic taste and learning displayed in 

 the nomenclature ; but will it bear the test of further research into 

 the as yet comparatively unexplored fields of natural history ? 



