Ornithological Societies of North America

The Ornithological
Newsletter
On-Line

Editor: Cheryl Trine

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NUMBER 121, December 1997

THIS IS THE LAST ISSUE of the newsletter to be prepared by current editor KEVIN J. MCGOWAN. After five years and 31 issues, I have decided to resign. I have enjoyed my time as editor, and am glad I was able to take the Ornithological Newsletter onto the Internet. Many thanks go to those individuals who have sent me material over the years, and also to those who sent me their comments, both praise and criticism. Please keep sending material (as early as possible) to the new editor: DR. CHERYL L. TRINE, 3889 E. Valley View, Berrien Springs, MI 49103 (616-471-7886; fax 616-471-6911; ctrine@andrews.edu).

VISIT THE ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETIES OF NORTH AMERICA:
OSNA - http://www.nmnh.si.edu/BIRDNET/OSNA/
AOU - http://www.nmnh.si.edu/BIRDNET/AOU/index.html
AFO - http://www.nmnh.si.edu/BIRDNET/AFO/index.html
COS - http://www.nmnh.si.edu/BIRDNET/COS/index.html
CWS - http://www.nmnh.si.edu/BIRDNET/CWS/
RRF - http://www.nmnh.si.edu/BIRDNET/RRF/index.html
WOS - http://www.ummz.lsa.umich.edu/birds/wos.html
BIRDNET - http://www.nmnh.si.edu/BIRDNET/

NOMINATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP CLASSES Of Elective Member and Fellow of the AOU are due 08 Dec 1997. Late nominations will not be accepted. All Elective Members and Fellows are encouraged to submit nominations of deserving colleagues. Nominators seeking to endorse a nominee must first obtain the 1998 instructions and forms from the 1998 Chair of the Committee on Nomination of Elective Members and Fellows, DR. JOANNA BURGER, Rutgers Univ., Nelson Labs 604 Allison Road, Piscataway, NJ 08855-1059 (732-445-4318; fax 732-445-5870; burger@biology.rutgers.edu; http://biology.rutgers.edu/~burger/start/index.htm), or from the Secretary, DR. M. VICTORIA McDONALD, Dept. of Biology, 201 S. Donaghey St., Univ. of Central Arkansas, Conway, AR 72035 (501-450-5924; fax 501-450-5914; vickiem@ cc1.uca.edu), or from any AOU Council member. For Elective Member nominations, the Secretary will compile and prepare ballot packets, and send these packets to current Elective Members and Fellows by early Jan 1998. Ballots will be returned by mail to the Secretary by 08 Mar 1998, and the names announced at the Business Meeting of Members on 08 Apr 1998 during the 116th Stated Meeting in St. Louis. For Fellow nominations, the Secretary will compile and prepare packets, and send these by early Mar 1998 to current Fellows. Voting for new 1998 Fellows will take place at the Fellows Meeting on 07 Apr 1998 in St. Louis.

THE WOMEN IN ORNITHOLOGY RESOURCE GROUP now has a webpage. It can be reached at http://www-rci.rutgers.edu/~tsipoura/worg.html. In addition to information on WORG activities, the mentoring program, and the listserver the site also provides links to ornithological and environmental organizations and various job postings.

COOPER SOCIETY SYMPOSIUM proposals are invited for the 1999 COS meeting in Portland, Oregon, 30 Mar - 2 Apr. Persons wishing to propose special symposia or workshops should contact MARTIN G. RAPHAEL, chair of the program committee (mgraphael@ compuserve.com). Please indicate the title and objectives of the proposed session, number of papers likely to be presented, and any special requirements for equipment or space. Proposals will be selected by the scientific program committee and organizers will be notified shortly after the application deadline, 1 Mar 1998.

NOMINATIONS FOR AOU OFFICERS AND ELECTIVE COUNCILORS must be received by the Secretary three months before the Stated Meeting. Thus, this year nominations are due 08 Jan 1998. To be elected at the 1998 Business Meeting of Members (08 Apr 1998, St. Louis) will be a President-Elect, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and three Elective Councilors. The Bylaws of the AOU require that the Vice- President shall be elected annually and serve only one term, and that the Secretary and Treasurer also be elected or re-elected annually. The incumbent Secretary (M. VICTORIA MCDONALD) and incumbent Treasurer (FREDERICK H. SHELDON) are willing to serve again if re- elected. Of the total of nine Elective Councilors, three are elected annually and serve for terms of approximately three years, beginning at the close of the Stated Meeting. Elective Councilors to be replaced at the conclusion of the 116th Stated Meeting in 1998 are STEVEN R. BEISSINGER, ROBERT S. KENNEDY, and LLOYD F. KIFF. The procedure for nominating AOU officers and Elective Councilors is outlined in the Bylaws (Art IV, Sec 2). "Each Fellow and Elective Member shall be invited in advance of the Stated Meeting at which an election is to be held, to nominate, in writing to the Secretary, one person for President-Elect, one person for Vice-President, one person for Secretary, one person for Treasurer, and three persons for Elective Councilors. These nominations shall be received by the Secretary three months before the Stated Meeting [08 Jan 1998] and shall be presented at the business session of the Stated Meeting. Nominations for all officers must be accompanied by written consent of the nominee."

BREWSTER AND COUES AWARDS. Nominations are invited for the Brewster and Coues Awards for 1998. These awards are given annually by the AOU in public recognition of avian research of special significance. The Brewster Award is given for the most important research on birds of the Western Hemisphere published in the last ten years. The Coues Award is for research that has had a major impact on ornithology in the Western Hemisphere, though not necessarily done there, and has no time restriction. The Coues Award may be given in recognition of important or innovative work or new techniques that may have been published in relatively brief articles or in non-ornithological journals. For further descriptions of these awards, see The Auk 89:436-538. Nominations should include (1) the name and affiliation of the nominee and (2) a description of his/her contributions to ornithology. The committee will screen all new nominations and those retained from 1997, select a short list, and then contact nominators to acquire additional information and bibliographies of top candidates. Winners will be announced at the Annual Meeting of the AOU in Apr in St. Louis and in a subsequent issue of The Auk. Nominations should be submitted by 15 Jan 1998 to DON KROODSMA, Dept. of Biology, Univ. of Massachusetts, Amherst MA 01002 USA (fax 413-545-3243; e-mail preferred, kroodsma@ bio.umass. edu).

