WM. G. PRAEGER. 149 
Why should we call a bird “ Yellow-hammer,” which is 
properly the name of a European Bunting (#iméerizacitrinella), 
when we have such a variety of native names for this Wood- 
pecker (Colaptes auratus) to choose from as Golden-winged 
Woodpecker, Pigeon Woodpecker, High-holder, Yucker, 
Flicker? Yet one of our best manuals in a recent edition 
gives “ Yellow-hammer ” the preference. 
Among the names of genera and families the same evil 
prevails. The family J¢teridz is particularly unfortunate, 
As a whole it lacks an English popular name, and its various 
subfamilies are known as Starlings, Larks, and Orioles 
—all very misleading names, as they properly belong 
to families of old-world birds, not found in America, 
“ Starling,” applied to American birds, is chiefly found in 
books, however ; “Lark” is probably ineradicable, and I know 
of no substitute, though it is very misleading; “ Oriole ” has 
also come to stay, apparently, though several substitutes 
suggest themselves, of which “ Hang-nest ” is perhaps the 
best. J notice that European naturalists often apply this 
name to the whole family Jcteridz, and though it ‘is not 
altogether appropriate, they certainly avoid confusion with 
the old-world family Orzolide by so doing. 
The finest work ever done in economic ornithology is the 
investigation recently carried on by the Department of 
Agriculture as to the food of Hawks and Owls. But how 
slowly will the lesson learned thereby spread among those to 
whom it will be most useful, and how much the want of a lan- 
guage will delay it! Ifsuch names as Falcon, Hawk, Buzzard, 
Kite, Harrier, and Osprey were in common use, the outlook 
would be more encouraging; but many farmers know only 
three kinds of hawk-like birds, naming them, according to 
size, Hen-hawks, Chicken-hawks, and Sparrow-hawks; and 
indiscriminate warfare is waged against them all. 
We must not forget the prominent place birds hold in our 
higher literature, nor how very important names become 
there. I hope all ornithologists love poetry. I know all 
