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NUMBER 161, AUGUST 2004
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.osnabirds.org
AOU - http://www.aou.org
AFO - http://www.afonet.org/index.html
COS - http://www.cooper.org/
WS - http://www.waterbirds.org
RRF - http://biology.boisestate.edu/raptor
WOS - http://www.ummz.lsa.umich.edu/birds/wos.html
BIRDNET - http://www.nmnh.si.edu/BIRDNET/index.html
REPORT OF THE SEVENTY-FOURTH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE COOPER ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY-The Cooper
Ornithological Society held its 74th annual meeting at the La Crosse Center in La Crosse, Wisconsin, 5-8 May, 2004. EILEEN
KIRSCH chaired the Local Committee, and TODD ARNOLD chaired the Scientific Program Committee. There were 150
registrants. The program, comprised of 4 symposia and contributed papers, included 2 plenary talks, 88 papers, and 22 posters.
Thirty-five presentations were by students. The Society's award for lifetime achievement in ornithological research, the Loye and
Alder Miller Research Award, was presented to ALEXANDER SKUTCH. A full citation will be published in The Condor. Bonnie
Bowen, the President of the Cooper Ornithological Society, read the full citation and banquet attendees viewed an inspiring video
about DR. SKUTCH's work on the natural history of tropical birds. Mercedes Foster (chair), Carl Bock, Robert Fletcher, Patricia
Parker, and Van Remsen served on the Miller Award Committee. Mewaldt-King Student Research Awards were presented to
VICTORIA GARCIA, University of Arizona "Effects of food and ectoparasites on age of natal dispersal in burrowing owls," and
SHANNON BOUTON, University of Michigan "The Effect of Multiple Environmental Stressors on the Physiology, Behavior and
Development of Nestling Cliff Swallows." Pat Kennedy and Tara Robertson assisted Bruce Dugger, the Mewaldt-King Award
committee chairperson, with the selections this year. Grinnell Student Research Awards were presented to JOHEL
CHAVES-CAMPOS, Purdue University, "Factors promoting philopatry in ocellated antbirds," and MELISSA BOWLIN, Princeton
University, "Wing shape and energy efficiency in the migratory Swainson's thrush." Cameron Ghalambor was the Grinnell Award
Committee chairperson this year. The Cooper Ornithological Society presents four awards for outstanding student papers: the
Brazier Howell Award, the Frances F. Roberts Award, and two Board of Directors awards. KATHRYN P. HUYVAERT,
University of Missouri-St. Louis, was awarded the Brazier Howell Award for her paper (with co-author P. G. Parker), "Genetic
dynamics at varying scales: population genetic structure and parental relatedness of the waived albatross." DANIEL R. ARDIA,
Cornell University, was awarded the Frances F. Roberts Award for his paper, "Tree Swallows trade immune self-maintenance for
offspring quality." Board of Directors Student Paper Awards were presented to PAGE KLUG, University of Nebraska, for her
presentation (with co-authors L. L. Wolfenbarger and J. P. McCarthy), "The effects of grassland patch and landscape characteristics
on the nest predators of grassland bird nests," and to ADAM D. SMITH, Boise State University, for his poster (with co-author A. M.
Dufty), "Multilevel variation in the stable isotope composition of feathers: relevance to the prediction of breeding and natal origins
of migrating Northern Goshawks." Matthias Leu was the chair of the student paper awards committee: Robin Tyser, Scott Stoleson,
and Barb Kus. Student travel awards were presented to AMANDA BAKIN, Utah State University, AMBER ONEAL, University of
California Riverside, DANIEL ARDIA, Cornell University, DANIELLE LE FER, Virginia Tech, JAY CARLISLE, University of
South Dakota, JILL SPORRONG, Oklahoma State University, KAREN BAGNE, University of California Riverside, KEVIN
MATSON, University of Missouri-St. Louis, KRISTINA ECTON, Northern Arizona University, LORELLE BERKELEY,
University of Nebraska-Omaha, NATHAN THOMAS, University of South Dakota, PAGE KLUG, University of Nebraska-Omaha,
ROY CHURCHWELL, Oklahoma State University, VALERIA OJEDA, Universidad Nacional del Comahue, Argentina, and
WHO-SEUNG LEE, KyungHee University, South Korea. Matthias Leu served as chair of the selection committee and was assisted
by Scott Pearson, Scott Stoleson, and Susan Ernst. Through the annual balloting by all members of the Society, MARGARET
PETERSEN, PETER B.STACEY, and LUIS MIGUEL RENJIFO were elected to three-year terms on the Board of Directors. In the
Board of Directors' meetings, the following were elected to, or continue in, office: BONNIE BOWEN, President; JOHN T.
ROTENBERRY, President-elect; EILEEN M. KIRSCH, Secretary; CAROL BEARDMORE, Assistant Secretary; KIMBERLY A.
SULLIVAN, Treasurer; THOMAS EDWARDS, Assistant Treasurer, DAVID DOBKIN, editor of The Condor, and CARL MARTI,
editor of Studies in Avian Biology. The next annual meeting of the Cooper Ornithological Society will be held at the Humboldt
State University campus, Arcata, California, 15-18 June, 2005. Local Committee chair is T. LUKE GEORGE, and MATTHEW D.
JOHNSON is chair of the Scientific Program Committee.
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PARTNERS IN FLIGHT NORTH AMERICAN LANDBIRD CONSERVATION PLAN. The subject plan, written by scientists from the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, provides a continental synthesis of vulnerability, priorities, and objectives for 448 species of landbirds that regularly breed in the U.S. and Canada. For the first time anywhere, global population size estimates, continental population objectives, a monitoring needs assessment, and a variety of graphic portrayals of species vulnerability are provided. Each species was scored on its vulnerability based on population size, population trend, size of breeding distribution, size of nonbreeding distribution, threats to breeding, and threats to nonbreeding. 100 species warrant inclusion on the PIF Watch List, due to a combination of threats to their habitats, declining populations, small population sizes, or limited distributions. This Plan also highlights the need for stewardship of species characteristic of each portion of the continent, identifying 161 species (including 66 on the Watch List) whose needs should be considered in conservation planning. In addition to the continental assessment, additional details are provided for each of 7 Avifaunal Biomes - Arctic, Northern Forest, Pacific, Intermountain West, Southwest, Prairie, and Eastern. Copies may be requested from TERRY RICH, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Migratory Bird Management, 1387 S. Vinnell Way, Boise, ID 83709 (EM: terry_rich@fws.gov).
