The Ornithological Newsletter On-Line

NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

CALL FOR PAPERS AND EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST The 4th Biennial Australasian Ornithological Conference will be held in Perth, Western Australia, 3-5 Dec 2007. This conference provides a regular forum for the exchange of information and ideas between avian researchers and conservationists throughout the Australasian region. The venue will be the University of Western Australia, and the Western Australian group of Birds Australia (RAOU) will host the conference. A post conference field excursion will be available. You are invited to express your interest in attending this conference, and presenting a paper by visiting http://www.birdswa.com.au/aoc2007, or link through http://www.birdswa.com.au or http://www.birdsaustralia.com.au or by writing to the conference co ordinator: S. MATHER, Birds Australia Western Australia, 167 Perry Lakes Drive, Floreat, WA 6014 AUSTRALIA (EM: aoc2007@birdswa.com.au, PH: 61 (0)8 93896416).

WEST NILE: SAGE GROUSE CONCERNS CONTINUEResearch on Greater Sage Grouse in the Powder River Basin of Montana and Wyoming by Dave Naugle at the University of Montana confirms that West Nile virus has again killed radio marked sage grouse for the fourth year in a row. Naugle and his colleagues at the North American Grouse Partnership have passed on this disturbing information. In 2003, about 25 percent of the radio marked sage grouse in the Powder River Basin died from West Nile virus. That number dropped to 10 percent in 2004 and 2 percent in 2005 in response to cool summer temperatures. However, there is confirmation of significantly increased mortality this year now that hot weather has returned to the West. This suggests that West Nile virus mortality may be an endemic source of mortality to Greater Sage Grouse, a factor that will need to be considered in ongoing conservation planning. Similar events with high rates of mortality are being reported in Oregon and Idaho. Another month must pass for researchers to understand the full extent of mortality from this exotic disease. (Excerpted from Birding Community E bulletin September 2006)

SPANISH ENGLISH GLOSSARY OF BIOLOGICAL TERMS announced in the August issue of the ON: URL is http://biologyglossary.pbwiki.com/

The Distinguished Service Award of the Wildlife Management Institute will now be known as the GEORGE BIRD GRINNELL MEMORIAL AWARD FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE IN NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION. With the permission and enthusiastic approval of George Bird Grinnell's relatives, the award now carries the name of the gentleman many consider the "father of conservation." Grinnellauthor, publisher, sportsman, ethnographerwas a powerful force behind the emergence of natural resource conservation as a public notion, political responsibility and professional discipline. He was advisor/mentor for Theodore Roosevelt and catalyst for many others who were to contribute the early principles, spirit and momentum of conservation in North America. "We are very pleased that our Distinguished Service Award now carries George Bird Grinnell's name and legacy," stated Steve Williams, President of WMI. "This award recognizes persons who have selflessly and very effectively dedicated their careers to conservation, without thought of personal gain or glory. It is entirely fitting that this award recognizes individuals of foresight, determination and accomplishmenthallmarks of Grinnell's extraordinary life. This award will pay tribute to its recipients' careers and to the memory of its venerated namesake." [Excerpted from Outdoor News Bulletin - Vol. 60(8)]

WILLIAM JOHN HAMILTON III died Apr 24, 2006. He had a position at U.C. Davis from 1963 until he retired in 1994, and continued his research as an emeritus professor until his death. He was an internationally recognized research scientist in ecology and animal behavior, working extensively in California and Africa throughout his career. He was considered the authority on the threatened California tri colored blackbird, studying population trends and actively pursuing management strategies to protect its long term survival. The William J. Hamilton Memorial Fund has been set up to provide support for students. Checks should be made payable to William J. Hamilton III Memorial Fund, and mailed to CHRISTINE SCHMIDT, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Mrak Hall, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616.

