Bob, I enjoyed this article that delves into the scientific nomenclature to help understand the very interesting common name used by Catesby! This reminds me of the many plant species that are called "False" - e.g. False Sunflower - because of their resemblance to the "true" species but with some critical diagnostic differences. It would make great sense for Catesby to compare the Orchard Oriole to the Baltimore Oriole in this way. Fun read!
I wonder if the coloration or the stripes recalled a bar sinister in heraldry, a left yellow bar that signified b*stardy in genealogy, in a heraldic symbol.
Bob, I enjoyed this article that delves into the scientific nomenclature to help understand the very interesting common name used by Catesby! This reminds me of the many plant species that are called "False" - e.g. False Sunflower - because of their resemblance to the "true" species but with some critical diagnostic differences. It would make great sense for Catesby to compare the Orchard Oriole to the Baltimore Oriole in this way. Fun read!
You solved the mystery: spurius because it was mistaken for Baltimore oriole. Dawn breaks slowly over Marblehead.
Fascinating! Catesby pens Icterus spurius as Icterus minor. spurius name came latter. Why the change remains a mystery.
Fantastic research, I'd never noticed that before. Thanks for sharing this one!
I wonder if the coloration or the stripes recalled a bar sinister in heraldry, a left yellow bar that signified b*stardy in genealogy, in a heraldic symbol.