Bessie Welder Wildlife Foundation Research Articles

Nestling Diets and Provisioning Rates of Sympatric Golden-fronted and Ladder-backed Woodpeckers

We examined comparative food use and provisioning of Golden-fronted (Melanerpes auri- frons) and Ladder-backed (Picoides scalaris) wood- peckers at the Rob and Bessie Welder Wildlife Foundation Refuge, in San Patricio County, Texas. We combined video surveillance and direct observa- tions to monitor provisioning rates and identify items delivered by adult woodpeckers to nestlings. We collected 328 hours of data at Ladder-backed Wood- pecker nest cavities and 230 hours of data at Golden- fronted Woodpecker nest cavities. Ladder-backed Woodpecker nestling diets consisted of 100% animal matter, comprised of invertebrate larvae (99%) and invertebrate adults (,1%). Diets of Golden-fronted Woodpecker nestlings were also high in animal matter (77%) with more invertebrate adults (55%) and fewer invertebrate larvae (27%), but also included vegetable matter (16%). Morisita's measure of overlap suggested a relatively low dietary overlap of 31% between ne- stlings of these two sympatric woodpecker species. Foraging methods used by these species may explain their low dietary overlap and facilitate their coexistence. Received 8 March 2012. Accepted 2 August 2012.

Impact of baiting on feral swine behavior in the presence of culling activities

We studied the effects of baiting on feral swine (Sus scrofa) movements and corresponding likelihood of disease spread under real and simulated culling pressure. Our objectives were to determine the proportion of feral swine that used the bait station site, and if baiting of feral swine altered areas of utilization, distances from location centroids to treatment location (control or bait station), and movement rates by survivors during culling activities. We hypothesized that the bait station would increase the sedentary nature of feral swine, thus reducing the potential for dispersal and hence disease dispersal. Our experiment was conducted between February and May 2011 on the Rob and Bessie Welder Wildlife Foundation (WWF) in San Patricio County, Texas. We trapped 83 feral swine and placed GPS collars on 21 animals. We established and maintained a centralized bait station on one side of the WWF from 13 March to 27 April. We conducted population-wide culling activities, including trapping, controlled shooting, drive shooting, and aerial gunning, from 3 to 27 April and removed 143 feral swine (4.6feral swine/km2). Areas of utilization did not differ between treatments (control or bait station). However, we found location centroids of bait station site feral swine to be closer to the treatment location than those of control site animals and daily movement rates of bait station site feral swine to be 39% greater than movement rates of control site animals. Based on our observation that only 62% of feral swine trapped in proximity to the bait station used it, we cannot recommend baiting as an alternative to fences for containing animals during culling activities. However, there is value in using bait stations to describe patterns of feral swine movements, facilitate observation, and improve efficacy when conducting removals.

A Networked Telerobotic Observatory for Collaborative Remote Observation of Avian Activity and Range Change

The scientific field study of wildlife often requires vigilant observation of detailed animal behavior over extended periods. In remote and inhospitable locations, observation can be an arduous, expensive, and dangerous experience for field scientists. We are developing a new class of networked teleoperated robotic “observatories„ that allows “citizen scientists„ and professional scientists to remotely observe, record, and index animal activity and behaviors via the internet. This paper describes CONE-Welder, installed at the Rob & Bessie Welder Wildlife Foundation in Texas to gather photographic and quantitative data for a biological study of avian activity and hypothesized range change for selected subtropical bird species. Since the system was deployed on 12 May 2008, over 600 users (“players„) have participated online. Players have requested over 2.2 million camera frames and captured over 29,000 photographs. Within these photos, citizen scientists have classified 74 unique species, including eight avian species previously unknown to have breeding populations within the region. The collected dataset quantifies seasonal presence of birds of particular interest, e.g., the Green Jay (Cyanocorax incas). This paper describes the system architecture, the game interface that provides incentives for player participation, and initial data collected. CONE-Welder is available online at: http://cone.berkeley.edu/

Intraspecific Predation on American Marten

Acknawledgements. The senior author thanks the Rob & Bessie Welder Wildlife Foundation for support making this and other research efforts possible. Both authors extend their thanks for assistance and samples provided by personnel at Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge and for critical comments provided by B. Coblentz, G. Matson, D. Olson, and an anonymous reviewer. Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station technical paper no. 10,843.

