The Ornithological Newsletter On-Line

NUMBER 175, DECEMBER, 2006

ORGANIZATION NEWS

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR AOU AWARDS:

WILLIAM BREWSTER MEMORIAL AWARD–Nominations are invited for the William Brewster Memorial Award for 2007. The Brewster Award is given for the most meritorious body of work (book, monograph, or series of related papers) on birds of the Western Hemisphere published during the past ten years. Nominations should be in the form of a written letter that includes (1) the name and institution of the nominee, and (2) a written description of the contributions of the nominee to ornithology. Submit one electronic copy of the nomination to the Chair, AOU Committee on Scientific Awards, ROBERT M. ZINK (EM:zinkx003@umn.edu), by 15 Jan 2007.
ELLIOTT COUES AWARD–Nominations are invited for the Elliott Coues Award for 2007. The Elliott Coues Award recognizes extraordinary contributions to ornithological research and involves no limitation with respect to geographic area, sub-discipline(s) of ornithology, or the time course over which the work was done. Nominations should be in the form of a written letter that includes (1) the name and institution of the nominee, and (2) a written description of the contributions of the nominee to ornithology. Submit one electronic copy of the nomination to the Chair, AOU Committee on Scientific Awards, ROBERT M. ZINK, (EM: zinkx003@umn.edu), by 15 Jan 2007.
NED K. JOHNSON YOUNG INVESTIGATOR AWARD–Nominations are invited for the Ned K. Johnson Young Investigator Award for 2007. The Ned K. Johnson Award recognizes outstanding and promising work by a researcher early in his/her career in any field of ornithology. Successful nominees will excel in research and show distinct promise for leadership in ornithology within and beyond North America. They must have received their doctorate within 5 years of being nominated, must not have received the award previously, and must be a member of the AOU at the time of nomination. To nominate a candidate for the Ned K. Johnson Young Investigator Award, submit one electronic copy of the nomination to the Chair, AOU Committee on Scientific Awards, ROBERT M. ZINK (EM: zinkx003@umn.edu), by 15 Jan 2007. Nominations should be in the form of a written letter that includes (1) the name and institution of the nominee, and (2) a written summary why the nominee should be considered for an award, including statements on his/her scientific accomplishments, the relevance of his/her research to scientific ornithology, and his/her promise as a leader in ornithology.
AOU CONSERVATION AWARD–Nominations are invited for the AOU Conservation Award for 2007. The AOU Conservation Award recognizes extraordinary scientific contributions to the conservation, restoration, or preservation of birds and/or their habitats by an individual or small team (usually less than 10 people). Contributions from throughout the world and over any time course are eligible. Appropriate activities include: - Applied research, restoration, and educational actions that conserve birds, or preserve significant bird habitats; - Scientific examination of the principles of avian conservation and application of new insights into species restoration; - Scientific evaluation, guidance, creation, and oversight of avian recovery programs or habitat reserve/restoration programs. To nominate a candidate for the AOU Conservation Award, submit one electronic copy of the nomination to the Chair, AOU Committee on Scientific Awards, ROBERT M. ZINK, (EM: zinkx003@umn.edu), by 15 Jan 2007. Nominations should be in the form of a written letter that includes (1) the name and institution of the nominee, and (2) summarizes why the nominee(s) should be considered for an award, including statements on scientific, educational, and conservation accomplishments, the relevance of his/her science to avian conservation, and his/her leadership in avian conservation, documentation of the conservation implications of the candidate's work, and what birds have benefited from the science.

CALL FOR SYMPOSIA AND WORKSHOPS–We invite proposals for symposia and workshops for the 125th American Ornithologists¹ Union Meeting in Laramie, Wyoming on 8-11 August 2007. Symposia will consist of five or six 30-min talks. Please send a title, names of organizer(s) and potential participants, tentative titles of their presentations, and a brief statement on why such a symposium or workshop would be of interest for this meeting. Send by 1 February 2007 to the Chair of the Scientific Program Committee, DAVID MCDONALD (EM: dbmcd@uwyo.edu), for consideration.

NOMINATIONS FOR AOU MEMBERSHIP CLASSES OF Fellow and Elective Member of the AOU are due 6 Apr 2007 (4 months prior to the Stated Meeting). Fellows and Elective Members are encouraged to submit nominations of deserving colleagues. Following its official charge to supplement nominations, the Committee on Nomination of Fellows and Elective Members will prepare only a few nominations, and thus timely submissions from members are imperative. Nominations and full supporting information are to be supplied by the nominators. Lists of current Fellows and Elective Members are available on the AOU website (URL: http://www.aou.org/membership/special.php3). Nominators seeking to endorse a nominee must first obtain the instructions and forms for 2007, available on the AOU web site (URL: http://www.aou.org/nominations.php3) or from the Secretary, SARA R. MORRIS, Department of Biology, Canisius College, 2001 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14208 USA (PH: 716 888 2567, FX: 716-888-3157, EM: aousecretary@aou.org). For ELECTIVE MEMBER nominations, the Secretary will compile and prepare ballot packets to be sent to current Fellows and Elective Members in May 2007. Ballots must be returned by mail to the Secretariat by three weeks before the Stated Meeting (i.e., by 18 Jul 2007) and the names will be announced at the Business Meeting of Members on 9 Aug 2007 at the University of Wyoming in Laramie, Wyoming. For FELLOW nominations, the Secretary will compile and prepare packets to be sent to current Fellows in July 2007. Voting will take place at the Fellows Meeting on 8 Aug 2007.

NOMINATIONS FOR AOU OFFICERS AND ELECTIVE COUNCILORS must be received by the Secretary four months before the Stated Meeting. Thus, this year nominations are due 6 Apr 2007. Officers to be elected by electronic and postal ballots prior to the meeting, will be Secretary, Treasurer, and four Elective Councilors. The Bylaws of the AOU require that the Secretary and Treasurer be elected or re elected annually. At the conclusion of the 125th Stated Meeting, Erica H. Dunn will begin the second year of her two year term as President, and Edward H. Burtt, Jr., will begin the second year of his two-year term as President-Elect. The incumbent Secretary (Sara R. Morris) and Treasurer (Frank B. Gill) are willing to stand for re-election. Of the total of twelve Elective Councilors, four are elected annually to serve terms of approximately three years, beginning at the close of the Stated Meeting. Elective Councilors to be replaced at the conclusion of the 125th Stated Meeting in 2007 are Peter P. Marra, Kathy Martin, Terrell D. Rich, and Kimberly A. Sullivan. Continuing to serve in 2007-2008 will be Elective Councilors Reed Bowman, Robert L. Curry, André Desrochers, Patricia J. Heglund, Helen F. James, Thomas W. Sherry, Jeffrey R. Walters, and David W. Winkler. The procedure for nominating AOU officers and Elective Councilors is outlined in the Bylaws (Art IV, Sec 2). "Each Fellow and Elective Member shall be invited to nominate to the Secretary, persons for President-Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, and Elective Councilors. These nominations shall be received by the Secretary four months before the Stated Meeting. Nominations for all officers and Elective Councilors must be accompanied by documented consent of the nominee." Nominations may be submitted in writing, or electronically to the Secretary, SARA R. MORRIS, Department of Biology, Canisius College, 2001 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14208 USA (PH: 716 888 2567, FX: 716-888-3157, EM: aousecretary@aou.org).

