Status of American woodcock in Nebraska with notes on a recent breeding record
Abstract has not been submitted
Prairie Naturalist↗
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Results for “The American Naturalist”
Search indexed USGS publications on groundwater, aquifers, geologic maps, mineral resources and earthquakes. Explore source records by subject and place.
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Upland nesting of American bitterns, marsh hawks, and short-eared owls
No abstract available.
Prairie Naturalist↗
[Book review] Hanzak, J. The Pictorial Encyclopedia of Birds. Edited by Bruce Campbell, American Consultant Ned R. Boyajian. Crown. 1967. 582 pp., 1,075 photographs, 45 color photos
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Atlantic Naturalist↗
[Book review] The quintessential companion for North American birders, by Christopher W. Leahy
Book review: The Birdwatcher’s Companion to North American Birdlife. Christopher W. Leahy. 2004. Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ. 1039 pages. $39.50 (cloth).
Prairie Naturalist↗
Report of committee on glaciers, April 1939
The Committee on Glaciers at present is constituted as follows: Harry Fielding Reid—Professor‐Emeritus of Geology, Johns Hopkins University (former member of the International Glacier Commission), 608 Cathedral Street, Baltimore, Maryland William H. Hobbs—Professor‐Emeritus of Geology, University of Michigan (until recently Vice‐ President of the International Glacier Commission, at present associate member), Ann Arbor, Michigan J. E. Church—Professor of Classics, University of Nevada (President of the International Commission of Snow, and Chairman of the Committee on Snow of the Section of Hydrology, American Geophysical Union), Reno, Nevada Colonel Lawrence Martin—Chief of the Division of Maps, Library of Congress, Washington, D. C. Wm. Osgood Field, Jr.—Explorer, 18 West Twelfth Street, New York, N.Y. Earl A. Trager—Chief of the Naturalist Division, National Park Service, Washington, D. C. Glenn L. Parker—District Engineer, Water Resources Branch, United States Geological Survey, 406 Federal Building, Tacoma, Washington Oliver Kehrlein—Chairman, Committee on Glacier Studies, Sierra Club, 1050 Mills Tower, San Francisco, California Kenneth N. Phillips—Associate Hydraulic Engineer, Water Resources Branch, United States Geological Survey, Chairman, Research Committee of the Mazamas, 606 Post‐Office Building, Portland, Oregon William S. Cooper—Professor of Botany, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota Gerald FitzGerald, Senior Topographic Engineer, Alaska Branch, United States Geological Survey, Washington, D.C. Laurence M. Gould, Professor of Geology, Carleton College, Northfield, Minnesota François E. Matthes, Chairman , Senior Geologist, Section of Glacial Geology, United States Geological Survey (titular member of the International Glacier Commission), Washington, D.C. In 1938, as in previous years, the Committee devoted its energies primarily to the collecting of data on the variations in length and volume of American glaciers, it being felt that the maintenance of a continuous record of these variations is of prime importance, not only to hydrology and glaciology, but, as has become increasingly evident recently, also to climatology, geomorphology, geography, ecology, history, and archaeology. As the time available for the work of the Committee is limited and does not permit covering the entire field of glaciology, it seems best to devote it before all else to this line of research which yields results of value to so many different sciences. Besides, the gathering of data on glacier‐oscillations is not a one‐man job that can be taken up or dropped at convenience from time to time, but is an organized and far‐flung enterprise whose success depends upon the faithful cooperation of many volunteer workers located in different parts of the country. Such an enterprise, once launched, must be kept running or it will disintegrate and the precious enthusiasm of the field‐workers will be lost.
