104 



NORTHERN ZOOLOGY. 



forms of the Merulidaz, as Timalia and Megalurus, have been considered true 

 Sylmadw, either by MM. Temminck, Horsfield, or Vigors ; that one of the prin- 

 cipal genera among the Sylviadcc has been mistaken by the latter gentleman for 

 a group belonging to the Ampelidce ; and, finally, that the Todidce are so closely 

 united with the Tyrant Shrikes, by means of such genera as Fluvicola and Nen- 

 getus, that not only Linnaeus, but every subsequent writer of his school, has placed 

 the latter with the genus Lanius. 



These families, uniting at their extremities, present, in their typical structure 

 and organization, the following indisputable analogies to the five leading tribes 

 of Insessorial birds : — 



Tribes. 



Dentirostres.J 



Analogies. 



Bill furnished with a strong tooth ; claws, 

 slender, strong, very acute : carnivorous or 

 insectivorous. 



{Bill more lengthened, arched from the base; 

 feet robust, adapted either for walking, 

 perching, or climbing: omnivorous. 



{Notch of the bill either wanting or very slightly 

 developed. Climb among trees to seek their 

 food. Insectivorous. 



Tenuirostres. Feet very short. Nectarivorous or frugivorous. 



Rictus wide or bristled ; feed upon the wing ; 

 feet very weak. Insectivorous. 



Fissirostres. 



Families. 



Laniadce. 

 MerulidoB. 



Sylviadce. 



Ampelidce. 

 Todidce. 



It may be further remarked, that the most perfectly organized birds are among 

 the Merulidse and the Conirostres ; that the faculty of climbing and searching the 

 most intricate ramifications of trees for their food is confined, among the Denti- 

 rostres, to the Sylviadae, where there is a general tendency to the scansorial 

 structure, even in the most typical groups ; so close, indeed, is the analogy 

 between these birds and the slender-billed creepers, that this relation has been 

 mistaken by all naturalists for one of absolute affinity. The parallel between 

 the two next groups at first sight is less apparent, but it is no less curious and 

 beautiful : both derive their sustenance almost entirely from the vegetable king- 

 dom ; but the Tenuirostres feed chiefly from flowers, while the Ampelidae are sup- 

 ported by fruits. Lastly, the Todidae agree with the Fissirostres in the feeble 

 organization of their feet ; the breadth and depression of their bill ; and, more 



