100 Coues on the Nomenclature of North American Birds. 
Pigeon. In 1 766, Linnasus drops the name macroura, and substitutes for 
the Wild Pigeon two names: first, canadensis (Brisson, p. 118); and 
second, migratoria (based on Frisch, Kalm, Brisson, p. 100, and Catesby, 
pi. 23). He also at same date twice names the Carolina Pigeon ; first, 
carolinensis , and, second, marginata , the latter being primarily based on 
Edwards, pi. 15. We have all properly adopted the name carolinensis for 
the Zenaidura , as it comes first on Linnaeus’s page (No. 37), though the 
description of marginata (No. 40) is the best one. But have we properly 
adopted migratorius for the Ectopistes (No. 36, on p. 285), as being the 
best described, since canadensis (No. 30, on p. 284) comes first on Lin- 
naeus’s page, and is really “ prior ” to migratorius ? Strict adherence to 
the law of priority, which we have followed in using Zenaidura carolinensis 
for the Carolina Dove, would require us to use Ectopistes canadensis for 
the Wild Pigeon. Is it worth while to make the change ? Cases like this 
make one wish that there were in our nomenclature some “ law of limita- 
tion,” by which a name which has not been challenged for, say, fifty years 
or a century, might then acquire an inalienable right to recognition. In 
default of any such rule, Ectopistes canadensis becomes in strictness the 
tenable name of the Wild Pigeon. 
Engyptila albifrons (Bp.) Coues. When I lately proposed JEchmo- 
ptila, g. n. vice Leptoptila preoccup., I overlooked the fact that Sundevall 
had already substituted Engyptila for the same genus, and for the same 
reason (Tentamen, 1872, p. 156). 
379a. Meleagris gallopavo americana (Bartr.) Coues. This would 
appear to be the correct name for our Wild Turkey, and I have it so in 
the check list. It is true that Bartram called it occidentals on an earlier 
page of the work in which he named it americana ; but such name is 
geographically false as applied to the Eastern Turkey in distinction from 
the Western one. I bring up this case, however, chiefly to call attention 
to a hitherto neglected synonym of the bird. For Barton, in 1805, clearly 
distinguished two species of Turkey, calling the Eastern Wild Turkey 
Meleagris palawa (Med. and Phys. Journ., II, 1805, p. 163). 
429. Limosa haemastica (Linn. 1758) Coues. This is the second case 
of the kind. The Scolopax hcemastica., Linn., 1758, is based upon Edwards, 
pi. 138, that is, upon the Hudsonian Godwit, L. hudsonica of authors. 
437. Machetes pugnax ( L .) Cuv. Moehring’s names not being 
available, Cuvier’s genus Machetes should replace Philomachus. 
438. Bartramia longicauda (Bechst.) Coues. The genus Bartramia, 
Less., 1831, holds priority over Actidurus, Bp., 1832. It has been rejected 
on account of the prior botanical genus of same name ; but my present 
ruling obliges me to recognize it in zoology. There are various specific 
names for the bird, the earliest of which I have any knowledge being 
longicauda of Bechstein, 1802, in his German version of Latham, Bd. IV, 
Th. II, p. 453. 
445. Plegadis falcinellus (. L .) Scl. and Salv. Ibis being shown to be 
