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Ornithologists’

ey

Volume 124, No. 1
March 2004

MEETINGS are normally held in the Sherfield Building of Imperial College, South Kensington, London,
SW7. The nearest Tube station is at South Kensington; a map of the area will be sent to members, on
request. [Limited car parking facilities can be reserved (at a special reduced charge of £5.00), on prior
application to the Hon. Secretary].

The cash bar is open from 6.15 pm, and a buffet supper, of two courses followed by coffee, is served at
7.00 pm. (A vegetarian menu can be arranged if ordered at the time of booking). Informal talks are given
on completion, commencing at about 8.00 pm.

Dinner charges were increased to £19.00, as from Ist January 2004.

FORTHCOMING MEETINGS
See also BOC website: http://www.boc-online.org

Tuesday 27 April—ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING at 6 pm, followed by a Club Social Evening.
There will be no speaker, but Members are invited to bring along one or two slides (or a specimen) of a bird
of topical interest, and to speak for not more than 5-10 minutes about it. The aim will be to generate
discussion, and to facilitate the exchange of information between Members.

Applications to Michael Casement including subjects to be raised, and any special facilities required, by 13
April, please.

Tuesday 22nd June—Dr P.J.K McGowan ‘Threatened pheasants and partridges in Asia’

Philip McGowan first encountered pheasants in Asia during two months fieldwork to plan the boundaries of
the Great Himalayan National Park in Himachal Pradesh, NW India, in February/March 1983. Since then
he has carried out surveys and intensive fieldwork on pheasants and partridges elsewhere in northern India,
on Palawan in the Philippines, southwest China and in Malaysia. He compiled IUCN Action Plans for three
groups of Galliformes and is now the Conservation Director of the World Pheasant Association. His role is
to promote action on behalf of the world’s Galliformes, which is amongst the most threatened of avian
orders. On the current IUCN Red List 11% of bird species are considered at risk of extinction, whereas for
the Galliformes it is 25%. The pressures seem most serious in Asia, where 50% of the world’s pheasant
species are listed as threatened.

Applications to Tony Statham (Note this change) by 8 June, please.

Tuesday 28th September—Professor Glen Chilton - ‘The curse of the Labrador Duck’

Glen Chilton is an Associate Professor of Biology at St. Mary’s College in Calgary, Canada. For the past 18
years, most of his research efforts have concerned the songs of birds, particularly the evolution of songs in
crowned sparrows and New World warblers. This work has taken him to some of the most remote parts of
North America. He is currently on a research sabbatical in the UK. Nine years ago, while constructing the
species account of the extinct Labrador Duck for the Birds of North America series, he became fascinated
by the stories associated with this species. They are stories of murder, theft, enormous wealth, and wartime
crimes. Glen is now travelling the world to examine all remaining stuffed specimens, and is writing a book
about his adventures.

Applications to Tony Statham by 14 September please.

Future meetings in 2004. The following Tuesdays have been booked:
2 November—Speaker to be arranged
7 December—Speaker to be arranged

Overseas Members visiting Britain are especially welcome at these meetings, and the Hon. Secretary
would be very pleased to hear from anyone who can offer to talk to the Club, in 2005, giving as much
advance notice as possible—please contact: Tony Statham, Woodcock Hill, Durrants Lane, Berkhamsted,
Herts. HP4 3TR UK, (or e-mail: SAHS@tinyonline.co.uk)

Printed on acid-free paper.

Published by the British Ornithologists’ Club
Typeset by Alcedo Publishing of Colorado Springs, USA, and printed by Crowes of Norwich, UK

Club Announcements

Bulletin of the
BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB

Vol. 124 No. 1 Published 5 March 2004

.C. 2004 124(1)

CLUB ANNOUNCEMENTS

Membership News
Hon. Life Member—Rule (3). Congratulations to Bryan Sage after 50 years continuous membership
(1954-2004).

We regret to report the death (in July 2001) of Dr R.S. Marrus (1994-2001).

Hon. Secretary. As announced in BBOC 123 (4), Michael Casement is standing down as Hon. Secretary
and, subject to agreement at the AGM (see below), Tony Statham will assume this responsibility as from
1 May 2004; Michael Casement will continue as Hon. Membership Secretary until further notice.

Free Membership for Students for 2004. Free membership has been offered, on a trial basis for one
year, to suitably qualified students. We are delighted to welcome 41 successful applicants, from a wide
spread of countries, with addresses in: UK (5), USA (6), Africa (7), Asia (10—including five from
Indonesia), and South and Central America (13). We wish them well in their studies in the coming year.

The BOC Website - http://www.boc-online.org The number of enquiries continues dramatically to
increase and the major re-design, in 2003, incorporates a number of new features to make it more user-
friendly. Do please look at it and let Paul Salaman have your comments.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The Annual General Meeting of the British Ornithologists’ Club will be held in the Sherfield Building,
Imperial College, London SW7 at 6.00pm on Tuesday 27 April 2004.

AGENDA
Minutes of the 2003 Annual General Meeting (see Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl. 122 (3): 66—71).
Chairman’s report.
Trustees Annual Report and Accounts for 2003 (both to be distributed at the meeting).
The Bulletin. Editor’s report.
Publications report—by Revd. T.W. Gladwin, Chairman JPC
The election of Officers. The Committee proposes that:
(i) Mr S.A.H. Statham be elected as Hon. Secretary (vice Commander M.B. Casement).
(ii) Mr D.J. Montier be re-elected as Honorary Treasurer,
(111) Professor R.A. Cheke be elected as Hon. Publications Officer vice J.A. Jobling.
(iv) Mr J.P. Hume to be elected vice Mr S.A.H. Statham
(v) Commander M.B. Casement, OBE, RN, to continue (ex-officio) as Hon. Membership Secretary.
7. Any other business of which notice shall have been given in accordance with Rule (12).

ape Py >

The 920th meeting of the Club was held Tuesday 2nd December 2003, in the Sherfield Building Annexe,
Imperial College. 23 Members and 9 guests were present. Members attending were: Mrs MLN. MULLER
(Chairman), Miss H. BAKER, I.R. BISHOP, Mrs D.M. BRADLEY, Dr.A.P. BUCKLE, Cdr. M.B.
CASEMENT RN, Professor R.A. CHEKE, J.B. FISHER, F.M. GAUNTLETT, D. GRIFFIN, J.A.
JOBLING (Speaker), R.R. LANGLEY, D.J. MONTIER, Mrs A.M. MOORE (Speaker), Dr. R.P. PRYS-

Club Announcements 2 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

JONES, R.E. SCOTT, P.J. SELLAR, T.R. SMEETON, S.A.H. STATHAM, N.H.F. STONE, C.W.R.
STOREY, M.P. WALTERS, and Mrs FE. WARR.

Guests attending were: M. BRADLEY, Ms G. BONHAM, Mrs M.H. GAUNTLETT, Mrs M.
MONTIER, P.J. MOORE, C.A. MULLER, Mrs S.L. STONE, A.J. WARR, and R.W. WEBSTER.

After dinner, Amberley Moore and James Jobling gave a joint presentation entitled ‘The unknown
traveller—the ornithological collections of Louis Fraser’. The following is a brief synopsis: Amberley
Moore gave a presentation on the life of the Victorian collector Louis Fraser and James Jobling illustrated
some of the specimens from Fraser’s collection, now held in the Natural History Museum at Tring.

During his lifetime Louis Fraser (1819-—c.1883) was widely acknowledged as an excellent and tireless
naturalist and collector. Indeed, because of his attention to detail and breadth of his field notes he has
been considered the first of the modern collectors. Of modest education he began work as an office boy
at the Zoological Society of London in 1832. By 1841 he had become curator’s clerk and had already
contributed five papers to the Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London when, with the influence
of the President of the Society Lord Derby, he was appointed naturalist to the ill-fated Niger Expedition,
during which he made an important collection of birds and mammals in the Gulf of Guinea. Upon his
return in 1842 he was re-employed by the Zoological Society, becoming curator in 1844. He began
publication of his Zoologica typica in 1845, illustrating new species of birds and mammals first shown
at meetings of the Zoological Society. The financial burden of the series proved to be too great and part
XIV, published in March 1849, brought the series to a premature close. Fraser resigned his post in 1846
to take up a six-month contract to collect for Lord Derby in North Africa and on his own account in
1847. He became Temporary Curator of Lord Derby’s collection at Knowsley in April 1848, where he
compiled catalogues including a six-volume catalogue of birds (now held in manuscript at Liverpool
Museum) and a catalogue of mammals, Catalogue of the Knowsley collection, which he published himself
in 1850. He left Knowsley to take up the post of Vice-consul to the Kingdom of Dahomey from 1851 to
1853 during the reign of the notorious King Gezo. In 1857 Philip Lutley Sclater financed Fraser privately
to collect for him in South America for three years.

During his several journeys abroad Fraser collected over 1,000 specimens from Tunisia, Dahomey
[Benin] and the Niger, Fernando Poo [Bioko], Ecuador, Panama, Guatemala and the United States. Over
645 bird specimens collected by Fraser have been identified presently in museum collections in Britain,
Germany and the US. They include the type material of over 100 species. Fraser’s name is commemorated
in the distinctive Afrotropical flycatcher genus Fraseria Bonaparte, 1854, and his large collections in
the Afrotropics and Neotropics gave birth to a raft of eponyms: Deleornis fraseri (Jardine & Selby,
1843); Basileuterus fraseri (Philip Sclater, 1884); Conirostrum (cinereum) fraseri (Philip Sclater 1859);
Threnetes (ruckeri) fraseri (Gould, 1861); Oreomanes fraseri Philip Sclater, 1860; Stizorhina fraseri
(Strickland, 1844); Zympanistria (tympanistria) fraseri Bonaparte, 1855; and Tityra (inquisitor) fraseri
(Kaup, 1852). Opportunity was taken to show slides of many of Fraser’s specimens in the type collection
at Tring; such as Cisticola lateralis (Fraser, 1843), Nigrita fusconota Fraser, 1843 and Linurgus olivaceus
(Fraser, 1842). Other slides of birds from his collections now held at Tring, Liverpool and Cambridge
illustrated his distinctive small circular collectors’ labels often cut from menu cards and sailing dockets!

Although Fraser’s earlier career can be verified by official papers and his private correspondence,
his latter years are ill-documented. Philip Sclater’s correspondence and papers were kept by his son,
William, and it is probable that Fraser’s Ecuadorian correspondence, which must have been extensive,
and his field notes, were lost when the Sclater home in London was destroyed by a flying bomb during
the Second World War.

Fraser’s last written records are found on the labels of three birds taken in Florida in 1883 and now
in the UMZ at Cambridge: Carolina Parakeet Conuropsis carolinensis labelled ‘Wekiva River Fl[orid]a
Mar. 8 1883’, Roseate Spoonbill Ajaia ajaja labelled ‘Kissimmee River Fl[orid]Ja May 9. 1883’, and
Anhinga Anhinga anhinga labelled ‘Sanford Fl{orid]a July 3 1883’.

It is probable that Louis Fraser died in North America before 1888, but no record of his death has
been found.

Club Announcements 3 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

The 921st meeting of the Club was held Tuesday 20th January 2004, in the Sherfield Building Annexe,
Imperial College. 30 Members and | 1 guests were present.

Members attending were: Dr C.F. MANN (Chairman), D.N.S. ALLEN, Miss H. BAKER, LR.
BISHOP, Mrs D.M. BRADLEY, Dr. A.P. BUCKLE (Speaker), Cdr. M.B. CASEMENT RN, D.R.
CALDER, Captain P. CARR RM, S.E. CHAPMAN, Professor R.A. CHEKE, Dr. R.A.F. COX, R.C.
DICKEY, FM. GAUNTLETT, A. GIBBS, D. GRIFFIN, Dr. J. GROOMBRIDGE, C.A.R. HELM, J.P.
HUME, J.A. JOBLING, R.H. KETTLE, .R. LANGLEY, D.J. MONTIER, Mrs M.N. MULLER, Dr. R.P.
PRYS-JONES, N.J. REDMAN, P.J. SELLAR, S.A.H. STATHAM, C.W.R. STOREY, and
R.W.WEBSTER.

Guests attending were: Ms G. BONHAM, A.J. BRAY, Mrs C.R. CASEMENT, B.J. HUGHES, Mrs
M.H. GAUNTLETT, Mrs M. MONTIER, R. RANFT, Mrs W. SPENNING, Dr. FJ. ZINO, (Speaker)
Mrs E. ZINO and Miss F. ZINO.

After dinner, Frank Zino followed by Alan Buckle gave two splendidly illustrated presentations,
under the overall title: Rats on Oceanic Islands—Impacts and Management. The following is a brief
synopsis of the two talks:

Frank Zino: The rediscovery of Pterodroma madeira

When first handled by Padre Ernesto Schmitz in 1903 this bird was identified as Oestrelata feae and, by
1934 when defined by Mathews as a subspecies of Oestrelata mollis, it was thought to be extinct.
Schmitz sold many specimens to European museums, including nine of what we now know as Zino’s
Petrel Pterodroma madeira. Two more birds were found in 1909 but for decades after that many considered
the bird extinct. In October 1940 and October 1951, however, recently fledged birds were attracted to
the lights of Funchal and this led Gunther (Jerry) Maul and Alec Zino (PAZ) to think that a colony of P
madeira still existed on Madeira.

In 1963 Maul organised an expedition to the Selvagem Islands through the Museu Municipal do
Funchal (MMF). Christian Jouanin and Francis Roux were on this expedition and awakened the Zino
family’s interest in birds. They returned to Madeira over subsequent years and, with PAZ on his yacht
Yam Seng, visited many of the islands around Madeira, including Bugio. There, Fea’s Petrel Prerodroma
feae was studied and PAZ made excellent recordings of its calls. PAZ reasoned that if P madeira and P
feae were so alike their calls might be similar. He played his recording to shepherds from the area where
Schmitz had collected his birds and one identified the calls as “the souls of Cidrao”. In April 1969 the
approximate breeding area was identified and nests were found the next month. PAZ then left for the
Selvagems and should have been accompanied by a French ornithologist, a priest, who missed the boat.
On 15 June 1969, the priest went to PAZ’s office and met the men PAZ had organised to search for the
breeding birds, who reported finding birds and eggs in burrows. The priest opportunistically organised
an expedition the next day using the same men, who had been told not to touch any bird or egg.

PAZ returned from the Selvagems late on 15 June and the next day received a call from Pico do
Areeiro, saying that they had the birds! He rushed to Areeiro, where he was met by his men with eight
birds and six eggs of a species, up to then, considered extinct! After much negotiating, six birds were
released. The priest took the eggs, giving one to the MMF (since stolen) and one to PAZ. The next day
the Frenchman took another egg and bird. After this disaster, work continued quietly for fear of more
collectors. In 1985—86 it was noted that there was no successful breeding on the ledges due to rat predation.
We needed outside help and after a fortuitous meeting with Andy Swash of MAFF on Selvagem Grande,
he introduced us to Dr Alan Buckle, then at ICI, who came to the rescue, and continues to support us.

Alan Buckle: Rodents on oceanic islands—impacts and management

Since the earliest days of exploration humans have accidentally, and sometimes purposefully, introduced
rodents (mainly Norway Rats Rattus norvegicus, but also Ship or Black Rats Rattus rattus and Polynesian
Rats Rattus exulans) to places where they have landed and colonised. On the islands the rodents preyed
upon species poorly adapted to withstand their depredations. The full extent of this disaster on the
biodiversity of the world’s oceanic islands will never be known but in two recent cases, Lord Howe
Island and Big South Cape Island, ornithologists were able to record the rodents’ catastrophic impact on

Club Announcements 4 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

the islands’ avifauna. Many species were extinguished and populations of others decreased dramatically.
Thanks to the development of a range of management techniques, pioneered mainly by workers from
New Zealand, conservationists now have an ability either to remove alien rodents from islands or, if this
is impractical, to control rodents in particularly sensitive areas to allow endangered species a chance to
recover.

Zino’s Petrel breeds in burrows on cliff ledges among the peaks of Madeira’s central mountain
range. During the mid-1980s the birds failed to breed successfully for several years as rats, coming up
from the forests below, had infested the breeding ledges. The site was surveyed and, after detailed
planning which included an environmental impact assessment, a rodent control programme was initiated
to protect the birds. This involved the placement of specially designed rodenticide bait boxes, both in a
‘cordon sanitaire’ around the breeding ledges and on the ledges themselves. The difficult work of
maintaining this programme has continued every year since, thanks to the efforts of the Freira Conservation
Project and the Natural Park of Madeira (see Zino et al., 2001, Oryx 35: 128-136 and www.pnm.pt).
Breeding was at first slow to re-establish but has improved in recent years, with a record in 2003 when
> 20 chicks fledged. Different problems faced the workers of the Natural Park of Madeira on Great
Salvage Island, 160 nautical miles south of the Madeira mainland. The island was overrun with Rabbits
Oryctolagus cuniculi and House Mice Mus sp. A project was initiated in 2002, aimed at the complete
eradication of these species from the 240-ha island, in order to protect breeding seabirds and to support
application for UNESCO World Heritage Site status. The island is a breeding station for globally important
colonies of the White-faced Storm-petrel Pelagodroma marina, Madeiran Storm-petrel Oceanodroma
castro, Bulwer’s Petrel Bulweria bulwerii, Little Shearwater Puffinus assimilis and Cory’s Shearwater
Calonectris diomedia. Once again, severe difficulties of planning and logistics were overcome to establish
and maintain a grid of rodenticide baiting stations over the entire island for more than one year. The
rabbits were quickly removed and careful surveys in November 2003 failed to discover any signs of
mice. The final outcome of the project, which also involved scientists from the UK Forestry Commission
and the University of Reading, is eagerly awaited.

The talk concluded with a vigorous and enthusiastic discussion.

Robert W. Dickerman 5 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

Notes on the type of Bubo virginianus
sclariventris

by Robert W Dickerman

Received 8 October 2001; revision received 29 Fanuary 2004

In attempting to make order out of the variation he noted among the 50 pale Great
Horned Owls Bubo virginianus from Ontario in the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM),
Snyder (1961) divided them into more heavily and less heavily barred groups.
Considering the less heavily marked birds to be swbarcticus, he named the darker
birds B. v. sclariventris, using a female taken on 26 February 1948 as the holotype.
The condition of its gonads was not given. He apparently used only specimens in
the ROM, and did not mention the existing types of suwbarcticus and occidentalis.
The range of sclariventris was mapped by Karalus & Eckert (1974), Johnsgard (1988)
and McGillivray (1989), and the name was used by James (1991) and Pittaway
(1993).

Godfrey (1986) and Browning (1990) were unable to express an opinion on the
validity of sclariventris, and it has not been included in any taxonomic work to date,
including Houston et al. (1998) and Konig et al. (1999). Dickerman (1992) studied
the series of 60 nesting-season specimens of the subarctic populations in the then
National Museum of Canada, Ottawa, and found no distinctive subpopulations, but
the Ottawa collection is weak in material from Ontario.

To help evaluate the validity of the name sclariventris, James A. Dick and S.
Ross James of the ROM selected for me paratype 34,2,2,1 as being most similar to
the holotype. I compared it with the types of subarcticus and occidentalis in the
Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia. Those two types differ, that of
occidentalis being more heavily barred. Giving some allowance for possible spoiling
of the specimens due to their different ages (1948 vs 1880), the paratype of
sclariventris was a very close match to the holotype of occidentalis. Thus B. v.
sclariventris Snyder is a junior synonym of B. v. occidentalis Stone, earlier considered
to be a junior synonym of B. v. subarcticus Hoy (Stone 1897, Dickerman 1991).

In the absence of adequate nesting-season material, especially from the northern
fringes of the range, subarcticus must be used for specimens showing a spectrum of
variation in the extent of dark markings, and perhaps in the degree of buffy coloration
(Dickerman 1992). If in the future subarcticus is subdivided, close attention must be
paid to the differences between the types of subarcticus and occidentalis, both
migrants, from Wisconsin and Iowa respectively.

Acknowledgments
I wish to especially thank J. A. Dick and S. R. James of the ROM for selecting the relevant paratype and
for the loan thereof. My gratitude goes to the curators of the several museums where specimens were
examined: Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia; American Museum of Natural History, New
York; and the National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C.

Robert W. Dickerman 6 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

References:

Browning, M. R. 1990 Taxa of two North American birds described from 1957-1987. Proc. Biol. Soc.
Wash. 103: 432-451.

Dickerman, R. W. 1991. On the validity of Bubo virginianus occidentalis Stone. Auk 108: 964-965.

Dickerman, R. W. 1992. Additional specimens of the subarctic Great Horned Owl from New York.
Kingbird 42: 73-75.

Godfrey, W. E. 1986. TheBirds of Canada. Revised edition. National Museum of Natural Sciences,
(Canada), Ottawa.

Houston, C. S., Smith, D. G. & Rohner, C. 1998. Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus). In Poole, A. &
Gill, F. (eds.) The birds of North America, no. 372. The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia.

James, R. D. 1991. Annotated checklist of the birds of Ontario. Second edn. Life Sciences Miscellaneous
Publications, Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto.

Johnsgard, P. A. 1988. North American owls, biology and natural history. Smithsonian Institution Press,
Washington, D.C.

Karalus, K. E. & Eckert, A. W. 1974. The owls of North America (north of Mexico), all of the species
and subspecies illustrated in color and fully described. Doubleday & Co., New York.

Konig, C, Weick, F & Becking, J.-H. 1999. Owls, a guide to the owls of the world. Pica Press,
Robertsbridge.

McGillivray, W. B. 1989. Geographic variation in size and reverse size dimorphism of the Great Horned
Owl in North America. Condor 91: 777-786

Pittaway, R. 1993. Recognizable forms, subspecies of the Great Horned Owl. Ontario Birds 11:
64-69.

Stone, W. 1897. Proper name for the western Horned Owl of North America. Amer. Nat. 31: 236

Snyder, L. L. 1961. On an unnamed population of the Great Horned Owl. Contribution 54: 1-7. Life
Sciences Division, Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto

Address: R. W. Dickerman, Museum of Southwestern Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque,
New Mexico, 87131, U.S.A. Email: bobdickm@unm.edu

© British Ornithologists’ Club 2004

Interesting distributional records and notes on
the biology of bird species from a cloud forest
reserve in north-west Ecuador

by Fuan F Freile & Faime A. Chaves

Received 1 Fanuary 2003

Even in well-studied countries, such as Ecuador, new distributional records and
range extensions are regularly reported as unexplored or poorly known areas are
surveyed (e.g. Krabbe 1992, Krabbe et al. 1997, Freile 2001a). In this note we present
new records, as well as latitudinal and altitudinal range extensions for several species,
taking Ridgely & Greenfield (2001) as our baseline. Our records are based on studies
carried out at Bosque Integral Otonga (hereafter Otonga), from March 1999 to
February 2002 (see also Chaves 2001). Elevation is given within each species account.
Taxonomy follows Ridgely & Greenfield (2001).

Juan FE Freile & Jaime A. Chaves 7 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

Study area

Otonga is a private reserve located in north-west Cotopaxi province (00°25’S,
79°00’ W), on the outer slopes of the western Andes, ranging from c.1,300 to 2,200
m elevation. It is located c.5 km west of San Francisco de Las Pampas, in the middle
section of the Toachi river drainage, adjacent to the Rio Lelia Protection Forest
(c.4,000 ha), and less than 20 km north of the large Los Ilinizas Ecological Reserve
(149,900 ha) (Fig. 1). It comprises c.1,000 ha of primary montane cloud forest,
secondary forest and some degraded areas (Jarrin 2001). Our surveys were restricted
to altitudes above 1,700 m due to the inaccessibility of lower areas. The bird
community at Otonga has not been previously studied, but it resembles that of other
cloud forest sites further north (Chaves 2001), and especially the avifauna of a site
located nearly 30 km to the south, also in Cotopaxi province (Caripero area; N.
Krabbe, in /itt. 2003).

Vegetation at Otonga is characterised by the diversity and abundance of epiphytic
plants, especially bromeliads, aroids and mosses, and by several tree species typical
of Andean cloud forests of north-western Ecuador (Jarrin 2001, Nowicki 2001).

Figure 1. Map of Pichincha and Cotopaxi provinces, and adjacent areas, north-western Ecuador, showing
the Bosque Integral Otonga (large circle, number 1) and other localities mentioned more than once in
the text. Scale 1: 2,000.000. 1 Bosque Integral Otonga, 2 Mindo, 3 Reserva Maquipucuna, 4 Tandayapa,
5 Caripero, 6 Palmitopamba, 7 Los Cedros Reserve. Light grey: areas above 1,000 m elevation; dark
grey: areas above 2,000 m; blackish grey: Quito city.

Juan FE Freile & Jaime A. Chaves 8 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

Species accounts

SEMICOLLARED HAWK Accipiter collaris

This rare and Near Threatened, though probably under-recorded hawk is known
from very few sites along the Andes of Ecuador, with recent records from the western
slope concentrated in the Mindo-Tandayapa area (BirdLife International 2000,
Ridgely & Greenfield 2001). At Otonga an Accipiter thought to be this species was
recorded on two separate occasions, at 1,900 m elevation. One was seen soaring
above a cleared area adjacent to primary forest in July 2000, and one was seen
briefly, attacking a flock of Dusky Bush-tanagers Chlorospingus semifuscus, in a
secondary forest edge in February 2002. It was distinguished from other Accipiter
species that might occur at Otonga (Plain-breasted A. ventralis and Bicoloured Hawks
A. bicolor) by its heavily banded underparts (excluding whitish chin and throat) and
relatively small size (see Ridgely & Greenfield 2001). It was also distinguished
from Micrastur forest-falcons by its smaller size, whitish throat and chin, tail bars
of similar length, and because forest-falcons never soar (R. S. Ridgely, pers. comm.,
2003). Otonga is located c.60 km to the south of Mindo-Tandayapa area. Further
sightings are necessary to confirm its status in the Otonga area.

BLACK-AND-CHESTNUT EAGLE Oroaetus isidori

At Otonga one was seen attacking a flock of three Sickle-winged Guans Chamaepetes
goudotii on 15 December 1999, and in February 2003 one was briefly seen soaring
above a largely forested area. This rare and Near Threatened eagle is known from
only a handful of sites in the western Andes of Ecuador, primarily from western
Pichincha province, but has also been recorded from the Caripero area, 30 km to the
south of Otonga (Ridgely & Greenfield 2001).

WATTLED GUAN Aburria aburri

Several were heard and tape-recorded inside secondary and primary forest from
1,800 to 2,000 m elevation, and occasionally from forest borders along abandoned
pasture areas. Vocalisations were not heard between February and March, the wettest
months in the area, suggesting either that this species migrates seasonally (see Fjeldsa
& Krabbe 1990, Freile 2001b), or that vocal activity is restricted to other months of
year. Ranked as Vulnerable in Ecuador and as Near Threatened globally (BirdLife
International 2000, Pacheco 2002), there are very few records in the western Andes
of Ecuador, wherein it is only known from the Mindo-Tandayapa-Maquipucuna area
and from Las Pampas region (Marin et al. 1992, Ridgely & Greenfield 2001). Otonga
constitutes its southernmost locality in the western Andes of Ecuador (Ridgely &
Greenfield 2001). Hunting of this species in the Otonga area seems very infrequent,
as it is fairly common even at forest borders. The presence of this species at Otonga
is apparently an indicator of the good condition of forests in the area (N. Krabbe,
pers. comm. 2003).

Juan F Freile & Jaime A. Chaves 9 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

DARK-BACKED WOOD-QUAIL Odontophorus melanonotus

The distribution of this species extends south to western Cotopaxi wherein it is
known from the Otonga and Caripero areas (Ridgely & Greenfield 2001). At Otonga
at least seven family groups were regularly recorded along 10 km of transects (in an
area of c.100 ha) mainly in continuous primary or secondary forest floor, but also in
small remnant patches of forest surrounded by pastureland and sugarcane crops.
Most groups constituted one adult male, one adult female and at least two juveniles.
On two occasions groups were observed ascending up to 12—13 m into forest sub-
canopy before dusk.

MAROON-TAILED PARAKEET Pyrrhura melanura

Groups of 2—S individuals were recorded at the reserve up to 2,200 m elevation. We
recorded it in February 1998, March 1999 and August 1999, but not in September—
November 2000 and February 2002, suggesting that it may make seasonal or erratic
movements. Flocks were seen eating Ficus spp. (Moraceae) and Alchornea sp.
(Rubiaceae) fruits and flying over both forested and open areas. Previously only
reported up to 1,900 m in western Ecuador (Ridgely & Greenfield 2001), in the
Caripero area (R. S. Ridgely, pers. comm., 2003).

LITTLE CUCKOO Piaya minuta

One was seen at close range perching in 4-m tall bushes and in a secondary forest
border on 20 February 2002, at 1,900 m elevation. In western Ecuador this species
has been reported up to 1,500 m (at Mindo and Maquipucuna, see Ridgely &
Greenfield 2001; and at Palmitopamba and Los Cedros Reserve, pers. obs.). As the
Little Cuckoo was not recorded during previous visits to Otonga, it may not be
resident. It has been seen occasionally around Tandayapa Bird Lodge, Pichincha
province, up to 1,750 m (R. S. Ridgely, pers. comm., 2003).

RUFESCENT SCREECH-OWL Owtus ingens colombianus

Otonga constitutes the southernmost site for this taxon in the western Andes of
Ecuador (Fitzpatrick & O’ Neill 1986, Freile & Chaves 1999), but is within the range
estimated by Krabbe et al. (1998). The taxon colombianus has previously been
considered as a species (Krabbe et al. 1998, Freile & Chaves 1999), an opinion
supported by its vocalisations (N. Krabbe, in /itt. 2003).

OILBIRD Steatornis caripensis

The Oilbird is a scarce and local species, with records scattered throughout the
Ecuadorian Andes (Ridgely & Greenfield 2001). At Otonga flocks of 4-20 were
seen and tape-recorded in September—October 2000, foraging at primary forest tree
fall gaps, at 2,000—2,100 m. Birds were seen taking fruits of Nectandra sp. (Lauraceae)
and Wettinia sp. (Arecaceae). Its presence at Otonga is apparently seasonal, being
apparently absent from December through August.

Juan F Freile & Jaime A. Chaves 10 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

GREEN-FRONTED LANCEBILL Doryfera ludovicae

This hummingbird was previously known to occur up to 1,700 m on the western
slope of the Andes (1,900 m on the eastern slope) (Ridgely & Greenfield 2001). At
Otonga we mist-netted one female on a secondary forest ridge at 2,100 m elevation,
on 26 February 2002. This was the only record of this inconspicuous species in the
reserve, suggesting that it is either not numerous or it undertakes seasonal movements.

EMPRESS BRILLIANT Heliodoxa imperatrix

Ranked as Vulnerable within Ecuador (Ortiz-Crespo 2002), due to habitat loss within
its limited distribution, and because of its relative natural rarity (Ridgely & Greenfield
2001), this striking hummingbird is known from very few sites in the western Andes
of Ecuador, south to northern Pichincha province (Mindo area) (Ridgely & Greenfield
2001, Ortiz-Crespo 2002). At Otonga we mist-netted two females inside primary
and secondary ridge-top forests at 2,100—2,200 m, and observed one adult male
feeding on introduced Abutilon sp. (Malvaceae) and native plants (families
Solanaceae and Rubiaceae) along a secondary forest border. Our record at Otonga
constitutes a 60 km southward range extension.

GORGETED SUNANGEL #Heliangelus strophianus

Near endemic to the north-western Andes of Ecuador. Its distribution extends
continuously to northern Cotopaxi and apparently patchily south to El Oro province
(Ridgely & Greenfield 2001); however, this might be due to poor knowledge and
under-collecting in the central portion of the western Andes of Ecuador (N. Krabbe,
pers. comm. 2003). At Otonga it was frequently recorded between 1,800 and 2,200 m
elevation in primary and secondary forests, as well as forest borders and partially
deforested areas. It was seen feeding on several plant species, especially on
bromeliads (Guzmania variegata, G. squarrosa and Tillandsia truncata; see Castaneda
2001), and Abutilon sp. (introduced Malvaceae), an unidentified Solanaceae,
Posoqueria sp. (Rubiaceae), another species of Rubiaceae and three species of
Gesneriaceae. A nest, found in July 2000, was a shallow cup constructed mainly of
moss and fine plant fibres, attached with spider web fibres, and was well hidden
under a wet rocky wall 2.3 m above ground. It contained two eggs. This species has
not been accorded any threat status to date. Nevertheless, we suspect it should be
ranked as Near Threatened as it occurs in a very restricted distributional range (both
altitudinal and latitudinal), and apparently prefers forested areas (at least is more
numerous there), which are currently being destroyed at a fast rate (Sierra ef al.
1999).

WHITE-FACED NUNBIRD Hapaloptila castanea

Previously recorded from very few sites in western Ecuador south to western
Pichincha province (Tandayapa-Mindo area) and from a few sites along the eastern
slope of the Andes (Ridgely & Greenfield 2001). At Otonga it was apparently rare

Juan FE Freile & Jaime A. Chaves 11 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

(<10 records during our three-year study), between 1,800 and 2,100 m altitude, and
found only inside primary and tall secondary forest. Otonga represents the
southernmost site for this species in western Ecuador, > 60 km south of Tandayapa-
Mindo. According to the ranges estimated by Krabbe ef a/. (1998), northern Cotopaxi
province (c.20 km south of Otonga) may be the southern limit of its distribution in
western Ecuador, but there are no confirmed records there to date (R. S. Ridgely,
pers. comm. 2003). Ridgely & Greenfield (2001) suggested that this species should
be considered Data Deficient because it occurs at low densities along its whole
range, even being absent from apparently suitable areas. We suggest that it should
actually be ranked as Vulnerable within Ecuador (and Near Threatened globally?)
due to its fairly limited distribution over an area with heavy human pressure (see
Sierra ef al. 1999), its preference for forested areas, and its probable natural rarity. It
is currently known from a few privately protected forests in Ecuador (Cerro
Golondrinas, Maquipucuna, Bellavista, Otonga, San Isidro), but its presence in the
Sistema Nacional de Areas Protegidas (National Protected Areas Network) is not
yet confirmed.

TOUCAN BARBET Semnornis ramphastinus

This species is frequently found along forested areas in the western Andes of northern
Ecuador and southern Colombia, south to northern Cotopaxi province (Ridgely &
Greenfield 2001). At Otonga it was numerous inside primary and secondary forests,
as well as along forest borders and open areas with tall standing trees, between
1,700 and 2,200 m. It was seen feeding on fruits of several tree species, but Cecropia
spp. (Cecropiaceae; two species) and Ficus spp. (Moraceae; three species) were the
most important food resources (for which this barbet is an important seed disperser;
Chaves 2000). Although fairly numerous along its range, it is currently ranked as
Near Threatened in Ecuador (Freile 2002) and globally (BirdLife International 2000).

RUSTY-WINGED BARBTAIL Premnornis guttuligera

In western Ecuador known from a handful of sites in western Pichincha province
(Ridgely & Greenfield 2001), but its range has been estimated to extend south to
northern Cotopaxi province (Krabbe et al. 1998), even though it has not been recorded
in the Caripero area, 30 km south of Otonga, at appropiate elevations (R. S. Ridgely,
pers. comm. 2003). At Otonga it was found inside primary and secondary forests
between 1,900 and 2,200 m, mainly through mist-netting. It was occasionally seen
accompanying mixed-species understorey flocks, but also in pairs or alone foraging
at low heights in dense clumps of mosses and dead leaves. Otonga represents the
southernmost site for this species in the western Andes, but gives further support to
the range estimated by Krabbe et al. (1998). Two additional records from north-
western Ecuador at Intag Cloud Forest Reserve, Imbabura province (1,850 m) and
Chilma Alto, Carchi province (2,200—2,300 m) (J. Nilsson, pers. comm. to R. S.
Ridgely) also fill in the apparent discontinuity in this species’ distribution.

Juan F Freile & Jaime A. Chaves 12 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

TAWNY-THROATED LEAFTOSSER Sclerurus mexicanus

This widespread species was previously known to occur in Ecuador locally up to
1,500 m (< 1,650 m in the eastern Andean slope) (Ridgely & Greenfield 2001). At
Otonga a pair was seen inside primary forest at 2,000 m in September 2000. In
February 2002 one was mist-netted, measured and photographed at 1,850 m. The
only additional high-altitude record of which we are aware comes from the Tandayapa
region, where it has also been recorded up to 2,000 m (M. Tellkamp, pers. comm.
2002).

SPILLMANN’S and NARINO TAPACULOS Scytalopus spillmanni and S. vicinior
These two species replace each other altitudinally along the Andes of north-western
Ecuador and south-western Colombia, with Spillmann’s inhabiting higher altitudes
than Narifo (Ridgely & Tudor 1994, Ridgely & Greenfield 2001). At Otonga both
species have been recorded from 1,900 up to 2,200 m inside primary and secondary
forest, particularly in dense understorey, tree fall gaps and bamboo stands. Although
they did not share territories or differ significantly in habitat choice, these two species
showed a wider (300 m) altitudinal overlap at Otonga than recorded elsewhere
(Krabbe & Schulenberg 1997, N. Krabbe, pers. comm. 2002). They responded to
playback of each others’ song, but Narifio Tapaculo was on average less aggressive.
Natural features of the forest, such as ridgetops, tree fall gaps, trails, large dead logs
or ravines were often the limits of territories. This intricate pattern of ecological
overlap deserves further research to understand how these species segregate under
syntopic situations (if they actually exclude each other). Similar patterns are also
shown by several other tapaculo species (Krabbe & Schulenberg 1997), with
altitudinal replacements and suture zones, rather than habitat segregation, being the
most common situation (N. Krabbe, pers. comm. 2002).

BRONZE-OLIVE PYGMY-TYRANT Pseudotriccus pelzelni

Its distribution in western Ecuador is discontinuous, but the gap between southern
Pichincha and northern Azuay provinces (Ridgely & Greenfield 2001) may be due
to lack of collecting there. At Otonga this species was recorded frequently inside
primary and secondary forests, particularly in dense understorey areas as re-growth
tree fall gaps, between 1,800 and 2,000 m elevation. The Rufous-headed Pygmy-
tyrant P. ruficeps, was also recorded at Otonga, but at slightly higher altitudes than
the Bronze-olive. Although were not able to determine if both species were occurring
in syntopy, overlap seems plausible as both were recorded at the same elevation
(2,000 m), and in close proximity. This site is located c.30 km south of previously
known records in northern Ecuador.

GREY-BREASTED MARTIN Progne chalybea

Several were observed flying above cleared areas on 22—23 February 2002, up to
1,750 m elevation. This numerous and widespread martin is more frequent at lower
altitudes, but seems to undertake seasonal migratory movements (Ridgely &

Juan F Freile & Jaime A. Chaves 13 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

Greenfield 2001). It was not recorded on our previous visits to Otonga or on
subsequent days, suggesting that it is not a regular visitor or breeding species in the
area. Unusually warm weather on the days of observations (pers. obs.) may account
for its presence in the area.

BLACK-CHINNED MOUNTAIN-TANAGER Anisognathus notabilis

In Ecuador this species is mostly restricted to the north-west where it is known from
few localities, but is also known from a few sites in the south-west (Ridgely &
Greenfield 2001). At Otonga it was frequently found in primary and secondary forests,
and in forest borders and open areas with tall standing trees, between 1,900 and
2,200 m. It was less numerous than the Blue-winged Mountain-tanager Anisognathus
somptuosus, but it was regularly found accompanying mixed-species canopy flocks,
and often only with A. somptuosus. The apparent absence of this species between
Cotopaxi and El Oro provinces is possibly due to poor knowledge of this area (N.
Krabbe, pers. comm. 2002).

YELLOW-BELLIED SISKIN Carduelis xanthogastra

There are few records of this species in western Ecuador (Ridgely & Greenfield
2001). Our only record at Otonga in three years was of two female-plumaged birds
on 23 February 2002, perching and feeding in an isolated Mimosa tree in a degraded
area next to a flowing stream, at 1,700 m. They were identified by the olive-coloured
upperparts and foreparts, extending down to lower chest, and by the contrasting
yellow wing patch ‘uniformly’ shaped (Ridgely & Greenfield 2001). Yellow-bellied
Siskin may be either increasing in the north-western slopes of the Ecuadorian Andes,
as suggested by Ridgely & Greenfield (2001), or it may make seasonal or nomadic
movements along altitudinal or latitudinal gradients. A record from the Otonga area
is mentioned in Ridgely & Greenfield (2001), but we are not aware of its source.

