THE ORNITHOLOGICAL GUIDE. 47 



so unsound : — " I was by no means surprised to 

 perceive in the last number, (No. XI,) of the Analyst, 

 that my proposed alteration (though a very slight 

 one) in the English nomenclature of birds, was 

 considered objectionable by Mr. Strickland, I am 

 well acquainted with the views of that correspondent 

 on this subject, from his paper in the Magazine of 

 Natural History, which, in my opinion, does not 

 contain one sound argument in favour of his state- 

 ments. On this occasion I shall confine my remarks 

 to his paper in the Analyst. 



" Mr. Strickland says, at page 317, that the 

 English names of birds ' are consecrated by usage 

 as much as any other part of the English language,' 

 (a gradual change is constantly effecting in eveiy 

 part of the English language,) and consequently if 

 we call it an Hedge Sparrow, we are much more 

 likely to be understood, than if we call it an Hedge 

 Dunnoc, though I willingly admit that it is unscien- 

 tific to give the same generic name to an Accentor 

 and a Passer." I am sorry that Mr. S. belongs to 

 that imimproving class who consider that ' whatever 

 is, is right.' If every one were of the same opinion, 

 the world would never advance. As to the name 

 Hedge Sparrow being better known than Hedge 

 Dunnoc (although the bird goes by the latter name 

 in many parts of England,) that is possible enough ; 

 but it is the business of the scientific naturalist to 

 reform these abuses, and to substitute proper names 

 for those which are erroneous and unscientific. 



