merulid^;. 199 



MERULID.E. TENU1R0STRES. INSESSORES. 



Brachypodhue Meliphagid/e ....... SCANSORES. 



OrioliiuB • . . . . Paradisead^ TENUIROSTRES. 



C rate ropo din & ...... Promeropid,e FISSIROSTRES. 



The largest birds in creation, as the Ostrich and the Cassowary, belong - to the 

 Rasores, which order, among the perching tribes, is represented by the Scansores : 

 yet, if the situation of the Struthionidw, as it has been stated, is aberrant in its 

 own order, it will then be that particular family which is analogous to the Fissi- 

 rostres*. Hence we may account for the Crateropodinm and the Fromeropidce 

 being the largest birds of their respective groups, since both in like manner 

 represent the Fissirostres. Now this is almost placed beyond doubt ; for the 

 Promeropida? pass into the Fissirostres; while the Meliphagidce, being at the 

 opposite curve of the Tenuirostral circle, should consequently represent the 

 Scansores. This they accordingly do, by the great length of their hind toe, and 

 by actually passing into that tribe. Even this, howeve^, will not destroy the 

 obvious analogy which the Crateropodince also bear to the Rasores, and conse- 

 quently to the Scansores: but this double resemblance will rather convince us 

 that the doctrine of analogy, as yet, has been most imperfectly developed. 



* The Hornbills among the Conirostres, the Toucans in the tribe of Scansores, and the Saxicolince or Stone- chats 

 in the family of Sylviadce, comprehend in like manner the largest birds in their respective circles : and all these groups 

 are analogous to the Fissirostres. This very remarkable property in natural arrangement is not, however, universal. 

 The greatest birds in the tribe of Dentirostres are found among the Ampelidte, which family represents the Tenui- 

 rostres. So also in the family of Laniada, where Ceblepyrince, having the same relation, exceed in size all other 

 Shrikes. — Sw. 



