GRALLATOBIAL FAMILIES. ANALOGIES. 181 
it may be asked^ can this be made out by actual analogy 
of structure ? To this question we should merely call the 
attention of the inquirer to the peculiar shape of the bill 
of the plover (^fig. 22. o, Vol. I. p. 54.). Unlike that of 
aU other waders, it seems compounded of two different 
forms : the basal half is straight and soft, like that of a 
Tringa; but the other extremity suddenly becomes thick, 
strong, and hard ; the culmen rises abruptly, and then 
takes a regular curve downwards, so as to present a mi- 
niature resemblance, in its contour, to that form so uni- 
versal among the Dcntirostres : that the resemblance, or 
rather the analogy, is remote, naturally follows, because 
the groups themselves are very remote ; yet this, in our 
estimation, does not affect the question, which is simply 
this, — Do not the plovers follow the sandpipers — or, if 
this position was doubtful, it might be made a question 
of analogy ; and then it might be asked, IVliat family 
of the Grallatores presents the greatest resemblance to 
the Dentiroatres. We know it is the opinion of some, 
that this resemblance is to be found in the Ardeadte, 
rather than the Cluiradriadat. And we will even confess, 
than in the early stages of our investigating this subject, 
we were of this opinion ; the more so, because we have 
generally found that the locations assigned by Mr. Vigors to 
the large groups or families of birds are generally correct, 
although, from want of analysis, we do not believe he has 
been equally fortunate in the distribution of their con- 
tents. Be this, however, as it may, it seems to us, that 
if any group among the waders is to represent the 
Fissirostres, that group is composed of the herons : no 
otlier waders watch for their prey from a fixed station ; 
they are the largest of aU the Grallatores ; and, by their 
affinity to the storks, they unquestionably pass into the 
rasorial circle : as for their possessing one of the rasorial 
characters, — that of long ornamental crests, — it is only 
another instance of what we have frequently alluded to, 
that in aberrant groups standing opposite each other, 
some of the tyi>ical characters of one will be imparted to 
the other. Our position, therefore, that in every com- 
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