Björn Bergenholtz
(former alias "Calalp")
Simply to keep things apart, I choose to start a new thread on this topic/case, even if this Scientific name has earlier been listed, in post/s #382–#383 (among other unsolved/unexplained names) in the very loooong and lengthy thread HBWAlive Key; mission accomplished or mission impossible? (here).
Thereby, here's a look (and a speculation/guess) regarding the etymology behind the Scientific name ...
musae as in:
• the extinct Warbler "Oriolus Musae" FORSTER 1844 [OD here, No.146, on pp.163–164 (*)], no obvious, self-evident explanation (at least not from what I can tell, it's all in Latin)
... a k a Huhine/Forster's/Society (Islands)/Leeward (Islands) Long-billed/Reed Warbler! Also note that the English name Garrett's Reed Warbler preferably ought to be reserved, or restricted to (alt. used only for) the ssp. Acrocephalus musae garretti Holyoak & Thibault 1978 (below).
In today's Key explained as:
The only thing I might be able to add is that on page 166 of the same book as the OD (even if in the entry for a completely different bird, a Pigeon/Dove), No. 148, we find the following (similar) text: "Facile cicuratur, vicitat imprimis Musa". The same (Latin) word is also mentioned in the text for the next following Pigeon/Dove, (p.167) , No.149: "... Vicitat Musa, facile cicuratur."
Also note that a similar text is equally found in Forster's entry for "Psittacus sapphirinus", on p.201: "Habitat in insula Otahaitee ...; vicitat imprimis fructu Musae ...".
As well, see page 157 (in the text/Chapter INSULAE INTRA TROPICOS MARIS PACIFICI SITAE) where it's written: "... et pluribus aliis arboribus, praeterea et storeas plectunt ex plantis et imprimis foliis Musae et Cocos. ..."
Couldn´t the "Oriole" be just as fond of/attracted to bananas (Musa)? Just like it's 'suggested' (or compared with) by the Key? Surely there must be bananas (also) on the insula (Island) Uliatea (Ulietea/Raiatea), in the Pacific, where this Warbler was said to have been found? Or on Tahiti (see Holyoak & Thibault, 1978, here) ... ?
That is, of course, not in preference to the actual fruit/berry/banana itself, I doubt we'll ever see a (or any) Acrocephalus Warbler chewing on a banana, but surely they could have been attracted to the Banana trees/habitat, rich in Insects (attracted by the sweetness – still today a major problem in/by Banana plantations/growers). Nor would those Pigeons/Doves be eating bananas (in their case I guess/assume it's more of a connection to the shady trees/plants themselves), but I'm pretty sure a "Psittacus" Parakeet wouldn't mind.
Either way, it's just an idea (read: nothing but a guess), alt. a possibility, or a suggestion, ... with nothing (absolutely nothing) solid backing it up!
Thus, take it for what it's worth (if anything at all).
Björn
PS. If totally unrelated to Bananas (Musa sp.), could it possibly be named after a (Forster's own?) Muse (Musa) ... ? A (local) source of inspiration, from the same Pacific/Island? Or maybe not ...
PPS. The same taxon was also commented by Reichenbach here, in text, below "T. [Tatarea] longirostris" (Note: this work is dated "1836" in/by BHL, contrary to "1851" on the Title page). It's also listed by Wiglesworth (1891), as a synonym of ditto, here.
*The reference to "(Fig. pict. G.)", of "Oriolus Musae" unseen by me, at least I haven't seen it any closer than (in discussion, in various texts), like; here, and here, or here. However, note that in the latter text it's mentioned as "Oriolus Musa" [sic], below: "Conopoderas caffra ? subsp. Long-billed Warbler", ... which ought to refer to this particular drawing. Unfortunately no trace/sign of any banana (plants).
Also note that this, the (very) same reference "(Fig. pict. G.)", are given below multiple species in Forster's Book/Work (first link above, where the OD itself was/is found).
Thereby, here's a look (and a speculation/guess) regarding the etymology behind the Scientific name ...
musae as in:
• the extinct Warbler "Oriolus Musae" FORSTER 1844 [OD here, No.146, on pp.163–164 (*)], no obvious, self-evident explanation (at least not from what I can tell, it's all in Latin)
... a k a Huhine/Forster's/Society (Islands)/Leeward (Islands) Long-billed/Reed Warbler! Also note that the English name Garrett's Reed Warbler preferably ought to be reserved, or restricted to (alt. used only for) the ssp. Acrocephalus musae garretti Holyoak & Thibault 1978 (below).
In today's Key explained as:
The only thing I might be able to add is that on page 166 of the same book as the OD (even if in the entry for a completely different bird, a Pigeon/Dove), No. 148, we find the following (similar) text: "Facile cicuratur, vicitat imprimis Musa". The same (Latin) word is also mentioned in the text for the next following Pigeon/Dove, (p.167) , No.149: "... Vicitat Musa, facile cicuratur."
Also note that a similar text is equally found in Forster's entry for "Psittacus sapphirinus", on p.201: "Habitat in insula Otahaitee ...; vicitat imprimis fructu Musae ...".
As well, see page 157 (in the text/Chapter INSULAE INTRA TROPICOS MARIS PACIFICI SITAE) where it's written: "... et pluribus aliis arboribus, praeterea et storeas plectunt ex plantis et imprimis foliis Musae et Cocos. ..."
Couldn´t the "Oriole" be just as fond of/attracted to bananas (Musa)? Just like it's 'suggested' (or compared with) by the Key? Surely there must be bananas (also) on the insula (Island) Uliatea (Ulietea/Raiatea), in the Pacific, where this Warbler was said to have been found? Or on Tahiti (see Holyoak & Thibault, 1978, here) ... ?
That is, of course, not in preference to the actual fruit/berry/banana itself, I doubt we'll ever see a (or any) Acrocephalus Warbler chewing on a banana, but surely they could have been attracted to the Banana trees/habitat, rich in Insects (attracted by the sweetness – still today a major problem in/by Banana plantations/growers). Nor would those Pigeons/Doves be eating bananas (in their case I guess/assume it's more of a connection to the shady trees/plants themselves), but I'm pretty sure a "Psittacus" Parakeet wouldn't mind.
Either way, it's just an idea (read: nothing but a guess), alt. a possibility, or a suggestion, ... with nothing (absolutely nothing) solid backing it up!
Thus, take it for what it's worth (if anything at all).
Björn
PS. If totally unrelated to Bananas (Musa sp.), could it possibly be named after a (Forster's own?) Muse (Musa) ... ? A (local) source of inspiration, from the same Pacific/Island? Or maybe not ...
PPS. The same taxon was also commented by Reichenbach here, in text, below "T. [Tatarea] longirostris" (Note: this work is dated "1836" in/by BHL, contrary to "1851" on the Title page). It's also listed by Wiglesworth (1891), as a synonym of ditto, here.
*The reference to "(Fig. pict. G.)", of "Oriolus Musae" unseen by me, at least I haven't seen it any closer than (in discussion, in various texts), like; here, and here, or here. However, note that in the latter text it's mentioned as "Oriolus Musa" [sic], below: "Conopoderas caffra ? subsp. Long-billed Warbler", ... which ought to refer to this particular drawing. Unfortunately no trace/sign of any banana (plants).
Also note that this, the (very) same reference "(Fig. pict. G.)", are given below multiple species in Forster's Book/Work (first link above, where the OD itself was/is found).
Last edited:
