these factors are affecting Piping Plover populations 
     
     is very poor. The major problem is the lack of a 
     
     concerted research program. We have very little 
     
     more than anecdotal accounts of most of the factors 
     
     I have mentioned. The amount of over-wintering 
     
     mortality the birds sustain is almost totally un- 
     
     known. He need a North American --wide study of this 
     
     bird to accurately determine the major factors affecting 
     
     its population in different regions. Until we have such an all-encompassing 
     
     voew, explanations for declining populations of this species should be regarded 
     
     as somewhat speculative. ‘ 
     
    

    
     Just a note to end - The Piping Plovers started arriving back at the National 
     
     Park this year during the middle of April - about two weeks earlier than last year. 
     
    
   
   
    
        
     
    
   
   
    
     References: 
     
    
   
   
    
     Cairns, w.E. 1977. Breeding biology and behaviour of the Piping Plover (Charadrius 
     
     melodus) in southern Nova Scotia. MSc. Thesis, Dalhousie University, Halifax, 
     
     Nova Scotia. 115 p. 
     
    
   
   
    
     Corbett, G.N. and B.I. Ball. 1980. A management plan for Piping Plover, Char- 
     
     adrius melodus, in Prince Edward Island National Park. Natural Resourse ' 
     
     Conservation, Atlantic Region, Parks Canada. 68 p. 
     
    
   
   
    
       
     
    
   
   
    
       
     
    
   
   
    
         
     
    
   
   
    
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     MARITIMES NEST RECORD SCHEME. Spring is 
     
     upon us and the time of nesting of birds 
     
    

    
     is here. The repository of information 
     
     collected by the Maritime Nest Record 
     
     Scheme over the past 23 years has now 
     
     reached a total of over 28,000 cards. As 
     
     the data bank grows each year, it becomes 
     
     increasingly more valuable to researchers 
     
     studying breeding distribution, population 
     
     changes, habitat preference and nesting 
     
     success. The scheme now includes records 
     
     of 187 species, with 2,780 cards represent- 
     
     ing 102 species from Prince Edward Island. 
     
     In 1982 only 85 cards from P.E.I. were sent 
     
     in from 9 observers. Surely, with a 
     
     greater effort by more people, P.E.I. can 
     
     improve its contribution in 1983. So let's 
     
     all get busy to do our part to help out 
     
     this worthwhile project. Special cards 
     
    

    
     for recording data are available from 
     
     Ninnie Cairns or Geoff Hogan. Completed 
     
     nest record cards should be forwarded at 
     
     the end of the nesting season to: A.D. 
     
     Smith, Coordinator, Maritimes Nest Record 
     
     Scheme, P.0. Box 1590, Canadian Wildlife 
     
     Service, Sackville, New Brunswick EOA 3C0. 
     
    
   
   
    
          
     
          
     
       
     
    
   
   
    
         
     
       
     
    
   
   
    
        
     
          
     
    
   
   
    
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