VOL. XXIl
90
AN EXPLANATION OF SCIENTIFIC NOMENCLATURE.
A Glossary of scientific names, commonly found in East African
Ornithological Nomenclature.
By D. G. MAcINNES,Ph.D., M.B.O.U.
It is a common, though entirely erroneus belief, that the "latin", or
scientific names of birds and animals are invented, without rhyme or
reason, by the experts, with the dual purpose of impressing and confusing
the amateur. Moreover it is thought that one of the primary requirements
of such names is that they should be long, complicated and unintelligible.
The following notes and, glossary are therefore put forward as an attempt
to explain briefly the system employed, and to enable the amateur to
understand some of the names which, at first sight, appear to be so incomprehensible .
.."",.
Colloquial names vary not only in diff~rent countries, but also from
district to district, and it was partly owing to the resulting confusion that
the great Swedish naturalist Linne (Linnaeus) devised a method, published in the 10th edition of his "Systema Naturae" in 1758, by which the
entire Animal Kingdom was classified and divided into groups, or species,
each of which was given two scientific names. In order that they should
be or international value, Latin or Greek names were used. The first, or
generic name, indicated a relationship within a group of species, whilst
the second, or specfic name, distinguished the related species from one
another. Thus the Mistle-Thrush, Song-Thrush, Fieldfare; Redwing,
Blackbird etc., b2ing clearly allied species, all have the first name Turdus,
which is the Latin word meaning a Thrush. Occasionally, as in this case,
the generic name is just the Latin or Greek word for the group, but more
often names are composite words drawing attention to some characteristic
feature of the species (e.g. Turdus viscivorus = Mistletoe-eating Thrush
= Mistle-Thrush).
In the days of Linnaeus, ornithology was not the highly developed
science that it is today, and although the original classification is largely
maintained, it has been necessary to subdivide some genera into subgenera, and many species into sub-species or races. For this reason a
trinomial system of nomenclature has been introduced, and in addition
to the generic and specific names; many birds have been given a third
name, known as the subspecific- or racial-name.
The subspecies is
usually distinguished on geographical grounds, coupled with some
recognisable variation in colour or form, and the third name thus often
indicates the locality, consisting: of a place-name wth the latin suffix
-ae or -ensis.
Where a species has been divided into two or more
subspecies, the one originally described is known as the "nomino-typical"
race, and the third name is then merely a repetition of the specific name.
-i,
February, 1954. An ExpLanation of Scientific
Nomenclature.
91
For instance, in 1823 Lichtenstein described the Cape Rook under the
name Corvus capensis. In 1919, Laubmann pointed out that in the province
of Kordofan a smaller form occured, which he named Corvus capensis
kordofanensis.
Thus the original South African race becomes Corvus
capensis capensis Licht.
The ornithologist who "invents" a name to describe a new race or
species, is known as the "author" of the name, and when referring to a
bird by its scientific name it is customary to add the name of the author.
Many bird-names date back to Linnaeus or other early ornithologists,
and in some cases subsequent research has shown that a group of species
originally assigned to a single genus, really
represents
two
or more genera, which must be named separately. In this case the name
of the first author is put in brackets, to indicate that the name now
,employed is not exactly as originally proposed. For example, Linnaeus
included the Rock-Thrush with all the other Thrushes, and called it
Turdus saxa.tiLis, but in 1822 Boie showed that it was generically distinct,
and proposed the new generic name ~MonticoLa. The name therefore is
now Monticola saxatilis (Linn). In this case, since no subspecies have bee~1
described, it is unnecessary to duplicate the second name.
All too frequently authors have followed the line of least resistance,
and have named species after the individual (human) who first collected
or recognised it. Occasionally there may be some justification for such
a course, but descriptive names are generally preferable, and, on the
whole, more usual.
