The second order Insessores, for instance, he divides into five tribes : Con irost ref, Dent irostres, INsESsORu. Seansores, Fissirostres, Ten u irost res, in which he finds a similar connection, as he also does in the five families into which lie further separates each tribe.
In the same year M. Latroille published his method as follows : Section 1, Les Terrestrcs. Section 2, Les Aquatiques.
1. Itapacea 6. Echassiers.
2. Passereaux. 7. Pahuipedes.
3. Grimpeurs.
4. Passerigalles.
5. Gallinac6s.
These orders include 252 genera.
The method proposed by 3L de Blninvilde in 1815, 1821, and 1822, and developed by his pupil, M. Lherminier, in 1827, is founded entirely on anatomical details, and principally upon the comparative develop ment of the sternum.
In 1828 M. Lesson published his Projet,' wherein he commences with the two great divisions Terrestrial' and Aquatic,' and dis tributes the births into nine orders, founded on the form of the toes, wings, and beak. The ninth order consists of Paradoxaux,' to which ho refers the Ornithorhynchus.
In 1831, Mr. Swainson, rejecting the quinarian theory above alluded to, which he had adopted in the year 1824, proposed (in the second part of the 'Fauna Boreali-Americana' containing the birds) a new arrangement, which he framed according to the dogma that " the primary divisions of every natural group, of whatever extent or value, are three, each of which forms its own circle?' No one can read over the preceding compendium, which only embraces the more prominent systems, without perceiving that the great aim of modern science has been to produce the best natural arrangement. No sooner has one method been advanced and con sidered, than doubts have arisen, and another and another still suc ceeds. Cuvier expressed his dissent from all the systems which he had seen ; and it is no doubt as true now as when he expressed his conviction that the true arrangement is yet to bo sought for.
To give a list of all the writers on the Natural History of Birds would bo quite out of place in a work of this description ; we must therefore conclude thin article with the following enumeration of some of the most celebrated authors in this department.
The ornithology of America and the West Indies has been given by Hernandez, MarTrave, Do Azara, Sloane, Catesby, Vicillot, Wilson, Spix, C. L. Bonaparte (Prince of Canino), Audubon, Richardson, Swainson, and NuttalL That of Britain by Pennant, Lewin, White, Bewick, Montagu, Donovan, Selby, Mudie, Yarrell, Maegillivrny, W. Thompson, Meyer,
and others.
That of Europe by Temlninek ; that of Germany by Meyer and Wolff; and C. L. Bonaparte that of Italy. Gould's Birds of Europe' illustrate the ornithology of the Continent and British Islands. his other works on the Birds of Australia, the Humming-Birds, the Toucans, and various monographs, are amongst the most splendid contributions to tho science of Natural History.
Lo Vaillant has illustrated the birds of Africa and other countries.
The following names of some of those who have also distinguished themselves as general authors or particular illustrators will readily occur to the studeut who enters upon this branch of Natural History : Albin, Audebert, Audubon, Barraband, Bechstein, Bennett, Myth, Brisson, Brunnich, Buffon, Bulile, Cutler, Daudin, Desmarest. Edwards, Morning, Foster, Frisch, Gcrardin, Gould, Gray, Gunther, Hardwicke, llerbort, Houttuyn, Hunter, Illiger, Jardine, Jenner, Leach, Lear, Lesson, 31acartney, M'Leay, Markwick, Meyer, Naumann, Nilsson, Nozemnan, Rennie, Riippell, Sabine, Savigny, Selby, Sepp, Schaffer, Shaw, Sheppard, Slaney, Sonnini, Spix, Stephens, H. E. Strickland, Swainson, Sweet, Syme, Vieillot, Vigors, Wagler, Waterton, Whitear, N. Wood, Yarrell.
Fossil Birds.
Although the remains of birds in a fossilised condition are not numerous, yet recent discoveries have given an interest to theta not less than to that of any other class of animals. Sir Charles Lyell, in his 'Principles of Geology,' says that "the imbedding of the remains of birds in new strata must be of very rare occurrence, for their powers of flight insure them against perishing by numerous casualties to which quadrupeds are exposed during floods ; and if they chance to be drowned, or to die when swimming on the water, it will scarcely ever happen that they will be submerged ao as to become preserved in sedimentary deposits. In consequence of the hollow tubular structure of their bones, and the quantity of their feathers, they are extremely light in proportion to their volume, so that when first killed they do not sink to the bottom like quadrupeds, but float on the surface until the carcass either rots away or is devoured by predaceous animals." Nevertheless remains of birds have been found.