The Ornithological Newsletter On-Line

NUMBER 176, FEBRUARY, 2007

ORGANIZATION NEWS

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).

STUDENTS - FREE MEMBERSHIP! The Cooper Ornithological Society is always interested in getting more graduate students involved and provides free student memberships each year. These student awards cover costs of membership for 2 years and carry full membership benefits including online access to The Condor, providing an important launch into ornithological careers at an early stage. To apply, simply send a CV of the student and a cover letter from the major professor that describes why the student deserves the award. Deadline for receipt of applications is 15 Mar 2007. Send application materials by e-mail or post to: SHELDON J. COOPER, Department of Biology & Microbiology, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, 800 Algoma Blvd., Oshkosh, WI 54901-8640 (EM: cooper@uwosh.edu).

AOU SILENT AUCTION–The American Ornithologists' Union will be holding its first ever silent auction at the next meeting in Laramie, Wyoming (8-11 August 2007). This event is intended to raise funds for Student Affairs Committee (SAC) events at future meetings. For the past 2 years, the SAC has organized student events such as workshops, mentor programs, student-professional lunches, and a quiz bowl in order to increase student involvement and participation at the meetings. We hope to continue to provide activities at the annual meetings that are relevant and of interest to students, and we are hoping to fund these events via the silent auction. We are currently requesting donations for the auction, so look around your offices and attics (and those of your friends) for items that would appeal to our members, such as items with biology and ornithology themes. Other items will also be accepted. This is the perfect venue for those items that are so useful that you cannot throw them away, yet you have not used yourself in a while. Also, we know that in addition to all your scientific and technical skills, many of you (and your loved ones) have creative talents as well. This is the perfect opportunity for you to showcase your talent by donating to a good cause one (or two!) of those wildlife photographs, collectibles, specialty items, or crafts and artworks that you are so proud of. Below is a list of the sorts of items we are looking for: Books and field guides - New and used (good condition); Vintage, hard-to-get, out of print, or autographed books are especially welcome; Art and photography (paintings, sculpture, tapestries, etc...); Teaching/training materials; Memorabilia from past meetings; Services - Consulting (statistics, lab, methods, etc...); Jewelry; Calendars; Decorations; Greeting cards; Posters; T-shirts; Binoculars; Field equipment; Software - Statistics, data collection, etc...; Videos/DVD's; Items from field sites and zoo gift shops. If anyone has suitable items they would like to donate, they are asked to contact the auction organizers: MELANIE COLON (EM: colonm@u.washington.edu) or VICKI GARCIA (EM: vga@email.arizona.edu). Items will be on display until noon, 11 August, at which time the highest bidder wins the item. Cash and credit cards will be accepted. So whether you donate or not, be sure to stop by the auction and see if anything catches your eye!

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.