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1998 AOU RESEARCH AWARDS Instructions and Application Forms are now available on the World Wide Web. The Instructions provide information on how to structure the application, what to include, how many copies to submit, to whom completed applications should be sent, etc. Application Forms contain necessary forms for the application Cover Page, Score Sheet, and Applicant Notification Form. Instructions and forms may be accessed from the AOU homepage at: http://www.nmnh.si.edu/BIRDNET/AOU/index.html. Additionally, a text version of the application form and instruc tions is available electronically by sending an e-mail message to the Chair of the AOU Research Awards Committee at the e-mail address listed below. Also, application instructions and forms continue to be available via snail mail from the committee chair: PAUL J. DUBOWY, Dept. Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M Univ, College Station, TX 77843- 2258 (p-dubowy@tamu.edu). Requests for applications sent to the AOU's permanent address at the Smithsonian Institution result in unnecessary delays. All requests should be sent directly to PJD at the above address. Completed applications will be due on 2 Feb 1998.

STUDENTS - FREE MEMBERSHIP!! - The Cooper Ornithological Society is always interested in getting more graduate students involved and provides up to 25 free student memberships each year. These student awards cover costs of membership for 2 years and carry full membership benefits, providing an important launch into ornithological careers at an early stage. To apply, simply send a CV of the student and a cover letter from the major professor that describes why the student deserves the award. Send application materials by 31 Jan 1998 to THOMAS E. MARTIN, Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, Univ. of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812 USA.

FOREIGN SCIENTISTS OR POTENTIAL SPONSORS OF FOREIGN SCIENTISTS - The Cooper Ornithological Society has a program where some scientists in developed countries will sponsor a membership for foreign scientists from eligible under-developed countries. If you are a member of an eligible country (listed in front cover of Condor) and wish to apply for a gift membership, please submit a statement of your need and a cv to: THOMAS E. MARTIN, Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, Univ. of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812 USA. If you are a scientist that wishes to sponsor a foreign member with a gift membership, please send a check or money order for $20 for a single year and to be billed for 4 more years, or $100 for a five year membership (most strongly recom mended). You can specify the name of an individual or program if you wish, or simply ask us to choose from our pool.

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AS OF 25 OCT, people who have had e-mail addresses with the extension "@nbs.gov" will have a new address extension of "@usgs.gov" -- reflecting the change in agency affiliation from National Biological Survey to the Biological Resources Division of U.S. Geological Survey.

THE STERNBERG MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY, which includes the collections of the former Museum of the High Plains, is currently being moved to a new site. The ornithological material will not be available for use by the scientific community until Apr 1998. Direct inquiries about future loans to GREG FARLEY, Associate Curator of Birds, Ft. Hays State U., Hays, KS 67601 (785-628-5965; bigf@ fhsu.edu).

GOSHAWK REVIEW: The US Fish and Wildlife Service will begin a long-awaited Status review of two southern subspecies of the Northern Goshawk. Interior Secretary Babbitt signed the order on 22 Sep after deciding a citizen petition filed six years ago by several southwestern environmental groups has merit.

ONLINE DATA: The US Geological Survey announced 21Oct its Biological Resources Division has initiated a new Internet-based clearing house for searching and using existing sources of biological data maintained by a variety of federal and state agencies, universities, museums, and private organizations, that is available to the public. The clearinghouse is part of the National Biological Information Infrastructure and can be reached at: http://www.nbii.gov/clearinghouse.html.

HOUSE MEMBERS GO AFTER FISH EATING BIRDS. On Thursday, 16 Oct, Representative JOHN M. MCHUGH (R- NY) and Rep. COLIN PETERSON (D-MN) announced their intention to introduce legislation to force the US Fish and Wildlife Service to establish hunting seasons for the Double-crested Cormorant and the Anhinga. In a press release, Rep. McHugh condemned the FWS for failing to aggressively address the "exploding" cormorant population and its effect on sport fishing opportuni ties and local economies. Sport fishermen are joining the aquaculture industry demanding that the FWS control fish-eating birds such as cormorants, kingfishers, herons, ibises, and egrets. The FWS disputes fishermen's claims that fish-eating birds cause major reductions in sport fish populations.

BBS ROUTES AVAILABLE on National Forest land in Northern California! For details and route locations call ADAM RICH (209-965- 343).

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INVITATION TO PUBLISH YOUR GOLDEN EAGLE photo or written account in an anthology of the Golden Eagle. Please submit a brief paragraph describing your notable experience or a copy of your photo. If your work is chosen, we will request the expanded account 200-500 words (longer if merited) or final image. A credit line will be given for each published work. Send to DAVID H. ELLIS and JAMES W. LISH, HC 1 Box 4420, Oracle, AZ 85623 (520-896-3226; david_h_ellis@usgs.gov).

ARRANGING A 4 WEEK intensive field safari in Kenya and Tanzania immediately preceding next years IOC in Durban. Unlike many of the canned safaris that consist of a morning and afternoon game drive with the rest of the day stuck in a lodge, we will spend all day of every day in the field finding birds and mammals. This is not a commercial endeavor but rather is my attempt at making my life-long dream of an East African safari more affordable. I have been consulting re. reliable outfitters and don't miss locales with a friend who has 20 years of trip-leading experience in the region. If you are interested or want to know more contact STEVE SCHOECH, Dept. of Biology, Indiana Univ., Bloomington, IN 47405 (sschoech@indiana.edu).

THE MYRTLE BEACH SUN NEWS (SC) reported 27 Oct the South Carolina Dept. of Natural Resources is proposing a new program to address endangered Red-cockaded Woodpecker habitat needs with property owners. The DNR proposes a "safe harbor" program that allows landowners registered with the DNR to have their land surveyed for woodpeckers to develop a habitat management plan. As long as the numbers of nests stay the same, development of the property can occur, but if new nests are made and those are destroyed, the landowner would not be penalized. The US Fish and Wildlife Service must approve the plan.

COURSE IN TROPICAL ORNITHOLOGY IN XALAPA, VERACRUZ, MEXICO, 21 Jun - 26 Jul 1998, organized by the Graduate Program in Ecology and Wildlife Management and the Dept. of Ecology and Animal Behavior at the Instituto de EcologĦa, A.C. The objectives of the course are: (1) to expose students to avian studies in Latin America, (2) to integrate behavioral and evolutionary ecology theory in field research, (3) to use ecological and phylogenetic criteria in conservation and sustainable development of natural resources. Deadline for subscription is 15 Apr 1998 and the cost is $2,000 US. The course is field oriented and will last five weeks (three weeks at Xalapa and its surroundings and two weeks at La Mancha field station). It will be taught mostly in Spanish by 20 visiting lecturers with extensive experience in their respective fields, from prestigious institutions in Mexico, United States, Colombia, Argentina, Spain, and Brazil. For further information on application materials and scholarships please contact Dr. JUAN FRANCISCO ORNELAS and/or Bi˘l. FERNANDO GONZ LEZ GARC A, Departamento de Ecologia y Comportamiento Animal, Instituto de EcologĦa, A.C., Apdo. Postal 63, Xalapa, Veracruz 91000, M‚xico (tel 52-28-42-1800 x 4110, 4111, 4112; fax 52-28-18-7809; ornelasj@sun.ieco.conacyt.mx, gonzalef@sun.ieco. conacyt.mx; http://dell.ieco.conacyt.mx).

