ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF THE MIDDLE EAST Lay clo THE LODGE, SANDY, BEDFORDSHIRE, ENGLAND. Bulletin 11 Autumn 1983 EDITORS : D J FISHER AND C A HARBARD ATLAS OF BREEDING BIRDS IN EGYPT: SECOND PROGRESS REPORT In 1977 we started collecting ornithological data on Egypt, aiming to compile an up-to-date book on the birds of the country (including Sinai). Information on breeding birds is being collected using a grid system of 4 degree plots of latitude and longitude. At the latitude of Egypt the plots are approximately h7 x 55 km. This type of system is now in use in Turkey (Porter and Beaman, 1977) and is intemmationally accepted for mapping in Africa (Ash and Pomeroy, 1981). African countries with current mapping schemes are shown in Figure 1. Moreover, the Holarctic Avian Speciation Atlas Project (HASA), to which the Egyptian data will also be submitted, is using the same grid system (Lees-Smith, 1980). The Atlas of Breeding Birds in Egypt will be published as a part of a book on the birds of the country, which we hope to start writing in 198). Thus, — ey) Ms A = Uis4- — aa ” Mitt -_—~-_ the 198) breeding season will probably be the last for which data can be included. However, we will continue collecting data in the same manner for inclusion in other work, for instance the HASA project, which will continue until 1990, the "Birds of the Wester Palearctic" and the "Register of Ornithological Sites in the Middle Fast" (Porter, 1982). A first progress report has been published by Meininger (1983) and Goodman et al (1983). Up to September 1983, over 150 ornithologists from 12 countries have submitted ormithological information from Egypt, comprising 152 atlas plots (37% of the total of 410 plots). Although this seems to be incomplete coverage, many unrecorded plots are situated in barren sandy desert which hold no or few breeding species. Moreover, in spring 198) several expeditions are planned which will visit some of the uncovered regions. To fill some gaps in areas not visited during the course of the project, and to make a comparison with past distributions, old data from the literature will also be transferred to atlas plots and indicated as such on the maps. The extent of the preliminary coverage is presented in Figure 2 and some examples of distribution maps in Figures 3, ) and 5. We would appreciate receiving any unpublished records or other suitable material (both on breeding and non—breeding birds) for inclusion in the book on Egyptian birds. Omnithologists visiting Egypt are requested to contact us, so that we can send them standard forms for the "Atlas of Breeding Birds" survey and additional information. All contributions will be fully acknowledged. Peter L. Meininger, Wim C. Mullie and Steven M. Goodman, c/o Grevelingenstraat 127, 335 XE Middelburg, The Netherlands. References Ash, U.S., and D.E. Pomeroy. 1981. Mapping schemes in the Afrotropical Region. Ibis 123: 552-553. Goodman, S.M., P.L. Meininger and W.C. Mullie. 1983. The atlas of breeding birds in Egypt. Dutch Birding 5: 22-23. Lees-Smith, D. 1980. The Holarctic Avian Speciation Atlas Project. OSME Bulletin ): 9-10. 3 Meininger, P.L. 1983. Atlas of breeding birds in Egypt. Torgos 3(1): 117-120. Porter, R. 1982. Register of Omithological Sites in the Middle East: a proposal. OSME Bulletin 9: 1-2. Porter, R., and M. Beaman. 1977. The Atlas of Breeding Birds in Turkey. Orn. Soc. Turkey Bulletin 15: h-5. Figure 1: African countries with current breeding bird mapping schemes. ABC DE F Guilt bi Jak’ bane Oo eiOniR Set #U Sah een! lye Ts © PE EVGiH VO kK L MIN O Pp GR Sa) Uv ae 25° 28° ane 34° any incidental records incomplete coverage * % fair coverage * only records before 1970 Figure 2. Atlas of Breeding Birds in EGyYpt: extent of the preliminary coverage. A 4B 1C (1D HERE 2G si e possible breeding @ probable breeding @ definite breeding 5 bck ME AM JN’ sO WP VQ bt Ros T U JOKVLNM/NSOUpH a ROS) T Uv OW! XS y, 31 34° 37° Figure 3. Distribution of Wester Reef Heron etta aris in Egypt as shown by preliminary atlassing. 1@) A BG Due FP oG eho Gack Vie MN Oa Rem hes ie IS SAR : | | | , ey . : s Ay Bat yO Este Gieh I oJ KAL¥MpNBO UP OM ROS TT Uae \. 