Seebohm's History of British Birds ¹

Abstract

SINCE ourlast notice of Mr. Seebohm's book (NATURE, vol. xxviii. p. 126) the author has brought it to a successful conclusion, and has fully sustained his reputation as an original and painstaking writer. The great defect in our standard works on British birds has been a want of originality, as one author after another, and one editor after another, have compiled books on the subject, each one founded on the labours of their predecessors, so that the best books have been but compilations. Mr. Seebohm has started on quite a different principle, and the greatest charm of his book consists in the account of the life and habits of the birds, drawn from his own actual experience of the species in their native haunts. And before giving to the world his varied experiences, he has, as is well known, travelled extensively in Europe and Northern Asia, and has become celebrated as the discoverer of the breeding-places of many species of European birds, previously unknown. In this respect he resembles the late John Wolley, for whom a fellow-feeling of sympathy is expressed by Mr. Seebohm throughout his work, but, more fortunate than that well-known naturalist, our author has survived to record in his own books the results of his successful expeditions. It must not, however, be supposed that Mr. Seebohm, in giving us detailed accounts of the life of the birds, has neglected in any way the scientific portion of his task. On the contrary, he has grappled with this difficult subject in a manner which is highly creditable, and however divided opinions may be as to the advisability of some of the changes of nomenclature which he introduces, there can be no question as to the greater simplicity which he has once more attached to the names of the British birds, and we believe that he will be largely followed. Some revision of the code of rules proposed by the British Association appears to us to be necessary, and we trust that ere long Mr. Seebohrn or some other ornithologist will draw out a scheme for their modification, in order to bring them into harmony with the more advanced state of science of the present day; and an attempt to arrive at a definite understanding with our Continental and American brethren as to the employment of a uniform system of nomenclature ought soon to be made. The opportunity may probably come when the authoritative “List of North American Birds” is promulgated by the American Ornithologists' Union, a work which is anxiously awaited by naturalists in this country, and it will then be competent for us to consider the merits and demerits of the trinomial system of nomenclature which is gaining ground considerably on this side of the water, but which cannot be adopted without the utmost consideration. Mr. Seebohm does not hesitate to adopt it, but how far he will be followed remains to be seen.