”Dictionary of Birds of the United States” offers birders another dimension in their fascinating pursuit.

From Accipter (hawk) to Zonotrichia (sparrow), this hard-cover volume presents a comprehensive view of American bird nomenclature. It’s directed at scientists and birders who want a supplement to their bird guides and lists.

Author Joel Ellis Holloway traces the etymology and meanings of scientific names back to the original Latin and, when possible, deals with Greek roots. Bird names are often derived from physical qualities as well as native languages, mythology and the person who originally named the bird.

But it’s not all words.

Along with the text, there are 25 pen-and-ink drawings by ornithologist and bird illustrator George Miksch Sutton. His full-color drawing of a rare male Trogan elegans (elegant trogan) is on the cover.

The volume has 900 entries.

”A name may hold fascinating clues about the bird’s origin, its behavior, the sound of its call, its coloration or other physical attributes,” Holloway writes. ”This book was written to be used as a dictionary, but hopefully a front-to-back reading will also prove to be both informative and entertaining.”

Holloway lives in Norman, Okla., where he has a private dermatology practice. He has a degree in pharmacy in addition to his medical degrees. He’s spent years collecting and researching the information in the dictionary. Holloway is currently preparing a dictionary of wildflowers of Texas and the southern Great Plains.

Published by Timber Press of Portland, the 224-page ”Dictionary of Birds of the United States” retails for $19.95.

Contact: 800-327-5680.