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THE WILSON JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY • Vol. 123. No. 3. September 2011 
forests than in forest-clearcut edges. Deng and 
Gao (2005a) reported the same pattern for two 
non-excavators. Yellow-rumped Flycatcher (Fice- 
dula zaiuhopygia) and Great Tit (Pants major), in 
secondary forests. However, others have not 
detected differences in nesting success when 
comparing distance from the forest edge (e.g.. 
Vickery et al. 1992. Paton 1994, Lahti 2001). 
Hoover and Brittingham (1998) did not find edge 
effects on nesting success in a study of Wood 
Thrush. We also failed to find an edge effect on 
nesting success of Grey-backed Thrush. Differ¬ 
ences in edge effects may depend on multiple 
conditions, including landscape structure, human 
influence, and their correlated effects (Batdry and 
Baldi 2004). 
CONSERVATION IMPLICATIONS 
Unlawful logging of large trees has decreased 
sharply because of conservation efforts by the 
government in recent years. However, farmers still 
cut shrubs and small trees for fuel, fences, and feed 
for livestock. Shrubs and small trees in secondary 
forests should be protected, and cutting banned. 
Our results suggest Grey-backed Thrushes tend to 
nest in forests with dense shrubs and small trees. 
Thus, management for this species should focus on 
decreasing unlawful cutting of shrubs and small 
trees. Further studies of breeding habitat require¬ 
ments at different spatial and temporal scales are 
needed for management and conservation of Grey- 
backed Thrush. In addition, major nest predators 
need to be identified. The implications of nesting 
exposure and begging calls on nesting success 
should be the main focus of future study. 
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 
The Yang family took care of much of our daily life in 
e teld. Professor P. Mou provided pertinent advice 
regarding the composition and revision of the paper. Nine 
Wang, Jianqiang Lt. and Min Wei of Beijing Normal 
Exoen' 5 ' ly ' aT “° d P C “ ar ° f Amcn “ n J ™™l 
experts provided assistance in the revision process. We 
thank al! of the individuals mentioned. This study was 
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