180 Mr. Vicors’s and Dr. Horsrieip’s Description of the 
Falco Nove Hollandiæ. Gmel. Syst. i. p. 264. no. 69. 
Falco albus. Shaw, White's Voy. pl. in p. 260. | 
New Holland White Eagle. Lath. Gen. Hist. i. p. 211. no. 146. 
In Mr. Caleys MSS. we find the following observations on 
this bird :—** Milk-white Hawk. This bird was shot near Duck- 
river, which is a branch of Port Jackson harbour, about two 
miles from Paramatta on the road to Sydney. I have seen the 
species very sparingly. The natives tell me it feeds upon fish. 
Its weight is 11b. 120z. The irides are light olive, but with a 
shade of yellow.—Feb. 1809." | | 
There are two specimens of this bird in the British Museum, 
and we have seen two other specimens exactly according with 
ours, which were lately brought to this country from New Hol- 
land. We have also heard of some other specimens. We have 
therefore little doubt of its being a distinct species, and not the 
white variety of another, as —— by M. Cuvier in his 
* Regne Animal*.” 
2. Rati. Ast. superné cineraceus, subtus albus fusco-variegatus, 
rectricibus pallidè cineraceis, subtus albescentibus fusco-fasci- 
atis. 
Rostrum nigrum. Gula alba lineis disc TETT notata. 
Pectus fusco-lineatum. Abdomen fusco-fasciatum. Scapu- 
compliment to individuals, or names expressing a native or provincial designation, —can 
be of little use in pointing out a species. Local names, unless actually misapplied, (in 
which case they should of course be altered,) will be at least as appropriate as these- 
On the whole, we consider the multiplication of synonyms, and the confusion 
necessarily resulting from it, to be a greater error in nomenclature than the want of 
significance in a specific name. And although, from the circumstance of -objections 
having been started against local names, we agree that they should be sparingly used 
in future; yet when once they have been established, we conceive it more prudent to 
retain them, acting upon the only sure ground which can be assumed in all such 
cases, —the ground of priority. * Tom. i. p. 320. 
lares 
