Issue # 133. Where possible, Issues # 131 and 132 were hand delivered in the Charlottetown area and Issue # 132 was delivered in hand-stamped envelopes ($ .03 each) rather than printed envelopes. The Board discussed the fee structure for memberships and the number of issues per year. It was quickly concluded that 3 double sided pages were insufficient to provide the members with the bird column, Society events, and the educational articles. The options were presented to the Society's members at the October meeting and this article is the next phase in the discussion. From an analysis of costs and needs, it appears that four 16 page issues of the Island Naturalist can be produced yearly and the operational costs of the Society can be implemented for a membership fee of $16 annually. The Society would be interested in obtaining your cements on these changes. As we must start collecting for the 1995 memberships, a tentative rate of $ 16 has been established for those who apply now. Should rates be decreased, those who send in renewals now will be sent a refund after the annual general meeting on January 3rd.

NEST DE-ODORIZERS? by J. Dan McAskill

While out nesting with Scott Hakepeace our conversation turned. to nest building materials and Scott revealed that Bald Eagles, Red-tailed.Hawks, Broad-winged Hawks, and certain other'raptors use fresh cedar, hemlock, and white pine boughs to line nests. People use eastern white cedar, aromatic cedar, and pine odours to mask the smells of other compounds. Why do these birds select these species to line their nests?

RED MAPLE: J. Dan McAskill

Red maple is the most common deciduous (hardwood) tree in Prince Edward Island. It grows in a wide variety of habitats from lowlands to old growth forests. Despite its many uses from maple syrup and fuel to specialty wood products this species was not usually favoured in forest management until recently. Even now, this species is usually less favoured that its close relative the sugar maple because of the sugar maple's wood qualities and the lesser amount of defects in the stems.

The red maple is known by many names including soft maple and swamp maple. This tree can live to ages well in excess of 250 years and its moderate capability to grow in shade allows it to establish and survive in the competition produced by less shade tolerant species such as poplar and white birch. In addition, like most deciduous trees that are broken off or cut, it can reproduce itself using stump or stem