Showing papers in "The Auk in 1961"
180 citations
TL;DR: It is believed that the two forms are conspecific and that the species consists of two subspecies: a large form, Chcn cacruIcscens atIantica, which has no color phases, and a smaller form,Chcn caerulescens caeruIescens, which is polymorphic and has two clearly defined color phases.
Abstract: T}tE taxonomic relationship of the Blue Goose (Chen caerulesceus cacrulescens) and the Lesser Snow' Goose (Chcn hyperborca hyperborea) has long created controversy among avian systematists, e.g., Blaauw (1908), Soper (1930), Sutton (1932), Manning (1942), and Manning et aI. (1956). I believe that the two forms are conspecific and that the species consists of two subspecies: a large form, Chcn cacruIcscens atIantica, which has no color phases, and a smaller form, Chcn caerulescens caeruIescens, which is polymorphic and has two clearly defined color phases. The remainder of the discussion is concerned only with the latter race.
69 citations
TL;DR: An attempt to understand the evolutionary relationships existing within a group of mallardlike ducks native to North America.
Abstract: THIS study is the report of an attempt to understand the evolutionary relationships existing within a group of mallardlike ducks native to North America. The group includes the Common Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos platyrhynchos L.; the Black Duck, Anas rubripes Brewster; the Florida Duck, Anas fulvigula fulvigula Ridgway; the Mottled Duck, Anas fulvigitla niiaculosa Sennett; the Mexican Duck, Anas diazi diazi Ridgway; and the New Mexican duck, Anas diazi novimexicana Huber. All but one of these (the Common Mallard) are restricted to North America, and all these American forms possess a sexually nondimorphic plumage. In all other respects they are extremely similar to the Common Mallard, and a study of their relationships to this form was believed possibly to provide an instructive example of speciation.
55 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: The Black-capped Chickadee (Parus atricapillus) was chosen for this study because it is easy to watch and because it would be possible to compare its biology with that of European tits, which I have studied for many years.
Abstract: IN 1959 Dr. W. H. Drury, Jr., Director of the Hatheway School of Conservation Education at Drumlin Farm, invited me to come to Massachusetts to carry out some ornithological investigations in behalf of the Massachusetts Audubon Society. The Black-capped Chickadee (Parus atricapillus) was chosen for this study because it is easy to watch and because it would be possible to compare its biology with that of European tits, which I have studied for many years (Kluyver, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1957; Kluyver and Tinbergen, 1953). Both European deciduous and coniferous woods are inhabited by tits (Parus species), and each species has a typical habitat. One species, the Great Tit (Parus major), although mainly adapted to deciduous woods, will also inhabit pine woods, where insects suitable for its food (in spring mainly caterpillars, as these larvae are large enough for feeding nestlings) are relatively scarce. Moreover, in European pine woods the Great Tit meets serious food competition from other species of tits, whose methods of hunting insects are better adapted to pine-wood conditions. Pine wood is, therefore, a marginal habitat for this species, with reproduction being lower and mortality higher than in deciduous woods. Because it is the only species of Parus in eastern Massachusetts, the Black-capped Chickadee does not meet with any competition from allied species and lives in both types of wood. Natural mixed woods probably are its favorite habitat, where it hunts insects in both broadleaved trees and pines. It nests, at least in Massachusetts, primarily in dead birches. From my European experience I expected deciduous woods to contain more preferred food insects (both species and individuals) than pine. The object of my study was to investigate if and to what extent some of the factors that control population densityespecially reproduction and nestling mortality-are influenced by the availability of caterpillars and other food resources. Moreover, I wanted to study details of nest building and breeding biology, as well as dispersal of adults and young in the postreproductive season.
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TL;DR: The authors investigated the thermoregulatory responses of nesting sea birds to natural environmental conditions on Midway Island, a coral atoll located at latitude 280 13' N. and longitude 1770 23' W. in the Leeward Chain of the Hawaiian Islands.
Abstract: THIS paper represents part of a study on the thermoregulatory responses of nesting sea birds to natural environmental conditions. The investigations were conducted on Midway Island, a coral atoll located at latitude 280 13' N. and longitude 1770 23' W. in the Leeward Chain of the Hawaiian Islands. A previous publication (Howell and Bartholomew, 1961) dealt with the two species of albatrosses that breed on Midway, and the present study concerns the other three procellariiform species that regularly nest on the island. Bailey (1956) has summarized much of the natural history information on the avifauna of Midway Island, and Farner and Serventy (1959) include references to most of the pertinent literature on thermoregulation in procellariiform birds.
