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Dictionaries

The Birdwatchers' Dictionary

Peter Weaver

2010

"The author defines more than 1100 words and terms in this illustrated dictionary for the birdwatcher. Its attraction for the relative novice is obvious but it is equally directed to experienced birdwatchers who will find succinct definitions of terms that are new to them and of others that they have understood none too well. Whatever the user's ornithological expertise the book will expand or confirm his or her knowledge and offer at the same time an absorbing and entertaining browse, as a good dictionary should. Among the appendices is a full list of species on the British and Irish List arranged in 'Voous Order' and with categories of status in Britain and Ireland."

Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names

James A. Jobling

2009

"Many scientific bird names describe a bird's habits, habitat, distribution or a plumage feature, while others are named after their discoverers or in honour of prominent ornithologists. This extraordinary work of reference lists the generic and specific name for almost every species of bird in the world and gives its meaning and derivation. In the case of eponyms brief biographical details are provided for each of the personalities commemorated in the scientific names. This fascinating book is an outstanding source of information which will both educate and inform, and may even help to understand birds better."

The Ornithologist's Dictionary

Johannes Erritzoe, Kaj Kampp, Kevin Winker and Clifford B. Frith

2007

"The more than 5,000 definitions of words and terms of interest to ornithologists are brief and to the point, at the same time as being comprehensive and clear. A practical, portable and easily manageable volume that every ornithologist will want always to keep close to hand."

Dictionary of Birds of the United States

Joel Ellis Holloway

2003

"This is the most complete and up-to-date dictionary of names of American birds available. With more than 900 entries, all the resident birds of the 50 states are included, as well as escaped, exotic, and rare visitors. Including the etymologies and meanings of scientific and common names, it will be an indispensable reference for both scholars and amateur birders. The dictionary is the only work of this type that brings the derivation of scientific bird names back to the original Greek. Other names are traced, for example, to Old English, French, Portuguese, or native languages. Names sometimes reflect the birds' behavior, physical appearance, habitat, or the sound of their calls. Some names refer back to ancient myths and local folklore or were bestowed to honor a great naturalist, a world traveler, or a patron of the sciences. The author also discusses errors that arose in the naming of some birds. Crisply written and extensively cross-referenced for ease of access, the book is graced by more than 25 striking pen-and-ink drawings by renowned ornithologist and bird artist George Miksch Sutton."

Elsevier's Dictionary of Bird Names

M. Wrobel

2002

"Providing an overview of the English, French, German and Italian names of birds occurring in Europe, North America, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and French-speaking countries, this dictionary contains 10,838 scientific names of orders, families, species and some sub-species. The relevant order and family are shown for each term and the taxonomy is that used by the different authors of the sources. The basic table of the dictionary contains, in alphabetical order, the scientific names of orders, families, species and some sub-species with, again in alphabetical order, their identified names in English, German, French and Italian. The dictionary should be of value to translators of scientific and general literature; scientific and botanical authors; environmentalists and ecologists and scientific and lay readers of foreign literature."

A Dictionary of Bird Artists of the World

Christine E Jackson

1999

A dictionary of biographical information with illustrations for approximately 5000 artists, past and present, who have made two-dimensional portraits of birds as the main motif in their paintings.

A Birder's Dictionary

Randall T Cox

1996

A reference book providing information on biological, anatomical, physiological, behavioural and taxonomic information about birds.

Dictionary of Animal Names in Five Languages, Vol 4: Birds

Edited by R.L. Boehme and V.E. Flint

1994

"Over 11,000 entries covering bird names of the world fauna."

The Oxford Dictionary of British Bird Names

W.B. Lockwood

1993

"Covering over 1,500 standard and local British common bird names, relating to some 260 species, this A-Z guide should be invaluable to birdwatchers and word buffs throughout the British Isles. Each entry provides the etymology and history of the name, complete with full documentation of dates and sources. An introduction covers the linguistic evolution and standardization of bird names."

A Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names

James A. Jobling

1991

This dictionary gives the derivation and meaning of all valid scientific bird names. Each part of the name is defined separately so that Passer domesticus, for example, will not be found as such, but both Passer and domesticus are explained in their respective alphabetical places. The usefulness of the dictionary will thus not be affected by future taxonomic revisions of generic or species names. About 8500 names are defined, including a selection of historical synonyms. Many unusual details emerge from the author's meticulous work in tracking down obscure meanings. A short but informative introduction explains the history and purposes of scientific nomenclature and the basic features of Latin in this context. It also discusses the ways in which birds have been named for their appearance, for a person or place, or some aspect of their habitat, behaviour, food, or voice, or with reference to their native-language name.

A Dictionary of Birds

Editors: B. Campbell and E. Lack

Published for The British Ornithologists Union

1985

A Dictionary of Birds contains contributions from over 280 ornithologists and other specialists from around the world. Major, authoritative articles cover the field of modern ornithology and related subjects. In addition there are articles on all the bird families, almost all of which are illustrated by a representative species. There are also numerous short entries defining special terms, application of names, etc. The text of over 800,000 words is supported by more than 500 photographs, drawings and diagrams.

