#Duck Quail Other Bird

[askwhatsforlunch]

Pear Tree Roast Partridge

When I tell you, my culinary inspirations come from anywhere and everywhere! This one is, I reckon, obvious enough! And if we're far enough from the Twelve Days of Christmas, Autumn is the choice season for game and orchard fruit, and this Pear Tree Roast Partridge, with its crisp skin and juicy, fragrant flesh, makes a delectably seasonal Sunday lunch! Have a good one, friends!

Ingredients (serves 2 to 3):

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

½ tablespoon olive oil

1 large onion

half a dozen leaves Garden Sage 

the soaked Pear quarters used to make Spiced Pear Liqueur, drained

45 grams/1 1/2 ounces day-old Sourdough Bread

1/4 cup Spiced Pear Liqueur

1/4 teaspoon fleur de sel or sea salt flakes

1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper

1 (840-gram/3.15-pound) partridge

1 1/2 unsalted butter, softened

1/2 teaspoon fleur de sel

½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper

2 tablespoons Spiced Pear Liqueur

1/4 cup water

In a medium skillet, melt butter with olive oil over a medium flame on the stove-top.

Peel the onion, and finely chop half of it. Finely chop Garden Sage.

Once the butter is just foaming, add chopped onion and Sage  to the skillet. Cook, about 3 minutes until softened.

Roughly chop half of the soaked Pears, and stir into the skillet.

Cut Sourdough Bread into cubes, and stir into the skillet as well. Cook, a couple of minutes.

Season with fleur de sel and black pepper. Pour in Spiced Pear Liqueur, and cook, stirring well, a couple of minutes more. Remove from the heat, and allow to cool slightly.

Preheat oven to 200°C/395°F.

Cut remaining onion into thick slices, and arrange them at the bottom of a roasting tin.

Season both the inside and the outside of the partridge with fleur de sel and black pepper. Stuff the bird with Pear and bread stuffing, and sit in the tin, onto the onion slices.

Rub softened butter all over the partridge, and pour Spiced Pear Liqueur and  water at the bottom of the tin. Arrange reserved soaked Pear quarters all around the partridge.

Place in the middle of the hot oven and roast, at 200°C/395°F, 1 hour. 

Serve Pear Tree Roast Partridge hot, with Ginger and Spice Roasted Sweet Potatoes and a full-bodied red like a French Ventoux or a Barossa Valley Shiraz.

[sassyhazelowl]

Me @ the local exotic bird fair: I'm way too white for this -- oh *gasp* ITS A CHICKEN *immediately bypasses the emus and parrots to see the modern game bantams and old english games in the back*

[ceruleanvulpine]

huge respect to @myxinidaes for reblogging that post with 100 birds

[kedreeva]

Well, Monday night, SOMEONE went on an unauthorized adventure.

We got home from going to see The Mummy (1999) at our local big screen, and it was just about hitting twilight. Bug was outside (big girl!! she's been outside for most of the day for the last few days) with Earl, so I went in and closed up Earl, then closed up Artemis' pen of birds, and then Bug and I walked down to close up the barn pen's door. We walked back around and I ducked into the barn to do a quick night check of the barn birds and the quarantine birds and the quail, something that takes less than 2 minutes, and when I got back outside.... no Bug.

Now, Bug often comes outside with me at night to lock up the other birds. We go from pen to pen together. She even hops up onto the fence runners up top and flies from one to the next, and across the alley, and often when she comes down, she'll fly up to the front side yard and then run back for the hell of it, or takes a right instead of a left and ends up out by the compost heap, so I walked both places calling her, expecting to see her pop her head up and come back like always.

But.... no Bug.

So I go inside, and get Sark, and we both start looking. Did she get spooked? Did she jump up someplace? I once searched for Beep for an hour on the ground, only to look up and find out she'd just been silently watching me from above. But after almost 2 hours of searching... no Bug.

Well, it was pouring down rain, and wherever Bug had gone, she was not talking back to us, and she certainly wasn't coming when called, so we gave up and came inside. I called the local PD to let them know one of my birds had escaped and despite looking for her, we had to stop because of the storm, but left my number in case anyone called. I stressed all night, dozing on and off. I got up around 1am to do another lap of the yard and see if I could hear her, now that the frog symphony was over and the rain had stopped, but no luck.

At 5am, I went out again, and parked myself in my car on the phone with my Australian friend, to await dawn. I figured, if she'd gone up to roost, then when it got light, she'd come down. Sark came out around 5:45 and parked himself out in the field by our firepit in case she went that way. Eventually I got up and walked up and down the street, since people were leaving for work, and I stopped a few cars and asked them to keep an eye out.

As I was walking back to the house, down our long drive, I spotted her on the barn roof just as my phone began to ring. Sark had seen her fly down from one of the 60ft tall oaks on the edge of our property. He got her some peanuts, and I called her down

She acted like nothing happened. Just like hey guys what's up?

So, no more outside time at night, unless she's in a pen! Which.... considering my day today, she may be outside full time soon!

[moki-dokie]

rating the birds in my backyard on their tendency towards violence

@luulapants inspired me to make a bird post as well. we should talk about our local dinosaurs more! (not including the same birds from their post we also have here)

great-tailed grackle 7/10 physical violence is not how you guys operate. you wage mental warfare with a barrage of unending noises on the most annoying frequency imaginable to man. also some of you have mastered mimicry in the wild and this is simply too much power for a beast like you to wield. (similar to the common grackle but infinitely more annoying)

american kestrel 3/10 she's beauty, she's grace, she'll smack an eagle in the face. fearless and skilled little predator that delights me every time i get to see one. bit more secretive than other raptors tho.

red-tailed hawk -1/10 a majestic cry that always gets used for eagles in voiceovers, absolutely stunning, and a staple of the midwest and west but... baby ain't got a single braincell. head empty. mobbed on the regular by birds a tenth their size. i've personally watched a single sparrow harass one for 30 minutes before it gave up and ran away. can't steal shit to save its own life. scared of everything ever. they're basically horses of the birds of prey, if horses were a little less psychotic.

mallard duck 1/10 just little dudes doing their own thing. females can get a little aggro when nesting thats about it. sometimes pushy when food is involved. otherwise just chill, beautiful guys. but do me a solid, my web-footed friends? stop fucking nesting in my garden!! i don't like stressing you out when i'm tending to it!!

northern bobwhite (quail) -5000000/10 you're doing great sweetie just keep doing what you're doing. bob-bobwhite amirite

red-winged blackbird 4/10 you lot have a scare tactic technique that sparrows wish they had by just squaring up in numbers and looking fabulous while doing so. no notes.

eastern bluebird 0/10 they've literally never done anything ever wrong. perfection. little fairies but without all the deviousness. absolute cuteness. a blessing to be in ones presence.

scissor-tailed flycatcher 9/10 ahhh yes our stunning state bird. the herald of summer. the graceful acrobatic dancer. the beautiful singer. the brutal serial killer of all things insect. watching them 'hunt' is spectacular. one of the few birds that can hover. they're deadly accurate. almost exclusively capture their prey mid-air. but sometimes they'll get a bug too big to snipe on wing and do you know what they do in that case? they'll take it to their perch and beat it to death. remarkable.

carolina chickadee 4/10 don't let their round sweetness deceive you. they are full of spite and precisely zero fear. will absolutely pick on birds twenty times their size. small man syndrome.

mourning dove 0/10 hwoo hoo hoo hoo?

bald eagle, 2/10 WHAT are you doing this far south sir. we are landlocked my guy. the ocean is that way. big rivers and lakes are the other way. certainly there cannot be enough fish for you here!! surprisingly docile, for a giant raptor.

golden eagle 10/10 he'll eat your dog in front of you and then fuck your wife while maintaining eye contact with you the entire time. everything is afraid of this motherfucker.

