366 On some new Genera of Rapt ores. [Mat, 



Mr. Swainson, in treating of the Falconidce and Strigidce, has seen 

 perpetual reason to deplore the errors of systematic works. 



In truth, it is hardly too much to say that the majority of recorded 

 species are no species at all ; and the majority of recorded genera 

 insufficient or inaccurate. 



The old species, described by color only, and when classification 

 was in its infancy, cannot now be really appreciated except by personal 

 examination. Nor can any words of condemnation be too strong for 

 the modern practice of inserting these species, without such examina- 

 tion, under the strict subdivisions elaborated by recent science. 



Such insertion must be made haphazard, and nothing is more 

 common than to find one species registered in half a dozen genera, 

 none of which suit it, or, if so, only by accident ! For systematic 

 writers now to rely on dried skins, is sufficiently objectionable: but 

 their reliance on the old book descriptions is perfectly monstrous. 



Mr. Swainson — clarum et venerabile nomen — has acknowledged with 

 unusual explicitness that the examination of fresh subjects is, very 

 generally, an indispensable condition of accuracy, and that, for all 

 the higher purposes of science, an acquaintance with habits, as well 

 as with structure, is required. Will it, then, be credited that, with 

 almost all our recorded species calling for revision, and with our 

 classification labouring, in vain, to advance per rudem indigestamque 

 molem specierum, there is no sense on the part of Zoological associa- 

 tions at home of the necessity of any thing more than the collection 

 of dried skins ? 



Such, however, is the fact ; upon which I forbear, at present, from 

 any comments, returning gladly to Mr. Swainson — whom any one 

 would be proud to assist, if able ; and, as I have some little practical 

 experience of raptorial birds, and of the value of the generic charac- 

 ters assigned to them in books, I shall indicate what I conceive to 

 he the diagnostics of some received genera. 



Aquilinje. Genus Pandion. 



Bill and head compressed. Gape narrow. Bill moderate, extremely 

 rounded on the ridge, highly festooned ; tomiae scarpt and very 

 trenchant. Brow not salient. Lores and cere almost nude. Nares 

 rimiform, subtransverse, with the cere behind them membranous 

 and free. Legs and feet spiculated, strong, compressed, nude, and 

 reticulate. Toes nervous, cleft ; the outer versatile with oblique grasp ; 

 the hind, very mobile. Talons highly falcated, nearly equal, compress- 

 ed, rounded below. Wings exceedingly long, surpassing the tail ; 3rd 

 quill longest. Instances, P. Vulgaris, P. Indicus, nob. No. 715. 