Other records

The Appendix below lists the birds we recorded at Otonga, including some endemics
of the Choco or West Slope of the Andes Endemic Bird Areas, as well as other
threatened and Near Threatened species, both at national and global scales (BirdLife
International 2000, Ridgely & Greenfield 2001, Granizo et al. 2002). Information
on some of them (e.g. Cloud-forest Pygmy-owl Glaucidium nubicola and Moustached
Antpitta Grallaria alleni) is published elsewhere (e.g. Freile & Renjifo 2003, Freile
et al. 2003).

Acknowledgements
We are grateful to Richard Mellanby for his permanent support to our research at Otonga, and to the
Royal Geographic Society and Glasgow Natural History Society for financial support. Thanks to Giovanni
Onore for allowing us to work at Otonga, and especially to César Tapia and his family for taking care of
the reserve and for their help and companionship in the field. Thanks to Gabriela Castaneda, Tatiana
Santander, Fabian Cupueran, José Hidalgo and David Parra for their help gathering field data, and to

Juan F Freile & Jaime A. Chaves 14 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

Esteban Guevara, Gabriel Iturralde, Pilar Jiménez, Daniela-Rosero, Juan Fernando Andrade, Anna
Schubert and Montserrat Bejarano for field assistantship. Thanks also to Markus Tellkamp and Stewart
White for sharing their field observations, and to Mauricio Vargas at MECN for letting us visit the bird
collection. Niels Krabbe and Robert S. Ridgely kindly reviewed a previous draft of this paper and
helped improve it.

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Appendix
List of birds recorded at Otonga (1,700—2,200 m). Threatened, Near Threatened and restricted-range
species are emboldened; species only observed en route to the reserve (below 1,800 m) are marked with
an *. Species recorded only by Markus P. Tellkamp in April 2002 are marked with a ', and species
recorded only by Stewart White er a/. in July-August 2002 are marked with a ”.

Coragyps atratus, Cathartes aura, Pandion haliaetus*, Chondrohierax uncinatus*, Elanoides forficatus,
Accipiter collaris, Leucopternis princeps, Buteo magnirostris, Oroaetus isidori, Micrastur semitorquatus,
Falco sparverius, Aburria aburri, Chamaepetes goudotii, Odontophorus melanonotus, Columba
fasciata, Columba plumbea, Geotrygon frenata, Pyrrhura melanura, Bolborhynchus lineola, Pionus
sordidus, Piaya cayana, Piaya minuta, Crotophaga ani*, Tapera naevia*, Otus ingens, Glaucidium
nubicola, Steatornis caripensis, Nyctibius griseus, Lurocalis rufiventris, Caprimulgus longirostris,
Uropsalis lyra, Streptoprocne zonaris, Cypseloides rutilus, Phaethornis syrmatophorus, Doryfera
ludovicae, Amazilia tzacatl*, Adelomyia melanogenys, Heliodoxa imperatrix, Heliodoxa rubinoides,
Coeligena wilsoni, Coeligena torquata, Boissonneaua flavescens, Heliangelus strophianus,
Haplophaedia lugens’, Ocreatus underwoodii, Aglaiocercus coelestis, Pharomachrus auriceps, Trogon
personatus, Hapaloptila castanea, Semnornis ramphastinus, Aulacorhynchus haematopygus, Andigena
laminirostris, Piculus rivolii, Piculus rubiginosus, Veniliornis fumigatus, Campephilus pollens, Furnarius
cinnamomeus*, Synallaxis azarae, Synallaxis unirufa, Cranioleuca erythrops*, Pseudocolaptes
boissonneautii, Margarornis squamiger, Premnoplex brunnescens, Premnornis guttuligera, Syndactyla
subalaris, Anabacerthia variegaticeps, Thripadectes virgaticeps, Thripadectes ignobilis', Sclerurus
mexicanus, Dendrocincla tyrannina, Xiphocolaptes promeropirhynchus, Xiphorhynchus erythropygius,
Lepidocolaptes lacrymiger, Campylorhamphus pusillus*, Formicarius rufipectus, Grallaria gigantea,
Grallaria alleni, Grallaria ruficapilla, Myornis senilis, Scytalopus vicinior, Scytalopus spillmanni,

Juan F Freile & Jaime A. Chaves 16 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

Pogonotriccus ophthalmicus, Zimmerius chrysops, Mecocerculus poecilocercus, Serpophaga cinerea*,
Mionectes striaticollis, Mionectes olivaceus', Pseudotriccus pelzelni, Pseudotriccus ruficeps,
Poecilotriccus ruficeps, Myiotriccus ornatus, Myiophobus flavicans, Pyrrhomyias cinnamomea, Contopus
fumigatus, Sayornis nigricans, Ochthoeca diadema, Ochthoeca cinnamomeiventris', Myiarchus
tuberculifer*, Myiozetetes similis*, Myiodynastes chrysocephalus, Tyrannus melancholicus,
Pachyramphus versicolor’, Pipreola riefferii, Lathria cryptolophus?, Rupicola peruviana, Masius
chrysopterus, Cyanolyca turcosa, Vireo leucophrys, Myadestes ralloides, Catharus fuscater, Turdus
fuscater, Turdus serranus, Cinclus leucocephalus, Progne chalybea*, Notiochelidon cyanoleuca,
Stelgidopteryx ruficollis*, Cinnycerthia olivascens, Troglodytes aedon*, Troglodytes solstitialis,
Henicorhina leucophrys, Parula pitiayumi*, Dendroica fusca, Geothlypis semiflava*, Myioborus
miniatus, Basileuterus tristiatus, Basileuterus coronatus, Conirostrum albifrons, Diglossopis cyanea,
Diglossa albilatera, Pipraeidea melanonota, Euphonia xanthogaster, Tangara arthus, Tangara
parzudakii, Tangara ruficervix, Tangara nigroviridis, Tangara cyanicollis*, Anisognathus somptuosus,
Anisognathus notabilis, Thraupis episcopus*, Thraupis palmarum, Thraupis cyanocephala, Ramphocelus
icteronotus*, Piranga leucoptera*, Chlorospingus canigularis**, Chlorospingus semifuscus,
Hemispingus melanotis*, Catamblyrhynchus diadema, Pheucticus chrysogaster, Volatinia jacarina’,
Sporophila nigricollis, Atlapetes tricolor, Atlapetes leucopterus, Buarremon brunneinucha, Zonotrichia
capensis, Carduelis xanthogastra*. Total= 155.

© British Ornithologists’ Club 2004

A new subspecies of Sclater’s Monal

Lophophorus sclater1 from western
Arunachal Pradesh, India

by Suresh Kumar R. & Pratap Singh

Received 7 January 2003

Sclater’s Monal Lophophorus sclateri T. C. Jerdon, 1870, is one of three species of
monal (Phasianidae). It is a restricted-range species occurring within the Eastern
Himalayas Endemic Bird Area D08 (ICBP 1992), where it is found in the remote
high mountains of Arunachal Pradesh in India, south-east Tibet, northern Myanmar
and western Yunnan in China (Ali & Ripley 1983, Smythies 1986, Johnsgard 1986,
McGowan & Garson 1995). Sclater’s Monal has remained poorly known and is
currently considered Vulnerable (Collar et al. 2001; also Fuller & Garson 2000).
Most published information on this species is more than 50 years old and is largely
based on natural history notes from Bailey (1916), Beebe (1918-1922), Baker (1919),
Kinnear (1934), Ludlow & Kinnear (1937, 1944), Ali & Ripley (1948) and Ludlow
(1951). A few recent surveys and studies have produced some information on this
species (Kaul & Ahmed 1992, 1993, Kaul et al. 1995, Singh 1994, 1999, Han 2001,
Rimlinger et al. 2001).

Within Arunachal Pradesh, L. sclateri was thought to occur from 92°-93°E
eastwards through the Kameng, Subansiri, Siang and Lohit Districts (Ali & Ripley
1983). However, the confirmed westernmost record for this species is from Mechuka
locality in West Siang District, central Arunachal Pradesh (Kaul et al. 1995), east of

Suresh Kumar & Pratap Singh 17 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

94°E. How far the species extended west and its exact western limit was not known.
In the hope of collecting new locality records of this species, and also information
on other Galliformes, a survey was conducted in early 1998 in western Arunachal
Pradesh. The areas visited were along the Great Himalayan Range and especially in
the East Kameng and Lower Subansiri Districts (Fig. 1), which had not been visited
previously by biologists. During this survey evidence was obtained of a Sclater’s
Monal that differed morphologically from the published descriptions.

Discovery of the subspecies

In April 1998, while we were surveying the interior parts of Lower Subansiri, a few
local tribesmen readily recognized L. sclateri (known locally as thade) from the
pictures shown to them. They did, however, insist that the tail of the males was not
coloured as in the picture (chestnut with a white subterminal band) but was completely
white. Subsequently, SKR came across four completely white rectrices in the

irunachal Pradesh eal ey

Tibet]

Subansain

Papumpare
Kameng

i
Lophophorus Impejanus -

a Lophophorus sclater? - om
Lophophorus sclaten arumachalensis -

ASSAM

aie
~~ 7 Brenan

Figure 1. Map of Arunachal Pradesh showing the distribution of L. s. arunachalensis subsp. nov., along
with that of the nominate form and Himalayan Monal.

Suresh Kumar & Pratap Singh 18 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

possession of local people in Damin and Sarli localities in the district. Attached to
the rectrices were a few iridescent bluish-green body feathers that were undoubtedly
of a monal. The flat, almost square rectrices completely lacked the chestnut coloration
of L. sclateri and resembled neither the Himalayan Monal L. impejanus nor the
Chinese Monal L. /hyusii, in which the rectrices are cinnamon and iridescent bluish-
green respectively. Local people hunt the monal for food and use the tail feathers as
a status symbol, and bind the feathers of a complete tail together as a fan. Initially,
we thought that the white rectrices might belong to subadults or a morph of L. sclateri,
but no ‘normal’ L. sclateri tail feathers were found, and it was considered unlikely
that the local people only hunted the monals with white tails. Furthermore, there
was no mention of this species having any white tail feathers in the literature.

Davison (1974, 1978) proposed an eastern subspecies of Sclater’s Monal L. s.
orientalis based on differences in the width of the white subterminal band along the
east—west axis of its range. He proposed that in the areas where L. sclateri overlaps
with L. impejanus, the former has more white in the tail through character
displacement. The white rectrices we collected were from an area where the above
two species were thought to meet, but local people there did not recognize L.
impejanus and believed that it did not occur in their area. No tail feathers of this
species were seen, thereby rendering a character displacement explanation of our
white-tailed birds somewhat doubtful.

Subsequent observations

10 May 1998. High mountain pass between Sarli and Chayang Tajo, East Kameng
District. Tracks and feeding signs, claimed to be of monals by local people, found at
3,400 m but no birds seen.

17 October 1998. Pakdhung camp in the mountains north of Sarli. At 0545 h a male
monal seen calling from above the camp in the alpine meadow zone at 4,200 m,
with others heard nearby. Between 0600 h and 0930 h, four males and nine females
seen and a pair photographed. In the following two days another five females were
seen. Back in Sarli a badly damaged and maggot-infested skin of a male and female
of the monal were seen with a hunter.

25 October 1999. Wasi camp close to Pakdhung at 3,800 m in the alpine scrub zone.
A single male sighted by local assistants and in the following two days a male,
female and two subadults were seen between 3,700 m and 3,900 m. At Sarli itself,
SKR obtained three skins of the monal (a male, female and immature male) that
were in the possession of local people. Another monal skin that appeared to be an
immature was also observed with a hunter but could not be obtained.

8 November 1999. In the mountains higher up from Polosung village west of Sarli.
One male monal sighted by local assistants at 3,700 m, and the following day a male

Suresh Kumar & Pratap Singh 19 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

Lapiaptorwe eciatert

fame phate etiaieri oranachateneis

Figure 2.a. The new Sclater’s Monal subspecies Lophophorous sclateri arunachalensis (right) compared
with nominate Sclater’s Monal (L. s. sclateri). Oil painting by Debasis Kabasi and R. Suresh Kumar.

b. Rectrices of male monals showing indications of possible intergradation with Lophophorus sclateri.
Shown on left is the Taksing form, centre L. s. arunachalensis subsp. nov. and right Polosung form.

c. The alpine meadow habitat where the new subspecies was found (c.4,100 m).

and female monal were spotted by them at 3,800 m. Interestingly, complete rectrices
of a male monal from Polosung had a slight chestnut splash along the outer margins
of the two outermost feathers, which initially was mistaken for blood stains (Fig.2b).

Suresh Kumar & Pratap Singh 20 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

12 January 2000. Redding village close to Taksing border post, Upper Subansiri
District. A set of rectrices of a male monal was obtained from a hunter that appeared
to be a possible intergrade between the white-tailed bird and Sclaters’s Monal: 11 of
the 16 feathers had small chestnut spots at the centre of each vane close to the
terminal end (Fig.2b). It is not known whether or not these rectrices belong to an
immature male of L. s. sclateri. No other rectrices were found showing indications
of intergradations or consistent variation according to geographical position.

Determination of the subspecies

In 2001, SKR examined 38 skins of L. sclateri (Appendix) along with other monal
skins in several museums (see Acknowledgements). Only at the Bombay Natural
History Society (BNHS) was it possible to compare directly the material collected
from white-tailed monals with specimens of L. sclateri. In all other museums a
series of photographs was compared with Sclater’s specimens (including the holotype
at BMNH). On examination, the white-tailed form was found to resemble L. sclateri
in morphology and overall plumage coloration, except for the white tail in the male
and the overall darker plumage in the female. Furthermore, plotting the known ranges
of the two forms (Fig. 1) revealed that white-tailed birds do not appear to be
completely geographically isolated from L. sclateri, as no significant geographical
barriers were found. Given the lack of essential evidence on reproductive isolation,
in the form of information on vocalizations, behaviour and genetic make-up, we
propose the recognition of the white-tailed form as a subspecies of L. sclateri under
the Biological Species Concept.

Lophophorus sclateri arunachalensis, subsp. nov.

Holotype Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) No. 28946, adult male from
Wasi camp close to Pakdhung, Sarli, Lower Subansiri District, Arunachal Pradesh,
approx. 28°05’N 93°07’E, India; collected by Suresh Kumar R. from local people
who killed the bird for food on 8 November 1999 at 3,800 m in the alpine scrub
zone.

Paratypes BNHS No. 28948, adult female and BNHS No. 28947, immature male
from Wasi camp, Sarli, Lower Subansiri District, Arunachal Pradesh, approx. 28°05’N
93°07°E, India; collected by Suresh Kumar R. from local people who killed the
birds for food on 26 October 1999 at 3,750 m in the alpine scrub zone.

Diagnosis A large, sexually dichromatic typical monal (Lophophorus) resembling
Lophophorus sclateri (Fig. 2a). The presence of curly crown feathers in the male,
which is a feature distinctive of L. sclateri, is a clear indication of the relatedness of
these two forms. The two other species, L. impejanus and L. lhyusii, differ in size
and have a crest of spatulated and elongated feathers respectively, as well as other
differences. Both sexes of L. s. arunachalensis are very similar to nominate sclateri

Suresh Kumar & Pratap Singh 21 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

in size (Table 1), bare-part coloration, and plumage pattern and coloration. However,
the male differs in having a completely white tail, unlike the chestnut tail with a
white subterminal band in nominate sc/ateri. The female differs from nominate
sclateri largely in having darker overall plumage with other minor differences. Only
one female Sclater’s Monal skin (BMNH: 1938.12.13.454) closely resembles the
subspecies in overall coloration, although with minor differences in the tail colour
pattern.

Description Plumage colour matching was made using Smithe (1975) under natural
light. Both the male and female of the subspecies arunachalensis were considered
adults based on their plumage and bright coloration of the bare parts.

Adult male (holotype). The highly iridescent plumage coloration of the head,
neck, back, scapulars and wings, and the velvety black ventral coloration resemble
that of nominate sclateri. The only feature that distinguishes the two is the white tail

TABLE 1
Comparison of morphometrics [mean + s.d., n (range)] for measurements (mm) of both sexes of
Lophophorus sclateri arunachalensis subsp.nov., L. s. sclateri (specimens listed in Appendix), L.
Ihuysii and L. impejanus. The mensural data could not be statistically tested due to insufficient sample
size (for male and female aruncahalensis is n=1), but measurements of L. s. arunachalensis fall
within the range of the nominate form. All measurements except the wing and tail were taken using a
vernier calliper.

Variable Male Female
sclateri __ sclateri lhuysii impejanus _ sclateri __sclateri lhuysii impejanus
arunachalensis sclateri arunachalensis sclateri
Beak length = - - - - 52.8 488+440,7 56.2+0.0,2 495+23.4, 13
from skull (43.3-53.9) (44.1-55.4)

Beak length 33.1 34.221.1,12 485441,10 370225,16 32.9 318222,8 436242,3 34621.3, 14
from skin (32-36.7) (44.0-56.3) (31.4-40.9) (27.5-34.8) (39.3-47.7) (31.9-36.4)

omectommemeo ee S12 1-0,12 38:623.7,10 32.0216,16 30.7 28.7+2.0,8 35.842.3,3 2951.0, 14
from nares (29.4-32.1) (29.3-41.4) (29.6-34.5) (25.8-32.0) (34.3-38.4) (27.6-31.1)

Wing length 308 308.5+9.9,13 332.9+7.5,13 293.2+69,16 281 2831+9.6,9 315.0+6.1,3 2683+8.2,15
(flattened chord) (297-327) (319-342) (284-310) (269-298) (311-322) (257-284)

Tarsus length 76.6 77.121.7,12 80.042.8,12 714+26,17 641 67.74224,9 766434,3 65.6+1.6, 15
(74.3-80.4) (76.7-85.8) (66.9-77.2) (64.2-71.9) (74.6-80.6) (63.1-68.6)

Tail length 192 198.3+10.1,12 2714+ 14.8, 13 2143421616 184 168.1+11.3,9 234.3 + 13.3,3 183.1 + 10.1, 15
(181-211) (250-295) (154-243) (149-185) (219-243) (167-203)

Beak length from skull—measured from the depression in the forehead (beak and head joint) to tip of
the beak. Beak length from nares—measured from the anterior end of the nostril to the tip of the
beak. Wing length—measured using a metal scale from the bend at the wrist region to the tip of the
longest primary with wing pressed firmly. Tarsus length—measured from the depression in the tarso-
metatarsial joint to the end of the tarsus.

Suresh Kumar & Pratap Singh 22 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

coloration in arunachalensis, which is Chestnut (32) with a narrow subterminal
white tail-band in the nominate sclateri. In arunachalensis a few feathers in the
rump show faint brown central streaks whilst in nominte sclateri the central streaks
are faint or dark closest to Dark Grayish Brown (20), in different individuals and in
a few birds faint iridescent coloration on the streak is present. In the adult male the
orbital skin coloration, when fresh, is bright blue, closest to Spectrum Blue (69); the
legs are greenish-yellow; the beak is pale yellow; the iris coloration is not known;
and the claws are dusky brown.

Adult female (paratype). Overall plumage coloration similar to nominate sclateri
except that it is darker. Also differs in the lower back, rump and tail colour pattern.
Lower back and rump coloration in arunachalensis is close to Olive Gray (42) but
duller, with brown striations closest to Blackish Neutral Gray (82), whilst in nominate
sclateri the coloration is dirty greyish-white, close to Smoke Gray (45), with thin
wavy brown stripes closest to Olive Brown (28) and with faint cinnamon in a few
places. Also the white streaks along the midrib in the rump feathers of arunachalensis
is prominent compared to that of nominate sclateri. Tail coloration in the subspecies
is closest to Blackish Neutral Gray (82) but darker, with thin irregular white wavy
stripes and with very little lateral mottling compared to nominate sc/ateri, where the
tail coloration is closest to Fuscous (21) but darker with very pale Cinnamon (39)
wavy irregular stripes and with lateral mottling of Cinnamon (39) that appears to
occur in distinct bands. The terminal end of the tail in arunachalensis is more broadly
tipped with white than in nominate sclateri. In the adult female the orbital skin,
when fresh, is bright blue closest to Spectrum Blue (69); the legs are pale greenish-
yellow; the beak is pale yellow; the iris brown; and the claws dusky brown.

Immature male (paratype). Judged in its first-year (immature) plumage, and
although not surgically sexed it was considered a male because a few iridescent
bluish-green feathers were observed on the sides of the neck behind the ear-coverts.
Overall appearance as in the female, although the brownish-black, closest to Blackish
Neutral Grey (82), plumage coloration of the lower throat, breast and some parts of
the belly distinguishes it. Also, unlike in the female, the lower back and rump plumage
has a white background with prominent wavy terminal barring of dark brown closest
to Blackish Neutral Grey (82), followed by finer wavy or mottled markings of the
same. The tail is more broadly tipped with white than in the female. The orbital skin
is much more extensive than in the female and is dotted with tiny black feathers;
part of the forehead is featherless or with tiny black feathers as in the male; the lores
have a sparse covering of tiny black feathers and small white feathers. In the immature
monal the orbital skin, when fresh, is bright blue closest to Spectrum Blue (69); the
legs are pale greenish-yellow; the bill is pale yellow; the iris is brown; and the claws
are dusky brown.

Ecology and behaviour

Distribution L. s. arunachalensis has been seen by SKR only at the type locality in
Lower Subansiri, Arunachal Pradesh. However, indirect evidence, in the form of

Suresh Kumar & Pratap Singh 23 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

tail feathers and interviews with local people, indicates that this subspecies occurs
elsewhere in Lower Subansiri and in East and West Kameng Districts in the west of
the state (Fig. 1), where previously nominate sc/ateri was assumed to occur. The
subspecies arunchalensis there is restricted mainly to the high mountains of the
main Himalayan Range along the India—China border. Local hunters reported not
having seen this monal on the north side of the main range, which is largely dry and
unlike the wet forested area in the south. Three major rivers, Kameng, Kurung and
Kamala, originate here; the last two are tributaries of the Subansiri.

The precise eastern and western distribution limits of arunachalensis are not
known. At the eastern end of its range there is a mountain range we call the ‘Subansiri
Divide’. This lies close to the Subansiri River that constitutes the district boundary
between the Upper and Lower Subansiri Districts and probably acts as a barrier to
some extent. The Divide may not, however, be an effective barrier because there are
few high ridges. Nonetheless, nominate L. sc/ateri was found to occur only east of
this Divide and the new subspecies only to the west, with the possible exception
being around the Taksing area close to the Divide where the two may overlap. The
western limit of the new subspecies’s range appears to be along the Sela Range,
which forms the district boundary between Tawang and West Kameng Districts.
The subspecies may overlap here with L. impejanus. Towards the western end, the
subspecies is probably rare, as few local people recognised it and those that did
reported seeing it only occasionally. In parts of East Kameng and Lower Subansiri
Districts, which are the stronghold of the new subspecies, L. impejanus appears to
be absent.

Habitat At the type locality SKR observed L. s. arunachalensis in the alpine scrub
and alpine meadows between 3,800 m and 4,200 m, whilst local assistants reported
seeing the monal at 3,700 m in the temperate forests at the edge of the scrub zone.
The alpine scrub is characterised by a few species of dwarf rhododendron
Rhododendron ciliatum, R. thomsonii, R. kaycei and other unidentified Rhododendron
spp., along with fir Abies densa, the last being the dominant tree species here,
occurring up to 3,900 m. Also Cassiope fastigiata, and species of Rubus, Berberis
and Cotoneaster are present along the treeline and alpine scrub. The ground cover is
largely comprised of grass (Agrostis sp.); herbs and low shrubs were in the senescent
stage during the survey. Most sightings of the monal in October 1998 were made in
these high alpine areas (Fig. 2c). Oak Quercus sp., Rhododendron spp. and maple
Acer caudatum dominate the temperate forest and are highly impenetrable because
of a dense understorey of hill bamboo Thamnocalamus spathiflorus var. According
to local hunters the monals descend from the alpine meadows to the temperate forests,
down as far as 3,000 m during the winter. The mountain slopes on the whole are
rugged and steep, with sheer drops straight down to the river in some places.

Vocalizations The earliest calling male was first heard at 0545 h when it was still
twilight. The call was a series of double-noted, moderate- to high-pitched koo(n)iak,

Suresh Kumar & Pratap Singh 24 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

kooo(n)iak, kooooo(n)iak. The first note of the call is more of a whistle, wavering
occasionally and ending in a cluck-like note. When flushed, three females and a
male made a rapid ki-ki-ki...kivak, kiyak, kiyuk kvuk kvuk in flight and, after alighting
on a rock outcrop the male made the double-noted koo(n)iak, kooo(n)iak,
kooooo(n)iak call for a while. Differences in vocalizations from nominate sclateri
are not known because recordings of the latter were not available for direct
comparison. Furthermore, the information available in the literature on the
vocalization of Sclater’s Monal is very sketchy.

Food The gizzard contents of three female, one immature male and one male
arunachalensis collected from a hunter in Sarli, Lower Subansiri District, contained
large number of small pebbles, roots, tubers, seeds and bark or leaf parts. The crop
contents of a female contained leaves of Potentilla sp., Cardamine sp. and Gaultheria
sp. On four occasions the birds were observed digging the ground. We searched for
digging or scrape signs from where the birds were flushed. In a few of the dug-over
areas there were remains of the underground bulb of the Cobra Lily Arisaema sp. It
appeared that the birds fed on the inner fleshy part of the bulb. Local hunters reported
using the bulb of Arisaema as bait in snares to trap the monal. Similar dug-over
areas and scrape signs were observed at the type locality and at a few other sites.

Movements and behaviour At the type locality arunachalensis was found to be
extremely shy; the birds flushed at the earliest notice and this was believed to be due
to the high level of hunting in the area. However, on one occasion a male was observed
calling from a ridgetop whilst three females and a male were feeding quietly further
down the slope. On seeing us approach the feeding birds, the male started calling
continuously instead of flushing and it only flushed after the birds below left the
area.

Most females were in flocks of two or three, or with a single male. The female
flocks however may have also consisted of subadults, which appear similar to adult
females. Males were typically observed singly. A male appeared in the same area
from where it had flushed either later in the day or on the next day, and if this was
the same individual this may indicate some site-fidelity. Local hunters reported taking
advantage of such predictable movements to place snares or set camps from which
they could shoot birds. When flushed, the monals glided across or down the slope at
great speeds and often to great distances, and on a number of occasions they flew
down into the Abies forest in the alpine scrub area. According to local hunters, the
monals leave the summer habitat of the alpine meadows and scrub by early October,
when they move down to the alpine scrub that lies next to the temperate forest. They
may descend even further.

Etymology This subspecies is named after the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, to
which it is probably endemic. Emphasizing the name will further highlight the
biological richness of the state, as well as drawing attention to the subspecies’s
restricted distribution. Arunachal Pradesh is renowned for its biodiversity and is

Suresh Kumar & Pratap Singh 25 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

listed among the 18 biodiversity hotspots of the world (Myers 1988, 1990). Ten of
India’s 17 species of pheasants are found in the state, more than any other.

Geographic differentiation As there is no marked difference in morphology and
little deviation in plumage coloration from nominate sc/ateri, except for the all-
white tail in the male, arunachalensis may not have been isolated long from the
nominate form. Furthermore, information presented here on the distribution of the
subspecies suggests that it is probably incompletely geographically isolated.
Nevertheless, we believe that the Subansiri River, which flows close to the contact
zone of the two or the adjacent mountain ridge that forms the district boundary
between the Lower and Upper Subansiri districts, may have acted as a partial barrier.

It may be relevant that areas along the Himalaya that lie west of 93°E receive
more rainfall than areas to the east (Ludlow & Kinnear 1944), and this coincides
with the nominate subspecies’s distributional limits, with the new subspecies to the
west. Consequently, the difference in rainfall may have had an impact on habitat,
and this in turn may have influenced geographic differentiation of the plumage
coloration in the subspecies. In the genus Lophophorus, tail feathers play a major
role during courtship display, where the tail feathers are held high and fanned out,
and slowly flicked up and down (Gaston ef al. 1982, Johnsgard 1986). Selection for
conspicuousness of these feathers might have occurred in wetter, lusher vegetation.

Conservation L. s. arunachalensis is not currently threatened, because in most parts
of its narrow range, especially in the interior, a large proportion of its habitat is so
remote as to be intact. The habitat is affected very little by shifting cultivation or
slash-and-burn agriculture, as this practice is confined to areas below 2,000 m, far
below the subspecies’s altitude range. Although the small geographic extent of the
subspecies’s range is of concern, the only current threat is hunting by local people.
Even this may be marginal, because larger species such as Takin Budorcas taxicolor
and Serow Nemorhaedus sumatraensis are preferred by hunters. The Nishi tribes,
living in the East Kameng and Lower Subansiri Districts, consider the monal sacred
and have certain taboos against hunting it. In a few areas, however, hunting is
extensive and more and more people are using guns, which could possibly lead to
local extinctions of the new subspecies.

The new subspecies may face some degree of risk as no part of its small range
falls under any protected area designation. Moreover, hunting is difficult to curb, as
it is a part of the culture of the tribes with which this taxon co-exists. Declaring a
large protected area extending from Tawang to Lower Subansiri District, and ensuring
that it is effective, is one way of improving the survival prospects of the subspecies,
along with other threatened species such as Takin, Musk Deer Moschus chrysogaster
and Red Panda Ai/urus fulgens. More surveys to collect information on the exact
distribution of the subspecies, and studies especially in the region of contact or
overlap with both L. s. sclateri and L. impejanus, should be initiated to clarify the
conservation status of the species.

Suresh Kumar & Pratap Singh 26 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

Acknowledgements

Many individuals helped us during fieldwork and we thank them all. Special mention must be made of
Sape Tani, Sape Takhya, Sape Taza, Milli Tagh, Tatum Tapir and personal assistant Dorji Raptan, who
took enormous interest in the work and played an active role in the discovery of the new subspecies. We
thank the people of Sarli, Damin, Tali and all other localities visited for their hospitality. We are grateful
to P. J. Garson for his constant encouragement and help in organizing funds in short periods of time. We
thank V.B. Sawarkar, Director Wildlife Institute of India for infra-structural support. We thank the
Arunachal Pradesh State Forest Department for granting permission to carry out the study and forest
officials N.S. Bisht, Gapak and C. Loma for their hospitality. Colleagues and friends R. Jayapal, M.V.
Nair and K. Black are acknowledged for useful discussions. For access to collections, loans and other
assistance in museums, we are grateful to: A. R. Rahmani, N. Chaturvedi and Meghana (Bombay Natural
History Society [BNHS], Mumbai, India); P. Rasmussen (National Museum of Natural History [NMNH],
Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.); J. Cracraft, P. Sweet and J. Webber (American Museum of
Natural History [AMNH], New York); A. Pirie (Museum of Comparative Zoology [MCZ], Harvard);
K. Zyskowski (Yale Peabody Museum [YPM], New Haven); D. Willard (Field Museum of Natural
History [FMNH], Chicago); C. Voisin (Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle [MNHN], Paris); R. P.
Prys-Jones and M. Adams (The Natural History Museum [BMNH], Tring, UK). This study was made
possible with financial support from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), DehraDun, and through the
generous support of James Goodhart, member WPA-UK. Funds for museum visits to BNHS, NMNH,
AMNH and BMNH by SKR was made possible through support from the WII, NMNH, the Frank
Chapman Memorial Fund and J. Goodhart respectively. We thank Nigel Collar and Philip McGowan for
discussions and comments, and Edward Dickinson and Geoff Davison for reviewing the manuscript.
We thank the Kabasi brothers, of Kolkata, for help in preparing the painting of the monals.

References:

Ali, S. & Ripley, S. D. 1948. The birds of the Mishmi Hills. J Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 48: 1-37.

Ali, S. & Ripley, S. D. 1983. Handbook of the birds of India and Pakistan. Oxford Univ. Press, New
Delhi.

Bailey, F. M. 1916. Notes from southern Tibet. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 24: 72-78.

Baker, E. C. S. 1919. The game birds of India, Burma and Ceylon. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 26: 319-
337:

Beebe, W. 1918-1922. A monograph of the pheasants. Reprinted in 1990 by Dover Publications, Inc.
New York.

Davison, G. W. H. 1974. Geographic variation in Lophophorus sclateri. Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl. 96:163—164.

Davison, G. W. H. 1978. Further notes on Lophophorus sclateri. Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl. 98: 116-118.

Fuller, R. A. & Garson, P. J. 2000. Pheasants: status survey and conservation action plan 2000-2004.
IUCN, Gland, Switzerland & Cambridge, UK and World Pheasant Association, Reading, UK.

Gaston, A. J., Lelliot, A. D. & Ridley, M. W. 1982. Display flights of the male Monal pheasant,
Lophophorus impejanus. World Pheasant Assoc. J. 7: 90-91

Han Lianxian, 2001. Research on Sclater’s Monal in west Yunnan, China—WPA Progress Report June
1999 to June 2000. Tragopan 13/14: 15-17.

ICBP. 1992. Putting biodiversity on the map: priority areas for global conservation. International Council
for Bird Preservation, Cambridge, UK.

Jerdon, T. C. 1870a. Letter on some new species of birds from the north-east frontier. Jbis (2) 6: 147—
148.

Jerdon, T. C. 1870b. Notes on some new species of birds from the north-eastern frontier of India. Proc.
Asiatic Soc. Bengal 1870: 59-61.

Johnsgard, P. A. 1986. The pheasants of the world. Oxford Univ. Press.

Kaul, R. & Ahmed, A. 1992. Pheasant studies in north-east India, Arunachal Pradesh. Unpublished
Report. Prepared for the Peter Scott Trust, Jamnagar, India.

Kaul, R. & Ahmed, A. 1993. Pheasant surveys in Arunachal Pradesh, India, in February—March 1991.
Pp. 50—54 in Jenkins, D. (Ed.). Pheasants in Asia 1992. World Pheasant Association, Reading, UK.

Suresh Kumar & Pratap Singh 27 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

Kaul, R., Raza, R. & Kalsi, R. 1995. Pheasant surveys in Arunachal Pradesh, India. Pp. 28—34 in Jenkins,
D. (Ed.). Ann. Rev. World Pheasant Assoc.1993/94. World Pheasant Association, Reading, UK.

Kinnear, N. B. 1934. On the birds of the Adung Valley, north-east Burma. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 37:
347-368.

Ludlow, F. & Kinnear, N. B. 1937. The birds of Bhutan and adjacent territories of Sikkim and Tibet. /bis
(14) 1: 1-46, 249-293, 467-504.

Ludlow, F. & Kinnear, N. B. 1944. The birds of south-eastern Tibet. /bis 86: 43—86, 176-208, 348-389.

Ludlow, F. 1951. The birds of Kongbo and Pome, south-east Tibet. /bis 93: 547-578.

McGowan, P. J. K. & Garson, P. J. 1995 Pheasants: status survey and conservation action plan 1995—
1999. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland & Cambridge, UK.

Myers, N. 1988. Threatened biotas: “hotspots” in tropical forests. Environmentalist 8: 187-208.

Myers, N. 1990. The biodiversity challenge: expanded hot-spots analysis. Environmentalist 10: 243-
256.

Rimlinger, D., Bland, J., Xianji, W. & Xiaojun, Y. 2001. Survey for Sclater’s Monal in northwestern
Yunnan. 7Jragopan 13/14: 17-19.

Singh, P. 1994. Recent bird records from Arunachal Pradesh, India. Forktail 10: 65-104.

Singh, P. 1999. Bird survey in selected localities of Arunachal Pradesh, India—March 1997 to July
1998. Unpublished report. Wildlife Institute of India, DehraDun.

Smithe, F. B. 1975. Naturalist’s color guide. American Museum of Natural History, New York.

Addresses: R. Suresh Kumar, Wildlife Institute of India, Post Box # 18, Chandrabani, DehraDun - 248
001, Uttaranchal, India, e-mail: suresh_wii@yahoo.com (all correspondence should be sent to this
address); Pratap Singh, DCF-Wildlife-1, Haddo, Port Blair - 744 102, Andaman and Nicobar Islands,
India, e-mail: pratapsingh_birds@rediffmail.com

Appendix 1

List of Lophophorus sclateri specimens examined:

BNHS 13354: m; collected 1913; Hpinaw, between Kachin Hills & China; F C. Louis. BNHS 13355: f;
collected 1913; Hpinaw, between Kachin Hills & China; F. C. Louis. BNHS 13356: f; collected 1914;
Htawgaw, between Kachin Hills & China; F. C. Louis. BNHS 13357: m; collected 9.3.1913; Tsu River,
Mishmi Hills, Assam (c.2,120 m); Capt. FM. Bailey. BNHS 13358: m; collected 1913; Tsu River, Mishmi
Hills, Assam (c.2,120 m); Capt. FM. Bailey. NMNH 328067: m; Delei Valley, Mishmi Hills (¢c.2,425
m), Upper Burma; brought by Mishmis. NMNH 328068: m; collected 4.4.1927; Delei Valley, Mishmi
Hills; T.P.M. O’Callaghan. NMNH 608867: m; collected January 1, 1947; Mishmi Hills, N.E. Assam;
S.D. Ripley. YPM 42186: f; collected 4.2.1927; Furzz, Delei Valley, Mishmi Hills; brought by Digaru
Mishmis. YPM 42187: m; Upper reaches of the Don river, East of Sadiya, Assam, India (c.2,120 m);
T.P.M. O’ Callaghan. AMNH 543101: m; collected August 1925; Shweli-Salween Divide, N.W. Yunnan
(c.3,330 m, rocky and ravine slopes); G. Forrest. AMNH 543102: Juvenile m; collected September
1925; Shweli-Salween Divide, N.W. Yunnan (c.3,640 m, rocky and ravine slopes); G. Forrest. AMNH
543103: m; collected August 1925; Shweli-Salween Divide, N.W. Yunnan (c.3,330 m, rocky and ravine
slopes); G. Forrest. AMNH 543104: m; collected August 1925; Shweli-Salween Divide, N.W. Yunnan
(c.3,330 m, rocky and ravine slopes); G. Forrest. AMNH 543105: m; collected September 1925; Shweli-
Salween Divide, N.W. Yunnan (c.3,330 m, rocky and ravine slopes); G. Forrest. AMNH 543107: f;
collected September 1925; Shweli-Salween Divide, N.W. Yunnan; G. Forrest. AMNH 543108: m; collected
26.5.1913; Yonggyap Latsa (Abor or Mishmi hills, c.3,480 m), Capt. F W. Bailey. MCZ 149255: m;
collected August 1925; Shweli-Salween Divide, N.W. Yunnan (c.3,330 m). Forrest. NHM 1871-12-1-1
(Type Specimen): m; died on 12.11.1871 in the Zoological Society’s Gardens, Regents Park, London;
collected from Mishmi Hills, Upper Assam; brought by locals to T.C. Jerdon. NHM 1889-5-10-1953: m;
collected December 1879; Mishmi Hills, N.E. Assam; Hume Collection (Sir S. Bayley). NHM 1895-7-
14-730:f; collected possibly 1879; Eastern Assam, India; Lt. Col. H.H. Godwin-Austen. NHM 1914-10-
5-1: m; collected 24.3.1913; Tsu River, Mishmi Hills, N.E. Assam (c.2,360 m); Capt. F.M. Bailey. NHM

eae een

Suresh Kumar & Pratap Singh 28 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

1925-5-8-1: f; collected 14.12.1924; Tsangpo Gorge (Po Tsangpo confluence), Tibet (c.2,725 m); F.
Kingdon Ward (P). NHM 1925-5-8-2: Immature m; collected 14.12.1924; Po Tsangpo, Tibet (c.2,725
m); F. Kingdon Ward. NHM 1928-7-14-3: m; collected October 1925; Myitkyina district, Upper Burma;
Mrs. M. West (P). NHM 1928-7-14-4: m; collected October 1925; Myitkyina district, Upper Burma;
Mrs. M. West (P). NHM 1933-11-13-25: m; collected Jan—Feb 1931; Koi Tou Tengyeuh, N.W. Yunnan,
China; G. Forrest. NHM 1933-11-13-26: f; collected Jan—Feb 1931; Koi Tou Tengyeuh, N.W. Yunnan;
G. Forrest. NHM 1938-12-13-454: f; collected 14.5.1938; Lo La (South) Pachakshiri, S.E. Tibet (c.3,480
m); F Ludlow & G. Sherriff. NHM 1938-12-13-455: m; collected 15.5.1938; Lo La (South) Pachakshiri,
S.E. Tibet (c.3,480 m.); EF Ludlow & G. Sherriff. NHM 1938-12-13-456: m; collected 14.5.1938; Lo La
(South) Pachakshiri, S.E. Tibet (c.3,480 m); F. Ludlow & G. Sherriff. NHM 1938-12-13-457: m; collected
15.5.1938; Lo La (South) Pachakshiri, S.E. Tibet (c.3,480 m); F. Ludlow & G. Sherriff. NHM 1938-12-
13-463: f; collected 15.5.1938; Lo La (South) Pachakshiri, S.E. Tibet (3,485 m); F Ludlow & G. Sherriff.
NHM 1938-12-13-605: m; collected 14.5.1938; Lo La (South) Pachakshiri, S.E. Tibet (c.3,480m); F.
Ludlow & G. Sherriff. NHM 1941-12-1-673: m; collected May 1934; 18 miles ENE of Hpinaw, Myitkyina-
Yunnan border, Upper Burma (c.3,780—3,940 m); G. W. Whittall. NHM 1948-27-18: m; collected
20.2.1947; Trulung, Po Tsangpo Valley, S.E. Tibet (c. 2,880 m); F. Ludlow (P). NHM 1948-34-1: m;
collected 28.3.1948; Chimli Pass, Burma (c.3,180 m); B.E. Smythies (P). NHM 1948-34-2: f; collected
29.3.1948; Chimli Pass, Burma (c.3,180 m); B.E. Smythies (P).

