1909.] OF THE PASSERINE BIRD ARACHNOTUERA MAGNA. 543 
connection with the rest of the anatomical structure, which in 
the Humming-birds is so decidedly non-passerine, while in all 
the families here investigated the osteology at least points most 
distinctly to the Passeriformes. 
There are a few faint cranial resemblances to be seen upon 
comparing that part of the skeleton of a Humming-bird with 
the corresponding structures in certain Corebide, or even 
Nectariniide, but they amount only to resemblances and no 
more, ‘hese are interesting, but they have no bearing whatever 
upon affinities. 
As to the probable relations of these several families—the 
Nectariniide, Corebide, Certhiide, and Meliphagidee—to each 
other and to other groups, we are confronted with an entirely 
different question, and one by no means easy of settlement. 
In my paper on “An Arrangement of the Families and the 
Higher Groups of Birds” my provisional opinion has already been 
presented. Therethe Meliphagide stand between the Nectariniide 
and Certhiidee—the three families being kept together and placed 
between the Diceeidee and Mniotiltide. From these the Corebide 
are well separated, being placed between the Drepanide and 
Tanagride, with several families intervening, including the Larks 
and Finches. I do not know that this opinion has in any way 
been shaken or disturbed by the examination of the material 
Mr. Beddard has so kindly placed at my disposal ; still before my 
convictions come to be any firmer or more settled, I would prefer 
to investigate the anatomy of a great many more species of 
families evidently related, than I have up to the present time. 
Were I to propose a change in my arrangement I would say 
perhaps that the Cerebide should hold a place in closer relation- 
ship to the Creepers and Warblers, which I am rather inclined to 
think that they do. As a family, however, the Carebide are 
undoubtedly very distinct, certainly from the Nectariniid, here 
made to include the former family Cinnyride. The examination 
of the skeleton of such a form as Diglossa baritula would be quite 
sufficient to establish that fact, and this has been done in the 
present contribution. A few more Sun-birds and Honey-suckers 
should be examined, especially of the genera Drepanis and 
Meliphaga, which I have not as yet seen. Cinnyris is a genus of 
the Nectariniide, though not typical of that family. I have in 
former years examined many of the Sittidee—the Honey-creepers 
(Cereba) are quite distinct from them. 
Climacteris scandens as a representative of the Certhiid 
clearly points to the fact of the distinctness of that family, 
but I should like to examine the skeletons of other species 
of Wall-creepers. 
A far greater number of the Meliphagide need investigation, 
and the genera here examined do not point, in so far as their 
skeletons go, to any very close relationship with the Nectariniide, 
as exemplified in the genus Arachnothera and others. Especially 
