The Ornithological Newsletter On-Line

NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

SPANISH - ENGLISH GLOSSARY OF BIOLOGICAL TERMS: Biology graduate students at the University of Missouri - St. Louis have, over a number of years, developed and maintained a Spanish-English glossary of biological terms. They have now created a wiki format to foster the growth of the glossary. A wiki is a web-based compilation of the knowledge of an entire community. Anyone can contribute to, or edit, entries on a wiki. This is particularly useful where there are several possible translations for a single term, or regional variations in terminology. Congratulations to Carlos Daniel Cadena, Lucio R. Malizia, Cintia Cornelius, and Juan Martínez for their efforts in creating the original list and to Carlos Daniel Cadena for setting up the wiki.

RESIDENT BIRD COUNTS REVIVED. Bird Populations, now an entirely electronic journal published by The Institute for Bird Populations, will be publishing the Breeding Bird Census and Winter Bird Population Study; these counts have been ongoing since in 1937 and 1948, respectively, and have been published by various organizations and societies over their long history (see history in J. Field Ornithol. Supplement 1989). While the counts have not been published since 1996, many researchers have continued to collect and submit these data to the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology. To revive the publication, Bird Populations will start by publishing only the Breeding Bird Census from 2001 and 2002 - a time series consistent with other studies in the upcoming issue. We invite you to submit reports to JIM LOWE, Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, 159 Sapsucker Woods Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850. Data forms and instructions can be obtained by emailing TOM GARDALI, PRBO Conservation Science (EM: tgardali@prbo.org). Thank you very much. Editors Tom Gardali and Jim Lowe.

THE INSTITUTE FOR BIRD POPULATIONS announces that it's journal, "Bird Populations," will become entirely electronic beginning with its next issue (2006). The journal welcomes manuscripts on the status and trends of bird species and communities anywhere in the world including, and especially, analyses of historical data. Send inquiries and manuscripts to: DAVID AINLEY (EM: dainley@penguinscience.com).

RAPTOR WORKSHOP: A 5-day workshop entitled "Introduction to Raptor Field Techniques" will be held 9-13 Oct 2006 in Stevens Point, WI by Eugene Jacobs of the Linwood Springs Research Station and Loren Ayers of the Wis. Dept. of Natural Resources. 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 so register early. For more information visit http://www.RaptorResearch.com

BIRDLIFE ASSESSMENT--In early May, BirdLife International announced its annual evaluation of the status of the world's birds. The evaluation shows that the total number of species currently "threatened" with extinction is now at 1,210. When combined with the number of "near threatened" species, the total is 2,005 species that are in trouble. This is more than a fifth of the Earth's estimated 10,000 bird species. Of the birds most at risk, 181 are now categorized as "critically endangered," the highest level of threat. For details, see here: http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2006/05/redlist.html

JÜRGEN NICOLAI died in April 2006, at the age of 80. He was best known for his work on host imprinting, species specificity, and co-speciation of parasite and host in the African brood-parasitic finches. In 1974 he published the popular "Bird Life" in English.

ORNITHOLOGY SHORT COURSE at Charles Sturt University, Australia "Principles of Ornithology" 21 - 30 Nov 2006 . For more information about this course see the April 2006 issue of the Ornithological Newsletter, visit http://www.csu.edu.au/faculty/sciagr/eis/orn_course.htm, or email KERRY WHITWORTH (EM: kwhitworth@csu.edu.au). There are still some spaces available, so it is advisable to contact the organizer as soon as possible to register. The cost for the course is US$2,500, which includes all accommodation, ground transport and most meals.

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NEWS FROM THE ORNITHOLOGICAL COUNCIL

Provided by DAVID E. BLOCKSTEIN, Chair (EM: oc@cnie.org), and ELLEN PAUL, Executive Director (EM: ellen.paul@verizon.net), The Ornithological Council. Major funding for the Ornithological Council is provided by its eleven member societies: American Ornithologists' Union, Association of Field Ornithologists, CIPAMEX, Cooper Ornithological Society, Neotropical Ornithological Society, Pacific Seabird Group, Raptor Research Foundation, Society of Canadian Ornithologists, Society for the Conservation and Study of Caribbean Birds, Waterbird Society, and Wilson Ornithological Society. We also appreciate the support of individual ornithologists.

