Tweeters Archives

Purple Finch is a proper name given by the AOU, purple finch is a description of an unidentified member of the finch family. Wilson Cady
Skamania County, WA

---------- Original Message ----------
From: "Stark, John" <john.stark at bellinghamherald.com>
To: "Rose, Penny" <Penny.Rose at seattle.gov>, <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Cc:
Subject: RE: [Tweeters] Capitalization of Bird Names
Date: Wed, 30 Mar 2011 17:07:20 -0700

<div dir="ltr">If you care, newspaper usage would capitalize proper names only: Stellar's Jay, scrub jay, blue jay. </div><div dir="ltr">Cassin's finch, purple finch, American robin.</div><div> </div>John Stark, ReporterThe Bellingham Herald and TheBellinghamHerald.com 1155 N. State St., Bellingham, WA 98225 Voice: (360) 715-2274 Fax: (360) 756-2826 E-mail: john.stark at bellinghamherald.com Visit us at www.bellinghamherald.com <div> </div> <div class="OutlookMessageHeader" dir="ltr" lang="en-us"><hr>From: tweeters-bounces at mailman1.u.washington.edu [mailto:tweeters-bounces at mailman1.u.washington.edu] On Behalf Of Rose, Penny Sent: Wednesday, March 30, 2011 4:23 PM To: tweeters at u.washington.edu Subject: [Tweeters] Capitalization of Bird Names </div><div class="WordSection1">I’ve run into a bit of a quandary with the editor of the Discovery Park newsletter.  I have always followed the rule that common names of birds should be capitalized.  He, of course, is not in agreement of this practice and asked me to cite my sources.  At this juncture I am not a reliable source, and the ABA and AOU are out as he is looking at this strictly from a English, grammar, or editorial perspective.  Does anyone have a suggestion or take on this situation?  Thanks  Penny RosePublic Education Program SpecialistDiscovery Park Environmental Learning Center3801 West Government WaySeattle, WA  98199penny.rose at seattle.gov (206) 386 - 4250 "Creating community through people, parks and programs." www.seattle.gov/parks  </div></html>