The Corncrake Crex crex is a rail which inhabits tall grass and herbage and migrates between breeding grounds in northern Eurasia and wintering areas in south-east Africa. Corncrake populations are known to have been declining for more than 100 years in some countries and declines have now been reported for almost all of the European part of the species's world range. It appears that mechanized mowing early in the breeding season reduces the production of young to a point below that needed to maintain the population. It might therefore be expected that Corncrakes would be least abundant in countries where the management of agricultural grassland is most mechanized and intensive. To test this hypothesis, an analysis of available statistics for agricultural intensity and Corncrake population density in different European countries was undertaken. Milk yield per dairy cow and measures of the use of fertilizers and tractors were used as indices of the intensity of management of agricultural grassland. Corncrakes were least abundant in European countries with high levels of milk yield, fertilizer and tractor use. Countries with low indices of agricultural intensity and high Corncrake abundance are in eastern Europe where continuing political change makes the future course of agricultural development difficult to foresee. The persistence of the Corncrake in this region depends on the adoption of agricultural policies which do not encourage further intensification of grassland management in those areas which support important populations.

Surveys of river birds were made in north-west Argentina in October 1993 and in southern Bolivia in December 1994. Data were collected on foraging behaviour, breeding biology and breeding abundances of the Rufous-throated Dipper Cinclus schulzi (a threatened species) on three river systems in Tucumán and Jujuy provinces in Argentina and on two river systems in Tarija department in Bolivia. Rufous-throated Dippers foraged from wetted rocks and when standing in water in riffles and on the edges of cascades and waterfalls; swimming or diving was not observed. Five nests were found in Argentina, two of which were incomplete. One had a clutch of two eggs and another contained two well-grown, feathered nestlings; the fifth was inaccessible. These records indicate that breeding starts early in the Argentinian spring. Nests of adjacent pairs of Rufous-throated Dippers were from c.650–1,200 m apart. Juvenile plumage resembles that of the adult. Some information is provided on the biometrics of seven birds caught in mist-nets, and on vocalizations and on the relative abundance of dippers, Torrent Ducks Merganetta armata and two species of Cinclodes. Possible threats to rivers within the range of the Rufous-throated Dipper include reservoir construction, hydroelectric and irrigation schemes, eutrophication, deforestation and stock-grazing. Pollution, reduced flows and river channel modification are more prevalent at lower altitudes below the breeding range of the Rufous-throated Dipper.

Dog predation has been cited as an important factor in the decline of the threatened Kagu of New Caledonia but direct evidence of predation was restricted to single kills. Here we report the first documented case of multiple Kagu deaths caused by dogs, which occurred at our 200 ha, high-altitude (800-1,300 m) study site on Pic Ningua. The deaths were discovered because we were radio-tracking Kagus there as part of our behavioural study on the birds. In 1993 we found 20 Kagus either dead (15) or wounded (5; one survived) from dog attacks in four distinct episodes over a 14-week period from late April to early August. Two other birds whose older remains were found also probably died from dog attacks. Of the 22 birds 18 wore radio transmitters; the four non-radio-tracked birds were found by chance. Dogs errant from a nearby tribal village were strongly implicated in carrying out most, if not all, of the attacks. They climbed around 1,000 m in altitude to reach the study site and attacked birds there on repeat visits to the site. The apparent recent disappearance of Kagus in forest neighbouring the study site suggests the dogs caused the deaths of most of the birds on the peak. Dog predation is probably an ongoing problem for the Kagu and the attacks at Pic Ningua are probably not an isolated incident. Protecting birds outside Riviere Bleue Park from dogs will require: (1) establishment of additional intensively managed reserves; (2) continuing education of the public and administrators about the need for Kagu protection and associated dog control; (3) involvement of tribal communities in Kagu conservation; and (4) enforcement of dog control laws. The events at Pic Ningua demonstrate the necessity for additional and non-connected reserves to safeguard against catastrophes and increase the probability of long-term Kagu persistence in the wild.

Whooping Cranes Grus americana increased from 16 wild migratory birds in 1941 to about 146 birds in 1991. Management on the breeding range in Wood Buffalo National Park, Northwest Territories-Alberta, and protection of the birds along their migration route and on the winter range in Texas, are partly responsible for the population increase. The present Wood Buffalo National Park-Aransas National Wildlife Refuge flock consists of almost 50% non-breeders, mostly subadults. Further increases in the number of breeding pairs beyond the 1991 record of 33 can therefore be expected. The wild population has been a source of surplus eggs, whose removal has not adversely affected population growth. These eggs have been used to establish captive flocks, and captive-reared stock will be used to establish other populations. Attempts to establish a new migratory flock in Idaho by means of cross-fostering Whooping Crane eggs to Sandhill Cranes Grus canadensis have not been completely successful. Present plans call for the establishment of a non-migratory flock in Florida.

