passerinæ

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. In Cuvier's system of classification, the second order of birds, approximately equivalent to the Insessores or perchers: primarily divided into two groups, the ordinary Passerinæ and the Syndactyli, and, secondarily, the former into four groups, Dentirostres, Fissirostres, Conirostres, and Tenuirostres. As thus constituted, it was a thoroughly unnatural group, subdivided in an equally artificial manner. But removing from it certain heterogeneous elements, as Cypselus, Caprimulgus, Podargus, Colius, Coracias, Upupa, Merops, Trochilus, etc. (as was done by Blyth, Cuvier′ s editor in 1849), it represents the Passeres of modern naturalists.
2. In Nitzsch′ s classification, the expurgated Passerinæ of Cuvier, or Passeres proper.