RAPTOR WORKSHOP: A 5-day workshop entitled "Introduction to Raptor Field Techniques" will be held 3-7 Oct 2004 in Stevens Point, WI by Eugene Jacobs of the Linwood Springs Research Station. Loren Ayers of the Wis. Dept. Natural Resources and Dennis Haessly of Roche A Cri Research will also be instructors in this unique workshop. Receive first hand experience working on live raptors: capturing and handling techniques, broadcast call surveys, tree climbing and rappelling, habitat sampling techniques, telemetry equipment and more. Cost is $425 and space is limited. For more information visit http://www.raptorresearch.com. For reservations, contact EUGENE JACOBS (EM: lsrs@raptorresearch.com).
WILDLIFE POPULATION ASSESSMENT TRAINING WORKSHOPS-24 Aug - 8 Sep 2004, St Andrews, Scotland. A series of three linked workshops, hosted by the Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling (CREEM) at the University of St Andrews. The workshop titles are: "Estimating Animal Abundance" (5 days), "Introduction to Distance Sampling" (3 days) and "Advanced Techniques and Recent Developments in Distance Sampling" (3 days). For more information and registration forms, see http://www.creem.st-and.ac.uk/conferences.php or contact RHONA RODGER, (PH: +44 (0) 1334 461842, FX: +44 (0) 1334 461800, EM: rhona@mcs.st-and.ac.uk).
CALL FOR SYMPOSIA AND WORKSHOPS FOR THE 2005 COOPER ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY MEETINGS at Humboldt State University, Arcata, California, 15 - 18 Jun 2005. The meeting will be held on at Humboldt State University and most attendees will be staying in dorms on campus. The residential nature of the meetings provides many opportunities for daytime and evening presentations and discus-sions. Please send ideas for symposia and workshops by 1 Oct 2005 to T. LUKE GEORGE (EM: tlg2@humboldt.edu, PH: 707-826-3430).
OPTICS FOR THE TROPICS is a non-profit organization that provides binoculars to ornithologists in the Caribbean and Latin America, where equipment is lacking. We also provide an opportunity to develop partnerships between projects, programs and people throughout a birds range. Building capacity throughout the western hemisphere provides better protection for birds and their international habitats. Support this effort with a donation of $25 or more and receive a quality t-shirt with a Cuban Trogon (picture at: http://www.opticsforthetropics.org), Cuba's coloful, national bird. The artwork was specifically painted by Nils Navarro for Optic for the Tropics, Inc. It can be yours for a tax-deductible donation of $25 or more. Donations may be made online or by check payable to: Optics for the Tropics, Inc., 3449 NW 13 Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32605 (URL: http://www.opticsforthetropics.org), .
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NEWS FROM THE ORNITHOLOGICAL COUNCIL
Provided by DAVID E. BLOCKSTEIN, Chair, and ELLEN PAUL, Executive Director, The Ornithological Council, (EM: 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.
NEWS ABOUT BAND MANAGER: Some of you may know that there is a different version of Band Manager on the Bird Studies Canada website. This is indeed a test version. The U.S. Bird Banding Lab tells the Ornithological Council that: "Band Manager version 3.0 is ready for beta-testing. You can find information on this new version at http://www.bsc-eoc.org/download/bandmgr/bmdownload.html. Version 3.0 has Windows menus and other improvements. For assistance with version 3.0, contact FERNANDO CRUZ (EM: fcruz@bsc-eoc.org) directly and report bugs to him. For assistance with version 2.0, contact the Band Manager Help Desk (EM: bandmgr@usgs.gov). Many problems with version 2.0 are fixed in version 3.0, so you may want to upgrade and try to recreate the error before contacting Fernando. At this time the BBL is still reluctantly accepting hard copy schedules without accompanying disc files. These are hand written or word processed schedules. Use of Band Manager will become required, possibly as early as May 2004. Please watch the Band Manager web site for details (URL: http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/BBL/resources/bandmgr/bandmgr.htm). Note that at this time the BBL still requires hard copy schedules and a disc with the .txt file for a successful data submission. There is no link between Band Manager and the web, selecting "electronic schedules" does not send data to the BBL. For assistance with Band Manager schedule production contact the Help Desk (EM: bandmgr@usgs.gov). The BBL expects that there will be companies or individuals willing to help banders with their data reporting once the use of Band Manager is required. The BBL is collecting contact information for those willing to provide this service (for free or for a fee) to banders in need of the service. This information will be listed on the web in the future. If you would like to be listed on this web page, please notify MARY GUSTAFSON (EM: Mary_Gustafson@usgs.gov."
USDA SEEKING INPUT ON REGULATION OF BIRDS STILL SUBJECT TO ANIMAL WELFARE ACT REGULATION - Consistent with the amendments to the Animal Welfare Act (The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002), the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is changing the definition of the word "animal" in the regulations that implement the AWA to exclude: birds, rats of the genus Rattus, and mice of the genus Mus, bred for use in research. Note the critical qualification: "bred for use in research" Previously, the AWA regulations excluded all birds, rats, and mice. This change means that wild birds held in captivity or studied in the wild (subject to the vaguely-defined exemptions for field studies) or other birds bred in captivity but not specifically for the purpose of research are no longer excluded. As a practical matter, this change will have little impact on laboratory facilities where birds are studied, as most, if not all, were already inspected - either because the institutions are AAALAC-accredited and AAALAC standards include all vertebrates, or because the institution receives funding from one of the federal agencies that require adherence to the Public Health Service Act standards, which also include all vertebrates (or simply because the institution required such inspections for reasons including concern for animal welfare and occupational health and safety of the workers). Also as a practical matter, this change won't affect research involving birds because institutions already require submissions of research protocols to Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (for the same reasons that facilities inspections were required). The potential impacts, then, are: (1) required APHIS (not IACUC) inspections of field sites (the AWA regulations exempt IACUC inspection of areas containing free-living wild animals in their natural habitats); and (2) APHIS inspections of laboratory facilities where wild birds or domestic birds not bred for use in research (e.g., purchased from pet shops or breeders who breed birds for purposes other than research) are held in captivity. The Ornithological Council will submit comments in response to the USDA's request for information that will help in the development of appropriate regulations and urges ornithologists to submit individual comments. Comments must be received by the USDA by 3 Aug and can be submitted in a variety of ways: Webform: The preferred method is to use the webform located at http://comments.aphis.usda.gov. This webform is designed to allow commenters to associate each of their comments with the issues identified in the advance notice, and to allow APHIS to more easily analyze the comments received regarding each issue. Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send four copies of your comment (an original and three copies) to Docket No. 98-106-4, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3C71, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please state that your comment refers to Docket No. 98-106-4. E-mail: Address your comment to regulations@aphis.usda.gov. Your comment must be contained in the body of your message; do not send attached files. Please include your name and address in your message and ``Docket No. 98-106-4'' on the subject line. Note: if you submit through the webform, we recommend that you type your comments in a word processing document and then copy and paste into the webform so you can be sure of having a copy of your own comments. Webform submissions often fail to return a copy to the submitter. Also, if you submit comments, please consider sending a copy to the Ornithological Council (by e-mail to ellen.paul@verizon.net).
