NEVILLE WOOD'S "BRITISH SONG BIRDS." 193 



derived from the whins which it frequents. Whether or not Red- 

 eyed forms a good specific appellation, can only be determined when 

 other species of Melizophilus are discovered. At present it appears, 

 as far as we can judge, to be the best of the names that have been 

 given to it. 



Warbler belongs to what are popularly termed u Willow Wrens," 

 as being the typical group of the family, Sylviadse. The British 

 species are, the Hedge Warbler (Sylvia loquax), the Wood War- 

 bler (S. siblatrix), and the Willow Warbler ( S. melodia). The 

 first of these has been supposed not to frequent hedges so commonly 

 as mentioned by Mr. Wood ; and, be this as it may, Dark-legged 

 would afford a far more exclusive distinctive appellation. 



Golden-crowned Kinglet. As no objection has ever been made 

 to the Latin name Regulus, this has been anglicised into Kinglet, in 

 order to avoid calling the birds of this genus Wrens, which is ma- 

 nifestly improper. 



Ivy Wren. This species is termed Ivy Wren on account of its 

 partiality for that plant as a site for its nest, and not, as some have 

 imagined, because it feeds, or is supposed to feed, on ivy berries. It 

 often nestles in ivy-clad walls. 



Garden Tit is substituted for the more generally known name 

 Great Tit, the adjectives great, little, &c, being liable at any time 

 to become erroneous, from the discovery of species superior or infe- 

 rior in size to the individuals so designated. We would by no 

 means be understood to say that the bird under consideration is the 

 only British Tit that frequents gardens ; but it is certainly more 

 frequently seen in such situations than the others. Perhaps, how- 

 ever, the name admits of improvement. Garden Tit, Parus hor- 

 tensis. 



Bearded Pinnock. The characters of the Bearded Tit of the 

 older Ornithologists, differ so greatly from those of the other Pari, 

 that it has been ranged in a genus by itself. This genus is now 

 called Pinnock, which may either be understood to have allusion to 

 the shape of the tail of the bird, or it may be supposed to have no 

 derivative meaning. We rather lean to the latter supposition, con- 

 sidering with Dr. Lindley, that unmeaning names are always the 

 best for generic appellations. 



Hedge Dunnock. Commonly known under the name Hedge 

 Sparrow. Ornithologically speaking, however, it is no Sparrow 

 (Passer). Dunnock is derived from the dun colour of the bird, 

 and is a name by which the species has long been known, in various 



VOL. V. — NO. XVIII. 2b 



