436 On certain Points in Ornithological Nomenclature. 



moted must be reduced to the ranks, and a new generic name 

 must be found. This alteration in the rule still remains un- 

 rescinded. It was carried by a number of eminent ornitho- 

 logists; but I cannot learn that any one of them has had the 

 courage of his opinions ; and to this day it remains a dead 

 letter, to the standing disgrace of ornithological science. I 

 therefore venture to propose the following compromise : 



" Specific names that have been elevated to generic 



rank prior to the year 1817 shall be allowed to stand; 



but where such changes have been made subsequent to 



that date, the specific name shall be restored and another 



generic name found. " 



Hypolais languida, Dresser, Birds of Eur. pt. 

 This name stands as Hypolais languida of Hemprich and 

 Ehrenberg, in direct violation of the Stricklandian code, but 

 in accordance with the most approved ornithological judges' 

 law. In Ehrenberg's description no character whatever is 

 given by which the species may be distinguished from its near 

 allies. It was rejected for want of a clear definition until 

 Blanford and Dresser examined the type in the Berlin Mu- 

 seum. Cases of this kind are numerous ; and to provide for 

 them I propose the following rider to Rule 12 : 



" Slight errors in a description may be condoned, or 

 omissions supplemented by reference to the type speci- 

 men, if such exist in any public museum. No type spe- 

 cimen shall, however, be allowed to give value to a name 

 where no description whatever has been published." 

 There are doubtless some other points which I have over- 

 looked. Perfection in ornithological, as well as in civil law, 

 can only be attained by slow degrees. Other cases, which 

 neither Strickland's code nor any codification of judges' law 

 have contemplated, will continually arise and have to be pro- 

 vided for. My object is not to strive after an impossible 

 perfection. Had it been so I should have delayed my paper 

 for some years. It seems to me that the most important 

 thing to be done is, without delay, to protest, in the name of 

 scientific accuracy and ornithological equity, against the 