25% 28° Bee ae 37 e possible breeding @ probable breeding & definite breeding Figure h. Distribution of Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis in Egypt as shown by preliminary atlassing. Se) Gs NT a eels 2) ws A BC D eer eG H t JK tL MON -O P.O. R S T U 25° e possible @ probable @ definite Figure 5. A ef 7 cen ee bac wee ch os Ket win op Oo A S;7 UV MT | 28 e 34° breeding open circles: before 1970 breeding breeding Distribution of Senegal Coucal Centropus senegalensis in Egypt as shown by preliminary atlassing. 2 d AN INTERIM REPORT OF AN ORNITHOLOGICAL EXPEDITION TO THE RED SEA PROVINCE OF EGYPT IN SPRING 1983 From 16 April until 15 May 1983, R. Frost, P.C. Heathcote, M.C. Jennings and D. Parr took part in an expedition to the Red Sea Province of Egypt. Their objective was to study resident and migratory birds in the Province and to carry out a survey of oil pollution in the area, including an assessment of its effect on bird communities. The expedition was based on the coastal town of Hurghada (azen)s The coast was visited in many places and examined for oil pollution between Suez (30°N) and Marsa Alam (25°N). The Red Sea mountains were explored in several places. Landings were made on 2h separate islands of the archipelago at the mouth of the Gulf of Suez and in addition several small and insignificant islands and islets were inspected from a boat passing close. (The only significant island not visited was Safaga Island which is unfortunately a restricted military area.) We also explored areas near to Cairo, along the Cairo-Suez road and the Nile between Idfu and Qift. Altogether 36 half degree squares of the Atlas of Eeyptian Birds project of Messrs Meininger and Mullie were visited and notes made on breeding species accordingly. In all some 162 species were observed, including 11 breeding seabirds and shorebirds and h9 breeding land birds. A census was made of birds breeding on the islands including Brown Booby, Spoonbill, Reef Heron, Osprey, White-— eyed and Sooty Gulls and Caspian Tern and a number of other species. (The main breeding season of a number of term species does not take place until late summer.) The migration of raptors and storks was noted and counted © where possible. Major movements were located northwards over the Red Sea mountains in various places and in particular over Jebel Zeit and the islands, where significant large scale movements of Honey Buzzards in the direction of Sinai were noted on several days. A constant check was maintained of the passerine migration at Hurghada and other favoured areas, the strength and direction being assessed daily. Oil pollution was a dominant feature of all coasts, the epicentre the Ras Gharib area. Most islands were heavily polluted on the western and northern shores at least. Pollution gradually decreased southwards to Marsa Alam. Some oil pollution appeared to be from the 1982 major spill but much evidence was collected of fresh contamination. Oiled birds were frequently encountered, especially on the islands and 35 different species were found to be affected. The influence of tar residues on intertidal flora and fauna was also studied. ? A full report is being prepared for publication in an appropriate ornithological journal. Separate papers on oil pollution and breeding seabirds are planned. Specialist reports will be made to the organisers of the Atlas of Egyptian Birds, the Holarctic Avian Speciation Atlas and the Site Register Scheme of the Ornithological Society of the Middle East and to other interested environmental and ornithological bodies. M. C. Jennings. If you would like to receive information about the publication of the results, please write to Michael Jennings, 10 Mill Lane, Whittlesford, Cambridgeshire, England. BIRDWATCHERS RELEASED Members will no doubt have been delighted to hear of the release from custody of Simon Albrecht and Dennis Buisson who were arrested while birdwatching in the Meric Delta in Turkey on 5th June. They finally returned to their homes in Great Britain on 27th July. Following this we have learnt of a law that has been passed in Turkey which requires anyone carrying out scientific study (including nature study ) in Turkey to obtain permission before their visit. We are trying to ascertain the full implications of this as far as birdwatching visits are concerned and we hope to report on this in the next bulletin. In the meantime, we suggest that anyone wishing to birdwatch in Turkey consults the Turkish Embassy in their country beforehand. Birdwatchers visiting any country in the Middle East are of course advised to avoid sensitive areas such as frontiers and military zones. 