TL;DR: Verner as discussed by the authors conducted an intensive investigation of the breeding activities of the Red-footed Booby (Sula sula Linnaeus) on Half Moon Cay, 80 km east of Belize, British Honduras.
Abstract: FROM 14 February to 9 May 1958 I conducted an intensive investigation of the breeding activities of the Red-footed Booby (Sula sula sula Linnaeus) on Half Moon Cay, 80 km east of Belize, British Honduras. The detailed results of the study appear in my thesis for the degree of Master of Science (Verner, thesis submitted 1959). Half Moon Cay (Figure 1) is a tiny coral island, 1.16 km in length, supporting mainly coconut palms (Cocos nucifera). The floor of the narrow eastern half of the cay has been cleared, and the palms there are planted in rows. On the western portion, exclusive of the booby colony, the palms are distributed naturally, the floor beneath being covered with lush, mat-forming herbs. Within the booby colony very few palms are present; instead, eight species of broadleaf trees form a nearly continuous overhead canopy from about six to 15 meters above the ground. The number of booby nests in each species of tree fairly well indicated the relative abundance of each species (Table 1). The floor of the colony is composed of coral stones, which permit potential humus to percolate away with the rains. As a result, there is little in the way of an herbaceous understory. The only undomesticated mammal on the cay is Rattus rattus. Ninetyeight species of birds were recorded during the course of the study. At least 77 of these were migratory forms, and, of these, only 17 were recorded regularly enough to indicate that they winter on or near the island. Two species, the Red-footed Booby and the Magnificent Frigate-bird (Fregata magnificens), were nesting at the time of the study; and probably both the White-crowned Pigeon (Columba leucocephala) and the Groove-billed Ani (Crotophaga sulcirostris) nested there later in the year. A number of small lizards and two larger ones, the False Iguana (Ctenosaura similis) and the Iguana (Iguarna iguana), were abundant. Nothing was observed to substantiate the many reports that these larger lizards harm nests, eggs, and young of the Red-footed Booby. The climate at Half Moon Cay is generally mild, although the high humidity makes even slight temperature differences more noticeable. Temperatures were recorded three times daily-morning, noon, and night-between 20 March and 7 May and the range was from 23?C (730F) to 320C (900F). With the exception of the early morning average of 26?C (790F) in March, all three daily averages for March,
TL;DR: The phrase aggressive neglect is coined to describe the tendency of one species to neglect its nest or young owing to the release of excessive aggressive behavior in the presence of a second species.
Abstract: IN their comments on an earlier paper of mine (1959), on the subject of competition between species in the Moluccan Islands, Hutchinson and MacArthur (1959) coined the phrase aggressive neglect to describe the tendency of one species to neglect its nest or young owing to the release of excessive aggressive behavior in the presence of a second species. This aggressive behavior with consequent limiting of the reproductive rate has been suggested by myself (t.c.) as possibly having survival value in cases of interspecific competition. According to the Volterra-Gause principle, two species may not occupy identical niches. And yet under certain circumstances, such as the case of the Asian-derived sunbirds and the Australian-derived honeyeaters in the Moluccan and New Guinea islands, it appears as if these species were in competition, not complete, in the absolute sense, but to a degree where the presence of one appears to affect the other. One evidence of this is the fact that on small islands throughout the area one species or the other may occur but not both. Thus in such confined situations where the total available biotope is highly compressed, competition has gone in favor of Nectarinia, the sunbirds, or Myzomela, the honeyeaters (see Figure 1). On larger islands such as on Batjan in the Moluccas where I made my study,1 small habitat preferences in addition to behavioral differences may then allow these species to co-occur. In this connection additional observations may be of interest. Both on Batjan and on Halmahera Island I observed an Asian-derived species, a moderate-sized, oliveyellow-colored bulbul, Hypsipetes affinis. This bulbul, which seems closely allied to species found in Sanghir and the southern Philippine Islands to the northwest, was found by us in small parties in a variety of habitats varying from cut-over scrub and garden patches to heavy evergreen forest, ranging from sea level up to at least 3,300 meters. In our experience the species showed no special habitat preference, being found indiscriminately on the edges of human habitation or in undisturbed forest. Birds in breeding condition tended to be in pairs and presumably held territories, although I was unable to determine the size or composition of these. Out of the breeding season, groups or small flocks, perhaps family parties, numbering up to eight individuals or more. were found in the forest, occasionally attracting other species such as
TL;DR: Thirty-nine of the House Sparrows were banded with colored bands, and four others lhad natural marks that allowed the identification of 53 individuals that showed that the individuals using the feeding station were from several flocks, although larger groups were seen occasionally.
