Nomenclature of North American 
Birds, Elliott Couee, 
169. Melospiza fasciata ( Gm .) Scott. As Baird hinted in 1858, 
D. W. Scott argued in 1876, and Mr. Ridgway has finally adopted. The 
Fasciated Finch of Pennant and Latham, otherwise Fringilla fasciata, 
Gin., is undoubtedly the Song Sparrow. I allude to the species in this 
connection to remark that, though there is a Greek noun melodia, I know 
of no corresponding Latin adjective except melodus, -a, -um; and that 
therefore the i is superfluous. Those who do not accept M. fasciata may 
write M. meloda. Bull, N .0.0. 5, April, 1880, p.97 
The Names of the Song Sparrows. — The change of a wel! established 
scientific name is always to be deplored, and particularly when, as in the 
present case, the alteration in a specific term makes necessary a corre- 
sponding correction throughout a long list of subspecies. Under our 
rules of nomenclature, however, there seems no doubt of the untenability 
of ' Melospiza fasciata ; since Fringilla fasciata Gmelin (Syst. Nat., 1788, 
I, 922) used for the Song Sparrow, is preoccupied by Fringilla fasciata 
Mtiller (Syst. Nat., Anhang, 1776, 165), which is a synonym of Sfinus 
finus. The only available name for the eastern Song Sparrow is Frin- 
gilla melodia Wilson (Am. Orn., 1810, II, 125, pi. XVI, fig. 4), and the 
species consequently should be called Melosfiza melodia. 
Fringilla guttata Nuttall (Man. Orn., ed. 2, 1840, I, 581), which is now 
Melosfiza fasciata guttata , is debarred by Fringilla guttata Vieillot 
(Nouv. Diet. dTIist. Nat., 1817, XII, 233), for an Australian Weaver-bird. 
As the Rusty Song Sparrow seems to have no other name, it may be 
called Melosfiza melodia morfhna. 
The Song Sparrows will then stand as follows: 
Melosfiza melodia melodia (Wilson). 
Melosfiza melodia fallax (Baird). 
Melosfiza melodia montana (Ilenshaw). 
Melosfiza melodia heermanni (Baird). 
Melosfiza melodia samuelis (Baird). 
Melosfiza melodia morfhna Oberholser. 
Melosfiza melodia rufina (Bonaparte). 
Melosfiza melodia rivularis (Bryant). 
Melosfiza melodia graminea (Townsend). 
Melosfiza melodia clementce (Townsend). 
Melosfiza melodia cooferi (Ridgway). 
Melosfiza melodia fusillula (Ridgway). 
Melosfiza melodia c.aurina (Ridgway). 
Melosfiza ?nelodia mexicana Ridgway. 
Melosfiza melodia adusta (Nelson). 
Melosfiza melodia goldmani (Nelson). — Harry C. Oberholser, 
Washington, D. C. Ant;, XVI, April, 1899, pja./S 1 - 3 . 
