HI Tweeters:
Some of you might be interested in this.
Sincerely

Ian "Birdbooker" Paulsen
Bainbridge Is., WA, USA
ipaulsen at linknet.kitsap.lib.wa.us
"Rallidae all the way"

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Tue, 9 May 2000 11:59:33 -0700
From: Dennis Paulson <dpaulson at ups.edu>
To: ian paulsen <ipaulsen at linknet.kitsap.lib.wa.us>
Subject: Re: Follow-up on Empid lower bills (fwd)

Ian, have you forwarded this to tweeters? It would be appropriate.

>HI Dennis:
> I thought you might be interested in this.
>
>Ian "Birdbooker" Paulsen
>Bainbridge Is., WA, USA
>ipaulsen at linknet.kitsap.lib.wa.us
>"Rallidae all the way"
>
>---------- Forwarded message ----------
>Date: Sun, 7 May 2000 22:34:51 -0500
>From: Randy Pinkston <pinkston at vvm.com>
>To: TEXBIRDS at LIST.AUDUBON.ORG
>Subject: Follow-up on Empid lower bills
>
>Recently I posted an inquiry regarding variability in lower bill
>coloration & patterns in Empidonax flycatchers. Since then I have spent
>considerable time scrutinizing the lower bills on numerous individuals
>which I knew to be Least Flycatchers, based on morphology, plumage, calls,
>etc. My sample is small, perhaps 15 or 20 individuals. I've been amazed
>to discover that birds with entirely pale lower bills are actually in the
>minority. Most Leasts have at least a dark tip and at least two
>additional individuals, like my bird on 19 April, have had mostly dark
>lower bills.
>
>The moral of the story? That discoveries are possible with our most
>common and most familiar birds, no matter how long you've been birding and
>how many expert references you've consulted. Take nothing for granted.
>
>Randy Pinkston, Salado


Dennis Paulson, Director phone 253-879-3798
Slater Museum of Natural History fax 253-879-3352
University of Puget Sound e-mail dpaulson at ups.edu
Tacoma, WA 98416
http://www.ups.edu/biology/museum/museum.html