CoUES on the Nomenclature of North American Birds. 95 



Numerous specimens received at the National Museum from vari- 

 ous localities since the publication of " History of North American 

 Birds," demonstrate the A'ery wide range of individual variation of 

 all the forms, from whatsoever locality they may come. Thus, in a 

 series of twelve examples received i)i one consignment from Godhavn, 

 South Greenland, almost every shade from typical candicans to very 

 dark islandicus is represented, no two individuals t)eing very closely 

 similar in coloration. 



NOTES AND QUERIES CONCERNING THE NOMENCLATURE 

 OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



BY DR. ELLIOTT COUES, U. S. A. 



Continued inquiry in this direction has inade it apparent that 

 not a few of the names now in current use for North American 

 Birds require to be changed, conformably with generally recognized 

 rules of nomenclature. I have brought together here a number of 

 memoranda made at various times. Some of the changes here 

 proposed are merely verbal, in the forms of words amended accord- 

 ing to their etymology. Others result from the following considera- 

 tions : — I. That Brisson's genera are tenable. II. That use in 

 botany does not preclude use in zoology. III. That Linnseus is 

 to be taken at 1758. IV. That the generic and specific name shall 

 never be the same. V. That the type of a Linnsean genus is to be 

 determined according to the principle recently laid down by Newton. 

 VI. That we shall not go back for genera beyond the establishment 

 of the binomial system. 



The numbers are those of my "Check-list," 1873. 



20. Phylloscopus borealis (Bias.'). According to Mr. Seebohm, who 

 has paid special attention to the Warblers, the Plujllopneuste kennicottii of 

 Baird is P. borealis, and the proper name for the genus is Phylloscopus. 

 The above name is adopted by Dresser, B. Eur., Pts. LXIX, LXX, 

 Aug., 1878. 



101. Wilsonia mitrata (Gm.). 



102. Wilsonia pusilla (IFtV.s.). 



102a. Wilsonia pusilla pileolata (Ridgw.) Coues. 



103. Wilsonia canadensis (Z.) I£ use of a generic name in botany 

 does not prechide its acceptation in zoology, Wilsonia should replace 

 Myiodioctes, Aud. 