1983 AGM Over 60 people attended our Annual General Meeting on 25 June at the offices of the Nature Conservancy Council. We were pleased to welcome a number of overseas members amongst an audience of mainly British members. The first talk, by Steve Madge, was an entertaining description of bird- watching in Afghanistan and set the mood for the rest of the afternoon. The delights of Syria and Lebanon were extolled by Lt Col Macfarlane who also stressed the problems that Lebanon faces with many of its migrant birds being slaughtered by the armed forces. The third talk was by Dr Nigel Collar 10 who stood in for Dr Lindon Cornwallis and spoke of bustards and their conservation, painting a gloomy but hopeful picture. The final talk was by two Dutch members, Peter Meininger and Wim Mullie, and illustrated the increasing interest in birdwatching and conservation in Egypt. They described many of the threats that face the wetland areas of northern Egypt with their large populations of wintering waterfowl and then went on to describe the progress that has been made with the 'Atlas of Breeding Birds in Egypt'. All present deemed the meeting a great success and we hope that each year the AGM can be combined with an afternoon of talks of this quality. See ‘Announcements!. LETTERS Six, An Atlas of the Birds of the Western Palaearctic: by Colin Harrison (1982) Notwithstanding the disclaimer on page 15 of Harrison (1982) about regional variation in information, I feel that I must draw the attention of members to the dangers in accepting the mapped distribution of certain species in respect of the two Middle Easterm countries best known to me, Lebanon and Syria, where I lived and travelled extensively for three years (197h-77). No one person could hope to cover completely such an area single—-handed - the whole equates almost to that of England and Scotland combined. However, whilst preparing my own field-notes for publication (Macfarlane 1978), I made every effort to read all the available literature on the two countries and believe that my own knowledge of the ornithological situation in 1977 was as good as anyone else's and, if the situation has changed since then, I doubt it is for the better. In brief, the following species are incorrectly shown in Harrison (1982) as breeding species: LEBANON a. Rarely (R) or Never (N) even seen: Lammergeier (N), Little Tern (R), Whiskered Tern (R), Pin-tailed Sandgrouse (R), Black-bellied Sandgrouse (N), Collared Dove (N), Great Spotted Cuckoo (R), Long—eared Owl (R), Striated Scops Owl (N), Hume's Tawny Owl (N), White-breasted Kingfisher (R), Lesser Pied Kingfisher (R), Syrian Woodpecker (R), Spectacled Warbler (R), 11 Wallcreeper (R), Reed Bunting (R), Desert Finch (R), Tree Sparrow (R), Pale Rock Sparrow (R), Rose-coloured Starling (R), Raven (R) and Chough (R). b. Regular Visitors but not thought to be breeding: Purple Heron, Kentish Plover, Spur-winged Plover, Black-winged Stilt, Stone-curlew, Collared Pratincole, Common Term, Common Kingfisher, European Bee-eater, European Roller, Sand Martin and Jackdaw. SYRIA a. Rarely (R) or Never (N) even seen: Lammergeier (N), Spotted Sandgrouse (R), Wood Pigeon (R), Long-eared Owl (R), Scops Owl (N), Striated Scops Owl (not since 1919), Hume's Tawny Owl (N), Pallid Swift (N), Thick-billed Lark (N), Rock Martin (N), Savi's Warbler (R), Wallcreeper (R), Cinereous Bunting (R), Brown-necked Raven (R), Fan-tailed Raven (N), Chough (R) and Alpine Chough (R). b. Regular Visitors but not thought to be breeding: Little Egret, Greater Sand Plover, Avocet, Herring Gull, Caspian Term, Black—bellied Sandgrouse, Spotted Flycatcher and Rose-coloured Starling. On the other hand, the following additional species do breed regularly, if locally, in the two countries: LEBANON Little Grebe, Coot, Moorhen, Shore Lark, Great Reed Warbler, Reed Warbler, Moustached Warbler, Crimson—winged Finch and Spanish Sparrow. SYRIA White Stork, Shore Lark and Easterm Pied Wheatear. Of course, the fact that the greater part of Syria is steppe-desert means that the true distribution of water or woodland species is very restricted. Conversely, several desert species could have a toe-hold across the frontiers with Jordan and Iraq without being discovered. However, the light is so good and the cover so thin that none but the smallest or most secretive species should be overlooked. A.M. Macfarlane. p . DPafaranraa nelrerences —— HARRISON, C. 1982. An Atlas of the Birds of the Western Palaearctic. Collins. MACFARLANE, A.M. 1978. Field Notes on the Birds of Lebanon and Syria 1974-77. Army Bird Watching Society, P.P. No. 3. REVIEWS The Birds of Africa. Volume I. Brown, Urban and Newman. Academic Press, London, 1982. 