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NUMBER 124, June 1998
ORGANIZATION NEWS
NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
NEWS FROM THE ORNITHOLOGICAL COUNCIL
REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE
POSITIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE
GRANTS AND AWARDS
PUBLICATIONS AVAILABLE
PERSONAL EXCHANGES
MEETINGS
NEWS OF MEMBERS
THE FLOCK: SPECIAL SECTION
VISIT THE ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETIES OF NORTH AMERICA:
OSNA - http://www.nmnh.si.edu/BIRDNET/OSNA/
AOU - http://pica.wru.umt.edu/AOU/AOU.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://catsis.weber.edu/rrf
WOS - http://www.ummz.lsa.umich.edu/birds/wos.html
BIRDNET - http://www.nmnh.si.edu/BIRDNET/
ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETIES OF NORTH AMERICA -- A New Director. Beginning 1 Jul 1998 the next Director of OSNA will be ANTHONY H. BLEDSOE, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260. PH: 412-624-4581, FX: 412-624-4759, EM: bledsoe+@pitt.edu. He replaces FRED E. LOHRER. The OSNA Director is the liaison between the Societies and Allen Press which maintains the membership database.
NEW EDITOR FOR ORNITHOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS. DAVID WIEDENFELD has taken over as Editor of Ornithological Monographs, following JOHN HAGAN's years of service. Authors with manuscripts suitable for OM should submit them to: David A. Wiedenfeld, Editor, Ornithological Monographs, Sutton Avian Research Center, P.O. Box 2007, Bartlesville, OK 74005, USA (918-336-7778; DWIEDEN@AOL.COM).
THE 1998 NORTH AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGICAL CONFERENCE was held 6-12 Apr 1998 at the Regal Riverfront Hotel in St. Louis, Missouri. The AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGISTS' UNION, ASSOCIATION OF FIELD ORNITHOLOGISTS, COLONIAL WATERBIRD SOCIETY, COOPER ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY, WILSON ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY and the RAPTOR RESEARCH FOUNDATION sponsored the event. BETTE LOISELLE and JOHN BLAKE co-chaired the Committee on Local Arrangements. JEFF BRAWN was the chair of the Scientific Programs Committee. The program included 495 papers, 149 posters, 55 talks in 9 symposia, and 10 workshops.
TRAVEL AWARDS were granted to 51 students to help defray expenses for transportation to the North American
Ornithological Conference. Awards totaled $15,000.
AOU MARCIA BRADY TUCKER travel awards were granted to 26 students: DANIEL R. ARDIA, Cornell Univ.;
ELIZABETH M. BORST, Villanova Univ.; THOMAS BROOKS, Univ. Tennessee; DAWN BURKE, Trent Univ.;
CHRISTINA M. CARUSO, Univ. Illinois; CLAUDIO CELADA, Univ. Alberta; ALICE W. DOOLITTLE, Univ.
Minnesota; HECTOR DOUGLAS III, Wake Forest Univ; COLLEEN S. DWYER, Univ. Southern Mississippi; ARTHUR
L, FLEISCHER, Jr., Univ. South Florida; HOLLY B. FREIFELD, Univ. Oregon; LEONARD Z. GANNES, Princeton
Univ.; CAMERON K. GHALAMBOR, Univ. Montana; PETER J. HODUM, Univ. California-Davis; DAVID J. HORN,
Iowa State Univ; MATTHEW D. JOHNSON, Tulane Univ.; WENDY A. KUNTZ, Univ. Nevada-Reno; IRBY J.
LOVETTE, Univ. Pennsylvania; AMY M.L. MUSANTE-MILLER, Univ. California-Santa Barbara; JOSEPH J.
NOCERA; JOHN PUSCHOCK, New Mexico State Univ.; GREGORY J. ROBERTSON, Univ. New Brunswick; K.M.
SUEDKAMP, Univ. Arizona; PAMELA SVETE, Michigan State Univ.; WINFRED W. WONG, Baylor Univ.; and
JAMES M. ZINGO, Univ. Massachusetts.
ASSOCIATION OF FIELD ORNITHOLOGISTS TRAVEL AWARDS were granted to 7 students: BEAULIN L.
LIDDELL, Univ. Minnesota; DAVID S. MIZRAHI, Clemson Univ.; MIGUEL ANGEL CRUZ NIETO, Instituto
Tecnologico de Monterrey; KRISTINE PRESTON, Univ. California-Riverside; VALERIE WEISS, College of William
and Mary; KEVIN S. WARNER, Boise State Univ.; and LAUREN C. WEMMER, Univ. Minnesota.
COOPER ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY TRAVEL AWARDS were granted to 14 students: DAN ALBRECHT, Univ.
New Mexico; ALEXANDER V. BADYAEV, Univ. Montana; MARYLENE BOULET, Univ. Laval; TIMOTHY J.
BROWN, Univ. Western Ontario; CLAUDIA MACIAS CABALLERO, Instituto Tecnologico de Monterrey; MICHAEL
CRAIG, Univ. Western Australia; ADAM J. FRY, Brown Univ.; GJON C. HAZARD, Humboldt State Univ.;
ELIZABETH R. LOOS, Louisiana State Univ.; PAUL R. MARTIN, Univ. Montana; SCOTT F. PEARSON, Univ.
Washington; WENDY L. REED, Iowa State Univ.; RODNEY B. SIEGEL, Univ. California-Davis; and ROBERT V.
TAYLOR, Univ. New Mexico
WILSON ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY TRAVEL AWARDS were granted to 4 students: DAVID L. ANDERSON,
Boise State Univ.; LISA BORGIA, Florida International Univ.; DAWN E.W. DRUMTRA, Univ. Arkansas; and JEFFREY
C. ROBERTS, Texas Tech. Univ.
PRESENTATION AWARDS were given to 9 students for excellence in the rigor and quality of their scientific papers at
the NORTH AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGICAL CONFERENCE in St. Louis, Missouri, 6-12 April 1998. Awards were
given by the American Ornithologists' Union, Colonial Waterbirds Society, Cooper Ornithological Society, and Wilson
Ornithological Society. These awards were unranked and were presented to the winners at the banquet.
The AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGISTS' UNION presented three awards: 1998 NELLIE JOHNSON BAROODY
AWARD, Adam J. Fry, Brown Univ., "Assuming neutrality of avian mitochondrial DNA: Should we be concerned?"; 1998
AOU COUNCIL AWARD, Daniel R. Ardia, Cornell Univ., "Energetic consequences of sex-related differences in habitat
use in wintering American Kestrels (Falco sparverius)"; 1998 AOU COUNCIL AWARD, Wendy L. Reed, Iowa State
Univ., "Intraspecific variation in egg size of the American Coot (Fulica americana): Consequences for offspring survival."
The COLONIAL WATERBIRD SOCIETY'S BEST STUDENT PAPER AWARD was given to Gregory J. Robertson,
Univ. New Brunswick, "Molt speed predicts pairing success in male Harlequin Ducks."
The COOPER ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY presented four awards: 1998 FRANCES F. ROBERTS AWARD to Paul
R. Martin, Univ. Montana, "Ecological interactions and fitness costs to coexistence in two congeneric wood warblers
(Vermivora)"; 1998 BOARD OF DIRECTORS AWARD to Cameron Ghalambor, Univ. Montana, "Variation in incubation
strategies among coexisting nuthatches (Sittidae): testing the relative importance of nest predation and microclimate"; 1998
A. BRAZIER HOWELL AWARD to Claudia Macias Caballero, Instituto Tecnologico de Monterrey, "Monitoring the
nesting colonies of the endangered Maroon-fronted Parrot in Mexico"; and 1998 BOARD OF DIRECTORS AWARD to
Rodney Siegel, "Hatching asynchrony reduces the duration, not the magnitude, of peak load in breeding Green-rumped
Parrotlets."
The WILSON ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY ALEXANDER WILSON PRIZE was given to Maiken Winter, Univ. of
Missouri-Columbia, "Edge effects in southwestern Missouri prairie fragments: Evidence from mammalian activity, artificial
nests, and real nests."
