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Identifying sex and age of akiapolaau Identifying sex and age of akiapolaau

Methods for identifying the sex and age of the Akiapolaau (Hemignathus munroi), an endangered honeycreeper found only on the island of Hawaii, were developed by examination and measurement of 73 museum specimens and 24 live birds captured in mist nests. Akiapolaau probably undergo a single annual molt, with most birds molting between February and July. The mottled juvenal plumage is...
Authors
T.K. Pratt, S.G. Fancy, C.K. Harada, G.D. Lindsey, J.D. Jacobi

Lipids and proteins in the Rathke's gland secretions of the North American mud turtle (Kinosternon subrubrum) Lipids and proteins in the Rathke's gland secretions of the North American mud turtle (Kinosternon subrubrum)

Lipids and proteins in the Rathke's gland secretions of the North American mud turtle (Kinosternon subrubrum, Kinosternidae) were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), respectively. Analysis by GC-MS indicates 2,3-dihydroxypropanal and C3–C24 free or esterified fatty acids. Analysis by SDS-PAGE indicates a major...
Authors
W.E. Seifert, S.W. Gotte, T.L. Leto, P.J. Weldon

Bird use of agricultural fields under reduced and conventional tillage in the Texas Panhandle Bird use of agricultural fields under reduced and conventional tillage in the Texas Panhandle

We conducted bird surveys in reduced-tillage and conventional tillage fields in spring, summer, fall, and winter from 1987 to 1991 in the Texas Panhandle. Eastern meadowlarks, longspurs, and savannah sparrows were more common in reduced-tillage (sorghum and wheat stubble) fields than in conventionally tilled (plowed) fields in at least 1 season. Other species also had patterns suggestive...
Authors
Edward L. Flickinger, G.W. Pendleton

Contaminants in eggs of aquatic birds from the grasslands of central California Contaminants in eggs of aquatic birds from the grasslands of central California

Eggs were collected from the Grasslands of western Merced County, California, during 1986 and 1987, and at the Mendota Wildlife Area in Fresno County in 1987, as part of a reproductive study of nesting ducks and shorebirds. The eggs were analyzed to evaluate the effects of contaminants in agricultural drainwater on avian reproduction. Agricultural drainwater was the major source of water...
Authors
R. L. Hothem, D. Welsh

Winter movements and spring migration of American woodcock along the Atlantic coast Winter movements and spring migration of American woodcock along the Atlantic coast

Radio transmitters were attached to American Woodcock (scolopax minor) at three Atlantic coastal sites to monitor winter movements and spring departure dates from Georgia (1982-1984, 1989-1991), South Carolina (1988-1989), and Virginia (1991-1992). There was no evidence of temperature, sex, or age-dependent migration dates. Migration was coincident with the full moon in February and the...
Authors
D.G. Krementz, J.T. Seginak, G.W. Pendleton

Within-site variability in surveys of wildlife populations Within-site variability in surveys of wildlife populations

Most large-scale surveys of animal populations are based on counts of individuals observed during a sampling period, which are used as indexes to the population. The variability in these indexes not only reflects variability in population sizes among sites but also variability due to the inexactness of the counts. Repeated counts at survey sites can be used to document this additional...
Authors
William A. Link, Richard J. Barker, John R. Sauer, Sam Droege

A fall land bird migration across the South China Sea from Indo-China to the Greater Sunda Islands A fall land bird migration across the South China Sea from Indo-China to the Greater Sunda Islands

We encountered 150 land birds representing 14 families along the cruise track of the Soviet Oceanographic Research Vessel AKADEMlK KOROLEV in the South China Sea. We saw most of these birds during a 3 -day period in a small area c. 350 km southeast of the southern tip of the Indo-China peninsula. These observations suggest that a significant land bird migration corridor crosses the South...
Authors
D. H. Ellis, A.K. Kepler, C. B. Kepler

Are more North American species decreasing than increasing? Are more North American species decreasing than increasing?

Population trends for North American species are calculated for 1966-'91 and 1982-'91 using Nonh American Breeding Bird Survey data. Species are grouped into 3 systems of guild classifications representing migration status, breeding habitat and nesting substrate. Trends for these groups are summarized by time period, bioregion and physiographic region. At the continental level, declines
Authors
Sam Droege, J.R. Sauer
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