The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1921-08-20
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more it must be remembered that If the data to be
secured from the banding of birds are to be OF
value, the carriers must be strong and healthy ana
not handicapped in any way. Under no conditions
may their movements be considered as average.
To remove a bird from the gathering cage TOT
banding, reach into the cage BLOCKING the open.
ing around the arm with the other hand) ana
work the bird into corner. 1t will almost surrey
be facing away from the operator. Grasp 1t IN
such manner as to pinon its neck between the
thumb and index finger, and the wing tips, taii'
and feet by the little finger closed against the pam'
In this position the bird may be held quietly, With
out using undue force. Strangely enough, secur-
ing the birds head neck will almost lnvariaDiy
cause 1t to cease struggling
II the bird is already banded and only simple
examination is necessary, this position need not
be changed. as with the fingers Of the free hano
the band may be readily turned and the NUMBER
read Or. the bird may be allowed to perch on
the little finger, the neck secured between two
fingers, as before.
To place in position for banding, grasp the Dirds
head lightly but securely with the thumb and the
index and second fingers Of the other hand; re-
lease all other hold and by quickly reversing the
position Of the bird draw it through the free hand
with its back against the palm and close the little
finger over the neck, and the other fingers around
the body This position Is exactly the reverse OF
the original one, in that the birds feet WINGS ana
formerly this was accomplished by the little finger
against the PALM The thumb and index fingers
are now free to secure and hold the tarsus while
attaching the band.
For larger and more powerful birds this method
will not answer, Of course but securing the Diros
head will in almost every case prove the Key 10
the situation. With ducks and other birds OF SIM
liar size, this is best accomplished by resting II
bird on the forearm and hand, held horizontally
across the body Of the OPERATOR the head and neck
raising TO the rear under the upper arm, which
socures them This leaves both hands free to hold
the feet and wing tips and attach the band
Always select the smallest-sized band that will
close around the tarsus (the bare portion OF the
foot or leg Immediately above the toes) without
Att;ne so tightly as to bind or chafe The bano
.hould move freely up and down and turn lightly
and smoothly but it 81 lid not fit loosely like q
bracelet pair of small, pointed pliers, such as
nt,cans use are practically indispensable for this
work
no not attempt to band birds recently Matched
or but few days old; wait until they are fully
Aedeed young birds and are about ready to leave
tho nest TIE legs OF most fully fedged youna
birds are larger and more feshy than those OF the
admits go that no allowance for growth need be
made. Water birds are an exception to this rule
Adjustable hatstrip bands, having considerable
thickness and equipped with special locking De
vice. require rather more skill to attach. Inc
nOinted pliers, De1Orc meutIOucus uIc dDSOauhoAJ
necessary and in addition pair Of stout scissors
or a pair Of diagonal wire cutters Will be needee
to trim OF excess length.
The band may first be roughly shaped around
finger and then opened sufficiently to admit thu
birds leg. It is now pressed together and Its d
ameter reduced to the point where 1t fits smoothly
The second pair Of nibs from the lock end are mex
bent over and pnched tight with the pliers Tn
strip 10 now bent back, the bend pinched together
an close as possible, and locked with the nrst PAL
Of locking nibs. The excess length OF the band u
then trimmed of and the end pressed down smooth
ly with the pliers
See that the number is on the outside. Attach
ing these bands requires care and patience for tn
stiffness Of the metal is sufficient to break bird
leg IL not properly handled-put all pressure o.
the band and not on the leg and there will be n
trouble.
Write down the band number at once; do no
trust to memory A band wrongly read may total
ly disqualify what otherwise would be a most val
liable set of data. Each collaboration should kee
2 permanent record Of his operations.
Report results frequently. Franked envelope
win be supplied for returning the schedules. whic
during the busy season should be at least ono
each month.