70 HOW TO IDENTIFY NEW ZEALAND BIRDS 
Notes « on Classification by PES, 
Quoted from B. Carter. 
This classification is based chiefly on resemblances 
in physiological or anatomical structure which are 
invisible to the ordinary observer in the field. In 
most cases also it is impossible to describe the 
resemblances in simple language. The classification, 
however, is of the utmost scientific importance as 
affording a clue to the evolutionary history of bird 
life. A cursory acquaintance with the grouping of 
the birds will, moreover, often add fresh interest to 
their observation and serve as an introduction to 
more advanced study. 
The accompanying descriptive notes give some of 
the outward characteristics of the birds in each 
order. It will be noticed that some of these charac- 
teristics are common to various orders. The actual 
classification is usually determined by combinations 
of some or all these features together with some 
internal characteristics. | 
The generalisations are intended to apply only to 
the birds described in this book. They are not 
always applicable to the rarer birds or to foreign 
birds belonging to the order in question. Only a 
few birds of each order are given as examples under 
each heading, not a complete list. 
PASSERIFORMES (Sparrow-shaped). 
Crows. Thrushes. 
Orange Wattled Blackbirds 
Blue Wattled 
N.Z. Tits. 
Finches. Yellow-breasted 
Yellow Hammer 
Greenfinch N.Z. Warbler. 
Chaffinch Grey 
Redpole, lesser 
Lark. 
Pipit, N.Z. Skylark 
