Publications Received. 35 



(sparrows, finches, etc.), and the "attempt is made to describe 

 every species and sub-species, or definable form, of bird found 

 on the continent of North America, from the arctic districts to 

 the western end of the Isthmus of Panama, together with those 

 of the West Indies and other islands of the Caribbean Sea (ex- 

 cept Trinidad and Tobago), and the Galapagos Archipelago; in- 

 troduced and naturalized species being included, as well as acci- 

 dental or casual visitors." 



The list includes 389 species and sub-species. Of these 389, up- 

 wards of 280 are given three scientific names. The increase of tri- 

 nomials over previous lists and catalogues is partly due to the 

 extension of the application of trinomialism to each member of 

 a group in which a trinomial occurs, instead of distinctly separ- 

 ating off the type form by using for that one the binominal name. 

 This practice is entirely logical, but we cannot but deplore its 

 adoption into a system which is already too cumbersome. Fur- 

 thermore, it seems almost an introduction to a system of further 

 multiplication of scientific names to the quadrinomial or nth 

 power. We cannot overlook the fact that there are intergrada- 

 tions between species and higher and lower groups also, but it 

 seems entirely feasible and sane to place a limit upon what shall 

 be called a recognizable form by determining what that limit is 

 from a practical standpoint. It makes no practical difference 

 whether the particular Cardinal in question is a Cardinally car- 

 dinally cardinalo-florldanus, or a Cardinalis cardlnalis floridano-car- 

 dinnlls. Furthermore, the adoption of an ultra scientific sys- 

 tem which can be used only by the expert in color values and 

 careful measurements of many specimens, is divorcing the scien- 

 tific from the practical. Science can lay claim to recognition, in 

 these enlighfened days, only by its contribution to the welfare of 

 the largest possible number of people. We no longer have use 

 f<r a science which is wholly for scientists. There is a middle 

 ground between the scientific and popular which is both accurate 

 and understandable. 



The author's name is sufficient guaranty of the accuracy and 

 completeness of the work, The bibliographical references alone 

 almost stagger us with their suggestion of the work involved. 

 Add to this the time and work involved in the examination of 

 specimens in the National Museum and other collections to which 

 he had access, and some conception of what this volume repre- 

 sents of work and study may be obtained. We trust that the 

 author's life may be spared to complete what has been under- 

 taken, and of which this is the first of eight volumes. 



The difficulty involved in beginning this series with the high- 

 est instead of the lowest group in the contemplated series, does 

 not seem great when it is known that the nomenclature followed 

 is that of the A. O. U. If, as we have reason to hope, this nomen- 

 clature will again be revised so that we may have a wholly logi- 



