Note 117 — Chapter IV · ONOMATOPŒIA.[103]

Nodier, p. 41. Even when the sound is no guide, different characteristics are chosen by different nations to furnish a name. The names “fledermaus,” “flittermouse,” are suggested like “chauve souris,” by the structure of the bat; νυκτερὶς and vespertilio by its habits; if the differentia of the animal be very marked, its name will probably be derived from it in all languages, as noctiluca, glow-worm, lucciolato, ver luisant, &c.; yet even then not in all, as Johannis-wurm. Compare again σεισιπυγὶς, motacilla, cutretta, wagtail, with Bachstelze, hoche-queue, &c. If the bird be rare, it is much more likely to have numerous names, because the observation of each casual observer as to its chief attribute is not liable to so much revision. Take as an instance the night-jar, which is also called fern-owl, churn-owl, goat-sucker, wheel-bird, dorhawk, &c. See, too, Garnett’s Essays, pp. 88, 89.