If the shoe fits, wear it. You will note I qualified my statement by saying
"most. not all". I'll stack my 60 years of wildlife observations to Mr.
Chelimer's almost 50 years. 50 leading tours of professional ornithologists,
college classes, high school classes, general birding groups, etc.. as a
professional wildlife biologist. I've seen them all. But how many face
developers, politicians, etc. and give support to efforts to save wildlife AND
habitat. A few but not enough. Not enough.

I remember leading a group at the Sacramento N.W.R. in the late 50's. We saw a
Starling. Many members of the group chased the bird a half mile down the creek
just so they could add a Starling to the life list. I toldthem they'd soon have
Starlings up to their armpits.

The tenor of my brief article was to stimulate some action to give support to
state, federal, private agencies in their efforts to further the welfare of all
wildlife - creatures large and small. Not to insult people "personally".

> E. Kridler
> It is not clear whether this bold statement is from the article Mr. Kridler
> cites, or if it a personal observation of his. In either case, I think it
> calls for some evidence backing it up. In almost fifty years of birding, it
> has constantly pleased me that, almost without exception, other birders have
> shown great understanding of and respect for wildlife in particular, and
> for nature in general. Sure, I've met some greedy people interested solely
> in their lists, but happily they've been a minuscule percentage of the
> birders I've come to know.
>
> As a "Mainland birder" I resent being characterized as thoughtless, greedy,
> and doing nothing for the welfare of wildlife, whether it be in Hawaii or
> anywhere else. Perhaps the author ought to stick to writing about that
> which bears some resemblance to fact.
>
> David Chelimer
> Seattle
> chelimer at earthlink.net