THE WILSON ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY held its annual meeting 3-7 Oct 2006 as part of the IV North American Ornithological Conference. The 2006 Margaret Morse Nice Medal was awarded to DR. F. GARY STILES, of Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia, who presented the plenary lecture, "Ornithology in a Troubled Country: Progress, Problems, and Recent Work on Nectar-feeding Birds." This award was established in 1997 to recognize the lifetime accomplishments of ornithologists and to provide them a venue for describing their scientific inquiry within the context of their careers in ornithology. The Edwards Prize for the best paper published in volume 116 of The Wilson Bulletin was awarded to CAROLYN B. MEYER, SHERRI L. MILLER, and C. JOHN RALPH for "Stand-scale habitat associations across a large geographic region of an old-growth specialist, the Marbled Murrelet" (Wilson Bull. 116(3):197-210). The Edwards Prize for the best paper published in volume 117 of The Wilson Bulletin was awarded to J. DANIEL LAMBERT, KENT P. MCFARLAND, CHRISTOPHER C. RIMMER, STEVEN D. FACCIO, and JONATHAN L. ATWOOD for "A practical model of Bicknell's Thrush distribution in the Northeastern United States" (Wilson Bull. 117(1):1-11). WOS Research Awards were announced in the Ornithological Newsletter 172 (June 2006). The results of the annual election of officers and council members were as follows: President - DORIS J. WATT, First Vice-President - JAMES D. RISING, Second Vice-President - E. DALE KENNEDY, Secretary - JOHN A. SMALLWOOD, Treasurer - MELINDA M. CLARK, Editor - CLAIT E. BRAUN, and Members of Council 2006-2009 - CARLA J. DOVE, GREG H. FARLEY, MIA R. REVELS.

NAOC STUDENT PRESENTATION AWARDS were given to 15 students for excellence in the rigor and quality of their scientific papers at the North American Ornithological Conference at the World Trade Center in Veracruz, México, 3-7 Oct 2006. All awards are unranked. In addition are listed the honorable mentions. Sponsors: ZEISS OPTICS - new Victory FL series; RAVEN: Cornell Lab of Ornithology (remember free to download: RavenPro -- 4 mos.); Lynx Edicions, Handbook of Birds of the World; National Geographic Handheld Birds; Birds of North America Online; Cornell University Press; Blackwell Publishing; Brunton.·15 TOP AWARD WINNERS:

