Interviews with the Farm Game Cooperators in Game Conservation Districts II, V and VI disclosed that individual landowners were interested in improving habitats for farm game species. In order of preference of wildlife planting materials cooperators chose annual seeds, <u>L. bicolor</u> seeds, <u>L. bicolor</u> plants and <u>L. sericea</u>. (Pp.25-35) The data on cultural practices indicate that the Farm Game Program cooperators need to follow instructions of the Virginia Commission of Game and Inland Fisheries for planting, fertilizing and cultivating wildlife materials in order to receive maximum benefits from the objectives of the Farm Game Program. (pp. 38-52) Cooperators considered the wildlife plantings of intrinsic value in that they were using the plantings for erosion control, food and cover for wildlife, field-woods borders and turn rows for farm machinery. (Pp. 55-56) It was observed that farm game species were utilizing wildlife food plantings established in 1950-51. The perennial plantings were immature yet in many instances they attracted quail, rabbits, turkey and deer. The data on food availability as determined by ground quadrant samples taken from wildlife food plantings on the three specific areas indicate that adequate food is be:ing produced on one-eighth acre plots, which have been maintained according to recommended cultural practices. A hundred percent increase was noted in quail populations on the Hawfield Game Demonstration Area during 1950. (Pp. 70-75) / Master of Science

The skunk is an unprotected wildlife species in Virginia and few are hunted for sport and trapped for fur. / Master of Science

Relationships between the breeding bird populations of the southern Appalachian cove hardwood and mixed oak-pine habitat types were studied during the 1977 and 1978 breeding seasons, in Craig County, Virginia. Relationships between habitat structure and bird utilization for each of the 12 most common breeding species were also investigated. Bird and habitat data were collected within 100 meter x 50 meter transect areas. Eleven transects were located in the mixed oak-pine habitat and 8 in cove hardwood habitat. Relative density and species diversity of the 2 bird communities were essentially the same. Species composition was similar; however, relative dominance structures of the 2 communities were different. The blue-gray gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea), red-eyed vireo (Vireo olivaceus) and worm-eating warbler (Helmitheros vermivorus) exhibited a significant preference for the cove hardwood habitat. The ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapillus) exhibited a significant preference for the mixed oak-pine habitat, and the pine warbler (Dendroica pinus) and rufous-sided towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus) were observed exclusively in the mixed oak-pine areas. The relative density of the singing males was significantly greater in 1978 than in 1977. Multiple discriminant and regression analyses were used to analyze species/habitat associations. Eighty habitat components were considered for inclusion in these analyses. The "best" models derived for each species were presented and all were significant at the 0.05 level. Each species' association with the surrounding forest was best characterized by different combinations of habitat components, suggesting that resource division was adequately described through vegetative community structure. Research needs and potential uses for this type of data in nongame bird management were discussed. / Master of Science

I studied the piping plover on Assateague Island during the 1986 and 1987 breeding seasons. In 1987, I estimated the population to be 69 pairs. During both years, plovers nested on only a few portions of the island. I think that this pattern of nesting was determined by the distribution of three types of foraging habitats: bayside mud and sand flats, saltwater pools formed by storm tides, and a drawn down waterfowl impoundment. Reproductive rates were lower than two recent estimates of the level necessary to maintain a stable population. The primary problem was poor nest success and the leading cause of nest loss was nest predation by red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and raccoons (Procyon Iotor). I was not able to identify factors responsible for chick mortality, but my data show a relationship between chick survival and foraging habitat. Broods feeding on bayside foraging areas had a much higher survival rate than broods which did not have access to these areas. Management efforts should focus on reducing nest predation. Recent experiments have indicated that predator exclosures constructed around individual nests can be used to reduce nest predation. These exclosures should be tested on Assateague. Future research efforts should focus on the role of foraging habitat in breeding site selection and the relationship between chick survival and the type of foraging used. / Master of Science