Author Description

This up-to-date guide to over 1,500 standard and local British bird names provides the etymology and history of common bird names with full documentation of dates and sources. An extensive introduction covers the linguistic evolution and standardization of bird names. The new edition features familiar names such as crow, brown owl, and wren, newly assigned names like snalter, tail mouse and withy hanger, and obsolete terms like Aberdevin. The wide variety of names reflects the fascinating regional variation within Britain and shows the intriguing practices and patterns of bird naming. Names included are those assigned by region, diet, appearance, call, habitat, and shape of nest. This revised edition of a popular dictionary will be sought after by amateur and professional ornithologist alike.