WESTERN BIRD BANDER

FROM THE PRESIDENT . HOW BIRD BANDERS CAN CONTRIBUTE TO SCIENCE by Raymond E. Ryckman and Evelyn E. Ryckman . 2 5 AGE DETERMINATION OF CORVIDAE: PART II by Amadeo M. Rea and Dempsey Kanteena. 6 WING TAGS ON WHITE PELICANS by James O. Keith 10 AN EASY METHOD FOR REMOVING BANDS by Alan M. Craig 10

Information concerning accommodations and program for the Annual Meeting to be held in Grand Junction, Colorado. on 25-26 May will be included with the April Western Bird Bander Members who plan to present a paper or give a demonstration are requested to contact the Program Chairman, Dr. Ronald A. Ryder. Colorado State Univer· sity. Fort Collins, Colorado 80521. preferably before 1 April. It is hoped that many members will have something to contribute. even if it is nothing more than a brief discussion of their banding projects. Discussions of banders' efforts to develop ageing and sexing criteria would be particularly valuable.

T he articles in this and the last issue of the Western Bird Bander on corvides and Bushtits are examples of what can be done. by examining specimens and/or by simply reviewing the literature. to develop and publish ageing and sexinQ criteria for the benefit of all banders. Let's have more like them!

Dorothy Hunt has very generously agreed to compile the Annual Report again this year. This will be the third consecutive year she has taken on this important task. The amount of time and work involved in making the compila- tion is nothing less than staggering. Please make the job as easy as possible for her by sending in your report without delay. and by insuring that your report is completely legible and arithmetically accurate. If you banded no birds in 1967. please return the form and so indicate. Unnecessary correspondence can also be avoided if you will include with your report substantiating details (when and where banded, etc.) on any species banded outside of its normal range. ALAN M. CRAIG

NEW MEMBERS

W. L. Anderson. Jr .• Rt. 1. Box 201. Matthews. N. C. 28105 Miss Grace Nixon. 1278'1. Devon Ave .• Los Angeles, Calif. 90024 Mrs. Shirley Wells. 10712 Fifth Ave .• Inglewood, Calif. 90303 HOW BIRD BANDERS CAN CONtRIBUTE TO SCIENCE by Raymond E. Ryckman and Evelyn E. Ryckman

There are several well-recognized and very good reasons for banding birds. Some band birds to be able to recognize dooryard visitors from summer to summer, ~ others, to add much-needed information to the ecology and distribution of the species concerned, - and still others are interested in the flight-ways of these birds and what possible disease organisms they may be carrying with them from far-offlands. A number ofspecies of birds are known to make flights over thousands of miles each year; many travel from northern United States, Canada, and Alaska to Central and South America. To the above, bird banding has added valuable information and much more data are yet to be added.

The purpose of this paper is to call to the attention of bird banders the important contribution they can make to a better understanding of the parasites of birds and the part these parasites play in the role of disease transmission to birds, other animals, and man.

Many rare and very important parasite collections could have been made by banders had they been on the lookout for avian parasites, especially those associated with bird nests. For example, a bander related how he had picked large blue ticks from the cheeks of young Cliff Swallows and tossed them into the river below the nest site and watched the fish eat them. This was Ixodes baergi, a very rare tick in museum collections. Some years ago we made a trip to Raza Island in the Gulf of (Lower) California and observed thousands of nesting gulls and terns. Associated with these birds were ticks which have since been shown to be a new species. Of still further importance, a new virus was isolated from these ticks, a virus which appears to use Heermann's Gull and the Royal Tern as its hosts.

We have collected parasites from the nests of Cliff Swallows in north-central Colorado and marveled that the young birds were ever able to keep enough blood in their bodies to enable them to grow up and fly from their parasite-ridden nests. Several of the nests were crawling with plump, engorged avian bed bugs (Oeciacus vicarius), fleas of the genus Ceratophyllus, blood-sucking fly maggots of the genus Protocalliphora, and parasitic mites. How little we really know about the micro- bial flora and parasitic fauna that may be carried by birds!

Basic information concerning the parasites to be expected in association with birds may be found in the publications cited at the end of this paper. The work by Hicks (1959) contains a wealth of information regarding the literature on this subject and the many species of parasites which have been reported from bird nests.

Avian Bed Bugs or CiJilicidae: These small dorso-ventrally flattened, blood-sucking bugs are numerous in Cliff Swallow nests. Species of these parasites have been reported from the nests of Purple Martins in western United States, from eagles, Great Horned Owls, domestic chickens, White-throated Swifts, and Chimney Swifts; several species also occur on bats. Bed bugs associated with Chimney Swifts are very rare in museums and their collection would make a significant contribution to science. Most of the other cimicid collections would undoubtedly add to our knowledge of the distribution and host association of the several species of avian and bat bugs present in North America.

Anthocoridae : Small predacious bugs of the family Anthocoridae have been reported from the nests of hawks, owls, swallows, and a number of other bird species. These predacious bugs feed on other insects present in the nests of birds.

The Flies or Diptera: Several species of blood-sucking maggots of the genus Protocalliphora have been reported from young birds. These maggots appear to have a rather dry leathery skin and, unlike most fly larvae, do not seem to need moisture to survive. They actually suck blood directly from the young bird; we have seen them in the nests of Cliff Swallows, engorged and full of red blood. These parasites have also been reported from hawks, owls, Bank Swallows, crows, magpies, Robins, House Wrens, bluebirds, Cedar Waxwings, House Finches, and Swamp Sparrows, - to mention the more common hosts. When the maggots have reached full development, they round up and form dark brown dipterous pupal cases in or near the nest in which they lived as larvae. If these pupae are placed in a small vial or bottle, the large, robust, adult flies will emerge -in due time. The Louse Flies or Hippoboscidae:

These parasites appear to be rather large-winged lice in general body form, but true lice have no wings. One may be puzzled at seeing these creatures for the first time. They have been reported from quail, owls, pigeons, doves, swifts, and swallows. These parasites are known to be the vectors of a malaria-like disease of birds, Haemoproteus.

Bird Lice or Mallophaga:

These are the true bird lice or biting lice. There are many species of avian lice and they are perhaps the most common group of ectoparasites on birds. They chew with their mandibles rather than piercing with stylets as the Anoplura or sucking lice do. The bird lice may be expected from a very wide range of bird species.

The Fleas or Siphonaptera of Birds: Several genera of fleas are parasitic on birds and are often found in their nests. Ceratophyllus and Echidnophaga are the two most important genera of avian bird fleas. In the immature stage the flea larvae are small white worm-like creatures with mandibulate mouth parts. Fleas may be expected in the nests of hawks, pigeons, swifts, Purple Martins, swallows, Starlings, and sparrows.

Avian Mites and Ticks:

There are many species of mites parasitic on birds and often the nests of hawks, owls, woodpeckers, swallows, finches, and sparrows are swarming with them. Ticks usually are associated with birds which nest year after year in the same nest or nesting site and with those species of birds which require a relatively long period to bring off their young. Examples are the marine birds such as the gulls, terns, and Ospreys. Rather large ticks have been found occasionally on game birds which have been shot and dressed; reports also indicate that ticks have been found attached to song birds and other small species of birds. We would very much like to determine what species of ticks are present and attached to birds. (Illustrations are reproduced by permission from Pictorial Keys to Arthropods, Reptiles, Birds and Mammals of Public Health Significance, published by the U. S. Dept. of Health, Education and Welfare, Public Health Service.)

COLLECTING PARASITES Collecting conditions with respect to light and other facilities are usually much better in the laboratory or at one's home than in the field. We have found that nest material can be gathered in the field and satisfactorily transported in plastic bags. The parasites may be kept in the bag by tying a knot at the top; parasite activity is readily visible through . the transparent bag. The techniques and tools for collecting ectoparasites from birds may be quite varied depending upon the host species, parasite species, and the circumstances under which the collecting is undertaken. Many of the small parasites may be readily picked up from nest material or feathers by first dipping pointed tweezers, forceps, or any small pointed ob- ject to a depth of about one inch in the preservative solution (preferably ethyl alcohol, but rubbing alcohol is satisfactory) and then touching the wet point to the body of the parasite. Mites, lice, fleas, and other small parasites will readily adhere to the wet forceps. When dipped back into the preservative solution in the collecting vial, the parasites are readily washed off and sink to the bottom. (Care should be taken not to wet the substrate at the same time the parasite is touched by the wet-tipped forceps. If the substrate and parasite are wet by the same droplet of liquid, the two will be bound together by the molecular attraction in the fluid, and the parasite cannot be lifted off the substrate by the touch method.)

The parasites from more than one species of bird should never be placed in the same vial. However, parasites from one or many birds of the same species may be placed in the same vial. Parasites collected over a period of several days trom one species of bird in one locality may all be placed in the same vial. Ticks or cimicids (bed bugs) collected from the bodies of bats or birds, or from their nesting or roosting sites, should be placed in dry vials with paper toweling and shipped as soon as possible. One need not be concerned about the parasites getting air, unless the vial is very crowded, because the oxygen requ irements for these arthropods is much lessthan that for mammals and other vertebrates. Separation of the parasites from each host species should be the same as the above for the preserved specimens. In collecting live material, it is very important that the occupied plastic vials or the plastic bags never be exposed to direct sunlight; if they are, the parasites will be killed in a few minutes by the trapped heat radiated from the sun. (Also it is not wise to leave live collections in the trunk or on the seat of a car which is parked in the sun.)

Donald Blake is a specialist of mit~s associated with birds. Banders interested in making a contribution to our knowledge of mites should send them to Dr. Blake at the Institute of Acarology, Ohio State University, 1735 Neil Ave., Columbus, Ohio 43201.

The writers would appreciate receiving collections of ticks and bed bugs obtained by bird banders and others in- terested in this problem. For mailing, these parasites may be placed in small plastic or glass vials into which strips of paper toweling or other tissues have been inserted. The paper tissue is important in the shipping vials because it absorbs moisture, affords the parasites a place to hide, and tends to protect them from trauma in handling. The shipping vials and collection data should be placed in a mailing tube or small box with insulation, addressed, and mailed, - preferably at a post office. (Live parasites should not be mailed from a rural mailbox if it is exposed to the direct sun on a hot day.)

A parasite without collection data is almost worthless to science. Be sure to include (1) the name of the collector(s); (2) the locality and state in which the collection was made; (3) the date the collection was made; (4) the host from which the parasites were taken; and (5) circumstances under which the collection was made, i. e., whether from nest or the bird itself.

HICKS, ELLIS A. 1959. Check-list and bibliography on the occurrence of insects in birds' nests. Iowa State College Press, Ames, Iowa. 681 pp.

HERMS, WILLIAM B. 1961. Medical entomology. 5th ed. MacMillan Co., New York. 616 pp.

HORSFALL, WILLIAM R. 1962. Medical entomology. Ronald Press, New York. 467 pp.

MATHESON, ROBERT. 1950. Medical entomology. 2nd ed. Comstock Publishing Co., New York. 612 pp.

(Valuable lists of references are to be found in each of the above works for those who wish to study the subject in greater detail. The publication by Hicks is quite complete as a literature source. The works by Herms, Horsfall, and Matheson are general texts on the subject of medical entomology; bird parasites are taken up in an introductory manner with good references. )

Department of Microbiology, Lorna Linda Univeristy, Loma Linda, California 92354; 25877 Chula Vista Street, Redlands, California 92373. Adult plumage is attained the first fall through the postjuvenal molt. There is but one annual molt (postnuptial) and it is complete. Postjuvenal and postnuptial molting are known to extend at least from late summer through October.

1. Broad, rounded (vane tapered for 1/3 or less of its length), usually longer than 15mm ...... JUVENI LE (HY)

2. Narrow, dagger-like (vane tapered more than 1/2 its length). usually shorter than 15mm ADULT (U or AHY)

Among a collection of more than 400 specimens there wa~ only one fully grown individual in which the eye color did not conform to the sexing criteria in the key. (Raitt, 1967).

Plumage color characters vary geographically and, as sexing criteria, should be used only in conjunction with eye color.

PHILLIPS, A. R., J. MARSHALL, and G. MONSON. 1964. The birds of Arizona. University of Arizona Press, Tucson, Ariz.

RAITT, RALPH J. 1967. Relationships between black-eared and plain-eared form of Bushtits(Psaltriparus). Auk 84: 503-528. AGE DETERMINATION OF CORVIDAE by Amadeo M. Rea and Dempsey Kanteena

Little information is available on ageing North American ravens. Molt of the Common Raven, Corvus corax, is described in a paragraph by Bent (1946: 190). Willett (Auk 58:246) mentions separating adults I' ••• from immatures by the shape of the tail-feathers." Bent's description, loc. cit. p. 219, of the molts of the White-necked Raven, Corvus cryptoleucus, is somewhat inaccurate.

In the area of sympatry of C. brachyrhynchos [Common Crow] and C. cryptoleucus the juvenals might be confused (as has happened even with what few museum skins of the latter have been preserved!). The differences will be described by a student in Part III of this paper. Confusion arises from the fact that juvenal ravens lack the char- acteristic elongate or lanceolate feathers of the throat and flanks; these are acquired in the postjuvenal molt.

Both North American ravens have strongly graduated tails. The juvenal (and first-year) rectrices (Figs. 20 a, b; 21 a, b, c) are slightly more acuminate than in juvenal Common Crows (Cf. Part I). In contrast, the terminal margins of adult rectrices (Figs. 20 c, d; Figs. 21 d, e, f) are more or less pointed near the rachis [central shaft] , then broadly and gracefully rounded on the inner web. (The central pair of rectrices is less rounded, but equally so on both vanes.)

First-year, First-year, Adult, Adult, 19November 5March -December 5March Fading and abrasion of the juvenal flight feathers of ravens is even more pronounced than in crows. By early winter, rectricesof first-year birds are less glossy, becoming brownish, and the margins, particularly of the longer central pairs, are con~iderably frayed. Adults,even in spring, (Figs. 20 d and 21 f) have nearly perfectly-formed rectrices, with sharply-cut margins. With weathering, the adult flight feathers change from purple to glossy black but do not become brown as with first-year birds. (Note Fig 21 c shows an inter-molt replacement of a lateral rectrix. Replacement may be of the adult or the juvenal shape.)

Juvenal, First-year, First-year, 22 July 9 November 19March

Adult, Adult Adult 30 October 26 February 5May WING TIPS

The wing tips (i.e., the longest primaries) of fall ravens show little age difference (except that adults ate blacker by direct comparison with first-year birds). By spring, the differential wear is so great in both species as to afford immediate age distinction. Illustrated are wing tips (primaries 8 to 5) of C. cryptoleucus taken in May. Fig. 22 is a first-year bird, and Fig. 23 an adult.

Tongue- ventral

>- N /' \~\',,- \~

Fig. 22: Wing-tip, first-year bird, 5May

W Tongu~ dorsal

Fig. 23: Wing-tip, adult, Fig. 24: First-year bird, Fig. 25: "New" adult, Fig. 26: "Full" adult, 5May 24 November 23 November 21 September

MOUTH COLORATION Nine Common Ravens from various seasons were examined for this characteristic. As in C. brachyrhynchos, young corax have red or bright pink mouths. This color persists in first-year birds throughout the second summer (15+ months). Fig. 24 shows a first-year bird in fall. The ventral or under surface of the tongue is shown above, next to the maxilla; the dorsal or upper surface is shown below, next to the mandible illustration. One "new" adult (AMR # 1839, 23 November, Whiteriver, Ariz.) still showed traces of red in the mouth (Fig. 25). In fully adult birds the entire mouth and both surfaces of the tongue are black or dark gray (Fig. 26). Fewer data are available for White-necks, but from their relatively late June nesting (fide Bent, pp. 217 & 225) it would seem that the unpigmented pink areas would remain well into fall of the second year of life.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

All the illustrations for Part II were prepared by Dempsey Kanteena, Zuni Pueblo, sophomore. Specimens were collected on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation, by permission of the White-mountain Apache Tribal Council. Mr. Nelson Lupe, Sr., and Mr. Kenzie Early, both of that tribe, assisted in the field, obtaining specimens at critical times for determining progress of mouth pigmentation. Dr. Richard C. Banks loaned extensive corvid material from the U. S. National Museum. In addition to ravens in the Rea collection, numerous specimens were kindly made available for this study by: Miss Suzanne I. Bond (San Diego Natural History Museum), Mr. Lyndon L. Hargrave (Southwest Archeological Center), and Dr. Stephen M. Russell (University of Arizona). CORRELATION OF AGE TERMINOLOGY WITH REVISED AGE CODE North American species of the genus Corvus that we have examined (including C. brachyrynchos, corax, cryptoleucus, ossifraga, and imparatus 1) follow a similar pattern of molt so that they may be treated together. The term "juvenal" (HY= hatching year) applies from the time the young are fledged until approximately September, depending on geographic locale. Then the birds undergo a partial postjuvenal or first prebasic molt involving the contour feathers but not the rectrices or remiges. This then is the "first-year" bird, which should be reported "HY" through 31 December. From 1 January until approximately late summer, when the bird attains its adult plumage in the first postnuptial or second prebasic molt, it should be reported "Sy" ( = second year, known to have hatched the previous calendar year). There is a time lag (in at least some individual corvids2 ) between the acquisition of the adult plumage and the entirely black mouth. Thus some adults at this time can be marked "SY" if they still retain pink or red traces in the posterior of the mouth, particularly on the roof, or on the underside of the tongue. (In spite of late nesting in the Southwest, only rarely does the pink persist until mid-November in adults.) During this time lag, as well as from November to 31 December, all adults with completely black mouths should be reported merely" AHY" (= after hatching year, year of hatch other- wise unknown).

A 4AAAAj Mrrt - teell'" VYVYV" HY

F"rr-rl-Yellr a A~l.Ilt AduLt 2.ti y-c:ar 0 e 0 WVVv I SV ( S'f) I AHY ,I l C I A~ylt I Adult 3u1 yeqr 0 A,fI/'Nt\ 0 ASY (AHY) AHY (M."~"$) J F M A M J" :r A S 0 N :P

postjweYlo.L

l!E !JtJ3f",..,6,itl z~ peet","ptc .••.L

1Common Crow, Common Raven, White-necked Raven, Fish Crow, and Mexican Crow, respectively. We have not seen extensive series of the latter two species, but plumage characteristics at least are readily distinguishable.

2Since Part I was written, Mr. Kenzie Early collected a series of September and October adult crows and ravens enabling us to clarify this point; thus the last line under "Mouth Coloration", Vol. 42: 47, is inaccurate. St. John's Indian School, Laveen, Arizona 85339 WING TAGS ON WHITE PELICANS by James O. Keith

For the next four years, the Bureau will mark young White Pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) with permanent wing tags at three nesting colonies. The objective of this work is to determine (1) areas used during spring and summer by sub-adult, non-breeding birds, (2) the age at which birds breed, and (3) the integrity of breeding birds in returning to colonies where they were fledged. These facts are needed to help assessthe effects of pesticides on the population ~ynamics of colonies under study.

