Nos. 2 & 3.J THE AUSTRAL AVIAN RECORD 35 



one of the best marked families of birds. Osteologically, the 

 members of the latter show a nearer approach to the Lariform 

 series than to their nearer allies in this system. By specialisa- 

 tion in two very opposite directions from the Vanelloid root 

 the superfamilies Jacanoidea and Glareoloidea have evolved, 

 and these complete the recent Charadriiformes. We include 

 as the last suborder the Otidiformes, but some systematists 

 have concluded these would be better placed in the Gruiform 

 assemblage. This is an item which requires great judgment, 

 and in this essay we follow immediately with the Order Psophii 

 or Grues, so that its location is agreeable to either view. 



The Order Psophii is subdivided into three suborders, 

 Cariamiformes, Psophiiformes and Eurypygiformes, an asso- 

 ciation which is probably the least natural of all the group- 

 ings utihsed. This is a good example of the failure of the 

 ornithotomist to supply any solution when the superficial 

 student desires assistance. Probably a much more natural 

 sequence will be provided by a more thorough study of the 

 superficies of the birds, using the term in its widest sense. 



As an order we admit Ralli, comprising three suborders, 

 Ralliformes, Heliornithiformes and Podicipiformes. The 

 Ralline character of the last named is evident from the fact 

 that ornithotomists have declared a difficulty in distinguishing 

 the skeletal features as regards the skulls of the smaller species. 

 As many morphological workers have combined the Grues 

 and RalU into one group, our classification cannot be much 

 discussed, the association here allowed differing very little from 

 most other results — the introduction of the Podicipiformes, 

 which we have separated entirely from the Colymbiformes, 

 being the only novel item. We follow with the Order 

 Apteryges,a very distinct group which we consider is certainly 

 of Ralline affinity, and cannot be placed near the " Ratitse " 

 for any reason. A consideration of their morphology denies 

 any "Ratite" relationship, while admitting the heterogeneous 

 nature of that group. The Order Tinami succeeds, leading 

 to the Galli, the Tinami showing to us undoubted Galline 

 and Ralline relations, no " Ratite " jalliance being indicated. 

 As members of the Order Galli we indicate five suborders. 



