For David Wright and others who may not have seen a previous posting, Byron
Butler from Connecticut wrote that chickadees he kept in captivity *turned*
white on the dorsal surface, corresponding to the birds we are describing,
and then died. I think it was clear that he meant that the feathers changed
color. I don't know if his report is believable--I guess we need quality
control on some types of postings--but that's what he said. As Brian wrote,
that seems unlikely, without some very substantial extrinsic bleaching
phenomenon.


Dennis Paulson phone: (206) 756-3798
Slater Museum of Natural History fax: (206) 756-3352
University of Puget Sound email: dpaulson at ups.edu
Tacoma, WA 98416