Abstract: station. The weather data were taken from the records of the St. Paul weatlher station. Forty-nine of the House Sparrows were banded with colored bands, and four others lhad natural marks that allowed the identification of 53 individuals. These marked birds showed that the individuals using the feeding station were from several flocks. These flocks were usually composed of from 5 to 15 birds, although larger groups were seen occasionally. The birds apparently traveled considerable distances, as one individual appearing at the feeding station frequently was also observed feeding at a riding stable about 0.9 miles away. So far as was possible, the number of House Sparrows on the feeding station was recorded at 15-minute intervals throughout the day. The first observation of the day was usually made about a half hour before sunrise and the last about a half hour after sunset. Some 3,328 counts
TL;DR: The California quail, Lophortyx californicus, occurs widely in grasslands, brushlands, and woodlands from southern Oregon to southern Baja California, but it does not occupy high mountains or extreme desert areas.
Abstract: THE California Quail, Lophortyx californicus, occurs widely in grasslands, brushlands, and woodlands from southern Oregon to southern Baja California, but it does not occupy high mountains or extreme desert areas. It is often found in marginal desert regions where water is frequently mineralized, on several offshore islands, and in areas adjacent to the sea. Therefore, the possibility exists that it may use saline waters for drinking. Consequently, quantitative information concerning the water requirements of the quail and its ability to obtain water from highly saline sources should allow a more precise understanding of the ways in which this highly successful species has been able to occupy areas of seasonal drought and high summer temperatures. Although extensive quantitative data are lacking, it is known that neither the California Quail (Sumner, 1935) nor the Gambel Quail, Lophortyx gambelii (Gullion, 1960), requires drinking water for survival or breeding as long as succulent vegetation is available.
TL;DR: The Bufflehead is more suitable than most other ducks for a study of nest-site tenacity and homing tendencies, and its nests in cavities made by Flickers are easily found, at least in favored breeding areas in British Columbia and Alberta.
Abstract: BANDING data for the Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) have not previously been summarized. In this paper, nest-site tenacity and homing tendencies are discussed on the basis of evidence from banding, and some of the shortcomings of Bufflehead banding are pointed out. Many generalizations for that species may have some application to other ducks. The Bufflehead is more suitable than most other ducks for a study of nest-site tenacity. Its nests in cavities made by Flickers (Colaptes) are easily found, at least in favored breeding areas in British Columbia and Alberta. Previously, such studies (e.g., Sowls, 1955) have used ground-nesting species, but tree nests have the major advantage in that they are fixed in location and may be revisited in subsequent years without need for further search. Other ducks that nest in trees require larger cavities, which, except when nest boxes are used, are much less easy to locate. The Bufflehead is relatively long-lived, so that individual birds may be recaptured in several successive years.
TL;DR: The present study is concerned with the basic negative response (crouching) in nestlings of the Common Grackle (Quiscalus versicolor), and special attention was given to the schedule of maturation of the crouching pattern and of visual competence.
Abstract: THE tendency for birds to responid consistently to specific "sign stimuli," and their ability to discriminate between these stimuli and the many other potential stimulus objects of their environment, has given rise to a theory that certain objects are "recognized" innately, i.e., responded to in a specific manner without the intervention of learning processes. Such a theory can be tested only by patiently examining and experimentally analyzing the environmental conditions in which individual birds develop during the periods of sensory maturation. The present study is concerned with the basic negative response (crouching) in nestlings of the Common Grackle (Quiscalus versicolor). Special attention was given to the schedule of maturation of the crouching pattern and of visual competence. Experiments were conducted with various naturalistic stimulus objects to explore the role of individual experience in the development of stereotyped, visual discrimnination patterns.