ZEISS: LUIS M. GARCIA-FARIA, Instututo de Ecología, “Variación Genética como una Guía de Conservación para Poblaciones Cautivas y Silvestres de Guacamaya Roja” – “Genetic Variation as a Conservation Guideline for Captive and Wild Populations of the Scarlet Macaw;” ERIK ADRIÁN PEÑALOZA-PADILLA, Universidad de Guadalajara, “Cuidado Parental y Ecologia de Forrajeo del Bobo Café en el Farallón de San Ignacio, Sinaloa, México” – “Parental Care and Foraging Ecology of the Brown Boobie (Sula leucogaster) on the Farallon De San Ignacio, Sinaloa, Mexico;” HERNAN VASQUEZ-MIRANDA, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, “Diversification and Hybridization in a Neotropical Wren: Phylogeography of the Rufous-naped Wren (Campylorhynchus rufinucha)” – “Diversificación e Hibridización en una Matraca Neotropical: Filogeografía del Chancuaco (Campylorhynchus rufinucha).”
CANADIAN-CSO: KELLY J. JEWELL, University of British Columbia, “Cowbirds and Song Sparrow Population Dynamics: Prediction of Refuges from Parasitism in the Southern Gulf Islands, BC” – “Tordos y la Dinámica Poblacional de Gorriones Cantores;” MATTHEW REUDINK, Queens University, “Does Plumage Influence Winter Territory Acquisition in American Redstarts?” – “¿Influencía el Plumaje la Adquisición de Territorio de Invierno en Setophaga ruticilla?”
RAPTOR-RRF: ÉMILE BERTHIAUME, Sherbrooke University, “Should Detectability Be Included in Hawk Count Population Trend Analyses?” – “¿Se Debe de Incluir la Detectabilidad en los Análisis de las Tendencias Poblacionales en el Conteo de Halcones?”
AOU: MARK T. BIDWELL, University of Saskatchewan, “Calcium Limitation in North American Swallows – Limitacion del Calcio en las Golondrinas Norteamericanas;” ERIN HEWITT, Virginia Tech University, “Reproductive Consequences of Age at First Reproduction in Female Florida Scrub-jays (Aphelocoma coerulescens)” – “Consecuencias Reproductivas de la Edad Durante la Primer Reproducción de Aphelocoma coerulescens;” MEAD KROSBY, University of Washington (AOU Nellie Johnson Baroody Award), “Sweep, Wake, or Drift? A Mechanism for Mitochondrial Gene Flow Between Hermit and Townsend's Warblers” – “Barrido, Alteracion, o Deriva? Un Mecanismo Para el Flujo Genetico Mitocrondrial entre Dendroica occidentalis y Dendroica townsendi.”
WILSON: CHRIS J. CLARK, Univ. California Berkeley, “Are Hummingbird Dive-noises Vocal or Non-vocal?” – “Los Ruidos del Vuelo en Picada de los Colibríes ¿Son Vocales o no Vocales?”; COREY E. TARWATER, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, “Life History Implications of the Post-fledging Period in a Neotropical Passerine” – “Implicaciones del Período Posterior al Emplumamiento para la Historia de Vida de un Ave Paserina Neotropical.”
COOPER: DANIEL CADENA, University of Missouri-St. Louis & Universidad de los Andes, Bogota, Colombia, “How Do Leapfrog Patterns of Geographic Variation Arise?” – “¿Cómo Surgen los Patrones de Variación Tipo ‘Salto De Rana’?”; ZAC CHEVIRON, Louisiana State University, “The Role of Elevational Gradients in the Population Genetic Structure of Rufous-collared Sparrows (Zonotrichia capensis)” – “El Papel del Gradiente en la Estructura Genética de Poblaciones de Zonotrichia capensis;” CHRISTOPHER P. NADEAU, University of Arizona, “Effectiveness of Multi-species vs Singlespecies Call-broadcast Surveys for the Federally Endangered Yuma Clapper Rail” – “Comparación de la Eficacia de los Muestreos de Llamadas-respuestas Multiespecíficos y los de Una Sola Especie para Detectar Individuos de Rallus longirostris yumanensis;” BRIAN A. SCHWARTZ, University of Montana, “Relative Investment of Bi-parental Incubation in a Tropical Species” – “Inversion Relativa de Incubacion Bi-parental en una Especie Tropical.”
HONORABLE MENTION: LORI A. BLANC, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, “Cavity-nesting Bird Community Interactions: Use of Path Analysis and Implications for Endangered Species Management” – “Interacciones en la Comunidad de Aves que Anidan en Huecos: El Uso de Análisis de Rutas e Implicaciones para el Manejo de Especies Amenazadas;” MELISSA. S. BOWLIN, Princeton University, “Morphological Determinants of Energy Expenditure During Migratory Flight” – No Spanish; JEFFREY BULER, Univ. Southern Mississippi, “Multi-scale View of Habitat Use by Landbirds During Migratory Stopover” – “Inspección Multi Escala del Uso del Hábitat de las Aves Terrestres Durante La Parada Temporal Migratoria;” MATT D. CARLING, Louisiana State University, “Testing Species Divergence Hypotheses in Passerina Buntings: a Case Study in Using a Combined Phylogenetic and Population Genetic Approach with Multiple Loci” – “Probando la Hipotesis de Divergencia de Especies en el Grupo Passerina: Un Estudio de Caso Utilizando un Enfoque de Filogenia Combinada y Genetica Poblacional con Multiples Loci;” SARAH HUBER, University of Massachusetts, “Premating Isolation of Sympatric Morphs in a Population of Darwin's Finches” – “Aislamiento Pre-apareamiento de Formas Simpátricas en una Pobalción de Pinzones de Darwin;” TINA D. LEONARD, Acadia University, “Landscape Connectivity and Movement Behavior of Breeding Neotropical Migrants in Response to Forest Harvesting” – “Evidente Precisión de Utilizar Medidas Morfométricas para Determinar el Género del Cuervo Común Utilisando Tecnicas Moleculares;” BEN MARKS, Louisiana State University, “Phylogeography of the Red-tailed Bristlebill (Bleda syndactyla)” – “Filogeograía de Bleda Syndactyla;” MELISSA MEADOWS, Arizona State University, “Condition-dependence of Structural Colors in Birds: a Meta-analysis” – No Spanish; BRANDON L. NOEL, Georgia Southern University, “Wintering Site Fidelity for Great Lakes Piping Plovers in Georgia” – “Fidelidad de Sitios de Invernada de Charadrius melodus en los Grandes Lagos de Georgia;” MARIA GABY PALACIOS, Iowa State University, “Comparison of Immune Structure and Function of Nestling and Adult Tree Swallows: Patterns and Processes” – “Comparacion de la Estructura y Funcion Inmune entre Pichones y Adultos de la Golondrina Invernal: Patrones y Procesos;” JAMES W. RIVERS, University of California Santa Barbara, “Assessing Whether the Exaggerated Begging of a Generalist Brood Parasite Is an Adaptation for Brood Parasitism” – “¿Es el Comportamiento de Pedido Exagerado de un Parasito de Puesta Generalista una Adaptación al Parasitismo de Nidada?” HELEN R. SOFAER, Colorado State University, “Ecological Correlates of Orange-crowned Warbler Life Histories” – “Correlatos Ecológicos de la Historia de Vida de Vermivora celata;” ANDREW VITZ, Ohio State University, “Habitat Use and Survivorship of Post-fledging Mature-forest Birds” – “Uso de Hábitat y Sobrevivencia en el Periodo de Dependencia Post Abandono del Nido en las Aves de Bosque Maduro;” ERIC M. WOOD, Humboldt State University, “Predictive Models of Focal Bird Species in Sierra Nevada Foothill Woodlands.”

THE AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGISTS' UNION held its 124th Stated Meeting in conjunction with the 4th North American Ornithological Conference at the World Trade Center Veracruz, Boca del Rio, Veracruz, México, 3-7 Oct 2006. JUAN E. MARTÍNEZ GOMEZ and ERNESTO RUELAS INZUNZA co-chaired the Committee on Local Arrangements, and JOHN R. FAABORG, JUAN FRANCISCO ORNELAS, and MARÍA DEL CORO ARIZMENDI chaired the Committee on Scientific Program. There were 1743 registrants, 770 of them students. The program included 4 plenary lectures, 336 papers in 23 symposia, and 899 contributed papers (368 oral papers and 531posters).

AOU Officers elected or re-elected were President: ERICA H. DUNN, President-Elect: EDWARD H. BURTT, JR., Secretary: SARA R. MORRIS, Treasurer: FRANK B. GILL. Newly-elected Councilors were ANDRÉ DESROCHERS, PATRICIA J. HEGLUND, JEFFREY R. WALTERS, and DAVID W. WINKLER. The Fellows elected one new Honorary Fellow: HANS WINKLER (Austria), and five new Corresponding Fellows: JOSEP DEL HOYO (Spain), LUKAS JENNI (Switzerland), EDUARDO DE JUANA (Spain), MARCEL LAMBRECHTS (France), and LES G. UNDERHILL (South Africa). Newly-elected Fellows are: KEITH A. ARNOLD, GARY R. BORTOLOTTI, ROBERT W. BUTLER, DALE H. CLAYTON, ANDRÉ DESROCHERS, PETER O. DUNN, SCOTT V. EDWARDS, VICTORIA L. FRIESEN, GILLES GAUTHIER, CHERI L. GRATTO-TREVOR, REBECCA L. HOLBERTON, CARL D. MARTI, JOHN M. MARZLUFF, WILLIAM S. MOORE, GERALD J. NIEMI, JUDITH M. RHYMER, GARY RITCHISON, JAY M. SHEPPARD, CHARLES VAN RIPER, III, MARC-ANDRÉ VILLARD, LINDA A. WHITTINGHAM, and DAVID E. WILLARD. New Elective Members are: DANIEL R. ARDIA, ROBERT B. BLAIR, ROBERT E. BLEIWEISS, WILLIAM W. BOWERMAN, ROBB T. BRUMFIELD, DAWN M. BURKE, JOSÉ MARIA CARDOSO DA SILVA, COURTNEY J. CONWAY, STEPHEN J. DINSMORE, CARLA J. DOVE, SUSAN B. ELBIN, CRAIG R. ELY, JEANNE M. FAIR, SYLVIA L. HALKIN, COLLEEN M. HANDEL, PAUL HENDRICKS, LAWRENCE D. IGL, JASON JONES, RICHARD B. LANCTOT, KEVIN J. MCGRAW, DAVID W. MEHLMAN, DANIEL J. MENNILL, ADOLFO G. NAVARRO-SIGÜENZA, MARGARET R. PETERSEN, AMANDA D. RODEWALD, ETHAN J. TEMELES, RICHARD R. VEIT, BLAIR O. WOLF, and LIANA ZANETTE.
The Council re-elected SPENCER G. SEALY as Editor of The Auk, and JOHN R. FAABORG as Editor of Ornithological Monographs.
The William Brewster Memorial Award for 2006 was presented to SIDNEY A. GAUTHREAUX, JR., and the Elliott Coues Award for 2006 was presented to SIEVERT A. ROHWER. D. RYAN NORRIS received the Ned K. Johnson Young Investigator Award for 2006 and J. MICHAEL SCOTT received the AOU Conservation Award for 2006. HOWARD P. BROKAW received the Marion Jenkinson AOU Service Award for 2006.
The 125th Stated Meeting of the AOU will be held at the University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, 8-11 Aug 2007.