Variation in Coyote Diets Associated with Season and Successional Changes in Vegetation

Diets of coyotes (Canis latrans) on the Rob and Bessie Welder Wildlife Refuge (WWR) in south Texas were determined from analyses of scats collected during 1961-62, 1973-74, 1975-76, and 1978-79. Diets varied among years due to successional changes in vegetation and changes in prey abundance. Coyote diets also varied seasonally, reflecting changing abundances of a wide variety of food items, differential vulnerability of prey, effects of plant phenology, and weather conditions. J. WILDL. MANAGE. 5 1(2):273-277 Short-term studies have shown pronounced seasonal variation in coyote diets related to the availability of various foods (Gipson and Sealander 1976, Litvaitis and Shaw 1980, MacCracken and Hansen 1982, Van Vuren and Thompson 1982, Harrison and Harrison 1984). However, reports of coyote diets over long periods of time from the same area (e.g., Leopold and Krausman 1986) are scarce, and we are not aware of studies reporting variations in diets associated with successional changes in vegetation. In this paper we report on coyote diets on the WWR during 1961-62, 1973-74, 1975-76, and 1978-79, comparing feeding patterns among these periods and relating variations in diets to changes in vegetation and vertebrate prey populations. We thank the Rob and Bessie Welder Wildlife Foundation (WWF), Sinton, Texas and the Natl. Sci. Found. for funding this study. This paper is WWF Contrib. 302.

Microbial Infections in a Declining Wild Turkey Population in Texas

A survey was conducted at 5 locations in Texas for avian pathogens that might adversely affect wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) productivity and survival. At 1 site, the Rob and Bessie Welder Wildlife Refuge (WWR), turkeys have declined precipitously in recent years. During the winters of 1983-85, 442 wild turkeys were caught with cannon and drop nets, 161 of these on WWR. Blood samples were drawn for serologic evaluation, and cloacal and tracheal swabs were collected for isolation attempts. Salmonella spp. bacteria, Newcastle disease virus (NDV), and avian influenza virus (AIV) were not detected in any samples tested. Serologic tests for antibodies to NDV and AIV also were negative. Many mycoplasma isolates were recovered from turkeys from every location. Characterization of these isolates indicated that several species were present. None were species typically associated with mycoplasmosis in domestic turkeys, such as Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG), M. meleagridis (MM), or M. synoviae (MS), although antibodies to these pathogens were detected in turkeys at every location sampled. There was no evidence to link any of these disease causing agents to the decline observed in the population of wild turkeys on the WWR. J. WILDL. MANAGE. 51(4):778-782 The wild turkey population at the WWR has declined significantly since the 1960's. Watts (1968) reported that 700 turkeys occupied the 3,120-ha refuge during the winters of 1965-66 and 1966-67, but by 1970, numbers had declined to about 350 (Smith 1977), and in 1972 to 115. No extensive mortality or overt morbidity was recognized. Yet, according to Smith (1977), poult:hen ratios dropped from 1.4:1 in 1965 to 0.1:1 in 1972. Few turkey broods have been observed on the refuge in recent years (Ransom 1984). Disease has been one of the many factors considered as the possible cause of the decline. Several pathogens of domestic turkeys are known to lower egg production and affect poult growth and survival without killing or significantly affecting adult hosts. Such pathogens include Salmonella spp. (Williams 1978), certain strains of NDV and AIV (Hanson 1978), and Mycoplasma spp. (Yoder 1978). Information on the occurrence and effects of these pathogens in wild turkeys is scarce. There have been no previous reports of salmonellosis, NDV, or AIV in freeranging populations. Mycoplasmosis, however, has been observed in wild turkeys in at least 2 instances (Davidson et al. 1982, Jessup et al. 1983), and serologic evidence of infection is increasing. A recent decline of wild turkeys on the Uncompaghre Plateau in Colorado was linked to this disease (Adrian 1985). Experimental infections of MG cause significant morbidity in the Rio Grande subspecies (M. g. intermedia) and result in decreased egg production and fertility in captive-reared wild turkeys (Rocke 1985). This study was conducted to determine the role of selected disease causing agents in the recent population decline in wild turkeys at the WWR. The authors are very grateful to J. G. Teer and the staff at the Rob and Bessie Welder Wildlife Foundation (WWF) for providing support and assistance and to personnel at the Chaparrosa, Campo Alegre, and Welder-McCann ranches for granting permission to trap on their properties. The efforts of all those who helped to trap and sample wild turkeys were greatly appreciated. E. T. Thorne collected and provided the samples from turkeys trapped by Tex. Parks and Wildl. Dep. personnel near Clarendon, Tex. Mycoplasma isolates were characterized with the help of H. W. Yoder, S. H. Kleven, and J. M. Bradbury. Research funds were provided by the WWF, Sinton, Tex., and the Coll. Agric. and Life Sci., Univ. Wisconsin, Madison. This is Contrib. 304 of the WWF.

