V. On Aigithognathous Birds (Part 1.). By W. K. Parker, F.R.S., P.Z.S. 
Read February 18th, 1873. 
[Puates LIV. to LXII.] 
Intropuctory Remarks. 
THOSE who take pleasure in ornithology know well that systematists, working for 
the most part from external characters, are continually at a loss when some new and 
mixed type, which will not fit into their plan, is brought before them. The pre- 
sent race of ornithologists is a vast improvement upon the past, and, with greater 
catholicity of mind, are not unwilling to receive help from workers who, not devoted 
to birds alone, nor in any group to outward characters merely, are wont to dig deeper 
for diagnostics. 
If any one shall say that taxonomic ornithology is full-blown and perfect, I would 
ask, Why then do no two systematists agree together? A hundred classifiers, a hundred 
so-called systems. I suppose that the most violent raid ever made upon a people quiet 
and secure was when Professor Huxley read his invaluable paper before this Society 
(April 11, 1867) “on the Classification of Birds; and on the Taxonomic Value of the 
modifications of certain of the cranial bones observable in that class.”? 
I am proud in the consciousness of having been of some service to the author of that 
paper, which is at once a model to work by and a platform to work upon. If such a 
production were perfect, it would cease to grow; but its large, sinewy, and rather 
awkward limbs give promise of something better than those full-grown but feeble 
“systems” the skeletons of which have filled this valley of vision with their bones. 
I know it will be said—it has been said, that to take the palate merely as a means 
for diagnosis is to be extremely partial, and that such characters will be misleading. 
Such objections are natural enough to those whose minds are most richly stored with 
a knowledge of the exquisite modifications of the outward structure of a bird, but 
whose studies have not been based upon accurate morphological knowledge. 
Even the outward form of the face gives the key-note to the whole bird; the human 
face looking out from above the neck of a Giraffé would scarcely be more absurd than 
a Hornbill’s face mounted on the neck of a Swan. The head and face rule all things 
else. Every modification in the organs of progression must be in correlation with that 
deeper change which has taken place in the storied and labyrinthic walls of the head 
So also, with regard to the other organs, chylopoietic, generative, and the like; all these 
1 See P. Z. S. 1867, p. 415. 
VOL, IX.—PART Vv. December, 1875. 
bo 
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