Date: Thu, 4 May 2000 20:49:56 -0400 Reply-To: Maryland Birds & Birding Sender: Maryland Birds & Birding From: Benjamin Poscover Subject: Bird Check List MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable This afternoon returning from a fishing trip (I added 11 birds to my = year's list. This will give you some idea how good the fishing was.), I = stopped off at Irvine Nature Center to pick up some bird lists for my = Beginning Birders Class this coming 16th, 18th and 20th. Not being able = to find the white list, I was informed that they no longer exist and = that a new one was available. The obliging clerk gave me a copy of the = new list. To say the least, it is impressive beginning with the yellow = color. Upon closer inspection, I noticed that the heads of groups were = now in scientific designation. As I become more familiar with this = nomenclature, this should certainly make me a more correct communicator = of birds listed. Upon closer inspection, I noticed small checks by = certain birds and after reading the introduction found that any sighting = of any birds having this mark by its name should be reported to the = MD/DC Records Committee. I can assure you that I will diligently report = any Eskimo Curlew or other checked bird that I might see in Maryland. =20 It seems to me that the only constant is change and I should be more = tolerant of it. However, it is an age thing to be certain, I have a = tendency to resist change and hearken to a simpler time. A heading of = "Swans, Geese & Ducks" seems friendlier that one of "Ciconiiformes/ = Cathartidae" particularly when checking birds seen by beginning birders = and individuals such as myself. =20 Further, the size of the new list presents a problem. I like to = carry them in my field guides and field guide carrier to both use and to = share with others should the opportunity afford itself. The new list = doesn't fit. Perhaps someone can give me an idea of what to do. = Bending it in the middle does not seem a viable solution. In essence, if anyone can direct me to a source of the white bird = list, I would appreciate it. In the meanwhile I will use the yellow one = and learn from it. =20 Ben Poscover Towson MD bposcove@bcpl.net ======================================================================= To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey ======================================================================= =========================================================================