bidgway’s catalogue op noeth ameeican bieds. 33 
It is far different in the British avifauna, out of a list of over 
400 species not more than one third can he really and accurately 
described as British. 
A plant found growing in a wild state in Great Britain may 
correctly be called British ; but what shall we say to a species of 
bird obtained (perhaps only once) whilst flying over our little 
island, at a rate, possibly, of 150 miles an hour ! Even in the 
case of our regular and common visitors, would it not be more 
accurate to label, for instance, a Redwing — 
Tu7'dus Iliacus. — Habitat, the northern and central portions 
of Scandinavia ; obtained during its autumn migration ; 
at 
than to label such a bird “ British ” ? 
Our knowledge of species would greatly gain by a more 
accurate and scientific method being adopted by collectors. 
There is an infatuation amongst them for collecting only 
British Birds,” whatever they may understand by that vague 
expression; or worse again, “British Birds’ Eggs,” the actual 
specimens of eggs so designated being, in the majority of cases, 
obtained on the continent or elsewhere, and very often are laid by 
birds subspecifically different from those whose name they bear. 
It is only by the greatest accuracy in keeping record of facts, 
and most carefully guarding against hazy and uncertain defini- 
tions, that any advance can be made towards determining what 
is, and what is not, a species, 
I 
D 