NEWS ABOUT THE ORNITHOLOGICAL COUNCIL – Raul Ortiz Pulido and Katherine Renton have joined the Ornithological Council Board of Directors, representing CIPAMEX. They replace Mauricio Cervantes and Jose Manuel Galindo

SPEAK UP FOR SCIENCE FUNDING ON CAPITOL HILL - The Coalition for National Science Funding (which lobbies for appropriations for the National Science Foundation) is organizing a hill visit as a final push for FY 2007 NSF Appropriations. The event includes an orientation and a Hill reception on Tuesday, 12 Sep 2006, followed by visits by interdisciplinary teams to Hill offices. If you or your colleagues would like to participate, please contact Ellen Paul (EM: ellen.paul@verizon.net) by Aug 18. Although we can't provide travel expenses, we can try to find you shelter with area ornithologists. We are particularly interested in having scientists from outside the DC area. We usually get plenty of people from the DC area, so we end up having too many people visiting the offices of the Maryland and Virginia delegations, but too few to visit the other offices.

INTERNATIONAL ANIMAL CARE STANDARDS - The International Council for Laboratory Animal Science (ICLAS) in June 2004 convened the First International Meeting for the Harmonization of Guidelines on the Use of Animals in Science to identify and to recommend acceptance of guidance documents. This ongoing effort stems in part from the recognition that research reviewed and approved in one country may take place in another country. The goal, however, is not one worldwide set of regulations but rather harmonization that still allows each country to maintain an oversight mechanism for animals used in science that reflects its cultures, traditions, religions, laws, and regulations. One outcome of the meeting was the creation of a Working Group on Harmonization of Guidelines, composed of representatives from major organizations producing and/or using guidelines for the use of animals in science. ICLAS has already worked with the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) on best practices to minimize pain and distress for animals used in regulatory testing; these were agreed upon and published. Two guidance documents on humane end points were recognized as effective refinement tools. In addition, ICLAS has already produced a set of general principles on euthanasia. The Ornithological Council has joined ICLAS and hopes to be a source of authority on ornithological research and on field research.

USFWS ISSUES NEW "APPROPRIATE USE" POLICY FOR NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM -The appropriate use policy, which was mandated by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, has been pending in draft form since 2001. This policy, issued 20 June 2006, operates in conjunction with the compatibility rule. "Use" of course involves any kind of activity, including research. It is the position of the USFWS that the law requires that the same standards apply to all uses, in two broad categories established by Congress in the National Wildlife Refuge System Act of 1997: the six priority uses (wildlife-dependent recreational uses such as hunting, fishing, and wildlife watching), and all else. Scientists might find it odd that scientific research falls into the same category as commercial resource extraction (e.g., oil production) but the USFWS must comply with the statute enacted by Congress. There are also provisions for consistency– managers are to document the reasons for their decisions and obtain the concurrence of the refuge supervisor. Further, the "Refuge supervisors will usually consult with their Regional Chief/CNO Assistant Manager and peers in other Regions/CNO as these decisions are made to promote consistency within the Refuge System." Refuge managers must first find that the use contributes to fulfilling the refuge purpose(s), the Refuge System mission, or goals or objectives described in a refuge management plan approved after 9 October 1997, the date the Improvement Act was signed into law. This finding does not require refuge supervisor concurrence. After the refuge manager has evaluated the use following the guidelines in this policy and found that it is appropriate, ten additional questions must be answered in the affirmative and a written justification must be prepared . The ten considerations include public safety and compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. The use must also be consistent with refuge goals and objectives in an approved management plan or other document. The use must be manageable within available budget and staff and contribute to the public's understanding and appreciation of the refuge's natural or cultural resources, be beneficial to the refuge's natural or cultural resources. The refuge manager's justification must be approved by the refuge supervisor and the refuge manager must then prepare a compatibility assessment, which is actually quite similar to the appropriate use analysis. For more information about the compatibility standards, including an explanation of the compatibility standards and OC's comments on both policies, please see BIRDNET (URL: http://www.nmnh.si.edu/BIRDNET/OC/experthelp/refuges.html).

INTERAGENCY WORKING GROUP ON SCIENTIFIC COLLECTIONS - Several federal agencies, led by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, the USDA Agricultural Research Service, and the Smithsonian, have created an interagency working group on scientific collections. Among the specific activities underway is a survey to be distributed by the National Science Foundation about the extent of and support for scientific collections. The Ornithological Council has been communicating with this working group and seeking opportunities to offer the views of ornithologists when necessary and appropriate to do so. Specifically, the OC has encouraged this working group to consider the issue of ownership of specimens collected on federally managed public property, an issue that has been of concern to ornithologists for some time.