THE WESTERN FOUNDATION OF VERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY (WFVZ), in California, houses over 190,000 sets of birds eggs, 18,000 nests, 54,000 study skins, and a specialized avian reference library. As part of our mission, we provide the following services to qualified researchers: study skin, egg, and nest data in electronic format or as photocopies of the original data cards; measurements of eggs, nests, and study skins; digital images of specimens; loans of study skins; photocopies of field notes, serial articles, and book chapters; the potential to publish your work in our Proceedings or Occasional Papers serials; fulfillment of orders for Studies in Avian Biology and past issues of the Condor; copies of records of the California Bird Records Committee; and specimen preparation and oological training. If you are interested in any of these services, please contact DR. LINNEA S. HALL (EM: linnea@wfvz.org) or MR. REN CORADO (EM: rene@wfvz.org). For more information, see our website (URL: http://www.wfvz.org); general questions can be e-mailed to (EM: wfvz@wfvz.org). For a complete list of our publications for sale, see http://www.wfvz.org/html/pub_prog.html. Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology, 439 Calle San Pablo, Camarillo, CA 93012 (PH: 805/388 9944; FX: 805/388 8663).

WORLD PREMIERE OF PBS DOCUMENTARY, "JOHN JAMES AUDUBON: Drawn From Nature," AND CONFERENCE featuring experts on the artist and preserving his work, including the Octavos, a rare collection of his prints and natural history writings. Saturday, 21 Oct 2006, 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Hosted by the E.N. Huyck Preserve and held at the Rensselaerville Institute Conference Center, Rensselaerɭville, NY. Registration is limited. For more information and to obtain a registration form, visit http://www.huyckpreserve.org OR e mail (EM: audubonconference@huyckpreserve.org OR call 518 797 3105).

EVOLUTIONARY CHANGE IN HUMAN ALTERED ENVIRONMENTS: An International Summit--Thursday, 8 Feb - Saturday, 10 Feb 2007, at the University of California, Los Angeles. Human activities are affecting the evolutionary processes that generate and maintain biodiversity. Climate change and deforestation are facilitating the evolutionary jump of animal diseases to humans. Fish farming has resulted in the spread of poorly adaptive genes to the wild. Introductions of exotic species are impacting native species and limiting their ability to adapt. In response to this developing crisis, we are convening an international summit of evolutionary biologists, conservation practitioners, and policy makers to synthesize current knowledge and to begin to develop plans to mitigate the effects. The summit will feature talks from more than 40 top evolutionary biologists, poster presentations, and working groups. A central goal of the summit is to bring the discussion beyond academic boundaries to frame real world solutions to these problems. For more information and to register please go to: (URL: http://www.ioe.ucla.edu/CTR/ioesymposium.html).

ORNITHOLOGICAL WORLDWIDE LITERATURE (OWL) is an indexed compilation of bibliographic citations that pertain to ornithology and come from the periodic, worldwide scientific literature. In the 21st Century, published scientific information that cannot be found at a later date is information lost to science. Ornithologists must be able to find all papers related to our science. Now ornithologists around the globe can access this important resource at no cost via the OWL web site, http://www.birdlit.org. Results of all bibliographic searches are downloadable to a spreadsheet or database. OWL currently adds nearly 6,000 literature citations each year to the database, which already contains more than 45,000 citations back to about 1990. One of OWL's particular strengths is that it covers periodicals and other publications not typically included in other searchable databases. The OWL depends upon a cadre of volunteer abstractors and editors around the globe who review their respective journals and compile the citation records. We are constantly looking for more volunteers to help in this effort. If you are interested in helping, please contact the project manager (information below). The more abstractors working on this effort and the more serials that are regularly being reviewed and abstracted, the more valuable a resource for ornithologists around the world. Worldwide, about 100-125 abstractors are reviewing 400-700 serials. Each is responsible for all the ornithological papers in a particular journal. Abstractors may submit data either via a spreadsheet template file (i.e., fill in the empty cells for author, year, title, citation, etc.) or by a direct ONLINE entry form at our web site. It takes approximately one afternoon a year to cover one medium sized journal with 20-30 papers of interest to ornithologists. For a current list of journals in need of abstractors or for more information, contact KENNETH P. ABLE, Project Manager (EM: Kenable@direcway.com).