About 75 birds will be marked each year at each of three colonies: Anaho Island, Pyramid Lake, Nevada; and the Clear Lake and Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuges in northeastern California. Each year all selected young at a colony will be marked with identical tags. In 1967, tags were placed on the left wing. Colors of tags and black symbols to be placed on tags by years and colonies are shown below.

Colonies & tag color 1967 1968 1969 1970 Anaho Island (Chartreuse Green) • 6 2 4 Clear Lake (Fluorescent Pink) 5 R J N Lower Klamath (Light Orange) X "Y 7 8

In time, tag colors will probably fade, but the black symbols on the tags should persist and remain identifiable. To a large extent, the success of this project is dependent upon sightings made by other persons. Your cooperation in reporting observations of marked birds will be greatly appreciated. When possible, reports should include: (1) tag color and symbol, (2) wing on which tag is attached, (3) numbers of Pelicans in both the flock and the general area, (4) place of observation, (5) date or period of observation, and (6) any apparent effects of tags on the activity or behavior of birds.

AN EASY METHOD FOR REMOVING BANDS by Alan M. Craig

A band can be removed easily from a bird's leg with a pair of banding pliers and two pieces of fine wire, each about two inches long. The wire on which small bands are supplied works very satisfactorily for this purpose. The wires are carefully slipped through the inside of the band on opposite sides of the bird's leg, and the two ends of each piece are twisted together to form two triangular loops. Finally, by inserting the jaws of the pliers into the two loops and slowly opening the pliers, the loops are pulled away from the bird's leg and the band is forced open. With reasonable care there is no danger of damaging the bird's leg.

___ ------Bird LeS Nicholas J. IInicky, 430 West Washington, Marquette, Michigan 49855, is preparing a monograph on the life his- tory of the Gray Jay (Perisoreus canadensis). He would be grateful for any information pertinent to this study that might have been gleaned from banding (or birding) activities.

A method for ageing Sharp-shinned Hawks, using a combination of plumage characteristics and iris color, is de- scribed in an article by J. O. L. Roberts, "Iris Colour and Age of Sharp-shinned Hawks," appearing in the September 1967 issue of Ontario Bird Banding. The author has found that the iris "typically takes four or five years to pass through the straw and yellow tones of the fall immature to the deep red .... which is ultimately attained." Single copies of the publication ($1.00) may be obtained from the editor, Douglas D. Dow, Dept. of Zoology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario.

On 17 March, the Northern California Chapter of W. B. B. A. will hold its bimonthly meeting at the Moss Landing Marine Laboratories of the California State Colleges. Dr. Harville, Director, will be the host. Institution staff and stu- dent members have been taking part in the semi-monthly census of shore and aquatic birds in nearby Elkhorn Siough,- a census which is a joint endeavor of the California Fish and Game Department, the Monterey Peninsula Audubon Society, and the Laboratories.

California State College, Hayward, was the site of the Northern California Chapter's November meeting. Dr. Howard Cogswell, the host, and John Luther described their shorebird banding and marking project. The afternoon field trip was held at the banding area.

BANDING STUDIES OF WATER BIRDS ON THE MOLLY ISLANDS, YELLOWSTONE LAKE, WYOMING. By Kenneth L. Diem (Department of Zoology, University of Wyoming) and David Del. Condon (United States National Park Service). Yellowstone Library and Museum Association, Yellowstone National Park. 1967. 41 pp. $0.35.

This booklet contains a wealth of information gleaned from observations of White Pelicans, California Gulls, Double-crested Cormorants, and Caspian Terns, from 1890 to 1966. Chapter titles, - Population History, Banding History, Annual Activity Cycle and Migratory Movements, Dynamics of Molly Islands White Pelican Populations,- indicate the wide scope of the publication. Of particular interest to the reviewer were the maps and text on banding recoveries, migration routes, and wintering grounds of the White Pelicans and the California Gulls. Under the mistaken belief that White Pelicans were responsible for the decline of cutthroat trout numbers in Yellowstone Lake, a Pelican-control program was initiated in 1924. It was not until 1932 that the error was recognized and the Molly Islands placed under complete protection. But the wide-spread use of motorboats on Yellowstone Lake after World War II had a serious detrimental effect on the breeding colony. The authors write: "The National Park Service's concern for the welfare of the only white pelican breeding colony in a national park and the last white pelican breeding colony in Wyoming was a major factor involved in formulating the 1960 order closing much of the Southeast Arm to all motorboat traffic. This order remains in effect at present." L££98 euoz!J'V '>taaJ::>al\e::> 91717x08 '0 'd UgONYH OUIH NHg~S~.

The Western Bird Bander is published four times a year by the Western Bird-Banding Association. Applications for membership should be sent to the Business Manager. Membership classifications are: Active Member $3.50 per year; Associate Member $3.50 per year; Sustaining Member $7.00 per year; Life Mem- bership $100.00.

President Lt. Alan M. Craig, 712 Tarento Dr., San Diego, California 92106 First Vice President Dr. William J. Hamilton III, Zoology Dept., U. of Calif., Davis, California 95616 Second Vice President C. John Ralph, Point Reyes Bird Observatory, Palomarin Ranch, Mesa Rd., ...... Bolinas, California 94960

Secretary Miss Marie L. Mans, 2723-B Stuart St., Berkeley, California94705 Business Manager ...... Mrs. Gail Jenkins, 119 Park St., San Rafael, California 94901 I Editor Mrs. Eleanor L. Radke, P. O. Box 446, Cave Creek, Arizona 85331 WESTERN BIRD BANDER A QUARTERLY PUBLICATION OF THE WESTERN BIRD-BANDING ASSOCIATION

CONTENTS

FROM THE PRESIDENT 13 ANNUAL MEETING 14 CLARK'S NUTCRACKERS AT CRATER LAKE by Richard M. Brown...... 15 MORE ON SKULL OSSIFICATION ...... 18 NEW LINE OF COLOR BANDS ...... 19 PICTORIAL CHECKLIST OF COLORADO BIRDS: A REVIEW 19 AGE DETERMINATION OF CORVIDAE: PART III by Angel Saiza 20 OPERATION RECOVERY, 1967 24

Now is the time (if you haven't already. done so) to set aside the weekend of 25-26 May and plan to meet in Grand Junction, Colorado, with banders from all parts of the West and with the Colorado Field Ornithologists. The western Colorado setting for the meeting is intriguing, and a very worthwhile program is being planned by Dr. Ron Ryder. At the present time, Mr. Earl B. Baysinger, Chief, Bird Banding Laboratory, believes he will be able to attend the meeting, for the fourth consecutive year. Past sessions with the "Chief" have been very valuable, enlightening, and enjoyable. We are also inviting members of the Inland Bird Banding Association to attend since there are a number of them who live reasonably close to Colorado. Hope to see you there too! The Annual Report, which customarily has been printed in the April issue, will appear in the July issue instead. The change is necessary because it is extremely difficult to compile the Annual Report prior to the deadline for the April issue (which must go to the printers well in advance of the Annual Meeting). The new procedure will take some of the pressure off the report compiler, will allow more time for correspondence with banders concerning questionable reports, and should result in fewer banders' reports being received too late for inclusion in the Annual Report. ALAN M. CRAIG JOINT MEETING OF THE COLORADO FIELD ORNITHOLOGISTS AND THE WESTERN BIRD-BANDING ASSOCIATION 25 and 26 MAY 1968

Meeting place: Cafe Caravan, 1st and Main St., Grand Junction, Colorado.

Accommodations: La Court Motor Inn, 2nd and Main St., is recommended. It is across the street from the meeting place, the manager is a birder (in a small way), rooms are good. Rates are $8.00 single, $11.00 double, $14.00 for twin beds for two.

There are many other motels. Closest to the meeting place are Travelodge (104 White Ave.), one block from the meetings, and Athens Motel (145 Rood Ave.).

Registration: Cost of registration will be $6.50, which includes the cost of lunch and dinner at the Cafe Caravan on 25 May.

Registration at Cafe Caravan. Informal visiting and exchange of ideas. Exhibits.

WBBA Meeting. Report from the Banding Laboratory by Earl B. Baysinger. 10:00 - 11 :00 CFO Directors Meeting.

12:00 - 1:15 Lunch.

1:15- 3:45 Reports and papers. 4:00 - 5:00 CFO Business Meeting.

6:00- Dinner, Cafe Caravan. Program: slide-talk by Alan Eliason and Bill Davis on "The Birds of Colorado National Monument."

Field trips to the Colorado National Monument. The Monument is notable for its outstanding scenic and geological features. Bring your camera to photograph sheer-walled canyons, giant red sandstone monoliths, stratified ramparts. A wide variety of wildflowers should be in blossom at this time of year. Wildlife • is plentiful, inasmuch as no hunting is permitted within the boundaries of the Monument.

Preliminary schedule of papers and demonstrations: Trapping and banding: noose poles for capturing grouse; cannon-net mounted on pick-up; radiotelemetry; various color-marking methods. Age and sex determination: plumage characteristics of grouse (possibly other species). Census equipment: use of tape recordings to census grouse, owls, and passerines. Collection of ectoparasites and blood samples.

Walter W. Hanneman, 18675 Sheffield Rd., Castro Valley, Calif. 94546 W. L. Muhlbach, 3102 Oregon St., Bakersfield, Calif. 93306 Frederick S. Schaeffer, 139-48 85th Dr., Jamaica, N. Y. 11435 Richard T. Witt, 2141 Cabrillo Circle, Lodi, Calif. 95240 E. J. Woolfolk, Route 2, Box 27, Susanville, Calif. 96130 CLARK'S NUTCRACKERS AT CRATER LAKE - - BANDING HISTORY AND LONGEVITY RECORDS by Richard McP. Brown

According to Farner (1952b), the first bird banding in Crater Lake National Park, Oregon, was done by seasonal naturalist Quaintance in 1936. Quaintance (1936) reported banding sixteen Clark's Nutcrackers (Nucifraga columbiana) "each with an aluminum band of the United States Biological Survey and with three molded celluloid bands." Frost (1936) comments on a nutcracker banded in Rim Village by Quaintance on 24 July 1936; it was recovered on 8 November 1936 (apparently having been dead about five to ten days) about one-third of the way down the trail from Rim Village to the lake. Seasonal naturalist William J. Nee observed a nutcracker with a yellow band on its right leg, presumably one placed by Quaintance, at Sinnott Memorial in July 1940 (Palmer, 1940). Farner (1952b) also states that, "About this time [1936] W. T. Frost began rather extensive banding operations at Annie Spring. I first began banding in the Park in the winter of 1948-1949." Frost (1968) recently indicated that he never banded any nutcrackers in the park. Farner banded no nutcrackers in the winter of 1948-1949.

On 18 December 1948, Mewaldt (1968) banded near Rim Village one nutcracker which had previously been banded - by whom is apparently unknown - with a steel wire ring. This bird was subsequently seen on 12 July 1950, with a begging juvenile; on 27 August and 3 September 1950; and on 1, 2, 3, and 19 August 1952 - all in Rim Village. The following table summarizes the subsequent history of this activity in the park.

YEAR NUMBER OF BIRDS BANDER(S)

1950 163 Donald S. and Dorothy C. Farner 1951 36 Donald S. and Dorothy C. Farner 1952 42 Donald S. and Dorothy C. Farner 1964 84 Neal R. Bullington 10 Donald E. Payne 60 (plus one Richard McP. Brown rebanded) 1968 (through 14 1 March)

Of the 163 nutcrackers banded in 1950, 157 were banded at Rim Village, five at park headquarters, and one at Annie Spring Campground (Farner, 1951). Farner (1952a) reports that 136 of these birds were also banded with individually distinctive combinations of colored aluminum bands. Of the 157 birds banded in Rim Village in 1950, 120 were seen again that year; two not seen again in 1950 were seen in the following year; 19 were seen both years (Farner, 1951).

The 1951 and all but one (it being at park headquarters) of the 1952 bandings were done in Rim Village: most of these nutcrackers were additionally provided with distinguishing color bands. Sight records were subsequently made for exactly half of the 36 nutcrackers banded in 1951 (Farner, 1951). During 1950 and 1952, Farner put two numbered bands on several of the birds, with the objective of obtaining an index of band loss, but he did not return after 1952 to follow up on this study.

One wonders if the almost identical number of new birds banded during 1951 and 1952 actually reflects an approximate and consistent number of young fledged in those years. It is hoped that a sustained banding program can now be carried out and will provide additional information on this aspect of the population.

All nutcracker bandings in 1964 were made in Rim Village. In 1967,43 were banded in Rim Village, 14 at Discovery Point parking area (on the rim, one mile west of Rim Village), and three at park headquarters. The 14 nutcrackers banded in 1968 (through 1 March) were all banded at park headquarters. Although a few local nut- crackers have no doubt escaped banding, no unbanded individuals have been observed in the park since 1 March. This degree of completeness in banding should make possible a fairly accurate determination of the number of young fledged this year. The 1964, 1967, and 1968 bandings did not include use of colored bands. The basic trapping method uses a hardware-cloth box, held open at one end by a stake to which a string is attached. Peanuts have proved to be the most effective bait. The operator waits three or more feet away and pulls the string when the desired bird is feeding. One experience of being caught in this trap is often adequate to condition a nutcracker not to go back under it - sometimes for many years. This explains in large measure the paucity of repeats in our records. In 1956, at least four years after banding, seasonal naturalist Fredrickson (n.d.) was unable to retrap a single banded nutcracker, whereas he trapped and released (unbanded) 22 unbanded nutcrackers during the same operation.

Although Farner (1952a, 1952b) comments on their reduced numbers at Rim Village and their wandering (perhaps extensively) in fall and winter, our actual records, with one exception, consistently suggest that the park's nutcrackers are highly sedentary permanent residents. On the other hand, the probability of obtaining returns and recoveries from even nearby areas outside the park (including such higher sites as Mt. McLoughlin, Mt. Thielsen, Mt. Bailey, and Diamond Peak) is rather slight. One recovery - of a bird banded in Rim Village by Dorothy C. Farner on 1 September 1950 - was made on 16 October 1950 at the headwaters of the Lewis River on Mt. Adams, Washington (Farner, 1952a). All other recoveries, returns, and repeat observations known to me have been made within 3% airline miles of the banding site; most were made at or within 1% direct miles of the banding site.

Particularly intriguing about the local nutcracker population is the fact that no unquestionable nest has ever been found within the park. Farner (1952a) comments that, "Although Clark's Nutcracker is a very conspicuous bird in the Park, information concerning breeding in this area is very sparse. Apparently the only evidence is that of Patterson (MS, 1932) who states that he found nests with eggs 'in Crater Lake Park, near Fort Klamath' on March 20, 1926, and 'on Crater Mountain' on April 4, 1926. It should be indicated here, however, that these records were not accepted by Gabrielson and Jewett (1940), who also had access to Patterson's manuscript." No report exists of a nest in the park other than those of Patterson. I am aware of none for the immediate vicinity either. Merrill (1888) makes no comment about nesting of the nutcracker in the Fort Klamath area, approximately five miles southeast of the park. The nearest land, indeed, the only) definite nesting records known to me for Oregon are those of Bendire (1895) for the vicinity of Camp (or Fort) Harney and of Braly, near Sisters (Gabrielson and Jewett, 1940).

Perhaps - - despite the lack of external difference between male and female birds - - continued banding of nearly 100% of the local nutcracker population, combined with an intensive retrapping program (especially during late winter and early spring), will ultimately lead to a discovery of their nesting sites. Three returns for 1967 are especially noteworthy: (1) Number 39-311757 was banded on 31 July 1950 in Rim Village by Dorothy C. Farner. We have returns for it for 9 February 1967 (Discovery Point parking area), and 25 and 27 December 1967 (both Rim Village); this last gives a longevity period of at least 17 years, 4 months, and 28 days, with an additional unknown period from hatching to banding. (2) Number 39-311745 was also banded on 31 July 1950 in Rim Village by Dorothy C. Farner; we have a return for it for 16 May 1967, giving a minimum longevity period of 16 years, 9 months, and 17 days.

(3) Band numbers 503-86486/87 were placed on the same adult bird on 1 August 1952 in Rim Village by Dorothy C. Farner. We have returns for it for 19 August 1964 (Rim Village) and 9 February 1967 (Discovery Point parking area), and a recovery - as a result of destruction by a visitor - for 17 June 1967; this last gives a minimum longevity period of 14 years, 10 months, and 17 days. These are all returns and recoveries since 1952 of nutcrackers banded by the Farners in the park. Casual observation of these three birds on the occasions of their returns in 1967 indicated that they were in excellent condition. If anything, they seemed more bold and docile than their associates, approaching readily within touching distance and one flying up to take proffered peanuts directly from between thumb and finger of my outstretched hand - - a behavior completely shunned by all other local nutcrackers. We have one recovery, after nearly two years, for a 1964 banding. During 1967 and 1968 (through 1 March), we have 12 returns of 11 different birds for 1964 bandings and six returns of six different birds for 1967 bandings. Baysinger (1967) of the Bird Banding Laboratory indicated that he would not be able to provide specific longevity data for the Clark's Nutcracker because the magnetic tape files were currently unavailable as a result of conversion to Automatic Data Processing. He did state that, "[my) guess, however, is that the 14'h-year-old bird you handled recently would be close to a record breaker"; he was referring to the return of 503-86486/87 on 9 February 1967. Thus it seems likely that our most recent local longevity record of 17 years, 4 months, and 28 days will represent the known maximum for this species. A subsequent notice from Baysinger advised that this information will tentatively be available by 1 September 1968. During 1956, Fredrickson recorded the combinations for about eight of the nutcrackers color-banded by the Farners from 1950 to 1952. In his report, Fredrickson (n.d.) notes that, "I n some cases the colors had faded so much that it was rather difficult to make sure of the colors. Only records are included here in which the colors wereJairly distinctive." Inasmuch as the birds actually reported were probably banded during three different years, variation in the extent of fading could be expected. From Fredrickson's report, however, Farner was able to make a probable correlation with individual birds in his records for only three of these reports (birds), a possible for one, and a negative (Le., combination reported was never used) for the other four.

During 1962, seasonal naturalist David A. Easterla reported observing two different nutcrackers with three aluminum bands each (park observation file). Obviously, at least one band on each of these birds was originally colored, but no color was evident at the time of observation.

In 1964, Bullington reported that all color was gone from color bands on 503-86486/87, banded in 1952. No color coulq be found on any of the color bands that returned in 1967. Despite the entire loss of color from these bands, all color bands placed on these birds were present and in good condition at the time of the last return in 1967.

Bullington apparently had no difficulty in reading the number on either band of 503-86486/87 in 1964. On 9 February 1967, three of us agreed on independent readings of 503-86486, but I found 503-86487 to be partially illegible; by 17 June 1967, one of these two bands (apparently 503-86486) was gone, whereas the other (presumably 503-86487) remained.

On 9 February 1967, I reported band 39-311757 as being "in good condition, fully legible," which it continued to be through 27 December (at 17-1/3 years). On 16 May 1967 (at 16-3/4 years), band 39-311745 was "worn but entirely legible."

