R. M. Whiting, Jr.

During 1990-1992, 291 northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) were captured, radio-tagged, and relocated from southern and eastern Texas to an intensively managed 563-ha eastern Texas study area; 139 resident birds were also captured, radiotagged, and released at the point of capture. We examined macro- and micro-habitat selection by relocated and resident birds. At the macro-habitat level, all 3 groups of bobwhite were associated with food plots (P < 0.05), preferred stands of pure pines > 30 years old, and avoided stands of pure pines 6-15 years old, hardwoods > 30 years old,...

We monitored white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) use of riparian zones (RZs) and adjacent pine plantations of 3 age classes (young, 1 -3 years old; intermediate, 5-7 years old; and older, 9-13 years old) using radio telemetry for 2 years on a 1,300- ha study area near Alto, Texas. Riparian zones comprised 22.0% of the area; young, intermediate, and older pine plantations comprised 19.1%, 45.7%, and 13.2%, respectively. Based on data from 4 to 9 deer the first year and 12 to 17 deer the second year, home ranges averaged 103, 71, 95, and 114 ha during spring, summer, fall, and winter...

Species composition and relative abundance of amphibians and reptiles were examined in 5 pitcher plant bogs and adjacent forests in eastern Texas. The herpetofaunal communities of the bogs and forests were compared and changes throughout a year were traced. Amphibians and reptiles were censused using drift fence arrays with funnel traps and 15-minute time-area searches. In the bogs, 407 individuals of 28 species were recorded; 468 individuals of 28 species were counted in the forests. More amphibian species and individuals were found in bogs (P < 0.050), and more reptile individuals (P...

We used correlation analysis to test for relationships between habitat types and numbers of courting American woodcock (Scolopax minor) recorded along singing-ground survey routes in eastern Texas. Availability of 10 different habitat types was quantified at each survey route stop and compared to the number of woodcock recorded. Numbers of courting woodcock recorded were strongly correlated to pine (Pinus spp.) seedling and pine sapling habitats. Results may prove helpful in monitoring long-term trends in singing-ground habitat availability.