460 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
finds a place between the Dipper and thie Wren! This is, of 
course, unavoidable in employing Sundevall’s method, because, 
according to his classification, on each side of Melizophilus, and 
between Cinclus and Troglodytes, numerous genera come in 
which have no representatives in the British List. The result, 
however, must seem very unnatural to anyone not acquainted with 
Sundevall’s work. 
Again, the Bearded Titmouse is removed from its accustomed 
proximity to members of the genus Parus, and is placed, not—as 
might be supposed—near Emberiza, but between Anthus and 
Accentor, a position as unnatural as that assigned to Melizophilus. 
Under these circumstances, why the English name “ Titmouse” 
should be retained we are at a loss to know, since if it is not a 
Parus it is inconsistent to call it a Titmouse. The less objection- 
able name “ Reedling” might be substituted. 
To find the Larks separated from the Buntings by such widely 
different genera as those which include the Crows, Creepers and 
Swallows, is equally surprising; and to discover the Pigeons in 
the same order as the Woodpeckers, from which they differ so 
remarkably both in structure and habits, is no less startling. But 
for the assignment of these and other positions to which exception 
might be taken, Mr. Wharton, as we have said, is not responsible. 
He has taken Professor Sundevall’s grouping of the entire class 
Aves as he has found it, and, arranging the British species in 
accordance therewith, has only taken upon himself the task of 
revising the nomenclature. 
It must not be supposed, however, that we intend for one 
moment to disparage the classification of Professor Sundevall, 
for although we do not agree in all the details, yet, based as it is 
upon a careful and particular examination and comparison of the 
external and internal characters of birds, it is in our humble 
opinion by far the soundest system of any yet propounded. We 
would merely observe that, in applying it to include only those 
species which are regarded as British, without at the same time 
showing, where necessary, the absence of families and genera 
which form connecting links, is to do, as it were, an injustice to a~ 
system intended to apply to the entire class Aves, and not to the 
birds of any particular country. 
In dealing with the nomenclature it is evident that Mr. Wharton 
has been guided, and very properly so, by the Rules for Zoological 