Appreciation is extended to Dr. Donald S. Farner for reviewing the typescript for this article and for the many answers, comments, and suggestions which he carefully and patiently supplied. The help given by Dr. L. Richard Mewaldt and Mr. Wilfrid T. Frost is also gratefully acknowledged.

REFERENCES CITED BAYSINGER, EARL B. 1967 (October 10). Letter in park's technical file. BENDIRE, CHARLES. 1895. Life histories of North American birds, from the parrots to the grackles, with special reference to their breeding habits and eggs. U. S. National Museum Special Bulletin No.3. Washington, D. C., Government Printing Office. ix, 518 pp. FARNER, DOROTHY C. 1951. Banding crows and jays. Crater Lake Nature Notes 17:12-15. FARNER, DONALD S. 1952a. The birds of Crater Lake National Park. Lawrence, University of Kansas Press.xi, 187 pp. ------. 1952b (August 11). Memorandum in park's technical file. FREDRICKSON; RICHARD W. n.d. [1956]. Memorandum in park's technical file. FROST, WI LFRI D T. 1936 (November 13l. Letter in park's technical file. ------. 1968 (March 9). Letter in park's technical file. GABRIELSON, IRA N., and STANLEY G. JEWETT. 1940. Birds of Oregon. Oregon State Monographs, Studies in Zoology 2. ·Corvallis, Oregon State College. xxx 650 pp. MERRI LL, J. C. 1888. Notes on the birds of Fort Klamath, Oregon. The Auk 5(3): 251-262. MEWALDT, L. RICHARD. 1968 (February 7). Letter in park's technical file. PALMER, [FLETCHER G.]. 1940. Incidental notes. Unpublished typescript in park's technical files. 3 pp. PATTERSON, J. E. 1932. List of birds observed and studied in Jackson and Klamath Counties, Oregon; and Siskiyou and Modoc Counties, Calif. Unpublished manuscript formerly in the collection of Stanley G. Jewett; present location unknown. 32 pp. QUAI NTANCE, CHAR LES W. 1936. Clark's nutcrackers banded for study. Crater Lake National Park Nature Notes 9( 1): 1-2, 7.

H. Norton Agey of 908 Ave. H., NE, Winter Haven, Florida 33880, is trying to ascertain the source of a bird band found on a decomposed passerine bird. It is neither a Fish and Wildlife Service band nor a pigeon band. It is 3/16" in diameter and bears the inscription:

370 ~ 60J and the figure of a bear

with the number 65 inside. Anyone having information on this band is requested to write Mr. Agey. To: Alan M. Craig, President Western Bird-Banding Association

.. As for a technique to determine skull ossification, I suggest the following: Take the bird in your left hand with your forefinger looped under the neck and your thumb resting against the back of his skull. The other three fingers should grip the bird firmly. Using a wetting agent (saliva will do) moisten your right thumb and wet the feathers at the top of the skull just posterior to the mythical line connecting the ears. Using both thumbs, manipulate the feathers until a bare patch of skin appears. The skin on the crown of most small birds is fairly loose, and by placing one thumb at the rear of the now barish patch of skin and another at the front. this bare piece of skin can be moved around so much of the skull can be observed. Ossified areas appear as white speckles. These white speckles are in actuality dense bony areas be- tween the two layers of the skull. Unossified areas appear as pinkish or plain-colored areas without this white speckled "salt effect." To start with, the easiest place to see ossification is where the ossified area meets the unossified area. This junction of the two will appear as a distinct line, speckled white on one side, pink, or pale whitish on the other. Often times blood can be seen at the junction indicating the formation of the second layer.

To get an idea what an unossified skull looks like, I suggest you take one of your net casulties and tear the skin away from the skull. This can be done simply by grabbing the skin at the base of the skull and pulling upward. If your bird is a young bird, it is very easy to see the area of ossification and the area of unossification. Kinglets and Creepers show this extremely well and they are good birds to practice on. [Signed] William C. Russell [formerly Biological Technician, Bird Banding Laboratory]

A mimeographed bulletin compiled by Ruth M. Madsen, "Age Determination of Wildlife: A Bibliography," was published by the U. S. Department of the Interior in August 1967. It is available free of charge from the Department Library (Wildlife Research Division), Washington, D. C.

Three major categories, - birds, mammals, and reptiles and amphibians, - are treated. There are 267 references, approximately one-third of which are devoted to birds. Of these, the majority deal with game birds. Foreign pub- lications and PhD theses are included.

In this reviewer's opinion, the Bibliography is of limited use to the non-professional bander. Perhaps its greatest value lies in revealing the vast amount of work yet to be done in the field of age determination.

Golden Eagle banded 16 June 1965, Ft. Collins, Colo., R. A. Ryder; , recovered May 1966, Kimball, Nebr. Mourning Dove banded 13 August 1963, Eureka, Nev., A. Bleile; recovered 20 February 1966, Guadalajara, Mexico Black-capped Chickadee banded 31 August 1961, Edmonton, Alta, Edgar Jones; recovered 25 September 1966, Edmonton, Alta. Mockingbird banded 10 June 1962, Benecia, Calif., E. A. Stoner; recovered April 1966, Benecia, Calif. Common Grackle banded 15 April 1958, Toronto, Ont., B. Westcott; recovered 9 February 1966, Beaver, Ohio. Evening Grosbeak banded 26 April 1965, Colorado Springs, Colo., J. A. Neff; • recovered 15 January 1966, Englewood, Colo. Evening Grosbeak banded 14 January 1964, Ft. Collins, Colo., R. A. Ryder; recovered January 1966, Dixon, Mont. Purple Finch banded 14 November 1961, Escondido, Calif., F. Gallup, Sr.; recovered 5 April 1966, Cadillac, Mich. Black Rosy Finch banded 31 December 1960, Saltair, Utah, J. R. King; . recovered 4 February 1966, Saltair, Utah To The Editor: I thank you for your letter ... regarding our P.V.C. colour bands. The material used for these bands is colour fast, weather and wear resistant for up to eight years. This has been proved in research projects at Durham University, Zoology Dept., by Dr. J. C. Coulson, with whom I work as Senior Ecological Technician. The bands are completely hand produced to order in any size, and are made to fit any bird perfectly. I provide the colour band service apart from my full time employment at the University. We have already supplied numerous research projects in U.S.A., New Zealand, South Africa, and most of the major projects in the British Isles, including Ireland.

PRICE LIST: 2mm to 3.5mm internal dia. £1.10.0 per 100 of anyone colour 3.5mm to 5mm internal dia. £1.15.0 per 100 of anyone colour 6mm to 12mm internal dia. £ 1.17.6 per 100 of anyone colour 13mm to 26mm internal dia. £2.10.0 per 100 of anyone colour

Engraved Rings are available in two-colour laminated material, size ranges from 13mm to 26mm internal diameter. Prices on request. Sample. of any of the following colours are available on request: White, Grey, Brown, Yellow, Light Green, Dark Green, Red, Blue. Black. All orders of over 1000 rings: - 10% discount. Postage is extra on all orders.

Ian Dennison 76 earr House Drive Newton Hall Estate, Framwellgate Moor Co. Durham, England

PICTOR IAL CHECKLIST OF COLORADO BI RDS. By Alfred M. Bailey and Robert J. Niedrach. Denver Museum of Natural History, City Park, Denver, Colorado 80206. 1967. 168 pp. 124 colored plates. $10.00. This most attractive book is a reasonably priced condensation of the authors' two-volume Bird. of Colomdo. It includes 23 of the more than 400 black-and-white photographs in the two-volume work and all of the colored plates. Illustrated are 420 of the 441 species recorded from Colorado. Brief chapters discuss the topography and life zones of the state while most of the text (130 pages) summarizes the status of 441 species and 64 additional races of birds recorded from Colorado as well as briefly noting their status in neighboring states. Many new data and corrections are added to that information found in the original two-volume version published in 1965. Perhaps less space might have been devoted to "recognition" (which is readily available in numerous field guides) and more space given to more specific accounts of status. Banding records are frequently mentioned, but few notations of subsequent recoveries are given. As might be expected, this detail is often found in the two-volume version. In general, the Checklist is a welcome addition to the literature of the birds of the West and should be more readily available to the average birder than the somewhat expensive ($32.50) Bird. of Colorado. RONALD A. RYDER AGE DETERMINATION OF CORVIDAE by Angel Saiza

As stated in Part II by Rea and Kanteena (1968), the juvenals of the Common Crow, Corvus brachyrhynchOl, and the White-necked Raven, C. cryptoleucus, might easily be confused in areas where their ranges meet or overlap (cf. map) 1. Breeding habitats differ: c.ryptoleucus is a resident of yucca·mesquite-grasslands; brachyrhynchOl is a common resident of open parts of the entire Mogollon Plateau (Phillips, etal. 1964), wooded areas (Sutton, 19671. and some higher mountains (Ligon, 1961) of the Southwest. Fledged juvenals of both species tend to wander and are almost indistinguishable before their postjuvenal molt. Therefore the need for criteria to distinguish juvenals of both species.

Fig. 27: Approximate Breeding Range. 1111 C. brachyrhyncho. ~ \ C. cryptoleucus

One difference between the two juvenals is that the throat feathers of C. cryptoleucus tend to be darker distally and a bit glossier than C. brachyrhyncho •. They also seem to have a whitish mark mid·way between the top and the base ofthe feather, which brachyrhyncho. does not have. Areas of similarity in feather structure occur in the two species over most of the body except for the throat, as mentioned. Coloration differences in feather bases exist between the two species. C. brachyrhyncho. has dark gray feather bases 2 in the nape, back, belly, and rump areas; the chin, throat, and breast areas have more pale feather bases. Cryptoleucu. has pale grayish to white feather bases in the nape; other parts of the body have a grayish coloration at the feather bases. (The amount of white in juvenal White·necks appears to be highly variable and a pale grayish bird is not necessarily a crow.)

In all C. brachyrhynchos, primaries six, seven, and eight are the longest. Nine is usually just shorter than five (at least in the non-migratory southwestern race, C. b. hargravei, on which my comparisons are based). See Fig. 280. As in C. brachyrhynchOl, C. cryptoleucu. has primaries six, seven, and eight as the longest wing feathers. The difference between the two species is that in brachyrhyncho. number five is usually longer than nine, but in cryptoleucu. the opposite is always the case: the ninth primary is always longer than the fifth (Fig. 28b). This criterion is useful only if growth of primaries is complete.

1Map based on data given by: AOU Checklist, Bailey & Niedrach, Bent, Grinnell, Ligon, Linsdale, and Phillips, et. aL

2Although Hellmayr combined brachyrhynchOl specifically with the European C. c. corone, this latter species has distinctively-shaped contour feathers, showing much whitish at their bases, a fact kindly confirmed by Dr. Pierce Brodkorb (pers. corresp.). Tail feathers of the juvenalscan also serve as a distinguishing criterion. In cryptoleucus (Fig. 29b), the tail feathers are more strongly graduated than in brachyrhynchos (Fig. 29a).

"Chevron patterns" (Hargrave, in press) are white V-shaped bars on the rachis (=shaft) of the primaries (or rectrices) of certain Corvidae (Fig. 30). They were not found on crows but were found,ventraIlY,on the distal third As shown in the profile illustrations, the maxilla (upper mandible) of eryptoleueus (Fig. 32a) is more strongly curved than brachyrhynchos (Fig. 31a). The profile of the mandible of the juvenal eryptoleueus is more strongly angled than that of brachyrhynehos; this becomes more apparent with maturity. The maxilla of eryptoleueus, as viewed from above (Fig. 32b), is always wider than brachyrhynehos (Fig. 31 b). From below, the mandible of eryptoleueus (Fig. 32e) is also wider than that of brachyrhynehos (Fig. 31e) at both the rami and gonys.3

3These differences may be less apparent in Oklahoma and Texas where the large-billed nominate C. b. braehyrhynchos occurs, but no specimens of either species from that area were available for this study. Specimens were kindly made available for this study from: San Diego Natural History Museum, Southwest Archlilological Center, and University of Arizona. I am also very grateful to Mr. Amadeo M. Rea for his assistance throughout the course of this study.

AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGISTS' UNION. 1957. Check-list of North American birds. 5th ed. BAilEY, A. M. and R. J. NIEDRACH. 1965. Birds of Colorado. Denver Museum of Natural History, Denver, Colo. BENT, A. C. 1964. Life Histories of North American Jays, Crows, and Titmice. Dover reprint. GR INNE ll, J. 1928. A distributional summation of the ornithology of lower California. Univ. Calif. Pub!. in Zool. 32: 1-300. HARGRAVE, L. L. 1968. Feathers from San Dune Cave: a Basket Maker cave near Navajo Mountains, Utah. In press. LIGON, J. S. 1961. New Mexico Birds. Univ. of New Mexico Press,Albuquerque, N. M. L1NSDAlE, J. M. 1936. Birds of Nevada. Pac. Coast Avifauna 23:1-145. PHilLIPS, A. R. 1942. A new crow from Arizona. Auk 59:573-575. PHI lLlPS, A. R., J. MARSHAll, and G. MONSON. 1964. The birds of Arizona. Univ. Ariz. Press.,Tucson, Ariz. REA, A. M. 1967. Age determination of Corvidae, Part I: Common Crows. WBB 42:44-47. REA, A. M. and D. KANTEENA. 1968. Age determination of Corvidae, Part II: Common and White-necked Ravens. WBB 43:6-9. SUTTON, G. M. 1967. Birds of Oklahoma. University of Oklahoma Press,Norman,Okla.

This journal is published quarterly by the Bird Banders' Association of Australia. It normally comprises some 24 pages of articles and notes from members, with photographs, diagrams, or maps, and interesting data on Austral- ian recoveries of birds banded both within Australia and elsewhere. A regular feature, "Bird in the Hand," provides a valuable guide to identification, age, and sex. Most of the information contained is of interest not only to banders but to ornithologists generally.

You are invited to subscribe to this very reasonably priced publication. [Ed. note: Consult your bank for the current U. S. dollar equivalent.]

Annual Subscription: Associate Membership $ (A) 3.00 per annum Junior Membership (under 18 yrs., date of birth required) $ (A) 1.50 per annum Hon. Treasurer: R. G. Lonnon, 63 Rutledge St., Eastwood, N.S.W. 2122, Australia

Anyone interested in birds may become an Associate Member (or Junior Member if under 18 years of age). Full Membership is restricted to Licensed CSI RO Banders. All members receive The Australian Bird Bander. S. G. LANE, HON. EDITOR Fine fall weather and passage of generally unimpressive storm fronts were not conducive to good banding at Lykin's Gulch near Longmont, Colorado. Although a sizeable variety of species came through this area, a sharp decrease in total numbers was noted, due mainly to a surprising decline in the usually abundant Chipping Sparrow.

During 57 days in September-October 1967, only 47 Chipping Sparrows were banded, compared with a total of 856 banded during 47 days in the same two-month period in 1966. Since they nest in the nearby mountains, it seems possible that a very severe hail storm on 18 August may have wiped out this local population.

Both native fruit and weed seeds were in excellent supply along the ravine following an abnormally wet summer; however, adjacent fields were bare and provided no food for migrant birds.

During the 57 days of OR banding (1889 net-hours), 1173 birds of 70 species were banded. Wing measurements were taken on approximately 1125 birds, and 196 were aged by skull ossification.

Species not commonly banded here included Bewick's Wren, Philadelphia Vireo, Black-and-white Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Ovenbird, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting (late record on 6 October), White-throated Sparrow, and Swamp Sparrow.

FRANKTOWN, COLORADO This station was operated by Mildred O. Snyder, assisted by Merle Barbour, for 12 days during the period 12 September to 18 October. Five to eight nets were used (429 net-hours), and 262 individuals of 29 species were banded. Mrs. Snyder comments: "1 skulled all birds. Some I could not [age) because of pinfeathers, thick skin, or scaly conditions. I got three species that we did not get last year, - Cooper's Hawk, Orange-crowned Warbler, and Western Tanager. Again this year, there was avery late! Broad-tailed Hummingbird at the feeder, - on 12 October, three days later than last year.

"We observed these [Broad-tailed) Hummingbirds exercizing their wings all day during the period from 8 September through 12 October. When we first noticed them doing this, we could not tell how many were doing the exercizing, as there were up to eight birds in the area, probably including migrants. There always seemed to be two that we could see doing it. They would alternate between feeding and then flying to a perch in a tree and exercizing the wings continuously. This went on all during the day while we were there.

"1 cannot find anything in the literature about hummingbirds doing this. We had a very wet and late spring; I am wondering if perhaps they had a late breeding and the young birds had to exercize to get ready for their migration flight. We did not observe this during our session of banding in the fall of 1966, although one of the several birds that were there last year stayed almost as late as this year."

red, yellow, green, Mrs. Thelma Stevenson, blue, black 2837 North Ave., Grand Ju nction, Colo. 80302

Scrub Jay leg band and/or red, orange, yellow, green, Dr. Mary M. Erickson, leg streamer blue, violet, pink 3505 Foothill Rd., Santa Barbara, Calif. 93105

Coordinator for color-marking projects in the Western Region is Loring Jones, 1546 Borah Ave., Moscow, Idaho 83843. Any correspondence regarding new or old authorizations should be addressed to Mr. Jones. A short article, "Age Determination in the Black-billed Magpie," written by Michael J. Erpino (Dept. of Zoology and Physiology, Univ. of Wyoming) appeared in the January 1968 issue of The Condor. Mr. Erpino concludes that the length of the black tip of the fourth primary provides a criterion for separating adults from young up to the time of the second molt of the young bird.

The Screech Owl drawing on the front page of this issue was done by Rex Comanche, Mescalero Apache, who is a sophomore at St. John's Indian School near Phoenix, Arizona.

The January meeting of WBBA's Northern California Chapter was held at the Ward Smith's in Palo Alto. Officers elected for 1968 were: Elgin Hurlbert, President; Charles Feltes, Vice-President; Winifred Hurlbert, Secretary; and Dorothy Hunt, Treasurer. A field trip to the Palo Alto Yacht Harbor Duck Pond preceded the meeting; following the meeting, D. Bruce Swinehart showed slides of his trip along the coast of Baja California and Mexico. The March meeting, at the Moss Landing Marine Laboratories of the California State Colleges, included a tour of the facilities (conducted by the Director, Dr. John P. Harville) and an illustrated talk, "Aspects of the Anatomy and Physiology of Birds," by Dr. G. Victor Morejohn of San Jose State College.

Angel Saiza, a seventeen-year-old Pima-Papago sophomore at St. John's Indian School, wrote the third of the series of papers on Corvidae.

HAVE YOU PAID YOUR DUES FOR 1968? If not, and you want to be sure that you receive the Annual Report issue, please mail your check immediately to: Mrs. Gail Jenkins, Business Manager, 119 Park St., San Rafael, California 94901.