In such a system of nomenclature, duplication of names is clearly to be
avoided except within a single species, although some specific names
may recur in several different genera. The Greeks and Romans did not
have separate names for all the different genera that are recognised
today, and it becomes increasingly difficult for the expert to find suitable
names to define new genera. In addition to the direct use of the appropriate Latin or Greek words such as Aquila (Eagle), Torgos (Vulture) etc.,
or the composite descriptive words such as Erythropygia (Red-rump) or
Macronyx
(Long-claw), many generic names have been derived from
other sources. Some have been compounded from pre-existing genera, giving
rise to such names as Butastur (Buteo + Astur) and Circaiitus (Circus +
Aiitus):
others bring in a pre-existing name, with a prefix or suffix to
denote a certain similarity, hence Alaemon (a kind of Lark): Pseudalaemon (false-ALaemon),
or Crex (Corn-crake): Crecopsis (Crake-Like),
whilst others again make use of a diminutive (Calandra - CaLandreUa :
Psittacus - PsittacuIa). Many names are descriptive of habits, both real
= Caterpillar-eater:
CaprimuLgus
=
and immaginary (Campephaga
Goat-sucker), or of habitat (Actitis = Shore-dweller:
SchoenicoLa =
Reed-dweller): place-names may also be used, in a latinised form
(BaLearica, Terekia, Ruwenzorornis,
etc.), and occasionally proper names
are employed, for example Sheppardia, Smithornis and others.
92
An Explanation of Scientific Nomenclature.
VOL. XXII
), Perhaps the most interesting names are those derived from the fascinating legends of Greek mythology. Pandion, king of Athens, gives his name
to the Osprey, and the name of his daughter Procne, who was transformed
into a Swallow, is perpetuated in several Hirundine genera. Pandion's
second daughter Philomela (Song-lover), had her tongue cut out by her
wicked brother-in-law Tereus, to serve some evil purpose of his own,
but the gods made up for it by transforming her into a Nightingale.
Halcyon, daughter of the wind-god Aeolus, married Lucifer's son Ceyx,
who was subsequently drowned at sea. Awaiting his return on the shore,
Halcyon saw his body drifting on the tide, and after appealing to the
Gods, both she and her husband's spirit were transformed into Kingfishers
and granted immortality.
Most of us acquired, at school, at least a smattering of the classics, and.
bearing in mind that most scientific names are simple or composite Latin
or Greek words with a perfectly ratonal meaning, we begin to realise
that they give no cause for alarm, but are, indeed, highly instructive and
often entertaining.
"'....•
The following glossary defines, perhaps somewhat loosely at times,
the meaning and derivation of the majority of the composite names
commonly found in East African Ornithology. Space does not allow for
a complete list, and some names have been deliberately omitted, either
because their meaning should be obvious, or because the derivation is
obscure, but by breaking up a doubtful name into its component parts
and looking them up separately, it should be possible to elucidate it without difficulty. If in doubt about the construction, look up the first three
or four letters, and the rest follows. It must be admitted that there are
some gaps which can only be attributed to the author's abysmal ignorance
of the classics, but it is hoped that these notes may serve to diminish
that sense of awe and frustration which the sight of a complicated scientific name so often inspires in us.
L=Latin.
a-, an-acantha
Accipiter
acer
acredula
acroactacuta
aeginthis
aeneus
a 2neigularis
aeruginosus
aethoAetus
Glossary of Scientific names and. name-roots.
G=Greek
=: a composite name.
G
G
L
L
L
G
G
L
G
L
without
thorn; spine.
Hawk.
sharp.
k'nd of bird.
top; summit.
shore.
sharp.
sparrow.
brassy.
= brazen-throated.
L rusty.
G unusual.
G Eagle.
-afer. afr-affinis
agapagralar
albi-, alboalbicauda
albiceps
a.lbicollis
albicrissa·lis
albifrons
albigularis
albirostris
albiventris
L african.
L related.
Glove.
L field.
L of t'he wing.
L white.
whi te- tkUed.
headed~
necked.
bellied.
fronted.
thruated.
bellied.
beU'ed.
February, 1954. An Explanation
of Scientific
a~bonotatus
A1cedo
alius
alopoalsamauramauroura
ambi-, amphiambigua
amblio-anaandro
angustiangusticauda
anomaloanous
antho9
apaloapateEus
apis
apiaster
'- •.
apivorus
•
aplarbor
white_spotted.
