Sclater on the Systema Avium. 
37 
Nitzsch, as Prof. Huxley has shown,* although he appears not to 
have fully realized the structure of the palate in the Trochilidas.f 
In the 3 4 Nomenclator’ four families are assigned to the Order 
Macrochires — the Trochilidas, Cypselidae, Caprimulgidae, and 
Steatornithidae. Of these it is now quite certain, from Garrod’s 
j researches, that the last named must be removed to another situ- 
j ation, the palate being strongly desmognathous. | The best 
place, therefore, for Steatornis , according to my present opinion, 
is either as a family next to the Podargidae, or, as the form pre- 
sents so many strong peculiarities, as an independent order next 
to the Striges. 
The Macrochires will therefore consist only of three families — 
i the Trochilidae, Cypselidae, and Caprimulgidae. No one, I be- 
lieve, will now deny the close alliance of the first two of these 
families. As regards the Caprimulgidae, they differ from the 
typical Macrochires not only in the lesser comparative develop- 
ment of the manus, but also in possessing caeca, and their posi- 
tion will require further consideration. 
3. The Pici were first constituted a separate order by Sunde- 
vall in 1835, § to consist of two families, the Picidae and Iyngidae. 
1 They are the exact equivalent of Prof. Huxley’s Celeomorphae. 
Garrod (P. Z. S. 1874, p. 123 et alibi') would associate with 
them the Rhamphastidae and Capitonidae, as tk not in any point 
presenting family differences but if we follow Prof. Huxley in 
assigning a high value to the structure of the palate, it is quite 
evident that they should stand alone ( cf . Huxley, P. Z. S. 1867, 
p. 468). There is no difficulty in distinguishing the Pici from all 
other birds — the structure of the tongue and of the feet is quite 
peculiar ; and I think they must remain as an independent order 
or suborder. 
[To be continued.] 
* P. Z. S. 1867, p. 468. 
t Cf Parker, Trans. Linn. Soc. ser. 2, Zool. i. p. 116. 
I Cf. Garrod, P. Z. S. 1873, p. 530. 
§ K. Vet. Ak. Handl. 1835, p. 68. 