REPORT OF THE SEVENTY-SIXTH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE COOPER ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY–The Cooper Ornithological Society held its 76th annual meeting in conjunction with American Ornithologists' Union, Association of Field Ornithologists, CIPAMEX (Sección Mexicana de Consejo Internacional para la Preservación de las Aves, A. C.), Raptor Research Foundation, Society of Canadian Ornithologists, Waterbird Society, and Wilson Ornithological Society, at the World Trade Center in Veracruz, Mexico, 3-7 Oct 2006. Steering Committee Co-Chairs were CHARLES M. FRANCIS and JOSÉ L. ALCÁNTARA. Steering Committee Members were ROSS LEIN, BONNIE S. BOWEN, EDUARDO E. IÑIGO-ELÍAS, DORIS WATT, and CECILIA RILEY. JOHN R. FAABORG, JUAN FRANCISCO ORNELAS and MARÍA DEL CORO ARIZMENDI, co-chaired the Scientific Program Committee. There were close to 1800 registrants. The program included 4 Plenary presentations, 305 papers in 24 symposia, 368 contributed papers, 565 posters, and 14 workshops. The Society's award for lifetime achievement in ornithological research, the Miller Award, was presented to ROBERT RICKLEFS. A full citation will be published in The Condor. John Rotenberry, the President of the Cooper Ornithological Society, read the full citation. Dr. Ricklefs graciously accepted the award and related that he was particularly honored because he feels a special affinity to the Cooper Ornithological Society. BONNIE S. BOWEN, DAVID S. DOBKIN and EILEEN M. KIRSCH were recognized with Honorary Membership to the Cooper Ornithological Society for their service to the society. Dr. Bowen's past service to the society includes being the President (2004-2005), President-elect (2001-2003), Treasurer (1999-2002) and a board member (1996-1999). She has also represented the interests of COS to OSNA for the past 7 years. Dr. Dobkin has served as a board member (1996-1999) and has been the editor of The Condor, from 2000 through present. Dr. Kirsch has served on the student paper awards committee (chair 1996), student participation committee (1996-1997), hosted the 2004 COS meeting, and has served as secretary from 1997 to present. Mewaldt-King Student Research Awards were presented to STEFAN WOLTMANN, Tulane University, "Dispersal of Myrmciza exsul in a fragmented tropical landscape," ANREA K. TOWNSEND, Cornell University, "Effects of West Nile virus on the mating strategies of American Crows: a behavioral modification of infection risk?," and KATHI L. BORGMANN, University of Arizona, "Seasonal variation in avian nesting success." Jessica Eberhardt, James Tucker and Jeff Stratford assisted Tara Rodden Robinson, the Mewaldt-King Award committee chairperson, with the selections this year. Grinnell Student Research Awards were presented to SANJA HINIC-FRLOG, University of California-Davis, “Foot-propelled underwater locomotion in swimming birds,” and JENNIFER A. HANCOCK, Ohio University, “Head-bobbing, foraging behavior and retinal morphology in Charadriiform birds.” The Cooper Ornithological Society presented four awards for outstanding student papers. DANIEL CADENA,University of Missouri-St. Louis & Universidad de los Andes, Bogota, Colombia, "How do leapfrog patterns of geographic variation arise?" ZAC CHEVIRON, Louisiana State University, "The role of elevational gradients in the population genetic structure of rufous-collared sparrows (Zonotrichia capensis)." CHRISTOPHER P. NADEAU, University of Arizona, "Effectiveness of multi-species vs single species call-broadcast surveys for the federally endangered Yuma Clapper Rail." BRIAN A. SCHWARTZ, University of Montana, "Relative investment of bi-parental incubation in a tropical species." Through the annual balloting by all members of the Society, ALEXANDER BADYAEV, KATIE DUGGER, and MARILYN RAMENOFSKY were elected to three-year terms on the Board of Directors. Proposed by-laws changes which appeared in The Condor (vol. 107, # 4) were also passed. In the Board of Directors' meetings, the following were elected to, or continue in, office: JOHN T. ROTENBERRY, President; THOMAS E. MARTIN, President-elect; EILEEN M. KIRSCH, Secretary; CAROL J. BEARDMORE, Assistant Secretary; KIMBERLY A. SULLIVAN, Treasurer; THOMAS C EDWARDS Jr., Assistant Treasurer, DAVID S. DOBKIN, editor of The Condor, and CARL D. MARTI, editor of Studies in Avian Biology. The next annual meeting of the Cooper Ornithological Society will be held at the Holiday Inn in Moscow, Idaho, 19-23 Jun 2007. KERRI VIERLING is chair of the Local Committee, and STEVE KNICK is chair of the Scientific Program Committee.

RAPTOR WORKSHOP: A 5-day workshop entitled "Introduction to Raptor Field Techniques" will be held 11-15 Jun 2007 in Stevens Point, WI by Eugene Jacobs of the Linwood Springs Research Station and Loren Ayers of the Wis. Dept. of Natural Resources. Receive first hand experience working with live raptors: capturing, handling and banding techniques, broadcast call surveys, tree climbing and rappelling, habitat sampling techniques, telemetry equipment and more. Cost is $425 and space is limited so register early. For more information and registration form visit http://www.RaptorResearch.com.

SEVERAL EVENTS OF INTEREST TO SHOREBIRD biologists will take place at the VIIIth Neotropical Ornithological Congress in Maturín, Estado Monagas, Venezuela, 13-19 May 2007. Among these shorebird activities will be the 2nd “Shorebird Science in the Western Hemisphere” 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 (in both English and Spanish) 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 Mar 2007. There will also be three shorebird symposia: (1) challenges and advances in the conservation of important shorebirds sites in the Neotropical region (Desafíos y Avances en la Conservación de Sitios Importantes para Aves Playeras en el Neotrópico), organized by Charles Duncan, (2) the ecology of Nearctic shorebirds during the non-breeding season (Ecología de aves playeras neárticas durante la época no-reproductiva), organized by Guillermo Fernandez and Stephen Brown, and (3) ecology of endemic Neotropical shorebirds (Aves Playeras Neotropicales) organized by Graciela Escudero, Julián 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.

