Diann -- Like I wrote (privately) earlier, I didn't know that Yakima/Yakama
was spelled both ways. However, and my current available literature and
knowledge amounts to virtually nothing on Yakama/Yakima Indians. I do note
that in the DeLorme Atlas, only Yakima is used 'and' in reference to the
'Yakima' Indian Reservation (pp36-37). DeLorme and Webster's it seems *are*
the current limits of my knowledge, and in neither is "Yakama" referenced or
added as an alternative spelling. Perhaps officially, the tribe refers to
themselves as "Yakama". I'm kind of embarrassed to say even as in
intermittent Washingtonian that I am rather unlearned on the subject.

In a message dated 98-01-04 13:23:12 EST, you write:

<< As far as names go, I have always liked *long-tailed duck* over
*oldsquaw* - (and what's that got to do with Canadian/U.S. names, he says).
>>

I still vote for *Oldsquaw* just because it's such a neat and unique duck as
is the quaint little name, and in my mind kind of puts it a notch above most
of the others. IOW, complimentary. I have never ever even given it a thought
that it might be or would be construed as un-pc and offensive sounding to
some, and if so, hopefully a generally small minority. I think there have
been periodic threads on Oldsquaw vs Long-tailed Ducks on Tweeters and other
listservs. [Oh no! Not the dreaded 'Oldsquaw' thread again! ;-)] However,
now in just looking around at the history of the name's origin, I can begin to
see where the p-c element these days becomes an issue.

Ernest A. Choate (1973), "The Dictionary of American Bird Names", discusses
the name's origin which comes from the "Massachusetts Indian, 'Squa',
'"woman'". Bent states, "If there is any one thing for which the old squaw is
justly notorious it is for its voice. It is certainly a noisy and garrulous
species at all seasons for which it has received various appropriate names,
such as old squaw, old injun, old wife, noisy duck, hound, etc. . . . The
names south-southerly, cockawee, quandy, coal and candle light. With all
this, Bent [even *he* it seems so long ago was p-c sensitive and intuitively
recognized a potential later 20th century p-c concern arising] says he would
prefer the name 'Long-tailed Duck'"

Choate goes on to list more names in current, former, or local usage "for this
bird which few others can equal in invoking such a lengthy, humorous, and
poetic list. [I have here added the possible 4-letter codes that might be
used]:
long-tailed hareld [LTHA]
swallow-tailed duck [STDU]
south-southerland [SOSO] -- the 'so-so duck' :-))
old granny [OLGR]
old molly [OLMO] -- "Holy Moly!" ??
old Billy [OLBI]
John Connally [JOCO] -- John Connally???
Uncle Huldy [UNCL]
my Aunt Huldy [MYAH]
cowhen [COWH]
calaw [CALA]
calloo [CALL]
scoldenore [SCON]
scolder [SCOE]
quandy [QUAN]

"And finally, the Crees called the bird 'Hah-ha-way' which we [Choate?] prefer
to Mr. Bent's prosaic Long-tailed Duck which is also a British name."" So,
take your pick or make up your own :-)) I still prefer the "Oldsquaw" over
the more p-c "Long-tailed Duck", latter and current 'official' name which on a
personal level I feel reduces it's special and unique 'feel' to a prejudicial
lower stature on the same field with that of a Pintail I suppose. Pintail is
just fine btw; I couldn't imagine this duck being called anything else other
than 'Pintail'. Without even giving a moments thought to any derogatory
implications it is hard for me to come around to think of the "Long-tailed
Duck" as anything other than "Oldsquaw".

The p-c issue over the usage of 'squaw' in a name reared it's ugly head this
past summer in Northwestern Missouri over the name, "Squaw Creek National
Wildlife Refuge". There was a massive lobby to maintain the name as "Squaw
Creek" in which the local community and region supported retention by an
overwhelming 90-95% majority. When it was finally put to a vote in September,
any proposed changes were overwhelmingly defeated. Just a bunch of Midwestern
redneck farmers and rural folk out of tune with current moods towards
political correctness? I'm relieved that the name stuck, but it sure would
have been interesting to see how this issue might have floated had "Squaw
Creek" been somewhere around here in hotly p-c obsessed Seattle or Portland
and the Pacific Northwest.

P.S. Diann, I'm relieved that you and Ruth had the foresight to post-poned
your Okanogan White-winged Crossbill trip. With the nasty conditions on the
passes and up 4 feet of snow forecast through mid week for the Cascade passes,
even I, 'the foolish and intrepid' find myself grounded and parked in the barn
for the duration of this one!

I started out replying in private, but the subject evolved to perhaps be of
interest to everyone, or at least some. --Richard

Richard Rowlett (Pagodroma at aol.com)
47.56N, 122.13W
(Seattle/Bellevue, WA USA)