78 Bird -Lore 



earliest March 13, 1865; central California, average, April 1, earliest, March 16, 

 1877; southern British Columbia, April 16, 1888, April 23, 1889, April 18, 1905. 

 The species has been noted in southern California as late as October 10, and in 

 southern Arizona until October 28. 



ST. LUCAS FLYCATCHER 



This form of the Western Flycatcher is a resident in Lower California and 

 in San Dies;o County, California. 



The Common Names of North American Birds 



The Editor of Bird-Lore is quite right in saying that only such changes 

 in the common names of birds as seem to be necessary should be made. Such as 

 are made should be with the object of giving a more fitting name to the bird 

 han it now has. 



There are two classes of birds' names that do not fit the birds to which they 

 are given, and might be changed for the better. I refer to the naming of birds 

 for cities or states which form only a small part, if an}-, of their range, and to 

 names that do not fit the habits of the birds to which they are given. In the first 

 class are the Nashville Warbler and Philadelphia Vireo, and in the second the 

 Field and Tree Sparrows. 



For such birds as the Wilson's Thrush and House Finch, the most common 

 name should be taken. In the case of the Bartramian Sandpiper, the popular 

 name of Upland Plover is misleading. A compromise between the two names 

 might be made, and Upland Sandpiper accepted. 



Mr. W. L. Dawson, in the February Bird-Lore, speaks of the Louisiana 

 Water Thrush being a hard name to accept or alter. How would Southern 

 Water or Brook Warbler do ? 



The plan for an exact and consistent system of English names for subspecies, 

 as well as for full species, is good and should be accepted. A few other sugges- 

 tions for changes follow. Change 



'Tree' to Canadian Sparrow. 

 'Field' to Bush or Pasture Sparrow. 

 'Philadelphia' to Canadian Vireo. 

 Cape May' to Red-cheeked Warbler. 

 'Nashville' to Birch Warbler. 

 'Magnolia' to Spruce Warbler. 

 'Palm' to Red-poll Warbler. 

 'Water-Thrush' to Water or Brook Warbler. 

 'Purple' to Crimson Finch. 

 'Saw-whet' to Acadian Owl. — Edward H. Perkins, Tilton, N. H 