Kingfisher.
another.
fox
woodland.
dark.
= dark-tailed.
LG both.
L doubtful.
G blunt; etupid.
G similar to; like.
G man.
L narrow.
slender-tailed.
G uneven; unusual.
G stupid.
G flower.
G soft.
G illusory.
L bee.
= bee-eater.
= bee-eating.
G simple.
L tree.
badius
-baenus
baeobalaena
balaeniceps
barbat-us, -ula
-bates
bathmob'-, bis
bifasciatus
binotata
borealis
braccae
brachium
brachybrac'hyptera
brachyrhynchos
L
G
G
L
Nomenclature.
arcte
arcticincta
arcuatus (arqu-)
Ardea
ardens
ardesiacu9
argaleoargent-atus.,
-eU9
aridula
arizeloarmatus
arundinaceus
Astur
atimastatriatricapilla
atricep9
atrifrons
atrocaerulea
aureus
aurantiigula
australis
axilla
L
L
G
G
G
L narrow.
narrow-banded.
L bowed; curved.
L Heron.
L burning.
L slate-grey.
G difficult.
L
L
G
L
L
L
G
L
silvery.
of the desert.
d;stinct.
armed.
of the reeds.
Hawk.
neglected.
black.
= black-haired.
headed.
" fronted.
= black-blue.
L golden.
= golden-throated.
L of the south.
L arm-pit.
B
L
G
G
L
=
=
L
L
L
=
brachyurus
bradybrevis
brevirostris
brunne;brunneiceps
brunneigularis
brychus
bu
bubal
Bubo
bubul
buccal
buccina
buc(c)inator
Budytes
Buteo
brown; chestnut.
climber.
small.
whale.
whale-headed.
bearded.
dweller.
graduated.
twice.
two-banded.
two-spotted.
of t'he north.
breeches.
arm.
short ta '.led.
short-winged.
. " b'Jled.
short-t[l.iled.
G slow.
L short.
= short-billed.
L brown.
brown-headed.
= "throated.
G roar; bellow,
G
ox.
G
L
L
L
L
L
G
L
buffalo.
Earned Owl.
of r.attle.
of the cheek.
trumpet.
trumpeter.
Wagtail.
Hawk.
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
G
L
grey headed.
" necked.
singing.
goat (bleater).
hair.
banded.
goat.
head.
wattled.
open mouth.
chestnut.
c
caeruleus
caesia
cafer
calamcalandrella
L
L
L
G
G
calva
campe
campestr;s
camptcani-
L
G
L
G
L
blue; violet.
grey.
of Kafirland.
of reeds.
dim: of Calandra,
Lark,
smooth; bare.
caterp'Jlar.
of the plains.
shoulder.
grey.
caniceps
canicollis
cantans
capella
capillus
capistratus
.capra, capricaput, capitcarunculata
casmcastaneus
93
94
castaneiceps
cauda
centrcephal-o, -us
ceps
ceras
cercus
ceria
certhios
cervix
cervinus
Ceryle
ceuthCeyx
chalcochalcomelas
chalcomitra
chalcopterus
chalcospilos
chalybaeus
charadr-charitcharmosyna
cheilos
chel
chel".don
Chen
chlamys
chlidon
chlorochlorochlamys
chorichroma
chrysocichla
Ciconia
ciEum
cinclos
cinctus
cinerea
cinereiceps
cinereocapilla
cinereola
cinnamomea
cinnyrls
Circus
An Explanation of Scientific Nomenclature.
L
G
G
L
G
G
G
G
L
L
G
G
G
G
=
=
G
L
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
=
G
G
G
G
L
L
G
L
L
L
L
G
G
chestnut-headed.
tail.
spine; spur.
head.
head.
horn.
tail.
chest.
small-bird.
neck.
tawny.
Kingfisher.
h:dden.
Kingfisher.
copper; bronze.
bronze-black.
bronze-crowned.
" winged.