There has been another serious outbreak of trichomoniasis, or canker, among Mourning Doves, - this one in Scottsdale, Arizona. The disease is spread through contaminated food and water and may spill over into populations of sparrows, finches, blackbirds, and avian predators that frequent the same area. As Dorothy Hunt stated in her article "Diseased Mourning Doves" (Western Bird Bander Vol 41, No.4: 43): "This is a matter that banders will want to consider most carefully in their trapping activities. Since heavy feeding is often involved, it might be well to bear in mind that whenever food is concentrated in a small area, and particularly if uneaten food lies around to rot, the danger of spreading fungus and other bird diseases is greatly increased." L8898 euozp'v' '>\aaJJ al\eJ 91717x08 '0 'd

The Western Bird Bander is published four times a year by the Western Bird-Banding Association. Applications for membership should be sent to the Business Manager. Membership classifications are: Active Member $3.50 per year; Associate Member $3.50 per year; Sustaining Member $7.00 per year; Life Mem- bership $100.00.

President Lt. Alan M. Craig, 712 Tarento Dr., San Diego, California 92106 First Vice President Dr. William J. Hamilton III, Zoology Dept., U. of Calif., Davis, California 95616 Second Vice President C. John Ralph, Point Reyes Bird Observatory, Palomarin Ranch, Mesa Rd., ...... Bolinas, California 94960 Secretary Miss Marie L. Mans, 2723-B Stuart St., Berkeley, California94705 Business Manager ...... Mrs. Gail Jenkins, 119 Park St., San Rafael, California 94901 I Editor Mrs. Eleanor L. Radke, P. O. Box 446, Cave Creek, Arizona 85331 WESTERN BIRD BANDER

A QUARTERLY PUBLICATION OF THE WESTERN BIRD-SANDING ASSOCIATION

FROM THE PRESIDENT . REPORT OF THE ANNUAL MEETING . ANNUAL REPORT, compiled by Dorothy B. Hunt. COMMENTARY ON THE ANNUAL REPORT by Michael San Miguel. SUMMARY REPORT OF INDIVIDUAL BANDERS . COWBIRDS AT A PHOENIX, ARIZONA, FEEDLOT by Willis C. Royall, Jr.

We are pleased that many of you were able to attend the Annual Meeting in Grand Junction, Colorado. It is indeed an honor to be elected president of the W.B.B.A., and I will do my best to continue the excellent program conducted by Alan Craig, his officers, and other hard-working assistants. The Association is particularly indebted to Dorothy Hunt, who has for many years done such a thorough and detailed job compiling the Annual Report. We regret that eyesight problems have forced her to resign as compiler, and we are currently looking for some member who is willing to undertake this task. Any volunteers? RONALD A. RYDER

The 1968 Annual Meeting of the Western Bird-Banding Association was held the weekend of 25-26 May in Grand Junction, Colorado, as a joint meeting with the Colorado Field Ornithologists. A local committee from the latter organization hosted the meeting; their hospitality committee functioned superbly and gave us a royal wel- come. Banders from Arizona, California, Colorado, and New Mexico attended, many having their first opportunity to talk with Earl Baysinger, Chief of the Bird Banding laboratory.

EXHIBITS

Equipment on display in the meeting room included markers for (wild) Turkeys; a special hand lens to aid in determining skull ossification; a radiotelemetry exhibit, with transmitters which can be strapped to birds, mice, and coyotes; and a distress-call recording. On the Sunday morning field trip, ·we were treated to a somewhat nerve- shattering demonstration firing of a cannon net. The net itself was mounted on the front of a pick-up truck and fired from inside the truck. This allows the operator to remain in the truck, and he can drive to within "firing range" of grouse coveys. BUSINESS MEETING

Registration and social hour were followed by the business meeting at which President Alan Craig presided. Minutes of the 1967 meeting were read and approved. The treasurer's report was not available. In promotion of a membership drive, copies of Western Bird Bander have been sent to most non-member banders in the Western Region. Articles of Incorporation for W.B.B.A., together with necessary changes in by-laws, have been prepared. The latter are being reviewed for final copy and will be submitted to members for approval. The nominating committee (Howard Cogswell, Enid Austin, Elgin Hurlbert) submitted the following slate of officers, which was elected: President - Dr. Ronald A. Ryder, Fort Collins, Colo.; First V.P. - D. Bruce Swinehart, Carmichael, Calif.; Second V.P. - Dr. William J. Hamilton III, Davis, Calif.; Secretary - Allegra Collister, Longmont, Colo.; Business Manager - Dr. Thomas Rodgers, Chico, Calif. Appreciation was expressed to the outgoing officers and to the Editor for their work during the past year.

REPORT FROM THE BIRD BANDING LABORATORY In his introductory comments, and representing Chandler S. Robbins, Mr. Baysinger explained the Coordinated Breeding Bird Survey, the purpose of which is to detect variations in song bird populations from year to year. An ef- fort will be made to correlate this population survey with numbers of birds banded each year. The change-over from card file to computer tape system has now been completed, and, as of 1 July, the Labora- tory will be current with banding data (except for returns). Processing of recoveries, held up since October 1967, is proceeding. Construction of a new three-story building to provide adequate space for the entire Migratory Bird Popula- tions Station has started. Banders were complimented on the care with which they are now preparing schedules. In contrast with the 40% rejection of a few years ago, only 10 to 15% of the schedules are presently being returned as unacceptable. With that problem under control, the Bird Banding Laboratory has another it would like solved: Approximately one million more bands are issued each year than are reported on schedules. What is happening to these bands? Mr. Baysinger explained and showed samples of some of the new forms that banders can expect (subsequently described in MT AB #10 of 17 June this year). These are (1) a wallet-sized banding permit replacing the a'hx 11 sheet at renewal time, (2) a new "Certificate of Appreciation" for the recoverer, and (3) a new recovery report for the bander. He emphasized the fact that recovery reports should not be accepted unquestioningly. The computer cannot catch errors in interpreting hand writing, for example. Above all, the bander should not publish recovery data unless he has carefully checked out all reports. Several revisions and additions to the "Banding Manual" are contemplated: a list of all Color-marking Authoriza- tions; revised codes for Status and Additional Information (Anyone having suggestions on improving the usability of codes is urged to write to Mr. Baysinger.); new Banding Schedules for reporting 50 birds per schedule to be issued when the new codes are in effect; and a tabulation of Longevity Records, giving the three or four oldest known individuals per species. Lock-on bands for raptors are now available; banders must specifically ask for them, however. For large-scale banding projects, pre-opened bands can be requested for band size #3 and larger. In the near future, two new band sizes will be issued: #3B and #4A.

PAPERS SESSION

The following papers were presented on Saturday afternoon: Starling and Blackbird Trapping and Banding in the West - Joseph L. Guarino, Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, Denver. House Sparrows and Western Encephalitis - Richard O. Hayes, U.S. PUblic Health Service, Fort Collins. Techniques of White-tailed Ptarmigan Population Studies in Colorado - Clait E. Braun, Glenn E. Rogers, and Raymond K. Schmidt. Trapping, Banding, and Marking Wild Turkeys in Colorado - Gary T. Myers, Colorado Game, Fish, and Parks Department, Montrose. Colorado's Role in the Cooperative Breeding Bird Survey of North America - Donald M. Thatcher, Denver Field Ornithologists. Introduced Game Birds in Colorado - Glenn E. Rogers, Colorado Game, Fish, and Parks Department, Denver. Status and Distribution of the Greater Sandhill Crane in Western North America - Carroll D. Littlefield and Ronald A. Ryder, Colorado State University, Fort Collins. Radiotelemetry Studies of Greater Prairie Chickens in Kansas - Jerome J. Cebula. Colorado Game, Fish, and Parks Department. The Birds of Colorado National Monument - Alan Eliasen and William Davis, Grand Junction. The banquet speaker, Edgar Muhr, presented his fine movies of Colorado birds.

W.B.B.A. extends its thanks to Dr. William A. Davis, chairman of the meeting; to Dr. Ronald A. Ryder, chairman of the papers session; and to Mrs. Lucy Ela, chairman of the hospitality committee, for their work in making this such an enjoyable and informative Annual Meeting. An analysis of bird-banding reports for the year 1967 within the area of the Western Bird-Banding Association. Compiled by Dorothy B. Hunt

Alaska *Hawaii Yukon Ariz. Largest *Pacific B.C. Wash. Idaho Nev. Wyo. N.M. Indiv. *Islands Alta. Ore. Mont. Utah Colo. *Mex. Total

Red-necked Grebe 1 2 3 1 Gordon; Hampson; Springer Eared Grebe 1 1 1 PRBO Western Grebe 2 1 3 2 Gordon Pied-billed Grebe 4 4 4 Oakland Park Dept. Black-ft. Albatross * 6.174 6174 4.215 Robbins Laysan Albatross *'12,988 12,988 9,828 Robbins Fork-tld. Petrel 1 14 15 14 S. W. Harris Leach's Petrel 36 551 587 551 S. W. Harris Ashy Petrel 12 12 12 PRBO Black Petrel * 3 3 3 Swinehart # RED-BLD. TROPICBI RD * 4 4 4 Swinehart White Pelican 86 1,014 507 717 102 2426 1 014 Med. Lake NWR Brown Pelican *11 11 11 Swinehart Blue-ft. Booby *19 19 19 Swinehart Double-cr. Cormorant 5 35 40 31 Ryder Brandt's Cormorant 1 1 1 PRBO Pelagic Cormorant 1 1 1 PRBO Mag. Frigatebird *75 75 75 Swinehart Great Blue Heron 26 27 53 27 Wendler Green Heron 1 1 1 Z. Schultz Common Egret 68 60 128 65 Wendler Snowy Egret 97 1 98 97 Wendler BI-er. Night Heron 9 1 10 8 Malheur NWR Least Bittern 1 1 1 Bitter Lake NWR White-faced Ibis 1 1 1 J. Sheppard Trumpeter Swan 7 35 42 35 Red Rock Lakes NWR Canada Goose 69 330 940 1 451 1 201 2353 25 6369 1394 Colorado Game White-ft. Goose 169 169 169 Tule Lake NWR Snow Goose 8 1392 1400 952 Tule Lake NWR Ross' Goose 1 1 Tule Lake NWR Mallard 15 5,738 9,102 2,768 3,007 13,088 432 34,150 7,258"" Colorado Game Mexican Duck 21 21 19 Bosaue del Apache NWR Gadwall 108 18 1 121 166 414 156 Monte Vista NWR Pintail 1 2,407 2,308 3633 2771 1633 700 13453 1676 Ore. Stilte Game Comm. Green-wgd. Teal 28 107 612 274 508 304 1,833 482 Salton Sea NWR Blue-wgd. Teal 76 3 91 2 1 181 341 695 341 Bitter Lake NWR Cinnamon Teal 11 55 851 145 1062 681 Nev. F & G (Wriohtl Blue-wgd. &/or Cinn. 9 15 133 11 771 29 968 687 Monte Vista NWR American Widgeon 12 700 22 2,323 3 235 575 3,870 1,022 Calif. F & G Shoveler 14 3 3 300 26 3 349 300 Tule Lake NWR Wood Duck 1 316 317 310 Ore. Stilte Game Comm. Redhead 99 34 805 209 1.147 474 Utah State F & G Ring-necked Duck 1 1 9 8 19 9 Nev. F & G (Wrioht) Canvasback 38 16 1 55 38 Oakland Park Dept. Lesser Scaup 6 1 1 123 30 29 1 191 123 Oakland Park Dept. Common Goldeneye 1 2 3 2 Oakland Park Dept. Alaska *Hawaii Yukon Ariz. Largest *Pacific B.C. Wash. Idaho Nev. Wyo. N.M. Indiv. *Islands Alta. Ore. Mont. Utah Colo. *Mex. Total

Bufflehead 4 4 4 Bitter Lake NWR Ruddy Duck 2 18 20 12 Fish Springs NWR Hooded Merganser 2 2 2 Ore. State Game Comm. Goshawk 3 2 5 3 Hampson Sharposhin. Hawk 1 11 8 6 26 7 PRBO Cooper s Hawk 3 1 6 4 14 3 Collister; Hampson Red-tailed Hawk 3 8 55 3 69 50 Peterson Red-shouldered Hawk 10 10 6 Peterson Broad-winged Hawk 2 2 2 Edgar T. Jones Swainson's Hawk 4 4 4 Stabler Rou!lh-Ie!l!led Hawk 1 2 3 2 Stabler Ferruginous Hawk 12 12 10 Edgar T. Jones Golden Eagle 20 62 4 2 1 89 54 Bur. Sport Fisheries Marsh Hawk 2 5 7 4 Collister Prairie Falcon 4 57 61 56 Enderson Peregrine Falcon 11 5 3 19 19 Enderson Pigeon Hawk 4 4 4 Hampson Sparrow Hawk 23 5 16 44 58 122 1 269 69 Flavin Blue lirouse 7 7 7 Clalt Braun (Ryder) Ruffed Grouse 2 2 2 Harrington Willow Ptarmigan 152 152 152 L. Peyton White-tld. Ptarmigan 207 207 205 Clait Braun (Ryder) Sage Grouse 13 13 13 Idaho F & G California Quail 228 1 229 213 PRBO Gambel's Quail 46 46 45 Blankenship Rin!l-necked Pheasant 106 106 106 Bear River NWR Chukar 7 7 7 Sullivan Sandhill Crane 13 13 13 Malheur NWR Virginia Rail 1 1 1 Z. Schultz American Coot 332 32 ~ 21 626 222 Malheur NVVR Black Oystercatcher 1 1 1 J. L. Fish Semioalmated Plover 7 1 8 4 PRBO Snowy Plover 6 2 8 6 J. Sheppard Killdeer 10 4 7 8 5 34 5 Stillwater; Willapa Mountain Plover 19 8 27 19 Russell NWR Am. liolden Plover 8 Am. Golden Plover *69 77 44 Hawaiian NWR Ruddy Turnstone 3665 Ruddy Turnstone *233 3.898 3.665 Pacific Project Common Snipe 17 1 18 8 Craig; Sheppard Long-bill. Curlew 6 6 6 Bear River NWR t:lnstle-tnigh. Curlew '96 90 64 I"acitic I"roJect :spotted :sandpiper 3 7 2 12 7 Evans Solitary Sandpiper 1 1 1 Brown (Crater Lakel Wandering Tattler *5 1 6 4 Pacific Project Lesser Yellowlegs 1 1 1 Collister Rock Sandpiper 137 137 137 Pacific Project Sharp-tld. Sandpiper 2 2 2 Pacific Project Pectoral Sandpiper 1 4 2 7 4 Craig Baird's Sandoioer 1 3 4 3 Collister Least Sandpiper 7 141 16 164 104 PRBO Alaska *Hawaii Yukon Ariz. Largest *Pacific B.C. Wash. Idaho Nev. Wyo. N.M. Indiv. *Islands Alta. Ore. Mont. Utah Colo. *Mex. Total

Dunlin 1 153 154 153 PRBO Short-bill. Dowitcher 9 9 5 PRBO Long-bill. Dowitcher 3 3 3 Pacific Project Semipalmated Sandpiper 1 1 1 Collister Western Sandpiper 10 339 14 3b3 147 PRBO Marbled Godwit 3 3 2 J. Sheppard Sanderling 2 5 7 5 Collister American Avocet 5 4 1 19 29 19 Stillwater NWR Black-necked Stilt 12 12 12 Stillwater NWR Wilson's Phalarope 1 1 1 J. L. Fish Northern Phalarope 24 3 27 23 J. Sheppard Glaucous-winged Gull 2,599 1,975 4,574 4!,5~~ l;ampbell Western Gull 1,511 *12 1,523 1,500 PRBO California Gull 560 1,500 101 9 2,170 1,500 Moos Ring-billed Gull 241 100 341 241 Wayne Hanson Mew Gull 1 :.! ;:s 2 J. Sheppard Franklin's Gull 1043 1043 1034 Moos Bonaparte's Gull 4 4 4 J. Sheppard Heermann's Gull 1 * 2 3 2 Swinehart Forster's Tern 35 35 21 Cody Common Tern 41 41 41 Kuhn Arctic Tern 36 1 37 36 Solf Least Tern 42 42 42 Cody Elegant Tern 21 21 21 Gallup Caspian Tern 194 194 155 Gallup Noddv Tern * 2 2 2 Swinehart Common Murre 1 2 3 2 PRBO Pilleon Guillemot 3 3 3 Campbell Cassin's Auklet 298 298 294 PRBO Rhinoceros Auklet 3 3 3 Campbell Tufted Puffin 3 3 6 3 Campbell; J.L. Fish Band-tailed Pigeon 208 1,178 29 383 1,798 632 Harper White-winged Dove !Xlii 51i1i 4bl AriZ. l.iame lSl t-Isn Mourning Dove 881 410 3,003 4,908 2,871 7,206 19,279 4,268 Ariz. Game & Fish Spotted Dove *1 1 2 1 Bleltz; Pyle Ringed Turtle Dove 1 1 1 Woronecki (Denver WRCI Ground Dove 18 18 15 S. M. Russell Inca Dove 160 160 158 S. M. Russell Black-bid. Cuckoo 2 2 2 Moos Roadrunner 1 1 1 D. R. Roberts Barn Owl 3 24 3 30 18 Gallup Screech Owl 5 1 b 4 l;ollister Flammulated Owl 1 10 11 10 McKnight Great Horned Owl 11 5 8 2 4 14 44 12 Stabler Snowy Owl 9 9 Ii l.ienlert Hawk Owl 1 1 1 Gehlert Elf Owl 16 16 1b :s. M. Hussell Burrowing Owl 19 1 20 16 J. Sheppard Long-eared Owl 6 4 10 4 J. Sheppard· Sulliiian Short-eared Owl 1 1 1 Malheur NWR Saw-whet Owl 13 1 1 15 12 PRBO Poor-will 1 2 2 5 2 Ruby Lake NWR Alaska *Hawaii Yukon Ariz. Largest *Pacific B.C. Wash. Idaho Nev. Wyo. N.M. Indiv. *Islands Alta. Ore. Mont. Utah Colo. *Mex. Total

