Lisa Smith wrote, in reference to that "new for WA" Cook's Petrel:

>Hmmmm, do dead birds really count, though, as far as records go? State
>records, meaning official, I *guess*. Based on your post, Dennis, I
>assume the answer is yes. How about otherwise, as in personal lists?
>Isn't this kinda the same as counting birds in captivity? Would someone
>please explain the difference?

Yes, typically they have counted, because a dead one on the beach is
thought to have been fairly recently alive somewhere offshore. This could
be debated, especially in areas where cold water and/or rapid curents might
deposit a bird in fairly good condition far from where it actually died.
But, as you know, Dead Birds Tell No Tales. As far as I know, there are
many birds on area lists that are known only from beached carcasses (there
are probably other examples, such as window or cat kills, in which a dead
bird has been added to an area list).

No, you can't count 'em on personal lists, according to the official rules
of the American Birding Association. Nor, of course, can you count captive
birds. IF you follow the rules..... Some birders probably make up their
own rules, which is fine, but they then can't "compete" in the ABA milieu.

Years ago I put Saw-whet Owl on my life list, based on a fresh road kill
that I picked up. I could hardly imagine having a better look at such a
bird so decided that I had "seen" one. The ABA rules came out somewhat
later, and, by that time, I'd seen a live one (whew).

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