great egret 0/10 they're chill and serenity incarnate. and their smaller cattle cousins are exactly the same. their size is the only thing intimidating about them. fuckers are HUGE

american goldfinch 3/10 food aggressive, mostly. lovely to look at. they really like to bitch up a storm tho.

california gull 90000000/10 nature's biggest asshole. we don't even have large bodies of water here. get out.

hummingbirds, all (ruby-throated pictured) 10/10 they choose violence every waking moment. god help you if you've forgotten to refill a nectar feeder. all they know is speed, feed, make things bleed.

barn swallow 9/10 Do Not Go Near The Nest. willing and able to peck you to death.

baltimore oriole 1/10 goofy guys with a great sense of fashion and one of the prettiest songs. they're just here to flirt and have a good time

greater roadrunner 3/10 i love our mini velociraptors so much i dare not speak ill of them. also one of the few birds that fuck outside of the need to reproduce. hell yeah my dudes get it on you freaky little dinos.

northern mockingbird 5/10 i think these guys are on par with how the europeans feel about magpies. they don't really steal shit, but they will, like grackles, commit psychological warfare by being the most annoying little shit possible. and sometimes they're bold enough to chase you. their hatred of cats outweighs their sense of self-preservation, too. they will get into a metaphorical fist fight with a cat. and win, usually.

eastern meadowlark 6/10 i know our prairies are awfully tempting to go frolicking in but unless you crave an unusual death that involves being relentlessly shrieked at with drive-by stabbings, i wouldn't recommend it. these guys are lurking in the tall grass, just waiting to fuck up your day.

black vulture 1/10 slightly smaller than their red-faced cousin, way more common here, and so so chill. they're all bark and no bite, unless you're roadkill. is one in the road blocking you from passing because he's chowing down on a dead opossum? go around, bitch. you are not important enough for him to get out of the way.

wild turkey 11/10 (males) female turkeys are pretty cool. they can be a bit Extra but generally they just want to eat. males, however. males would love nothing more but to beat you to death and then take a shit on your corpse. persistent. unyielding. once you have become a target your only hope is getting in a car and quickly driving away. if they don't beat the shit out of your car first, that is.

desert cardinal 2/10 these guys are great. they're not even supposed to be here. i always mistake them for female cardinals at first. about the same temperament as normal cardinals. they're weird but everyone seems to be okay with them.

great horned owl 8/10 so, so stupid and yet so spiteful. not a great combo. so ironic owls are the posterchild of wise when they're perhaps one of the dumbest birds of prey. its a wonder they haven't stupided their way into extinction. only thing this idiot has going for it is being so photogenic and has the most creepy mood-setting song ever.

[sotwk]

Food and Agriculture in Thranduil's Kingdom

It's unfortunate that Thorin's Company was welcomed as dinner guests in Rivendell but imprisoned as invaders in Mirkwood. Had Thorin just shown King Thranduil just a little bit more respect, they could have been fed a whole lot better by the Silvans. And there would most definitely have been meat!

While the Rivendell elves seem to lean vegetarian, and Lothlorien's culinary specialty is the "one bite" lembas, the elves of Greenwood know more than a thing or two about indulgent feasting. These elves consider themselves permanent residents of their land, and with that outlook comes an attitude of celebrating Middle-earth's bounties.

The Silvans of the Woodland Realm have always been fond of feasting, merry-making, and community and family traditions centered around food. Furthermore, they are ruled by a King and royal family who whole-heartedly support this culture, participate in it themselves, and encourage trade that allows the realm to access food from other lands.

When it comes to food, the Greenwood elves are actually more alike Dwarves and Hobbits than they are the lofty High Elves.

Below the cut are SotWK headcanons regarding Food and Agriculture in the Woodland Realm:

Food, Cuisine, and Agriculture in the Woodland Realm

Prior to the establishment of the Woodland Realm and in the early reign of King Oropher (c. SA 700), the Silvan Elves populating Greenwood lived in smaller communities spread throughout the vast forest, but predominantly in the southwest, closer to their kin in Lorinand. Limited subsistence farming was practiced by a few, but by far most food at this time was obtained through hunting and gathering. The rich and bountiful Greenwood had always provided more than enough resources for its dwellers.

GATHERING

Greenwood Elves happily spend most of their immortal lives within Eryn Galen and the lands of Rhovanion, so they are accustomed to living off solely what the forest produces, and their diet is influenced largely by it.

The most commonly foraged edibles are:

Nuts: hazelnut, pecan, walnut, hickory, beechnut, chestnut

Fruit: plum, apple, grape, persimmon

Berries: mulberry, blackberry, currant, elderberry, raspberry

Wild garlic and ramps

Fungi: mushrooms and truffles of many varieties

Eggs: from various wild birds

Herbs and Spices: fennel, corn mint, dandelions, ground elder, pigweed, cicely, sorrel, hogweed, stinging nettle, watercress, wild carrot, rowan, wood avens, sneezewort

Maple: sourced for sugar and syrup

There are also hundreds of plant species native only to Greenwood and Rhovanion that are valued for their uses in healing. However, the Silvan herbalists of Greenwood are usually the only ones able to effectively extract the curative properties of these plants, indicating a connection between Elves and homeland may be necessary for the healing to work.

Art from Fantasy Flight Games

HUNTING

Greenwood Elves are expert hunters and trackers, with unparalleled mastery within their forest and the lands that surround its borders. With careful consideration and instinctual knowledge of the forest ecosystem, they select their prey according to what's most populous, and rotate as necessary to balance out conservation levels.

Among the animals they hunt regularly for meat consumption are rabbit, squirrel, duck, turkey, quail, weasel, racoon, boar, deer, wild oxen, and elk. On rare or special occasions, they hunt less common game such as lion and bear. They also obtain fish and freshwater mussels, clams, and snails from the Forest River and various streams.

It is illegal in Greenwood to hunt or kill specific animals that are declared a protected species, including the King's Elk (the breed of Thranduil's war elk), the silverwolf, and all species of eagle or falcon.

Any fauna or fauna may also be temporarily decreed off-limits for hunting or gathering, by order of the Elvenking and his council.

Any animal taken in as an elf's pet or familiar may also not be killed, so long as it has been properly tamed and does not pose a risk to others.

Throughout the Second Age, the Woodland Realm's population steadily increased under the wise rule of King Oropher and his court. As the communities and villages that made up the kingdom grew larger and more numerous, the practice of agriculture became more widespread to bolster the realm's food supply.

In the Woodland Realm, farming would always remain secondary to hunting and gathering due to the preference of Silvans for wild game and native vegetation. Farmed products serve primarily to enhance cuisine, supplement large feasts, provide reserves in case of war or famine, and as goods for trade with other realms.

FARMING and LIVESTOCK

Tracts of community farmlands were gradually cultivated in the arable fields between Greenwood's western borders (near the capital of Amon Lanc) and the Anduin River.

In order of output, the food crops most commonly grown are: wheat, barley, oats, potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, lettuce, peppers, and peas.

Fiber crops grown for cloth, paper, and rope include: flax, hemp, and cotton.

Domesticated animals are raised in small numbers solely for their by-products and not their meat. In order of importance, livestock that are raised are:

Sheep: source of wool and milk

Chickens: source of eggs

Cows: source of milk and for birthing calves

Animals raised for labor include:

Horses: highly valued and raised exclusively for transport and mounted cavalry

Oxen: used as beasts of burden (large-scale/community work)

Donkeys: used as beasts of burden (small-scale/family work)

When Prince Thranduil built his own palace of Bar Lasgalen just south of the Old Forest Road (which would later become the new capital upon his ascension to the throne), he helped the Silvans residing in the valleys of the Emyn Duir to initiate small-scale agriculture, which encouraged further migration into that area and northward towards the Grey Mountains.

Elvish historians refer to the first millennium of the Third Age as the "Golden Age of the Woodland Realm". During these years, the kingdom enjoyed an unbroken peace under a wise King and Queen who also had five sons actively involved in the governance of the realm.

