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Yes it
happens all the time when we inherit a name given to one species in England that
needs to be expanded when there are later found to be many species that are
sort of similar, in other parts of the world. Another good example, the Cuckoo
was no doubt named for the one species that migrates to England. Then lots more
cuckoos were found, not all of which make a "cuckoo" sound. At some time someone
decided on a general principle to give different species the same group names.
Often in error, like our magpies and warblers when they are not related and
sometimes correctly when they are. The question arises where do we draw the
dividing lines. Lots of discussions or disputes but ultimately words are
just symbols that mean what the general populace want them to mean.
Philip
“Maybe
‘widgeon’ was a general kind of label for more than one species. I think
Layton of the Overflow used it. g”
Layton of the
Overflow – and he don’t know where it are – used the reference ‘widgeon’ with
much poetic licence. Only widgeon I ever saw was in Illinois, and was told they
were Anas americana, as distinct from the similar-looking European
widgeon.
John
Layton
Holt
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