Björn Bergenholtz
(former alias "Calalp")
Adelaide in "Adelaide rosella" Platycercus (elegans) "adelaidae" …
The long debated, extremely tricky taxon, the so called "Adelaide rosella" Platycercus (elegans) "adelaidae" Gould 1841 (regardless if it’s either a hybrid, sub-specie or specie, valid or not) is a toponym – and refers to the city of Adelaide, South Australia.
This bird was presented for the first time by its discoverer John Gould on the 24th of November 1840 on a meeting with the Zoological Society of London . Gould didn´t reveal anything whatsover of why he named it "Adelaidae" and in its type description (published in July 1841, that’s why its dates varies) nothing more was said, than these rosellas belonged in "South Australia". This created some uncertainty; the capital A indicated that a person was involved and the female ending -ae that this person might be a woman!?
But this was never the case!
In 1865 Gould himself (in his Handbook to the birds of Australia, vol. 2) tried to re-name it with the following declaration:
But Gould himself wasn´t the first to explain this. The great Parrot Expert Otto Finsch had two years earlier, in 1863, already informed the Ornithological Community that "Adelaïdae" (that´s how he spelled it) had got its name because :
And I think this quote might be a bit more "juicy"!? Is there any of you all out there that might feel like translating the Dutch quote for me?
If so, please as accurate as possible, as I would like to quote it myself in Swedish. And don´t hesitate to remark on any errors that I might have done transcribing it.
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PS. Not to be confused with the equally debated sub-specie Platycercus elegans subadelaidae, described by Gregory Macalister Mathews in 1912: "Differs from P. e. adelaide in being less brilliant below and in having less red on the crown. Type: Port Augusta, South Australia, No.9896. Range: Port Augusta, South Australia "
The long debated, extremely tricky taxon, the so called "Adelaide rosella" Platycercus (elegans) "adelaidae" Gould 1841 (regardless if it’s either a hybrid, sub-specie or specie, valid or not) is a toponym – and refers to the city of Adelaide, South Australia.
This bird was presented for the first time by its discoverer John Gould on the 24th of November 1840 on a meeting with the Zoological Society of London . Gould didn´t reveal anything whatsover of why he named it "Adelaidae" and in its type description (published in July 1841, that’s why its dates varies) nothing more was said, than these rosellas belonged in "South Australia". This created some uncertainty; the capital A indicated that a person was involved and the female ending -ae that this person might be a woman!?
But this was never the case!
In 1865 Gould himself (in his Handbook to the birds of Australia, vol. 2) tried to re-name it with the following declaration:
This change was never accepted, although Mr. Gould's original intention was made ever so clear!This beautiful Platycercus is a native of South Australia, and from the circumstance of my having procured some of my finest specimens in the very streets of the city of Adelaide, I have been induced to give it the specific name of adelaidensis." ["from" alt. "belonging to Adelaide"].
But Gould himself wasn´t the first to explain this. The great Parrot Expert Otto Finsch had two years earlier, in 1863, already informed the Ornithological Community that "Adelaïdae" (that´s how he spelled it) had got its name because :
Talrijk in Zuid-Australië, waar zij tijdens GOULDS verblijf zelfs door de straten van Adelaïde vlogen en om hun smakelijl vleesch dikwiljs gegeten werden."
And I think this quote might be a bit more "juicy"!? Is there any of you all out there that might feel like translating the Dutch quote for me?
If so, please as accurate as possible, as I would like to quote it myself in Swedish. And don´t hesitate to remark on any errors that I might have done transcribing it.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PS. Not to be confused with the equally debated sub-specie Platycercus elegans subadelaidae, described by Gregory Macalister Mathews in 1912: "Differs from P. e. adelaide in being less brilliant below and in having less red on the crown. Type: Port Augusta, South Australia, No.9896. Range: Port Augusta, South Australia "
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