Departing from his father's more isolationist leanings, Thranduil encouraged trade with realms across Middle-earth. It included all the races except for Hobbits, since the Shire did not yet exist prior to the darkening of Greenwood.

Sadly, most trade came to a stop by the end of the Third Age, with the exception of the nearby Dale, due to the struggles with Dol Guldur. However, after Erebor was reestablished by King Thorin, trade gradually resumed with the Dwarves. After the War of the Ring and the Cleansing of Dol Guldur, Eryn Lasgalen once again thrived with renewed relations with their trade partners--finally including the Shire!

AGRICULTURAL TRADE

The Woodland Realm's three most valuable exported agricultural products are:

Rare spices

Mushrooms and truffles

Medicinal herbs (extremely valuable but highly controlled to prevent misuse)

Imported goods are considered luxuries and not necessities, and are brought in seasonally for community feasts and celebrations (of which there are many). Everything is meant for the consumption of all the kingdom's citizens, regardless of status; there is never anything reserved as "special" for the royals or nobles.

The top agricultural imports, usually from realms/communities of Men, are:

Wine

Textiles (silk, cotton)

Seafood

Sugar

Cheeses

ARTISAN COOKS and BAKERS

Exposure to outside realms and cultures also resulted in an expansion of the culinary arts within Thranduil's kingdom. Cooking and baking became full-blown, respected and sought-after professions instead of tasks done within individual households. With the King's support, talented Elves were sent to other realms to learn their culinary practices; chefs from other kingdoms were invited to Greenwood as royal guests to do the same.

A few culinary feats and innovations the Woodland Elves became known for:

Use of offal (innards) in recipes that actually taste fantastic, thanks to seasonings and skilled cookery

Using literally every single part of a butchered animal with zero waste

Aphrodisiacs in common food recipes, using plant ingredients (partly responsible for their marriage and birth rates and large families)

Salted game meat (jerky) that is highly nourishing and excellent for travel; essentially a meat version of lembas

The use of whipped egg whites to make essentially a type of meringue--which opened up an entire category of desserts that became staples at feasts

Bonus Fun Headcanons! (as a thank you for reading this far)

Mealtimes in Thranduil's Family

No one can beat Ada in drinking contests, ever; it has been attempted hundreds of times--usually with Dorwinion wine--and Thranduil has never been dethroned by his sons.

The King and every single one of the Princes are all heavy eaters, and everyone, including the Queen, eats meat.

While they all observe formal manners at the table, the Princes can get rowdy when not in the presence of their mother--especially when there's drinking involved. (Not quite as bad as Thorin's Company, but close.)

Breakfast: Taken individually in their own rooms, according to each one's schedule/leisure

Lunch: The most commonly skipped meal; usually taken "on the go", and oftentimes with people outside of the family (e.g. business lunches, lunch with friends)

Dinner: The family meal. Everyone is expected to sit down and eat dinner with the rest of the family, unless traveling or there is a prior commitment that takes precedence.

Random Fun Food Facts with the Thranduilions

The Princes regularly compete to see who can eat the most exotic/"disgusting" food items. Turhir remains champion at this (able and willing to eat literally everything), with Legolas frequently trying (and constantly failing) to unseat him.

They have also competed to see who can eat the riskiest (aka poisonous) food items. Arvellas has somehow proven to be the most impervious to natural poisons, much to Gelir's frustration.

Legolas can go the longest without eating food, but no one really cares to try to beat his record.

Mirion is the heaviest eater, but is also the fastest, and because he has flawless table manners no one really notices.

Gelir can find truffles just using his sense of smell--yes, like a truffle pig. He has successfully trained other similarly gifted Elves to do the same.

For more Thranduil/Mirkwood headcanons: SotWK HC Masterlist

Tolkien Headcanon tag list: @quickslvxr @laneynoir @auttumnsayshi @achromaticerebus @tamryniel @friendofthefellowshipsnerdblog @blueberryrock @aduialel @glassgulls @ladyweaslette @klytemnestra13 @creativity-of-death @heilith @fizzyxcustard @absentmindeduniverse @lathalea @tamurilofrivendell @jordie-your-local-halfling @ladyk8tie @scyllas-revenge @asianbutnotjapanese @conversacomsmaug @lemonivall @ratsys @a-world-of-whimsy-5 @entishramblings @stormchaser819 @freshalmondpandadonut

[cryptidclaw]

Cryptidclaw's WC Prefixes List!

Yall said you were interested in seeing it so here it is! 

This is a collection of mostly Flora, Fauna, Rocks, and other such things that can be found in Britain since that’s where the books take place! 

I also have other Prefixes that have to do with pelt colors and patterns as well!

Here’s a link to the doc if you dont want to expand a 650 word list on your Tumblr feed lol! the doc is also in my drive linked in my pined post!

below is the actual list! If there are any names you think I should add plz tell me!

EDIT: I will update the doc with new names as I come up with them or have them suggested to me, but I wont update the list on this post! Plz visit my doc for a more updated version!

Animals

Mammal

Badger

Bat

Bear

Beaver

Bison

Boar

Buck

Calf

Cow

Deer

Elk

Fawn

Ferret

Fox

Goat

Hare

Horse

Lamb

Lynx

Marten

Mole

Mouse

Otter

Rabbit

Rat

Seal

Sheep

Shrew

Squirrel

Stoat

Vole

Weasel

Wolf

Wolverine

Amphibians

Frog

Newt

Toad

Reptiles

Scale

Adder

Lizard

Snake

Turtle

Shell

Birds

Bird

Down

Feather

Albatross

Bittern

Buzzard

Chaffinch

Chick

Chicken

Coot

Cormorant

Corvid

Crane

Crow

Curlew

Dove

Duck

Dunlin

Eagle

Egret

Falcon

Finch

Gannet

Goose

Grouse

Gull

Hawk

Hen

Heron

Ibis

Jackdaw

Jay

Kestrel

Kite

Lark

Magpie

Mallard

Merlin

Mockingbird

Murrelet

Nightingale

Osprey

Owl

Partridge

Pelican

Peregrine

Petrel

Pheasant

Pigeon

Plover

Puffin

Quail

Raven

Robin

Rook

Rooster

Ruff

Shrike

Snipe

Sparrow

Starling

Stork

Swallow

Swan

Swift

Tern

Thrasher

Thrush

Vulture

Warbler

Whimbrel

Wren

Freshwater Fish 

Fish

Bass

Bream 

Carp

Dace

Eel

Lamprey

Loach

Minnow

Perch

Pike

Rudd

Salmon

Sterlet

Tench

Trout

Roach

Saltwater fish and other Sea creatures (would cats be able to find some of these? Probably not, I don't care tho)

Alge

Barnacle

Bass (Saltwater version)

Bream (Saltwater version)

Brill

Clam

Cod

Crab

Dolphin

Eel (Saltwater version)

