Coues on the Nomenclature of North American Birds. 95 
Numerous specimens received at the National Museum from vari- 
ous localities since the publication of “ History of North American 
Birds,” demonstrate the very wide range of individual variation of 
all the forms, from whatsoever locality they may come. Thus, in a 
series of twelve examples received in one consignment from Godhavn, 
South Greenland, almost every shade from, typical candicans to very 
dark islandicus is represented, no two individuals being very closely 
similar in coloration. 
NOTES AND QUERIES CONCERNING THE NOMENCLATURE 
OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 
BY DR. ELLIOTT COUES, U. S. A. 
Continued inquiry in this direction has made it apparent that 
not a few of the names now in current use for North American 
Birds require to be changed, conformably with generally recognized 
rules of nomenclature. I have brought together here a number of 
memoranda made at various times. Some of the changes here 
proposed are merely verbal, in the forms of words amended accord- 
ing to their etymology. Others result from the following considera- 
tions : — I. That Brisson’s genera are tenable. II. That use in 
botany does not preclude use in zoology. III. That Linnaeus is 
to be taken at 1758. IV. That the generic and specific name shall 
never be the same. V. That the type of a Linnaean genus is to be 
determined according to the principle recently laid down by Newton. 
VI. That we shall not go back for genera beyond the establishment 
of the binomial system. 
The numbers are those of my “ Check-list,” 1873. 
20. Fhylloscopus borealis {Bias.'). According to Mr. Seebohm, who 
has paid special attention to the Warblers, the Phyllopneuste kennicottii of 
Baird is. P. borealis, and the proper name for the genus is Phylloscopus. 
The above name is adopted by Dresser, B. Eur., Pts. LXIX, LXX, 
Aug., 1878. 
101. Wilsonia mitrata {Gm.). 
102. Wilsonia pusilla ( Wils.). \ 
102 a. Wilsonia pusilla pileolata ( Ridgw .) Coues. 
103. Wilsonia canadensis (Z.) If use of a generic name in botany 
does not preclude its acceptation in zoology, Wilsonia should replace 
Myiodioctes, Aud. 
