122 A LIST OF BRITISH BIRDS. 



extending sands, the romantic hills about Cromlyn, and the distant heights of 

 Somerset and Devon filled up the blue distance, while just over Swansea pier the 

 lower limb of a brilliant rainbow long kept its position with unfading vividity, 

 till all else vanished into twilight gloom. 



A NEW SYSTEM OF NOMENCLATURE, ILLUSTRATED BY A LIST 



OF BRITISH BIRDS. 



By the Rev. Francis Orpen Morris, B.A. 



In forwarding to you a list of British land birds, formed in accordance with 

 classical rules, I am far from wishing it to be supposed that I expect, or even 

 wish, that it will be universally adopted. It has seemed to me desirable, on 

 accounts before stated, that generic names should be of Greek, and specific names of 

 Latin origin, and also, generally, that classical propriety should be attended to, 

 in the formation of names classically derived. I hereto subjoin a catalogue in 

 which these views are acted upon. There are, however, many names remaining 

 yet to be improved, and these I have marked in italics. There may be others 

 which I have not observed, among the great number of names I have been obliged 

 to accumulate together, and these I should be glad if any of your correspondents 

 would point out. I give the catalogue merely as explanatory of my views, and 

 emendatory, at the same time, I hope, of very many faults in former nomencla- 

 tures, and likewise with the view of eliciting the opinions of more able naturalists 

 on the question, whether the grossness of the present errors does not demand cor- 

 rection, and whether, if that be allowed, the rules of classical propriety should not 

 be attended to, in the revision; If not, let the reason be adduced, — though I will 

 before hand state, that I should take no notice of the opinions or criticisms of any 

 whom I may have any reason for supposing to be ignorant of classical knowledge 

 — "nil moror " — but any suggestions which the novelty of this nomenclature may 

 perhaps at first call forth from others, being always open to conviction, I shall be 

 far from taking amiss. 



Since writing the above, I have observed Mr. Doudleday's new nomenclature 

 of British Ornithology announced, and as it will in all probability supersede the 

 second edition of my Guide to an Arrangement of British Birds, which I intended 

 publishing, as before-mentioned, I shall, for the present at all events, [content 

 myself with setting forth this exemplification of the principles laid down above, 

 through the medium of your pages. The water birds shall probably form the 

 subject of a future communication. — The erroneous names, already alluded to, 

 will be found chiefly among the double English names. I prefer brief, single, un- 



