Over the past decade or so, I have seen the word *Merlin*, surely one of the
most beautiful and elegant names for any bird, misspelled and
incorrectly referred to as the "Merlin falcon". This is apparently being
done by those confusing it with the larger species of falcons such as the
Peregrine, Prairie or Gyrfalcon.
While this error seems to be a small and local phenomenon geographically,
usually generated (understandably) by beginning birders or hawkwatchers, it
is a trend that, in my opinion, should be corrected. I admit that this is a
minor point and also that this small rocket of a falcon is one of my
favorite birds. However, there is a very long, fascinating, complex history
involving Merlins and human beings (e.g."off on a lark") and I would argue
that this tradition should be honored by at least using the correct name.

And for those of you that might still remain dithered in confusion,
please investigate for yourselves by looking it up in any reputable field
guide or better yet, the *AOU Checklist of North American Birds*.

Thanks in advance for the opportunity to comment (or, as some might classify
it, rant),
--
Bud Anderson
Falcon Research Group
Box 248
Bow, WA 98232
(360) 757-1911
falconresearch at gmail.com
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://mailman1.u.washington.edu/pipermail/tweeters/attachments/20110316/7264f9ae/attachment.htm