SEVERAL EVENTS OF INTEREST TO SHOREBIRD BIOLOGISTS will take place at the VIIIth Neotropical Ornithological Congress in Maturn, Estado Monagas, Venezuela, 13 19 May 2007. Among these shorebird activities will be the 2nd Shorebird Science in the Western Hemisphere퓔 meeting including a round table discussion introducing the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Group (WHSG). The formation of WHSG was proposed at the 1st Shorebird Science meeting at Boulder, Colorado, in March 2006. Those interested are encouraged to fill out the 1 page questionnaire on the form and function of this organization (see http://www.fws.gov/shorebirdplan/) and send this to RICHARD LANCTOT (EM: Richard_lanctot@fws.gov) by 1 Jan 2007. There will also be three shorebird symposia: (1) challenges and advances in the conservation of important shorebirds sites in the Neotropical region (Desafos y Avances en la Conservaci n de Sitios Importantes para Aves Playeras en el Neotrpico), organized by Charles Duncan, (2) the ecology of Nearctic shorebirds during the non breeding season (Ecolog a de aves playeras nerticas durante la poca no reproductiva), organized by Guillermo Fernandez and Stephen Brown, and (3) ecology of endemic Neotropical shorebirds (Aves Playeras Neotropicales) organized by Graciela Escudero, Julin Torres Dowdall and Monica Abril. In addition, the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network will have a one day meeting of site partners and others interested prior to or after the main meeting.

ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION "Challenges and Progress in Scientific Collecting Policies: Canada as an impending case study for a national policy review"Please join us for a roundtable discussion of issues relating to permitting policies with international impact for scientific collecting of avian research specimens. In particular, we will focus on the implications of a possible upcoming federal review of the scientific collecting policy for Canada. Discussion points will include the current status of scientific collecting in Canada, Canadian and international aspirations for the outcome of a Canadian collecting policy review, lessons learned from previous national policy reviews in participating NAOC countries, and ideas for improving international coordination in shaping scientific collecting policy in North America. The meeting will be held from 12:30 2:00 pm (brown bag lunch) on Thursday, 5 Oct 2006 at the NAOC in Veracruz, Mexico, at the Hotel Galeria (adjoining the WTC), Centro de Negocios #4. Please RSVP to MEADE KROSBY (EM: mkrosby@u.washington.edu).

IRISPIGMENTATION.COM (URL: http://www.irispigmentation.com) contains a free list of published iris colors for 4,900 species of birds. The list was collected for research purposes from many different field guides. Morgan Worthy, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, Ga. State University.

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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.

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE ORNITHOLOGICAL COUNCIL! Many ornithologists already know that the Ornithological Council is the "go-to" source of assistance and information regarding permits, animal welfare, and other policies and procedures that they must follow in conducting their research. We've also helped many ornithologists to obtain policy information about the birds they study, and to communicate their research findings to policy makers and conservation planners and resource managers. Others know us only through the Ornithological Newsletter or listservs, and have not yet needed assistance. We are grateful for the opportunity to serve the ornithologists and the ornithological community as a whole. More details about our work can be found in our annual report, which is posted here: http://www.nmnh.si.edu/BIRDNET/OC/OCnews.html

MOST OF THE SUPPORT for the Ornithological Council is provided by our eleven member societies, which support the OC as an important benefit for their members. However, support from individual ornithologists is also an important source of funding for OC's efforts to "keep the world safe for ornithology." Thank you to all who have contributed in the past. We appreciate your support! Membership renewal notices will be sent in the next few weeks, and we hope you will consider contributing to the Ornithological Council. You will find a line on the printed renewal notice, at the top of the column where you will list your dues and contributions to the OSNA societies. You can also contribute via the OSNA website (URL: http://www.osnabirds.org) if you renew online. The line for contributions to the OC will appear on the same webpage as the society membership dues and contributions.

