212 Selected abstracts prising the multilateral and bilateral documents. The multi- lateral section (volumes 1, 2 and part of 3) are arranged according to the subjects to which they relate: Antarctica; environment and natural resources; fisheries; marine mam- mals; marine pollution; marine science and exploration; and other. Within the bilateral section (most of volume 3) docu- ments are arranged in alphabetical order by nation. Subhead- ings for the entries under each nation correspond to the sub- ject heading used for the multilateral section. (after Editor) Species 95Z/00021 Probable times to extinction of some rare breed- ing bLnl species in ~ Umited Kingdom K. J. Gaston & A. O. Nicholls, Proceedings - Royal Society of London, B, 259(1355), 1995, pp 119-123. Using a stochastic exponential model of population growth based on the Wiener-drift process, the most likely times to, and probabilities of, regional extinction were estimated for 35 rare breeding bird species in the UK. A quarter of these species were predicted to have probabilities of extinction equal to one, and a further third probabilities of > 0.1. The most likely time to attaining the threshold of a single individual was <_50 yr for both groups and often much shorter. Although there was also support for some acknowledged conservation suc- cess stories, overall these results suggest a poor prognosis for many species and a challenge to conservation agencies. (Authors) 95Z/00022 Response of staging brant to disturbance at the Izembek Lagoon, Alaska D. H. Ward, R. A. Stehn & D. V. Derksen, Wildlife Society Bulletin, 22(2), 1994, pp 220-228. In 1863 hr of daylight observation, the mean rate of distur- bance was 0.79 events/hour. Flocks of Branta bernicla nigri- cans responded to 67% of all disturbances and flew in response to 49% of them. Fixed-wing aircraft were the most frequent type of disturbance, but bald eagles Haliaeetus leu- cocephalus caused the greatest interruption of brant beha- viour. Brant spent 2.2% of their time responding to distur- bances and 1.0% in flight. (from Authors) 95Z/00023 Supplemental feeding program for wintering bald eagles in Maine M. A. McCollough, C. S. Todd & R. B. Owen Jr, Wildlife Society Bulletin, 22(2), 1994, pp 147-154. Estimated numbers of Haliaeetus leucocephalus using the feeding stations increased from 66 in 1981-82 to 274 in 1984- 85. Wintering birds were primarily from Maine and the Cana- dian Maritime provinces. Feeding stations were used pri- marily by 0.5- and 1.5-yr old birds. Annual survival rates before feeding were likely similar to those measured during feeding. Reproductive rates of eagles in breeding areas within 20 km of feeding stations did not increase during the feeding program. (from Authors) 95Z/00024 Survival and reproduction of wild and pen- reared ring-necked pl~,asant hens A. P. Leif, Journal of Wildlife Management, 58(3), 1994, pp 501-506. Because of low survival and reproductive rates, Phasianus colchicus hens should not be released in habitats containing wild pheasants. (from Author) 95Z/00025 Producing northern bobwhite food on sandy soils in semiarid mixed prairies A. D. Peoples, R. L. Lochmiller, D. M. Leslie Jr & D. M. Engle, Wildlife Society Bulletin, 22(2), 1994, pp 204-211. Tillage of deep sandsin the semiarid environments ofW OHa- homa produced more seed-producing foods and vegetation biomass than winter burning, probably because sagebrush resprouted and because of a lack of native legume seed banks on burned plots. Disking with fertilization produced more forb biomass than tillage without fertilization. Planting a food plot mix produced more Colimus virfinkmus food only when fertilizer was applied. Effects of fertilization were rea- iized only for the growing season immediately following treat- ment. Texas croton Croton texensisprodueed substantial seed during drought conditions and tended to retain and disperse seed longer than other plant species observed. (from Authors) 95Z/00026 Evaimuttimlg management alternatives for red- cockaded woodpeckers: a modeling approach S. S. Heppell, J. R. Waiters & L. B. Crowder, Journal of Wildlife Management, 58(3), 1994, pp 479-487. Presents a male-only, stage-based matrix model to assess potential effects of various management techniques used to enhance Picoides borealls populations. The authors analyzed the elasticity of popuiation growth to changes in each matrix parameter and predicted the population-level effects of fire proposed management techniques that affect stage-specific survival, growth, and fecundity. Maintaining existing habitat and increasing the number of nesting cavities in unoccupied, but suitable, habitat are most likely to help restore declining populations. Management alternatives that increase survival or fecundity only in existing territories will shift the distribu- tion of male wood peckers in each stage toward a greater pro- portion of nonbreeding helpers. (from Authors) 95Z/00027 Recovery of the kakerori: an endangered forest bird of the Cook Islands H. A. Robertson, J. Rod Hay, E. K. Saul & G. V. McCor- mack, Conservation Biology, 8(4), 1994, pp 1078-1086. Pomarea dimidiata an endangered monarch flycatcher endemic to Rarotonga was common until the middle of the nineteenth century, but it declined before 1885 and was thought to be extinct early this century. A small population persisted in the rugged exterior of Rarotonga; in 1987 the population stood at 38 birds but was in decline. Introduced predators, especially ship rats Rattus rattus were affecting breeding success. Through a program of experimental man- agement, aimed mainly at rodent control, the population increased from a low of 29 birds in Spring 1989 to 60 birds in Spring 1993. The recoverycan be attributed to both improved breeding success and increased adult survivorship. (from Authors) 95Z/00028 Use of #rtificial brown-headed cowbird eggs as a potential muagement tool in deterring parasitism C. P. Ortega, J. C. Ortega & A. Cruz, Journal of Wildlife Management, 58(3), 1994, pp 488-492. The authors added artificial and real Molothrus ater eggs to red-winged blackbird Ageliaus phoeniceus nests in 1985 and 1991 to determine the effect of egg addition on subsequent nest parasitism. Brown-headed cowbirds avoided parasi- tizing such nests. In 1985 only 5.3% of experimental nests were parasitized by cowbirds, compared with 31.5% para- sitism of control nests. In 1991, only 6.0% experimental nests suffered cowbird parasitism, compared with 16.0% para- sitism of control nests. (from Authors) 95Z/00029 Current threats to the European wildcat, Felis silvestris, in Scotland S. McOrist & A. C. Kitchener, Ambio, 23(4-5), 1994, pp 243- 245. Population minima probably occurred in Europe at the begin- ning of the 20th century. Several populations have recovered since, due to some restoration of preferred habitat and a reduction in persecution. In Scotland, direct killing because of alleged attacks on gamebirds and livestock still occurs. Accidental killing by dogs, snares or poison baits is probably still common. Viral diseases, such as feline leukaemia have been identified. Few toxicagrochemicals were found. A major threat to European wildcats is the loss of speciation due to hybridization with domestic eats Fells cams. Manyintrogres- sive hybrids are now reported. (from Authors) 95Z/00030 A ~ n t of homozygosity and the case for inbreeding depremioa in time Obeetmb, Aci~Ryx j~dmt~n. implteaaom for comervntion M. Merola, Conservation Biology, 8(4), 1994, pp 961-971. The endangered cheetah exhibits relatively little genetic varia- bility (polymorphism = 0.02-0.04, heterozygosity = 0.0004-