© British Ornithologists’ Club 2004

Notes on breeding birds from an Ecuadorian
lowland forest

Harold F Greeney, Rudolphe A. Gelis & Richard White

Received12 February 2003

The lowlands of eastern Ecuador are popular for birdwatching tours as well as
ornithological research. Despite this, and the increased interest in the Ecuadorian
avifauna in the past 15 years (e.g. Krabbe 1992, Best et al. 1993, Rasmussen et al.
1996, Ridgely & Greenfield 2001), little has been written concerning the breeding
biology of birds in the area (but see Greeney 1999, Hill & Greeney 2000, Greeney er
al. 2000). As a whole, the natural history, ecology and breeding biology of tropical
birds remains poorly understood (Hilty 1994). Here we present data on 32 species,
collected over recent years, from two adjacent field sites in the Sucumbios province
of eastern Ecuador. Observations were made opportunistically, during the course of
other activities, and on their own are not useful for acessing patterns of seasonality.
Nonetheless, in conjunction with past and future observations, the data presented
here make a significant contribution to our knowledge of birds from this poorly
studied area of Ecuador.

Sacha Lodge Research Station (SLRS) (00°26’S, 76°27’ W) is located near the
community of Afangu, c.65 km east-southeast of Coca along the Napo River at an
elevation of 250 m. La Selva Biological Station (LSBS) (00°29’S, 76°22’W) is
located only 10 km further downriver from SLRS. Both of these sites are located on

Harold F Greeney et al. 29 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

the north bank of the Napo River, but nests were found on both sides. As the Napo
River is thought to be the limit of distribution for some species (Ridgely & Greenfield
2001), the specific side is give with each observation as N (North) or S (South).
Nesting records are given in taxonomic order following Ridgely & Greenfield (2001).

Species accounts

RUFESCENT TIGER-HERON Tigrisoma lineatum

10 March 1998, LSBS (N). The nest, typical of this species, was a loose stick platform
located 3 m up in a mangrove tree over the edge of an oxbow lake. Whilst the
contents of the nest were not seen, adult behaviour suggests the bird was incubating.
Breeding information from Colombia includes breeding condition birds from March
to November (Hilty & Brown 1986, Olivares 1974). Stiles & Skutch (1989) described
an egg from Suriname and nests have been recorded in Venezuela from July to
September (Thomas 1979).

BLACK VULTURE Coragyps atratus

1 April 1998, LSBS (N). An adult was found incubating two pale blue eggs with
dark brown splotches. The nest was a shallow depression located at the base of a
large Ceiba (Bombacaceae) tree, between two large buttressing roots. This species
nests from January to May in Panama (Wetmore 1965) and November to February
or March in Costa Rica (Stiles & Skutch 1989). Nests with young have been reported
from Colombia in April (Hilty & Brown 1986) and at LSBS in June (Hill & Greeney
2000). Whilst this observation, and all the nesting records cited above, reported
nests on the ground in similar sheltered positions, Howell & Webb (1995) reported
this species breeding communally in tall trees.

SLENDER-BILLED KITE Rostrhamus hamatus

25 July 2001, SLRS (N). The nest was located c.25 m up in the outer mid-crown of
a large tree in floodplain forest. Both adults were present and vocal around the nest
but the contents of the nest were unobservable. Similar nests were described from
Suriname (Haverschmidt 1968) and Venezuela (Hilty & Brown 1986, Mader 1981)
in July and August to September respectively.

DOUBLE-TOOTHED KITE JHarpagus bidentatus

24 April 2001, SLRS (N). On this date an adult bird was first seen building a loose
stick platform in the horizontal fork of a Ceiba sp. (Bombacaceae) tree c.35 m above
the ground in the swampy clearing in terra firme forest. On 23 August 2001 an adult
was seen sitting for long periods on the nest, presumably incubating. During
subsequent visits, until 6 September 2001, the birds were continuing to incubate. On
one occasion the adult repeatedly called whilst sitting on the nest. The other adult
flew in and displaced several Boat-billed Flycatchers Megarhynchus pitangua that
were perching in the nest tree. Double-toothed Kites have been reported nesting

Harold F Greeney et al. 30 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

during June in Panama (Laughlin 1952), building during April in Costa Rica (Stiles
& Skutch 1989), and in breeding condition from January to April in Colombia (Hilty
& Brown 1986, Olivares 1962).

ORNATE HAWK-EAGLE Spizaetus ornatus

18 March 2001, SLRS (N). A single nest was found c.30 m above the ground in a
Ceiba sp. (Bombacaceae) tree growing in ferra firme forest. The nest was a loosely
constructed stick platform c.1 m in diameter. An adult was sitting on the nest at 1200
h and was presumed to be incubating. On 18 April an adult was seen bringing food
and at least one nestling could be seen. This species is known to breed from November
or December to May in Panama (Brown & Amadon 1968), from March to June in
Guatemala (Lyon & Kuhnigk 1985), and from April to May in Costa Rica (Stiles &
Skutch 1989).

MARBLED WOOD-QUAIL Odontophorus gujanensis

24 December 1997, LSBS (N). One adult was seen inside terra firme forest with at
least two dependent chicks. When approached, the chicks quickly nestled into the
leaf litter and froze. The adult ran just out of sight and circled around calling
continuously. In Colombia, breeding condition birds have been recorded from
February to May, a nest with eggs from March, and chicks from April (Blake 1955,
Hilty & Brown 1986). In Costa Rica this species breeds from January to August
(Skutch 1947, Stiles & Skutch 1989).

COLLARED PLOVER Charadrius collaris

15 March 2001, SLRS. A simple scrape nest was found on an island in the Napo
River. It was c.20 m from the river edge, c.5 cm deep, and located at the base of a
small tuft of grass. There was a single egg. When the nest was approached, the adult
engaged in a broken-wing display. This species breeds from March to June in Costa
Rica (Stiles & Skutch 1989). Chicks have been reported in January from Venezuela
(Friedmann 1948) and a summary of their breeding in Chile was given by Johnson
(1965).

RUDDY QUAIL-DOVE Geotrygon montana

27 November 2000, SLRS (N). An adult was found incubating two buff-coloured
eggs, measuring 24.7 mm x 20.7 mm and 26.3 mm x 20.7 mm respectively. The nest
was a loose stick and leaf platform on the top of a 60-cm-high stump in terra firme
forest. It measured roughly 19 cm across on the outside, with the 2-cm-deep cup
being 8 cm wide. 25 March 2001, SLRS (N). An adult was seen near a nest with two
nestlings at 1000 h. The nest was as previously described, located 2 m up in the U of
a liana against the side of a large tree in terra firme forest. In Colombia, breeding-
condition birds were reported from January to June and a nest with eggs in March
(Hilty & Brown 1986, Olivares 1964). Greeney (1999) reported two nests with eggs
at LSBS in January.

Harold F Greeney et al. 31 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

COBALT-WINGED PARAKEET Brotogeris cyanoptera

30 April 1998, LSBS (N). A single adult was observed inside terra firme forest
excavating a small hole in the side of an arboreal termite (Nasutitermes sp.) nest
c.5 m above the ground. 29 July 1998, LSBS (N). A second nest hole, located 6 m
up, and also in a termite nest, was seen being entered by a single adult. Nestling
begging could be heard but the contents were not seen. Hilty & Brown (1986) reported
breeding-condition females in early June from Colombia, but little else seems to
have been published on the breeding of this species.

COMMON POTOO Nyctibius griseus

2 September 2001, SLRS. A nest was found on a river island c.2.5 m above the
ground at the end of a broken Cecropia sp. (Moraceae) stump. At least one nestling
was seen. It was sparsely feathered with white down. The breeding of this species is
fairly well known (del Hoyo ef al. 1999).

RUFOUS-BREASTED HERMIT Glaucis hirsuta

28 July 2001, SLRS (S). Both sexes were seen building a nest attached to the back
of an epiphytic fern leaf hanging 1.5 m over a small river. The nest, similar to those
of other Phaethorninae, was a small, inverted cone-shaped nest attached with spider
webs. This species appears to nest year-round in Colombia (Hilty & Brown 1986)
and accounts of breeding behaviour in Colombia have been presented by Todd &
Carriker (1922) and Darlington (1931). Snow & Snow (1973) described the breeding
of this species in Trinidad.

GREAT-BILLED HERMIT Phaethornis malaris

5 August 1998, LSBS (S). An unsexed adult was found incubating two all-white
eggs. The nest was an inverted-cone cup fastened to the underside of an understorey
palm frond in typical Phaethornis fashion. We have found no other breeding records
for this species but the Ecuadorian population has previously been considered a
subspecies of Long-tailed Hermit P suwperciliosus (Meyer de Shauensee 1970) and
is now considered separate (Hinkelmann 1996, Hinkelmann & Schuchmann 1997).
For P. superciliosus, breeding data have been reported from Colombia, Costa Rica
and Panama (Hilty & Brown 1986, Skutch 1964, Stiles & Skutch 1989, Wetmore
1968, Willis & Eisenmann 1979).

FORK-TAILED WOODNYMPH 7halurania furcata

25 July 2001, SLRS (S). An adult female was flushed from the nest and was found
to be incubating two all-white eggs. Subsequently, on 9 August, the nest contained
two nestlings and the female was observed brooding. The nest was a small cup
located 2.5 m up in an epiphytic fern on a small tree. Little has been published on
the breeding of this species, but Hilty & Brown (1986) reported breeding-condition
birds from Colombia in June.

Harold E Greeney et al. Be Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

BLACK-FRONTED NUNBIRD Monasa nigrifrons

15 August 2001, SLRS (N). One adult was seen excavating a nest cavity c.35 cm up
in a c.50-cm-high sandy bank in heavily disturbed flooded forest beside the Napo
River. In Colombia, breeding condition birds have been reported in June and a stub-
tailed juvenile in November (Hilty & Brown 1986). O’Neill (1974, in Hilty & Brown
1986) reported this species breeding during the dry season in south-eastern Peru. At
LSBS this species was previously reported nesting in April (Hill & Greeney 2000).

YELLOW-TUFTED WOODPECKER Melanerpes cruentatus

2 April 1998, LSBS (N). Both adults were seen bringing food to nestlings in a cavity
inside a dead palm (Mauritia sp.) beside an oxbow lake. Nests and the breeding
activity of this species have been described from Peru (Short 1970). Olivares (1962)
reported a bird in breeding condition from Colombia in March.

ORANGE-FRONTED PLUSHCROWN Metopothrix aurantiacus

27 July 1998, LSBS (N). On this date, at least five individuals were seen following
each other into and out of two different nests located in the same tree. A third nest
was also located in this same tree. The nests were large bulky balls of sticks, located
c.30 m above the ground in open floodplain forest along the Napo River. There is
apparently very little known concerning the breeding biology of this species, although
the nest was generally described in Ridgely & Greenfield (2001).

TAWNY-THROATED LEAFTOSSER Sclerurus mexicanus

1 August 1998, LSBS (N). An adult was seen bringing pale, skeletonised leaves to
an excavated hole in the soil surrounding the roots of an upturned tree. The nest
burrow was | m up and, beyond a 4-cm tunnel, opened into a cavity roughly 20 cm
in diameter. The cavity was lined entirely with skeletonised leaves. This species
nests from December to April in Costa Rica (Stiles & Skutch 1989) and breeding
condition birds have been reported in Colombia from April and May (Hilty & Brown
1986). The nests described by Stiles & Skutch (1989) from Costa Rica had smaller
chambers and longer entrance tunnels than the nest observed here. That described
here, however, is similar to the nests of Black-tailed Leaftosser S. caudacutus and
Short-billed Leaftosser S. rufigularis, which both nest in burrows built in upturned
roots in French Guiana (P.R. Martin, pers. comm.).

FASCIATED ANTSHRIKE Cymbilaimus lineatus

26 June 2001, SLRS (N). In an area of flooded forest, both sexes were seen bringing
material to a nest located 1.5 m up in a tangle of vines and undergrowth. The nest
was fairly unformed at this time. Adults were seen carrying spider silk, bark strips
and a small vine with green leaves. Both sexes alternated weaving material into the
nest whilst giving muted calls. On 12 July they were still building. On 20 July the
male was flushed from the nest and found to be incubating one egg. The egg was
white with large brown blotches. At the time of the last observation, on 29 July, the

Harold F Greeney et al. 33 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

male was still incubating a single egg. This species has been reported to breed from
April to June in Costa Rica (Stiles & Skutch 1989) and birds in breeding condition
were reported in Colombia from March to May (Hilty & Brown 1986). Previous
nest descriptions, loosely woven cups of dark fibers, suspended by the their rims in
a horizontal fork, resemble the nest found here (Skutch 1972, Stiles & Skutch 1989,
Wetmore 1972) and those seen in French Guiana (P.R. Martin pers. comm.).

DUSKY-THROATED ANTSHRIKE Thamnomanes ardesiacus

16 August 2001, SLRS (N). At 1445 h, an unsexed adult was flushed from the nest
and found to be incubating two eggs. The eggs were pale reddish-cream with even,
dark red-brown speckling, except for a distinctly heavier wreath around the larger
end. They measured 22 x 16 mm. The nest, at the top of a small hill inside primary
forest, was located c.1.75 m up in a small, semi-herbaceous tree (Rubiaceae),
suspended between the horizontal petioles of two large leaves. It was an open cup-
type nest constructed of dark fibres, leaves and small sticks. The cup was slightly
‘squashed’ and measured 5.5 x 7.0 cm on the inside and 7.0 x 9.0 cm on the outside.
The cup was 5.5 cm deep and the nest 9.0 cm tall overall. The nest was visited a total
of eight times up to 29 August, when the eggs still had not hatched. Of the occasions
when the sex of the incubating adult was determined, the female was seen five times
and the male once. On 3 September the nest contained two unfeathered nestlings
and on 6 September the chicks were seen to be well covered with down. The nest
and eggs described in Hilty & Brown (1986) from Peru appear to match the
description given here.

WHITE-SHOULDERED ANTBIRD Myrmeciza melanoceps

4 March 1998, LSBS (N). The female was encountered incubating two creamy-buff
eggs with red-brown speckling, heaviest at the larger end. They measured 28 x 19
mm and 28 x 18 mm respectively. The nest was a globular ball with a round side
entrance and constructed from strips of palm fronds and other dead leaves. Outside
dimensions were roughly 16 cm high x 24 cm wide. The entrance was 6 cm high x 9
cm wide with a broad lip extending out 10 cm and 13 cm wide. The nest was located
30 cm above the ground, nestled into the base of a palm seedling in an area of varzea
forest, c.750 m from the edge of the Napo River. During subsequent visits to the
nest, until 31 March 1998 when the nest was found destroyed, both the male and
female were noted to incubate. On one occasion, the male showed a broken-wing
display when flushed from the nest. Little is known of the breeding habits for this
species but Hilty & Brown (1986) reported breeding-condition birds in June from
Colombia.

PYGMY ANTWREN Myrmotherula brachyura

26 July 1998 LSBS (N). Both adults were seen building a hanging cup nest c.12 m
up in the outer branch of a large tree growing in open floodplain forest. The nest was
mostly hidden by the leaves of the tree in which it was constructed. Hilty & Brown

Harold FE Greeney et al. 34 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

(1986) reported a single breeding condition bird in April from Colombia and a nest
being built 6 m up in flooded forest in Brazil at the end of August.

DWARF TYRANT-MANAKIN Tyranneutes stolzmanni
15 April 2001, SLRS (S). One nestling was discovered in a tiny, sparse black rootlet
cup suspended from a horizontal fork 1.5 m up in a small sapling inside terra firme
forest. The nest was 5 cm in diameter on the outside with a 3 cm deep x 3.5 cm
diameter cup. Previously reported breeding data included breeding condition birds
from Colombia in May and March (Olivares 1962, 1964).

CHESTNUT-CROWNED BECARD Pachyramphus castaneus

15 March 1998, LSBS (N). Adults were seen entering a nest with food. The ball nest
was wedged in the branches of a tall Ceiba sp. (Bombacaceae) tree, c.35 m above
the ground. Breeding condition birds and a juvenile were reported from Colombia
in May (Olivares 1964) and two similar nests were described from eastern Ecuador
in July (Hilty & Brown 1986).

WHITE-WINGED BECARD Pachyramphus polycopterus

27 July 1998 LSBS (N). An adult female was seen feeding a juvenile a katydid
(Tettigoniidae) in an open floodplain forest along the Napo River. 24 August 2001,
SLRS. Both sexes were seen around a globular ball nest c.15 cm diameter. The nest
was located in a tree, 8 m above the ground, along the Napo River in an area of
second growth. The male was seen going to the nest later that afternoon, but we do
not know what stage the nest was in. Breeding condition adults have been recorded
from May to August in Colombia, as well as nest-building activity in March and
June (Hilty & Brown 1986). Breeding in Costa Rica occurs from April to August
(Stiles & Skutch 1989).

PINK-THROATED BECARD Platypsaris minor

26 June 2001, SLRS (N). An adult male was observed bringing material to a bulky,
suspended, mossy ball nest. The female was nearby and both adults were vocal. The
nest was located in primary forest near a recently fallen tree, c.20 m up on a dead
snag. 23 August 2001, SLRS. Another nest was observed under construction. Both
adults were seen going to the nest and the male was observed carrying soft plant
fibres. The nest was being built 10 m above the ground inside the infructescence of
an unidentified palm tree in varzea forest. On 3 September the nest was found to be
torn down but both adults were in the area. There is apparently little published on
any aspect of the breeding ecology of this species.

BLACK-TAILED TITYRA Tityra cayana

21 July 2001, SLRS (N). An adult female was seen bringing food to an unknown
number of nestlings. The nest was located c.5 m up in the cavity of a dead tree
located in an area of cow pasture near the Napo River. In Colombia, breeding

Harold F Greeney et al. 35 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

condition birds have been reported from June and active nests in March, July and
November (Hilty & Brown 1986). At LSBS, an active nest was previously reported
in March (Hill & Greeney 2000).

DOUBLE-BANDED PYGMY-TYRANT Lophotriccus vitiosus

24 August 2001, SLRS (S). An adult was flushed from a nest with two eggs. The
eggs were pale buff with sparse brown flecking. The nest was a hanging ball of thin
fibres and moss with a side entrance. It was located c.1 m above the ground in a
small Piper sp. (Piperaceae) tree, in an area of second growth. Nests were previously
reported in September in Suriname and building birds in August from Brazil (Hilty
& Brown 1986).

YELLOW-BROWED TODY-FLYCATCHER Todirostrum chrysocrotaphum
22 July 1998, LSBS (N). An adult was seen lining a hanging globular nest with soft
kapok seed down (Ceiba sp.). The nest was c.35 m up in a large Ceiba sp. tree. 10
September 2000, SLRS. One adult was seen bringing kapok down to a hanging
globular ball nest located c.40 m up in the Ceiba sp. tree where the lodge has built a
canopy observation tower. 4 April 2001, SLRS (N). Both sexes were seen building
a different nest located in the same tree. On 10 April, presumably the same pair had
abandoned that nest and begun construction of another on the opposite side of the
tree’s crown. The second site chosen was c.1 m away from a paper wasp (Vespidae)
nest. This pair constructed until at least 20 April. Then, on 29 May one adult was
seen bringing food to the nest. 22 July 2001, SLRS (N). Yet another nest was seen
being built in the same tree. This nest was being constructed only 30 cm from the
same paper wasp nest. Only one adult was seen building, intermittently pausing to
sing. Hilty & Brown (1986) reported a nest in a similar situation from eastern Ecuador
in July and a Colombian nest in June was only 4—5 m up in an area of second growth.
Proximity to wasp nests was not noted for either of these nests.

AMAZONIAN SCRUB FLYCATCHER Sublegatus obscurior

26 July 1998, LSBS (N). Both adults were seen around a nest under construction,
but only one was seen to bring material. The nest was an open cup, suspended in the
fork of a horizontal branch, c.8 m above the ground in an area of floodplain forest
along the Napo River. A stub-tailed juvenile was reported in August and breeding
condition birds from January and March in Colombia (Hilty & Brown 1986). Cherrie
(1916) reported an active nest in April and ffrench (1973) described the nest and
eggs from Trinidad.

WHITE-NECKED THRUSH Turdus albicollis

20 March 2001, SLRS (N). An adult was seen incubating two eggs in a cup nest
located 2 m up in a small tree. Accounts of Colombian and Trinidad nests can be
found in Todd & Carriker (1922) and Snow & Snow (1963).

Harold EF Greeney et al. 36 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

RED-CAPPED CARDINAL Paroaria gularis

24 March 2001, SLRS (N). An adult was seen feeding a fledgling Shiny Cowbird
Molothrus bonariensis along a small stream. The fledgling, begging continuously,
followed the adult while it fed. On 24 August 2001 at SLRS (N), an open cup nest
was found 4 m up in the fork of a small tree in an area of heavy human disturbance.
From adult behaviour around the nest, it is presumed that they were incubating, but
the nest contents were not seen. On 29 August the nest was found torn apart. Hilty &
Brown (1986) reported a male in breeding condition and begging fledglings in June
from Colombia. Breeding in Venezuela was reported from June to September (Cherrie
1916, Thomas 1979).

Acknowledgements

We are all greatly in debt to the staff and management of Sacha Lodge for their help and support during
our field studies. Ruth Ann & John V. Moore have generously supported our investigations. Thank you
to Rob Dobbs and Paul Martin for reviewing earlier versions of this manuscript. We gratefully
acknowledge the ongoing support of the PBNHS for our field studies and natural history work. This is
publication number 8 of the Yanayacu Natural History Research Group.

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Darlington, P. J., Jr. 1931. Notes on the birds of the Rio Frio (near Santa Marta), Magdalena, Colombia.
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Vertebrate ecology of the northern Neotropics. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington D.C.

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Addresses: Harold F. Greeney, Yanayacu Biological Station & Center for Creative Studies, Cosanga,
Napo, Ecuador, c/o 721 Foch y Amazonas, Quito, Ecuador, e-mail: yanayacul@hotmail.com.
Rudolphe A. Gelis and Richard White, Sacha Lodge Research Station, Anangu, Sucumbios, Ecuador,
c/o Julio Zaldumbide 375 y Toledo, Quito, Ecuador.

© British Ornithologists’ Club 2004

Ralf Strewe & Cristobal Navarro 38 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

New and noteworthy records of birds from the
Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta region,
north-eastern Colombia

by Ralf Strewe & Cristobal Navarro

Received 17 March 2003

The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is an isolated pyramid-shaped massif on the
Caribbean coast of north-east Colombia close to the border with Venezuela. The
twin snow-covered peaks, Pico Simon Bolivar and Pico Cristobal, reaching an altitude
of 5,775 m just 46 km from the Caribbean coast, represent the world’s highest coastal
massif. Because of its altitudinal variation as well as its location, the region contains
a mosaic of globally significant biomes (nearly all those to be found in tropical
America) from mangroves, semi-deserts, tropical dry forests and tropical wet forests,
montane forests and paramos; the region is unique for its small size (c.11,000 km”)
combined with its large variety of habitats.

Recent studies by the authors during July 1999 to January 2003 on the
biogeography and conservation of the avifauna within the Sierra Nevada de Santa
Marta Endemic Bird Area (EBA 036) (Stattersfield et a/. 1998) and the adjacent
lowlands, including the Ciénaga Grande wetlands, has yielded noteworthy
distributional records of 20 bird species, with one species new to Colombia, new
registrations for the Caribbean and Sierra Nevada region, and noteworthy altitude
extensions for 26 bird species. All 20 bird species with new distributional records
were not recorded by Todd & Carriker (1922), who amassed intensive ornithological
collections at the beginning of the 20th century over a period of several years and at
different sites and elevations within the Sierra Nevada area. Following the latter
study no other intensive investigations took place. and information on the avifauna
of the Sierra Nevada was principally collected along the San Lorenzo Ridge in the
vicinity of Santa Marta city.

Much of the information included in this paper results from avifaunal surveys
within the study areas of the San Salvador Valley and Toribio Valley on the northern
slope of the massif, concentrated at elevations below 2.000 m. The Toribio Valley
(localities Haciendas E] Recuerdo, Cincinati, Vista Nieve) encompasses humid
montane and premontane forest. and tropical humid forest, in the lower valley.
Below 500 m very little forest persists, as the land is intensively farmed and used
for cattle grazing. At 500—1.800 m, the valley represents a mosaic of humid
premontane forest fragments, shade-coffee plantations and pasture. Above 1,800
m still-larger forest fragments exist up to the San Lorenz ridge. The San Salvador
Valley is characterized by extensive primary forests along an altitudinal gradient
of 600 to 2.300 m, and isolated forest patches and secondary forest at elevations
from sea level to 600 m (Strewe in press, a). Additionally, excursions were made

Ralf Strewe & Cristobal Navarro 39 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

to the western and southern slopes of the massif and to the National Parks Tayrona

and Isla de Salamanca within the coastal region, where boreal migratory bird species

in particular were monitored.

Data were collected during fieldwork within the project ‘Habitat conservation
of migratory and resident bird species in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta’, conducted
in 2000-2003 (Salazar & Strewe unpubl.). Study areas were visited monthly during
excursions of 5—10 days. Bird populations were monitored using standardised
methodologies for assessing bird population abundance (mist-netting [15x12 m],
fixed-radius point counts, non-systematic field observations and tape-recordings).
Birds were measured, photographed and selectively marked with colour rings. Tape-
recordings, using a Sony TCM 5000 EV and Sennheiser ME66 microphone, were
made on most days; copies of recordings have been deposited at Banco de Sonidos
Animales (BSA), Alexander von Humboldt Institute, Bogota.

The majority of records included herein were obtained at ten localities (Fig. 1):
(1) San Salvador Valley, located on the northern slope of the Sierra Nevada de

Santa Marta, department of La Guajira (11°05’N, 73°35’ W; 8,400 ha), including
Buena Vista nature reserve (450 ha), which protects premontane forest at 600—
2,300 m (Strewe in press, a).

(2) El Recuerdo (11°07’N, 74°06’), Cincinati (11°06’N, 74°05’W) and (3) Vista
Nieve (11°05’N, 74°05’W), three private coffee farms in the foothills of the
San Lorenzo ridge within the Toribio Valley (600-—1,900 m), including wet
premontane forest and shade-coffee plantations.

(4) San Lorenzo ridge (11°45’N, 78°58’W) in the vicinity of Santa Marta city
includes wet premontane and montane forest at 1,800 to 2,800 m; primary forest
still exists on the slopes of the ridge, whilst secondary forest and pine plantations
dominate in the vicinity of the National Park Unit station and the military base.

(5) Tayrona National Park (11°18’N, 73°56’W), protecting c.15,000 ha of
mangroves, dry tropical to humid tropical forest at sea level to 600 m. The park
area includes disturbed and secondary habitats in the lower and plain sectors,
and primary forest on the slopes and ridges.

(6) Los Besotes (10°31’N, 72°16’E), private nature reserve (450 ha), first-designated
Colombian Important Bird Area (IBA) on the southern slope of the Sierra Nevada
de Santa Marta, department Cesar c. 20 km north-east of the capital Valledupar,
protecting primary forest at 300—2,000 m.

(7) El Congo (10°59’N, 74°04’ W), nature reserve of Fundacion Pro-Sierra Nevada
(40 ha) on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada mountains protecting
premontane forest at 600—1,050 m. At 500—1,800 m, the valley represents a
mosaic of humid premontane forest fragments, shade-coffee plantations and
pasture; above 1,800 m still-larger forest fragments exist (Strewe in press, b).

(8) Filo Cartagena (11°06’N, 73°69’W; 850 m) and (9) Alto de Mira (11°05’N,
73°56’ W; 950 m), ecological stations at the limits of the Sierra Nevada de Santa
Marta National Park within premontane forest. Primary forest around these

Ralf Strewe & Cristobal Navarro 40 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

Mar Caribe

Figure 1. Map showing the geographical locations of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta region. (1) Buena
Vista nature reserve, San Salvador Valley, (2) El Recuerdo, (3) Vista Nieve, (4) San Lorenzo, (5) Tayrona
National Park, (6) Los Besotes nature reserve, (7) El Congo nature reserve, (8) Filo Cartagena, (9) Alto
de Mira, (10) Isla de Salamanca.

stations was visited only a few times, because of problems with working permits
from indigenous communities in the area.

(10) Isla de Salamanca (10°59’, 74°32’ W) National Park (54,000 ha), limited in the
west by the Magdalena river, the Caribbean Sea in the north and the Ciénaga
Grande de Santa Marta, Colombia’s largest lagoon and Biosphere and RAMSAR
reserve, in the south. The National Park is protecting coastal lagoons and nearly
undisturbed mangroves.

Species accounts

GREY TINAMOU Tinamus tao

This tinamou is rare and local in humid forest, principally in foothills; known from
the Perija Mountains and the upper Cesar Valley near Fonseca (Hilty 2002, Hilty &
Brown 1986), where heavy destruction of the natural habitats has occurred (pers.

Ralf Strewe & Cristobal Navarro 41 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

obs.). Individuals were heard at 2,100 and 2,400 m at San Lorenzo ridge in January
2003 (tape-recording), representing an altitudinal extension from 1,900 m (Hilty
2002, Hilty & Brown 1986). P. Coopmans registered the species at the same locality
(in litt.).

BARE-THROATED TIGER-HERON Tigrisoma mexicanum

Known in Colombia from the extreme north-west in the lower Atrato and the Gulf
of Uraba region (Hilty & Brown 1986). The observation of an adult (photo) at a
mangrove border at Los Cocos, Isla de Salamanca National Park, on 15 October
2002, signifies a range extension of 410 km north-west.

SWALLOW-TAILED KITE Elanoides forficatus

The species is distributed throughout Colombia, except the dry Caribbean region
from department Atlantico eastward (Hilty & Brown 1986). Within the study area
individuals or small groups were recorded frequently across study sites from the
period March to May, which may indicate that these were transients from Central
America (Ferguson-Lees & Christie 2001, Hilty 2002, Hilty & Brown 1986).

BLACK-AND-WHITE HAWK-EAGLE Spizastur melanoleucos

This little-known raptor is patchily distributed across Colombia with only a handful
of records in humid and wet forest. The closest geographical records are 150 km
distant on the western slope of Serrania de Perija and Rio Cesar valley (departments
of Guajira and Cesar), with a recent record from the Serrania de San Lucas (Hilty &
Brown 1986, Salaman et a/. 2002). The species was discovered for the Sierra Nevada
region within the upper San Salvador Valley. Observations of individuals within the
Buena Vista nature reserve occurred on 8 July 2000, with an adult perching in an
open canopy of premontane forest at 450 m, on 19 September 2000, an adult soaring
at 1,200 m, and on 18 April 2001, with close views of an adult soaring over primary
premontane forest at 800 m.

AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER Pluvialis dominica

An uncommon transient in Venezuela and Colombia with few spring records, at
Buenaventura Bay in February 1984 and in April 1977 east Vichada (Hilty & Brown
1986, Hilty 2002). On 8 April 2001 three individuals were observed migrating north
along a ridge at 3,800 m within the upper rio Frio Valley.

PEARLY-BREASTED CUCKOO Coccyzus euleri

The species is distributed very locally in sandy-belt woodland, scrub and gallery
forest in Suriname, Guyana, south-east Peru, east and south Brazil, and northern
Argentina. It is known from one record on the Caribbean coast near Cartagena in
January (del Hoyo et al. 1997, Hilty & Brown 1986). The new records for the study
area come from the Tayrona National Park, sector Neguanje, in tropical dry forest,
where an adult was observed at close range for several minutes on | May 1997, and

Ralf Strewe & Cristobal Navarro 42 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

230 km from Cartagena, in the southern foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, at
300 m within the Los Besotes nature reserve, where another adult was found in
tropical dry forest on 23 May 2001 (observation with Bernabé Lopez-Lanus). The
status and even the general distribution of this scarce cuckoo remain very poorly
understood.

MANGROVE CUCKOO Coccyzus minor

This rare cuckoo is known from ‘Bogota’ skins presumably from Colombia (Hilty
& Brown 1986). In Venezuela the species is rare, with two specimens from Capure,
northern Delta Amacuro (1966) and additional observations exist in Red Mangroves
Rhizophora mangle at Caio Macareo, Delta Amacuro and from Islas Los Roques in
June 1988 (del Hoyo etal. 1997, Hilty 2002). On 21 November 2002 two individuals
were observed along the Santa Marta—Barranquilla road at a mangrove border within
the Isla de Salamanca National Park (photo). Both individuals stayed low in Red
Mangroves and vocalized a very nasal aan aan aan aan aan urmm urmm, slightly
accelerating, with the last two notes lower and longer (per Sibley 2001).

COMMON POTOO Nyctibius griseus

The species is distributed patchily throughout Colombia, but without definite records
from Santa Marta and the arid Caribbean region (del Hoyo et al. 1997, Hilty &
Brown 1986). The first registrations for the Santa Marta region come from the
Caribbean plain with a nest reported by locals at Casa Loma nature reserve, in April
1999, individuals calling at San Salvador Valley (250 m) on 10 March 2000, and at
Vista Nieve (1,000 m) on 30 January 2003 (tape-recording).

CHESTNUT-COLLARED SWIFT Cypseloides rutilus

Known from all three Cordilleras and Serrania de San Lucas, but unrecorded in the
Santa Marta or Perijaé Mountains (Hilty 2002, Hilty & Brown 1986). Within the
study area the species is not uncommon, with 22 registrations at elevations from sea
level, at Rodadero, to 3,200 m in the rio Frio Valley (altitudinal range extension
from 600 m for Colombia; del Hoyo et al. 1999 mention records down to sea level).
Additional records were of groups with up to 30 individuals from the San Lorenzo
ridge at 2,800 m (tape-recording), from Cincinati and Vista Nieve (1,200 m), from
the San Salvador Valley (100-800 m) and from El Congo on the western slope

Figure 2 (on opposite page). Some examples of poorly known and rarely photographed birds from
north-east Colombia.

a. Male Lazuline Sabrewing Campylopterus falcatus (Ralf Strewe)

b. Male Scaled Piculet Picumnus squamulatus (Ralf Strewe)

c. Ruddy Woodcreeper Dendrocincla homochroa (Ralf Strewe)

d. Zeledon’s Tyrannulet Phyllomyias zeledoni (Ralf Strewe)

e. Male Coppery Emerald Chlorostilbon russatus (Ralf Strewe)

f. Female Rosy Thrush-tanager Rhodinocichla rosea (Ralf Strewe)

Ralf Strewe & Cristobal Navarro ; Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

Ralf Strewe & Cristobal Navarro 44 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

(1,000 m). In June 2001 the presence of this species in Perijé Mountains was also
confirmed at Cerro Pintado, La Guajira (pers. obs.).

GREY-RUMPED SWIFT Chaetura cinereiventris

Records for this species in northern Colombia are from the northern foothills of the
West and Central Andes, in Antioquia and recently from both flanks of the Serrania
de San Lucas (Hilty & Brown 1986, Salaman ef a/. 2002). An adult was caught at
850 m at Filo Cartagena on the northern slope in October 2000 (photo), representing
the first record for the Caribbean region and Sierra Nevada Mountains. Additionally,
the species was observed at El Congo with two individuals on 29 November 2000,
in the rio Frio Valley at 1,400 m in April 2001 and three times at El Recuerdo in
September and October 2002.

LESSER SWALLOW-TAILED SWIFT Panyptila cayenensis

This swift is little known in Colombia with only one previous Central Cordillera
record in Caldas, in the mid-Magdalena valley, and a pair observed in the Serrania
de San Lucas in March 2001 (Hilty & Brown 1986, Salaman ef al. 2002). In
Venezuela the species is recorded below 1,000 m at the base of both slopes of the
Andes in Tachira and Mérida, but not from the Perija Mountains (Hilty 2002).
New distributional records of the species come from the Tayrona National Park, at
Calabazo (150 m) in January 2001, from El Recuerdo (800 m), from Vista Nieve
(1,300 m) with four individuals in November 2002 (tape-recording), from Filo
Cartagena (850 m) with ten individuals in October 2000, and from the San Salvador
Valley (600 m), where a group of 22 individuals was registered in November 2000
and three nests found in December 2002 (photo). These nests were at 8—15 m from
the ground on heavy tree trunks at forest borders or within natural clearings
(elevations 400—700 m).

LAZULINE SABREWING Campylopterus falcatus

The species is distributed locally and uncommonly in humid forest, forest borders
and shady plantations on both slopes of the East Andes, including the Perija Mountains
as the nearest population to the study area (Hilty & Brown 1986, Hilty 2002), where
during an excursion to the Cerro Pintado (department of Cesar), two leks at 1,800
and 2,200 m were found in primary montane forest in June 2001 (tape-recording).
New registrations for the study area come from four different sites on the northern
slope of the Sierra Nevada, spanning the whole study period. Twenty-three individuals
were caught, including males (Fig. 2a), females and juveniles between 450 to 1,200 m
in the San Salvador Valley, at Filo Cartagena (800 m) in October 2000, at El Recuerdo
(800 m) and at Vista Nieve (1,600 m) in July and October 2002. An active lek of five
males was recorded at Vista Nieve within premontane forest at 1,300 m in June
2002. This lek is close to a main trail at a distance of only 1.2 km from the cabin,

Ralf Strewe & Cristobal Navarro 45 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

where the collector M.A. Carriker lived and collected intensively in previous years
(Todd & Carriker 1922). It is highly unlikely that he would have failed to encounter
the lek of this species so close to his home. The recent records of the species are
very interesting and raise the question, how and when did the species reach the
northern slope of the Sierra Nevada massif from its original distribution on the west
slope of the Perija Mountains, where most of the species’ habitats have been destroyed
(pers. obs. June 2001).

SCALED PICULET Picumnus squamulatus

The species is known from the base of the Sierra de Perija in Venezuela, but is not
recorded from the base of the same mountains in Colombia. An isolated record
exists from the south end of the Santa Marta range (Hilty 2002, Hilty & Brown
1986). Within the study period the species was observed several times in shade-
coffee plantations at 1,100 m at Vista Nieve, and once at a forest border at 900 m at
El Congo on the western slope. Captures were made at El Recuerdo (800 m), with
an adult male on 26 September 2002 (Fig. 2b), and from Alto de Mira, with a female
in January 1995 (M. Alvarez in Jitt.). The captured adult male, and also adult males
seen in the field, showed yellow forecrown spots. Males of the race roehli, recorded
from the southern slope of the Santa Marta range and north Venezuela, have red
forecrown spots, sometimes yellow or orange. The race /ovejoyi (extreme north-
west Venezuela, department Zuila) is similar, but the forecrown spots of males are
always yellow instead of red (del Hoyo ef al. 2002). Following del Hoyo et al.
(2002) the individuals from the northern slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains are
of the Jovejoyi type, as all males showed clear yellow forecrown spots and greyer
upperparts, representing the first records of this subspecies in Colombia.

