Dear all,

Just a quick teaser to show what you will see (or miss out on!) at
this years SoE conference at the University of Arkansas:

Session VIII: 1:00-3:15 (South Conference Hall)
Advancements and Prospects in Ethno-Ornithology, Eugene Hunn, Session
Chair

1:00-1:20 HUNN, Eugene. (University of Washington).
A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF ETHNO-ORNITHOLOGICA L INVENTORIES
I consider procedures for the systematic comparative analysis of
ethno-ornithologica l systems and apply them to several
systems that have been documented for a range of indigenous
communities. Statistical comparisons include numbers of folk generic
and terminal taxa recognized, proportions of total Western scientific
species recognized, and patterns of such recognition by bird family
and by size. I also compare nomenclatural patterns to assess the
generality of the universalist claims of Berlin and others with regard
to life-form names, binomial terminology, and the role of
onomatopoeia. I discuss methodological difficulties that make such
comparisons problematic.

1:20-1:40 RAMIREZ, Carlos R. and Dwight D. SMITH (Southern
Connecticut State University). ETHNOBIOLOGY OF MONK PARAKEETS IN THE
EASTERN UNITED STATES A long-term study of the Monk Parakeets
(Myiopsitta monachus) is under way in CT, NY and NJ to understand the
biology of these introduced South American Parrots. Their invasion in
urban areas of the Eastern United Stated has created controversies
that need to be studied for better management, protection, and control
of their nesting habits. These parrots build their nests on electric
company poles, which in some cases have been removed to protect
the transformers. We have designed a study to quantify people's
attitude toward these birds and to find common ground among wildlife
enthusiasts, conservationists, scientists, and city planners.

1:40-2:00 SAULT, Nicole. (Santa Clara University).
VULTURE CULTURE: BIRDS OF MIGRATION AND TRANSFORMATION AMONG THE
BRIBRI OF COSTA RICA In the United States, vultures are often viewed
with fear and loathing, as they are associated with death, filth, and
decay—"fighting over the remains". However, some societies have
positive associations with vultures. Not only do vultures "clean" the
land of carcasses, they soar to the heavens and mediate between
worlds, transforming death into rebirth. For the BriBri of Costa
Rica, the vulture is also revered for its ability to migrate long
distances and for its sacred role in the creation of the world.

2:00-2:20 NJERI, Mercy. (National Museums of Africa, Nairobi, Kenya).
BELIEF SYSTEMS, FOLKLORE, AND CONSERVATION CONCERNS IN THE USE OF
BIRDS IN CULTURAL CEREMONIES AMONG THE MAASAI OF KENYA
Ethno-ornithology is the study of birds in the relation to people's
traditional cultural beliefs and practices. Communities in Kenya
interact with birds and continue to use them in various ways. The goal
of this paper is to document indigenous knowledge, beliefs, and
practices related to birds among the Maasai in Kenya, and to promote
sustainable strategies for understanding birds and their uses in
cultural ceremonies. Different communities have developed specialized
technologies and skills for hunting and trapping birds, based on
culturally relevant attributes of birds themselves. Birds of beauty
are highly preferred in cultural ceremonies. The distinctions between
farming communities and pastoralists are also discussed with relation
to how birds are used ceremonially.

2:20-2:40 GOSFORD, Robert. (Australian National University).
DEVELOPMENTS AND PROSPECTS IN ETHNOORNITHOLOGY. In this paper I will
examine recent developments and future prospects for ethnoornithology,
particularly in relation to the activities of members of the
Ethnoornithology Research & Study Group, a web-based group established
in early 2006. I will discuss recent ethnoornithological research and
the 1st Ethnoornithology Conference held at Nairobi, Kenya in late
2007. I will also discuss future prospects and opportunities for
research and the application of ethnoornithology, particularly in the
fields of small tourist ventures and land and species management.

2:40-3:00 REYNOLDS, Peter C. (Sally Glean Center, Costa Rica).
THE MIXED-FLOCK HYPOTHESIS: THE SOURCE OF LINGUISTIC CATEGORIES Even
though the theory of "man the hunter" enjoys wide popularity, bipedal
primates have small canine teeth and large, grinding molars—exactly
the opposite of carnivores. Jolly's seed-eater theory postulates that
the first bipedal primates adapted to the savanna by eating grass
seed. I extend this model by hypothesizing that prehuman seed-eaters
foraged with songbirds and attended to their vocalizations. By
incorporating mimicry of birdsong into social interaction, protohumans
developed a system of social communication in which birdlike acoustics
cured primate cognitive categories—that is to say, language.

Thats all - I'll post a conference report in a couple of weeks.

Cheers and best,

Bob Gosford
ERSG moderator