# dots on maps

[Dr. Neil Snow]

I've participated in Audubon counts and understand their value. However,
our collective biological knowldege of birds far exceeds that of other
groups.

The question of general relevance is: Should a taxonomist,
biogeographer, ecologist or conservation biologist trust an unvouchered
report of (for example) a rare beetle from a mega-diverse tropical
country, where the majority of the local population of humans has never
seen the beetle, much less has in their collective minds a common or
scientific name?

When a comprehensive and well-illustrated field guide to the beetles of
this mega-rich tropical country exists and is purchased by perhaps 0.5%
of the general population, and when groups of 5-20 are willing to meet
once a year rain or shine to census all beetles in that area, then I
will grant your general point.

NS

Frederick W. Schueler wrote:

> Dr. Neil Snow wrote:
> >
> > To follow up on Rich's comments re: vouchers someone once said:
> >
> > A report in the absence of a voucher is nothing but a rumor.
> >
> > Science does not advance on rumors.
> >
>
> * does this mean that Christmas Bird Counts (an activity begun to
> supplant the killing of 'vouchers' [even if few of them were
> ever deposited in museums]) are just rumours?
>
> fred schueler.
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>          Eastern    Ontario    Biodiversity    Museum
>                 Grenville Co, Ontario, Canada
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