]36 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF 



of their predecessors, have produced a bibliography so emhrouilUe as to defy 

 our most patient efforts to completely unravel the entangled skein, and to 

 cause us to turn with weariness if not disgust from the hopeless task. The 

 necessity which exists for the study — I use the word advisedly — of synonyma, 

 is the opprobrium of ornithology ; and the kind of labor demanded for their 

 elucidation is far removed from the real pursuit of science itself. At the same 

 time, while an inevitab'e, it is too often a thankless labor, and one hardly ap- 

 preciated ; the results of which are usually incommensurate with the time 

 and trouble expended. Collocation of synonyma is by no means mere clerical 

 compilation. It is a species of investigation which, to be productive of any 

 value, demands a sound judgment and powers of discrimination perhaps of 

 as high a grade as those required for the successful study of genera and spe- 

 ci(-s. But it does not often bring to its author such rewards as are willingly 

 granted him who elucidates other classes of facts in Natural History. For as 

 i's chief duty is to deal with disputed points, it enters an arena where more 

 conspicuously figure not facts but rather opinions ; concerning which the 

 right of arbitration is yielded by no man to another. The synonymist must 

 ordinarily expect acquiescence with his views from those only whose ideas are 

 not jostled by the opinions he advances. 



It is impossible to pursue a critical investigation of the ProceUariidc. with- 

 out being impressed by these facts ; which must be my only weapon wherewith 

 to turn the edge of criticism from my efforts towards the elucidation of the 

 family. No one can be more painfully aware of the errors of omission and 

 doubtless also of commission, which must be met with in these papers ; and 

 none can be less tenacious of debatable views, or more ready to relinquish 

 opinions when proof of their fallacy is made apparent. I only ask a thorough 

 examination before a condemnatory fiat is passed upon any of the views enter- 

 tained which may be at variance with current opinions. 



As a rule I have adopted for species no name to which any doubt as to 

 identity attaches ; while those still open to discussion I have endeavored to 

 treat of solely with reference to their intrinsic merits, no extraneous claims to 

 our consideration being acknowlt-dged. I regret the necessity of frequent 

 citations of manuscript names and unpublished drawings, which we are by no 

 means bound to recognize ; but which have become so interwoven with the 

 bibliography of the family, that it is impossible to avoid so doing. 



The present paper, like others of mine, is doubtless amenable to the charge 

 of " discursivene s." This fault, if it be one, is certainly of that class which 

 "lean to virtue's side ; " and one which at present I feel indisposed to cor- 

 rect. Words are cheap enough ; and had they not been so parsimoniously 

 doled out in the earlit-r days of ornithology, there would now be less need of 

 a rrnfuse expenditure of them. 



The ^Eatrdate:'', as I regard them, are composed of three geuera, which may 

 be briefly diagnosticated as follows : — 



A. Tail much graduated, or cuneiform. 



I. Bill robust, compressed, the unguis large, and curved 

 from the nostrils. Extension of feathers on forehead 



normal. Hallux small. Nostrils short yEstrelata. 



B. Tail slightly rounded. 



II. Bill stout, compressed, unguis large, nostrils short. 

 Forehead low, fiat, the feathers encroaching far on the 

 b 11. Interramal space feathered. Hallux large and 



stouf Pagodroma. 



III. Bill greatly dilated. Nostrils long. Feathers on 

 forehead normal in extension. Unguis small and weak. 

 Intt^rramal space partially naked. Hallux ordinary... Dajitinn. 



Color also affords us an excellent artificial index to these genera. Thus 

 yEslrelatii is bicolor or fuliginous ; Pagodroma is uuicolor, white ; and Daption 

 is spotted with light and dark colors. 



[May, 