MANOMET CENTER FOR CONSERVATION SCIENCES is pleased to announce the appointment of DR. STEPHEN BROWN as the new Coordinator for the National Shorebird Conservation Plan

A SETTLEMENT HAS BEEN REACHED in the lawsuit brought by National Audubon, New Jersey Audubon and the American Littoral Society against the New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council. In the suit, initiated in Oct, the conservation groups asked the court to overturn the Council's veto of State regulations aimed at protecting horseshoe crabs and migratory shorebirds. The settlement puts the majority of the proposed regulations back into effect, and results in a complete ban on harvesting horseshoe crabs by mechanical means such as trawling and dredging. While banning these large-scale, destructive techniques, the agreement allows the continued hand harvest of horseshoe crabs for use by local fishermen in traditional eel and conch fisheries. The agreement requires further negotiations between the State, the Council, fishermen and conservation groups on what the appropriate, sustainable level of hand harvest will be in 1998 and beyond. Despite the strict New Jersey regulations that were in effect this summer, it is estimated that over a million Delaware Bay horseshoe crabs, perhaps 25% of the population, were trawled from Federal waters and shipped to Maryland.

BEGINNING AS EARLY AS 15 Jan 1998 the entire collections, offices and library of the Division of Birds, National Museum of Natural History, Washington D. C. (joint collections of the Division of Birds and the Biological Resources Division, USGS) are scheduled to be closed for major renovation to the heating and cooling system. The renovation is expected to require six months to a year, during which those facilities will be totally inaccessible. The collections will be covered with plastic and sealed. No new loans will be made after 15 Nov 1997. Tentatively, no visitors will be accommodated after 01 Jan 1998. Current specimen borrowers will be contacted individually. We will announce when the facility is re-opened. Please call or write for further information. (202-357- 2031; fax 05-1-202-633-8084; dean.james@nmnh.si.edu or anglep@ nmnh.si.edu).

1998 NATURAL SOUND RECORDING WORKSHOP, 6-12 June, at Cornell University's Arnot Teaching and Research Forest just south of Ithaca, NY. Learn state-of-the-art techniques for recording the sounds of wildlife with experts from the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology's Library of Natural Sounds. Topics to be covered include the selection and applica tion of audio recorders and microphones; recording theory; metering; recording techniques; and documentation for sound recordings. Unique to this course is an introduction to microcomputer-based sound analysis. There are daily field recording sessions and lecture/discussions. Instructors are GREG BUDNEY, curator of the Library of Natural sounds; BOB GROTKE, LNS Sound Engineer; RANDOLPH S. LITTLE, Labora tory Associate and AT&T Electrical Engineer with extensive recording experience; and DAVID S. HERR, another experienced recordist. Accommodations are rustic but comfortable. Workshop fee is $625 (includes tuition, class materials, ground transportation, food and lodging). Enrollment is secured with a non-refundable $100 deposit. Enrollment application and deposit deadline is 10 Apr 1998. Balance is due by 8 May. Participation is limited to 16. Participants should plan to bring a recording system and tape. A limited number of sound recording systems are available for loan to participants on a first-come, first-served basis. For more details, write or call the Library of Natural Sounds, Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, 159 Sapsucker Woods Road, Ithaca, NY 14850 (607-254- 2406; fax 607-254-2439; libnatsounds@cornell.edu).

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Provided by DAVID E. BLOCKSTEIN, Chair, The Ornithological Council, 1725 K St. NW #212, Washington, DC 20006-1401 (202-628-1731; fax 202-628-4311; OC@cnie.org) "Providing Scientific Information about Birds." The Ornithological Council is supported by voluntary individual contributions on the OSNA dues notice as well as member ships from the ornithological societies.

THE ORNITHOLOGICAL COUNCIL IS SEEKING VOLUNTEERS with World Wide Web programming experience to help revitalize BIRDNET - the Ornithological Information Service. Also several societies are looking for webmasters. To volunteer, contact PAUL NAPIER (pnapier@ nciinc.com).

THE EXXON VALDEZ TRUSTEES COUNCIL agreed in the last week of Oct to purchase tidal lands at Homer Spit and Beluga Slough, each of which provide important habitat for shorebirds! THE OC, ABC and many ornithologists and birders wrote letters in support of these purchases, which were among the proposals that received the most public interest of any that the Trustees considered. For more information, contact STAN SENNER, Exxon Valdez Trustees Council, 645 G St., Suite 401, Anchorage, AK 99510-3451 (Stans@oilspill.state.ak.us).

THE AMERICAN BIRD CONSERVANCY (ABC) and THE HUMANE SOCIETY of the US (HSUS) launched a nationwide campaign, "Cats Indoors! The Campaign for Safer Birds and Cats," to persuade Americans that cats should not roam free. As part of the campaign launch, ABC released a report that says hundreds of millions of birds and other wildlife are killed by cats, and millions of cats die each year because people let cats roam free. The material provided at a Washington, DC press briefing emphasizes the resolutions approved in 1997 by the COS and AOU. For further information, posters, fact sheets and other materials, contact LINDA WINTER of ABC (202-778-9619; lwinter@abcbirds.org).

A DEPREDATION ORDER for Double-crested Cormorants has been proposed by the US Fish & Wildlife Service, in response to complaints from fish farmers (primarily in the Southeast), that would allow fish farmers in 33 states to kill cormorants preying on their fish stocks; permits would not be required. According to the FWS, 92,000 cormorants would be killed annually; the population (estimated at 1-2 million birds and growing 8% a year) would not be affected. Following public comment, including challenges by OC and various conservation groups, FWS is revising the rule and is expected to finalize it in Nov. A Congressional effort to use the appropriations process to expand the order to other fish-eating birds, and beyond aquaculture to birds preying on wild fish has been derailed due to letters from OC and environmental groups. Now in response to pressure from fishermen and guides in the North, who believe that cormorants are causing a decline in fish populations, Reps. Colin Peterson (D-MN) and John M. McHugh (R-NY) and are preparing legislation to direct FWS to draft a control strategy by next summer and to implement an interim plan to control cormorants. The Ornithological Council is compiling scientific information on the dimensions of the cormorant issue and management techniques that likely to be effective in reducing whatever conflicts exist. Please forward relevant information to B.A. SCHREIBER (703-768-6726; fax 703-768-9010; schreibere@aol.com).

DR. GORDON EATON has retired as Director of the U.S. Geological Survey. DR. MARK SCHAEFER, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Interior for Water and Science has been named interim director, until a new director is selected and confirmed. Dr. Schaefer has a Ph.D. in neurobiol ogy from Stanford. DR. SUSAN HASELTINE, a former research administrator with the USFWS has been named principal deputy of the Biological Resources Division of the USGS. Dr. Haseltine has been acting as deputy to Chief Biologist DENNIS FENN since the former NBS was merged into USGS in Oct 1996. She has an M.S. and Ph.D. in Zoology from Ohio State Univ.