Flounder

Garfish

Halibut

Kelp

Lobster

Mackerel

Mollusk

Orca

Prawn

Ray

Seal

Shark

Shrimp

Starfish

Sting

Urchin

Whale

Insects and Arachnids

Honey

Insect

Web

Ant

Bee

Beetle

Bug

Butterfly

Caterpillar

Cricket

Damselfly

Dragonfly

Fly

Grasshopper

Grub

Hornet

Maggot

Moth

Spider

Wasp

Worm

Trees

Acorn

Bark

Branch

Forest

Hollow

Log

Root

Stump

Timber

Tree

Twig

Wood

Alder

Apple

Ash

Aspen

Beech

Birch

Cedar

Cherry

Chestnut

Cypress

Elm

Fir

Hawthorn

Hazel

Hemlock

Linden

Maple

Oak

Pear

Poplar

Rowan

Redwood

Spruce

Willow

Yew

Flowers, Shrubs and Other plants

Berry

Blossom

Briar

Field

Flower

Leaf

Meadow

Needle

Petal

Shrub

Stem

Thicket

Thorn

Vine

Anemone 

Apricot

Barley 

Bellflower

Bluebell

Borage

Bracken

Bramble

Briar

Burnet

Buttercup

Campion

Chamomile

Chanterelle

Chicory

Clover

Cornflower

Daffodil

Daisy

Dandelion

Dogwood

Fallow

Fennel

Fern

Flax

Foxglove

Furze

Garlic

Ginger

Gorse

Grass

Hay

Heather

Holly

Honeysuckle

Hop

Hyacinth

Iris

Ivy

Juniper

Lavender

Lichen

Lilac

Lilly

Mallow

Marigold

Mint

Mistletoe

Moss

Moss

Mushroom

Nettle

Nightshade

Oat

Olive

Orchid

Parsley

Periwinkle

Pine

Poppy

Primrose

Privet

Raspberry

Reed

Reedmace

Rose

Rush

Rye

Saffron

Sage

Sedge

Seed

Snowdrop

Spindle

Strawberry

Tangerine

Tansy

Teasel

Thistle

Thrift

Thyme

Violet

Weed

Wheat

Woodruff

Yarrow

Rocks and earth

Agate

Amber

Amethyst

Arch

Basalt

Bounder

Cave

Chalk

Coal

Copper

Dirt

Dust

Flint

Garnet

Gold

Granite

Hill

Iron

Jagged

Jet

Mountain

Mud

Peak

Pebble

Pinnacle

Pit

Quartz

Ridge

Rock

Rubble

Ruby

Rust(y)

Sand

Sapphire

Sediment

Silt

Silver

Slate

Soil

Spire

Stone

Trench

Zircon

Water Formations

Bay

Cove

Creek

Delta

Lake

Marsh

Ocean

Pool

Puddle

River

Sea

Water

Weather and such

Autumn

Avalanche

Balmy

Blaze

Blizzard

Breeze

Burnt

Chill

Cinder

Cloud

Cold

Dew

Drift

Drizzle

Drought

Dry

Ember

Fall

Fire

Flame

Flood

Fog

Freeze

Frost

Frozen

Gale

Gust

Hail

Ice

Icicle

Lightening

Mist

Muggy

Rain 

Scorch

Singe

Sky

Sleet

Sloe

Smoke

Snow

Snowflake

Soot

Sorrel

Spark

Spring

Steam

Storm

Summer

Sun

Thunder

Water

Wave

Wet

Wind

Winter

Celestial??

Comet

Dawn

Dusk

Evening 

Midnight

Moon

Morning

Night

Noon

Twilight

Cat Features, Traits, and Misc. 

Azure

Beige

Big

Black

Blonde

Blotch(ed)

Blue

Bounce

Bright 

Brindle

Broken

Bronze

Brown

Bumble

Burgundy

Call

Carmine

Claw

Cobalt

Cream

Crimson

Cry

Curl(y)

Dapple

Dark

Dot(ted)

Dusky

Ebony

Echo

Fallen

Fleck(ed)

Fluffy

Freckle

Ginger

Golden

Gray

Green

Heavy

Kink

Knot(ted)

Light

Little

Lost

Loud

Marbled

Mew

Milk

Mottle

Mumble

Ochre

Odd

One

Orange

Pale

Patch(ed)

Pounce 

Prickle

Ragged

Red

Ripple

Rough

Rugged

Russet

Scarlet

Shade

Shaggy

Sharp

Shimmer

Shining

Small

Smudge

Soft

Song

Speckle

Spike

Splash

Spot(ted)

Streak

Stripe(d)

Strong

Stump(y)

Sweet

Tall

Talon

Tangle

Tatter(ed)

Tawny

Tiny

Tough

Tumble

Twist

Violet

Whisker

Whisper

White

Wild

Wooly

Yellow

[puppetmaster13u]

So this Au still needs a name, BUT

I have figured out what Most of the pokemon evolved from! It only took uh, lemme look at a clock, a week or three!

For those not interested in clicking a link, it's a pokemon/dc crossover but pokemon is straight up just a Gotham thing. Like, the flora and fauna and everything else have become corrupted/ mutated/ adapted, etc into strange creatures with stranger abilities thanks to the chemicals, magic, death pits, curses, and everything else all mixing together.

So anyway, have a list of what each pokemon originally were before Gotham got a hold of them. Some things brought into Gotham (such as via zoos, museums, or rogues or whatever) and others always there. Do keep in mind I am (mostly) not including Legendaries because I'm still not sure if I want those in the Au yet lol.

Canines 

Vulpix Lines (Foxes) 

Growlithe Lines (Large Dog Breeds) 

Abra Line (Fox) 

Snubbul Line (Bulldog Mix Breed) 

Houndour Line (Medium Dog Breeds) 

Smeargle (Beagle Mix Breed) 

Poochyena Line (Hyena) 

Electrike Line (Maned Wolf) 

Absol (Samoyed Mix Breed) 

Riolu Line (Egyptian Wolf) 

Lillipup Line (Terrier Mix Breed) 

Zorua Lines (Wolf) 

Fennekin Line (Fox) 

Furfrou (Poodle Mix Breed) 

Rockruff Lines (Akita Mix Breed) 

Nickit Line (Red Fox) 

Yamper Line (Small Dog Breeds) 

Fidough Line (Dachshund Mix Breed) 

Greavard Line (Sheepdog Mix Breed) 

Felines 

Meowth Lines (Domestic Cats) 

Eevee Lines (Domestic Cats) 

Skitty Line (Shorthair Cat) 

Shinx Line (Lynx) 

Glameow Line (Domestic Cat) 

Purrloin Line (Domestic Cat) 

Litleo Line (Lion) 

Espurr Line (Folded-Ear Cat) 

Litten Line (Tiger) 

Sprigatito Line (Lynx) 

Rodents 

Rattata Line (Domestic Rat) 

Alolan Rattata (Wild Rat) 

Pikachu Lines (House Mouse) 

Clefairy Line (Chinchilla) 

Azurill Line (Vole) 

Plusle (Long-Eared Woodrat)

Minun (Long-Eared Woodrat) 

Bidoof Line (Beaver) 

Pachirisu (Squirrel) 

Minccino Line (Chinchilla) 

Emolga (Flying Squirrel) 

Chespin Line (Chipmunk) 

Dedenne (Gerbil) 

Togedemaru (Spiny Rat) 

Skwovet Line (Red Squirrel) 

Morpeko (Guinea Pig) 

Pawmi Line (Viscacha)

Tandemaus (Field Mouse)

Birds 

Pidgey Line (Waxwings) 

Spearow Line (Sparrow) 

Doduo Line (Kiwi Bird) 

Magby Line (Duck) 

Hoothoot Line (Horned Owl) 

Togepi Line (Chicken Eggs) 

Natu Line (Quail) 

Murkrow Line (Crows) 

Delibird (Penguin) 

Skarmory (Condor) 

Torchic Line (Chicken) 

Taillow Line (Barn Swallow) 

Wingull Line (Seagull) 

Swablu Line (Lorikeet) 

Piplup Line (Penguin) 

Starly Line (Starling) 

Chatot (Parrot) 

Pidove Line (Pigeon) 

Ducklett Line (Swan) 

Rufflet Line (Eagle) 

Vullaby Line (Vulture) 

Fletchling Line (Robin) 

Spritzee Line (Grosbeak) 

Hawlucha (Raptor Bird) 

Rowlett Line (Owl) 

Pikipek Line (Toucans) 

Oricorio(s) (Honeycreepers) 

Rookidee Line (Corvid) 

Cramorant (Cormorant)

Eiscue (Penguin) 

Quaxly Line (Duck) 

Squawkabilly (Parakeet) 

Wattrel Line (Petrel) 

Flittle Line (Ostrich) 

Bombirdier (Stork) 

Flamigo (Flamingo) 

Reptiles 

Charmander Line (Newt) 

Squirtle Line (Box Turtle) 

Ekans Line (Ringneck Snake) 

Lapras (Sea Turtle) 

Dratini Line (Sea Snake) 

