393 Letters, Extracts, and Notes. [Ibis, 



I would suggest that the rule be altered to read somewhat 

 as follows : — 



" Where a name has been once recognized and is still 



in use as describing a particular genus or species, that 



name cannot be used to describe any other genus or 



species/' 



There can be no occupation where no actual pre-occupation 



exists. Wliere no actual occupation occurs there cannot be, 



in point of fact, any homonym. A house cannot be occupied 



if no one lives therein. 



Another mischievous rule. It is stated that " an undeter- 

 minable name cannot be described and validated by any one.'' 

 Surely this is most arbitrary and contrary to the righteous 

 spirit of priority. Because the history of the commonly 

 used name is lost, why create a new one, if the old name has 

 been properly described and validated by usage and in 

 literature, say, for instance, the genus Misocalius in the 

 British Museum " Catalogues "? * The thing is illogical. 

 Extremists may protest, but in the long run they must sub- 

 mit to the final arbiter — common usage and common sense, 

 especially where no legal aspect is involved, much less a 

 scientific one. 



Yours very obediently, 



A. J. Campbell, 



Colonial Member B. 0. U. 

 Melbourne, Honorary Fellow A. O. U. 



Australia. 

 7 January, 1922. 



The Annual General Meeting of the British 

 Ornithologists' Union. 



The Annual General Meeting of the British Ornitholo- 

 gists' Union for 1922 was held on Wednesday, March 8, 

 at the Ofl&ces of the Zoological Society of London, Mr. W. 

 L. Sclater in the Chair. 



There were 37 members present. 



* Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. xix. p. l!79. 



Jit 