Eos, Transactions, American Geophysical Union↗
Bulletin of the United States Geological and Geographical Survey of the Territories: Volume IV, Number 3
Table of Contents ART. XXV.----Field-notes on Birds observed in Dakota and Montana along the Forty-ninth Parallel during the seasons of 1873 and 1874. By Dr. Elliott Coues, U.S.A., late Surgeon and Naturalist U.S. Northern Boundary Commission.....545-662 ART. XXVI.----Notes on a Collection of Fishes from the Rio Grande, at Brownsville, Texas-Continued. By D.S. Jordan, M.D......663-668 ART. XXVII.---Preliminary Studies on the North American Pyralidae. I. By A.R. Grote..... 669-706 ART. XXVIII.--Paleontological Papers No.6: Descriptions of New Species of Invertebrate Fossils from the Laramie Group. By C.A. White, M.D......707-720 ART. XXIX.----Paleontological Papers No.7: On the Distribution of Molluscan Species in the Laramie Group. By C. A. White, M.D......721-724 ART. XXX.-----On some Dark Shale recently discovered below the Devonian Limestones, at Independence, Iowa\; with a Notice of its Fossils and Description of New Species. By S. Calvin, Professor of Geology, State University of Iowa.....725-730 ART. XXXI.----On the Mineralogy of Nevada. By W.J. Hoffman, M.D......731-745
Report↗
Faces from the past: Frederic Morton Chamberlain (1867-1921), pioneer fishery biologist of the American West
The life of Frederic Morton Chamberlain (1867–1921) was marked by his many contributions to fishery science. As an assistant with the old U.S. Bureau of Fisheries, he pioneered life history studies of salmon in California and Alaska, and assisted in the collection of hundreds of thousands of natural history specimens from the Pacific Ocean as resident naturalist on the U.S.S. Albatross . He was innovative in the use of field photography in fishery work, and the design and construction of capture nets and collecting gear. His detailed reports were important in documenting the conditions of the native ichthyofauna in Alaska, Arizona, and California at the turn of the century and have been heavily relied upon by subsequent investigators. His ability to design and conduct scientifically justifiable studies to solve fishery problems while under many kinds of hardships is a testament to his background and dedication to the field. He represents the prototype of the modern fishery biologist.
Fisheries↗
The fifth International Geological Congress, Washington, 1891
The 5th International Geological Congress (IGC), the initial meeting in North America, was the first of the three IGCs that have been held in the United States of America (USA). Of the 538 registrants alive when the 5th IGC convened in Washington, 251 persons, representing fifteen countries, actually attended the meeting. These participants included 173 people from the USA, of whom forty-two represented the US Geological Survey (USGS). Fourteen of the US State geological surveys sent representatives to Washington. Eight participants came from other countries in the Western Hemisphere - Canada (3), Chile (1), Mexico (3), and Peru (1). The sixty-six European geologists and naturalists at the 5th IGC represented Austro-Hungary (3), Belgium (3), Britain (12), France (7), Germany (23), Norway (1), Romania (3), Russia (8), Sweden (4), and Switzerland (2). The USGS and the Columbian College (now the George Washington University) acted as the principal hosts. The American Association for the Advancement of Science and then the Geological Society of America (GSA) met in the Capital immediately before the Congress convened (26 August-1 September 1891). The 5th IGC's formal discussions treated the genetic classification of Pleistocene rocks, the chronological correlation of clastic rocks, and the international standardization of colors, symbols, and names used on geologic maps. The third of those topics continued key debates at the 1st through 4th IGCs. The GSA, the Korean Embassy, the Smithsonian Institution's US National Museum, the USGS, and one of the two Secretaries-General hosted evening receptions. Field excursions examined Paleozoic exposures in New York (18-25 August), Cretaceous-Pleistocene localities along the Potomac River south of Washington (30 August), and classic Precambrian-Pleistocene sequences and structures in the Great Plains, Yellowstone, Rocky Mountains, and Great Basin (2-26 September), with optional trips to the Grand Canyon (19-28 September) and Lake Superior (23 September-2 October). The single-volume report of the 5th IGC was published in Washington in 1893.
Conference Paper↗
Common loon nest defense against an American mink
We describe a successful nest defense strategy of an adult Gavia immer (Common Loon) during an attempted predation event by a Nevison vison (American Mink) at Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge, NH. It is suspected that mink occasionally depredate loon nests, but defense strategies have not been described previously.
