A COMMENTARY ON NOS. VII. AND VIII. OF " THE NATURALIST." 293 



ticable. Wherever recognizable groups exist, let them be specified, without 

 any reference to abstract and preconceived theory ; in other words, let the indis- 

 criminate association of forms of different degrees of value be, as far as possible, 

 avoided, such as is flagrantly exhibited in the incongruous composition of the 

 quinarian order Rasores ; not but that Cuvier's natatorial divisions, it may be 

 added, of Longipennes, Totipalmi, Brachypterus, and Lamellirostres, are equally, 

 or even more distinct, than the three primary rasorial groups above denoted. 



The immense divisions Insessores, Grallatores, &c, are decidedly over-compre- 

 hensive ; but would become free from every objection if resolved into groups of 

 secondary value, such as that above proposed to comprise the two families La- 

 ridce and Procellaridce. It is true that the advocates of the quinary system have 

 been compelled to adopt this plan in the case of the excessively numerous Inses- 

 sores ; but, with all deference to those who maintain this theory, it appears to 

 me, that the latter has vitiated the attempt at dismemberment. The Grallatores 

 are obviously referable to three very distinct sections, which are sufficiently indi- 

 cated by their eggs alone ; but the Insessores require a careful analysis, upon the 

 principle on which Mr. Allis has proceeded, and conducted without any bias or 

 prejudice in favour of arrangements hitherto proposed ; an analysis which shall 

 set forth their accordances and disagreements, without endeavouring to enhance 

 or depreciate the value of either, to strain consistency with pre-conceived theo- 

 retic views. 



But to proceed with the retrospect of your two last numbers, without indulging 

 in any further digression. The species of Lestris mentioned at p. 86, is most 

 probably L. Richardsonii, L. parasiticus being extremely rare on the British, 

 coast. 



The Corn Bunting (p. 90) is decidedly not a rare bird in the south of England, 

 though it is everywhere much less common than its congener, the Yellow Bunt- 

 ing. A principal reason that its nest is so seldom met with, arises from the fact 

 of its commonly building in Clover, or similar herbage, in the interior of a field, 

 away from the hedge, so that the site is removed from the track of nesting boys. 



Your correspondent, Dr. Liverpool, is mentioned in the British Song Birds 

 as having kept the Locustell alive in confinement ; perhaps he will favour us with 

 information as to whether it constantly progresses on the ground by alternate 

 use of the feet ; all the authors affirm that it hops* 



Mr. Hoy informs me that the principal, indeed the only, distinction which he 



* We shall be very glad to hear fromDr.J Liverpool, or any other correspondent, on this point. 

 We have ascertained, from personal observation of the Locustell at large, that it frequently hops, 

 and we have no reason for believing that it ever adopts any other mode of progression on the 

 ground. We are, therefore, a little surprised at the opinion expressed by a zealous ornithologist 



(Mr.* J. D. Hoy) in a foot-note at p. 78 of the present volume Ed. 



No. 12. Vol. II. 2 r 