" spotted.
steel-coloured.
of cleft; gully.
graceful.
agreeable.
lip.
cloven; forked.
swallow.
Goose.
cloak; mantle.
ornament.
yellow-green.
green-mantled.
dancing.
colour.
golden.
kind of thrush.
Stork.
eyelid.
kind of b:rd;
lattice.
banded.
grey.
greyJheaded.
" haired.
ashy.
cinnamon.
small-bird.
Harrier (hawk that
flies in c:rcles).
tawny; grey.
grey-headed.
shrub.
lemon-yellow.
cirrhos
cirrhocephalus
cistcitrin-
G
dactyla
dasydecipiens
G toe.
G hairy.
L deceptive.
=
G
L
VOL. XXII
citriniceps
clarus
cl;macoclimacurus
clypeata
clytocneme, (-us)
coccCoccyx
-cola
collis
collaris
concinnus
concolor
contra
conus
conirostris
Corax
corona
corruscus
cory;..s.-th
cosrr:~o,-eto
cossyphos
costa
coxa
craspedocrassicrassirostris
cre-as
Crex
cricos
crinis
crissacrista
croc-atus, -eus
cruentus
crumen
crura
cryptocryptoll:'uca
cucull-us, -atus
culmen
cuma
cun- (--ae)
cupreus
cyanocyanocephalus
cyanogel1Ys
cyanolaema
cyanoleuca
cyanostictus
cypselos
yellow-headed.
L clear.
G barred.
barred-tail.
L shielded.
G glorious.
G knee.
G gra:n; berry.
G Cuckoo.
G dweller.
L neck.
L collared.
L neat; pretty.
L of one colour.
L opposite.
G cone; forehead.
cone-billed.
L Raven; Crow.
L of the crown.
L wrinkled.
G helmet; crest.
G adorned.
G singing bird.
L rib.
L hip.
G bordered.
G th'ck.
thick-billed.
G fles'h; wattle.
G Crake.
Gring.
L hair.
L belly; flanks.
L crest.
L saffron-yellow.
L bloody; red.
L pouch; bag.
L legs.
G hidden; secret.
= hidden-white.
L hood, hooded.
L summit.
G wave.
L cradle.
L copper.
G blue.
blue-headed.
blue-cheeked.
blue-throated.
= blue-white.
blue-spotted.
G martin; swift.
dendradens, dent'atli!
derma
G tree.
L tooth; toothed.
G skin.
D
February,
1954. An Explanation of Scientific Nomenclature.
didiaphor·dicro-dilutior
dimidiatus
<lioptrdiplodipn<liss
G twice.
G different.
G forked.
I, weak.
I, half; halved.
G scout.
G double.
G food.
G double.
dont
dorsal
dorsostriatus
drepanodrepanorhynchus
drymodryodusa
G tooth.
I, of the back.
= stripe-backed.
G sickle-shaped.
sickle-billed.
G forest.
G tree.
G of the sunset.
Erod:os
erythros
erythrocephal us
erythroceria
erythrogaster
erythrophthalma
erythrops
erythropygia
erythrorhyncha
-estes,
G
G
95
=
E
.e--,
ex-
ecaudatlls
ectoedulis
elachior
Elanus
elos
Emberiza
empid
endo-. ento-ensis
ephippio-epieranos
eremoerism'a
erithacus
I,
G
I,
G
G
G
,;1,
•G
G
I,
G
G
G
G
G
G
without; lacking.
tail-less.
outside.
edible.
small.
Kite.
marsh frequenter.
Bunting.
gnat.
within.
from (place).
saddle.
upon.
lovely.
solitmy; gentle.
prop.
solitary.
eueuro-,
eurys
euricricotis
eurocephalus
excubitor
eximia
exustus
=
=
=
=
I,
G
G
=
=
I,
I,
I,
Heron .
red.
red-headed.
chested.
bellied.
eyed.
faced.
rumped.
billed.
eater.
straight; true.
wide; eastern.
wide-ringed.
wide-headed.
sentinel.
distinguished.
of the desert.