U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE PLANS CONSOLIDATION OF MIGRATORY BIRD PERMIT OFFICES - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Migratory Bird Management, on 9 Jun 2004 informed the Ornithological Council that by the end of 2005, the agency will end the migratory bird regional permitting programs (all permits, not just scientific research permits). There will be one central permitting office, although the policy functions will remain with the national office. All other migratory bird permit functions - issuance, reporting, etc - will be handled by the one central office. In addition to promoting efficiency, this system will also further eliminate interregional variation in permit decision-making, which the USFWS has been striving for, partly in response to input from the Ornithological Council. Also, consistent with an earlier announcement, it is anticipated that the permit application system will be web-based, although on-line reporting may not be available at the same time that on-line permit application systems are initiated. At last report, the USFWS planned to have an on-line permit application system ready by October of this year.
USFWS PROPOSES RULE to allow Department of Defense To take migratory birds incident to military preparedness exercises - In 2003, in response to a court ruling that the Dept. of Defense was in violation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act by taking (killing) birds incidental to military training exercises (in this particular case, bombing practice in the Northern Marianas), the Congress enacted the National Defense Authorization Act. Section 315 of that law required the Dept. of the Interior to propose a regulation that would permit the DOD to take birds of species protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, incidental to military preparedness exercises (such as bombing practice). The proposed rule, including the preamble and explanatory information, can be found at http://migratorybirds.fws.gov/issues/dodmbtarule/MBTATakeProposedRuleFinal.pdf. The USFWS is seeking comments. The deadline for comments is 2 Aug 2004. You may mail, fax, or deliver comments to the Division of Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Room 4107, Arlington, Virginia 22203-1610 (FX: 703-358-2217). Comments can also be sent on-line (EM: DODMBTARULE@fws.gov).
RULES ON TRAVEL TO CUBA FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH, MEETINGS TIGHTENED -The United States Department of Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control has announced an interim rule change to the regulations governing travel between the United States and Cuba. The interim rule took effect 30 Jun 2004. The new rules provide that the "general license" for research - which requires no advance paperwork or documentation from OFAC - does not include attendance at scientific meetings and conferences. If a researcher is conducting research in Cuba, and wishes to attend a meeting that is not otherwise covered by a general license, that researcher must apply for a specific license to attend the meeting, which entails written approval from OFAC. The approval process can take 90 days or more, so scientists wanting to attend scientific meetings in Cuba are well-advised to apply as far in advance as possible. The rules permitting travel to Cuba for scientific meetings are not otherwise changed. These rules authorize travel if the meeting is organized by an international professional organization, institution, or association that regularly sponsors meetings or conferences in other countries. If the international professional organization, institution, or association is not headquartered in the United States, travel is authorized under a general license. If the organization is headquartered in the United States, then a specific license is required to sponsor the meeting and those attending must obtain special licenses. Other restrictions still apply: the purpose of the meeting or conference is not the promotion of tourism in Cuba or other commercial activities involving Cuba that are inconsistent with this part; and the meeting or conference is not intended primarily for the purpose of fostering production of any biotechnological products. The new rules also restrict the availability of specific licenses to undergraduate and graduate institutions. Students who wish to use an institution's license (i.e. participate in an educational exchange program) must be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program at that institution. Only full-time employees of the licensed institution are covered by the license. The new rule also requires that some currently approved educational activities in Cuba must now be a minimum of 10 weeks in duration in order to qualify for a license. Approved activities that will not be required to meet the 10 week minimum requirement include: graduate research in Cuba; sponsorship of a Cuban national to teach or engage in other scholarly activities in the United States; and organization of and preparation for licensed educational activities. For detailed information about the new rule, please visit the OFAC website at: http://www.treas.gov/offices/eotffc/ofac/actions/20040616.html.
THE U.S. NATIONAL ACADEMIES OF SCIENCE has initiated a broad examination of the current status and role of foreign graduate students and postdocs in the U.S. The committee will develop recommendations to guide the development of national policy regarding international grad students and postdocs. If you've studied in the U.S., wanted to study in the U.S., or had students from outside the U.S., you may want to take the time to send comments to intnlstudents@nas.edu. Questions the committee will address include the impact of these students on the advancement of science and their institutions. In addition, they will consider policy options for increasing or reducing the flow of foreign graduate students and postdocs.For more information, see: http://www7.nationalacademies.org/internationalstudents/. If you file comments, please send a copy to the Ornithological Council (by e-mail to ellen.paul@verizon.net).
FOREST SERVICE SEEKS COMMENTS ON MULTIPLE SPECIES INVENTORY AND MONITORING PROTOCOL - The USDA Forest Service has developed a national protocol for monitoring vertebrate populations on Forest Service Lands and is seeking comments on the plan, which can be found at http://www.fs.fed.us/research/monitoring_vertebrate.html. Led by Forest Service researcher Pat Manley, the team that developed the protocol, which is now being field-tested in the Sierra Nevada, sought to meet the Forest Service monitoring needs that underpin that agency's ability to implement the numerous laws and regulations with which it is charged. The MSIM Protocol consists of several detection methods employed in association with systematic grid of Forest Inventory and Analysis monitoring sites to obtain presence/absence data for a broad suite of birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and plant species. Research is focused on testing the efficiency of various sampling design and analysis approaches. Examples include determining the relative statistical power to detect change of various sampling configurations for mist netting bats, evaluating the sampling intensity required to reliably and effectively estimate the probability of detection and proportion of sites occupied by individual species, and designing efficient habitat measurements that facilitate the development of habitat relationship models and accomplish habitat monitoring. The deadline for comments has been extended to 30 Jul 2004. Comments should be submitted to pmanley@fs.fed.us.
