ANALOGIES OF THE OBDEBS. 
17 
types. It is a structure, moreover, belonging only to 
one solitary family in a large tribe of others, none of 
which possess it in the least ilegree. In the order 
Insessores, on the contrary, this power of grasping is 
not confined to one group, but is extended to the whole • 
and It therefore becomes the first and more distinguish’ 
ing characteristic of the order. The climbing nature of 
the parrots is at once explained by tlieir forming a pro- 
minent type of the scansorial tribe ; while the structure 
of the bill (jig. 6, a), almost pre- 
cisely, in outward form, similar 
to that of a falcon (6. i), and 
their united powers of grasping, 
and of climbing, show at once 
their analogy to the Itaptores ; 
all the birds of which, like the 
parrots, hold their prey by their 
feet while it is devoured. Was 
this latter property discovered to 
exist, even in the slightestdegree 
mong eth remaining families of scansorial birds it 
would then assume the consequence that it has errone 
ously been invested with; but seeing that it is altoge- 
ther It sinks to a secondary character, indicating 
a subordinate and not a primary analogy. ° 
(22.) In further support of the relation between the 
rmllatorets and the Glires, elsewhere insisted upon *, 
we shall advert to the elongation 
of the upper jaw or mandible of 
these animals, — a peculiarity 
which is more conspicuous in 
them and their representatives, 
than in any other groups. If Are 
examine, for instance, the biU of 
the woodcock family, we find 
, that its termination 7 . a), in 
gs^r to the contour, gives an almost ludicrous resem- 
ance to the muzzle of a rat (fig. 7. b), particularly if 
• Classiiicatioii of Animals, p. 304. 
