Classification of Birds. 559 



mite examination of skins of Catheturus, is, that it belongs to the 

 rasorial order, and will enter the family named Cracidce, or now by 

 Mr Swainson, Megapodidce. Its exterior characters certainly ap- 

 pear more nearly allied to the rasorial than the raptorial forms — the 

 bill, though strong, being in'shape essentially that of a gallinaceous 

 bird, with nostrils partially protected by a superincumbent scale. 

 The tail, as the generic name first given it clearly imparts, is strict- 

 ly rasorial, and the legs in structure closely approach those of some 

 of the birds with which we would associate it. Of its habits and 

 mode of living, upon which much depends, we unfortunately know 

 little or nothing. A second is that of the genus Chionis or sheathbill, 

 which he has placed as a form in the family Columbida ', but whose 

 affinities require to be better understood before its real station 

 can possibly be determined. The cranes, genus Grus, &c. we 

 still think entitled to a rank of higher value than that of a 

 subfamily of Ardeadce. It will be observed that the genus and its 

 subgenera have been altogether omitted or forgotten in the synop- 

 sis. Of the present situation of the genus Hcemalopus, we also have 

 considerable doubts, and believe that it will be found to belong to a 

 different division of the Grallatores. Of the affinity of Dromus, 

 the last genus of the synopsis, we have already stated our opinion. 

 Having at length brought our observations to a conclusion, we take 

 our leaveof Mr Swainson, with feelingsof gratitudefor the lasting be- 

 nefit he has conferred upon science. He has in the volumes now pub- 

 lished given us a system or arrangement of two of the great classes of 

 vertebrate animals, which, if not yet perfect in all its details, has, 

 nevertheless, its great outlines and demarcations based upon fixed 

 and important principles, proving it to be infinitely superior to any 

 that has before been attempted, and more in accordance with, or 

 more nearly approaching, the natural system. He has, we think, suc- 

 cessfully carried out the views and principles of that eminent natu- 

 ralist, which were first disclosed in the pages of the Horce Enlo- 

 mologicce, and, in addition, has announced, and we think gone far 

 to prove, the existence of other important natural and general laws. 

 That much remains to be done to render the arrangement perfect 

 in all its parts and minor details, we freely allow ; it is indeed a 

 matter of time, and must occupy years to accomplish. Day after 

 day, however, new objects in every department of natural history 

 are being brought to light. These, so far from increasing our diffi- 

 culties, must essentially diminish them, as we may naturally expect 

 to find, among the variety discovered, forms which we wanted to 

 fill up those links of the chain which at present are imperfect or 

 disjointed. 