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REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ON CAPTIVE BREEDING OF RED-TAILED HAWKS - Scott A. Kimball and Dr. Thomas C. Grubb, Jr. at the Ohio State University are initiating a study of red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) mating systems. Red-tailed hawks are a common, long-lived, socially monogamous species that may offer insights into the evolution and maintenance of monogamy over long life-spans. Part of our research question involves measuring the mechanics of copulations through close observations and video recordings of copulating red-tails, but this is extremely difficult to do in the field. Therefore, we would like to measure this behavior on birds that are copulating in captivity. On many other raptors, this would be accomplished easily through the use of captive breeding programs, but since red-tails are not commonly bred in captivity, we are having difficulty finding birds to use as subjects in our study. Therefore, we are requesting any information about the locations of red-tailed hawks that are being bred in captivity and would greatly appreciate any assistance that anyone could give in this matter. Please send information to SCOTT KIMBALL (EM: kimball.32@osu.edu) or TOM GRUBB (EM: grubb.1@osu.edu).
COMMON POORWILL-If anyone is working with captive Common Poorwills (Phalaenoptilus nuttallii), and would be interested in a small collaborative physiology study, please contact me (EM: bruce.tedford@mail.atu.edu; PH: 479-968-0362).
JABIRU STORK TISSUE NEEDED for a genetic study of populations throughout their range in South and Central America. Please send an email with contact information if you are willing to collect blood, feathers, tissues from dead birds, or embryos to SUSAN HAIG (EM: susan_haig@usgs.gov) or IARA FREITAS LOPES (EM: pifl@iris.ufscar.br).
REQUEST FOR INFORMATION: American Bird Conservancy is embarking on a project to create a web accessible database of information concerning how birds use agricultural areas in North America. The intent of the database is to provide information to conservationists, researchers, government agencies, agricultural organizations, industry, and farmers on which birds can be found in which crops at what time of year and how those birds use those crops. In addition, the database will contain information on the conservation status of each species. ABC is currently conducting a broad scale search of available literature and requests that anyone who has conducted avian research in agricultural areas of North America contact SUSAN HEATH (EM: sheath@gmu.edu) or PATTI BRIGHT (EM: pbright@abcbirds.org) to discuss the availability of data. We are particularly interested in data that is unpublished or not otherwise easily accessed in the current published literature, but all input is welcome. All data will be appropriately cited and copyrights protected.
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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 directly at http://birds.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.
A LISTSERVE SERVICE has been set up at Cornell University. Subscribers to this list will receive the new job announcements on a regular basis. These are the same announcements as will appear on-line. To subscribe send the following message to: listproc@cornell.edu , "subscribe BirdJobs-L your name". When sending your message, please send using the "plain text only" format option and be sure to include your name in the message. You leave by sending to listproc@cornell.edu "unsubscribe BirdJobs-L".
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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 can be reported here, because of space limitations. For information on continuing grants programs relevant to ornithological research, visit: http://www.nmnh.si.edu/BIRDNET/Grants/index.html .
SANDPIPER TECHNOLOGY AWARDS 2004 EQUIPMENT GRANTS-Thirteen university students and one nonprofit researcher received Sandpiper Technology Equipment Grants for the 2004 field season to conduct wildlife research. A range of video systems is available in the STI rental/grant fleet to explore burrows, cavity nests and underwater habitat as well as conduct time-lapse surveys. The program has been in place since 1997 and primarily serves students in the U.S. and Canada. The STI equipment grants deadline is 1 Nov for the following Spring/Summer field season. Review the proposal requirements at http://sandpipertech.com. Grant awards involving avian subjects were as follows: SENTINEL SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS-The time-lapse VCR records monochrome and color images from the auto-color camera. WILLIAM H. KEELEY of the Raptor Research Center used the Sentinel System to study "The effects of human encroachment on the foraging ecology of the Ferruginous Hawk (Buteo regalis)." SONYA LECLAIR, M.S. candidate at the University of Southern Florida, "Comparison of hatching failure in a wildland and suburban population of the Florida scrub-jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens)." REBECCA MCGUIRE, Ph.D. candidate at the University of Alaska, "Breeding biology and habitat use by King Eiders at Techekpuk Lake and Kuparuk Oilfield on the North Slope of Alaska." SUANN YANG, Ph.D. candidate at Washington State University, "Variation in plant-frugivore mutualism across a successional mosaic of Mount St. Helens and consequences for seed dispersal." TREETOP PEEPERS-These pole-mounted video systems explore habitat as high as 50 feet. HILARY A. COOKE, Ph.D. candidate at the University of Alberta, "Cavity nest webs and keystone excavators of Alberta's boreal forests." HENRY STREBY, Ph.D. candidate at Ohio University, "Thinning, burning and the response of nesting migrants in oak-hickory forests." Further details on equipment availability and proposal requirements for the Sandpiper Technologies Equipment Grant Program at: http://sandpipertech.com.
The SEA DUCK JOINT VENTURE (SDJV) is a partnership-based conservation program under the North American Waterfowl Management Plan that promotes the conservation of sea ducks by providing greater knowledge for effective management. The SDJV currently has a limited amount of USFWS seed money for projects/studies that advance our understanding of sea duck biology and ecology and is seeking proposals from interested parties. Proposal guidelines and format are available on our web site (URL: http://seaduckjv.org). Submitters are encouraged to peruse the SDJV web site to learn more about the SDJV, its priorities, and examples of studies it has, or is currently, supporting. Proposals are due 1 Oct 2004.
2004 JOHN THACKRAY MEDAL of the Society for the History of Natural History (URL: http://www.shnh.org)-The award of the John Thackray Medal for 2004 is to the American Philosophical Society (Philadelphia, USA) for the exhibition: "Stuffing Birds, Pressing Plants, Shaping Knowledge: Natural History in North America, 1730-1860." The Society's Prize Committee described the exhibit as an "innovative and inclusive presentation" and highly commended the effort to provide an accessible introduction to the history of natural history to the non-specialist, especially through its web site and educational outreach. In awarding this medal to the American Philosophical Society, the SHNH recognizes this exhibition and related materials were produced by a large team of contributors. Congratulations to all those involved, especially to Dr Prince (director of exhibitions and curator of museum collections), her staff, and the American Philosophical Society. The exhibition runs 21 Jun 2003 - 31 Dec 2004 at The American Philosophical Society (Philadelphia, USA). Details: http://www.amphilsoc.org/exhibitions/. The John Thackray Medal is awarded annually by the Society to recognize an outstanding contribution in the history or bibliography of natural history, realized in the previous twelve months. The award can be made to an individual or a team. Recognition may be for a piece of work completed (e.g. the cataloguing of an archive collection), a publication (e.g., book or journal article), and exhibition, or other relevant activities.