Common Nighthawk 1 1 1 Z. Schultz Lesser Nighthawk 6 6 6 S. M. Russell Vaux's Swift 3 1 4 3 Z. Schultz Black-ch. Hummingbird 23 3 26 23 Bleitz Costa's Hummingbird 7 7 7 Bleitz Anna's Hummingbird 63 63 37 Bleitz . Broad-tld. Hummin!lbird 2 23 25 23 Collister Rufous Hummingbird 49 40 4 93 49 Gordon Murphy Allen's Hummingbird 52 52 34 PRBO Calliope Hummingbird 1 1 1 Evans Rivoli's Hummingbird 1 1 1 Collister Blue-thr. Hummingbird 2 2 2 Collister Belted Kingfisher 1 1 2 1 Ruby Lake; Univ. Calif.-8B Red-shafted Flicker 1 17 17 24 3 24 22 108 18 Collister Hybrid Flicker 3 1 3 7 3 PRBO Gilded Flicker 11 11 7 Mcintyre Gila Woodpecker 22 22 15 S. M. Russell Red-headed Woodpkr. 1 1 1 Collister Acorn Woodpecker 1 28 22 51 18 Darrell Lee Lewis' Woodpecker 2 2 2 Collister Yel.-bellied Saosucker 10 1 13 4 15 1 44 10 Collister Williamson's Sapsucker 3 3 3 Ringering Hairy Woodpecker 1 2 8 1 6 1 19 5 PRBO Downy Woodpecker 2 6 6 13 1 8 2 38 7 PRBO Ladder-bkd. Woodpkr. 5 5 3 J. Sheppard Nuttall's Woodpkr. 6 6 3 San Miguel Arizona VVooOpecKer 1 1 1 COllister White-headed Woodpkr. 5 12 17 10 Felt Eastern Kingbird 2 9 1 12 8 Med. Lake NWR Western Kingbird 1 2 1 6 2 12 6 Collister Cassin's Kin!lbird 2 2 2 McKnight Great Crested Flyctr. 1 1 1 PRBD Wied's Cr. Flycatcher 1 7 8 4 S. M. Russell Ash-thr. Flycatcher 9 1 2 12 4 Craig-Coughran Black Phoebe 29 3 32 11 San Miguel Say's Phoebe 2 5 1 1 3 3 15 5 Sid Martin Yel.-bellied Flycatcher 7 7 5 Hampson Traill's Flycatcher 6 19 1 11 21 11 1 70 12 Craig-Coughran Least Flycatcher 55 6 b1 44 t:ogar I. Jones Hammond's Flycatcher 23 10 3 36 18 Craig-Coughran Duskv Flvcatcher 3 4 7 2 16 7 Collister Gray Flycatcher 3 4 1 8 2 Hansen; Killpack;:>an Miguel Western Flycatcher 5 5 504 3 9 52b 339 l;ralg-l;ougnran Emoidonax (sP.?) 2 2 70 8 6 1 89 70 I,.;ralg-I,.;ougnran 1# EAST. WOOD PEWEE 2 2 2 Collister Western Wood Pewee 6 12 90 35 21 19 183 67 Craig-Coughran Flycatcher 2 40 2 1 45 U l;ralg-l;ougnran Vermilion Flycatcher 1 1 1 Hansen (Desert Rangel Horned Lark 2 4 1 1 l:l 4 Hines Violet-green Swallow 4 16 38 16 1 75 32 San Miguel Tree Swallow 7 11 17 4 15 "3 77 15 t:vans Bank Swallow 1,332 2 1,334 915 Z. Schultz Alaska *Hawaii Yukon Ariz. Largest *Pacific B.C. Wash. Idaho Nev. Wyo. N.M. Indiv. *Islands Alta. Ore. Mont. Utah Colo. *Mex. Total

Rough-wing. Swallow 2 2 1 PRBO; Swinehart Barn Swallow 8 63 14 3 23 7 118 31 Merrick Cliff Swallow 2 32 1 917 34 150 1 136 838 Swinehart Gray Jay 6 7 31 1 3 48 25 Brown (Crater Lake) Blue Jay 7 12 19 11 Collister Steller's Jay 15 9 35 30 50 28 167 43 Brockner Scrub Jay 14 150 5 35 204 69 PRBO Mexican Jay 2 2 2 Collister Black-bId. Magpie 6 7 52 1 29 95 52 Hines YeL-bld. Magpie 28 28 21 John Davis Common Raven 3 6 1 10 3 Bear River; Peterson;Stiliwater Common Crow 26 2 28 26 Woronecki (Denver WRC) Northwestern Crow 3 3 3 Campbell Pinon Jay 12 26 38 26 Ruby Lake NWR Clark's Nutcracker 60 1 25 2 88 60 Brown (Crater Lake) lilacK-eap. L:nlCKaOee 2 li;$ lib 5 02 2;$7 2b ~dgar T. Jones Mountain Chickadee 15 7 105 8 62 12 209 51 Felt Boreal Chickadee 1 1 2 1 L. Peyton; Springer Chestnut-bk. Chickadee 15 102 117 48 PRBO Plain Titmouse 2 45 3 50 12 K.insey Bridled Titmouse 1 1 1 Collister Verdin 6 2 13 21 6 S. M. Hussell Common Bushtit 56 164 13 233 83 PRBO White-br. Nuthatch 4 8 18 9 4 43 10 Felt Red-br. Nuthatch 1 11 16 3 31 10 Craig Pygmy Nuthatch 4 29 37 1 71 19 J. Sheppard Brown Creeper 1 3 19 2 1 1 27 8 Felt; PRBO Wrentit 16 151 107 113 PRBO Dipper 8 3 11 li ::;olf House Wren 14 1 24 5 52 21 117 31 Stevenson Winter Wren 4 21 25 17 PRBO Bewick's Wren 12 96 1 5 114 57 PRBO Cactus Wren 5 143 148 76 A. Anderson Lon~bld. Marsh Wren 285 5 1 291 265 Verner Rock Wren 1 1 1 Ellis R. Jones Mockingbird 99 3 6 15 123 25 Stoner Catbird 5 1 11 17 1 ;$b l,j L:Olllster Brown Thrasher 4 2 6 3 Collister Bendire's Thrasher 7 7 6 S. M. Russell Curve-bid. Thrasher 117 117 57 S. M. Russell Calif Thrasher 15 15 0 San Miguel Le Conte's Thrasher 5 5 5 J. Sheppard Crissal Thrasher 3 1 4 ;$ L:ralg Sage Thrasher 15 2 1 2 20 15 Moldenhauer Robin 4 83 171 25 173 28 139 49 672 85 Stoner Varied Thrush 9 1 16 26 12 PRBO Wood Thrush *1 1 1 Collister Hermit Thrush 15 8 319 2 17 15 376 101 PRBO Swainson's Thrush 2 40 17 1 462 34 7 563 230 Craig-Coughran Gray-eheek. Thrush 1 1 2 1 E. T. Jones; ::;nler Veery 1 1 10 12 li L:Ollister Western Bluebird 12 21 35 17 85 ;$5 Snyder Mountain Bluebird 140 14 3 9 166 108 Sid Martin Alaska *Hawaii Yukon Ariz. Largest *Pacific B.C. Wash. Idaho Nev. Wyo. N.M. Indiv. *Islands Alta. Ore. Mont. Utah Colo. *Mex. Total

Townsend's Solitaire 3 1 7 11 7 McKniaht Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 4 1 5 2 J. Sheppard Black-tld. unatcatcher 5 3 8 5 San Miguel Golden-cr. Kinglet 2 1 35 1 39 33 PRBO Ruby-cr. Kinglet 1 12 305 4 13 28 363 154 PRBO Bohemian Waxwing 1 1 9 2 13 9 Killpack Cedar Waxwing 69 42 10 1,329 9 3 l,4t:i:.l 675 Linsdale Phainooeola 6 6 3 Radke; S. M. Russell Northern Shrike 1 1 3 1 6 2 Flavin Loggerhead Shrike 4 2 11 8 11 2 38 9 Collister t>tarling 103 1,218 126 1,OOJ L3T -430 1 3,172 1,180 Larsen (Denver WRC) Hutton s Vireo 42 42 37 PRBO Bell's Vireo 2 1 3 1 Coughran; San Miguel; Stevenson Solitary Vireo 2 25 2 6 35 15 Craig-Coughran Red-eyed Vireo 71 1 1 5 2 80 52 Edgar T. Jones Philadelphia Vireo 6 1 1 8 5 Edgar T. Jones Warbling Vireo 4 5 1 257 21 13 25 326 141 PRBO BI.-and Who Warbler 8 2 1 11 8 Edgar T. Jones Tennessee Warbler 1 194 1 6 202 131 Edaar T. Jones Orange-cr. Warbler 5 13 13 719 47 . 32 Orange-cr. Warbler * 1 830 487 Craig-Coughran Nashville Warbler 1 304 1 1 3 310 292 Craig-Coughran Virginia's Warbler 3 3 13 28 47 23 McKnight Lucy's Warbler 2 5 7 4 t>. M. Russell Parula warbler 1 1 1 McKnight Yellow Warbler 52 38 16 10 197 28 34 2 377 84 Craig-Coughran Magnolia Warbler 14 2 2 1 19 12 Edgar T. Jones Cape May Warbler 15 15 15 Edgar T. Jones Black-thr. Blue Warb. 1 1 1 Craia Myrtle Warbler 43 4 1 142 1 16 3 . Mvrtle Warbler -1 211 77 f>RBO. Audubon Warbler 2 70 740 9 40 109 Audubon Warbler *1 971 512 Craio-Couohran Black-th. Gray Warb. 1 91 92 79 Craia-Couahran Townsend's Warbler 243 3 246 201 Craig-Coughran Black-th. Green Warb. 1 1 2 1 Collister; Craig Hermit Warbler 44 44 41 Craig-Coughran Chestnut-sided Warb. 1 1 1 PRBO Bay-breasted Warbler 4 1 5 4 Edgar T. Jones Blackooll Warbler 26 12 2 40 25 Edaar T. Jones Prairie Warbler 1 1 1 PRBO Palm Warbler 4 1 5 4 Edgar T. Jones Ovenbird 22 1 1 1 25 22 Edgar T. Jones North'n Waterthrush 2 1 1 4 1 7 10 26 9 McKnight Conn Warbler 1 1 2 1 E. T. Jones; Med. Lake Mourning Warbler 1 1 1 Edgar T. Jones MacGillivray's Warb. 3 16 79 6 23 51 178 64 Craig-Coughran Yellowthroat 1 20 4 19 2 46 13 Collister Yellow-breasted Chat 2 f9 15 19 :.14 79 19 Collister Wilson's Warbler 20 14 1 1.032 16 75 67 1,225 833 Craig-Coughran Canada Warbler 1 1 1 craig American Redstart 62 10 5 t7 50 Edgar T. Jones Painted Redstart 4 4 3 MCl'nlght House Sparrow 3 38 19 505 1 45 2 t:i13 374 Muhlbach West. Meadowlark 5 34 5 4 39 87 39 Blankenship Yellow-hd. Blackbird 3 86 41 23 688 89 32 962 608 Ruby Lake NWR Alaska *Hawaii Yukon Ariz. Largest *Pacific B.C. Wash. Idaho Nev. Wyo N.M Indiv *Islands Alta. Ore. Mont. Calif. Utah Colo. *Mex. Total

Red-wgd. Blackbird 74 290 1,032 159 585 1,623 68 3,831 2,605 Guarino (Denver WRC) Tricolored Blackbd. 527 527 316 Woronecki (Denver WRC) Orchard Oriole 3 7 10 7 Collister Hooded Oriole 64 6 70 26 Bleitz Scott's Oriole . 1 2 3 1 Collister; Hansen; Radke Baltimore Oriole 1 2 3 2 Craig Bullock's Oriole 7 7 71 31 9 2 127 36 Craig-Coughran #BULLOCK/BALT. X 1 1 1 San Miguel Rusty Blackbird 4 2 6 4 R. B. Williams Brewer's Blackbird 22 54 10 360 63 11 1 521 171 PRBO Common Grackle 11 3 47 61 20 Collister Brown-hd. Cowbird 5 30 2,446 434 9 45 2,969 2,367 Woronecki (Denver WRC) Bronzed Cowbird 6 6 2 Blankenship; Collister Western Tanager 1 '* 21 549 74 35 30 71u 4H9 Craig-Cougnran Hepatic Tanager 1 1 1 McKnight Summer Tanager 3 3 2 Craig Cardinal * 3 42 45 19 Ellis R. Jones Pyrrhuloxia 20 ·20 20 S. M. Russell Rose-br. Grosbeak 1 2 1 4 1 Collister;Felt;Med. Lake; PR BO Black-hd. Grosbeak 3 123 35 34 99 294 62 McKnight Blue Grosbeak 2 5 5 12 5 Collister Indigo Bunting "2. "2. 2 Collister Lazuli Bunting 4 72 15 16 12 119 30 Craig-Coughran Indigo/Lazuli X 2 "L "L Collister Dickcissel 2 2 1 Hurlbert; San Miguel Evening Grosbeak 35 2 15 125 8 185 101 Neff Purple Finch 36 93 368 497 335 PRBO Cassin s Finch 7 98 3 5 19 900 47 1,079 433 Neff House Finch 87 4,010 20 1,517 49 866 435 6,984 3,299 Larsen (Denver WRC) Pine Grosbeak 1 1 1 ueorge West Grav-er. Rosv Finch 7 24 31 24 Flavin Common Redpoll 27 1 28 18 L. Peyton Pine Siskin 400 34 449 25 127 30 1,065 377 Edgar T. Jones Amer. Goldfinch 2 77 5 452 2 13 5 556 184 Craig-Coughran Lesser Goldfinch 1 282 1 43 11 338 126 J. Sheppard Lawrence s Goldfinch 63 63 51 J. Sheppard Red Crossbill lSlS 4 b 3 1 Ul cU Hmgenng I # OLIVE SPARROW * 1 1 1 Collister Green-tld. Towhee 7 25 59 84 175 68 S. M. Russell Rufous-sid. Towhee 7 75 1 341 10 54 38 526 237 PRBO Brown Towhee 2 164 36 202 35 PRBO Abert's Towhee 2 14 16 11 S. M. Russell Lark Bunting 16 16 16 Collister Savannah Sparrow 10 17 7 1 77 8 6 2 128 68 PRBO Le Conte's Sparrow 1 1 1 Edgar T. Jones Vesper Sparrow 5 2 1 1 9 9 27 9 S. M. Russell Lark Sparrow 7 1;s 57 4 7 88 28 Biale Rufous-wgd. Sparrow 32 32 32 S. M. Russell Rufous-cr. Sparrow 5 2 7 3 San Miguel Black-thr. Sparrow 1 45 46 41 S. M. Russell Sage Sparrow 2 2 4 2 Moldenhauer; Sheppard White-wgd. Junco 104 104 67 Beidleman Slate-eolor. Junco 48 267 2 4 1 1 45 4 372 147 Edgar T. Jones Alaska *Hawaii Yukon Ariz. Largest *Pacific B.C. Wash. Idaho Nev. Wyo. N.M. Indiv. *Islands Alta. Ore. Mont. Calif. Utah Colo. *Mex. Total

Orellon Junco 283 223 676 3 880 251 505 267 3081'1 290 John Davis Ore./SlatEH:. X 1 1 1 Flavin Gray-head. Junco 12 306 323 641 208 Brockner Mexican Junco 6 6 6 Collister Hybrid Junco 2 2 2 McKnight Junco (sP.?} 5 5 5 Brockner Tree Sparrow 42 402 319 763 258 Collister Chipping Sparrow 16 97 1 60 11 194 40 419 88 Snyder Clay-color. Sparrow 12 3 16 3 34 12 Collister Brewer s Sparrow 6 2 2 14 17 52 93 49 S. M. Russell Black-eh. Sparrow 1 1 1 Zimmerman Harris Sparrow 5 7 12 5 R. B. Williams White-cr. Sparrow 78 59 272 24 3,543 784 742 803 6,305 1,400 PRBO Golden-cr. Sparrow 79 100 142 1,197 2 1,520 540 PRBO White.thr. Sparrow 86 1 2 4 1 3 7 104 82 Edgar T. Jones Fox Sparrow 3 28 48 177 3 259 141 PRBO Lincoln's Sparrow 9 15 3 82 10 107 106 332 97 S. M. Russell Swamp Sparrow 1 2 2 2 7 2 Collister;PRBO; Russell Song Sparrow 3 50 169 4 650 67 93 60 1,096 537 PRBO McCown s Longspur 2 2 2 Collister Lapland Longspur 10 192 202 192 L..Peyton Chestnu!-eollared Longspur 2 2 2 Collister Others (See Below) *177 352 _. 177,352 (See Below) 409 Species, 6 Hybrids 201,663 6,292 24,715 18,391 48,168 19,137 31,215 15,150 364,731

Largest Largest Indiv. Indiv. Total TOTAL Total

Newell's Shearwater 95 95 Sincock # RICEBIRD 1 1 Sincock Audubon's Shearwater 37 37 Pacific Project 'It APAPANE 2 2 Kridler (Haw. NWR) Wedge-tld. Shearwater 4,214 4,199 Pacific Project # IIWI 5 5 Kridler (Haw. NWR) Ch. Is. Shearwater 1,003 991 Pacific Project # AMAKIHI 11 11 Kridler (Haw. NWR) Phoenix Petrel 2,039 2,~ Pacific Project # ANIANIAU 5 4 Kridler (Haw. NWR) Bonin Island Petrel 844 601 Pacific Project # CREEPER 7 7 Kridler (Haw. NWR) Bulwer's Petrel 334 334 Pacific Project # OU 1 1 Kridler (Haw. NWR) Sooty Storm Petrel 2 2 Robbins # RED-CRESTED (BRAZILIAN) CARDINAL 2 2 R. L. Pyle )lVhite-thr. Storm Petrel 156 156 Pacific Project # LAYSAN FINCH 139 139 Kridler (Haw. NWR) Red-tailed Troplcbird 1,966 1,952 Pacific Project # NIHOA FINCH 45 45 Kridler (Haw. NWR) White-tailed Tropicbird 1 1 Pacific Project # NIHOA MILLERBIRD 1 1 Kridler (Haw. NWR) Blue-faced Booby 2,007 2,005 Pacific Project # ELEPAIO 4 .4 Kridler (Haw. NWR) Brown Booby 327 327 Pacific Project Red-footed Booby 3,001 2,985 Pacific Project Total for Additional Species 177,352 Great Frigatebird 2,901 2,895 Pacific Project Lesser Frigatebird 139 139 Pacific Project # First Banding Record in WBBA Territory Laysan Duck (Teal) 25 25 Kridler (Haw. NWR) Sooty Tern 149,820 149,818 Pacific Project

Gray-backed Tern . 258 258 Pacific Project Hawaiian Noddy 6 6 Robbins White or Fairy Tern 310 300 Pacific Project Brown Noddy 6,438 6,438 Pacific Project Black Noddy 1,199 1,199 Pacific Project Barred Dove 1 1 R. L. Pyle Japanese White-eye 6 5 Kridler (Haw. NWR) COMMENTARY ON THE 1967 ANNUAL REPORT by Michael San Miguel

During 1967, there was a decrease in the overall banding activities in W.B.B.A. territory. The 192 active reports submitted represent a decrease of 20 from last year's total of 212. For individual count there was a sharp decline: 364,731 birds were banded in 1967, down from last year's record-breaking 823,594. The total number of species was a new record of 409 - or 7 more than last year's 402.

Again, as has been the case for the past several years, Allegra Collister was tops for number of species banded with 160. Only one other report showed more than 100 species; that was the 128 by the Point Reyes Bird Observatory. Alan and Jean Craig, with the assistance of Ginger Coughran, were next with 95.

The sharp decrease in total banded birds from last year was a direct result of the U.S. National Museum tapering off in its banding activities in the Pacific area. In 1967, the National Museum banded 185,831 birds as compared with a staggering 600,282 for 1966. This represents a 67.7% decrease. There was also a 20.2% decrease in all other banding activities, - down to 178,900 from the 1966 total of 223,312. It is hoped that these decreases are a result of banders spending more effort on definite projects.

