
262 COOPERS HAWK. 
admitted as distinct and independent genera, is a question that 
has been much agitated, and respecting which ornithologists 
will probably for a long time continue to disagree. Equally 
ereat authorities might be cited in favour of either of these 
opinions, which, like many others of more importance that 
have divided mankind from the beginning of the world, may 
perhaps, after all, be considered as merely a dispute about 
words. 
Admitting, however, as seems to be done by all parties, that 
this great genus may be subdivided with propriety, we look 
upon it as altogether a secondary question whether we shall 
call the minor groups genera, subgenera, or sections ; and we 
deem it of still less consequence, in a philosophical view, 
whether the names by which these groups are designated be 
taken from a learned or a vernacular language. It is our in- 
tention to pursue a middle course. We are convinced of the 
necessity of employing numerous subdivisions, not only in this, 
but also in its allied genus Sivrzz. These, however, we cannot 
agree to admit as genera, preferring to call them subgenera, 
and giving them a name, but, when having occasion to mention 
a species belonging to any of them, to employ the name of the 
great genus. 
The desire of avoiding too great a multiplication of groups, 
has caused some, even of the first ornithologists of our time, to 
employ sections that are not natural, and with false or in- 
applicable characters, and, as if they would compel nature to 
conform to their preconceived and narrow views, after having 
assigned decided limits to their groups, to force into them 
species not only widely different, but that do not even possess 
the artificial character proposed. We shall not imitate this 
irrational example. It shall rather be our object to compose 
natural groups, and, in obedience to this principle, whenever 
we meet with a group, or even asingle species, clearly insulated, 
it shall at least be pointed out, not so much regarding the num- 
ber of our subgenera, as the characters that unite the species 
of which they are respectively composed. 

