Beth is right, of course. I think it's obvious that this is someone who's
very new at birding and in her enthusiasm is seeing all kinds of impossible
birds. Think of the probability that even one of that trio of birds
(Magnificent Hummer, Lewis's and White-headed Woodpecker) would show up
around here, and you can see what's going on. I'm reminded of an essay
(which I'm quite sure is in an old Roger Peterson anthology of essays about
birds and birding) entitled "The Birds I Used To See." The book is at home,
so I can't consult it, but the author writes with great humor about his
younger self starting out in birding and seeing all kinds of rare birds,
which of course he hasn't seen since. I think this is common with young,
enthusiastic birders who haven't yet learned what is likely to appear in
their areas. It's very amusing, but we ought to react with understanding as
well as amusement. It would be nice if someone could contact Allison and
offer her some help in bird identification.

Burt Guttman
The Evergreen State College 360-867-6755
Olympia, WA 98505 guttmanb at evergreen.edu

Reunite Gondwana


-----Original Message-----
From: Calliopehb at aol.com [mailto:Calliopehb at aol.com]
Sent: Monday, April 30, 2001 8:01 PM
To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
Subject: Magnificent Hummingbird and more............


Hi Tweeters,
Before we all have a great laugh on this one. Has anyone considered that the

message might be from an enthusiastic young person who is still working at
learning to look at details? She stated her phone number on her message
maybe someone should call her to clarify. Always better to check before we
have a laugh and risk stifling someone's excitement.
Happy birding,
Beth Thompson
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