XXI 



in one of the five sections of the Oscines, calling them Oscines scutelliplantares. Unfortunately I 

 had already worked out my system before his papers on the subject were published : but I must 

 not omit to acknowledge the great assistance rendered to me from time to time by him ; for he 

 was always ready to give me the best advice when I found myself in want of it. 



In the subdivision of the Desmognathae Mr. Sclater separates the Striges from the Accipitres, 

 making a separate order of each, whereas I place them in two suborders of the order Accipitres ; 

 otherwise we agree in our subdivisions. 



As regards the Schizognathse, my order Grallae is equal to his Geranomorphge, except that 

 he includes the Otidae in that order, whereas I have placed them in the order Limicolae. 



Besides the assistance I have received from Mr. Sclater, I am greatly indebted to Professors 

 Newton and Parker, and Messrs. Salvin and H. T. Wharton for the cooperation they have so 

 readily afforded me during my task of working out the classification. Professor Newton strongly 

 urged me to commence the Passeres with the Crows, as being, in his opinion, the most repre- 

 sentative family ; and for many reasons I was at first inclined to do so ; but eventually I decided 

 to follow Mr. Sclater's practice, and to commence with the Thrushes, so as to avoid making 

 any alteration that was not absolutely necessary in the arrangement of the families as proposed 

 by him. 



c2 



