More specifically, "relict" populations can refer to species that
were comfortable with conditions near the edge of glaciation from
a recent ice age.  The boreal bird and plant species found at
Cranesville Swamp are an example.  After retreat of the ice cap,
local topography, geology, and hydrology have preserved a small
zone resembling the boreal ecoregion that is sufficiently
acceptable to these species that they inhabit it, though it
exists as an ecological island within an otherwise more southerly
ecoregion.

Of course, "relictual" can also refer to birders who still refer
to local species as "baldpates", "sparrowhawks", "marsh hawks",
and "English sparrows".

Bill Ellis
Eldersburg, Carroll County
billellis-at-ellislist-dot-com

-----Original Message-----
From: Maryland Birds & Birding
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
Behalf Of Speicher, James (NIH/NIAID)
Sent: Thursday, March 17, 2005 3:17 PM
To: 
Subject: Re: [MDOSPREY] Henslow's Sparrows Breeding Locations /
Regal
Frit illary


Guess i started all this, but my first posting was only a rough
draught :)




Jim Speicher
Jspeicher-at-niaid.nih.gov
Rockville @work :(
Broad Run_S. FRED Co @home :)