Bergmann's Law and Tasmania

["Ken Rogers"<>]

re John Leonard's comment of Magpies being smaller in Tasmania.  Bergmann's
Law is not a law qua law nor indeed a rule.  It is a gross generalisation
proved by exceptions.

A quick look through Bander's Aid Supplement No.1 (available Birds
Australia for $9, I think) shows:

Smaller than Victorian Birds Eastern Spinebill, Grey Fantail

Same Size as Victorian Birds Spotted Pardalote, Silvereye, White's Thrush,
New Holland Honeyeater.  (N.B. The last is much bigger on King Island.)

Larger than Victorian Birds Grey Currawong, Beautiful Firetail, Crescent
Honeyeater, Noisy Miner, Brown Thornbill, Superb Fairy-wren, Grey
Shrike-thrush, Golden Whistler.

I reckon Bergmann was pretty brave.

Ken Rogers

P.S. re "escapee": I hate "icon" as much and "quantum" (which means the
smallest amount possible) more.  Each pedant to his own!