38 
ON THE CLASSIFICATION OP BIRDS. 
(jalensis, — both clothed in the richest colours, and both 
cressed by brilliant violet lines on the throat, breast, and 
body, — but will be struck with the analogy ? But these 
are faint when compared with those between the Brachy- 
podincB and the Meliphagidce. It is here we get the 
true value of this table, since it shows the supposed 
affinity of CUoropis to the honey- suckers (][leliphagid<B), 
is merely a relation of analogy. The Paradise oriole, 
in like manner, typifies, in its own family, the true Pa- 
radise birds ; while the pecuUar hardness and com- 
pression of the bill in the two last groups, their long, 
soft, and graduated tails, and partiality for the vicinity 
of water, render their analogy ahnost unquestionable. 
It is, indeed, still a matter of doubt, whether the Pro- 
merops Capensis belongs to one or the other. These re- 
lations, however, from being less direct than several 
we have previously noticed, might be termed fanciful, 
had not naturalists, by mistaking them for true affinities, 
stamped them with an additional value, while each group 
is placed exactly in that station it holds in its own circle 
of affinity. 
CHAP. V. 
THE HENTIROSTRAL ORDER CONTINUED. —ON THE SYLVIADuB, OR 
WARBLERS. 
(41.) The chief peculiarity which runs through this 
numerous family, is the very small size and delicate 
structure of its individuals. Excepting the humming- 
birds, we find among these elegant little creatures the 
smallest birds in creation. The diminutive golden-crests, 
the nightingale, the white throat, and the wood wren, 
are all well known examples of genuine warblers, familiar 
to the British naturalist. The groups of this extensive 
family, spread over all the habitable regions of the 