F
falcin-ellus
famosa
fascia (-tus)
fasciinucha ..
fasciiventer
ficus
flammulatus
flava
flavicrissalis
flavigaster
flavigula
flavilateralis
fla virostris
flavitarsus
flaviventris
sickle (dimin).
renowned.
band, banded.
= banded-nape.
banded-belly.
I, fig (tree).
L flame-coloured.
I, yellow.
= yellow-flanked.
bellied.
throated.
flanked.
=
billed.
=
legged.
=
bellied.
galactos.
gal-eo, ~-ergaster
gelogena
genys
geogeranus
G
flavivertex
flavocincta
flavotorquata
fluvianis
fren-atus, -urn
fringilla
frons
fulg-ens, -idus
Fulica
fuliginosa
fulva
ful vopectoralis
funebrea
fuscus
fusconota
I,
I,
I,
=
=
I,
I,
I,
I,
I,
I,
I,
L
=
I,
I,
=
yellow-crowned.
banded.
" collared.
of the river.
bridled.
finch.
f{)re'head.
shining.
Coot.
sooty.
yellow-brown.
fulvous-breasted.
dusky; dark.
dark.
dark-backed.
G
I,
G
G
I,
G
G
G
of milk.
helmeted; crested.
stomach; belly.
laughing.
cheek.
j'aw; cheek.
6f the earth.
crane.
g·.bber
glareola
gluteal
gnathos
gracilis
gracilirostris
graculus
griseus
I,
I,
G
G
I,
hump.
of gravel.
of the buttocks ..
jaw.
slender.
slender-billed.
I, jackdaw.
L grey.
---
backed.
crested.
cheelred.
eared.
moustached.
browed.
billed.
cheeked.
..
"the
striped.
winged.
rumped.
spotted
humeral
sun.
leucotis
butcher.
=
L
=
.= linea
G
irroratus
Kite.
Vulture.
robber.
G
-ius
marked.
hooked.
cleft.
beardless.
banded.
of
broad.
neat.
underneath.
whole.
of
rushes.
the
flanks.
sea.
L
violet-bellied.
holoirrisor
ixos
leucowhite-bellied.
isabeline
kind
slender.
of
thrush.
limnoleucomela
infuscatus
Heron.
different.
half.
water.
above.
weaver.
sweet.
G
horus
intercedens
line.
mottled.
s'houlder.
bare-cheeked.
white
red.!headed.
& black. of
white.
t'hroat.
similar.
homoleuconotus,
iolaema
of
thrush
violet.
throat.
hirsutus
hairy.
broad-fronted.
yellow
blood;
red.
speckled.
bristly.
guide.
small
tongue.
plate.
leucomystax
marsh-frequenter.
hydroJynx
shining.
gymnobucco
of;
dweller.
lingua
'talcon;
berry;
Wryneck.
reed.
hawk.
leucoptera
leucophrys
large.
mocker;
fiery.
singing-b'rd.
go-between.
joyful.
bare;
yellow;
scaly.
(Oriole).
naked.
mimic.
insignis
interpres,
grey-throated.
leucoparaeus
gymnowood;
copse.
leucorhynchus
hyla
hyphantes
rusty
leat'her
weapon.
-throated.
strap.
leucogaster
hypoxanthus
hippolais
Gyps
lip.
simple.
greyish-yellow.
hispid
yellow-underparts.
fiery-bellied.
hypoingens
hypochlora
gymnogenys
marsh
or
pond.
leucolophus
hypercoming
sun
(Anc.
between.
Egypt).
leucopygia
sickle;
Kite.
hoplon
G
~cred.
96 dark-coloured.
'ilypostictus
An
Explanation
VOL. XXII
Scientific Nomenclature.
February, 1954. An Explanation
lio-, lisslithos
littoral's
longipennis
longirostris
lopho-
of Scientific
Nomenclature.
lucidus
1ucidi pectus
]ugens
lugubris
Luscinia
luteus
G smooth.
G stone.
L of the shore.
long-winged.
= "billed.
G crested.
L
L
L
L
L
97
bright.
bright-breasted.
in mourning.
mournful; dark.
