John James Audubon made a fine career of shooting birds, but optics available
at the time did not lend themselves to critical examination of detail.
Birding in hand made it possible for Audubon to leave a legacy yet
unparalleled in the artistic expression of avian species (in my opinion).
I can't remember who it was though, who said that the last passenger pigeon
he ever saw was one that he shot.
As for me, I would have appreciated the opportunity to see the carolina
parakeet.
I'm sorry, I'm just so passionate. I appreciate rite of passage traditions
too. Rough conflict...
In a message dated 10/30/2001 4:26:58 PM Eastern Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:
> Betty,
>
> As a boy growing in the rural South, most of us had BB guns, or pellet
> air
> rifles and some, like my brother and I, had real firearms. Mith "weapon of
> choice" though was my trusty Red Ryder lever action Daisy BB gun. Now other
> than glass bottles, the other prime targets are birds, or "birdies" as you
> state. My favorite Target was "Mockers" because they were so mean. This is
> regardless of the fact Mocking Bird was the Texas state bird and it was
> against state law to shoot them, a minor fact we gave little regard. Wjat I
> guess I am saying is shooting birds with BB guns was a rite of passage in
> the
> South. Besides, have your ever tried to kill a mocker with a Red Ryder. You
> have to be damn good!! Especially if your spastic CP!!!
>
> Bobby
>
> >I meant this with regard to your desire to shoot the little birdies,
that's
> >all. I certainly wouldn't want to see you hurt Kyle. I might be given
> >to
> >wonder, from time to time, just how big your ears actually are, but I'd
> >never
> >want to see you hurt.
>
Betty
aut viam inveniam aut faciam
"I will either find a way or make one."
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