xxxni 



Dr. SiL\KPE ilicn referred to Anlcu purpvreo, wLjcli was 

 shown to consist of two distinct forms with a separate and 

 distinct geographical distribution. The eastern form would 

 have to bear the name of Ardea manil/ensis of !Meyen — an 

 unsatisfactory title^ as the species is not confined to the 

 Philippines^ but is spread over the Indian Region from Sind 

 to Ceylon and eastwards to the Burmese countries and 

 Southern China, south to the jNIalayan Peninsula and. islands^ 

 as far as Celebes. '^Frne A. purpurea inhabits Central and 

 Southern Europe and Asia, as far east as "Western Turkestan, 

 and extends its range bouth into suitable districts of Africa, 

 as far as Cape Colony. 



Mr. ScLATER called attention to the great inconvenience 

 which would result to ornithological nomenclature by the 

 enforcement of the ''Scomber scumher " principle, and pointed 

 out that it would cause the alteration of at least 26 names in 

 the ' B.O.U. List of British Birds.' The Stricklandian Code 

 (which was the first promulgated in modern times upon the 

 strict rule of priority) said expressly (see Report, p. 10) that 

 " specific names, when adojited as generic, must be changed." 

 Ko conclusive reasons were shown in either the American 

 or German Code for the alteration of this rule, and under 

 these circumstances Mr. Sclater Jield that the Stricklandian 

 Code should, not be violated. 



A short discussion followed. ; and it was announced that 

 a debate on the subject would follow at a future meeting. 



The next Meeting of the Club will take place on AVednes- 

 da}-, April 18th, 1894, when two hitherto unrecorded eggs -of 

 the Great Auk will be exhibited. 



(Signed) 



P. L.. Sclater, R. Bowdler Sharpe, Howard Saunders, 



Chairman. Editor. Sec. i," Treas. 



