During the general global hostilities of 1938-45 there was widespread
paranoia in the USA about German spies. Roger Tory Peterson was somewhere
on Long Island, birding with a scope. When l began birding in the late 60s
scopes were still a true novelty, owned by 5 or 10 % of the many score
birders l knew.
Mr. Peterson was startled by a loud, brusque voice at his elbow . It
proved to emanate from a peace officer in the employ of the local
municipality demanding to know just what the heck Roger was up to.
"I'm looking at goldfinches."
Still maintaining the tone of a drill Sargent the man in uniform
responded, "American or European?"
