Birds of the Colorado Valley

Abstract

WHAT is commonly called a “popular” zoological work is nearly always one that is bad. The knowledge possessed by the writers of such books is seldom greater than that of the public for whose benefit the books are ostensibly published, and is far behind that of a moderately well-informed student of the particular branch concerned. We shall name no names, but our readers will doubtless be able to supply several instances in support of this assertion without inconveniently taxing their memories. Within a very short space of time they have seen the works of two English naturalists, whose writings have long attained a classical position, subjected to such treatment at the hands of “popular” editors as would “make the angels weep,” if those celestial beings be actuated by human affections, while the number of books independently put forth by “popular” sciolists is past counting. These books have their day—and sometimes it unfortunately is a long day. Granting that they do some good by administering to or fostering the taste for natural history already so widely spread, the evil they perpetrate is far greater. This evil lies first in their instilling for the most part erroneous ideas into the innocent pupil, and secondly in their occupying and encumbering the ground to the exclusion of better books, which drop still-born from the press. The struggle for existence is admittedly slow in operation, and though we doubt not which way the triumph will eventually be, the end is far off, and ere it arrive dire mischief is done. The falsest notions are promulgated, the feeblest arguments are maintained, and the learner at last discovers to his sorrow that, instead of proceeding joyously on his course, he has to unlearn what he has acquired. Something may be said in favour of the mental discipline thus undergone, but on the other hand must be weighed the waste of time that attends the process, and the spirit of the age is against any discipline that is in the least doubtful of effect. As an epithet to a work on zoology, “popular” in nine cases out of ten really means debasing.

Birds of the Colorado Valley.

By Elliott Coues. Part I. Passeres to Lamidæ. Bibliographical Appendix. United States Geological Survey of the Territories. Miscellaneous Publications—No. 11. 8vo, pp. 807, (Washington, 1878.)