74 
HISTORY OF THE PARROTS. 
According to the natural system, or that founded 
upon the affinities which connect the various mem- 
bers of the feathered race, and which has been so 
ably illustrated and confirmed by the writings of 
Vigors, Swainson, and other eminent ornithologists 
of our own country, the Psillacidce, or family of the 
Parrots, belong to the order Insessores, and to that 
primary division which has been named Scansores, 
in accordance with the climbing and prehensile 
powers of its typical members. In this Tribe or 
Division, it forms one of the five circular groups or 
families into which it primarily resolves itself, the 
other four being represented by the Picidce, or Wood- 
peckers ; the Ramphastidce, or Toucans ; the Cn- 
culidcs, or Cuckoos ; and the Cerlliiadce, or Creepers. 
In its own tribe, it constitutes one of the typical, or, 
according to Mr Swainson’s views, the sub-tvpical 
group, as it possesses powers of grasping and climb- 
ing superior to those of three of the above or Aber- 
rant Groups, and inferior in some respects only to 
those of the eminently typical Picidce. To any ob- 
jection that the station thus assigned to this remark- 
able family is at present rather assumed than borne 
out by facts, or proved by direct affinity, it may be 
observed, that although its connexion with the other 
groups of the tribe is not of so close or direct a 
nature as might be wished for, in consequence of 
some of the links necessary to complete the chain of 
affinity being deficient or unknown ; still its general 
agreements in form and habits are sufficiently pro- 