OC JOINS IN STATEMENT OF CONCERN REGARDING "OPEN ACCESS" LEGISLATION - Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Joseph Lieberman (D-CT) have proposed legislation that would mandate that all research produced with federal funding be publicly released within six months of publication. The bill (S.2695, or the "Federal Research Public Access Act of 2006") authorizes no new funding for the mandatory research databases or federal research repositories. The bill has little chance of progressing in this Congress as it has only the two co-sponsors and has not had a subcommittee hearing. However, it is worrisome in that it presages a significant advance in the campaign by "open access" advocates to force upon the entire scientific community a model of scientific publishing that jeopardizes scientific societies whose primary source of revenue is derived from journal subscriptions and memberships. In fact, this "open access" model is already proving to be unsustainable without massive infusions of charitable support and high subscription fees. The Public Library of Science (PLoS), which lobbies heavily for "open access" policies, was launched with and is sustained by sizeable private grants, has raised its publication fee for PLoS Biology to $2,500; the tax filings of the organization suggest that less than 25% of its revenue is derived from author publication fees, advertising, and subscriptions. Other legislation pertaining to "open access" includes "language" in the House appropriations bill requiring submission of papers reporting research funded by the National Institutes of Health to the NIH database within 12 months of publication. "Language" is technically non-binding but an agency ignores these directives at their peril. The Ornithological Council, which is a member of the DC Principles for Free Access (URL: http://www.dcprinciples.org/), signed onto that coalition's letter expressing concern about several aspects of the legislation.

REMINDER - PLEASE JOIN US AT OCNET - The Ornithological Council provides ornithologists with the tools and opportunities to participate in the development of public policy that affects birds. One of the tools we offer is OCNET - a listserv where notices about bird conservation and management can be posted and issues can be discussed. Although OCNET has been dormant in recent years, the Ornithological Council is now putting the listserv into high gear. Members can post notices, comments, and questions. The Ornithological Council will also post information, with background information and analysis on occasion. The analysis does not represent the views of the Ornithological Council, which does not engage in advocacy on conservation and management issues. It is provided to aid readers, and we will strive for strict neutrality and balance in our analysis. We will not advocate that readers take a particular position or action. We will, however, provide tools for members to take such actions as they see fit. Members are also encouraged to submit information and, of course, may express their personal views or exhort others to take certain action. Examples of subjects that are appropriate for this listserv include: proposed legislation or regulation (federal or state/provincial) from any country, that pertains to bird conservation or management; policies that pertain to biodiversity issues; alerts and notices from other organizations, including sign-on letters; questions and general information about policy issues of interest to members, whether or not there is a pending proposal before a legislative or regulatory body; international policy issues pertaining to bird conservation and management and to biodiversity issues. You can join OCNET via the archives website (URL: https://listserv.umd.edu/archives/ocnet-l.html). If you do not intend to post messages, and do not wish to receive OCNET e-mail, you may want to read messages via the archives (URL: https://listserv.umd.edu/archives/ocnet-l.html) rather than subscribing. Note that we will continue posting notices about ornithology on Ornith-L, the excellent listserv owned and maintained by Jeanette Bider (URL: http://listserv.uark.edu/archives/ornith-l.html).

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GRANTS AND AWARDS

FOR INFORMATION ON CONTINUING GRANTS PROGRAMS relevant to ornithological research, visit: http://www.nmnh.si.edu/BIRDNET/Grants/index.html.

SEA DUCK JOINT VENTURE: Solicitation of Proposals for Funding and/or Endorsement, FY07 (1 Oct 2006 to 30 Sept 2007)–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. About $150,000 is available for new projects in FY07. Proposal guidelines, format, evaluation criteria, and other information are posted on http://seaduckjv.org. Proposals must be received by 28 Sep 2006.

