158 Letters, Extracts, Notices, ^c. 



that even tlie most active disciples of the doctrine of Priority 

 are not likely to succeed in their efforts to bring about perfect 

 uniformity in Zoological Nomenclature : " Quot homines, tot 

 sentent'i(2 " must, we fear, remain the rule. 



Supposed New British Birds. — In the ' Times ^ of December 

 the 3rd there is the following note from Mr. Joseph P. Nunn, 

 of Eoyston, Herts : — 



" At Westgate-on-Sea, early in October last, I saw two 

 specimens of the Ca/liope camtschathensis, or Ruby-throated 

 Warbler, in their wild state. I had a very fine opportunity 

 of seeing their beautiful plumage, and through the kind 

 assistance of Professor Newton 1 have since been able to 

 examine some skins. I have not the slightest doubt as to 

 their identity, and I believe it to be the first recorded 

 instance of this Warbler having visited the British Isles." 



Another straggler which has recently occurred in England 

 is Eaird^s Sandpiper {Tringa bairdi) of North America. 

 See Bull. B. O. C. xi. p. 27. 



Prof. Neivton's Royal Medal. — At the Anniversary Meeting 

 of the Eoyal Society on November 30th last one of the 

 Royal Medals was awarded to Prof. Alfred Newton, F.R.S. 

 On delivering the medal the President, Lord Lister, spoke 

 as follows : — 



" Prof. Newton has devoted himself for the last fifty years 

 to the study of Ornithology 5 and the ' Dictionary of Birds ' 

 may well be called the resume of his labours. Prof. Newton's 

 work is eminently critical — a model of careful and cautious 

 criticism of everything pertaining to his favourite branch of 

 science. The ' Dictionary of Birds ' is the acknowledged 

 standard work on Ornithology, the proj^ress of which science 

 in this country is due maiidy to his critical, suggestive, and 

 stimulating influence. His personal labours refer chiefly to 

 historical, systematic, and faunistic questions. It is by his 

 untiring efforts that the vexed question of nomenclature and 

 synonymy has been practically settled and has been put on 

 its present footing. He is also one of the leading authorities 