53h pages. 32 plates. £53.)0. The first volume in this four-volume work giving the 'BWP! treatment to all the species occurring within the African Continent is in most respects a fitting tribute to Leslie Brown, whose untimely death in 1980 has made the task of the other authors, Emil Urban and Kenneth Newman, all the more difficult. It is a pity given Leslie's particular love for raptors that their illustration is the major weakness of the book. Covering non—passerines from the Ostrich to the falcons, Volume I deals with many of the better known species. The mind boggles at the task facing writers and artists alike when they are faced with the bulbuls and cisticolas. An imaginative and useful introductory section describes the evolution of the African bird faunas, their relation to climate and habitats and population dynamics and migration, and suggests fields for research. The species section is unashamedly 'BWP' in lay-out but the individual accounts are shorter, particularly in respect of behaviour, even where detailed knowledge exists. Almost all species, including palearctic migrants, are illustrated in colour and their African distributions are mapped. For OSME members interested principally in Africa north of the Sahara, Volume I offers little in the way of new material but puts those 'fringe! representatives of the Ethiopian faunal region, such as the Dark Chanting Goshawk Melierax metabates, firmly in their Continental context. The treatment of Palearctic migrants to Africa is deliberately, and rightly, brief and it is therefore surprising to find two plates devoted exclusively to northern Anatidae. A line drawing of the drake Goldeneye's Bucephala clangula display seems equally unnecessary and this ‘error' is compounded by its unfortunate transposition with a sketch of the Southern Pochard Netta erythropthalma in a similar posture. 13 The authors took a conscious decision to restrict themselves to the African Continent and omit adjacent areas of the Ethiopian faunal region, such as South West Arabia. Comments in the range and status sections sometimes refer to Middle Easter populations (e.g. Bald Ibis Geronticus eremitus in Turkey) but sometimes do not (e.g. Abdim's Stork Ciconia abdimii), the migration of which beyond African shores into Yemen is surely relevant. Two artists shared the task in this volume with, to my mind, markedly different success. Peter Hayman's 17 plates (Ostriches to Ducks) are masterly -— the book is worth buying for his seabird plates alone. In contrast, Martin Woodcock's perched raptors are variously overweight, truncated or too 'leggy' and sometimes all three - the North African race of the Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus cirtensis, for instance, showing more than a passing resemblance to a francolin Francolinus spp. It is very difficult to understand why Kenneth Newman, who produced the excellent new raptor plates in the latest edition of Roberts! Birds of South Africa, did not lend his skills to this work. The black-and-white flight plates are better but still far short of the standards set by artists in other recent works. I have yet to see a Lanner Falco biarmicus which looked broader-winged than Peregrine Falco peregrinus and this does not instil confidence that the 'jizz* of lesser known species is any more accurate. The grouping of the species in the plates also leaves something to be desired. Lesser Spotted Eagle Aquila pomarina is separated from the other large Aquila eagles and Wahlberg's Eagle A. wahlbergi would have been better compared with Booted Kagle Hieraaetus pennatus than other Aquila spp. Bonelli's Eagle Hieraaetus fasciatus is not depicted in flight and its close relationship with African Hawk Eagle H. spilogaster (which was once regarded as a race of fasciatus) is not discussed in the text. I have been more critical than I set out to be. Overall, it is an impressive achievement, bringing a new dimension to African ornithology. The publication of Volume II will be eagerly awaited by many. Alan Vittery. Seabirds - An identification guide. Croom Helm, Beckenham, 1983. 