PASSERIFORMES. 
the prior name was Turdidse. Then to this assemblage was added the Timeliians 
not otherwise distributed. The same worker could not separate some of the 
Australian species which are classed in the family Laniidse, and some members 
of his family Prionopidae can scarcely be separated from some he classed in the 
44 Muscicapidse ” so that these might be added to it, and as the family Campo- 
phagidae covers species which are practically Laniine this might also be included, 
so that we arrive at a “ family ” Muscicapidse + Campophagidse + Timeliidse + 
Turdidse + Sylviidse + Prionopidae + Laniidse, and then of course the Artamidse 
must not be allowed, and so on. 
It does not seem necessary to comment further upon such methods and I 
will possibly make further separations as I work through the species instead of 
amalgamating. With all due deference to the critics of splitting, that course 
certainly lends itself to less peculiar results than a lumping one. In the former, 
each species may become the representative of a genus ; while, in the latter, all 
birds might be referred to one genus. 
It may be noted in connection with the families admitted that some of them, 
such as Nectariniidae, Dicruridae and Eulabetidae are represented by obviously 
non- Australian forms recently arrived from the North. Others, such as Turdidae, 
Motacillidse and Alaudidae by species which may have either arrived earlier 
than the preceding, or have spread more quickly, but which have as surely 
come from the North. These are represented by few species; but another 
family, the Ploceidae, has quite a number of species of peculiar form, though 
there is not the least doubt that it is also a northern immigrant. 
Then, as suggested above, names of northern families are used to include 
peculiar Australian groups which may hereafter require other designation. For 
instance Petroica, which superficially is simply an Australian representative of 
Ficedula, shows such internal features as to have been classed nearer the Wheat- 
ear and to have had coined for it and its allies the term 44 Struthious Warbler.” 
I reiterate this point as Acanthiza , Calamanthus, etc., may internally show 
very distinct features and consequently need separation, while Aphelocephala 
does not appeal at all to me as being a member of the family Paridae and 
with Sphenostoma would much better be classed as an Australian family 
Sphenostomidae, and this seems nearer the truth. 
There is so much to be done in connection with the osteology and anatomy 
of Passerine birds that it can safely be written that practically we know nothing 
about them, and it is probable that the examination of almost any Australian 
passerine would produce much of interest, if not even of novelty. So many 
Australian forms are located purely because unknown that the whole of the 
cases cannot be cited. Instances : What has Struthidea to do with Gorvus ? 
Is Grallina any relation to Colluricincla ? How was Pachycephala related to 
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