1^22 
A LIST OF BRITISH BIRDS. 
extending sands, the romantic hills about Cromlyn, and the distant heights of 
Somerset and Devon filled up the blue distance, while just over Swansea pier the 
lower limb of a brilliant rainbow long kept its position with unfading vividity, 
till all else vanished into twilight gloom. 
A NEW SYSTEM OF NOMENCLATURE, ILLUSTRATED BY A LIST 
OP BRITISH BIRDS. 
By the Rev. Francis Orpen Morris, B.A. 
In forwarding to you a list of British land birds, formed in accordance with 
classical rules, I am far from wishing it to be supposed that I expect, or even 
wish, that it will be universally adopted. It has seemed to me desirable, on 
accounts before stated, that generic names should be of Greek, and specific names of 
Latin origin, and also, generally, that classical propriety should be attended to, 
in the formation of names classically derived. I hereto subjoin a catalogue in 
which these views are acted upon. There are, however, many names remaining 
yet to be improved, and these I have marked in italics. There may be others 
which I have not observed, among the great number of names I have been obliged 
to accumulate together, and these I should be glad if any of your correspondents 
would point out. I give the catalogue merely as explanatory of my views, and 
emendatory, at the same time, I hope, of very many faults in former nomencla¬ 
tures, and likewise with the view of eliciting the opinions of more able naturalists 
on the question, whether the grossness of the present errors does not demand cor¬ 
rection, and whether, if that be allowed, the rules of classical propriety should not 
be attended to, in the revision.- If not, let the reason be adduced,—^though I will 
before hand state, that I should take no notice of the opinions or criticisms of any 
whom I may have any reason for supposing to be ignorant of classical knowledge 
'—moror ”—^but any suggestions which the novelty of this nomenclature may 
perhaps at first call forth from others, being always open to conviction, I shall be 
far from taking amiss. 
Since writing the above, I have observed Mr. Doudleday’s new nomenclature 
of British Ornithology announced, and as it will in all probability supersede the 
second edition of my Guide to an Arrangement of 'British Birds^ which I intended 
publishing, as before-mentioned, I shall, for the present at all events, content 
myself with setting forth this exemplification of the principles laid down above, 
through the medium of your pages. The water birds shall probably form the 
subject of a future communication.—The erroneous names, already alluded to, 
will be found chiefly among the double English names. I prefer brief, single, un- 