Condition Parameters of White-Tailed Deer in Texas

Physical condition in 2 herds of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus texanus) was assessed through postmortem analysis of weight, fat, antler, whole blood, and blood serum. One herd was existing at a normal population density and the other was artificially maintained at a high density within a 391-ha predator exclosure. Adult deer within the predator exclosure had lower values for bled carcass weight, eviscerated carcass weight, kidney fat index, femur marrow fat, paired adrenal gland weight, number of antler points, hemoglobin, serum creatinine, iron, albumin, and alkaline phosphatase than those outside the exclosure. Fawns within the exclosure had lower eviscerated carcass weights and higher relative adrenal weights and blood urea nitrogen levels. Body weights, kidney fat, and femur marrow fat were the best indicators of physical condition when postmortem sampling was done. J. WILDL. MANAGE. 47(3):583-594 Previous studies of white-tailed deer on the 3,157-ha Rob and Bessie Welder Wildlife Foundation Refuge in south Texas documented high mortality rates among newborn fawns, primarily because of coyote (Canis latrans) predation (Knowlton 1964, White 1966, Cook et al. 1971). An intensive predator control program, initiated in 1973 within a fenced 391-ha study area, was successful in increasing fawn survival. As a result, deer population density increased. Counts by helicopter in January 1975 yielded density estimates of 81 deer/km2 inside the predator exclosure, but only 40 deer/km2 on surrounding areas outside the exclosure. In 1976, estimated densities were 64 deer/km2 inside the predator exclosure and 49 deer/ km2 outside (Kie 1977, Kie et al. 1979). Deer inside the predator exclosure exhibited lower reproductive rates, delays in conception and parturition, longer antler velvet retention, earlier shedding of hardened antlers (Kie et al. 1979), greater grass and less forb consumption, lower levels of rumen-content crude protein, and increases in rumen calcium-to-phosphorus ratios (Kie et al. 1980). These differences suggested that deer within the exclosure were on suboptimal nutrition and were in poorer condition. Measures of body weight were among the 1st-used indicators of physical condition in deer. Body weight was related to range conditions by Johnson (1937), Park and Day (1942), Severinghaus (1955), and others. These authors also suggested that antler measurements were useful indicators of the relationship between range quality and deer numbers. Qualitative and quantitative measurements of fat stores have also been used to assess physical condition in deer and other mammals. However, fat may be deposited in several forms and locations throughout the body (Pond 1978). In the past, analyses have included examination of rump and other subcutaneous fat, total abdominal fat, fat surrounding the kidneys (Riney 1955), combined indices of subcutaneous and visceral fat (Kistner et al. 1980), lipid content of bone marrow (usually from the femur in ungulates) (Cheatum 1949), and blood serum lipid concentraIA contribution of the Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experiment Station and the Welder Wildlife Foundation (WWF #271). J. Wildl. Manage. 47(3):1983 583 This content downloaded from 157.55.39.102 on Mon, 03 Oct 2016 06:25:35 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms 584 WHITE-TAILED DEER CONDITION PARAMETERS * Kie et al. Table 1. Monthly and weighted yearly mean age, weight, fat, and blood values of adult white-tailed deer outside and inside a predator exclosure, Welder Wildlife Refuge, July 1975-May 1976.

