Me:
>So, it makes sense to me to keep the current name for the big chunk
>of the population, and invent meaningful geographically based
>(geographically-based?) names for the two "splinter groups".

Peter:
>What is so special about political geographic names?

They convey real meaning. "Santa Cruz Island Jay" tells me
exactly where it lives. "Western Scrub Jay" conveys little
information beyond the simple "Scrub Jay" (and, besides
should probably be "Western - other than Santa Crus Island - Scrub Jay".


> There's no need to by symmetrical, nor politico-geographical:

> One jay is on an island, which itself is mostly scrubby (and
> bio-interesting) --call it Santa Cruz Island Scrub Jay.

> One jay lives over a wide geographic range, and has a long-history,
> stable common name --call it the Scrub Jay.

> One jay lives in the Florida Scrub --call it the Florida Scrub Jay.

Interesting, after you passionately argue against me you speak
in favor of exactly the solution I voted for!


- Don Baccus, Portland OR <donb at rational.com>