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Masthead From Nebraska Bird Review (June 1995) 63(2)

Nebraska Bird Review

The Nebraska Bird Review is published quarterly in March, June, September, and December by the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union, Inc., as its official journal, and is sent to members not in arrears for dues. Annual subscription rates (on a calendar-year basis only): $12.50 in the United States, $15.00 in Canada and Mexico, and $17.50 for all other countries, payable in advance. Single copies are $4.00 each, postpaid, in the United States, and $5.00 elsewhere. Send orders for back issues to Mary H. Pritchard, NOU Librarian, university of Nebraska State Museum, Lincoln, NE 68588-0514.

Memberships in NOU (on a calendar year basis …

Christmas Bird Count For 1994

Nebraska Bird Review

The official count period for the 95th Audubon National society's Christmas Bird Count was December 17, 1994 through January 2, 1995. Two of the Nebraska locations conducted counts outside the official period, Grand Island on the 16 Dec. and North Platte on 7 Jan.

The numerical data are presented in Table 1 (pages 4-9) in a west (left) to east (right) and north (top) to south (bottom) order for 12 locations entirely in Nebraska, and 2 locations (DeSoto NWR and Tristate) that are not entirely in Nebraska. Unusual species underlined in the reports are marked * before the number in …

1994 And 1995 Surveys Of Bald And Golden Eagles In Nebraska, John Dinan

Nebraska Bird Review

Conditions for 1994 survey: Temperatures 20 to 50° F Jan.1-5, and from -5 to 45° F Jan. 6-10; light to moderate snow cover in the panhandle, 2-4" of snow in the northeast, and none in the rest of Nebraska. Niobrara River had ice cover up to 80-95% in some reaches; Missouri River was flowing with 50-75% slush; other rivers surveyed by air were mostly ice-free. Larger reservoirs, i. e. Harlan and Lake McConaughy, had some ice cover in protected bays and at the upper ends, but the main areas were open. The rest of the lakes and smaller reservoirs …

The Nebraska Ornithologists' Union, Inc., Treasurer's Annual Report, 12/31/94, Elizabeth Grenon

Nebraska Bird Review

The Nebraska Ornithologists' Union, Inc., Treasurer's Annual Report, 12/31/94

Balance 1/1/94 on cash basis per bank account: Cash $1,428.18 Investments $13,636.47 Total $15,064. 65

Total Receipts: Cash $9,107.20 Investments $13,734.48 Total $22,841.68

Total Disbursements: Cash $8,942.22 Investments 13,870.95 Total $22,813.17

Balance 12/31/94: Cash $1,593.16 Investments $13,500.00 Total $15,093.16

"Note On Bird Sighting In Nebraska," From Nebraska Bird Review (March 1995), Sandy Lemmon

Nebraska Bird Review

Black-throated Blue Warbler. I saw this bird in our yard (James Ranch, Fort Robinson State Park, Sioux co.) between October 10 and 13, 1993. It had a black face and throat, blue-gray head, back, and tail, with white patches on its wings. I used the Golden Field Guide to Birds of North America, and the Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds to identify it. It did not seem to be disturbed by my presence (5 to 10 feet away), but moved about very rapidly. It was with a bird tentatively identified as an immature Yellow-rumped Warbler, and was …

List Of Birds For Which The Records Committee Seeks Documentation, Joseph A. Gubanyi

Nebraska Bird Review

The NOU Records Committee at its February 25, 1995 meeting revised the list of species for which the committee seeks documentation. This list was last published in 1988 (NBR 56:86-96). The committee seeks documentation on all species with less than regular occurrence in Nebraska, as well as any species occurring out-of-range or out-of-season. Changes in this list since 1988 include the addition of new species documented for the state, and the deletion of species upgraded to regular status. Below are, listed the species of less than regular occurrence based on the official list of state birds (a revised list …

Masthead From Nebraska Bird Review (March 1995)

Nebraska Bird Review

The Nebraska Bird Review is published quarterly in March, June, September, and December by the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union, Inc., as its official journal, and is sent to members not in arrears for dues. Annual subscription rates (on a calendar-year basis only): $12.50 in the united States, $15.00 in Canada and Mexico, and $17.50 for all other countries, payable in advance. Single copies are $4.00 each, postpaid, in the United States, and $5.00 elsewhere. Send orders for back issues to Mary H. Pritchard, NOU Librarian, University of Nebraska State Museum, Lincoln, NE 68588-0514.

