4.10 On the present State of the Systema Avium. 
simply followed Prof. Huxley, who first located the Timamous 
in their position under the title “ Dromeognathe”*. 
20. Arrrrycss, and 21. SrRuTHIONES. 
In the table given in the ‘Nomenclator’ (p. iv) I have 
recognized only two orders of Ratite birds—Apteryges and 
Struthiones. But there is no doubt, I think, that the 
Casuaries have full claim to ordinal rank, and should like- 
wise stand as an independent order. Their very peculiar 
pterylosis, apart from their marked osteological differences 
from Struthio and Rhea, would alone entitle them to this 
distinction. I would therefore propose to designate them 
Casuaril, the simple Latin plural being, in my opinion, a 
better term for the group than any name which would be a 
fresh burden on the memory. 
Amending the “Systema” according to the suggestions 
above made, we shall find it come out in two subclasses and 
twenty-six orders, somewhat ag in the following table, where 
I have added to the name of each order about the number of 
species known to belong to it, basing my calculations mainly 
on the figures given in the second volume of Mr. Wallace’s 
‘Geographical Distribution.’ 
Orders of existing Birds. 
Subclass Carrnata (10,121 species). 
tel. TPasseresi iii cre. seg 5700 D.GNIG (Cyulbiaes soos 50506 320 
NU Caricer erasers ere 1600 XIV. Opisthocomi...... il 
JUDE, WesTARYE S56 666 6600. 400 XW. emipodiit. i... 24 
IDV SIRI) | no5 Shion.ons 180 XVI annlicarizone sere 150 
Wo ANGGHOMGAS S donbooe 330 XVII. Alectorides ...... 60 
VI. Steganopodes...... 60) XVI dlimicolee Cee oe iewepO 
VIL Herodiones........;. 150 XU Gavite ose 130 
VIII. Odontoglosse ...... 8 OX, Tubinares! fee 100 
EX Palamedez 7). .... 3 XXI. ‘Pygopodes.......: 65 
YG VAMEENES! Soo u0bO600 180 XOX apennes eis.) eee 20 
EXT Wolumabbgey cjej-ve kote 300) 7) EXTEN Cryppturiein cere 40 
Xd Preracletess\.jeeje1 2 15 
* P. Z, S, 1867, p. 125. 
