In answer to Art Mudge's question: The British are much more concerned about the decline of House Sparrows than we are, so most of the research has been done in Britain. Here are just a few references. The first is a PhD thesis with links to other articles. The second is an article in the "Guardian". The third gives a little background. I don't think there is a really definitive answer yet, but there are some plausible suggestions for the decline. More study is needed and is continuing. http://www.katevincent.org/ http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/nov/20/wildlife-endangeredspecies http://www.birdsofbritain.co.uk/bird-guide/house-sparrow.asp Joanne Norton Kendal at Hanover **************************************************************** To post messages, send e-mail to: [log in to unmask] Set your e-mail application to PLAIN TEXT ONLY to post messages. To contact the list owner: [log in to unmask] ---------------------------------------------------------------- Web based archives and subscription management are available at: http://listserv.dartmouth.edu/Archives/uv-birders.html ****************************************************************