Nomenclature of North American 
Birds, Elliott Coues, 
193 . Goniaphsea ludoviciana ( /. .) Bowd. The genus Hedymeles , 
Cab., 1851 , was based upon this species, but cannot be used for it because 
of Hedymela, Sundev. (Ofv. Vet. Akad., 1846 , 223 ) for another genus of 
birds, the difference being merely dialectic. Cabanis seems to have pro- 
posed it simply because “ Habia Reich. 1850 ” was not classically correct. 
But Habia or Abia is said to be antedated by Habia, Lesson, 1831 , and 
therefore untenable. “ Goniaphea Bowdich 1825 ” is said to be based upon 
the Rose-breasted Grosbeak ; but I suspect that there is some mistake 
here. I have carefully examined Bowdich’s “Excursions in Madeira,” 
which is the reference given for the name, without finding any such genus; 
and Gray’s Hand-list gives a different type for Goniaphea. If the Rose- 
breasted and Black-headed Grosbeaks are to be generically distinguished 
from the Blue Grosbeak, a new generic name seems to be required : 
Zamelodta ludooiciana, Z. melanocepliala. 
Bull, N, O.O, 5, April, 1880, p, 98 
The Grosbeaks sometimes come in 
■G greatiuimbers to feed on the seeds of the 
^ hackmetack trees, of which they are very 
fond, and seasons when they are with us 
Cf' they are always to be found in their im- 
mediate vicinity. They eat any grain 
that is exposed to them, and also devour 
^ great quantities of maple buds, visiting 
^ ^indiscriminately trees in the heart of the 
^town or in suburban villages, and I am 
' sorry to say that the Purple Finches and 
■ -SlThistle Birds sometimes keep them com- 
| £p an y- 
i# 
125. Rose-breasted Grosbeak and Colorado Potato Beetle . By Rich- 
ard E. Kunze. Ibid., XIV, pp. 521, 522, July, 1880. On the ability of 
the bird to eat these poisonous insects with impunity. A ‘ ffiafolgalifit 
423. Rose Breasted Grosbeak \in Confinement ]. Editorial. Ibid., p. 
164. — Further account of “Jack,” a pet bird. (See antea, No. 335, Vol. 
VIII, P : 177.) q ,40. yqi,Yil 
C ^ 9h *°° n ‘ , p ’ 444 ' & Stream* XXII 
335 - Hose-breasted ^rosbea,. M . t on,, vi, pp^*, bo, 84— 
Ac co unt of a caged specimen. *" 
742. Rose-breasted Grosbeak. By Chas. Edw. Prfor. Ibid., p. 7, 
Q>» 
Ot&> Q.Voltfi 
72. The Potato Bug bird Identified . Ibid., XIII, p. 907. — This title 
covers a communication signed “M” from Pembina, D. T., one from T. S. 
Roberts, of Minneapolis, Minn., and another from Prof. S. A. Forbes, 
of Normal, 111 ., all affirming the Rose-breasted Grosbeak ( Goniaphea 
ludoviciana') to be the only species they have observed either feeding upon 
the potato beetle or in whose stomach they have found the remains of this 
insect. These writers all speak of this bird as regularly frequenting potato 
fields to feed upon this destructive pest. See further on the same subject 
F. E. L. Beal, op. cit. p. 1005. ; 7 T OT, & 