THE AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGISTS' UNION held its 116th Stated Meeting at the NAOC. AOU Officers elected or
re-elected were FRANK B. GILL, President; JOHN W. FITZPATRICK, President-Elect; JAMES A. KUSHLAN, Vice
President; M. VICTORIA MCDONALD, Secretary; FREDERICK H. SHELDON, Treasurer. Newly elected Councilors
were: WALTER D. KOENIG, SCOTT M. LANYON, and STEPHEN M. RUSSELL. One new Honorary Fellow was
elected: JANET KEAR of The United Kingdom; and three new Corresponding Fellows: THEUNIS PIERSMA, The
Netherlands; SUSUMU ISHII, Japan; VLADIMIR PAYESDKY, Russia. Newly elected Fellows are: R. MICHAEL
ERVIN, ROBERT S. KENNEDY, IRENE M. PEPPERBERG, JOHN H. RAPPOLE, JEFFREY R. WALTERS, DAVID
W. WINKLER. New Elective Members are JAMES R. BELTHOFF, DEBORAH BUITRON, PETER O. DUNN, G.
MICHAEL HARAMIS, ANDREW G. HORN, PETER W. HOUDE, DANNY J. INGOLD, JAMES L. INGOLD,
NEDRA K. KLEIN, J. MICHAEL MEYERS, JONATHAN H. PLISSNER, RICHARD O. PRUM, LISA G.
SORENSON, MICHAEL D. SORENSON, DAN A. TALLMAN, and LINDA A. WHITTINGHAM.
The William Brewster Memorial Medal was awarded to FRANK B. GILL. JARED M. DIAMOND received the Elliott
Coues Award, and RICHARD C. BANKS was given the Marion Jenkinson Service Award.
The next AOU meeting will be 10-14 Aug 1999 at Cornell University, New York.
1998 AOU RESEARCH AWARDS were also announced at the North American Ornithological Conference. This year's winners are: M. JOSEPHINE BABIN, "Speciation in tanagers on the Isthmus of Panama;" MARY K. CHASE, "Natal dispersal and habitat selection in Song Sparrows in a heterogeneous environment;" LESLEY J. EVANS OGDEN, "The importance of agricultural land to over-wintering shorebirds in the Fraser River Delta, British Columbia, Canada;" SHARON ANNE GILL, "Mutual mate choice in a tropical duetting species, the Buff- breasted Wren;" STEPHEN P. HUDMAN, "Ecological interactions between Red-eyed and Blue- headed Vireos in the southern Appalachians;" JENNIFER A. JACOBY, "The genetics of reintroduced populations of an endangered bird, Falco peregrinus;" JORDAN O. KARUBIAN, "Evolutionary implications of variable breeding plumage in the Red-backed Fairy-wren;" BILL MCMARTIN, "A test of the importance of breeding season food resources in understanding songbird responses to forest fragmentation;" GEOFFREY R. PARKS, "Regional abundance and breeding success of the Puerto Rican Vireo;" SUHEL QUADER, "Mate choice and nest architecture in the Baya Weaverbird, Ploceus philippinus;" SCOTT M. RAMSEY, "Mating tactics of female Black-capped Chickadees;" SAMUEL KEITH RIFFELL, "Effects of coastline shape on wet meadow birds;" LAURA STENZLER, "Indirect versus direct measurement of dispersal distance;" ANDREW M. STOEHR, "Testosterone and reproductive trade-offs in male House Finches (Carpodacus mexicanas);" SCOTT A. TAROF, "Natural and sexual selection in Least Flycatchers: why do breeding birds cluster?" M. LISA VEIT, "Genetic structure and gene flow in Cerulean Warblers: a test of the source-sink model in nature;" BRETT L. WALKER, "Tests of the 'Molt Constraints' and 'Hatching Date' hypotheses of delayed plumage maturation;" HEATHER DAWN WILKINS, "The winter foraging ecology of Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, Sphyrapicus varius, in central Mississippi."
1998 AFO BERGSTROM RESEARCH AWARD WINNERS have been selected. CRISTIAN F. ESTADES, Univ. Wisconsin, "Pine plantations and forest birds in central Chile: new habitat or ecological sink?"; URSULA VALDEZ, North Carolina State Univ., "Raptor communities along successional gradients in Amazonian rainforest;" ROMAN DIAZ, Instituto de Ecologia, Xalapa, Veracruz, "Estudio poblacional del Colibri endemico Doricha eliza en el centro de Veracruz, Mexico;" SARAH C. HUHTA, Univ. Tulsa, "Costs and benefits of coloniality in bank swallows (Riparia riparia);" JESSICA KERNS, Ball State Univ., "The foraging behavior and territory size of the white-throated robin (Turdus assimilis) in a tropical forest and an adjacent organic coffee plantation;" LAURA STENZLER, Cornell Univ., "Direct vs indirect measures of bird dispersal;" KARL DEHART, Boise State Univ., "Great horned owl abundance, habitat use, perch use, and food habits relative to post-release survival of endangered Attwater's prairie chickens;" ANDREW M. STOEHR, Auburn Univ., "Testosterone and reproductive trade-offs in male house finches (Carpodacus mexicanus);" and STEFAN WOLTMAN, Univ. Southern Mississippi, "The behavior of sharp-shinned hawks during fall migration at a coastal stopover site."
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FOREST FRAGMENTATION VIDEOS. Colorado State University has produced three videos on forest fragmentation in the Central Rocky Mountains of Colorado and Wyoming. The videos are titled: "Human Causes of Forest Fragmentation in the Central Rocky Mountains (30 minutes)," "Natural Causes of Forest Fragmentation in the Central Rocky Mountains (31 minutes)," and "Biodiversity Responses to Forest Fragmentation in the Central Rocky Mountains (32 minutes)." The videos feature excerpts by Dennis Knight, Skip Smith, Bill Baker, Gary Beauvais, Steve Buskirk, Andy Hansen, Dave Theobald, Tom Veblan, and Rick Knight and come from a conference organized on that topic at Colorado State University. The videos are available from: The Office of Instructional Services, Colorado State University, A71 Clark Bld., Fort Collins, CO 80523. Phone 970-491-1325. Each video costs $10.00 for duplication and shipping.
PREDICTING SPECIES OCCURRENCES: Issues of Scale and Accuracy for Wildlife Habitat Modeling. The Biological Resources Division of the US Geological Survey, US Forest Service, Potlatch Corporation, Boise Cascade Corporation, and The Idaho Chapter of the Wildlife Society are sponsoring a symposium to address the issues of scale and accuracy in species/habitat prediction models. The symposium participants will examine how accuracy of predictions of species presence/absence, abundance, viability varies with habitat variables used, scale of model development and application, and temporal application. Past research on the accuracy of model predictions will be reviewed. The appropriate use and abuses of model predictions in wildlife management and landuse planning will be discussed. The mathematical underpinnings of the theory of species habitat prediction models will be addressed in an associated one-day workshop. We are soliciting abstracts for poster and oral presentations on uses and tests of species habitat prediction models. Of particular interest are papers that address accuracy and scale. Proceedings of the symposium will be refereed and published in a book. The symposium will be held 18-22 Oct 1999 in Snowbird, Utah. Contact KATHY MERK at the Idaho Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Fish and Wildlife, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844-1141 or kmerk@uidaho.edu, 208-885-2750 for information.
TROPICAL BIOLOGY COURSE IN ECUADOR--a two-week, 3-unit college course is being offered in Ecuador this summer (15 June - 1 July). The cost is $1850, which includes all transportation (from L.A.), lodging, and most meals. (Antelope Valley College registration extra.) Limited to 15 students; a few spaces currently available. Passport and Yellow Fever Vaccination card required. We will spend 14 days at Tiputini Biodiversity Station, located about 200 miles SE of Quito, in a remote part of the northwestern Amazon region. Accommodations are comfortable, clean, dormitory-style (4 students/room); There are 20 miles of well-marked trails, a 120 ft. tree tower, the spectacular Tiputini river, seven species of primate, and a bird list of at least 500 species. Laboratory facilities and local guides are included. Students will work in pairs on projects of their choosing (e.g. nesting of yellow-rumped caciques; birds and army ants; mixed species bird flocks; primate diets; crypsis and plant defenses). Contact: DR. CALLYN YORKE, Dept. of Zoology, Antelope Valley College, 3041 West Ave. K, Lancaster, CA 93536 (805-722-6437; yorke@hughes.net).
