Some words about documentation 
     
    
   
   
    
     Every serious birder knows that written documen- 
     
     tation is required for acceptance of all rare birds 
     
     reported. These include remarkable or extraordi- 
     
     nary local or seasonal sightings. Detailed descrip- 
     
     tions written in the field are essential in order to 
     
     determine the status of these reports. 
     
    
   
   
    
     Every CBC packet includes a documentation form 
     
     for this purpose. However, use of this form is not 
     
     mandatory. It is included in the packet simply to re- 
     
     mind observers of the length and breadth of detail 
     
     that should be included when submitting documen- 
     
     tation. Use this form or follow the form in originat- 
     
     ing your own more appropriate form. But remember, 
     
     submission of documentation should never be omit- 
     
     ted on a rarity. 
     
    
   
   
    
       
     
    
   
   
    
     Wing and tail details of an immature Sabine's Gull. Comox. British 
     
     Columbia CBC. Illustration/ Willie Hams. 
     
    
   
   
    
     The supporting details accompanying each sighting 
     
     of a rarity must include exact location, date, time 
     
     of day. distance from the bird, association with other 
     
     species. habitat, optical equipment used. light con- 
     
     ditions in the field. length of time observed. and 
     
     the names and addresses of all birders who studied 
     
    
   
   
    
       
     
    
   
   
    
     the bird. Most importantly, however. is a detailed 
     
     description of size and shape. plumage (pattern and 
     
     color). behavior. voice and any other diagnostic de- 
     
     tails. Description of the bird at rest and in flight 
     
     should also be included if possible. 
     
    
   
   
    
       
     
    
   
   
    
       
     
    
   
   
    
     P\ abacus/me} *aii U43   jown> 
     
    
   
   
    
     A quick drawing of an Eastern Phoebe shows behavior as well as color 
     
     pattern. Washington. Pennsylvania CBC. Illustration/ Donald .\I. Sell 
     
    
   
   
    
     Additional supplementary documentation such as 
     
     a voice recording, photograph (black and white or 
     
     color, although color is always preferred); or video- 
     
     tape can be important supporting evidence. A draw- 
     
     ing or sketch of the bird can also provide critical 
     
     details of sightings. Although many observers feel 
     
     they have insufficient skill to produce adequate 
     
     drawings, even a sketch detailing the patterns and 
     
     markings seen can capture the essence of a bird. 
     
     A drawing of a diagnostic feature—a wing. head. 
     
     or mantle, for example, can provide useful sup- 
     
     porting evidence. 
     
    
   
   
    
     Presented here are two field sketches from docu- 
     
     mentation forms this year. We look forward to even 
     
     more fteld sketches and more thorough documen- 
     
     tation next year! 
     
    
   
   
    
     Whoopers on fke. rise. 
     
    
   
   
    
     It's nice to hear success stories in the nature conservation 
     
     world when so often all we get is doom and gloom. One triumph has 
     
    
   
   
    
     been the increase in the world population of whooping cranes. h 
     
     In 1941, the population was down to 16, but this winter it f 
     
     will probably exceed 200, perhaps the highest number of these :4 
     
    
   
   
    
     beautiful birds this century. 
     
    

    
     For more than a decade, biologists have been removing eggs from 
     
     whooping crane nests in the Canadian flock at Wood Buffalo National Park 
     
     in Alberta, and placing them in sandhill crane neSts at the Grays Lake 
     
     National Wildlife Refuge in southeastern Idaho. to boost the number of 
     
     whooping crane nests there. And the International Crane Foundation in 
     
     Baraboo, Wisconsin, has been doing a tremendous amount of work to preserve 
     
     cranes of all types and rebuild their populations. Congratulations to 
     
     all for their hard work, and especially to the whoopers. 
     
    
   
   
    
     -9-