Exciting sports post

[Ed I]

Montana leads the nation in the percentage of residents who are bird-watchers.

Montana 44%

Vermont 43%

Wisconsin 41%

Washington, Minnesota, Maine, Alaska 36%

Last place Hawaii 9%

Special treats for birders in Montana are the Lewis woodpecker and Clark's nutcracker.

I'd like to see someone top this.

[John Cole]

Ed I,

A week ago I went to an academic English conference, and one session was on interspecies communication. Yes, a writer who talked to birds. He told one fascinating tale of engaging a young Oriole. He knew it was young because it hadn't quite soldified its song grammar, and he engaged in teaching it the opening to Beethoven's Fifth. The bird, he said, was able to learn until it got to the part that violated bird song convention. Then both he and the bird became quiet. Who knew?

BTW, I just finished reading John Muir's wonderful essay, "Stickeen," which I heartily recommend.

John