300 On the present State of the Systema Avium. 
although he appears not to have fully realized the structure 
of the palate in the Trochilide*. In the‘ Nomenclator’ four 
families are assigned to the Order Macrochires—the Trochi- 
lide, Cypselide, Caprimulgidz, and Steatornithide. Of 
these it is now quite certain, from Garrod’s researches, 
that the last named must be removed to another situation, 
the palate being strongly desmognathous+. The best place, 
therefore, for Steatornis, according to my present opinion, is 
either as a family next to the Podargide, or, as the form 
presents so many strong peculiarities, as an independent 
order next to the Striges. 
The Macrochires will therefore consist only of three 
families—the Trochilide, Cypselide, and Caprimulgide. No 
one, I believe, will now deny the close alliance of the first 
two of these families. As regards the Caprimulgide, they 
differ from the typical Macrochires not only in the lesser 
comparative development of the manus, but also in possessing 
ceca, and their position will require further consideration. 
3. The Picr were first constituted a separate order by 
Sundevall in 1835+, to consist of two families, the Picidz 
and Iyngide. They are the exact equivalent of Prof. 
Huxley’s Celeomorphe. Garrod (P.Z.8. 1874, p. 123 e¢ 
alibi) would associate with them the Rhamphastide and 
Capitonide, as “not in any poimt presenting family dif- 
ferences ;” but if we follow Prof. Huxley in assigning a 
high value to the structure of the palate, it is quite evident 
that they should stand alone (cf. Huxley, P. Z. 8. 1867, 
p. 468). There is no difficulty in distinguishing the Pici 
from all other birds—the structure of the tongue and of the 
feet is quite peculiar; and I think they must remain as an 
independent order or suborder. 
[To be continued. | 
* Of. Parker, Trans. Linn. Soe. ser. 2, Zool, i. p. 116, 
+ Cf. Garrod, P. Z. 8. 1878, p. 530. 
{ K. Vet. Ak. Handl. 1835, p. 68, 
