EERONIiOUS DRFIN'ITIONS OF SPECIES. 107 
very lately, been the universal custom to confine tlie 
description of a bird to its size and colour, as if the 
peculiar modification of its bill, wings, and feet (the 
most important of all characters) were either unde- 
serving of attention, or were sufficiently explained in 
the generic character, which character, as we have 
already seen, was often violated at every point. There 
are, perhaps, fifty warhlers to which the description of 
“ Olive above, yellowish beneadi, bill and feet dusky,” 
is perfectly applicable, and yet each are not only dif- 
ferent species, but of widely different genera. The 
same remark is, in a less degree, applicable to the tyrant 
flycatchers ( Tyranniim), the drongo shrikes (Edolmat), 
and some other groups, where the greater part of the 
species arc clothed in nearly the same coloured plumage, 
lo identify such birds is utterly impossible. When, 
indeed, these happened to be figured, however rudely, 
as in the Planches Enluminees, we may be allowed to 
guess what is meant ; but even then, in many instances, 
from the carelessness or inaccuracy of the artist, such 
figures must be quoted with a mark of doubt. Hut 
when, as in numberless instances, these descriptions 
rest only upon mere private drawings, or on loose de- 
scriptions, there is no alternative bgt to pass ttem 
over in silence. It has been well observed, that, in a 
science which requires the nicest examination and the 
most scrupulous accuracy, “ a bad or imperfect de- 
scription is worse than none.” 'I’he remark, although 
severe, is yet perfectly just; yet, were it strictly acted 
upon, we should have to expunge from the general 
Systems four-fifths of the species therein contained. 
Prom the above facts we may therefore draw this in- 
ference, that in proportion to the number of division 
or genera, as they are called, in any work professing to 
he a general system of ornithology — so are we to esti- 
mate its usefulness and its authority in modern orni- 
thology, provided of course that these divisions are 
clearly defined, and are founded on tangible characters. 
We have no doubt that very many of the birds which 
o 3 
