I just heard from Van Remsen that the revised edition of the AOU check-list
of North American birds is expected to be published in 1996. Burt Monroe,
who was the chairman of the committee, died last year, which set
publication back substantially.

Van admonishes birders to realize that *rumors* of taxonomic changes
(splits, lumps) do not necessarily make them true. They are not final
until in print, and the committee reserves the right to make changes
through the galley-proof stage. He notes that because the Auk is behind in
publication, rumors have preceded publication by more than the usual
interval this year.

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