176 COXTRIBUTORS TO THE FIRST SERIES OF ' THE IBIs/ 



Some of the earlier writings of Blyth^ before he took up 

 liis residence in Calcutta^ were communicated to Rennie's 

 * Field Naturalist/ It is curious now to look back to them 

 and see how he lent himself to the prevailing epidemic of 

 that period for changing names of birds supposed to be 

 unsuitably applied. Even our most familiar species^ such as 

 the Robin, did not escape. It was the mistaken zeal for 

 the fitness and uniformity of names, regardless of the 

 consequences, manifested at this time, which provoked 

 Strickland so energetically and successfully to protest. But 

 the spirit of change which prompted Blyth and others in 

 those days is not wholly laid ; for ever and anon it reappears 

 in some new form to disturb the peace of ornithological 

 nomenclature. In his later writings Blyth adhered loyally 

 to the ''rules of nomenclature.^^ 



It will be a matter of regret if the works of so diligent a 

 writer should be allow^ed to remain diffused, as they are, 

 through so many zoological journals — the more so as the 

 works of our most laborious compilers omit all references to 

 original descriptions, nor do they furnish any clue to where 

 they are to be found, beyond the name of a species and. its 

 author. Is there not here a field of activity for some 

 member of our Union? who, by making even an index to 

 the generic and specific names scattered through Blyth's 

 works, would not only honour a great ornithologist's memory, 

 but also, by saving hours of too often fruitless search to his 

 fellow-workers, confer a great boon upon ornithological 

 science generally. 



