EDITORIAL The controversy of avian common name changes has further changes that may occur will be based on improvements and generated heated debate. Many talk of the futility of such an exercise further work on the DNA technique alone. Thus, we have adopted as there are scientific names to clarify what species of bird is being this classification order. referred to. Some cite the antiquity, history and tradition of these names for preserving them. Admittedly, the whole genesis of our year These developments necessitate changes in the common long exercise on this subject (see Buceros Vol. 2, No.4), evolved due names of birds. Additionally, many of the names which were apt to these reasons - we felt alarmed at its implications. But alas, after a during the earlier days are unsuitable now, due to new records of the study of the matter, we have turned partial ‘converts’! species from other areas (in the case of regionally based names) or where new races or populations were discovered that did not have the If one looks at the bird books of the Indian subcontinent prominent feature of the race it was named after (e.g. absence of crest through the ages, one realises that there was no real uniformity in or colour in a certain part of the body). Now that English is becoming avian common names. Changes took place from Jerdon (1862-64) to more and more the lingua franca of the world of science and since Oates & Blanford (1889-98), Baker (1922-30), Ali & Ripley (1968- there are only a manageable number of 10,000 odd species of birds in 75, 1983) and Ripley (1982). Ali & Ripley’s later edition of the the world, standardisation of common bird names becomes useful for Pictorial Guide (1995) had even adopted some of the new names! ornithologists, especially birdwatchers, wildlife officers and policy Bird publications of the different countries of the Indian subcontinent makers, who are ill at ease with scientific terminology. Citing the (e.g. Henry 1971, Inskipp & Inskipp 1985, Roberts 1991, 1992, existence of scientific names as a reason for resisting change is Kotagama & Fernando 1994 and Wijesinghe 1994) have also been illogical. using different names for their birds. Another problem was that Ali & Ripley’s Handbook had names for the races and not species – We have received more brickbats (many of them most following the pattern of the earlier books – and it was only in deservedly!) than bouquets for our Buceros issue on bird name Ripley’s Synopsis that the names of species were given. The second changes, but we accept all equally in true scientific spirit. The edition of the Handbook (Vol 6-10, but not Vol. 1-5) has ideally objectives of this exercise were to analyse the name changes omitted the racial names, as in the Synopsis. suggested, look into possible reasons for these and judge if they are valid. And, as a follow-up, get responses from those concerned with In the past few years, enormous changes have taken place in Indian ornithology on our draft and incorporate them into the final the taxonomy of birds, turning the classification topsy-turvy. Though document. All these objectives have been achieved. We have to the DNA technique of classifying birds (Sibley, Ahlquist & Monroe initiate steps to see that the views of the Indian (read Indian 1988, Sibley & Ahlquist 1990, Sibley & Monroe 1990, 1993 and subcontinent) ornithologists are considered for the standardization of Sibley 1994) is not beyond criticism, many agree that what is avian common names being undertaken by a committee of the necessary is adoption of more modern methods in that field - thus, it International Ornithological Congress. This document is thus being appears that the old classification technique is now history. Any sent to the IOC committee - let us hope for the best! COMMON ENGLISH NAMES OF THE BIRDS OF THE INDIAN SUBCONTINENT The newsletter Buceros (Vol. 2, No. 4) of the ENVIS (Environmental Information System) Centre at the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) There should be no overlapping of names. had an in-depth discussion on the issue of the recent common English name Example: The Mountain Quail in India refers to Ophrysia superciliosa, while changes of birds of the Indian subcontinent. Subsequent to that, we had in U.S.A it denotes Oreortyx picta. The former has now been renamed short-listed 25 ornithologists associated with Indian ornithology for their Himalayan Quail. Similarly, a species should not have different names in opinions on the list of avian common names proposed by us for the Indian different countries, e.g., Broad-billed Roller and Dollarbird. subcontinent. Of these, we have had responses from some of them as follows (in alphabetical order): Necessitated when a species or subspecies has been split/demoted/upgraded to species/subspecies level, or when placed in another taxon after reassessment of its taxonomic status. Aasheesh Pittie, Birdwatcher’s Society of Andhra Pradesh