h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Drifting slightly, I always feel sorry for thrushes. Beautiful birds. But not only do they suffer from being associated with a vaginal yeast infection, but their species name is...Turdus.
That's just not fair.

And the Babblers, rare visitors from North Africa are the Turdoids!!

Not Fair, is it, HD?


GT

Those are new to me. Thanks GT.

(Post 41, Genus, not species, sorry)

As I said HD

In HFP there are 36 listed twin-names, and the triplet Lagofus, (Willow Grouse)



GT

My birding knowledge is quite limited, I'm afraid. My watching is mainly limited to my own garden. But I do read stuff. And I love words. Which is why "Troglodytes troglodytes", once encountered is, for me, never forgotten. And hopefully so for a few more people as a result of this QI.

Passing on knowledge to others......

My most enjoyable purpose in life, HD!!



GT

I didn't partake, as a little too easy for me, but just a quick point.

>>Puffinus Puffinus - Puffin<<

It is actually Puffinus puffinus and is the Manx Shearwater. It was named after it's chicks, known as fatlings which were cooked and eaten due to the ease in which they were caught. This was probably corrupted to pophyn, in middle-English. It is a possibility that the cbirds were confused with Puffins, as they are both burrowing nesters and share the same areas and, occasionally the same burrow...



MMF

the Puffin is Fratercula arctica. Fratercula for the monks that used to eat it as a fish on Friday, and arctica for some cold place where it lives.

Oh no, I knew that one!

.........and my deliberate mistake was spotted!!

Well Done!!


GT