Evidence from described subspecies and sightings and collection of distinct but undescribed forms suggests that the cays fringing Cuba have harboured populations of birds that represent their earliest invaders, but that, with the advent of man (and in particular the recent development of causeways between the mainland and the cays), these relictual, endemic populations have been outcompeted or genetically swamped by more recently evolved subspecies from the main island.

The Salmon-crested Cockatoo Cacatua moluccensis is endemic to the Seram island group, Maluku Province, Indonesia. An apparently considerable population decline, attributed t o over-exploitation for the parrot trade, prompted CITES to ban all trade in the species in 1989. A short census was undertaken on Seram using the variable circular plot method. Cockatoo density estimates were highest in little-disturbed lowland forest and lowest in recently logged forest and in non-forested areas. Discriminant function analysis was used t o describe the distribution of the species. The discriminant profile suggested that cockatoos were associated with mature lowland forest closer to rather than farther away from settlements. No conclusions are possible as to the relative importance of bird capture and habitat alteration on the population of the Salmon-crested Cockatoo, but an urgent need for further standardized censuses of cockatoo populations, and for research concerning the population dynamics of this and other traded parrot species, is stressed.

The Santiago Purple Heron Ardea (purpurea) bournei is endemic to the island of Santiago, Cape Verde Islands. In contrast to nominate purpurea, it nests high in the crowns of large trees. During the 1950s and 1960s, the total population was probably c. 75 pairs, mainly at the now defunct heronry at São Domingos. After the disappearance of that colony during the early 1970s, the only known nesting site was at Boa Entrada, Santa Catarina region, comprising less than 10 pairs. In January 1991, a new colony was discovered at Banana, Ribeira Montanha, with c. 20 recently used nests of which 2–3 had large young in January–February. The current population is thought not to exceed c. 20 pairs. Breeding occurs from late August to March. Apart from two old records in April, there are no records from the non-breeding season. Probably the birds disperse into the mountainous interior of the island after breeding and feed on the dry hillsides. The causes of the decline are unclear, but scarcity of suitable nest-sites and deteriorating climatic conditions may be significant. Because of the extremely small population, the birds and their nesting sites must be protected by law and the local people informed about the birds and their need for protection; educational materials are being developed.

The White-breasted Guineafowl Agelastes meleagrides, an endangered endemic bird of the Upper Guinea forests of West Africa, was studied in Taï National Park, south-west Côte d'Ivoire, from February 1989 to February 1991. Groups of guineafowl were followed, with notes made on behaviour, movements, diet and habitat; droppings were collected, photographs taken and sound recordings made.

There were 118 sightings of the birds, with 120 hours of direct observation. Average group size was 15.8, and young birds were seen on 12 occasions in the months November to May. The birds prefer dry, closed-canopy forest, and avoid wet valley bottoms. They spend much of the day walking over the forest floor searching for food, scratching leaves noisily and uttering a fairly continuous quiet “twitter”. Around 60% of each day is spent feeding, and the birds appear to eat mainly invertebrates. Intra-group aggression or chasing occurs with some frequency. Preening is also frequent, accounting for around 20% of the day. Alertness, walking and inactivity occur for short periods throughout the day. The birds roost in thin understorey trees, with group members spread over around 30×30 m.

The birds range over approximately 0.9 km2, and during the day follow a convoluted route. If one group encounters another, fierce inter-group aggression may ensue. Over much of Taï Forest, an average group of guineafowl is likely to consist of around 16 birds and range over approximately 1 km2. The population of the birds in Taï National Park may number perhaps 30,000–40,000 birds. The conservation of White-breasted Guineafowl will be best achieved through the protection of its remaining forest habitat and prevention of hunting.

The status of the Comoro endemic birds is briefly reviewed. Field data were gathered during expeditions in 1981, 1983, 1985 and 1989.

Some native birds (Cyanolanius madagascarinus, Dicrurus fuscipennis on Ngazidja, Treron australis on Mwali, Accipiter francesae, Otus rutilus, Leptosomus discolor on Ndzuani, Dicrurus waldenii on Maore) are so rare that they are certainly highly endangered. The altitudinal stenotopy of a few other species makes them also very vulnerable, e.g. Zosterops mouroniensis in the tree-heath zone on Mount Karthala above 1,750 m. A preliminary analysis of habitat preference on Ngazidja suggests a relatively large flexibility of most forest species between different types of forest, including those with altered vegetation structure, but demonstrated their absence in plantations without large trees and/or natural shrubs. Comparison of density of species in Ngazidja and Mwali and an overview of the avifaunal composition on all four islands are the basis for a discussion on colonization history (with possible extinctions), historical change in avifaunal composition, the suitability of each island for the different species and the completeness of their avifauna. The results are checked for possible threats and necessary actions for conservation. Competition by introduced species does not yet seem to be a problem. But importation of foreign animals must be banned and hunting must be regulated (especially for pigeons). Habitat loss (overexploitation of the forest) will soon become a serious problem for the stenotopie forest birds. A suggestion is made for delimiting a national park on Ngazidja and Mwali. Most controversial is the development of tourism. For long-lasting results, education of local people is necessary, together with full liaison with the authorities.

Land bird abundances on Ngazidja, Comoro Islands, obtained by point counts in September 1985 and November–December 1989 are compared. The overall abundance of most species did not differ significantly. Most differences can be interpreted as normal within-year fluctuations. Some important changes are identified and attributed to shortterm vegetation changes: increase of Columba polleni, Coracopsis vasa, Zoonavena grandidieri, Coracina cinerea in Nioumbadjou after abandonment of forest exploitation; decrease of Coracina cinerea at M'Lima Mani North after replacement of the natural shrub layer by bananas. Genuine long-term population changes occur in Coracopsis nigra (increase) and Corvus albus (decrease).