Date: Thu, 19 Jul 2001 10:47:25 EDT Reply-To: Maryland Birds & Birding Sender: Maryland Birds & Birding From: Paul O'Brien Subject: Re: Kelp Gull, St. Mary's County, MD, Update from July 16, MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Mike, The Kelp Gull report has not yet been reviewed by the MD/DC Records Committee. We are awaiting the results of DNA testing to ascertain the parentage, at least that of the bird's mother, since it is mitochondrial DNA that is being examined, and that is passed down through the egg. But let's not get into the grizzly details of molecular biology. The Kelp Gull has, on occasion, been seen to shed a feather or two and some of those feathers were collected, providing us with a sample for DNA analysis. Beyond the question of parentage lies the murky quagmire of the bird's origin. Even if the review were to begin soon, we can expect a protracted process as arguments over origin rage on and on. So don't hold your collective breath that there will be a definitive ruling in the near future. Futhermore, the ABA has yet to determine whether or not to include Kelp Gull in their official checklist. It's going to be some time before you can tick off Kelp Gull for your life list. Patience. Paul O'Brien Chairman, MD/DCRC Rockville, Mont. Co., MD pobrien776@aol.com ======================================================================= To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey ======================================================================= =========================================================================