We're All the Next In Line . . .

When somebody tries to break a world record for knocking down dominoes, strange things are bound to happen. But gunfire? In Holland on Monday, an organization was attempting to reset a record involving more than 4 million dominoes. As they were falling, like so many east Asian nations during the 50s and 60s, a "common house sparrow" flew into the arena. With about 200,000 dominoes left, the bird got involved and knocked down 23,000 of them. His punishment? He was "chased into a corner and shot by an exterminator with an air rifle." That's problematic because the "common house sparrow," contrary to its name, is an endangered species in Holland. Killing one is illegal unless you have a permit and there is danger to human life or a crop. Authorities are investigating.

How the hell does a "common" bird become endangered, anyway?