GUINEA VULTURE SANCTUARY A FIRST IN AFRICA–The Republic of Guinea has just created the first vulture sanctuary in Africa. This new protected area of approximately 450,000 ha in the Fouta Djallon Highlands has been established to conserve one of the few remaining vulture populations in West Africa. The populations of the six vulture species found in this huge area have almost totally collapsed. According to Guy Rondeau, co-ordinator of the raptor conservation programme set up by the NGO Africa Nature International, "Vultures are vanishing from the skies of West Africa primarily because of human persecution, through slaughter for traditional medicine and fetishism and hunting for bushmeat. Indirect poisoning from poisoned carcasses used by livestock herders seeking to control problem animals (jackals, lions, hyenas, etc.) is also responsible for a significant share in the drastic decline in numbers". Other likely contributory factors are the acute shortage of carcasses largely because of the almost complete disappearance of large game in West Africa combined with more effective animal husbandry practices resulting in healthier livestock. The role of diclofenac, the NSAID used in veterinary medicine behind the vulture crash in South Asia, is also under investigation. "Because West African societies set such store culturally by these giants of the air, the sanctuary has been particularly welcomed by local communities, especially since they have been intimately involved in establishing it and setting its boundaries", stated Dr Daniel Pouakouyou, FFI programme manager. "The aim of the Fouta Djallon vulture sanctuary and those planned for Mali and Gambia, is to conserve these relict populations, with a view to eventually rebuilding the regional populations" – André Botha, EWT - Birds of Prey Working Group Manager. In addition to the conservation actions planned for the sanctuary, national information and education campaigns will be launched to address the recurrent problems of persecution and poisoning. Christine Sagno, Director General, Water and Forests in Guinea, says "the vulture sanctuary, which aims to maintain the vulltures' important role of disease control and prevent the loss of certain touchstones and taboos for local communities, is a primary component of the Integrated Management of the Natural Resources of the Fouta Djallon Highlands Project (GEF-FAO) managed by the African Union." For further information: GUY RONDEAU, Co-ordinator, Duga Programme, Afrique Nature International, (URL: http://www.afnature.org, EM: g.rondeau@afnature.org).

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NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

PRAIRIE GROUSE PLAN AFOOT–Although some of the dozen species of North American grouse, such as the two sage-grouse species and the ruffed grouse, are already the focus of comprehensive conservation planning efforts, still others, such as several species of prairie grouse that are in trouble, have not received such specific consideration. That situation is now changing, with a developing plan for three species of grouse–Greater Prairie-Chicken, Lesser Prairie-Chicken and Sharp-tailed Grouse. Such a plan will address specific threats to, and conservation actions for, each of these three grouse species. These three species require expansive and often complex habitat, thus making them excellent indicators of ecosystem integrity at a landscape level. This is particularly significant since grassland habitat - at least in terms of extent and quality - has declined dramatically from historic conditions on the Great Plains due to multiple causes (e.g., conversion to cropland, encroachment by woody plants, energy development, and urban sprawl). Moreover, these three prairie grouse serve as flagship species for demonstrating the need for preservation as well as for evaluating proposed amounts and distributions for current management and potential restoration of prairie ecosystems. As such, the evolving prairie grouse plan can also benefit a host of other native species that depend on healthy grasslands. The proposed Prairie Grouse Management Plan will regionalize grassland conservation goals according to Bird Conservation Regions (BCR) identified by the North American Bird Conservation Initiative (NABCI). The effort's steering committee aims to have a draft Prairie Grouse Management Plan completed in March 2007, with a final plan hopefully approved in the fall. You can find more details from the Ecosystem Management Research Institute (URL: http://www.emri.org/Projects/PrairieGrousePlan.htm) or from the Nebraska Partnership for All-bird Conservation (URL: http://www.nebraskabirds.org/steercom/steercom.htm; Click "North American Grouse Partnership: Prairie Grouse Management Plan" near the bottom of the page.)

