The Common Names of North American Birds 265 



extends from eastern Louisiana to southern Missouri, central Kansas and south 

 to central Texas, it has been noted as an accidental visitant in twelve of the 

 United States and three Canadian provinces, from Florida and Colorado to New 

 Brunswick and Hudson Bay. 



VERMILION FLYCATCHER 



This species winters in Mexico, so near the United States boundary that it 

 sometimes appears in February (San Antonio, Texas, February 8, 1890; Oracle, 

 southern Arizona, February 25, 1899). Usually, however, it enters Texas a month 

 later, and the northern limit of the ordinary range, which is about at San Antonio, 

 is reached the latter part of March. About the same time the birds enter their 

 breeding grounds in the lower mountain valleys of Arizona. A few wander in 

 winter to southern California, as far northwest as Ventura county. Stragglers 

 have been taken in southwestern Utah, May 13, 1891, and in northwestern 

 Florida, March 25, 1901. 



The Common Names of North American Birds 



IN preparing its 'Check-List of North American Birds' the Committee 

 appointed by the American Ornithologists' Union showed excellent judg- 

 ment in the selection of the 'common' or English names for our birds. 

 With few exceptions the names adopted have met with general approval and are 

 now in almost universal use. In this period of biblio-zoological activity little is 

 now left of the scientific nomenclature of the first (1886) edition of the 'Check- 

 List,' whereas the English names, not being subject to nomenclatural rules, have 

 proved far more stable than the technical ones. Winter Wren, for example, is 

 still Winter Wren, though from 1886 to 1907 it has been known as Troglodytes 

 hienialis, Anorthura hiemalis, Olbiorchilus hiemalis and N annus hiemalis. 



Only the specialist keeps informed of these changes, but the name Winter Wren 

 is intelligible to all concerned. The consistent use of the English names of the 

 'Check -List' — and in Bird-Lore we try to employ these names consistently — 

 renders unnecessary for purposes of identification the use of the technical name. 

 In the forthcoming edition of the 'Check-List,' therefore, it is hoped that the 

 A. O. U. Committee will make only such changes in the common names of our 

 birds as seem to be absolutely necessary. Where, however, the attempt to secure 

 the adoption by the public of names given in the original edition of the 'Check- 

 List' (e. g. Bartramian Sandpiper, House Finch, Wilson 's Thrush) has failed, 

 the name most commonly used should be accepted for the new 'Check-List.' 

 Again, certain 'Check-List' names are so obviously inapplicable (e. g. Louisiana 

 Tanager, Magnolia Warbler, Palm Warbler) that a change seems desirable. 

 The subject is eminently one for popular discussion and Bird-Lore will be 

 glad to print the views of its readers. — Ed. 



