THE TROPIC BIRD. 
285 
Phaeton by Linnaeus, and Paille en queue by 
BufFon ; whilst our own manners address him 
under the familiar appellation of Marlingspike, and 
sometimes under that of Boatswain. 
Our ornithological nomenclature is much more 
dignified now-a-days, than it was in the olden time. 
Many a bird which heretofore would have received 
its name from some particular spot in which it 
resided — the wood-owl to wit, or from some pecu- 
liar food upon which it was known to feed — the 
carrion-crow for example — now bears the name of 
some individual of the human race — some friendly 
patron — some modern Crcesus, who can assist the 
author in his journey through an expensive press. 
In the first volume of a recent work on North 
American Ornithology, no less than thirteen birds 
appear to bear the names of men. I have my 
doubts whether this complimentary nomenclature 
be of any real benefit to the public at large^ or to 
science in general. Perhaps our own Sages, here 
in the East, will discuss this question at their lei- 
sure. I could wish, however, that the western 
artist had given us a glossary, by means of which 
we might learn something of the philosophers after 
whom his birds are named ; as I take it for granted 
(though possibly I may be mistaken), that his thir- 
teen birds are really named from individuals of the 
human race. 
In the plates to the first volume of his work, I 
find that a hawk is called the " Black Warrior," 
and that the Latin name which he has given it is 
Falco Harlani." Pray, who or what is Harlan i ? 