Memberships in NOU (on a calendar year basis …

Winter Field Report, December-February 1994-95, W. Ross Silcock

Nebraska Bird Review

This was an interesting winter season, with some record late and early dates, rarities, and early arrivals of large numbers of migrants. This information was provided by a dedicated group of observers, who have been patient in understanding the kind of information to report.

First Feb records for Common Loon, first Jan record for Horned Grebe, first wintering record for Western Grebe, record late date for Eared Grebe, first Dec record of Baird's Sandpiper, first Feb record of winter Wren away from the Missouri valley, and 4th Feb record for Yellow-rumped Warbler, were all notable.

Large numbers of geese, ducks, …

Whole Issue Nebraska Bird Review (March 1995) 63(1)

Nebraska Bird Review

Table of Contents

NOU Treasurer's Annual Report ...................2

Christmas Bird Count for 1994 ...................3

List of species for Which the Records Committee Seeks Documentation ...................12

Winter Field Report, December-February, 1994-1995 ...................14

1994 & 1995 Surveys of Bald and Golden Eagles in Nebraska ...................23

Note on Bird Sighting in Nebraska ...................27

Historical Biogeography And Modes Of Speciation Across High-Latitude Seas Of The Holarctic: Concepts For Host-Parasite Coevolution Among The Phocini (Phocidae) And Tetrabothriidae (Eucestoda), Eric P. Hoberg

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

Species of Anophryocephalus are host-specific parasites of pinnipeds in the Holarctic. Phylogenetic analysis of 7 species postulates A. anophrys as the basal taxon and A. inuitorum as basal to A. skrjabini; A. arcticensis is basal to A. nunivakensis and A. eumetopii + A. ochotensis (single tree; consistency index = 74.4%; homoplasy slope ratio = 36.45%). Evaluation of host and geographic distributions postulates ringed seals of the Atlantic-Arctic as ancestral hosts, and the Arctic basin as a paraphyletic area with respect to the North Pacific. Cospeciation within this assemblage was dependent on intense isolation of small effective populations of definitive hosts …

Anophryocephalus Inuitorum Sp. Nov. And A. Arcticensis Sp. Nov. (Eucestoda: Tetrabothriidae) In Ringed Seals (Phoca Hispida Hispida) And Harp Seals (Phoca Groenlandica) From High-Latitude Seas Of Eastern Canada And The Arctic Basin, Eric P. Hoberg, Lena N. Measures

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

Anophryocephalus inuitorum sp. nov. and A. arcticensis sp. nov. are described from ringed seals (Phoca hispida hispida) in the eastern Canadian Arctic; the latter species is also reported from harp seals (Phoca groenlandica) in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Anophryocephalus inuitorum is most similar to A. skrjabini, but can be distinguished by fewer testes (14-27) and smaller dimensions of the strobila, neck (3.0-5.9 mm long), and cirrus sac (31-70 μm long), diameter of the genital atrium (44 -68 pm), and length of the male canal (23-42 μm long). Anophyrocephulus arcticensis resembles A. nunivakensis in the …

Whooping Crane Sightings In Nebraska, August 1994-January 1995, Steven Anschutz

Nebraska Bird Review

The first arrival at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge in southern Texas was on October 5, 1994, and the last arrivals (a family group) were on January 12, 1995, the latest date that an adult pair had ever arrived at Aransas. A total of 132 (125 adult/subadult and 7 young) Whooping Cranes are wintering at Aransas, including 3 birds that spent the summer at Aransas. A solitary chick sighted with Sandhill Cranes in Oklahoma on January 2, 1995 is the 133rd crane in the flock. Since, under optimum conditions, 148 cranes were expected to reach Aransas during the fall migration, the …