RUDDY WOODCREEPER Dendrocincla homochroa

Only few Colombian records exist of this rare treehunter, including from both slopes
of the Perija Mountains and two records from humid forest in foothills on the east
slope of the Santa Marta range in the department of Guajira (La Cueva, Los Gorros)
(Hilty 2002, Hilty & Brown 1986). The species is common on the northern and
north-western slope of the massif, with a total of 57 individuals caught in the San
Salvador Valley (250-650 m), Alto de Mira (1,200 m) in December 1995 (Alvarez
in litt.), El Recuerdo (800 m) and Vista Nieve at 1,600 m (Fig. 2c). This represents
an altitudinal range extension from 1,250 m (Hilty 2002, Stotz et al. 1996), and
range extension across the entire massif (85 km). The species is an indicator for
premontane forest in good condition, as it was never registered in disturbed or
secondary forest within the study area. Hilty (2002) noted that the species was fairly
common formerly, but is declining because of forest clearance within its small
Venezuelan range. Knowledge of its limited distribution is important given that it is
vulnerable to premontane forest destruction in northern Colombia.

Ralf Strewe & Cristobal Navarro 46 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

ZELEDON’S TYRANNULET Phyllomyias zeledoni

The species is very uncommon and locally distributed between 470 to 1,800 m in
Venezuela, including the Sierra de Perija (1,640 m), on Cerro Pejochaina. In Colombia
few records exist in humid foothill forest in Meta and in west Caqueta (Hilty 2002,
Hilty & Brown 1986). The first record for northern Colombia comes from El Recuerdo
(800 m), where an adult was caught at a forest border on 18 October 2002 (Fig. 2d).
The individual had light reddish-brown eyes, a pinkish-orange bill below, the typical
greyish crown of the subspecies wetmorei, two narrow pale yellowish wingbars, a
sharp white eyebrow, the chest flammulated yellowish olive and very characteristic
Spiny tarsi.

PINE WARBLER Dendroica pinus

The first record for Colombia and South America comes from Vista Nieve (Curson
et al. 1994, Rodner et al. 2000), where a first-year female was observed intensively
by the authors and S. Restrepo at 1,050 m on 20 November 2002. The individual
was studied using the Sibley (2001) guide over 10 minutes in optimal light and at a
distance of less than 15 m, showing a pale neck patch, dark cheeks, white spectacles,
blurry streaks on the sides of the breast, white undertail-coverts and a long tail
projection. The bird was feeding in the low canopy of an /nga tree (8 m) within a
shade-coffee plantation, following a mixed-species flock, including Blackburnian
Warbler Dendroica fusca and Tennessee Warbler Vermivora peregrina.

YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER Dendroica dominica

The species is known in South America from a sighting at Barranquilla in December
1969 and at Guiara Wash, south of Santa Marta, in October 1971 (Hilty & Brown
1986). The third record for South America is from the San Lorenzo ridge, where an
adult male was observed at the border of an exotic pine plantation at 2,200 m on 20
February 2003. The species was accompanying a flock of resident species, together
with Blackburnian Warbler and Tennessee Warbler. The observation was made in
good light and at close distance (identification made using Sibley 2001).

CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER Dendroica pensylvanica

Three Colombian records exist for this warbler, from Tolima (October), Santander
(November) and south of Cali in the Cauca Valley (November) (Hilty & Brown
1986). New records for the Caribbean region come from the San Salvador Valley,
where an adult male was observed at a forest border (150 m) on 3 February 2001
and an adult female at 250 m on 17 March 2001. During an excursion to the adjacent
Palomino River Valley another female was encountered in the canopy of a flowering
Anacardium tree at 50 m on 22 February 2001. Other observations of singletons
come from Tayrona National Park (eastern side) and along the Santa Marta- Ciénaga
road in October 1994 (Paul Salaman in /itt.)

Ralf Strewe & Cristobal Navarro 47 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

FULVOUS-HEADED TANAGER 7hlypopsis fulviceps

The species is known in Colombia from the Sierra de Perija (to 1,900 m in June
2001, pers obs.) and from the Eastern Cordillera in Norte de Santander (Hilty &
Brown 1986, Isler & Isler 1999). In Venezuela the species is uncommon at 800—
1,900 m in the Sierra de Perija (subspecies obscuriceps) (Hilty 2002). On 19 April
2001 two individuals were observed accompanying mixed-species flocks at 2,050
m and 2,380 m at premontane forest borders within the upper rio Frio Valley, on the
western slope of the Sierra Nevada massif (photo), representing a 120-km range
extension.

SOOTY GRASSQUIT Tiaris fuliginosa

Known in Colombia from the upper Magdalena and upper rio Patia valleys (Hilty &
Brown 1986). In Venezuela it is recorded between 800—1,700 m in the Sierra de
Perija, where it is apparently local or seasonal in dry grassy scrub, along borders of
moist and humid woodland or at grassy openings in lighter woodland (Hilty 2002).
Within the study area, in total 62 individuals (males, females and juveniles) were
caught at different localities, at Alto de Mira (M. Alvarez in Jitt.), within the San
Salvador Valley at 250 and 450 m, El Recuerdo (800 m), Vista Nieve (1,600 m), and
El Congo (850 m), representing a significant range extension and the first recording
of the zuliae subspecies for Colombia. A nest was found at El Congo in January
2002 (photo).

Additional significant altitudinal extensions

Noteworthy altitude extensions registered during the study period are listed for 26
bird species below; the maximum or minimum elevation for each species, based on
data in Fjeldsa & Krabbe (1990), Hilty (2002), Hilty & Brown (1986), Renjifo et al.
(2002), Ridgely & Greenfield (2001) and other recent publications, is followed by
the new altitude extension and the locality.

SEMICOLLARED HAWK Accipiter collaris in Andes to 2,200 m (Ferguson-Lees
& Christie 2001), from 1,800 m to 2,400 m at San Lorenzo ridge.

ZONE-TAILED HAWK Buteo albonotatus in Venezuela to 600 m (Hilty 2002),
from 500 m to 800 m in San Salvador Valley.

BAND-TAILED GUAN Penelope argyrotis in Venezuela in Coastal Cordillera down
to 300 m (Hilty 2002), from 900 m down to 350 m in San Salvador Valley.

BLACK-FRONTED WOOD-QUAIL Odontophorus atrifrons in Venezuela at
1,650—3,100 m (Hilty 2002), from 1,200 m to 700 m at El Congo.

SANTA MARTA PARAKEET Pyrrhura viridicata from 2,000 m (Hilty & Brown
1986) to 3,200 m at rio Frio.

Ralf Strewe & Cristobal Navarro 48 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

COPPERY EMERALD Chilorstilbon russatus at 500 m (del Hoyo et al. 1999)
down to 250 m at Cerro Boliche, Santa Marta (Fig. 2e).

WHITE-TAILED STARFRONTLET Coeligena phalerata from 1,400 m (del Hoyo
et al. 1999) down to 1,200 m in the San Salvador Valley.

SANTA MARTA WOODSTAR Chaetocercus astreans from 825 m (del Hoyo et
al. 1999) down to 350 m in the San Salvador Valley.

YELLOW-BILLED TOUCANET Aulacorhynchus calorhynchus in Venezuela
down to 900 m (Hilty 2002), from 600 m down to 350 m in the San Salvador Valley.

KEEL-BILLED TOUCAN Ramphastos sulfuratus from 1,600 m (del Hoyo et al.
2002) to 1,900 m at San Lorenzo.

COCOA WOODCREEPER Xiphorhynchus susurrans down to 1,800 m in
Venezuela (Hilty 2002), from 1,100 m to 1,600 m at Vista Nieve.

STREAK-CAPPED SPINETAIL Cranioleuca hellmayri from 1,600 m
(Stattersfield et al. 1998) down to 1,200 m in the San Salvador Valley.

MONTANE FOLIAGE-GLEANER Anabacerthia striaticollis 900—2,300 m in
Venezuela (Hilty 2002), from 1,000 m down to 600 m in the San Salvador Valley.

SANTA MARTA WHITE-CROWNED TAPACULO Scytalopus sanctaemartae
from 1,350 m (Stattersfield et al. 1998) down to 600 m in the San Salvador Valley.

BROWN-RUMPED TAPACULO Scytalopus latebricola from 2,150 m (Stotz et
al. 1996) down to 1,900 m on the San Lorenzo ridge.

GOLDEN-BREASTED FRUITEATER Pipreola aureopectus down to 800 m in
the Coastal Cordillera in Venezuela (Hilty 2002), from 1,300 m down to 600 m in
the San Salvador Valley.

MOUNTAIN ELAENIA Elaenia frantzii down to 1,200 m in Venezuela (Hilty
2002), from 900 m down to 600 m in the San Salvador Valley.

BLACK-CHESTED JAY Cyanocorax affinis to 1,700 m in Venezuela (Hilty 2002),
from 2,200 m to 2,600 m at San Lorenzo.

YELLOW-LEGGED THRUSH Platycichla flavipes at 100 m on Isla Margarita in
Venezuela (Hilty 2002), from 600 m down to 350 m in the San Salvador Valley.

Ralf Strewe & Cristobal Navarro 49 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

BLACK-HOODED THRUSH Zurdus olivater 800 m in Venezuela (Hilty 2002),
from 1,200 m down to 600 m in the San Salvador Valley.

BROWN-CAPPED VIREO Vireo leucophrys 700 m in Venezuela (Hilty 2002),
from 1,200 m down to 500 m in the San Salvador Valley.

WHITE-LORED WARBLER Basileuterus conspicillatus from 750 m (Stattersfield
et al. 1998) down to 450 m in the San Salvador Valley.

WHITE-SIDED FLOWERPIERCER Diglossa albilatera from 1,300 m (Hilty
2002) down to 1,200 m in the San Salvador Valley.

SANTA MARTA MOUNTAIN-TANAGER Anisognathus melanogenys from 1,500
m (Isler & Isler 1999) down to 1,200 m in the San Salvador Valley.

ROSY THRUSH-TANAGER Rhodinocichla rosea up to 100 m in Venezuela (Hilty
2002), from 500 m down to 100 m at Tayrona (Fig. 2f).

SLATY FINCH JAHaplospiza rustica occasionally to 1,000 m in Andes (Stotz ef al.
1996), from 1,200 m down to 800 m at El Recuerdo.

Discussion

The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta justifiably receives wide international recognition
for its importance as an unique and highly threatened enclave for native and migrant
avifauna. The massif represents the world’s single-most important continental avian
centre of endemism with 18 endemic species and 55 endemic subspecies, and is a
highly strategic staging post for Neotropical migrant bird species travelling from
the Caribbean to South America.

A total of 673 bird species, including the new records presented here, have been
registered in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta region (Strewe unpubl.). Additions
are expected from records of boreal migrants and from the invasion of non-forest
species as forest destruction continues. The southern slope 1s partucarly poorly studied
and investigations are urgently needed there, considering that more than 90% of the
natural habitats have been destroyed. Security problems, as in many other localities
of the region, make access to the southern slope very difficult.

The paramo region of the massif and its avifauna is practically unknown, with
historical collections by Carriker (reported in Todd & Carriker 1922) and one short
excursion within the rio Frio valley in April 2001 (Strewe in press, b). The paramo
lies entirely within the indigenous reserves and excursions require permits from the
indigenous organizations. Indications are that paramo habitats and the forest-paramo
ecotone are threatened through seasonal burning and grazing. Ongoing destruction
of these natural habitats is threatening especially the endemics with limited ranges,

Ralf Strewe & Cristobal Navarro 50 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

low population densities and naturally localised distributions resulting from specific
habitat preferences. Monitoring of the paramo habitats, their avifauna and of
anthropogenic impacts on the ecosystem are of critical importance.

Within the massif less than 15 % of the original forest cover remains, and despite
substantive protection status on paper, the massif continues to sustain high rates of
habitat loss to human colonisation and degradation. Yet little attention or effort has
been taken within the last 50 years towards conducting research to aid the
implementation of effective conservation measures and adequate management
strategies for this highly sensitive faunal group.

Data collected during fieldwork within the present project are being used to
develop habitat management strategies, addressing identified threats to migrant and
resident birds, and to implement conservation corridors and a network of private
reserves. Other project objectives are to commercially produce bird-friendly coffee,
and to establish an educational programme involving local communities in nature
conservation and sustainable agronomy. As a result of the project activities, the rio
Frio, San Salvador and Toribio Valleys are declared as Important Bird Areas (IBA),
under a joint BirdLife International and Alexander von Humboldt Institute (Bogota)
programme.

Acknowledgements

The studies were made possible by financial support from the National Fish & Wildlife Fund, CIM/GTZ
Germany and Fundacion Pro-Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Many thanks to all the staff at Buena Vista
and El Congo nature reserves for their assistance throughout the project. We are grateful for advice and
assistance from the following: Mauricio Alvarez Rebolledo, Olga Ines Ramirez Gomes, Dorotea Cardona
Hernandez, Gheynner Lobaton, Lacides Malo, Margarita M. Nieto Restrepo, Santiago Restrepo, Fernando
Salazar Holguin and Sandra Sanchez. Many thanks to Chris Feare and Paul Salaman for comments on
the manuscript and editorial assistance.

References:

BirdLife International. 2000. Threatened birds of the world. Lynx Edicions & BirdLife International.
Barcelona & Cambridge, UK.

Curson, J., Quinn, D. & Beadle, D. 1994. Warblers of the Americas: an identification guide. Houghton
Mifflin, Boston.

del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. & Sargatal, J. (eds.) 1997. Handbook of the birds of the world, vol. 4. Lynx
Edicions. Barcelona.

del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. & Sargatal, J. (eds.) 1999. Handbook of the birds of the world, vol. 5. Lynx
Edicions. Barcelona.

del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. & Sargatal, J. (eds.) 2002. Handbook of the birds of the world, vol. 6. Lynx
Edicions. Barcelona.

Ferguson-Lees, J. & Christie, D. A. 2001. Raptors of the world. Houghton Mifflin, Boston.

Fjeldsa, J. & Krabbe, N. 1990. Birds of the high Andes. Zool. Mus., Univ. of Copenhagen & Apollo
Books, Svendborg.

Hilty, S. L. 2002. Birds of Venezuela. Princeton Univ. Press.

Hilty, S. L. & Brown, W. L. 1986. A guide to the birds of Colombia. Princeton Univ. Press.

Isler, M. L. & Isler, P. R. 1999. The tanagers. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington D.C.

Renjifo, L. M., Franco-Maya, A. M., Amaya-Espinel, J. D., Kattan, G. H. & Lopez-Lanus, B. (eds.)
2002. Libro rojo de aves de Colombia. Serie Libro Rojos de Fauna, Flora y Hongos Amenazados de

Ralf Strewe & Cristobal Navarro 51 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

Colombia, Instituto de Investigacion de Recursos Biologicos Alexander von Humboldt & Ministerio
del Medio Ambiente, Bogota.

Ridgely, R. S. & Greenfield, P. J. 2001. The birds of Ecuador, vol. 1. Cornell Univ. Press, Ithaca, New York.

Rodner, C., Lentino, M. & Restall, R. 2000. Checklist of the birds of northern South America. Pica
Press, Robertsbridge.

Salaman, P., Donegan, T. M. & Cuervo, A. M. 2002. New distributional bird records from Serrania de
San Lucas and adjacent Central Cordillera of Colombia. Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl. 122: 285-303.

Sibley, D. A. 2001. The Sibley guide to birds. National Audubon Society, New York.

Stattersfield, A. J., Crosby, M. J., Long, A. J. & Wege, D. C. 1997. Endemic Bird Areas of the world:
priorities for biodiversity conservation. BirdLife Conservation Series No. 7. BirdLife International,
Cambridge, UK.

Stotz, D. F., Fitzpatrick, J. W., Parker, T. A. & Moskovits, D. K. 1996. Neotropical birds: ecology and
conservation. Univ. Chicago Press.

Strewe, R. (in press, a) Birds and conservation value of the San Salvador Valley, Sierra Nevada of Santa
Marta, north-east Colombia. Revista Asociacion Colombiano de Ornitologia 1.

Strewe, R. (in press, b) The threatened birds of the rio Frio Valley, Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta,
Colombia. Cotinga 22.

Todd, W. E. & Carriker, M. A. 1922. The birds of the Santa Marta region of Colombia: a study in
altitudinal distribution. Ann. Carnegie Mus., vol. 14.

Troncoso, P. F., van der Wolf, P. A. J. & Ahumada, J. A. 1995. The Lilac-tailed Parrotlet (Jouit batavica),
a new record for Colombia. Caldasia 18(86): 147-148.

Address: Ralf Strewe and Cristobal Navarro, Fundacion Pro-Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Calle 17
No. 3-83, Santa Marta, Colombia, e-mail (for corresponding author): ralf.strewe@t-online.de

© British Ornithologists’ Club 2004

A survey of the Serrania de Jungurudo, an
isolated mountain range in eastern Panama

by G. R. Angehr, D. G. Christian & K. M. Aparicio

Received 4 April 2003

Eastern Panama is a well-known centre of endemism for birds. In a recent analysis
by BirdLife International, Stattersfield et a/. (1998) examined the distribution of
restricted-range birds (those with a total world range of less than 20,000 km?) and
defined 218 Endemic Bird Areas (EBAs), based on the co-occurrence in a given
area of two or more of such species. Eastern Panama includes parts of two of these
EBAs.

The Darién Highlands EBA is defined as the highlands of eastern Panama and
westernmost Colombia above 700 m. Eleven restricted-range species are entirely
confined to it, with another five found both there and in other EBAs. The Darién
Lowlands EBA includes the lowlands and foothills of eastern Panama and
westernmost Colombia up to c.1,000 m. It has four species entirely confined to it,
with another nine found both there and in other areas (Stattersfield et a/. 1998).

G. R. Angehr et al.

Un

2 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

Several of the species of this EBA are primarily found in foothills and so are restricted
to the lower slopes of the same ranges where the highland endemics occur.

In addition to the species listed by Stattersfield et a/. (1998), the restricted-range
Ochraceous Wren Troglodytes ochraceus occurs in the Darién Highlands EBA, and
Yellowish-green Tyrannulet Phylloscartes flavovirens and Tawny-capped Euphonia
Euphonia anneae occur in the Darién Lowlands EBA. Stattersfield et al. (1998)
listed Narino Tapaculo Scytalopus vicinior as a species of the Darién Highlands, but
it has recently been determined (Krabbe & Schulenberg 1997) that the Darién birds
belong to a newly described species, Choco Tapaculo S. chocoensis, which also has
a restricted range.

Three main mountain ranges run in parallel lengthwise along the isthmus in
easternmost Panama (Fig. 1). The range along the Caribbean coast, the Serrania de
Darién, includes the highest peak in the region, Cerro Tacarcuna (1,875 m). The
Serrania de Pirre (1,550 m) occupies the centre of the isthmus, with the outlying
ridge of the Altos de Quia to its south-east along the Colombian border. Along the
Pacific coast, the highest part of the ranges, at the headwaters of the rios Sambu and
Jaqué, is known as the Serrania de Jungurudo. The maximum elevation indicated on

Zz" fae ae
r —_— ? \
a
= \ «A .

7

\

ey ny PANAMA

Sapo

Serrania
del Sapo

Serrania de py ee a\ NC) Sa Se (ood f
Jungurud6 &. / ORGY Zoo : eu
litt Wot 4 OLOMBIA

Altos de Aspavé~ ge By (NF oy yh |
seine Cordillera | | | 40 Mewes
OCEAN de Jurad6 \

Figure 1. Mountain ranges of eastern Darién, Panama. Light grey = land above 200 m; dark grey = 500
m; black = 1,000 m.

G. R. Angehr et al. 53 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

available maps (INGTG 1993) is c.1,700 m. The Serrania de Sapo extends north-
west from the Jungurud6 and terminates at Cerro Sapo (1,145 m) near the town of
Garachiné. To the south-east of the Jungurudo and connected to it are the ranges of
the Cordillera de Jurado and the Altos de Aspave. These Pacific ranges are isolated
from the Serrania de Pirre, c.30 km to the east, by the valleys of the rios Balsas and
Jurado, which are below 200 m.

The Caribbean and central ranges of Darién have both been well studied
ornithologically. Cerro Tacarcuna was surveyed by H. E. Anthony and D. S. Ball in
1915 (Anthony 1923), by C. Handley in 1959, P. Galindo in 1963, and A. Wetmore
in 1964. Cerro Pirre was visited by E. A. Goldman in 1912, by R. Benson in 1928,
O. Pearson in 1938, A. Wetmore in 1961, P. Galindo in 1972, and M. Robbins in
1982 (Robbins eft al. 1985). Cana on the slopes of Cerro Pirre now has a small
tourist lodge and is visited frequently by birding groups. The Altos de Quia was
visited in 1970 by P. Galindo (Wetmore & Galindo 1972) and by R. Ridgely in 1975
(Ridgely & Gwynne 1989).

In contrast, the Pacific ranges have been little studied. The only site that has
previously been surveyed is Cerro Sapo at the northern end of the range, by T. Barbour,
W. S. Brooks and C. F. Underwood in 1922 (Barbour & Brooks 1923), and D. Feathers
in 1941 (Bond & Meyer de Schauensee 1944). The Serrania de Jungurudo itself has
not previously been visited by ornithologists.

Study Areas and Methods

GRA made an initial trip to the Jungurudo area between 10-15 January 1996,
ascending the southern side of the range from the upper rio Jaqué valley near the
village of El] Mamey (07°28’N, 78°00’ W), and reaching 945 m on 12 January. GRA,
DGC and KMA surveyed the Serrania de Jungurud6o more extensively from 8—23
August 1997, ascending from its northern side. We reached the range via the rio
Sambu, camping at the last Embera Indian village on the river, Boca de Pavarando,
on 8 August, and on 9 August at the junction of the rio Sambu and rio Antaral
(07°43’N, 78°01°W). We then ascended the valley of the rio Antaral, camping at
195 m on 10 August, 680 m on 11 August, and 900 m on 12 August. On 13 August
we established a base camp at 840 m on Cerro Antaral (07°37’°N, 78°00’W). We
remained at this site until 22 August, working up to an elevation of c.1,000 m. We
were unable to reach the summit of the range due to broken terrain and dense
vegetation. Cloud forest on this part of the Jungurudo range begins at c.900 m.
Although the best available map of the area (IGNTG 1993), originally prepared by
the Raytheon Corporation from radar data obtained in 1967, indicates that the range
reaches an elevation of 1,700 m, our altimeter readings suggested that its maximum
elevation actually may be only about 1,200 m.

In addition to walking trails and streams in the area, on 17—19 August we carried
out c.130 hours of mist-netting near the base camp, using 6—8 nets, 12 m long with
a 36-mm mesh. We tape-recorded vocalizations using Sony TCM-5000 portable

G. R. Angehr et al. 54 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

tape-recorders with Sennheiser short shotgun microphones, and collected specimens
by shotgun and by mist-netting.

Results

We report here observations of species of limited distribution or rare in Panama,
especially restricted-range species. Endemic species of the Darién Lowlands EBA
are indicated by an asterisk, and those of the Darién Highlands EBA with a double
asterisk. Additional species occurring above 700 m are listed in the appendix. Selected
recordings have been deposited with the Library of Natural Sounds (LNS), Cornell
University, Ithaca, New York, USA, and specimens have been deposited at the Museo
de Vertebrados of the Universidad de Panama, Panama City, Panama (MVUP) and
at the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH), New York, USA.

*CHOCO TINAMOU Crypturellus kerriae

Occasional at lower elevations. One was tape-recorded at our camp at the mouth of
the rio Antaral on 9 August 1997, and heard there again on 22 August. The call was
also heard at our camp at 680 m on 11 August. The species is otherwise known in
Panama from two specimens taken on the Altos de Quia in 1970 (Wetmore & Galindo
1972, Wetmore et al. 1984), and from sight records and calls heard above Cana on
Cerro Pirre (various observers). On 21 February 1995 P. Phillips (pers. comm.)
obtained the wing of one (MVUP 2206) from Embera Indian hunters in the upper
valley of the rio Jaqué (07°29’N, 77°57’ W). The species is considered threatened
(Vulnerable) at the global level (BirdLife International 2000).

BLACK-AND-WHITE HAWK EAGLE Spizastur melanoleucus

One was seen soaring high over the Jungurudo ridgetop on 20 August 1997. The
species is rare in Panama and throughout its range. The only previous records from
Darién have been from Cana on Cerro Pirre and from the valley of the rio Tuira
(Ridgely & Gwynne 1989).

PLUMBEOUS PIGEON Patagioenas plumbea
Very common in both lowlands and highlands, and heard calling almost every day.
Two birds were tape-recorded (LNS 96086 and 96087) and then collected by shotgun
near the base camp on 14 August 1997 (AMNH 834071 and MVUP 2204
respectively). These represent the first specimens from Middle America. Both
specimens had pale cream-coloured eyes and grey wing-linings, characteristic of
Patagioenas plumbea (Gibbs et al. 2001). The very similar Short-billed 2 nigrirostris
and Ruddy Pigeons P subvinacea also occur in Darién. However, both have red or
reddish eyes. P nigrirostris has dark greyish-brown wing linings, and in R subvinacea
they are cinnamon (Gibbs et al. 2001).

These birds gave a distinctive three-note call (whit-mo-go), sometimes with the
third note slurred (whit-mo-go ’o). The tape-recordings were compared with samples

G. R. Angehr et al. 55 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

from South America obtained from the Library of Natural Sounds. They matched
closely LNS 72408 from Esmeraldas, Ecuador; LNS 84089 from Pichincha, Ecuador;
and LNS 80905 from Cundinamarca, Colombia. However, they differed from LNS
80834 from Cundinamarca, a distinctly four-noted call. According to Gibbs et al.
(2001), calls of R plumbea are geographically variable. The closest subspecies for
which Gibbs et a/. (2001) described the call, delicata of western and central Amazonia,
has a three-note call. Gibbs et a/. (2001) did not provide a description of the call of
chapmani of western Colombia and Ecuador. The calls of P nigrirostris and P
subvinacea are both typically four-noted (Gibbs et a/. 2001). GRA also heard the
call of this species near the headwaters of the rio Jaqué, on the southern flanks of the
Serrania de Jungurudo, on 15 January 1996.

TABLE 1
Distribution of restricted-range species of the Darién Highlands Endemic Bird Area, and of
foothills species of the Darién Lowlands Endemic Bird Area, in the mountains of eastern Darién.
‘Pacific’ includes the Serrania de Jungurudo and Cerro Sapo. ‘Central’ includes the Serrania de
Pirre and the Altos de Quia. ‘Caribbean’ includes Cerro Tacarcuna. Range extensions from this
study are indicated with an asterisk. Note: Blue-and-gold Tanager Bangsia arcaei occurs only in
the western part of the Endemic Bird Area.

Species Pacific Central Caribbean
Darién Highlands

Tacarcuna Wood-quail Odontophorus dialeucos x
Russet-crowned Quail-dove Geotrygon goldmani x x x
Bare-shanked Screech-owl Otus clarkii x xX
Violet-capped Hummingbird Goldmania violiceps Xx
Rufous-cheeked Hummingbird Goethalsia bella x x

Beautiful Treerunner Margarornis bellulus x* 5 Xx
Tacarcuna Tapaculo Scytalopus panamensis x
Choco Tapaculo Scytalopus chocoensis x 4

Ochraceous Wren Troglodytes ochraceus x x
Varied Solitaire Myadestes coloratus x x x
Sooty-faced Finch Lysurus crassirostris X
Tacarcuna Bush-tanager Chlorospingus tacarcunae 4
Pirre Bush-tanager Chlorospingus inornatus xX x
Yellow-collared Chlorophonia Chlorophonia flavirostris Xx
Green-naped Tanager Tangara fucosa Xx Xx
Pirre Warbler Basileuterus ignotus X Xx
Darién Lowlands (foothills species)

Choco Tinamou Crypturellus kerriae ? Xx
Purplish-backed Quail-dove Geotrygon lawrencii X
Stripe-cheeked Woodpecker Piculus callopterus Xx X
Spiny-cheeked Antshrike Xenornis setifrons Xx
Black-crowned Antpitta Pittasoma michleri Xx Xx x
Tawny-capped Euphonia Euphonia anneae X
Black-and-yellow Tanager Chrysothlypis chrysomelas X Xx %

G. R. Angehr et al. 56 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

The species also occurs on the Serrania de Pirre, where it has apparently been
overlooked until recently due to its close similarity to P nigrirostris and P subvinacea.
On 2 May 1994 GRA heard several birds calling near the north end of the Pirre
range above the town of El Real. On 11 April 1995 GRA, D. & L. Engleman and
others observed a bird with cream-coloured eyes calling on the trail above Cana on
Cerro Pirre, and several others were heard. On 30 March 2001, GRA saw and tape-
recorded a bird with cream-coloured eyes giving a three-note call on the same trail.
P. Coopmans (pers. comm.) heard the species commonly in the 600—1,300 m range
at Cana between 30 January—9 February 1992, and tape-recorded it on 2 and 6
February (LNS 60300, 60302, 60333, 60336; catalogued as “Columba species’).
Coopmans heard the species subsequently at Cana on trips in December 1994—January
1995, February 1996 and March 1998. G. Rompré (pers. comm.) saw a bird with
pale eyes and heard it calling at 550 m near the north end of the Pirre range on 21
April 1995.

We found Short-billed Pigeon to be rare on the Jungurud6, with one heard calling
at 300 m on 11 August 1997, and greatly outnumbered by P plumbea. We did not
see or hear Ruddy Pigeon.

**RUSSET-CROWNED QUAIL-DOVE Geotrygon goldmani

Common in the highlands near our base camp, recorded almost every day, mostly by
voice. This restricted-range species is endemic to the highlands of Darién and eastern
Panama province. It is otherwise known from Cerro Jefe and Cerro Brewster and
the Serrania de Majé in eastern Panama province, and in Darién from Cerro Tacarcuna,
Cerro Pirre, and Cerro Sapo (Wetmore 1968, Ridgely & Gwynne 1989). The species
is considered Near Threatened at the global level (BirdLife International 2000).

CENTRAL AMERICAN PYGMY-OWL Glaucidium griseiceps

GRA heard one at the village of El Mamey on the upper rio Jaqué on 9 and 15
January 1996, and one was seen and heard at our camp in the lowlands on the rio
Antaral on 9 and 10 August 1997. This rare to uncommon species is elsewhere
known from Darién from the lower Chucunaque River, and from Cana and the lower
slopes of Cerro Pirre (Wetmore 1968, Ridgely & Gwynne 1989).

TOOTH-BILLED HUMMINGBIRD 4Androdon aequatorialis
Occasional in the highlands, recorded on 13, 17 and 21 August 1997. One female
was collected on 17 August (MVUP 2026). Previously recorded in Panama from
Cerro Tacarcuna, Cerro Pirre and Cerro Sapo (Wetmore 1968).

GREEN THORNTAIL Discosura conversii

A male was seen by GRA at c.750 m on a ridge above the rio Jaqué on 13 January
1996. The species is otherwise known from Darién from near Cana on Cerro Pirre
(Wetmore 1968, Ridgely & Gwynne 1989).

ee

G. R. Angehr et al. ow Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

**RUFOUS-CHEEKED HUMMINGBIRD Goethalsia bella

Very common in the highlands, recorded every day. A male and a female were
collected on 17 August 1997 (MVUP 2209, 2210). One was seen also by GRA on 12
January 1996 at 900 m, above the headwaters of the rio Jaqué. This species is endemic
to the highlands eastern Darién, being otherwise known from Cerro Pirre and Cerro
Sapo (Wetmore 1968, Ridgely & Gwynne 1989). This species is considered Near
Threatened at the global level (BirdLife International 2000).

GREENISH PUFFLEG Haplophaedia aureliae

Common in the highlands, recorded almost every day. One male was collected on
18 August 1997 (MVUP 2211). Known otherwise in Panama only from Cerro
Tacarcuna and Cerro Pirre (Wetmore 1968, Ridgely & Gwynne 1989).

*STRIPE-CHEEKED WOODPECKER Piculus callopterus

Rare in the foothills, recorded on 12 August and on 22 August 1997 at 650 m.
Previously recorded from Veraguas; eastern Colon Province; Cerro Azul, Cerro Jefe
and Cerro Chucanti in Panama province; and in Darién from the upper Jaqué Valley
and Cerro Pirre (Wetmore 1968, Ridgely & Gwynne 1989).

**BEAUTIFUL TREERUNNER Margarornis bellulus

Uncommon in the highlands, with individuals seen on 15, 19, and 20 August 1997.
A female was collected 15 August and a male on 19 August (MVUP 1975, 1976).
This Darién Highlands endemic is otherwise known from Cerro Tacarcuna and Cerro
Pirre (Wetmore 1972), Altos de Quia (Ridgely & Gwynne 1989) and the Serrania de
Majé (Angehr & Christian 2000). The species is considered Near Threatened at the
global level (BirdLife International 2000).

SHARP-TAILED STREAMCREEPER Lochmias nematura

Rare in the highlands. One was seen in a steep ravine on 15 August 1997 (DGC).
Otherwise known in Panama from Cerro Mali (near Cerro Tacarcuna), Cerro Pirre
and the Altos de Quia (Wetmore 1972, Ridgely & Gwynne 1989).

*BLACK-CROWNED ANTPITTA Pittasoma michleri

This restricted-range species was rare in the highlands, recorded on 12 and 13 August
1997. It is rare but widespread in the Darién lowlands and foothills (Wetmore 1972,
Ridgely & Gwynne 1989).

**CHOCO TAPACULO Scytalopus chocoensis

Common in wet ravines in the highlands. A pair was tending a nest with two nestlings
within 40 m of our base camp, and these were collected on 19 August 1997 (tape-
recorded as LNS 09089 and 09090; AMNH 834072 and 834073). Christian (2001)
described the nest and nesting behaviour. In addition, two other adult males were
collected, on 16 and 17 August (MVUP 2207, 2208), and a juvenile on 15 August

a

G. R. Angehr et al. 58 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

1997 (LNS 09088, AMNH 834074). Two forms of Scytalopus are known from eastern
Darien. Two specimens (a male and a female) collected on Cerro Pirre by O. Pearson
in 1938 were originally assigned to Narifio Tapaculo S. vicinior (Wetmore 1972). In
a recent revision, Krabbe & Schulenberg (1997) included the Cerro Pirre birds in a
newly described taxon, S. chocoensis, whose range extends along the western flank
of the Andes in Colombia and Ecuador. S. chocoensis males lack facial patterning
(Krabbe & Schulenberg 1997). The Pale-throated, or Tacarcuna, Tapaculo S.
panamensis is endemic to Cerro Tacarcuna. Males have a broad silvery superciliary
stripe beginning above and extending behind the eye. The breeding male from the
Jungurudo has a faint but definite light grey superciliary stripe and a faint greyish
crescent on the cheek. The superciliary stripe is much less distinct than that of S.
panamensis. The other two male specimens lack any facial patterning. Other males
seen on the Jungurudo had traces of a facial pattern. Some male Scytalopus on Cerro
Pirre also have a trace of a facial pattern (GRA pers. obs.). Calls of the Jungurudo
birds closely resemble recordings of S. chocoensis provided by N. Krabbe.

BRONZE-OLIVE PYGMY-TYRANT Pseudotriccus pelzelni

Rare in the highlands. A pair was observed in cloud forest at c.1,000 m on 20 and 21
August 1997 (DGC). The species is otherwise known in Panama only from Cerro
Tacarcuna and Cerro Pirre (Wetmore 1972, Ridgely & Gwynne 1989).

GREEN MANAKIN Chloropipo holochlora

Very common in the highlands. In Panama the species occurs from Cerro Brewster
in eastern San Blas eastwards, and is rare to uncommon (Ridgely & Gwynne 1989).
A nest found on 15 August 1997 was described by Christian (2001).

WHITE-WINGED SWALLOW Tachycineta albiventer

A group of seven was seen on the rio Sambu (DGC and KMA) during our descent of
the river on 25 August 1997. This represents the second report of this species from
Panama, the first being by Seutin (1998) on the rio Balsas.

SOOTY-HEADED WREN Thryothorus spadix
Uncommon in the highlands. Otherwise known in Panama from Cerro Tacarcuna,
Cerro Pirre and the Altos de Quia (Wetmore et al. 1984, Ridgely & Gwynne 1989).

** VARIED SOLITAIRE Myadestes coloratus

Very common in the highlands. Two males were collected on 17 and 18 August
1997 (MVUP 1979, 1982). This species is endemic to the eastern Darién highlands,
otherwise being found on Cerro Tacarcuna and Cerro Pirre (Wetmore et al. 1984 ,
Ridgely & Gwynne 1989), and recently discovered on the Serrania de Majé (Angehr
& Christian 2000).

G. R. Angehr et al. 59 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

GREY-AND-GOLD TANAGER Tangara palmeri

Uncommon in the highlands. Otherwise known in Panama from Cerro Tacarcuna,
Altos de Quia, Cerro Pirre and Cerro Sapo (Wetmore ef al. 1984, Ridgely & Gwynne
1989), with recent sightings from Nusagandi in eastern San Blas province (D.
Engleman, pers. comm.) and from Cerro Azul in eastern Panama province (W. Adsett
& G. Seutin, pers. comm.).

**GREEN-NAPED TANAGER Tangara fucosa

Uncommon in the highlands. A female was collected on 21 August 1997 (MVUP
2212). The nest and nesting behaviour of a pair found on 20 August were described
by Christian (2001). The species is endemic to the eastern Darién Highlands, and is
otherwise known only from Cerro Mali near Cerro Tacarcuna and Cerro Pirre
(Wetmore et al. 1984). The species is considered Near Threatened at the global level
(BirdLife International 2000).

ORANGE-BELLIED EUPHONIA Euphonia xanthogaster
Common in the highlands. Otherwise known in Panama from Cerro Pirre, Altos de

Quia, Cerro Sapo and the rio Jaqué valley (Wetmore et al. 1984, Ridgely & Gwynne
1989).

SCARLET-BROWED TANAGER #eterospingus xanthopygius

Rare, one seen at c.700 m on 11 August 1997 (DGC). Known in Panama from the
Tuira River valley, Cerro Pirre, Cerro Sapo and the Jaqué River valley (Wetmore ef
al. 1984, Ridgely & Gwynne 1989).

**PIRRE BUSH-TANAGER Chlorospingus inornatus

Very common in the highlands. Endemic to the eastern Darién highlands, and
previously recorded only on Cerro Pirre and Cerro Sapo (Wetmore ef al. 1984, Ridgely
& Gwynne 1989). One male was collected on 20 August 1997 (MVUP 1974).

*BLACK-AND-YELLOW TANAGER Chrysothlypis chrysomelas

This restricted-range species was fairly common in the highlands. It is otherwise
fairly widely distributed in both western and eastern Panama, and known in Darién
from Cerro Tacarcuna, Cerro Pirre, Cerro Sapo and Cerro Quia (Wetmore ef al.
1984, Ridgely & Gwynne 1989).

STRIPE-HEADED BRUSH-FINCH Buarremon torquatus

Two were seen by GRA at 750 m near the headwaters of the rio Jaqué on 12 January
1996. This rare to uncommon species is otherwise known from Darién from Cerros
Pirre and Tacarcuna (Wetmore et al. 1984, Ridgely & Gwynne 1989).

G. R. Angehr et al. 60 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

YELLOW-GREEN GROSBEAK Caryothraustes canadensis
A small flock was seen at 640 m on 22 August 1997. Otherwise known in Panama
only from Cerro Pirre (Wetmore ef al. 1984, Ridgely & Gwynne 1989).

Conclusions

The avifauna of the Serrania de Jungurudo is most similar to that of the nearby
Serrania de Pirre, but also shares species with the more distant Cerro Tacarcuna. Of
the 11 restricted-range species of the Darién Highlands Endemic Bird Area known
to occur on Pirre, we found seven on the Jungurudo (Table 1). Four of these also
occur on Cerro Tacarcuna. Except for Russet-crowned Quail-dove, Rufous-cheeked
Hummingbird and Pirre Bush-tanager, previously known from Cerro Sapo, these
represent the first records from the Pacific ranges of Darién. The species occurring
on Pirre that we did not encounter were Bare-shanked Screech-owl Otus clarki,
Ochraceous Wren 7roglodytes ochraceus, Pirre Warbler Basileuterus ignotus and
Yellow-collared Chlorophonia Chlorophonia flavirostris. All of these, except the
wren, usually occur at higher elevations than we were able to reach on the Jungurudo;
the lower elevational limits for these species listed by Ridgely & Gwynne (1989)
are 1,080, 750, 1,350 and 1,200 m respectively. Of the seven species of the Darién
Lowlands Endemic Bird area that are found primarily in foothills, we found four on
the Jungurudo (Table 1): two of these also occur on Cerro Tacarcuna. Of these, the
records of Chocé Tinamou are the first for the Pacific ranges.

