Birding and car washing. An internationalperspective.

["Philip Veerman" <>]

Sorry to prolong this, as it is more than a little silly (although I think we 
know that, so it is OK). However I'd suggest Alastair might better refer to an 
ecologically rather than a taxonomically comparable bird to the Common Grackle. 
Indeed that is what I suggest Alastair's suggestions were alluding to. Bearing 
in mind the taxonomic separateness of most Australian passerines from Northern 
Hemisphere families. Noting that their usefulness as car washing implements by 
virtue of their feather absorbency and their beak shape and hardness may be 
convergent characteristics, unconnected to actual evolutionary affinities.

Philip