"Index To Volume 62," From Nebraska Bird Review (December 1994), R. G. Cortelyou

Nebraska Bird Review

Index (12 pages)

Albino? 151

Alt, Jim 54, 59(2), 62, 68, 72, 80, 82(2), 83, 88, 107, 113, 115, 143, 144, 149. 151

Amiotte, Sue 50

Anderson, Neal 96

Anschultz, Steven Whooping Crane
Sightings During Spring
Migration, 1994 94

Whooping Crane Sightings, August 1004 - January 1995 149

Avocet, American 20, 21, 73. 98, 107, 133 .

Babcock, Colleen 89

Barn-Owl, Common 24, 25, 77, 110

Barth, Roland 109, 115

Bedows, Elliot 88

Birkman, Marjorie 58, 59, 60, 60, 68, 73, 80, 87, 88

Bittern, American 66, 67, 104, 128 Least 5. 90. 104

Blackbird, Brewer's 46 , 47, 62 …

Excerpts From The Minutes Of The Nebraska Ornithologists' Union Executive Committee Meeting, September 10, 1994, Robin Harding

Nebraska Bird Review

The 1995 annual spring meeting and field trips will be held at Camp Calvin Crest near Fremont, NE May 19-21. Most of the Executive Committee members agreed that presentation of one scientific paper on Saturday afternoon would be a desirable addition. The 1995 annual fall meeting will be at Halsey National Forest 4-H camp, tentatively on October 6-8. The Executive Committee decided against having a winter meeting.

Alice Kenitz discussed the printing of the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union (NOU) Field Card of Nebraska Birds. She reported that there may be some money available from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission to …

Masthead From Nebraska Bird Review (December 1994)

Nebraska Bird Review

The Nebraska Bird Review is published quarterly in March, June, September, and December by the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union, Inc., as its official journal, and is sent to members not in' arrears for dues. Annual subscription rates (on a calendar-year basis only): $12.50 in the United States, $15.00 in Canada and Mexico, and $17.50 for all other countries, payable in advance. Single copies are $4.00 each, postpaid, in the United States, and $5.00 elsewhere. Send orders for back issues to Mary H. Pritchard, NOU Librarian, University of Nebraska State Museum, Lincoln, NI 68588-0514.

"Notes On Bird Sightings In Nebraska," From Nebraska Bird Review (December 1994)

Nebraska Bird Review

Northern Waterthrush. At 9:35 a.m. on December 14, and again at 10:15 a.m. on December 21, 1994, I observed what I believe was the same bird on a Burlington Northern railroad embankment north of Gifford Road in Fontenelle Forest, Bellevue, NE. On December 14, I saw it for 7 seconds. It vocalized with a sharp "chink" as it hopped up on a fallen log, then vocalized again 6-7 seconds later as it jumped down into thick underbrush. It was silent on December 21, but I observed it for at least ten minutes as it walked at the foot of a …

Fall Field Report, August-November 1994, W. Ross Silcock, Richard C. Rosche

Nebraska Bird Review

The fall season is a long one in terms of bird movements. The SUMMER FIELD REPORT detailed the post-breeding wanderings of herons and the beginning of shorebird migration. This report covers the end of these and the southward movements of insectivorous passerines, mainly in August and September, while seedeaters such as sparrows follow, mainly in September and October. Waterfowl generally bring up the rear, moving south just ahead of the freeze-up.