Many of the new records included here represent a significant expansion in the
known ranges of several species that occupy very limited geographical areas.
Fortunately, there are grounds for optimism for the conservation of the restricted-
range species of the Darién mountains. Most of the highlands, including the
Jungurud6, have been legally protected within Darién National Park (579,000 ha),
with the exception of the Pacific ranges north of Cerro Sapo. Although clearing for
subsistence agriculture and logging are having a severe impact on the lowland forests
of Darién, at present the highland areas are still mostly untouched.

Acknowledgments

The expedition of 1997 was supported in part by National Geographic Magazine, and in part by Fundacion
Natura, Panama, and was carried out as part of an Important Bird Areas project for Panama, under the
auspices of BirdLife International and of Fundacion Natura. Daniel Castefieda ably served as guide and
organizer for the trip, and Roberto Ibafiéz, Tom Horton, Bill Hatcher and Chris MacIntosh provided
companionship in the field. C. Kernan and P. Phillips organized the 1996 trp to the rio Jaqué. We thank
the Embera people of Boca de Pavarando and of El] Mamey for their hospitality and their assistance.
ANAM, Panama’s Natural Resources Agency, provided the permits for research and collection. We
thank N. Krabbe for providing reference recordings of Scytalopus species.

References:

Angehr, G. R. & Christian, D. G. 2000. An omithological survey of the Serrania de Majé, an isolated
mountain range in eastern Panama. Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl. 120: 173—178.

Anthony, H. E. 1923. In the footsteps of Balboa. Natural History 23: 312-324.

G. R. Angehr et al. 61 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

Barbour, T. & Brooks, W. S. 1923. The Sapo mountains and the Sambu Valley. A biological reconnaissance
in southeastern Panama. Geographical Review 8: 221-222.

BirdLife International. 2000. Threatened birds of the world. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona & BirdLife
International, Cambridge, UK.

Bond, J. & Meyer de Schauensee, R. 1944. The birds. Pp. 7-56 in G. Vanderbilt. Results of the fifth
George Vanderbilt expedition (1941). Acad. Nat. Sci. Phil. Monogr. No. 6.

Christian, D. G. 2001. Nests and nesting behavior of some little known Panamanian birds. Ornitologia
Neotropical 12: 327-336.

Gibbs, D., Barnes, E. & Cox, J. 2001. Pigeons and doves. A guide to the pigeons and doves of the world.
Yale Univ. Press.

IGNTG. 1993. Darién (Mapa Especial) 1:250,000. Instituto Geografico Nacional ‘Tommy Guardia’:
Panama City.

Krabbe, N. & Schulenberg, T. S. 1997. Species limits and natural history of Scytalopus tapaculos
(Rhinocryptidae), with descriptions of the Ecuadorian taxa, including three new species. Pp. 47-88
in Remsen, J. V., Jr. (ed.) Studies in Neotropical ornithology honoring Ted Parker. Orn. Monog. No.
48.

Ridgely, R. S. & Gwynne, J. A.1989. A guide to the birds of Panama. Second edition. Princeton Univ.
Press.

Robbins, M. B., Parker, T. A., & Allen, S. E. 1985. The avifauna of Cerro Pirre, Darién, eastern Panama.
Pp. 198—232 in Buckley, P. A., Foster, M. S., Morton, E. S., Ridgely, R. S., & Buckley, F. G. (eds.)
Neotropical ornithology. Orn. Monogr. No. 36.

Seutin, G. 1998. Two bird species new for Panama and Central America: White-whiskered Hermit
Phaethornis yaruqui and White-winged Swallow Tachycineta albiventer. Cotinga 9: 22-23.

Stattersfield, A. J., Crosby, M. J., Long, A. J. & Wege, D. C. 1998. Endemic Bird Areas of the world:
priorities for biodiversity conservation. BirdLife Conservation Series No. 7. BirdLife International,
Cambridge, UK.

Wetmore, A. 1968. The birds of the Republic of Panama. Part 2. Columbidae (Pigeons) to Picidae
(Woodpeckers). Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C.

Wetmore, A. 1972. The birds of the Republic of Panama. Part 3. Passeriformes: Dendrocolaptidae
(Woodcreepers) to Oxyruncidae (Sharpbills). Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C.

Wetmore, A., Pasquier, R. F & Olson, S. L. 1984. The birds of the Republic of Panama. Part 4.
Hirundinidae (Swallows) to Fringillidae (Finches). Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C.
Wetmore, A. & Galindo, P. 1972. Additions to the birds recorded in Panama. Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash. 85:

309-312.

Addresses: G. R. Angehr, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Unit 0948, APO AA 34002-0948,
USA, e-mail: angehrg@tivoli.si.edu; D. G. Christian, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Unit
0948, APO AA 34002-0948, USA (present address: 9301 57th Avenue South, Apt. 5., Seattle, WA
98118, USA), e-mail: dgchris@I|su.edu; K. A. Aparicio, Panama Audubon Society, Apartado 2026,
Balboa, Republic of Panama, e-mail: k_aparicio@yahoo.com.

Appendix. Additional species observed above 700 m on the Serrania de Jungurudo.

Great Tinamou Jinamus major, common; Little Tinamou Crypturellus soui, rare; Tiny Hawk Accipiter
superciliosus, rare; White Hawk Leucopternis albicollis, occasional; Barred Hawk Leucopternis princeps,
tare; Black Hawk-eagle Spizaetus tvrannus, occasional; Omate Hawk-eagle Spizaetus ornatus, occasional;
Barred Forest-falcon Micrastur ruficollis, not uncommon; Collared Forest-falcon Micrastur
Semitorquatus, rare; Crested Guan Penelope purpurascens, uncommon; Black-eared Wood-quail
Odontophorus melanoleucus, occasional; Tawny-faced Quail Rhynchortyx cinctus, occasional; Ruddy
Quail-dove Geotrygon montana, fairly common; Vermiculated Screech-owl Otus guatemalae, rare; Green
Hermit Phaethornis guy, very common; Green-crowned Brilliant Heliodoxa jacula, common; Collared

G. R. Angehr et al. 62 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

Trogon Trogon collaris, fairly common; Rufous Motmot Baryphthengus martii, rare; Red-headed Barbet
Eubucco bourcierii, rare; Emerald Toucanet Aulacorhynchus prasinus, common; Yellow-eared Toucanet
Selenidera spectabilis, common; Keel-billed Toucan Ramphastos sulfuratus, rare; Cinnamon Woodpecker
Celeus loricatus, rare; Spotted Barbtail Premnoplex brunnescens, fairly common; Slaty-winged Foliage-
gleaner Philydor fuscipennis, uncommon; Ruddy Foliage-gleaner Automolus rubiginosus, uncommon;
Plain Xenops Xenops minutus, rare; Tawny-throated Leaftosser Sclerurus mexicanus, rare; Wedge-billed
Woodcreeper Glyphorynchus spirurus, rare; Spotted Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus erythropygius, very
common; Western Slaty Antshrike Thamnophilus atrinucha, uncommon; Russet Antshrike Thamnistes
anabatinus, uncommon; Plain Antvireo Dysithamnus mentalis, uncommon; Checker-throated Antwren
Myrmotherula fulviventris, rare; Slaty Antwren Myrmotherula schisticolor, uncommon; Immaculate
Antbird Myrmeciza immaculata, uncommon; Bicoloured Antbird Gymnopithys leucapsis, rare; Ocellated
Antbird Phaenostictus mcleannani, rare; Spectacled Antpitta Hylopezus perspicillatus, rare; Paltry
Tyrannulet Zimmerius vilissimus, rare; Olive-striped Flycatcher Mionectes olivaceus, very common;
Scale-crested Pygmy-tyrant Lophotriccus pileatus, very common; White-throated Spadebill Platyrinchus
mystaceus, common; Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher Terenotriccus erythrurus, uncommon; Sulphur-rumped
Flycatcher Myiobius barbatus, uncommon; Tufted Flycatcher Mitrephanes phaeocercus, uncommon;
Dusky-capped Flycatcher Myiarchus tuberculifer, rare; Thrush-like Schiffornis Schiffornis turdinus,
common; White-ruffed Manakin Corapipo altera, very common; Grey-breasted Wood-wren Henicorhina
leucophrys, very common; Tawny-faced Gnatwren Microbates cinereiventris, common; Slaty-backed
Nightingale-thrush Catharus fuscater, very common; Pale-vented Thrush Jurdus obsoletus, uncommon;
Slate-throated Redstart Myioborus miniatus, common; Buff-rumped Warbler Basileuterus fulvicauda,
rare; Bananaquit Coereba flaveola, common; Emerald Tanager Tangara florida, common; Silver-throated
Tanager TJangara icterocephala, very common; Speckled Tanager Tangara guttata, occasional; Bay-
headed Tanager Zangara gyrola, fairly common; Lemon-spectacled Tanager Chlorothraupis olivacea,
very common; Hepatic Tanager Piranga rubra, rare; Dusky-faced Tanager Mitrospingus cassinii,
occasional; Slate-coloured Grosbeak Saltator grossus, fairly common; Chestnut-capped Brush-finch
Buarremon brunneinucha, common; Scarlet-rumped Cacique Cacicus uropygialis, common.

© British Ornithologists’ Club 2004

The downy young of grey teal (Anatidae)
with first descriptions of the ducklings of
Madagascar Teal Anas bernieri and
Indonesian Teal A. gibberifrons

by H. Glyn Young & Mark Brayshaw

Received 17 April 2003

The grey teal are a group of small (c.300—700g) Anas dabbling ducks from
Madagascar, Asia and Australasia. Grey teal are predominantly tree cavity nesters
and, in many places, restricted to mangrove forest and associated wetlands. Modern
species in this group are often highly dispersive and it is probable that their ancestors
spread along coasts and visited islands throughout the Indian Ocean during the

H. Glyn Young & Mark Brayshaw 63 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

Pleistocene, when sea levels were much lower than today (Young 2002). Teal may
have island-hopped westwards to Madagascar when land, now submerged, held
mangrove and, possibly, populations of grey teal.

The number of grey teal taxa recognised as full species has, in recent years,
ranged from two (Ripley 1942) to five (Livezey 1997, Kear in press). The grey teal
were often further grouped with three species of brown teal from New Zealand (see
e.g. Delacour & Mayr 1945) to form the austral teal; however, the close link with
these species is no longer considered valid (Young et al. 1997, Daugherty et al.
1999, Kennedy & Spencer 2000). In this paper we follow Livezey (1997) and
recognise five species: Madagascar or Bernier’s Teal Anas bernieri from western
Madagascar, Andaman Teal A. a/bogularis from the Andaman Islands (India),
Indonesian or Sunda Teal A. gibberifrons from Sumatra to Sulawesi (Indonesia),
Grey Teal A. gracilis from eastern Indonesia, Australia, New Caledonia and New
Zealand (including the recently extinct A. gracilis remissa of Rennell Island; see
Ripley 1942, Young et al. 1996) and Chestnut Teal A. castanea from Australia. The
recently extinct (c.1710; BirdLife International 2000) Sauzier’s Teal A. theodori of
the Mascarene Islands may also have been a grey teal (Mourer-Chauviré et al. 1999).

Grey and Chestnut Teal are common and well studied (see e.g. Marchant &
Higgins 1990). The remaining species, however, are much less well known and
many areas of their biology are as yet undescribed. The range of the Indonesian Teal
and extent of any overlap with that of the Grey Teal are uncertain. The development
of a captive population of the Endangered Madagascar Teal at Jersey Zoo (Durrell
Wildlife Conservation Trust) has allowed a close study of this species that is not
practical in the wild: the nest and eggs were first described in 2001 (Young et al.
2001). Andaman and Indonesian Teal have also been poorly studied in the wild and
have often been overlooked by ornithologists who accepted the view that, although
dissimilar, they were conspecific with Grey Teal (Young 1996) as A. gibberifrons.
The downy young of Madagascar Teal have never been described, and those of
Indonesian Teal not adequately. Livezey (1991), in his study of dabbling duck
morphology, included data on the downy young of Grey (as A. gibberifrons), Chestnut
and Andaman Teal; however, he did not include Indonesian Teal as a separate species
and no material of A. bernieri was available to him.

At Jersey Zoo, 130 Madagascar Teal (1998—2002) and 11 Indonesian Teal (1998—
2001) have been hatched from nine and an unknown number of wild founders
respectively. Several downy young of both species were drawn and photographed at
three to five days old when the plumage was bright (Class IA; Gollop & Marshall
1954). These two species are described below and depicted in Fig. 1 with descriptions
of Grey, Chestnut and Andaman Teal based on published material (see references
below) and one museum specimen of Andaman Teal. Nomenclature follows Livezey
(1991) and Nelson (1993).

H. Glyn Young & Mark Brayshaw 64 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

Species accounts
GREY TEAL 4nas gracilis

Sources Downy young were described by Delacour (1956; includes colour plate),
Cunningham & Welch (1955; includes black and white plate), Frith (1982; includes
black and white plate) and Marchant & Higgins (1990; includes colour plate).
Description by Phillips (1923) presumably referred to A. gibberifrons (see below).

Plumage Dull grey-brown above and off-white below. Crown, nape, back, wings
and sides to just below wings, dark brown. Underparts, mostly dull white, washed
cream. At junction of foreneck and breast, the down is duller. Thighs, dark brown.
Face light buff with pinkish tinge at the rear. Chin white but face showing warmer
brown tones. Faint dark brown eyestripe extends from bill, through eye to ear-coverts.
Narrow light-brown supra-orbital stripe, becomes light brown distally. Throat and
foreneck, dull white. From back to tail, the down is hair-like and pale dark brown.
Two pale whitish spots on back; shoulder spot is smaller than rump spot. Tail is dark
brown; open pennaceous and hair-like. Posterior margin of upperwing (‘primaries’
and ‘secondaries’ (Nelson 1993) 1.e. the wing areas where these wing feathers will
later emerge) is white, the rest, dark brown. Radius—ulna region of underwing is
dark brown; the posterior margin is a narrow white band, the remainder, white,
tipped brown.

Bare parts Bill is dark slaty black or blue-grey, brown tipped and horn-coloured in
the middle, the underside is pinkish. Legs are slate-grey, the webs brownish.

Tris Dark grey-brown.

CHESTNUT TEAL Anas castanea

Sources Downy young were described by Phillips (1923), Delacour (1956; includes
colour plate), Frith (1982; includes black and white plate) and Marchant & Higgins
(1990; includes colour plate).

Plumage Similar to Grey Teal, but darker; whitish areas are replaced by yellow and
grey plumage is heavily suffused with chestnut. Grey-brown above, underparts paler
with pale yellow wash; there are two conspicuous brown stripes on head. Crown,
hindneck and eyestripe are dark brown with a dark cheek stripe extending to ear-
coverts. Rest of sides of head, including supra-orbital stripe are light rufous-brown.
Foreneck dull white. Shoulder and rump spots are both small and pale. Tail is dark
brown. Upperwing is dark brown; the trailing edge (‘primaries’ and ‘secondaries’
see above) are dull white. The underwing is dull brown. Undertail-coverts and vent
are dark brown.

Bare parts No published details; however, considered similar to Grey Teal (Fullagar
pers. comm.).

Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

65

H. Glyn Young & Mark Brayshaw

‘MeYyskelg Ie] “SUuosfidaqgis “py [eI], URISOUOPUT (JYSLI IOMO]) S14aIU4aq ‘p [BIL IeOseSepey] (IJ IOMO]) ‘s1“pjnsoq]p

‘py [kay uewepuy (eU99) ‘paunjspo ‘py [eal ynuysoyD (Ys doy) ‘s7p19p48 spup ea, AoIH (4J9] doy) :[eo} Asis Jo SunoA Aumop oy] “| ons14

TOO
les ry

oj ~~ oe) ’ I

H. Glyn Young & Mark Brayshaw 66 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

Tris No published details; however, considered similar to Grey Teal (Fullagar pers.
comm.).

ANDAMAN TEAL Anas albogularis

Sources Brief descriptions were given by Phillips (1923) and Delacour (1956;
includes colour plate). Unpublished black-and-white drawings of one museum
specimen (BMNH 1927.2.1.2) were made by Julian Hume and used in preparation
of Fig. 1.

Plumage Similar to Grey Teal, grey-brown above with duller underparts. Facial
patterns may vary (as they do in adults, see Grimmett et al. 1998). Eyestripe and
cheek-stripe may be dark with a buffy supra-orbital stripe and cheeks. However,
eyestripe and supra-orbital stripes may be lacking altogether, and, occasionally, face
may be entirely dark brown with one small line or two elongated white spots above
the eye and another one below. Shoulder and rump spots are small and pale, trailing
edge to upperwing (‘primaries’ and ‘secondaries’ see above) is whitish.

Bare parts No published details. Peter Scott (Delacour 1956, Plate XI) painted the
bill dark grey or slaty-black.

Tris No published details. Peter Scott (Delacour 1956, Plate XI) painted the iris
dark.

INDONESIAN TEAL Anas gibberifrons

Sources No published details. However, brief description of Grey Teal A. gibberifrons
by Phillips (1923) was of a specimen collected in the Celebes (now Sulawesi,
Indonesia) and thus presumably Indonesian Teal. Living ducklings at Jersey Zoo
(1998-2001).

Plumage Brown upperparts, white below. Cap almost black, the eyestripe is dark
and narrow, not joining the nape. Cheek-stripe is narrow, darker and broader towards
ear and does not join nape. The supra-orbital and suborbital stripes are broad and
brown. The cheeks, chin and breast to legs are brown, the vent and large shoulder
and rump spots are pale. Upperparts and wings are dark grey, the trailing edge of the
upperwing are off-white.

Bare parts Bill, legs and webs dark grey.
Tris Dark grey-brown.

MADAGASCAR TEAL Anas bernieri
Source Living ducklings at Jersey Zoo (1998-2002).

Plumage Grey above and off-white below, almost like a grey-and-white young of
shelduck Zadorna sp. Grey cap and nape. Face appears pale: eyestripe is narrow and
does not reach the nape. The cheek-stripe is reduced and appears as a small ear spot

H. Glyn Young & Mark Brayshaw 67 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

with a little of the stripe remaining below the eye at the base of the bill. The supra-
orbital stripe is large and yellowish white, contrasting a little with the cheek and
suborbital stripe. Back is grey with white shoulder and rump spots joining to form a
white band from the vent area to the scapular region leaving a large ‘island’ of grey
from the thigh to the flanks. Trailing edge of the wing is white, forming a pale band
that may take up half of the wing and joins at the shoulder with the shoulder-rump
band.

Bare parts Bill is pinkish grey with pink edges and pink underside. Bill of some
individuals may be entirely pink. Legs pinkish grey, webbing pink with greyer centres

Tris Dark, centre brown.

Discussion

The morphology of grey teal ducklings further emphasises the distinct nature of
Madagascar Teal within this otherwise homogenous group of dabbling ducks. The
young of Grey and Chestnut are differently coloured, as are the adults, even though
these species are considered to be similar in reproductive behaviour (Prawiradilaga
1985) and in their genetic makeup (Sraml et a/. 1996, Young et al. 1997). The variable
plumage of adult Andaman Teal is mirrored in the patterning of its downy young.

The young of Grey and Indonesian Teal are quite distinct from one another; the
brown faces of young Indonesian Teal contrast with the grey coloration of the Grey
Teal. Whilst the difference between these ducklings may be of little additional
taxonomic importance, it is a further tool in the identification of breeding birds in
eastern Indonesia and the subsequent mapping of the ranges of the two species.
Madagascar Teal (Endangered; BirdLife International 2000) and Andaman Teal
(Endangered; TWSG 2001) are already threatened with extinction. The loss of suitable
habitat throughout Indonesia will only increase the chances of Indonesian Teal also
becoming extinct, a risk that is not reduced by the dearth of information on their
distribution and habitat requirements.

Acknowledgements
We thank The Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust for allowing us access to the captive populations of
Madagascar and Indonesian Teal. Janet Kear was encouraging and supportive throughout all parts of the
research into Anas bernieri and made valuable comments on this study of ducklings. Julian Hume and
Peter Fullagar read the manuscript and provided personal observations and drawings of A. albogularis
and photographs of A. gracilis and A. castanea respectively. Murray Williams kindly read through the
paper and made helpful suggestions.

References:

BirdLife International. 2000. Threatened birds of the world. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona & BirdLife
International, Cambridge, UK.

Cunningham, J. M. & Welch, E. O. 1955. The Grey Teal in New Zealand: some nesting and plumage
notes. Emu 55: 303-309.

Daugherty, C. H., Williams, M. & Hay, J. M. 1999. Genetic differentiation, taxonomy and conservation
of Australasian teals Anas spp. Bird Conservation International 9: 29-42.

H. Glyn Young & Mark Brayshaw 68 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

Delacour, J. 1956. The waterfowl of the world, vol. 2. Country Life, London.

Delacour, J. & Mayr, E. 1945. The family Anatidae. Wilson Bull. 57: 4-54.

Frith, H. J. 1982. Waterfowl in Australia. Angus & Robertson, London.

Gollop, J. B. & Marshall, W. H. 1954. A guide for ageing duck broods in the field. Mississippi Flyway
Council Technical Section.

Grimmett, R., Inskipp, C. & Inskipp, T. 1998. Birds of the Indian Subcontinent. Christopher Helm,
London.

Kear, J. (ed.) In press. Ducks, geese and swans. Oxford Univ. Press.

Kennedy, M. & Spencer, H. G. 2000. Phylogeny, biogeography, and taxonomy ofAustralasian teals. Auk
117: 154-163.

Livezey, B. C. 1991. A phylogenetic analysis and classification of recent dabbling ducks (tribe Anatini)
based on comparative morphology. Awk 108: 471-507.

Livezey, B. C. 1997. A phylogenetic classification of waterfowl (Aves:Anseriformes), including selected
fossil species. Ann. Carnegie Mus. 66: 457-496.

Marchant, S. & Higgins, P. J. 1990. Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic birds, vol. 1.
Oxford Univ. Press.

Mourer-Chauviré, C., Bour, R., Ribes, S. & Moutou, F. 1999. The avifauna of Réunion Island (Mascarene
Islands) at the time of the arrival of the first Europeans. Pp.1—38 in Olson, S. L. (ed.) Avian
paleontology at the close of the 20th century. Proceedings of the 4th International Meeting of the
Society of Avian Paleontology and Evolution, Washington, D.C., 4-7 June 1996. Smithsonian
Contribution to Paleobiology 89. Smithsonian Institute, Washington, D.C.

Nelson, C. H. 1993. The downy waterfowl of North America. Delta Station Press, Deerfield.

Phillips, J. C. 1923. A natural history of the ducks, vol. 2. Houghton Mifflin, Boston.

Prawiradilaga, D. M. 1985. A comparative study of the courtship behaviour of the Grey Teal (Anas
gibberifrons) and Chestnut Teal (Anas castanea). M.Sc. thesis. Univ. of New England, Armidale,
Australia.

Ripley, S. D. 1942. A review of the species Anas castanea. Auk 59: 90-99.

Sraml, M., Christidis, L., Easteal, S., Horn, P. & Collet, C. 1996. Molecular relationships within
Australasian waterfowl (Anseriformes). Australian J. Zool. 44: 47-S8.

TWSG 2001. Threatened waterfowl species and subspecies. [UCN Threatened Waterfowl Specialist
Group News 13: 2-4.

Young, H. G. 1996. Grey teals in Asia. Bull. Oriental Bird Cl. 43: 54-57.

Young, H. G. 2002. Predicting the ecology of Madagascar’s endemic dabbling ducks using captive
populations and related taxa: implications for conservation. Ph.D. thesis. Univ. of Kent, Canterbury,
UK.

Young, H. G., Lewis, R. E. & Razafindrajao, F. 2001. A description of the nest and eggs of the Madagascar
Teal Anas bernieri. Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl. 121: 64-67.

Young, H. G., Sorenson, M. D. & Johnson, K. P. 1997. A description of the Madagascar Teal Anas
bernieri and an examination of its relationships with the Grey Teal A. gracilis. Wildfowl 48: 174—
180.

Young, H. G., Tonge, S. J. & Hume, J. P. 1996. Review of Holocene wildfowl extinctions. Wildfowl 47:
166-180.

Address: H. Glyn Young and Mark Brayshaw, Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, Les Augrés Manor,
Trinity, Jersey JE3 SBP, UK, e-mails: Glyn. Young@durrell.org and Mark.Brayshaw@durrell.org

© British Ornithologists’ Club 2004

Lance Woolaver et al. 69 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

Sighting of Van Dam/’s Vanga Xenopirostris damii
(Schlegel, 1866) in mangroves in north-west
Madagascar

by Lance Woolaver, Rina Nichols, Felix Razafindrajao &
Frank Hawkins

Received 27 April 2003

Van Dam’s Vanga Xenopirostris damii (Schlegel, 1866) is known from only three
locations in Madagascar, where it is endemic (Fig. 1). It is currently classified as
Endangered (BirdLife International 2000). The type specimens were collected in
1864 from the Ambazoana River valley (Schlegel 1866), not as usually reported on
the Ampasindava Peninsula, but c.50 km further north near Ambaro Bay (Dee 1986).
This species has not been recorded in this area since, although there has been little
survey effort. Subsequent sightings have been from western Madagascar, where the
bird was discovered in 1928 in the old-growth dry deciduous forest of Ankarafantsika,
c.450 km to the south-west of the type locality (Lavauden 1932). This site includes
the Ampijoroa Forest Station where the species is regularly seen. Van Dam’s Vanga
has also been recorded in the dry deciduous forest of Analamera in the far north of
Madagascar (Hawkins et al. 1990).

This note describes the sighting of a single male in a mangrove forest south of
the village of Ankazomborona, near the Ampasindava peninsula, c.30 km north-east
of the type locality at Ambazoana.

Surveys were carried out in the mangrove Avicennia marina forest to the south
of the village of Ankazomborona. They took place over five days (116 person hours),
between 11 and 24 March 2001, and between 0800 h and 1330 h. Approximately 6
km/? (2 x 3 km) was surveyed each day, on foot, such that 30 km? (10 x 3 km) in total
was covered by a team of four people.

The bird was seen on 21 March at 1010 h (13°23’S, 48°47’E), c.1.5 km inland
from the coast and 30 km north-east of the locality (13°35’S, 48°40’E) where the
type specimens were collected in 1864 (Dee 1986).

The vanga was perched on a branch, 2 m above the ground in a mangrove tree. It
was gaping slightly and was silent. It was observed for three minutes with binoculars
(8 x 42 magnification) from a distance of < 5 m.

The thickness and darkness of the bill were the most immediately striking features.
Both the upper and lower mandibles were uniformly dark grey, almost black. The
slight terminal hook of the upper mandible was clearly visible. The forehead, crown
and ear-coverts were very dark, appearing uniformly black. The mantle, scapulars,
back, rump, tail, wing-coverts and flight feathers appeared similarly uniformly black,
rather than charcoal-grey as described by Morris & Hawkins (1998), but this could
have been because of the strong ambient light. The bright white chin, collar and

Lance Woolaver et al. 70 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

belly contrasted with the dark upper plumage. The legs and feet were dark grey. The
iris appeared very dark but the exact colour was not determined.

The combination of dark bill and whitish chin and throat eliminates other
Xenopirostris vangas, whilst the thick bill eliminates Western Tylas Vanga Zylas
eduardi albigularis. Chabert’s Vanga Leptopterus chabert is considerably smaller
with a short bill and conspicuous blue eye-ring, except in the juvenile which has
conspicuous white markings on the wings. There are no other confusion species.

The vanga was seen in mangrove forest consisting entirely of Avicennia marina
trees 4—6 m tall. The tree in which the bird was perched was on the edge of a small
(c.0.5 ha) open lake that was 20-60 cm deep. Similar-sized lakes were scattered
throughout the forest. Healthy regeneration of young trees provided a dense
undergrowth and complete canopy cover, apart from over the small lakes.

The substrate within the forest consisted of mud covered by 2 to 5 cm of water
and was interspersed with a system of small shallow ponds (2—5 m in diameter)
joined by small channels. The ponds were rarely deeper than 30-40 cm. The mangrove
forest itself was only 2 m above high water. The forest was relatively undisturbed.

This sighting is significant as it represents the only record of Van Dam’s Vanga
in this area of Madagascar since the type specimens were collected in 1864. It is
also the first record of this species in mangrove forest. Previous records suggested
that Van Dam’s Vanga is restricted to primary dry deciduous forest (Hawkins et al.
1990, Langrand 1990, Morris & Hawkins 1998).

Undisturbed mangrove forest along the north-western coast of Madagascar should
not be overlooked as potential habitat for Van Dam’s Vanga. Our finding of only one
individual during our survey suggests that the species is rare in mangroves, similar
to Western Tylas Vanga (Hawkins 1995). Nevertheless, if Van Dam’s Vanga is utilizing
significant areas of the extensive mangrove forest along the north-western coast of
Madagascar, its global abundance may be greater than previously thought. Further
surveys are clearly needed to confirm its conservation status.

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Mr Ndramora and Mrs Begora Frang¢oise for their hospitality during our stay in
Ankazomborona. Without the expert guidance of Mr Adazandry Sola dit Zaman’i Ampemba, we would
still be lost in the mangroves. We would like to thank Mr & Mrs Laurie Boswell of Nosy Be for their
kind help. Richard Lewis and Joanna Durbin provided excellent support from the Durrell Wildlife
Conservation Trust office in Antananarivo. Roger Safford’s valuable comments greatly improved a
previous draft.

References:

BirdLife International. 2000. Threatened birds of the world. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona & BirdLife
International, Cambridge, UK.

Dee, T. J. 1986. The endemic birds of Madagascar. International Council for Bird Preservation, Cambridge,
UK.

Langrand, O. 1990. Guide to the birds of Madagascar. Yale Univ. Press, New Haven.

Lavauden, L. 1932. Etude d’un petite collection d’oiseaux de Madagascar. Bull. Mus. Hist. Paris. 4:
629-640.

Lance Woolaver et al. 71 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

Hawkins, A. F. A., Chapman, P., Ganzhorn, J. U., Bloxam, Q., Tonge, S. & Barlow, S. 1990. Vertebrate
conservation in Ankarana Special Reserve, Northern Madagascar. Biological Conservation 54: 83—
110.

Hawkins, A. F. A. 1995. Recent observations of the Western Tylas Vanga, Zylas (eduardi) albigularis.
Bull. Afr. Bird Cl. 2: 13-16.

Morris, P. & Hawkins, F. 1998. Birds of Madagascar. A photographic guide. Pica Press, Robertsbridge.

Schlegel, H. 1866. List of the most remarkable species of mammals and birds collected by Messrs Fr.
Pollen and D. C. van Dam in Madagascar. Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1866: 419-426.

Addresses: Lance Woolaver (corresponding author) and Rina Nichols, Wildlife Preservation Trust Canada,
120 King St., Guelph, Ontario, NIE 4P8, Canada, e-mail: lancewoolaver@hotmail.com.
Felix Razafindrajao, Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, BP 8511, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar.
Frank Hawkins, Conservation International, BP 5178, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar.

© British Ornithologists’ Club 2004

A previously unidentified museum specimen of
Plain-tailed Nighthawk Nyctiprogne vielliardi
(Caprimulgidae)

by Nigel Cleere

Received 29 Fuly 2003

The Plain-tailed Nighthawk Nyctiprogne vielliardi is endemic to the rio Sao Francisco
Valley in north-eastern Brazil and is probably the least known of all Neotropical
nightjars (Cleere 1998, 1999, Holyoak 2001). It is also the most recent caprimulgid
discovery from South America, two specimens, an adult male holotype and a juvenile
male paratype, having been collected near Manga, Bahia in October 1987 and
described within the genus Chordeiles seven years later (Lencioni-Neto 1994).

The species was next found near Januaria, near Mocambinho and near Pirapora
in northern Minas Gerais and studied in the field, although no new specimens were
collected (Whitney ef a/. 2003). These studies also led to its generic reassignment
from Chordeiles to Nyctiprogne, comments on the whereabouts of the two types and
documented the existence of a third, hitherto unidentified museum specimen that
was collected near Mocambinho, Minas Gerais in April 1994. The holotype was
confirmed as being deposited in the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de Sao
Paulo (MZUSP), the paratype was reported as not being held in a public institution
and the Mocambinho specimen was recorded from the Laboratory of Ornithology,
Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ). No further localities or specimens
are currently known for this taxon.

During an extensive examination of the Caprimulgidae material held in the
American Museum of Natural History, New York (AMNH), I located a specimen
from the rio Sao Francisco that matched the description of Nyctiprogne vielliardi.

Nigel Cleere 72 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(1)

The bird, an adult male (AMNH 241910) and labelled only as Nyctiprogne, was
collected at Barra, Bahia, 430 m, by E. Kaempfer (field no. 5028) on 21 April 1926.
I noted that it was extremely similar to Nyctiprogne leucopyga but lacked the white
median tail-band of that species, although it had faint, vestigial white markings,
below the uppertail-coverts on the inner webs of the four inner tail feathers (R1—
R4). It also had a small buffish spot on either side of the lower throat. The biometrics
were flattened wing 129 mm, tail length 86 mm and bill to skull 9.4 mm.

This newly identified specimen of Nyctiprogne vielliardi represents only the
fourth known for this species and is the only one held outside of Brazil. It is also the
oldest of the four and comes from a new locality along the rio Sao Francisco. Barra
is situated at the mouth of the rio Grande (Paynter & Traylor 1991) and is
approximately 160 km south of the type locality at Manga and 675 km north of
Pirapora, which currently represent the northern and southernmost limits of this
species’ range.

Acknowledgements
I would like to thank Joel Cracraft for granting me access to the collections held in the American Museum
of Natural History, and Paul Sweet and Peter Capainolo for all their help whilst working there. I am also
extremely grateful to Robert Prys-Jones and Paul Salaman of The Natural History Museum/Project
Biomap for giving me the opportunity to return to New York.

References

Cleere, N. 1998. Nightjars. A guide to nightjars and related nightbirds. Pica Press, Robertsbridge.

Cleere, N. 1999. Family Caprimulgidae (Nightjars). Pp. 302—386 in del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. & Sargatal,
J. (eds.) Handbook of the birds of the world, vol. 5. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.

Holyoak, D. T. 2001. Nightjars and their allies. The Caprimulgiformes. Oxford Univ. Press.

Lencioni-Neto, F. 1994. Une nouvelle espéce de Chordeiles (Aves: Caprimulgidae) de Bahia (Brésil).
Alauda 62: 242-245.

Whitney, B. M., Pacheco, J. F.,, Fonseca, P. S. M. da, Webster, R. E., Kirwan, G. M. & Mazar Barnett, J.
2003. Reassignment of Chordeiles vielliardi Lencioni-Neto, 1994, to Nyctiprogne Bonaparte, 1857,
with comments on the latter genus and some presumably related chordeilines (Caprimulgidae).
Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl. 123: 103-112.

Paynter, R. A. & Traylor, M. A. 1991. Ornithological gazetteer of Brazil. 2 vols. Mus. Comp. Zool.,
Cambridge, Mass.

Address: The Bird Group, Dept. of Zoology, The Natural History Museum, Akeman Street, Tring, Herts.
HP23 6AP, UK, e-mail: cleere@churr.freeserve.co.uk

© British Ornithologists’ Club 2004

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Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club
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Volume 124, Number 1, pages 1-72

CONTENTS

Chath ANMOUNCOMRERG .. 5...0i0snccn0sensivacnvcnseoinctinisnenanncndestivaepsupsiawise apenas sn oasiaicnbesieeneseaenee aetna 1
DICKERMAN, R. W. Notes on the type of Bubo virginianus SCIAriVENtHIS ..........+:0+1seceerereeeerere 5

FREILE, J. F. & CHAVES, J. A. Interesting distributional records and notes on the biology of bird
species from a cloud forest reserve in north-west Ecuador ............2.00sc:ccerssessessnssr0s 6

KUMAR R., S. & SINGH, P. A new subspecies of Sclater’s Monal Lophophorus sclateri from
western Arunelial Pradesh, [dia q. ....20<<ccc0snc02sa0sencsce ocnrncceunsowensusustonedécesensencnses acueueeeeaann 16

GREENEY, H. F., GELIS, R. A. & WHITE, R. Notes on breeding birds from an Ecuadorian
lowland fOTGSt a. ..ccsccincnsnenceiccssesneverseoensedencennniexeanspetamsdaussoa-cencizuneascoescelss ae eee eta 28

STREWE, R. & NAVARRO, C. New and noteworthy records of birds from the Sierra Nevada
de Santa Marta region, north-eastern Colombia ...........-..:6:<sec0ssec0sss0esaseoseconnnenss eee 38

ANGEHR, G. R., CHRISTIAN, D. G. & APARICIO, K. M. A survey of the Serrania de Jungurudo,
an isolated mountain range in easterm Panama ..............:..<:.cesecesosseeeeseserssneneseares 51

YOUNG, H. G. & BRAYSHAW, M. The downy young of grey teal (Anatidae) with first descriptions
of the ducklings of Madagascar Teal Anas bernieri and Indonesian Teal A. gibberifrons ........ 62

WOOLAVER, L., NICHOLS, R., RAZAFINDRAJAO, F. & HAWKINS, F. Sighting of Van Dam’s
Vanga Xenopirostris damii (Schlegel, 1866) in mangroves in north-west Madagascat............ 69

CLEERE, N. A previously unidentified museum specimen of Plain-tailed Nighthawk
Nyctiprogne vielliardi (Caprimulgidac) ...........:..2.:sosses-ssecssenensepenonseeeeendeu seersees eee 71

SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTIO

MEMBERSHIP 3 9088 010

See also website: http://www.boc-online.org

N LER
i

All correspondence on membership, and changes of address should be addressed to: The Membership
Secretary, Cdr M.B. Casement, OBE, RN, Dene Cottage, West Harting, Petersfield, Hants. GU31 5PA, UK
(or E-mail: mbcasement@aol.com). For details of Club Meetings see inside front cover. For membership
and subscription information, purchase of back numbers and other BOC publications, see the inside rear
cover of Vol. 123(4) or the BOC website.

COMMITTEE
Dr. C.F. Mann (Chairman) (2001) Professor R.A. Cheke (2001)
Mrs M.N. Muller (Vice-Chairman) (2003) I.R. Bishop OBE (2003)
Cdr. M.B. Casement, OBE, R.N. (Hon. Secretary) (1996) S.A.H. Statham (2003)
D.J. Montier (Hon. Treasurer) (1997) C.W.R. Storey (2003)

Dr P.G.W. Salaman (Hon. Website Manager) (2001)

Hon. Editor: G.M. Kirwan (as from 1 January 2004)

Chairman of BOU/BOC Joint Publications Committee (JPC): Revd. T.W. Gladwin.
Hon. Publications Officer and Hon. Archivist: J.A. Jobling

Registered Charity No. 279583
©British Ornithologists’ Club 2004

Le

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Ornithologists’
Club

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Volume 124 No. 2
June 2004

MEETINGS are normally held in the Sherfield Building of Imperial College, South Kensington, London,
SW7. The nearest Tube station is at South Kensington; a map of the area will be sent to members, on request.
[Limited car parking facilities can be reserved (at a special reduced charge of £5.00), on prior application to
the Hon. Secretary].

The cash bar is open from 6.15 pm, and a buffet supper, of two courses followed by coffee, is served at
7.00 pm. (A vegetarian menu can be arranged if ordered at the time of booking). Informal talks are given on
completion, commencing at about 8.00 pm.

Dinner charges were increased to £19.00, as from Ist January 2004.

FORTHCOMING MEETINGS
See also BOC website: http://www.boc-online.org

Tuesday 22nd June—Dr P.J.K McGowan Threatened pheasants and partridges in Asia

Philip McGowan first encountered pheasants in Asia during two months fieldwork to plan the boundaries of
the Great Himalayan National Park in Himachal Pradesh, NW India, in February/March 1983. Since then
he has carried out surveys and intensive fieldwork on pheasants and partridges elsewhere in northern India,
on Palawan in the Philippines, southwest China and in Malaysia. He compiled IUCN Action Plans for three
groups of Galliformes and is now the Conservation Director of the World Pheasant Association. His role is
to promote action on behalf of the world’s Galliformes, which is amongst the most threatened of avian orders.
On the current IUCN Red List 11% of bird species are considered at risk of extinction, whereas for the
Galliformes it is 25%. The pressures seem most serious in Asia, where 50% of the world’s pheasant species
are listed as threatened.

