scientific names didimus

[john trevor]

Here in Australia we have the Brown Goshawk (Accipiter fasciatus didimus). Can anyone please tell me why Gregory Mathews gave it the title "didimus" It seems didimus is the Greek word for "twin" or maybe, didimus means "Lesser". If so, maybe it is because the race he called "didimus" is from northern Australia, and it is a bit smaller, than the one here in the south. Hoping someone can help. Thanks , John Trevor

[loripo]

I saw this whilst looking for something else I cant find now does this help..
Systematics and Taxonomy of ... - Google Books

Hope you'll find it!

[john trevor]

Thank you Loripo. It was helpful. I've just found out that in England "diddy" means small. (A small racexexe from John Trevor. Otway Ranges Victoria Australia

[loripo]

It was that I recognised the name from the Bible, but on looking it up further it also has a medical/veterinary use, which I wont mention here I think with the bird it must mean the lesser of two.