THE NATIONAL RESEARCH INVESTMENT ACT (S.1305) introduced by SENS. PHIL GRAMM (R-TX) and JOE LIEBERMAN (D-CT)has been endorsed by Sen. Pete Domenici (R-NM), the powerful chair of the Budget Committee, and Jeff Bingaman (D-NM). Domenici vows to make the bill, which calls for doubling science funding, a priority. A coalition of 106 scientific, engineering and mathematical organizations held a press conference at the U.S. capitol to support the bill. In the House, George Brown (D-CA) is offering his "Investment Budget" that would increase R&D 5% a year, which is not incompatible with doubling R in ten years. (Information provided by Dr. Robert Park, the American Physical Society).

THE US GLOBAL CHANGE RESEARCH INFORMATION OFFICE (GCRIO) announced the online availability of "Common Questions about Climate Change," available at: http://www.gcrio.org/ipcc/qa/cover.html. Print copies of the booklet will be available soon. To request your free copy, please visit http://www.gcrio.org/OnLnDoc/docreq-form.html or send an e-mail request with your name and address to help@gcrio.org.

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REPS. JIM SAXTON (R-NJ) and NEIL ABERCROMBIE (D-HI) and more than 25 bipartisan cosponsors have introduced legislation, The Sound Science for the Environment Act, which will authorize and direct the National Science Foundation to establish a National Institute for the Environment (NIE). The legislation would authorize NSF to receive funds from Congressional appropriations, other federal agencies, states, and private institutions. It would prohibit NSF funds from being transferred to NIE, effectively protecting existing programs within the National Science Foundation. The bill directs that NSF award a 5-year contract to manage the NIE to a non-profit institution. The bill complements a Congressional directive to NSF that directs NSF to report by 1 Apr 1998 on how it would establish and operate an NIE. AOU has approved a resolution and written to NSF in support of this approach. For more information contact David@CNIE.org, 202-5305810; fax 202-628-4311 or see .

FIVE GREAT INFORMATION RESOURCES are now available on the Internet homepage of the Committee for the National Institute for the Environment : 1. Hundreds of reports from the Library of Congress on environmental topics. 2. Over 120 listings in the Directory of Higher Education Environmental Programs, a collaboration with the Center for Conservation Biology Network at Rice University. 3. Informa tion on all aspects of Population and Environment Linkages. 4. Environ mental Laws and Treaties, through a collaboration with Pace University Law School. 5. The Virtual Library of Biodiversity, Ecology and Environ ment maintained by the Rice University Center for Conservation Biology Network.

THE HOUSE RESOURCES COMMITTEE held hearings to consider the future of the Guam National Wildlife Refuge. The only home for the Island Swiftlet, the Marianas fruit bat and Marianas Crow, the Guam NWR is slated to receive over 22,000 acres of excess Department of Defense lands, which local residents argue as rightfully theirs to develop. Two years ago, National Audubon Society won litigation to provide Guam's dwindling native bird species with suitable habitat. As part of the agree ment, the excess Department of Defense lands would be designated part of the Guam NWR. If the bills considered pass, they could overturn the court's decision and bring development one step closer to reality. For more information, contact National Audubon Society, 1901 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20006 (202-861-2242; fax 202-861-4290; lwondolowski@audubon.org).

THE NATIONAL TEAMING WITH WILDLIFE COALITION, with over 2,200 endorsements, is working actively to ensure introduction of a bill. Several members of congress have expressed willingness to introduce legislation but more are needed to ensure a successful bill. Letters, phone calls and personal contacts with elected officials, businesses, sportsmen, recreation groups and the media are increasing momentum for the introduction of a bill this fall. Immediate action by all concerned profes sionals will ensure that the initiative continues to advance. The coalition is developing a media campaign and is preparing promotional materials including color a TWW poster that is available for display by organizations that endorse TWW. They may be obtained by writing to Teaming With Wildlife c/o National Wildlife Federation, 8925 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, VA 22184. For additional information, you may explore the TWW opinion page located at The Wildlife Society web site: www.wildlife.org/index.html and the Teaming With Wildlife home page at www.teaming.com.

NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 1997, H.R. 1420, was passed by the House of Representatives in Jun by a vote of 407 to 1. On 10 Sep the Senate passed their "refuge bill" or National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, S. 234, under unanimous consent. This legislation would enhance management of the National Wildlife Refuge System and strengthen planning procedures. Both refuge bills provided a mission statement for the system, a formal process to assess the compatibility of refuge activities, a natural resource planning requirement, and identified duties of the Interior Secretary. The bills have been reconciled and signed by the President.

THE HOUSE PASSED HR 1856, the National Wildlife Refuge System Volunteer and Community Partnership Act of 1997. HR 1856 would expand the range of activities Friends groups could participate in on refuges, and reduces the red tape involved when a group wants to give money to an individual refuge for a specific project. The bill also calls for hiring volunteer coordinators at select refuges as part of a public outreach pilot program. The Senate is expected to take up a similar bill early next year.

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INFORMATION NEEDED FOR BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA species accounts. Any unpublished information, personal observations, and obscure references will be greatly appreciated and acknowledged in the accounts:
GREATER PEWEE (Contopus pertinax) JIM CHACE. Dept. EPO Biology, Campus Box 334, Univ. of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309-0334 (303-823-9638; fax 303-492-8699; jameson.chace@colorado.edu).
COUCH'S KINGBIRD (Tyrannus couchii), TIM BRUSH, Dept. of Biology, Univ. Texas-Pan American, 1201 W. Univ. Dr., Edinburg, TX 78539 (956- 381-2850; fax 956-381-3657; tbrush@panam.edu).
THICK-BILLED KINGBIRD (Tyrannus crassirostris). Any information welcome; information on nesting biology and from Mexico particularly helpful. SARTOR O. WILLIAMS III, New Mexico Dept. of Game and Fish, P.O. Box 25112, Santa Fe, NM 87504 (505-827-9914; fax 505-827-9956; sandyw@roadrunner.com).

LOOKING FOR INFORMATION concerning owls of any species observed or suspected of eating eggs. The anecdotal information I have concerns Piping Plover and Least Tern eggs. Additionally, I need evidence of owls hunting by foot. If you have either of these, please fax (941-699- 0242) or e-mail (maerc@ct.net) me. I will acknowledge any contribution. MICHAEL MCMILLIAN, MacArthur Research Center, Lake Placid Florida.

LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSHES have been banded in three locations across Pennsylvania. All birds have a combination of a USFWS band and various arrangements of color bands on one or both legs. Please send as much information as possible on any banded waterthrushes to TERRY MASTER, Dept. of Biological Sciences, East Stroudsburg Univ., East Stroudsburg, PA 18301 (717-422-3709; tmaster@esu.edu).

