SYSTEMATICALLY ARRANGED BY DR. T. T. KAUP. 
In the second order of Ornithes is a suborder, in which appear 
the longest wings, with the shortest secondaries and covers, and 
longest quills,* the strongest breast-muscles on the largest chest, 
with almost the want of a belly, the shortest tarsi, which show the 
greatest activity of flight, whose voice ever sounds even while they 
are flying, and that fabricate the most artificial nests; it is the 
suborder, Fissirostres (Cuv.), as I have modified or defined it. 
Like the Aves as a class, the Ornithes as an order, thus must 
the Fissirostres in their order, take the second rank as a suborder. 
In this suborder there is a family in which all the above indi- 
cated characteristics appear most obvious; it is the family of 
Hirundinidce, which, as a family, occupies the second rank. In 
this, THE fundamental type of all birds is to be looked for, 
which in a strict monograpliical exposition of this family will be 
found. This type must be searched for in the Gypselince ; and if 
found in them, it will show the shortest secondaries and covers, and 
the longest quills, the shortest tarsi, broad sole on the toes, &c., &c. 
According to the characteristics abstracted from the Ornithes , 
the Fissirostres and the Hirundinidce, the following classifications 
will appear as belonging to the second rank. 
The family Cucul dee represent the second family among the 
Zygodactylce, on account of their long wings, with emarginations 
on the tip, short tarsi rhythmical voice. They are, as a family, 
the only true birds of this order. 
The suborder, Longirostres, Cuv., represent the second rank 
among the Grallatores, because among them appear the smallest 
and nimblest forms, the longest secondaries and covers, the shortest 
quills, the shortest tarsi, and the first melodious sound in the 
bird-call. 
The suborder, Longipennes, Cur. (fourth order, Ichthy ornithes), 
because in the Sternmce and Procellaridce, there appears a great 
likeness to the swallow type in the long wing, short secondaries and 
covers, emarginated on the tip, long quills, and deeply forked tail. 
A trace of an artificial nest by the Sternmce. 
The family Columhidce, among the fifth order, Gallince, because 
in t lem appear the longest and most pointed wings, great activity 
of flight, the shortest tarsi, the smallest forms, rhythmical voice 
a kind of song to entertain the brooding female, a trace of an 
lOlV" 1 ' Kaup translates these arrn ' win W and hand-wings .— See plate. 