NESTLING BIRD PARASITES--Researchers studying bird nests or nestling birds can expand their research opportunities by looking for the nestling bird parasite Protocalliphora (Diptera:Calliphoridae). This genus of the metallic blue or green blowfly family is strictly a parasite of altricial birds and does not occur in precocial species. Persons with bird box projects can send bird nest material and I will provide information on species of parasites present and infestation rates. In a recent study, we found 26 species of Protocalliphora in about 90 species of altricial birds in the United States, including 15 new species. For some species we have little information on hosts or distribution, and there may still be a number of unidentified species of Protocalliphora in the United States. I am especially interested in the nests of rare or hard to collect birds, such as various ground nesters, warblers, flycatchers, dippers, and raptors. I will be happy to provide species identification, or search nest material for specimens. Please contact me, TERRY WHITWORTH, Entomologist, (toll free :888-959-1818; WPCTWBUG@aol.com) for more information or copies of publications.
INTERNATIONAL GOOSE RESEARCH GROUP WEBSITE (http://www.goose.org) is now on-line (although, as with all sites on the Web, in a perpetual state of development). The site collates information concerning goose research & management, and is a gateway to accessing recent publications, a member contact list, as well as links to various ongoing research & management initiatives. The site is optimized for use with Netscape 2.xx or better (or its IE equivalent). For further details, contact EVAN COOCH (cooch@fraser.sfu.ca).
NITA FULLER has been named Assistant Director for Refuges and Wildlife for the USFWS. Fuller will oversee the Service's National Wildlife Refuge System, the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, and the migratory bird management plan and land acquisition programs. For the last 3 years, Fuller has served as Assistant Regional Director for Refuges and Wildlife in the FWS Great Lakes-Big Rivers Region. She was recently recognized as the Professional Conservationist of the Year by the Minnesota Waterfowl Association because of her strong advocacy role in preserving waterfowl and wetlands. She was also a driving force behind the Northern Tallgrass Prairie Habitat Preservation initiative in Minnesota and Iowa and the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center, currently under construction in Fergus Falls, MN
MYSTERY DISEASE IS KILLING BALD EAGLES AND COOTS. The disease, which first appeared in southwest Arkansas, may now be present in North Carolina and Georgia. This disease, which affects the brain and central nervous system by creating holes in the myelin layers that insulate the nerve bundles, killed at least 55 bald eagles at three lakes in southwestern Arkansas and an unknown number of coots in the winters of 1994 and 1996. No other birds or mammals have been found to be affected. The cause or source of the disease remains a mystery. Bacteria, viruses or parasites have been ruled out. While microscopic evidence suggests that a neurotoxin may be the cause, tests for natural and man-made toxins that can cause this type of disease have so far been negative. Please report observations of coots exhibiting disoriented or uncoordinated behavior such as erratic flying or impaired ability to swim and dive, or of dead coots or eagles to DR. KIMBERLI MILLER, National Wildlife Health Center (608-270-2448).
13 JUVENILE CALIFORNIA CONDORS were released in Fall 1997 bringing the reintroduced population to 39. Four were released in Los Padres National Forest, joining 19 older condors. Four were released at the Vermilion Cliffs in northern Arizona bringing that population to 15, and 5 were released at a new site in the Ventana Wilderness Sanctuary near Big Sur, CA. Although none of the reintroduced condors are of breeding age, there have been at least two confirmed observations of male and female condors engaging in 'courtship' type behaviors. Both incidents involve condors released in 1995 at Lion Canyon in the Los Padres National Forest. The earliest time for any of the reintroduced condors to begin breeding is estimated to be the year 2000. (Excerpted from "CONDOR NEWS", USFWS)
BIRD BANDING CLASSES: These 5 ½ day classes are held during July and August on 5 MAPS stations run by San Francisco State University's Sierra Nevada Field Campus, located one hour north of Lake Tahoe. These sites provide a wide diversity of species (a bird checklist of the area is online) and a wealth of experience in adult, juvenal, and immature plumages. Participants will also gain experience in stages of molt, breeding condition, and use of mistnets. Graduates are welcome to return anytime as guest banders to hone their skills. Class costs $165 plus room & board of about $110. For more information about these classes and other bird classes visit our web site http://thecity.sfsu.edu/snfc or call JIM STEELE at 650-738-1814 or email to jsteele@sfsu.edu.
THE BORROR LABORATORY OF BIOACOUSTICS at The Ohio State University, Columbus OH hosted an open house in mid-March to celebrate two special anniversaries. Fifty years of animal sound recording at OSU was initiated by a recording made by Donald J. Borror of a Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata, BLB #1, 14 March 1948); and in March 1998 an NSF funded project to digitize the entire sound collection began. Information about the BLB and holdings in the BLB archive may be reviewed on our web site: http://iris.biosci.ohio-state.edu/borror/blbhome/html. DOUGLAS A. NELSON, Director (nelson.228@osu.edu) and SANDRA L. L. GAUNT, Curator (607-292- 2176; fax 614-292-7774; gaunt.2@osu.edu).
CONDORS WEBSITES have been searched by RON JUREK, a member of the Condor Recovery Team. He has compiled a listing of the most informative websites: Web Sponsor: USFWS, http://www.fws.gov/~9endspp/vertdata.html; Web Sponsor: California Dept. of Fish and Game, http://www.cerf.net/lazoo/condorco.htm; Web Sponsor: San Diego Zoo, http://www.sandiegozoo.org/CRES/condorminium.html; Web Sponsor: The Peregrine Fund, http://www.peregrinefund.org/CACondor.html; Web Sponsor: California Dept. of Fish and Game, http://www.dfg.ca.gov/wmd/condor.html. (Excerpted from "CONDOR NEWS", USFWS)
LEIGH YAWKEY WOODSON ART MUSEUM will be holding its 23rd Birds in Art exhibition 12 Sep - 1 Nov 1998. TOM QUINN will be honored as recipient of the Master Wildlife Artist Award. He is represented in the collections of the Woodson Art Museum; Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey, California; and the National Museum of Wildlife Art, Jackson, Wyoming. He will discuss his style and work at 10:00 a.m.,12 Sep at the Museum. For further information about Quinn's program or Birds in Art, call 715-845-7010; Fax 715-845-7103; msueum@lywam.com.
NORTHERN APLOMADO FALCON breeding biology on private ranches in eastern Chihuahua, Mexico, is being studied by the FWS, volunteer biologists working with DR. ALBERTO LEFON and graduate students from the Universidad Autonoma de Chihuahua, and local landowners. The researchers are investigating how aplomado falcons have survived on large private ranches in Mexico while being essentially extirpated from primarily public land in the U.S. The FWS believes that a better understanding of aplomado falcon habitat requirements in Chihuahua will help identify specific recovery needs within the historically occupied Chihuahuan desert grasslands of Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona (Excerpted from "Endangered Species Bulletin", USFWS).
STUDY SITES AVAILABLE for bird research in southeastern Peru through the Associacion para la Conservacion de la Selva Sur. Sites in foothills rainforest and mature lowland floodplain forest in the Department of Madre de Dios include research facilities and gridded trail systems (at least 1 km square with trails every 200m). Sites are also being developed alongside a lowland oxbow lake and in the cloud forest of the Andes' eastern slope. For more information, contact ACSS at <acss+@amauta.rcp.net.pe>
RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE: The location: Coats Island, NWT, Canada. The species: Thick-billed Murre, Uria lomvia; The opportunity: banded population, including scores of birds of known age and known breeding experience, in a situation where they can be easily observed and, if necessary, captured. Since 1984, the Canadian Wildlife Service has been banding adult and nestling Thick-billed Murres at Coats Island, in northern Hudson Bay, as part of a project to provide demographic data on the species. At this location, approximately 20,000 pairs of Thick-billed Murres breed on a small cliff <100 m high and about 0.8 km in length The breeding season extends from approximately 10 Jun - 25 Aug. There is a landing strip for Twin-otters, a substantial plywood cabin used for sleeping and working, and a series of plywood blinds scattered throughout the colony. Recently, financial constraints have forced reduction in the scale of the project. We are looking for academic collaborators who have scientific questions that require birds of known age and breeding experience that they would like to study. We would welcome projects that make use of the known-age population, the field camp, and the permanent observation blinds, in return for a financial contribution towards running the facility. The camp is basic but comfortable and can house up to 6 people. With 2-3 CWS personnel present, that leaves room for 3-4 other bodies at any one time. The camp could also be used as a base for studies of arctic flora, insects and nearshore marine biology. All reasonable suggestions will be considered. For further information, contact Tony.Gaston@ec.gc.ca, tel (819) 997-6121.
