According to the rule which has become part of the code of zoological jurisprudence, which has gradually formed itself, and is now almost universally adopted, the name properly to be cited as the authority for this species ought not to be “Nuttall.” It was first described in a paper written by Dr. Gambel himself, without allusion to his learned friend and patron, Mr. Nuttall, as joint author, editor, or otherwise. Nevertheless, as we happen to know that that distinguished gentleman did furnish the specific name in question, and others in the paper alluded to, we, for the present, acquiesce in the citation of his name. But under no circumstances can this method be allowed as a general principle. No person is the authority for a species unless he is the first to publish a description of it, and the citing of a name as the authority for a species ought always to be based on that fact, the neglect of which has caused much difficulty and confusion in zoological nomenclature. BERNICLA NIGRICANS.—(Lawrence.) The Black Brant. PLATE X.—Adult Male. This is a very remarkable and distinct species of Brant, first noticed by our esteemed friend Mr. George N. Lawrence, an Ornithologist of great ability and accuracy, of the city of New York. It was described by him in a paper read before the Lyceum of Natural History of that city, and published in its Annals, IV. p. 171, (1846.) Mr. Lawrence states in the paper alluded to: “I have taken the above description and figure from an adult female, procured at Egg Harbour, N. J., in January. Since then two others have been obtained at the same place, one of which I have in my possession. On dissection it proved to be a male. It agrees in markings with the female, but is evidently a younger bird, being somewhat lighter in the colour of its plumage. From this, I infer, they become darker by age. It is a little larger than the female, the bill being also stouter, measuring seven-eighths of an inch high at the base. “When on a shooting excursion some years since at Egg Harbour, I noticed a bird flying at some distance from us, which our gunner said was a Black Brant. This was the first intimation I had of such a bird. Upon further inquiry, he informed me that he had seen them occasionally, but that they were not common. I have learned from Mr. P. Brasier, who has passed much time at that place, that, speaking to the gunners about them, they said they were well known by the name of Black Brant, and one of them mentioned having once seen a flock of five or six together. “From these facts it appears to be known to gunners, but has heretofore escaped the notice of Ornithologists. With all my inquiries I have not been able to procure a specimen before this winter. I think it a good and well marked species.”