THE OWL RESEARCH INSTITUTE, a small, non-profit wildlife research and education organization (501[c]3) based out of Missoula, Montana has recently acquired a small farm to be renovated into a research and education center. We are currently seeking donations of natural history books, journals, art, equipment, etc. to help equip and furnish the center. If you have articles you are willing to contribute or sell below cost, please contact DENVER HOLT or MICHAEL MAPLES at the Owl Research Institute, P.O. Box 8335, Missoula, MT 59807 (406-549-7626; owl@ montana.com).

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NOTE the printed version of the Ornithological Newsletter no longer contains job advertisements. As of the August 1997 issue, the Positions and Opportunities section is available only in the on-line edition. This edition can be accessed from the Ornithological Newsletter Home Page ( http://www.ornith.cornell.edu/OSNA/ornnewsl.htm), or directly at http://www.ornith.cornell.edu/OSNA/ornjobs.htm. This job list is edited once a week. Consequently, submissions can be made at any time, and advertisements are maintained until approximately the due date for submissions. Expect the on-line list to change both in content and format in the near future. Also, in the near future a list-serve service will be put into operation that will send job announcements to subscribers via e-mail. Many public libraries provide free Internet access.

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READERS ARE REMINDED that information on deadlines, etc., of grants listed in the third edition of "Grants, Awards and Prizes in Ornithology" is not repeated here. Only revisions of information in that booklet can be reported here, because of space limitations.

THE FRANCES M. PEACOCK SCHOLARSHIP for Native Bird Habitat grants financial aid ($4-5,000) to an advanced student to study areas in the United States that provide winter or summer habitat for threatened or endangered native birds. Awarded by the Garden Club of America, in cooperation with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, it offers scholars the opportunity to pursue real habitat-related issues that eventually benefit bird species and lend useful information for land management decisions. Application deadline is 16 Jan 1998. For application guidelines, please write, fax, or e-mail SCOTT SUTCLIFFE, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 159 Sapsucker Woods Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850 (fax 607-254-2415; lh17@ cornell.edu). No phone calls, please.

THE VIRGINIA SOCIETY OF ORNITHOLOGY (VSO) announces the 1998 J.J. Murray Research Award. This award of $1000 is now granted annually for research study on the birds of Virginia. Established in 1980 to honor the Rev. J.J. Murray, Sr., the first President of the Society the award is designed to promote graduate and undergraduate research and a very high priority will be given to student proposals. The research must consist of current or projected field studies on Virginia birds. The proposals will be judged on the basis of their scientific merit and the likelihood that the work will make a meaningful contribution to our understanding of Virginia birds. Upon completion of the research, the recipient will be asked to present the results at a VSO annual meeting and encouraged to publish the results in an appropriate journal. Proposals should be of reasonable length and must include a summary of no more than two pages. They will be evaluated by a review committee established by the VSO and must be received no later than 31 Dec 1997 to be considered. If the research is part of a degree program, students should include the name of the institution and department they are enrolled in, the degree they are working toward, and the name of their academic or research advisor. The award will be announced on or before 1 Mar 1998. Please send proposals or requests for further information to A. CLAIR MELLINGER, Biology Dept., Eastern Mennonite Univ., Harrisonburg, VA 22802 (mellinac@emu.edu).

THE LOONWATCH PROGRAM of the Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute at Northland College is accepting applications for the eleventh annual award for research on Common Loons in the Western Upper Great Lakes region of the United States and Canada. As a program of SOEI, LoonWatch promotes and protects Common Loons and their aquatic habitats in Wisconsin and Minnesota. LoonWatch has a research award program designed to partially fund research that leads to better under standing and management of Upper Great Lakes populations of Common Loons. LoonWatch supports research on behavior, breeding ecology, migration, winter ecology, and evolution of Common Loons. Projects examining human-related disturbance including acid precipitation, pesticides, recreation, contaminants, and development are given consider ation, as are education research proposals relating to loons and their aquatic habitats. In addition to these general categories, LoonWatch has set two special priorities for funding in 1998: 1) Studies relating to the migratory pathways of Great Lakes loon populations; 2) Studies relating to the effects of human disturbance to breeding loon populations. Of particular interest are effects of shoreline development or impacts of motorboat and personal watercraft on loon productivity. Proposals addressing these priorities will receive special consideration. The award is generally $1,000-$2,000. To apply, please request proposal guidelines from the Institute at the following address: LoonWatch Coordinator, Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute, Northland College, Ashland, WI 54806. Proposal deadline is 15 Jan 1998, and funds will be distributed in early spring. For additional information please call (715-682-1220).

THE PURPLE MARTIN CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION is pleased to announce that the recipients of their 1997 Research and Conservation Grants were: CHRIS GRAINER of the Clarion Univ. of PA for his project entitled: Assessing the impact of intensive horticultural practices on Purple Martins (Progne subis); and JEFFREY DAVIS of the Univ. of Tulsa for his project entitled: Costs and benefits of coloniality in Purple Martins (Progne subis).
The 1998 Research and Conservation Grants (one or more of $500- $2000) are available for research into the life history, ecology, conserva tion, or management of the Purple Martin (Progne subis). Under certain circumstances, we also consider funding projects on other species of New World swallow, especially if the species is threatened. Guidelines and application materials are available from JAMES R. HILL, III, Grants Chairman, Purple Martin Conservation Association, Edinboro Univ. of Pennsylvania, Edinboro, PA 16444 (814-734-4420; fax 814-734-5803; jhill@edinboro.edu; www.purplemartin.org). Completed applications must be received by 1 Feb 1998.

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"A NEOTROPICAL COMPANION," second edition, 1997 by John Kricher. Revised and much expanded with additional chapters on riverine and montane ecology, human ecology, and conservation/biodiversity issues, as well as increased focus on Amazonia. One chapter on birds as well as numerous bird examples discussed throughout the text. New edition includes 177 color illustrations and new line drawings. Available at $29.95 from Princeton Univ. Press (1-800-777-4726; fax 1-800-999- 1958) or from local booksellers.

"THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE SEVENTH NORTH AMERICAN CRANE WORKSHOP," held on the Mississippi Gulf Coast in 1996, are available for $25.00 from International Crane Foundation, P.O. Box 447, Baraboo, WI 53913. The 262-page book provides the most current synopsis of research and management of Sandhill and Whooping cranes, breeding biology, captive management, genetics, reintroduction, migration, wintering, population dynamics, harvest, and mortality.

"WETLAND USE BY WATERBIRDS THAT WINTER IN COASTAL TEXAS", by James T. Anderson, Thomas C. Tacha, George T. Muehl, and David Lobpries. 1996. National Biological Service Information and Technology Report 8. 40pp. Request a free copy from JIM ANDERSON, Texas Tech Univ., Dept. of Range, Wildlife, and Fisheries Management, Mail Stop 2125, Lubbock, TX 79409-2125, USA.

