Tweeters,

A handy reference for the origin of bird names -- both common and scientific
-- is "The Dictionary of American Bird Names," by Ernest A. Choate. According
to RT Peterson, "No informed birder should be without it."

An additional treat in this small volume is the Biographical Appendix, which
includes the many ornithologists and naturalists who are responsible for most
of the bird names we use today.

Joe Meche
Birding Programs Coordinator
North Cascades Audubon
Bellingham, WA