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--001a113555c833fb8a05183e3349 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable All, Firstly, thank you to many people both on and off this list for the donations of bird specimens to the St. Francis Xavier collection over the years. The collection continues to grow and my goal is to have an amalgam of birds which truly represents the province=E2=80=99s bird diversity. I wa= nt to point out that no bird was killed *for* the collection. Hunters have killed ducks for their tables, and I have acquired the skulls from some of these birds. Most birds though are acquired after being killed by cats, cars or windows. Specifically, and I hope I'm not forgetting anyone here, the following people have contributed a disproportionate amount to the collection: Ken McKenna, Helene van Doninck, Tom Kavanaugh, Stephen Bushell, Fritz McEvoy. If you suspect you can help fill out the collection, please contact me at rlauff@stfx.ca. I am NOT requesting that anyone kill a bird simply to help out. I was looking over the inventory of specimens recently and two things jumped out at me. The first is that I=E2=80=99ve got over 140 species of bird represented (ab= out 180 breed in the province), of which all but a few are native species acquired here; this is up from the last time I sent this message to the list (June 2012) when I didn't yet have 130 species. The peacock and parrot were both pets and are examples of some of the few which are not wild birds. Of those 140+, most are breeders, but some, like the Iceland Gull and Common Redpoll are wintering birds only. There is a bias towards feeder birds (Purple Finch is the #1 window kill) and charismatic birds (members of the general public are more likely to pick up a road-injured hawk than a similarly injured gull). The bottom line is that there are many species still not represented here. A list appears at the bottom of this email. The second thing that jumped out at me relates to the charismatic birds=E2=80=A6there=E2=80=99s an irony in the StFX collection that is refle= cted in uncommon species being represented, but common ones still, after 20 years collecting, are still not. Some donations of these species were too damaged to incorporate into the collection. I have no Canada Goose, wigeon, or Gadwall. I have no scaup, goldeneye or Bufflehead. Hunters =E2=80=93 help! The heads are worth sending me (unless= that=E2=80=99s where the pellets went). I have Sora, coot, moorhen, gallinule...but no Virginia Rail. I have plenty of Yellow-billed Cuckoos, but am missing our breeding Black-billed. I have Blue Grosbeak, but no Eastern Bluebird. I have no Red-winged Blackbird, but I do have a Rusty. In addition to those ironic misses, here are some other vacancies in the collection: I have no PB or Horned Grebe; the only Red-neck I have is headless. I have no shearwater or Wilson's Storm-Petrel. I have almost all the routinely occurring raptors. I could use a Cooper's Hawk, Rough-legged Hawk and Gyrfalcon. I have almost no shorebirds (including phalaropes) (exceptions: one or two each of Killdeer semipal plover, semipal sandpiper; several snipe, spotties and woodcock, and one Greater Yellowlegs). I essentially have no vagrant herons except for Cattle and Great Egrets (thanks to my every watchful buddies in Canso!). No terns or small gulls at all. Moderate on the alcids, but missing Common Murre, Razorbill, Great Auk (just seeing if you're paying attention). Owls - I'm good. People tend to turn these (and other raptors) in to DNR or one of the rehab facilities. I don't have Yellow-bellied Sapsucker or Black-backed Woodpeckers. I have no tanagers. Only Yellow-rumped, Ovenbird and Common Yellowthroat are represented by more then one specimen for warblers. Most of the rest are not represented. No wrens or GC Kinglet. I have one swallow - Cliff. The recently acquired Barn Swallow is not in my inventory yet, but it's in the beetle tank now and should be soon. Flycatchers are almost non-existent in the collection (I have one each of Yellow-bellied, Scissor-tailed and Alder). I have several of the sparrows which routinely show up at feeders, but no Swamp, Sharp-tailed, etc. No Snow Bunting, Tree or Chipping. I have a Towhee in the Freezer. Birds still in the freezer do not appear in my inventory, so if you=E2=80= =99ve donated something I=E2=80=99ve listed as missing, rest assured it is likely= still there. Please do let me know if you find something that may be of interest. I can be reached at rlauff@stfx.ca. Thank you! Randy _________________________________ RF Lauff Way in the boonies of Antigonish County, NS. --001a113555c833fb8a05183e3349 Content-Type: text/html; charset=UTF-8 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable <div dir=3D"ltr"><p style=3D"margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:0= in;text-indent:0in;direction:ltr"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family= :Arial;color:black;vertical-align:baseline">All,</span></p> <p style=3D"margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:0in;text-indent:0i= n;direction:ltr"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial;color:blac= k;vertical-align:baseline">=C2=A0</span></p> <p style=3D"margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:0in;text-indent:0i= n;direction:ltr"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial;color:blac= k;vertical-align:baseline">Firstly, thank you to many people both on and off this list for the donations of bir= d specimens to the St. Francis Xavier collection over the years. The collecti= on continues to grow and my goal is to have an amalgam of birds which truly represents the province=E2=80=99s bird diversity. I want to point out that = no bird was killed *for* the collection. Hunters have killed ducks for their tables, an= d I have acquired the skulls from some of these birds. Most birds though are acquired after being killed by cats, cars or windows. Specifically, and I h= ope I'm not forgetting anyone here, the following people have contribut= ed a disproportionate amount to the collection: Ken McKenna, Helene van Don= inck, Tom Kavanaugh, Stephen Bushell, Fritz McEvoy.