"1996 WESTERN PROCEEDINGS," from the 76th Annual Conference of the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Honolulu. 385 pp. $10; pay in advance or be billed. Make checks payable to "Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies." Contact LARRY L. KRUCKENBERG, WAFWA, c/o/ Fame and Fish Dept., 5400 Bishop Blvd., Cheyenne, WY 82006 (307-777-4569).

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FOR SALE: Sony TC-D5 Pro II portable stereo cassette recorder in like new condition. Includes separate XLR inputs for left and right channels, left and right channel RCA output connectors, mic limiter, independent channel record volume controls, headphone volume control, Dolby noise reduction, tape counter, carrying case with shoulder strap, and manual. The record bias has been adjusted by the Cornell Library of Natural Sounds to match Maxell XL-IIS cassette tape. Very low hours of usage. Asking $1000 or best reasonable offer. Telinga Pro Universal parabola in new condition. 23 inch clear plastic parabola that can be rolled for travel. Includes integral microphone holder designed for stick microphones such as Sennhieser ME mics, integral wind screen and integral microphone cable with XLR connectors. Asking $400 or best reasonable offer. Contact Wil at WHershberg@aol.com or (301) 898-9088 6:00PM-8:00PM eastern time.

FOR SALE: Complete set of A. C. Bent Life Histories (original USNM edition); Bent USNM individual vols 107, 121, 126, 135, 142, 162, 167(part 1), and 174; Auk vols. 62-108 complete except for 9 individual issues; Condor vols. 41-88 except for 8 individual issues. E-mail best offer for each item to town@ukans.edu, or call (785-864-3926).

WANTED TO BUY: Condor vol. 94 (numbers 1-4). Please contact ERIC L. WALTERS, Dept. of Biological Science, Florida State Univ., Tallahas see, FL, 32306-1100 (850-644-5091; ewalters@bio.fsu.edu).

I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE MY SERVICES AVAILABLE to scientists who need vector-based graphics. Currently I am updating the Peterson Guidebook Series. My primary concern is to make distribution maps which can be easily editing in the future. Maps would be done exactly to researcher's specifications. Contact LARRY ROSCHE via e-mail at (lorofs@aol.com) or by telephone (330-678-9408).

VISUAL ARTIST wants to buy, borrow, or use an audiospectrograph for project using sonagrams of birds. Or could use discarded sonagrams of Easter/Central North American birds. Please call or write LAURI TWITCHELL, P. O. Box 5226, Portland, ME 04101 (207-828-0052).

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* in this section indicates new or revised entry

*THE 7th ALASKA BIRD CONFERENCE, 2-4 Dec 1997, Anchorage Alaska. Presentations on all topics relating to birds in Alaska will be given by both professional and amateur ornithologists. For information or abstract guidelines, contact BRAD ANDRES, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Nongame Migratory Bird Management, 1011 East Tudor Road, Anchorage, AK, 99503 (907-786-3378, fax: 907- 786-3641; Brad_Andres@ mail.fws.gov).

59TH MIDWEST FISH AND WILDLIFE CONFERENCE, 7-10 Dec 1997, Hyatt Regency Hotel and MECCA in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The theme of this year s conference is Managing Natural Resources: Integrating Ecology and Society. Please visit our Internet web page to get detailed information regarding instructions for submitting abstracts, more information on special sessions, symposia, and workshops, and other aspects of the conference. Or contact GERALD A. BARTELT, Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Re sources, 1350 Femrite Drive, Monona, WI (608-221-6344; fax 608-221- 6353; barteg@dnr.state.wi.us).

DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS- POPULATION STATUS AND MANAGEMENT ISSUES IN THE MIDWEST, 9 Dec 1997, a one-day symposium at the Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Milwaukee, WI. For information, contact DR. CHIP WESELOH, Canadian Wildlife Service, Canada Centre for Inland Waters, Box 5050, Burlington, ON, L7R 4A6, Canada (905-336-4968; chip.weseloh@cciw.ca), or DR. STEPHEN LEWIS, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Federal Bldg., 1 Federal Drive, Fort Snelling, MN 55111-4056 (612-725-3313; steve_j_lewis@ mail.fws.gov).

SOCIETY FOR INTEGRATIVE AND COMPARATIVE BIOLOGY 1998 ANNUAL MEETING, 3-7 Jan 1998, Boston Marriott Copley Place, Boston, Mass. Sessions at the Annual Meeting are held in conjunction with the Animal Behavior Society, American Microscopical Society, Ecological Society of America, International Society for Reef Studies and The Crustacean Society. Contact SICB Business Office, 401 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611 (312-527-6697; fax 312-245-1085; sicb@sba.com; http://www.sicb.com).

NINTH NORTH AMERICAN ARCTIC GOOSE CONFERENCE/ WORKSHOP, 7-10 Jan 1998, Victoria, BC. For information please send your name, address, phone number, fax number, and e-mail address to DR. SEAN BOYD, Pacific Wildlife Research Centre, Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment Canada, RR1- 5421 Robertson Rd., Delta, BC, Canada, V4K 3N2 (604-946-8546; fax 604-946-7022; sean.boyd@ec.gc.ca).

PACIFIC SEABIRD GROUP 25th annual meeting, 21-24 Jan 1998, Monterey Conference Center, Monterey, CA. The meeting will include a symposium Seabirds in a Changing Ocean: Advances in Seabird Science, a reception at the Monterey Aquarium, and other events to celebrate the PSG's 25th anniversary. Plenary speakers include STORRS OLSON and MIKE HARRIS. Field trips will be a pelagic trip on Monterey Bay and a guided tour at Ano Nuevo State Park to see breeding elephant seals. Contact MIKE PARKER (510-792-0222; Mike_Parker@mail.fws.gov) regarding registration information, and ALAN BURGER (250-479-2446; aburger@uvvm.uvic.ca) regarding the scientific program and submission of abstracts.

*1998 PRAIRIE CONSERVATION AND ENDANGERED SPECIES CONFERENCE, "Integrating Conservation, Society, Ethics and the Economy," 19-22 Feb 1998, Saskatoon Inn, Saskatoon Saskatchewan. For information on space for our trade show, the art show, the poster session or any other aspect of the conference visit our home page: http://www.extension.usask.ca/conferences/pcaes.html. Contact us by e-mail (PCAES.Conference@usask.ca) or contact PETER JONKER (306-966- 5552; fax 306-966-5567).

