CHAP. V.] 
CLASSIFICATION. 
97 
The Opisthocomi consist of one family containing a single 
species, the “ Hocco ” of Guiana. 
Family 93. Opisthocomidse. 
The Accipitres, or birds of prey, which were long considered 
to be the highest and most perfect order of birds, are now 
properly placed lower down in the series, their affinities being 
more with the aquatic than with the perching birds. The 
following is the arrangement adopted by Air. Sharpe in his 
recently published British Museum catalogue of diurnal birds 
of prey : — 
Sub-orders. Fain. 
i 91. Vulturidse 
Fal cones 95. Serpentariidse 
\96. Falconid© 
Pandiones...97. Pandionidse 
Striges ...98. Strigid® 
Sub-families. 
j Vulturin® 
I Sareorhamphin® 
( Polybomi® 
| Accipitrin® 
( Buteonin® 
Aquilin® 
I FaJconin® 
V ulfcures. 
Turkey-buzzards. 
Caracaras. 
Hawks. 
Buzzards. 
Eagles. 
Falcons. 
Fishing-eagles. 
Owls. 
The Grail® or Grail atores are in a very unsettled state. The 
following series of families is in accordance with the views of 
some of the best modern ornithologists : 
99. 
Rail id® 
. Rails, &c. 
100. 
Scolopacid® 
. Sandpipers and Snipes 
101. 
Chionidid® 
. Sheath-bills. 
102. 
Thinocorid® 
. Quail-snipes. 
103. 
Parridse ... 
. J acanas. 
104. 
Glareolid® 
. Pratincoles. 
105. 
Charadriid® 
. Plovers. 
106. 
Otididae 
. Bustards. 
107. 
Gruid® 
. Cranes. 
108. 
Cariamid® 
. Gammas. 
109. 
Aramid® ... 
. Guaraunas. 
110. 
Psophiid® 
. Trumpeters. 
111. 
Eurypygid® 
Sun-bitterns. 
112. 
Rhinochoetid® 
. Kagus. 
113. 
Ardeidre 
. Herons. 
] 14. 
Plataleid® 
. Spoonbills and Ibis, 
115. 
C icon lid® 
. Storks. 
116. 
Palamedeid® 
Screamers. 
117. 
Phaenicopteridse 
. Flamingoes. 
