160 Additions to the Ornithology 



satisfied from that zoologist's very accurate description. 

 Temminck's observations are most lucid, like every thing else 

 from h.s pen ; but he is mistaken in supposing, that contrary 

 to the usual rule this bird is not found in the high northern 

 latitudes, since it was there obtained by the English expedi- 

 tion. The only anomaly, as to climate, of this beautiful bird, 

 is that of not being found in Europe, though extending its 

 range so far north, whilst it appears to stray farther to the 

 south than its congeners, Temminck having received young- 

 specimens from the Mexican coast-, and the specimen he 

 figured being said to come from Senegal ; which we must 

 beg leave to doubt, as the species appears to be exclusively 

 American. 



We cannot help noticing the nomenclatural history of this 

 fine species, as a warning to naturalists not to establish new 

 species too carelessly, as well as to show the necessity of 

 describing either in detail or diagnostically. Bad figures, as 

 this instance well shows, are worse than nothing. In fact, 

 our bird was tirst discovered by Wilson, who, had he lived, 

 might perhaps have misapplied a name ; but, as from his well 

 known accuracy cannot be disputed, would have undoubtedly 

 most satisfactorily established the species, both by his de- 

 scription and figure. But his unfinished sketches and notes 

 being published after his death, a figure was produced im- 

 possible to be recognised except by actual reference to the 

 specimen ; and to it was applied the erroneous name of 

 Phaiaropvs lobntux. Lath. Some years after another speci- 

 men of this rare bird fell into the hands of Mr. Sabine, 

 who, tht ugh f miliar with Wilson's work, could not re- 

 cognise in the defective plate and description his new Pha- 

 laropus WiJsonii Mr. Old lately published a new edition of 

 the ninth volume, (and under a new title) in which, whilst with 

 the exception of the plates, he settled by good descriptions 

 the species he had in view, he applied to the present the name 

 of Ph. lobatus, Ord. nee Lath., thinking it was the Trin^x 



