324 Distribution of the Vulturida. Falconidce, fy Strigidce. [April ? 



For these four grand divisions which we have now proposed, and for 

 the purpose of simplification, and to prevent repetition, we have adopted 

 the following terms : — To the first division we apply the term Katho- 

 liko-dianamial ; to the second, Geniko-dianamial ; to the third, Adiko- 

 dianamial ; and to the fourth, Topiko-dianamial. 



In illustration of this arrangement, which we think, in conjunction 

 with a continual tabular view, is well adapted for tracing the distribu- 

 tion of the ornithological kingdom, we may notice a few examples. 

 Belonging to our first, or Katholiko-dianamial division, we have the 

 genera Fctlco, Tardus, Anas, Columba, Fringilla, Muscicapa, Corvus, 

 Hirundo, Ardea, &c. To our second, or Geniko-dianamial division, be- 

 long the genera Vidtur, Picus, Mycteria, Pkcenicopterus, Trogon, 

 Upupa, Oriolus, Tetrao nacifraga, &c. To our third, or Adiko-dia- 

 namial division, belong the genera, Bucco, Trochilus Ocypterus, Ac- 

 centor, Buceros, &c. And to our fourth, or Topiko-dianamial division, 

 belong the genera Sericidus, Buphaga, Eurylaimus, Menura, Alectura, 

 Musophaga, Calyptomina &c. 



No doubt objections may be thrown out against the system of ar- 

 rangement now proposed, in particular in regard to the last two divisi- 

 ons ; for in nearly all the continents we have tropical, temperate, and 

 arctic climates ; and it is seldom that genera extend throughout all these ; 

 nor do we mean to infer this ; all that we suppose is, that species belong- 

 ing to any particular genus noticed extend more or less over that 

 continent. 



Birds of prey from the most early times have been divided into 

 two grand divisions, viz. the Diurnal and the Nocturnal ; the former 

 comprehending the Vultures and Hawks; the latter the Owls. We 

 shall therefore first notice the Vultures. 



Vultures taken as a whole belong to our second, or Geniko-diana- 

 mial division, being found in all the continents of the world, witli 

 the exception of New Holland ; true Vultures never being found in it, 

 as far as we are aware, their distribution not extending further in that 

 direction than the Indian islands. No doubt Mr. Swainson has des- 

 cribed his rasorial type of the Vultures as peculiar to this continent. 

 With all due deference to Mr. Swainson as a naturalist, we cannot but 

 state that we have here a most extraordinary instance of the danger of 

 being misled by a favourite theory, for in this instance Mr. Swainson is 

 as much entitled, in fact more so, to consider the common wild Turkey 

 of North America as his rasorial type of that group ; it presenting a 

 greater analogy to the Vultures than the Alectura, Latham, which in its 

 habits and manners is a true gallinaceous bird. 



But although the Vultures considered as a family present a very 



