Steven Kimball wrote:

> I agree 100% with Jerry on this one. I was appalled that the injured bird
> was left there merely because some birder might want to add it to his/her
> list. As to nature taking it's course, Dr. Paulson states that he would
> have taken any other bird to wildlife rehab, but that he didn't take this
> one because someone might get angry at not getting to see it. So, the
> injured gull was left to suffer and die, not because nature must be allowed
> to take its course but because humane instincts apparently succumbed to
> anticipated "lister anger." It's birding as sport, not nature, that's
> having it's way in this case.

Dear Steven and tweeters,

I should have added to my message that I had no way whatsoever to catch the
Iceland, as it was far too healthy and wary, and my statement about leaving
it alone because of birders was actually said tongue in cheek. I also
should have said that I thought that catching the bird was condemning it to
death, as I didn't think it would ever fly again. Its wing looked as if it
had broken and perhaps reset, and neither you nor anyone else can convince
me it was suffering, as we know that term, when I saw it. Birds don't view
the world in the same way we do; as far as I can see, they go about their
business without the human "oh, woe is me" element, and live the best life
they can given their circumstances. Not fully functioning, that's for
sure, but not suffering. In fact "nature taking its course" is my
philosophy, and many of the people who know me know that already. People
who know me also know that I don't think much of birding as sport.

But having tried to shed some light on the question of the bird's identity
and keep people posted on its status, and having made a weak attempt at
birding humor, I see I've let myself in for castigating from several
directions. The direction that stimulates this response is that my
personal morality is questioned by people who know no more than I do about
bird consciousness and perhaps care no more for animals than I do. Some
people can't seem to understand that a forum such as this is for exchanging
information about birds, not exercising personal gripes against
philosophies with which you don't agree (and I had succumbed to this
myself, one of the reasons I unsubscribed a while back). I believe firmly
that the only "rule" that should be enforced for e-mail discussion groups
is NO PERSONAL ATTACKS, and tweeters, for some reason, has had more than
its share. I guess having birding in common isn't quite enough to bring
together a community of souls.

Most sincerely,

Dennis Paulson, Director phone 253-756-3798
Slater Museum of Natural History fax 253-756-3352
University of Puget Sound e-mail dpaulson at ups.edu
Tacoma, WA 98416
http://www.ups.edu/biology/museum/museum.html