READING A CHECK-LIST 



matter of course, if we happened to have lived 

 in some out-of-the-way corner, we had collected 

 certain bits of local knowledge which the learned 

 compilers of the work had overlooked, or never 

 possessed — or, conceivably, had considered too 

 unimportant for mention. But our main interest 

 just now was in marking changes and additions. 

 Here a subspecies, too hastily made (naming a 

 new bird is one of the roads to glory, " and many 

 there be that find it "), had been cast out as un- 

 worthy, fuller information having shown that it 

 graded too closely into another form. Here a 

 new subspecies had been accepted, or put on 

 probation, as valid, or likely to prove so. And 

 here, there, and everywhere, alas and alas, old 

 familiar scientific names, so called, had given 

 place to new, till we groaned in spirit and were 

 ready to declare that it was only the nicknames, 

 "trivial" names, common names, vulgar names 

 (belittle them how you will), that stood any 

 chance of holding their own, and therefore were 

 worth retaining in the memory. 



But all these technical details having been 

 noted, and the volume set in its place on the 

 shelf, it still serves what we may almost call its 

 best use — as a book to read in at odd times. 



You have an idle five minutes while waiting 

 (patiently, of course) for breakfast or luncheon. 

 i6i 



