rcb33483@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Kehaar) (04/09/90)
Netbirders: To all fans of the Sill's original field guide, here are some highlights from their new "Another Field Guide to Little-Known and Seldom-Seen birds of North America." See if *you* can be lucky enough to add one of these birds to your life-list this spring count! "ROLLING ATROCIOUS CARRION EATER [RACE] *Tumblus ingestus mortis on the via* Field Marks: resembles a grey, feathered tumbleweed, with a bare red face on one end, and bare claws on the other. Field Guide illistrations include birds, illistration of locomotion, and a flock feeding. for others, see description. Description: "The RACE is the only known flightless vulture. This bird's protective coloration causes it to appear remarkably like a puff of diesel exhaust. Since the RACE nests in culverts, there is frequent nest destruction during wet weather. Due to the valuable service this bird preforms on our highways, ODOR (Office of Development of Overland Roadways) is prominent in trying to protect this species by initiating a captive breeding program. In addition, to ensure a consistently high standard of food procurement for the RACE, STENCH (Society to Evaluate Novice Carrion Handlers) was formed. Although applicants are few, this subdisipline of ornithology is ripe with opportunity. Observation Hint: Look for RACE tracks. Specialized Equipment: Road Maps supplied by ROT (Regional Office of Transportation)." (Sills, p18-19). Ornithological Notes: Competes heavily with other vultures. Primarily found in desert, but some in temperate regions. Non-migratory. Caution: it is easy to mistake these birds for tumbleweed, observe with caution. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FIXED-WING FALCON *Falco rigidis* Field Marks: Very similar to Peregrine Falcon. Illistrations include field illistration, powered flight (see description) and egg (see below). Description: "Superficially, this medium sized falcon appears to be a Peregrine, but unless the birds is viewed while perched, identicification is difficult. Through the eons, the wings of this bird have become fused into an outstretched position. As a result, the Fixed-Wing Falcon does not flap and its flight is like that of a toy airplane. It has a great deal of difficulty perching in a stiff breeze. When air currents are insufficient to allow soaring, this bird has been known to rapidly move it's tail up and down to provide forward thrust, although this motion causes some individuals to become airsick. [Due to this 'adaptation', the egg has 2 large wing- shaped proturbances which effectively double it's width]. Observation Aid: Nesting sites can be most easily located when the female is laying the eggs since she periodically utters a call of O-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-w!!!!" (the Sills, pp20-21). Ornithological Notes: Due to it's odd way of life described above, this bird has perhaps the strongest tail and bowel muscles in the avain kingdom. Because of the odd egg-shape, reproduc- tive rates are low. However, extreme caution should be used since the female will defend the eggs to the death. Ornitologists report being knocked down by this bird,which hits first with talons, then with its tail. Ornithologists also report that the latter does most of damage. Prey is mostly reptiles, with some rodents and a very occasional (sick) bird. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SCREAMER TIT *Magnus decibelii* Field Marks: Almost an identical twin to the Black-Capped Chickadee. Identi- fication is entirely by voice. Field Guide illistrations include a perched bird, a singing bird, and a hatching egg. Max song volume: 400 Decibles. See description. Description: The Screamer Tit is the only bird known to use it's call both as a defense mechanism and for securing it's food. Researchers tell of hawks with shattered beaks, and many pairs of binoculars have been damaged by being within earshot of this species. Since Screamer Tits form large flocks, most adult birds are stone deaf. The Screamer Tit uses vocoloblastosis to stun caterpillars which are then [swallowed whole] (see Ornithological Notes). To protect the eggs from breaking, the bird does not sing during the incubation period. Nests are best located by listening for the song of the embryo (up to 65 Db). At the time of hatching, the embryo increases it's volume. Observation Aid: Caution! Misguided birders sometimes show up at rock concerts thinking they have discovered a flock of Screamer Tits. (The Sills, pp40-41). Orithological Notes: This bird has a mouth and gape as proportionately wide as a Chuck-Will's-Widow, and has been known to perform feats of gluttony. Strong earplugs are a must when working in Screamer Tit territory during it's breeding season. This bird can be a serious pest when gathering, for it drowns out all the other birds, and sometimes deafens them unintentionally. Although alot of strange reports have surrounded this bird, perhaps the strangest was the report of the heron that swallowed a Screamer Tit whole and alive. Subsquently the heron looked extremely uncomfortable, and quickly regurgitated the still-living Screamer Tit. Although it's internal wounds healed quickly, this heron never went near another Screamer Tit, and no other reports of herons eating Screamer Tits have been filed. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- REAR-TAILED EVADER *Mostus Absentus* Field Marks: See description. Description: "Although elusive, this is one of the most commonly seen birds in North America. Anyone who is serios about birding will have encountered this species, even if a positive identification was not possible. Often called an "Itjustflew" by birders, it is best identified quickly and without requiring too much burdensome information such as field marks. Quite Often, more is known about the tree it was perched in than about the bird itself. Song is a fading series of notes, seldom heard in it's entirety. A field guide is not needed. Observation Aid: When you think you have seen an Evader, be confident, and sing out to your companions, "I just saw a Rear-Tailed Evader." DO NOT ALLOW ANY DOUBT TO CREEP INTO YOUR VOICE!" (The Sills, p44). Ornithological Notes: None. This bird has so far evaded any study. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DOUBLE-CRESTED IMPULSE LAYER *Albuminus ejectus* Field Marks: A small, sprightly little gnatcatcher-like bird, with a blue crown and back, rusty sides and belly, white undertail coverts, and black eyebrow, wings, and tail. Has horned-lark-like black "crest". About Carolina-Wren sized. Cocks and wags it's tail frequently. Description: This little bird of mature forests is fidgety and constantly in motion. For years it was thought that low reproductive rates occured because of faulty nest construction. However, recent studies indicate clearly that this is not the case. The highly sensitive female of this species reacts to environmental stresses by laying her eggs rapidly and anywhere. Scientists have begun to refer to this behavior as the egg drop syndrome. Caution: avoid making loud noises when walking beneath tall trees. Observation Aid: Listen for soft splat, splat sounds. If this doesn't work, examine the branches for hanging yolks. Specialized equipment: Slicker with a hood. (The Sills, pp42-43). Ornithological Notes: This bird is so loose-boweled that it sometimes lays it's eggs while defecating. This bird is on the Blue List, and a captive breeding program has been instituted with a padded cage. Despite it's casual egg-laying habits, this bird is a faithful incubater, and mates for life, unlike most songbirds. Female may produce 20 eggs in a season. How the bird can produce so many eggs is still under study. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other unique birds to keep an eye our for include the Duffer Shank, the Dowry Duck, the Silhouette Warbler, the Dredger, and many others. This is a highly recommended book. Disclamer: The Field Marks, the Ornithological Notes, and anything in [] was original material by me. Anything else is Copyright 1990 by Ben, Cathryn, and John Sill, all rights reserved. Published by Peachtree Publishers, Atlanta, Georgia. Some material from the book may be paraphrased or eliminated. Both this artricle and the book is dedicated "to the One who has given us real birds that bring us so much joy." (The Sills, 1990). -- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- R. Cody Buchmann ^.^ "Kehaar" "He tell *me* the plan...I *know* the email: rcb33483@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu plan!" -Watership Down. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------