Catalogue, of the Birds of Japan. 21 



recognition of subgenera is causing sucli a multiplication of 

 genera that ordinary memories are unable to cope with the 

 difficulties of modern nomenclature. Suborders and sub- 

 families are almost universally recognized ; but it is feared by 

 some that the adoption of subgeneric names is a virtual vio- 

 lation of the system of binomial nomenclature. It must 

 constantly be borne in mind that genera are as artificial as 

 species. There is no hard and fast line between different 

 genera except in those instances where the intermediate 

 species have died out. The divergence of opinion as to the value 

 of specific difierences is small compared with that which we 

 find when generic characters are the question in dispute. To a 

 very large extent the subdivision of genera is a matter of con- 

 venience. Very large genera are unwieldly ; and the temptation 

 to restrict them for the sake of simplifying the identification 

 of skins is very great. This process of simplification might 

 be accomplished by means of siibgenera having as accurate a 

 definition as the circumstances Avill admit. These subgenera 

 would form no part of the name of the bird, which would 

 remain binomial. They would not be quoted in designating 

 a species any more than the name of the familj'^ or subfamily. 

 The object of introducing subgenera is to facilitate the iden- 

 tification of species and to stop, if possible, the unnecessary 

 multiplication of genera. 



I have endeavoured to carry out these views in the folIoAv- 

 ing attempt to correct the nomenclature, as well as to dis- 

 criminate the species of the birds hitherto found in Japan. 



2. MOKMON CIRRHATUM (Gm.). 



The skin sent (No. 1883) is correctly identified. 



3. Phaleris mystacea, Pall. 



The two skins sent by Mr. Whitely were identified by 

 Swinhoe (Ibis, 1867, p. 209) as P. cristatella (Pall.). Their 

 identification was doubtless correct, the length of wing, 5^ in., 

 being too large for the other species. 



14. PODICEPS CORNUTUS, Gm. 



From his description of the bird (Ibis, 1875, p. 456) 

 Swinhoe evidently meant to identify the Japanese bird with 

 our British Eared Grebe, Podiceps nigricoUis, Sund. 



