[NatureNS] question re plurals of bird names?? (from nitpicker Jim)

From: John and Nhung <nhungjohn@eastlink.ca>
To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca
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Date: Thu, 06 Nov 2014 18:18:06 -0400
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If the bird(s) are the subjects of the sentence, the verb will tell the
tale.  Otherwise, ... damned if I know!

-----Original Message-----
From: naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca [mailto:naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca]
On Behalf Of Jim Wolford
Sent: November-06-14 5:54 PM
To: naturens
Subject: [NatureNS] question re plurals of bird names?? (from nitpicker Jim)

I have just read Ken McKenna's latest posting, as usual full of interesting
stuff, but here is a question I have wanted to raise for some time now - and
this will bug some of you, who should sign off now..

In recent times, I have grown tired of trying to know when to apply an "s"
to make a plural vs. "knowing" which species are best left alone when
forming plural numbers.  Especially problematic are "snipe" vs. "snipes" or
"woodcock" or "teal" etc. etc.  I with my "common-sense" rules of grammar
have decided to just Anglicize all bird names by adding "s" or "es" to all
of them, as some of you have noted when I write "teals", e.g.

What say the rest of you? or does anyone care?  Is this important to anyone?

Cheers from Jim in Wolfville.

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