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13TH ANNUAL MEETING of the U.S. Regional Association, International Association for Landscape Ecology, 17-21 Mar 1998, Michigan State Univ., East Lansing, Michigan. For information, please refer to the meeting web site: www.fw.msu.edu/iale98. Local Hosts: JIANGUO LIU and WILLIAM W. TAYLOR, Dept. of Fisheries & Wildlife, 13 Natural Resources Bldg., Michigan State Univ., East Lansing, MI 48824 (517- 355-1810; fax 517-432-1699; iale98@ perm3.fw.msu.edu). Local Student Representative: SAMUEL RIFFELL, Dept. of Zoology, Michigan State Univ., East Lansing, MI 48824 (517-355-4640; fax 517-432-2789; riffells@ pilot.msu.edu). Scientific Program Chair: KEVIN GUTZWILLER, Dept. of Biology, Baylor Univ., Waco, TX 76798-7388 (817-755-2911; fax 817-755-3409; iale98@Baylor.edu).

NORTH AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGICAL CONFERENCE, 6-12 April 1998, St. Louis, MO. The American Ornithologists' Union, the Association of Field Ornithologists', the Colonial Waterbird Society, the Cooper Ornithological Society, and the Wilson Ornithological Society will hold their annual meetings jointly. The Raptor Research Foundation is a co-sponsor and will hold a special session on "Dispersal Patterns of Raptors". Symposia and workshops will include "An Inventory/Evaluation of North American Monitoring Activities," "Conservation of Neotropical Birds," "Partners in Flight Bird Conservation Planning," "Ornithology and the Law," "Management of Ornithological Collections at Teaching Institutions and Nature Centers," "Communicating with Legislators on Ornithological Issues," "Stopover Biology and its Relevance to Bird Conservation," "The Physiological Ecology of Arid Zone Birds," "Tropical Breeding Seasonality: Proximate and Ultimate Mechanisms," "Population Biology of Song Sparrows: a Model Species," "Saving the Rarest of Rare Birds," "Avian Life Histories," "Rangewide Variation in Cerulean Warbler Ecology," and "The Biology of Wrens." Five plenary sessions are scheduled along with the general paper and poster sessions. Plenary speakers will include ELLEN KETTERSON and VAL NOLAN (M. Morse Nice Plenary Lecture), ROBERT STORER (Alden Miller Plenary Lecture), ROBERT E. RICKLEFS, LUIS F. BAPTISTA, and PAUL R. EHRLICH. Registration information will be mailed in late Sep. For information on the Scientific Program contact JEFF BRAWN, Illinois Natural History Survey, 607 E. Peabody Dr., Champaign, IL 61820 (217-244-5937; birdmeet@ mail.inhs.uiuc.edu). For information on local arrangements contact BETTE LOISELLE, Dept. Biology, Univ. Missouri-St. Louis, 8001 Natural Bridge Rd., St. Louis, MO 63121 (314-516-6224; bird_stl@umsl.edu). Information about the meetings will be posted on the NAOC home page. This home page can be reached indirectly via BIRDNET.

*EASTERN BIRD BANDING ASSOCIATION Annual Meeting, 17-19 Apr 1998, Villa Maria Conferece Center, Erie, PA. Contact DAVID W. HAUBER, RD#2 Box 153, Coudersport, PA 16915 (814-274-8946).

*APPLICATIONS OF STABLE ISOTOPE TECHNIQUES TO ECOLOGI CAL STUDIES, 20-22 Apr 1998, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The Canadian Wildlife Service and the National Hydrology Research Institute of Environment Canada is hosting a conference on the use of this powerful analytical technique. Topics to include diet and trophic relation ships in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, nutritional ecology, contami nant pathways and the tracking of migratory birds and other wildlife. The conference web page is located at http://ecsask65.innovplace. saskatoon.sk.ca/isotope or e-mail Keith.Hobson@ec.gc.ca.

ECOTOURISM AND ISLAND BIRDS, 13-16 May 1998, Miyake-jima Nature Center, Izu Islands, Japan. Symposium topics include Island Birds: Population processes and ecology and conservation; and Eco- tourism. For information contact the convenors: TETSUJI HIDAKA, YUTAKA YAMAMOTO, and DR. JACK T. MOYER, Miyake-jima Nature Center, 4118 Tsubota, Miyake-mura, Miyake-jima, Izu Islands, Tokyo 100- 12, Japan (phone 81-4994-6-0410; fax 81-4994-6-0458).

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*BIRD STRIKE COMMITTEE-USA, 8th Annual Meeting, 16-18 June 1998, Holiday Inn Lakeside, Burke Lakefront Airport, Cleveland OH. For information and registration contact RICHARD A. DOLBEER, USDA/Wildlife Services, 6100 Columbus Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44870 (419-625-0242; 419-625-8465). For information on the scientific program contact THOMAS HUPF, FAA Technical Center, Bldg. 270, ACM 433, Room A17, Atlantic City International Airport, NJ 08405 (609-485-5841; fax 609-485-6102).

*ANIMAL BEHAVIOR SOCIETY ANNUAL MEETING, 18-22 July 1998, Southern Illinois Univ. at Carbondale. Along with contributed talks and posters, the meetings will include symposia on 'Spiders in Behavioral Ecological Research' and invited papers on 'Proximate and Ultimate Causation of Behavior'. Plenary speakers include Sidney Gauthreaux, Jane Brockmann, and Jeff Galef. For further information contact Local Host, LEE DRICKAMER, Dept. Zoology, Southern Illinois Univ., Carbondale, IL 62901 (618-536-2314; Drickamer@zoology.siu.edu; http://loris.cisab.indiana.edu/animal_behavior.html).

7th INTERNATIONAL BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY CONGRESS, 27 Jul-1 Aug 1998, Asilomar Conference grounds on the Monterey Peninsula, California. Please note the correction and slight alteration in dates from those announced earlier. For further information, contact WALT KOENIG (wicker@uclink.berkeley.edu) or see our web page at http://socrates.berkeley.edu/~isbe98/

XXII INTERNATIONAL ORNITHOLOGICAL CONGRESS, 19-22 Aug 1998, Durban, South Africa. Requests to be included on the mailing list for future brochures and all inquiries for information about the congress should be sent to the Secretary-General of the 1998 Congress, DR. ALDO BERRUTI ([111 Blair Atholl Road, Westville 3630, South Africa; please note that this address will change before the end of this year]; fax + 27-31-262-6114; aldo@birdlife.org.za). Information can also be obtained from the congress home page at http://www.ioc.org.za. All information about the congress is available on this home page; it is possible to register and to submit abstracts through the home page. Please note carefully the complete tour packages that are available through Turner Travel, the organization serving as the congress organizer. The final brochure is available, and if you have not received a copy of this brochure, please contact Dr. Berruti. Deadline for early registration was 31 Oct 1998. All inquiries about the scientific program should be directed to the Chair of the Scientific Program Committee, DR. LUKAS JENNI (Schweizerische Vogelwarte, CH-6204 Sempach, Switzerland; fax + 41- 41-462-97-10; jennil@ orninst.ch). The President of the congress is PROFESSOR PETER BERTHOLD (Vogelwarte Radolfzell, Schloss M”ggingen, D-78315 Radolfzell, Federal Republic of Germany; fax 49- 7732-15-01-34; peter.berthold@uni-konstanz.de). All inquiries about the International Ornithological Committee, but not about congress details should be sent to the Secretary of the International Ornithological Committee, PROFESSOR WALTER BOCK (Dept. of Biological Sciences, Columbia Univ., 1200 Amsterdam Ave, Mail code 5521, New York, NY 10027-7004; fax 1-212-865-8246; wb4@ columbia.edu).

