28 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



ON s^omc: geiveric aiv» specific appei^IjAtioivs of north 



AMERICAN AND EUROPEAN BIRDS. 



By tEONHARD STEJNEGER. 



Looking at the ornitliological nomenclature and the changes which it 

 daily undergoes, in consequence of the radical introduction of the oldest 

 generic or sjiecilic appellations, without considering that many com- 

 monly adopted names thus become expelled, we feel it to be our duty to 

 make this transitional state as short as possible, by presenting the evi- 

 dences we may possess, and by proposing those changes Avhich appear 

 necessary. 



The following remarks are chiefly proposed in reference to the names 

 of North American and European birds, as they are given in the latest 

 catalogues of birds from those regions, viz : Eobeiit Kidgway's "Xo- 

 menclature of North American Birds" (Washington, 1881), and H. E. 

 Dresser's "List of European Birds" (London, 1881). 



As to the rules of the nomenclature, it seems to me that the 

 best are those which present the smallest number of exceptions, and 

 which, once adopted, give the least occasion for disputes. I therefore 

 propose to nse the oldest available name in every case, where it can be 

 proved, and to spell it exactly as it was spelled when published for the 

 first time, notwithstanding incorrect derivation, barbarous offspring, 

 error facti, &c. 



The significance of a name, by means of the sound and the appearance, 

 is to give a conception of the named object as being different from 

 all other objects. If it, at the same time, can be formed so that it indi- 

 cates one or another chief property of the object, then it is the better. 

 The main j)oint is, however, that we, by hearing or seeing the name, will 

 get an idea of the object as being different from any other. 



That names which do not signify anything cause no inconvenience 

 worth mentioning is evident from the numberless specific names, indi- 

 cating a quality common to all the species within the same genus, e. (/. 

 cinereus,fuseus, etc. It may be rather tedious that the names are incor- 

 rect, but the simply endless number of incorrect names with which we 

 daily work, without feeling especially troubled, and which probably no 

 one intends to change or to correct, shows better than anything else 

 how unimportant the corrections and improvements are for fticilitatiug 

 the work. I think that we may very soon agree that many corrections 

 have caused more trouble than relief, as for instance such improvements 

 as Heniconetta for Eniconetta,, and the like, and that they only have suc- 

 ceeded in swelling our lists of synonyms. 



The only rule which can be carried out with safety, is the use of the 

 oldest name, without regard to its apj)earance, derivation, or significa- 

 tion. If this be adopted, most differences would disappear from the 



