Classification. 7 



annual Reports from the formation of the society, in 1865, to 

 the present time. Also a handy little volume, in 1870, on the 

 ' Birds of Marlborough,' by E. F. im Thurn, at that time a student 

 there. 



CLASSIFICATION. 



I proceed now to enter into some preliminary details in order to 

 the better understanding of those who have devoted little atten- 

 tion to the subject, and also for the assistance of those who are 

 beginning to investigate it, and would know something more of 

 the various species of the feathered race around them. And I 

 propose to begin with the general subject of the classification, 

 and then go on to glance at the structure and the faculties, 

 enlarging more particularly on the beaks and feet of birds; 

 whereby I hope to unfold their several positions in the great 

 scale of nature ; and without which preliminary observations I 

 fear I should fail to convey anything more than a confused idea 

 of the admirable, and indeed perfect, organization of this most 

 interesting class of creatures. With this view, and to start from 

 the very beginning, or, as in speaking of birds, I may say a b 

 ovo, I proceed to the somewhat dry, but important, subject of 

 classification, giving a general outline of the rules by which birds 

 have been classed, and the divisions and subdivisions which, for 

 many long years, have been accepted. 



But here I must confess my inability to follow the most 

 recently accepted classification of British Birds, as put forth by 

 the learned gentlemen to whom that task was committed by the 

 British Ornithologists' Union. Far be it from me to say a 

 single word against that new arrangement, subversive though it 

 is of all my long- cherished views of correct order. I simply say 

 that, as I do not understand the reasons which dictated so revo- 

 lutionary a system, it is impossible for me to follow it. At the 

 same time, entertaining as I do a most profound respect for 

 those advanced men of science who have determined the new 

 arrangement, I feel satisfied that they have ample reason for the 

 conclusions to which they have come ; and indeed, as a loyal 



