176 
LEACH, Naming Australian Birds [ Th j a ^ mu 
Two names ( Dromaius and Coracina ) await .decision. On 
page 54 of the Analyse is Dromiceius for the Emu. In the glos¬ 
sary (p. 70) it is spelt Dromaius. Prof. Newton considered 
Dromaius , being closer to the root, was the corrected name. 
Mathews and I redale pointed out that there is a later Dromiceia 
for an insect and that probably Dromiceius was intended. 
Eudyptes (p. 70) for the Crested Penguins was spelt Endyptes 
(p. 67). Mathews has accepted one correction ( Eudyptes ), but 
has rejected the other (Dromaius). Misprints were numerous 
in some early works. 
u N E-LETTERIS M. 
The case of Coracina (Vieillot’s name for the Cuckoo-Shrikes) 
introduces an important question. Coracina was invalidated by 
Coracinus (Pallas, 1814), and Graucalus (Cuvier, December, 
1816), was used in the Official Checklist. It is a case of “one- 
letterism.” One phase of one-letterism is gaining acceptance. A 
specific name differing from another only by a gender ending is 
considered identical with it. Thus albits (masculine), alba 
(feminine), and album (with a neuter generic name) are con¬ 
sidered identical. There is no Rule bearing on this obvious case 
of virtual identity. The articles allow for the rejection of 
specific names differing only in stated points of spelling. B.O.U. 
and A.O.U. Committees, Sclater and Mathews treat generic 
names differing only in gender endings as identical. Dr. Hartert 
does not do so. Mathews extended “one-letterism” to a central 
letter, and rejected Meliphaga because of a prior Melophagus and 
Limicola because of Limicula. Mathews, in a praiseworthy 
attempt to reach uniformity, offered a compromise. If we adopt 
one-letterism applied to gender endings, he will give up one- 
letterism of a wider application. As the A.O.U and B.O.U. 
already accept gender endings, it seems desirable to adopt the 
compromise. In our election pledges we accepted “the same 
name for the same bird,” and “the same principles and standards 
as are applied in the B.O.U. list.” Under this compromise, we 
should lose Coracina, Oxyura, Synoicus (not Synoicum ), and 
gain Graucalus, Erismatura, and Ypsilophorus. The first and 
second names were used in the Official Checklist. We retain 
also Callocephalon, Plectorhyncha , Meliphaga, and Limicola, dis¬ 
carded by Mathews. As “a” and “o” are not gender endings, 
Tyto for the Barn Owls is not invalidated by a prior Tyta. 
Cuvier, who was very successful in the study of mammals, is 
reported to have said, “Show me a tooth and a footprint and I 
shall restore the animal.” He, however, did not dissect birds or 
apply his own principles in their study. He gave Kakatoe (White 
Cockatoos), Graucalus (Cuckoo-Shrikes), Dicccum (Mistletoe- 
Bird), and Squatarola (Grey Plover). His name Rhynchcca 
(December, 1816) for the Painted Snipe has been replaced by 
Rostratula of Vieillot (April, 1816). 