Nig'htingale.
orange-yellow.
M
machaer
machus
macromacroceras
macroura
maculata
maculicollis
mlalacomalaconotus
marg:natus
megamegarhyncha
melas
melamprosopuS'
melanocephala
melanogaster
melanoleucus
melanonota
melanops
melanoptera
melanorhynchus
melanota
melanoxanthus
melis
meliphilllS'
G
G
L
=
G
L
G
=
=
=
=
=
L
G
bee.
bee eater.
song.
singing-t'hrush.
of the chin.
Bee-eater.
medium.
small.
small-billed.
Kite.
little.
head-dress.; crown.
solitary.
'alone; one.
of the mountains.
shape; form.
Wagtail.
milk; suck.
many.
fly.
banana.
fungus.
fly.
of ants.
moustache.
melitta
meli ttophagus
melos
melocichla
mentalis,
Merops
mesomicrom:croI'nynchus
Milvus
minuS'Culus
mitra
monach-a, -us
mono-montana
rnorpha
Motacilla
mulg-us
multimusc-a,
muso
myctmyi (-as)
myrmecos
mystax
L
L
G
G
L
L
G
L
L
G
L
L
G
G
G
G
nigricolli.s
njgrifrons
nigripennis
nigriscapular:s
nigrodorsalis
nigrotemporalis
nigroventris
nitens
nitidus
nivea
notatus
notum
nuchal
nycti-
black-necked.
fronted.
winged.
shouldered.
backed.
templed.
bellied.
L coloured.
L s'hinning.
L snow.
L spotted.
L back.
L of the nape.
L of the night.
-odont
oecetor
oedos
Oena
Oenanthe
G tooth.
G in'habitant.
G swollen.
G Dove.
G Wh€'atear.
dagger.
battle.
large; long.
large-horned.
long-tailed.
spotted.
spotted-neck.
soft.
soft-backed.
of the shore.
large; long.
large-billed.
black.
black-masked.
headed.
bellied.
black & white.
black-backed.
black_faced.
winged.
" billed.
eared.
black & yellow.
honey.
honey-lover.
-i-
G
L
L
G
G
N
na:ag
nanus
-nastes
nasutus
nautes
necros
nectar
nema
neonesonetta
niger, nigrinigricauda
nigriceps
G
L
G
L
G
G
L
G
G
G
G
Qcciput
ochroOcnos
<>cular
-odius
L back of head.
G yellow.
G Bittern.
L of the eye.
G of; by the way.
L
=
=
water-nymph.
dwarf.
occupant.
long-nosed.
sailor.
corpse.
'honey.
thread.
new.
islander.
duck.
black.
black-tailed.
" headed.
=
o
98
onax
onych
ophthalma
ops
-opsis, -opius,
orbitooreo
orestes
ornis
An Explanation of Scientific Nomenclature.
G
G
G
G
G
L
G
G
G
VOL. XXII
orfhos
Ortyx (ortygo-)
ostrinus.
otis, otus
Otis
Otus
ourus
oxy-
G straight.
G Quail.
L purple.
Lear.
G Bustard.
L Horned OwL
G tail.
G sharp.
pict:pennis
pileata
pinar
pirum
platalea
platyplectes
plectron
i?legadis
Cleur'a
ploceus
plumbeum
pod
'Podex, podicpoecilopoecilolaemus
poecilosterna
pogon
polem
poliopoliocephalus
poliolopha
poliop'hrys
poliopleura
polioptera
poliothorax
pomast
porphyreoporphyreolaema
prasina
prion
Procne, Progne
proctprosopu;:
psalidoPsar (ps,arus)
pseudoPsitt'acus
pternistes
_
L
G
L
L
G
G
G
G
G
G
L
G
L
G
L
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
pter_on, -yx
ptilos
ptyon
pulchra
pumilus
punctata
G
G
G
L
L
L
king.
claw.
of the eye.
eye; face.
appearance; -like.
of the eye.
mountain.
mountaineer.
bird.
p
pachypachyrhyncha
pada
paludis
paludicola
palustris
pan-, pampammelaina
para
par-aeuS', -eia
parra
Parus
parva
pastor
pecten
pectus
pecuarius
ped
pedilopeli
Pelia
peltata
pennis
penthpercnos
percnopterus
perisspermista
pers.onata
perspicil1ata
petrosus
phaeophaga, (-us)
phalacrophilophoenicopholiphoneus
-phonus
p~horm-phorus
Phoyx
-phrys
phylla
phytopicta
G thick; fat.
thick-billed.