Northeastern Naturalist↗
Reptilian prey of the sonora mud turtle (Kinosternon sonoriense) with comments on saurophagy and ophiophagy in North American Turtles
We detected evidence of predation by the Sonora mud turtle (Kinosternon sonoriense) on the Arizona alligator lizard (Elgaria kingii nobilis) and the ground snake (Sonora semiannulata) at Montezuma Well, Yavapai County, Arizona. Lizards have not been reported in the diet of K. sonoriense, and saurophagy is rare in turtles of the United States, having been reported previously in only two other species:, the false map turtle (Graptemys pseudogeographica) and the eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina). While the diet of K. sonoriense includes snakes, ours is the first record of S. semiannulata as food of this turtle. Ophiophagy also is rare in turtles of the United States with records for only five other species of turtles. Given the opportunistic diets of many North American turtles, including K. sonoriense, the scarcity of published records of saurophagy and ophiophagy likely represents a shortage of observations, not rarity of occurrence.
Southwestern Naturalist↗
Indirect cannibalism by crèche-aged American White Pelican ( Pelecanus erythrorhynchos ) chicks
At nesting colonies of American White Pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos), many chicks die from siblicide, severe weather, and disease; this results in carcasses available for scavenging by conspecifics (i.e., indirect cannibalism). Indirect cannibalism has not been reported previously for this species. We describe five cases of crèche-aged American White Pelican chicks consuming or attempting to consume dead younger chicks at two nesting colonies in the northern plains of North America. Cannibalism in the American White Pelican appears to be rare and likely plays no role in the species’ population ecology or dynamics; however, it might be an important survival strategy of individual chicks when food resources are limited.
North Dakota;South Dakota↗
Effect of stream permanence on predation risk of lotic crayfish by riparian predators
Given the importance of crayfish in stream ecosystems, gaining insight into the role of stream permanence in maintaining predator–prey interactions is critical. Our objectives were to determine the influence of stream permanence and season on crayfish predation and assess the role of stream permanence and crayfish density on the presence of predators, while accounting for imperfect detection. We conducted surveys of crayfish density, mammalian scat, and environmental variables within 10 intermittent and 10 permanent streams in the Ozark Highlands. We used occupancy modeling to assess the relationship between predator presence, crayfish density, and environmental variables. Stream permanence did not play a role in determining relative frequency of occurrence or percent volume of crayfish prey in mammalian diets. However, percent volume and relative frequency of crayfish prey found in scats differed by season, with both highest in spring and summer. The relative frequency and percent volume of fish prey showed a significant interaction of season by stream permanence, which may be the first instance of this observation. Procyon lotor (Raccoon) had the highest detection probability ( p = 0.39), whereas Neovison vison (American Mink; p = 0.15) and Lontra canadensis (River Otter; p = 0.03) had low detection probabilities. Further study into predator–prey interactions in the context of hydrology, particularly when related to imperiled groups like freshwater crayfishes, is needed since climate change is expected to alter hydrologic patterns.
Arkansas, Missouri↗
[Book review] No Woman Tenderfoot by Harriet Kofalk
The subject of this biography, identified in the subtitle “Florence Merriam Bailey, Pioneer Naturalist,” was truly a remarkable ornithologist. The bibliography of her writings, included in the book, lists more than 130 articles, a major portion of which were based on her own field work in what was then the wild and unsettled west. Among the titles are the acclaimed “Handbook of Birds of the Western united States,” published in 1902, and the monumental “Birds of New Mexico,” which appeared in 1928. Her contributions were recognized by her colleagues who elected her as a “Fellow” of the American Ornithologists’ Union in 1929 and three years later awarded her its prestigious Brewster Medal.