TRUMPETER SWANS are being returned to the Chesapeake. Formerly, about 100,000 trumpeters wintered on the Chesapeake, but were extirpated nearly 200 years ago. A project to re-establish a migration route between upstate New York and the Chesapeake has been initiated with five young swans that have been imprinted on an ultra-light aircraft. Swans learn to migrate from their parents, thus the use of the aircraft to teach them where to go and when. (Excerpted from "Outdoor News Bulletin," Wildlife Management Inst.)
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NEWS FROM THE ORNITHOLOGICAL COUNCIL
Provided by DAVID E. BLOCKSTEIN, Chair, and ELLEN PAUL, Executive Director, The Ornithological Council, 1725 K St. NW #212, Washington, DC 20006-1401 (202-530-5810; 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 memberships from the ornithological societies.
OC DATABASE OF ORNITHOLOGICAL EXPERTISE has been established in which ornithologists can list their expertise in scientific and policy topics. The purpose of the database is to enable OC to provide private and public decision-makers with expert knowledge in a timely manner. The database is confidential and will be for the exclusive use of the OC and its member societies. Direct access to the database will be restricted to these organizations. Registrants may be asked by OC for reprints, expert advice, and to review materials. Several hundred ornithologists have already registered. OC encourages all ornithologists to register. The registration form can be reached through BIRDNET, OC's website, found at www.nmnh.si.edu/BIRDNET.
"FOREST HEALTH" BILL, H.R. 2515, authored by Rep. BOB SMITH (R-OR), chair of the House Agriculture Committee was defeated on March 27 by a vote of 201-181. The bill, which underwent a number of last minute changes, would have resulted in increased logging on the National Forests in the name of forest health. It would have turned an existing restoration-type fund, the Roads and Trails Fund, into a commercial timber harvesting program that would include thinning of timber in large "recovery areas." As part of the vote, Rep. SHERWOOD BOEHLERT (R-NY) offered a substitute amendment that would prohibit any new road construction in National Forest roadless areas, effectively legislating the Administration's proposed moratorium. This amendment passed 200-186. (Information from Western Ancient Forest Campaign, 1025 Vermont Ave. NW 3rd Floor, Washington, D.C. 20005, 202-879-3188; fax 202-879-3189 fax; wafcdc@igc.org).
CALIFORNIA SPOTTED OWL HABITAT in the Sierra Nevadas would face more logging under H.R. 3467, by Rep. JOHN DOOLITTLE (R-CA), which was approved on a voice vote of the forest subcommittee of the House resources committee after Democrats boycotted the vote. The bill, still far from final passage, requires the Forest Service to implement a modified 1996 draft guidelines for owl management that calls for increased logging as a fire protection measure and to adopt permanent guidelines in 18 months to replace the interim 1993 guidelines that are still in effect.
THE U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE scaled back an earlier proposal that would have allowed unlimited killing of Double-crested Cormorants in 33 states, to one that allows unlimited killing of birds that harm aquaculture facilities in 13 states. Fish farmers have complained that cormorants and other fish-eating birds cause economic hardship to their industry. The final regulation also restricts shooting of cormorants to daylight hours to minimize confusion with other species, and requires the Agency to print materials about species that can or cannot be shot. The FWS also refused fish farmers' requests to broaden the rule to include all fish-eating birds, but will allow farmers to use decoys, vocalizations, or other lures to bring cormorants closer to gun range. OC Exec. Dir,. ELLEN PAUL and past Exec. Dir. B.A. SCHREIBER, will tour the aquaculture ponds of the Mississippi delta in early May at the invitation of the Catfish Farmers of America, in an effort to seek science-based solutions to these conflicts.
FORMATION OF A SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD has been announced by The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to advise and assist the director of the BLM on issues pertaining to science and the application of scientific information in the management of public lands and their resources. The Board will be comprised of up to nine members from among the following categories: natural resource management, energy and minerals, conservation biology, and ecology and genetics. Those interested in serving on this Board should contact ELLEN PAUL, Executive Director of the Ornithological Council at (301)986-8568 or by e-mail at epaul@dclink.com for further information.
CORRECTION: THE FAX NUMBER FOR OBTAINING PETER RAVEN'S PCAST Report, "Teaming with Life: Investing in science to understand and use America's living capital" should be (202) 456-6026 instead of as announced in the April Newsletter.
ON 2 APR, BY A VOICE VOTE, A "Sense of the Senate" Resolution declared that public lands should not be sold to fund the Senate Endangered Species Act rewrite's landowner incentive programs. Senator PETE DOMENICI (R-NM) previously amended the Senate Budget Resolution to require $350 million of Bureau of Land Management lands to be sold off to fund the new incentives. The "Sense of the Senate" also advocated a dedicated funding source for landowner incentives to protect endangered species.
THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION has proposed a moratorium on construction of roads in roadless areas greater than 5,000 acres, except for in the Pacific northwest and Tongass Natl. Forest. Despite popular and scientific support (such as a resolution approved at NAOC supporting the moratorium, but asking that it apply to roadless areas as small as 1,000 acres), Congress is trying to oppose the moratorium. The House Resources Committee approved a bill (H.R. 3297) to slow the process by requiring the Forest Service to hold more hearings and report the moratorium's impact on the economy. Sen. LARRY CRAIG (R-ID) also attached an anti-moratorium rider to the FY99 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Bill. The rider allows the re-issue of timber sales planned for 1998 and 1999 that were stopped for any reason; requires the Forest Service to offer as many substitute sales as they can to replace the 102 sales postponed by the moratorium; and, for sales that are not re-issued or substituted, requires the Forest Service to pay states the money they would have received if the sales occurred. (Information provided by the National Audubon Society <sdaigneault@audubon.org>, listserv@list.audubon.org; http://www.audubon.org/).
OCNET, FORMERLY AOUNET, the ornithology policy list-serve, provides information to ornithologists from all OC member societies. OCNET regularly provides legislative alerts and breaking policy news. Edited by IRENE PEPPERBERG, it is an excellent source of information about Endangered Species Act re-authorization, and other legislation. To subscribe, send an email message to: listserv@umdd.umd.edu. The body of the message should read "subscribe OCNET-L <your name>".
SALTON SEA BILL, H.R. 3267, to identify and authorize corrective action for the ecological problems occurring at the Salton Sea, has stalled in the House Natural Resources Committee. Two major issues remained unresolved when the bill left the subcommittee. First, the proposed bill contains an exemption to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act requirement. Second, the bill would shield remedial actions from the judicial review process under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The bill was to have been marked up on 29 Apr, but the ongoing disputes about these two issues prevented that effort. The Ornithological Council has submitted the Salton Sea Resolution passed in St. Louis by the American Ornithologists' Union, Cooper Ornithological Society, Wilson Ornithological Society, and the Association of Field Ornithologists to the House Natural Resources Committee members.
THE HOUSE NATURAL RESOURCES SUBCOMMITTEE on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife, and Oceans held on oversight hearing on the legislative and regulatory avenues for controlling the ever-growing Arctic snow goose population. Concerns about the effect of the birds' foraging on fragile arctic tundra and on crops in the U.S. led to the creation of the Arctic Goose Joint Venture Technical Committee (consisting of the U.S. FWS, the Canadian Wildlife Service, state wildlife agencies and non-governmental organizations), which produced the report "Arctic Ecosystems in Peril" in 1996. Witnesses at the oversight hearing included AOU President FRANK GILL. The Ornithological Council submitted the snow goose resolution passed in St. Louis by the American Ornithologists' Union, Cooper Ornithological Society, Wilson Ornithological Society, and the Association of Field Ornithologists to the subcommittee as written testimony.
