Classification of Birds. 453 



Thamnophilince, or bush shrikes, and Laniancg, or true shrikes. 

 The affinities of these various groups, and the natural series in 

 which they appear to follow each other,, are then traced through- 

 out their various ramifications, with a degree of skill which we can- 

 not but admire, and which, so far as we have followed him in his 

 analysis, we have proved to our own conviction to be correct. In 

 concluding his account of this family, he oifers a few pertinent re- 

 marks on two forms which have generally been supposed to come 

 within its precincts, viz. genus Vanga, BuflP. and genus Platylophus, 

 Sw. ; but which he now would place in the family of the Corvidae, 

 belonging to the conirostral tribe, believing that the resemblance 

 they bear to the shrikes is merely one of analogy, and not of affini- 

 ty. In this view, particularly as regards the New Holland Vangse, 

 we are inclined to concur, having remarked the affinity that subsists 

 between them and the genus Barita, a group which undoubtedly 

 belongs to the corvine family. Of Platylophus we speak with more 

 diffidence, not being acquainted with its habits and economy. The 

 analogies of the sub-families of the shrikes to the tribes of Perchers 

 are thus stated : — 



Dentirostres Lanianee 



Conirostres Thamnophilinae 



Scansores .Dicrurinae 



Tenuirostres Ceblepyrinae 



Fissirostres ....Tyranninae. 



The family next brought under consideration is that of the Mern^ 

 lida!, " the most numerous as well as the most diversified of the 

 toothed-bill tribe," and which he also considers in its typical groups 

 as the most perfect in its organization, possessing advantages in the 

 structure of the bill, feet, &c. which are either denied to, or but 

 partially enjoyed by, the rest of the Dentirostres. This family, 

 from the modifications of the typical characters as they exist in the 

 blackbird, fieldfare, and other true thrushes, as well as the analo- 

 gies its members bear to other tribes, is again divisible into the five 

 following sub-families, viz. Merulinoe and Mi/iolhcrivce, constituting 

 the typical and sub-typical groups, Brachypodin/;e, Oriolince, and 

 Craleropodince, the three aberrant. This exposition of the peculi- 

 arities and relations, both of analogy and affinity of these groups, 

 though already so fully discussed in the second volume of the Nor- 

 thern Zoology, contains much additional and interesting matter ; 

 but as our limits will not permit us to follow him through all his 

 details, we must restrict our observations to the mode in which he 

 considers the union of the various groups of this family with each 



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