Fieldworkers counted traps, guns and nets used for bird trapping in sample sections of a 1 km wide strip of land adjacent to the shore on the Mediterranean coast of Egypt in the autumn of 1994. These data were used to estimate the number of traps, guns and nets in use in the whole 1 km coastal strip. Information obtained by interviewing bird trappers was used to estimate the number of Corncrakes taken per trap, net and gun in the 1993 and 1994 seasons and from this the total number taken was about 9,000 and 14,000 respectively. Trapping methods and intensity varied with locality but the taking of Corncrakes was widespread. It was estimated that about 9,000 people were involved in trapping and shooting in the coastal strip. The average proportion of the European Corncrake population taken per year on the coast was estimated to be in the range 0.5–2.7%, though this range would be lower if, as seems probable, Corncrakes from Asia are among those passing through Egypt. Further surveys are required to estimate the numbers of Corncrakes taken further inland.

There are 36 breeding colonies of Magellanic Penguins Spheniscus magellanicus along the coast of mainland Argentina. During the breeding period we counted the number of active nests and estimated the breeding population was approximately 652,000 pairs. Development of coastal areas is diminishing the quality of Magellanic Penguin breeding habitat and reducing penguin reproductive success. Adult mortality rates are increasing because of human activities. Maritime petroleum traffic and petroleum operations are known to cause mortality. Fishing activities cause incidental mortality and may negatively affect penguin foraging and reproductive success. In some areas, offal is increasing gull populations with a corresponding increase in predation on penguin eggs and chicks, thereby lowering reproductive success. These sources of mortality are relatively recent and are human caused. We found three areas where human activities are of particular concern: Península Valdés, Golfo San Jorge and Estrecho de Magallanes. Human impacts on Magellanic Penguin populations could be reduced, benefiting the tourist industry where yearly tens of thousands of people come to the provinces of Chubut and Santa Cruz to visit penguin colonies.

Existen 36 colonias de pingüino de Magallanes Spheniscus magellanicus a lo largo de la costa Argentina. La población reproductiva se estimó en 652,000 parejas realizando un conteo de nidos activos durante la estación reproductiva. El desarrollo de las áreas costeras está reduciendo la calidad del hábitat de reproducción y el éxito reproductivo del pingüino de Magallanes. El tráfico de petróleo y las actividades relacionadas son conocidas causas de mortalidad. Las actividades pesqueras están causando mortalidad incidental y pueden estar afectando negativamente el éxito de alimentatión y reproductivo. En algunas áreas la basura está contribuyendo al aumento de la población de gaviotas, incrementándose la predación sobre huevos y pichones de pingüino reduciendo su éxito reproductivo. Estas fuentes de mortalidad son relativamente recientes y provocadas por el hombre. Hemos detectado tres áreas donde la mortalidad relacionada con actividades humanas es preocupante: Península Valdés, Golfo San Jorge y Estrecho de Magallanes. El impacto humano sobre la población de pingüino de Magallanes podría reducirse y beneficiar la industria turística de las provincias de Chubut y Santa Cruz, donde anualmente decenas de miles de personas visitan las colonias reproductivas del pingüino.

Twenty-eight predominantly tropical bird species have ranges that only just extend into the north-eastern part of South Africa, mainly within the Kruger National Park (KNP). These species are listed as “rare” (200 breeding pairs) in the South African Red Data Book (Brooke 1984). This study assesses the extent to which six of these rare bird species represent viable populations in the KNP. Grid squares in the KNP (2.5 × 2.5 miles) were visually assessed according to several bird habitat parameters. Bird records were also plotted on this grid system and habitat associations were identified for each species. This allowed for the measurement of total suitable habitat within the KNP for each species. Bird densities within known habitat were determined using spot-mapping and fixed-distance strip-transect techniques. Estimated population sizes for each species were obtained by extrapolating density estimates to total suitable habitat. Of the six study species, Arnot's Chat, Rudd's Apalis, Wattle-eyed Flycatcher and Tropical Boubou are likely to occur in sufficient numbers to constitute viable populations within the KNP, with estimated population sizes of 1,394, 4/758/ 2,070 and 10,450 birds respectively. The populations of White-crowned Plover and Long-tailed Starling are probably too small to be viable in the long term, with estimated population sizes of 305 and 382 birds respectively. The results presented here are testable and can be used as a baseline for future monitoring.

