Also interesting is the fact that the baby born on the Mayflower, was named Peregrine White, since she was born on the journey to America. ------------------------------------- Larry Berrin State Education Director Audubon Vermont (802) 434-3068 On Wed, 29 May 2002 09:39:18 -0400 Sherry Mahady <[log in to unmask]> writes: >HI, Folks -- > >Thought you might be interested in this piece of bird trivia. > >Sherry > > >The Word of the Day for May 29 is: >peregrine \PEH-ruh-grun or PEH-ruh-green\ (adjective) >having a tendency to wander >Example sentence: > "We've rented a charming house, owned by a peregrine widower >who prefers to migrate between the homes of his six children," wrote >Carrie in her letter. >Did you know? > The current meaning of "peregrine" has wandered a bit from >earlier meanings. It originally meant "foreign," as did its Latin >predecessor "peregrinus." But even before "peregrine" appeared on its >own in English, it was part of the name of that well-known bird of >prey, the peregrine falcon. The bird's appellation derives from "Falco >peregrinus," the Medieval Latin designation given it by the scientist >Albertus Magnus in the 13th century. "Falco peregrinus" came to be >thought of as meaning "pilgrim falcon" (rather than "foreign falcon"), >perhaps because medieval falconers captured peregrines during their >first flight -- or pilgrimage -- from the nest. That in turn led to a >new sense of "peregrine" ("engaged in or traveling on a pilgrimage"), >which was later broadened to "wandering." >---------------- >Brought to you by Merriam-Webster, Inc. >http://www.Merriam-Webster.co ________________________________________________________________ GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO! Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less! Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/web/.