HI:
FYI

--
Ian Paulsen
Bainbridge Island, WA, USA
A.K.A.: "Birdbooker"
"Rallidae all the way!"

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Wed, 4 May 2005 16:36:52 -0500
From: Mike Quinn <Mike.Quinn at TPWD.STATE.TX.US>
To: TEXBIRDS at LISTSERV.UH.EDU
Subject: [TEXBIRDS] "Delta Towns Hope Woodpecker Brings Riches"

---> Texbird help file http://www.texbirds.org <---

Please forgive if this was declared off topic. Mike Quinn, Austin

---FWD---

Delta Towns Hope Woodpecker Brings Riches

May 4, 4:19 PM (ET)

By MELISSA NELSON

COTTON PLANT, Ark. (AP) - If the ivory-billed woodpecker was magic to
early day American Indians, perhaps it can work some magic for the
modern-day residents trying to scratch out a living in this poor Delta
region.

The striking bird - not extinct after all - has already attracted eager
birdwatchers to the dying communities that dot the area. Rooms at a
nearby Days Inn are filling up for fall - prime season for birders.

Gov. Mike Huckabee said Wednesday that the woodpecker's discovery will
be "a huge benefit to tourism. Look for a lot of folks to be coming to
Arkansas and maybe spending their good old money."

David Goad, deputy director of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission,
predicted the bird, considered the Holy Grail of birdwatchers, will
bring thousands of visitors. "This will mean millions of dollars for
this part of the world," he said.

The federal government has pledged $10 million for the preservation of
the bird, described by some as a pileated woodpecker on steroids because
of its nearly 3-foot wing span. Over the years it's had many nicknames,
including the "Lord God" bird. It was sought by Indians for its bill,
believed to have magical powers, and hunted for its feathers to adorn
women's hats. Loss of habitat was its main threat, though.

full:
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20050504/D89SISJ00.html

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