THE DENNIS RAVELING SCHOLARSHIP FOR WATERFOWL RESEARCH is awarded annually to a student(s) with a desire to pursue a career in waterfowl or wetlands ecology. Awards are based on the candidate's resolve, high academic achievement, and project merit. Candidates must be pursuing an advanced university degree in: Wildlife, Zoology, Botany, Ecology, or other pertinent biological science. Applicants should submit a ONE page proposal summary description on an original research or management project. Applicants should be prepared to submit a detailed project proposal if requested. The Scholarship is intended to provide field experience and training in the tools, methods, and concepts of waterfowl and wetlands research and management. A committee composed of previous students and professional colleagues of Dennis Raveling will select the winning candidates. There will be 2 Awards given this year.1st Place will be $2000 paid in quarterly installments, 2nd Place will be $1,000 paid in quarterly installments. Applicants should submit a resume and a brief (one page) study proposal or statement explaining the course of study for which they need support. This material must be accompanied by a letter from a faculty member indicating willingness to sponsor the candidate and detailing any requirements (e.g. provision for a final report or thesis) for receiving university credit. Names and phone numbers of two references are also required (include at least one University instructor and/or previous employment supervisor). All materials should be submitted by 31 Oct 2004. Complete package should include: One page, single-spaced Proposal Summary, Resume, Statement of Interest, Letter of Support from faculty member, Names and phone numbers of two references. Mail to: California Waterfowl Association, 4630 Northgate Blvd., Suite 150, Sacramento, CA 95834, Attn: NICOLE BERSET.
THE AOU RESEARCH AWARDS COMMITTEE is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2004 AOU Research Awards: MICHELLE L. BECK, Washington State University-The influence of habitat modification on adult and nestling quality in the Prothonotary Warbler; LAURYN BENEDICT, University of California, Berkeley-Adaptive functions of California Towhee duet song; MELISSA S. BOWLIN, Princeton University-Wing shape and energy efficiency in the migratory Swainson's Thrush; JOHEL CHAVES, Purdue University-Factors promoting philopatry in Ocellated Antbirds; CHRISTOPHER JAMES CLARK, University of California, Berkeley-Effects of body size and tail shape on maximal acceleration in hummingbirds; ELIZABETH DERRYBERRY, Duke University-The impact of culture and selection on vocal performance: implications for song evolution; STEPHANIE M. DOUCET, Auburn University-Female choice and sexual ornamentation on lekking Long-tailed Manakins: do females choose good genes?; ADAM FELTON, Australian National University-Reduced impact logging and the conservation of insectivorous understory birds in a Bolivian lowland tropical forest; REBECCA ANN FOX, University of California, Davis-Personality and mate choice in Cockatiels; BRITT J. HEIDINGER, Indiana University-The influence of age on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in the Common Tern; BETHANY KEMPSTER, University of Western Ontario-Assessing the condition of Song Sparrow nestlings using stable nitrogen isotopes; MICHAEL J. KUEHN, University of California, Santa Barbara-Predicting the rate at which host defenses are lost in the absence of parasitism by Brown-headed Cowbirds; SONYA C. LECLAIR, University of South Florida-Comparison of hatching failure in a wildland and suburban population of the Florida Scrub-Jay; KENNETH M. LEVENSTEIN, Arkansas State University-Breeding ecology of the cooperatively polyandrous Galapagos Hawk: how many males are enough?; PAULO E. LLAMBIAS, Cornell University-Causes of geographic variation in the House Wren breeding system; JENNIFER A. LONG, University of Maine-Hormonal and cellular mechanisms of migratory fattening; JOEL W. MCGLOTHLIN, Indiana University-Static and dynamic sexual traits in Dark-eyed Juncos: evolutionary integration or alternative strategies?; ALLISON MOODY, University of Saskatchewan-Reproductive performance, body condition, and dietary analysis of Thick-billed Murres on Coats Island, Nunavut; COURTNEY C. MURDOCK, University of Michigan-The interactions of food supplementation, stress, and parasite load on a wild population of White-crowned Sparrows in western Colorado; DIANA CUMINGS OUTLAW, University of Memphis-The evolution of migration in Old World Flycatchers (Fidedula); SUSAN INES PELUC, Univer-sity of California at Riverside-The role of ecological factors in shaping nest site selection in songbirds; LETITIA M. REICHART, Washington State University-Conspecific brood parasitism in the Ruddy Duck; MATTHEW W. REUDINK, Villanova University-Do extra-pair fertilizations confound measures of reproductive success in a chickadee hybrid zone?; KRISTEN RUEGG, University of California, Berkeley-The role of migratory behavior in the process of avian diversification; JUDITH C. SCARL, Cornell University-Acoustic communication and mutual mate choice in an Australian Cockatoo, the Galah; MATTHEW D. SHAWKEY, Auburn University-What is the production cost of structural plumage color?; LAURA HENDERSON SPINNEY, Princeton University-Hormonal mediation of alternate phenotypes in the White-throated Sparrow; ANDREA KUDREZ TOWNSEND, Cornell University-Evolutionary and ecological factors affecting distribution of congeneric todies of Hispaniola; JENNINFER MAN-LING WANG, University of California, Berkeley-Does microbial infection limit the viability of temperate bird eggs?
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PARROT CULTURE: OUR 2500-YEAR-LONG FASCINATION WITH THE WORLD'S MOST TALKATIVE BIRD, Bruce Thomas Boehrer, 2004. University of Pennsylvania Press. 224 pp., 6 x 9, 49 illus. ISBN 0-8122-3793-5,cloth, $27.50/£18.00. This volume traces the unusual place held by parrots in the history, art, and literature of Europe-from the Graeco-Roman love of oriental luxury, through the great age of New World exploration, to the contemporary ecological crisis of globalism. Parrot Culture recounts the avian encounters of adventurers, authors, sultans, scientists, popes and presidents, and pirates. Boehrer rounds out this tale with a discussion of parrots in today's world. He follows a parrot smuggler, visits a sanctuary for insane parrots, and reports on the increasing urban population of feral parrots. Entertaining and wide-ranging, Parrot Culture celebrates this bird's beauty and intelligence over centuries of human contact. (URL: http://www.upenn.edu/pennpress).
BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES AND MIGRATION, Dietrich Werner, ed., 2004. Springer. 363 pp., 43 illus., 23 tables. ISBN: 3-540-21470-4, Hardcover. $279/EUR 199.95/£154.00/sFr 338.50. Printed in Germany. Migration is a global and ubiquitous phenomenon. The special feature of this book is that all forms of migration-be it plant, microbial, animal or human-and their mutual impact are covered in detail. It is estimated that during the next twenty years more than one billion people will migrate from rural areas to urban districts worldwide, forced by deteriorating biological resources and with enormous consequences on the functioning of both ecosystems and such central economic areas such as trade, transport and tourism. The contributions in this book are the result of an innovative International Conference and OECD Workshop aimed at triggering off the interdisciplinary dialogue between natural scientists and socioeconomists. Springer, Customer Service, Haberstr. 7, 69126 Heidelberg, Germany (FX: +49 (0)6211/345 4229; EM: orders@springer.de; URL: http://www.springeronline.com).
THE PASSENGER PIGEON: ITS HISTORY AND EXTINCTION" by A.W. Schorger, first published in 1955, is the classic study of the extinction of the passenger pigeon. This "vivid and poignant" book describes the birds' natural history and annihilation. The book has just been brought back into print by The Blackburn Press, making it available to libraries, scholars, researchers, ornithologists and conservationists who would like to own or replace a copy of a classic book. Anyone with an interest in North American history or natural resource preservation will also find the book instructive. The passenger pigeon numbered in the billions as late as 1870; their destruction took only 25 years. The last bird died in 1914 at the Cincinnati Zoological Garden before any practicing ornithologist could write an account of the species. A. W. Schorger reconstructed the life history of the passenger pigeon through painstaking research. He examined every aspect of the species -- behavioral characteristics, feeding methods, traveling and roosting habits, nesting -- and the various stages of the species' encounter with man, from utilization by native Americans to extinction at the hands of white settlers.
THE BIRDWATCHER'S COMPANION TO NORTH AMERICAN BIRDLIFE, Christopher Leahy, 2004. Princeton University Press. Illustrations by Gordon Morrison. 960 pp., 35 line illus., 6 x 9, cloth. ISBN: 0-691-09297-4, $39.50/£26.95 UK. Published in collaboration with the American Birding Association. The quintessential A-Z guide, this is a book that anyone interested in birds will want to have close at hand. First published more than twenty years ago, this highly respected reference volume has been fully revised and updated. It captures the fundamental details as well as the immense fascination of North American bird life in a style that is authoritative, yet fresh, witty, and eminently readable. Both a practical handbook for amateurs and a handy reference for seasoned birders, this volume provides accounts of the basic elements of birdlife, as well as a wealth of easy-to-access information on such subjects as bird physiology and anatomy, conservation and culture, terms and jargon, name definitions and etymology, and ornithological groupings. Princeton University Press (PH: 609-258-5714; FX: 609-258-1335; URL: http://www.pupress.princeton.edu).
SHOREBIRDS: AN ILLUSTRATED BEHAVIOURAL ECOLOGY by Theunis Piersma, Jan van de Kam e.a. KNNV Publishers. 21 x 29.7 cm, 368 pp, hardback, full-color, 300 high quality color photographs. € 49.95 ISBN: 90 5011 192 0. Shorebirds are the most visible inhabitants of coastal wetlands worldwide. Many undertake spectacularly long flights between their wintering and breeding grounds, embodying the miracle of long-distance migration in a profound way. In Shorebirds, the migration, feeding and breeding of these birds are explained in a comprehensive but simple and visually stunning form. A must for anyone inspired by (shore-) birds! The core of Shorebirds is based on studies of shorebirds and other waterbirds (such as ducks, geese and gulls) that migrate along the East Atlantic Flyway. The emphasis is on those using the Dutch, German and Danish Wadden Sea; examples from the rest of the world are also included. The authors are experts in the fields of bird migration, shorebird behavior and intertidal ecology, and have contributed much to our current understanding of these subjects. The 300 magnificent portraits of waterbirds in action were taken by Jan van de Kam, one of The Netherlands' foremost wildlife photographers. Shorebirds is a fully updated edition of the Dutch Ecologische atlas van de Nederlandse wadvogels.
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FOR SALE: Bird Conservation International, complete (Vols. 1-11), 1991-2001. Explorer's Journal (Vols. 55-78), Sep 1977-Dec 2000 (except Sep 1990). Best offer (inc. postage). BEN KING, Ornithology Department, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West @ 79th Street, New York, NY 10024 (PH: 212-866-7923).
RARE NATURAL HISTORY AND BIRD BOOK SALE-The Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin (NRF), a statewide non-profit conservation organization, is proud to offer the sale of Ron Johnson's (former Curator of Birds at Miami Metrozoo) exclusive and rare Natural History and Bird Book Collection. The collection features countless field guides, monographs, books about waterfowl, parrots and game birds, cage birds, aviculture, and general natural history. Ron has graciously donated his entire library (over 650 books) to NRF with the intention that all proceeds will be used to fund conservation projects throughout Wisconsin. Substantial discounts will be given for purchases over $100 and for institutional purchases. To view the list and to purchase your favorite selections please visit http://www.nrfwis.org/birdbooks. If you have questions or to place an order, contact conservation@nrfwis.org or call toll free: 866-264-4096 and we can arrange for payment and shipping of your books.
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A 'permanent' meeting list is maintained on BIRDNET ( http://www.nmnh.si.edu/BIRDNET/BIRDMEET.html ) that focuses mainly on meetings of the Societies that are members of the OC, showing the planned sites and dates of ornithological meetings as far into the future as possible. Note that BIRDNET also maintains a site for the International Ornithological Committee, which includes links to past and future Congresses, at: http://www.nmnh.si.edu/BIRDNET/IOC/index.html .