In 1967, there were 149,820 Sooty Terns ringed; this was 41% of all birds banded in W.B.B.A. territory. During the past four years, the National Museum has banded an unbelievable 1,217,645 Sooty Terns. With all these bands there must be, by now, a great deal of information on this species. Other notable highs include 6,174 Black-footed Albatrosses, 4,215 of which were banded by Chandler Robbins. In addition, highs of 95 for the Newell's Shearwater and 1,199 for the Black Noddy are indicative of the fine effort that is being given to the oceanic birds. Waterfowl and most other game species received their usual high number of bands. New highs were recorded for the Wood Duck (317), White-tailed Ptarmigan (207), and Band-tailed Pigeon (1798).

The new record of 409 species banded was due mainly to the efforts of Eugene Kridler at the Hawaiian National Wildlife Refuge. In 1967, 15 species and 1 hybrid were recorded for the first time in W.B.B.A. territory. Mr. Kridler banded 12 of the new species, with such birds as the Iiwi, Ou, and the Elepaio. Other firsts include the Red-billed Tropic- bird (4) banded by D. Bruce Swinehart, the Eastern Wood Pewee (2) and Olive Sparrow (1) by Mrs. Collister.

The previous statements in this commentary are intended only as highlights. For a more precise breakdown, Table 1 summarizes the activities of banders.

It is not within the scope nor the intent of this commentary to commend the work being done by the individual bander but rather to recognize the value of the information obtained as a result of the well-planned project, such as the National Museum's Pacific Project or, on a smaller scale, Point Reyes Bird Observatory. The individual bander is not ex- pected to undertake anything this large but rather to coordinate his efforts with those of other banders and to have some specific goal or project in mind. One need only refer to some of the articles in past issues of this publication to get an idea of what he may contribute to the overall banding program.

TABLE 1: BANDING SUMMARY, 1961TO 1967 1961 1962 1963

Number of active banding reports 185 207 200 218 227 212 192 Total specieS reported 353 361 368 387 384 402 409 Total birds banded 129,490 164,962 199,584 503,883 637,539 823,594 364,731 * (177,850)(207,103)(215,496)(223,312)(178,900) Average number of species and 15.3 14.8 15.2 16.2 16.3 15.5 15.9 individuals per active bander 699 792 998 2,311 2,808 3,940 1,901 (894) (954) (953) (1,073) (931) Number reports with 100or less birds banded 80 78 75 67 70 81 71 Alaska 19,062 9,823 12,637 14,050 9,152 15,654 4,742 Yukon, B. C., and Alberta 1,782 9,371 8,220 13,066 9,660 11,217 6,292 Washington and Oregon 24,787 23,113 26,879 26,644 31,152 25,714 24,715 Idaho and Montana 17,369 17,772 16,400 23,359 23,894 30,800 18,391 california 35,088 46,201 53,040 49,798 51,710 62,466 48,168 Nevada and Utah 7,831 11,667 13,752 23,128 17,736 19,589 19,137 Wyoming and Colorado 12,731 24,148 27,243 53,229 44,505 39,418 31,215 Arizona and New Mexico 10,565 8,624 9,424 6,169 19,858 14,919 15,027 Mexico 2 12 21 39 123 Hawaii and Pacific, Islands 275 14,241 31,977 294,419 429,833 603,807 201,663 " * Figures in parentheses do n~t include the U.S. National Museum's Pacific Project SUMMARY REPORT OF INDIVIDUAL BANDERS (1967) (192 Responding Banders)

Species No. Anderson, Anders 3221 E. Kleindale Rd., Tucson, Ariz. 85716 2 103 Anderson, J. 4001 S. W. Canyon Rd., Portland Ore. 97221 2 9 Andriakos, G. N. P. O. Box 440, Barstow, Calif., 92311 (Banded in New Mexico) 14 83 Argante, Mrs. A. J. 5261 Bellwood Way, Carmichael, Calif. 95608 5 60 Ariz. Coop. W. R. U; Univ. of Arizona, Tucson. Ariz. 85721 1 1 Ariz. Game and Fish Dept, State Capitol Annex, Phoenix, Ariz. 85007 3 5,107 Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge Box 459, Brigham City, Utah 84302 6 389 Beidleman, Dr. Richard G. Colorado College, Colo. Springs, Colo. 80903 12 254 Benton Lake N.W.R. Box 2624, Great Falls, Mont. 59401 11 714 Biale, Arthur Box 248, Eureka, Nev. 89316 29 1,420 Bitter Lake N.W.R. Box 7, Roswell, New Mexico 88201': 12 2,618 Blankenship, Dr. L. H. Rt. 8, Box 565, Tucson, Ariz. 85721 13 1,990 Bleitz, Don 5334 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, Calif. 90027 31 195 Bosque del Apache N.W.R. Box 278, San Antonio, New Mexico 87832 4 512 Bowdoin N.W.R. Box J, Malta, Montana 59538 8 1,120 Bradley, Dorothy M. 1848 Mathers Ave., West Vancouver, B.C. 14 87 Braun, Clait E. 817 Smith St., Fort Collins, Colo. 80521 2 212 Brockner, Sylvia Box 140, R.R. 2,Evergreen, Colo. 80439 26 739 Bur. of Sport Fisheries & Wildlife Rm. 425, Federal Bldg., Boise, Idaho 83702 1 54 Buss, Irven O. & Culbertson, J. Lee Dept. of Zoology, Wash. State Univ., Pullman, Wash. 99163 1 15 Butler, H. T. 1600 3rd Ave., Prince George, B. C. 1 69 Buttery, Robert F. 33 Starling Court, Walnut Creek, Calif. 94596 1 5 California Fish and Game 1416 Ninth St., Sacramento, Calif. 95814 6 6.376 Camas N.W.R. Hamer, Idaho 83425 8 1,633 Campbell, R. W. 5536 Hardwick St., Burnaby 2, B.C. 11 2,668 Capulin Mt. National Monument Capulin, New Mexico 88414 9 131 Carbyn, Ludwig N. 11403 - 74th Ave., Edmonton, Alberta 1 1 Channing, Dr. Edward C. 2621 EI Camino, Turlock, Calif. 95380 1 86 Childs, Henry E. 332 Marlow Dr., Oakland, Calif. 94605 25 523 Cody, Dr. Martin L. Univ. of Calif., Los Angeles, Calif. 90024 18 141 Cogswell, Dr. Howard L. 1548 East Ave., Hayward, Calif •.94541 15 181 Collister, Allegra 706 Hover Rd., Longmont, Colo. 80501 160 2,718 Colorado Game, Fish and Parks Box 567, Fort Collins, Colo. 80521 9 10,517 Columbia N.W.R. Drawer l!, Othello, Wash. 99344 4 1,059 Coppersmith, Michael M. 777 Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach, Calif. 90815 4 5

Coughran, Ginger (Craig Permit) 747 Stafford Pl., San Diego, Calif. 92107 55 2,120 Craig, Alan M. and Jean T. 712 Tarento Dr., San Diego, Calif. 92106 95 3,111 Crater Lake Nat'l Park Crater Lake, Ore. (Richard M. Brown) 97604 6 105 Curtis, Mrs. Vee K. 2255 Floral Ave., Chico, Calif. 95926 2 6 Davis, Dr. John Hastings Res., Carmel Valley, Calif. 93924 7 519 Deer Flat N.W.R. Rt. 1, Box 335, Nampa, Idaho 83651 4 821 DeLong, Richard c/o Mrs. W. C. DeLong, Box 278, Shenandoah, Iowa 51601 14 36 (Banded in Colorado) Denver Wildlife Research Center Bldg. 16, Federal Center, Denver, Colo. 80225 Guarino, Joseph L. Arizona 4 97 Guarino, Joseph L. Colorado 14 2,090 Guarino, Joseph L. Idaho 4 1,133 Larsen, Kenneth Oregon 5 4,575 Woronecki, Paul P. California 8 3,763 Elder, A. W. 100 East Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, Calif. 91101 2 158 Elmore, Marjorie M. 1906 Coastland Ave., San Jose, Calif. 95125 5 30 Elshoff, Cal Rt. 1, Box 326, Bend, Ore. 97701 9 38 Enderson, Dr. James H. Dept. of Zoology, Colo. College, Colorado Springs, Colo. 80903 3 76 Erickson, Dr. Mary M. 3505 Foothill Rd., Santa Barbara, Calif. 93105 7 22 Erpino, M. J. Cornell Univ., Ithaca, New York 14850 (Banded in Wyoming) 1 10 Evans, Ray N, Univ. of Nev., Reno, Nev. 89507 26 173 Felt, Arthur C. 5837 S. Newlin Ave., Whittier, Calif. 90601 33 564 Feltes, Charles H. 437 Myrtle Ave., Modesto, Calif. 95350 21 747 Fischer, Rudolph 2846 Peyton Rd., LaVerne, Calif. 91750 3 6 Fish, J. LeRoy Rt. 2, Box 241, Walla Walla, Wash. 99362 33 279 Fish Springs N.W.R. Dugway, Utah 84022 15 1,163 Flavin, John W., Jr. c/o Tea Research Inst., Box 360, Kericho, Kenya (Pinedale, Wyo. in 1967) 16 334 Freeman, George Box 59, Strathmore, Alberta 5 100 Page 39

Species No.

Gallup, Fred N. Sr. 142 W. 6th Ave., Escondido, Calif. 92025 10 283 Gehlert, R. E. 12155 96th St., Edmonton, Alberta 5 51 Gillespie, Mabel Box 575, Oak Bluffs, Mass. 02557 (Banded in Calif.) 11 77 Gordon, Bruce 609 Caribou St., Banff, Alberta 6 18 Grays Lake N.W.R. (R. R. Hoffman) Box 837, Soda Springs, Idaho 83276 1 2 Guild, Capt. Eugene R. Box 915, Glenwood Springs, Colo. 81601 2 2 Haas, Florence E. Box 621, Soquel, Calif. 95073 3 3 Hampson, C. G. R.R. 3, South Edmonton, Alberta 31 196 Hanneman, W. W. 18675 Sheffield Rd., Castro Valley, Calif. 94546 1 5 Hansen, Charles G. (Desert Rangel Star Rt. 1, Box 14, Las Vegas, Nev. 89106 33 1,066 Hanson, Wayne C. 1609 Judson Ave., Richland, Wash. 99352 2 800 Harper, Thomas J. 1949 New Jersey St., Fairfield, Calif. 94533 2 736 Harrington, Robert F. Box 331, McBride, B. C. 32 344 Harris, R. D. Univ. of B.C. Campus, Vancouver, B.C. 1 2 Harris, S. W. Humboldt State College, Arcata, Calif. 95521 25 1,536 Havasu Lake N.W.R. P.O. Box A, Needles, Calif. 92363 4 314 Hawthorne, Vernon M. UC Sagehen Creek Project, Truckee, Calif. 95734 6 27 Hayes, C. R. Denver Fed. Servo Bldg. 45, Denver, Colo. 80225 1 1,959 Hayes, Dr. R. O. Public Health Serv., Ft. Collins, Colo. 80521 1 41 Henderson, Florence Anne 6000 Sacramento Blvd., Sacramento, Calif. 95824 10 88 Hines, J. Q. Box 216. Dorris, Calif. 96023 12 166 Hogue, James H. (USF&WS) Box 334, Brigham City, Utah 84302 1 136 Hudson, Dr. George E. Box 75, Rt. 1, Pullman, Wash. 99163 15 42 Hurlbert, Elgin B. Box 123, Pacific Grove, Calif. 93950 16 165 Hutton Lake N.W.R. Box 759, Laramie, Wyo. 82070 4 114 Idaho Fish & Game Dept. 600 S. Walnut St., Boise, Idaho 83707 4 1,102 Jones, Edgar T. 6115 - 141st. St., Edmonton, Alberta 58 1,343 Jones, Ellis R. Box 217, Cave Creek, Arizona 85331 11 51 Jones, Loring M. 1546 Borah Ave., Moscow, Idaho 83843 7 49 Kaminsky, Muriel 1213 Robertson Way, Sacramento, Calif. 95818 8 101 Kebbe, Chester E. 5414 N.E. Emerson St., Portland, Ore. 97218 17 385 Killpack, Merlin L. 1726 - 24th St., Ogden, Utah 84401 31 392 Kinghorn, R. G. Box 1306, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87103 1 230 Kinsey, Eric C. 17 Southwood Ave., ROSil,Calif. 94957 34 414 Klingenberg, Gerald F. 12901 Boron Ave., Star Rt., Boron, Calif. 93516 5 23 Kridler, Eugene (Hawaiian N.W.R.) Box 157, Kailua, Hawaii 96734 17 498 Kuhn, Lloyd D. 1406 Kephort Rd., Berrien Springs, Mich. 49103 (Banded in Alberta) 18 114 Lancaster, Gary R. 24024 Lake Ridge Dr., Liberty Lake, Wash. 99019 2 7 Lee, Darrell T. 4139 Georgia St., San Diego, Calif. 92103 15 286 Linsdale, Dr. Jean & Maryann 657 Kirkwood Ave., Salinas, Calif. 93901 12 765 Lohr, Lloyd M. Box 1414, Stettler, Alberta 4 17' Lyon, Dr. L. J. Box 120, Missoula, Montana 59801 1 2 Malheur N.W.R. Box 113, Burns, Ore. 97720 49 2,625 Marshall, David B. 4265 S.W. Chesapeake Ave., Portland, Ore. 97201 3 9 Martin, Sid 1110 Wilder Ave., Helena, Montana 59601 9 162 Masterson, Norman Rt. 2, Box 77, LaGrande, Ore. 97850 2 2 Medicine Lake N.W.R. Medicine Lake, Montana 59247 35 2,830 Merrick, George G. 1624 W. 3rd St., Bend, Ore. 97701 19 272 Mewaldt, Dr. L. Richard 4150 Golf Drive, San Jose, Calif. 95127 7 324 Minidoka N.W.R. Rt. 4, Minidoka Dam, Rupert, Idaho 83350 2 550 Modoc N.W.R. Box 1439, Alturas, Calif. 96101 10 791 Moldenhauer, Mr. & Mrs. Ralph 2500 Garfield, Corvallis, Ore. 97330 18 58 Montana Coop. Wildlife Res. Unit Univ. of Mont., Missoula, Mont. 59801 4 50 Montana Fish and Game Dept. Helena, Montana 59601 5 3,507 Monte Vista N.W.R. Box 511, Monte Vista, Colo. 81144 12 6,639 Montgomery, Robert A. 133 Forest Ave., Apt 6, Pacific Grove, Calif. 93950 3 3 Moos, Louis M. Box 970, Bozeman, Montana 59715 23 2,708 Mozejko, Albert 3332 17th Place, Forest Grove, Ore. 97116 4 12 Muhlbach, W. L. 3102 Oregon St., Bakersfield, Calif. 93306 54 1,207 Murphy, Gordon J. 4530 Donald St., Eugene, Ore. 97405 47 780 Murphy, Dr. J. R. Brigham Young Univ., Provo, Utah 84601 3 4 Mcl ntyre, Grace Rt. 13, Box 593, Tucson, Ariz. 85705 9 60 McKnight, Mrs. Daniel M. Box 10, Cedar Crest, New Mexico 87008 80 1,012 McNary N.W.R. Box 19, Burbank, Wash. 99323 8 2,972 Neff, Johnson A. 3965 S. Bannock St., Englewood, Colo. 80110 26 1,291 Nevada Fish and Game Commission (Fred E. Wright) Box 10678, Reno, Nevada 89510 16 1,948 Oakland Park Dept. (Paul Covel) Rm. 224 City Hall, Oakland, Calif. 94612 8 202 Oregon State Game Comm. Box 3503, Portland, Ore. 97208 14 3,894 July 1968