The fall season is probably the most exciting time for rare bird enthusiasts, as young birds of many species wander, often aimlessly, at this time of year before they …

Whole Issue Nebraska Bird Review (December 1994) 62(4)

Nebraska Bird Review

Table of Contents

Fall Field Report, August - November, 1994 ......................126

Observers for Fall Field Report ......................149

Whooping Crane Sightings, August 1994 - January 1995 ......................149

Notes on Bird Sightings in Nebraska ......................150

Excerpts from Minutes of NOU Executive Committee Meeting......................151

Index to Volume 62......................152

Tales That Teeth Tell, Patricia W. Freeman, Pauline R. Denham Illustrator

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

Many of us enjoy walking in the woods or prairie and looking for interesting natural items or behavior. My oldest child now takes delight in spotting and finding things before I do. Often we find skulls, teeth, and bones of mammals and, I suspect, many other people do too given the fact that many of these items are brought into the Museum to be identified. With just a little explanation about what mammals eat and the effect of these foods on the shapes of teeth, an observant person can start to categorize several common mammals if they know what to …

Why Bird Numbers Are Dwindling, Ronald M. Case

Nebraska Bird Review

John Terborgh (1989) wrote a book entitled "Where Have All the Birds Gone?" and numerous other articles on the same theme. There was an article in the Lincoln, NE Sunday Journal-Star, June 19, 1994 concerning dwindling bird numbers on the grasslands. The answer to declining bird numbers is the degradation, fragmentation, and loss of habitats. Sometimes ornithologists disagree on whether the breeding habitats or wintering habitats are impacted most, yet there is nearly universal agreement that habitat is the key. Further evidence for the impact of humans on birds can be obtained by noting those species that are flourishing in …

Masthead From Nebraska Bird Review (September 1994)

Nebraska Bird Review

The Nebraska Bird Review is published quarterly in March, June, September, and December by the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union, Inc., as its official journal, and is sent to members not in arrears for dues. Annual sUbscription rates (on a calendar-year basis only): $12.50 in the united States', $15.00 in Canada and Mexico, and $17.50 for all other countries, payable in advance. single copies are $4.00 each, postpaid, in the United states, and $5.00 elsewhere. Send orders for back issues to Mary H. pritchard, NOU Librarian, University of Nebraska State Museum, Lincoln, NE 68588-0514.

Memberships in NOU (on a calendar year basis …

"Notes On Bird Sightings In Nebraska," From Nebraska Bird Review (September 1994)

Nebraska Bird Review

Trumpeter Swans and Lewis' Woodpeckers: While birding in western Nebraska August 1, 1994, Shirley and I observed a pair of Trumpeter Swans with five nearly grown cygnets. They were in a sandhills lake west of Whitman near the road. We also saw two Lewis' Woodpeckers in the burned-out area at Chadron State Park, but could not find them at Soldier Creek near Fort Robinson where we saw so many last year.

---- Lee Morris, RR1, Box 14, Benedict, NE 68316

More Trumpeter Swans: I was driving along Highway 2 on October 8, 1994 near Whitman, NE on one …

Nebraska Ornithologists' Union Fall Field Days, Sept. 9-11, 1994, Neal Ratzlaff

Nebraska Bird Review

A total of 118 species were seen by 60 Nebraska birders and a few from other states, in the Nebraska National Forest near Halsey, Thomas County where the Forest is located, and three other nearby counties, Blaine, Cherry, and Brown (see Table 1). There was a nice variety of forest, lake, riparian, wetland, and sandhill habitats. Notable sightings were a subadult Mississippi Kite in the camp area of the Forest and along the Middle Loup River west of the bridge, and a White-faced Ibis. Ruth Green banded House Wrens, 1 Gray Catbird, 1 Yellow-breasted Chat, 2 Rufous-sided Towhees, 64 Chipping …

Publications About Birds In Nebraska From Nebraska Bird Review (September 1994), Neal Ratzlaff

Nebraska Bird Review

Birds of the Lake McConaughy Area and the North Platte River Valley. Nebraska. The author is Richard C. Rosche, a long-time member of The Nebraska Ornithologists' Union (NOU), and the fine illustrations were done by Dorothy J. Rosche. The 119 page paper, which is in an 8 x 11½ spiral binder, is a detailed account of birdlife in the Lake Mcconaughy area, defined as the North Platte River Valley from Oshkosh on the west to Keystone on the east. The paper contains an annotated list of the 285 species known to have occurred in the region, with information on abundance …

Summer Field Report, June-July 1994, W. Ross Silcock

Nebraska Bird Review

I (Ross Silcock) would like to point out that observers who have information which adds to, modifies, or corrects this report are urged to send it to me; it is better published late than not at all! I like to think of these reports as a team effort to advance Nebraska ornithology.

