58 THE ORNITHOLOGICAL GUIDE. 



being destitute of the belt or band by which she is 

 distinguished." Let us here pause and examine, 1st, 

 whether the original name calls for a change, and 

 2nd, whether the substitute proposed is admissible. 

 I am unable to see why a species should not be dis- 

 tinguished by some peculiarity of the female as well 

 as of the male : to say that the contrary has been 

 the case from time immemorial, is no argument at all 

 — nor is it worthy of a rational, and consequently, 

 improving being. The only use of a specific name 

 is to distinguish the species, and this distinguishing 

 appellation can be founded with equal advantage on 

 some peculiarity of either sex, though it would cer- 

 tainly be preferable if it related equally to both. 

 Thus the specific name Belled, as applied to the 

 Alcedo alcyon, ought not to be altered. Now let us 

 examine the proposed specific name " United States." 

 The reason given for favoring this name is that the 

 A. alcyon " is the only bird of its genus found upon 

 the inland streams of the Union." But how does 

 Mr. Audubon know that this species is not found 

 out of the United States ? if it is, the name is no 

 longer tenable. Or supposing that it is only found 

 in the United States, who knows but that another 

 species of Kingfisher may not in a few years be 

 found in that country, which has hitherto escaped 

 observation ? Did our author never hear of such 

 cases ? assuredly he has, for he has related many 

 such himself. In our own little island, which has 

 been far more diligently searched than America, 