Totodile Line (Alligator) 

Dunsparce Line (Snake) 

Larvitar Line (Spiny Lizard) 

Treecko Line (Leaf-Tailed Lizard) 

Aron Line (Terrapin) 

Torkoal (Snapping Turtle) 

Seviper (Viper) 

Kecleon (Chameleon) 

Turtwig Line (Box Turtle) 

Snivy Line (Vine Snake) 

Sandile Line (Crocodile) 

Scraggy Line (Lizard) 

Tirtouga Line (Sea Turtle) 

Helioptile Line (Frilled-Neck Lizard) 

Salandit Line (Skink) 

Turtonator (Sideneck Turtle) 

Jangmo-o Line (Geckos) 

Sobble Line (Basilisk Lizard) 

Chewtle Line (Snapping Turtle) 

Silicobra Line (Cobra) 

Fuecoco Line (Crocodile) 

Cyclizar Lines (Anole) 

Amphibians

Bulbasaur Line (Toad) 

Poliwag Lines (Tadpool) 

Slowpoke Lines (Salamander) 

Lickitung (Tailed Frog) 

Happiny Line (Axolotl) 

Wooper Lines (Axolotl) 

Bagon Line (Salamander) 

Croagunk Line (Frog) 

Tympole Line (Toad) 

Froakie Line (Frog) 

Toxel Line (Salamander) 

Tadbulb Line (Green Frog) 

Fish & Sealife 

Tentacool Line (Jellyfish) 

Shellder Line (Clam) 

Horse Line (Seahorses) 

Goldeen Line (Goldfish) 

Staryu Line (Starfish) 

Magikarp Line (Karp) 

Omanyte Line (Nautilus) 

Chinchou Line (Anglerfish) 

Qwilfish Lines (Pufferfish) 

Corsola Lines (Coral) 

Remoraid Line (Remoras) 

Mantine Line (Manta Ray) 

Mudkip Line (Mudskippers)

Gulpin Line (Sculpin Fish) 

Carvanha Line (Piranha) 

Wailmer Line (Whale) 

Barboach Line (Loach) 

Lileep Line (Crinoid) 

Feebas Line (Bass) 

Clamperl Line (Clam) 

Relicanth (Coelacanth) 

Luvdisc (Discus Fish) 

Gible Line (Shark) 

Finneon Line (Freshwater Butterflyfish) 

Basculin Line (Sea Bass) 

Frillish Lines (Jellyfish) 

Alomomola (Mola Mola Fish) 

Tynamo Line (Electric Eel) 

Stunfisk(s) (Stargazer Fish) 

Inkay Line (Squid) 

Binacle Line (Barnacle)

Skrelp Line (Leafy Seadragon) 

Wishiwashi (Herring/Anchovies) 

Mareanie Line (Crown of Thorns Starfish) 

Pyukumuku (Sea Cucumber) 

Bruxish (Triggerfish) 

Arrokuda Line (Barracuda) 

Clobbopus Line (Octopus) 

Hatenna Line (Jellyfish) 

Pincurchin (Urchin) 

Wiglett Line (Garden Eel) 

Finizen (Dolphin) 

Glimmet Line (Sea Anemone) 

Cetoddle Line (Whale) 

Veluza (Hake Fish) 

Dondozo (Catfish) 

Crustaceans

Krabby Line (Crab) 

Kabuto Line (Horseshoe Crab) 

Corphish Line (Crawfish) 

Dwebble Line (Hermit Crab) 

Clauncher Line (Lobster) 

Crabrawler Line (Crab) 

Klawf (Velvet Crab) 

Insects 

Caterpie Line (Butterfly) 

Weedle Line (Bee Larva) 

Paras Line (Cicada Nymph) 

Venonat Line (Swallowtail Moth) 

Scyther (Praying Mantis) 

Pinsir (Stag Beetle) 

Ledyba Line (Ladybug)

Yanma Line (Dragonfly) 

Pineco Line (Bagworm) 

Heracross (Rhino Beetle) 

Wurmple Lines (Spiked Caterpillars) 

Surskit Line (Water Skater) 

Nincada Lines (Cicada) 

Volbeat (Lightning Bug) 

Illumise (Lightning Bug) 

Trapinch Line (Antlion) 

Kricketot Line (Cricket) 

Burmy Lines (Bagworm) 

Combee Line (Honeybee) 

Sewaddle Line (Leaf Insect) 

Venipede Line (Centipede) 

Karrablast Line (Carabid Beetle) 

Pawniard Line (Beetle) 

Durant (Ant) 

Larvesta Line (Atlas Moth) 

Scatterbug Line (Butterfly) 

Grubbin Line (Stag Beetle) 

Cutiefly Line (Bee Fly) 

Fomantis Line (Orchid Mantis) 

Wimpod Line (Isopod) 

Blipbug Line (Ladybird) 

Sizzlipede Line (Centipede)

Snom Line (Jewel Caterpillar) 

Nymble Line (Grasshopper) 

Rellor Line (Scarab Beetle) 

Arachnids

Spinarak Line (Smiling Spider) 

Skorupi Line (Scorpion)

Joltik (Jumping Spider)

Dewpider (Diving Bell Spider) 

Tarountula Line (Orb Weaver) 

Gastropods

Slugma Line (Iron Snail) 

Shellos Lines (Sea Slugs)

Shelmet Line (Snail) 

Goomy Lines (Slug & Snail) 

Ungulates

Ponyta Lines (Domestic Horses) 

Drowzee Line (Tapir) 

Rhyhorn Line (Rhino) 

Tauros(es) (Large Horned Cows) 

Mareep Line (Sheep) 

Girafarig Line (Giraffe) 

Swinub Line (Mangalica Pigs) 

Phanpy Line (Elephant) 

Stantler Line (Deer) 

Miltank (Milk Cow) 

Numel Line (Camel) 

Spoink Line (Teacup Pig) 

Hippopotas Line (Hippo) 

Tepig Line (Domestic Pig) 

Blitzle Line (Zebra) 

Deerling Line (Deer) 

Bouffalant (Buffalo) 

Skiddo Line (Goat) 

Mudbray Line (Mule) 

Wooloo Line (Sheep) 

Cufant Line (Elephant) 

Lechonk Line (Pig) 

Primates

Mankey Line (Barbary Macaque) 

Aipom Line (Squirrel Monkey) 

Meditite Line (Indri) 

Chimchar Line (Chimpanzee) 

Pansage Line (Capuchin Monkey)

Pansear Line (Capuchin Monkey)

Panpour Line (Capuchin Monkey)

Darumaka Lines (Gibbon) 

Oranguru (Orangutan) 

Grookey Line (Gorilla) 

Mammal

Sandshrew Lines (Armadillo) 

Nidoran Lines (Hedgehog) 

Jigglypuff Line (Capybara) 

Zubat Line (Bat) 

Diglett Line (Mole) 

Psyduck Line (Platypus) 

Seel Line (Seals) 

Cubone Lines (Wombat) 

Kangaskhan (Kangaroo) 

Snorlax (Bear) 

Cyndaquil Lines (Echidna) 

Sentret Line (Ferret) 

Gligar Line (Scorpionfly) 

Teddiursa Line (Brown Bear) 

Sneasel Lines (Weasel) 

Zigzagoon Lines (Raccoon) 

Slakoth Line (Sloth) 

Whismur Line (Rabbit) 

Spinda (Panda) 

Zangoose (Mongoose) 

Spheal Line (Walrus) 

Buizel Line (River Otter) 

Buneary Line (Rabbit) 

Stunky Line (Skunk) 

Oshawott Lines (Sea Otter) 

Patrat Line (Meerkat) 

Woobat Line (Bat) 

Drilbur Line (Mole) 

Auduno (Pika) 

Cubchoo Line (Polar Bear) 

Mienfoo Line (Ermine) 

Heatmoor (Anteater) 

Bunnelby Line (Hare) 

Pancham Line (Panda) 