A Houbara survey of Lanzarote and the small island of Graciosa, during December 1993, resulted in a total count of 146 birds and an estimated total population of about 400 Houbaras. These numbers are higher than found on most previous surveys of Fuerteventura, considered as the main stronghold of this subspecies, and indicate that the Houbara population on Lanzarote is much more important than was formerly supposed. A study of habitat preferences showed that the species tended to select zones with greater height of shrubs.

The Giant Ibis Pseudibis gigantea was formerly more widespread in mainland South-East Asia, being found in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. However, it has always been scarce throughout its range and has declined dramatically over the past 50 years as a result of habitat destruction, disturbance and hunting. This paper documents the species's decline with a review of all previous records including the recent sightings between 1993 and 1995, and suggests conservation measures to be taken for its continued survival.

Kirtland's Warbler Dendroica kirtlandii breeds in young jack pine Pinus banksiana forests on sandy soils in Michigan's lower peninsula, where there were 502 censused singing males in 1951 and 167 in 1974 and 1987. An ongoing control programme for the Brown-headed Cowbird Molothrus ater, a nest parasite, resulted in immediate and continued improvement in warbler reproductive success which was not, however, matched by an increase in warbler numbers until the 1990s. From three 1,000 ha reserves in the 1960s, currently over 54,000 ha are managed for the warbler. Despite the establishment of managed plantations, over 70% of warblers censused in the past 15 years have occupied habitat created by wildfires. Optimal habitat consists of more than 5,000 trees per hectare in a mosaic of dense patches interspersed with small openings. Nearly 70% of adult and 30% of juvenile warblers departing for the Bahamian wintering grounds return each spring, and the Michigan singing male population increased from 212 (1989) to 397 (1992) as abundant habitat, resulting from a 1980 wildfire, became available at Mack Lake. This suggests that lack of optimal habitat in Michigan has been the species's major problem.

The avifauna of the environs of North-western Peru Biosphere Reserve (NPBR) is herein catalogued. This reserve embraces the largest example of protected Neotropical Pacific xeric forests, a habitat complex much scarcer than rainforests. NPBR is very important conservationally because much of the adjoining dry-forest region of south-western Ecuador has been denuded. Exact locality records and their specific literature sources are furnished for North American migrants and those species which have inhabited the vicinity of NPBR but have not been reported there by the authors of reference books that address avian geography. For each tabulated avian species, the earliest attribution or one of the earliest attributions for a specific record of that taxon in the environs of NPBR is provided. Also, 16 species that are threatened, or are endemic to a short strip of extreme south-western Ecuador and north-western Peru, are noted.

Three species of declining grassland songbirds were counted in June transects at 42 south-western Missouri (U.S.A.) prairie preserves managed three different ways: biennial July haying, spring burning on a 1–4 year cycle, and sites both burned and hayed every 2–4 years. Hayed prairies had twice as many Henslow's Sparrows Ammodramus henslowi as burned prairies and 2.5 times as many as sites which had been burned and hayed. Hayed prairies had 59% more Grasshopper Sparrows A. savannarum and 14% more Dickcissels Spiza americana than burned prairies. Fired and hayed sites had 34% higher detection rates of Grasshopper Sparrows than sites only burned and similar numbers of Henslow's Sparrows and Dickcissels as burned sites. The three species summed were 60% more abundant in hayed as in fired or fired and hayed prairies. Henslow's Sparrows increased and Grasshopper Sparrows decreased with time since the last management. Grasshopper Sparrows peaked one year earlier after haying than after burning. Dickcissels did not vary by time since last management. Henslow's Sparrows and Dickcissels were significantly more abundant in larger prairies. Preserve management for these three prairie birds should emphasize biennial to triennial mid-summer haying, instead of burning.

Early work on the Dark-rumped Petrel Pterodroma phaeopygia of the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador, identified colony sites and population status and alerted wildlife managers to an alarming decline in nesting numbers. Predation by introduced mammals, such as rats, cats, pigs and dogs, is the chief concern, followed by loss of nesting habitat to agricultural development. Programmes to reduce predation through poisoning and hunting, begun in 1983, increased the number of chicks fledged from the main breeding colony in eight out of nine years. Pre-breeding adults were lured by tape-recordings to ‘safe’ sites where they successfully raised chicks in artificial nests. Tape-luring offers hope for establishing new colonies on predator-free islands.

