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Instructions for Banding Birds. 19 
With hawks and owls, the beak is of minor importance, as it is 
rarely used as a weapon of offense or defense. Generally, these 
birds will throw themselves on their backs, talons drawn up, ready 
to strike. In this position, a stout stick may be slipped under the 
feet and gradually worked back, forcing the feet down against the 
tail. Once outstretched, they may be kept in position by holding the 
stick with one knee or foot. The bird’s ability to grasp is almost 
nil when its legs are straightened out. 
When working with such birds, it is advisable to wear gloves, for 
a scratch from bill or claw may result in blood poisoning. 
ATTACHING BANDS. 
Never band a bird the identity of which is at all doubtful. To 
do so might result in a false record that would occupy a permanent 
place in the files. It would then furnish 
misleading data that would seriously inter- 
fere with the scientific accuracy: of the a 
work, and might cause wrong conclusions to 
be drawn from the records. aT 
Do not attempt to band birds recently b 
hatched or just a few days old; wait until 
they are fully fledged and about ready to re 
leave the nest. The legs of most fully € 
fledged young birds are larger and more &) 
fleshy than those © 
Q Vice. 19.—Split-ring band, en- 
of the adults, so Bin 
larged: (a) (Dd) 
that allowance straightened out, outer side ; 
for growth need Meir eat out, inner 
eee eee 1 P not be made. 
ces DS URV. Water birds, however, are an exception to 
210042 Be this rule. 
The bands issued by the Biological Sur- 
vey are of three types (see figs. 19, 20, and 
Fig, 20.—No.-6 lock bands: 2%1)—a split-ring band, sizes Nos. 1 to 5, 
Graichicued Gut) auitei, imclusive, for all small birds, including 
for small owls, crows, teal those of the size of sparrow hawks, large 
ducks, large terns, small : ‘ C 
Pull gud suiall herons. rails, and large shorebirds; size No. 6, 
which is a lock band suitable for small 
owls, crows, teal ducks, large terns, small gulls, and small herons; 
and a flat-strip band that is adjustable for all larger birds. 
Split-ring bands.—Always select the smallest-sized band (fig. 19) 
that will close around the bare portion of the foot or leg immediately 
above the toes without binding or chafing. The band should move 
up and down freely and turn easily and smoothly, but should not 
fit loosely like a bracelet. With large birds, this last is not so im- 
portant, but with small perching birds there is considerable danger 
that twigs or thorns may catch in a band that fits too loosely. Where 
necessary, lap the edges of the band, but see that the edges of the 
lap are smooth. Projecting edges may catch in nesting material. 
While the danger from open bands is great, there is also the danger 
of lapping the band so far as to cause it to bind or pinch. This 
might ultimately cause complete paralysis of the foot, 
