>Still I think it's a matter of time before this "opportunistic
>migration" is demonstrated as a real breeding strategy. The only
>thing hampering its demonstration is a lack of banders ;-)
>
>See ya,
>
>Stuart

For a rather different scenario, there is speculation that female Ruffs
might mate with displaying males in the lowlands of western Europe in
spring, then fly on to Siberia to lay their clutch, entirely unencumbered
by those pesky males (who play no part in parental care but display to any
female they encounter). No really good evidence, but a strong indication
that many more females are inseminated at Dutch leks than breed in the
area. A female nested in Alaska once, although the eggs were infertile.

For this and much more about this fascinating bird, read The Ruff, by Johan
G. Van Rhijn, T. & A. D. Poyser, London, 1991.

REAL-TIME: a raven just flew over the building (here in Tacoma), only the
second I've ever seen from my office window. The last one said "never
more," so this must be a different bird.

Dennis Paulson 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