On Mon, 27 Nov 1995, Robin Panza wrote:

> In article <[log in to unmask]>, [log in to unmask] (Wray Kephart)
> writes:
> > found dead raven and want to preserve. dont want to skin and stuff.
> > anybody have any suggestions?
> > thanx-
> > wray kephart
> >
>
> It is a violation of Federal law for an individual to posess a dead raven.  It
> would be a serious breach of etiquette for anyone to help you maintain
> posession of it.  Sorry, but the only thing you can legally do is get rid of
> it.  Some museums might have the necessary permits to allow them to accept it
> from you, but otherwise it should go back where it was found.
>
> The raven is legally the property of the US Fish and Wildlife Service.  If you
> want to wrangle with them, go right ahead.  However, be warned that they are
> cracking down on just this kind of violation.  Did you read/hear about the
> jewelry sent to Ms. Rodham Clinton that contained feathers?  That person who
> made and sent the jewelry is up on serious charges now.  If you let USFWS know
> you are violating the Migratory Bird treaty, they may come after you.
>
> Robin Panza                     [log in to unmask]
> Section of Birds
> Carnegie Museum of Natural History
>
I am curious as to what sort of difficulties there are in the US in
getting the necessary permits for the use of migratory bird remains (of
whatever sort) for scientific research/study purposes, especially by
individuals.  We haven't encountered any difficulties in Canada (so far)
in retaining the remains of roadkills and predator (e.g. cat or other
non-human) kills for the purposes of zooarchaeological research.  BTW -
is a raven considered to be a migratory bird?  They don't follow a
seasonal migration pattern in Ontario that I've ever noticed.

Chris J.-Andersen
Regional Archaeologist
Ontario Ministry of Culture