180 Ml-. ViGORs's ajid Dr. Horsfield's Description of the 



Falco Novœ Hollandire. Gmel. Syst. i. p. '264. no. 69. 



Falco albiis. SJicnc, TVhite's Voy. pi. in p. 260. 



New Holland White Eagle. Lath. Gen. Hist. i. p. 217- no. 146. 



In Mr. Caley's ]\ISS. we find the following observations on 

 this bird : — " Milk-white Hawk. This bird was shot near Duck- 

 river, which is a branch of Port Jackson harbour, about two 

 miles from Paramatta on the road to Sydney. I have seen the 

 species very sparingly. The natives tell me it feeds upon fish. 

 Its weight is 1 lb. 12 oz. The irides are light olive, but with a 

 shade of yellow. — Feb. I8O9." 



There are two specimens of this bird in the British Museum, 

 and we have seen two other specimens exactly according with 

 ours, which were lately brought to this country from New Hol- 

 land. We have also heard of some other specimens. AVe have 

 therefore little doubt of its being a distinct species, and not the 

 white variety of another, as suggested by M. Cuvier in his 

 " Regne Animal*." 



"' " 2. Rail Ast. supernè cineraceus, snbtus albiis fusco-variegatus, 



rectricibus pallidè cineraceis, sabfiis albescentibusfusco-fasci- 



atis. 



Rostrum nigrum. Gala alba lineis fuscis gracilibus notata. 



Pectus fusco-lineatum. Abdomen fusco-fasciatum. Scapu- 



compliment to individuals, or names expressing a native or provincial designation, — can 

 be of little use in pointing out a species. Local names, unless actually misapplied, (in 

 which case they should of course be altered,) will be at least as appropriate as these. 

 On the whole, we consider the multiplication of synonyms, and the confusion 

 necessarily resulting from it, to be a greater error in nomenclature than the want of 

 significance in a specific name. And although, from t!ic circumstance of objections 

 having been started against local names, we agree that they should be sparingly used 

 in future; yet when once they have been established, we conceive it more prudent to 

 retain them, acting upon the only sure ground which can be assumed in all such 

 cases, — the ground of priority. * Tom. i. p. 320. 



lares 



