356 
ON THE CLASSIFICATION OP BIRDS. 
scientific observer would not at first detect their true 
nature. As botli families represent the scansorial or 
dimbiiig tribe, we find that the ends of their tail 
feathers terminate in points, more or less developed : 
witness, Sylvia, Farm, Sylvicola, Setophaga, &c., among 
the Sylviada, and the whole of the true Meliphagidce in 
the other family. The valuable information on the 
habits of the paradise birds (Paradisidai), given by 
M. Lesson, confirms our previous supposition that they 
were analogous to the fruit-eaters of America : both 
are the largest birds in their respective tribes ; both 
feed almost entirely upon fruits ; both have the plumage 
particularly brilliant, and developed in the most extra- 
ordinary and unusual manner ; and both have short but 
very strong feet, with the hind toe very large. A single 
glance at the feet of the African hoopoes {Promero~ 
pidee), and those of the typical flycatchers {Eurylaimus'), 
shows in how beautiful and perfect a manner the two 
families correspond ; both representing, at the same 
time, the short legged, web-footed, order of swimming 
birds {Nafatores), not only by the peculiar imbecility 
of their feet, but by always living in the vicinity of 
water. 
(296.) From the last family we continue our com- 
parison to the Pissirostres, or swallow-like tribe, merely 
for the sake of pointing out two extraordinary resem- 
blances ; since all the others, from the great difference of 
the two groups, are too obscure to be dwelt upon. 
Families of Families of 
Fissirostres. Analogies. Dentiroatres. 
CAPRiMULCIDiE. Seize their prey by the foot. LANiADiB. 
HiRUNDiNiDiE. Seize tlieir prey by the bill. Merulid-E. 
Meropidas. ■? Sylviad.®. 
HALCYONiDiE. Gape very wide, reaching beyond the eyes. Ampelidaj. 
Trogonid.e. Bill short i wide, strong feet ; syndactyle. MtisciCAPiDA. 
The shrikes are nearly the only birds in the order of 
perchers which have a distinct tooth towards the middle of 
their bill, but this very character we find also in several 
of the foreign goatsuckers. Both these families, according 
