Nature Done Wright

A few days ago, I wrote:

OK, I get it. Monday's Mystery was too tough to decipher. Here's what I was getting at: Why are these three state bird stamps the same but different, and how?

Example: New Jersey's stamp features male and female, but that's not the answer.

You may have to click on the stamps to examine them.

The answer I was looking for was given by Diane Louie:

Regarding your hint on the Goldfinches: Per Wikipedia (ibid.), Iowa and New Jersey both named "Eastern" Goldfinch as their state bird in 1933 and 1935, respectively, whereas Washington named theirs "Willow" Goldfinch in 1951.

However, in the stamp sheet, the updated name of "American" Goldfinch is used for New Jersey and Washington, but "Eastern" Goldfinch is retained for Iowa.

In short, the same goldfinches have two different names. Jut a bit odd.

Well done, Diane, and congrats to the others for their answers to my mystery…!