NAOC TRAVEL AWARDS were granted to 114 outstanding students to help defray expenses for transportation to the 4th North American Ornithological Conference in Veracruz, Boca del Rio, Veracruz, México, 3-7 October, 2006. The NAOC Travel Award Committee is pleased to announce the winners for 2006: SOFIA AGUDELO, New Mexico State University; KATHRYN AITKEN, University of British Columbia; MATILDE ALFARO BARRIOS, Uni de la Republica; JESSICA ARMENTA, University of Wisconsin -- Milwaukee; JILL AWKERMAN, Wake Forest University; DALIA AYALA ISLAS, Uni Nacional de Mexico; TROY BADER, Arkansas State University; BEN BAISER, Rutgers University; MARJA BAKERMANS, Ohio University; ANA BARREIRA, Museo Argentino; CHELINA BATISTE, Soc Audubon Panama; SHELLY BAYARD DE VOLLO, Colorado State University; MICHELLE BECK, Washington State University; LAURYN BENEDICT, University of California -- Berkeley; THOMAS BENSON, Arkansas State University; IGOR BERKUNSKY, Uvi de la Plata; DAVEKA BOODRAM, Uni West Indies; KATHI BORGMANN, University of Arizona; RENA BORKHATARIA, University of Florida; KATHRINE BRODHEAD, Simon Fraser; JESSI BROWN, University of Nevada – Reno; JOSEPH BROWN, University of Michigan; FLORENCIA BULIT, University of Buenos Aires; CARLOS DANIEL CADENA, University of Missouri – St. Louis ; DIEGO CALDERON-FRANCO, Uni Antioquia, Colombia; MATT CARLING, Lousiana State University; MARIANA CARRO, University of Buenos Aires; MARY CASWELL STODDARD, Yale University; ZACHARY CHEVIRON, Louisiana State University; SANTIAGO CLARAMUNT, Louisiana State University; ANTONIO CORDOVA AVALOS, Colegio de postgradios; CINTIA CORNELIUS, University of Missouri – St. Louis ; MARIA CORRAL, University of Buenos Aires; MARIA DE MARSICO, University of Buenos Aires; D LUCAS EGROOTE, Ohio State University; ADRIAN DI GIACOMO, Aves Argentinas; RENATA DURAES, University of Missouri – St. Louis ; KYLE ELLIOT, University of Manitoba; JENNIFER FOOTE, Queen's University; JULIE GARVIN, University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee; ALEJANDRO GATTO, University of Buenos Aires; JACQUELYN GRACE, Willamette University; ALEJANDRO GUEVARA, Uni Colombia; LORI HARGROVE, University of California – Riverside; MICHAEL HARVEY, Cornell; JOEL HEATH, Simon Fraser University; SARAH HECHTENTHAL, University of Calgary; REBECCA HEISS, Binghamton University; MARIA HERNANDEZ, University of Patagonia; JOSE P HIDALGO, Uni Ecuador; SANJA HINI-FRLOG, University of California – Davis; OSVEL HINOJOSA-HUERTA, University of Arizona; CHRIS HOFMANN, University of Maryland; KIMBERLY HOLBROOK, University of Missouri – St. Louis ; SCOTT HORTON, University of Washington; SHEENA HUMBIRD, Sam Houston State University; REBECCA HYLTON, North Carolina State University; FRODE JACOBSEN, University of Maryland; SARAH JAMIESON, Simon Fraser University; JASON JOHNSTON, University of Maine; KEVIN KERR, University of Guelph; JEFF KIMMONS, University of Arkansas; JENNIFER KLOMP, Central Michigan University; HOLLIE KNOLL, University of Calgary; CECELIA KOPUCHIAN, University Buenos Aires; MEADE KROSBY, University Washington; MICHAEL KUEHN, University of California – Santa Barbara; WENDY KUNTZ, University of Hawaii – Manoa; DAVID LA PUMA, Rutgers University; KATHRYN LANGIN, Queen's University; MYUNG-BOK LEE, University of California – Riverside; COLLEEN LENIHAN, University of California – Davis; SUSANNAH LERMAN, University of Massachusetts; KENNETH LEVENSTEIN, Arkansas State University; DARIO LIJTMAER, University of Buenos Aires; IRENE LIU, University of Maryland; KARA LOEB-BELINSKIY, University of Massachusetts – Amherst; GUSTAVO LONDONO, University of Florida; ERIN MACCHIA, Arkansas State University; RAFAEL MAIA VILLAR DE QUEIROZ, University de Brasilia; JOY MANALO, University of Alberta; STEPHEN MATTHEWS, Ohio State University; BRADY MATTSSON, University of Georgia; WILLIAM MAUCK, San Diego State University; EMILY MCKINNON, Queen's University; CESAR MENDEZ GONZALEZ, New Mexico State University; HOLLY MIDDLETON, Simon Fraser University; CAROLINA MINIO, University Sao Carlos Brazil; LUCIANA MUSMECI, Centro Nacional Patagónico, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; JACQUELINE NOOKER, Kansas State University; VALERIE O'BRIEN, University of Tulsa; KEVIN OH, University of Arizona; MARIA ORDONEZ, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; BULMARA OVANDO, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste, S.C., Mexico; MARIA GABRIELA PALACIOS, Iowa State University; SUSANA PELUC, University of California – Riverside; NOAH PERLUT, University of Vermont; ANDREA POMEROY, Simon Fraser University; MATTHEW REUDINK, Queen's University; JUAN JOSE RIVERA DIAZ, CIUD; LAURA RIVERA RODRIQUEZ, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste, S.C., Mexico; JAMES RIVERS, University of California – Santa Barbara; ADRIANA RODRIGUEZ-FERRARO, University of Missouri – St. Louis ; MELISSAH ROWE, University of Chicago; ALEJANDRO SALINAS-MELGOZA, New Mexico State University; TANIA SANCHEZ-MARTINEZ, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; DIEGO SANTIAGO ALARCON, University of Missouri – St. Louis; VINODKUMAR SARANATHAN, Yale University; DAIZABURO SHIZUKA, University of California – Santa Cruz; JOE SMITH, Smithsonian Institute; JASON TAYLOR, University of Michigan; RACHEL VALLENDER-FRASER, Queen's University; CLAIRE VARIAN, Washington State University; ANDREW VITZ, Ohio State University.