Waterfowl Use Characteristics of Flood-Prevention Lakes in North-Central Texas

Waterfowl use of 55 flood-prevention lakes in north-central Texas was determined from 16 biweekly aerial counts made during August 1976-April 1977. A total of 42,855 waterfowl of 18 species was observed. Ducks accounted for 84% (35,958) of this total, and puddle ducks represented 77% (27,717) of all ducks. Gadwalls (Anas strepera) and ring-necked ducks (Aythya collaris) were the 2 most abundant species of ducks. Values for 13 physical, limnological, and vegetative parameters were determined for each lake, and many of these were significantly correlated (P < 0.05) with each other, mainly due to soil types, topography, and land-use practices. The most important characteristics influencing waterfowl use were amounts of aquatic vegetation and lake surface area. J. WILDL. MANAGE. 45(1):16-26 A substantial amount of wetland habitat has been produced by the construction of 13,200 floodwater-retarding structures throughout the United States. Over 1,750 floodwater-retarding structures exist in Texas, and additional structures are planned. The sizes of these flood-prevention lakes, which are intermediate between the conventional farm pond and the large multipurpose reservoirs constructed by other government agencies, make them potentially valuable to waterfowl (Siegler 1945). Floodwater-retarding structures are built primarily for flood control. They function by impounding in the upper watersheds excess runoff that is then released slowly over a period of days. Construction of the structures is performed by the Soil Conservation Service (SCS), under authorization of the 1944 Flood Control Act, the 1954 Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act (Public Law 566), and the Flood and Agricultural Act of 1962 (Nord 1963, Lea and Mattson 1974). Construction is performed in conjunction with the local Soil and Water Conservation Districts, which are responsible for operation and maintenance. However, management and use of the lake remain the property of the owner. Several authors have stated that floodprevention lakes can attract migrating and wintering waterfowl, and may provide substantial recreational hunting potential (Grizzell 1960, Day 1964, Williams 1965, Dillon and Marriage 1973, Hatcher 1973). However, little is known about the species and numbers of waterfowl using them, chronology of use, or the ecological factors affecting their use. Therefore, statements concerning the value of flood-prevention lakes to waterfowl are only broad generalizations. In the only published study of its kind, Copelin (1961) found in western Oklahoma, with the exception of a national wildlife refuge, more ducks used flood-prevention lakes than all of the large impoundments in the area. Unfortunately, because these structures are built primarily for flood control, little attention has been given to determining the ecological factors and features of construction that would enhance the 1 Texas Agricultural Experiment Station Technical Article TA 16115. 2 Present address: Rob and Bessie Welder Wildlife Foundation, Sinton TX 78387. 16 J. Wildl. Manage. 45(1):1981 This content downloaded from 207.46.13.113 on Wed, 05 Oct 2016 04:14:30 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms WATERFOWL USE OF FLOOD-PREVENTION LAKES * Hobaugh and Teer 17 wildlife potential of the lakes. Furthermore, because the lakes belong to the landowner, no conservation agency has formulated specific management recommendations. Our project was designed to provide basic information concerning the physical, limnological, and vegetative features of flood-prevention lakes that favor waterfowl. The specific objectives were to determine the waterfowl use of flood-prevention lakes in north-central Texas, and to relate variations in waterfowl use to differences in management practices and vegetative, limnological, and structural differences among lakes. This was a cooperative project between the Soil Conservation Service, the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, and the Texas Agricultural Extension Service. Financial support was provided by the Caesar Kleberg Research Program in Wildlife Ecology. We thank all of the cooperating lake owners who allowed access to their property. Special appreciation is extended to L. C. Boswell, SCS, whose assistance was instrumental to the project success. Many other SCS personnel were helpful, and we thank them for their cooperation. We also thank B. W. Farquhar for his assistance with limnological data collection; 0. C. Jenkins for his help with the statistical analyses; W. H. Kiel, Jr., and R. J. Newton for their advice; and F. Sprague, SCS, and R. L. Noble for their advice and assistance throughout the project and for reviewing this manuscript.

