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[brushes2@juno.com]

The answer to the query '...is there a book our....that lists a common
name for every possible species?" is yes, if you assume that the interest
is in birds. It can get very vague in other groups. That said, it is
important to recognize that  common names tend to change. As a matter of
fact a few years ago the American Ornithologists' Union and the British
Ornithologists' Union attempted to reconcile differences at least in the
English speaking world. There is, of course, also the ongoing problem of
the reorganization of new species, splitting or lumping extant tax etc.

The results. like many other things in life were a compromise and
numerous exceptions exist. That is, the rule of engagement were not
followed to the letter. Anyway, the standard for North America is the AOU
Checklist. Worldwide, there are the volumes by Clements  (Birds of the
World. A check list) and that by Howard & Moore (A complete checklist of
the Birds of the World). Just be sure to get the most recent edition.

Cheers,

Alan
brushes2@juno.com
92 High Street
Mystic, CT. 06355
(860) 572-1717