Bridget,

I read with great interest the article about the challenge to the IBWO
sighting. VT's very own Rick Prum seems to be one of the challengers. In
the early 70's Rick lived in Manchester during his (and mine) formative
birding interests and subsequence career. He was a very focused young,
enthusiastic birder who, along with an older, Walter Ellison and a younger,
Tait Johansson have gone on to become knowledgeable and recognized
ornithologists.

I have followed and been in touch with Rick from his elementary years,
through Harvard, graduate research on manakins in the SA rain forest,
curator at U of Kansas museum and now at Yale U. He's been doing leading
edge research on feather coloring..... It is very interesting to read
about this current challenge. I shall have to have a chat with him!

Ruth


Charlie & Ruth Stewart
E. Dorset, Vermont
U.S.A.