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Show 480 DR. MURIE ON FREGILUPUS VARIUS. [June 16, every other. It is, besides, unobjectionable, while both 'capensis' and madagascariensis are misleading ; for I do not believe the bird ever occurred either at the Cape or in Madagascar-most likely not even in Mauritius or anywhere else but Reunion (olim Bourbon). The Cape locality seems to be in part due to a mistake of De Mont-beillard fostered by Levaillant, who, in such a matter, is universally and properly discredited ; and as for its being found in Madagascar, that notion, I believe, arises from a wrong identification by many authors of Flacourt's ' Tiuouch,' which would appear to be a real Upupa." " There seems no reason why this should not have been the Upupa marginata of Peters, if, indeed, that be distinct from U. epops." The several generic and specific names heretofore adopted by ornithologists are regarded by all as synonymous, subsequent writers choosing that most suitable to their views. There is one exception, however, which I cannot pass in silence. Dr. Vinson, in his paper " De l'Acclimatation a, Pile de la Reunion," only trippingly alludes to the disappearance of the bird in question from the island ; but he nevertheless transmutes its scientific cognomen into Fregilupus bor-bonicus, appending his reasons in a footnote, which I give below in full*. Prof. Giebel, however, in the last issue of his in many ways valuable ' Thesaurus ' t, improves the aspect of matters. Under the genus Fregilupus two species are duly recorded:-(1) F. borbonicus, Vinson; (2) F. varius, Gray. This slip is barely excusable in one whose erudition and knowledge of nomenclature should have guided him otherwise. Though possibly justified by supposed better reasons, Sundevall's recent change of generic title into Lophosarust ( = Crested Starling) is likewise, I think, not entitled to recognition. Although it may be judicious that future names should have proper derivation and be well compounded, yet, if we are pedantically to root up all acknowledged landmarks, we may be lost in the surf-confusion of terms already too nnmerous. Moreover we should not lose sight of the intermediate forms every day encroaching upon and demolishing supposititious boundaries not to be girded by mere names. THE SALIENT POINTS OF THE SKELETON. Sterno-costal framework.-The lateral laminae of the double-notched breast-bone are delicate and transparent; the keel, rostrum, xiphoid bars, and edges of the rest of the bone thicker and more solidified. The notches are fair-sized, the bars only of moderate strength, but very distinctly pedate, and a grade shorter than the mid sternum. The latter is broadish, and abruptly truncate posteriorly. The inferior margin of the keel is straight, its anterior border widely bayed, the lower termination being more angular than * " C'est a dessein que je specific la huppe de File Bourbon sous le nom de Fregilupus borbonicus. On ne saurait lui donner avec Reichein [Reichenbach ?], le n o m de madagascariensis, puis qu'elle n'a jamais 6te trouvee a Madagascar, ni avec Gmelin, celui de capensis, puis que Levaillant affirme qu'elle n'existe pas au cap de Bonne Esperance. Done c'est l'epithete borbonicus, qui seule lui convient." (Bull. Soc. Acclim. 1868, torn. v. p. 627.) t Vol. ii. 1874, p. 192. J Fdrsok till Fogelklassens (Stockholm, 1872), p. 40. |