STRICT LIMITATIONS ON HORSESHOE CRAB HARVESTING have been imposed by Maryland, reducing the allowed catch to 25% of last year's harvest. Harvesting is banned from April to June within a mile of the Atlantic coast, where females lay their eggs. For more information contact GERALD WINEGRAD, American Bird Conservancy, gww@abcbirds.org
10 RESOLUTIONS WERE PASSED IN ST. LOUIS by four of the ornithological societies - American Ornithologists Union, Cooper Ornithological Society, Wilson Ornithological Society, and the Association of Field Ornithologists - that met in St. Louis for the North American Ornithological Conference in April. The full texts of the resolutions can be found on the Ornithological Council website, BIRDNET, at www.nmnh.si.edu/BIRDNET. The resolutions concern: (1) Snow Geese population management (submitted as written testimony to an oversight hearing held by the House Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife & Oceans on April 23, 1998); (2) National Forest management; (3) natural resource science funding; (4) Public Lands Funding Initiative; (5) Northeast National Petroleum Reserve; (6) Izembek National Wildlife Refuge; (7) Exxon Valdez Restoration Reserve Fund (provided to the Science Coordinator of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council); (8) Bird collisions with radio and TV towers (the text and comments concerning the resolution were provided to the Federal Communications Commission regarding its proposed rule pertaining to communications towers); (9) Bird collisions with windows and buildings; and (10) Salton Sea restoration (submitted to the House Committee on Resources, which considered legislation on the topic on April 29, 1998).
USFWS PROPOSES RULE FOR CONTROL OF RESIDENT CANADA GOOSE populations by establishing a Canada Goose damage management program. It will allow state conservation or wildlife management agencies to obtain annual depredation permits, after showing that applicable non-lethal alternative means of control have been proven to be unsuccessful or not feasible. Hunts would not be permitted, and the control measures allowed under the permit would be restricted to the period from May 1 through August 31. Comments on the proposed rule are due by 1 Jun 1998 and should be mailed to the Chief, Office of Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Dept. of the Interior, Mailstop 634 ARLSQ, 1849 C Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20240. Further information about the proposed regulation can be obtained from PAUL SCHMIDT, Chief, Office of Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, (703) 358-1714 OR by contacting ELLEN PAUL, Executive Director of the Ornithological Council, at (301)986-8568 or by e-mail (epaul@dclink.com).
USFWS PROPOSES RULE REGARDING HUNTING OVER BAITED FIELDS to clarify and simplify the migratory bird hunting regulations regarding baiting. Among the changes to the existing regulations are new definitions for the terms, "baited area," "baiting," "manipulation," "natural vegetation," and "normal agricultural and soil stabilization practices." The proposed changes also deal with millet species, which will be considered natural vegetation. While the FWS proposes to continue the strict liability standard for violations of the regulations, it also recognizes that application of this standard to the baiting regulations is of concern to hunters and is therefore inviting comments that identify alternatives to the existing penalty provisions dealing with these regulations. Additional information can be obtained from KEVIN ADAMS, Chief, Division of Law Enforcement at (703)358-1949; PAUL SCHMIDT, Chief, Office of Migratory Bird Management at (703)358-1714; OR from ELLEN PAUL, Executive Director of the Ornithological Council at (301)986-8568 or by e-mail at epaul@dclink.com.
A NATIONAL COMMISSION ON COASTAL POLICY came one step closer to reality when a House Resources subcommittee approved H.R. 3445, which would create a 16-member panel to develop a comprehensive national policy and recommend uses for coastal resources. A similar bill (S. 1213) has already passed the Senate.
TRANSFER OF NORTH AMERICAN POPULATION OF GYRFALCON from CITES Appendix I to Appendix II: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Office of Scientific Authority requested recommendations and information concerning a possible proposal by the FWS to transfer the North American population of Gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus) from CITES Appendix I to Appendix II. The FWS will announce its tentative decision in December 1998. Further comments can be submitted at that time. A public meeting will be held in January 1999 to allow further comment. The final decisions will be announced in June 1999, prior to the deadline for submissions of those proposals to the CITES Secretariat for the Eleventh Conference of the Parties, to be held in Indonesia in November 1999. After consulting with a number of raptor biologists, the Ornithological Council informed the FWS that the OC does not oppose the proposal.
FIND YOUR REPRESENTATIVE'S EMAIL ADDRESS! <http://www.audubon.org/net/congress.html> Find out how your Representative and Senators score on the environment! <http://scorecard.lcv.org/> Call Congress (202) 224-3121
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INFORMATION NEEDED FOR BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA species account. Any unpublished information, personal observations, and obscure references will be greatly appreciated and acknowledged.
THREE-TOED WOODPECKER (Picoides tridactylus). DAVID LEONARD, Archbold Biological Station, PO Box 2057, Lake Placid, FL 33862. (941- 452-4182, fax 941 699-1927, dleonard@strato.net).
GOSHAWK BLOOD AND MORPHOMETRICS NEEDED: The Genome Variation Laboratory at UC Davis, Cornell University, and Rocky Mountain Research Station, in studies of genetic variation in NA goshawk populations and subspecies, are reanalyzing genetic markers in blood samples from NA goshawks. We invite persons researching goshawks to submit blood samples from NA populations and subspecies already analyzed by us as well as from populations not previously sampled. We are particularly interested in obtaining samples from Queen Charlotte Island, B.C. and Mexico. Our reanalysis will use an amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) method, which randomly screens a large proportion of the genome, is highly repeatable, and will detect far more genetic variation than any previously tried method in this genetically depauperate taxon. In addition, for our studies of geographical morphological variation in NA goshawks, we are requesting adult wing chord (non-flattened) and body mass metrics on goshawk populations and subspecies. Please contact DR. BERNIE MAY (bpmay@ucdavis.edu), DR. RICHARD REYNOLDS (970/498-2320), or DR. THOMAS GAVIN (tag1@cornell.edu).
STUDY SKINS AND SPIRIT SPECIMENS needed on a loan basis for study of Certhia systematics. Syringeal and pectoral muscle samples from entire Certhia distribution (North and Central America and Eurasia) especially that of the traditional for the Brown Creeper, Common Tree Creeper, and Short-toed Creeper are sought. Complete study skins are needed for morphology and measurement studies. The purpose of this study is to indicate the urgency of subspecific conservation biology on biodiversity, especially when there are subtle but distinct morphological and measured differentia between some subspecific taxa. Also needed by this "amateur" ornithologist are advisors and readers of the manuscript. Donations of the material and postage, shipping, and handling would be greatly appreciated by this indigent amateur: proof of indigence will be furnished upon request. References also presented upon request. Colleagues, amateur or professional, are welcome as coauthors. All documentation and other paperwork and proper and appropriate care is guaranteed. GRANT STEVENSON, Shettel Building, 1600 Hanover Ave., Allentown, PA 18103-2498 (610-439-9143; Fax 610-821-0682; jsteve@juno.com).
ORNITHOLOGIST SEEKS FIELD WORK in Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or Central America. Experienced in censusing and monitoring techniques, especially mist netting and point counting. Considerable background in training and supervising field crews. Computer savvy, some Spanish ability. Available for up to three months, January to March, 1999. Willing to volunteer if room and board provided; can provide own airfare. KENNETH BURTON, P.O. Box 848, Point Reyes Station, CA 94956 (415-663-2051; birdbanding@compuserve.com).
INFORMATION ON CENTRAL AMERICAN AND CARIBBEAN BIRDWATCHING SITES is sought for inclusion in a book. Anybody who feels that he/she may be able to contribute reasonably detailed information on specific sites is kindly invited to contact one of the two authors; correspondents in the Americas please contact DAVID BREWER, R.R.1, Puslinch, Ontario, Canada, N0B2J0 (519-763-0997; collect calls welcome); correspondents in Europe and elsewhere, NIGEL WHEATLEY, St. Agnes, Isles of Scilly, Cornwall, U.K. TR22 0PL. All contributions will be acknowledged in the final work.
AMERICAN COOTS were banded and collared on their wintering grounds with colored alpha-numeric collars. Coots were collared in an area in SW AR where over 50 bald eagles and an unknown number of coots have died during the winters of '94-'98 from a toxin that causes lesions in the white matter of the brain. Please report sightings of collared birds including location, collar color (and code if possible), date and coot activity/behavior to KAREN ROWE, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, 31 Hallowel Lane, Humphrey, AR 72073 (870.873.4302. or agfckrowe@futura.net).
