Bill Ellis writes:

> I think you meant to say that vultures used to be placed 
> before waterfowl - but waterfowl have been moved (with
gallinaceous
> birds) in front of all North American birds.

Bill, if we're going to become pedantic about this I think you meant
to say that the Tinamiformes (Tinamous) remain at the head of the
AOU list, followed then by the Anseriformes (ducks, geese, swans)
and by the Galliformes (chachalacas, guans, pheasants, grouse,
turkey, and quail).