Bird is the Word: An Historical Perspective on the Names of North American Birds
by Meiter, Gary H.Normally: $35.96


Format: Paperback
Release Date: 5/6/2020
Code: 15051
Condition: New
Product Details
Part I of Bird is the Word describes the scope, structure, and content of the book, focusing on an introduction to avian taxonomy, a listing of the avian orders that are represented in North America and its environs, and insights into the different categories or groups of names that are in use throughout the North American orders. Part II, organized by order, family, genus, and species — and making up most of the book — is devoted to the names of the individual species and the historical and/or cultural context of those names. Each species is introduced by its common name and Linnaean name and pronunciation, and accompanying information provides historical insight into the discovery and naming of the species, explanations of the Linnaean name, and other names for the species – French names, Spanish names, British names, Inuit/Eskimo names, and Other, or colloquial, names. A final chapter identifies and describes nine species or subspecies of birds that have become extinct since colonial times. Numerous sidebars are present throughout Part II to expand upon specific matters of interest. Part III of the book includes three appendixes, one providing a list of names for gatherings of different species of birds, a second providing a glossary of words used in the book, and a third that introduces the reader to more than a hundred naturalists and other persons who participated in the search for, finding, recording, naming, describing, or illustrating of birds of record for North America.
Bird is the Word is a rich and readily accessible collection of information about finding and naming the birds of North America. It is much more than a reference book; it is a journey of discovery that will enrich the reader's birding experience.
Our Opinion: Gary H. Meiter's purpose in writing Bird is the Word was to present a current, comprehensive compilation of the names of North American birds and perspectives on the history of these names - how, when, and by whom were they named, what were the bases of the names, and when were the species scientifically described. The bulk of the text is dedicated to a discussion of the name of each species with the etymology of both the common and scientific name, French, Spanish, and colloquial names. Guidance is also provided for the pronunciation of the scientific names and some common names.
The introduction and numerous sidebars provide details on a wide range of interesting topics. Biographical sketches of nearly 100 naturalists for whom birds have been named are included in an appendix. Interspersed throughout are color reproductions of bird paintings by John James Audubon, Louis Agassiz Fuertes, and Allan C. Brooks.
All together a delightful book with a wealth of information which otherwise could only be obtained by extensive research.
ISBN: 9781935778424
Publisher: McDonald & Woodward Publishing
Year of Publication: 2020
Page Count: 438
Shipping Weight: 3.50 lb