CLARENCE B. LINTON COLLECTED SPECIMENS from the Channel Islands between 1907-1911. I am attempting to locate this series of bird specimens collected during the early part of this century from Santa Cruz, San Nicolas, Anacapa and San Clemente Islands. These specimen records are being incorporated into a forthcoming book on the Birds of the Channel Islands. Please send any Linton specimen records to PAUL W. COLLINS, Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, 2559 Puesta Del Sol, Santa Barbara, CA 93105; <vertzoo@sbnature.org>
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POSITIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE
NOTE the printed version of the Ornithological Newsletter no longer contains job advertisements. As of the August '97 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.
WILDLIFE CONSERVATION NEEDS ON GOLF COURSES. The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, through a cooperative agreement with the United States Golf Association, requests preproposals for research and management projects that address wildlife conservation needs on golf courses. Areas of interest include: examination of management and design options for increasing biodiversity on golf courses; research to determine the role of habitat characteristics in the designation of golf courses as wildlife corridors or barriers; preparation of management guidelines for specific species or species suites; programs to monitor the success of wildlife habitat conservation programs on golf courses; and the effects of golfer and maintenance activities on wildlife. All projects must address issues of management concern to the golf industry, and should provide management recommendations applicable on at least a regional basis. Approximately $80,000 will be available. Request should not exceed $25,000, yet multi-year funding is possible. Deadline for preproposals is 31 Jul 1998; full proposal deadline will be early September 1998; with funding available in February of 1999. For preproposal guidelines, contact KATIE DISTLER, NFWF, 1120 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 900, Washington, DC 20036; (202-57-0166, email: distler@nfwf.org).
ZOOS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION (ZEC), LINCOLN PARK ZOO, Chicago, Illinois. The Lincoln Park Zoo Grassroots initiative ZEC was formed in 1997 by a diverse group of zoo staff and volunteers. The purpose of the initiative is to forge closer ties, through financial, logistical, and volunteer support, between the zoo and regional conservation efforts. The initiative endeavors to support regional in situ projects with direct and immediate impacts on conservation of Midwestern wildlife and habitats. Priority for support will be given to projects that: take place in the greater Chicago area, have direct ties to the Lincoln Park Zoo animal collection, focus on species and/or habitats threatened or endangered in either Illinois or the continental United States, offer opportunities for participation by volunteers from Lincoln Park Zoo, require significant support from Lincoln Park Zoo relative to the overall scope and cost of the project. Awards will be for one year and will range from $1000-3000 per annum. Requests for continued support beyond one year will be considered annually, but the total period of support for any project will not exceed three years. Grantees will be expected to give a public seminar on the project within the period of support. Proposals are evaluated once a year. All application materials must be received by 1 October. Late proposals are not considered under any circumstances. Proposals received after the deadlines will be returned for re-submission at a later date. All proposals should be accompanied by at least three letters of recommendation by conservation experts familiar with both the proposal and the applicant(s). All proposals will be reviewed and a decision will be made on 1 February with awards available on 1 April. How to apply: Send 10 copies of the proposal, three letters of recommendation from persons familiar with the proposal (for graduate students working toward a degree, one letter must be from the thesis or dissertation advisor), to: Zoos for Environmental Conservation (ZEC), Lincoln Park Zoo, P.O. Box 14903, Cannon Drive at Fullerton Parkway, Chicago, IL
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"THE BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD AND ITS RIPARIAN-DEPENDANT HOSTS IN NEW MEXICO" USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-1, reviews existing data on the cowbird in New Mexico, compares them to data from adjacent western states, and interprets the findings. For your free copy, write to Publications Distribution, Rocky Mountain Research Station, 3825 E. Mulberry, Fort Collins, CO 80524, or visit the Station's homepage at http://www.xmission.com/~rmrs.
"THE DOWNY WATERFOWL OF NORTH AMERICA" by Coleen H. Nelson. Illus. by the author. ISBN 1-55056-219-3. Nine color plates, 92 black-and-white figures with captions or annotations, numerous black-and-white sketches throughout the text. 302 pp. $39.95 (+$5.00 shipping and handling per book) in U.S., $49.95 (+$5.oo shipping and handling per book) in Canada. Order from Delta Station Press, 102 West Rd., Suite 410, Deerfield, IL 60015.
MEMOIRS OF JOHN T. EMLEN - A series of three articles honoring the late John T. Emlen, who died November 1997 in Madison, Wisconsin, will be published over the coming year in The Passenger Pigeon, the journal of the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology. The series will include extensive excerpts from Emlen's privately published memoirs, "Adventure Is Where You Find It: Recollections of a Twentieth Century American Naturalist," as well as a complete list of Emlen's published writings and recollections of this great scientist from his former graduate students. The series will begin in Volume 60, No. 2 of the journal; a one year subscription (four issues) is $20.00. Write to: Emlen Memoirs/WSO Membership, W330 N8275 West Shore Drive, Hartland, WI 53029.
"ATLAS OF BREEDING BIRDS OF INDIANA," 1998 by John Castrale, Edward Hopkins, and Charles Keller. 381pp., hard-bound. Full-page distribution maps for 162 breeding birds plus additional maps showing land use and major vegetation types in Indiana. Species accounts for 204 species: past and present distribution, regional abundance, occurrences in adjacent states, population trends, habitats, and other aspects of ecology. $20 (Indiana residents add $1 sales tax) plus $3.50 s&h. Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Customer Service Center, 402 W. Washington St., Rm. W160, Indianapolis, IN 46204 (317-232-4180).
"BIRDS OF NORTH ANDROS ISLAND, BAHAMAS, by D.R. Osborne and J. Carl Gering, 1997. Pocket-sized, six-fold checklist. Seasonal status and abundance of over 200 migrant and resident species. Copies may be obtained for $0.70 from Hefner Zoology Museum, Miami University, 104 Upham Hall, Oxford, Ohio 45056 (513-529-4617; Fax 513-529-6900).
"PLEISTOCENE BIRDS OF THE PALEARCTIC: A CATALOGUE," by Tommy Tyrberg. 720 pp., 3 tables, 59 figs. $50.00. Obtainable from the Nuttall Ornithological Club, c/o Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138.
"PARROTS: A GUIDE TO THE PARROTS OF THE WORLD," by Tony Juniper and Mike Parr. 1998. ISBN 1-873403-40-2. 580 pp., 88 color plates. Published in association with American Bird Conservancy. Details on the identification, abundance, and behavior of all 350 known parrot species, as well as a comprehensive set of distribution maps. $55. Yale University Press, 1250 24th St. NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20037 (800-987-7323; Fax: 202-778-9778; abc@abcbirds.org).
"ENDEMIC BIRDS AREAS OF THE WORLD: PRIORITIES FOR BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION," by A.J. Stattersfield, M.J. Crosby, A.J. Long and D.C. Wege. 1998. 846 pp. BirdLife International. Identifies 218 areas across the world which rank as the most important places for protecting the full range of Earth's biodiversity. $60 (paperback) $3.50 post and packing Available from Smithsonian Institution Press, P.O. Box 960 Herndon, VA 20172-0960 (703-661-1599; Fax 703-661-1501). For further information call MIKE PARR (202)778-9705.
"MIGRATION AND SURVIVAL OF THE BIRDS OF ASIA," by H. Elliott McClure. White Lotus Press. Completely revised and expanded edition, fully illustrated with color and black and white photographs, maps, charts and tables. 531 pp., 56 pp. illus., 46 pp. in color. Contains information on the 724 bird species from East, Southeast and South Asia. Bird longevity and migrations are indicated by banding and returns collected during an eleven-year period, from 1963 until 1974. The study of bird movements and their external parasites covers eleven countries and thirteen field stations. US$ 65 plus mailing. Send an e-mail to reserve your copy/ies to <ande@loxinfo.co.th> and inform us about your mailing preference. Inquiries for ways of paying by credit card should be sent to the same address or to fax number 66 2 741 6287 or 66 2 741 6607. Inquiries for bulk orders and trade terms are welcome. Or call 66 2 332 4915 or 66 2 741 6288-9 at our Bangkok Office. Or to order send a check drawn on a US bank including the charge for your preferred mode of mailing, a bank draft or an international postal money order to: G.P.O. Box 1141, Bangkok 10501, Thailand. Visit the natural history page at our website http://thailine.com/lotus.
