The Vanishing Mew Gull: A Guide to the Bird Names of the Western Palaearctic

Modern taxonomic studies have created a revolution in the genetic sequencing of bird families and have resulted in confusing changes to the names of many species, particularly in the scientific nomenclature. This book presents all the birds of the Western Palaearctic under the latest taxonomic scheme followed by the International Ornithological Congress. The geographic scope embraces about 10% of the world’s bird species, covering almost 1,100 in total. Each species is considered in order, discussing aspects of both vernacular and scientific names, as well as supplementary information such as status, appearance and history. An introduction elucidates the history of the linguistic elements concerned, taking into account the major languages of Europe, and offers a condensed analysis of the ‘authority’ for any bird names. Good dictionaries of avian names are thin on the ground: most are only partial in coverage, and the majority are word-centric. Hence, British and European birds have long lacked a work that truly wraps the names – both vernacular and scientific – around the birds themselves. This reference will be appeal to any bird enthusiast, but also to those seeking out the background on particular species or simply trying to make some sense of what can seem like a somewhat confused scenario. Filling a critical gap, it will be a useful tool for any student of ornithology, whatever their level of experience.

Table of Contents:
Preface Acknowledgements About this book The linguistic background WILDFOWL AND GAMEBIRDS NIGHTJARS TO PIGEONS RAILS TO FLAMINGOS BUTTONQUAILS TO PAINTED-SNIPES SANDPIPERS TO PRATINCOLES GULLS TO TROPICBIRDS DIVERS TO SHEARWATERS STORKS TO PELICANS OSPREY TO MOUSEBIRDS HOOPOE TO PARROTS TYRANTS TO LARKS BULBULS TO SILVIID BABBLERS PARROTBILLS TO TREECREEPERS MOCKINGBIRDS TO CHATS ETC. DIPPERS TO PIPITS FINCHES TO CARDINALS Glossary and explanatory notes Organisations and their acronyms Who’s who? The names behind the names References Photographic captions and credits Index of vernacular names Index of scientific names

About the Author :
After graduating in French in 1962, Ray Reedman taught at an independent school, retiring as Senior Master in 1998. He has since focused on a variety of activities related to ornithology, including organising programmes, courses and field trips. He has also travelled and birded extensively abroad. His 2016 publication, Lapwings, Loons and Lousy Jacks: The How and Why of Bird Names, blends his love of language, literature and history with his enthusiasm for all matters ornithological.

Review :
With so much interest in the nomenclature of birds, Ray Reedman’s latest book provides a timely addition to the genre... a very accessible, informative, and genuinely enjoyable read. absolutely spot-on... I very much look forward to losing myself repeatedly and often in its pages. This book is a must-have for anyone with a serious interest in ornithological etymology! I’d suggest that every bird club in the country ought to get a copy of this book... Is it an impressive achievement - yes it is. It's full of stuff I knew, and a great deal more that I did not. I know just how many hundreds of hours go into researching this stuff and admire it greatly. The result is accessible, fascinating and very nicely put together. Terrific! There is a lot of interesting information in this book, and many Western Palearctic birders will learn much from it. Ray Reedman explains in a fascinating way the origin of both the common names and the scientific names of our Western Palaearctic birds... This is certainly a must-have book for anyone interested in birds. ...a well-researched reference for professional ornithologists, birders, and listers through to those with only a minor interest. However much one knows, there is bound to be something intriguing. Be prepared to learn plenty! ...The book's format is pleasantly easy to navigate or to dip in and out of at will. I found it addictive and absorbing. I believe that this book will remain for many years the must-have reference for anyone wanting to know the etymology of English and Latin bird terms.