I would like to thank those who commented on my question about the
Chipping Sparrow ID in the Feb. Birding magazine photo quiz answers. The
suggestion to check Kenn Kaufmann's Advanced Birding book was a good one.
He has a very good analysis of Chipping vs. Clay-colored vs. Brewer's
Sparrows which confirmed the Chipping Sparrow ID altho it did not discuss
the light colored bill that I originally questioned. I have a copy of KK's
book, but I forgot to check it for help. I won't forget next time.
Common Mergansers - About 30-40 arrived at Phantom Lake in Bellevue
the third week of Jan. 1996 and were still there on Fri. Feb. 16. In 1994,
20-30 arrived the 2nd week in Jan., all but 5 left the 1st week in Feb.
with rest leaving the 3rd week in Feb. In Dec. 1994, 30-40 arrived the 2nd
week in Dec. and left early in Feb. 1995.

Hugh Jennings
206-746-6351
gfjc96a at prodigy.com