574 CLASS AVES. 



uninterrupted series of affinities by which they are connected 

 together, have been asserted and satisfactorily demonstrated. 

 Whether the views which M. Kuhl unfolded in his mono- 

 graph were the result of his own observations on nature, or 

 whether he was originally indebted for them to the ' Horae 

 Entomologicae,' it is now impossible to determine. What- 

 ever may be our opinions on this point, it affords a superior 

 example of an attempt at a natural arrangement. The lead- 

 ing divisions, with some slight modification, will be found to 

 accord with those more comprehensive and philosophic views, 

 which, from accurate observation of nature, are now almost 

 universally allowed to ojffer the most faithful interpretation of 

 her laws.*"* 



M. Kuhl separates into two groups the species of which he 

 treats, which are 209 in number. 1st. The species which he 

 has seen in nature, and the existence of which cannot be dis- 

 puted. These are I7I. 2d. Those mentioned by ornitho- 

 logists, but not seen by him, or which he considers doubtful. 

 These are 38. 



The species which he admits, M. Kuhl separates into six 

 divisions : — 



1st. The Aras, Macrocercus, with long tail and naked 

 cheeks. 



2d. The Parrakeets, Conurus, long and graduated tail, 

 and feathered cheeks. 



3d. The Psittacules, Psittaculus, very short tail, 

 rounded or sharp, and feathered cheeks. 



4th. The Parrots, Psittacus, equal or squared tail, and 

 without tuft. 



5th. The Cockatoos, KaJcadoes, equal or squared tail, 

 feathered cheeks, and head provided with a mobile tuft of 

 feathers. 



6th. Probosciger, Aras a trompe, Le Vaillant, Microglos- 



* Loc. cit. 



