BOOK REVIEW: Birds of the World: Recommended English Names by Frank Gill and Minturn Wright, on behalf of the International Ornithological Congress. 2006. Princeton University Press. 260 pages, Paperback plus CD, $19.95 (ISBN 0-691-12827-8).

Abstract

Language, essentially an agreement of meaning for shared sounds and written words, is the keystone of human society. Yet Great Egret, White Heron, Common Egret, Great White Egret, American Egret, Egretta alba, Ardea alba, and Casmerodius albus are all names for one species of wading bird, and all are used in books on my shelf. While persons versed in nomenclature and taxonomy can figure out this synonymy, such heterogeneity doesn’t really facilitate communication. Is there a solution? Does it really matter? Do you care?