ANATIDiE. 457 



the Rocky Mountain Garrot is distinguished by the purer colour of its dorsal 

 plumage, and the smaller portion of white on its wings and scapulars. Its long 

 flank feathers are also much more broadly bordered all round with black. The 

 bases of the greater coverts in the Golden Eye are black ; but they are concealed 

 and do not form the black band so conspicuous in Anas Barrovii. The specific 

 appellation is intended as a tribute to Mr. Barrow's varied talents, and his un- 

 wearied exertions for the promotion of science *. — R. 



DESCRIPTION 



Of a male, killed on the Rocky Mountains. 



Colour. — Head and two inches of the neck bright pansy-purple, with a greenish reflexion 

 on the ears ; forehead and chin brownish-black. Dorsal plumage, wings, and broad tips of 

 the long flank feathers, mostly velvet-black. Crescentic patch from the rictus to the sides of 

 the forehead, lower part of the neck, shoulders, tips of the outer scapulars, lower row of 

 lesser coverts, tips of the greater coverts, six secondaries, and the under plumage, pure white ; 

 space round the thighs, the tail, and its lateral under coverts, broccoli-brown. Bill blackish. 

 Legs orange ; webs black. 



Form. — Bill shorter and narrower towards the point than that of the Golden Eye, and the 

 feathers of the forehead, instead of running to a point on the ridge of the bill as in the latter, 

 terminate with a semicircular outline. The plumage also of the occiput and nape is longer, 

 forming a more decided crest than in that species. Wings two inches and a half shorter than 

 the tail. 



Female. — Head and adjoining part of the neck umber-brown, without a white mark. 

 Dorsal plumage pitch-black ; its anterior part, particularly the shoulders and the base of 

 the neck all round, edged with ash-grey. A white collar round the middle of the neck. 

 Flanks clove-brown, edged with white. Intermediate coverts blotched with white and black ; 

 greater coverts white tipped with black. Secondaries as in the male. Both mandibles 

 orange at the point, their tips and posterior parts black. Feet like the male. 









Dimensions 















Of the male. 











Inch. 



Lin. 



Inch. 



Lin. 





Inch. Lin. 



Length, total 



22 



6 



Length of bill above . . 1 



4 



Length of tarsus 



. 1 7 



„ of tail 



. 4 



3 



„ of bill to upper angle 1 



7 



„ of middle toe 



. 2 6 



„ of wing 



. 9 



6 



„ of bill to rictus . 2 



4 



„ of outer toe . 



. 2 6 



— R. 



* The custom of honouring naturalists by affixing their names to new species, was introduced by Linnsus, and exer- 

 cised by him with scrupulousness and judgment. His disciples must also be praised for the same discretion. Wildenow 

 (Prin. of Bot., p. 213) justly remarks, that " no monument of marble or brass is so lasting as this. It is the only way 

 of perpetuating the memories of true Zoologists, or of those who have benefited the science." Latterly, however, the 

 custom among us has been so much abused, that it may be questioned whether it expresses anything more than a 

 mere compliment from the nomenclator. To bestow the same honour upon a mere collector, which is given to a Wilson, 

 a Cuvier, or a Bonaparte, is"at best injudicious ; but to call all the new species in the museum of a learned society after 

 the council and office-bearers of the current year, merely because they are ex officio promoters of Ornithology, is not 

 only ludicrous, but, as we conceive, a total perversion of scientific justice. A great and pious divine, a skilful and emi- 

 nent physician, or accomplished diplomatic character, can receive neither honour nor pleasure from such flattery. 

 It behoves every true naturalist to set his face against such practices, and we shall, upon all occasions, pass over everv 

 name so misapplied. For ourselves, we have studiously sought to bestow this " honour " only where it was due. The 

 name of Barrow, it is true, will not be solely indebted to us for its imperishable record. It will be associated by the 

 future historian with the history and discoveries of Arctic America, Southern Africa, and China ; with high benefits 

 conferred upon the State ; and with the possession and encouragement of zoological knowledge. — Sw. 



3 N 



