MONOGRAPH OF THE FALCONID.E, 
We give to tlie Ducks of the fourth order the fifth rank in that 
order, because they show membraneous flaps on the head and neck, 
a very large pelvis, a great number of eggs, beautiful plumage in 
the male, but modest in the female, an inclination to polygamy, spurs 
on the wings in place of the tarsi, &c. They are, in every respect, 
the hens or sexual birds of their order. 
According to almost the same reasons, we assign the fifth rank 
to the suborder, Macrodactyli, among the Grallatores. In most 
languages their analogy with the hens has been felt and expressed, 
by calling them cc water heus.” 
Among the Ornithes, I give the fifth rank to the Tenuirostres , 
because in the fifth family Meliphagidce , most of the characteristics 
of hens appear. Among the Zygodactylce , I assign the fifth rank 
to the Musophagidce, on account of their analogies with the Cracidm. 
Applying these analogies, I give the following families in their 
respective suborders the fifth rank. 
Among the Conirostres to the family Alaudidce. 
Among the Fissirostres to the family Ampelidce. 
Among the Syndactyli to the family Pipridae. 
Among the Dentirostres to the family Paridce, because we see 
the greatest number of eggs in this family. 
Among the Grallatores , I give the same rank among the Pressi- 
rostres to the family Otidce ; among the Longirostres to the 
Scolopacidce, among the Brevipennes to the family Struthionidce, 
among the Cultrirostres to the Phoenicop ter idee (it represents the 
Gallinaceous type as it is presented in the Lamellirostres), among 
the Macrodactyli to the Parr idee. I give the same rank in the 
Ichthyornithes to the Podoidce among the Brachypteri, among the 
Lamellirostres to the Anserince. 
Applying these analogies to the Accipitres, we find that no other 
foims but those of Vulturidce can be considered as Gallinaceous types, 
and it is only from the greater number of the genera of this very 
interesting family having perished, we are at a loss to prove that 
there are forms to be found in it which feed on vegetable food and 
lay a larger number of eggs. 
Among the Falconidce we find a subfamily, and in this a genus, 
which, m a naked checkered visage and throat, henlike tarsi, partly 
eec mg on vegetables, lienlike voice, bathing in sand, and eagerness 
f ° r Sll ° WS many anal °gies with the Vulturidce and Gallium. 
X I /"t)U 
