118 
BEAUTIFUL BIRDS. 
though the first and second are considered by him and 
Mr. Vigors as the two typical groups, on account of 
their more perfect and varied faculties ; if the conic 
form of the bill is the peculiar character upon which 
the order is founded, it follows that those birds which 
exhibit this character in the highest degree of deve- 
lopment must be arranged as the typical group. It is 
stated by Mr. Swainson, that the bill of the Fringil- 
lidce is most typical in this respect ; we have there- 
fore considered that family as the most typical group. 
According to their natural affinities, then, the other 
families will assume the above arrangement, which we 
will now endeavour to show. 
That the Paradise Birds, which we include in the 
family CorvidaD, exhibit a strong affinity to some 
species of the Fromeropidce is generally acknowledged ; 
indeed, Mr. Swainson considers them as belonging to 
the tenuirostral tribe, and immediately to succeed 
that family. The form of their bill and fee^, how- 
ever, together with their general organization, induced 
Baron Cuvier to arrange them with the Crows, and 
they have generally been considered by ornithologists 
as belonging to that family. 
The general character of the Corvidcd are, the bill 
strong, more or less compressed or flattened on the 
sides, sharp and trenchant in the cutting edges, slightly 
curved towards the point ; commissure straight; nostrils 
covered or defended by incumbent bristles or feathers. 
Feet strong, with three toes directed forwards and one 
backwards ; the three front toes divided to their bases. 
Wings in general long and pointed ; tlie second and 
third quills are, however, shorter than the fourth one, 