The Wilson Bulletin↗
Book review: Bumble bees of North America
Bumblebee identification is generally considered straightforward, yet mistakes often are made due to the degree of similarity between the color patterns of different species. Bumble Bees of North America aims to improve the accuracy of identifications by both casual observers and professionals through the use of intuitive diagrams, descriptions, and the more technical dichotomous keys. In addition to providing the first complete field guide to North American bumblebees, the authors make efficient use of the reader’s attention by summarizing taxonomic history, favored food plants, and environmental issues concerning bumblebees. Review info: Bumble Bees of North America: An Identification Guide. By Paul H. Williams, Robbin W. Thorp, Leif L. Richardson & Sheila R. Colla, 2014. ISBN: 978-0691152226, 208 pp.
The Prairie Naturalist↗
Book review: Sandhill and whooping cranes: Ancient voices over America's wetlands
Paul Johnsgard has long been captivated by wild cranes and their unique vocalizations, courtship dances, and wide-ranging migrations. As a scientist and an admirer, Johnsgard has watched their migrations and behaviors for decades as hundreds of thousands of cranes staged each spring by the central Platte River, not far from his home in Lincoln, Nebraska. As an artist, he has skilfully captured their courtship dances and other behaviours in his exceptional line drawings. And, as an author, he has written extensively on their ecology in three earlier books: Cranes of the World (1983), Those of the Gray Wind: the Sandhill Crane (1986), and Crane Music: a Natural History of Cranes (1991). Much has happened relative to North American cranes in the 20 years since Johnsgard published Crane Music , including increased crane abundance in many areas and the completion of multiple studies on crane ecology and conservation. This new crane book serves as an update to Crane Music and provides the reader with many useful resources for observing and learning about cranes.
The Prairie Naturalist↗
Breeding birds and vegetation structure in western North Dakota wooded draws
Populations and distribution of breeding birds occupying wooded draws were studied in a five-county region of western North Dakota during June 1982. Wooded draw vegetation was dominated by green ash, which occurred in 96% of the draws sampled. Chokecherry and juneberry were the most frequent shrub species. I recorded 49 bird species in the 30 draws censused. Rufous-sided towhee, brown-headed cowbird, house wren, and American goldfinch were the most numerous bird species present. Significant correlations were found between (1) the number of live trees and bird species evenness, (2) density of dead trees and bird species diversity and richness, (3) density of shrubs with bird species evenness, and (4) foliage volume in the high ground layer and bird species evenness.
Prairie Naturalist↗
Extraordinary size and survival of American black duck, Anas rubripes, broods
Two female American black duck, Anas rubripes, were initially observed during June 1982 with 20 Class Ib or 18-22 Class Ia-b ducklings in two wetlands in Hancock County, Cherryfield, Maine. Fifteen of 20 ducklings (75%) in one brood and 16 of 18-22 ducklings (72-89%) in the other brood survived to fledge. These large broods probably resulted from post-hatch brood amalgamation.
Maine↗
Species occurrence of marsh birds at Cape Cod National Seashore, Massachusetts
We initiated an inventory and a field test of a protocol that could be used for monitoring marsh birds at the Cape Cod National Seashore in eastern Massachusetts during 1999 and 2000, as part of a more comprehensive national effort. Using cassette tapes during call broadcast surveys, we visited a total of 78 survey points at freshwater, brackish, and salt marsh sites three times on the ground or in canoes during the breeding season (May-June), fall migration (September to November), and twice during winter (December-January). Observer bias on our marsh bird surveys appeared negligible. Although both auditory and visual detection of most species was low (mean ( 0.3 birds per replicate-survey point), we confirmed the presence of seven marsh species, including American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus), Least Bittern (Ixobrychus exilis), American Coot (Fulica americana), King Rail (Rallus elegans), Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps), Sora (Porzana carolina), and Virginia Rail (Railus limicola). We suspected breeding of Least Bitterns and Soras at Great Pond in Provincetown, and for Virginia Rails at Hatches Harbor, Provincetown. The most frequently detected species were Soras, Pied-billed Grebes, and Virginia Rails. We recommend using call broadcast surveys for these cryptic species to enhance their probabilities of detection.
Northeastern Naturalist↗