TL;DR: The discovery of a pair of "woodpecker-sized" mandibular mucous glands in the gray jays reopens the question of their feeding habits and whether this structure is a special adaptation in thegray jays for life in the northern coniferous forests.
Abstract: UNIQUE morphologic specialization in a single species or genus provides one of the best approaches into the entire subject of adaptation and the evolution of new groups. Further, if the animal possessing the unique specialization lives in an unusual or strenuous habitat, then the action of the evolutionary processes is frequently easier to understand. The gray jays of the genus Perisoreus form an excellent basis for the discussion of some of these problems as they are permanent residents in the far northern coniferous forests-one of the most strenuous habitats available to passerine birds. Gray jays must possess adaptations to the cold of winter and the ability to utilize the limited food supply available during the winter. The question of protection against the cold shall not be considered as I wish to concentrate on the problem of food gathering. This latter problem has been overlooked by ornithologists because the gray jays, like most other permanent residents in the northern forests, were not known to have any marked feeding adaptations. But the discovery of a pair of "woodpecker-sized" mandibular mucous glands in the gray jays reopens the question of their feeding habits. Mucous glands as large as those found in the woodpeckers are, to the best of my knowledge, not known in any other passerine bird. This leads to the question of whether this structure is a special adaptation in the gray jays for life in the northern coniferous forests. These questions cannot be answered directly because of a lack of information on the function and biological role of the glands, but I shall speculate on them because of their bearing on the general topic of adaptation of birds to the northern forests as well as their importance to the evolution of the gray jays.
TL;DR: Support for the closeness of this relationship is provided by a hybrid between Zonotrichia leucophrys pugetensis and Melospiza melodia morphna that I collected on 26 June 1959 on the west side of San Juan Island, Washington.
Abstract: THE fringillid genera Junco, Zonotrichia, Passerella, and Melospiza form a closely related group. This relationship is indicated by the lack of distinctive morphological characters, and in part by the abundance of hybrids between Junco hyemalis and Zonotrichia albicollis (Townsend, 1883; Stone, 1893; Snyder, 1954; Warburton, 1959; and the Hamiltons, 1957). Additional records of hybrids between these two species include an adult male, taken 14 October 1959 at the Kalbfleisch Field Station of the American Museum of Natural History by Wesley E. Lanyon, and a bird (identified by Drs. Alexander Wetmore and John Aldrich) banded and released at Fairfax, Virginia, by Mrs. M. Brantley Peacock on 18 April 1960. Mrs. Brantley kindly furnished a detailed description of the bird she banded, which appears to have been a bird of the year. Further support for the closeness of this relationship is provided by a hybrid between Zonotrichia leucophrys pugetensis and Melospiza melodia morphna that I collected on 26 June 1959 on the west side of San Juan Island, Washington. The specimen, a juvenile male (University of Minnesota Museum of Natural History 15515), was collected from what appeared to be a family group of young birds. It is in slightly worn, but full juvenile plumage. A juvenile Zonotrichia leucophrys was collected the same day. These two specimens were not compared with other juvenile sparrows until I returned to Minneapolis, when the atypical appearance of what I had assumed to be a slightly odd Song Sparrow was realized. The specimen, along with juveniles of the other two species, was sent to Thomas D. Burleigh, who wrote that he considered the specimen to be a wellmarked hybrid, and to Alden H. Miller, who wrote "I believe we must acknowledge that it is a hybrid . . . even though there are some unexplained features about it."
TL;DR: The study area, approximately six hectares (15 acres), was prairie grassland, surrounding a large dam, and shrubby vegetation in this area included snowberry (Symphoricarpos), rosebush (Rosa), sage (Artemisia), and willows (Salix).
Abstract: The study area, approximately six hectares (15 acres), was prairie grassland, surrounding a large dam. A shelterbelt of Box Elder (Acer negundo), approximately six meters in height, surrounded the study area. In addition to prairie grasses, shrubby vegetation in this area included snowberry (Symphoricarpos), rosebush (Rosa), sage (Artemisia), and willows (Salix). The study began on 16 May 1959 and continued until 28 June 1959. A total of 80 hours was spent in observation, usually from 0630 to 0900 M.S.T. daily and about 10 hours per day on week ends.