ANNOUNCING THE RE-LAUNCH OF¼AVIAN SCIENCE: http://www.aviscience.org. Avian Science is designed to allow hobbyist and novice birdwatchers to access and understand recent ornithological science, to ask questions answerable by scientists and experts and to feel part of the larger ornithological community. We invite you to take part in this exciting new forum and share your recent work with a wider community by providing articles and papers for the Journal. These articles may be a simplified version of a paper, address a topic, or simply send a paper for us to review. This invitation may be passed to your colleagues in academia and conservation as well as interested students and researchers. The Avian Science Team. (PH: +44 20 7871 9470, EM:
info@aviscience.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.

SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES EXPRESS CONCERN ABOUT USGS PEER REVIEW PRACTICES–The Ornithological Council, Wildlife Society, American Institute of Biological Sciences, and the National Council for Science and the Environment co-authored a letter to U.S. Geological Survey Director Mark Myers expressing concern about the USGS Fundamental Science Practices peer-review practices. Though these societies support the USGS concern that its science products meet high quality standards, and agree that peer review is an essential component of the scientific process, the specific practices at USGS have the potential to impose a significant time burden on USGS scientists, thus reducing their own scientific output and causing delay in the dissemination of USGS science products, including those co-authored by non-USGS scientists. A provision calling for review of "new interpretative material" by regional directors who may not even be in the relevant discipline, much less have the requisite expertise to review such material, appears to be far outside the scope of peer review.

EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION WITH POLICY MAKERS AND THE MEDIA: Resources for Scientists–A book from the Union of Concerned Scientists and a report published earlier this year by the European Commission provide detailed advice for scientists who want to communicate effectively with the media and other non-scientific audiences. A Scientist's Guide to Talking with the Media, Practical Advice from the Union of Concerned Scientists by Richard Hayes and Daniel Grossman features a tool called the "message compass" and many practical tips and specific examples of how to frame scientific information for use by journalists. For more information, see: (URL: http://www.ucsusa.org/publications/scientist-media-guide.html). A report commissioned by the European Commissions and published in May offers a comprehensive look at the issues involved and the skills required for scientists to be successful in communicating with non-scientific audiences. Titled “Communicating Science: A Scientist's Survival Kit” this report also provides many tips. Download the report at: (URL: http://ec.europa.eu/research/science-society/pdf/communicating-science_en.pdf).

NIH DECIDES AGAINST REVISING GUIDE FOR THE CARE AND USE OF ANIMALS IN LABORATORY RESEARCH–The National Institutes of Health, Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare recently considered revising the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, which, despite its title, applies to all research involving live vertebrates. Last updated in 1996, the Guide is considered the "bible" by Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees. After accepting public comments, the NIH decided against revising the Guide, saying that it focuses on desirable outcomes and does not provide specific procedures or what NIH characterizes as "engineering standards". The Ornithological Council, which filed comments, agrees with the NIH panel that this is the appropriate decision. The desired outcomes (e.g., reduction of pain) have not changed. Moreover, a revision would be costly and couldn't begin to cover the wide range of taxa and procedures that are addressed by the published guidelines of various scientific societies, including the OC's Guidelines to the Use of Wild Birds in Research. [Note: Although the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Animal Care program has responsibility for administering the Animal Welfare Act, the NIH has responsibility for implementing the Health Research Extension Act of 1985 (P.L.99-158; 42 U.S.C.201, amending the Public Health Service Act). To avoid duplicative and somewhat contradictory procedures for oversight, primary authority for research oversight has been assumed by the NIH. This oversight is triggered by federal funding from the PHS agencies (primarily NIH) but other federal funding agencies, including NSF, NASA, DOD, and DOE also adhere to these standards and practices]. The full report can be found at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/rfi_lab_animal_standards/RFI-Submissions.pdf.