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NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

ARE AMERICAN KESTRELS (FALCO SPARVERIUS) IN DECLINE? A one-day symposium on the American kestrel will be held during a joint meeting of the Raptor Research Foundation and the Hawk Migration Association of North America in Allentown, Pennsylvania on Thursday, September 16 (actual date is tentative), 2007. Papers on populations, demographics and other subjects related to its natural history are invited. For more information, contact: DAVID M. BIRD, Ph.D., Avian Science and Conservation Centre, McGill University, 21,111 Lakeshore Road, Ste. Anne de Bellevue, Quebec Canada H9X 3V9 (PH: 1-514-398-7760, FX: 1-514-398-7990, URL: http://www.ascc.mcgill.ca).

GULLS, WATERFOWL, SHOREBIRD/MIGRATION WORKSHOPS–The San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory presents birding workshops for the birder and naturalist taught by Biologist Alvaro Jaramillo. Workshops will be in January, February, and April 2007 at the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Alviso, CA. Cost per workshop is $150 and space is limited. Register starting Nov 2006. For course information and registration, go to http://www.sfbbo.org/birdingworkshops.htm or call 408 946 6548.

REQUEST FOR PRESENTATIONS--12th Annual Cape Cod Natural History Conference, Date: Saturday, March 17, 2007, Time: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Location: Cape Cod Community College - West Barnstable, Massachusetts. Sponsored by: Mass Audubon's Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. Presentation Topics: professional or personal studies or observations concerning the identification, ecology, behavior, status, or distribution of local plants, animals, or natural communities. Presentation Length: 15 minutes, with additional 5-minute question/answer period; and/or table space is available for posters/exhibits. Proposal Deadline: 19 Dec 2006. A proposal form is attached or more information, contact: MELISSA LOWE, Education Coordinator, Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, P.O. Box 236, South Wellfleet, MA 02663 (PH: 508-349-2615; FX: 508-349-2632; EM: mlowe@massaudubon.org).

ANDREWS GALLERY OF WILDLIFE ART–The Ella Sharp Museum of Art and History in opened a new gallery for wildlife art on 1 October, as part of a $2.5 million expansion project. The Andrews Gallery of Wildlife Art will house a rotating exhibition of the Museum’s recent acquisition of the Andy and Sandy Andrews’ wildlife art collection, featuring nationally-known wildlife artists. The exhibit will change twice per year. The gallery’s inaugural exhibit includes 62 artworks by 28 artists including world champion decoy carvers, prints, bronze sculptures and a number of rare taxidermy mounts including a White-cheeked Pintail and a Nene. Delta Waterfowl Foundation has determined that the Andrews Gallery is of national importance, and will provide funding for several years to support WINGS, the Museum’s educational outreach of the Andrews Gallery. The Foundation believes the WINGS program will set important precedents for teaching conservation through visual arts. Ella Sharp Museum of Art and History, 3225 Fourth St., Jackson, MI 49201 (PH: 517-787-2320, URL: http://www.ellasharp.org).

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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.

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE ISSUES DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT ON "BENEFITS-SHARING" - The National Park Service allows natural resources to be taken from the Parks for scientific research that sometimes results in the development of commercially valuable products, such as Taq polymerase. The NPS has now developed a policy governing the manner in which natural resources may be taken for research; the policy establishes the rules for the sharing of benefits resulting from the development of commercially valuable products. The Ornithological Council is scrutinizing the policy and the accompanying draft Environmental Impact Statement, particularly for its impact on scientists who collect birds in the Parks, and will submit comments. In a related matter, the Ornithological Council has made a formal request to the Interagency Working Group - a committee of federal agency staffers - on Scientific Collections that the committee consider the issue of ownership of specimens collected on public lands managed by federal agencies, such as the National Park Service.

UPDATED IMPORT PERMIT GUIDE ISSUED - The Ornithological Council has updated its Import Permit Guide, first issued in August 2005. The updates include a detailed "how-to" for the new APHIS e-permit system, information about the requirements for certification to ship specimens in ethanol or formalin, and explanations of FedEx shipping policies and restrictions. Work on a state-by-state permit guide and an export guide continues.

NO WILDLIFE RESEARCH IN OCEANS SCIENCE DRAFT REPORT - Following the publication of the Oceans Commission report in 2004, President Bush established a committee of cabinet secretaries and other federal officials to coordinate the government's policies and activities with regard to ocean and coastal issues. That committee appointed a Joint Subcommittee on Oceans and Coastal Science and Technology, which developed a report on priorities in ocean science. Entitled, "Charting the Course for Ocean Science, " the draft report was released for comment in September. Working with the Pacific Seabird Group and the American Bird Conservancy, the Ornithological Council submitted comments expressing concern about the nearly complete absence of wildlife research in the report.

NEOTROPICAL MIGRATORY BIRD CONSERVATION ACT REAUTHORIZED - Congress reauthorized this small but important matching-fund grants program, which from 2002 through 2006, has provided more than 17.2 million in grants to partners in 42 U.S. states and 30 Latin American and Caribbean countries, funding 186 projects. The funding provided by Congress has leveraged some $89.1 million in total partner contributions to support activities that bring long-term benefits to Neotropical migratory birds. NMBCA is the only federal funding program designed specifically for migratory bird species throughout North America, and it also provides the only dedicated source of funds for migratory birds on their wintering grounds in Latin America and the Caribbean. Projects involving land conservation have affected some 3.2 million acres of bird habitat, and species that are benefiting include the Cerulean Warbler, Golden-winged Warbler, Bobolink, Red Knot, and Bicknell's Thrush. The American Bird Conservancy and the members of the Bird Conservation Alliance are to be congratulated for their hard work and dedication in shepherding this legislation through Congress, which President Bush signed into law on 17 October 2006.

