Subject: Re: Bird Name Codes
Date: Feb 06 21:55:08 1997
From: Joan Bergstrom - bergjoan at nicoh.com


steppie at wolfenet.com wrote:
>
> Although nobody asked whether four-letter codes for bird names are
> appropriate for Tweeters, I'm going to post my 2-cents worth.
>
> I believe these codes have a place. They obviously are important in any
> database where entering and retieval of data is the primary goal.
>
> However, I see no reason why they should appear in Tweeters. As I read
> through the numerous postings to this forum, I recognize that Tweeters
> attracts people interested in birds. I sense people who are beginning
> birdwatchers, intermediate and advanced log on. Scientists also read
> Tweeters. People interested in the arts read Tweeters.
>
> Why should we create any barriers to the understanding, or enjoyment of the
> postings on Tweeters by using these codes? In reality, these codes are a
> foreign language. Most readers of Tweeters will have to break stride to read
> messages with four-letter codes. I believe the world is all ready saturated
> with acronyms, codes and jargon. My vote is to keep it simple. The English
> language (and all other languages) are a beautiful medium.
>
> What would you rather read and savor: "Agile Tit-Tyrant," "Warbling
> Antbird," "Reddish-winged Bare-eye," "Cinerous Mourner," "Spangled Cotinga,"
> or "Pale-eyed Pygmy-Tyrant," or...whatever four-letter code might be
> concocted for these evocative, sensual, or wonderfully descriptive names? By
> the way, all of the above were gleaned from Birds of Venezuela by Schauensee
> and Phelps.
>
> I, for one, will never use these codes in a laymans forum like Tweeters. I
> should say, however, that I maintain databases, where to use anything but
> these codes, would be unwieldly and inefficient.
>
> We have such a beautiful language! Let's savor and use it!
>
> Andy Stepniewski
> Wapato, WA

Thanks for your excellent response. I also use codes in tracking birds
in my database but find it much easier to read posts where bird names
are spelled out. I do find the posts interesting and educational and I
want to be able to quickly read what each person has shared. Tweeters
is an excellent group because of the teaching/sharing. 'Tis
appreciated.

Joan Bergstrom, Pocatello, Idaho