THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
In my Hand-List of the Birds of Australasia, following Sharpe’s Hand- 
List, 1 made use of Aythya Boie, 1822. This was given priority over Nyroca 
Fleming, 1822, though both were published in the same year. I concluded 
Nyroca Fleming must be resumed {Nov. Zool., Vol. XVII., p. 499, 1910), as 
Boie’s name was shown to be preoccupied (Stone, Auh 1907, p. 190). 
As regards priority Boie’s name has undoubted claim, though Hartert 
{Hand-List of British Birds, by Hartert, Jourdain, Ticehurst and Witherby, 
1910, p. 145, footnote) has argued otherwise. Given two dates, one certain 
and the other uncertain, the certain date must always he accepted in preference 
to the later uncertain one. Any other argument is invalid. 
■J.', 
132 
A. 
