Date:         Thu, 20 Feb 2003 02:57:28 -0500
Reply-To:     Maryland Birds & Birding <MDOSPREY@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM>
Sender:       Maryland Birds & Birding <MDOSPREY@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM>
From:         Frank Boyle <ravenfrank@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject:      Re: Keeping Cats Indoors
In-Reply-To:  <3E53EA6F.CBABA737@worldnet.att.net>
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Keeping cats indoors? Oh please!!  I do believe that a little effort in
placement of feeders can go a long way towards minimizing the impact of
outdoor housecats on backyard birds - the argument has also been made
(somewhat equally ridiculous) that sharpies and other predators feeding
on backyard birds is something not to be desired.  Personally, I love to
observe the age-old dance between predator and prey, and if that means a
few feeder birds become lunchie for a sharpie, Cooper's Hawk, or even a
housecat, then so be it.  Do we really think that passerines are going
to become an endangered species because of housecats?  I can think of
many other immediate concerns i.e. habitat destruction, disease, etc.
that have a far greater toll on birds than my cats.  They will continue
to roam their neighborhood territories, sitting under the feeders in
hope of a tasty morsel.

*******************
Frank Boyle
Laurel, MD
*******************

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