Vol. XXXV.] 68 



proved, once and for all, that if melmiops was indeed a 

 Ringed Plover, it was a very aberrant form and one which 

 fully deserved the generic distinction that had been bestowed 

 upon it. 



Dr. Lowe then exhibited specimens of nestling Ducks. 

 Among these were nestling examples of Glaucion and 

 Ni,?'oca, which were given as examples proving the generic 

 distinction of these two forms. 



Passing on to Passerine examples, Dr, Lowe pointed out 

 that Poecilodryas was a genus included with the Flycatchers ; 

 but the young of P. capita, with its striking colour-pattern 

 and aberrant feathering, was not in the least reminiscent of 

 the young of this group. It recalled the fluffy-backed 

 Babblers — Corythocichla. The young of P. aJbifacies pre- 

 sented almost similar resemblances, and we might well 

 pause to ask ourselves, Was Poecilodryas a Timeline genus 

 or a Flycatcher genus? 



[Several other striking examples were given, which, owing 

 to lack of space, have been eliminated. — Ed.] 



He would now pass on, however, to the consideration of 

 another point, viz. : — 



(6) The relation of colour -pattern to the question of " genera- 

 splitting " or " genera-lumping.^' 



The remarks he would make on this subject were in 

 reality a plea, following upon that recently made in America 

 by Dr. Witmer Stone, for some method by which we could 

 combine rather than disintegrate genera, with the result 

 that we should be able to recognise larger natural or phylo- 

 genetically allied groups, genetic phyla, or supergenera — 

 let them use what term they liked, so long as they did not 

 make use of that completely inadequate and futile method 

 of classification represented by Section 1, 2, or 3 or by 

 a, ^, y. If this method of integration was carried out, 

 " genera-splitting " would be robbed of much of its terrors. 



Dr. Lowe then dwelt on the artificial, arbitrary, and 

 non-natural nature of genera, which in most cases had been 

 constructed as a matter of convenience. 



