How about Prothonotary Warbler? I have heard that the pendants pronounce it: Protho (like Ortho) - Notary (like notary public). Never, EVER, have I heard that sound in the field...has anyone else? Thanks to Bob Powell for the inspiration. Best regards, Hans Hans Clebsch Shaker Heights, OH On Dec 15, 2008, at 11:44 AM, McCormac, Jim wrote: > Good questions, Craig, and an endless source of debate. I've come > to dread being asked about certain pronunciations! > > When trying to ascertain the correct pronunciation of a name, it > can be helpful to go back to the root of the word in question. In > the case of Sabine's Gull, the bird was named for naturalist Edward > Sabine, who collected it for the first time, and for whom the gull > is named. So, this matter is straightforward: the gull's name > should be pronounced as would the Sabine family name. And as I > understand it, that is Sab-ine (the first syllable rhyming with > crab; the second with fine). > > Pileated Woodpecker is straightforward, too, although one wouldn't > think so to hear all of the different pronunciations amongst > birders. But the jumbo woodpecker's name stems from "pileum", which > means "cap" and refers to the woodpecker's crest. "Pileum" is > pronounced "Py-lee-um" (The first syllable rhyming with pie). So, > the woodpecker's name is Py-lee-ate-ed Woodpecker. > > Of course, not all will agree with this! > > Jim > > Jim McCormac > Ohio Division of Wildlife > 2045 Morse Rd., G-3 > Columbus, Ohio 43229 > 614-265-6440 > 614-262-1143 fax > > -----Original Message----- > From: Ohio birds [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf > Of Craig Holt > Sent: Monday, December 15, 2008 11:15 AM > To: [log in to unmask] > Subject: [Ohio-birds] rainy day pronunciation questions > > Lousy weather for birding today, so I went to the internet for an > answer to a burning question--how exactly do you pronounce Sabine's > (as in gull), and pileated (as in woodpecker). The answers I found > added up to a choice of about 6 variations. In other words, no > real answer. Does the Ohio birding community have a consensus? By > the way, if I ever get back out West, how do I say the name of that > bird that looks like a gray cardinal (I probably couldn't even > spell it)? I remember getting some funny looks down in Texas once > when the local birders heard me try to pronounce "paraque". I > can't recall ever seeing pronunciations for the names of birds in > any field guides--that would be helpful to beginning birders > especially. Way back in the Stone Age, we had these things called > dictionaries for guidance. They were actually quicker and easier > than the Web for some info!! Later, Craig > > > > > ______________________________________________________________________ > > Ohio-birds mailing list, a service of the Ohio Ornithological Society. > Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list. > Additional discussions can be found in our forums, at > www.ohiobirds.org/forum/. > > You can join or leave the list, or change your options, at: > http://listserv.muohio.edu/scripts/wa.exe?LIST=OHIO-BIRDS > Send questions or comments about the list to: [log in to unmask] > > ______________________________________________________________________ > > Ohio-birds mailing list, a service of the Ohio Ornithological Society. > Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list. > Additional discussions can be found in our forums, at > www.ohiobirds.org/forum/. > > You can join or leave the list, or change your options, at: > http://listserv.muohio.edu/scripts/wa.exe?LIST=OHIO-BIRDS > Send questions or comments about the list to: [log in to unmask] > ______________________________________________________________________ Ohio-birds mailing list, a service of the Ohio Ornithological Society. Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list. Additional discussions can be found in our forums, at www.ohiobirds.org/forum/. You can join or leave the list, or change your options, at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/scripts/wa.exe?LIST=OHIO-BIRDS Send questions or comments about the list to: [log in to unmask]