" Concerning the names of Birds we did not much trouble ourselves, there having been disputing enough about 

 them long ago ; but have for the most part followed Oesner and Aldrovandus, being unwilling to disturb what is 

 settled, or dispossess Names that may for their use now plead prescription. For to what purpose is it eternally to 

 wrangle about things, which certainly to determine is either absolutely impossible, or next door to it ? Especially 

 seeing if by immense labour it might at last be found out, by what Names every Species was known to the Ancients, 

 the advantage that would thence accrue would not countervail the pains." 



John Ray, in the Preface to the Ornithology 



of Francis Willughby. 



1678. 



" In the difficult matters of synonymy and the orthography of generic names, I have been guided rather by general 

 utility than by any fixed rules. When I have taken a whole family group from a modern author of repute, I have 

 generally followed his nomenclature throughout. In other cases I use the names which are to be found in a majority 

 of modern authors, rather than follow the strict rule of priority in adopting some newly discovered appellation of 

 early date." 



Alfred Russel Wallace, in the Preface to 



the ' Geographical Distribution of Animals' 

 1876. 



" So far as regards specific names, I have throughout this work set the Rules of the British Association at defiance, 



being convinced that, so far as ornithology is concerned, they have done infinitely more harm than good 



I have adopted a scheme which appears to me to be the most practical of any which have been suggested. It may not 



satisfy the requirements of poetical justice ; but it is at least consistent with common sense. I adopt the specific 



name which has been most used by previous writers. It is not necessary for me to encumber my nomenclature with a 



third name, either to denote the species to which it refers, or to flatter the vanity of the author who described it ; all 



my names are auctorum plurimorum." 



Henry Seebohm, in the Introduction to 



' A History of British Birds.' 



1883. 



