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ON THE CLASSIFICATION OF BIRDS. 



(192.) Names of genera must be framed according 

 to resemblances or properties, which, however, must be 

 found not in one species of the genus only, but in the 

 majority of those which are known. ( Willd.) — When 

 the name can be formed according to one of the essen- 

 tial characters of the genus or group,, such names are 

 undoubtedly the best. Hence, as nearly all rasorial 

 types are remarkable for their crests or their tails, 

 names indicating the peculiar formation of these parts 

 are particularly good ; for they not only indicate which 

 of the primary types the group represents, but also the 

 particular modification of one of the characteristics of 

 that type. The following may be quoted as among the 

 best of these names : — 



(193.) Generic names ending in o'ides, ella, ana, 

 must be carefully avoided. (Willd.) — These termin- 

 ations, which generally imply resemblances, often doubt- 

 ful, cannot properly be used in a generic sense ; as the 

 names of such groups should be of a definite and posi- 

 tive nature. They may, however, be most usefully 

 employed with regard to species, as indicating a simi- 

 larity either of colour, form, or habit, to the bird with 

 which it is compared. Thus, My'iagra rubiculo'ides is 

 aptly so named, because it resembles in its habit a 

 robin, and we are immediately reminded of its natural 

 analogy to that bird. 



(194.) Names of groups should not be too long, al- 

 though they may be classically compounded. — All names 

 are chiefly intended to assist the memory, which should 

 not be burthened by words of great length. Hence the 

 following names — although some, being strictly correct, 

 may be tolerated — are not to be imitated either in their 

 length or occasional harshness : — 



Ateolepodes. Macrorampbus. 

 Coleoramphus. Opetiorhynchus. 



Macrocircus. 



Platycircus. 



Oxyurus. 



Dierurus. 



Rhipidura. 



Seisura. 



