A report from Cocos yesterday that there is a Great Egret on the atoll reminded me that this is another change. Our bird is no longer Eastern Great Egret as that split has been reversed, not unexpectedly I suggest. I agree with Frank O’Connor that Western Fieldwren is another that will one day be reversed especially as the man whom it was named after doesn’t believe it! I think that when you dig deeply Paul, you will continue to find more changes. When the task is finished please share it with us in an easily digested format as you are quite right, many of us are interested. You will need to set an end-date for changes.
I also wondered why you mentioned only Western and not also Northern Shriketit as possible future splits. Of interest to me as I have seen the former but not the latter. Other potential splits include the Norfolk Island Golden Whistler, the Figbirds (N & S), some of the Sittellas and the recently discussed Masked Lapwing and Spur-winged Plover.
And thanks for not damning my error – I of course meant Yellow-browed not Yellow-crowned Warbler.
Mike Carter 30 Canadian Bay Road Mount Eliza VIC 3930 Tel (03) 9787 7136
