One thing to consider is that the bird weighs in at about 20 grams (I think). Any trap doors "slamming shut" that make contact might harm the bird. And anything that touches the wings could really do a number on it. Then there is the problem of the birds metabolism, trapping it for any extend amount of time could kill it so you need to be able to notify when its sprung. If it were a bigger bird you could just run a used tazer into the feeder.....;-] We have a few Hummer feeders here but it took a year before they would do more than zip on by. They are a blast to watch though when they feed. The feeder is about 3 feet from my desk outside the window. Makes it easy to watch. Dave At 01:15 PM 25/06/02 -0500, you wrote: >100% on-target. Thanks! >From: "Peter L. Peres" > > > A normal trap has a spring or some other mechanical energy storage device > > and the trigger releases this. In practice you could have an elastic > > trying to close the door and a 3V motor with a half-cup shaped paddle > > soldered onto the axle hold the door back (by a protruding piano wire or > > such). > > > > Peter > > -- http://www.piclist.com hint: To leave the PICList mailto:piclist-unsubscribe-request@mitvma.mit.edu