1SS7.J Correspondence. ^7 



A Protest. 



To the Editors of the Auk: 



Sirs: — Having waited until the last moment forthe return of Mr. Lucas. 

 who has been absent from the United States since the first of July and 

 thus unable to speak for himself, I wish to enter a respectful but most 

 earnest protest against Dr. Shufeldt's shameful slur on him, printed on 

 page 265 of the last number of this journal. Whatever may be the custom 

 in that part of the world from which Dr. Shufeldt wrote his letter for the 

 July 'Auk,' it is not customary in most places for a person when fairly 

 beaten in an argument to attack the honesty of his opponent with a cry of 

 fraud. The reckless manner in which Dr. Shufeldt flings an untruth at his 

 critic, and then declares that he will not re-open his "case" underanv cir- 

 cumstances, might be amusing, perhaps, if both parties to the "case" were 

 children ; but in the present instance it is simply contemptible. Mr. Lucas 

 had a right to expect better treatment, especially after the courtesy which 

 he has invariably accorded Dr. Shufeldt, even when, as in the present case, 

 the latter has been obviously and obstinatelv in error. As Mr. Lucas has 

 already accomplished (Science, July 1, 1SS7, p. 12) what Dr. Shufeldt pre- 

 ferred merely to talk about, namely, the publication of a true copy of Dr. 

 Shufeldt's original figure side by side with his (Mr. Lucas's (own tiacing 

 of the same) which Dr. Shufeldt claims was purposely mutilated to support 

 a theory), no shadow of this unjust reflection remains where it was so un- 

 generously cast ; and if it envelops its originator it only verifies the old 

 proverb about curses and chickens. It is naturally unpleasant to acknowl-_ 

 edge a mistake, but it is not likely to become easier the longer it is de 

 layed. Even silence is preferable, however, to the attempt to defend an 

 untenable position ; and when such defence becomes incompatible with 

 strict honesty, common sense allows a man but one course. 



I feel that no apology is needed for calling attention to this matter now, 

 for the principle violated lies at the very foundation of all science, and its 

 general disregard would make utterly impossible that interchange of ideas 

 which now constitutes the brightest hope of American ornithologists. 



Very respectfully, 



Walter B. Barrows. 

 Washington, D. C, August 31, 18S7. 



The Metric System. 



To the Editors of The Auk : — 



Sirs: In 'The Auk' of April, 1884 Dr. Merriam presented 'A Plea for 

 the Metric System in Ornithology,' which was editorially endorsed, and a 

 request made asking "all contributors to the pages of 'The Auk' to give 

 their measurements in the metric system." 



Since then a few have done so, most of the writers have not, and each 

 issue adds to the burden of inches and hundredths. 



