140 On the Propriety of altering 



tific nomenclature. No one contends, as Mr. Strickland 

 seems to imagine is done, that the specific name should con- 

 vey the whole specific character of the bird, but simply that 

 it should be derived from some striking peculiarity connected 

 with the bird. Thus, what a much more lively impression of 

 the birds do the following specific names convey, than if they 

 were the unmeaning terms for which Mr. Strickland argues : 

 whiteheaded abern (Neophron a]pinus) 9 forktailed petrel (Tha- 

 lassidroma furcata), rosecoloured amzel (Pastor roseus), yellow- 

 bill ouzel (Merula vulgaris), &c. Or, again, we may with 

 equal advantage take the specific name from the haunts of the 

 birds; as, house sparrow (Passer domesticus), garden fauvet 

 (i^cedula hortensis), sedge reedling (Salicaria phragmitis), 

 pine crossbill (Crucirostra pinetorum), alder gold wing (Car- 

 duelis Spinus), &c. An equally expressive and unobjection- 

 able kind of specific name, is that derived from the food / as 

 thistle goldwing (Carduelis elegans), haw grosbeak (Cbcco- 

 thraustes Crataegus), furze whinling(Meliz6philus provincialis), 

 honey pern (Pernis «pivorus), pippin crossbill (Crucir6stra 

 malum), &c. Or the specific name may be derived from the 

 voice; as melodious warbler (Silvia melodia), garrulous 

 fauvet (Ficedula garrula), sibilous brakehopper (Locustella 

 sibilans), ringing longtail (Afedula sonans). * I have been 

 thus particular in giving instances, in order to illustrate the 

 only four kinds of specific names which I think to be admis- 

 sible in ornithology. 



Nor am I alone in my opinion concerning specific names. 

 Mr. Strickland is the first writer with whom I am acquainted 

 who maintains it to be non-essential that specific names should 

 have a meaning. Wilson's opinion entirely coincides with 

 my own : he says, " Specific names, to be perfect, ought to 

 express, some peculiarity common to no other of the genus ; 

 and should, at least, be consistent with truth." This " prince 

 of ornithologists," as he has well been called, likewise main- 

 tains, that specific names which do not answer to this descrip- 

 tion not only may, but should, be altered ; I contend for no 

 more. Another writer says, " It should be the aim of every 

 nomenclator to bestow only such names upon animals as will 

 express the peculiar forms, habits, &c, of the species to which 

 they apply ; but if, they fail in this particular, scientific names 



* This is the longtailed tit of old authors (Par us caudatus of Aldro- 

 vand). This bird, as well as the bearded tit (Parus biarmicus of Lin.), 

 should no longer be retained in the genus tit. The latter is very properly 

 called the bearded pinnoc (Calamophilus biarmicus) by modern authors 

 All the birds in the genus tit build in holes, which the longtail (Afedula) 

 and the pinnoc (Calamophilus) do not. 