RESTRICTIONS ON SCIENTISTS WORKING FOR FEDERAL AGENCIES - Traveling to and participating in scientific meetings may be problematic for scientists who work for federal agencies. In addition, a federal law prohibits federal employees from serving on the boards of outside organizations. The Ornithological Council, together with The Wildlife Society and other nonprofit scientific organizations, has long been concerned about these issues, and is working cooperatively with TWS and other groups to try to bring about changes in these policies.

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REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE

HAVE YOU EVER OBSERVED MOLTING MERGANSERS? I am looking for anecdotal or published information on the location of flightless adult common mergansers (Mergus merganser) or unidentified mergansers observed during molt as part of a study on the migration to molting areas and the geographic locales of these molting areas. Information on the location, date of observation, and size of flocks observed anywhere in North America would be much appreciated. Please send observations or other information to JOHN PEARCE, U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center, 1011 E. Tudor Road, Anchorage, Alaska 99503 (EM: John_Pearce@usgs.gov; PH: 907-786-3893).

LOOKING FOR COLOR-BANDED GULL–Please keep your "eyes peeled" for color-banded Thayer's and Glaucous Gulls. Adults and fledglings of both species have been banded over the past 4 nesting seasons (2003-2006) in the Canadian high Arctic and we'd love to know where these birds are going in the fall, winter and spring. Each THGU has been banded with a bright yellow leg band that has been engraved with a black alphanumeric code (e.g., B1). Similarly, each GLGU has been banded with a red or white leg band that has been engraved with a white or dark blue alphanumeric code, respectively. Each adult bird has additional solid color bands on one or both legs. If you observe banded adult or juvenile Thayer's or Glaucous Gulls, please record the location, date and the alphanumeric code. Also, any information regarding behavior or diet would be greatly appreciated. If you see any of these birds, please report the sighting(s) to CINDY ANDERSON, Wildlife Biology Program, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812 (EM: cindy.anderson@mso.umt.edu). Your help is kindly appreciated!

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POSITIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE

The Positions and Opportunities section is available only in the on-line edition. This information can be accessed from the Ornithological Newsletter Home Page (http://www.osnabirds.org/on), or directly at (http://www.osnabirds.org/on/ornjobs.htm). Submissions can be made at any time. Please send submissions to the Ornithological Newsletter Editor, Cheryl Trine, (EM: ctrine@andrews.edu). This posting service is free of charge.

A LISTSERVE SERVICE is available. 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". The subject line should be blank. Please send your message using the "plain text only" e-mail format option and include your name in the message.You leave by sending the message "unsubscribe BirdJobs-L" to listproc@cornell.edu.

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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.

THE FRANCIS M. PEACOCK SCHOLARSHIP for College Seniors and Graduate Students–The Francis M. Peacock Scholarship for Native Bird Habitat grants financial aid ($4-5,000) to an advanced student to study areas in the United States that provide winter or summer habitat for threatened or endangered native birds. Awarded by the Garden Club of America, in cooperation with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, it offers scholars the opportunity to pursue real habitat-related issues that eventually benefit bird species and lend useful information for management decisions. Application deadline: 15 Jan 2007. For application guidelines, please write or e-mail SCOTT SUTCLIFFE, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 159 Sapsucker Woods Road, Ithaca, NY 14850 [EM: lh17@cornell.edu (no phone calls, please)].

FRANCOIS VUILLEUMIER FUND FOR RESEARCH ON NEOTROPICAL BIRDS–The goal of the Neotropical Ornithological Society's Francois Vuilleumier Fund is to award one or more cash grants per year for thesis studies of Neotropical birds to one or several graduate students from any country in Latin America and the Caribbean . The funds are provided to assist thesis research by students enrolled in an institution in the Neotropics who have little or no access to funds within their country or at their institution. Awards will be competitive and are expected to be in the range of $500. Students from Latin America and the Caribbean enrolled in a graduate degree program (Masters or Ph.D.) at an institution in the Neotropical Region are eligible to apply. Application Calendar: Application Deadline: 10 Dec 2006 of each year (e-mail Receipt); Announcement of Awards: 15 March of each year. Further Information: Fund information and guidelines are available on the Neotropical Ornithological Society website (URL: http://www.neotropicalornithology.org). For additional information contact DR. JOSEPH M. WUNDERLE (EM: wunderle@coqui.net).

2007 A.O.U. STUDENT MEMBERSHIP AWARDS COMPETITION--Are you a student interested in joining the American Ornithologists’ Union (AOU)? The Council of the AOU has voted to provide one-year student membership awards to qualified undergraduate or graduate students interested in pursuing a career in ornithology. There are many benefits to becoming a member of the AOU: (1) You will receive The Auk, the leading journal of ornithology. (2) You will receive Ornithological Monographs a venue for longer ornithological publications. (3) You will have access to the online membership directory, providing contact information for all members of the Ornithological Societies of North America. (4) You will be eligible to apply for travel awards to attend annual meetings and research grants to support high quality research. (5) You will become part of a forward-looking organization that promotes participation of professionals and amateurs in the mission of understanding and conserving birds. To qualify, students must: 1. Have no current or prior membership in the AOU 2. Provide a resume or curriculum vitae describing the current degree program, the expected date of completion and the candidate's academic and/or work experience, and interests in ornithology. 3. Provide a brief letter of sponsorship from an academic advisor on letterhead from the institution in which the student is currently enrolled. Awards are not renewable, but recipients can continue to be AOU members at the reduced student rate for four additional years, as long as they retain student or post-doctoral status. To apply, send materials by mail or email to: DR. DANIEL MENNILL, AOU Student Membership Awards Committee, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON N9B3P4, Canada. Email: membershipawards@aou.org (please use subject heading "AOU Student Membership Award" if submitting by email). Applications are accepted at any time of year, although students are encouraged to send materials prior to January 1 to receive their first issues of the publications in January. More information on the AOU website (URL: http://www.aou.org/).

AOU RESEARCH AWARDS FOR 2007–Instructions for submitting an application for a 2007 AOU Research Award are now available and can be accessed on the AOU homepage (URL: http://www.aou.org ) by following the Awards link to the Research Awards page. Questions can be directed to the Chair of the AOU Research Awards Committee either by e-mail (EM: rbowman@archbold-station.org ) or by regular mail: REED BOWMAN, Avian Ecology Lab, Archbold Biological Station, 123 Main Dr., Venus, FL 33960. Applicants must submit ten (10) copies of the completed application form, their proposal and budget, to the Chair by 1 Feb 2007. Applications that do not adhere strictly to the submission guidelines will not be evaluated.

THE WILLIAM B. AND MARY J. ROBERTSON FELLOWSHIP AWARD is offered by the Florida Ornithological Society to support the study and conservation of wildlife, habitat, and ecosystems in Florida and the Caribbean. An award of $1000 will be offered in 2007. Proposals submitted should include a statement of objective, materials and methods, and how information gathered will further the goals stated above. The application should also include a budget and schedule of work. Applicants should send three copies of their proposal and curriculum vitae to: PETER G. MERRITT, 8558 SE Sharon Street, Hobe Sound, Florida 33455. Applications must be post-marked before 15 Feb 2007. Recipients will be announced at the spring meeting of the Florida Ornithological Society.

