The mysterious and ironic origin of the Red Rail's name

The Red Rail bears the scientific name Aphanapteryx bonasia, whose exact etymology remains uncertain. This term bonasia could thus come from the Latin bonum and assum, meaning good roast, or constitute a Latinized form of the French word bonasse. The bird was also saddled in the past with numerous other names, ranging from the hazel grouse to denominations linking it to the dodo.