Chico husband and wife retired professors Roger Lederer and Carol Burr combined their knowledge of birds and their knowledge of words to create a fascinating book about the scientific names of birds and where these names come from. Ornithologist Roger recites the full scientific name of the common hoopoe, whose name Upupaepops imitates its call. Their book includes interesting facts about feathers and beaks, and why Ian Fleming named James Bond after a real ornithologist. The book was reviewed in the Wall Street Journal on May 25, 2014.
Each week host Nancy Wiegman talks to local, regional and national writers about their latest projects. Nancy's Bookshelf airs Fridays at 10 a.m.