[Youngblood]

The "other" side? Who are they? I ask this because Krebs says "All analyses of the northern spotted owl concur in recognizing that a large part of the remaining old-growth forests in the Pacific Northwest must be preserved if we wish this species to persist". Perhaps you could list the titles and authors of these contrary studies you've seen?

Charles Krebs book is in its fifth edition: the first appeared in 1972. He is one of the most respected and talented ecologists in the world. "Poorly done" studies don't get into a book like this, but I guess, in the eyes of some, he is now tainted by association, just like accountants and priests.

Does your local library have an inter-library loan facility? If so, you should be able to get copies of the papers through them. Or else, look up the journal or authors' web pages and write to the authors for copies.

[patriciaruth]

local library have an inter-library loan facility?

Good suggestion. But probably I'd have more luck with the local hospital. Which makes me wonder if Medscape might carry biology journal articles as well as medical ones.

Thanks. If I see another refutation of your spotted owl hypothesis, I'll ping you. They may all be talking out of their hats as you suspect for all I know.