VI 
INTRODUCTION. 
tlie lists of synonimes ; and still further to obviate any incon- 
venience in reference, I have added an alphabetical Index of 
the generic and specific names adopted in the body of the work. 
VIII. Recently, it has been the chief business of those who 
call themselves Naturalists, to alter and invent names, some- 
times with, but often with no advantage. Having small inclina- 
tion to employ myself in such task-work, I have made extremely 
few alterations in this respect, and I have only changed five names, ' 
which served to propagate error or absurdity such as Anor- 
THURA, for Troglodytes; Fringilla spiza, for F, ccelehs; Mota- 
ciLLA Lotor, for M, alba; CoRvus predatorius, for C.frugile- 
gus ; and Nyctichelidon, for Caprimidgiis. To say that these 
erroneous names are only distinctive appellations, implying no 
more error than the surname of White to a negro, or of King 
to a scavenger, is at once to confess the imperfection of what is 
called scientific nomenclature. 
IX. The new matter, which is marked by one * before and 
another * after it, consists of communications made by Colonel 
Montagu himself to the Linn^an Transactions, &c., always given in 
the first person plural ; of numerous facts and details from eminent 
living naturalists, both British and Foreign; of several which have 
fallen under my own observation, always given in the first person 
singular; and of new characters of genera, chiefly from Tem- 
minck, it being considered an improvement to introduce these 
instead of Colonel Montagu’s, many of which are somewhat 
obsolete. 