A 12-Year Study of Nest Box Utilization by Black-Bellied Whistling Ducks

Nest box utilization by black-bellied whistling ducks (Dendrocygna autumnalis) over a 12year (1964-75) period was 81%. Proximity of water was not critical for this species; the ducks also utilized natural cavities more than 1,000 m from water. Of 778 nests of 1 or more eggs, 279 were incubated and 75% of these hatched. At least 70% of all clutches were dump nests with only 15% of the clutches falling within the range (9-18, mean of 13) presumed to be the eggs of a single hen. The remaining 15% of the nests contained less than 9 eggs. About 48% of the eggs in incubated nests produced ducklings but only 20% of 21,982 eggs laid in nest boxes hatched, largely because of desertion from dump nesting. J. WILDL. MANAGE. 43(4):936-943 The black-bellied whistling duck is a Neotropical species usually reaching the northern limit of its breeding distribution in southern Texas. This species, perhaps singularly among the whistling ducks, utilizes natural cavities as nesting sites. They seemed adaptable to a nest box management program that was initiated by Bolen (1967a) in southern Texas. This paper describes a 12-year history of utilization of nest boxes and presents additional information on the breeding biology of black-bellied whistling ducks. The data reported here were collected principally by Bolen and his associates for the 1st 11 years of the study and by McCamant for 1975. Our field efforts were assisted by B. W. Cain, D. E. Delnicki, R. K. Metzger, S. E. Labuda, S. C. Shults, and B. W. Bolen. Our manuscript benefited from the reviews of D. E. Delnicki, B. R. Chapman, and J. W. Tunnell, Jr. This research was supported by grants from the Rob and Bessie Welder Wildlife Foundation and was supervised, in part, by the Biology Faculty at Corpus Christi State University.

Stress Response in Wintering Green-Winged Teal

Stress levels of green-winged teal (Anas creccg carolinensis) wintering on the High Plains region of Texas were determined by measuring a and determining blood glucose, urea nitrogen and uric acid concentrations. The onset of severe weather, particularly when accompanied by high wind velocities, precipitated increased stress levels as shown by our parameters. proved the most useful and reliable parameter for measuring stress. A differential sex ratio, 76:24, was observed apparently because females moved out of the census area in response to adverse weather and the associated stress. Management implications include maintenance of wind breaks as a means of reducing weatherinduced stress on the wintering grounds. J. WILDL. MANAGE. 42(1):87-86 For several months each year thousands of ducks assemble on their wintering grounds, yet biological considerations within these seasonally concentrated populations remain largely unexplored. Indeed, the extent and causes of nonhunting mortality in wintering waterfowl populations are among the least known statistics in waterfowl management (Stout 1967). Friend (1976) estimated that nonhunting winter losses may be twice those inflicted by sport hunting. Stress-induced losses are an unstudied factor in nonhunting mortality for wintering waterfowl populations. We, therefore, measured the effects of weatherinduced stress on green-winged teal by determining a Condition Index and by measuring selected blood parameters. In this study, stress is considered the syndrome induced by nonspecifically-induced changes within the organism as it tries to maintain homeostasis against the pressures of environmental stressors (Selye 1956:5364). Our gratitude is extended to the Rob and Bessie Welder Wildlife Foundation and, especially, to the late Clarence Cottam for financial support of this study. Additional financial assistance was provided by the Institute of University Research, Texas Tech University, through a grant administered by J. Knox Jones, Jr. Bert Blair provided access t Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge, and J. A. Crawford and J. R. Alford assisted with the field work. John Jones conducted the blood analyses in the laboratory at Methodist Hospital, Lubbock. An early draft of this paper was thoughtfully reviewed by R. B. Owen, Jr.

Accuracy of Sex and Age Ratio Counts of White-Tailed Deer

Field counts of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) to determine fawn production, adult sex ratio, and population size assume equal observability of all individuals. Similar data from Virginia and Texas showed that there was rarely a period during summer or fall in which each sex and age class was equally observable. Fawns were always less observable than does during July, August, and September, the only period when they were easily differentiated from older deer. Bucks and does were usually seen at the same rate in August and November. Lincoln Index estimates were most accurate in November when all sex and age classes were most nearly equal in observability. Unequal observability was believed caused by differences in feeding and bedding time, not by group size or use of cover. J. WILDL. MANAGE. 41(4):709-714 Field counts of white-tailed deer are easily made in many areas, but the potential usefulness of such counts to estimate fawn production, adult sex ratio, and population size has not been demonstrated because of several apparent biases, foremost among which is deer behavior. This paper reports on a 3-year effort to quantify monthly changes in the observability of bucks, does, and fawns in an 826-ha deer-proof enclosure in Virginia and a similar effort conducted for 2 years in Texas. We thank personnel of the Radford Army Ammunition Plant, the Virginia Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, and the Rob and Bessie Welder Wildlife Foundation for their cooperation and assistance. Thanks are also due E. L. Boeker, V. E. Scott, and C. P. Stone for reviewing the manuscript.

