The Concordia sentinel. (Vidalia, Concordia Parish, La.) 1882-current, 1921-07-30

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 and
NOT handicapped in any way. Under no conditions
may their movements be considered as average.
10 remove a bird from the gathering cage for
oandlng, reach into the cage BLOCKING the oper-
ing around the arm with the other hand) and
work the bird into corner 1t will almost surely
De racing away from the operator Grasp 1t N
such manner as to pinion its neck between the
hunO and index finger, and the wing tips tail,
anu rect by the little finger closed against the pain.
III thls position the bird may be held quietly with
OUT using undue force. Strangely enough secur-
ing the birds head or neck will almost invariably
cause 1t to cease struggling
II the bird is already banded and only a simple
examination Is necessary, this position need not
De changed, as with the fingers Of the free haid
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. CRASH tho birds
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
ringer 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 and
formerly this 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 birds
head will in almost every case prove the key to
the situation. With ducks and other birds of SIM
liar sze this Is best accomplished by resting the
bird on the forearm and hand. held horizontally
across the body Of the operator the head and neck
passing to the rear under the upper arm, which
secures 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
fitting so tightly as to bind or chafe. The band
should move freely up and down and turn lightly
and smoothly, but 1t should not fit loosely like q
bracelet. pair of small, pointed pliers such as
opticians use, are practically indispensable for this
work.
Do not attempt to band birds recently Matched
or but few days old; wait until they are fully
hedged young birds and about ready to leave
the nest. The legs of most fully hedged young
birds larger and more feshy than those of the
adults so that no allowance for growth need be
made. Water birds are exception to this rule
Adjustable fat-strip bands, having considerable
thickness and equipped with special locking de-
vice, require rather more skill to attach The
pointed pliers, before mentioned, are absolutely |
necessary and in addition a pair Of stout scissors
or pair Of diagonal wire cutters will be needed |
to trim off excess length.
The band may first be roughly shaped around a |
finger and then opened sufficiently to admit the |
birds leg. 1t is now pressed together and its d.
ameter reduced to the point where 1t fits smoothly.
The second pair of nbs from the lock end are next
bent over and pinched tight with the pliers. The |
strip is now bent back, the bend pinched together
as close as possible and locked with the first pair
Of locking nibs The excess length Of the band Is |
hen trimmed of and the end pressed down smooth
y with the pliers.
See that the number is on the outside Attach
Ing these bands requires care and patience for the
stiffness Of the metal Is sufficient to break birds
leg If not properly handled-put all pressure on
the band and not on the leg and there will be no
trouble.
Write down the band number at once; do not
trust to memory. band wrongly read may total
y disQualffy what otherwise would be a most val
lable set Of data. Each collaboration should keep
4 permanent record Of his operations
Report results frequently. Franked envelopes
VIII be supplied for returning the schedules which
turing the busy season should be at least once
Zach month.