174 Mathews, Second Edition of " Official Check-list." [,sf "jan. 



others accepted the recommendation as a law, and therefore 

 reinstated a few names which had been rejected under the Strick- 

 landian and other codes. I made the same alterations in my 

 " Reference-list," but it has proved impossible to act up to this 

 recommendation, as the number of names to be revived becomes 

 multitudinous, and, furthermore, the numerous emendations would 

 need consideration as separate words. 



At the last Congress of Zoology a proposition was tabled to 

 schedule the alterations necessary in the branches. Time did not 

 permit the discussion of the matter, but it was easily seen that 

 the only means of reaching unanimity was by the rejection of 

 similarly-formed words — i.e., workers' usage in every branch of 

 zoological science would cause the absolute rejection of the 

 recommendation quoted. When this was seen to be certain I 

 at once proceeded to make the necessary emendations, and this 

 action is the one which has called into being the note which I here 

 comment upon. 



It is noted in the October Emu that three changes depend upon 

 this " one-letterism," but it is not stated how many depend upon 

 the acceptance of the opposite course. 



I would advise the adoption of the course I am now pursuing, 

 as it is undoubtedly the one which has gained acceptance in every 

 branch of zoology, and consequently the names maintained under 

 this usage will be certainly approved by all future students. 



I. Under this number is set out a number of generic names 

 from the first R.A.O.U. " Check-hst " which do not agree with 

 those I at present use. I cannot here discuss in detail all the 

 reasons for the acceptance or rejection of my choice, but would 

 first point out that, while some names depend upon the generic 

 limits, others are in a case where there is no other course save 

 the acceptance of my choice. Such a one is Irediparra. Parr a 

 was provided by Linne for the Brissonian genus Jacana, which is 

 a South American genus to which the Australian bird cannot 

 possibly be referred. As Parra is an absolute synonym of Jacana, 

 it cannot claim usage in any other connection. Irediparra is now 

 commonly in use by writers such as Hellmayr, &c. Another is 

 Bitrhimts. This name was provided for the Australian bird before 

 .Edicnemits was introduced for a similar European form. Were 

 the two considered congeneric Burhinits has priority, but the 

 International Commission on Ornithological Nomenclature has 

 decided they are independent genera. In every manner, there- 

 fore, Bitrhiniis must be used for the Austrahan bird. 



Another kind of case is Cirrepidesmus. The name used in the 

 R.A.O.U. " Check-list," Ochthodromus, I have conclusively shown 

 in "The Birds of AustraUa " to be inapphcable from a careful 

 study of the bird, and, moreover, it is invalid on account of one- 

 letterism in a rather definite manner. 



A third case can be exemphfied by AustroUs. The Australian 

 bird was considered congeneric with the African, though the inter- 

 vening Bustards were allotted to different genera. It was some- 



