In 1903, W.L. Dawson wrote "Without question the most deplorable event in the history of American ornithology was the introduction of the English Sparrow."

Yes, but what would we have done without all those coconuts?

the most deplorable event in the history of American ornithology

I love that there's a ranking for this.

Was the passenger pigeon dead by 1903? Because that ought to be number 1.

In 1903, W.L. Dawson wrote "Without question the most deplorable event in the history of American ornithology was the introduction of the English Sparrow."

Yes, but what would we have done without all those coconuts?

Who said anything about doing without? The swallows brought the coconuts.

And I believe it was African swallows that did the coconut carrying, not European swallows.

No more Krispy Kreme for LA???

eta: Reprieve!

The passenger pigeon officially went out at the beginning of WWI -- 1914, not 1903. But that means there were like twelve of them left by then.

I'll not soon forget the radio expedition I heard, where the birders were in search of that recently-rediscovered (maybe) woodpecker in Arkansas, and burst into joyful tears at hearing its (somewhat-disputed) call. I've never felt about a bird that way, but it pleases me that somebody does.

The Cincinatti zoo still has the little building where the last known passenger pigeon died, with a plaque explaining its significance in front (I had to explain how tragic the extinction of the species was to my mom and brother).

Sushi. I'm going to have sushi for lunch, and read Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell while I do so. I've been meaning to have this lunch all week and got distracted.

Can somebody explain the whole "dive bar" fad to me? For the longest time, I thought it was a bar where SCUBA fans hung out. What makes it a dive bar? What's cool about it?