</span></p> <p style=3D"margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:0in;text-indent:0i= n;direction:ltr"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial;color:blac= k;vertical-align:baseline">=C2=A0</span></p> <p style=3D"margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:0in;text-indent:0i= n;direction:ltr"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial;color:blac= k;vertical-align:baseline">If you suspect you can help fill out the collection, please contact me at rlauff@stfx.ca. I am NOT requesting t= hat anyone kill a bird simply to help out. </span></p> <p style=3D"margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:0in;text-indent:0i= n;direction:ltr"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial;color:blac= k;vertical-align:baseline">=C2=A0</span></p> <p style=3D"margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:0in;text-indent:0i= n;direction:ltr"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial;color:blac= k;vertical-align:baseline">I was looking over the inventory of specimens recently and two things jumped out = at me.</span></p> <p style=3D"margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:0in;text-indent:0i= n;direction:ltr"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial;color:blac= k;vertical-align:baseline">=C2=A0</span></p> <p style=3D"margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:0in;text-indent:0i= n;direction:ltr"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial;color:blac= k;vertical-align:baseline">The first is that I=E2=80=99ve got over 140 species of bird represented (about = 180 breed in the province), of which all but a few are native species acquired here; = this is up from the last time I sent this message to the list (June 2012) w= hen I didn't yet have 130 species. The peacock and parrot were both pets and are examples of some of the few which= are not wild birds. Of those 140+, most are breeders, but some, like the Icelan= d Gull and Common Redpoll are wintering birds only. There is a bias towards feeder birds (Purple Finch is the #1 window kill) and charismatic birds (members of the general public are more likely to pick up a road-injured ha= wk than a similarly injured gull). The bottom line is that there are many spec= ies still not represented here. A list appears at the bottom of this email.</sp= an></p> <p style=3D"margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:0in;text-indent:0i= n;direction:ltr"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial;color:blac= k;vertical-align:baseline">=C2=A0</span></p> <p style=3D"margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:0in;text-indent:0i= n;direction:ltr"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial;color:blac= k;vertical-align:baseline">The second thing that jumped out at me relates to the charismatic birds=E2=80= =A6there=E2=80=99s an irony in the StFX collection that is reflected in uncommon species being represented, but common ones still, after 20 years collecting, are still no= t. Some donations of these species were too damaged to incorporate into the co= llection.</span><span style=3D"color:black;font-family:Arial;font-size:12pt= ;text-indent:0in">=C2=A0</span></p> <p style=3D"margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:0in;text-indent:0i= n;direction:ltr"><span style=3D"color:black;font-family:Arial;font-size:12p= t;text-indent:0in"><br></span></p><p style=3D"margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:= 0pt;margin-left:0in;text-indent:0in;direction:ltr"><span style=3D"color:bla= ck;font-family:Arial;font-size:12pt;text-indent:0in">I have no Canada Goose, wigeon, or Gadwall. I have no scaup, goldeneye or Bufflehead. </span><span style=3D"color:black;font-family:Aria= l;font-size:12pt;text-indent:0in">=C2=A0</span><span style=3D"color:black;f= ont-family:Arial;font-size:12pt;text-indent:0in">Hunters =E2=80=93 help! Th= e heads are worth sending me (unless that=E2=80=99s where the pellets went).</span><br></p> <p style=3D"margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:0in;text-indent:0i= n;direction:ltr"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial;color:blac= k;vertical-align:baseline">=C2=A0</span></p> <p style=3D"margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:0in;text-indent:0i= n;direction:ltr"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial;color:blac= k;vertical-align:baseline">I have Sora, coot, moorhen, gallinule...but no Virginia Rail.</span></p> <p style=3D"margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:0in;text-indent:0i= n;direction:ltr"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial;color:blac= k;vertical-align:baseline">=C2=A0</span></p> <p style=3D"margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:0in;text-indent:0i= n;direction:ltr"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial;color:blac= k;vertical-align:baseline">I have plenty of Yellow-billed Cuckoos, but am missing our breeding Black-bil= led.