74 



PELECANIDiE. 



spite of the prejudices which have arisen from the 

 adoption of a quinary division of his groups, which, 

 as far as my limited knowledge of zoology extends, 

 appears to be perfectly natural : however, as the plan 

 of this work is not intended for the discussion of any 

 theoretical views, I shall merely endeavour to pro- 

 mote the investigation of them by attempting to 

 arrange its subsequent materials in conformity with 

 the above doctrine, leaving the theorist to judge for 

 himself how far the arrangement militates against 

 the facts exhibited by Nature herself ; observing, by 

 the way, that other instances may be pointed out, 

 showing the connexion between these birds and the 

 Accipitres, or Rasores, lUig, ; such as their habit of 

 perching on trees, feeding voraciously and often upon 

 living animals, and also the long and powerful flights 

 that they are enabled to take by means of their strong 

 and expansive wings. 



