Angus,
I am inclined to agree with you. The production of a recording of a
Lyrebird call containing mechanical sounds neither proves nor
disproves that Lyrebirds mimic mechanical sounds. Give me a week and I
could produce a recording of a Lyrebird mimicking 'most anything you
want. The sound manipulation software around now is amazing.
In these modern times, unfortunately, just about all evidence is
manipulable to a greater or lesser degree and I have seen my fair share.
Cheers,
Carl Clifford ( and no, I am not a Lawyer, but I was an Investigator ;-)
On 13/02/2010, at 3:16 AM, Angus Innes wrote:
Fellow Aus Birders,
As every true sceptic should, Richard Jordan looks to whether the
evidence supports the proposition which he queries.
A possible flaw in his approach occurs in the execution of his
enquiries. Evidence is not what Richard accepts or rejects, but it is
found in the direct observations of reliable witnesses. All our great
early bird guides were written by experienced observers who wrote
about what they saw and heard. That is still the basis of many
accepted rarity records in leading birding countries around the world.
So if a relaible observer says I saw a lyrebird and heard it making a
mechanical sound of a chain saw, or whatever, that is evidence. The
use of camera and tape recorder are latter day aids - and valuable,
but do not make observation non-evidence.
In a passing observation that is not directed in any way to Richard,
the problem of persons with new kit, or techniques, debunking the old,
can be seen throughout the modern world. The observations and opinions
of persons on the ground are dismissed as anecdotal - and not properly
validated. The validation process employes thousands of consultants at
great expense, who often regurgitate what they were told by the
experienced persons on the ground.
Back to my short point, you have got to respect reliable observers.
What they say they saw or heard is evidence.
Angus Innes (Yes, I am a lawyer).
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