298 



Correspondence. [July 



they belong, and from which they should never have been taken for com- 

 mon use. The following schedule will better show the working of the 

 change I propose, taking Ridgway's 'Nomenclature of North American 

 Birds' in illustration. 



Family Turdid^. 



Genus HylocicJila. 



1. Turdiis musteltnus. 



2. Turdus fuscescens, etc. 



Genus Turdus. 



6. Turdus iliacus. 



Genus Merula. 



7. Turdus migratorius. 



Genus Hesperocichla. 



9. Turdus ncBvhis. 



Eight genera in Turdidse where one would answer equally well for all 

 articles upon birds, and which would be better understood by all who read 

 them. Picus will answer as well for every Woodpecker as the eight 

 names used in its stead, and Anas for evei-y Duck, as well as the twent}'- 

 two now used, etc. 



It will be seen that all the changes of genera that may be instituted 

 would not in the least affect tne general student or the public. 



Very respectfully, 



Providence, R. /., May 19, 18S4. Fred. T. Jencks. 



The above was sent to the editor of 'The Auk,' and his reply to it 

 [given below] was so conclusive that at my request he publishes both for 

 the benefit of the many ornithologists who, like myself, may not under- 

 stand the details imposed upon ornithology in respect to matters of 

 nomenclature. — F. T. J. 



Ca7nbridg'e, Mass., 



May 20, 1884. 



Mr. F. T. Jenck's, 



Providence., R. I. : — 



Dear Sir : Yours of 19th, with enclosure for the July 'Auk,' is just re- 

 ceived. The subject of which you write is certainly an important one, 

 and the difficulties to which you allude I to some degree appreciate. Yet 

 I must say I see no remedy. The scheme you present is certainly im- 

 practicable, as I could easily show you could I meet you and talk the 

 matter over with you. It is rather too lai'ge a subject to handle readily in 

 a letter. Yet I will try to call your attention to a few points, and will 

 take the family you instance — the Turdidse — in illustration. 



The latest monographer of this group refers to it nearly 250 species, for 

 which he recognizes 18 genera. Have you any idea how difficult it would 

 be to find 250 different and distinct specific names for these birds, and how 

 many 7tew names would have to be imposed to take the place of names used 

 more than once within even the typical Thrushes (subfamily Turdinse) 



