69



CORRESPONDENCE.



DEALERS' NAMES FOR BIRDS.


Sir, — The compilation of a glossary of dealers' names appears to be

much desired; but it would be almost impossible for a single individual to

undertake it unless supported by a Committee of other members of this

Society.


In 1883 a Committee of the British Ornithological Union prepared

a list of British birds, which should be in the library of every British

observer. Could not the Avicultural Society form a Committee with an

enthusiast as Secretar}' and Editor ?


The Latin or so-called scientific, as well as the dealers' names, are

rather an uncertain quantity, and a Committee could give a standing to the

names selected, which could not be done by an individual.


Latterl}-, owing to the muddling of systems, systematic nomenclature

is now rather at a discount, and fire-side work is undervalued. Hence any

number of observations are offered to the public in a desultory and un-

indexed form.


According to mj' view the first thing to bedone would be to select

the regular Latin name in more common use for each species, and then

to arrange a glossar3^ ■


I need hardly add that such a Committee as I have suggested should

be mainly resident in town, and that the assistance by letter of country

members should be invited.


Chas. Louis Hktt.



Sir, — In reply to the queries re names of birds, perhaps the following

list maybe found interesting. I have also given the names used by some

of the Australian dealers ; Australia is rich in birds — there are 700 known

species, 600 of which are to be found in Queensland.



Australian Waxbill

Crimson-eared Waxbill . .

Crimson-winged Waxbill

Cinereous Waxbill

Red-bellied Waxbill


Banded Grass-finch

Bicheno's Finch

Chestnut-eared Finch . .

Crimson Finch

Fire-tailed Finch

Gouldian Finch

Modest Grass-finch

Ribbon Finch . .

Rufous-tailed Grass-finch

Spotted-sided Finch



ENGLISH

DEALERS' NAMES.


Sydney Waxbill

Cordon Bleu . .

Aurora Finch

Lavender Finch

St. Helena Waxbill


Parson Finch


Double-banded Finch


Zebra Finch . .


Australian Fire-finch


Pin-tail Nonpareil


Same


Cherry- or Plum-head


Cut-throat


Same


Diamond Sparrow



AUSTRALIAN

DEALERS' NAMES.


Red-head



Black-throat

Double-bar

vSame

Blood-finch


Painted

Cherry


Star Finch

Same



