PENTIROSTBES AND FISSIBOSTRE8. 
357 
to the observations of White, use the foot to secure 
their prey ; while swallows and thrushes seize theirs 
alone by the hill. The little teeth along the margin of 
the trogon’s bill, almost disappear in the Asiatic species, 
while the todies {Eurylaimttn corydon Tem.) show a ten- 
dency to assume this character. The analogies of the 
remaining families of the Fissiroatres can only be traced 
through tlieir other representatives. That between the 
Halcyonidm and the Ampelidm, for instance, is only 
seen by looking to the wading order, rather than to the 
chatterers ; since we then get an explanation why the 
bill of a kingfisher so perfectly resembles that of a 
heron, — why both live near water, and catch fish, 
nearly in the same manner. But having now traversed 
the circle of perchers, the analogies have tecome in- 
sensibly reversed ; or rather, have so imperceptibly 
changed their character, that they are, as it were, 
doubled. Whether we are thus to account for no im- 
mediate and apparent analogy existing between the 
Meropidce and the Sylviada, and between the Halcy- 
miidce and the Ampelidw, we know not : certain it is 
that their relations appear to be very obscure. But 
may not this arise from the Fiasiroatres possessing a 
greater tendency to unite themselves with the Seanaorea, 
and thus to complete their own circle, than to pass into 
the Dentiroatrea, and thereby enter anoUier circle ? 
This property of aberrant groups we have before re- 
marked upon. Let us see, therefore, whether there is 
a stronger resemblance between the Fiaairoatrea and the 
Scanaorea, than between the Fiaairoatrea and the Den- 
tiroatrea. If this proves to be the case, we shall have 
an important confirmation of the above opinion. 
Families of Families of 
Fissirostres. Analogies. Scansores. 
rBill very short, hooketl, sometimes^ 
Caprimulgid-e. •< tootlied; gonys ascending. Take their > Psittacid.c. 
C food by the foot. J 
Mcaorui... Cehthuc^ 
A A 3 
