In a message dated 12/10/2004 1:40:51 AM Eastern Standard Time,  
 writes:

Hello  all,
The bird most probably has salmonella poisoning. It is not uncommon  that
birds blow themselves up like that to keep warm when they have  been
infected. The salmonella bacteria is easily spread from bird to bird,  this
is why it is necessary to keep bird feeders and bird trays as clean  as
possible.



Apparently I've been poking fun at a SICK bird.  So now I feel  terrible.  
And embarrassed.
:-(


 
Sarah
Cabin John, MD
BirdNerd3 at  a*o*l*c*o*m
www.pbase.com/sarahbee