122 POSTSCRIPT. 
was only in the autumn of 1847, that I had an opportunity of following up the observations in question 
more accurately, but my continued researches arrived at the conclusion that the Dodo was better placed as 
a cursorial bird in the vicinity of the Plovers, which are very ike the Pigeon in the form of their skulls ; 
especially as many others of its characters were also noticed in various wading birds. This result was 
already arrived at, and communicated to several friends (v. Baer, Kutorga, v. Middenderf, &c.) before 
T learnt Mr. Strickland’s opinion.” : 
The preceding remarks on the affinities of the Dodo, by Professor Brandt, would scarcely require any 
comment, were it not for the distinguished reputation of the Author as a Zoologist. It will readily be 
granted, that with all the materials extant for the decision of this question, at our command, we have more 
ample means of instituting the requisite comparisons, than the learned Professor, who had only a rough 
cast of the imperfect head at Copenhagen. The superficial resemblances, in the contour of the skull, and 
in the covering of the upper mandible, between Pigeons and Plovers, have been long known to naturalists ; 
and were thus indicated by Swainson, in 1836 (Classification of Birds, vol. 2. p. 175), when speaking of 
the Plovers :—“ Their heads are thick, and their eyes large, dark, and placed far back in the head; the bill 
is short, with the basal half soft, but the outer half becomes abruptly thick; and is often obsoletely 
notched, so as closely to resemble that of the Pigeon family, which in the Rasorial circle, appears to 
represent the great order of Waders.” We were well acquainted with these superficial analogies; but, 
both from actual observation of the marked and essential differences im the structure of the cranium and 
foot in Pigeons, from that of the corresponding parts in Plovers, and also from a more correct interpreta- 
tion of external characters, which, if rightly understood, are as valuable as those fumished by anatomical 
investigation, we were led to reject the hypothesis of any direct affinity existing between these families. 
Professor Brandt seems in this instance to have mistaken analogy for affinity, and in his anxiety to discover 
a link connecting dissevered groups, has wandered from the true method of investigation. The figures 
here given of the skull, and of the metatarsi, and the accurate representations of the integuments of 
the head and foot, will now enable our continental brethren to make the necessary comparisons, and to 
decide this interesting question for themselves ; and-it only remains to call their attention to the obser- 
vations on the family characters of the skull in Pigeons, p. 97, supra. 