88 plates. 32h maps, 8 pages. £15.95. Available in USA from Houghton Mifflin, in Israel from Unipress, in South Africa from David Philip. This is undoubtedly an impressive book. Peter Harrison is to be congratulated on the eleven years of research now summarised in this comprehensive, well 1), illustrated and well produced guide to the seabirds of the world. Many of the illustrations are particularly noteworthy, especially those of the gulls. Indeed it is a pity he has not been recruited to paint the gulls in a number of other recently published volumes. The treatment of the frigate birds in flight (p. 309-316) is also impressive, though I felt that the Great Skua paintings are not quite up to the same high standard. The book is intended as an identification guide, at which it appears to succeed, although it is perhaps a little too large by virtue of its comprehensive nature, to fit easily into an anorak pocket. A cruise on unfamiliar waters is required to test the book fully, but its major challenge will be whether it is of help in identifying the dark petrels, a comment made by Bill Bourne to Peterson over proposals to write a similar guide over 30 years ago and mentioned by Peterson in the foreword. I doubt the book will be used regularly in the field in the Middle East region, however, for those travelling further afield, particularly to the southern oceans it is a must. In the Middle East I suspect its greatest value will be to help identify vagrant Indian Ocean species which may occur in the Arabian Gulf or the Red Sea. Inevitably with a book of this scope one can make criticisms and point out minor errors — a curious one being the picture in flight of the flightless Junin Grebe. I did not like the too-upturned bill of the Red-throated Diver, and the range of Great Skua should extend as far north as Spitzbergen and N. Norway. My main criticism is of the inclusion of the divers and grebes (several of which are rare, freshwater species, with very restricted ranges ) when the seaduck receive such poor treatment (20 species in just over 2 pages, which mainly comprise black and white drawings). Any birder travelling from the North Sea to the Baltic, or around northern Scandinavia for example is likely to pass concentrations of birds which in winter reach seven figures. Although seaduck are covered by many other guides, full treatment would make this guide complete. Surely the identification problems posed by some species in eclipse or immature plumage are sufficient to deserve treatment similar to the true seabirds. Nevertheless, I thoroughly recommend this book to the birder, birdwatcher or the scientist. If only someone would write as comprehensive a guide to the biology of each species. Tim Stowe. 15 REQUESTS Cinereous Bunting I am currently collecting observations of the Cinereous Bunting Emberiza cineracea for articles concerning the identification and current status of this species in the Middle East. Also any other relevant information is welcome. Please mention the following points: 1) the date; 2) the subspecies involved (only readily determined on males: the Grey-bellied ssp cineracea or the Yellow-—bellied ssp. semenowi ); 3) age and sex; ),) number of birds; 5) observation place (as accurate as possible, evt. with small sketch) and 6) the observers involved. All records will be acknowledged. Peter de Knijff, Ahornstraat 15, 20) VP, Alphen aan den Rijn, Holland. Request for records of the Red-tailed Wheatear (Oenanthe xanthoprymna) I am working out a detailed dot map of the sumer and winter distribution of the Red-tailed Wheatear which will also show the different ranges of the two subspecies. The subspecies chrysopygia can be distinguished from nominate xanthoprymna by having brick-red at the base of the tail, where the latter has white edges. Furthermore, all birds with black faces and throats belong to nominate xanthopryma. These