Species No. Pacific Ocean Biological Survey Project (U.S. National Museum) Smithsonian I nst., Washington, D. C. 20560 31 185,831 Parratt, Lloyd P. 500 W. 14th St., Upland, Calif. 91786 1 12 Peterson, L. Donald 1705 Evergreen St., Burbank, Calif. 91505 6 71 Peyton, Leonard J. Box 550, College, Alaska 99701 14 670 Peyton, Sidney B. 1498 Old Telegraph Rd., Fillmore, Calif. 93015 14 120 Point Reyes Bird Observatory (PRBO) Mesa Rd., Bolinas, Calif. 94924 128 9,002 Pyle, Robert L 61 Wilikoki PI., Kailua, Hawaii 96734 5 10 Radke, Eleanor Box 446, Cave Creek, Ariz. 85331 22 115 Rea, Amadeo M. St. John's Indian School, Laveen Post Office, Arizona 85339 7 15 Red Rock Lakes N.W.R. Monida, Montana 59744 1 35 Richardson, Carl 647 Crowson Rd., Ashland, Ore. 97520 29 305 Ringering, Orley D. 820 E. Berkeley, Gladstone, are. 97027 24 392 Ritter, W. E. (USGMA) 125 S. State, Salt Lake City, Utah 84111 1 284 Robbins, Chandler S. 1409 Brooklyn Br. Rd., Laurel, Md. 20810 (Banded in Pacific Islands) 13 14,298 Roberts, Don R. Box 1564, Bakersfield, Calif. 93302 16 150 Roberts, Mrs. J. A. Box 1268, Williams Lake, B.C. 2 66 Rogers, Thomas H. E. 10820 Maxwell, Spokane, Wash. 99206 1 6 Ruby Lake N.W.R. Ruby Valley, Nevada 89833 69 4,656 Russell, Charles M., N.W. Range Box 110, Lewistown, Montana 59457 5 1,914 Russell, Dr. S. M. Univ. of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz. 85721 69 1,707 Ryder, Dr. Ronald A. Colo. State Univ., Fort Collins, Colo. 80521 17 188 Sacramento N.W.R. Rt. 1, Box 311, Willows, Calif. 95988 1 28 Salton Sea NW.R. Box 247, Calipatria, Calif. 92233 6 2,997 San Miguel, Michael 610 Greenbank Ave., Duarte, Calif. 91010 69 861 Schultz, Mrs. Zelia 3560 S. Brandon St., Seattle, Wash. 98118 43 2,817 Sheppard, Jay M. 816 Walnut # 5, Long Beach, Calif. 90813 83 873 Shier, Mr. & Mrs. George R. Rt. 1, Box 821, Golden, Colo. 80401 39 199 Shultz, Miss Carol Rt. 6, Caldwell, Idaho 83605 4 21 Sincock, John L (USF&WS) Box 218, Koloa, Kauai, Hawaii 96756 5 108 Smith, Harry R. 1549 Escalona Dr., Santa Cruz, Calif. 95060 12 76 Snider, Mrs. Patricia R. 2545-C 36th St., Los Alamos, New Mex. 87544 23 450 Snyder, Mrs. Charles H. 161 Del Mar Circle, Aurora, Colo. 80010 36 346 Solf, John (Alaska Fish & Game) Box 669, Cordova, Alaska 99574 2 44 Springer, Heinrich K. Box 375, College, Alaska 99735 5 11 Stabler, Dr. Robert M. Colo. College, Colo. Springs, Colo. 80903 24 158 Staebler, Dr. A. E. 32580 Lodge Rd., Tollhouse, Calif. 93667 11 151 Stendell, R. C. 700 College Ave., Menlo Park, Calif. 94025 4 10 Stevenson, Mrs. Thelma 1601 N. College, Space 98, Fort Collins, Colo. 80521 10 77 Stillwater Wildlife Mgt. Area Box 592, Fallon, Nevada 89406 14 1.429 Stoner, Emerson A. 285 E. L St., Benicia, Calif. 94510 36 887 Stout, Dr. H. B. Box 517, Brewster, Wash. 98812 3 457 Sugden, Lawson G. 10015 - 103rd Ave., Edmonton, Alta. 1 14 Sullivan, Mrs. Berene 8323 Valmont Dr., Boulder, Colo. 80302 32 137 Swearingen, W. L 663 Augustine Lane, Lafayette, Calif. 94549 3 8 Swinehart, D. Bruce Jr. 5512 Valhalla Dr., Carmichael, Calif. 95608 42 1,323 Thorne, Dr. Oakleigh II Thorne Ecological Foundation, 1229 University Ave., Boulder, Colo. 80302 28 486 Tompa, Dr. Frank S. Simon Fraser Univ., Burnaby 2, B.C. 8 24 Toppenish N.W.R. Box 271, Toppenish, Wash. 98948 4 122 Travis, James 417 Estante Way, Los Alamos, N. M. 87544 23 170 Trial, Mr. & Mrs. Robert J. 1611 36th St. S.E., Auburn, Wash. 98002 12 364 Tule Lake N.W.R. (Edw. O'Neill) Rt. 1, Box 74, Tulelake, Calif. 96134 14 5,~25 Turnbull N.W.R. Rt. 3, Box 107, Cheney, Wash. 99004 4 33 University of Calif., Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, Calif. 93106 8 49 Utah State Div. of Fish and Game 1596 W. North Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah 84116 8 6,077 Verner, Jared Dept. BioI., CWSC, Ellensburg, Wash. 98926 3 268 Wahl, Terence R. 3041 Eldridge, Bellingham, Wash. 98225 25 1,022 Wendler, John D. (USGMA) Box 111, Lakeview, are. 97630 9 874 West, Dr. George C. Univ. of Alaska, College, Alaska 99701 15 404 Westcott, Bruce B. 3522 W. 33rd Ave., Vancouver 13, B.C. 19 463 Weston, Henry G. Jr. 14700 Golf Links Dr., Los Gatos, Calif. 95030 2 11 Willapa N.W.R. Ilwaco, Wash. 98624 7 39 Williams, Laidlaw Rt. 1, Box 128, Carmel, Calif. 93921 1 14 Williams, Dr. Ralph B. Box 354, Juneau, Alaska 99801 14 488 Woodard, Gaylin R. 2511 East 104th St., Tacoma, Wash. 98445 9 67 Woolfolk, E. J. Rt. 2, Box 27, Susanville, Calif. 96130 4 8 Wyoming Fish & Game Commission Box 567, Torrington, Wyo. 82240 9 2,749 Zimmerman, Dale A. 1101 W. Florence St., Silver City, N. M. 88061 24 110 COWBIRDS AT A PHOENIX, ARIZONA, CATTLE FEEDLOT by Willis C. Royall, Jr.

The following notes, based on my observations between 1961 and 1966, contribute new information on the status, habits, and inter-relationship of cowbird species wintering in the Phoenix, Arizona, area. Band recoveries are also reported.

BROWN-HEADED COWBI RD (Molothrus ater):

Between 14 January and 14 March 1966,434 males were captured in a modified Australian crow trap at Eaton's cattle feedlot in west Phoenix. I banded and tagged each with a 2%-inch-long strip of blue Facilon plastic affixed to the band (Guarino, 1968). No more than about five tagged birds were ever seen at one time among the hundreds of male Cow- birds present at Eaton's, which indicated considerable interchange among individuals in this wintering population. During the two-month banding period, I noted a few tagged Cowbirds at other feedlots in the immediate area, and one at a feed- lot 13 miles to the west. In March and April, 13 reports of tagged Cowbirds were received from residents of north central Phoenix, all from 2 to 8 miles northeast of the banding site. Up to 12 tags were seen at some locations where observers fed birds in their yard. Four birds recovered the spring after banding provided the first band recoveries of migratory Brown-headed Cow- birds wintering in Arizona. They were recovered from 60 to 380 miles north of Phoenix: two at Mayer, Arizona, on 29 April and 7 May; one at Meadow, Utah, on 18 May; and one 25 miles west of Blanding, Utah, on 26 May. A fifth recovery was made on or before 22 July at Florence Junction, Arizona, about 50 miles east-southeast of the banding location.

Two more .long-distance recoveries were made the next year. One Cowbird was recovered near Kirkland, Arizona, about 75 miles northwest of Phoenix (letter dated 21 July 1967). The other was shot on 4 July 1967, near Brookings in the southwest corner of Oregon, about 875 miles northwest of Phoenix.

BRONZED COWBI RD JTangavius aeneus): Phillips, Marshall, and Monson (1964:174) report only one winter record north of Tucson - "seen once near Phoe- nix February 23 - R. Roy Johnson." I discovered 30 at Eaton's cattle feedlot in west Phoenix on 30 October 1961, and found 20 there on 1 February 1962, 110 on 28 October 1964, 52 on 30 December 1964, 8 on 8 December 1965, and 80 to 100 on 14 January 1966. I also trapped and banded 17 between 14 January and 11 February 1966. This popula- tion was usually seen in and near a large open shed containing piles of sorghum grain. On all dates, males greatly out- numbered females. At other locations, I saw Bronzed Cowbirds only three times in fall and winter: two males at an east Phoenix feedlot on 17 October 1962, one (male?) at a feedlot 2% miles north of Higley on 9 November 1962, and a male at the second location on 20 December 1965.

On 14 January 1966, nearly the entire flock of Bronzed Cowbirds at Eaton's feedlot suddenly departed at 1630 hours and flew northeast toward a residential area in north-central Phoenix, possible to roost in some Oleander hedge as do many Brown-headed Cowbirds.

POSSIBLE PREENING INVITATIONAL BEHAVIOR BETWEEN COWBIRD SPECIES

At Eaton's feedlot on 14 February 1966, at about 0915 hours, I observed a female Brown-headed Cowbird and a male Bronzed Cowbird behaving in an unusual way. As they perched side by side on the top rail of a thick board fence, the female bowed her head and the male followed suit, keeping his head close to hers. They remained motionless in this posture until the female moved. Several times she turned 180 degrees, and the male usually turned in response, whereupon the bowing was repeated. Ruffing of head and nape feathers, if any, was not noteworthy, and the male did not display his cape as in courtship behavior. Once, he pecked the female. The tete-a-tete ended when a truck frightened the female away. I believe the incident may have been an example of interspecific preening invitational behavior, described by Selander and LaRue (1961) and also discussed by Nero (1963) and Friedmann (1963). Selander and LaRue report that caged Brown-headed Cowbirds rarely displayed to Red-eyed (Bronzed) Cowbirds, and Friedmann states that "invitation to preening between cowbirds themselves is uncommon, and it appears to have no place in the provocation of interspecific preening." The fact that no preening response was evoked in this instance supports Friedmann's view.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I am grateful to the Maricopa Audubon Society and the Arizona Game and Fish Department for their help in re- porting sightings of color-tagged cowbirds, and to Thomas D. Burleigh for encouraging me to write this paper. FRIEDMANN, H. 1963. Host relations of the parasitic cowbirds. Bull. 233, U. S. Nat. Mus., Washington, D. C. GUARINO, J. L. 1968. Evaluation of a colored leg tag for Starlings and blackbirds. Bird Banding, 39 (1): 6~13. NERO, R. W. 1963. Comparative behavior of the Yellow-headed Blackbird, Red-winged Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird, and other Icterids. Wilson Bull., 75 (4): 376-413. PHI LLlPS, A., J. MARSHALL, AND G. MONSON. 1964. The birds of Arizona. Univ. of Ariz. Press,Tucson, Ariz.

SELANDER, R. K., AND C. J. LARUE, JR. 1961. Interspecific preening invitation display of parasitic cowbirds. Auk, 78 (4/: 473-504. Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, Wildlife Research Center, Bldg. 16, Federal Center, Denver, Colorado 80225.

In response to many suggestions we are now stocking the Pesola gram scales. These scales can be used very simply to record bird weights by merely attaching the spring clip on the scale to a poly bag of the proper size and adjusting the scale to zero.

STOCK NUMBER CAPACITY UNIT PRICE #489 10g. $ 9.00 #490 30g. 7.00 #491 100g. 7.00 #491b 300g. 11.00 #498 100g. 11.00 The #489 is recommended for hummingbirds, kinglets, very small warblers, Bushtits, Verdins, etc.; the #490 is recommended for kinglets through warblers; #491 for general use, including warblers through sparrows to blackbirds and the larger thrushes; and #491 b for larger blackbirds, smaller shorebirds to quail.

Numbers 491 and 498 are both 100 gram capacity, but #491 is 165mm in length and graduated in 2-gram divisions while #498 is 250mm in length and graduated in 1-gram divisions. ~ (Signed) Don Bleitz Bleitz Wildlife Foundation, 5334 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, Calif. 90027

PLASTIC TAGS FOR MARKING TRAPS AND NETS (Reprinted from Inland Bird Banding News)

The tag illustrated below can be obtained from Mr. Richard P. Jones of Houston, Texas. Mr. Jones has been using these markers for sometime and has found them very useful in his banding work. He has offered to handle the orders of any members who would like to obtain a supply of these tags. The tag is made in the size shown. It is of 1/32 inch clear plastic with the bander's name and address "sandwiched" in the plastic. The holes in each end are reinforced with metal eyelets. The price is 20 cents per tag.

Bander's name and address Banding Permit number @

Anyone interested in obtaining tags can write to Mr. Richard P. Jones, Harris County Mosquito Control District, Room 202, Annex A, 406 Caroline Street, Houston, Texas 77002. Enclose payment for the number of tags wanted and [indicate] the information that should be on the tags. We would like to add our thanks to Dorothy Hunt for the outstanding job she has done in compiling the Annual Reports for 1965, 1966, and 1967. The care with which she prepared the charts, spending hundreds of hours checking f!IIery detail, made it possible to submit her work directly to the printer, - an editor's dream.

In studies of ageing techniques, observers have found that immature birds of some species have pointed primaries, while adults have rounded primaries. As a bander, you may be able to add significant information through careful ob- servations of this characteristic in the species you handle.

The next meeting of the Northern California Chapter of W.B.B.A. will be held in September at the home of Harry and Marie Smith of Santa Cruz. Details regarding date and time of meeting, as well as the program, will be mailed to mem- bers early in September.

New members: William Pepper, 20 East Bells Mill Road, Philadelphia, Penna. 19118; Canadian Wildlife Service, University of British Columbia, Vancouver 8, B.C.; new Life Member: T. A. Beckett III, Route 4, Charleston, S. C. 29407.

Have you found any species in which - for a significant number of individuals - the recommended band size given in the Banding Manual is too small or too large? The Bird Banding Laboratory is revising the list of recommended sizes and asks that any bander who has a change to suggest write to them immediately.

"Ageing by Skull Ossification," by Arthur J. Wiseman, - an article appearing in the March-April issue of Inland Bird Banding News, - is a thorough treatment of the equipment needed, techniques, and problems encountered in skulling birds.

The sketch on the first page was done by Depsey Kanteena of St. John's Indian School, Laveen, Arizona. The drawing by LyndleDunn on page 28 is reproduced by permission of the Colorado Game, Fish and Parks Department.

Ring-billed Gulls from three Great Lakes colonies have been wing-marked with L5-inch diameter "Safeflag" tags this year. Attempts will be made to determine the dispersal pattern, migration route, and winter range of each colony. Anyone observing such wing-marked gulls is requested to write Dr. William E. Southern, Dept. of Biological Sciences, Northern Illinois Univ., De Kalb, III. 60115, giving date, exact location of sighting, marker color, and observer's name.

In his paper on Starling and blackbird banding given at the Annual Meeting, Joseph Guarino pleaded for more projects involving these species. There are large gaps in information regarding blackbird movements in the West; for example, almost no banding has been done in Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Utah, and Wyoming. Banding is needed during the months of April through August for all species, and winter banding of Red-winged Blackbirds and Yellow-headed Blackbirds is requested.

Mr. Guarino, at the Denver Wildlife Research Center, Building 16, Federal Center, Denver, Colorado 80225, will be happy to help anyone interested in starting a blackbird-banding project. L££9g euozp'v' '>taaJ~ al\~ 91717x08 '0 'd H3aNVR aUIR NU3~S3.

The Western Bird Bander is published four times a year by the Western Bird-Banding Association. Applications for membership should be sent to the Business Manager. Membership classifications are: Active Member $3.50 per year; Associate Member $3.50 per year; Sustaining Member $7.00 per year; Life Mem- bership $100.00.

President .. Dr. Ronald A. Ryder, Dept. Fishery & Wildlife Biology, Colo. State U., Fort Collins, Colo. 80521 First Vice President...... D. Bruce Swinehart, 5512 Valhalla Dr., Carmichael, Calif. 95608 Second Vice President Mrs. Virginia P. Coughran, 747 Stafford PI., San Diego, Calif. 92107 Secretary Mrs. Allegra Collister, 706 Hover Rd., Longmont, Colo. 80501 Business Manager Dr. Thomas L. Rodgers, 942 Hazel St., Chico, Calif. 95926 Editor Mrs. Eleanor L. Radke, P. O. Box 446, Cave Creek, Ariz. 85331 WESTERN BIRD BANDER

FROM THE PRESIDENT .45 AGE, SEX, AND RACE DETERMINATION OF YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKERS by Amadeo M. Rea 46 CAPTURING ANCIENT MURRELETS BY NIGHT-LIGHTING by R. Wayne Campbell 48 OPORORNIS WARBLER RECORDS FROM POINT LOMA, CALIFORNIA by Jean and Alan Craig 50 BANDING IN HAWAIIAN ISLANDS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE by Eugene Kridler 52 GRANT IN ORNITHOLOGY 53

The banding year is rapidly drawing to an end and we hope all banders will get their completed schedules into the Banding Office promptly and start summarizing significant recoveries and returns of the year. Keep in mind that the Banding Manual is being revised and any contributions you might make regarding new techniques, especially relating to sex and age determination, should be sent to the Banding Office as well as to the Western Bird Bander. Mike San Miguel has very generously agreed to compile the Annual Report this year. Dorothy Hunt will again be mailing out the report forms. Alan Craig and Walter Hanneman will be assisting in this most time-consuming job. Please help them by sending your report in promptly and as legibly and accurately as possible.

We need to start making plans for our 1969 annual meeting. It has been suggested that we meet in Tucson at the University of Arizona during the 40th Annual Meeting of the Cooper Society, 25-27 April 1969. Unless we have other "hot prospects" your executive council will make plans for a meeting in Tucson. AGE, SEX, AND RACE DETERMINATION OF YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKERS by Amadeo M. Rea

Fig. 1: Adult male "Red-naped" Sapsucker Fig. 2: Adult male "Red-breasted" Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius nuchalis) (S. v. daggetti & rubra)

Two racial groups of Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers are readily distinguishable, even afield. Those of the East and the interior (Sphyrapicus varius varius and S. v. nuchalis) have black, white, and red faces. The race nuchalis (Fig. 1) of the West, generally is characterized by the red nuchal or suboccipital patch, separated from the red crown by a black band. This race was formerly known as the "Red-naped" Sapsucker. It is the race illustrated by Peterson, 1961, plate 40. The eastern, nominate form lacks this red patch (as illustrated in Robbins, et al., 1966, p. 185). The two Pacific forms, S. v. daggetti and S. v. ruber (Fig. 2), have most of the black and white head pattern obscured by t~e red feather tips, thus their former name, "Red-breasted" Sapsuckers. Extralimital birds that are all red anteriorly shou Id be conserved so that racial identification can be made by an expert. Intergrades occur where ranges meet (Howell. 1952).

Skull "ossification" is a useless criterion of age as woodpecker crania remain largely apneumatic ("unossified") throughout life. Iris coloration is useful, at least through early fall. The iris of first-year birds is gray-brown, that of adults dark brown. Since the pre basic molt is protracted in this species, juvenals (Fig. 3) and first-year birds can be distinguished throughout the fall and much of the winter by the incomplete black chest patch (Fig. 4 and 5). Some juvenal chest feathers may remain until spring.

The two red Pacific races show essentially no sexual dimorphism in plumage. Both varius and nuchalis, however, can be sexed by external characters. The throat of the male (Fig. 6) is completely red, including the chin and interramal region. The white of these feathers is confined to the bases. The female (Fig. 7) has the chin and interramal area all white. This white patch varies in size from bird to bird. In a few cases this patch is so indefinite that the bird cannot safely be sexed by external characters. The red of the female throat is less extensive posteriorly. Conversely, the red of the male throat extends farther onto the black chest patch.

Mrs. Aldena Stevens, Mr. William Bowman, and Dr. Pierce Brodkorb supplied specimens from California and Florida.

HOWELL, THOMAS R. 1952. Natural history and differentiation in the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker., Condor 54:237-282. PETERSON, R. i. 1961. A field gUide to western birds. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, Mass. ROBBINS, C. S., B. BRUUN, H. S. ZIM. 1966. Birds of North America. Golden Press, N. Y. Fig. 3: Juvenal male, Fig. 4: Young female, Fig. 5 Young male, 26 August 26 September 28 October

Fig. 6: Adult male, Fig. 7: Adult female, winter winter CAPTURING ANCIENT MURRELETS BY NIGHT-LIGHTING by R. Wayne Campbell (Reprinted from The Blue Jay, Vol. 26, No.2, June 1968 by permission of the author)

Capturing most birds today for the purpose of banding for ecological and distributional studies is not too difficu It a task. Over the years there have evolved cannon nets and funnel traps for waterfowl, verbail-pole and balchatri traps for raptors, drop nets for shorebirds and mist nets for passerines. Few capturing devices, however, have been developed to aid the bander interested in seabirds, notably Alcids (diving seabirds such as murrelets and auks). This neglect can be attributed to various things. Ancient Murrelets, like most true seabirds, nest in colonies on the heavily forested islands along the outer north coast of British Columbia. Rough and inhospitable littoral waters make landing on many islands hazardous and therefore inaccessible, and constant winds and dense coastal vegetations make setting up and operating traps and nets impracticable. Hence there has been little interest generated among banders in visiting seabird colonies.

