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From: mjm@oliven.olivetti.com (Michael Mammoser)
Newsgroups: rec.birds
Subject: Re: Atitlan Grebe (was:trivia quiz answers)
Message-ID: <49409@olivea.atc.olivetti.com>
Date: 14 Sep 90 17:04:29 GMT
References: <1197@cluster.cs.su.oz.au> <675@sun13.scri.fsu.edu> <687@sun13.scri.fsu.edu>
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In article <687@sun13.scri.fsu.edu>, sandee@sun16.scri.fsu.edu (Daan Sandee) writes:
 > 
 > I see I have to back up my statements by citing my authorities.
 > A. LaBastille, "Ecology & Management of the Atitlan Grebe, Lake Atitlan,
 >  Guatemala", Wildlife Monographs No. 37, 1974.
 > [For the purists : there is a diacritical sign on the last a in 'Atitlan',
 > indicating the stress is on the last syllable.]
 > LaBastille specifically notes that previous reports have surmised that it
 > could fly, but refutes this based on
 >  (a) direct observation, including reports from local inhabitants
 >  (b) thorough examination of physiology (wing size and pectoral muscles).
 
	I read that it was a "weak flyer", though this was a general
literary reference and not a specific study paper. However, I was
wondering how one goes about verifying flightlessness through direct
observation. This would seem to be quite tricky. For instance, I have
directly observed thousands of Pied Billed Grebes, but can't recall 
ever seeing one fly. What conclusions can I draw from this? :-)
 
Mike