IDEAS THAT CHANGE THE WORLD AWARD–The Fundacion Inalafquen has chosen to honor Betty Petersen and the American Birding Association's Birders’ Exchange Program with the award "Ideas that change the World", in recognition of her numerous and ongoing contributions to education, conservation and research of birds, especially shorebirds, in the Americas. This award is made only to non-Latin American citizens/institutions that have made exceptional achievements in helping and promoting the education, conservation and knowledge of wildlife and their habitats in Latin America. By providing field equipment, bird guides and support to amateurs and professionals in Latin America, the donations arranged by Betty beginning in 1995 and continuing until today, have enriched the lives of many people in Latin America and brought them into the passionate world shared by the international fraternity of bird watchers. In many cases this has not only motivated Latin Americans to watch and help protect birds in more effective ways, but it has also had a transformative affect in directing young people into careers as ornithologists, educators and ecotourism guides in their local communities.

WILLIAM BELTON CONSERVATION GRANTS FUND of the American Bird Conservanc, the world’s longest running bird conservation grants program, will again provide support for projects to conserve Critically Endangered and Endangered bird species in Latin America and the Caribbean in 2007, especially at Alliance for Zero Extinction sites. Requests can include funding for the development and implementation of conservation plans and new protected areas, research, and monitoring to protect key sites. Awards are typically up to $5,000. Proposals can be submitted in English or Spanish by 30 Sep 2006. For more information see: http://www.abcbirds.org/international/grants_2007.htm or email DR. ROBERT CHIPLEY (EM: rchipley@abcbirds.org).EL FONDO PARA BECAS WILLIAM BELTON, de la American Bird Conservancy, el programa de becas para la conservación de aves más antiguo de las Américas, abre nuevamente su período de recepción de solicitudes de financiamiento para proyectos de conservación de especies de aves amenazadas y críticamente amenazadas en América Latina y el Caribe en el 2007, especialmente para sitios de la “Alianza para Cero Extinción”. Las solicitudes de apoyo pueden incluir la preparación y ejecución de planes de conservación de nuevas áreas protegidas, investigación y monitoreo para proteger sitios claves. Las becas pueden llegar hasta un monto de US$5.000. Las solicitudes pueden ser sometidas en ingles o español hasta el 30 de Septiembre de 2006. Información adicional puede encontrarse en http://www.abcbirds.org/international/grants_2007.htm o contactando al DR. ROBERT CHIPLEY (EM: rchipley@abcbirds.org).

GEOMAGIC SELECTED AS A RED HERRING 100 NORTH AMERICA WINNER– Geomagic®, a worldwide software and services firm headquartered in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, has been selected as a winner of the Red Herring 100 North America. The award recognizes the top 100 privately held companies in North America that are leading the technology business in innovation. The award is an important part of Red Herring's tradition of recognizing new and innovative technology firms and their entrepreneurial founders. More than 1,000 nominees are rigidly evaluated on criteria such as financial performance, technology innovation, quality of management, execution of strategy, and integration into their ecosystem. Geomagic was founded in 1996. The company's software products enable designers and engineers to transform scan data from physical objects into highly accurate 3D digital models. The company is the leader in the high-tech field of digital shape sampling and processing (DSSP).

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PUBLICATIONS AVAILABLE

BIRDS OF MEXICO AND CENTRAL AMERICA, BY Ber van Perlo, 2006. Princeton University Press. 336 pp., 98 color plates, 5 x 7 ½ inches. ISBN: 0-691-12070-6, paper, $29.95. This is the only field guide to illustrate and describe every species of bird in Central America. This book features more than 1,500 species described and illustrated, information on key identification features, habitat, and songs and calls, distribution maps showing each species’ location and prevalence. Princeton University Press (URL: http://pup.princeton.edu).

A BIRDER’S GUIDE TO THE TEXAS COAST, by Mel Cooksey and Ron Weeks, 2006. American Birding Association. 334 pp. 5 1/2 x 8 ½ inches, b&w photographs, b&w illustrations, maps, ISBN: 1-878788-47-7, paper, $24.95. This 5th edition has been thoroughly revised with more than 70 new sites added to this edition, for a total of over 200 birding stops; species accounts for 170 Texas specialties, and bar graphs for 388 regularly occurring Texas Coast species. This book will guide you with maps directions, bird lists, and travel advice. Distributed by American Birding Association Sales, 115 Fairview Rd., Asheville, NC 28803 (PH: 800-634-7736, FX: 800-590-2473, EM: abasales@abasales.com, URL: http://www.americanbirding.org/abasales).

