viii INTRODUCTION. 



the other branches. This synthetical method seems to me pre- 

 ferable to the ordinary analytical one of taking the class Birds^ 

 dividing it into orders^ these into families/' &c. 



The Synonyms generally are arranged chronologically^or as far 

 as the dates can be ascertained ; it was proposed for this, that 

 " each distinct appellation, whether differing in the name of the 

 genus or species, or both, should form the beginning of a distinct 

 paragraph, to be followed by the references to the several authors 

 who have given it that appellation ; that paragraph to be placed 

 first in which the earliest author quoted occurs, to be followed by 

 those paragraphs which agree with it in their specific designation, 

 but differ in their generic, to be placed chronologically according 

 to the first author quoted in each paragraph ; these to be followed 

 by those paragraphs which differ from the first in their specific 

 designation in chronological order.'' 



Vernacular names introduced into the Synonyms are " quoted 

 only from those authors who do not adopt or recognize in any 

 way the Latin nomenclature, as Buffon, Brown's Illustrations of 

 Zoology, &c. ; but from other works where Latin names are re- 

 cognized by implication, these are used as far as possible." 



" The citation of a plate or page of any work does not 

 mean, 'this is a correct figure or description of the species in 

 question,' but, ' that figure or description cannot be referred to 

 any other species but the one in question.' " 



" When a reference is made to any author regarding a species, 

 such reference must be understood to refer only to the descrip- 

 tion ov figwes given by such author, and not to the Synonyms. 

 Still less are the varieties mentioned by an author to be included 

 in the first reference to him." 



" In making reference to the ' Regne Animal ' of Cuvier, it has 

 been found necessary, in many cases, to quote the titles of the 

 species, not as they actually stand in that work, but in that form 

 which by implication it is evident that Cuvier intended they 

 should exhibit. The comprehensive mind of that great zoologist 

 seems to have soared above that minute attention to details 

 which is indispensable to the order and efficiency of a system. 

 He was engaged in sketching out the grand outlines of the 

 picture, and left to others the laborious task of filling in the 

 minor touches. Hence we find that in the arrauffcmcnt of his 



