246 REVIEWS. 



in the order of the suh-families. Dr. Baird, not only like CuTierj 

 puts Insessores, the perching hirds, after the birds of prey ; but, also, 

 after the order Scansores, and not receiving Cuvier's Suborders of 

 Insessores ; he adopts a new set, which would mislead the student of 

 ordinary ornithological works. We believe it comes very near the 

 system explained by the editor of Orr & Co.'s English edition of Cuvier, 

 in his additions to the text. Thus, we have Humming-birds, Swifts, 

 represented by our chimney-swallow. Night-hawks, King-fishers, 

 and then the general body of perching-birds, amidst which are 

 introduced the swallows. The remaining orders occur in the 

 usual series : Gallinaceous birds, Waders, Swimmers. We cannot 

 now criticise this system, or bring it into comparison with our 

 own. We only wish to give the reader some aid in comparing 

 the different lists. But, the chief difficulty will be found in the 

 names employed. Dr. Baird assumes that species must not be 

 supposed to be common to Europe and America ; hence, Aquila 

 chryssetos becomes A. Canadensis ; Circus cyaneus, C. Hudsonius ; 

 Falco peregrinus, Falco anatum, &c., &c. ; besides which, small 

 sections, or subgenera, are all distinguished by generic names, in- 

 creasing their number in a manner very trying to the memory ; and 

 which, in fact, nearly takes away the use of generic groups ; besides 

 all which, there are a few instances in which the decisions of Dr. 

 Baird, and Dr. Geo. Gray, respecting the generic names proper to be 

 adopted, differ. It is, then, scarcely to be wondered at that so large 

 a proportion of our birds appear under different names, in lists 

 derived from such different authorities. With great respect for Dr. 

 Baird's scientific character and acquirements, we think a wise dis- 

 cretion is exercised in preferring Dr. Gray's names for our Canadian 

 use. We know that some excellent practical ornithologists amongst 

 us think that even he has carried sub-division too far ; but few would 

 be satisfied with the vague generic characters of earlier times ; and, 

 it is desirable to follow some widely-recognized authority. Looking 

 around, we can find none better than Dr. Geo. Gray. 



We may now give the additions to our general list of the birds of 

 Western Canada, derived from Mr. Mcllwraith's latest Hamilton list : 



Ord. Insessores. Subord. Dentirostres. 



Fam. Laniidee : 1. Myiobius Traillii. Traill's Fly-catcher. 



Subord. Conirostres. 



Fam. Sturnidse : 2. Xanthornis varius. The orchard oriole. 