Noibat Line (Bat) 

Popplio Line (Sea Lion) 

Yungoos Line (Mongoose) 

Passimian (Lemur) 

Komola (Koala) 

Scorbunny Line (Wild Hare) 

Shroodle Line (Tenrecs) 

Living Fossils & Dinosaurs

Aerodactyl (Pterosaur) 

Anorith Line (Anomalocaris) 

Cranidos Line (Pachycephalosaurus) 

Shieldon Line (Ceratops) 

Archen Line (Archaeopteryx) 

Axew Line (Hadrosaurid) 

Tyrunt Line (Tyrannosaurus) 

Amaura Line (Amargasaurus) 

Dracozolt (Raptor-Rex) 

Arctozolt (Raptor-Plesiosaur)

Dracovish (Dunkleosteus-Rex) 

Arctovish(Dunkleosteus-Plesiosaur) 

Dreepy Line (Diplocaulus)

Great Tusk (Mammoth) 

Slither Wing (Prehistoric Lepidoptera)

Roaring Moon (Unknown Fossil/Time Travel)

Walking Wake (Dryptosaurus) 

Gouging Fire (Styracosaurus) 

Raging Bolt (Brontosaurus) 

Living Plants & Fungi 

Oddish Lines (Mandrake) 

Bellsprout Line (Pitcher Plant) 

Exeggcute Lines (Palm Seeds) 

Tangela Line (Seagrass) 

Chikorita Line (Pear) 

Hoppip Line (Dandelion) 

Sunkern Line (Sunflower) 

Shuckle (Slime Mold) 

Lotad Line (Lilypad) 

Seedot Line (Acorn) 

Shroomish Line (Mushroom) 

Budew Line (Rose) 

Cacnea Line (Cactus) 

Tropius (Banana Tree) 

Cherubi Line (Cherries) 

Carnivine (Venus Flytrap) 

Snover Line (Pine) 

Cottonee Line (Cotton Plants)

Petilil Lines (Lily Flower) 

Maractus (Flowering Cactus) 

Foongus Line (Mushrooms) 

Ferroseed Line (Durian Fruit) 

Flabebe Line (Flower) 

Pumpkaboo Line (Pumpkin) 

Morelull Line (Hallucinogenic Fungi) 

Bounsweet Line (Mangosteen) 

Comfey (Flowering Vine) 

Gossifleur Line (Cotton Plant) 

Applin Lines (Apples) 

Smoliv Line (Olive & Olive Tree) 

Bramblin Line (Thorns) 

Toadscool Line (Toadstool) 

Capsakid Line (Peppers) 

Stone & Gemstone

Geodude Lines (Rocks) 

Onix Line (Stone) 

Nosepass Line (Stone Statue) 

Sableye (Gemstones) 

Lunatone (Rock Carving) 

Solrock (Rock Carving)

Roggenrola Line (Geode) 

Druddigon (Gargoyle) 

Golett Line (Stone Statues) 

Carbink (Diamond) 

Diancie (Pink Diamond) 

Sandygast Line (Sand) 

Minior (Meteor) 

Stakataka (Stone Bricks) 

Rolycoly Line (Coal) 

Stonjourner (Stone Brick) 

Objects & Material

Magnemite Line (Magnets) 

Grimer Lines (Toxic Waste) 

Voltorb Lines (Balls) 

Porygon Line (Digital Data) 

Bonsly Line (Fake Trees) 

Wynaut Line (Doll) 

Baltoy Line (Clay Doll)

Shuppet Line (Doll) 

Duskull Line (Skull) 

Chimecho (Wind Chime) 

Drifloon Line (Balloon) 

Chingling (Bell) 

Bronzor Line (Mirror) 

Rotom (Digital Virus) 

Shaymin (Chia Pet) 

Munna Line (Pillow) 

Yamask Lines (Old Masks) 

Trubbish Line (Trash) 

Gothita Line (Dress) 

Solosis Line (Giant Cell) 

Klink Line (Gears) 

Litwick Line (Candles) 

Cryogonal (Ice) 

Honedge Line (Sword) 

Klefki (Keychains) 

Bergmite Lines (Ocean Ice) 

Stufful Line (Teddy Bear) 

Dhelmise (Ship Anchor) 

Xurkitree (Wiring) 

Meltan Line (Mercury) 

Sinistea Line (Teaset) 

Falinks (Toy) 

Duraludon Line (Skyscrapers/Bridges) 

Nacli Line (Salt) 

Charcadet Lines (Armour) 

Varoom Line (Engines) 

Foods

Vanillite Line (Ice Cream) 

Swirlix Line (Cotton Candy) 

Milcery Line (Cream) 

Tatsugiri(s) (Sushi) 

Poltchageist Line (Matcha Tea) 

‘Unknown’ Origins 

Machop Line

Gastly Line (Ghosts) 

Tyrogue Lines

Koffing Lines (Poison Gases) 

Elekid Line

Ditto 

Misdreavus Line (Ghosts) 

Unown(s) (Runes) 

Ralts Lines (Dolls) 

Makuhita Line

Mawile (Yokai) 

Castform (Paper Doll) 

Snorunt Line

Spritomb (Lazarus Pit)

Timburr

Sigilyph 

Deino Line 

Phantump (Forest Child Ghost) 

Mimikyu (Lone Ghost Children) 

Drampa

Marshadow (Shadows) 

Impidimp Line (Children) 

Indeedee 

Tinkatink Line 

Orthworm (Earth Worms) 

Altered Via Outside Influence 

Beldum Line (Alien Technology) 

Deoxys (Alien DNA & Cloning) 

Elgyem (Alien Technology) 

Genesect (Alien Tech & Cloning) 

Iron Moth (Luthor Tech & Alien Tech) 

Iron Thorns (Luthor Tech & Alien Tech) 

Iron Valiant (Wayne Collab) 

Iron Leaves (Wayne Collab)

Iron Crown (Wayne Collab)

Iron Boulder (Wayne Collab)

FURTHER MINI RAMBLES

⏵Most non-sapient plant variation has happened in things such as berries & fruits 

⏵It’s noted that many of the creatures show signs of convergent evolution to other animals & plants, especially in further mutations

⏵Several animals & other things not native to Gotham or New Jersey were brought in as experiments or for the Gotham Zoo which were affected over time

Like IRL Animals & Plants, They Can Have Mutations & Color Variations:

Normal color/Pattern [Very Common]

“Shinies” [Uncommon color variant] 

Piebaldism/Vitiligo [Patches of no melanism] 

Albinism [No melanism] 

Leucism [No melanism save for eyes] 

Melanism [Excess black] 

Erythrism [Excess red] 

Axanthism [No yellow & more blue] 

Xanthochromism [Excess yellow] 

Chimerism [2 offspring fused] 

Gynandromorphism [Split & both male/female]

[deliciouspolls]

Threequel to the "unconventional meat" poll. Technically the two-legged poll, but specifically just birds.

Notes: This poll is aimed towards USAmericans and thus includes birds open for hunting in at least one state in the USA, but anyone can answer. Since a lot of birds fall under the same family, if you've eaten "dove", for example, then select "pigeon". Pick whatever makes the most sense, I suppose.

[mousetoe-wc]

I Got bored one time awhile ago and made a list of every prefix plus some into organised sections so I thought I might as well share.

