314 On the Affinities of the Falconidce. 



and that correctly, that each of the groups present in them- 

 selves a circle. Thus the former remarks, " when we des- 

 cend into the details of any group which is subdivided into 

 stirps returning into themselves, it is of little consequence 

 at which subdivision we commence our examination ; form- 

 ing a circular series, they exhibit no natural break upon 

 which we can fix as a regular land-mark to start from." 

 But although each minor group can thus be resolved into 

 itself in order to present a small circle, yet we shall find 

 on investigation that each of the terminations of a parti- 

 cular group is so connected with the other adjoining groups 

 as to form one grand circle. 



Mr. Swainson has lately proposed an arrangement which 

 however is far inferior to that of Mr. Vigors ; the following 

 is Mr. Swainson's arrangement : — 



ORD. I. RAPTORES. 



FAM. VuLTURIDiE. 



Vultur. 



Sarcoramphus. 



Cathartes. 



Neophron. 



Catheturus. 



Gypaetus. 



Fam. Falconidje. 

 Subfam. Aquilince. 



Pandion. 



Aquila. 



Harpyia. 



Gypogeranus. 



CircaStus. 

 Subfam. Cymindince. 



Ibycter. 



Polyborus. 



Cymindis. 



Nauclerus. 



El anus. 



Gampsonyx. 



