287 
is from the Greek repécé, through the French perdrix; in middle English it was 
pertriche. Pigeon is the French pigeon, from the Latin pipio, a young chirping 
bird of no particular species. I have lately shown (Zoologist, 1882, p. 110) that 
Wigeon is similarly formed from vipio, a name used by Pliny, so that the spelling 
**Widgeon”’is clearly wrong. Thrush and its diminutive Throstle are allied to 
the Latin turdus. 
The remaining English bird-names can most of them be traced back to Celtic 
or Teutonic sources, but their meaning is either unknown or uncertain, so that itis 
inexpedient to endeavour to explain them now. Onan occasion such as this, I 
would not willingly detract from the pleasure of anyone who may come after me, 
by going outside what may reasonably be regarded as ascertained etymological 
facts. I have only made a collection of derivations, on which I hope to see a 
stately structure rise that shall show to future ornithologists the depth of the 
meaning of English bird-names. 
