85 
RAPTORES, OR BIRDS OF PREY.* 
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The order Haptores, or Birds of Prey, 
has hitherto been placed first in our systems, 
though among quadrupeds, many writers have 
chosen to place the quadruminous animals, which 
are analogous to the perching birds, or second 
order in the arrangement, at the commencement. 
This, though of little consequence in one respect, 
shews an irregularity of system which it would be 
better to avoid ; and placing the Raptores first 
now, is done with the intention, that the Ferse, 
their representatives among the Mammalia, should 
stand in a similar situation. 
Among most of the ornithological writers, 
previous to 1800, this first order was made to 
contain three very natural families, — the vultures, 
We must here offer our acknowledgments to William 
Thompson, Esq. of Belfast, for all the information we 
have been able to give regarding the Raptores of Ireland. 
That gentleman has kindly communicated to us the results 
of his observations on this part of the Fauna of Ireland ; 
and we have strong anticipations that ere long he will 
advance our knowledge of the Fauna upon an equality 
with what Mr Mackay has done for that of the Flora. — See 
the detailed paper, Mag. Zool. et Bot. ii. p. 42. 
