18S4.] Correspondence. 207 



\ 



and perpetuated.* In short, the interests of ornithology demand that a 

 case so flagrant be made an example of warning to all who may be tempted 

 to commit similar crimes (the word is a strong one, but let it stand). Ac- 

 cordingly I hold up for the contempt of all honest men the name of 

 Emery C. Greenwood of Ipswich, Massachusetts. It is to be hoped that 

 there are no more such deceivers in our midst. If any are known or sus- 

 pected let them be promptly- dealt with. 



Very truly yours, 



William Brewster. 

 Caiubridgc, Mass., June, 1884. 



Can we not have a Simpler System of Nomenclature ? 



To THE Editors of The Auk :— 



Sirs: The present seems a fitting time to test the views of ornithol- 

 ogists as regards a new nomenclature. So much has to be crowded into 

 one's life, that in general the simpler the basis of our knowledge is, the 

 more will interest be awakened ; and so it is with ornithology also. If 

 we would liave a nomenclature that will endure, we must make it as sim- 

 ple as possible, so that it serves our purpose. And ornithology can be 

 made easj', without at all retarding its advancement, and at the same time, 

 not be continually in an unsettled state as regards nomenclature. For or- 

 dinary purposes, of what use is the generic name.'' Is there a case where 

 the family name will not serve as well.'* If there are two specific names 

 alike in one family, then one should be changed immediately. The familv 

 name will answer every purpose and much better than the generic; and if 

 the present generation does not adopt it, some future one will, for compli- 

 cation will not stand the Avear of time where simplicity will do as well. 



If the familj' name is used, the ordinarily well-read people will master 

 the rudiments ; while now none but specialists know anything of orni- 

 tholog}' by its scientific appellations. This change will in no way be det- 

 rimental to the student either, for he w-ill know just as well what Turdus 

 jnusielhitis, Turdus mio-ratorius, Turdus polyglottiis, and Turdus rufus 

 are as though Hylocichla., Merula, Mimus, and Harpor/ivnckus vfere used, 

 and the general reader will know he is reading about a Thrush. 



Many of the family names carry with them theii- own meaning, while 

 very few of the generic do. The family names of the bird-world would 

 not be very difficult to master; but who can sav the same of the generic.-' 

 Those of this country are known perfecth' by very few. 



But doubtless the question will be asked. What shall become of the 

 generic names .^ My repl}' is. leave them in the scientific books, where 



*As it was the escape was a narrow one, for at various times during the past two 

 years he has been kind ( !) enough to write to Mr. Allen and myself concerning some 

 of his more interesting captures, in more than one instance actually giving a detailed 

 account of the shooting of a specimen in Massachusetts which we now know came to 

 him in the skin from Noj-way. Fortunately these notes were not fully trusted, and only 

 one of them — that of the Wood Ibis, announced by Mr. Allen in the 'Bulletin of the 

 Nuttall Ornithological Club' (Vol. VIII, p. 185) — was actually published. 