TIOF ENDOWMENT FUND PROPOSAL–The International Osprey Foundation (TIOF) is seeking applications for its 17th annual grant program to support research activities of a graduate student primarily focusing on osprey. However, work with other raptor species may be considered. The award recipient will be expected to provide a report on his or her research and use of the funds within one year of receiving the grant. To apply, send a project description of no more than two pages, an itemized estimate of expenses, and the name address of the graduate supervisor. This project description and estimated budget, along with a cover letter giving whatever personal data you wish to furnish, will serve as your grant application. No further documents are required. Applications must be submitted by 31 Jan 2007 to: TIOF Endowment Fund, P.O. Box 250, Sanibel, FL 33957-0250. The grant will be awarded on 31 March 2007.

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, sponsored by: Center for Biological Diversity, Buteo Books, Festival of Owls, Global Owl Project, Manitoba Great Gray Owl Fund, Natural Heritage Books, Northwoods LTD, Owl Research Institute, Owlstuff.com, Raptor Education Group Inc, Ron Buck's Worth Framing, and Stith Recording.

NORTH STAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSMITTER GRANT PROGRAM – North Star Science and Technology, LLC and American Bird Conservancy announce the 5th annual North Star Science and Technology Transmitter Grant Program. In the spirit of giving back to the research community that they serve, North Star will award a total of eight (8) satellite transmitters (Argos Platform Transmitter Terminals (PTTs)), to one or two recipients (8 PTTs to one project or 4 PTTs to each of two projects). PTTs are powerful, cutting-edge tools for the study of bird migration that greatly extend the range over which individual birds can be tracked. The program is open to projects throughout the world. Research that contributes to our knowledge of avian biology and that provides data useful for bird conservation, particularly of threatened species, will receive preference in the selection process. American Bird Conservancy (URL: http://www.abcbirds.org) will handle the proposal submission process, review proposals, and select the winning projects. Please see http://www.northstarst.com for more information and proposal guidelines. Deadline for proposals is 2 Feb 2007 Any further questions about the program can be directed to George E. Wallace, American Bird Conservancy (EM: gwallace@abcbirds.org; PH: 540-253-5780; FX: 540-253-5782).

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PUBLICATIONS AVAILABLE

THE BIRD CALL OF THE RIO BENI. Adventures of Father and Son on an Ornithological Expedition in the Jungles of Western Bolivia, South America in 1934-1935. A Diary with Commentary, by M. R. Carriker, 2005. Narrative Press. 226 pp., includes tables of new species of birds and bird lice collected, many black and white photographs. $15.95. This fascinating story blends scientific exploration, jungle adventures, and a young man's coming of age in a single narrative. In the summer of 1934 the author, an 18-year-old high school graduate from New Jersey, sailed with his ornithologist father, Melbourne A. Carriker, Jr., to the jungles of western Bolivia on a nine-month bird and bird-lice collecting expedition. For avid birding enthusiasts, who love a blend of scientific field study set against a turbulent backdrop, Carriker presents this wonderful tale of life in the wild bush, the challenges of assimilation with new and foreign cultures, and above all the distinctive link between a father and his son. Available from Narrative Press (PH: 541-259-2154,URL: http://www.narrativepress.com).

THE GOSHAWK. by Robert Kenward. London: T&AD Poyser / Distributed in North America by Buteo Books. 2006. $52.50. A Poyser monograph on this large forest accipiter, found in boreal and temperate forests throughout the Holarctic. The author has had a long and varied relationship with the Northern Goshawk and this book reflects this experience in addition to covering the life history of the species, its relation to humans, and the conservation concerns regarding its survival. With illustrations by Alan Harris, color photos, maps. Shipping and handling for domestic addressees is $5 via standard mail. Further details may be found on our website (URL: http://www.buteobooks.com), or you may contact Buteo Books (PH: 800-722-2460, (or 434-263-8671) FX: 434-263-4842, EM: customerservice@buteobooks.com). Buteo Books, 3130 Laurel Road, Shipman, VA 22971.

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PERSONAL EXCHANGES

FOR SALE: Complete Auk, including some Nuttall Bulletins, from 1886. Also runs of Wilson Bulletin. DR. OAKLEIGH THORNE, Thorne Ecological Institute, Boulder, CO (PH: 303-499-3647, EM: oakleigh@colorado.edu).

WANTED: Wilson Bulletin, Volume 118-1. If you have an extra or un-needed copy of this issue available, please contact: CHERYL PAHZ, Central Michigan University, Library Serials Dept., 300 Preston Street, Mount Pleasant, MI 48859-0001 (PH: 989-774-6868 )

WANTED: Back Issues of Ornis Scandinavica. I wish to purchase Ornis Scand. vol. 9, # 2; vol. 11, #1; and vol. 12, #1. JEFF MARKS (PH: 503-774-4783; EM: jeff17_marks@msn.com).

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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

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).

*84th ANNUAL MEETING OF THE EASTERN BIRD BANDING ASSOCIATION will be held on 23-25 Mar 2007 in Brewster, MA at the Ocean Edge Resort and Golf Club on Cape Cod, an impressive Gothic and Renaissance Revival stucco mansion on 380 acres of land. The program includes presentations on Ospreys, songbird migration, Common Terns, shorebirds, vireos, as well as updates from the Bird Banding Laboratory and the Institute for Bird Populations. For more information, see http://www.frontiernet.net/~bpbird/eb00004.htm or contact SUE FINNEGAN, Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, 869 Main St, Brewster, MA 02631 (EM: suefinnegan@comcast.net, PH: 508-896-7083).

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

*THE ASSOCIATION OF FIELD ORNITHOLOGISTS' 2007 MEETING will be held at the University of Maine in Orono 26-29 Jul 2007. Information about the meeting, pre- and post-meeting trips, and the Gulf of Maine region will be available on the AFO website (URL: http://www.afonet.org/) soon. Contact REBECCA HOLBERTON, Laboratory of Avian Biology, Dept. Biological Sci., Univ. of Maine, Orono, ME 04469 (EM: rebecca.holberton@maine.edu, PH: 207-581-2526), for more information.

*125TH STATED MEETING OF THE AOU will be held at the University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, 8-11 Aug 2007.