TL;DR: Three species of Cotingidae of differenit genera were briefly studied: the White Bellbird (Procnias alba), the Greenheart Bird (Lipaugus cineraceuts), and the Calf or Capuchin Bird (Perissocephalus tricolor).
Abstract: DURING a three-week visit to British Guiana in March 1960, three species of Cotingidae of differenit genera were briefly studied: the White Bellbird (Procnias alba), the Greenheart Bird (Lipaugus cineraceuts), and the Calf or Capuchin Bird (Perissocephalus tricolor). There has been little published on the behavior of these species. For British Guiana, Chubb (1921) draws on the works of Schomburgk (1848), Quelch (1890), Beebe (1910), and Brown (1876), and gives a description of some of the calls and the habitats. The Cotingidae are a family so diverse in appearance and size, that any similarities in their habits and social organization are of interest. Some similarities were found, although more problems were discovered thani solved. But, in view of the scant knowledge of the family, unsolved problems seem worth recounting. It will be helpful occasionally to compare the belhavior of the Cotingidae studied in British Guiana with that of the Bearded Bellbirdl (Procnias averanio) at present being studied in Trinidad (B. Snow, unpublished). Th-is species is higlhly sexually dimorphic, with the female cryptically colored. TIhe male, a spectacular mainly black ancl white bird, devotes all his time to calling from a territory in the forest in which he also feeds. The call is very louid and far reaching and advertises his presenice to the female and possible rivals. When the female is ready to mate, she visits the male in his calling territory. Copulation takes place on a special branch after a preliminary ritualized display by the male. There is no other contact between the sexes, the female undertaking all nesting activities by herself, usually at some distance from the males' calling territories. The adult males appear to b)e slightly sociable anid prefer a calling territory withiin earshot of another male. The immature males are more sociable, and two or three will call within 16 imieters of each otlher.
TL;DR: The several species of small American columbids generally termed ground doves comprise a relatively homogeneous assemblage, whereas Salvadori (for his time), Peters, and Goodwin emphasized similarities among the species and consequently recognized few genera.
Abstract: THE several species of small American columbids generally termed ground doves comprise a relatively homogeneous assemblage. Nevertheless, the species have received varying treatment generically. Salvadori (1893) recognized eight genera and 17 species, Peters (1937) seven genera and 17 species, Hellmayr and Conover (1942) 10 genera and 16 species, and Goodwin (1959) five genera and 17 species. Hellmayr and Conover emphasized differences among the species and consequently recognized many genera, whereas Salvadori (for his time), Peters, and Goodwin emphasized similarities among the species and consequently recognized few genera.
TL;DR: Investigations involved the collection of several specimens in Mexico, and the study of 354 museum skins, most of them on loan to the California Academy of Sciences.
Abstract: G•,•cE's Warbler (Dendroica graciae) is one of the least known of North American parulids. The behavior, ecology, and nest, so far as known, were described by Bent (1953). The races were briefly reviewed by Griscom (1935), including a description of a new race, remote, from Nicaragua. Brodkorb (1940) described a new race, ornata, from Chiapas. Phillips and Webster (1961) have recently described an additional race from Nayarit. My own investigations involved the collection of several specimens in Mexico, including 20 in fresh plumage in August and September of 1959, and the study of 354 museum skins, most of them on loan to the California Academy of Sciences. I want to thank Dr. Robert T. Orr for his help throughout this study. Drs. Alden H. Miller at the University of California and Robert H. Storer at the University of Michigan were courteously hospitable in the museums they curate. The following museums generously loaned me their Grace's Warblers: American Museum of Natural History, British Museum (Natural History), University of California Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, Dickey Collection of the University of California at Los Angeles, Carnegie Museum, Chicago Natural History Museum, Museum of Comparative Zoology of Harvard College, Instituto de Biologia of the Universidad Nacional Aut6noma de Mdxico, Louisiana State University Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology, Minnesota Museum of Natural History, Texas A. and M. University, and the United States National Museum. Allan R. Phillips and Lewis D. Yaeger loaned me all the Grace's Warblers from their personal collections. Financial support was received from the National Science Foundation, Grant G8703.