Eating ones study subjects

[Anne Kilmer]

Michael Gochfeld wrote:
> 
> Eating a butterfly or caterpillar may sound novel or revolting, but it
> used to be de rigeur among certain ornithological PhD programs to eat
> one's study animal (at least once).  Some researcher who collected often
> chowed-down repeatedly and with apparent relish.  It's harder and harder
> to do this nowadays I suppose.
> 
> Mike Gochfeld

I enjoyed the charming naivete, however, of the colleague (I forget who)
who tasted a butterfly wing. The wings are usually the yuckiest, as they
are a) easiest to get a beakful of and b) sort of expendable. 
Further, if you are eating a caterpillar, squish it and avoid the skin,
where it sequesters its toxins. My cardinals taught me that. I have so
far made no use of this fine information, and share it in the fine
tradition of "I'll hold your hat". 
If you watch small primates, you'll note that they usually remove legs
and wings before digging in. 
yum
Anne Kilmer
South florida