G tree.
L marsh.
marsh-dweller.
L marsh.
Gall.
= ail black.
G besides.
G cheek.
L bird of ill-omen.
L Tit.
L small.
L herdsman.
L comb.
L chest.
L grazing.
L foot.
G sandaL
G black.
G Dove.
L with a shield.
L w:ng.
G sorrow.
G dark.
=: dark-winged.
G uneven.
I, mixed.
L marked.
L conspicuous.
L of stones.
G dark.
G eater.
G bald.
Gloving.
G crimson; purple.
G scaly.
G murderer.
G voice.
G woven basket.
G bearer.
G kind of Heron.
G of the brow.
G green; leafy.
G of plants.
L painted.
=
G
G
G
=
G
G
pa;;nted-wing.
capped.
dirty.
pear.
spoon.
flat.
plaiter; twister.
spur.
sickle.
flanks.
plaiter; weaver.
grey.
foot.
rump.
mottled.
mottled-throat.
" breast.
beard.
war-like.
grey.
grey_headed.
crested.
browed.
flanked.
winged.
breasted.
lid; cover.
purple; russet.
purple_throated.
green.
j'agged.
Swallow.
of the hind-parts.
face-mask.
shears.
Starling.
false.
Parrot.
one who strikes
with the 'heel.
wing; feather.
feather; wing.
fan.
beautifuL
dwarf.
spotted.
February, 1954. An Explanation of Scientific Nomenclature.
purpureus
purpureiceps
purpureiventris
purpuropterus
pus
pusillus
L purple.
= purple-headed.
bellied.
winged.
G foot.
L small.
quad-
L four.
rallus
recurvrhamph-us
rhinorhipis
-rhis,
rhodorhodogaster
rhodopare:a
rhodophoneus
rhynchos
riparla
L Rail; thin.
L bent back or up.
G be:ak.
G nose; rasp.
G fan.
G nose.
G rosy.
_ rosy-bellied.
=
ch~ed.
" murderer.
G beak.
L frequenter of
stream_banks.
L rosy.
= rosy-flanked.
L beak.
L red.
99
pycnos
pygargus
pygla
pyren
pyrrhopyrrhopterus
G strong.
G white-rumped.
G rump; tail.
G • fruit-stone.
G bronzy; redd:sh.
= bronze-winged.
quadri virga tus
- four-striped.
rubiginosa
rubrlfascies
rudis
rufl-, ruforuficapilla
ruficollis
rufidorsalis
rufigula
rufinuchalls
rufipenms
rufiventris
rufobuccalis
rufocinctus
rufocinerea
rufoclnnamomeus
rufogulari?
rupestris
L
L
L
L
speculum
sperm
sphenosp'henurus
spilospilogaster
spiza
splendens
spora
squamatus
Squatarola
L mirror.
G seed.
G wedge; bill.
= wedge-tailed.
G spotted.
spotted-belly.
G finch.
L shinlng.
G seed.
L scaly.
L Black_bellied
Plover.
G of pools.
G covered; webbed.
G keel; wattle.
G scraper.
L star.
G narrow.
G of the crown.
= crown-bearer.
G chest.
G spotted.
= spotted-throat.
G spotted.
= spot-bearer.
= spotted chest.
Q
R
roseus
roseicrissa
rostrum
ruber
rusty-red.
red-faced.
wild.
red.
= red-haired.
="
necked.
=" backed.
=" throated.
="
naped.
="
winged.
=" bellied.
= red-cheeked.
=" banded.
= red & grey.
= red & cInnamon.