THE NATURAL HISTORY OF SELBORNE by Gilbert White. DOWNLOAD audio book. Since it was first published in 1788, White’s ‘Selborne’ has become the fourth most published book in the English language. White is often referred to as the founding father of the ecology movement and certainly changed the way we look at nature. He was also one of Charles Darwin’s biggest influences. For the very first time ‘Selborne’ is now available as an unabridged audio book. It has duration of nearly 11 hours and all Latin translations are also included. To view complete track listings, read more information and order your download, please visit: http://www.gilbertwhiteselborne.com

PARROTS OF THE WORLD: AN IDENTIFICATION GUIDE, by Joseph M. Forshaw, Illustrated by Frank Knight, 2006. Princeton University Press. 400 pp., 120 + color plates, 8 ½ x 12 in. ISBN: 0-691-09251-6, Cloth, $65.00. This volume, designed to become the standard parrot identification guide for bird enthusiasts and researchers, covers some 350 species of parrots in homes, zoos, and in the wild. It provides detailed descriptions of their identifying features, habitats and status, calls, habits, and distribution, and addresses threats to the world’s parrots from predators, international pet trade, hunting, disease, and conflicts with agriculture and development. More than 120 color plates provide detailed illustrations of a variety of parrots and their subspecies alongside maps of their worldwide distribution. Princeton University Press (URL: http://pup.princeton.edu).

BABY BIRD PORTRAITS BY GEORGE MIKSCH SUTTON: Watercolors in the Field Museum, by Paul A. Johnsgard, 2006. University of Oklahoma Press. 96 pp, 35 color illustrations, 6 x 9 format. ISBN: 0-8061-3769-X, Paper, $7.95 plus shipping/handling. Now available in paperback! George Miksch Sutton is one of the best known bird artists of the twentieth century. This book, depicting nineteen species of North American birds, presents thirty-five watercolors of downy chicks, nestlings, and fledglings painted from life by Sutton. In his introduction to the collection, the author discusses Sutton’s contributions to bird art and to ornithology. In essays accompanying the paintings, Johnsgard describes his and Sutton’s personal encounters with the birds. Available from University of Oklahoma Press, 2800 Venture Dr. Norman, OK 73069-8216 (PH: 800-627-7377, 405-325-2000; FX: 800-735-0476, 405-364-5798; URL: http://oupress.com).

BIRDS OF EAST AFRICA: KENYA, TANZANIA, UGANDA, RWANDA, AND BURUNDI, by Terry Stevenson and John Fanshawe. 2006. Princeton University Press. 640 pp., 287 color plates, 1300 maps, 5 3/8 x 8 3/8. ISBN: 0-691-12665-8, Paper, $35.00. Now available in paperback! Birds of East Africa covers all resident, migrant, and vagrants birds of the indicated countries, describing and illustrating 1,388 species in convenient facing-page layout. It features 287 color plates with 3,400 images illustrating all the plumages and major races likely to be encountered. On the facing page are range maps and concise accounts describing identification, status, range, habits, and voice for each species. Information on habitats, protected areas, and conservation issues is included. Princeton University Press (URL: http://pup.princeton.edu).

PETE DUNNE'S ESSENTIAL FIELD GUIDE COMPANION: A COMPREHENSIVE RESOURCE FOR IDENTIFYING NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS, Peter Dunne, 2006. Houghton Mifflin. 736 pp., 7 x 9 in., ISBN-10: 0618236481, hardcover, $29.95. In this book, bursting with more information than any field guide could hold, the well-known author and birder Pete Dunne introduces readers to the "Cape May School of Birding." It's an approach to identification that gives equal or more weight to a bird's structure and shape and the observer's overall impression (often called GISS, for General Impression of Size and Shape) than to specific field marks. After determining the most likely possibilities by considering such factors as habitat and season, the birder uses characteristics such as size, shape, color, behavior, flight pattern, and vocalizations to identify a bird. The book provides an arsenal of additional hints and helpful clues to guide a birder when, even after a review of a field guide, the identification still hangs in the balance. This supplement to field guides (no illustrations are in the book) shares the knowledge and skills expert birders bring to identification challenges. Pete Dunne combines a unique playfulness with the work of identification. Available from online and local booksellers.