THE FOLLOWING BOOKS may be obtained from the American Birding Association, P.O. Box 6599, Colorado Springs,
CO 80934 (800-634-7736 or 719-578-0607).
"A BIRDER'S GUIDE TO IDAHO," edited by Dan Svingen and Kas Dumroese, Paul J. Balcich, series editor. 1997. 352
pp., 86 maps, 11 original line drawings. ISBN 1-878788-14-0, $18.95 plus $3.75 shipping. Covers 110 major birding sites
including directions, major habitats, and birds to be expected. Designed for ease-of-use in the field with the abundance,
seasonality, and distribution of Idaho birds summarized in a handy multipurpose checklist.
"A BIRDER'S GUIDE TO THE BAHAMA ISLANDS," by Anthony W. White, ABA Birdfinding Guides, Virginia
Maynard, editor. June 1998. 320 pp., 66 maps, black-and-white line drawings, 30 color photos of Bahama speciality birds,
and black-and-white photos. ISBN 1-878788-16-7, $21.95 plus $3.75 shipping. Covers all of the major islands, numerous
smaller cays, and the less developed Family Islands. Directions, abundance seasonality, and distribution for over 300
species summarized in a handy checklist.
"A BIRDER'S GUIDE TO VIRGINIA," compiled by David W. Johnston; ABA Birdfinding Guides, Paul J. Balcich, series
editor. 1997. 288 pp., 45 maps, original line drawings. ISBN 1-878788-12-4. $18.95 plus $3.75 shipping. Specialities
section; checklist for over 390 species of birds; divided into six major regions.
"A BIRDER'S GUIDE TO COLORADO," by Harold Holt; ABA Birdfinding Guides, Paul J. Balcich, series editor. 1997.
400 pp., 80 maps, 24 original line drawings. ISBN 1-878788-05-1. $19.95 plus $3.75 shipping. Covers the entire state and
offers a wide variety of loop trips. It has been completely rewritten with a specialties section to help birders locate over 139
species and bar-graphs with seasonal occurrence/relative abundance information.
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ORNITHOLOGICAL JOURNALS: The Peregrine Fund has duplicate ornithological journals for exchange on a 1:1 basis for equivalent items lacking in our library. For list contact LLOYD KIFF at (208) 362-3716 or lkiff@peregrinefund.org.
BARGAIN OFFER: THE BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA entire subscription available at discount price. Volumes 1-9 available now, remainder will be forwarded as published. Charter subscriber rate is $3,295; I am offering the series as NEW AT A DISCOUNT OF 25%. Please contact: DR. DAVID A. KIRK, Aquila Applied Ecologists, C.P. 47, Wakefield, Quebec, Canada J0X 3G0 <David.Kirk1@sympatico.ca>
WANTED TO BUY: Ibis Vol. 131 1989 to complete series back to 1892. Please contact DAVID O. HILL, 5385 Gwynne Road, Memphis TN 38120 (901-680-0001; dohill@worldnet.att.net).
AVAILABLE FOR THE COST OF POSTAGE to an academic institution/nonprofit organization: Condor Vol. 51-83 (1949-1981) 158 issues, several missing. Condor 10 year index - v.51-60 (1949-1958); Wilson Bulletin Vol. 84-93 (1972-1981) 40 issues. ORREY P. YOUNG (301-734-5394 or oyoung@aphis.usda.gov).
AVAILABLE, AUK, complete set from 1908-1987, except 1979-1982. Best offer or exchange for books on South American birds. Please contact transabc@aol.com
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* in this section indicates new or revised entry
BIRD STRIKE COMMITTEE-USA, 8th Annual Meeting, 16-18 Jun 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).
*7TH NATIONAL CONFERENCE, COUNCIL ON UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH, 25-27 Jun 1998, Occidental College, Los Angeles, CA. For more information, contact the Council on Undergraduate Research, 734 15th St., NW Suite 550, Washington, DC 20005 (202-783-4810; fax 202-783-4811; cur@cur.org; http://www.cur.org). EBONEE L. MONTGOMERY, Membership and Meetings Coordinator.
ANIMAL BEHAVIOR SOCIETY ANNUAL MEETING, 18-22 Jul 1998, Southern Illinois Univ. at Carbondale. Contact Local Host, LEE DRICK-AMER, Dept. Zoology, Southern Illinois Univ., Carbondale, IL 62901 (618-536-2314; Drickamer@zoology.siu.edu; http://loris.cisab.indiana.edu/animal_behavior.html).
ELEVENTH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE SOCIETY OF CARIBBEAN ORNITHOLOGY, 24-29 Jul 1998, Guadeloupe, French West Indies. Meeting will feature workshops on conservation priorities for SCO and the Caribbean, and problems facing effective game bird management in the Caribbean. Meetings will be held for active working groups: West Indian Whistling Duck Conservation and Caribbean Seabird Conservation. Birdlife International will hold a workshop to evaluate status of threatened birds in the Caribbean. Technical sessions will be held for presentations of Caribbean studies. For information contact: J.M. WUNDERLE (Fax 787-888-5685) or ROSEMARIE GNAM (ROSEMARIE_GNAM@MAIL.FWS.GOV or mail: 13 East Rosemont Ave, Alexandria, VA 22301).
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/>.
*THE SOCIETY OF CANADIAN ORNITHOLOGISTS' ANNUAL MEETING will be held 1-4 Aug 1998, on the campus of The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Deadline for submission of abstracts is 1 Jun 1998. For general information, contact: CONNIE SMITH, SCO98 Conference Coordinator, Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada, V5A 1S6; (604-291-5618; Fax: 604-291-3496; constans@sfu.ca). For updated information, and to provide registration information on-line, please visit our web site, at www.sfu.biol.ca/sco98.html.
AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES, 2-6 Aug 1998, Baltimore, MD. AIBS 1444 Eye St. NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20005, 202-628-1500, <http://www.aibs.org>. For program information contact MARILYN MAURITZ (703-834-0812 x203; mmauritz@aibs.org; rjohnson@aibs.org).
FIFTH WORLD CONFERENCE ON BIRDS OF PREY AND OWLS, 4-11 Aug 1998, Midrand, Republic of South Africa. Please consult the website for updates on program and registration procedures: <http://ewt.org.za/raptor/conference/>
THIRD INTERNATIONAL RAPTOR BIOMEDICAL CONFERENCE, 9-11 Aug 1998, Midrand, Republic of South Africa, is scheduled as part of the Vth World Conference on Birds of Prey and Owls (4-11 Aug). Chairman of the Scientific Committee is J.T. LUMEIJ, Division of Avian and Exotic Animal Medicine, University Utrecht, Yalelaan 8, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands (J.T.Lumeij@ukg.dgk.ruu.nl). Local Arrangements Manager is Dr. GERHARD H. VERDOORN, P.O. Box 72155, Parkview 2122, South Africa (tel +27-11-646-4629/8617, Fax + 27-11-646-4631, nesher@global.co.za). He can also be contacted for information on the Vth World Conference on Birds of Prey and Owls (4-11 Aug). Please consult the websites of the respective conferences <http://www.uniud.it/DSPA/wildvet/rapmed/rapmed.htm> and < http://ewt.org.za/raptor/conference/> for updates on program and registration procedures.
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 Möggingen, 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).
*WESTERN BIRD BANDING ASSOCIATION Annual Meeting, 25-27 Sep 1998 at Marconi Conference Center, Marshall CA. Contact KAY LOUGHMAN, 393 Gravatt Dr., Berkeley CA 94705 (510-841-7428; kayloughman@ibm.net).
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE SOCIETY FOR ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION, 28-30 Sep 1998, Austin, TX. For information contact Society for Ecological Restoration, 1207 Seminole Highway, Suite B, Madison, WI 53711 (608-262-9547; fax 608-265-8557; ser@vms2.macc.wisc.edu).
SECOND INTERNATIONAL BURROWING OWL SYMPOSIUM, 29-30 Sep 1998, Ogden, Utah. This meeting held in conjunction with the Raptor Research Foundation Meeting will focus on the status and conservation needs of this declining species. For information contact GEOFF HOLROYD, Canadian Wildlife Service, Room 200, 4999-98 Ave., Edmonton, Alberta, T6B 2X3, Canada <geoffrey.holroyd@ec.gc.ca>.
