162 7 THE CONDOR ey Vol. XXIV 
730 Sitta pygmaea 
Pygmy Nuthatch 
730z S. p. pygmaea 
(Northern?) Pygmy Nuthatch 
730a S. p. leuwconucha 
White-naped Pygmy Nuthatch 
Such an arrangement brings out at a glance the fact that there are four 
species of Nuthatches on the list, one of which embraces five geographical 
races, while two others are as yet undivided and the fourth embraces two vari- 
eties. In the following summary an attempt has been made to present in con- 
cise form the substance of the suggestions of the preceding paragraphs. 
SUMMARY OF SUGGESTIONS 
(A) The trinomial system should be followed consistently for English names as well 
as for Latin names. 
(1) Every species in the A. O. U. list should have an English name whether 
the species is subdivided into races or not. 
(2) Wherever subspecies are involved, each subspecies should be desig- 
nated by the English name of the species preceded by an English sub- 
specific term. 
(3) Specific common names are preferably descriptive, while subspecific 
names may more appropriately refer to localities or the names of per- 
sons, as well as to minor characteristics. 
(4) The possessive form should be used only for subspecies names; not 
for the names of species. 
A misleading or distinctly false “popular” designation is very unfortu- 
nate from an educational standpoint and should not be permitted by 
the A. O. U. to stand as its officially recognized English name of a 
species or genus. 
(B) Each species in the A. O. U. list should retain its permanent number, without 
letters affixed, as at present. 
(C) Every race, or subspecies, of a given species, should have assigned to it a letter 
of the alphabet, to be used in conjunction with the number assigned to the spe- 
cies. 
(5 
— 
(1) For the first-described or type race of a species, assign the letter 2. 
(2) For all other races of a species retain the letters, a, b, c, d, etc., as at 
present assigned, using the next Succ oe letter of the alphabet for 
each new race. 
(D) The abridged check-list should be so arranged that all species will stand out dis- 
tinctly from their subdivisions. Species and subspecies should not occupy col- 
umns of equal prominence. 
Springfield, Illinois, June 26, 1922. 
