178 
LEACH, Naming Australian Birds 
r The Emu 
L Jan. 
valid names. They named generically Fantails, Scissors-grinder, 
Harmonious Thrush, Whip-Bird, Silver-eyes, Wattle-Bird, and 
Rosella. Vigors continued as editor of the “Zoological Journal,” 
and became first secretary of the Zoological Society of London. 
Horsfield (East Indian Museum) worked amongst Javan birds, 
naming some that migrate to Australia. His name Mirafra is 
used for the Bush-Larks. His memory is perpetuated in the 
Horsfield Bush-Lark—our well-known soaring lark. 
VARIOUS AUTHORS. 
Billberg (1828), a Swedish worker, named Barn Owls ( Tyto ), 
a Bittern ( Ixobrychus ) and the Sanderling. Wagler (1829), a 
German, elaborately described species in a series of monographs. 
Black Swan and Rock Pebbler (Smoker) were named generic- 
ally, and Brown Bittern, Plumed Egret, and Greenwing Pigeon 
were named specifically. Kaup (1829) invented many new 
genera; six are on our list; two are for Australian birds—the 
Wedgetail Eagle and the Square-tailed Kite. Jardine and Selby 
(1827-1843) were “zealous amateur artists.” They began in 
1827 a series of Illustrations of Ornithology not completed until 
1835. In 1843, they began a second series. The genera— Phaps 
(Bronzewing Pigeons) and Haliastur (Whistling Eagle)—and 
eight species including the Jardine Caterpillar-eater, and the 
Great Bower-Bird, were named by them. Three Parrots were 
figured and named by Lear (1831-2). By naming the female 
(anthopeplus) before he named the male ( mclanura ), he altered 
the name of the Smoker or Black-tailed Parrot ( Polyielis ). 
Brandt (1836), a Russian, gave generic names to Wood Duck 
and Magpie Goose. Lesson (1831), another French naturalist, 
who visited Australia, gave twenty-three (thirteen generic and 
ten specific) names. The birds named generically include Bus¬ 
tard, Gang-gang Cockatoo, Emu Wren, and White-winged 
Chough. 
PERIOD THREE—JOHN GOULD. 
Towering over all is “The Bird Man”—John Gould—with 
more than one-quarter (forty-five generic and two hundred and 
thirteen specific names) of the 1018 valid names, for Australian 
birds. Gould, after publishing his “Synopsis of the Birds of Aus¬ 
tralia” (1837-8), began his large folio work, The Birds of Aus¬ 
tralia. After issuing two parts he came to Australia to obtain 
more material and to study the birds under natural conditions. 
In 1840 he returned to England, cancelled the two parts already 
issued, and published his great work in seven volumes. Later, 
lie added a supplement as an eighth volume, completed in 186° 
In 1865, the revised letterpress was re-published as the Handbook 
of the Birds of Australia; in this he brought the names to date, 
using many Latham names. 
In the “good old days” one bad practice prevailed. Anything 
from a remote place was described as new until it was proved 
identical with species already named. Over sixty specific names 