Applications to Tony Statham (address below) by 8 June, please.

Tuesday 28th September—Professor Glen Chilton The curse of the Labrador Duck

Glen Chilton is an Associate Professor of Biology at St Mary’s College in Calgary, Canada. For the past 18
years, most of his research efforts have concerned the songs of birds, particularly the evolution of songs in
crowned sparrows and New World warblers. This work has taken him to some of the most remote parts of
North America. He is currently on a research sabbatical in the UK. Nine years ago, while constructing the
species account of the extinct Labrador Duck for the Birds of North America series, he became fascinated by
the stories associated with this species. They are stories of murder, theft, enormous wealth, and wartime
crimes. Glen is now travelling the world to examine all remaining stuffed specimens, and is writing a book
about his adventures.

Applications to Tony Statham (address below) by 14 September please.

Future meetings in 2004. The following Tuesdays have been booked:
2 November—Robert C. Fleischer Hawaiian bird evolution and conservation
7 December—Dr A.G. (Andy) Gosler Eggshell maculation in the Great Tit and other passerines

Overseas Members visiting Britain are especially welcome at these meetings, and the Hon. Secretary would
be very pleased to hear from anyone who can offer to talk to the Club, in 2005, giving as much advance
notice as possible—please contact: Tony Statham, Woodcock Hill, Durrants Lane, Berkhamsted, Herts. HP4
3TR UK, (or e-mail: SAHS@tinyonline.co.uk).

Club Announcements 73 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

Bulletin of the
BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB

Vol. 124 No. 2 Published 13 June 2004

CLUB ANNOUNCEMENTS

Subscription rates for 2005. As announced at the AGM (see Minutes below), subscription rates have
remained constant since 1997, but an increase is now inevitable. The annual rates due on 1 January 2005
will be: £17.50 for BOU members, £24 for non-BOU members and £32 for libraries and institutions.
Payment arrangements and Bankers Standing Order forms will be enclosed with the September issue of
the Bulletin.

Changes to the Committee. Following the AGM (27 April 2004) the composition is now as shown on
the inside rear cover. Please note the following two significant changes.

Hon. Secretary. As agreed at the AGM (27 April 2004), Tony Statham has now taken over from Michael
Casement, but the latter will continue as Membership Secretary.

Hon. Publications Officer. James Jobling has stood down and his previous tasks reallocated.

BOC Publications. The BOU/BOC Joint Publications Committee (JPC) now handles production and
sales of the Bulletin: c/o Steve Dudley, British Ornithologists’ Union, Department of Zoology, University
of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PS, e-mail: bocadmin@bou.org.uk.

Suggestions for future publications and policy should be referred to: Professor R. A. Cheke, BOC Hon.
Publications Officer, Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich at Medway, Central Avenue,
Chatham Maritime, Chatham, Kent ME4 4TB, e-mail: r.a.cheke@greenwich.ac.uk.

Subscriptions from Libraries and Institutions and queries and requests for Bulletin back numbers
should be sent to Steve Dudley, BOU Administrator, at the e-mail address shown above.

The 919th meeting of the Club was held on Tuesday 4 November 2003, in the Sherfield Building Annexe,
Imperial College. 24 Members and 8 guests were present.

Members attending were: Dr C.F. MANN (Chairman), Miss H. BAKER, I.R. BISHOP, Ms D.V.
BREESE, D.R. CALDER, Cdr. M.B. CASEMENT RN, Professor R.A. CHEKE, Captain N.G.
CHESHIRE MN, D.J. FISHER, Dr C.B. FRITH, D. GRIFFIN, K. HERON, R.H. KETTLE, R.R.
LANGLEY, D.J. MONTIER, Mrs M.N. MULLER, Dr R.P. PRYS-JONES, Dr P.C. RASMUSSEN, Dr
D.W. SNOW, S.A.H. STATHAM, C.W.R. STOREY, Dr D.H. THOMAS, Ms K. WAY and Cdr. EFS.
WARD RN.

Guests attending were: Professor T.R. BIRKHEAD (Speaker), Mrs C.R. CASEMENT, Dr L.
CORNWALLIS, Dr D.W. FRITH, Cdr. JM. HAMMERSLEY RN, Mrs J. HAMMERSLEY, Mrs J.A.
JONES, and Mrs M. MONTIER.

After dinner, Professor T.R. Birkhead entertained the meeting with an exceptionally interesting talk
entitled Darwin: Birds and Sexual Selection. The following is a brief synopsis.

Darwin considered female animals to be sexually monogamous and hence he assumed that sexual
selection ceased with mate acquisition. This view prevailed for the next 100 years. Then, in the late
1960s, coinciding with the focus on selection at the level of the individual, work undertaken by Professor
Geoff Parker demonstrated that female insects often copulated with more than one male, providing an
opportunity for post-copulatory sexual selection in the form of sperm competition. Since then the field
of post-copulatory sexual selection has developed considerably, and it is now apparent that females of
most species are promiscuous and that in addition to sperm competition the possibility that female
choice of sperm (cryptic female choice) may also occur. Using examples from birds the speaker

Club Announcements 74 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

discussed the two key questions in this field: firstly, the adaptive significance of female promiscuity and,
secondly, the mechanisms by which sperm competition and cryptic female choice occur.

The realisation that, despite their socially monogamous mating system, many birds are genetically
promiscuous has transformed our understanding of their biology. It has, in addition, stimulated much
new research across the entire spectrum of avian biology, from the anatomy and physiology of gametes
and reproductive systems, to molecular biology, speciation, and the ecology and behaviour of mating sys-
tems.

The talk stimulated a lively question period, until the speaker had to leave in order to catch a train
back to Sheffield.

The 922nd meeting of the Club was held Tuesday 23 March 2004, at the Rector’s Residence, 170
Queensgate, Imperial College, London, attended by 27 Members and 12 guests.

Members attending were: Dr C.F MANN (Chairman), Miss H. BAKER, Sir David BANNERMAN
Bt., LR. BISHOP, Mrs D.M. BRADLEY, Ms D.V. BREESE, D.R. CALDER, Cdr. M.B. CASEMENT
RN, J.B. FISHER, FM. GAUNTLETT, Reverend T.W. GLADWIN, A. GIBBS, D. GRIFFIN, B.H.
HARLEY, R.H. KETTLE, D.J. MONTIER, Dr R.P. PRYS-JONES, P.S. REDMAN, M.L. PALING, R.C.
PRICE, PJ. SELLAR, T.R. SMEETON, S.A.H. STATHAM, Dr D.H. THOMAS, M.J. WALTON, R.W.
WEBSTER and A.A. ZARRI.

Guests present were: Lady P.) BANNERMAN, M. BRADLEY, Ms G. BONHAM, Mrs J.B.
CALDER, Mrs C.R. CASEMENT, P.A. CLARKE, Mrs J.M. GLADWIN, Mrs A. HARLEY, Mrs M.H.
GAUNTLETT, G. JATHAR, Mrs M. MONTIER and N. SNELL (Speaker).

After dinner, Nigel Snell gave a highly entertaining illustrated talk entitled The return of the Red
Kite. The following is a brief synopsis.

Red Kites were once common in Britain but were wiped out in England and Scotland by the late-
19th century. A handful of pairs remained in remote areas of Wales, where there was less persecution,
but the high rainfall and poor food supplies meant that the Welsh population barely increased. In the late
1980s a group of conservation organisations, including the RSPB and EN, reintroduced Red Kites to
England and Scotland. Much of southern England remains ideal for kites and the threat of persecution
has receded. The project started in 1989 and, over six years, 93 young kites, mostly from northern Spain,
were released in the Chilterns. Other releases took place at a site in northern Scotland. The project has
proved successful with breeding pairs raising young in the wild as early as 1992. Since then the number
of breeding pairs has increased each year.

Red Kites are mainly carrion feeders and spend hours circling like vultures, scanning the ground for
animal remains. They will scavenge on anything, from the smallest bird or mammal to a dead sheep.
Invertebrates, amphibians and fish are taken and invertebrates, such as earthworms, can form a signifi-
cant part of their diet.

From late February, pairs of kites spend time in potential nesting areas calling and flying close
together. Shortly before eggs are laid, wool is added to the nest, and kites can be seen in late March with
long pieces of wool trailing behind them. Then, in June, when the chicks are 4—6 weeks old, the nest trees
are climbed to ring them with a special metal ring and coloured plastic wing-tags, marked with a letter
or number. In 2003, 177 breeding pairs were recorded, raising approximately 312 young—a mean 1.9
chicks per breeding pair.

The talk was followed by a lively and prolonged question and discussion period.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2004

1. The Annual General Meeting of the British Ornithologists’ Club was held in the Sherfield Building,
Imperial College, London SW7 on Tuesday 27 April 2004 at 6 p.m. with Dr C.F. Mann in the Chair.
18 Members were present. Apologies were received from: Dr P.G.W. Salaman, Professor C.J. Feare,
Miss H. Baker, Mr J.B. Fisher and Professor J.H.R. Boswall.

Club Announcements 75 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

The Minutes of the 2003 Annual General Meeting held on 29 April 2003, which had been
published (Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl. 123: 66-67), were approved and signed by the Chairman.

2. Chairman’s report. As shown in the Trustees’ Annual Report, 2003 had been another very success-
ful year for the Club, and the Hon Treasurer’s accounts showed the finances to be in a healthy state,
with an overall increase in total assets of £13,473. Profound thanks were due to David Montier and
the Trustees of the Herbert Stevens Trust for their continuing expertise and hard work managing the
Club finances. Speakers at dinner meetings had covered a wide range of interesting subjects and
geographical areas, but the number of dinners had been reduced from eight to seven; average
attendance had differed only marginally from previous years. Thanks were due to the staff of Imperial
College for providing excellent facilities and meals for Club meetings, and also to Pat Sellar and Ron
Kettle for assistance with audio-visual aids.

The Chairman drew attention to several highlights of the past year, including the achievements of
the BOU-BOC Joint Publications Committee in publishing the long-awaited and widely acclaimed
conference proceedings Why Museums Matter: Avian Archives in an Age of Extinction, and two
regional checklists. Last year’s Bulletin, Vol. 123, was once again a source of pride, with an enhanced
reputation for papers of high interest, and additional pages including colour plates. He paid generous
tribute to Chris Feare for achieving these major improvements over the past five years, and sadness
that he had now stepped down as Hon. Editor. But he welcomed Guy Kirwan to the meeting, who had
now taken over, as from | January 2004.

Another achievement was the electronic archiving of the Bulletin by Steven Gregory, assisted by
Alistair Carr, who continued to make steady progress; the first CD-ROM covering the first 32 years
(1892-1924) should be available for sale, shortly. The BOC website has been professionally
enhanced, under the able direction of Paul Salaman, Hon. Website Manager, and continues to attract
a growing number of visitors. Paul had also been responsible for the introduction of a trial scheme
for free membership for one year for up to 50 students of ornithology. As a result 42 recommended
students, from a wide range of countries, commenced their one-year membership as from | January
2004, and one (from India) had already attended a dinner meeting. Hopefully, at least some of these
will wish to become full members in 2005. Membership numbers continued to fluctuate, now
standing at 548, but with a net loss over the year of seven, including the death of eight long-serving
and distinguished members.

Regrettably it was necessary to review the rates for membership subscriptions, which no longer
cover the rising costs of postage rates, and production of the greatly enhanced Bulletin. Having
successfully held the subscription rates constant since 1997, an increase was now inevitable. The
annual rates due on | January 2005 would be: £17.50 for BOU members, £24 for non-BOU members
and £32 for libraries and institutions.

The Chairman paid generous tribute to the enthusiasm and devotion of the Hon. Secretary, respon-
sible for the general administration of the Club, but the workload was too heavy for one person, and
it had been decided to split the membership tasks of this office. After eight years in office, Michael
Casement was now standing down, to be relieved by Tony Statham, but Michael would continue as
an ex-officio member of the Committee, as Membership Secretary, for another year to manage the
change of subscription rates due for 2005. Thereafter much of the routine administration would be
handled by a joint BOU/BOC administration office to share the costs for both organisations. Thanks
were also due to James Jobling, Hon. Publications Officer, who was another key member standing
down this year.

3. Trustees’ Annual Report for 2003. Michael Casement pointed out that the Annual Report was now
an integral part of the Annual Accounts, copies of which were before all Members present, and would
be published in the June issue. He drew attention to some highlights of this report, noting in particu-
lar the continuing (small) decline in membership. Despite the popularity, especially with overseas
members, the option to accept subscriptions for up to three years in advance had now been withdrawn.
It had proved too costly to administer, because members found difficulty in recalling their last

Club Announcements 76 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

payment dates, resulting in numerous reminder notices, or double-payments. A cause for concern was
the number of overdue payments for 2004, which currently numbered 23. He called for any questions,
but there was none.

The Annual Accounts for 2003. The Hon. Treasurer presented the accounts for the year ended 31
December 2003, and drew attention to the salient features, which were detailed in the paragraphs on
finance in the Trustees’ Report of Activities and Review of the Year. The adoption of the Accounts
was proposed by David Montier, seconded by Clive Mann Chairman, and approved by all present.

4. The Bulletin. Guy Kirwan (GMK) referred to the section in the Annual Report contributed by his
predecessor, Chris Feare (CJF). Since officially taking over on 1 January 2004, a total of 17 papers
had been received (all by e-mail). CJF had served some extra time, as GMK was on field work at the
time of the transfer, and the final stage of the handover was completed in early March. GMK now has
copies of all outstanding and in-progress files, and lists of referees used by CJEF.

Of papers dealt with by GMK, four had been rejected and 11 accepted, of which five have been
typeset and the rest are reaching various stages of completion. Three other papers, initially processed
by CJE, have now been accepted and edited by GMK. Following previous policy, priority is given to
papers describing new taxa, and a total of five of the 28 papers fell into this category.

GMK took responsibility for proofing and liaison with Eng-Li Green (typesetter) for the March
issue, Vol. 124 (1), and thus now has a strong appreciation of how things should work in the future.
The turnaround in the final stages was quicker than normal, mainly as a result of both GMK and
Crowes (printers) being based in Norwich. PDF copies of papers in the March issue have been distrib-
uted to authors, and this system now seems to be working well.

Finally, GMK intends to promote the Bulletin by posting listings of papers in the ‘latest’ issue on
publication on relevant Internet news groups, together with details of how to join the BOC. The
Chairman thanked Guy for this encouraging progress report.

5. Publications Report. Tom Gladwin, Chairman of the Joint Publications Committee (JPC) confirmed
that, as shown in the Annual Report, the joint procedures were working well and good progress was
now being made towards achieving publication of the Bird Atlas of Uganda, in the autumn. The JPC
was next due to meet in June.

6. Election of Officers and Committee. The Chairman said the proposed changes to the Committee

were as published in Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl. 124 (1): 1.

(i) Mr S.A.H. Statham be elected as Hon. Secretary (vice Cdr. M.B. Casement)

(ii) Mr D.J. Montier be re-elected as Hon. Treasurer

(111) Professor R.A. Cheke be elected as Hon. Publications Officer (vice Mr. J.A. Jobling)

(iv) Mr J.P. Hume to be elected vice Mr S.A.H. Statham

(v) Cdr. M.B. Casement, OBE, RN, to continue (ex-officio) as Hon. Membership Secretary.
These changes were approved unanimously.

7. Under any other business, Michael Casement said that, immediately following the meeting, there
would be a demonstration of a PowerPoint projector, to be used for two of the mini-talks that evening.
With the widespread use of this new technology, an increasing number of visiting Speakers were now
asking for this facility to be provided, and the Committee needed to consider the costs of options for
hire, or purchase of this equipment, for future dinners.

The meeting closed at 6.30 p.m.

Club Announcements 77 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS' CLUB
Founded 5 October 1892
Registered Charity No. 279583

TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2003

List of Trustees—Committee
Dr C.F. MANN Chairman (2001)
Mrs M.N. MULLER Vice-Chairman (2003)
Cdr. M.B. CASEMENT, OBE, RN, Hon. Secretary (1996)
D.J. MONTIER Hon. Treasurer (1997)
Professor R.A. CHEKE (2001)
Dr P.G.W. SALAMAN (2001)
I.R. BISHOP, OBE (2003)
S.A.H. STATHAM (2003)
C.W.R. STOREY (2003)
Ex-officio Reverend T.W. GLADWIN Chairman JPC (2002).

Correspondence and enquiries to the Hon. Secretary, Dene Cottage, West Harting, Petersfield, Hants.
GU31 5PA

Auditors and Independent Examiners Porritt Rainey & Co, 9 Pembroke Road, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13
IXR

Bankers Barclays Bank plc, Dale House, Wavertree Boulevard, Liverpool, L7 9PQ

Constitution
The British Ornithologists’ Club was founded in October 1892. It currently operates under Rules revised
in 2000 and approved at a Special General Meeting on 31 October of that year. Members of the
Committee, who are also the trustees of the Club, are listed above with the dates of their appointment.
Committee members are elected for a term of four years, with the exception of the Hon. Secretary and
Hon. Treasurer, who are both subject to re-election at each Annual General Meeting.

Objects of the Charity
The promotion of scientific discussion between Members of the British Ornithologists’ Union and oth-
ers interested in ornithology, and to facilitate the dissemination of scientific information concerned with
ornithology, with a particular emphasis on avian systematics, taxonomy and distribution.

The Committee

The Committee met six times during the year. Mrs M.N. Muller was elected Vice-Chairman, in succes-
sion to the Reverend T.W. Gladwin, who was appointed an ex-officio member of the Committee in his
capacity as Chairman of the BOU/BOC Joint Publications Committee (JPC). The Committee welcomed
I.R. Bishop, S.A.H. Statham and C.W.R. Storey, in succession to J.A. Jobling and R.E. Scott, on com-
pletion of their terms of office, and Mrs M.N. Muller on her election as Vice-Chairman. Further discus-
sions with the BOU were held to develop plans for sharing future administration costs for both societies.

Due to the commendable efforts of Dr P.G.W. Salaman (Hon. Website Manager), the BOC website
was upgraded. The Committee is also deeply indebted to S.M.S. Gregory and M.A. Carr, who gave gen-
erously of their time and expertise to progress the electronic archiving and marketing of the complete set
of Bulletin BOC.

The Committee continues to be most grateful to the Trustees of the Herbert Stevens Trust Fund (Mr
Nigel Crocker, Mr Peter Oliver and Mr Richard Price) for their time and expertise advising on the per-
formance of the Fund.

Club Announcements 78 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

Meetings

The number of evening meetings held at Imperial College, London, was reduced from eight to seven in
2003. A total of 236 (167 members and 69 guests) attended these meetings, which represented an aver-
age attendance of 33.7. The programme of speakers during the year again covered a wide variety of
ornithological subjects covering both Britain and overseas, including Madagascar, Hawaii and West
Africa. As for the past four years, the 29 April meeting following the AGM took the form of a social
evening, during which informal short talks and brief discussions were contributed by six participants, on
a range of topical subjects. Summaries of all these talks are to be found in the Club Announcements sec-
tion of the Bulletin. Following further cost increases by Imperial College, dinner charges for 2003 were
increased to £18.50.

The Bulletin
Vol. 123 contained a bookshelf-bending 648 pages, thanks to an enlarged standard volume of 288 pages
and a handsome supplement containing papers from the Why Museums Matter conference, comprising
360 pages. The supplement contained 21 papers and has received wide acclaim. Nigel Collar and Clem
Fisher undertook all of the early stages of editing and they and the Hon. Editor are grateful for their valu-
able contribution.

The standard volume contained 39 papers and, as usual, both subjects and authors were representa-
tive of five continents. Topics covered a wide variety of aspects of taxonomy, nomenclature, distribution
and behaviour, and included a description of a new subspecies of Udzungwa Forest Partridge from
Tanzania. Once again colour illustrations were used where appropriate. The average interval between
submission and publication was 14 months, ranging from eight to 19 months, representing a slight
decrease on last year. However, members should note that this is a rapid turnaround compared with many
journals, as the Bulletin interval is measured from submission to publication, whereas most journals
quote the interval between acceptance and publication.

During 2003, 49 papers were received, representing a 32% increase over 2002 and a return to for-
mer levels of submission; 26 have so far been accepted with only four rejections. All papers, both of the
standard volume and the supplement, were peer-reviewed as is customary in the Bulletin. The Editor
thanks referees for their vital input, which is sometimes extensive and time consuming. In 2003 the sub-
mission of papers and their subsequent review were almost all completed electronically, in many cases
leading to a rapid completion of manuscript processing. In extreme cases, the interval between submis-
sion to the Editor to his sending the final manuscript to the typesetter was as little as one month.

The combination of Alcedo and Crowes again worked extremely well in typesetting and printing
respectively, and we now appear to have a satisfactory method of providing authors with 'reprints' of their
paper in the form of PDF files. Mary Muller again prepared the index, Michael Casement the Club
notices and Effie Warr assisted in a number of ways. The outgoing Editor thanks the Committee for its
support throughout his tenure, and Eng-Li Green and Mike Dawson for the efficient and friendly way
with which they have produced the final product.

Bulletin Sales
Subscriptions from Institutional Subscribers during 2003 totalled 113, with 21 in the UK and 92 over-
seas (27 different countries). Of the latter 39 were to the USA, seven each to Australia and to Germany,
and four each to Canada, Norway and South Africa. So far, the sale of extra copies of Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl.
123A Supplement, Why Museums Matter, has totalled 41.

Other Publications

The BOC-—BOU Joint Publications Committee (JPC) was formed in May 2002 under the chairmanship
of the Reverend T. W. Gladwin, comprising: Miss. D.V. Breese, S.P. Dudley (Publications Manager), J.A.
Jobling, Professor J. Kear (Checklist Editor), D.J. Montier and N.J. Redman. This joint committee, with
a rotating chairmanship, has assumed responsibility for the management and production of all BOC pub-
lications and BOU Checklists. The JPC met twice in 2003, an encouraging year in which three titles were
published. Significant progress was made towards the publication of other committed titles, and a num-
ber of new proposals were considered.

Club Announcements 79 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

New Publications. The year saw the publication of the long-awaited conference proceedings Why
Museums Matter: Avian Archives in an Age of Extinction, and two checklists, namely The Birds of
Morocco and The Birds of Hispaniola. The close publication of two checklists in a two-month period was
particularly demanding and is something the JPC would normally seek to avoid.

Forthcoming Publications. The conference proceedings Climate Change and Coastal Birds, previ-
ously reported by the JPC, are now to be published as an online only supplement of /bis with the /his
Committee overseeing its production. The checklists The Birds of Sado Tomé and Principe and Annobén
and The Birds of Borneo have progressed as scheduled, and publication is anticipated in the first and sec-
ond halves of 2004 respectively. After some regrettable delays, the JPC agreed at its June meeting that
Steve Dudley, as Publications Manager, should take immediate control of the Bird Atlas of Uganda.
Although much work was found to be outstanding, considerable progress has since been achieved, and
publication is now anticipated in the second half of 2004. In view of possible similar forthcoming titles,
and the particular scientific worth of atlases, this will now be published as the first in an Atlas series to
be produced as joint BOC and BOU publications in parallel with the checklists.

Future Publications. Fifteen titles are currently being progressed or considered, with manuscripts
for the two checklists, The Birds of Benin and The Birds of Singapore, now expected in 2004. The rate
at which future titles are published will continue to be smoothed to match available funding.

Acknowledgements. The Committee is particularly grateful to Janet Kear and Steve Dudley for
their continued management of the individual titles.

Membership

As at 31 December 2003, there were 548 paid-up Members: 299 with addresses in the UK and 249 over-
seas in 33 countries. The Club welcomed 24 new Members including two previous non-Members re-
instated, but mourned the deaths in the past year of eight long-serving and distinguished Members: Dr
Dean Amadon (1980-2003), Chris Mead (1964-2003, Committee 1971-75), G.S. Keith (1965-2003),
Guy Mountfort, OBE (1951-2003, Hon. Life Member), Stephen Marchant (1957-2003), Dr Richard
Liversidge (1951-55, 1977-2003), Captain Sir Thomas Barlow Bt. DSC, RN (1951-2003, Hon. Life
Member) and Dr C.J.O. Harrison (1960-2003, Committee 1963-64, 1965-68, 1974-77, Hon. Secretary
1964-65). There were nine resignations, and 14 were removed under Rule 24, resulting in a net decrease
in membership of seven during the year.

Finance
Total assets of the Club at 31 December 2003 totalled £357,360, compared with £343,887 at the end of
2002, an increase of £13,473. This improvement is the result of a welcome increase in the market value
of investments, more than offsetting a deficit incurred on the Club’s activities during the year.

Financial results for the year ended 31 December 2003
Total income for 2003 was £39,571. Subscriptions of £10,376 were fractionally lower than the previous
year and again lower than the cost of producing the Bulletin, giving a shortfall on these two items of
c.£1,000. Investment income of £16,163 included £10,419 from the Herbert Stevens and Barrington
Trust Funds, which showed very little change from 2002. Interest on deposit accounts, however,
increased by about £900 as a full-year’s interest on the Clancey deposit compensated for the general
decline in interest rates.

Income of £1,533 from sales of the Bulletin included the last transaction under the special sales offer
that was so successful in 2002. Sales of other BOC publications increased from £566 to £1,501, with
some two-thirds of the improvement coming from sales of Why Museums Matter, although much of the
print run was allocated to Members and Institutional Subscribers as part of the annual Bulletin distribu-
tion. The first Checklists produced under the new BOU/BOC joint publication venture appeared during
the latter part of the year and produced an income of £5,554 for the Club.

Expenditure of £47,395 was about £23,000 higher than in the previous year, the increase being
almost entirely due to publication costs, consisting of Why Museums Matter, the printing of maps for the
Bird Atlas of Uganda project and the Club’s contribution towards the production of the BOU/BOC
Checklist The Birds of Morocco.

Club Announcements 80 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

Part of the cost of Why Museums Matter was allocated to the Publications and Clancey Funds, with
a charge of £1,657 against each, while the cost of maps for the Uganda atlas, amounting to £3,441,
absorbed most of the sponsorship money held in the Bird Atlas of Uganda Fund. Further costs that will
be incurred in the production of the final work will be borne by Unrestricted Funds.

Administration costs during the year increased by £2,000 to £4,880. A large part of this was due to
a full-year’s charge for the Club’s share of a joint storage facility with the BOU. Insurance costs also
increased and the website was professionally redesigned. The net result for the year was an overall deficit
on normal activities of £7,824, which appears startling against a surplus of £64,840 in the previous year,
but that included the Clancey legacy of £49,056 and no new publications.

Investments
A long-awaited upturn in the world’s stock markets resulted in an increase of £21,297 (11.33%) in the
charity unit trusts held in the Herbert Stevens and Barrington Trust Funds, taking their market value at
31 December 2003 to £209,317 as against £188,020 a year earlier. This encouraging turnaround recouped
c.40% of the losses suffered during the previous two years. In the balance sheet, total investments are stat-
ed at £258,317 and, as shown in note 2 to the accounts, include £49,000 from the Clancey bequest that
continues to be held in a fixed rate Building Society deposit.

Risk Review
The Committee has reviewed the major risks to which the Club is exposed, and operates systems that are
designed to mitigate those risks.

Trustees’ Responsibilities
Under the Charities Act 1993, the Trustees are required to prepare a statement of accounts for each finan-
cial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity at the end of the financial
year and of the incoming resources and application of resources in the year. In preparing the statement
the trustees are required to.

* Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

¢ Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

¢ State whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice have been
followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the statement of accounts;

¢ Prepare the financial accounts on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that
the charity will continue its operations.

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accu-
racy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that any statement of
account prepared by them complies with the regulations under section 41(1) of the Charities Act 1993.
They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the trust and hence for taking reasonable steps
for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Approved and signed on behalf of the Trustees

C. EF Mann
Chairman Date: 27 April 2004

Club Announcements

81

BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB
BALANCE SHEET—31 December 2003

Notes
INVESTMENTS
At market value

i)

CURRENT ASSETS
Stock of publications
Cash at bank and in hand
Cash on deposit
Prepayments
Other debtors

CURRENT LIABILITIES
Subscriptions in advance
Creditors falling due within
one year

TOTAL ASSETS

FUNDS
Unrestricted
Designated
Other 4

1s)

Restricted 5

Approved and signed on behalf of the Trustees

C. F Mann
Chairman

100
3,143
101,368
338
880

105,829

(3,589)

(3,197)

£

258,317

99,043

357,360

15,000
287,773

302,773
54,587

357,360

Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

2002

£ £

237,020
100
2,222
111,377
312
862
114,873
(3,376)
(4,630)

106,867

343,887

15,000

269,843

284,843

59,044

343,887

Date: 27 April 2004

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES—31 December 2003

Notes
INCOMING RESOURCES

SUBSCRIPTIONS
Members
Institutional subscribers
Income Tax recoverable
Under Gift Aid & Deeds of Covenant

LEGACY RECEIVED

DONATIONS

Unrestricted

£

135

2003

Restricted

£

2002
Total Total
e £

7,067 7,051
2,768 2,916
541 575
10,376 10,542
= 49,056
135 64

Club Announcements

INVESTMENT INCOME
Herbert Stevens Trust Fund
Barrington Trust Fund
Interest received

SALES OF PUBLICATIONS
Bulletin

Other BOC publications

Joint BOU/BOC Checklists

MEETINGS
OTHER INCOME

TOTAL INCOME

RESOURCES EXPENDED
CHARITABLE EXPENDITURE

MEETINGS
Room and equipment hire, speakers' expenses, etc.
Restaurant
BOC BULLETIN
Production, printing and distribution
Costs related to special sales offer of back numbers
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
Purchases, including Bulletin Supplement
123A Why Museums Matter
Publicity, postage and packing

ADMINISTRATION 6

TOTAL EXPENDITURE

EXCESS OF EXPENDITURE OVER
INCOME
Increase / (decrease) in value of
investments

TOTAL FUNDS brought
forward at 1 January 2003

TOTAL FUNDS at
31 December 2003

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS—31 December 2003

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

82

37,273

(3,367)
21,297

17,930

284,843

302,773

2,298

6,755

(4,457)

(4,457)

59,044

54,587

Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

39,571

(7,824)
21,297
13,473

343,887

357,360

10,332
36
4,802

AS, TIO

89,258

1,623
5,170

12,589
2,058
65

80
2,833

24,418

64,840
(31,077)
33,763

310,124

343,887

a) Basis of Accounts. The Financial Statements are prepared under the historical cost convention as modified by the
inclusion of investments in the Herbert Stevens and Barrington Trust Funds at market values. They are also prepared
in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective June 2002) and follow the
recommendations in Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice issued in

October 2000.

Club Announcements 83 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

b)

c)

e)

Investments and Cash Deposits. The Herbert Stevens and Barrington Trust Funds are invested in quoted charity unit
trusts and included as investments in the Balance Sheet at year-end market values. Income from these funds and
from cash deposits shown in the Balance Sheet under Current Assets is included in Incoming Resources in the
Statement of Financial Activities on a receipts basis. The Clancey Bequest is held in a fixed-term, Building Society
deposit account, which forms part of the total of investments in the Balance Sheet. Interest on this deposit account
is brought into the Statement of Financial Activities on an accruals basis.

Subscriptions. Subscriptions for the current year and any arrears are included in Incoming Resources in the
Statement of Financial Activities. Subscriptions received in advance are carried forward in the Balance Sheet as
Current Liabilities.

Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis.

Publications. The cost of publications is written off in the Statement of Financial Activities as incurred except for a
nominal stock value of £100 carried in the Balance Sheet.

INVESTMENTS—at market value 2003 2002
3 £
UNRESTRICTED FUNDS
Herbert Stevens Trust Fund 208,377 187,174
Barrington Trust Fund 940 846
RESTRICTED FUNDS
Clancey Bequest 49,000 49,000
258,317 237,020
All investments are held in the UK.
UNRESTRICTED DESIGNATED FUND
for future publications 2003
£
Balance at | January 2003 15,000
Designated during the year -
Balance at 31 December 2003 15,000
OTHER UNRESTRICTED FUNDS Herbert
General Stevens Barrington
Fund Trust Fund Trust Fund Total
£ = x £
Balances at 1 January 2003 81,823 187,184 846 269,843
Increase in value of
investments during year - 21,203 94 21,297
Excess of expenditure over
income (3,367) (3.367)
Balances at 31 December 2003 78,456 208,377 940 287,773
RESTRICTED FUNDS Bird Atlas
Clancey Publications of Uganda
Bequest Fund Fund Total
£ £ £ £
Balances at 1 January 2003 49,999 5,443 3,602 59,044
Allocated against costs of:
Bulletin Supplement 123A
Why Museums Matter (1,657) (1,657) - (3,314)
Preparation of maps for
Bird Atlas of Uganda - . (3,441) (3,441)
Interest received 2,078 178 42 2,298

Balances at 31 December 2003 50,420 3,964 203 54,587

Club Announcements 84 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

a. The Clancey bequest was donated by the late Dr P.A. Clancey with the request that it should be used to support
and enhance the Club's Bulletin.

b. The Publications Fund is available to finance Club publications other than regular issues of the Bulletin.

c. The Bird Atlas of Uganda Fund is specifically to assist with financing the production and publication of the Atlas.

6. ADMINISTRATION EXPENSES include:

2003 2002

£ £
Club's share of cost of fitting out and rental of storage unit 1,744 916
Audit and Independent Examination fees 550 550
Other administration expenses 2,586 1,367
4,880 2,833

7. REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES
No Committee member receives any remuneration but they are reimbursed for expenses incurred by them on
behalf of the Club.
The amount reimbursed during the year was £1,285 (2002 £1,320).

INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF
THE BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS' CLUB

I report on the accounts of the Club for the year ended 31 December 2003, which are set out on pages 7-12.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is
not required for this year (under section 43(2) of the Charities Act 1993) and that an independent examination is need-
ed. It is my responsibility to:

e Examine the accounts (under section 43(3)(a) of the 1993 Act):

* To follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners (under section

43(7)(b) of the 1993 Act); and
* To state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of independent examiners’ report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An
examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts present-
ed with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and the seek-
ing of explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the
evidence that would be required in an audit and, consequently, I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by
the accounts.

Independent examiners’ statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements:
* to keep accounting records in accordance with s41 of the 1993 Act; and
* to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of
the 1993 Act have not been met; or
(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be
reached.

Alan Peal ACA—Principal
Porritt Rainey & Co. Chartered Accountants Date: 27 April 2004

D. H. Warakagoda & P C. Rasmussen 85 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

A new species of scops-owl from Sri Lanka
by Deepal H. Warakagoda & Pamela C. Rasmussen

Received 3 March 2004

On 27 February 1995, DHW first heard and made a tape-recording of an unfamil-
iar owl-like vocalisation at night in Kitulgala Proposed Reserve (P.R.), a rainforest
in the wet zone of Sri Lanka. Over the next six years at this site and at Sinharaja
Forest Reserve (F.R.), a large rainforest, DHW several times heard this mysterious
call, which did not match that of any known Sri Lankan owl, but he was unsuccess-
ful in observing its author. DHW played the tape-recording to other naturalists in
Sri Lanka, only one of whom indicated he had heard the same call, but this person
had assumed it was an arboreal amphibian. After comparing it with recordings of
vocalisations of many Asian owls (in Marshall 1978 and White 1984), DHW
believed that the unknown Sri Lankan vocalisation was most similar to that of the
Reddish Scops-owl Otus rufescens, a species from the Malay Peninsula and Greater
Sundas. In late 2000, DHW sent a tape-recording of the mysterious call to PCR,
who agreed that the call sounded like an owl but that it did not match any of the
species known to occur in Sri Lanka, and was most like O. rufescens. The possibil-
ity of a new species of owl in a country as well known ornithologically as Sri Lanka
(where the last new bird species was described as long ago as 1868) seemed very
remote. However, scops-owls are notoriously easily overlooked and some species
are cryptically similar.

Eventually, at Sinharaja ER. on 23 January 2001, DHW was successful in
observing well for several minutes a bird in the act of giving this call, and he was
also able to show the bird to E. L. Hagen. It was a very small rufous earless owl,
quite unlike any other on the island or anywhere in South Asia. DHW then visited
Kitulgala PR. with colleagues, including wildlife photographer Chandima
Kahandawala, who on 11 February 2001 obtained numerous excellent photographs
of an individual bird from many different angles. From these photographs, we
confirmed that the owl is strikingly distinct in numerous characters from any other
Sri Lankan species. Among other scops-owls, it appears most similar overall to O.
rufescens, and yet shows numerous differences from even that species. Although no
ear-tufts are visible in life, we initially believed (but could not confirm) that it
belonged to the genus Otus based on its overall appearance and vocalisations, an
opinion that has been borne out by further study (detailed below). When we were
certain that it was a new species, a press release resulted in numerous articles in
various media, and preliminary papers on the discovery of the owl were published
(e.g. Warakagoda 2001a-—e).

A study was launched by DHW and colleagues, under the auspices of the
Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWLC) and Forest Department (FD) of Sri
Lanka, to investigate the status, distribution, biology, ecology and taxonomy of the
new owl. Explorations were carried out in rainforests (all such forests in Sri Lanka

D. H. Warakagoda & PC. Rasmussen 86 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

Plate. Serendib Scops-owl
Otus thilohoffmanni, new
species (a and c) and Reddish
Scops-owl Orus rufescens (b
and d). Original painting by Dr
P. Samaraweera.

D. H. Warakagoda & P C. Rasmussen 87 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

being in its wet zone), lower montane forests and montane forests of the wet zone,
and moist semi-evergreen and riverine forests of the intermediate (climatic) zone.
On 4 August 2001 a male of the species was mist-netted (Fig. 1; see also Appendix)
in Morapitiya-Runakanda P.R. for further studies of the taxon’s external morphol-
ogy. It was photographed, ringed, and released at the exact site of capture.
Biometrics, descriptions and photographs of this individual were sent to PCR for
further comparative studies. Incidentally, this individual was relocated 2.5 years
later in apparent good health at the same locality.

Searches at museums with significant holdings of Sri Lankan birds revealed no
overlooked specimens of this taxon that could be used as the basis for a scientific
description. Given the distinctiveness of the owl, we believe it is unlikely that any
such misidentified specimens exist. Therefore it was essential to collect a specimen
of the new owl, but we were reluctant to do so at this stage because its population
and conservation status were unknown. By May 2002 the results of our project
showed that the new owl occurred in at least five different forests, and at least 24
individuals had been detected. Permission to collect a specimen to be designated the
type was then applied for and granted by the DWLC and FD. DHW and colleagues
obtained the specimen in November 2002 at Morapitiya-Runakanda P.R., a site they
had found to hold one of the larger populations known by then. For this distinctive
new species, we propose the name:

Serendib Scops-owl Otus thilohoffmannz, sp. nov.

Holotype National Museum, Colombo, no. 381, female, from Morapitiya-
Runakanda Proposed Reserve (06°29’N, 80°18’E, 100 m az.s.l.), Sri Lanka,
collected 9 November 2002 by Deepal H. Warakagoda, Kithsiri Gunawardena,
Nanda Senanayake, Udaya Sirivardana and Niran M. C. Caldera. The type specimen
was prepared as a full skin and partial skeleton (the skull minus the bill was retained
with the skeleton), and tissue samples were preserved from liver, breast muscle and
blood.

Diagnosis A small, short-tailed, rather uniformly rufescent scops-owl with eye
colour ranging from yellow to orange (according to sex), lacking apparent ear-tufts,
with a weakly defined facial disk, and with weak tarsi feathered for less than half
their length (Plate, Fig. 1).