OC SUBMITS COMMENTS TO CANADIAN COUNCIL ON ANIMAL CARE–The Ornithological Council was invited by the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) to comment on that organization's draft recommendations for humane practices for research involving birds. In addition to providing research papers and other information about specific issues (such as avian zoonoses, euthanasia, and methods to preserve birds for donation to research institutions), the OC suggested that the CCAC consider taking an approach similar to that taken by the National Institutes of Health in focusing on outcomes rather than specific methods. The CCAC, which was established in 1982 and is funded mostly by public monies through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), is actually a private organization whose members include both government agencies and nongovernmental organizations. Although it functions much like the National Institutes of Health and the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service in establishing standards and practices and in reviewing animal care programs and facilities, it currently has no legislative authority as a standards and enforcement agency of the Canadian government. For more information about the CCAC, visit http://www.ccac.ca/.

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REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE

GENOMIC DIVERSITY INITIATIVE - The objective of this biodiversity study is to document nuclear DNA contents (i.e., genome-size) from diverse avian species and investigate possible linkages between genome-sizes and several biological characteristics such as cell-size, body-size, metabolism, development, biogeographic distribution, speciation, and flight capability. In the process, the research will shed-light on the role of non-coding DNA in shaping avian phenotypes and will greatly expand the current database of avian genome-sizes, which at present covers a mere 2% of the world's 10,000 bird species. Although we welcome blood samples from every species of bird, we are interested in particular groups of Aves; namely, hummingbirds and flightless birds (e.g., Kakapo, kiwi, and the flightless cormorant). This study is being conducted by CHANDLER ANDREWS (EM: candrews@uoguelph.ca), in the Gregory Lab, at the University of Guelph. If you are interested in participating, please visit the website for project details: http://www.genomesize.com/gregorylab/protocols/birds.htm.

REQUEST FOR SPERM SAMPLES FROM NEW WORLD BLACKBIRDS (Icteridae)–I am investigating the evolution of sperm design and its influence on sperm function in New World Blackbirds (Icteridae). Part of this project is a comprehensive comparative study to test if the different mating systems and thus different selection pressures can explain the vast diversity in sperm morphology across species. I am looking for any ornithologists (bird banders, researchers, museum collectors etc.) who will be handling any icterid species (meadowlarks, grackles, orioles, cowbirds, blackbirds, caciques, oropendolas etc.) during the upcoming breeding season who are willing to collect sperm samples from them. The techniques are straightforward and harmless to the birds. If you are interested, please contact STEFAN LUEPOLD (EM: s.luepold AT sheffield.ac.uk). I will be happy to send you more information and detailed instructions. I will also provide all materials needed if you wish. I highly appreciate your interest and help and look forward to hearing from you.

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION on Arthur H. Helme and his collections. From 1878 to 1925 Arthur H. Helme of Long Island, NY was a dedicated collector from NY to FL. His collection of 10,000+ bird and mammal specimens were donated to the Brooklyn (NY) Museum about 1920, but were subsequently dispersed in 1935 to many museums. Some birds have turned up in CA, MICH, MINN, LSU, GA, FL, NE, AMNH, NMNH and elsewhere. The whereabouts of his mammals and egg-sets are presently unknown. I am making a special study of his collection sites and dates, and would appreciate having additional information. Please send me an e-mail: DAVID W. JOHNSTON, Fairfax, VA (EM: fordeboids@verizon.net).

LOOKING FOR COLOR-BANDED GULLS–please be on the look-out for color-banded Great Black-backed and Herring Gulls. Adults and fledglings of both species have been banded over the past 2 nesting seasons (2005-2006) at the Shoals Marine Laboratory, Appledore Island, ME and we'd love to know where they're going in the fall, winter, and spring! Each GBBG has a large, black plastic leg band that has been engraved with a white alphanumeric code (number-letter-number; e.g., 2E9). Each HERG has a green plastic leg band with a white alphanumeric code (letter-number-number; e.g., C57). If you observe banded adult or juvenile Great Black-backed or Herring Gulls, please record the location, date and alphanumeric code. Any additional observations of foraging behavior or location would also be very useful! You can report sighting(s) to JULIE ELLIS, SEANET, Tufts University, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, 200 Westboro Rd., North Grafton, MA 01536 (EM: julie.ellis@tufts.edu). You can also report sightings online (and read more about gulls) at:http://www.sml.cornell.edu/research/pr-gull-report.htm. Your assistance is greatly 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.