ROLL UP YOUR SLEEVE FOR SCIENCE - If you are planning to attend the North American Ornithological Conference in Veracruz, please stop by table 4 of the exhibit area to donate 5 cc of your blood in a quick, easy blood draw to support research to determine exposure to zoonoses by scientists who handle wild birds. The growing number of zoonoses that are moving around the world and that have the potential to cause severe and/or large-scale human illness include a number of diseases that are more likely to affect those who come into close contact with wildlife. Ornithologists regularly handle wild birds and are more likely to have contracted one or more of the pathogens that are found in wildlife, including West Nile Virus and one or more avian influenza viruses. Giving your blood will help to determine the rates of exposure to various avian zoonoses among those who have close contact with birds. : The principal investigator is Kelly Henrickson, M.D., Medical College of Wisconsin. The project is officially approved and supported by the Mexican Ministry of Health. You will be able to donate at your convenience, Wednesday-Friday, 9:15 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. and Saturday 9:30 a.m. - noon. *No ornithologists will be toe-clipped!

APHIS E-PERMITS SYSTEM NOW AVAILABLE - For those importing "bird products" - which the USDA defines as "anything that was once part of a bird" it is time to register the use the new APHIS E-Permits system. The APHIS Import Authorization System is no longer available (as of July 31) so it is time to get registered for the e-permits system. The registration system is found at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/permits/eauth_epermits.shtml and the USDA Service Center locations are shown at: http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app. The computer registration part of the process is quite easy, but you do must visit a USDA Service Center for the final step in the process. It may be possible, if you have many registrants at one site, to have a USDA staffer visit your location to complete the process, but this service may not be available in all locations. The Ornithological Council has tested the online import application form (VS16-3) and found several problems, which we have asked APHIS to correct. Thus far, APHIS has been extremely responsive to our requests.

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AND USFWS ENTER INTO MIGRATORY BIRD MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING - At the very end of the Clinton Administration, President Clinton issued an Executive Order (EO 13186) directing all executive agencies to negotiate memoranda of understanding with the USFWS about what these agencies would do to minimize the impact of their activities on migratory birds, or mitigate that impact. See http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/EO/migbrdeo.pdf#search=%22migratory%20bird%20executive%20order%22 for the Executive Order. The Department of Defense has now finalized an agreement with the USFWS to promote the conservation of migratory birds. This is not the regulation that will govern how and when the military can take (harm, kill) bird species protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act during military preparedness exercises. Word has it that the regulation has left the Department of Interior and is awaiting approval from the White House Office of Management and Budget, and thus should be published in the near future. The DOD is already fairly extensively involved in supporting bird conservation. For instance, DOD is an important partner in Partners in Flight. This MOU will be posted on BIRDNET for those who would like to see the full text.

OC SUBMITS COMMENTS ON PROPOSED "BIRD TROPHY" REGULATION - The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has proposed to require that bird trophies must be sent directly to "Approved Establishments" upon import. The OC suggested that the regulation make clear that the rule does not apply to avian material that is imported under a permit. The comments pointed out that the proposed regulation, as written, has some potential to introduce a degree of confusion that the OC and the APHIS Veterinary Services staff have all worked so hard to eliminate. Confusion can hinder compliance by importers and enforcement at the ports. To avert this confusion, we suggested that the term "bird trophy" be defined - so as to exclude imports for research or display in a scientific or educational institution - and that the regulation state that it does not apply to the import of avian materials under Veterinary Services permits, which require pre-import treatment and other procedures to prevent the introduction of Exotic Newcastle Disease and Highly Pathogenic H5N1 Avian Influenza.

USFWS PROPOSES REVISIONS TO LIST OF MIGRATORY BIRDS - The Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) protects species listed by the USFWS and the signatories to the four treaties (Great Britain, Mexico, Japan, and Russia) that are implemented by the MBTA in the United States. The list is updated periodically to reflect changes in taxonomy, occurrence status, changes in common name, changes in legal status (e.g., the recent statutory change that defines and excludes nonnative species). A copy of the proposed rule can be found at http://www.fws.gov/policy/library/06-7001.html. Comments must be received by the USFWS by 23 Oct 2006. Submit comments as follows: (1) By postal mail to Chief, Division of Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Mail Stop 4107, Arlington, VA 22203 or (2) By hand-delivery to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Migratory Bird Management, 4501 North Fairfax Drive, Room 4000, Arlington, VA 22203 or (3) By fax to (FX: 703-358-2272; or (4) By e-mail (EM: mbtabirdlist@fws.gov).