</span></p> <p style=3D"margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:0in;text-indent:0i= n;direction:ltr"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial;color:blac= k;vertical-align:baseline">=C2=A0</span></p> <p style=3D"margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:0in;text-indent:0i= n;direction:ltr"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial;color:blac= k;vertical-align:baseline">I have Blue Grosbeak, but no Eastern Bluebird.</span></p> <p style=3D"margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:0in;text-indent:0i= n;direction:ltr"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial;color:blac= k;vertical-align:baseline">=C2=A0</span></p> <p style=3D"margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:0in;text-indent:0i= n;direction:ltr"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial;color:blac= k;vertical-align:baseline">I have no Red-winged Blackbird, but I do have a Rusty.</span></p><p style=3D"= margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:0in;text-indent:0in;direction:= ltr"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial;color:black;vertical-a= lign:baseline"><br></span></p> <p style=3D"margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:0in;text-indent:0i= n;direction:ltr"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial;color:blac= k;vertical-align:baseline">=C2=A0</span></p> <p style=3D"margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:0in;text-indent:0i= n;direction:ltr"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial;color:blac= k;vertical-align:baseline">In addition to those ironic misses, here are some other vacancies in the collection:</span></p> <p style=3D"margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:0in;text-indent:0i= n;direction:ltr"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial;color:blac= k;vertical-align:baseline">=C2=A0</span></p> <p style=3D"margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:0in;text-indent:0i= n;direction:ltr"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial;color:blac= k;vertical-align:baseline">I have no PB or Horned Grebe; the only Red-neck I have is headless. I have no= shearwater or Wilson's Storm-Petrel.</span></p> <p style=3D"margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:0in;text-indent:0i= n;direction:ltr"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial;color:blac= k;vertical-align:baseline">=C2=A0</span></p> <p style=3D"margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:0in;text-indent:0i= n;direction:ltr"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial;color:blac= k;vertical-align:baseline">I have almost all the routinely occurring raptors. I could use a Cooper's= Hawk, Rough-legged Hawk and Gyrfalcon.</span></p> <p style=3D"margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:0in;text-indent:0i= n;direction:ltr"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial;color:blac= k;vertical-align:baseline">=C2=A0</span></p> <p style=3D"margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:0in;text-indent:0i= n;direction:ltr"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial;color:blac= k;vertical-align:baseline">I have almost no shorebirds (including phalaropes) (exceptions: one or two ea= ch of Killdeer semipal plover, semipal sandpiper; several snipe, spotties a= nd woodcock, and one Greater Yellowlegs). I essentially have no vagrant her= ons except for Cattle and Great Egrets (thanks to my every watchful buddies= in Canso!).=C2=A0</span></p> <p style=3D"margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:0in;text-indent:0i= n;direction:ltr"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial;color:blac= k;vertical-align:baseline">=C2=A0</span></p> <p style=3D"margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:0in;text-indent:0i= n;direction:ltr"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial;color:blac= k;vertical-align:baseline">No terns or small gulls at all.</span></p> <p style=3D"margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:0in;text-indent:0i= n;direction:ltr"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial;color:blac= k;vertical-align:baseline">=C2=A0</span></p> <p style=3D"margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:0in;text-indent:0i= n;direction:ltr"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial;color:blac= k;vertical-align:baseline">Moderate on the alcids, but missing Common Murre, Razorbill, Great Auk (just seeing = if you're paying attention).</span></p> <p style=3D"margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:0in;text-indent:0i= n;direction:ltr"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial;color:blac= k;vertical-align:baseline">=C2=A0</span></p> <p style=3D"margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:0in;text-indent:0i= n;direction:ltr"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial;color:blac= k;vertical-align:baseline">Owls - I'm good. People tend to turn these (and other raptors) in to DNR or = one of the rehab facilities.</span></p> <p style=3D"margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:0in;text-indent:0i= n;direction:ltr"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial;color:blac= k;vertical-align:baseline">=C2=A0</span></p> <p style=3D"margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:0in;text-indent:0i= n;direction:ltr"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial;color:blac= k;vertical-align:baseline">I don't have Yellow-bellied Sapsucker or Black-backed Woodpeckers.