Susan Johnston wrote:

>What *is* the flashiest bird in Western Washington/Oregon/BC? I think my
>nomination is the Western Tanager. Any others?

Forgetting for a moment about shorebirds, which include such striking
creatures as breeding-plumaged Ruddy Turnstones and Black-bellied Plovers
and Red Phalaropes, the bird that knocks my eyes out is a male Rufous
Hummingbird in the sun, just as it turns its head toward me and its gorget
flashes a million watts.

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