differences make identification in the field easy, often these two subspecies are not regarded as specific anyway. I would be very glad to receive any unpublished records of this species: even if the subspecies was not identified and I would also like to hear of any papers in local journals, privately published bird reports etc, which contain any information about Oenanthe xanthoprymna. Max Kasparek, Bettinaweg 7, 8300 Landshut, West Germany. Spare Slides of Birds in Israel The Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI) are making a collection of slides of birds taken in Israel and are keen to contact birdwatchers who have been to Israel who are willing to help. The SPNI 16 would like copies (or seconds) of slides and will not publish any sent to them unless permission for this has been granted by the photographer. Slides of species rarely recorded in Israel are particularly requested and will assist in the verification of the observation. This is important in respect of the Checklist of the Birds of Israel currently in preparation. All slides should note the date, place and photographer and for convenience should be sent to Richard Porter, Chairman, Ornithological Society of the Middle East, c/o The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 2DL, England, who will then despatch them to the SPNI in Israel. ANNOUNCEMENTS OSME Grants Members are reminded that the closing date for applications for 198 grants is 15th November 1983. Full details were published in Bulletin 10 (Spring 1983). Proposals should be addressed to the Chairman, Conservation Research Committee, OSME, c/o The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 2DL. OSME Sites Register The response to the Sites Register Scheme announced in Bulletin 10 (Spring 1983) has been encouraging. Please do not rely on others to send in information. If you know a site which you feel deserves registering, please let us know. All information is very welcome and will be acknowledged. A blank site form is enclosed with this Bulletin. This can be photocopied or alternatively write for more to: OSME Sites Register Scheme, c/o The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 2DL. We look forward to hearing from you! 198), AGM Following this year's successful extended AGM, a similar format will be adopted for 198). The date has been set for June 30th and details will appear in the Spring Bulletin. Turkish Bird Report 1976-1981 Several members have asked about the latest Turkish Bird Report. This is being compiled by Mark Beaman on behalf of OSME and he hopes to complete the work on it by the end of the year. All being well, this will pave the way for publication in 198). 17 Subscriptions There are still a few members whose subscriptions are in arrears. Members are reminded that they will not receive Sandgrouse 5 when it is published unless they have paid a subscription for 1983. The current rate is £5.00 (plus £2.00 airmal supplement if required). Please assist us by paying promptly. 198) subscriptions will be maintained at the same level and become due on ist January. DEEDS OF COVENANT From 198) the Society has made arrangements with the Inland Revenue to introduce Deeds of Covenant for annual subscriptions. If you pay UK Income Tax, you can greatly benefit the Society by signing and sending to the Society the Deed of Covenant form enclosed with this Bulletin. We can then reclaim the tax from the Inland Revenue so that for every £5 subscription paid we will receive £7.15 (£10 from the £7 airmail subscription). To be effective for tax purposes Deeds must run for a period not less than ) years. The most convenient method of payment is by Banker's Order. Members who already have a standing order with their bank for the correct amount need not complete the Banker's Order form. If you do not wish to complete a Banker's Order, you can still execute a Deed of Covenant and pay your annual subscription by cheque or any other way as before, but it is important that we receive it as soon as possible after 1st January each year. If you are not able to sign a Deed of Covenant (for example, if you do not pay UK Income Tax), it would greatly assist administration if you would complete the Banker's Order so that your future annual subscriptions can be paid direct by your bank to the Society's