Two nesting phenomena were significant this year: the continuing presence of nesting Clark's Grebes at the west end of L. McConaughy, and the stunning increase in numbers of nesting Mississippi Kites in Ogallala. Perhaps missed by some (it was in the Spring report) was the suggestive presence through …

Whole Issue Nebraska Bird Review (September 1994) 62(3)

Nebraska Bird Review

Table of Contents

Summer Field Report, June - July, 1994 ……………….. 102

Observers for Summer Field Report ……………….. 115

Why Bird Numbers Are Dwindling............................... 116

Publications About Birds in Nebraska ……………….. 118

Bluebird Guide................................................ 118

Nebraska ornithologists' Union Fall Field Days, September 9-11, 1994 ……………….. 118

Table of Species Observed During NOU Fall Field Days, 1994 ……………….. 119

Notes on Bird Sightings in Nebraska ……………….. 122

Quantifying The Tooth-Food Interface With Finite-Element Analysis And Photoelasticity, Patricia W. Freeman, W. N. Weijs

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

We are interested in the tooth-food interface and the functioning of teeth. The cross-sectional shapes of canine teeth of bats can be triangular or polygonal. The vertices of the triangle or polygon represent edges that extend longitudinally from tip to cingulum. One of us proposed there should be differences in how cracks are propagated in the substance being penetrated based on the shape of the tooth. To test this idea we have used finite-element analysis to simulate the effect of an edged tooth versus a non-edged or circular tooth as it penetrated a substance. To see what actually happens we …

Whooping Crane Sightings During Spring Migration, 1994, Steven Anschutz

Nebraska Bird Review

Between 1977 and 1988, 132 juvenile whooping cranes were color-marked on the breeding grounds; of these, 51 were accounted for during the winter of 1993-94. The 1994 spring population at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge was estimated to be between 135 and 138 birds depending on the fate of three banded birds last seen in December and January. By March 31, an estimated 23 cranes had begun to migrate, and a major crane departure took place on April 1-2. On May 3 and 9, a minimum of 15 and 9 cranes, respectively, remained at Aransas, the most ever observed that late …

Sarpy County, Ne 1994 Count For North American Migration Count, E. Grenon

Nebraska Bird Review

May 14, 1994. 30 observers (8 parties), 31.85 mi. on foot (47.25 hrs.), 266.40 mi. by car (21.75 hrs.), 2 owling parties (1 mi., 1 hr.). Temp.in 60's F, slight breeze, 80% overcast, rain A.M., 138 species, 5,987 individuals. The count follows.

3 Common Loons, 1 Pied-billed Grebe, 41 Double-crested Cormorants, 3 Great Blue Herons, 1 Cattle Egret, 7 Green-backed Herons, 58 Canada Geese, 160 Wood Ducks, 25 Mallards, 18 Blue-winged Teals, 1 Gadwall, 7 duck spp., 23 Turkey Vultures, 2 Red-shouldered Hawks, 4 Red-tailed Hawks, 3 American Kestrels, 13 Ring-necked Pheasants, 10 wild Turkeys, 6 Northern Bobwhites, 1 King …

Summary Of Minutes Of The Nebraska Ornithologists' Union 93rd Annual Business Meeting, Niobrara, Ne, May 21, 1994, Robin Harding

Nebraska Bird Review

The meeting was called to order by George Brown, President, and the Treasurer's report was presented by Colleen Babcock, Treasurer. It was announced that bird notes for The Nebraska Bird Review should be sent to Rosalind Morris, Editor, and quarterly occurrence reports to Ross silcock. The supply of NOU Field Cards of Nebraska Birds is exhausted. Motion by Gary Lingle, seconded by Eileen Paine, and passed, to print more field cards without revision and to adjust price to include sales tax. The State Revenue Department also requires an annual report of sales.

The Fall Meeting will be held September 9-11, …