THE WHITE-CHEEKED GEESE, Vol I, Harold C. Hanson, 2006. AVVAR Books. The White-cheeked Geese: Taxonomy, Ecophysiographic Relationships, and Evolutionary Considerations is now available. 420 pp., glossy paper, 40 maps, 14 tables, 57 morphometric drawings, 398 photos of geese in the wild, goose skins, and habitats. ISBN: 0-9708504-3-3; Softcover $25.00, Cloth $80.00, Shipping $3.00. This 2 volume set is the culmination of 50 years of investigations conducted by Dr. Hanson on one of the most popular birds on the continent. The book can be obtained from Revegetation and Wildlife Management Center, Inc., 203 South Palm Drive, Blythe, CA 92225 or on line from Avvar Books (URL: http://www.avvar.com). Checks and Credit Cards accepted.

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION FILM AVAILABLE. Dyke Marsh, the last remaining tidal freshwater marsh on the upper Potomac River near Washington, is an endangered ecosystem. It is currently threatened by erosion from ship traffic, periodic flooding, run-off from housing and industrial development. It is the last up-river breeding site for the Marsh Wren and Least Bittern, scores of insect populations, all supported by a diverse aquatic vegetation. Under the auspices of the National Park Service, the Friends of Dyke Marsh, and other conservation groups, a dramatic film has been produced to illustrate the ecological values of the marsh, its intricate food webs, and future efforts toward preservation. The film, "On the Edge," colorfully introduces an audience to professional ecologists' views on the marsh history, current problems, and potential solutions. DVD copies of the film can be obtained by sending $25.00 to FODM, P. O. Box 7183, Alexandria, VA 22307-7183.

NEW FILM EXPLORES PLAYAS - the Most Important Wetlands You've Never Heard Of. In an effort to raise awareness and conservation of playa wetlands, the Playa Lakes Joint Venture (PLJV) - a partnership of conservation groups, landowners, and natural resource agencies - has produced a new film about these vital wetlands entitled, "The Playas - Reflections of Life on the Plains", which is now available on DVD or VHS. Full release and PLJV media kit: http://www.pljv.org/news02.html. For more information, questions, etc, contact DEBBIE SLOBE, PLJV Communications Team Leader: (EM: debbie.slobe@pljv.org, PH: 303-926-0777).

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MEETINGS

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.i-o-c.org/IOComm/index.htm.

* in this section indicates new or revised entry

The ANIMAL BEHAVIOR SOCIETY’s 43rd annual meeting will be held 12-16 Aug 2006 in Snowbird, Utah, USA. For further information see http://www.animalbehavior.org/ABS/Meetings/Snowbird06/, or contact the designated host JEFF GALEF (EM: galef@mcmaster.ca). Contact JILL MATEO, Acting Chair of the ABS Public Affairs Committee, for a press pass (EM: jmateo@uchicago.edu).

24TH INTERNATIONAL ORNITHOLOGICAL CONGRESS 2006, 13-19 Aug 2006, Hamburg, Germany. Website (URL: http://www.i-o-c.org).

4TH NORTH AMERICAN DUCK SYMPOSIUM, Ramkota Hotel, Bismarck, North Dakota, 23-26 Aug 2006. The conference theme is "Integrating Science and Duck Management." For more information or to register visit http://www.4nads.com, or contact MIKE JOHNSON (PH: 701-328-6319; EM: mjohnson@state.nd.us).

NEXT ANNUAL MEETING OF THE COOPER ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY will be held in conjunction with the 4th North American Ornithological Conference 3-7 Oct 2006, in Veracruz City, Mexico.

