As some juncos sing outside my window and I read posts of Woodcocks peenting
in suburban-academic habitats, I can't help but reflect on the joys of
spring when the world comes back to life and evolution begins anew. For it
is in the breeding that evolution takes place at all. If it does. 145 years
after Darwin, doubt still lingers.
    House sparrows are fighting not over just one box in my yard, but both
of them. The bluebirds gave up and thus the sparrows will continue to evolve
while the bluebird will waste away into the fossil record.
    On the subject of bird experts, I have been afield with many of the
Stasz, Hoffman, Ringler, Jett and other notable high priests. And at one
point or another I am sure I have heard every one of them admit an
occasional mistake. They know they ain't perfect. It's the ones who don't
admit their mistakes, like me because I'm still not aware that I made them,
that arouse suspicion. Experts are always a tad humble.
    However today I will admit publicly a mistake. I once asked Dr Wood, in
a private email, to take one of his discussions off line. I asked way too
harshly and I admit that was a mistake. I later apologized for it and make
that apology public here today. I was wrong and still am.
    Now excuse me while I go look for my marbles. Seems I lost some.
    And as a side note, Mr. Bailey, Mr. Hollis and I have been discussing
species-oriented conservation vs. ecosystem-based conservation. Any opinions
out there? I recommend anybody who wants to join in to get out their Meffe
and Carroll and read chapters 6 and 7. These guys are good!
    Jerry


----- Original Message -----
From: <>
To: <>
Sent: Monday, March 13, 2006 7:03 AM
Subject: Re: [MDOSPREY] Post Article on Albatross--AKA Great Black Backed
Gull


> John,
>
> Don't dwell on it, you certainly didn't start this. This "gentleman" has
taken upon his own accord to launch volleys at various people over the last
several months. Just do a search of this person's posts in MDOSPREY's
archives over the last few months and you should see the history of this. So
don't feel that it was anything that you initiated.
>
> Ed Boyd
> Westminster, MD
>
> ---- John Scherwood <> wrote:
> > My apologies for having started this dispute between Richard and Norm.