AN E-LIST SERVICE is available. Subscribers to this list will receive lists of new job announcements in their email. These are the same announcements as will appear on-line.To join the Birdjobs-L e-list, send the following e-mail message to <lyris@cornell.edu>: join Birdjobs-L "your name". Where your name (include the quotation marks) is the name you want to be available to the list's administrators. Leave the subject line blank. Send this message from the e-mail address where you want to receive the e-list's messages. The message must be sent in plain text, that is, no formatting, font styles, or HTML code. Your name must appear in double quotes. You leave the e-list by sending message "leave BirdJobs-L" to <lyris@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.

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PUBLICATIONS AVAILABLE

GEORGE MIKSCH SUTTON: ARTIST, SCIENTIST, AND TEACHER, by Jerome A. Jackson. Coming May 2007. University of Oklahoma Press. 288 pages. ISBN 978-0-8061-3745-2, $29.95 Cloth. Jerome A. Jackson, a friend and colleague of Sutton, offers a portrait of the artist that will surprise those who knew him only in his later years. This book includes fifty reproductions of Sutton's art-twenty-eight in full color-including early, unpublished, or obscure works along with non-avian subjects.

BIRDS OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC AND HAITI, Stephen Latta, Christopher Rimmer, Allan Keith, James Wiley, Herbert Raffaele, Kent McFarland and Eladio Fernandez. 2006. Princeton University Press. 360 pp., 57 color plates, 2 line illus. ISBN: 0-691-11891-4 Paper, $35; 0-691-11890-6 Cloth, $75. The first comprehensive field guide devoted to Hispaniola’s birds, it provides detailed accounts for more than 300 species, including thirty-one endemic species. The authors also comment on ecology, behavior, and taxonomic status. The guide stresses the importance of promoting the conservation of migratory and resident birds, and building support for environmental interests.

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PERSONAL EXCHANGES

AVAILABLE (for cost of shipping only) to libraries, research stations, and interested individuals: Auk Vol. 61 - 123 (1944 - 2006); Wilson Bulletin 57 - 118 (1945 - 2006); Condor 49 - 108 (1947 - 2006). ROBERT LEO SMITH (PH: 412-367-0380, EM:robertls2@earthlink.net).

FOR SALE: Two classic ornithological books. Fundamentals of Ornithology by Josselyn Van Tyne and Andrew J. Berger. Name written on inside front cover, but otherwise in excellent condition. $10.00 includes shipping. Some adaptations of marsh-nesting blackbirds by G.H. Orians, 1980. Monographs in Population Biology No. 14. Name written on inside front cover and first page, but otherwise in excellent condition. $10.00 includes shipping. TED GOSTOMSKI (EM: gostomski545 AT msn.com).

FOR EXCHANGE OR SALE: The Peregrine Fund Research Library has several thousand duplicate ornithological journals and books for exchange or sale at reduced prices. Complete listings of these titles can be found on TPF’s website (URL: http://www.peregrinefund.org) under “Research Library.” All proceeds from the sales of these items are applied to new acquisitions for the Research Library, or to support our free PDF program, which has now been used by ornithologists in 49 countries. For more information, contact TRAVIS ROSENBERRY (EM: library@peregrinefund.org) or LLOYD KIFF (PH: 208-362-8250).

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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. 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 77TH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE COOPER ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY will be held at the Holiday Inn in Moscow, Idaho, 19-23 Jun, 2007. KERRI VIERLING is chair of the Local Committee, and STEVE KNICK is chair of the Scientific Program Committee.

*16TH REGIONAL MEETING OF THE SOCIETY FOR THE CONSERVATION AND STUDY OF CARIBBEAN BIRDS, 18-24 Jul 2007, San Juan, Puerto Rico. The meeting, organized locally by the Puerto Rican Ornithological Society (La Sociedad Ornitológica Puertorriqueña) will feature technical paper sessions, symposia, workshops and Working Group meetings on bird research, management and conservation work in the Caribbean, as well as mid- and post-conference field trips to enjoy Puerto Rico's rich bird life. Visit the society website (URL: http://www.scscb.org) and click on "News" for forthcoming information.

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. Information about the meeting can be found on-line (URL: http://www.aou.org/meetings/2007/index.php3).

