Dear Steve,
Gilbert’s opening paragraph is largely Latin to me—in more ways than one. I can follow what he is trying to establish, but the detail makes me conscious of how much I don’t know, and of the opportunities to learn that I am not making for myself. What do I mean by that? Gilbert is carefully comparing descriptions to establish which bird he is dealing with. I understand the purpose, even if I cannot yet follow all the particulars.
I suspect that Gilbert may have known many of the (species-paths), particularly for species that he frequently encountered which are defined in tomes like Linnaeus by heart, coupled with his knowledge of Latin, which is pretty much a dead language to me, whereas I know nothing, hence his ability to describe in that language the characteristics of any particular bird.
It really does put me to shame, or does it? After all, I am just starting down the naturalist path, and at the moment, don’t think that I need to get down into the weeds of scientific species identification – if that makes sense?
Interestingly, Gilbert then offers me some reassurance. In pointing out problems with Scopoli’s descriptions, he warns against comparing birds from memory. He has compared the birds themselves. Perhaps there is something for me to take from that: I can begin by looking carefully, even while much of the terminology is unfamiliar.
I read a few pages from Gerald & Lee Durrell’s “The Amateur Naturalist”. I’m still in the introduction, so for now I’m getting a general grounding.
Today, Sunday, was perhaps the highlight of the week. Being the last Sunday of the month, it was time for the Camera Club Monthly Walk. This time it was to a part of the New Forest that hosts the Rufus Stone, supposedly the location where King William II was killed by an arrow. Some historians think his death may actually have occurred several miles away, near Beaulieu. We were mostly looking for fungi, and found a few. I’ve tried taking some photos, all I will say is that I can do better.
After a couple of hours walking about and taking pictures in some very pleasant company, it was time to move to the pub that is nearby for lunch. As usual, Jon, the walk organiser, had found an excellent establishment for lunch, and a delicious meal was had by all.
All The Best
Bill.
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