1^5 " Official Check-list of the Birds of Australia." f^^ "q^^ 



invalidates Meliphaga (a Honey-eater), and will possibly cause 

 more trouble and upset than any other phase of scientific nomen- 

 clature. Deducting those three, 12 " Check-list " generic names 

 must be considered : confusion concerning types and similarly- 

 named species causes trouble in nine cases ; and there are three 

 simple cases for the committee to investigate. 

 Thus, of a total of 333 "Check-Hst" genera, 

 251 agree with Mathews' list, 

 (i.) 35 are divided by Mr. Mathews from extra-limital genera. 

 (2 

 (3 

 (4 

 (5 

 (6 



7 are settled by the B.O.U. list. 

 ) 5 are preoccupied. 

 ) 20 have a prior name. 

 ) 3 come under " one-letterism." 

 ) 12 differ for various reasons. 

 The genera are set out under these six heads. 



R.A.O.U. " CHECK-LIST " GENERA {35) APPARENTLY RECOGNIZED 

 AS VALID, BUT THE AUSTRALIAN BIRDS ARE PLACED IN 

 SEPARATE GENERA BY MR. MATHEWS. WHOSE NAMES ARE IN 

 BRACKETS. 



Coturnix (Maroturnix), Tomirdus {Rallina), Pachyptila {Prion), 

 Bruchigavia {Lanis), Cirrepidesmus (Ochthodrormts), Totanus 

 {Iliornis), Gallinago {Ditelmatias), Irediparra {Parra), Gidicnemtts 

 [Burhinus), Aiistrotis (Choriotis), Platalea {Spatherodia), Cheniscns 

 (Nettapus), Radjah (Tadorna), Virago (Nettimn), Phaethon 

 [SccBophaethon), Pelecanus {Catoptropelicanus), Astur (Urospiza), 

 Haliaettts {Ciincuma), Ninox (Spiloglaux), Halcyon [Cyanalcyon), 

 Uralcyon {Tanvsipfera). Cosmcerops [Merops), Coloburis (Pitta), 

 Petrochelidon {Hylochelidon), Arses (Orphryzone), Edoliisoma {Meta- 

 graucalus), Pomaiorhinus [Poniatostomus), Acrocephalus {Cono- 

 poderas), Megalurus (Poodytes), Dicceum (Austrodiccstim), Anthiis 

 [Atistranthus), Motacilla (Budytes), Oriolus {Mimeta), Chibia 

 {Dicriiropsis). Aplonis [Metallospar). 



NAMES FIXED BY B.O.U. LIST. 



I. — CEstrelaia (R.A.O.U.) v. Pterodroma (1913 list). 



Pterodroma, Bonaparte, Comptes Redus Sci., vol. xlii., p. 768 

 (1856) V. CEstrelata, ih., ib. Pterodroma (genus 4) is used 

 a few lines before CEstrelata (genus 11). The B.O.U. 

 " committee have not considered it advisable to substitute 

 Pterodroma for CEstrelata, as there is not even a question 

 of page priority." Mathews' 1913 list recognizes both as 

 distinct genera, but the B.O.U. Hst says (p. 398) the two 

 " birds are undoubtedly congeneric." 



2. — Petrella, Zimmerman, ed. Bartram's Trav. Carohna, 1793, v. 

 Daption, Stephens, 1826. The B.O.U. hst does not refer 

 to Petrella, but uses Daption. 



3. — Hydroprogne, Kaup., 1829, v. Sylochelidon, Brehm., 1831. The 

 B.O.U. list uses Sterna. 



