DERIVATIONS OF THE NAMES OF BIRDS. 139 



trochahs. ) From iroc j lus ^ ^ top) w hi c h is derived from rfoyos a wheel. 



trockUus. ) 



trivialis. Ordinary, trivial, &c. 



I have in the foregoing list repeated some names for which derivations have 

 been given in the former papers ; but it is only in a few instances, and occurs 

 where I consider the derivations I have given may perhaps be preferable, or that 

 some little additional light is thrown upon the subject, as is the case with Cygnus, 

 Scolopax, Pyrrhula, Upupa, Falco, vanellus, tinnunculs, &c. Mr. Morbis 

 seems to think that some of the derivations supplied through your kindness are 

 not very good, but I find that in most instances they are the same as in my list, 

 as, for example, I have Alauda, the same as given by you (a from, and laudo, to 

 praise, &c), on account of its song. But I think that rubetra and rubeta are 

 most likely derived from ruber, red. Instead of the one you give for luscinia 

 (lugens, mournful, and cano, to sing), I think '•'■quod lucis canity because it 

 sings in woods and groves,'' preferable. As regards Ardea, I have the following 

 derivations. Blanchard, like yourself, derives it fnm arduus, lofty, because it 

 flies high. Some from the city Ardea, from whose scattered embers, according 

 to Ovid, this bird was generated : or from a.*e the air, and cfow to penetrate, 

 because of its swift flight. Gallinula is the latin for a pullet or little hen, and 

 gallinago is the diminutive of gallus, a cock. The derivation of spinus is quasi 

 spiculina, being the diminutive of spica, a thorn. 



In making out lists of the derivations of names, I consider it a far preferable 

 plan to arrange the generic names alone and alphabetically, and then the specific 

 ones afterwards, which saves much unnecessary repetition, as it will occur to your 

 readers how often some of the Latin adjectives are repeated as specific names, 

 such as vulgaris, pratensis, rupestris, communis, marinus, nigra, &c. &c, and to 

 repeat the derivation of them every time is quite unnecessary. 



I trust you will not consider the above remarks entirely out of place. I would 

 have sent them earlier, but, having mislaid the numbers of The Naturalist con- 

 taining Mr. Morris's " Explanations," was obliged to defer their transmission till 

 this time. 



Woodside, Liverpool, 

 Jan. 26, 1838. 



VOL. III. — NO. XVIII. 



