108 NORTHERN ZOOLOGY. 



if arranged in their true series of affinity, should intimately correspond in their 

 parallel relations of analogy ; and such appears to be actually the case in nature, 

 as will be subsequently shown. In the meantime, the following- table will suffi- 

 ciently exhibit the typical characters of the leading" divisions of the 



LANIAD^E. 



1. 



Typical group. 



Sub-families. Typical Genera. 



f Bill short ; a projecting tooth in the upper 1 



LANiANiE. { iiii r Lanius, Linn. 



I mandible ; claws acute. J 



Thamnophilin;e 



Edolian^e. 



CeBLEPYRINjE. 



Tyrannin.^. 



{ 



2. 



Subtypical group. 



Bill lengthened ; the tooth less prominent ; 1 Thamnophilus, 

 tarsi moderately long ; claws more obtuse. J Vieil. 



3. 



Aberrant group. j Ocypterus, Cuv.? 



• Bill moderate ; tooth obsolete ; tarsi short. < Ceblepyrus, Cuv. 



| Tyrannus, Bris. 



Every one, who has given the least attention to natural affinities, must be fully 

 aware how intimately the above genera are connected among themselves ; and that 

 even Linnaeus long ago arranged the greatest proportion of the species then known 

 under his genus hanius. It will subsequently appear that there is good reason to 

 believe the whole form a circular group ; but on this point positive evidence is 

 still wanting. Certain it is, that every ornithologist has assimilated the American 

 Tyrants to the true Shrikes ; and we know, from personal observation, that this 

 affinity is carried still closer, by several species of the former possessing the carni- 

 vorous habits of the latter, by feeding upon reptiles, and even fish. Still there is 

 no group or species yet discovered which partakes so much of both as to induce 

 us to exclaim, " The circle is closed ! " The hiatus is still, in our opinion, suffi- 

 ciently great to admit of at least two intermediate forms. Whether these exist in 

 the unknown regions of South America, Africa, or Madagascar, where nature has 

 been lavish of these birds, must be a matter of conjecture ; but we feel it is for the 

 true interests of science that its votaries should dwell upon all such difficulties, 

 although, in the present case, it may militate against the above disposition of the 

 groups. 



