DK. GAMBEL ON THE BIRDS OF CALIFOENIA. 2-21 



When flying, they utter a rapidly repeated trilling twit twit twit. 



Gray in his Genera of Birds has abandoned the name Strepsilas, and given Cincliis 

 of Moehring for this genus. In my opinion, we might as well go back to Gesner 

 and Aldrovandus for names, as to Moehring, and it is but right that we should, for 

 the names they gave to well known birds, are as much matters of history as 

 names given by authors at the present day. The " inflexible law of priority " 

 must, as a matter of necessity always hold good, to prevent an otherwise ever- 

 varying and endless confusion ; and if we adopt it, how can we with justice reject 

 the names given by the very earliest writers on the subject, if they characterize the 

 species in such a way that we can recognize them ? It has been assumed that the 

 binomial system of nomenclature was first established by Linnseus, and that we 

 owe the compliment to that great man, not to take any of the names of the older 

 authors ; but will the world think so a century hence, when the system of Linnaeus 

 will appear as imperfect, as the systems of the older authors do to us now ? 



Neither can I agree with those who think that we owe the first distinct idea of 

 genus and species to Linnseus. Bat in regard to this genus the name Strepsilas can 

 with propriety be retained, because that Cindus was used before Moehring's time 

 for the Tringas ; Arenaria of Brisson was previously used for a well known genus of 

 plants; Morinella of Meyer, 181 0, which is the same as Morinellus, was first used for 

 the Eudromias morinella of Boie, which should be called Morinellus anglorum, 

 The European Turnstone should be Strepsilas marinus, the latter being the specific 

 name given to it by Willoughby, Ray, and Catesby. 



H^MATOPUS, ^^2%. 



128. H. ATER, Vieill. Black Oyster Catcher. 

 Gal. des Ois. ii. p. 88. 



H. niger, Voyage de I'LIranie Zool. p. 129, pi. 34. non Temminck. 

 if. Bachmanii, Aud. Bds. Amer. pi. 427, fig. 1. 

 I found this species not uncommon at San Pedro, and on the rocky islands along 

 the coast. Their food most probably consists of the Patellae and Chitons which so 

 abound, and for obtaining which their bills are particularly adapted. When 

 approached they utter a quick whistling kivit Tcwit, and when flying it is so rapidly 

 repeated that it ends in a low trill. 



The plumage of the head, neck and breast is glossy blue-black, and of the back and 

 wings glossy brownish-black The bill and fleshy ring round the eye bright 

 Vermillion : irids golden yellow : tarsus and toss fleshy, and almost white. 



GRUS. Antiq. 

 129, G. CANADENSIS, Temm Great Brown Crane. 