and co-author Example: The race japonica of Coturnix coturnix (Common Quail) is now Nomenclature of Birds of the Indian sub-continent; Lalitha Vijayan, treated as a species, with the name Japanese Quail C. japonica. In such Ornithologist, Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology & Natural History; Lavkumar cases, there can be no dispute regarding the necessity for name changes. Khachar & Lalsinh M. Raol, Birdwatchers, Gujarat State, India; M.K. Such changes have been taking place with regularity in bird taxonomy, as Himmatsinhji, Birdwatcher, Gujarat State, India; Mihir Devare, Birdwatcher, and when it was necessary. Maharashtra State, India; Pamela C. Rasmussen, Smithsonian Institution, U.S.A and co-author of the forthcoming, Birds of South Asia; Rishad Naoroji, To rectify wrong, inappropriate names or shorten lengthy names. Ornithologist, India and author of the forthcoming Indian Birds of Prey; S. Examples: Alagar Rajan, Scientist, BNHS; Saraswathy Unnithan, Scientist, BNHS; Correcting wrong or inaccurate descriptive or regional names of a species. Shahid Ali, Ornithologist, Maharashtra State, India; Siraj A. Taher, For example, giving the qualifier Red-headed to a species when only top of the Birdwatcher’s Society of Andhra Pradesh; S.W. Kotagama, Field Ornithology head is red. In such cases, the names have been changed to Red-capped or Group of Sri Lanka; Taej Mundkur, Wetlands International, Asia-Pacific and Red-crowned. Or where the earlier known distributional range recorded for a co-author Wetland Birds of Asia; Tim Inskipp, Oriental Bird Club, co-author species is valid no more - e.g., a species recorded earlier in the Western Ghats An Annotated Checklist of the Birds of the Oriental Region, Birds of Nepal; T.J. was later recorded from the Eastern Ghats also. Roberts, author Handbook of the Birds of Pakistan; T.W. Hoffmann, Ornithologist, Ceylon Bird Club; V. Santharam, Ornithologist, Madras Shortening names such as Prince Henri’s Laughingthrush to Henri’s Naturalists Society. Laughingthrush. Deleting Grey in Grey Hypocolius, as there is only one Hypocolius species - use of qualifier Grey gives the wrong impression that there are other Hypocolius species. Or in case of unnecessary double After a perusal and analysis of their views, we have short-listed what qualifiers, e.g., Australian Black-fronted Dotterel and Small Indian Pratincole. we feel are the most appropriate English avian common names for the Indian There is only one Black-fronted Dotterel and Small Pratincole, so additional subcontinent (see tabulated list). This list will now be sent to the qualifiers Australian and Indian are clearly unnecessary. International Ornithological Congress committee, which is in the process of standardizing the list of avian common names in English for the world. On the basis of this document, we anticipate that the views of those who To ensure the name is applicable to all the races of a species represent the Indian subcontinent, will be heard. To aid those who do not Example: The White-rumped Magpie Pica pica has a black-rumped race have the copy of Buceros mentioned earlier, we give below the important (bottanensis) and hence the name is inappropriate. The new name proposed points that were discussed in the issue. is the Black-billed Magpie - both the races have black bills. By this, the need to give names to subspecies (as was done in Ali & Ripley’s Handbook) can be totally eliminated. The Purpose Of Standardising Common Names ∗ The qualifier Common has to be used with caution, as it can be regionally Suggestions Offered For Renaming biased. At the most, it could be used for a species that has a widespread distribution over countries or continents (e.g. Common Coot Fulica atra). In addition to the above mentioned points, we offer further suggestions for the It should not be used for a species that is restricted to only a region or renaming exercise. country, with closely allied species in other parts of the world. One example is the Common Grey Hornbill Ocyceros birostris, which has now ∗ Traditional names, especially those that find a place in everyday life or been renamed Indian Grey Hornbill. Common could also be used for a literature, should not be meddled with, unless unavoidable. For example, family that has very few species and one of which is much more common two of the larger species of kingfishers of Australia are known as or abundant than the other(s). kookaburras. The kookaburras are so well entrenched in Australian lore, literature and song, that changing their names to kingfishers (the family to ∗ Uniformity and logic in renaming is advised. For example, the White- which they belong ) would be uncalled for. throated Munia (Lonchura malabarica) is proposed to be renamed as the White-throated Silverbill. The reason given is that a similar African species ∗ Group/family names of birds should ideally accompany the species name is called Silverbill.