User talk:172.167.128.176

The Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) has never been studied in depth, because it has not been a game bird and would not "pay its own way," so to speak.

As to factual data on "invasive species" problems in the Mute Swans, there are no studies which show that, according to Chris Elphick, editor of David Sibley's hugely successful book on birds. The Federal Court called the materials produced for Hill v Norton,(2001) through which the Mute Swans regained protection under MBTA "Junk science cobbled together by agency people with an agenda" and demanded a NEPA study. The Agency never did the study and set about changing the rules and regulations, instead. This can be interpreted in several ways.

There are several studies done by Michael Conover (U of Utah, I believe)on this species over the years and a wealth of information in the Trumpeter Swan Society papers, in which the Trumpeter is shown to demand more than ten times the habitat area of the Mute Swan. The Trumpeter attacks and kills other birds, (as well as trucks and seaplanes,) etc. None of this is considered anything but normal in this bird as it is in many of the raptors who lunch on the smaller birds, including shore birds and songbirds, at threat. Until the Mute Swan is proven to be not native to this continent, which I believe cannot be done, with its long history in Canada and on both coasts.

There is a theory that the animosity against Mute Swans was founded in the anti-English symbolism and the bird represented the English, who sent Scots, Irish and Welch to man the treacherous areas of Canada for the Hudson's Bay Colony and did not share the profits. This has been documented but has nothing to do with the species, who was as much a victim back in England, where they were often pinioned.

If you would tell me the areas you feel are not even handed, I will rewrite them in a more balanced way, should they be as blatant as you suggest. I do not see them, however, I remain open minded.

I have one question of you: Why don't you identify yourself? Kathryn Burton

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