446 
PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION D. 
prominent habits and external* structural characteristics of the various 
groups and genera. In conjunction with Mr. Campbell, the work was 
critically examined at the library in Melbourne, and all good species 
in Dr. fiamsay’s “distribution list ” were included with Gould’s, 
excluding those in the works of both authors which recent research 
has relegated to the region of synonym. 
At the commencement of research into the ornithology of any 
new country, particularly by a naturalist from abroad, who does not 
intend to make that country his fixed abode, the bestowal of suitable 
vernacular names must be a matter of considerable difficulty. The 
best popular names are applied in an old and well- worked region, like 
England, for example, as the result of the custom of generations. Names 
like “Dipper,” “ Woodchat,” “Willow Wren,” “Hedge Sparrow,” 
u Tomtit,” and many others have become recognised after long years 
of local use, and in some instances may possess obscure and almost 
forgotten derivations. The names are, notwithstanding, good; for 
they are based on habits and well-known and recognised characteristics. 
Gould, who did a marvellous amount of work in a short period of 
research in these colonies, did not evidently trouble himself about 
English names that would be suitable to the coming Australian 
naturalist or sportsman. Hence he got over the difficulty by applying, 
in many instances, the generic classical name as the English — the 
worst thing that could be done as regards imparting knowledge, to 
beginners and amateurs, of the systematic position of these birds 
among their fellows. Again, we find the English rendering of a Latin 
specific name given as a vernacular one, such as “ Textile (!) Wren” for 
Amytis textUis. It mattered not to him, as neither he nor his sons, 
nor his sons’ sons would probably have to shoot and identify “ Textile 
Wrens” during the future years of a thickly populated and permanently 
settled Australia We furthermore find such titles as Australicui 
applied ; applicable enough in books of other countries, speaking of 
our own fauna, but as out of place on the lips of resident Australians 
as “English Bobin” and “English Thrush” would be in the mouth 
of the Eton or Rugby bird-nester ! 
The writer must plead guilty to a similar want of thoroughness in 
dealing with vernacular names in his “Birds of Ceylon.” It seemed 
of no moment at the time of writing what English name was applied, 
and names given in former writings of authors on that sub-region were 
reproduced ; others perhaps better could have been evolved.f 
The points which it seemed necessary to attend to in compiling a 
list of vernacular names for our birds were — 
(a) Names which would be suitable to the field naturalists as 
well, perhaps, as sportsmen of coming generations ; 
(&) Names based on (1) characteristic points of plumage, (2) 
vocal characteristics, (3) habits, (4) locale or situations 
inhabited, (5) external structural points ; 
(c) The elimination of all classical names used as English 
ones ; 
(d) The abolition of the term Australian as locally out of 
place ; 
* Bill, legs, feet, tail. 
f Reference is not made here to names of well-known Asiatic or European species 
found in the island. 