THE 1998 ANNUAL MEETING OF THE RAPTOR RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC., 30 Sep-4 Oct 1998, David Eccles Conference Center, Ogden, Utah. Individuals wishing to organize symposia should contact the chair of the local committee CARL D. MARTI, Dept. of Zoology, Weber State Univ., Ogden, UT 84408-2505 (801-626-6172; fax 801-626-7445; cmarti@weber.edu).

*INTERNATIONAL FLAMINGO SYMPOSIUM, 24-26 Oct 1998, Miami Florida. This meeting, held in conjunction with the annual Colonial Waterbird Society Meeting, will focus on the development of a Flamingo Specialist Group Action Plan. For information contact CATHY KING, Rotterdam Zoo, Postbus 532, 3000 AM Rotterdam, The Netherlands (fax 31 (0) 10-467 7811; Cathy.E.King@inter.NL.net).

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BRUCE M. BEEHLER has left the State Dept. to accept the position of Director, Environmental Conservation, for Counterpart International, a rural development NGO. He still receives mail at his Smithsonian address, but best wire contacts are e-mail: bbeehler@counterpart.org; telephone: 202-296-9676.

DR. JOHN T. EMLEN JR, professor emeritus of ornithology, behavior and ecology at the University of Wisconsin, and Past President of the AOU, WOS, and Wisconsin Ornithological Societies, died in Madison on 8 Nov 8 1997.

GEOFFREY HILL was named in Oct as one of 20 recipients of the second annual Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers. The presidential honor is the highest bestowed by the U.S. government on outstanding young scientists and engineers who are in the early stages of their independent research careers. The awards were presented in a White House ceremony 3 Nov.

ELIN P. PIERCE recently completed a doctorate in behavioral ecology at the Zoological Museum, Univ. of Oslo. She began a 2-year post-doctoral position in July, and will conduct research at the same institute until 1 Jan 1998 (after which she will probably complete the post-doctorate at the Norwegian Polar Institute in Tromso, Norway). Her address remains the same as in The Flock.

ABBY N. POWELL has transferred from the California Science Center to a position as Station Leader, Arkansas Field Station, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center (USGS-BRD). Her new address is: Dept. Biological Sciences, SCEN 735, Univ. of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701 (501-575-6360; fax 501-575-3330; anpowell@comp.uark.edu).

FRED C. SCHAFFNER has recently been named Chairman, Dept. of Science and Technology, Universidad Metropolitana (UMET), P.O. Box 21150, San Juan, PR 00928. (787-766-1717 ext 6457; UM_FSCHAFFNE@SUAGM3.SUAGM.EDU (institutional) or fcspr@caribe.net (personal); http://Umet_mie.suagm.edu/umet/Projects/Fschaffn/Fred.html). The home address listed in The Flock remains valid.

DAWN SHERRY is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Wildlife Sciences at Texas A&M Univ. She can be reached at Box 218, Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Texas A&M-Kingsville, Kingsville, TX 78363 (512-593-3696; ksdas05@tamuk.edu).

LOREN M. SMITH received the Professional Achievement Award from Utah State Univ. and USU's College of Natural Resources Alumni Association. The award was presented at The Wildlife Society's annual meeting in Snowmass, CO on 26 Sep.

MICHAEL and LISA SORENSON have moved to Boston Univ., where Mike is an assistant professor in the Dept. of Biology, 5 Cummington St., Boston, MA 02215 (617-353-2432; msoren@bu.edu) and Lisa is continuing research and conservation efforts related to global warming and waterfowl.

EMIL K. URBAN has been named Fuller E. Callaway Professor of Biology, an endowed chair at Augusta State Univ. He also received the Earle R. Greene Memorial Award of the Georgia Ornithological Society in October for his contributions to ornithology.

THE FLOCK, the 1997Membership directory of all six OSNA societies was mailed in June 1997. Please check your listing (especially your e-mail address). To correct your address in the membership database please send the new information to the OSNA Business Office at Allen Press, P.O. Box 1897, Lawrence, KS 66044-8897 (913-843-1221; fax 913-843- 1274; osna@allenpress.com). To alert your colleagues of your new address information contact the new Ornithological Newsletter Editor, CHERYL L. TRINE (address below).

CHANGES/ADDITIONS:

ADAMANY, STEPHANIE, Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, 729 NE Oregon Suite 200, Portland OR 97232. PH: 503-731-1296: EM: Adamanys@transport.com

ANDERSON, MICHAEL G. EM: m_anderson@ducks.ca

GILBERT, ELIZABETH F. EM: egilbert@sover.net

HILL, RANDY FX: 509-488-0705; EM: randy_hill@fws.gov

JOHNSTON, SCOTT, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Endangered Species, 4401 N. Fairfax Rd, Rm 452, Arlington, VA 22203. PH: 703-358-2171; FX: 703-358-1735; EM: scott_johnston@ mail.fws.gov

LANG, ANTHONY, Geomatics International Inc., 3370 South Service Road, Burlington, Ontario, Canada, L7N 3M6. PH: 905-632-4259; FX: 905-333-0798; EM: Anthony_Lang@geomatics.com; http://www.geomatics.com/

WAIDE, ROBERT B., LTER Network Office, Univ. of New Mexico, 801 Univ. Blvd. SE, Suite 104, Albuquerque, NM 87106. PH: 505-272-7311; FX: 505-272-7080; EM: rwaide@lternet.edu

WALKER, BRETT, Division of Biological Sciences, Univ. of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812. PH: 406-243-4104 (lab); 406-543-8427 (home); EM: bwalker@selway.umt.edu

WEISS, RONALD A. EM: chipperwoods@worldnet.att.net

WILLIAMS, TIMOTHY and JANET, Dept. of Biology, Swarthmore College, 500 College Ave, Swarthmore, PA 19081. PH: 610-329-8056; EM: twillia1@swarthmore.edu, jwillia1@swarthmore.edu

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The Ornithological Newsletter is published bimonthly by the Ornithological Societies of North America (OSNA) in electronic and paper forms.
Questions, comments and notices can be sent to Cheryl L. Trine, Ornithological Newsletter Editor at ctrine@andrews.edu

All contents copyright İ 1997 The Ornithological Societies of North America. All Rights Reserved.