work it was pointed out that the juvenile plumage of the "10-primaried" Passeres seemed to consist of five types. "In the first the nestling resembles the adult female; in the second the nestling resembles the adult female but is more brightly coloured and generally suffused with yellow; in the third the nestling is cross-barred; in the fourth it is streaked; in the fifth and last mottled or squamated."
These divisions of the Passeres seem to be of great importance and have been adopted in this edition with but very minor modifications.
The whole system of classification here accepted is merely provisional and does not, and cannot, pretend to be final, but it is hoped that it will provide a sound basis upon which future Ornithologists can work. No classification will be found upon which there is universal agreement. Many Ornithologists hold that, whilst it is sound science to split species ad infinitum, it is equally unscientific to use the same arguments for splitting genera and families. I have considered classification purely as a means to an end—i.e. to enable the student to recognize any bird whose name and position he desires to ascertain. If "lumping" will assist him in this, I have amalgamated genera and families; but if lumping, by creating huge, unwieldy families, will lead to his confusion, I have split them so as to render his work easier and quicker. Each Order will be dealt with in turn as it is reached in the succeeding volumes.
Scheme of Indian Passerine Families.
| A. |
(Diacromyodi.) Syringial muscles of the syrinx inserted on the ends of the bronchial semi-rings.
|
| a. |
The edges of the mandibles never serrated though sometimes notched.
|
| a1. |
Tongue non-tubular and not bifid or tufted.
|
| a2. |
The hinder part of the tarsus longitudinally laminated.
|
| a3. |
Wing with ten primaries, the llth too minute to be seen.
|
| a4. |
Nostrils clear of the line of the forehead and nearer the commissure than the culmen.
|
| a5. |
Plumage of the nestling like that of the adult female, but duller and sometimes darker.
|
| a6. |
Nostrils completely hidden by feathers or bristles.
|
| a7. |
First primary exceeding half the second in length; plumage glossy and firm
....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
|
Corvidæ. |
| b7. |
First primary less than half second
....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
|
Paridæ. |
| c7. |
First primary exceeding half second; plumage lax and soft.
....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
|
Paradoxornithidæ. |
