The prairies of North America have undergone substantial changes since European settlement in the 1800's, with some estimates suggesting that 96% of the tallgrass prairie has been converted. Multiple factors contributed to reduction in prairie, including: grazing, row-crop farming, depressed fire regimes, and exotic grass species introduction. In Texas, 35% of the historic grassland ecosystems have been either altered or converted. Introduced in the 1940's, exotic grass species such as Bermuda grass (Cynodon sp) have displaced native grass species throughout Texas. Introduced grass species can alter the existing plant communities degrading habitat for birds and other animals. Grassland birds are declining faster than any other bird group within North America; due in part to a reduction in suitable breeding habitat. I addressed this issue by comparing nesting success of grassland birds between exotic grass sites and restored native grass sites in the blackland prairie region of east-central Texas during 2007-2008 breeding seasons. I conducted point counts and nest searching from March - July. Point count data indicate no difference in species richness between sites. Dickcissel (Spiza americana) nests represented 89% of the nests found (n = 104). Dickcissel abundance was 44% higher in restored sites and 76% of nests were located in restored sites. Daily survival (DSR) for dickcissels in restored sites was 0.895 (SE = 0.013) and for exotic sites was 0.930 (SE = 0.017). I used an independent samples t-test to compare mean nest height, which was 56% higher in restored sites than exotic sites (n = 83, x bar = 38.0 cm plus/minus 1.90; x bar = 15.2 cm plus/minus 2.19, df = 81, t = -6.31, P = 0.001), and mean nest substrate height which was 58% higher in restored sites than in exotic sites (n = 83, x bar = 118.8 cm plus/minus 6.50; x bar = 46.5 cm plus/minus 4.77, df = 81, t = -6.08, P = 0.001). Although dickcissel abundance was greater in restored sites than exotic sites, their observed nesting success and DSR was lower in restored sites. This is indicative of an ecological trap, which occurs when an organism is attracted to a habitat that negatively impacts the organism. Some research suggests that restored fields in other states are acting as traps for dickcissels, and according to my results restored sites I sampled may also be acting as ecological traps for dickcissels in Texas.

Abstract During summer, May to September, of 2005, I examined nest-site selection and breeding ecology in a mixed-species colony of Roseate Terns (Sterna dougallii), Bridled Terns (Sterna anaethetus) and Black-naped (Sterna sumatrana) Terns on the islet of Jishan, Penghu, Taiwan. The aims are to identify characteristic differences of nest sites within the habitats, and to compare nest-site preferences of early- and late-nesting Roseate Terns. Significant interspecific differrences in nesting sites were found: Roseate Terns nested in areas with short vegetation and with higher nesting densities, Bridled Terns nested on screes, and Black-naped Terns nested on flat rocky surface. Hatching success was not correlated with site variables in Roseate Terns. Site characteristics of early- and late-nesting Roseate Tern nests differed. Late-nesting terns used sites with taller vegetation, less of walls around nests, fewer neighbors within 1 m, more nests on the edge of the subcolony, and with more visibility from 2 m compared with early-nesting terns. Human picking-up the eggs and typhoon appeared to be the major mortality factor on Jishan Islet. Roseate Terns with metal bands and leg-flags have been observed in the area. The results demonstrate that Roseate Terns tend to have a fidelity to a natal colony and some migrate to Australia for wintering.

Surface mining and subsequent reclamation often results in the establishment of large areas of grassland that can benefit wildlife. Grasslands have declined substantially over the last 150 years, resulting in declines of many grassland birds. The dickcissel (Spiza americana), a neotropical migrant, is one such bird whose numbers have declined in the last 30 years due to habitat loss, increased nest predation and parasitism, and over harvest (lethally controlled as an agricultural pest on its wintering range in Central and South America). Reclaimed surface-mined lands have been documented to provide important breeding habitat for dickcissels in the United States, emphasizing the importance of reclamation efforts. Objectives were to understand specific aspects of dickcissel nesting ecology (i.e., nest-site selection, nest success, and nest parasitism, and identification of nest predators) on 2 spatial scales on TXU Energy’s Big Brown Mine, near Fairfield, Texas, and to subsequently provide TXU Energy with recommendations to improve reclaimed areas as breeding habitat for dickcissels. I examined the influence of nest-site vegetation characteristics and the effects of field-level spatial factors on dickcissel nesting ecology on 2 sites reclaimed as wildlife habitat. Additionally, I developed a novel technique to identify predators at active nests during the 2003 field season. During 2002–2003, 119 nests were monitored. On smaller spatial scales, dickcissels were likely to select nest-sites with low vegetation, high densities of bunchgrasses and tall forbs, and areas with higher clover content. Probability of nest success increased with nest heights and vegetation heights above the nest, characteristics associated with woody nesting substrates. Woody nesting substrates were selected and bunchgrasses were avoided. Oak (Quercus spp.) saplings remained an important nesting substrate throughout the breeding season. On a larger scale, nest-site selection was likely to occur farther from wooded riparian areas and closer to recently-reclaimed areas. Nest parasitism was likely to occur near roads and wooded riparian areas. Results suggest reclaimed areas could be improved by planting more bunchgrasses, tall forbs (e.g., curly-cup gumweed [Grindelia squarrosa] and sunflower [Helianthus spp.]), clover (Trifolium spp.), and oaks (a preferred nesting substrate associated with higher survival rates). Larger-scale analysis suggests that larger tracts of wildlife areas should be created with wooded riparian areas comprising a minimal portion of a field’s edge.

Appropriate microclimates are essential for the development of embryos in avian eggs. Physical demands of incubating adults would also be affected by microclimate. The breeding areas of the Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii) overlap with intense solar radiation and the presence of tropical cyclone and they prefer nest structure with vegetation or rock walls, as these may provide concealment to the surrounding weather. The objectives of this study were to examine the effect of nest structure on the nest microclimate and hatching success. In addition to nest structures, the effect of nest materials and parental incubation behavior on microclimate were also investigated. Results showed that the average temperature of vegetation-removed nests was higher than that of the control group. Rock walls seemed to prevent moisture formed from dew and rain. Incubation behavior can prevent eggs from overheating. However, there were no differences in parental thermal behavior and hatching success between nest types. To sum up, vegetation next to the nest can prevent the eggs from overheating while parents were temporarily absent. Parental incubation can insulate the eggs from surrounding weather stresses, and compensate the negative effect of nest structure with harsh conditions.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1962) written by Ken Kesey tells the story at a ward where the patients who reside at the ward are exposed of oppression and humiliation by Nurse Ratched. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest: A Play in Two Acts (1963) written by Dale Wasserman is a theatrical play which is based on Kesey’s novel. The purpose of this essay is to argue that Nurse Ratched’s character is pictured as more evil in the novel than the play. In this essay, Ratched’s personality and outer looks was discussed as well as her methods she uses to humiliate and control the inmates. It was argued that Wasserman may have excluded information about Ratched’s character, so the actors have a chance to develop a personal view of Ratched. It was also argued that Ratched may have appeared as unnaturally evil if Wasserman had included all her evil traits, and thus picture her as a larger than life character.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Melbourne, Dept. of Zoology, 2006. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 79-91).

Thesis (M.S.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1993. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 52-56). Also available via the Internet.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Nevada, Reno, 2007. / "December, 2007." Includes bibliographical references. Online version available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M.Sc.)--University of Alberta, 2009. / Title from pdf file main screen (viewed on August 28, 2009). A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of master of science in Agricultural and Resource Economics, Rural Economy Department. Includes bibliographical references.

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