Letters, Jul. 6, 1942

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The Modock and the Oozlefinch

Sirs:

When discussing Brigadier General James H. Doolittle [TIME, June 1], you state: "He was an early member of the Quiet Birdmen, the group of flyers who set themselves apart from the kiwi, an almost extinct flightless bird, and from the 'Modock,' legendary aviation term for a 'bird that flies backwards to keep the dust out of its eyes.' "

We believe TIME has erred. On Feb. 20, 1942, long before TIME mentioned "backward" birds, The Range Finder, Camp Callan publication, presented the "Oozlefinch," mascot of the Coast Artillery, which for years has flown backwards to keep the dust out of its eyes; and also because the bird is not interested in where it is going—it wants to know where in h— it came from.

Furthermore, we members of this command would challenge any airmen to produce an authentic copy of a "Modock" and would then compare it with the authentic Oozlefinch to prove the erroneous statement of TIME. . . .

Enclosed please find copy of Artist John Zane's version of the sacred property of the Coast Artillery, the "Oozlefinch".

CAPTAIN EARL W. PORTER Camp Callan, Calif.

> Ornithologists insist that the Modock and the Oozlefinch derive from a common ancestor. The Modock's first migration to the U.S. was noted early in the 1920s, when the Quiet Birdmen insisted that they were no relation to either the kiwi or the Modock. The kiwi's natural habitat is New Zealand.—ED.

Less Tingle

Sirs: So we feel exhilarated! [TIME, June 15, on the possibility of a bombing raid on San Francisco.] Sure, exhilarated at the prospect of getting a splash of lewisite—even a feeling of elation at the prospect of seeing arms, legs and torsos flung into the treetops. You guys make me sick . . . almost as sick as I'd be after a whiff of noxious Jap gas.

We in San Francisco are feeling the same feeling that a chicken might feel as it looks up from the block—and waits for the ax.

Sure—we tingle—and our great day will be that one when we smash the living bejesus out of the Japs.

PHILIP STEARNS San Francisco, Calif.

Goggle-Eyed

Sirs: On the same page, you describe two people as "spaniel-eyed" and "beagle-eyed," TIME. June 15.

This leaves me goggle-eyed.

E. D. TOLAND Concord, N. H.

"Loony Soony"

Sirs: TIME'S rhymes—"legal eagle," "able stable" —will contrive to drive me loony soony.

Please cease.

A pleader reader.

MARGARET MILLER Ann Arbor, Mich.

Nazi Best

Sirs:

It has been called to our attention that a recent issue of TIME has commented upon the identity of "Guess Who," the Berlin propagandist, as being Robert Henry Best, "of Sumter," Sumter County, S.C.