Fred Bird wrote:

>I spent four enjoyable, enlightening and sunny hours on Red Top Mtn. (5400
>feet) Sunday comparing Coopers and Sharp-shins with (and mostly learning
>from) Bud Anderson. Bud was escorting a class from Cascade Institute (and [for
>Dennis] catching dragon flies on his way off the mountain).

Bud is finally getting his priorities in correct order.

>Vultures were also fairly common. I'm not including the vultures among the
>"raptors" which, if incorrect, someone will no doubt point out to me.

Vultures have long been considered raptors, but now that we know they are
most closely related to storks, it's a toss-up whether to call them
"short-legged storks" or to call storks "long-billed vultures." Many
raptor people study vultures or at least have a soft spot in their hearts
for them, I think.

>It should be noted that Bud's raptor-spotting abilities were significantly
>enhanced with the aid of a professional assistant who, he asked, will remain
>nameless.

Were the assistant's initials "A.K.?"

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