Dr. E. Hartert — Some Anticriticisms. 54<7 



Acrocephalus, and other genera are readily recognised in 

 the ' Manual.' Admitting G. isabellina the author spoils 

 everything — and where is the binomial system if he says 

 " subspecies Galerida isabellina " ? Is that shorter than 

 Galerida cristata isabellina ? 



There remains another method, that of recognising all, 

 even the most closely allied geographical forms and naming 

 each with two names. This is Dr. Sharpens method, forcibly 

 brought before us in his i Hand-list/ but it is most objec- 

 tionable and disturbing. If I recognise Galerida cristata 

 and Galerida t nek he as two species, subdividing each into a 

 number of subspecies, it is clear to everyone, and illustrates 

 at a glance a most important fact : what forms agree in 

 their main characters, differing in certain details connected 

 with geographical separation, and what (though they maybe 

 superficially similar) belong to totally different species in- 

 habiting similar areas. Dr. Sharpe's method hides all this, 

 and moreover raises objection and dissent. Ornithologists 

 cannot be forced to allow as species, binomially named, two 

 forms differing merely in the bill or wing being on an 

 average two or three millimetres longer, while nevertheless 

 such facts are not without significance and should not be 

 overlooked. One might therefore separate such closely 

 allied geographical races as subspecies, but general consent 

 can never be obtained to treat them as species binomially 

 named. 



The Editors of ' The Ibis' confront my "four names" 

 with Dresser's ei two names," saying that they prefer the 

 Raven being called "simpler and shorter" Corvus corax 

 instead of Corvus corax corax L. It is probably not meant 

 seriously to call the author's name a fourth name ! To add 

 it to a specific name is an old custom among zoologists and 

 botanists. It can do no harm and is often very useful ; 

 moreover, it can be left out by all who do not care for it, 

 and it is therefore not a burden to nomenclature. The 

 whole phrase looks like a captatio benevolentice of the 

 readers, and is not quite correct. I, too, call the Ravens 

 Corvus corax, but when I distinguish between the various 