WELCOME TO NEW OC BOARD MEMBERS - The Ornithological Council is pleased to welcome Raul Ortiz Pulido and Katherine Renton to the OC Board. They will represent CIPAMEX, replacing Mauricio Cervantes and Jose Manuel Galindo.

OC FACT SHEET ON AVIAN INFLUENZA UPDATED - To be sure that ornithologists and bird banders have the most current, accurate information possible about the risk posed by highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza, and know how to protect themselves when working in countries or regions where the disease is present, the Ornithological Council has updated its fact shee,t and new links to other sources of reliable information have been added to its avian influenza webpage: http://www.nmnh.si.edu/BIRDNET/OC/avianinfluenza.html. The fact sheet is being translated into Spanish by CIPAMEX and will be posted on the same website as soon as it is available.

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REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE

REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE - SANDHILL CRANES, Please keep your eyes on the legs of sandhill cranes throughout Wisconsin, Southeastern Minnesota, Northern Illinois, Northeastern Iowa, and Northwestern Indiana this fall and during winter in Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, and Louisiana. These cranes were banded as part of a long term study by the International Crane Foundation in south-central Wisconsin near the town of Briggsville. We are hoping to gain more information on breeding dispersal of cranes that were banded as juveniles. Each crane has a three-inch band in green, blue, or yellow on one leg above the hock joint. These bands are engraved with a unique three-digit number. On the opposite leg, is a combination of one-inch color bands. There is also a silver U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service band either in the combination of one-inch color bands, or down on the toes. For a picture of the different banding schemes of all sandhill crane banding projects in the eastern half of the United States, please visit the International Crane Foundation's website (URL: http://www.savingcranes.org/conservation/our_projects/program.cfm?id=17). It is important to record the exact sequence of color bands on each leg, engraved number on three-inch band (if seen), which leg holds the three-inch band, and which leg holds the one-inch color bands. Send observations of color bands along with location (distance and direction to nearest town and state), date, and as much information as possible, along with your contact information, to: JEB BARZEN, International Crane Foundation, P. O. Box 447, Baraboo, WI 53913-0447, (EM: jeb@savingcranes.org) or MATT HAYES, International Crane Foundation, P. O. Box 447, Baraboo, WI 53913-0447, (EM: matt@savingcranes.org).

LOOKING FOR COLOR-BANDED REDDISH EGRETS. Please be on the lookout for “color-banded” Reddish Egrets. Reddish Egret fledglings were banded during the 2006 nesting season along the Texas coast with orange vinyl “Telfair” tags that attached to the USGS aluminum band on the right leg of the bird. The orange tags have an alphanumeric code stenciled on the tag (e.g. A27). If you observe one of these “tagged” individuals, please record the location, date, and alphanumeric code (if possible) and any additional information you deem important (e.g. behavior). Additionally, 30 Reddish Egrets have had radio transmitters attached to the leg with a white plastic band that holds the transmitter. If you see any of these birds, please report the sighting(s) to DR. CLAY GREEN, Texas State University-San Marcos (EM: claygreen@txstate.edu; PH: 512-245-8037) or DR. BART BALLARD, Texas A&M-Kingsville (EM: Bart.Ballard@tamuk.edu; PH: 361-593-3954).

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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.

2007 SIGURD T. OLSON LOON RESEARCH AWARD, Request for Proposals–The LoonWatch program of the Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute at Northland College is accepting proposals for the 2007 Sigurd T. Olson Loon Research Award. This award program is named after biologist Sigurd T. Olson, whose 1952 paper with William H. Marshall, "The Common Loon in Minnesota," continues to be cited as one of the premier baseline reports on the biology of the Common Loon. Since 1986, the Loon Research Award has provided funding for original research that leads to better understanding and management of loon populations. We are accepting proposals for research conducted in North America on any of the Gavia species. Research on behavior, breeding ecology, migration, winter ecology, toxicology, and evolution of loons will be considered. Proposals addressing human impacts to loons will be given special consideration. The award will be designated for research that will be conducted in the 2007 calendar year. Maximum grant award is $2,000. A portion of the award is funded by the North American Loon Research Endowment. Proposal deadline is 1 Dec 2006. The award winner will be notified by 31 Jan 2007. For more information on the award, please visit the website (URL: http://www.northland.edu/loonwatch). To request proposal guidelines contact LoonWatch at: STO Loon Research Award, Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute, Northland College, Ashland, Wisconsin 54806 (EM: loonwatch@northland.edu, PH: 715-682-1223).

