>Michael Brown wrote:
>>I'm wondering if this deception on my part caused any undue stress to the
>>bird.

And Dennis Paulson wrote:
>I don't think anyone except the bird can answer the question of "undue
>stress."

One evening I crouched down and mimicked a hidden Swainson's "whit" to
see if I could lure it into view. In the waning light, it perched nearby,
providing one of my best-ever looks, and it gave another "whit". Too caught
up to leave well enough alone, I whistled again, more forcefully than I
intended. The thrush's feathers stood on end (well, almost) and the whole
bird shook. A few moments of silence later, it flitted back into the
undergrowth.
Whether that bird's reaction represented "undue stress" I do not know.
I do know how I felt at that moment, though, and will not play such a
game again.
--
Scott Richardson
NE Seattle
salix at halcyon.com