The most perplexing problem in capturing Ancient Murrelets, however, is the habits of the seabirds themselves. The murrelets spend most of their lives at sea,venturing to land only during the summer months for nesting activities. During this short terrestrial visit banders must attempt to gather as much information on the birds as possible. Captur- ing the murrelets for banding would be simple if they nested, like gulls and terns, in open spaces. But murrelets are burrow nesters, each pair excavating a tunnel in the soft soils under tree roots, sometimes to a length of six feet. Occasionally birds can be reached in their burrows and extracted but this usually results in bent and broken feathers. Also, burrows could be shoveled out but this is too time consuming and leads to desertion by the adults and con- sequently is damaging to the colony. To add further to the problems of capturing Ancient Murrelets, the birds exchange incubation duties under the cover of darkness. Seldom then are both adults together on the breeding grounds. While one parent incubates in the safety and protection of the nest chamber the mate is far at seafeeding. It is during this nocturnal flight to the colony that Ancient Murrelets can best be captured-by night-lighting.

The work covered in this paper was conducted by Norman Clarkson, Ken Kennedy, Lowel Orcutt and the writer, on southern Langara Island (Queen Charlotte Islands) in northwestern British Columbia from May 1 through May 3,1966.

Our equipment consisted of a single Sportsman (model no. 918) sealed power unit (six volts), two hand flashlights (three volts each), a small hand net and several burlap sacks. This apparatus is regular camping gear and is therefore simple to use and inexpensive to obtain.

We visited Langara Island with the intention of banding only those murrelets which could easily be extracted from their burrows. It was while visiting with a local native at camp one evening that the thought of night-lighting came to us. Sammy Davis, our Indian friend, related stories of how, in days past, his people set large fires along the beaches to attract "sea pigeons." When in range the birds, most likely Ancient Murrelets, were apparently netted and then killed. He told us that many birds flew directly into the fires. We tried this approach but used Coleman lamps instead of fires. Also, we set up mist nets in front of the lamps along the lower beach. For all our efforts we netted a single murrelet. Since slope is acritical limitation for nesting Ancient Murrelets we decided to climb the nearby hills the following evening and attempt to capture the birds by night-lighting with hand lamps.

About 7:30 P.M. we could see the murrelets gathering in large rafts in the sheltered bays offshore from the colony. With fading daylight we meandered through the almost impenetrable salal underbrush following game trails to the forested slopes where the murrelets nest. We found several spots where the forest floor was devoid of vegetation and riddled with burrows. Dense tree growth must prevent sunlight from reaching these areas. We distributed our equipment, spaced ourselves about 50 feet apart, and waited. For two hours the muffled roar of the surging waters below and the gentle sounds of the wind forcing through the trees kept us company. Finally, about 10:30 P.M., the flight to the colony commenced and suddenly the air became filled with blurred, muttering forms. Soon the ground around us was alive with scampering murrelets. We watched and listened with astonishment. The birds would either crash into the sharp-needled spruce trees and fall from branch to branch, with wings flapping, to the ground, or fly directly into the large, dense salal beds. How the murrelets manage to find their respective burrows still astounds me. Finally we settled down and began night-lighting.

As soon as a bird was heard hitting the vegetation nearby an immediate search began. Once spotted the "blinded" bird was approached from the blinded side and netted. The netter then put the murrelet into a sack, to await banding. Usually six murrelets per sack was a maximum number. The flight of murrelets lasted until midnight, the peak coming about 11 :00 P.M.

Most captured birds were spotted on the ground but in three instances we climbed trees, about 25 feet _ up, to retrieve spotted birds.

Ancient Murrelets (Synthliboramphus antiquus) are quite easy to capture by night-lighting. In approximately two hours of actual operations about 30 murrelets were captured and at least another 50 were spotted but missed. We attributed our unsuccessful attempts to lack of experience and organization, weak lighting from the two small- er flashlights and the shorthandled fish net.

This preliminary attempt to capture Ancient Murrelets by night-lighting was more an experimental effort than a planned one. Just what effect, if any, night-lighting has on the murrelets is difficult to ascertain. Some birds we released went directly to their burrows, others sought protection in nearby salal bushes and some scurried to the cliff edges and flew to sea.

I feel confident that capturing seabirds by means of a strong hand lamp is the least damaging, to both bird and colony, of capturing devices used on seabirds. Hopefully, this method can be modified to increase captures and will inspire banders to look more closely at the possibility of studying seabirds.

I should also mention that I have successfully captured, though not in numbers, Leach's Petrels (Oceanodroma leucorhoa), Pigeon Guillemots (Cepphus columba), Tufted Puffins (Lunda cirrhatta) and Black Turnstones (Arenaria melanocephala) by night-lighting with the Sportsman sealed power unit on other British Columbia seabird colonies. OPORORNIS WARBLER RECORDS FROM POINT LaMA, CALIFORNIA by Jean and Alan Craig

On 4 June 1968 we banded an adult male Kentucky Warbler (Oporornis formosus) in our yard on Point Loma, San Diego, California. On the same date, Mrs. Ginger Coughran (whose backyard banding station is located approximately ~ mile west of ours) retrapped this bird and also banded a female-plumaged Connecticut Warbler (0. agilis). On the latter bird the wing minus tail measurement was 22 mm, and the ninth primary was between 3.5 and 4.0 mm longer than the sixth primary. These two measurements are safely within the range for Connecticut Warbler (Lanyon, Wesley E. and John Bull. 1967. 'Identification of Connecticut, Mourning, and MacGillivray's Warblers. Bird Banding, 38 (3): 187-194.) This is the first known record of Kentucky Warbler in California, and the seventh record of Connecticut Warbler for the State (the second for Southern California). Photographs of both birds are in the San Diego Natural History Museum. On 3 October 1968 Mrs. Coughran netted an immature female Mourning Warbler (0. philadelphia) in her yard. This is the second known record of this species in California. The bird had a wing minus tail measurement of 12 mm and a tail length of 45 mm. These measurements are within the range for Mourning Warbler but are close to the region of overlap with MacGillivray's Warbler (0. tolmiei), so the bird was kept as a specimen and is deposit- ed in the San Diego Natural History Museum. In general appearance it was similar to a MacGillivray's Warbler, except that its throat was yellow, faintly washed with buff. Not all Mourning Warblers can be expected to have this distinguishing feature, but when present it should prove helpful to banders in separating this species from the typically dull-throated MacGillivray's Warbler.

On 10 July 1967, George Shier (Golden, Colorado) wrote to Allegra Collister (Longmont, Colorado): "Just netted your Bullock's male No. 61-182081 which you banded 26 May 1962 east of Golden. I caught him 28 May 1965 and 18 May 1966 near my house. Today he was at my cherry tree. I think he and his mate nested in our yard this year as I have seen no others about. He still seems to be a healthy active bird."

Mrs. Collister adds: 'This bird was banded as an adult in May 1962 and so is probably seven years old or older." The Eastern Bird-Banding Association Net Committee is running a sale on the following nets until 31 December 1968. Some of these nets are in short supply, so order them while they last.

(a) 5-meter, 1%" net for $1.50. (b) 5-meter, 1%" net for $1.00. (c) 12-meter, 1%" tethered net for $1.80. (d) 12-meter, 5" net for $2.10.

We have started to stock an altogether new type of net. This net is similar to our 12-meter, 1%", tethered net, but it is much higher (about 9 feet), and has plenty of bag. The nylon thread in this net is 70/d and stands up well under extreme weather conditions. The price of this new net is $5.00.

We are continually working with our Japanese suppliers to improve the quality of our nets. However, improved quality usually means an increase in price. Therefore, we would like you to note our prices as printed below (asterisk indicates new price):

Mesh 5-meter 9-meter 12-meter 1%" $1.65 $2.35 $2.75 1%" $2.30* $3.15 $3.80 2%" $4.20

1%" $2.75 $3.75 1%" $3.55 $5.00* 1%" (9' high) $5.00*

(Signed) Richard F. Waechter Robert E. Merritt Eastern Bird-Banding Association, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, Penna, 15701

Ernest R. Abeles, 5440 Blanco Ave., Woodland Hills, California 91364 Winston Banko, P.O.Box 35, Hawaii National Park, Hawaii 96718 Donald L. Beaver, 2636 Benvenue Ave., Berkeley, California 94704 William I. Harrison, Box 866, Nogales, Arizona 85621 M. Matsumoto, U. S. Army Research & Development Group (Far East), APO San Francisco, California 96343 D. D. Miller, Director, Western Wildlife Study Center, 4601 West Bonanza Rd., Las Vegas, Nevada 89107 John Smail, Point Reyes Bird Observatory, Mesa Rd., Bolinas, California 94924 Arthur E. Staebler, Lodge Road, Tollhouse, California 93667 Mr. & Mrs. Bob Stewart, 430 Northwood Dr., South San Francisco, California 94080 Mrs. S. L. Tainter, 1421 Painted Hills Rd., Tucson, Arizona 85705 Michael E. Ward, 3426 Yorkshire Rd., Pasadena, California 91107 Alva E. Weinrich, USGMA, 650 Capitol Mall, Room 4008, Sacramento, California 95814 Dr. George C. West, Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska, College, Alaska 99701 Mrs. Gilbert Whitney, P. O. Box 257, Lyons, Colorado 80540 SUMMARY OF BANDING DONE IN HAWAIIAN ISLANDS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE by Eugene Kridl.er

1964 1965 1966 1967 Total

Black-footed Albatross 2,088 1,235 259 100 3,682 Laysan Albatross 806 100 906 Wedge-tailed Shearwater 11 85 96 Christmas Island Shearwater 10 3 13 Bonin Island Petrel 402 402 Bulwer's Petrel 10 10 Sooty Storm Petrel 92 118 10 220 Red-tailed Tropicbird 45 3 48 Blue-faced Booby 3 50 3 56 Brown Booby 6 1 7 Red-footed Booby 102 51 33 186 Frigatebird 1 2 3 Laysan Teal 111 38 25 174 Pacific Golden Plover 37 1 38 44 120 Ruddy Turnstone 84 3 39 72 198 Bristle-thighed Curlew 11 1 3 32 47 Wandering Tattler 2 2 1 5 Sooty Tern 2 2 Gray-backed Tern 14 126 140 Blue-gray Noddy 10 7 2 19 Noddy Tern (Brown Noddy) 9 92 101 Hawaiian Noddy (White-capped)386 8 394 Fairy Tern 102 5 107 "Mourning Dove 69 69 'White-winged Dove 25 25 Nihoa Millerbird 8 1 10 Leiothrix 16 16 Japanese Wh iteeye 5 5 10 Laysan Finch 29 245 139 413 Nihoa Finch 4 9 12 45 70

Banded on the Island of Kauai:

Omao (Large Kauai Thrush) 1 1 Puaiohi (Small Kauai Thrush) 1 1 2 Elepaio 2 3 5 4 14 Apapane 4 1 8 2 15 liwi 5 5 Amakihi 3 3 11 17 Anianiau 3 4 8 Creeper 3 2 7 12 Ou -L 1

Total birds banded 4,417 1,889 820 498 7,624 Total species 33 19 25 17 39

"Experimental releases on the Island of Hawaii [In submitting the above summary, Eugene Kridler, Wildlife Administrator of the Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge, points out that they have shifted the emphasis in their banding from seabirds to the rare species of land birds endemic to some of the Refuge islands. Seabird banding continues, however, under the Pacific Project of the Smithsonian Institution. Refuge personnel is also working on shorebirds when there is time, and conducts important programs for tagging green sea turtles and the rare Hawaiian Monk SeaL]

In order to stimulate research in the field of ornithology through the use of bird-banding techniques or available banding data, the Eastern Bird Banding Association makes a grant of $100 to a student, undergraduate or graduate, who uses bird banding in an ornithological study.

APPLICATIONS

In order to apply for the award, the student should write requesting consideration and enclose a description of his project in which he explains how he uses bird banding. His description must be signed by the head of his department. Applications will be judged on the organization of the proposal as well as the content, and preference will usually be shown for projects in progress, rather than those merely proposed or those already completed.

QUALIFICATIONS

The college or university must be within the United States.

If the applicant is an undergraduate, he must: be either a junior or senior; major in zoology or biology; earn at least a B average; use bird banding as part of his research.

If the applicant is a graduate student, he must major in ornithology, and he must use bird banding as part of his thesis.

Although the Eastern Bird Banding Association would like to publish in its journal a paper written by the award recipient on his project, this is not requisite.

Previous descriptions have ranged in length from well under 1000 words including a few supporting tables to several times that length including voluminous supporting data. The titles of a few of these were:

"The Vertical and Temporal Distribution of BirPs and Viruses in a Tropical Rain Forest" "A Life History Study of the ... " "Taxonomy and Comparative Ecology of . "Reading Gull Bands by Telescope"

DEADLINE

The applicant's research description, properly signed by his department head, must be received prior to 25 February 1969.

F. R. Scott Chairman, Memorial Grant Committee Eastern Bird Banding Association 115 Kennondale Lane Richmond, Virginia 23226 Snow Goose (Chen hyperborea) (Russian band number). Banded 7 July 1965 on Wrangellsland, Chukchi Sea, Magadan Region, USSR. Recovered 21 October 1967 at Malheur Lake, 25 miles south of Burns, Oregon. This is the first known record of Russian-banded Snow Geese from the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.

Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)

No. 617-19856. Adult female. Banded June 1966 Arctic Red River, NWT (Mackenzie Delta). Recovered March 1967 at Ocean Grove, Florida. "I banded this bird at nest site as a breeding adult - also took a biopsied fat sample which shows high pesticide residuesl Band found on pere [sic] skeleton on beach - bird either died on beach or washed ashore from trans-Gulf flight. According to finder of band (C. G. Ray, Box 123, Niceville, Florida) the bird was badly decomposed - I think it could have died during southward migration, Fall, 1966." James Enderson, Colorado College, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903.

Mountain Plover (Eupoda montana)

No. 552-75145. "Young." Banded 29 June 1965 at Charles M. Russell NWR, Lewiston, Montana. Recoverecl from jet engine at Bergstrom AFB, Austin, Texas, 1 December 1965.

California Gull (Larus califomicus)

No. 595·87009. Banded by Fred N. Gallup, Sr., 18 June 1963 at Mono Lake, California. Shot on the shore of the Debin River (flows into the Sea of Okhotsk), Siberia, USSR, 24 September 1966.

California Gull (Larus califomicus) No. 665-48208. Banded by Louis M. Moos, 14 June 1966 at Freezout Lake, Montana. Recovered 2 October 1967 at Bronte Lighthouse, Ontario, Canada.

Franklin's Gull (Larus pipixcan)

No. 554-20775. Banded by Louis M. Moos, 13 June 1966 at Freezout Lake, Montana. Recovered by a hunter 1 December 1966, at San Carlos, Chile.

Franklin's Gull (Larus pipixcan)

No. 554-59305. Banded by Louis M. Moos, 14 June 1966 at Freezout Lake, Montana. Recovered November 1966, 12km east of Azapa, Chile.

Franklin's Gull (Larus pipixcan) No. 564-10432. Banded by Louis M. Moos, 1 July 1967 at Freezout Lake, Montana. Recovered 5 December 1967 at Lima, Peru.

Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia) No. 515-32062. Banded by Fred N. Gallup, Sr., 27 June 1953 at the south end of San Diego BaY,California. Recovered 3 June 1966 at Fields Landing, California.

Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia) No. 535-71769. Banded by Fred N. Gallup, Sr., May 1957 at the south end of San Diego Bay, California. Recovered 27 January 1963 at Champerico, Guatemala. Ernest P. Edwards' book, Finding Birds in Mexico, has been revised and rewritten, and it is now available in either paperback ($4.95) or hard cover ($6.95). From the publicity release: "Packed with detailed bird-finding information about 66 localities ..... Specific coverage of highway system, climate, vegetation, topography and bird life in each region and sub-region of the country .... 212 Mexican bird species illustrated, 74 exotic species in full color .... Field Guide section lists all Mexican birds by English common name, Spanish common name, scientific name, size and distribution ..... Also describes briefly, or illustrates, all Mexican birds not found regularly in the U. S. A." Orders can be addressed to Ernest P. Edwards, Sweet Brier, Virginia 24595. No postage charge on prepaid orders.

Commented John L. Sincock, USFWS, Kauai, Hawaii, when he returned his 1967 Annual Report form: "Discovered first known nesting site of Newell's Shearwater [Puffinus puffinus newelli] and banded 89 adults, 6 young."

The September meeting of the Northern California Chapter of W.B.B.A. was held at Cabrillo College in Santa Cruz and hosted by Viola Anderson, Dorothy Hunt, and the Harry Smiths. During the customary round- table discussion, Enid Austin asked members to watch for Western Sandpipers, banded and tagged by Dr. Holmes at Hooper Bay, Alaska. He would like reports on position of standard and colored bands - - - which leg; above or below joint; colors. Bruce Swinehart showed the second installment of slides taken on his trip down the coasts of Baja California and Mexico. The November meeting will be held on the 17th at the Rotary Natural Science Center, Lake Merritt, Oakland. Fran and Dick Mewaldt invited the Chapter to meet with them in January.

At long last the Arthur C. Bent "Life History" series has been completed. The final three-volume set, "Life Histories of North American Cardinals, Grosbeaks, Buntings, Towhees, Finches, and Sparrows," can be obtained from the Government Printing Office for $8.25, or from Pierce Book Company in Winthrop, Iowa, for $9.00 plus postage.

Again on the subject of books - - - this one a possible candidate for your own or a friend's Christmas list. "Birds in Our Lives," published by the Department of the Interior, is 561 pages packed with photographs and information relating to every aspect of birds from "Birds on Coins" to "The Christmas Count." Bird banding is included, in a chapter written by Allen J. Duvall, former Chief of the Bird Banding Laboratory; Dr. Mewaldt's displacement studies with White-crowned and Golden-crowned Sparrows are mentioned. The book may be pur- chased for $9.00 from the Superintendent of Documents, Washington, D. C. 20402.

In the Annual Report for 1967 (see the July 1968 issue of Western Bird Bander) a species total of 409 was given. The correct total is 407. The Brown Noddy and Noddy Tern were erroneously listed as separate species, as were the Black Noddy and Hawaiian Noddy. L££98 euoz!J'V '>jaaJ:) aM:) 91717x08 '0 'd U30NVO oUIO N1I3~S3A\

The Western Bird Bander is published four times a year by the Western Bird-Banding Association. Applications for membership should be sent to the Business Manager. Membership classifications are: Active Member $3.50 per year; Associate Member $3.50 per year; Sustaining Member $7.00 per year; Life Mem- bership $100.00.

President .. Dr. Ronald A. Ryder, Dept. Fishery & Wildlife Biology, Colo. State U., Fort Collins, Colo. 80521 First Vice President...... D. Bruce Swinehart, 5512 Valhalla Dr., Carmichael, Calif. 95608 Second Vice President Mrs. Virginia P. Coughran, 747 Stafford PI., San Diego, Calif. 92107 Secretary Mrs. Allegra Collister, 706 Hover Rd., Longmont, Colo. 80501 Business Manager Dr. Thomas L. Rodgers, 942 Hazel St., Chico, Calif. 95926 Editor Mrs. Eleanor L. Radke, P. O. Box 446, Cave Creek, Ariz. 85331