= red-t'hroated.
L of rocks.
s
Larrow.
sagitta
salp-inctes
G trumpeter.
sarkiG flesh; wattle.
G broom.
sarothron
saxa, (saxatilis) L rock; of rocks.
L of the shoulders.
scapularis
schistaceus
G slaty.
schizoG cloven; forked.
sc'hoenoG of reeds.
L of reeds.
scirpaceus
G hard.
scleroG mimic.
scoptG watchman.
scopus
G dark.
scoto-L shield.
scute
G shake.
seiseicercus
= tail_shaker.
semiL half.
= half-red.
semirufa
= half-collared.
semitorquata
L whistler.
sibilatrix
L of the trees.
silvanus
soma
G body.
L scattered.
sparsus
sparse-banded;
sparSimfasciatus
L handsome.
speciosa
stagnati11s
steganosteira
stelgidstella
stenostephanostephanophorus
sternum
stictus
stictilaema
stigmatostigmatophorus
stigmatothorax
=
100
stilbostiphros
stoma
strephus
strepitans
strepto-striatus
striatipectus
An Explanation of Scientific Nomenclature.
G shining.
G sturdy.
G mout'h.
G. twister.
L noisey.
G pliant.
L striped.
stripe-breasted.
VOL. XXII
striolatus
Strix
Strut'hio
subsulphuratus
supercilium
sycobius
sylvi·a
L
G
L
L
L
L
G
L
striped.
Owl.
Ostrich.
under; below.
sulphur-yellow.
eyebrow.
of fig-trees.
of the woods.
tigrtinniens
tmetTorgos
torquata
trachelos
trachytritric'hotri~llaris
tricolor
trigon
Tringa
tristigma
tristriata
trochotroglodytes
trogon
Turnix
tympanum
Tyto
G
L
G
G
L
G
G
L
G
striped.
tinkling.
dividing.
Vulture.
collared.
neck.
rough.
t'hree.
hairy.
three-collared.
" coloured.
triangle.
Sandpiper.
three-spotted.
striped.
wheel; round.
cave-dwellers.
gnawer.
Quail.
drum.
Owl.
unicolor
Upupa
-urus
ane-coloured.
L Hoopoe.
G tail.
vinaceigularis
virens
vlrgatus
viridis
viridisplendens
vitelline
v:ttatus
-vorus
= purple-throated.
L green.
L striped.
L green.
= shining-green.
L yolk-like; yellow.
L banded.
L eater.
xanthomelas
xant'hophilus.
_ yellow & black.
= yellow-loving.
T
tachytaenia
taeniolaema
tarsus
tegmen
tel-
tenellus
tenuitenuirostris
tephratephrolaema
tergum
testa
thalassa
thamnotheio-t'hera
thorax
-threptes
threski-thrix
thylax
G swift.
G band.
= banded-throat.
G leg; foot.
L cover.
G at the end.
L tender.
L slender.
= slender-billed.
G ashy-grey.
grey_throated.
L back.
L s'hell.
G sea.
G of shrubs.
G run.
G hunter.
G chest.
G nourished.
G sacred.
G hair.
G bag; pouch.
G
G
=
G
G
G
L
L
G
u
undosus
uniunicincta
L wavy.
Lone.
on-e-banded.
=
v
venter
venustus
vermis
vermiculatE'
vertex
verticalis
versicolor
vidua
vinaceus
L belly.
L pretty.
L worm.
fine wavy lines.
L crown.
L of the crown.
L parti-coloured.
L widowed.
L w:ne-like.
x
xanthos
xantholophus
G yellow.
= yellow-crested.
February, 1954. An Explanation
of Scientific
Nomenclature.
z
zona
zonurus
G
band.
banded-tail.
zoster
zosterops
G
=
band; girdle.
banded-eye.
References.
Henderson, I.F. & W.D. 1949.
A Dictionary
of Scientific
Terms. 4th Edition, by Kenneth, J.H.
Jaeger,.E.C. 1950.
A Source-Book
of BioLogical Names and Terms. 2nd Edition.
101