http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/gnxp/2008/06/bird-phylogeny/ Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:55:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/gnxp/2008/06/bird-phylogeny/#comment-10671 John Emerson Sat, 28 Jun 2008 04:15:01 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/gnxp/2008/06/27/bird-phylogeny/#comment-10671 "Hawk" was probably functionally defined, either as a kind of raptor, or in human terms as a bird that could be used in hawking (also called falconry). Somewhat the way that fisheries departments often have jurisdiction over whaling, crabbing, etc. “Hawk” was probably functionally defined, either as a kind of raptor, or in human terms as a bird that could be used in hawking (also called falconry).
Somewhat the way that fisheries departments often have jurisdiction over whaling, crabbing, etc.

]]> http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/gnxp/2008/06/bird-phylogeny/#comment-10670 windy Fri, 27 Jun 2008 20:02:20 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/gnxp/2008/06/27/bird-phylogeny/#comment-10670 John, that excuse won't work anymore, unless we get rid of all the museum specimens ;) John, that excuse won’t work anymore, unless we get rid of all the museum specimens

]]> http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/gnxp/2008/06/bird-phylogeny/#comment-10669 Luis Fri, 27 Jun 2008 18:57:31 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/gnxp/2008/06/27/bird-phylogeny/#comment-10669 <i>Most definitely I was surprised and interested to learn that falcons are not closely related to eagles & hawks.</i> I was surprised to find out that falcon and hawk are not (at least strictu sensu) synonims. I thought this might be due to English being a second language to me but actually Wikipedia says that, in the wider sense, "hawk" can stand for small members of the families Falconidae, Pandionidae and Accipitridae (this last being the one that includes "true hawks" and eagles). Most definitely I was surprised and interested to learn that falcons are not closely related to eagles & hawks.
I was surprised to find out that falcon and hawk are not (at least strictu sensu) synonims. I thought this might be due to English being a second language to me but actually Wikipedia says that, in the wider sense, “hawk” can stand for small members of the families Falconidae, Pandionidae and Accipitridae (this last being the one that includes “true hawks” and eagles).

]]> http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/gnxp/2008/06/bird-phylogeny/#comment-10668 John Emerson Fri, 27 Jun 2008 15:14:34 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/gnxp/2008/06/27/bird-phylogeny/#comment-10668 Alas, the loons have lost their privileged status as ancient. I think that that was mostly all PR anyway; loons are such an interesting bird (the densest flighted bird, for one thing.) The unclassifiable Mesites are all endangered; within a few decades the task of science will become easier, since they won't exist to be classified any more. Why not just forget them right off and save ourselves the distress? Alas, the loons have lost their privileged status as ancient. I think that that was mostly all PR anyway; loons are such an interesting bird (the densest flighted bird, for one thing.)
The unclassifiable Mesites are all endangered; within a few decades the task of science will become easier, since they won’t exist to be classified any more. Why not just forget them right off and save ourselves the distress?

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