It has been mentioned in these fora on several ocassions that we stop
refering to _Clangula hyemalis_ as "Oldsquaw." While I am loathe to bend
to the pressure of political correctness, I can see the writing on the wall
and am willing to discuss alternatives...

I hate "Long-tailed Duck." It's uninteresting, only vaguely discriptive
and... so British.

There are alternatives. According to _Ducks, Geese and Swans of North
America_ (Kortright, 1943) the following have been used as synonyms for
Oldsquaw:

Callithumpian Duck (my personal choice)
Caccawee (or cockawee, kakawi)
Coween
Granny
Hahaway
Hell's Chicken (another one I'd vote for)
Klahowyah
Knockmolly
Organ Duck
Quandy
Scoldnore
Sonsonsolly Duck
Uncle Dick


I have left out most of the other sexist names that would probably not
pass PC muster. I think we should begin lobbying today for an appropriate
new name that reflects the personality of _Clangula hyemalis_.
I think we can probably make a case based on priority for one of the
Native American names.

Send your preferences to directly to me and we'll begin the campaign today.

--
*********************************** I got the blues so bad one time
* Mike Patterson, Astoria, OR * it put my face in a permanent frown
* mpatters at orednet.org * but I am feelin' so much better
*http://www.pacifier.com/~mpatters* I could cake-walk into town