Foods and weights of the Rock Ptarmigan on Amchitka, Aleutian Islands, Alaska

We examined the crop contents from 129 Rock Ptarmigan ( Lagopus mutus ) collected between 1967 and1971 on Amchitka, Aleutian Islands, Alaska. On a yearly basis two plant species, Empetrum nigrum and Equisetum arvense , made up 87% of the diet. Only in July and August were they less than 90% of the diet, and in those months they constituted 65% of the diet. During the warmer months (May-October) when a variety of plant species were available, the Amchitka ptarmigan fed upon growth forms of plants high in nutritive value (particularly Equisetum strobili ). Its main winter food was the vegetative portions of Empetrum , one of the few abundant evergreen vascular plants on the island.     

Unusual social feeding and soaring by the Common Raven ( Corvus corax )

Common ravens are usually rather shy birds around their nests and avoid nesting too near human activity. We here report the use of overpasses along heavily traveled Interstate Highway 84 in Idaho and Utah for nest placement. Nests are within 6 m of passing vehicles.     

Raptors of the Uinta National Forest, Utah

The past and present use of the Uinta National Forest by birds of prey was determined from historical records and surveys conducted during 1973, 1974, and 1975. Data describing the history, present status, and physical characteristics of each nest site were collected, along with the type and intensivity of human activity within a half - mile radius of the nest. In addition, limited data on fall migration of raptors along the Wasatch Front and the food habits of Golden Eagles are presented. Management guidelines, based on the results of this study, are proposed.     

A new species of Frasera (Gentianaceae) from Uinta Basin, Utah

Frasera ackermanae, sp. nov. is described based on specimens collected from the Brush Creek drainage, Uinta Basin in Uintah County, Utah. The short stem, compact inflorescence, and longer calyx lobes separate this species from the similar Frasera pahutensis Reveal.     

Nest site selection by Mountain Plovers ( Charadrius montanus ) in a shrub-steppe habitat

The known Mountain Plover population breeding on the Myton Bench, Duchesne County, Utah, is small, composed roughly of 30 adults and young after each breeding season. Currently, its location is peripheral to the species main range. This shrub-steppe breeding habitat differs from the shortgrass prairie habitat with which this bird is historically associated. Between 1996 and 1998 we made observations at nesting sites located consistently in 2 concentrated areas surrounded by large tracts of similar habitat. Activity may be focused in these specific areas because of breeding-site fidelity; this behavior is common among most shorebirds and has been documented for the Mountain Plover in Colorado. Also, Mountain Plovers are social and tend to choose nest sites near others. Most nests in Utah were located within close proximity of mounds of white-tailed prairie dogs ( Cynomys leucurus ), and all were situated near roadways or oil well pads. Mountain Plovers were often observed with broods on these bare areas at night. We conclude that Mountain Plovers on the Myton Bench are distributed in clumped breeding colonies within large areas of apparently favorable habitat.     

Spread of cobalt from a cortical epileptic lesion induced by a cobalt-gelatine implant into the frontal cortex of the rat

Summary The spread of cobalt ions from cobalt induced epileptic foci in rats has been investigated. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry and heavy-metal histochemistry reveal cobalt ions spread very widely from the focus. Biochemical and physiological consequences for this model of epilepsy are discussed.