CHAP. V.] 



CLASSIFICATION. 



97 



The Opisthoconii 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. Serpentariidae 



1 96. Falconidae 



Pandiones...97. Pandionidse 

 Strides ...98. Strigidaa 



Sub-families. 

 Vulturirue .. .., 

 Sarcorhamphinae 

 Polyborniaa 

 Accipitrinae 

 Buteoninae 



Aquilinae 



Falconinae 



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. Eallidse ... 



100. Scolopacidae 



101. Chionididae 



102. Thinocoridae 



103. Parridse ... 



104. Glareolidae 



105. Charadriidae 



106. Otididae ... 



107. Gruida? ... 



108. Cariamidae 



109. Aramidae... 



110. Psophiidae 



111. Eurypygidae 



112. Rhihochcetidae 



113. Ardeidaa ... 



114. Plataleidse 



115. Ciconiida? 



116. Palamedeida3 



117. Phaenicopteridae 



Rails, &c. 



Sandpipers and Snipes 



Sheath-bills. 



Quail-snipes. 



Jacanas. 



Pratincoles. 



Plovers. 



Bustards. 



Cranes. 



Cariamas. 



Guaraunas. 



Trumpeters. 



Sun-bitterns. 



Kagus. 



Herons. 



Spoonbills and Ibis, 



Storks. 



Screamers. 



Flamingoes. 



