52 Reviews. [,sf"juiy 



PlutidcB of Sharpe's " Hand-list " is replaced by the Anhingidce of 

 the A.O.U. Check-list. 



The diiftculty experienced by zoogeographers of drawing a 

 dividing line between the Nearctic and Neotropical regions has 

 been overcome by taking the political boundary between the 

 United States and Mexico as the southern boundary of " North 

 America." Lower California and adjacent islands are included 

 in " North America." 



The Australian Check-list Committee would do well to accept 

 an extract given in the preface, namely : — " That every technical 

 name be followed by a vernacular name selected with due regard 

 to its desirability." 



American ornithologists are fortunate in having so complete 

 a record to assist them. 



Correspondence. 



NOMENCLATURE OF AUSTRALIAN AVIFAUNA. 



To the Editors of " The Eiiiii." 

 Sirs, — The chief criticism of my work, " The Birds, of Australia," 

 by my Australian friends has concerned the nomenclature I have 

 adopted, and, as it seems to me that the jninciples which 1 follow 

 are not clearly understood, I herewith explain myself. 



The universal nomenclature of zoology is based upon the loth 

 edition of Linne's " Systema Naturae," and the acceptance of all 

 scientific names is governed by the International Code, formulated 

 by the various International Congresses of zoologists. The 

 scientific names I am using for Australian birds are those selected 

 in pursuance of the laws of the International Code. By so doing 

 I am choosing the name which has the best chance of being of 

 permanent value, and, moreover, the one which will be easily 

 recognized by every scientific worker, whether he be an Australian 

 or not. For, by subscribing to the International Code, and only 

 preferring the name which is correct according to the Code, I 

 adopt that name which will be utilized by every other orni- 

 thologist throughout the world who also obeys the coded laws, 

 whatever his nationality, and whether he knows of my choice or 

 not. This point appears to have been overlooked by Australian 

 ornithologists generally, as, with a conservatism which is 

 antagonistic to progress, they have desired to use a name well 

 known to themselves, though probably unknown to extra- 

 Australian workers. To follow such a course in a work like 

 mine would be fatal to its utility, and therefore could not be con- 

 sidered for a moment. 



full generic rank, the method of restriction being correctly employed, no 

 subsequent alterations can be admitted that would depreciate Kaup's 

 division. Hence, Podiceps must be used for the Dabchicks and Dytcs for 

 the Grebes, the later introduced names being of only sub-generic value." 

 — Gregory M. Mathews, Nov. Zool., vol. xvii. 



