DERIVATIONS OF THE NAMES OF BIRDS. 
139 
trochalis. ) p rom t roc f m8 a top, which is derived from rpovo? a wheel. 
trockilus. f 
trivialis. Ordinary, trivial, &c. 
I have in the foregoing list repeated some names for which derivations have 
been given in the former papers; but it is only in a few instances, and occurs 
where I consider the derivations I have given may perhaps be preferable, or that 
some little additional light is thrown upon the subject, as is the case with Cygnus, 
Scolopax, Pyrrkuia, Upupa, Falco, vanellus, tinnunculs, h c. Mr. Morris 
seems to think that some of the derivations supplied through your kindness are 
not very good, but I find that in most instances they are the same as in my list, 
as, for example, I have Alauda, the same as given by you ( a from, and laudo , to 
praise, &c.), on account of its song. But I think that rubetra and rubeta are 
most likely derived from ruber, red. Instead of the one you give for luscinia 
(i lugens , mournful, and cano, to sing), I think “ quod lucis canity because it 
sings in woods and groves,’’ preferable. As regards Ardea , I have the following- 
derivations. Blanchard, like yourself, derives it frt>m arduus , lofty, because it 
flies high. Some from the city Ardea, from whose scattered embers, according 
to Ovid, this bird was generated: or from the air, and &/« to penetrate, 
because of its swift flight. Gallinula is the latin for a pullet or little hen, and 
gallinago is the diminutive of gallus , a cock. The derivation of spinus is quasi 
spiculina , being the diminutive of spica, a thorn. 
Ip making out lists of the derivations of names, I consider it a far preferable 
plan to arrange the generic names alone and alphabetically, and then the specific 
ones afterwards, which saves much unnecessary repetition, as it will occur to your 
readers how often some of the Latin adjectives are repeated as specific names, 
such as vulgaris, pratensis, rupestris, communis , marinus, nigra, he. he., and to 
repeat the derivation of them every time is quite unnecessary. 
I trust you will not consider the above remarks entirely out of place. I would 
have sent them earlier, but, having mislaid the numbers of The Naturalist con¬ 
taining Mr. Morris’s “ Explanations,” was obliged to defer their transmission till 
this time. 
Woodside, Liverpool, 
Jan. 26, 1838. 
YOL. Ill,—NO. XVIII. 
V 
