The Lincolnshire Bird Club

( Continued from ' Turtle Dove ' - Lincs Bird Reports )

Richard,
All these years I've known you and I didn't realise that you spoke such good French.

Terry,
Your question begs the other question as to whether you mind being teletransported to 'Lincs Bird Chat' with the answer. I've moved before being shoved. Well, here goes : you've asked for it ......the answer, that is. (The Turtle Dove is migratory and due for a move, anyway.)
The good news is that I was able to get a message from Professor Harrison this morning....well, via his housekeeper,at least. The bad news is that his farewell dinner took place last night at the "Crafty Bustard Hotel" , somewhere in Nottinghamshire. (His last working day at the Institute was Friday,3rd July and he is moving to Cornwall later in the week.) How he got home from the dinner remains a mystery except that he was accompanied by his old friend and map-reading expert, Corporal (Retired) Jon Freddison of Braceheath Bridge. The Professor was very hungover this morning and being somewhat non-compos mentis, as they say, he was unable to come to the 'phone but he did send his very best wishes to LBC members.
However, I did have a quick word with the Retired Corporal who, according to the housekeeper, had spent the night in the Professor's bath - still half-full of soapy water : the bath, not the Corporal; he was full of something else. He was still there when he took my call, being incapable of getting out. Apparently, he has had his problems with Latin too, lately, causing him headaches. All he would say was :
" Latin is a language as dead as dead can be - it killed the Ancient Romans and now it's killing me. "
I heard some strange gurgling noises and then the line went dead. ( He's had a good life.)

Regards,

Freddy

You flatter me, Freddy, though my Spanish is far superior.

It's to be hoped that the plug was pulled and Prof. Harrison received quick and effective medical attention - the 'hair of the dog' springs to mind.

Regards
Duke of Malmesbury....

Richard,
Actually, the Retired Corporal didn't have the same (drowning) fate as Shakespeare's Royal Duke - poor old Clarence - although soapy bathwater might taste just as good as Malmsey. Apparently, the gurgling sound was the bathwater going down the plughole. Both the Professor and the Corporal are back to normal (?abnormal) and in the best of health.
Now, to get back to birds, as opposed to bird experts. (Some might say 'about time'.) You've quoted, on this particular thread, in German, Latin, English and you have referenced Spanish (but not Italian.) There is a linguistic connection with all those languages and one of my favourite birds. From time to time, a lot of birders, particularly the professionals, get involved in the scientific (Latin/Greek) versions of birds, especially in serious discussions of our hobby.
The favourite bird in question is the Nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus- Linnaeus 1758) - and many of us make at least one annual evening visit to enjoy this crepuscular virtuoso.....this year, I paid a visit to Budby Pumping Station, Notts on 30 June. 'Caprimulgiforms' - the name of the type genus, Caprimulgus, (Goat-milker) derives from the ancient belief that the bird seen flitting among the goats at dusk was taking milk from the goats' udders.
Well, surprisingly, not only is the bird called Caprimulgus (Goat-milker) in Latin, but there are similar versions in local English names and in the other languages you mentioned :

English - Goatsucker (plus a whole further list including Fern-owl, Moth-owl, Jenny-spinner, etc)
German - Ziegenmelker - Goat-milker
Spanish - Chotacabras - Goat parasite (= udder 'hanger-on')
plus
Italian - Succiacapre - Goatsucker.
A wonderful and mystical bird, and a fascinating series of equivalent names in various languages.

Perhaps other LBC members have special insights into the scientific/local/common English names of a favourite bird.

Regards,

Freddy
PS - for any Latin buffs, with skills honed on the scientific names of birds, or for anybody with an enquiring mind :
Translation, please, of the following Latin inscription (reputedly?) found on the wooden desk of a 1st century AD grammar school pupil in Eboracium (York).

JULIUS CAESAR ADSUM IAM FORTE. POMPEIUS ADERAT. CRASSUS SIC IN OMNIBUS. BRUTUS SICINAT.
QED.

Hi Freddy,

Just one point. I suspect you meant Chotacabras Gris when referring to the Nightjar in Spanish. As we know, there is also Chotacabras Pardo (Red-necked Nightjar) which is more common than the former. The former is also in decline in Spain.

I well remember your astute sighting of a Red-necked Nightjar fatality on a road near Mojacar. It led us to a stake-out of the species nearby. Although they still breed in the area, development is fast destroying their habitat.

Regards.......Richard..

Nearly 100 views of the Latin text and no attempts at deciphering it.
I taught Latin (with French and English 1959-63) at the Duke of York's Royal Military School set in several hundred acres above Dover, Kent (an MOD Boarding School for the children of service personnel .) One of the favourite texts to relieve the boredom of Latin verbs, etc. was the above- quoted one .....along the lines of :
Sic transit gloria mundi .......So passes away earthly glory
as
Gloria was sick in the transit van on Monday.
The text below uses correct Latin words but......
JULIUS CAESAR ADSUM IAM FORTE. POMPEIUS ADERAT. CRASSUS SIC IN OMNIBUS. BRUTUS SICINAT.
READ AS :
JULIUS CAESAR HAD SOME JAM FOR TEA. POMPEY HAD A RAT. CRASSUS (WAS) SICK IN OMNIBUS. BRUTUS SICK IN HAT.

Latin has often been a much maligned subject for study but I think dropping it from the general curriculum has been part of the dumbing down of our education system ... and not at all helpful for those birders grappling with the scientific names of birds.

Regards,

Freddy