In a message dated 8/1/02 4:45:46 AM Pacific Daylight Time, comeback@xxxxxxxx writes: > Once again, I would exempt hummingbirds for one more generation. > The real challenge lies not in technology, but in educating our fellow > humans to stop destroying habitat on the only planet we have, and to > stop reproducing ourselves on a geometric progression. I sure wish I had > an answer for that one. > James Brooks > Jonesborough, TN > James and fellow birders Your last paragraph sums up the challenge that we all face. I fear that in the grand scheme of things that wildlife in general and birds in particular remain a low priority. I think that the ability to make transmitters small enough for hummers already exists. It is the power supply for such tiny units that's the main drawback at the present time. In my humble opinion, I think that too will be overcome in the not too distant future. The search for data to support the preservation of existing public and private lands is a critical item. Bird banding is but one of those tools. If we, the public, now own the land we must fight to preserve it. If we don't own the land, we must make every effort to buy it and preserve it. We probably differ on the usefulness of not only banding, but bird counts and other research approaches. One thing for sure, doing something is better than sitting on one's hands and complaining. We are all pursueing the same goal. That was my final comment here on the bird banding controversy. Anyone can contact me privately at 205-681-2888 and I will discuss it with an open mind. I promise not to pish in your ear. Bob Sargent Trussville, Alabama =================NOTES TO SUBSCRIBER===================== The TN-Bird Net requires you to sign your messages with first and last name, city (town) and state abbreviation. ----------------------------------------------------- To post to this mailing list, simply send email to: tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx ----------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, send email to: tn-bird-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'unsubscribe' in the Subject field. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Topographical Maps located at http://topozone.com/find.asp * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Visit the Tennessee Ornithological Society web site at http://www.tnbirds.org * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * TN-Bird Net Owner: Wallace Coffey, Bristol, TN jwcoffey@xxxxxxxxxx (423) 764-3958 =========================================================