OWL HALL OF FAME SEEKS NOMINATIONS AND SPONSORS–The Owl Hall of Fame is seeking nominations of both owls and humans who have made tremendous strides toward making this world a better place for owls. Nominees may be living or deceased and may reside anywhere in the world. Self-nominations are accepted. Nominations must be received by 12 Jan 2007. Winners will be announced at the Festival of Owls in Houston, Minnesota, USA on Friday, 2 Mar 2007. International sponsors are also being sought. For more information about nominations or sponsorships, contact the Houston Nature Center (PH: 507-896-4668, EM: nature@acegroup.cc), or go to the Global Owl Project website (URL: http://www.globalowlproject.com) and click on “Owl Hall of Fame” to see information about the 2006 Owl Hall of Fame Awards.

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PUBLICATIONS AVAILABLE

BULGARIAN ANTARCTIC RESEARCH: LIFE SCIENCES, VOLUME 5, Golemansky, V Mecheva, R, editors, 2006. ISBN 9546422630, Pensoft Publishers, Sofia-Moscow, 165x240, photos, graphs, maps, a collection of papers, in English. Paperback, 106pp. The present volume of Bulgarian Antarctic Research is almost entirely devoted to Gentoo penguins, discussing aspects of genetics, polymorphism, survival, morphology and physiology. Cover, table of contents and sample pages at: http://pensoft.net/newreleases/13130.htm. Ordering by e-mail, fax, or phone (EM: orders@pensoft.net or pensoft@mbox.infotel.bg, FX: +359-2-8704282, PH: +359-2-8704281) or through http://www.pensoft.net.

BIRD SONGS--Drawing from the collection of the world-renowned Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Chronicle Books' Bird Songs presents the most notable North American birds (including the rediscovered Ivory-billed Woodpecker) in a stunning new audio-inclusive format that marries songs and call to each featured bird. Renowned bird biologist Les Beletsky provides a succinct description of each of the 250 birds profiled, with an emphasis on their distinctive songs. Lavish full-color illustrations accompany each account, while a sleek, built-in digital audio player holds 250 corresponding songs and calls. Complete with the most up-to-date and scientifically accurate information, Bird Songs is the first book to capture the enchantment of these beautiful birds in words, pictures, and song. To order: http://www.chroniclebooks.com.

THE DAVIS COLLECTION OF ORNITHOLOGICAL AND OTHER NATURAL HISTORY DOCUMENTS AT THE CORNELL LABORATORY OF ORNITHOLOGY, by William E. Davis, Jr. 2005. Effective Learning, Mount Vernon, New York. 569 pp., 16 black and white photographs. Cloth. ISBN 0-915474-10-7. $49 until 1 January 2007, $90 thereafter, p & h included. This book is the catalog of the approximately 8000 books and documents in the Davis Collection at the Adelson Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. It has an introductory biographical chapter about William E. Davis, M.D., and William E. Davis, Jr. who donated the collection to the Lab. Available from Effective Learning, 7 North MacQuesten Parkway, Mount Vernon, NY 10550, or by calling 1-800-697-0402.

THE BREEDING BIRDS OF FLORIDA by Glen E. Woolfenden, William B. Robertson, Jr., and James Cox, 2006. Florida Ornithological Society Special Publication no. 7: ii + 142 pp., 22 figures, $12. The two papers in this monograph, plus the information on the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission web site, represent the only publicly available information on Florida's Breeding Bird Atlas (BBA), the largest natural history undertaking in the history of Florida. Woolfenden and Bill Robertson (Part I) lay the foundation for interpreting the Florida BBA by reviewing the biogeography and recent history of Florida's breeding birds. Jim Cox's paper (Part II) uses data from the Florida BBA to examine relationships between the present breeding bird distribution and various climatic and habitat variables. His analysis indicates some recent distributional changes and highlights areas with concentrated occurrences of rare and declining species. Order this Special Publications from the Special Publications Editor, REED F. NOSS, University of Central Florida, Department of Biology, 4000 Central Florida Blvd. Orlando, FL 32816-2368 (PH: 407-823-0975, EM: rnoss@mail.ucf.edu). For a full list of all Florida Ornithological Society Special Publications, visit: http://www.fosbirds.org/specialpub/FOSSpecialPubs.php.

