Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 6 (1902).djvu/461

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first part of this publication was reviewed in 'The Zoologist' for 1865! Since then another generation of ornithologists has arisen; but we may well, in more senses than one, congratulate Prof. Newton and ourselves that he is still the spirit of the work. In his preface we are given many reasons why the delay has been unavoidable, and in some respects beneficial to the production of this instalment; and we read with intense satisfaction, which will doubtless be shared by most naturalists, some wise words on classification. Classifications are always more or less propositions, and Prof. Newton remarks:—"The ideal Taxonomy of Birds is beyond the range of my vision. All that is wanted in the present case is care not to break up groups which are believed to be most nearly allied; their sequence signifies little, and in the existing condition of systematic ornithology—if such a phrase be allowable—the most ready way of referring to any species is to look for its name in an Alphabetical Index." We are glad these words bear the impress of his authority.

We are here given an interesting memoir of John Wolley, who, like many more, did much, though he died early. The memoir also observes the real obituary canon. In the record of every life there are facts we want to know; things we ought to know; but other matters of which we ought not to be told. A biography is not an autopsy, or at least should not be.

There are lessons we may find in the notes. How often and how readily mistaken identity is recorded! Wolley relates an instance in connection with the eggs of a Woodpecker: "I