Tests for Olfactory Repellents for Coyotes and Dogs

Five coyotes (Canis latrans) and 3 dogs were individually trained to run from a start box across a 6,400-m12 enclosure to a visual stimulus where they received a food reward. Candidate repellents were presented in the area of the visual stimulus, and their ability to inhibit the test animal's food-getting response was measured. Of the 45 candidate repellents tested, only p-chloro-acetyl chloride repelled all of the test animals; however, it is a strong irritant and lachrymator and would be impractical for use in close proximity to sheep. Cinnamaldehyde showed some promise as a repellent. However, no chemical odor was found that consistently would repel coyotes and dogs but not adversely affect sheep. J. WILDL. MANAGE. 40(7):145-150 Coyote predation on domestic sheep has been a controversial topic for several decades. Assessment of losses caused by coyotes has been difficult (Shelton 1973, Wagner 1972). Furthermore, disagreement exists on the proper methods and extent of control measures (Cain et al. 1972:111, Noh 1973, Statement to the Subcommittee on Fisheries and Wildlife Conservation and the Environment, of the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries, March 20), as well as which agency should have the responsibility for control (Howard 1974). Another point of discord is whether lethal prophylactic methods used to reduce coyote densities are effective in reducing sheep losses. The Cain Report (Cain et al. 1972: 49) showed a correlation between coyote densities and sheep losses. However, Wagner and Pattison (1973) reanalyzed the data and reversed Wagner's (1972:54) earlier statement that reduction in coyote numbers does not appear to reduce total sheep losses materially... . The economic (Balser 1974) and long range ecological effects of prophylactic methods are other factors that need careful investigation. Not all coyotes actively prey upon sheep. Both the Leopold Report (Leopold 1964) and the Cain Report (Cain et al. 1972:111) emphasized a need to focus control efforts on offending coyotes. These reports further encouraged research on selective non-lethal methods, including repellents. Increased impetus for research in this area was provided by Executive Order No. 11643, which prohibited the use of chemical toxicants on federal lands except under emergency conditions. Two recent studies tested methodologies to be directed at offending coyotes. These involved aversive conditioning with electric shock (Linhart et al., unpublished data) and lithium chloride, an emetic (Gustavson et al. 1974). This paper is a report on research to find or develop a natural or synthetic odor that will repel coyotes and dogs. This research was part of an interdepartmental project at Colorado State University involving the efforts of numerous individuals. Of particular assistance were C. D. Jansen, D. A. Wade, and G. J. Wolfe, Department of Fishery and Wildlife Biology; D. A. Cramer, 1 Financial support for this research was provided by Cooperative Agreement 12-14-100-11, 212(44) with the Agricultural Research Service, USDA. A graduate research scholarship was provided by the Rob and Bessie Welder Wildlife Foundation. 2Present address: Box 298, Wilson, Wyoming 83014. J. Wildl. Manage. 40(1):1976 145 This content downloaded from 157.55.39.30 on Wed, 20 Jul 2016 06:04:19 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms 146 OLFACTORY REPELLENTS FOR COYOTES * Lehner et al. Table 1. Test animals and results of baseline trials (10 trials/animal). Mean Agea time Animal Sex (yr) (sec) SD

Growth Rate of Sprouts after Top Removal of Huisache (Acacia farnesiana (L.) Willd.) (Leguminosae) in South Texas

