Occasional J\^otes. 23 



place, which is not far iu comparison with the total length of the 

 journey. 



In -writing of the Natal record I expressed surprise that a Swallow 

 breeding in the far west of Europe should migrate so far east in South 

 Africa, but now that Dr. Hartert has shown b}' his observations in the 

 middle of the Sahara that deserts are not necessarily a bar to the passage 

 of migrating birds, as was formerly supposed, it may perhaps bo pre- 

 sumed that these Swallows take a more direct line than one would 

 previously have thought possible. 



This second record, taken in conjunction with the first, is extremely 

 valiuible, and we are most grateful both fo Mr. Blyth who ringed the 

 Swallow and to Mr. Theron who reported it. 



II, F. WiTHKRBY. 



2. A NEW List of Beitish Birds. 



The 'Field' has the following cogent remarks upon a 

 nuich debated question : — 



One of the greatest hindrances to the progress of zoology 

 at the present day is the reckless way in which changes of 

 nomenclature are being made by those who profess to be 

 rendering a service to science. Tlieir plea is that tliey are 

 striving to bring about a uniformity in nomenclature, but by 

 introclucino; new names, resuscitciting lono--torootten ones, 



o -^ COO ■ 



and transferring others from one species to another, they are 

 really hindering the attainment of their object, and creating 

 a great deal of confusion. It is not surprising, therefore, 

 that many working naturalists should protest, ns they do, 

 against having these new names thrust upon them to the 

 exclusion of those which have l)een in use for more than a 

 century. The majority of names in use are to be found in 

 all the text books of British and continental naturalists, and 

 have become imbedded in the literature of zoology. To 

 attempt to disturb them now is futile, for while a few students 

 of the present generation may think it incumbent upon them 

 to follow the leaders of the new school under the banner of 

 '"Progress,^' and to accept what they regard as the latest and 

 most up-to-date list, the majority are quite content to leave 

 things as they are, and to use the names auctorum j^luri- 

 monon. They see no advantage in the changes proposed. 



