314 
CHAPTER OP CRITICISM. 
of my specimens have a beautiful zone surrounding the larger end, much more 
clearly defined than in the first figure of the plate, resembling the eggs of the 
Red-backed Shrike, but considerably darker. 
I remain, my dear Sir, 
Yours ever truly, 
Thetford^ Norfolk^ J. D. Salmon.- 
June 14, 1837. 
Classification of the Falcon family by the Length of the Primaries of 
THE Wing. 
To the Editor of the Naturalist, 
Sir, —I believe Dr. V igors distinguishes the different groups of Falcons by the 
comparative length of the quill feathers of the wing. In the Ash-coloured 
Falcon, however, the female (the Ringtail of old authors) has the fourth feather 
the longest, and the male the third feather. This is a very important fact, and 
one which appears to have been hitherto overlooked.'"* It was first pointed out to 
me by Mr. R. H. Sweeting. 
Origin op the Name Fringitla coelehs. 
In Rennie’s edition of Montagu's Ornithological Dictionary the specific name 
of the Chaff Finch {coelehs^ or bachelor) is said to be very appropriate, as pro¬ 
bably given to it from the neatness of its nest, &c. This does not appear to me 
to be the origin of the name. Many birds build quite as neat nests as the Chaff 
Finch. The name, I think, was bestowed in consequence of large flocks of these 
birds, of separate sexes, collecting together in winter, and not uniting again till 
milder weather arrives.t This is more the case in some winters than in others, 
and is chiefly noticed in severe seasons. I have seen immense flocks of females 
with scarcely a male among them, and vice versa. ^ . 
The Name “ Ivy Wren,” as applied to Anorthura troglodytes. 
I wish to ask you, Mr. Editor, why you give the name Ivy Wr&a to Anorthura 
troglodytes ? I think you yourself allow that it only occasionally builds in Iv}^, 
and 1 have never found its nest but in holes or hollows in mossy banks—whence 
the name troglodytes^ as I explained in a former number. I believe you also 
allow that the specific term should represent some peculiar characteristic of the 
species. This is not conveyed by the name Ivy Wren. 
I remain, Si^ 
Your obedient servant, 
Doncaster, April 3, 1837. Francis Orpen Morris. 
Has our correspondent noticed this circumstance in more than one instance ?■—£». 
f This unquestionably is the reason,—Eoi 
