Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site sdcc3.UUCP Path: utzoo!decvax!ittvax!dcdwest!sdcsvax!sdcc3!ma4cc From: ma4cc@sdcc3.UUCP (ma4cc) Newsgroups: net.rec.birds Subject: Re: Bird Wars Message-ID: <2643@sdcc3.UUCP> Date: Sun, 20-Jan-85 02:17:23 EST Article-I.D.: sdcc3.2643 Posted: Sun Jan 20 02:17:23 1985 Date-Received: Mon, 21-Jan-85 04:24:32 EST Distribution: na Organization: U.C. San Diego, Academic Computer Center Lines: 18 In Chicago I once saw an Eastern Kingbird attack a Green-backed Heron by actually landing briefly on the back of the larger bird as it was flying past the Kingbird's territory. Unfortunately, the 2 birds disappeared around the edge of a small island at that point, so I was unable to see how long the Kingbird was able to stay with the heron. I presume the ride was a short one. In a similar vein, I once observed a Common Grackle patiently watching an American Bittern stalk minnows. The instant the bittern struck a fish, the grackle dropped down to peck viciously at the back of the bittern's head. The bittern was obviously startled, but did not drop its meal; and the grackle retreated at once. I've always been impressed at the cleverness of this effort by the grackle to procure fish from water too deep for it to wade in. _____________________________________________________ Tim McLarnan, ..sdcc3!ix264