The Oxford Book of British Bird Names

W.B. Lockwood

1984

"The Linnet eats linseed, and the Shearwater's name comes from its flight pattern, but other bird names are not so obvious. This study of these names makes fascinating reading for linguists and ornithologists alike. Once-forgotten meanings and fokelore, as well as simple word derivations, are revealed in this eye-opening guide, laid out in dictionary form for easy reference."

Birdwatcher's Dictionary

Peter Weaver

Poyser

1981

Reprint 2002

"The author defines more than 1100 words and terms in this illustrated dictionary for the birdwatcher. Its attraction for the relative novice is obvious but it is equally directed to experienced birdwatchers who will find succinct definitions of terms that are new to them and of others that they have understood none too well. Whatever the user's ornithological expertise the book will expand or confirm his or her knowledge and offer at the same time an absorbing and entertaining browse, as a good dictionary should. Among the appendices is a full list of species on the British and Irish List arranged in 'Voous Order' and with categories of status in Britain and Ireland."

Dictionary of Birds in Colour

Bruce Campbell

1974

"Over a thousand species of birds are illustrated in this beautiful and valuable book which for the fist time shows birds belonging to every living family. The main text, which follows the colour photographs, is arranged as a dictionary and its concise and authoritative descriptions of all the illustrated species as well as the main groups and other closely allied species."

A Dictionary of British Bird Painters

Frank Lewis

96 pages with 48 monochrome reproductions.

A New Dictionary of Birds

Editor: A. Landsborough Thomson

1964

Dictionary of English and Folk Names of British Birds

H. Kirke Swann

1913 (reprint 1977)

A dictionary of English and folk-names of the more familiar British birds. Information provided includes history, meaning and first usage of the names. Associated folk-lore, weather-lore and legends about the birds is also included.

Illustrated Bird Dictionary And Note Book

Water Birds, Game Birds And Birds Of Prey

Charles A. Reed

1912

Preface: "Following the well known motto of the author, "A good illustration is worth pages of text, you will find that nearly all the birds mentioned in this book are shown by small but, nevertheless quite correct pen and ink drawings. These drawings of course do not, neither are they intended to compare with the colored ones used in 'Bird Guide' and other books by the author, yet they do show the markings of birds as they are, as well as forms and attitudes and these features are sufficient to identify nearly all species. The student is supposed to have more complete works with colored illustrations in his library for home use, while this little volume is to be taken into the field for identification and as a handy note book. For this reason it has been so designed that it can be sold for the price of a good note book while it is hoped that the descriptive and pictorial features will make its value to the student many times that of blank pieces of paper."

A Dictionary of Birds

Alfred Newton

With contributions by Richard Lydekker, Charles S. Roy and Robert W. Shufeldt

Adam and Charles Black

1893-1896

Originally published in four parts.

From the preface to the first single volume edition: "It has been my object throughout to compress into the smallest compass the information intended to be conveyed. It would have been easier to double the bulk of the work, but the limits of a single volume are already strained, and to extend it to a second would in several ways destroy such usefulness as it may possess. Still I cannot but regret having to omit any special notice of several interesting subjects which bear more or less directly upon Ornithology. To name only a few of them - Insulation, Isomorphism, Reversion and the Struggle for Existence, as illustrated by Birds, were tempting themes for treatment, while Nomenclature, which owing to its contentious nature I have studied to avoid, and Protection, about which so much deplorable and mischievous misunderstanding exists, might well be said to demand consideration. It will be obvious to nearly everyone that the number of names of Birds included in a work of this kind might be increased almost indefinitely. Whether it will ever be possible for me to supply these additions, and others, must depend on many things, and not least on the reception accorded by the public to the present volume."

Ornithological Dictionary Of British Birds

Colonel G. Montagu

Hurst, Chance & Co

Second edition

1831

This single volume work combines the original 1802 publication, the 1813 supplement, and new material written by James Rennie.

Supplement To The Ornithological Dictionary; Or, Synopsis of British Birds

George Montagu

1813

A supplement to the two volume work published in 1802.

From the introduction:

"Since the publication of the Ornithological Dictionary, we have continued our observation upon the characters and habits of British Birds, with the usual ardour and indefatigable research, the result of which has been a very considerable addition to our knowledge in that branch of natural history. It might appear arrogant in us to enlarge upon the advantages science may have derived from the discoveries we have made, but we may venture to say, that a considerable portion of new and interesting matter will be found concerning the economy habits, changes, and. variations of species not before published; and that descriptions of many new and rare birds, elucidated by figures, will be observed to enrich the following pages."

Ornithological Dictionary; Or, Alphabetical Synopsis of British Birds

George Montagu

1802

Published in two volumes.

From the introduction:

"The variety of publications on Ornithology are as extensive as instructive; but the difficulty of discrovering any particular species in the works of an author, where the bird is called by a difierent name from which it may be provincially denominated has, we we conceive been a preventive to a more enlarged investigation of that part of the natural history of our country. To persons well acquainted with the generic characters the difficulty may not be so great; but the general part of mankind might wade through volumes before they would find the object of their inquiry. For such persons, therefore, who are desirous of being better acquainted with the most beautiful part of the animal creation we have published the following Dictionary of British Ornithology, in hopes of advancing knowledge on the subject."