"So there is a SIPO near Ballina. And some OZPO's. Well, here in the
Riverland we are currently watching PC's (or MMC's if you learnt your birds
some time ago). We also suffer WTE's, MF, RP's with occasional RLW's,
SBP's, BEM's and those ever present WWC's and AB's. But most of all we
have plenty of G's."
Isn't this all fun. Was tempted to ignore all this and save peoples email
time but I have spent so much time myself deleting postings about
unsolicited advertising (more annoying than the advertising that I didn't
bother to read) that I thought "what the hell".
We are increasingly living in a time where everything apparently has to be
abbreviated. Apologies to the lovers of fast food. I must admit that once
I worked out what an SIPO and OZPO was it didn't really bother me BUT is it
so difficult to refer to the species full name, or some more meaningful
abbreviation if it is really necessary (Yell-tail Bl-Cockatoo for example),
the first time the species name appears. After that feel free to
abbreviate if you have to. At least this gives the person who has come
into the discussion late half a chance.
Like common names, it doesn't really matter what we call a bird as long as
everyone in the discussion is aware of what you are referring to. In the
case of four letter abbreviations not everyone is instantly going to
recognise the species. Attenborough was perhaps within his rights to refer
to the White Tern/Ternlet/Noddy as a Fairy Tern if he was addressing the
locals. However, to a wider audience the Fairy Tern may be another beast
entirely. In this case best stick to the REN. (Recommended English Name
for the uninitiated)
David Geering
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