All the ones that aren’t cannon to warriors, yet at lest are bold

Describing names

Colours: red, russet, copper, golden, amber, yellow, green, blue, violet, pink, white, gray, black, ebony, dark, pale, silver, brown, tawny, fallow

Pattern, Texture + Size: spot/ted, dapple, speckle, freckle, brindle, patch, mottle, ragged, tangle, kink, bristle, fuzzy, curl/y, wooly, soft, sleek, little, tiny, small, slight, short, tall, long, big, heavy, crooked, broken, half, stumpy, shred, torn, jagged

Actions + Character: flip, pounce, bounce, jump, hop, crouch, down, low, drift, flail, strike, running, fidget, mumble, whistle, snap, sneeze, shiver/ing, shining, flutter, fallen, lost, rush, fleet, quick, shy, sweet, brave, loud, quiet, wild, hope, wish,

Other: claw, whisker, dead, odd, one, spike, fringe, echo, song, hallow, haven

Elements

Time + Weather: day, night, dusk, dawn, morning, sky, sun/ny, moon, storm, lightning, thunder, cloud/y, mist/y, fog, snow, blizzard, ice, frost, dew, drizzle, rain, clear, wind, breeze, gale, shadow, shade, bright, light,

Earth/Water/Fire names: stone, rock, boulder, slate, flint, pebble, gravel, sand/y, dust, mud/dy, meadow, hill, rubble, river, ripple, whorl, float, rapid, shimmer, lake, swamp, marsh, wave, wet, bubbling, splash, puddle, pool, creek, fire, flame, flicker, flash, blaze, scorch, ember, spark, ash, soot, cinder, smoke

Plants

Trees: alder, aspen, birch, beech, cedar, cypress, pine, elm, willow, oak, larch, maple, bay, rowan, timber, bark, log, wood, twig, acorn, cone, seed, spire

Berry/Nut/Fruit/Herb: juniper, elder, sloe, holly, yew, mistle, bramble, hickory, hazel, chestnut, nut, apple, cherry, cranberry, olive, pear, plum, peach, chive, mint, fennel, sage, basil, mallow, parsley

Flowers: aster, poppy, primrose, rose, bluebell, marigold, tansy, pansy, briar, cherry, daisy, dandelion, daffodil, tulip, violet, lily, myrtle, thrift, yarrow, heather, lavender, blossom, bloom, flower, petal

Other: leaf, frond, fern, bracken, sorrel, hay, rye, oat, wheat, cotton, reed, pod, cinnamon, milkweed, grass, clover, weed, stem, sedge, gorse, furze, flax, nettle, thistle, ivy, moss, lichen, bush, vine, root, thorn, prickle, nectar

Animals

Mammals: mouse, rat, mole, vole, shrew, squirrel, hedgehog, bat, rabbit, hare, ferret, weasel, stoat, mink, marten, otter, hog, wolf, hound, fox, vixen, badger, deer, doe, stag, fawn, sheep, cow, pig, lion, tiger, leopard, lynx, milk

Birds: robin, jay, cardinal, thrush, sparrow, swallow, shrike, starling, rook, swift, dove, pigeon, crow, raven, duck, goose, heron, wren, finch, swan, stork, quail, gull, lark, owl, eagle, hawk, kestrel, buzzard, kite, hoot, feather, bird, egg, talon

Fish, Reptiles + Amphibians: pike, perch, pollack, trout, tench, cod, carp, bass, bream, eel, minnow, fin, snake, adder, lizard, turtle, frog, toad, newt

Bug type Names: bug, lady or ladybug, moth, spider, ant, snail, slug, beetle, bee, wasp, dragon or dragonfly, bumble, worm, maggot, cricket, fly, midge, web, honey

Skyclan + Warriorclan: Bella, Billy, Big, Harry, Harvey, Snook, Ebony, Monkey

[askwhatsforlunch]

Cognac Quails

These Cognac Quails, soaked in brandy and roasted to deep golden brown perfection, remain beautifully juicy, and their delicate flesh is fragrant with the spirit! They are absolutely delicious and were our pièce de résitance on New Year's Eve! You needn't wait for a festive occasion though, these beauties will brighten up any chill, windy and grey Winter day! Happy Wednesday!

Ingredients (serves 4):

half a dozen prunes

4 large dried figs

1/3 cup dried apricots

1/2 cup good quality Cognac or Brandy

3 rashers smoked streaky bacon

1 tablespoon olive oil

half an onion

1/2 teaspoon coriander seeds

1/2 cup cooked wheat berry

1/2 teaspoon fleur de sel or sea salt flakes

1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper

4 beautiful quails, prepared and gutted

1/2 teaspoon fleur de sel or sea salt flakes

1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened at room temperature

2/3 cup good quality Cognac or Brandy

The day before, pit the prunes. Place prunes, dried figs and dried apricots in a bowl. . Add the Cognac. Stir to mix well. Cover with cling film, and leave to soak, at room temperature, overnight.

The next day, heat a deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add bacon rashers, and fry, a couple of minutes on each side. Remove bacon from the skillet, keeping the bacon fat in the skillet, and transfer to small plate. Set aside.

Add olive oil to the skillet.

Peel and finely chop onion, and stir into the skillet. Cook, about 3 minutes, until tender. Add coriander seeds, and fry, a minute more.

Cut Cognac-soaked prunes, figs and apricots in small dices, and stir into the skillet. Cook, a couple of minutes more.

Roughly chop bacon, and return to the skillet. Cook, another minute.

Stir in cooked wheat berry, and cook, a couple of minutes. Season with fleur de sel and black pepper.

Gradually stir in half of the remaining Cognac from the soaked fruit. Reduce heat to medium, and cook a couple of minutes more. Remove from the heat and let cool completely.

Preheat oven to 200°C/395°F.

Season the inside and outside of the quails with fleur de sel and black pepper, rubbing them in gently. Drizzle remaining fruit Cognac into each quail, rubbing it in and all over the birds.

Generously stuff the quails with Cognac-soaked fruit and wheat berry mixture. Secure it in with a toothpick, to close the gap.

Arrange stuffed quails onto a roasting tin, and rub each generously with softened butter. Pour half of the Cognac at the bottom of the tin, and place in the middle of the hot oven.

Roast, at 200°C/395°F, 1 hour, regularly basting with Cognac and roasting juices. About half-way through, pour in remaining Cognac at the bottom of the tin.

Serve Cognac Quails hot, with Roasted or Butter Parsnips.

[sillylotrpolls]

(Unnecessarily complicated reason for poll below poll)

So, a prominent character in the Silmarillion is Lúthien. She is the precious only daughter of a powerful elf king and a demi-goddess, and she's very beautiful and good at dancing and sings like a bird and is 100% Tolkien's insert character for his wife (awww). She is also called Tinúviel, which means Nightingale.

Later, when Aragorn first meets Arwen, he calls her Tinúviel in reference to a famous song about Lúthien's beauty and grace. Arwen is all, lol, fun fact, that's my great-great-grandma you're talking about, makes sense. (She kindly does not mention that Lúthien is also Aragorn's ancestor if you go back far enough.) So if you haven't read the Silm (sensible of you), you can just picture Arwen when answering this poll.

Now, hypothetically, someone might be trying to write a fanfiction in which Legolas is compared to Lúthien for assorted reasons (mostly because it's funny). But this potential author is not really up on birds, particularly song birds, and so they are uncertain what the best/funniest bird comparison for Legolas would be. This possible author might desire the wisdom of tumblr on the topic, but prefer to keep things hypothetical, because heaven forbid they commit to creating anything.

I assume you understand.

tl;dr If Gimli came upon Legolas in the woods and had to compare him to a bird, what would be the most appropriate bird for him to choose? Bonus points if Thranduil is highly offended or gratified by the choice.

PS: Any Tolkien scholars in the audience want to weigh in on whether Jirt was at all influenced by the Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale The Nightingale? Since I have recently learned just how much of LotR is referential I keep wondering about these things.

[outofangband]

Birds of Doriath (non Songbirds)

I have songbirds of Doriath here and my masterlist of environmental world building here!

Doriath is a region made up of a variety of forests. There is Region, a forest of holly and other mostly deciduous trees, Neldoreth, an ancient beechwood, Nivrim, a forest of primarily oak north of the twilit meres and finally Arthórien, a forest we have almost no information on, divided from the rest of the kingdom by the river Aros which runs along the Eastern border of greater Doriath.

