The real problem with using these codes is that they cause confusion, on several levels. Many readers have no idea at all what you're talking about. If your intention is to show off your superior knowledge, you're doing great; but if you want to communicate actual information, that's not so great. Even worse is when someone who uses the codes thinks he knows them, but doesn't. Then the people who don't know the codes are in the dark, but so are the folks who do know them. Without looking it up, is RNPH a Ring-necked Pheasant or a Red-necked Phalarope? Is CHSW a Chimney Swift or a Chestnut-sided Warbler? Is BAOW a Barn Owl or a Barred Owl? What ARE the right codes for these owls? For Nelson's Sparrow? Do the codes change when the bird's name changes? Is Green Heron GRHE because that's its name now, or GBHE because it was formerly Green-backed Heron, or GRHE because it was Green Heron before it was Green-backed Heron? -- -- Ned Keller [log in to unmask] ______________________________________________________________________ Ohio-birds mailing list, a service of the Ohio Ornithological Society. Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list. Additional discussions can be found in our forums, at www.ohiobirds.org/forum/. You can join or leave the list, or change your options, at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/scripts/wa.exe?LIST=OHIO-BIRDS Send questions or comments about the list to: [log in to unmask]