The upperparts are almost uniformly rufous marked overall with small, short
blackish chevrons, spots and/or bars, but lacking white spots, and the scapular spots
are obsolete; the wings and tail have rufous outer webs and mostly blackish inner
webs, with broad, evenly spaced, rather weak rufous and blackish bands; the
underparts are somewhat paler rufous than the upperparts and fairly uniformly
sprinkled with blackish triangular spots; the central belly and undertail-coverts are
paler and unspotted. The head is rounded and fairly uniformly rufescent, with white
supercilia (conspicuous to weak in live birds according to facial expression); no ear-

D. H. Warakagoda & P C. Rasmussen 88 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

tufts; bar-like chevrons on the central crown; a uniform, slightly darker rufous facial
disk, devoid of markings and lacking a dark facial disk border; feathers around base
of bill concolorous with those of facial disk. The large eyes have yellow to orange
irides, with a striking black outer ring. The orange of the iris is concentrated
especially in the sides and lower part of the iris, shading to yellow in the rest of the
iris. In males the orange is pronounced, the area apparently growing larger with age
and eventually covering the whole iris; in the females the iris is entirely or largely
yellow with much less orange than in the male. The inner eyelids are black, whilst
the bare orbital ring is narrow and pinkish. The cere is fleshy pink and not strongly
demarcated from the bill, which is ivory-white in live birds and notably long,
narrow and relatively straight for its genus. In live birds, the tarsi and toes are
pinkish white, the claws ivory white, all becoming pinker post-mortem. The tarsi,
toes and claws are strikingly thin and delicate, the toes appear long, and the claws
are relatively straight; less than the proximal half of the tarsi is feathered. In normal
postures in life, the wingtips fall slightly beyond the tail tip.

In overall coloration, Otus thilohoffmanni resembles several other species, in
particular O. rufescens, Sokoke Scops-owl O. ireneae (rufous morph), Sandy
Scops-owl O. icterorhynchus, Pemba Scops-owl O. pembaensis (rufous morph),
Mountain Scops-owl O. spilocephalus (rufous morph of races from the central
Himalayas through south-east Asia), Flores Scops-owl O. alfredi, and White-fronted
Scops-owl O. sagittatus. Among Sri Lankan species, the only species with which
thilohoffmanni could be confused is the Sri Lankan race of Oriental Scops-owl Otus
sunia leggei in the rufous morph.

Otus thilohoffmanni differs from ireneae (rufous morph) in its pale (vs. dark)
bill and claws; lack of ear-tufts (vs. short but distinct ear-tufts); more profuse rictal
and other facial bristles, and less defined facial disk; darker, less bright rufous
overall coloration; lack of black streaks on the forehead and upperparts; much
weaker, more rufous wing banding; blackish inner portions of remiges and rectri-
ces; lack of weak fine dark barring below; and mostly unfeathered tarsi (vs.
feathered to toes). It differs from icterorhynchus in lacking ear-tufts (vs. having
long, prominent, upstanding ear-tufts), having almost uniform forehead and crown
(vs. ‘frosted’ white forehead and crown-sides), having longer facial bristles and less
distinct facial disk rim, lacking white diamond-shaped spots above, lacking
prominent white scapulars with black tips, lacking prominent white banding on
wings, having more and larger black spots on underparts, and lacking white spotting
on breast and white barring on lower underparts.

Differences from pembaensis (rufous morph) include the much smaller size of
thilohoffmanni; lack of ear-tufts; lack of black border around facial rim; darker,
more rufous, more uniform facial disk; near lack of pale scapular spots; lack of fine
dark shaft-streaks and pale barring below; more distinctly barred uppertail surface,
much smaller, pale bill; much less extensively feathered, weaker tarsi; and paler,
weaker toes.

D. H. Warakagoda & PC. Rasmussen 89 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

Fig. la—e. Photographs of male of Otus thilohoff-
manni captured on 4 August 2001 in Morapitiya
ER. (a) face, (b) upperparts, (c) right upperwing,
(d) right underwing, (e) underparts, tarsus and
toes (Chandima Kahandawala).

D. H. Warakagoda & PC. Rasmussen 90 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

Differences from alfredi include the orange eye of males (vs. yellow); paler, less
orange-yellow bill; shorter facial bristles and more compact plumage texture (vs.
long soft bristles and softer, fluffier overall plumage in alfredi); more uniformly
rufous face (vs. prominent white-‘frosted’ forehead and supercilia and darker patch
around eye in alfredi); presence of black chevrons on upperparts; lack of diamond-
shaped spots on nape collar; obsolete scapular spots (vs. strong brown and white
spots in alfredi); lack of white banding in wing; much more uniform underparts that
lack the white patterning and vermiculation of alfredi; black spots below (lacking
in alfredi); and much less heavily and extensively feathered tarsi.

Differences from spilocephalus (rufous morph of continental races) include lack
of ear-tufts, near lack of scapular spots (white with black tips in spilocephalus),
more uniformly rufous upperparts with narrow chevrons and other bar-like marks
(vs. large dark brown spots on crown, distinct pale-spotted nape collar, and more
irregularly barred upperparts in spilocephalus), much more uniformly coloured and
patterned underparts (vs. mostly very finely vermiculated, with irregular white
spots and chevrons below in spilocephalus, with more solid-coloured dark breast
patches and white patches in centre of belly and vent, and a lack of black spots);
tarsus much less heavily feathered (vs. nearly entirely feathered in continental races
of spilocephalus).

From sagittatus, thilohoffmanni differs in its much smaller size (especially the
much shorter tail); much plainer face pattern; dark eye patch; mostly whitish, finely
vermiculated facial disk with prominent dark brown border; lack of ear-tufts;
brighter, paler rufous upperparts (darker, more maroon-chestnut in sagittatus); lack
of pale arrowhead-shaped marks on upperparts and presence of black chevrons
above; near lack of scapular spots (buffy and irregularly marked but prominent in
sagittatus); plainer underparts pattern lacking vermiculation on breast and with
stronger blackish spotting below; and much less extensively feathered, much weaker
tarsi. From O. sunia leggei (rufous morph), it differs in lacking the prominent ear-
tufts, and in lacking dark streaking and white barring to the underparts.

The only species that bears a sufficiently close resemblance to O. thilohoffmanni
in external morphology to warrant detailed comparisons is O. rufescens of Malaysia
and the Greater Sundas. The following results from direct comparisons by PCR of
the type specimen of thilohoffmanni with 11 specimens of O. rufescens (one at
USNM, four at AMNH, and six at BMNH [all acronyms are explained in the
Acknowledgements]), and comparison with photos of ten adult specimens of
rufescens at NNM and another at ZMA (rufescens is itself scarce in collections and
few specimens exist beyond those examined in this study). Among the specimens
of rufescens examined, only minor variation exists in colour and pattern, although
it has been considered to have rufous and brown morphs (Konig et al. 1999). The
type specimen of thilohoffmanni is very similar in colour and pattern to all ten
living individuals of the species thus far observed by DHW and colleagues, and it
seems most likely that the species lacks colour morphs. All other known scops-owls
are more dissimilar in appearance to thilohoffmanni than are the above.

Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

91

D. H. Warakagoda & P C. Rasmussen

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D. H. Warakagoda & PC. Rasmussen 92 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

The bill of thilohoffmanni is markedly narrower, less arched, and appears longer
and straighter near the tip than that of rufescens. The rictal bristles of thilohoffmanni
are slightly to much longer than those of rufescens. The facial disk of thilohoff-
manni lacks any hint of a dark rim and the feathers are uniform in colour throughout
their length (vs. a moderately prominent dark rim to the facial disk, with the facial
disk feathers palest immediately proximal to the dark rim in rwfescens), thus
thilohoffmanni has a much plainer, more uniform facial pattern than rufescens. The
feathers of the facial disk rim of thilohofjmanni are softer and less stiffened, and
diffuse-tipped with slightly lengthened shafts or auricular extensions (vs. stiffened,
with straight, compact tips in rufescens). The pale supercilium and front of the
forehead of thilohoffmanni are weaker, more rufescent, and more barred than in
rufescens (which has very prominent whitish supercilia), and show less contrast
with the crown colour and pattern. In thilohoffmanni, the feathers that would in
other scops-owls be elongated as ear-tufts are essentially undifferentiated, being
marked as for adjacent feathers (but perhaps slightly more heavily barred than
surrounding feathers), soft and unstiffened, with rounded tips like the adjacent
feathers (vs. rather long and pointed, stiff ear-tufts with specialised markings in
rufescens).

The feathers of the upperparts of thilohoffmanni entirely lack whitish subtermi-
nal triangles (vs. prominent and generally distributed whitish subterminal triangles
from the crown to the rump in rufescens). The general colour of the upperparts is
distinctly more uniform and more rufous above in thilohoffmanni than in rufescens
(in which most specimens are dark warm brown above, although a few have more
rufous-brown upperparts, and thus are intermediate in colour between typical
rufescens and thilohoffmanni). The scapular spots present in almost all species of
scops-owls (at least as adults) are obsolete in thilohoffmanni, in which the scapulars
are only slightly paler rufous than the surrounding feathers, and are similarly
marked to the surrounding feathers (vs. rufous-buff but fairly distinct and heavily
marked scapular spots in rufescens).

The wings of thilohoffmanni have a great deal of black proximally and on the
inner webs (vs. rufous-brown in rufescens), and the wing banding of thilohoffmanni
is comprised of even-width, rather weak rufous-buff bands alternating with
narrowly dark-outlined rufous bands (vs. moderately to boldly, broad-banded dark
brown and narrower buff wing-bands in rufescens). The undersurface of the outer
primaries of thilohoffmanni is blackish except for the outer webs and tips, whilst the
bases of the inner primaries are more boldly banded (vs. the entire undersurface of
the remiges being rather boldly banded with broad dark and narrow pale bands in
rufescens). The primary-coverts and alula are blackish except at their very tips, and
are markedly and contrastingly different from the surrounding feathers in thilohoff-
manni (vs. coloration and banding similar to the surrounding feathers in rufescens).

The throat of thilohoffmanni is weakly marked, mostly with fine dark barring
and only extremely fine dark streaking (vs. distinctly dark-streaked in rufescens).
The ground colour of the underparts of thilohofjmanni is a somewhat colder, less

D. H. Warakagoda & PC. Rasmussen 93 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

+3 +3 ae ¥
+2 © +2 Q
.N \
= \O
7 alfredi \~ ;
° | 9 Pall
Cc \ /
+1 wo +1 o / ;
wh The a a
as 9
~N Pz spilocephalus / © Z P
wu 0 U 0 / os
a oe a oe w) Z /
thilohoffmanni “er 7 /rufescens
-] 1 o- Se Pel
wp
; ou
-2 oe ireneae ~
a)

— _ ear-tuft!
a :

=a a =] +1 +2 +3 i -3 2 =| 0 rs +2 +3

0
facial bristles, é P Pe
+<— ear-tuft| PC-1 wing/tarsus | Sears <—— bristle |, wing! Pp(C-j billsize, ear-tuft!|——>

a b

Fig. 2a—c. Graph of loadings for individual

specimens from principal components analyses

(PCAs) for (a) skin measurements for Otus

thilohoffmanni and O. rufescens only; (b) skin

measurements for O. thilohoffmanni and other

spilocephalus related species; and (c) skeletal measurements for
a O. thilohoffmanni and two related species.

-
om “
na s
S ‘i
~ 8
OE ds

thilohoffmanni yellowish rufous than that of almost all
specimens examined of rufescens (one
specimen of rufescens had darker and
browner underparts than the others, but
these were still more ochraceous than
PC-1 general size-——> thilohoffmanni). The feathers of the

underparts of thilohoffmanni have very
weak pale shaft-streaks (vs. usually fairly marked pale shaft-streaks in rufescens),
and the dark subterminal spots of the underparts feathers are mostly shorter, less
extensive proximally on the feather than in rufescens (which usually has large
squared spots below, offset by slightly paler areas), with a stronger hint of a dark
cross-bar near the tip. On the breast and lower throat some markings take the form
of short bars or chevrons rather than spots.

The tail of thilohoffmanni is more rufous, with nearly equal-width dark and
rufous bands (vs. dark brown in rufescens with narrow, widely spaced pale bars).
The bases of the inner rectrices and most of the other rectrices of thilohoffmanni are
largely black (vs. brown and like the rest of the tail in rufescens).

The tarsi of thilohoffmanni are less than half-feathered (vs. almost entirely
feathered in rufescens). The podotheca (skin of the toes) of thilohoffmanni is
smooth on its uppersurface, whilst that of rufescens is rougher and more heavily

D. H. Warakagoda & P C. Rasmussen 94 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

TABLE 2
Results of factor analyses of external measurements of O. thilohoffmanni with (a) only O. rufescens
(see Fig. 2a) and with (b) several other species (see Fig. 2b). Variable abbreviations as in Table 1.

a b

Variable PC | loadings PC 2 loadings PC3 loadings PC 1 loadings PC 2 loadings
Culmen | from cere -0.32 0.22 0.85 0.76 0.54
Maxillad at cere -0.39 -0.78 0.46 0.74 0.34
Rictal bristle | 0.97 0.03 0.05 -0.75 0.62
Auricular | 0.83 -0.05 -0.02 --- ---
Ear-tuft | -0.65 0.70 0.06 0.77 0.26
Wing | 0.62 0.32 0.61 -0.47 0.8
Tail | -0.12 0.95 -0).09 --- ---
Tarsus | 0.65 0.23 0.11 --- ---
Variance explained Salis) 2a IES) Heil) LS)

Percent of variance explained 39.33 27.36 16.89 50.09 31.74

t-square for thilohoffmanni 6.86 --- --- 0.09 ---

Probability for thilohoffmanni 0.26 =-- --- 0.96 ---

armoured. The general feather texture of thilohoffmanni is softer and fluffier (vs.
stiffer and harsher in rufescens). In overall size and structure, thilohoffmanni is
similar to rufescens (Table 1) but slightly smaller and more delicately built, with a
longer wing, a longer but weaker tarsus, and a slightly longer digit 2 (the longest
toe). In a principal components analysis (PCA) of external measures (Table 2a, Fig.
2a) in which only thilohoffmanni and rufescens were included, the two were
separated on PC-1, which was primarily a contrast axis between longer facial
bristles, wing length, and tarsus length vs. longer ear-tufts. PC-2 was significant but
did not separate the two species, as specimens of rufescens showed wide variance
on this axis. However, in a PCA that included external measures of several species
of similar owls (Table 2b, Fig. 2b), thilohoffmanni was very similar both to
continental spilocephalus and to balli, and separated only weakly from alfredi and
rufescens. In this model, PC-1 was primarily a contrast axis between bill size and
ear-tuft length vs. facial bristle length and wing length, and thilohoffmanni is
essentially intermediate in these characters between rufescens vs. all the other
included taxa.

In a PCA of skeletal measurements (Tables 3-4, Fig. 2c), rufescens is the largest
species (though differences are slight), spilocephalus the smallest, and thilohoff-
manni very like larger individuals of spilocephalus. Shape contrasts did not
separate the species for the variables measured. Wing shape was measured as
shortfalls of each primary from the longest primary in the folded wing (Fig. 3), and
this showed that thilohoffmanni has a very similar wing shape to rufescens; the
latter may have a slightly broader inner wing but the samples are too small to be
certain. Based on a single specimen, O. icterorhynchus shows a similar wing shape
to the above species. Members of the O. magicus superspecies (shown here are the
Seychelles Scops-owl O. insularis and the Flores subspecies of Moluccan Scops-

D. H. Warakagoda & PC. Rasmussen 95 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

50 @— ©. thilohoffmanni (n=1) Ss.
@ -—O ©. rufescens (n=6-10) F S iin
40 -—---+ ©. insularis (n=6) ee \
E -.-. O.magicus 5 2
€ alviventris (n=15-22) \
aaa = ase la v
30 O. icterorhynchus (n=1) ¢ J \
: | ( \
Qa ‘| ;
ad 20 N
S \ “wer. \
a. oa \
10 » Kitulgala PR j
\ Eratna -
‘ » Gilimate PR
Morapitiya - /

Runakanda PR \g_ Sinharaja FR
\ ‘

feiss 5S 6 7 8 9 10 \ ®\ Kanneliya FR
| Feagee Primary Number aad

Fig. 3. Wing shape (as measured by shortfalls of | Fig. 4. Map of Sri Lanka, showing rainforest tracts
each primary from folded wingtip) of type from which O. thilohoffmanni has thus far been
specimen of Otus thilohoffjmanni, compared recorded. Dashed line shows inland limits of wet
with O. rufescens and selected other species of zone. Largest rainforest tract is divided into the
scops-owls (mean values shown where n>1). western, smaller portion Morapitiya-Runakanda PR.

Data for O. insularis and O. magicus albiventris and the larger, more eastern portion Sinharaja F.R.
are from Rasmussen (1998).

owl O. magicus albiventris) have markedly narrower inner wings (data for other
taxa in Rasmussen 1998 and Lambert & Rasmussen 1998).

Distribution Otus thilohoffmanni is endemic to Sri Lanka. It has thus far been found
only in lowland rainforests of the south-west quarter of the island within an altitu-
dinal range of 30-530 m (Fig. 4). As of January 2004, the species had been detected
in Kitulgala PR. (06°59’N, 80°24’E, c.150 m a.s.l.), Sinharaja F.R. (06°25’N,
80°26’E, c.500 m a.s.1.), Morapitiya-Runakanda P.R. (06°29’N, 80°18°E, c.100 m
a.s.l.), Kanneliya ER. (06°11’N, 80°22’E, c.30 m a.s.l.) and Eratna-Gilimale P.R.
(06°45’°N, 80°26’E, c.100 m a.s.1.).

Description of the holotype (colours from Smithe 1975) Crown rounded, lacking
differentiated ear-tufts, colour closest to Raw Sienna (136), each feather with
several short, narrow Dark Grayish Brown (20) bars across centre. Forehead and
supercilium Cinnamon (30) marked with similar short bars as for crown, the
supercilium slightly paler than forehead. Circumorbital area and ear-coverts
between Raw Sienna and Chestnut (32), with weak, narrow darker barring overall.
Ear-covert feathers lack darker, compact distal ends (e.g. a well-formed facial disk
border is lacking) and they also lack elongated feather shafts. Rictal bristles fairly
long and abundant, and similar in colour to ear-coverts. Nape slightly paler than

Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

96

D. H. Warakagoda & PC. Rasmussen

TABLE 3
Skeletal measurements (in mm) of type specimen of O. thilohoffmanni and similar species.
L = length, h = height, w = width, d = depth.

Species See © a l= 2a = z ao a ee Sake ad ety vee pe
Speteeee Pe Senqcgeee See oa en ce Be gee BY ae oe
Be wee Po Ce ower ee ee OS ae) Boe AOE
Sse ene See Se Soe se SS VE aogece Oisied: tote
5 a, Ae & OF Sts 2 os 3 S
2 17a as & 5 = as) as) = = oy = 3
Oe = : Pe ee SS 8 eo. ts
SENS
8
ee
ae
thilohoffmanni Ree) SO) S037 se. Zile Te Saale 66 8.2 S57] De =): Oren ees - 197 ale eres Sea
rufescens RW Sue AtOmemes One) SO10) 9 2200n il ROMm2no) a wikOue Sime 08 BGR me2OW SS Seemeat 20 Sut Smee oe
SD QSomn OOO MO2 emOnA Os) O04" COZ e em lor RO 2Ge 2 Os. 0) [eS OMe OLO)/ 0,20 OPO en O40)
(n) QB 2 2) OQ Cie) @) VQ) 2) CO Or aor!) Mey 2) 2) @)
icterorhynchus eee SO SG) 254m wees Ay Be OGuene Soe eee side 222. 19.3) eR 3 Sy 53
SD --- wee --- an (h.) ee |, 1.44 0.14 0.07 0.78 0 0.21 0.15
(n) G3) (2) C2) Qe) @) ©) &
spilocephalus [Or eee se DO meOled kG SIMO emA(top wide OP mmeeno, Oe. eDOM ede | 18S ile S16 9237
SD OP OS Ol WA WER Oe ee CR OPS 22 OA) OI Ohib 1S Ohi) IO Oe OIG (hese
(n) oO © OC O CO OOO oo & oO Oo © © © © 8 © © ©

Scapular proximal w
Scapular shaft w

D. H. Warakagoda & PC. Rasmussen 97 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

TABLE 4
Results of factor analyses of skeletal measurements of O. thilohoffmanni,
O. rufescens and O. spilocephalus (see Fig. 2c). Variable abbreviations as in Table 3.

Variable PC | loadings PC 2 loadings PC 3 loadings
Preorbital roof w 0.80 -().48 0.13
Postorbital roof w 0.81 -().49 0.10
Preorbital rim h 0.84 -0).47 0.01
Skull | (w/o maxilla) 0.87 -(0).25 0.37
Max skull w 0.88 0.27 0.32
Max skull h 0.84 0.31 -0.21
Supraorbital process w 0.85 -0).49 0.10
Humerus | 0.74 0.12 0.58
Humerus distal w 0.88 0.29 0.19
Humerus head + deltoid crest w 0.35 0.74 -0).53
Humerus head w/o deltoid crest w 0.91 0.19 -().32
Femur | 0.51 0.73 0.35
Femur proximal w 0.67 0.62 -(0).29
Femur shaft w 0.67 0.3 -(0).28
Coracoid | 0.95 0.001 0.15
Coracoid shaft w 0.68 -0).39 -0).46
Procoracoid + head w 0.71 -0).48 -(0).46
Scapular | 0.97 -0).02 0.05
Scapular proximal w -().25 0.78 0.33
Scapular shaft w 0.62 0.55 -0.13
Variance explained 11.66 4.20 195
Percent of variance explained 58.30 20.99 9.64
t-square for thilohoffmanni 5.45 --- ---
Probability for thilohoffmanni 0.37 --- ---

crown and similarly marked. Mantle same colour or slightly more rufescent than
crown, the markings darker but more widely spaced. Lower back and rump have
weaker, more closely spaced dark bars than mantle. Scapulars Cinnamon with
weak, widely spaced dark bars, each with a stronger small dark subterminal mark;
edges and tips of each scapular more rufous, closer to Tawny than Cinnamon.
Secondary-coverts Antique Brown (37) with very fine pale shaft-streaks and tiny
dark spots along the shaft; greater coverts close to Cinnamon with larger, blacker
shaft-spots. Alula mottled Antique Brown and Cinnamon on outer webs and
extreme tips, grading to Dusky Brown (19) on inner webs. Greater primary-coverts
Dusky Brown except for Cinnamon on extreme tips. Outer webs and tips of primar-
ies and secondaries moderately banded with even-width dark and pale bands of Raw
Sienna bounded on both sides by narrow Dark Brownish Olive (129) bars, alternat-
ing with pale bands between Cinnamon and Buff; these grade on inner webs to
Dusky Brown. Upper tail surface Raw Sienna, weakly and incompletely banded
Dusky Brown, the bands stronger on outer webs of outer rectrices, the inner webs
and basal portions of each rectrix predominantly Dusky Brown. Throat Cinnamon

D. H. Warakagoda & P. C. Rasmussen 98 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

Bm

KHz po

SBC 0.5

(b)

Fig. 5a—c. Sonograms of territorial songs of
(a) O. thilohofjmanni (recorded by DHW), (b)
O. rufescens (recording from Malaysia, by J. T.
Marshall, from recording in Marshall 1978),
and (c) O. spilocephalus (recorded by Pratap
Singh, in Himachal Pradesh, north-west
India).

with very fine, weak darker shaft-streaks. Breast between Tawny (38) and
Cinnamon, with short, narrow, Dark Grayish Brown chevrons overall, larger and
more triangular on lower breast. Flanks Cinnamon with triangular Dark Grayish
Brown spots overall. Centre of belly between Buff (124) and Cinnamon, and
essentially unmarked. Tarsal feathering covers less than half the tarsus and is
unmarked Cinnamon, slightly darker on front of tarsus and paler, almost whitish, in
rear and near distal edge of feathering. Bill wholly pale, laterally compressed, and
not sharply curved, with a rather long hooked tip. Tarsi, toes and claws weak,
slender, elongate, and entirely pale.

Specimens Only the holotype is known.

Measurements of the holotype (in mm) Total length (crown to tail tip) c.165,
culmen (from cere) 12.9, wing 129, tail 63, tarsus 27.7 (see also Table 1).

Voice The song of Otus thilohoffmanni (Fig. 5a) is unobtrusive and easily
overlooked. It is diagnostic to species when known but so simple in form and so
infrequently delivered that it is easy to understand how the existence of the bird was
overlooked until recently. In the forest the song has a ventriloquial quality. The
female gives a short, piping, musical, tremulous note pU’U’u that rises slightly and
falls again in pitch, identical notes being uttered in series but each note separated
by a considerable pause (frequency of recording by DHW 0.65—0.8 kHz, note
length 0.3 seconds, repeated after 15—29 seconds). The male gives a slightly lower
pitched, slightly shorter, less tremulous version (frequency of recording by DHW

D. H. Warakagoda & PC. Rasmussen 99 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

0.55—0.7 kHz, note length 0.2 seconds, repeated after 22—35 seconds).

Despite its unobtrusiveness, the song of O. thilohoffmanni is distinctive and
diagnostic. It resembles that of O. rufescens (Fig. 5b) more than any other regional
scops-owl species; however, the song of the latter is louder, longer, more piping,
higher pitched, and less quavering, and the differences are consistent with treatment
as separate species. The song of O. spilocephalus (Fig. 5c) is an oft-repeated pair of
monotonous, short, more bell-like notes, whilst that of O. alfredi is still unknown
(suggesting that its song must be inconspicuous or atypical for an owl).

Etymology We name the new owl in honour of Mr Thilo W. Hoffmann, who has for
so long done much for nature conservation and ornithology in Sri Lanka. Mr
Hoffmann was almost single-handedly responsible for saving from destruction the
Sinharaja forest, where the owl was first observed.

We chose for the species the common name Serendib Scops-owl, which has
already appeared informally in some other publications. ‘Serendib’ (also rendered
‘Serendip’) is an ancient name for Sri Lanka. It is the word from which ‘Ceylon’
and a variety of other words were derived, including the English word ‘serendipity’,
which aptly describes the unexpected and happy discovery of this new owl.

Remarks

Habitat and ecology Otus thilohoffmanni has thus far been located only in larger
tracts of lowland rainforest, at 30-530 m. All of the localities in which the bird has
been observed so far have been disturbed areas with dense, tall secondary growth.
The owl appears to be generally rare but common very locally at certain sites.

Otus thilohoffmanni is essentially a nocturnal forest bird of secretive habits.
However, it usually commences vocalising at dusk, remaining at its roost until
darkness falls. Then it starts flying around exploring for food in the vicinity,
vocalising for some time while doing this. It nearly always roosts near the ground
(sometimes as low as c.1 m), judging from the position of calls at dusk and one
observation. The bird’s coloration, size and shape camouflage it very well among
clumps of drying or dry leaves, or dead fallen leaves, in dense undergrowth consist-
ing of bamboo, viz. Davidsea attenuata, Ochlandra_ stridula_ and
Pseudoxythenanthera monadelpha, tree ferns Cyathea spp., other ferns, creepers
and other such vegetation, and it has been observed roosting in such a place. It
keeps to cover at all times. From observations it appears that a pair maintains a
territory year-round. Vocalisations are more frequent in localities with higher
densities of the species. It appears from the distribution of vocalisation types heard
and one direct observation that the male and female roost apart.

Our observations suggest that for about the first two hours after dark O.
thilohoffmanni hunts for prey in the undergrowth. It has been seen capturing and
consuming beetles and moths, and analysis of stomach contents of the type
specimen revealed the partly digested legs, head and elytra of three beetles

Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

100

D. H. Warakagoda & PC. Rasmussen

TABLE 5
Qualitative osteological characters of type specimen of O. thilohoffmanni and other Otus species. L = length, w = width, h = height. Species/species
groups that share characters with or are very similar to thilohoffmanni indicated in boldface type.

Characters
Species n Interorbital =Supra- Post- _—Post- Temporal Lateral Angle Cranial —_Lateral Humerus —_Bicipital Coracoid Scapula — Sternal
roof w orbital orbital orbital groove production ofotic flange § rimof shaft crest keel h
(anterior vs. process process process —_bridge ofexternal capsule ofotic preorbital _— distal lateral
posterior) | W direction rim of otic external capsule expansion — expansion
capsule vs. vs. (relative to
postorbital — internal rest of
process rims shaft)
thilohoffmanni | much inter- very much unbridged less angle much moderately very little very very weakest,
partial narrower mediate broad more produced very thinner inflated _ slightly expanded slender _— slender _shallowest
caudally shallow expanded
rufescens J} much rather very somewhat nearly to less angle much most slightly little fairly very weak,
narrower long, broad more very narrowly produced shallow thinner inflated expanded expanded slender slender __ shallow
spiky caudally bridged
spilocephalus 5 much small fairly somewhat nearly to less angle much moderately slightly little fairly very weakest,
narrower broad more very narrowly produced shallow thinner inflated expanded expanded _— slender _— slender _shallowest
caudally bridged
bakkamoena several much very long, fairly _slightly nearly to more angle —_ thin, moderately moderately _ little to fairly somewhat slightly
sensu lato narrower — spiky broad more broadly produced shallow somewhat inflated expanded moderately slender _— thicker ~~— to much
(usually) anteriorly bridged variable expanded deeper
icterorhynchus | full, much small much more unbridged more angle = --- inflated moderately moderately heavier _fatrly moderately
2 partial narrower less anteriorly produced —_ very expanded expanded slender deep
broad deep
SCOps several — equal- small much more broadly much angle thick not moderately moderately _ fairly slightly moderately
width less anteriorly bridged more moderate inflated expanded expanded slender thicker deep
broad produced — to deep
rutilus 4 equal- small much = --- narrowly more angle thick inflated expanded moderately heavier = --- -
width less broad bridged produced deep expanded
insularis l equal- --- - “- = more angle thick not = -- heavier = --- shallow
partial — width produced deep inflated
flammeolus several equal- small much — much very much angle thick not moderately _ little heavier very relatively
width less more broadly more shallow inflated expanded expanded slender very deep
broad anteriorly ~—_ bridged produced
Megascops spp. several equal- small less slightly to moderately much angle thick slightly broadly moderately —_ fairly slightly to robust,
spp. width broad distinctly —_to broadly more moderate inflated expanded to broadly slender _— distinctly very deep
more bridged produced — to deep expanded to heavier thicker

anteriorly

D. H. Warakagoda & PC. Rasmussen 101 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

(Scarabaeidae), which had been consumed on the night of capture. The species is
able to exploit this feeding niche of the forest during this time, as it then has no
nocturnal bird as a competitor. The sympatric nocturnal Ceylon Frogmouth
Batrachostomus moniliger, which hunts the same food, roosts as low but flies to
higher levels to feed. The sympatric, partially diurnal, endemic Chestnut-backed
Owlet Glaucidium castanonotum hunts at low levels in daylight and higher levels
nocturnally. Both these species probably become the new owl’s competitors later in
the night, when it begins to explore higher levels for the same prey.

When O. thilohoffmanni hunts in the undergrowth it often perches easily on thin
angled and vertical twigs and stems of plants, the most readily available perches at
this level. The small, weak legs and toes may be an adaptation for this light-bodied
bird to use such perches. After feeding at this level it usually flies somewhat higher
to rest, sometimes for a prolonged period, on a branch that is horizontal or nearly
so. When resting it often assumes a ‘relaxed’ position, which is a rather hunched
posture with eyes partially closed and feathers somewhat fluffed. After resting it
resumes feeding, now at a higher level, between the undergrowth and subcanopy. Its
vocal activity peaks again during the last two hours before dawn.

In rainforests of the wet zone O. thilohoffmanni replaces the Indian Scops-owl
O. bakkamoena. The latter avoids wet forests and occurs in wooded habitats outside
these, even around human dwellings. Compared with the two forest species
mentioned above, other nocturnal birds occurring sympatrically with O. thilohoff-
manni are rare in this habitat. These are: Bay Owl Phodilus badius assimilis, Forest
Eagle-owl Bubo nipalensis, Brown Fish-owl Bubo zeylonensis, Brown Wood-owl
Strix leptogrammica, Brown Hawk-owl Ninox scutulata and Jungle Nightjar
Caprimulgus indicus. Amongst these the Bay Owl also exploits the same levels of
forest vegetation and may be encountered hunting for the same prey, but its diet is
broader, and the species appears to be much rarer. Brown Hawk-owl is another
possible competitor, but it is quite local and rare in Sri Lankan rainforests, and it is
sympatric to a much greater degree with the Indian Scops-owl. The other three owls
seek larger prey, and the nightjar explores the high canopy in its brief hunting forays
to the forest.

Systematic relationships Although Otus thilohoffmanni lacks ear-tufts, we initially
believed it to be a member of the genus Otus (sensu lato) based on its general
appearance and obvious resemblance to O. rufescens. Nevertheless, we could not
readily detect external characters diagnostic of the large, highly variable genus
Otus, even when restricted to the Old World members, now recognised as generi-
cally distinct from most New World members, which have been separated by recent
authorities as Megascops. However, we were able to confirm the allocation of O.
thilohoffmanni to the subfamily Striginae (which contains mainly the ear-tufted
genera Otus and Bubo and their close relatives, and the non-tufted Strix) as opposed
to the Surniinae (in which most non-tufted owls fall, including, among small owls,
the genera Glaucidium, Athene, and Ninox) by the lack of a triangular dorsal

D. H. Warakagoda & P C. Rasmussen 102 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

process on the jugal bar. Presence or absence of this process is considered diagnos-
tic to subfamily within the Strigidae (Ford 1967), and observations during our study
are consistent with Ford’s conclusions regarding this osteological character.

Although O. rufescens seems to be the most similar species to thilohoffmanni in
external appearance, numerous differences exist that suggested the relationship
might not be particularly close or the resemblances might even be convergent.
These include the very different upperparts pattern, the different facial disk
structure, and major differences in ear-tuft development, bill shape, and tarsal and
foot characteristics. Otus spilocephalus, despite its many plumage differences even
in the extreme rufous morph, is however more similar in certain external structural
characters to thilohoffmanni than is rufescens, such as the pattern of the upperparts,
its soft plumage and well-developed facial bristles, its weak, unarmoured toes, a
similar wing-banding pattern, and its tendency to have blackish bases to the flight
feathers (but much less markedly so than in thilohoffmanni).

Osteological comparisons (Table 5) further confirmed the correct generic
placement of O. thilohoffmanni. Further study is needed of more material to enable
reconstruction of the phylogenetic relationships of thilohoffmanni, but based on
overall similarity and lack of significant differences, we are now confident that it is
indeed closely related to rufescens, and may be its sister species. However, most of
these osteological similarities are also shared with O. spilocephalus (and probably
with other similar taxa for which skeletal specimens are not available, such as O.
balli and O. alfredi), and in external and skeletal proportions, thilohoffmanni is
more like these taxa than any are to rufescens. All other groups of scops-owls (for
which skeletons were available) differ in several osteological characters from
thilohoffmanni, rufescens and spilocephalus. Thus the question of the sister taxon
to thilohoffmanni may not be resolvable until DNA-based phylogenetic analyses can
be carried out. We are planning such studies but are greatly hampered in this by the
lack of material for most of the related taxa and the scarcity of museum specimens,
especially recent ones. We can, however, state with confidence that O. thilohoff-
manni is one of the more distinctive bird species endemic to Sri Lanka, and that it
must have had a fairly long separate evolutionary history on the island.

The juvenile (mesoptile) plumage of O. thilohoffmanni remains unknown. That
of O. rufescens (based on an NNM specimen) is almost uniform rich rufescent
brown, with a weakly defined dark facial disk rim, and very vague, almost obsolete
dark barring, strongest on the hindcrown and upper mantle. However, the juvenile
(mesoptile) plumage of rufous-morph continental races of spilocephalus is more
heavily but still vaguely barred dark and pale over its generally rufous downy
plumage. Thus, the juvenile of rwfescens resembles the adult of thilohoffmanni even
more strongly than does the adult (except for the downy texture of its plumage), and
the juvenile plumage of thilohoffmanni may well be similar to that of one of these
species.

D. H. Warakagoda & PC. Rasmussen 103 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

Conservation As of January 2004 c.45 individuals of Otus thilohoffmanni are
known from the five sites listed above, each of which is one of Sri Lanka’s few large
remaining rainforests. Each is a protected area administered as a Forest Reserve
(F.R.) or Proposed Reserve (P.R.) by the Forest Department of Sri Lanka. The
species apparently requires a large, fairly intact area of rainforest of a certain size
and richness, yet to be quantified and accurately described. It has not been found in
rainforests smaller than 8.2 km* in extent. A number of such remnant patches are
scattered in the wet zone, and several of these were unsuccessfully surveyed by
DHW and colleagues. Of the forests where the species is so far known to occur, its
strongholds are the Sinharaja and Morapitiya-Runakanda reserves, which are
contiguous and may be considered as effectively one tract.

We believe there are more individuals of O. thilohofjmanni living in these five
forests than the 45 detected so far. However, from the data gathered the species
occupies a quite restricted range within Sri Lanka. The total extent of these five
forests is c.230 km’. This can be considered the extent of occurrence of the species
as known so far. The initial survey has now investigated c.60% of wet-zone forests
out of a total area of such forests estimated at c.2,200 km’ in 1995 (Legg & Jewell
1995). Based on present knowledge we would therefore propose for O. thilohoff-
manni the IUCN Red List Category ‘Endangered’ (EN), as it meets criteria B.1.a,
B.1.b, B.2.a and B.2.b (and possibly also C.2.a and D) (IUCN 2001).

It has long been believed that the composition of the avifauna of Sri Lanka is
well known compared to that of other Asian countries. In 1951 W. W. A. Phillips,
one of the foremost authorities on the island’s avifauna and a resident of Sri Lanka
for three decades, stated that it was ‘most improbable that a bird entirely new to
science could now exist in Ceylon’ (as the country was known then) (Spittel 1951).
Indeed, very few bird species new to science have been discovered anywhere in
South Asia in the past few decades; the others are the morphologically cryptic
Nepal Wren-babbler Pnoepyga immaculata, which had previously been collected
but not recognised as distinct until its vocalisations were studied (Martens & Eck
1991); the enigmatic Sillem’s Mountain-finch Leucosticte sillemi, still known only
from two specimens collected in 1929 and not recognised as distinct for many years
(Roselaar 1992); and the Nicobar Scops-owl Otus alius, which was first collected
in 1966 but misidentified as O. sunia, then attributed to (but not formally described
as) a race of the widespread O. magicus, until it was recognised and described as a
full species (Rasmussen 1998). Thus, Otus thilohoffmanni is unique among the
birds of South Asia in having been totally overlooked by collectors and other field
naturalists alike until its discovery by DHW on the basis of its unfamiliar vocalisa-
tions.

Acknowledgements
We sincerely thank all of the following: the relevant officials and Research Committees of the
Department of Wildlife Conservation, in particular Mr A. P. A. Gunasekera and Mr P. C. M. B. Herath.,
Directors-General, and Mr H. D. Ratnayake, Deputy Director for Research & Education, and of the
Forest Department, in particular Mr M. P. A. U. Sarath Fernando, Conservator-General, and Mr D. P.

D. H. Warakagoda & PC. Rasmussen 104 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

Dominique, Assistant Conservator, who provided permissions and assistance to conduct the preliminary
field work and survey, to collect the type specimen, and to lend it to PCR for study and museum compar-
isons. The relevant officials and staff of the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH), New York;
National Museum, Colombo; Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, Berkeley (MVZ);
The Natural History Museum, Tring, UK (BMNH); National Museum of Natural History, Leiden
(NNM); National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. (USNM):
University of Michigan Museum of Zoology, Ann Arbor (UMMZ); and Zoological Museum of
Amsterdam (ZMA) permitted access to and loan of specimens. The Smithsonian Institution, Mr John
Deppman, Mr T. W. Hoffmann, Mr Gunter Lamsfuss, A. Baur & Co. Ltd., Sunbird Ltd., Mr Lester
Perera, Dr R. Rudran, Mr Nigel Redman, Ms Dorothy Parker, Mr Peter Landry and Mrs Jo Ann and Mr
Hue McKenzie provided funds and equipment to the study project. Mr Jonathan Eames facilitated initial
liaison between DHW and PCR; Mr Azim Ghouse and Ms Shirani Johnpillai of Computer Systems
International Ltd. provided electronic scans of photographs of the new species; Mr Pratap Singh
provided a tape-recording of Otus spilocephalus reproduced here as a sonogram; Mr Jagath
Gunawardana advised on legalities; the Ceylon Bird Club acted as the collaborating institution in the
study project; Brigadier S. T. Abeyratne helped with information on relevant areas; Mr K. D. Thandula
Jayarathna provided additional information from Sinharaja FR; Mr D. Gunadasa offered accommoda-
tion for our work in Morapitiya-Runakanda P.R.; Dr S. Kodikara dissected the type specimen and
extracted samples of blood and tissue; Mr Gamini Kumara Vithana, Taxidermist, Mrs Chamalka
Kothalawala, Assistant Taxidermist, and their staff at the National Museum, Colombo, prepared the type
specimen and determined its sex; Mr Lakshman Weeratunga, Curator of Entomology, National Museum,
Colombo, identified insects in the stomach of the type specimen; and Mr Suranjan Fernando suggested
the proposal in this paper of IUCN Red List status for the new species, and provided relevant literature.
We thank especially Dr Pathmanath Samaraweera for his four accurate and beautiful paintings that
serve as a frontispiece to this paper; our colleagues in the study project, Messrs Chandima Kahandawala,
Kithsiri Gunawardena, Nanda Senanayake, and Niran Caldera for their time, assistance and encourage-
ment given so generously in many ways, that made it a success; and Mr Udaya Sirivardana for his
extraordinary contributions to the study project and publications relating to the new species.

