1836.] Additions to the Ornithology of Nfyal. 771 



recognises the propriety of the native genus Maina. All the Mainas* 

 have a preponderant similitude of general structure and of habits, 

 constituting generic unity, if such a thing there be ; and placing 

 these birds, in a natural system, close to the European genus Sturnus 

 (secundum Linnaeum) ; unless indeed that single genus should not 

 rather embrace the whole of the Mainas sub-generically. Yet, ac- 

 cording to the latest and most accredited systems, these birds are 

 scattered at random amongst the Lamprotornince, the Pastorinae and 

 the Coraciance, constituting the Sturnine genera Dilophus, Acrido- 

 theres, and Pastor, and the Corvine genus Gracula vel Eulabes ! 

 Should we feel disposed to turn from English to French systems, the 

 matter is no way mended: for Cuvier's Dentirostral and Meruline 

 Grakles are sundered, toto cselo, from his Conirostral and Corvine 

 Stares ; and Temminck's type of the genus Pastor is dissevered 

 widely from all its congeners ! If the first men of the age can so err 

 for want of local informationt, it is to be hoped that some of them 

 will, ere long, see the necessity of methodical co-operation with those 

 who are capable of supplying that information, and who, I will add, 

 are most anxious to supply it, upon fair and gentlemanly terms of 

 participation. 



* We have seven species, all abundant in Nipal. 



1. Religiosa. 



2. Cristelloides, (nob.) 



3. Tristoiides, (nob.) 



4. Sylvestris, (nob.) 



5. Affinis, (nob.) 



6. Communis, (nob.) 



7. Terricolor, (nob.) 



Of these, 2 and 3 are very nearly allied to Cristatella and Tristis ; 4 and 5 

 to Pagodorum and Malabarica. The 6th inclines much to Sturnus ; and the 

 7th, a very osculant species, has very considerable resemblance in the form of 

 its wings, tail and legs, to Cinclosoma. 



•f So subtile and various are the relations of birds to one another, that no 

 success can attend the ambitious project of a general classification conformable 

 to nature, unless, to the intimations derived from external structure be added 

 those derivable from internal structure and from habits and manners. 



But how shall the most able man of science at home procure an adequate 

 supply of the latter sort of information, unless he will associate to himself some 

 intelligent and persevering local students ? Dried skins are but dried skins 1 

 And why have we Zoological Societies, unprovided with travelling naturalists, 

 if not to accomplish some sort of adequate union between domestic skill and 

 foreign opportunity ? 



So long as the closet and field departments continue separated, so long will 

 the multiplication of idle names and vague species go on, whilst no effectual 

 progress will be made in the noble attempt at a natural classification. 



5 h 2 



