1923. Reviews, 127 



A Chronological List of British Birds. 



A Bibliography of British Ornithology from the Earliest Times : 

 Supplement. A Chronological List of British Birds. By H. 

 KiRKE Swann, F.Z.S., etc, London (Witherby and Wesley, Ltd.). 

 Price 5s, net. 



By way of supplement to the important " Bibliography of British 

 Ornithology " which, in conjunction with Mr. W. H. Mullen and Rev. 

 F. C. R. Jourdain, he produced in 1920, Mr. Swann now publishes a highly 

 interesting list of the birds of the British Islands arranged in the order 

 in which they first received names in accordance with the Linnean 

 system. The names given in the list are those that belong to the birds 

 to-day, brackets being used to distinguish those parts of each binomial 

 (or trinomial) name that were not in the name when first applied. The 

 preface must be carefully read for the meaning of the various brackets 

 used ; but the list undoubtedly gives us an excellent bird's-eye view of 

 the progress of ornithological nomenclature from 1758 to the present 

 day. Some curious results are brought out from a glance over Mr, 

 Swann's pages. One cannot but be struck at the slowness with which 

 some now familiar birds crept into the notice of scientific name-givers. 

 Thus it was not until 181 7 that the Chiff-chaff was recognised and honoured 

 with a binomial name, though we know from Gilbert White, who died in 

 1793, that it was already well known by its present English name of 

 the " Chiff-chaf " to the country-folk around Selborne in his day. One 

 does not, of course, need to go to Mr. Swann to learn facts like these. 



but his arrangement does much to force them on one's notice. 



C. B, M. 



IRISH SOCIETIES. 



BELFAST NATURAL HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHICAL 



SOCIETY. 



September 17. — Annual Meeting. Professor W. B. Morton, M.A., 

 presided. The annual report of the Council expressed regret at the death 

 during the year of three honoured members of the society : — Henry Riddell, 

 M.E., M.I.Mech.E. (president and hon. treasurer) ; Joseph Wright, F.G.S. ; 

 and Madame Christen, who died at Llandudno. It was also intimated 

 that a few members had had a small water-colour portrait of Mr. Riddell 

 executed by Mr. Frank M'Kelvey, and they now asked the chairman to 

 accept the portrait on behalf of the Society as a small token of their appre- 

 ciation. The report went on to state that W. B. Burro wes, F.R.S.A.I., 

 had taken over the duties of hon. treasurer, and thanks were accorded 

 him for his work. There had been a steady increase in membership under 

 the new subscription scheme. Lectures given during the session had 

 been well attended and were much appreciated. The Council was of opinion 