</span>= </p> <p style=3D"margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:0in;text-indent:0i= n;direction:ltr"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial;color:blac= k;vertical-align:baseline">=C2=A0</span></p> <p style=3D"margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:0in;text-indent:0i= n;direction:ltr"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial;color:blac= k;vertical-align:baseline">I have no tanagers.</span></p> <p style=3D"margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:0in;text-indent:0i= n;direction:ltr"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial;color:blac= k;vertical-align:baseline">=C2=A0</span></p> <p style=3D"margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:0in;text-indent:0i= n;direction:ltr"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial;color:blac= k;vertical-align:baseline">Only Yellow-rumped, Ovenbird and Common Yellowthroat are represented by more the= n one specimen for warblers. Most of the rest are not represented.</span></p> <p style=3D"margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:0in;text-indent:0i= n;direction:ltr"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial;color:blac= k;vertical-align:baseline">=C2=A0</span></p> <p style=3D"margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:0in;text-indent:0i= n;direction:ltr"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial;color:blac= k;vertical-align:baseline">No wrens or GC Kinglet.</span></p> <p style=3D"margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:0in;text-indent:0i= n;direction:ltr"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial;color:blac= k;vertical-align:baseline">=C2=A0</span></p> <p style=3D"margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:0in;text-indent:0i= n;direction:ltr"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial;color:blac= k;vertical-align:baseline">I have one swallow - Cliff. The recently acquired Barn Swallow is not in my i= nventory yet, but it's in the beetle tank now and should be soon.</span= ></p> <p style=3D"margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:0in;text-indent:0i= n;direction:ltr"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial;color:blac= k;vertical-align:baseline">=C2=A0</span></p> <p style=3D"margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:0in;text-indent:0i= n;direction:ltr"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial;color:blac= k;vertical-align:baseline">Flycatchers are almost non-existent in the collection (I have one each of Yellow-bellie= d, Scissor-tailed and Alder).</span></p> <p style=3D"margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:0in;text-indent:0i= n;direction:ltr"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial;color:blac= k;vertical-align:baseline">=C2=A0</span></p> <p style=3D"margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:0in;text-indent:0i= n;direction:ltr"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial;color:blac= k;vertical-align:baseline">I have several of the sparrows which routinely show up at feeders, but no Swa= mp, Sharp-tailed, etc. No Snow Bunting, Tree or Chipping. I have a Towhee in the Freezer.</sp= an></p> <p style=3D"margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:0in;text-indent:0i= n;direction:ltr"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial;color:blac= k;vertical-align:baseline">=C2=A0</span></p> <p style=3D"margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:0in;text-indent:0i= n;direction:ltr"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial;color:blac= k;vertical-align:baseline">Birds still in the freezer do not appear in my inventory, so if you=E2=80=99ve do= nated something I=E2=80=99ve listed as missing, rest assured it is likely still t= here. Please do let me know if you find something that may be of interest. I can be reac= hed at rlauff@stfx.ca.</span></p> <p style=3D"margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:0in;text-indent:0i= n;direction:ltr"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial;color:blac= k;vertical-align:baseline">=C2=A0</span></p> <p style=3D"margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:0in;text-indent:0i= n;direction:ltr"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial;color:blac= k;vertical-align:baseline">Thank you!</span></p> <p style=3D"margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:0in;text-indent:0i= n;direction:ltr"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial;color:blac= k;vertical-align:baseline">Randy</span></p> <p style=3D"margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:0in;text-indent:0i= n;direction:ltr"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial;color:blac= k;vertical-align:baseline">_________________________________</span></p> <p style=3D"margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:0in;text-indent:0i= n;direction:ltr"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial;color:blac= k;vertical-align:baseline">RF Lauff</span></p> <p style=3D"margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:0in;text-indent:0i= n;direction:ltr"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial;color:blac= k;vertical-align:baseline">Way in the boonies of</span></p> <span style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial;color:black;vertical-align:= baseline">Antigonish County, NS.</span><br clear=3D"all"><div><div class=3D"gmail_signature"><br= ><br></div></div> </div> --001a113555c833fb8a05183e3349--
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Index of Subjects