*RAPTOR RESEARCH FOUNDATION and HAWK MIGRATION ASSOCIATION OF NORTH AMERICA JOINT CONFERENCE IN 2007. The RRF 2007 annual conference will be held in conjunction with the HMANA tri-annual conference in Allentown, Pennsylvania, hosted by Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association. The conference dates, 12-16 Sep 2007 are timed to enjoy the annual broad-winged hawk and osprey migration through eastern Pennsylvania with daily counts of over 1,000 birds possible. The meeting will be held at the Fogelsville Holiday Inn Conference Center, strategically located near the base of the Kittatinny Mountain, a world-renown flyway for raptors and songbirds. Field trips to several migration watch sites such as Hawk Mountain, Bake Oven Knob, Cape May, are planned. A special symposium on the status of North American Raptors will be held on Saturday and Pete Dunne will deliver the keynote address on Thursday. For further details contact local organizing committee chair LAURIE GOODRICH (EM: Goodrich@hawkmtn.org) or check the website(URL: http://biology.boisestate.edu/raptor/).

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

PAUL H. BALDWIN, member of the AOU since 1947, Elective Member since 1953, elected Fellow in 1976, member of COS since 1942, died 26 Sep 2006, at his home in Ashland, Oregon at the age of 93. Paul received his PhD from the University of California and was internationally recognized for his fieldwork on the Hawaiian Honeycreeper. He was a professor of zoology at Colorado State University from 1950 to 1978 and taught at the University of Montana Biological Station in the summers from 1955 to 1962. Following his retirement to Northern California in 1978, he remained active in environmental groups, with a primary focus on wetlands ecology, until the late 1990’s.

PROFESSOR GEORGE A. BARTHOLOMEW ("Bart") passed away at the age of 87 on 2 Oct 2006. He was a leading researcher in physiological ecology of birds and other animals, an inspiring teacher and graduate advisor (he was designated as one of the top twenty professors in the history of the University of California, Los Angeles). Bart was the recipient of numerous awards for his accomplishments, including the Brewster Medal of the American Ornithologists' Union and the Loye and Alden Miller Research Award of the Cooper Ornithological Society. Bart was a Fellow of the AOU and an Honorary Member of the COS. Among his other honors, he was a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and a member of the National Academy of Sciences. He received an honorary D.Sc. from the University of Chicago.

WILLIAM A. (BILL) BURNHAM, President and CEO of The Peregrine Fund from 1986 through 2006, died from brain cancer. He was a member of the AOU since 1974, AFO since 1988, COS and WOS since 1981, RRF and WS since 1997. Bill joined The Peregrine Fund/Cornell University in 1974, and established The Peregrine Fund’s western propagation facility in Fort Collins, Colorado. In 1984, Bill spearheaded the creation of The Peregrine Fund’s World Center for Birds of Prey in Boise, Idaho.ERIC L. WALTERS recently moved from Dartmouth College to the University of California, Berkeley; where he is a postdoctoral fellow at the Hastings Reserve in Carmel Valley, CA. He will be examining the role of ecological constraints on the evolution of cooperative breeding in Acorn Woodpeckers. His contact information can be found at http://www.ericlwalters.org. As a result of this move, CAVNET (an internet discussion list focused on cavity-nesting birds) has also relocated to http://www.cavitynester.org

PAUL E. DEBENEDICTUS, a member of the AOU since 1964, elected Elective Member in 1979, died on 3 May 2006.

MARIO A. RAMOS OLMOS died suddenly and unexpectedly of heart failure at his home in Washington, D.C. on 10 Sep 2006. He was 57. Dr. Ramos was a member of the AOU since 1977, elected Elective Member in 1985, and Fellow in 1992, member of the AFO since 1983, member of COS since 1977, and WOS since 1993. After a brief but meteoric career in ornithology (plenary speaker at the Ottawa IOC in 1986), Mario turned his main focus toward international conservation in positions with the World Wildlife Fund and World Bank, although he continued his work with birds and students until his death. He leaves an extraordinary international legacy in ornithology and conservation, and will be sorely missed by bereft family, friends, and colleagues around the globe. Contributions can be made to the Mario Ramos Tropical Land Conservation Fund of the Neotropical Ornithological Society by contacting BETTE LOISELLE (EM: loiselle@umsl.edu). A detailed memorial will appear in a forthcoming issue of The Auk.

The Secretary of the American Ornithologists’ Union was notified recently of the deaths of the following members:

CARL N. BECKER of Petersburg, IL. Member of AOU and WOS since 1974.
MARGARET COON BOWMAN of Vero Beach, FL. Member of AOU since 1968.
A. DURAND JONES of Estes Park, CO. Member of AOU and WOS since 1971, and COS since 1972.

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THE FLOCK - SPECIAL SECTION

To correct your address in the membership database please send the new information to the OSNA Business Office, 5400 Bosque Blvd., Suite 680, Waco, TX 76710 (EM: business@osnabirds.org, PH: 254-399-9636, FX: 254-776-3767) or change it yourself online (URL: http://www.osnabirds.org). To alert your colleagues of new address information contact the Ornithological Newsletter Editor, CHERYL L. TRINE (address below).

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THE MOST RECENT NUMBERS of the Society journals and the month of mailing are: Auk, 2006, Vol.123, #4 (Oct); Condor, 2006, Vol. 108, # 4 (Nov); J. Field Ornith., 2006, (Vol. 77, #4 (Nov); Raptor Res.,2006, Vol. 40, #3 (Nov); Waterbirds, 2006, Vol. 29, #3 (Sep); Wilson J. Ornith., 2006, Vol. 118, #3 (Sep). Numbers follow at about 3-month intervals. If you are missing an issue, please contact OSNA. New members receive the first issue of the volume year. Please check your address label to confirm membership information and address.

THE NEXT NEWSLETTER will be issued in February. Items you wish to have included must reach the Editor, CHERYL L. TRINE, 3889 E. Valley View, Berrien Springs, MI 49103 (PH: 269-471-7886; EM: ctrine@andrews.edu), by 1 January 2007. Submittal by email (in the body of the email message--not an attached file) or on diskette (PC format: WordPerfect or ASCII) with hard copy; e-mail preferred. Items sent to the OSNA office may not reach the Editor in time. Items with a deadline date should be submitted at least 4 months in advance of that date to allow time for response.

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The Ornithological Newsletter (ISSN 0274-564X) is published bimonthly by the Ornithological Societies of North America (OSNA) in electronic and paper forms. Membership dues in any OSNA Society include $3.50 for the cost of publication. Separate subscriptions are not available. For application to membership, write the OSNA office, 5400 Bosque Blvd., Suite 680, Waco, TX 76710.

Questions, comments and notices can be sent to Cheryl L. Trine, Ornithological Newsletter Editor at ctrine@andrews.edu

Ornithological Societies of North America

The Ornithological Newsletter
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INDEX

VISIT THE ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETIES OF NORTH AMERICA

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