Understanding that pictures can be misleading, a 'single' picture can downright 'lie', and nobody asked me what I thought(!), I have to say the photo posted on MOBIRDS-L does not really look like a Ruff!!! I'm troubled by the combination of a distinct supercilium and dark lores. The 'face' just doesn't look right to me . . . As variable as Ruff may be, I'm not sure a Pectoral or Stilt Sandpiper with an aberrant bill is ruled out by the photo. That's not to say the bird isn't a Ruff, but the single photo is bothersome. Any other pics available??? Chris Hobbs Shawnee, KS [log in to unmask] -----Original Message----- From: MO Wild Bird Forum [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Chris Merkord Sent: Wednesday, April 21, 2004 1:44 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Ruff photo from Monday I have posted the photo I took of the Ruff on Monday. I'll be out of town for a couple of weeks so I won't be able to respond to any comments until I get back. You can see the photo at: http://www.chrismerkord.com/photos/birds/philomachus_pugnax.html Cheers, Chris ************************************** Christopher L. Merkord Evolutionary Biology, Ecology, & Behavior Program Division of Biological Sciences University of Columbia-Missouri 105 Tucker Hall Columbia, Missouri 65211 USA 573.882.4854 Office [log in to unmask] [log in to unmask] http://www.chrismerkord.com/ __________________________________________________ * Audubon Society of Missouri's * * Wild Bird Discussion Forum * *------------------------------------------------* * To unsubscribe send the message * * SIGNOFF MOBIRDS-L * * to [log in to unmask] * * To subscribe send the message * * SUBSCRIBE MOBIRDS-L your name * * to [log in to unmask] * *------------------------------------------------* * To access the list archives from July 2002 on: * * http://po.missouri.edu/archives/mobirds-l.html * * * * To access the Audubon Society of Missouri Web * * Site: http://www.mobirds.org * ################################################## --- Incoming mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.588 / Virus Database: 372 - Release Date: 2/13/2004 --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.588 / Virus Database: 372 - Release Date: 2/13/2004 __________________________________________________ * Audubon Society of Missouri's * * Wild Bird Discussion Forum * *------------------------------------------------* * To unsubscribe send the message * * SIGNOFF MOBIRDS-L * * to [log in to unmask] * * To subscribe send the message * * SUBSCRIBE MOBIRDS-L your name * * to [log in to unmask] * *------------------------------------------------* * To access the list archives from July 2002 on: * * http://po.missouri.edu/archives/mobirds-l.html * * * * To access the Audubon Society of Missouri Web * * Site: http://www.mobirds.org * ##################################################