Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!husc6!bbn!rochester!cornell!uw-beaver!ssc-vax!bcsaic!shamus
From: shamus@bcsaic.UUCP (Steven McBride)
Newsgroups: rec.birds
Subject: Jizz [from Lesser Black Backed Gulls]
Message-ID: <3274@bcsaic.UUCP>
Date: 22 Dec 87 23:25:22 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: Boeing Computer Services ATC, Seattle
Lines: 25

A question was posted to the newsgroup on the meaning of 'jizz'. 
Christopher Leahy in his book "The Birdwatchers Companion" offers the 
following definition:

     JIZZ:  A distinctive physical "attitude", totally apart from any
     specific field mark, which may help in certain critical field
     identifications.  It is essentially an amalgam of shape, posture, and
     behavior. Knowledge of a species' jizz comes only after long experience
     with it and that of similar species in the field.  In some cases, it is
     more reliable than rote observation of detail.  The use of jizz is
     crucial, for example, to the skillful discrimination of diurnal raptors
     in flight. The origin of the term is uncertain; perhaps a corruption of
     "gestalt". [The Birdwatchers Companion, Christopher Leahy, (c) 1982.]
                 --------------------------

I've found "The Birdwatchers Companion" a very informative book for the
casual birder (me). It's an encyclopedic style volume crammed with all kinds
of information (e.g., highest recorded bird flight: 36,000 feet). I picked
up a copy from one of those publishing clearing houses for about $9.


-- 
Opinions expressed are strictly my own:
Shamus Mc Bride		uucp:      uw-beaver!uw-june!bcsaic!shamus
(206) 865-3401          internet:  shamus@boeing.com