THE 1998 ANNUAL MEETING OF THE RAPTOR RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC., 30 Sep-4 Oct 1998, will be held at the Ogden Egyptian Conference Center, Ogden, Utah. A site on the World Wide Web contains information about the meeting, accommodations, transportation, and the geographic setting < http://www.weber.edu/rrf>. Contact CARL D. MARTI for more information (801-626-6172; cmarti@weber.edu).
*THE WESTERN FIELD ORNITHOLOGISTS will hold its 23rd Annual Conference in Arcata, California, 1-4 Oct 1998. A circular will be mailed to WFO members in early summer. The Local Committee is chaired by RON LEVALLEY, Mad River Biologists, P.O. Box 3020, McKinleyville, CA 95519; phone: 707-822-6393; rlevalley@aol.com. Details about the meeting and registration information will also be posted on the WFO/California Bird Records Committee Web Site: www.wfo-cbrc.org.
*INLAND BIRD BANDING ASSOCIATION Annual Meeting, 9-11 Oct 1998, Halsey, NE. The meeting will feature a grassland sparrow workshop by DR. JAMES RISING, Dept. of Zoology, University of Toronto, and author of "A Guide to the Identification and Natural History of the Sparrows of the United States and Canada". Contact RUTH C. GREEN, 506 West 31st Avenue, Bellevue, NE 68005 (local chair) or KEITH KIMMERLE, 128 North Chestnut, Columbus, MS 39701 (IBBA secretary; progne@ebicom.net).
*THE COLONIAL WATERBIRD SOCIETY will meet jointly with the FLAMINGO SPECIALIST GROUP, 21-26 Oct 1998, in North Miami, Florida. The CWS especially invites investigators from Central and South America and the Caribbean region to attend the annual meeting, which will include symposia on the Ecology and Conservation of Caribbean Seabirds, the Ecology and Conservation of Flamingos, and the Role of Waterbirds in the Ecology of Subtropical and Tropical Wetlands. A limited number of travel awards will be available. Information is also available on the CWS website at http://www.nmnh.si.edu/BIRDNET/CWS.
*ASSOCIATION OF FIELD ORNITHOLOGISTS Annual meeting, 23-25 Oct 1998, Four Points Hotel, Eastham, MA For meeting and program information contact JEROME A. JACKSON, P.O. Box Z, Mississippi State, MS 39762 (601-325-7568; FAX: 601-325-7939; Picus@ra.msstate.edu). For local and field trip information, contact WAYNE R. PETERSON, P.O. Box 686, Hanson, MA 02341(Phone: 781-259-9506, X7412). For student travel award info, contact PETRA BOHALL Wood (P.O. Box 6125, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506 ( pbwood@wvnvm.wvnet.edu). For hotel accommodations: Four Points Hotel, 508-255-5000; Fax: 508-240-1870. Highlights: symposium on American Ornithology in the next century; field trips to various Cape Cod birding locales.
INTERNATIONAL FLAMINGO SYMPOSIUM, 24-26 Oct 1998, Miami Florida. This 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).
EASTERN BIRD BANDING ASSOCIATION annual meeting, 16-18 Apr 1999, in Rochester, New York. Hosted by Braddock Bay Bird Observatory.
*5th WORLD CONGRESS, INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR LANDSCAPE ECOLOGY (IALE), 29 Jul-3 Aug 1999, Snowmass Village, Colorado, USA. The theme is "The Science and the Action." For information, e-mail iale@lamar.colostate.edu, see http://lamar.colostate.edu/~iale/Congress.htm, or fax: 970-491-2204.
BIRD RINGING 100 YEARS--In 1999 it will be 100 years since the Danish teacher Hans Christian Cornelius Mortensen started to ring birds systematically. In order to celebrate the event an international scientific conference will be held at Ebeltoft, Denmark, 30 Sep-4 Oct 1999. The Conference is arranged by EURING, the Zoological Museum, Copenhagen, and the National Environmental Research Institute, Kalo, Denmark. The conference will be held in English. For more information contact IB CLAUSAGER, National Environmental Research Institute, Department of Coastal Zone Ecology, Kalo, Grenavej 12, DK 8410 Ronde, Denmark (Ph: + 45 89 20 17 00; Fax: + 45 89 20 15 14; ic@dmu.dk). The First Announcement including registration details can be found on the Internet: < http://www.dmu.dk/news/birds.htm>.
The VI NEOTROPICAL ORNITHOLOGICAL CONGRESS will be convened by The Neotropical Ornithological Society for 10-17 Oct 1999 in Monterrey and Saltillo, Mexico. We will have a Web site with ample information by April 1998. Inquiries on arrangements to hold symposia or other meetings that relate to the study and conservation of Neotropical avifauna in conjunction with the VI NOC are welcome. Contact ERNESTO C. ENKERLIN, Chair of Organizing Committee; Centro de Calidad Ambiental; Sucursal de Correos J, Monterrey, N.L.; 64849 MEXICO (Fax: 011-528-359-6280; enkerlin@campus.mty.itesm.mx).
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KORT M. CLAYTON has completed his M.Sc. in Biology at the University of Saskatchewan and has accepted a position with Powder River Eagle Studies Inc. He can now be reached at 625 Rattlesnake Road, Gillette, Wyoming 82718, (307) 464-6757 or 686-6178, clayton@vcn.com.
JEFF DUGUAY has accepted a position as Manager of the Middle Patuxent Environmental Area in Columbia, MD. His new address is: Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks, 7120 Oakland Mills Road, Columbia, MD 21046-1677 (410-313-4640).
DAVID CAMERON DUFFY has been appointed head of the Pacific Cooperative Study Unit and Professor, Department of Botany, University of Hawaii, Manoa. His address is: Botany, 3190 Maile Way, Honolulu HI 96822 (808-956-8369; fax 808-973-2936, email remains <afdcd1@uaa.alaska.edu> (until 31 December).
THEODORE J. GOSTOMSKI has accepted a position as the Loonwatch Coordinator at the Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute in Ashland, WI. He can be reached at: Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute, Northland College, Ashland, WI 54806, (715-682-1220; LoonWatch@wheeler.northland.edu).
ALEJANDRO GRAJAL has left the Wildlife Conservation Society to accept a new position as Executive Director for Latin America and Caribbean Program at the National Audubon Society. His new address is : Executive Director Latin America and Caribbean Program, National Audubon Society, 444 Brickell Av. Suite 850, Miami FL 33131-2405 (305-371-6399; Fax 305-371-6398; Temporary E-mail WCSGRAJAL@AOL.COM).
JEREMY KIRCHMAN recently completed a Master of Science degree at the Museum of Natural Science, LSU and now works in the Biochem Lab of the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, IL 60605 (312-922-9140 x848, jkirchman@fmnh.org)
HOWARD KRUG died 16 Oct 1997.
CHARLES A. MUNN III continues bird conservation work in Amazonian Peru as Senior Conservation Zoologist for the Wildlife Conservation Society while facilitating world-class ecotourism lodges for birders through InkaNatura Travel (http://www.inkanatura.com, or inkanatur@chavin.rcp.net.pe for more information).
PETER B. STACEY has left the University of Nevada and is now Research Professor at the University of New Mexico. His address is: Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131 (505-277-3210 or 505-277-3411; pstacey@unm.edu).
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THE FLOCK - SPECIAL SECTION
THE FLOCK, the 1997 Membership 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 Ornithological Newsletter Editor, CHERYL L. TRINE (address below).
CHANGES/ADDITIONS:
FRANCIS, CHARLES M., EM: cfrancis@bsc-eoc.org
GOODCHILD, SHAWN, 4660 N. Sabino Canyon Rd., Apt # 17174, Tucson, AZ 85750. PH: 520-760-3165; EM: Shawn@dakotacom.net
KETTERSON, ELLEN, EM: ketterso@indiana.edu
WILSON, BARRY W. Department of Animal Science, University of California, One Shields Ave., 4209 Meyer Hall, Davis, CA 95616 PH: 530-752-3519 FX: 530-752-0175 EM: bwwilson@ucdavis.edu
WOOLFENDEN, GLEN E., EM: gwoolfenden@archbold-station.org
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