Vol. XXXIIIl 



1916 ] Proposed Changes in the A. 0. U. Check-List. 4:2b 



CHANGES IN THE A. O. U. CHECK-LIST OF NORTH 



AMERICAN BIRDS PROPOSED SINCE THE 



PUBLICATION OF THE SIXTEENTH 



SUPPLEMENT. 



The changes in the A. O. U. Check-List which have appeared 

 from time to time in the several Supplements have originated in 

 the publications of various ornithologists throughout the world, 

 and have been considered by the Committee on Classification and 

 Nomenclature, and accepted or rejected as the case may be. 



The cases that come before the Committee are of two kinds : 



(a.) Nomenclatural — cases which are easily settled by corre- 

 spondence between the members of the Subcommittee on 

 Nomenclature, all of these being governed by a definite 

 Code of rules. 



(b.) Ornithological — much more difficult cases involving the 

 study of series of specimens and resting largely upon the 

 personal opinion of the members, which may vary widely. 



It w^as formerly the custom for the Committee to meet in Wash- 

 ington annually in April to dispose of accumulated cases. Of late 

 years however, this has proven unsatisfactory as neither time nor 

 material was available for the proper consideration of many pro- 

 posed new forms based upon very slight dift'erences. The follow- 

 ing plan has therefore been adopted by the Committee in the 

 consideration of ornithological cases. 



To publish an annual list of proposed additions and alterations 

 inviting study and criticism of them by ornithologists, whether 

 members of the committee or not. In succeeding lists attention 

 will be called to any publication endorsing or opposing changes 

 or additions previously proposed, and it is hoped that in this way, 

 the Committee may secure valuable assistance to guide them in 

 reaching a decision, when a new edition of the Check-List is to 

 be published, or at such time as it may be considered desirable to 

 issue a Supplement. 



In order to put this plan into operation the Acting Chairman 