* in this section indicates new or revised entry
*122nd stated meeting of THE AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGISTS' UNION, and Annual meeting of THE SOCIETY OF CANADIAN ORNITHOLOGISTS (SOCIÉTÉ DES ORNITHOLOGISTES DU CANADA) will be held at Université Laval, Québec, P.Q., CANADA, 16-21 Aug, 2004. For Information on local arrangements: MARYLÈNE PLANTE, Université Laval, Québec, Canada. [PH: 418-952-9572 (Mobile); 418-656-2131 ext. 6110 (office); FX: 418-656-3551; EM: aou.2004@sbf.ulaval.ca]. For information on the Scientific Program: PETER E. LOWTHER, The Field Museum, 1400 South Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605-2496, (PH: 312-665-7953; EM: lowther@mail.fmnh.org). Website for meeting is: http://aou-soc-2004.ul.ca).
THE XIXTH INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF ZOOLOGY, 23-27 Aug 2004, Beijing, China. Sponsored by The National Natural Science Foundation of China, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, and The State Forestry Administration. For further information and to register on-line visit the home page (URL: http://www.icz.ioz.ac.cn). For additional assistance, email icz2004@panda.ioz.ac.cn.
8TH INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS OF RIGHTS-OF-WAY MANAGEMENT, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12-16 Sep 2004. There will be an APLIC-sponsored session on avian interactions during this conference. DR. LAWRENCE P. ABRAHAMSON, State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, One Forestry Drive, Syracuse, NY 13210 (EM: labrahamson@esf.edu).
WILDLIFE SOCIETY 11TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE: Excellence in Wildlife Stewardship through Science and Education; Calgary, Alberta Canada, 18-22 Sep 2004. For information, please contact: The Wildlife Society, 5410 Grosvenor Lane, Bethesda, MD 20814 (EM: tws@wildlife.org, PH: 301-897-9770, FX: 301-530-2471, URL: http://www.wildlife.org).
*THE RAPTOR RESEARCH FOUNDATION, 2004 annual meeting 10-13 Nov 2004, at the DoubleTree Hotel in Bakersfield, CA, will be held with in conjunction with the California Hawking Club's annual field meet. Details on the meeting are posted at http://biology.boisestate.edu/raptor. Abstracts for oral and poster presentations on any aspect of raptor biology, ecology, conservation, or management are welcome. The deadline for submission of abstracts is 31 July 2004; details and instructions will be posted on the web site identified above as they become available. Special sessions under consideration include Ecology and Conservation of Wetland-Dependent Raptors, West Nile Virus, and Management of Raptor Electrocutions in California. For more information on the scientific program, contact ANGELA MATZ, Scientific Program Chair (PH: 907-456-0442; EM: angela_matz@fws.gov). For general information regarding the meeting, contact DANIEL E. VARLAND, Conference Committee Chair, (PH:360-538-4582; EM: daniel.varland@rayonier.com). To learn about the California Hawking Club, see http://www.calhawkingclub.org.
THE INSTITUTE OF ECOLOGY AND SYSTEMATICS jointly with the CUBAN ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY and other entities involved in the study and preservation of biodiversity, celebrates every four years the SYMPOSIUM OF ZOOLOGY, the most important event on Cuban Zoological Sciences. The next issue, the VI Symposium will take place in Topes de Collantes, Sancti Spiritus, Cuba, from 15 - 20 Nov 2004. Please visit our Website to find additional information (URL: http://www.geocities.com/zoologiacubana/simposio and http://www.geocities.com/zoologiacubana/meeting.htm, EM: zoología.ies@ama.cu; and direccion.ies@ama.cu/). MSc. Roberto Alonso Bosch, Announcer, VI Simposio de Zoología. Topes de Collantes. Cuba. Note: U.S. citizens who want information on obtaining a license to travel to Cuba should consult the website of the Office of Foreign Assets Control. One can obtain a license to travel to a scientific meeting. Guidelines and forms can be found at http://www.treasury.gov/offices/eotffc/ofac/sanctions/cuba_tr_app.pdf; see section III (page 24 of the .pdf) for the information on travel to professional meetings.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIRD & ENVIRONMENT, 21-24 Nov 2004, Haridwar, India--An international Conference on Bird & Environment, organized by the Department of Zoology & Environmental Sciences, Gurukula Kangri University, Haridwar, under the auspices of Ornithological Society of India. The conference intends to bring together scientists, conservationists, naturalists & managers to discuss the impact of environmental changes factors on bird's life. For details visit : http://www.geocities.com/birdenv or contact : DR. DINESH BHATT, Organizing Secretary, Intl. Conf. on Bird & Environment, Dept. of Zoology & Env. Sci. Gurukula Kangri University. Haridwar, India. (PH: 91-01334-244835/245049. EM: dd_bhatt@yahoo.com).
SECOND BIENNIAL CONFERENCE OF THE INTERNATIONAL BIOGEOGRAPHY SOCIETY-The inaugural meeting of TIBS (URL: http://www.biogeography.org/inaugural.htm) attracted over 200 attendees from more than a dozen countries. Our second conference [5-9 Jan 2005 at the U.S. National Conservation Training Center (URL: http://training.fws.gov/) in West Virginia] will again be organized around poster presentations and five symposia: Biogeography of Parasites and Infectious Diseases, Biogeography of Exotic Species, Biogeography of Extinctions, Biogeography of Homo sapiens: from Pre-history to the Future, and Biogeographic Responses to Global Change. Oral/poster presentations will be held 6-8 Jan, with pre-meeting workshops on 5 Jan and an optional (behind the scenes) field trip to the Smithsonian Institution (Washington, D.C.) on 9 Jan. Check the IBS website (URL: http://www.biogeography.org) for updates, details and registration information.
*THE PACIFIC SEABIRD GROUP and the WATERBIRD SOCIETY will host a joint annual meeting 19-23 Jan 2005 at the Hilton Portland and Executive Tower in Portland, Oregon. The schedule, field trips, and registration information will be posted at http://www.pacificseabirdgroup.org. Contact FRANCIE CUTHBERT (EM: cuthb001@umn.edu) or BOB DAY (EM: bday@abrinc.com) for questions about the scientific program and KATIE O'REILLY (EM: oreilly@up.edu) for local arrangements and registration information.
*82ND ANNUAL MEETING OF THE EASTERN BIRD BANDING ASSOCIATION will be hosted by Braddock Bay Bird Observatory at the Airport Holiday Inn in Rochester, NY on 15-17 Apr 2005. Information, as it becomes available, on the paper session, workshops, poster session, accommodations, field trips, and the bucket raffle will be posted on the EBBA website (URL: http://www.pronetisp.net/~bpbird/) or contact BETSY BROOKS (EM: ebrooks@bbbo.org).
