I wasn't going to jump into this thread but can't resist any longer! It's
human nature to be curious and want explanations for mysteries. That's
why we do science, after all. In fact, if scientists are really honest
about their motivation they say they are satisfying their curiosity.
However, I'm worried about the argument that satisfying one's curiosity is
a good in itself. Anything can be rationalized and a lot of
curiosity-satisfying leads to unnecessary cruelty and a waste of time and
money. Capitol "S" Science goes beyond satisfying one's personal curiosity
if it is to provide the best explanations but it requires a bit of planning
and rigor. Thus, I feel that collecting *this* bird adds little or nothing
to our collective (pun intended) knowledge about plumage variation within
and between the sexes of CCLO. *This* bird has already taught us something
already and that is, there's a lot we don't know on this subject. If this
were to lead to a well-planned study it would be wonderful. (Anyone
looking for a thesis topic?) In the meantime there are some mysteries we
can't, or shouldn't, try to solve, if they don't enrich our lives or makes
us more knowledgable about our surroundings. Personally, this bird has
already enriched *my* life just by appearing here (and stimulating this
thread.)

Herb Curl








h.curl at hazmat.noaa.gov "You may be only young once but you can be
Hazmat/NOAA, 7600 Sand Pt. Wy., NE immature the rest of your life."
Seattle, WA 98115-0070
(206) 526-6272