protection in New South Wales, but anomalies remain. Why, it may well be asked, is the Spotted-sided Finch the only Finch to receive any protection, and why does it get so little? Everyone knows that our beautiful native Finches are shipped in thousands to Europe, or to die on the way, and if the rarer species are not to be exterminated this traffic must be controlled, or, better still, stopped altogether. Again, the Acanthizas are to get ten years' absolute protection, while the Emu-Wren and Wood-Swallow have to be content with a close season. The Kestrel might well be included in the protected list, but is not. A distinction is made in the schedule between foreign and Australian birds: it will come as a surprise to the ordinary reader to find the Indian Minah (Acridotheres tristis) classed as an Australian species. That occurs in the original schedule, but the additions now made to it are not quite free from elements of confusion. Probably it is the wish to avoid the cul-de-sac into which strict adherence to the law of priority would in this instance lead that is responsible for the appearance of the name Malurus australis as one of the Blue Wrens. The intention is good, but the result is confusing. Under the original schedule there was a close season for "Blue Wrens: Malurus cyaneus and Malurus lamberti"—that is to say, the common Blue Wren and the Lambert Wren. Now Malurus australis is added to the protected list. If this is the common Blue Wren, it was protected already, and, one would think, all the more effectually for being given the name by which it is usually known. The case is a good example of the confusion that is caused by the present day craze for "priorities" without respect to the claims of usage, and is another proof oi the necessity for a thorough revision of nomenclature. When a thoroughly competent committee has dealt with the list no such trouble will be likely to occur, and the opinions of individual observers will only take a place corresponding to what they are worth.
Obituary Notice.
HUTTON.— On 27th October, at sea, Frederick Wollaston Hutton, F.R.S., in his 69th year.
The news of the death of Captain Frederick Wollaston Hutton, F.R.S., of New Zealand, will be received with the deepest regret, not only by ornithologists, but by his scientific brethren throughout the world. The sad event was not unexpected by the few who knew how unsatisfactory his health had been of late. It took place on board the steamer Rimutaka, off South Africa, whilst, with Mrs. Hutton, he was returning from England, where he had been for the sake of his health.
Captain Hutton had made for himself a distinguished name in
