The effect of gregarine parasite infections, age, and diet on calling song structure and mating behaviour in the Texas field cricket, Gryllus integer

In the past ten years, many researchers have focussed their attention on parasites regarding the role they may play in causing variations in male secondary sexual traits and subsequent effects on female choice. Male age has also been suggested to be an important factor in female choice if old age reflects superior genes. This study investigated the effects that gregarine gut parasites, age, and diet have on the calling and mating behaviour of the male Texas field cricket, Gryllus integer. Male calling songs were recorded in the laboratory using a Digital Signal Processing Network. The song parameters measured were: pulse rate, pulse width, burst duration, pulses per burst, interburst interval, and percent missing pulses. The effects of parasite load and age on the various calling song parameters was investigated in crickets that were fed two different diets varying in nutritional quality. None of the calling song parameters were affected by either parasite load or age in either diet grou p. Courtship behaviour was ob served and recorded using an Eventlog recorder on an IBM computer in the laboratory. Females mated equally with paras(tized and unparasitized males and with old and young males The total duration and proportion of time spent performing each of 9 courtship displays were recorded for males on each diet. Only one display was affected by parasite load. Highly parasitized males fed the nutritionally inferior diet juddered for a proportionately shorter time than males with low parasite loads. Also, older males performed juddering and shaking antennae proportionally longer and juddering and raising wings for longer durations than younger males. Males that successfully mated were observed for performance of 8 post-copulatory guarding behaviour displays. None of the guarding behaviours were affected by parasite load. However, one display was affected by age, with older males performing guard turning for shorter durations than younger males. Results are discuss,ed in terms of the influence of parasites and age on female choice.

Paul Williams, nephew of C. C. Chapman, Fort Worth, Texas

Studio portrait of Paul Williams, nephew of C. C. Chapman, Fort Worth, Texas. He worked in Chapman's Fullerton office, 5th floor, N. Spadra Street [now Harbor Blvd.], Fullerton, California.

Photograph - Boys Brigade

A photograph of young boys in military dress standing at attention. The handwritten back reads: Boys Brigade In connection with St. Andrews Church, Copper Cliff. The photographers are W. Coulter, Vankleek Hill.

First Field Artillery Brigade Observer, 22 June 1918

An issue of the First Field Artillery Brigade Observer, 22 June 1918, no.5. The report describes several raids, including "the Austrians, under orders from the Kaiser and with the object of putting new enthusiasm into their disheartened people, launched a big offensive, which the Italians have handled to date masterfully."

First Field Artillery Brigade Observer, 1 July 1918

The report mentions that General Pershing presented Distinguished Service Crosses to soldiers in the First Field Artillery Brigade. It also describes a Sergeant and 3 men finding an enemy soldier asleep with a machine gun. They brought him back to the American lines. Also included is a list of destruction that took place over the the last three days.

Illustration from the First Field Artillery Brigade Observer

A cartoon by Alban B. Butler (signed), titled "National Salute" and dated 4 July 1918. The illustration shows officers loading a canon and firing.

Printed blank of Statement of Security Form naming the bond as Jones County Texas Bonds for the purpose of building a courthouse

Printed blank of Statement of Security Form naming the bond as Jones County Texas Bonds for the purpose of building a courthouse. It is made out to S.D. Woodruff and dated June 12, 1885. An envelope addressed to Mr. S.D. Woodruff is also included. The postmarks are Kansas, 1885 and St. Catharines, June 13, 1885.

Iron Mountain Route Railway schedule: the great through line St. Louis, Arkansas and Texas to the Hot Springs of Arkansas

Iron Mountain Route Railway schedule: the great through line St. Louis, Arkansas and Texas to the Hot Springs of Arkansas.

Letter to Colonel R. Nelles, Commander of the 4th Lincoln Militia from Brook Young, Lieutenant Colonel at the Brigade Office in Drummondville

Letter to Colonel R. Nelles, Commander of the 4th Lincoln Militia from Brook Young, Lieutenant Colonel at the Brigade Office in Drummondville regarding instructions that he received from Colonel Kerley for the sedentary militia in this district to hold themselves in readiness to act at a moment’s warning if called to do so, May 27, 1838.

Letter to Lieutenant Colonel Brook Young, Brigade Major, Drummondville from H. Nelles, Lieutenant Colonel of the 4th Lincoln Militia

Letter to Lieutenant Colonel Brook Young, Brigade Major, Drummondville from H. Nelles, Lieutenant Colonel of the 4th Lincoln Militia stating that Colonel R. Nelles has requested him to say that most of the men did cheerfully comply and would be ready to act at a moment’s notice in defense of their Queen and country, June 12, 1838.

Letter to H.H. Collier of Austin, Texas to the care of Cruger and Moore of Houston, Texas and New Orleans

Letter to H.H. Collier of Austin, Texas to the care of Cruger and Moore of Houston, Texas and New Orleans. The letter is from his sister, E. Richards. She writes about family life, her job as a teacher and politics (3 ¼ pages, handwritten), Jan. 23, 1841.

Letter to H.H. Collier of the Auditor’s Office in Austin, Texas from D.W. Fitch, publisher of the Houston Star Newspaper

Letter to H.H. Collier of the Auditor’s Office in Austin, Texas from D.W. Fitch (3 pages, handwritten), publisher of the Houston Star Newspaper. The letter is about newspaper business and personal matters. It is stated that Henry might go to Austin. This letter has been torn and taped. This does not affect the text, Feb. 28, 1841.

Letter to H.H. Collier of Houston, Texas from J. M. Long and delivered by Captain Daniels

Letter to H.H. Collier of Houston, Texas from J. M. Long and delivered by Captain Daniels. This is a friendly letter in which he mentions that General Edward Burleson has gone on an Indian campaign. Also mentioned are the Indian raid in Austin, the stealing of horses and candidates for the election. He also talks about a ball in Austin. This is actually quite a poetic letter in his description of how Austin used to be and what Austin has become (3 pages, handwritten), Aug. 26, 1842.

Letter to H.H. Collier of Washington, Texas from Major Nicholas Cruger

Letter to H.H. Collier of Washington, Texas from Major Nicholas Cruger (3 pages, handwritten) regarding copies of laws that he has sent to Mr. Collier. He asks him to call on Mr. Farland and request him to have a subpoena issued in the case of Garrison vs. John Manson. This letter is torn and taped. This does not affect the text, Mar. 6, 1844.

Letter to H.H. Collier of Houston, Texas from his friend Elisa

Letter to H.H. Collier of Houston, Texas from his friend Elisa. She expresses her desire to go to Galveston but she cannot make it in the fall. This letter is torn and taped but this does not affect the text (2 pages, handwritten), Oct. 13, 1844.