The Bedside Book of Birds : NPR

On May 28, 1854, William David Thoreau, who earned some of his keep by collecting specimens for science, wrote in his diary: “The inhumanity of science concerns me, as when I am tempted to kill a rare snake that I may ascertain its species. I feel that this is not the means of acquiring true knowledge.”

I feel this way about banding, as well. I understand the defense of the practice but wonder if we can’t move on to less intrusive observations.