Correspondence, Notes, etc.



271



form which Linnaeus named Garrulus glandarins, our own bird

has to rank as a sub-species under the name of G. glandarins

rufitergum. It will take some time for naturalists of the old

school to get into the way of adopting this comparatively new

system, but it seems to us that the various local forms must be

recognized and named. This system also necessitates the lump¬

ing together of genera, as for instance the Goldfinches, Siskins,

Linnets, Redpolls and Citral Finches, all of which are put into

the genus Carduelis.


But one of the objects of the tri-nomial system is to limit

the number of genera, and, although there are several geo¬

graphical races of the Goldfinch, there is only one species, and

hence it simplifies the study of ornithology considerably if other

nearly allied, though quite distinct, species are put into the same

genus.


But the author of the book now under notice is not him¬

self responsible for these changes in the naming of familiar

species, he is merely following in the lead of others whose system

is without doubt the correct one and will be followed.


Great care appears to have been taken to render the book

reliable, the eggs, nests and surroundings are minutely des¬

cribed, and where the different geographical races differ in their

nesting habits or the colour of their eggs, this difference is

pointed out.


The coloured plates of eggs, which form one of the chief

features of the work, are good, and all of the principal varieties

are figured. We shall hope to notice the future parts in due

course.



CORRESPONDENCE, NOTES, ETC.



HUMMING BIRDS IN ITALY.


Sir, — 111 the last issue of the Avicultural Magazine Mr. Astley

mentions some Humming Birds that lived some time in Milan. I am able

to add a few particulars that, I am sure, will interest your readers. One or

two months ago a Genoese bird-dealer wrote to ask whether I would allow

a Milanese lady to see my collection of birds and especially my Humming

Birds. I wrote at once that I was perfectly willing to show all the birds I