account. We hope you will continue to support the Society and, if possible, please complete the Deed of Covenant. Nigel Redman, Treasurer. ICBP Bird of Prey Bulletin The ICBP World Working Group on Birds of Prey published its first Bulletin last March. This comprises 20 pages covering a wide range of current topics including population censuses, conservation programmes, problems of protection, intermational smuggling, reports of conferences, etc. from many different countries. Whilst primarily intended as a means of communication between members of the Working Group, this Bulletin is available to anyone interested in birds of prey and copies can be obtained at £4.50 or US $7.00 post free from ICBP, c/o R.D. Chancellor, 15 Bolton Gardens, London SW5 OAL. It is hoped to publish further issues biannually. SALES NEWS OSME Tie Ties bearing the Society's single Sandgrouse logo in gold and black are now available from the Sales Officer. There is a choice of four background colours: light beige, cardinal red, royal blue and olive, and the cost is £5.50 each inclusive of postage and packing. (£6.00 if sent airmail.) OSME Car Stickers These are only available to OSME members who are sent one free on joining the Society. Additional car stickers are available post free at 50 pence each. Sandgrouse Volumes 1, 2 and These three volumes are available at the special offer price of £12.50 for surface postage or £11.50 airmail postage. The normal price is £5.00 each plus postage. See the enclosed sales list for details. Season's Greetings Cards We have not produced a new selection of cards this year. The cards we produced last year are still available (see Bulletin No. 9). We would appreciate suitable designs for cards in future years. If anyone feels able to help us please contact the Sales Officer - artwork from the Middle East region would be particularly appreciated. 19 The above items may be obtained from the Sales Officer, OSME, c/o The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire 5G19 2DL, England. BIRDS OF NORTH-WEST SAUDI ARABTA The OSME Sales Office no longer has copies of A Check-list of the birds of Tabuk, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by Arthur Stagg (1979) in stock. However, the author has advised that in conjunction with Frank Walker, a recent resident of Tabuk, he has completely updated the list to produce a 1982 edition. The new edition is not available from OSME Sales but copies can be obtained direct from the author at the following address: Arthur Stagg, c/o BAC Ltd, PO Box 1271, Khamis Mushait, Saudi Arabia. Please include two £1 banknotes with your request to cover returm airmail and packaging expenses. ADVERTISE THROUGH OSME Advertisements, which will reach 600 or so members, libraries and societies especially interested in Middle East ornithology, may be placed in the Bulletin at the following rates. HnimemNdviertusSeMeCMLS © eres +016 cieieisieccicicie cee 6 al per Line Block Advertisements (Advertisers to supply camera ready copy ) Whole page @eeeoevoeevevneveeveeveveoeeee eevee ee ede @ @ £50 Half page @eeaeeeoeveaeveanvneeeoeoaoeeoeseaeeneee? eae eo e280 @ £1 5 Quart exe page @eeecveeepeaeveoeeeeeoeeveeeoen ee eee @ £1 5 Mail Inserts (Brochures etc., to be supplied by advertiser. ) Mail inserts may be sent out with either the Bulletin or Sandgrouse. Charges are as follows. Simelie sheet A> Size <.cc..ccecccccccoees £50 ) There is a ; : surcharge for Single sheet Al, SiZe e@eeneev eevee eeeeev ee e886 £65 ) particularly Sine shee tmAS uctiz otra nlae ates aiccetcleisisicies ve CEOD \.) heavy cards. — 20 Any special requirements of advertisers may be negotiated. ‘'Copy' for advertisements in the Bulletin or brochures (at least 600) should be sent to the Bulletin Editor by March or August for insertion in the Spring and Autumn Bulletins respectively. An invoice will be sent to advertisers after publication. Please note that details of expeditions, availability of expedition reports, news of members, other Societies and ornithological events are welcomed and may be printed in the Bulletin free of charge as ‘Announcements’, subject to the discretion of the Bulletin Editor. Acknowledgements We would like to thank Mike Hodgson for his cover illustration of a Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola.