Re: Abreviations

["Paul McDonald" <>]

Dear All, 

I have expressed my views to individual authors concerning this issue but I feel  that more comment is needed. If people are to be harassed about their  messages they will simply not bother to take the time to put them on birding- aus. Dave Stewart took the time to not only say that the South Island Pied  Oystercatcher (SIPO) was present, but give directions. If he and others are  harassed for doing this they will simply not bother, a situation that must be  avoided at all costs if BA (Birding-aus) is to remain worthwhile to the vast  majority of subscribers. THE SIPO had been discussed before, the OZPO was  an obvious phenetic abbreviation that did not require a degree in brain surgery  to identify. 

Be thankful that people take the time to identify rare/unusual/interesting birds  for the birders not directly "in the know" or we will be hearing about rarities  6months after they were last seen. If you have a query, send it direct to the  author.

Cheers, Paul
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Paul McDonald
School of Biological Sciences
Macquarie University, Sydney NSW, 2109
Australia
Phone: (02) 9850 8191 Fax: (02) 9850 8245

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