Fossils and other evidence from the Southern Cook Islands show that the Rimatara Lorikeet Vini kuhlii, known as the Kura, was widespread in the group during prehistoric times and, it was probably extirpated due to exploitation for its red feathers. Today, it survives only on Rimatara in the Austral Islands, where it is known as the ‘Ura. On Rimatara during 5-11 August 1992 we saw/heard 263 ‘Ura, and estimated the total population at 900 birds. The mixed horticultural belt, about 32% of the island, was the most favoured habitat at 2.2 birds ha1 and it supported about 61% of the total population. The species was uncommon in the coastal coconut plantations and central hills, and rare in the makatea/feo. Rats, especially Rattus rattus, have often been associated with the loss of forest birds on oceanic islands and R. rattus is thought to be responsible for the decline in other lorikeets of French Polynesia. A preliminary trapping study located R. norvegicus and R. exulans, but not R. rattus. The highest conservation priority should be given to confirming the absence of R. rattus on Rimatara and the implementation of a major quarantine programme to ensure that it is not accidentally introduced. We recommend reintroducing the lorikeet to islands within its former natural range.

The rainforest avifauna of south-eastern Cameroon is poorly known. In one of the first surveys of birds from this region, we report on bird species netted and observed in the Lac Lobeke Reserve. We document 11 minor range extensions, including that of the extremely rare Zenker's Honeyguide Melignomon zenkeri. The abundance of several rare species of birds and mammals in the area, in addition to low human densities and relative inaccessibility, should make the Lac Lobeke region a priority in conservation efforts. Currently, large logging operations and the commercial exploitation of wildlife threaten the fauna of the region.

Forest birds were surveyed on the islands of Flores and Sumbawa, Indonesia, in July-September 1993. Assessments were made of the conservation status and habitat requirements of the restricted-range, threatened, and near-threatened species. Semi-evergreen rainforest was found to be more important than moist deciduous monsoon forest for the conservation of these species, but such habitat is being rapidly degraded at mid-altitudes and in the lowlands. Moist deciduous monsoon forest is still widespread in the lowlands but it is also being degraded by human activities. Only one significant protected area exists in the region: Taman Nasional Komodo. This harbours an important population of Yellow-crested Cockatoo Cacatua sulphurea but it is too dry o t support any semi-evergreen rainforest. Ten of the 24 restricted-range species found on these islands are of particular conservation importance mainly because of combinations of intolerance of degraded habitat, dependence on semi-evergreen rainforest, restriction to the lowlands, and low population densities. The highest priority species are Flores Monarch Monarcha sacerdotum and Wallace's Hanging-parrot Loriculus flosculus, which were only found in semi-evergreen rainforest at about 450-950 m at one site in the Tanjung Kerita Mese proposed protected area in south-west Flores. Effective protection of this site is urgently required in order to help secure the future of these species. Recommendations are presented for the protection of further areas on Flores and Sumbawa.

Counts of breeding birds in fallow land of Castro Verde region, the main steppe area of Portugal, were carried out during the spring of 1994, and the population densities of the most common species were estimated. The bird community is relatively simple, with a low species richness and diversity. Nevertheless, it includes several species with unfavourable conservation status. The most common species were Calandra Lark Melanocorypha calandra and Little Bustard Tetrax tetrax, with a mean density of, respectively, 5.6 and 2.6 males/10 ha. Other breeding species in the studied fallows include Great Bustard Otis tarda, Corn Bunting Miliaria calandra, Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla, Little Owl Athene noctua, Stone Curlew Burhinus oedicnemus, Quail Coturnix coturnix and Fan-tailed Warbler Cisticola juncidis. The results suggest that there are differences in population densities in fallows of different age and grazing intensity.

After European settlement, the range of the Noisy Scrub-bird Atrichornis clamosus contracted and only the population at Two Peoples Bay survived. Management policy at Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve has been one of wildfire prevention, which has created increased areas of suitable habitat for the species. Territories rose from 45 in 1970 to 189 in 1994. Habitat use was assessed by grouping the dominant vegetation associations in each territory in five categories, in descending order of suitability (assessed on breeding and feeding resources): low eucalypt forest, Agonis forest, tall thicket, low thicket and heath. Turnover rates in territory use gave the same habitat rankings. A range of values of Ne (effective population size) was calculated using assumptions about breeding potential of each habitat category. There may be insufficient habitat at Two Peoples Bay for the population to reach an Ne of 500. Successful translocation to Mt Manypeaks, and the establishment of three small populations by birds dispersing from Two Peoples Bay, suggest that an integrated regional population can develop with an Ne well in excess of 500. The management of areas with populations and the corridors linking them must include minimizing the incidence and extent of wildfires.

The montane forests of the Darién highlands in eastern Panama and adjacent Colombia embrace the entire ranges of 11 species of bird. By calculating the area which each of these species occupies, a reassessment of their status (using the new IUCN criteria) shows that four should be added to the globally threatened list, on the basis of their ranges being less than 100 km. Although the area which these birds occupy is protected within national parks, a number of threats appear to be compromising their long-term survival, and thus the Darien region urgently requires further conservation attention.