192 '/'/''■ li.A.O.U. " Check-Ustr [,sf"'|uu. 



in tlu" iiudst ot his researches on the birds ol Australia lor his 

 great work oi that name, the " New List " will probably become 

 obsolete also before finality is reached. 



" The British Mviseum Catalogue." Sharpe's " Hand-list ot 

 Birds," Mathews' " Hand-list of the Birds of Australasia" (icjo8), 

 and Mathews' " Refeience-list to the Birds of Australia " (1912) 

 have already been superseded for Australian birds. The " New 

 List " will probal:)ly follow suit. Meanwhile, the " Official 

 Check-list " will prove a safe anchor for bird lovers. 



A student of ornithology is at present bewildered by the many 

 new names — generic, specific, and sub-specific. Mr. Mathews, a 

 few months ago, proposed to " lump genera." Now he is splitting 

 genera. A pai)er in a late Austral Avian Record contains no 

 less than twenty-seven new generic names for Australian birds. 



This turmoil and uncertainty will ai)parently continue for some 

 time, so that it is fortvmate that the "Official Check-list" is at 

 hand for those who are more interested in birds than in disjjutes 

 as to names. Such dis])utes, indeed, seem almost incapal^le of 

 early settlement, for Mr. Mathews has refused, to recognize a 

 certain ruling of the International Committee for Zoological 

 Nomenclature concerning the recognition of Brisson's genera. 



When the difficulties concerning names have been settled, it 

 will be an easy matter to bring out a second edition of the 

 " Official Check-list." It might be noted, in this connection, that 

 it has been found, necessary to issue a third, edition of the " Check- 

 list of North American Birds." 



One point that will be appreciated by nature lovers, and the 

 many teachers who are compelled, to deal with birds in the course 

 of their nature study work, is promised by Mr. Mathews for his 

 " New List." He intends to " include all the sub-species hitherto 

 named, grouped together under a binomial species-name." 

 Australian children are advancing rapidly in knowledge and love 

 of the birds of their school locality ; but there is little })ossibility 

 of naming sub-species in a field study of li\'ing birds in a restricted 

 area. The sub-specific name is unnecessary and is a hindrance in 

 our nature study work. 



In Australia, a land practically devoid of natural barriers, birds 

 change ground so often and to such remote places that sub-species 

 have not been often designated. In a season of abundant rain 

 the " Central Desert " is teeming with animal life. During a dry 

 season, animals, especially birds, are driven into more favourable 

 regions. This tends to a breaking down of the isolation so 

 necessary for the evolution of species and even sub-species. The 

 " Official Check-list " was drawn up by men who understand 

 Australian conditions. 



Many bird lovers have been driven to threaten to abandon their 

 favourite study by the needless splitting of genera, species, and 

 sub-species, and the endless alteration of names. The " Official 

 Check-list " has reassured such, and will serve them until the 

 way is clear for the issue of a second edition. 