4th NORTH AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGICAL CONFERENCE, "Wings without Borders", Veracruz City, Mexico, 3-7 Oct 2006. The 4th NAOC, organized jointly by the American Ornithologists' Union, Cooper Ornithological Society, Society of Canadian Ornithologists-Société des Ornithologistes du Canada, Association of Field Ornithologists, Wilson Ornithological Society, Waterbird Society, Raptor Research Foundation, and Sección Mexicana del Consejo Internacional para la Preservación de las Aves - CIPAMEX (local host), is also endorsed by the Neotropical Ornithological Society, Pacific Seabird Group, and Society for the Conservation and Study of Caribbean Birds. The 4th NAOC features a rich scientific program, symposia, plenary lectures, business meetings of societies, and social activities. Pre-and post-conference activities include training workshops, and birding, culture, and nature tours. Veracruz is home to a rich avifauna, with over 700 species reported for the state, of which >230 species are Neotropical migrants and >20 species are endemic to Mexico. The conference is scheduled to coincide with the peak of the migration season in the world's largest raptor migration bottleneck. The Steering Committee is co-chaired by CHARLES M. FRANCIS (EM: charles.francis@ec.gc.ca) and JOSÉ LUIS ALCÁNTARA (EM: jlalcant@colpos.mx). The Scientific Program Committee is co-chaired by JOHN FAABORG (University of Missouri, EM: faaborgj@missouri.edu), J. FRANCISCO ORNELAS (Instituto de Ecología, EM: ornelasj@ecologia.edu.mx), and MARIA DEL CORO ARIZMENDI (FES Iztacala, UNAM, EM: coro@servidor.unam.mx). The Scientific Program Committee currently has accepted 24 symposia and 13 workshops. The official Circular of Information is available on-line at http://www.naoc2006.org/. The Local Committee is co-chaired by JUAN E. MARTÍNEZ GÓMEZ (EM: j_martinez@islandendemics.org and ERNESTO RUELAS INZUNZA (EM: er99@cornell.edu). Local Sponsors include The Universidad Veracruzana, Instituto de Ecología, A.C., The Island Endemics Foundation, and the H. Ayuntamiento de Boca del Río, Veracruz. For information, contact HELEN SCHNEIDER, Conference Manager, 5400 Bosque Blvd., Suite 680, Waco, TX 76710. (PH: 25-776-3550, FX: 254-776-3767, EM: helens@sgmeet.com). Check the NAOC website for updates on organization (URL: http://www.NAOC2006.org).

10TH AMERICAN WOODCOCK SYMPOSIUM (4-6 Oct 2006), hosted by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources at the Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center near Grayling, MI. For more information visit the website (URL: http://www.michigandnr.com/woodcock-symposium/)

33rd ANNUAL CONFERENCE ON ECOSYSTEMS RESTORATION AND CREATION AT THE Trinkle Building, Hillsborough Community College, Plant City Campus, Plant City, FL (2-3 Nov 2006–First Announcement and CALL FOR PAPERS. This annual conference provides a forum for the nationwide exchange of results of the latest scientific research on restoration, creation, and management of not only freshwater and coastal wetland systems but also ecosystems including upland and transitional areas. For more information, please visit our website (URL: http://hccfl.edu/depts/detp/ecoconf.html).

CARNIVORES 2006: CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENT & CALL FOR PAPERS–Defenders of Wildlife is pleased to announce Carnivores 2006: Habitats, Challenges, and Possibilities. The conference will be held at the Hilton Hotel in St. Petersburg, Florida, 12-15 Nov 2006, and will feature three full days of sessions on terrestrial and marine carnivore issues, plus a poster session, field trip, silent auction, banquet and ambassador wolf sessions. Please visit our official conference website (URL: http://www.carnivoreconference.org) or leave a message (PH: 202-789-2844 x315) for complete Carnivores 2006 details.

*VIIIth NEOTROPICAL ORNITHOLOGICAL CONGRESS, Maturín, Estado Monagas, Venezuela, , 13-19 May 2007. The Neotropical Ornithological Society (NOS) and the Venezuelan Ornithologists' Union (UVO) (the local host), are pleased to announce the VIIIth Neotropical Ornithological Congress (NOC). The Congress will honor the memory of William H. Phelps and William H. Phelps Jr., pioneers of Venezuelan Ornithology. For further information, see http://www.nocvenezuela.org or http://www.neotropicalornithology.org

AUSTRALASIAN ORNITHOLOGICAL CONFERENCE (AOC) is modeled after the annual AOU meetings, and has become the major ornithological conference for the Australasian region. Co-hosted by Birds Australia and the Ornithological Society of New Zealand, the next AOC will be held in Perth, Western Australia, in Dec 2007, following the annual conference of the Ecological Society of Australia. For early information about AOC 2007, contact SUE MATHER (EM: mather@cygnus.uwa.edu.au) and watch the website (URL: http://www.birdsaustralia.com.au).

*RAPTOR RESEARCH FOUNDATION 2009 ANNUAL CONFERENCE. 29 Sep - 4 Oct 2009, Scotland. The RRF 2009 annual conference will be held overseas for the first time, to reflect the global interests of its membership. Hosted by the Scottish Raptor Study Group, this event will be held in an exclusive hotel in the small town of Pitlochry, central Scotland, with a full program of scientific presentations, workshops and seminars. Social events include the hire of a nearby castle for an evening party, and fieldtrips will include the spectacular west coast island of Mull for eagles, otters and lochs. The conference website is currently under construction. Delegate numbers are limited to 300 so early booking advisable. For further details contact local organizing committee chair RUTH TINGAY (EM: dimlylit100@hotmail.com).