*THE WILSON ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY and the ASSOCIATION OF FIELD ORNITHOLOGISTS will hold joint annual meetings 21-24 Apr 2005 in the Washington, DC, area, at the invitation of the USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center and the Maryland Ornithological Society. Housing and meetings will be at the Sheraton-College Park, Beltsville, MD. The Chair of the Scientific Program Committee, JAMES D. RISING, Department of Zoology, Ramsey Wright Zoological Labs, University of Toronto, Toronto ON M5S 3G5 Canada, will be happy to have suggestions for symposia. The Chair of the Committee on Arrangements is RICHARD C. BANKS, USGS-PWRC- MRC 111, National Museum of Natural History, P. O. Box 37012, Washington, DC 20013-7012 (PH: 202-357-1970). A full announcement of the meeting will be mailed in January 2005.
*ASSOCIATION OF FIELD ORNITHOLOGISTS, 21-24 Apr 2005-See WILSON ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
*COOPER ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY MEETINGS at Humboldt State University, Arcata, California, 15 - 18 Jun 2005. The meeting will be held on the campus of Humboldt State University,
FOURTH INTERNATIONAL HORNBILL CONFERENCE, Mabula Game Lodge, South Africa, 7-9 Nov 2005. The Ground Hornbill Research and Conservation Project and Three Cities Game Lodges, South Africa, and the Hornbill Research Foundation, Thailand, will host the Fourth International Hornbill Conference at Mabula Game Lodge, South Africa, during the period 7-9 Nov 2005. The scientific program will cover two days, followed by a one-day workshop for the Hornbill Specialist Group of IUCN and Birdlife International. The principal theme of the conference is "The Active Management of Hornbills and their Habitats for Conservation". There will also be a general session to report on other aspects of hornbill biology, and a separate workshop by the IUCN and Birdlife Hornbill Specialist Group to identify conservation priorities. For further details, contact by any of the means below (preferably e-mail): (EM: hornbillconference2005@yahoo.co.uk; FX: +27 14 734 0013). Postal: Hornbill Conference 2005, c/o The Ground Hornbill Project, Mabula Game Lodge, Private Bag X 1655, Bela-Bela, Limpopo Province, South Africa.
*24th INTERNATIONAL ORNITHOLOGICAL CONGRESS 2006, 13-19 Aug 2006, Hamburg, Germany. Information and pre-registration forms can be found at the web site (URL: http://www.i-o-c.org). For registration, please use the electronic submission form available on the IOC meeting web site. If you are unable to use the electronic form, please contact us by e-mail at info@i-o-c.org or mail to: IOC 2006, Institute of Avian Research, An der Vogelwarte 21, 26386 Wilhelmshaven, Germany. Questions on the scientific program or requests to be included in the email list can be sent to SUSAN HANNON,(EM: IOC2006@biology.ualberta.ca). Call for symposia is now closed. Calls for other contributions will be announced on the website, sent by email to participant list and announced in this newsletter in early 2005.
VIII NEOTROPICAL ORNITHOLOGICAL CONGRESS will be held in Jun 2007 in Maturín (Monagas, Venezuela) together with the Unión Venezolana de Ornitología and our Secretary General will be Carlos Bosque.
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CRAIG W. BENKMAN has joined the Department of Zoology and Physiology at the University of Wyoming as the Robert Berry Chair of Ecology. EM: cbenkman@uwyo.edu.
GAIL FRASER has accepted an assistant professor position at York University (Toronto) with the Faculty of Environmental Studies. Her new email address is gsfraser@yorku.ca (or drgsfraser@yahoo.com).
DONALD R. GRIFFIN, a member of the AOU since 1936, elected Elective Member in 1947 and Fellow in 1980, died at his home in Lexington, MA on 7 Nov 2003 at the age of 88.
KEVIN MCGRAW is taking a position as an assistant professor at Arizona State University. His new address is: School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, P.O. Box 874501, Tempe, AZ 85287-4501. EM: Kevin.McGraw@asu.edu.
E. MAX NICHOLSON of the United Kingdom, elected a Corresponding Fellow of the AOU in 1953 and an Honorary Fellow in 1991, died in London on 26 Apr 2003 at the age of 98. His contributions to ornithology and conservation were numerous, including major roles in the planning and early direction of the Nature Conservancy in the UK, the establishment of the Oxford Bird Census, which gave rise to both the Edward Grey Institute of Field Ornithology and the British Trust for Ornithology, the founding of the World Wildlife Fund, and in the planning, editing and authorship of the monumental nine-volume "Birds of the Western Palearctic".
ALEXANDER F. SKUTCH of Costa Rica, elected a Corresponding Fellow of the AOU in 1946 and an Honorary Fellow in 1979, died on 12 May 2004 at his home in Finca Los Cusingos, Costa Rica, a week short of his 100th birthday. Soon after receiving his Ph.D. in Botany from Johns Hopkins University in 1928, Skutch moved to Costa Rica where he spent the remainder of his life. His pioneering studies of the behavior and ecology of tropical birds provided important bases for modern studies of avian life history evolution and cooperative breeding.
ROBERT STARK has accepted a faculty position at California State University-Bakersfield specializing in vertebrate zoology. His new address is: Department of Biological Sciences, 9001 Stockdale Highway, Bakersfield, CA 93311.
PHILIP H. R. STEPNEY, a member of the AOU since 1972, elected Elective Member in 1985, died in Edmonton, AB on 19 May 2004 at the age of 56, following a prolonged battle with cancer.
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THE FLOCK, the 2001 Membership directory of all six OSNA societies has been mailed. 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 (PH: 913-843-1221; FX: 913-843-1274; EM: osna@allenpress.com ). To alert your colleagues of your new address information contact the Ornithological Newsletter Editor, CHERYL L. TRINE (address below). Additional copies of The Flock can be purchased from the OSNA Business Office.
CHANGES/ADDITIONS:
MARTIN, LYNN B., II. Department of Psychology, Townshend Hall, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210. EM: lmartin@mail.psy.ohio-state.edu; lbmartin@alumni.princeton.edu.
PROUDFOOT, GLENN A., Department of Wildlife & Fisheries Sciences Room 215, Old Herman Heep Building, Mail Stop 2258, Texas A&M University College Station, Texas 77843-2258. PH: 979-847-9463, FX: 979-845-4096
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All contents copyright © 2004 The Ornithological Societies of North America . All Rights Reserved.