PiiDGWAY on Ohjedionable Names of Birds. 37 



Ornithology. The original name bestowed uj^on the Red-billed 

 Pigeon, Columha flavirostris, has been allowed to pass current ever 

 since its institution, by Wagler, in 1831, the only synonym being 

 C. solitaria, MacCall, doubtfully referred to this species. It being 

 an established fact, however, that the bill of this species is never 

 yellow in life, but pink or purple, with a whitish tip, the name 

 Jlavirostris is one whose meaning is "glaringly false," and should 

 accoi'dingly be changed. This is only one case among many. 

 Chamcea fasciata is the accepted name of a Californiau bird w-hich 

 is notably characterized by exceedingly plain colors, devoid of dis- 

 tinct markings of any kind. In some individuals (perhaps more 

 especially in the type of the species), the tail-feathers present the 

 appearance of narrow darker bars distinctly observable only in 

 certain lights, — these bars having given occasion for the name 

 fasciata. The latter name is unquestionably inappropriate, though 

 not, in the strictest sense, "glaringly false." This very fact, how- 

 ever, has a very important bearing on the question of zoological 

 nomenclature, as the sequel will show. The common Song Sparrow 

 was named Fringilla fasciata by Forster in 1772, the specific name 

 being based upon precisely the same character as that which gave 

 rise to the name in the case of Chamoea ; yet Wilson's name, melodia, 

 bestowed nearly forty years later, is allowed to supersede Forster's 

 name. There is flagrant injustice in this case : either Gambel's name 

 of fasciata for Chavuea should be discarded, or Forster's name, fas- 

 ciata, for the Song Sparrow restored. 



Helminthophafja pinus is the accepted name of a Warl)ler which, 

 so far as known, (and it is very intimately known to the writer,) 

 frequents chiefly, if not exclusively, deciduous woods. The name 

 pinus implies pinicoline habits, and is therefore " glaringly false." 



The Western Tanager was named Tanagra ludoviciana " when 

 the letters 'LOUISIANA' stretched clear across the present 

 boundary of the United States into British America."* If the 

 name "Louisiana" Tanager is glaringly false, in a geographical 

 sense, the Latin equivalent, ludoviciana, is equally so. 



The common Chimney Swift is called Chcetura pelagica. The 

 latter term implies a pelagic habitat, and is peculiarly appropriate 

 when applied to the Stormy Petrel, or other Sea-birds. But who 

 ever heard of the phimney Swift occurring at sea except when driven 

 there by a gale 1 



* Cf. Coues, B. Col. Val., p. 360. 



