92 
In the first place, then, a convenient rather than scientific 
division of all birds was made by the older ornithologists by 
arranging them under two great classes, viz., “Land Birds” and 
“ Water Birds.” These classes were subdivided into various 
orders. This system has been been followed in the present 
catalogue; although not strictly scientific, yet from its simplicity 
is very useful in classifying British Birds. 
The Land Birds are divided into three orders—1st. Birds of 
Prey (Raptores); 2nd. Perchers (Insessores); 3rd. Ground Birds 
(Rassores). These are subdivided into tribes and families, as 
follows:— 
Order. 
1. Birds of prey 
(Raptores) 
Tribe. 
Family. 
Y ultures—Y ulturidae 
F alcons—F al coni das 
0 wls—Strigidas 
Tooth billed 
(Dentirostres) 
2. Perchers 
(Insessores) 
<J Cone billed 
(Conirostres) 
Climbers 
(Scansores) 
3. Ground 
(Rasores) 
l 
1 
birds 
J 
Wide billed 
(Fissirostres) 
f Butcher birds—Laniadse 
Flycatchers—Muscicapidas 
Thru slies—Merulidse 
Warblers—Sylviadas 
Titmice—Paridas 
W ax wings—Ain pel idle 
W agtails-—Motacillidae 
^ P ipi ts—Anthid as 
" Lark s—A1 aud idae 
Buntings—Emberizidas 
Finches—Fringillidas 
| Starlings—Sturnidas 
l Crows—Corvidas 
{ W oodpeckers—Picidae 
Creepers—Certhiadas 
Cuckoos—Cuculidae 
f Bee-eaters—Meropidae 
J Kingfishers—Halcyonidse 
Swallows—Hirundinidas 
l G oatsuckers—Caprim ulgidas 
f Pigeons—Columbidas 
j Pheasants—Phasianidas 
] Grouse—Tetraonidas 
L Bustards—Struth ionidas 
Having thus disposed of the land birds proper, we pass to the 
fourth order. 
i 
i 
L Waders ( 
(Grallatores) f 
! 
" Plovers—Charadriidae 
Cranes—Gruidae 
Herons—Ardeidae 
Snipes—Scolopacidae 
Rails—Rallidae 
^ Coots—Lobipedae 
