>
> Peter, I'm fascinated by one of the examples you gave in your discussion of
> Spanish common names. The word sui'riri that you gave as an alternate
> common name for the Little Tinamou is also the generic (and specific) name
> for a South American Flycatcher, the (guess what) Suiriri' Flycatcher.
> Wonder how that came about? Any ideas, Alvaro?

No good idea. All I know is that the Suiriri Flycatcher does not give
calls that sound like the spanish pronounciation of the word suiriri. The
common calls are rather harsh as well as a soft high whistle on one pitch.
I should add that in Argentina the name Suiriri is applied to several
flycatchers, including the Eastern Kingbird which is called "Suiriri
de Cabeza Negra" (Black-headed Suiriri). Even the Rufous Casiornis and
Rufous-tailed Attilas are called 'Suiriris'. I can't see anything obvious
that ties them together.

Alvaro Jaramillo
jaramill at sfu.ca