Gruson (1972) says "Dovekie" is a Scandinavian diminutive for "Dove".
Interestingly, when the Crested Auklet appeared here on southern
Vancouver Island, I learned that the native name for the species in
Alaska is "canooskie" - the little captain. Diminutives R Us. When
Gruson's book was published, the species was Plautus ("flat-footed")
alle. He also says "alle" is the Swedish name for the species, but
Peterson et al (FG to Birds of Britain and Europe) say the Swedish
name is "Alkekung", and no other names are close to "Alle".

"Folk Names of Canadian Birds" (W.L.McAtee) gives many common folk
names - including "nunchie" - enough for nunch = lunch, "bonhomme", and
"misere" for its appearance with the bad weather of autumn.

Aren't words a blast?
Bruce Whittington
Victoria BC
mailto: fieldnat at pacificcoast.net
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