Classification of Birds. 555 



radisidce, and Melliphagidce. Of these the two first are considered 

 the typical and suh-typical divisions. In the Melliphagidse we have 

 a curious and highly interesting group, containing within itself, as 

 he observes, types of every order and tribe throughout ornithology. 

 By the Pliloris paradiseus, or rifle-bird of Australia, it seems 

 brought in connection with the Promeropidee, while its smaller forms 

 lead to the sun-birds or family Cinnyridce, the typical groups of 

 which are natives of the tropical regions of the old world. In these 

 birds the margins of the bill are minutely dentated, the tongue 

 forming a bifid tube, but the tip without the filaments or brush-like 

 appendage of the Melliphagidae. 



In the Trochilidce or true humming-birds he remarks, " we have 

 the full development of the suctorial perfection belonging to this 

 tribe." As a group they still remain in a degree isolated, no imme- 

 diate connecting link with the other families having yet been dis- 

 covered, though there is obviously a strong affinity between them 

 and the Cinnyridae ; and in the large species lately discovered, we 

 are inclined to think a close approximation to the Promeropidae will 

 be found to exist. He determines the five principal forms under the 

 generic heads of Trochilus, Cynanthus, Lamponiis, Campy loplerus, 

 and Pcethornis. We now arrive at the last tribe of the Insessores, 

 which, from the great width of the gape of its members, has been 

 named the tribe of Fissirostres. As a whole, Mr Swainson observes, 

 ff they are distinguished by having the powers of flight developed 

 in the highest degree ; all energies of their nature seem concentrated 

 in this one perfection ; for their feet are always very short, weak, 

 and generally so imperfect as to be of no further use than to rest 

 the body after flight. Their food is insects captured upon the wing." 

 The primary divisions are supposed to be the families Caprimul- 

 gidce, Hirundinidce, Meropidce,^ Halcyonidce, and Trogonidce. — 

 Among the Bee-eaters, Meropidce, we find the Rollers, genus Coracias, 

 which by former systematists used to be placed among or near to the 

 crows. That the present is their natural station, no one, we think, 

 who has investigated their structure and economy, as well as their 

 immediate affinity to the genus Enrystomus will be prepared to 

 doubt. Among the Halcyonidae he properly places the puff-birds or 

 members of Tamutia, and its sub-genera, an extensive group, 

 which, in systems where natural affinities and economy were either 

 little understood, or not attended to, used to figure among the Cm- 

 culidce. The jacamars, also, (Galbula), which at one period were 

 placed close to the hornbills, he has transferred to their proper sta- 

 tion in this family. That the 'fWons, whose situation hitherto has 



