Patrick F. Scanlon

Heavy metal (lead, cadmium. and zinc) concentrations were found in increase with traffic volume in soil, vegetation. earthworms. and small mammals recovered from roadside areas. Concentrations of all elements generally declined in soil, vegetation. and earthworms as distance from the highway increased. Shrews had higher levels of heavy metals than plant consuming rodents (Micro/us and Peromyscus). Problems of interpreting data on road side contamination and of the ecological significance of such contamination are discussed.

This report summarizes information on approaches by states to educating future licensed drivers to handle problems created by free roaming animals on highways.

While teaching a course entitled Vertebrate Pest Control, I scanned local newspapers for articles relevant to the course. A wide range of news items dealing with animals in nuisance and pest situations was found as were articles, photographs, and cartoons which were useful in demonstrating principles of vertebrate pest control and in providing discussions of means to deal with animals in pest situations.

A survey of Federal fish hatcheries in the United States was conducted to determine the extent and severity of avian predation on fish stocks as well as to determine which avian species were the most serious predators. A list of 58 bird species in 14 families was provided. Managers of hatcheries were asked to indicate which species or members of what family caused problems by predation in their hatcheries. They were asked to provide their estimate of the severity of the problem; i.e. severe, significant, trivial, or none. They were also asked which fish species were preyed upon and also to...

The 1975 Christmas Bird Count was divided into 10 blocks, each comprising 100 observation units, encompassing the continental United States and Alaska. A random sample of 10 observation units was drawn from each block, assuring an even distribution over the continental United States and Alaska. Nine major metropolitan areas which were not drawn in the random sample were also studied. Each unit in the sample was examined for each of the years 1956, 1966, 1973, 1974 and 1975. The occurrence and number of each was recorded for all sample units for all years. Results indicated that a total of...

Problems in communicating research results by means of professional meetings and conferences in the field ofwildlife science and management are discussed. Emphasis of discussion is placed on purpose and organization of meetings, facilitation of more rapid communication and use of research results, and alternate means of conducting meetings.