On Sun, 17 Dec 1995, Thomas Weir wrote:

> It would seem to me that the only way such an abundant species could
> have been eliminated was through avian disease, such as avian malaria,
> etc.

Although I have not read the two or three new citations that my query
produced, nothing that I have read suggests that disease played any role
in the extermination of the species.

If I didn't have to grade these *! at #* final exams, I would have finished
reading the new info and be able to provide a better response. I will do
so ASAP.

dale goble
moscow