Hi Ian

Thanks for the information, I had a feeling that might be a possibility. I
have also heard of using relative leg length to differentiate the two tern
species, that one has really short legs. But I forgot which, and didn't
bother to look into it further. I was excited just noticing that these terns
weren't the Caspian terns that I've been seeing so frequently. I hope you
don't mind my posting this to the list, as an addendum to my initial
posting.
I've heard that Port Madison has had purple martins in recent times, do you
have any information on them?

Kevin Li
Seattle

> ----------
> From: ian paulsen[SMTP:ipaulsen at linknet.kitsap.lib.wa.us]
> Sent: Tuesday, August 10, 1999 10:08 AM
> To: Li, Kevin
> Subject: RE: Ballard purple martin update
>
> HI Ken:
> Using the lack of black on the tip of the bill is not a good field mark
> especially this time of the year, when Commons can lack the black-tipped
> bill.
> Sincerely
>
> Ian "Birdbooker" Paulsen
> Bainbridge Is., WA, USA
> ipaulsen at linknet.kitsap.lib.wa.us
> "Rallidae all the way"
>
>