244 Recent Literature. 



arbitrary line and include the whole "Nearctic Region," thus taking in the 

 table lands of Mexico nearly to the Isthmus of Tehuantopec. 



To the analyses and comparisons succeed "Remarks on the use of 

 Names," ten pages being devoted to the principles which have guided the 

 author in his philological researches so far as the etymology, orthography, 

 and orthoepy are concerned. This portion of the work has something 

 more than an indirect value, for it forms a condensed, readily available 

 grammar of the subject to which it pertains. The assistance here rendered 

 by his literary associate, Mrs. S. Olivia Weston-Aiken, is fittingly ac- 

 knowledged in the Introduction. 



In the body of the Check List the names are printed in bold type, both 

 English and Latin, and are numbered i to SS8. Sub-generic names are 

 entirely discarded, as is the sign of "var." between specific and sub- 

 specific terms. The nomenclature of sub-species is therefore trinomial, 

 without the slightest disguise. The technical name is followed by the 

 name of the original describer of the bird, and by that of the authority for 

 the particular combination adopted. The "concordance of previous lists," 

 mentioned in the title, is effected by referring by number to Baird's List 

 of 1858, Coues's Check List of 1874, and Ridgway's Catalogue of 1880, in 

 the case of every species. 



On each page the names are duplicated in smaller type, divided into syl- 

 lables marked for quantity and accent, and their pronunciation therefore 

 shown, according to the system of orthoepy advocated. The most impor- 

 tant point secured, however, is the etymology or derivation of the scientific 

 words. "On the whole," say the authors of this part of the work, "it has 

 not been our intention to go beyond a good fair definition of these Greek 

 and Latin words, considering that all practical purposes are thus sub- 

 served." The etymologies are really, however, traced far back in many 

 cases. "Nothing of the sort has been done before, to the same extent at 

 any rate, and it is confidently expected that the information here given 

 will prove useful to many who, however familiar they may be with the 

 appearance of the names on paper, have comparatively little notion of 

 the derivation, signification, and application of the words, and who un- 

 wittingly speak them as they usuallj' hear them pronounced, that is to 

 say, with glaring impropriety. No one who adds a degree of classical 

 proficiency to his scientific acquirements, be the latter never so extensive, 

 can fail to handle the tools of thought with an ease and precision so 

 greatly enhanced, that the merit of ornithological exactitude may be 

 adorned with the charm of scholarly elegance" (p. 4). 



The Check List proper is concluded with "a list of words defined," 

 alphabetically arranged, and therefore serving as an index to the work. 



The volume finishes with a chronological list of Dr. Coues's writings 

 on ornithology. 



Aside from modifications which affect the ornithological or scientific 

 status of the "Check List," the changes in nomenclature are numerous 

 and radical. Under our accepted, but in certain ways pernicious, system 

 of ornithological nnmenclatiu'e most of these were proliabl\' necessary; 