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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

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 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.

*34TH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE PACIFIC SEABIRD GROUP, 7-11 Feb 2007, Asilomar Conference Center, Pacific Grove, California. For more information, see: http://www.pacificseabirdgroup.org/index.php?f= meeting&t=Annual%20Meeting&s=1. For information and registration contact JIM HARVEY, Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, 8272 Moss Landing Road, Moss Landing, CA 95039 (EM: Harvey@mlml.calstate.edu, PH: 831-771-4434) or HANNAH NEVINS (EM: hnevins@mlml.calstate.edu, PH: 831-771-4422).

*88th ANNUAL MEETING of the WILSON ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY will be held 22-25 Mar 2007 in Boston, MA.

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

*FOURTH BIENNIAL AUSTRALASIAN ORNITHOLOGICAL CONFERENCE will be held in Perth, Western Australia, 3-5 Dec 2007. This conference provides a regular forum for the exchange of information and ideas between avian researchers and conservationists throughout the Australasian region. The venue will be the University of Western Australia, and the Western Australian group of Birds Australia (RAOU) will host the conference. A post-conference field excursion will be available. An Invitation: You are invited to express your interest in attending this conference, and presenting a paper by visiting http://www.birdswa.com.au/aoc2007, or link through http://www.birdswa.com.au or http://www.birdsaustralia.com.au or by writing to the conference co-ordinator: S. MATHER, Birds Australia Western Australia, 167 Perry Lakes Drive, Floreat, WA 6014 AUSTRALIA [EM: aoc2007@birdswa.com.au, PH: 61 (0)8 93896416].

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

JOHN L. BULL, a member of the AOU since 1947, elected Elective Member in 1965, member of COS since 1996, and WOS since 1952, died in New York City, NY on 11 Aug 2006 at the age of 92. John Bull was a largely self-taught ornithologist who was best known as the author of “Birds of the New York Area” (1964) and “Birds of New York State” (1974). He was an associate of the American Museum of Natural History from 1962 until his retirement in 1983.

HOWARD L. COGSWELL, a member of the AOU since 1944, elected Elective Member in 1952, AFO since 1983, COS since 1940, elected Honorary Member since 1986, died in Hayward, CA on 8 Jun 2006 at the age of 91.

GARY E. DUKE, a member of the AOU since 1967, elected Elective Member in 1993, member of COS and RRF, died on 21 Aug 2006 in St. Paul, MN at the age of 68. Gary served as Treasurer and President of RRF, and for most of his career as a professor of gastrointestinal physiology at the University of Minnesota, he and his students and collaborators discovered most of what we know today about raptor digestive physiology. He also played an instrumental role in establishing The Raptor Centre, a world-class institution specializing in diseases and rehabilitation of birds of prey. Donations in Gary's name can be made to The Raptor Center, to the Presbyterian Church of the Way in Shoreview, Minnesota, or to the Alzheimer's Association.

JOHN RIPLEY FORBES, a member of the AOU since 1958, died in Atlanta, GA on 26 Aug 2006 at the age of 93. Forbes was a founder of the Natural Science for Youth Foundation and the Southeast Land Preservation Trust, which developed a network of more than 200 nature centers and museums.

ERIC A. VANDERWERF left his position as Hawaiian Birds Recovery Coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to start his own conservation service, Pacific Rim Conservation (see http://www.PacificRimConservation.com). He remains actively involved in research and management directed at conservation of Pacific Island birds, and hopes that this move will allow him to devote more time to a variety of conservation projects around the Pacific. Contact information: Dr. Eric A. VanderWerf, 320 Kupaua Place, Honolulu, HI 96821. PH/FX: 808-377-7114; EM: ewerf@hawaii.rr.com.

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