Mackson 1966 numbers or other reasons remains to be settled. Secondly - the ridges here are very sandy, almost lacking in graminifomes, and from several stare-tests, appear to be poor in insects. thus, another large part of the area is non-productive habitat. The Eriophorum tussocks are impenetrable to shorebirds - another unutilizable portion of the habitat. (Unfortunately, Paul's census plot is mainly this kind of tundra, and densities are low. He, of course, has no control over this in setting up the plot in the snow.) Methinks - for the remaining utilizable tundra, densities are not at all low. Semi-pal are by far doing best. Plectroals don't approach a good Barrow year, but they certainly exceed a bad one (as 1966!). I think a thorough nest check in the lake basin area in addition to the census plot is called for. Enough philosophizing for now. After Dinner went across and down stream with Paul, Ray Spalots and Art McKee (C.R.R.E.L.) to collect. Landed ca. 1 mile down