In a message dated 96-02-28 00:11:32 EST, Chris Hill writes:

>Hey!!!! :)
>
>It would be nice if _________ (am I right that __ was the person who
>transmittered the Great Gray?) could
>
> A) see some of this discussion, and
> B) have a chance to put in his viewpoint


I agree!! *And*, I think it is inappropriate to start throwing names around,
and into a discussion where we are speculating and second guessing about
these actions if that person can't "A" and "B". Raptor banders likely know
the person involved, but maybe the rest of us don't, and it's not relevant to
the *point* here, anyway. I don't think it is fair to that person to create
an atmosphere which conjures presumptious, ill feelings, and negative biases
toward an individual who is probably a really nice and well intentioned
person. Birders can be such a cruel, cliquish, gossipy bunch sometimes. Too
much time on your hands or does it come from listening to the likes of KVI
too much? :) Otherwise, I still stand by my earlier comments. I'm behind
YOU on this one Chris.

And if it means hammering the *point* to death, here it is AGAIN:

---96-02-27 - from Chris Hill:
>Personally, I think that putting a radio-collar on a spectacular, very
>public, bird, is bad policy. Even if the scientific goals were clear and
>well thought out (I don't see how they could be in this case, since there
>was no way to anticipate a Great Gray Owl appearing), it is in some sense
>not the researchers' owl. My emotional reaction to this kind of action is
>"go and find your own owl!" There is a good chance that catching and
>handling the owl could affect its behavior, and prevent other people from
>observing it. I think that possibility, and the chance of attendant ill
>feeling, should make any researcher pause and reconsider the idea.


Richard Rowlett <pagodroma at aol.com>
Bellevue, WA, USA