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NEWS OF MEMBERS

ROBERT I. BOWMAN, a member of the AOU since 1954, elected Elective Member in 1966, and a member of the COS since 1948, died of heart failure at his home in Berkeley, CA on 12 March 2006 at the age of 80. A professor of Biology at San Francisco State University for much of his career, Bowman was best known for his pioneering work on the biology of Darwin’s finches which he began as a graduate student in 1952. He was dedicated throughout his life to the preservation of the wildlife and ecology of the Galapagos Islands, helping to establish the Charles Darwin Research Station and the Charles Darwin Foundation that supports it. He was the recipient of the Republic of Ecuador’s Medal of Honor in 1964.

CAROLEE CAFFREY is managing the Cognitive Evolution Lab (URL: http://www.wjh.harvard.edu/~mnkylab/Home.html) in the Psychology Department at Harvard University, while also collaborating on incipient starling vocalization work. She’ll probably mark a few crows around town, too. Contact information: Dr Carolee Caffrey, Research Associate, Cognitive Evolution Lab, Harvard University, 10th Floor WJH, 33 Kirkland St, Cambridge MA 02138. PH: 617 496 9331, EM: ccaffrey@wjh.harvard.edu.

MICHAEL W. COLLOPY recently changed positions at the University of Nevada, Reno. His new position is Executive Director of the Academy for the Environment, a campus-wide institute established to develop, support, and promote interdisciplinary environmental teaching, research and outreach at UNR. His new address and contact information is: Academy for the Environment, 108 Mackay Science Bldg/MS 436, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557-0192. PH: 775/784-8262; FX: 775/784-8261; EM: mcollopy@unr.edu

KARL H. MASLOWSKI, a member of the WOS since 1934, a member of the AOU since 1935, and an Elective Member of the AOU since 1951, died on June 1, 2006, at his home in Cincinnati, OH at the age of 93. The world-renowned wildlife photographer and outdoor writer produced over 70 wildlife films, supplied tens of thousands of photographs to publishers and authors around the world and wrote a weekly column for the Cincinnati Enquirer for more than 50 years. His films, photos and writings influenced many to work in the fields of biology and conservation. An estimated audience of a million people attended his wildlife lectures from the late 1930s until the late 1980s. He was a combat photographer during WWII.

RICHARD T. PAUL of Tampa, FL, member of the AOU since 1975, AFO since 1983, WS since 1977, COS since1983, and WOS since 1980, died on 11 November 2005 at the age of 60. He spent the majority of his career with Florida Audubon managing the Coastal Island Sanctuaries, and was the recipient of numerous conservation awards, including the 2001 Chuck Yaeger Award from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for direct action and achievement in protection of wildlife and wildlife habitat.

JEFF SWINEBROAD, member of the AOU since 1951, elected an Elective Member in 1976, member of AFO since 1983, COS since 1955, and WOS since 1953, died on 21 December 2004 at his home in Montgomery Village, MD. He received his Ph.D. from Ohio State University in 1956, and was Professor and Chairman of the Department of biology of Douglass College at Rutgers University from 1956 to 1968. From 1968 to his retirement in 1996, he was an ecologist for the Atomic Energy Commission and the agency that succeeded it, the Department of Energy.

We have recently received notification of the deaths of the following members, no details were provided:

HERBERT L. CILLEY of Center Strafford, NH, member of the AOU since 1975, AFO since 1983, COS since 1975, and WOS since 1974 .

JAMES L. COVERT of Cody, WY, member of AOU since 1949.

NICHOLAS M. GREENE of North Haven, CT, member of AOU since 1975.

JAMES B. HARLEY of Pottstown, PA, member of AOU since 1946.

FRANK J. LIGAS of Naples, FL, member of AOU and WOS since 1951.

CATHERINE M. PESSINO of Mount Vernon, NY, member of AOU since 1952.

WALTER M. SCHNEIDER of South Holland, IL, member of AOU since 1964.

P. O. SWANBERG of Falkoping, Sweden. Member of AOU since 1964.

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