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white feathers; another job



Hi Carolinabirders,

Apparently the latest Snowy Owl report from Virginia comes from the 
Petersburg Federal Prison. Fortunately, the prison is not populated 
yet... Don't you wish you were in New Brunswick? A report from there 
cites a Varied Thrush hanging out with a Fieldfare, with a Redwing 
elsewhere in the province. And Newfoundland birders chased a Northern 
Lapwing report, to find a Fieldfare at the spot. These might even top the 
Florida report of Western Tanager and Western Spindalis (formerly Stripe- 
headed Tanager) in the same flock, or that mob of flycatchers from 
yesterday... Interesting to suddenly hear of so many Eurasian vagrants in 
Atlantic Canada, when further south here we've had nothing other than the 
usual scattering of Eurasian Widgeon.

On Fri, 19 Jan 2001, Jason Sircely wrote:
>
> So... I guess the white appearance of the feather
> patches is probably due to down protruding from
> underneath? Why else would it appear white?

My guess is that virtually all of these birds are observed in flight. 
Transparent feathers on the wings are back-lit by sky and sun at this 
point, making them look white. This would explain why the white patches 
so often appear only on the wings, not on the body, producing the magpie- 
like appearance that started this whole discussion. Hopefully Chris Hill 
will write in and correct me if there's another explanation...

Found another advertisement for two temporary jobs on another listserv. 
They are based in South Carolina, working on Red-cockaded Woodpeckers for 
a Clemson researcher. Pasted below, as usual.

Joshua S. Rose
Duke University
Department of Biology (Zoology, R.I.P.)

jsr6@acpub.duke.edu
http://www.duke.edu/~jsr6/

________________________________________________________________

Subject: RCW Field Technician job announcement
From: Nancy E Jordan <njordan@CLEMSON.EDU>
Date: Fri, 19 Jan 2001 13:41:45 -0600

Please post:

WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST INTERNS (2) to assist with Red-cockaded Woodpecker 
hatchability study on a private plantation near St. George, SC.  
Technicians will assist in banding adults and nestling Red-cockaded 
Woodpeckers, monitor nesting and survival of the birds.  Two positions 
are available: (1) Position no. 7255 from April 1, 2001-May 31, 2001and  
(2) Position no. 7256 April 1, 2001-July 31, 2001.  Housing and field 
vehicle will be provided.  Pay is $1,250 per month ($7.81/hr for 40 hour 
work week).  Applicant must possess a high school diploma, 1 year of 
experience in a wildlife-related field and a valid driver?s license.  
Preferred applicants will have a bachelor?s degree in wildlife or related 
field, previous banding experience and experience with Swedish climbing 
ladders.  Applicant should be able to withstand ticks, chiggers, hot, 
humid conditions and be able to work independently and with others.

TO APPLY: Download employment application from 
www.state.sc.us/jobs/application. Email or fax application and resume to 
Clemson University Human Resources along with cover letter stating job 
title and position number to Hrjob@clemson.edu.  Document has to be in 
Word to email. Fax number for Clemson University Human Resources is 
(864)656-1334. 

For additional information, contact Nancy Jordan, Graduate Research 
Assistant, G27 Lehotsky Hall, Clemson University, Clemson, SC  29634, 
(864)656-0168, njordan@clemson.edu.  YOU WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED UNLESS 
CLEMSON UNIVERSITY HUMAN RESOURCES HAS YOUR APPLICATION ON FILE.  Closing 
date for applications is February 23, 2001.  Clemson University is an 
equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

Nancy E. Jordan
Graduate Research Assistant
Clemson University
Dept. of Aquaculture, Fisheries & Wildlife
G08 Lehotsky Hall
Clemson, SC  29634
(864)656-0168
njordan@clemson.edu