Huisache sprouts attained almost half their expected total plant height in five months after top removal in South Texas. Huisache sprouts from plants cut on three different dates in the same year showed the same general growth pattern with the inflection point on the growth curve occurring at about 60 days. Limited rainfall prior to top removal apparently affected the length of time required for sprouting after top removal. Biotic pressure significantly reduced the elongation rate of huisache sprouts to one-half that of undamaged sprouts during the initial four month growing period. Huisache (Acacia farnesiana (L.) Willd.) is one of the many woody species common in South Texas. It now occurs on about 1.1 million hectares (2.6 million acres) in Texas, mainly in the Gulf Coast Prairies and South Texas Plains (Smith and Rechenthin 1964). Huisache sprouts elongate rapidly after top removal (Powell and Box, 1967). Of the many woody species in South Texas which resprout after top removal, huisache sprouts appear to have the fastest elongation rate. This study was designed to investigate the rate of regrowth of huisache sprouts and some of the factors which affect the regrowth rate. The study area was located in the chaparral-bristlegrass community (Box 1961) on the Rob and Bessie Welder Wildlife Foundation Refuge. San Patricio County, Texas. The refuge is located in the western portion of the Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes (Gould 1962). METHODS. Huisache sprout growth was measuredon areas shredded with a rotary mower and on untreated areas. Plants on shredded areas were cut to a 1/2 to 1 dnl 1 This publication is contribution number 128. Welder Wildlife Foundation. Sinton. Texas 78387.

Theileriasis in Texas White-Tailed Deer

Theileriasis in Texas White-Tailed Deer

A Marking Technique for Field Recognition of Individual Turkeys and Deer

Plasticized nylon fabric markers were attached to each ear of 123 white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) fawns and to the patagium of each wing of 242 turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) to mark the animals for subsequent individual recognition in the field. Turkeys and deer bearing markers are consistently recognized as marked animals at distances up to 400 yards with the naked eye. Aided by 7 x 35 binoculars, an observer can usually make positive identification of individual animals at distances of 150-2,00 yards, although differences in color and style of marker, lighting conditions, and nature of cover influence the distance factor. Only 3 of 246 tags used on deer fawns during the 1961 and 1962 fawning seasons were known to have been lost. Observations spanning periods of 1216 months on 242 turkeys revealed only 2 birds with one wing marker missing. This is an evaluation of marking techniques developed for recognition of individual turkeys and white-tailed deer in the field. Glazener had limited success in marking wild turkeys with colored leg markers of the type described by Downing and Marshall (1959). Backtag markers similar to those described by Blank and Ash (1956) and evaluated by Labisky and Mann (1962) and Gullion et al. (1962) were not satisfactory because the markers became obscured by the long contour feathers of the turkey's back. The earmarking of white-tailed deer fawns with techniques modified from Johnson (1951), Lentfer (1955), and Rouse (1957) were not wholly satisfactory because marked animals were often overlooked in the field. This work was supported by the Rob and Bessie Welder Wildlife Foundation, Sinton, Texas. Recently the authors have become aware of works by Anderson (1963) and Koskimies and Routamo (1953), who described patagial tags for waterfowl which are similar to the wing markers described here. MATERIALS AND METHODS Markers were made from a plasticized nylon fabric (DAY-GLO SAFLAG, Safety Flag Company of America, Division of Vogue Textiles, Inc., P. O. Box 1005, Pawtucket, Rhode Island). Nine colors are available in 3x 40-inch strips. The markers were attached to animals with button tags (Burch's Best, National Agricultural Supply Company, Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin). Three styles of markers were used, with individual animals identified by combinations of two colors further varied by design of the marker (Fig. 1). Marker styles I and II were used on wild turkeys, styles I and III on white-tailed deer fawns. To avoid complications and confusion, we refrained from using more than two colors on any one animal. Turkeys were tagged by inserting a button tag through the patagium or web of the wing. The markers were placed on the dorsal surface of the wing, thus placing them high on the side of the bird (Fig. 2) and in a more conspicuous position than leg markers or backtags. Holes for tags were punched centrally in the web to avoid injury to the tendon in the leading edge of 1 Welder Wildlife Foundation Contribution No. 69.

Gastropoda of the Rob and Bessie Welder Wildlife Foundation Refuge, San Patricio County, Texas

The Rob and Bessie Welder Wildlife Foundation Refuge is located in the Gulf Coastal area of south-central Texas. A collection of 20,000 molluscan specimens from this refuge was found to represent 13 families, 25 genera and 35 species of Gastropoda and one family, one genus and one species of Pelecypoda. The range of Pilsbryna tridens Morrison is extended from Palo Pinto County and Pl1nor- bina gracilentus (Gould) from Hays County, Texas. Gyraulus arizonsis (Pilsbry and Ferriss) is reported from Texas for the first time. The fauna is a composite of both tropical and northern forms. The tropical element is composed mostly of species in the family Planorbidae. A key to the species collected and an annotated list are presented.