Crossword question again

["Philip Veerman" <>]

Yes there is confusion on this aspect. I think I recall Stephen Debus on one or more of his many book reviews criticising (I think David Hollands) for his use of the word "fledging" as relating to the process of growing first set of feathers. Fledging is supposed to mean the time of leaving the nest. So it is a nestling till it leaves the nest, then it is a fledgling. Of course in most birds they become feathered and then they leave the nest when the first set of feathers are close to complete. So it basically happens at about the same time. However precocial birds leave the nest when newborn and only downy, in most cases long before their first set of feathers have started. In which case it seems backwards. So yes it is going to be confusing.

 

Also sorry but I see that I goofed below, referring to "David Holland's book", it should be "David Hollands' book", as of course I later noticed that is his name is David Hollands, not David Holland. Maybe thinking of Jack.

 

Philip