*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 Pat and Clay Sutton will deliver the keynote address on Thursday. A symposium on the American Kestrel is planned for Thursday. For further details contact local organizing committee chair LAURIE GOODRICH (EM: Goodrich@hawkmtn.org) or check the website (URL: http://www.hawkmountain.org).

*IV INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON BREEDING BIRDS IN CAPTIVITY, a five day event in honor of Dr. Jean Delacour, will be held in the DoubleTree International Plaza, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 12-16 Sep 2007. The symposium theme is ‘Conservation Through Aviculture’ and will host some 40 international speakers ranging from ornithologists, zoologists, conservationists and aviculturists. For more information, please visit http://www.isbbc.org or write to ISBBC 637316 St. Vincent-Sydenham Townline, Meaford, Ontario, Canada, N4L 1W5 (PH: +1.416.910.AVES or +1.604.866.AVES).

FOURTH BIENNIAL AUSTRALASIAN ORNITHOLOGICAL CONFERENCE will be held in Perth, Western Australia, 3-5 Dec 2007, at the University of Western Australia. The Western Australian group of Birds Australia (RAOU) will host the conference. A post-conference field excursion will be available. For more information visit http://www.birdswa.com.au/aoc2007, or link through http://www.birdswa.com.au or http://www.birdsaustralia.com.au or write 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].

*4TH INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS IN FLIGHT CONFERENCE will be held 13-16 Feb 2008, at the new McAllen Convention Center in McAllen, Texas. The conference theme will be Tundra to Tropics: Connecting Birds, Habitats and People, which will be shared with International Migratory Bird Day (URL: http://www.birdday.org/) for 2008. The focus of the conference will be international connections of all sorts that further bird and habitat conservation throughout the Western Hemisphere. Concurrent paper sessions will focus on issues in bird conservation and will be of two types, 1) standard sessions typical of scientific society meetings, and 2) sessions followed by a facilitated discussion session. The goal of each of the latter sessions will be to produce a strategic action plan to be distributed to all partners within weeks of the conference. There will also be keynote speakers, vendors, social events, a poster session, a variety of single- and multi-day birding field trips, and a proceedings that will include papers developed from posters. Details will be posted on the Partners in Flight web site (URL: http://www.partnersinflight.org) and distributed through various bird conservation listservs as they develop. In the mean time, contact TERRY RICH with inquiries (EM: terry_rich@fws.gov).

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

ELSIE COLE COLLIAS, member of the AOU since1974, elected elective member in 1976 and Fellow (1981); and Honorary Member of the Cooper Ornithological Society (1994), died 17 Dec 06. She received, along with her husband, the Coues Award of the American Ornithologists Union in 1980. Elsie was also a Fellow/Founder of the Animal Behavior Society, and a recipient of the Nice Award of the Wilson Society in 1987.

JEREMY J. KIRCHMAN has completed his Ph.D. at the University of Florida and has moved to Albany, NY, to work at the New York State Museum as Curator of Birds. Inquiries concerning the NYSM bird collection can be directed to him at (EM: jkirchma@mail.nysed.gov).

DR. STEVEN LATTA has resigned his position as Director of the Latin America Program at Point Reyes Bird Observatory and accepted a new, endowed position as Assistant Director for Conservation and Field Research at the National Aviary in Pittsburgh, PA. He may be reached at National Aviary, Allegheny Commons West, Pittsburgh, PA 15212-5248. PH:. 412-323-7235 ext. 288; EM: steven.latta@aviary.org).

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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).

CHANGES/ADDITIONS:

HOUSTON, STUART. EM: stuart.houston@usask.ca

McNICHOLL, MARTIN K. Apt. 105, 8752 Centuarus Circle, Burnaby, BC V3J 7E7, Canada. PH: 604-294-2072; EM: sterna@telus.net OR florabird@telus.net.

NISBET, IAN C. T. EM: icnisbet@verizon.net

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THE MOST RECENT NUMBERS of the Society journals and the month of mailing are: Auk, 2007, Vol. 124, #1 (Jan); Condor, Vol. 108, # 4 (Nov); J. Field Ornith., 2006, Vol. 77, #4 (Nov); Raptor Res., Vol. 40, # 3 (Nov); Waterbirds, 2007, Vol. 29, #4 (Jan); Wilson J. Ornith. Vol. 118 (Dec). 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 April. 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 March 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

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