Greater Doriath (Region and Neldoreth): black billed cuckoo, tawny owl, barn owl and subspecies, goshawk, sparrow hawk, wood grouse, common quail, common swift, moorhen (also found in Nivrim), little curlew, red kites, black woodpecker, green woodpecker, hoopoe (in clearings, glades and outskirts),

Nivrim and the twilit Meres: Barrow’s golden eye, ural owl and ural owl subspecies, northern hawk owl, wood duck, water rail, spotted crake, black stork, common golden eye, horned grebe, marsh harrier, tree kingfishers, merlin

Arthórien (markedly different climate): hill partridge, emerald dove, great eared nightjar, kiwi species, black wood pigeon, rain quail, grey headed woodpecker, Japanese scops owl, grass owl, white backed woodpecker, green pigeon, greater painted snipe (I’ll probably make a more thorough post for this entirely)

World building notes:

I’ve talked about this before but common and rain quails are domesticated for their eggs and meat, primarily by the marchwardens! There are little enclosures built in strategic locations between the temporary huts the marchwardens use between scouting and other missions. There are elves, usually younger ones who might be training as a scout or warden, who care full time for the birds. The quails live good long lives and are often named by their keepers. While in Doriath, Túrin saved four quails from being eaten out of spite

Nightjars and owls are considered sacred to the Silvan of Doriath who reside in Arthórien and appear frequently in song and folklore.

Water birds are most commonly found in Nivrim where ponds and marshlands make up part of the ecosystem. Their images appear upon the walls of Menengroth in the passages beneath the river.

Though birds of prey are not reviled by any means, depictions of the deaths of elves in battle or through other violent means are commonly represented as birds of prey killing songbirds

[kedreeva]

The first bird swap of the year was today, and my neighbors let me share their booth to sell some quail. They picked up a trio of Muscovy ducklings and as I was inspecting them for them, I noted something I rarely see in person-

They're pinioned! This means most of the end digit of their wing has been removed, so they won't grow in primary feathers on that side. This permanently grounds the bird, and isn't usually done to ducks near me, though it's a common practice in swans in order to prevent them from going feral or otherwise leaving their designated ponds. The same can be done for ducks though.

I inquired why it had been done in this case, and the guy said he'd had trouble with the ducks flying his yard and becoming a nuisance to others, so all their ducks get pinioned now.

This process, provided it is done within the first couple days after hatch, doesn't really harm them. Done correctly, while it's soft bone still, it shouldn't even bleed, and heals fast. This one looks clean and well cared for. It will be interesting to see the difference between them and her normal ducks!

[lonelywretchjervistetch]

The State Bird Initiative: New Jersey (#3) - Results

Another week, another poll! And this one...this one had the results in super fast. So, we're gonna get right into it, as well as the personal choices by the SBI. But OK, which species does Tumblr think should be the State Bird of New Jersey?

Which of the following should be the state bird of New Jersey, the Garden State?

Look...I'd be lying if I said I didn't vote for that one, too.

SBI Elected State Bird of New Jersey: Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla)

The American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) has been replaced by popular vote by the Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla) in the latest polls! And there's a part of me that wonders if this is for the meme...and there's a part of me that thinks this actually makes sense.

Read the original post here if you want my rationale, but...yeah, I stand by this being a good choice. NJ is a coastal state with a long coastline and a strong beach culture, to the point where "the Shore" is a recognized area in the state with an international reputation. And yes, while other shorebirds could be associated with the state, the Laughing Gull is essentially the only one whose breeding population heavily depends on its Jersey population. Plus, it's a recognizable and iconic bird with a known presence, and could easily be associated with the state it's been selected for. I can dig it. Just sayin'. And yeah, this is the bird chosen as a personal choice by the SBI as well. If you'd like to see the other personal choices from the SBI, stick around after the jump! And if this is all you were waiting for, then no worries! Check out Georgia's entry and give it a vote while you can!

The State Birds Initiative Personal Pick - New Jersey (#3)

State Game Bird of New Jersey (SBI): Brant (Branta bernicla)

Wait...WHAT THE HELL IS THAT? I never brought this bird up as a contender for State Bird? So, what is it doing here? Well, I never brought this guy up for State Bird because they don't breed in New Jersey, and honestly couldn't come up with a solid argument for it to be in that position. However, it was always a contender for State Game Bird, because New Jersey is home to the largest population of this goose, the Brant (Branta bernicla), on the eastern coast, with other concentrations being in Virginia and Rhode Island. But they'll get different birds for this category.

Now, time to talk further about what a State Game Bird is. Game birds are not a single taxonomic classification; rather, they're a sociological one. These are birds prioritized for hunting, usually for culinary purposes, if not just for sport. While they come from a few taxa, the vast majority of game birds belong to orders Galliformes (chickens, pheasants, quail, etc.) and Anseriformes (ducks and geese). The Brant represents our first member of the latter in this category! New jersey is known for its Brant hunting, and the state has major regulations during its Brant hunting season for conservation purposes. I could've put the Snow Goose (Cher caerulenscens) here as well, since New Jersey actually prioritizes hunting of this overpopulated bird...but the purpose of this is to promote birds of conservation interest that have a significant role in the state, and the Brant fits this a lot better than the Snow Goose. With that, let's move on!

State Raptor of New Jersey (SBI): Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonicus)

The Gray Ghost wins the category of State Raptor of New Jersey! This one, of course, I put in the original post and poll, and it unfortunately didn't get far at all. Not sure why, since it's the logo for the New Jersey Audubon Society, it represents a major ecosystem in the state, and it's generally a pretty cool bird. But, hey, that's the price of democracy. Either way, the Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonicus) is a charismatic raptor of conservation concern, and a generally pretty neat bird all around. Check out the original post for more details on this guy, but for now, we'll move on!

SBI's Big Fifty - New Jersey: Saltmarsh Sparrow (Ammospiza caudacuta)

So, in my original post, I mentioned that the Saltmarsh Sparrow (Ammospiza caudacuta) wasn't a great fit for State Bird due to its similarity to other sparrows, and that would be difficult for the average citizen to parse out. A sparrow is a sparrow is a sparrow, right? Well, not to birders it ain't! This is a pretty big bird for any birder's life list, mine included, making it an important focus for that community. So, in order to give the sparrow its day in court, the Saltmarsh Sparrow wins the prize for New Jersey's representative in SBI's Big Fifty, adding it to the countrywide scavenger hunt that this list represents. Sorry, Massachusetts, I know you could've had this one, too. I'll give you a neat one, I promise.

State Conservation Focus of New Jersey (SBI): Pine Warbler (Setophaga pinus)

OK, so, the Conservation Focus of New Jersey is sort of disingenuous in this entry, since the bird is far less of a focus than its habitat, but I'll use it as the symbol of the habitat. The Pine Warbler (Setophaga pinus) is an accessible symbol for the average person to see when going to the ecologically significant (and always in danger) New Jersey Pine Barrens, also representing a larger community of birds with which it tends to be geographically associated. But more than that, the real symbol of the Pine Barrens isn't quite as accessible. For that reason, there really should be two focuses for the Pine Barrens, one for bird people, and one for ecologists. And if you know anything about the New Jersey Pine Barrens, I think you know what the other symbol is.

Now, to be fair, the Pine Barrens Tree Frog (Dryophytes andersonii) is, despite the name, not endemic to the New Jersey Pine Barrens. Instead, it can be found in the Carolinas and the Florida Panhandle, all in isolated areas and...well, pine barrens. But, its populations are decreasing in size, with the Georgia population already extirpated, and is a species of conservation concern. Frogs are, of course, less easy to spot than birds, especially nocturnal ones like the tree frog. So, it's not a great public symbol of the forests as a result, but is still an important inhabitant of the New Jersey Pine Barrens. So, consider this another conservation focus endorsed by SBI. And for the record, it's actually the state frog of North Carolina, so it hasn't been completely shafted!

And with that, we've reached the end of the personal choices by the SBI for ornithological state representatives! Be sure to check out the Georgia poll currently running; still a day or two for votes to be counted!

See you next time, and happy birding!