Richard Tkachuck asked about the Grey Ternlet (Procelstern albivittata)in
the new Simpson/Day.
I don't know if these observations will help.
1 The 1997 Pizzey & Knight shows the Grey Ternlet as Procelsterna
cerulea.
2 The Sibley/Monroe database which I have been using for the last couple
of years shows:
Grey Ternlet (Procelstern albivittata) as species
#3278 and
Blue Noddy (Procelstern cerulea) as species
#3279.
3 The Birding Aus Key to species names and numbers for the atlas
includes Grey Ternlet with the reference #982.
So, probably it's a lumping/splitting argument.
Because we bird a lot overseas and I want to use a world database, I keep
all my records using Sibley & Monroe sequencing and nomenclature - which
triggers these sorts of questions all the time.
The whole 'official vernacular' question raises its head regularly as well.
Personally, I like today's usage of lapwing and baza for example which
recognise affiliations to worldwide families, but I am also very happy to
keep our unique identities such as Willy Wagtail and Jacky Winter (please,
never the alternative bland option of Brown Flycatcher). I think these
arguments are probably contradictory - but that's birding for you.
Only yesterday, I set up our own local and regional bird lists in
alternative formats so we can print out either Sibley or Birding Aus
nomenclature depending who wants to read the list. It could send an overseas
visitor mad trying to find Scarlet Myzomela in an aussie field guide!
Bill Jolly
"Abberton", Helidon, Qld
ph 07 46976111
fax 07 46976056
email:
Visit our website at: www.abberton.org
In preparing for a July visit I noticed the Grey Ternlet (p108--picture
287). I have not been able to correlate this with the RAOU list, with
Christidates, Clements or Sibley/Monroe.
Any suggestions?
To unsubscribe from this list, please send a message to
Include ONLY "unsubscribe birding-aus" in the message body (without the
quotes)
|