References:

Ford, N. 1967. A systematic study of the owls based on comparative osteology. Ph.D. dissertation. Univ.
of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI. 3

IUCN. 2001. JUCN Red List categories and criteria: version 3.1. (UCN Species Survival Commission,
Gland & Cambridge, UK.

Konig, C., Weick, F. & Becking, J.-H. 1999. Owls: a guide to the owls of the world. Yale Univ. Press,
New Haven.

Lambert, F. R. & Rasmussen, P. C. 1998. A new scops owl from Sangihe Island, Indonesia. Bull. Brit.
Orn. Cl. 118: 204-217.
Legg, C. & Jewell, N. 1995. A 1:50,000 scale forest map of Sri Lanka: the basis for a National Forest
Geographic Information System. The Sri Lanka Forester, special issue, Remote Sensing: 3—24.
Marshall, J. T. 1978. Systematics of smaller Asian night birds based on voice. American Ornithologists’
Union, Washington, D.C.

Martens, J. & Eck, S. 1991. Pnoepyga immaculata n. sp., eine neue bodenbewohnende Timalie aus dem
Nepal-Himalaya. J. Orn. 32: 179-198.

Rasmussen, P. C. 1998. A new scops owl from Great Nicobar Island. Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl. 118: 141-153.

Rasmussen, P. C., Schulenberg, T. S., Hawkins, A. F. A. & Voninavoka, R. 2000. Geographic variation in
the Malagasy Scops-Owl (Otus rutilus auct.): the existence of an unrecognized species on
Madagascar and the taxonomy of other Indian Ocean taxa. Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl. 120: 75-102.

Roselaar, C. S. 1992. A new species of mountain finch Leucosticte from western Tibet. Bull. Brit. Orn.
G1. 44D5: 225523 18

Smithe, F. B. 1975. Naturalist’s color guide. American Museum of Natural History, New York.

Spittel, R. L. (ed.) 1951. Broad-billed Roller story. Loris 6: 326.

Warakagoda, D. 2001a. Discovery of a new species of owl in Sri Lanka. Ceylon Bird Club Notes January-
February: 1+.

D. H. Warakagoda & PC. Rasmussen 105 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

Warakagoda, D. 2001b. The new species of scops owl in Sri Lanka. Zito 6 (2): 54-59.

Warakagoda, D. 2001c. The discovery of Serendib Scops Owl Otus sp. Sri Lanka Naturalist 4 (4): 57-59

Warakagoda, D. 2001d. The discovery of a new owl. Loris 22 (5): 45-47.

Warakagoda, D. 200le. Seeking and studying the new owl: the Serendib Scops Owl project in the peri-
od July-December 2001. Loris 22 (6): 19-20.

White, T. 1984. A field guide to the bird songs of South-East Asia. British Library, National Sound
Archive, London.

Widodo, W., Cox, J. H. & Rasmussen, P. C. 1999. Rediscovery of the Flores Scops Owl Otus alfredi on
Flores, Indonesia, and reaffirmation of its specific status. Forktail 15: 15-23.

Addresses: Deepal H. Warakagoda, Ceylon Bird Club, 39, Chatham Street, Colombo 1, Sri Lanka, e-
mail: birdclub@sltnet.Ik. Pamela C. Rasmussen, Michigan State University Museum & Department
of Zoology, West Circle Drive, East Lansing, MI 48824-1045 USA, e-mail: rasmus39@msu.edu

APPENDIX
Methods developed during this study for mist-netting and viewing small owls.

Movable mist-net method. On 4 August 2001 DHW, Kithsiri Gunawardena and Chandima Kahandawala
attempted to capture an individual of O. thilohoffmanni at Morapitiya-Runakanda P.R using mist-nets in
the standard manner. Several nets were drawn across posts struck in the ground. They were laid to
intercept the bird when flying in different directions within a part of its territory. Each set of nets (across
each pair of posts) covered a height of c.1.5—8 m. The owl was coaxed into these by playback of the
species’ vocalisation. In several attempts the bird was seen first on one side of a net and soon after on
the other, somehow evading it.

It was then suggested by Chandima Kahandawala that mist-nets to cover the same height range be
set up across two posts not embedded in the ground but each steadied by one person, and the system
moved towards the owl sideways along a path while listening to it in the dark (when the bird responded
to playback). This method soon proved successful.

It was difficult to move the heavy posts used on that occasion and maintain tautness in the nets to
prevent their loops around the poles from slipping, while staying silent in darkness. A pair of stiff and
strong but light posts in several sections that can be assembled quickly was designed and constructed by
Niran Caldera. The height of the nets can be varied before or after the system is set up. The loops engage
small projections on the posts. Whilst they do not slide down when the posts are slightly slackened on
the move, a net can be lowered quickly by prising the loops off with a light, suitably shaped rod. This
system was used on 9 November 2002 at Morapitiya-Runakanda PR. in taking the type specimen and
brought success easily. We believe this method will be useful for researchers attempting to capture small
owls and other related nightbirds in the dark.

Rim method of lighting. Artificial light is essential for nocturnal observations in studying the behaviour
of O. thilohoffmanni. In the initial stages of the project it appeared that the bird was discomfited when
the brighter centre of the beam of light was directed toward its face for more than several seconds. To
avoid this problem, DHW and colleagues began to aim the beam slightly away so that a less bright outer
circle of light fell on the bird for prolonged viewing. They observed that the bird then exhibited no
discomfort. This was indicated by it reverting to its normal behaviour in chasing after and feeding on
insects, flying about normally and perching in its ‘relaxed pose’ after feeding well. The same response
was seen in other nocturnal birds observed in forests during the project. We found that the use of artifi-
cial light in this manner does not greatly disturb the normal nocturnal activities of nightbirds.

© British Ornithologists’ Club 2004

Whittaker et al. 106 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

First confirmed record of Oilbird
Steatornis caripensis for Brazil

by Andrew Whittaker, Axel H. Antoine-Feill S. &
Robin Schetele Z.

Received 14 February 2003

The Oilbird Steatornis caripensis is a rather unusual New World Caprimulgiform
and is unique in being the only nocturnal avian frugivore in the world. It occurs
locally in montane northern Venezuela, and in the Andes from western Venezuela to
western Bolivia, together with the tepuis of southern Venezuela, eastern Colombia,
Guyana and Trinidad (Ridgely & Greenfield 2001).

Oilbirds are gregarious, with colonies occupying large dark caves, which are
used both as daytime roosts and for breeding. They depart the caves at dusk, flying
long distances to forage gregariously for fruit, apparently locating aromatic fruit by
smell and non-aromatic fruits such as palms by sight (Snow 1962). Recent genetic
analysis of Caprimulgiformes indicates that Oilbirds were the earliest to branch
away from all lineages (Brumfield et al. 1997), with the species’ closest affinities
thought to be with Nyctibiidae (potoos) and Caprimulgidae (nightjars). The distinct
rufous plumage and bold white spotting of the Oilbird cause it to resemble superfi-
cially the much smaller Rufous Potoo Nyctibius bracteatus.

On 21 May 1998 at Palmari Lodge, rio Javari, Amazonas (04°17’S, 70°17’ W)
the freshly dead remains of an Oilbird were found by A. Antoine-Feill S. and R.
Scheiele Z., along a forest trail through virgin terra firme. Feather samples were
collected and five feathers, a primary, two secondaries, one rectrix and a mantle
feather, were deposited in the Instituto Nacional de Pesquisa da Amazonia, Manaus
(INPA 447) as material evidence for this, the first confirmed Brazilian record. AW
made a direct comparison of the Palmari feathers with two Venezuelan specimens
at the Museu Emilio Goeldi in Belém (MPEG 33147-48) from the rio Paragua,
Cerro Urutani, Bolivar. This confirmed beyond doubt that the feathers belonged to
an Oilbird.

Following the discovery at Palmari, communication with local inhabitants
revealed that they not only knew of the presence locally of Oilbirds, they also
described the birds’ plumage, habits and characteristic screaming calls.
Furthermore, they informed how Oilbirds are sometimes killed on river cliffs or
hollow trees, as they roost by day, later being used as torches by the community as
they burn well for long periods. Historically, nestlings were collected by indigenous
peoples and cooked to extract a clear, odourless oil that was used mostly for
cooking or in some localities for lighting (del Hoyo et al. 1999).

From adjacent Peru, D. Graham (pers. comm.) has reported a recent observation
of a lone Oilbird. At 2100 h on 1 January 2002 at Paucarillo Forest Reserve, Loreto
(03°41’S, 72°11’°W), along the rio Orosa, DG and eight other ornithologists
observed an Oilbird at close quarters. The bird was observed in flight by means of

Whittaker et al. 107 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

a strong spotlight beam in which it became disoriented, whereupon it flew towards
the light and started to emit strong clicking sounds while it briefly flew in tight
circles. The bird remained in the beam, 10—15 m above the riverbank, for c.45
seconds before flying strongly away. This Amazonian locality is c.225 km west-
northwest from Palmari and on the south bank of the Amazon.

Sick (1984) was the first to report the possibility of Oilbird penetrating
Brazilian territory, from occupied caves he located in 1970, in southern Venezuela
close to the Brazilian frontier. During the mid 1980s, several colonies were discov-
ered in the Venezuelan state of Bolivar, including a huge colony at Aguapira with
as many as 10,000 birds. Sick (1993) included Oilbird as occurring in northern
Brazil, in Roraima, because the Cerro Urutani has been known to hold an active
Oilbird colony since 1978. The cave entrance is 228 m from Brazilian territory
(Dickerman & Phelps 1982). However, no sight or specimen records were available
confirming the occurrence of Oilbirds in Brazil. Given this, it was highly likely that
the species would be confirmed from northern Brazil, most probably from the
highlands of Roraima. It was surprising, therefore, to have discovered it in the
lowlands of western Amazonian Brazil.

The recent Amazonian lowland records from Brazil and Peru, in May and
January, together with the comments of the local community around Palmari,
strongly suggest that these occurrences in the lowlands may not refer to transitory
individuals and that the species may prove be more widespread in Amazonia.

The nearest known breeding colony to Palmari in Colombia is c.600 km to the
north-northwest in the tablelands of Vaupés (Olivares 1964, Hilty & Brown 1986).
Colonies in Peru (T. Schulenberg pers. comm.) are mostly from Andean foothills
800—900 km away, but a recent record from Tahuayo (08°01°S, 74°02’W), c.600 km
distant, is the closest record, east across the rio Ucayali. Roca (1994), using radio
telemetry in Venezuela on ten Oilbirds, recorded the maximum nocturnal foraging
range as 150 km, although one bird moved 240 km in a single night to another
roosting cave, demonstrating that the species can cover long distances quickly. It
has also been recorded as a vagrant from Tobago, Panama and Costa Rica (Cleere
1998).

We suggest that further field work in western Amazonian Brazil and adjacent
Peru should aim to locate Oilbirds and confirm their status. This might reveal
whether the records reported here involved an unknown lowland colony. If a
breeding population does exist, we strongly recommend that new specimens and
tissue samples be collected, and a thorough comparison of these materials be made
with highland birds in order to evaluate whether these birds represent a new taxon.

Acknowledgements
We thank T. S. Schulenberg and D. Graham for sharing their knowledge and unpublished data. The
manuscript was enhanced by comments and suggestions by Nigel Cleere and Chris Feare, to whom we
are very grateful. Maria L. Videira at the Museum Emilio Goeldi, Belém, permitted AW to examine
Oilbird specimens held in the collection. AW also acknowledges the wonderful hospitality provided by
Palmari Lodge.

Whittaker et al. 108 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

References:

Brumfield, R. T., Swofford, D. L. & Braun M. J. 1997. Evolutionary relationships among the potoos
(Nyctibiidae) based on isozymes. Pp. 129-145 in Remsen, J. V. (ed.) Studies in Neotropical ornithol-
ogy honoring Ted Parker. Orn. Monogr. No. 48.

Cleere, N. 1998. Nightjars. A guide to the nightjars and related nightbirds. Pica Press, Robertsbridge.

Dickerman, R. W. & Phelps, W. H. 1982. An annotated list of the birds of Cerro Urutani, on the border
of Estado Bolivar, Venezuela and Territorio Roraima, Brazil. Amer. Mus. Novit. 273: 1-20.

Hilty, S. L. & Brown W. L. 1986. A guide to the birds of Colombia. Princeton Univ. Press.

del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. & Sargatal, J. (eds.) 1999. Handbook of the birds of the world, vol. 5. Lynx
Edicions, Barcelona.

Olivares, A. 1964. Adiciones a las aves de la Comisaria del Vaupés (Colombia), II. Caldasia 9: 379-393.

Roca, R. L. 1994. Oilbirds of Venezuela: ecology and conservation. Publ. Nuttall Orn. Cl. 24.
Cambridge, MA.

Ridgely, R. S. & Greenfield, P. J. 2001. The birds of Ecuador. Cornell Univ. Press, Ithaca, NY.

Sick, H. 1993. Birds in Brazil: a natural history. Princeton Univ. Press.

Snow, D. W. 1962. Natural history of the Oilbird Steatornis caripensis, in Trinidad, WI. Part II.
Population, breeding, ecology and food. Zoologica 47: 199-221.

Addresses: Andrew Whittaker, Conjunto Acarigara, Rua Samaumas 214, Manaus 69085-410, Amazonas,
Brazil, e-mail: andrew@birdingbraziltours.com. Axel H. Antoine-Feill S. & Robin Scheiele Z.,
Apartado Aéreo (POB) 94438, Bogota D.C., Colombia.

© British Ornithologists’ Club 2004

Rapid speciation by a Lesser Antillean endemic,
Barbados Bullfinch Loxigilla barbadensis

by R.A. Buckley & Francine G. Buckley
Received 9 Fune 2003

The small endemic West Indian emberizine known as the Lesser Antillean Bullfinch
Loxigilla noctis is widespread in the Leeward and Windward Lesser Antilles (Fig.
1). It has usually been regarded as highly polytypic and nine subspecies are
currently recognised (Table 1). With one exception, all are strongly sexually dichro-
matic: males are jet black with rufous throats, rufous or black undertail-coverts, and
black bills; females are brownish-olive, paler ventrally, with horn-coloured bills.

The exception is the population found only on the isolated and geologically
discrete island of Barbados. Originally described by Cory (1886) as a separate
species, Barbados Bullfinch Loxigilla barbadensis, nearly all subsequent workers,
hewing to 20th-century taxonomic practice, have treated it as another subspecies of
the Lesser Antillean Bullfinch, its scientific name then becoming Loxigilla noctis
barbadensis. However, the bullfinches resident on Barbados differ in one striking
way from the other eight named populations of the Lesser Antillean Bullfinch: they
exhibit no sexual dichromatism. In the light of recent treatments of other allopatric
West Indian bird populations, reconsideration of the taxonomic status of barbaden-
sis 1S warranted.

PA. Buckley & Francine G. Buckley 109 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

Background

Until the mid 1980s, essentially the only examinations of Lesser Antillean
Bullfinch’s biology concerned its taxonomy (Hellmayr 1938, Bond 1956). Then,
Bird (1983) compared the behaviour and ecology of barbadensis with that of
several other Lesser Antillean Bullfinches, especially St Lucia’s sclateri and St
Vincent’s crissalis, the two geographically closest to barbadensis. Regrettably, no
portion of that thesis has ever been published and, despite intense efforts, we have
been unable to contact its author. It nonetheless remains a seminal work bearing on
the taxonomic status of barbadensis.

Equally important information concerns the geological history and age of
Barbados. Here, too, the picture has now been clarified, and Barbados’s striking
geological history and youth, especially its relationship to islands in the main Lesser
Antillean arc, are now well understood. The third piece of the puzzle finally fell into
place with publication of a recent analysis of the molecular genetics of Barbados’s
breeding landbirds, including barbadensis.

Geology, vegetative cover and climate

Barbados is unique among the Lesser Antilles in being both very young and lacking
any history of volcanism. It is also 150 km east of the main Windward Island chain,
well out in the trade winds. Owing to its geological origins, it is relatively low in
relief, its highest point, Mt Hillaby, reaching only 335 m, with about two-thirds of
the island ranging from sea level to c.100 m, and almost another third to c.200 m.

Whereas basal rocks in north-eastern Barbados have been dated to the Upper
Eocene/Tertiary (50-70 My BP), these are crustal rocks pushed up as a tectonic
mound along the Barbados Ridge. This feature originated (and is still rising) as the
South American Plate slid west-northwestward under the Caribbean Plate, in the
process heating crust that emerged as lava from volcanoes on the Lesser Antillean
Ridge from Grenada to Saba, along the main Lesser Antillean arc. These present-
day islands first appeared in the Miocene, 15—30 My BP, and are still rising (Speed
1988, Perfit & Williams 1989, Speed & Keller 1993). Their volcanic soils were
doubtless vegetated quickly, so they would have had a long history of avian coloni-
sation and evolution.

*Proto-Barbados’ on the other hand only emerged in fits and starts at the end of
the Pleistocene, c.700,000—1 My BP, and for much of its early history was a
combination of coral reefs and low-lying small islands, periodically eroded,
submerged and rebuilt in response to sea-level changes, oceanic and rainwater
erosion, and sedimentation. On average, it has been rising c.0.3 m per 1,000 years.
The best evidence (Mesolella 1967) suggests that the core of present-day Barbados
emerged 600—700,000 y BP. Originally a circular dome (the centre of the uplift),
perhaps two-thirds of this original island subsequently eroded away; then c.300,000
y BP, a new island arose to its south-west (near present-day Bridgetown), eventually
fusing via crustal uplift with the now much smaller main island.

PA. Buckley & Francine G. Buckley 110 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

Forest vegetation was probably slow to accumulate in such a low-relief, dynamic
environment, and though there are as yet no known dates for establishment, forests
most probably followed on the merging of Proto-Barbados and Christ Church
islands, i.e. up to 300,000 y BP. Limestone soil generated by erosion (and, eventu-
ally, plant growth) was augmented by episodic infusions of volcanic ash from
neighbouring St Lucia and St Vincent (e.g. an estimated 3.25 million tonnes [76
tonnes/ha] fell on Barbados following the irruption of St Vincent’s Soufriére
Volcano in 1901: Gooding 1974). Many plants probably colonised Barbados from
the south (but not the north or west) via ocean currents such as the Antilles Current,
fed by waters draining the Amazon and Orinoco Rivers and even western Africa.
Winds doubtless also brought plant propagules from South America (Urania moths
still regularly arrive on Barbados with southerly winds, as do vagrant and colonis-
ing birds), from West Africa, the source of airborne sediments as well as Desert
Locusts Schistocerca gregaria (Prospero 1968, Rainey 1989, Savoie et al. 1989),
and also from the Lesser Antilles north of Barbados. Birds might still be contribut-
ing plant material and seeds from North America, the West Indies and South
America in soil on their feet and in their excreta. One analysis (Gooding 1974)
estimated that of 478 extant, non-introduced, higher plant species on Barbados,
12% came from the north, 19% came from northern South America, 43% occurred
throughout the Caribbean/tropical continental America, and 26% were pantropical;
only five (1%) were Barbados endemics.

By the time of European colonisation in the early 1600s, Barbados was covered
in forest, but unlike the volcanic Antillean-arc forests, 1t was not tropical rain forest,
nor was it widespread. The high centre of the island, with good soil and 2,030 mm
per year of rainfall, did support a rich mesic tropical hardwood woodland, whilst
lower and drier elevations averaging 1,520 mm per year and sea coasts with only
1,015 mm per year grew only poorer hardwood and dry scrub forests, respectively.
Especially on the windward side of Barbados, woody vegetation was conspicuously
stunted and wind-shaped by salt spray.

Although persistent east—north-easterly trade winds blow at 15—30 kph most of
the year, Barbados’s low relief has eliminated most orographic precipitation, so the
island is relatively dry: its mean annual rainfall of 520 mm is only about half that
of St Lucia, whose tall mountains (nine in excess of 610 m, the highest 950 m) and
strikingly vertical, montane topography (10% of St Lucia lies above 365 m) extract
much more moisture from trade winds. Accordingly, St Lucia’s tall, lush, and highly
diverse tropical rain forests and elfin woodlands are wholly lacking on Barbados.
This is reflected in endemic avian species: Barbados currently has but one (a few
others were probably extirpated shortly after European colonisation: Hutt ef al. in
press), whilst St Lucia has three (perhaps four), including two endemic genera
(Keith 1997).

Geographic variation within Lesser Antillean Bullfinches
Nine subspecies of Loxigilla noctis have been described (Table 1), many on only
minor differences in colour, patterning or (not shown) measurements. All but one

PA. Buckley & Francine G. Buckley 111 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

TABLE |
Subspecies of Lesser Antillean Bullfinch Loxigilla noctis (from north to south), their occurrence, and
their male coloration (from Ridgway 1901)

Islands Taxon Male plumage

Anguilla, St Martin, ridgwayi head and upper breast matte black, fading to ashy black
St Barthelemy, Barbuda, on rump, belly and tail; rufous-chestnut supraloral
Antigua spot, chin, throat and undertail-coverts; black bill

Saba, St Eustatius, St Kitts, = coryi jet black, with rufous-chestnut supraloral spot, chin,
Nevis, Montserrat throat and undertail-coverts, black bill

Guadeloupe, Iles des Saintes, dominicana jet black, with rufous-chestnut supraloral spot, chin,
Marie-Galante, Dominica throat and undertail-coverts, black bill

Désirade desiradensis head and upper breast matte black, fading to ashy black
on rump, belly and tail; rufous-chestnut supraloral spot,
chin, throat and undertail-coverts; black bill

Martinique noctis jet black, with rufous-chestnut supraloral spot, chin and
throat, black undertail-coverts, black bill

St Lucia sclateri jet black, with rufous-chestnut supraloral spot, chin and
throat, black undertail-coverts, black bill

Barbados barbadensis as female: brownish olive dorsally, grey ventrally, with
orange-rufous undertail-coverts, dusky-horn bill

St Vincent crissalis jet black, with rufous-chestnut supraloral spot, chin,
throat and undertail-coverts, black bill

Grenada grenadensis jet black, with rufous-chestnut supraloral spot, chin,
throat and undertail-coverts, black bill

are strongly sexually dichromatic: black-billed males are jet black (or, on shrubby,
xeric islands, black fading to ashy black posteriorly), with rufous-chestnut supralo-
ral spots, chins, throats and undertail-coverts (Fig. 1). Two taxa have wholly black
undertail-coverts, and individuals in a few others sometimes show black feathers
intermingled with rufous. Females vary in more subtle ways through the Lesser
Antilles and not always concordantly with males.

This local differentiation indicates that the Lesser Antillean Bullfinch is
morphologically labile, probably in response to environmental conditions. Such
eco-typical adaptation in plumage colour is hardly unknown in birds, so its appear-
ance in the West Indies is unsurprising, even if its manifestation on islands only 10
km apart might be (jet black dominicana on Guadeloupe vs. ashy-black desiraden-
sis on Désirade). Analysis of similar inter-island variation in Darwin’s Finches
(Geospizinae; Grant 1986) suggests that Lesser Antillean Bullfinch variation
probably has a genetic basis. However variable, all Lesser Antillean Bullfinch
populations still maintain strong sexual dichromatism—except barbadensis (Fig.
2), which has uniquely become sexually monochromatic, males and females

PA. Buckley & Francine G. Buckley 112 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

‘+Gledeloupe i
et Désirade

Mare 6 Soe

4 =)
Isles aes 7 Sia
Saintes ;

= Martinique eee

CARIBBEAN SEA

Figure 1. The West Indies, indicating all islands supporting forms of Lesser Antillean Bullfinch Loxigilla
noctis, sensu lato, discussed in this paper.

resembling females of all other populations, a condition also called ‘hen-feathering’
(Mayr 1942).

In addition, we were immediately struck by how different Lesser Antillean
Bullfinches were on Barbados and St Lucia, hen-feathering aside. Where sclateri is
a solitary, generally shy, usually within-vegetation forager, barbadensis is a bold,
open-country and woodland, ground-feeder that often occurs in small feeding
groups with Black-faced Grassquits Tiaris bicolor, especially during the dry
season.

The question immediately posing itself is whether morphological, ecological
and behavioural changes in barbadensis have been accompanied by changes in its
biological-species status, because we suspect that this unique switch from sexual
dichromatism to sexual monochromatism was a profound, not trivial, evolutionary
step.

Results

Ecology and behaviour of Barbados and St Lucia bullfinches

Bird (1983) questioned whether the change in morphology in barbadensis was
attended by parallel behavioural and ecological changes and, if so, how these might
be explained in terms of selective pressures and evolutionary history. Although she
was not especially concerned with taxonomy, her results nonetheless have
taxonomic implications. She compared barbadensis to its nearest geographic (and

PA. Buckley & Francine G. Buckley L Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

Figure 2. Male Lesser Antillean Bullfinch Loxigilla noctis sclateri from St Lucia, Lesser Antilles (Wayne
Arendt)

Figure 3. Male Barbados Bullfinch Loxigilla barbadensis (P. A. Buckley)

P. A. Buckley & Francine G. Buckley

114

TABLE 2

Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

Ecological and morphological comparison of the resident forms of 'Lesser Antillean Bullfinch' on
Barbados (barbadensis) and St. Lucia (sclateri); data adapted from Bird (1983) and Ridgway (1901).
All quantitative differences mentioned are statistically significant;
see text and (Bird 1983) for additional information.

Character
Male plumage

Female plumage

Diet
fruit
flowers
seeds
insects

Foraging behaviour
pecking

insect gleaning
foot-holding

flower-base chewing
nectar-feeding
ground-feeding frequency
foraging between 1-12 m
modal foraging height
mean foraging height

Breeding biology

male nest-building effort (as % of female's)

mean incubation bout length

mean non-incubation interval
mean times male feeds incubating female

male nestling feeding trips/hr

female nestling feeding trips/hr
mean time male at nest/feeding trip
mean time female at nest/feeding trip

response to nest predators

advertising/courtship displays/vocalisations

barbadensis

brownish olive dorsally,
grey ventrally with orange-
rufous undertail-coverts:
dusky-horn lower mandible

brownish olive dorsally,
grey ventrally with orangish
undertail-coverts; pale horn
lower mandible

10%
29%
36%
20%

59.5%
13.0%
11.0%
10.0%
4.5%
50%
49%
Om
24m

114.0
25.7 min
6.9 min
9.0

15
7
38.5 sec
58.6 sec

attack, vocalise
undescribed

time males spent within 3 m of nest during AM:

nest building
incubation
brood rearing

22-30%
28-46%
14-22%

sclateri

jet black with rufous-
chestnut throat and pre-
orbital spot; bill glossy
black

brownish olive dorsally,
grey ventrally with
orangish undertail-coverts;
pale horn lower mandible

32%
40%
10%

8%

45.5%
7.5%
27.5%
4.0%
14.5%
2%
92%
4-5m
6.6m

60.5
56.6 min
14.6 min
3.7

cA

1.0

77.4 sec
101.7 sec

flee, remain silent
undescribed

46%
46%
4%

PA. Buckley & Francine G. Buckley 115 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

mean intruder chases by males/2-hr period during:

nest building 8.0 2.0
incubation 16.0 1.7
brood-rearing 13.7 2.0

mean number of male 'songs'/2-hour period during:

nest building 9.7 5 we
incubation 14.0 1.0
brood rearing 7.0 20

dichromatic) neighbours, St Lucia’s sclateri and St Vincent’s crissalis, seeking
insight into the geographic source of Barbados birds. Because we now know that
barbadensis colonisers came from St Lucia and not St Vincent (see below), for the
purposes of this paper we will only compare her findings for sclateri and barbaden-
sis (in Table 2); readers are referred to Bird (1983) for additional information. All
quantitative comparisons discussed here were statistically significant (P = 0.05).

DIET

Proportional diet composition differed strikingly between the islands. Seeds
obtained on the ground and from flower heads accounted for 65% of barbadensis’s
diet, but nearly that same fraction of sclateri’s came from fruit and flowers.
Conversely, barbadensis consumed only c.10% fruit, sclateri only 8% seeds. (Diet
composition as a function of food-type availability was not examined on either
island.) Differences in wet—dry season diet composition were statistically signifi-
cant on Barbados (much more fruit in the wet season, more seeds in the dry) but
perhaps unsurprisingly were not on St Vincent (the wet island surrogate for St
Lucia, from where Bird was unable to obtain dietary data).

FORAGING BEHAVIOUR

Unsurprisingly, the two populations’ different diets were obtained in different
fashions: barbadensis spent fully half its time feeding on the ground, which sclateri
almost never did; barbadensis foraged only half the time at 1-12 m, where sclateri
foraged nearly exclusively. Correspondingly, feeding postures and gleaning
techniques also differed (Table 2). In the dry season barbadensis increased seed
eating, insect eating and ground foraging (the latter almost doubling); dry-season
foraging data were unavailable for sclateri. Data on flock sizes were not collected,
as sclateri is essentially solitary, and barbadensis more gregarious although not
properly ‘flocking’.

NEST BUILDING, PARENTAL CARE AND AGGRESSION

The most obvious difference between barbadensis and all other Lesser Antillean
Bullfinches is male coloration. Not unexpectedly, relatively cryptically coloured
male barbadensis behaved quite differently from non-cryptic sclateri. Male

P. A. Buckley & Francine G. Buckley 116 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

TABLE 3
Results of MANOVA contrasting seven sclateri and barbadensis measurements (mm) of males: wing
chord, tail, tarsal width, exposed culmen, bill width @ proximal end of nares, middle-toe claw, and
hind-toe claw. MANOVA pairwise comparisons shown for the only two features differing significantly
(bill width and tarsal thickness).

Variable Mean Std Err Lambda F df P
bill width
barbadensis 5.500 0.129 4.127 ve de | 1,14 .0616
sclateri 5.083 0.154
tarsal thickness
barbadensis 2.850 0.076 13.443 13.443 1,14 .0025
sclateri 2.417 0.083
Omnibus MANOVA Value F df P
Wilks's Lambda 0.788 AD Sil 7,8 0.0301

barbadensis expended more than twice as much nest-building effort as sclateri and
fed incubating females twice as frequently, and their incubation bouts were only
half as long as those of sclateri, as were their inter-incubation intervals. Once young
hatched, male barbadensis made 50% more feeding trips per unit time, and females
70% more, than sclateri. Conversely, both male and female barbadensis spent only
about half the time at the nest during each feeding bout than did sclateri males and
females.

Cryptically coloured male barbadensis remained in the vicinity of their nests
five times longer than did sclateri from nest building through brood rearing; were
strikingly (4-8 times) more likely to chase intruders (especially during incubation);
and ‘sang’ 3—14 times more frequently than did sclateri males. Aggression towards
conspecifics was not significantly different under high and low densities on
Barbados, but was higher than on St Lucia (sclateri), where bullfinch densities in
‘semi-residential lowlands’ were essentially identical to those of barbadensis.
Categorical responses to both avian (especially Green Heron Butorides virescens,

TABLE 4
Results of mtDNA analyses sequencing 842 bp of overlapping ATPase-6 and ATPase-8 genes in
haplotypes of barbadensis and sclateri. Cf. Lovette et al. (1999) for additional information.

Variable barbadensis sclateri
Sample size 21 36
Range of pairwise nucleotide differences within 0-2 l=]
Range of pairwise nucleotide differences between - 3-7

Minimum pairwise divergence between - 0.36%

PA. Buckley & Francine G. Buckley 117 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus, American Kestrel Falco sparverius, Carib
Grackle Quiscalus lugubris, Grey Kingbird Tyrannus dominicensis, Tropical
Mockingbird Mimus gilvus) and non-avian (typically Anolis spp., domestic cat Felis
sylvestris) predators on various islands were even more dramatic: male barbaden-
sis generally aggressively attacked and vocalised, when male sc/ateri remained
completely silent and/or fled.

Body architecture

Structural differences between male barbadensis and sclateri are not immediately
obvious, but our own measurements of males of both taxa in the collections of the
Museum of Comparative Zoology (MCZ), Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA,
revealed that barbadensis males had almost 50% thicker (stouter) tarsometatarsi
and 10% broader bills than sclateri males. Overall, males of the two populations
differed significantly when all measurements were analysed using multivariate
techniques (Table 3), although these results may signify only multivariate mean
differences, not individual diagnosability.

Bird (1983) measured several structural variables in barbadensis and sclateri,
searching for sexual as well as population differences. Two measures of bill length
(exposed culmen, nares to tip) were inconclusive or contradictory, owing perhaps to
small sample sizes, although she did demonstrate that bill depth, flattened wing and
tail lengths of both barbadensis and sclateri males exceeded those of females. She
also measured ‘tarsal length’ but in two ways that were not so unequivocally
described as to allow confident replication. The first she called ‘tarsus 1: length of
tarsometatarsus, and the second ‘tarsus 2: distance from proximal end of
tarsometatarsus to distal margin of last undivided scute.’ ‘Tarsus 2’ (which she
believed ‘accurate only to 2 mm’) would seem the conventional tarsus measurement
but she did not so state, despite citing Baldwin et al. (1931). Moreover, she referred
to ‘tarsus 1’ as ‘length of tarsus,’ a term Baldwin et a/. (1931) would restrict to her
‘tarsus 2.’ In any case, she failed to find sexual differences in either barbadensis or
sclateri using ‘tarsus 2” measurements, but did with ‘tarsus 1.’ Finally, although she
did compare ‘tarsus 1’ and ‘tarsus 2’ measurements for male and for female
barbadensis to male and to female sclateri, respectively, she presented no raw data
or sample sizes, opting for a table that nonetheless indicated that by both methods
barbadensis had highly significantly longer tarsi than sclateri.

Mitochondrial DNA

Lovette et al. (1999) analysed mtDNA from eight resident passerines on Barbados,
among them Lesser Antillean Bullfinches from Barbados (barbadensis), St Lucia
(sclateri), and St Vincent (crissalis), to ascertain patterns and timing of colonisation
on Barbados. Initially the entire 894—bp mtDNA genomes for ATPase 6 and ATPase
8 for five barbadensis and sclateri were sequenced to confirm and characterise
inter-island differentiation, followed for an additional 21 barbadensis and 32 scla-
teri by either Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) digestion of

PA. Buckley & Francine G. Buckley 118 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

PCR-amplified products, or by additional sequencing. To examine individual island
monophyly, enzyme cleavage and RFLP gels were compared among islands, and
sample sizes used (Table 4) were regarded as adequate for detection of low-frequen-
cy haplotypes. They found (1) no evidence of any founder-effect on the three
islands; (2) only a single clade of lineages on each of the three islands (i.e., recip-
rocal monophyly between islands); (3) that the three taxa had accumulated 3—5 sub-
stitutions among the three islands; (4) that although barbadensis and crissalis had
0.60% nucleotide divergence, barbadensis and sclateri differed by only 0.36%,
implying St Lucia to be Barbados’s source population; and (5) assuming a uniform
molecular clock, consistently low levels of mtDNA differentiation on Barbados
indicating relatively recent colonisation events by at least four species, the Lesser
Antillean Bullfinch among them.

Discussion

Bird’s (1983) ecological and behavioural data demonstrate that barbadensis differs
from sclateri in diet (particularly during Barbados’s stressful dry season, to which
it seems well adapted), foraging behaviour, nest attentiveness, and aggression. At all
stages in its breeding cycle, barbadensis biology is in many respects (including
overall coloration but excluding sexual dichromatism) more like that of a grassquit
Tiaris spp. than all other Lesser Antillean Bullfinches. Granivory and insectivory
are well-known avian adaptations to xeric environments (Lack 1976), and Barbados
is among the driest of Lesser Antillean islands. Food pressures are greatest in dry
seasons, when both insects and seeds are more buffered from immediate climatic
vicissitudes than is fruit, so facultative granivory/insectivory assumes high selective
value under such conditions. Ground foraging is obviously associated with
granivory, and pale and/or cryptic coloration is another classic avian adaptation for
terrestrial foraging. This is not to say that barbadensis is not an arboreal forager or
frugivore; it most certainly is during the wet season, as one would expect of a
generalist. Higher feeding rates of barbadensis males are probably a function of the
low energy content of small seeds, and increased feeding in turn leads to more
frequent encounters with conspecifics, etc. There are no resident hawks or owls on
Barbados, so such predation pressure on adults as now exists probably comes
largely from feral quadrupeds and perhaps grackles. Even though these were surely
unimportant in the evolution of barbadensis monochromatism, it remains wholly
conjectural what might have been.

There have been occasional references in the literature to partially or wholly
black male bullfinches on Barbados (e.g. Hellmayr 1938, Bird 1983), usually attrib-
uted to new St Lucia or St Vincent immigrants or to residual ancestral variation
within barbadensis. We believe that, owing to the distance between St Lucia and
Barbados and prevailing easterly trade winds, it is likely that few if any bullfinches
continue to arrive unassisted on Barbados from St Lucia (with no evidence of any
ever having arrived from St Vincent). However, this does not preclude occasional

PA. Buckley & Francine G. Buckley 119 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

ship-borne transport by inter-island ferries, although we are also aware of no
shipboard observations of Lesser Antillean Bullfinches near Barbados. At any rate,
cock-feathered males are excessively rare on Barbados, and several active observers
with 120+ years of combined field experience on Barbados (E. B. Massiah, M. D.
Frost, the late M. Hutt and the late H. F. Hutt pers. comms.) have never seen or
heard of a single one. Whether from natural colonisers, ship-assisted waifs or intra-
Barbados recombination, genes of such individuals would quickly be swamped on
Barbados.

Why has barbadensis diverged so greatly from all other Lesser Antillean
Bullfinches? There are several not mutually exclusive possibilities: (1) the potential
for eco-typical differentiation within the Lesser Antillean Bullfinch complex is well
established (see above); (2) molecular analyses found Barbadian Black-faced
Grassquit’s mtDNA nucleotide divergence from St Lucia birds to be 0% (Lovette er
al. 1999), indicating recent arrival on Barbados. Thus, in the absence of past
competition from its most likely ground-feeding, seed-eating emberizine competi-
tor, ‘proto-barbadensis’ could have quickly moved into an important vacant niche;
(3) body-structure differences (especially stouter tarsi and wider bills) are clearly
associated with, respectively, terrestrial habits and increased seed-eating. (In our
own analyses, length of hind claw, another cursorial adaptation, approached statis-
tical significance); (4) Barbados is radically different from almost all other Lesser
Antillean islands in geological history, soil, climate and vegetation; and, (5)
Barbados is sufficiently far east of the main Lesser Antillean arc to preclude
repeated reinvasion from source populations.

Hellmayr (1938) assumed that monochromatism in barbadensis was a primitive
or ancestral condition and that sexual dichromatism in all other Lesser Antillean
Bullfinch populations derived from it, but we now know that barbadensis derived
from a surely dichromatic St Lucia population, not the reverse. Bird (1983) on the
other hand did not specifically address this question, although suspecting (based on
a single Barbados male with some blackish body and rufous throat feathers) that the
Barbados founding population was dichromatic and thus that barbadensis was
secondarily monochromatic. We believe it is taxonomically significant that despite
plumage and structural changes within the nine currently recognised Lesser
Antillean Bullfinch subspecies, eight have nonetheless retained sexual dichroma-
tism.

We are unaware of any published studies of the Lesser Antillean Bullfinch
nuclear genome (including micro-satellites), so all inferences concerning the age of
various populations rely on mtDNA data. These offer several possible sources of
error, some of which are amenable to study, some not: (1) it is possible, although
quite unlikely, that rare barbadensis haplotypes in sclateri were not detected; (2) the
‘mean rate’ of mtDNA accumulation customarily used for passerines (2% per My)
surely varies among genera and species, yet it is exceedingly difficult to calibrate
the absolute rate for a single species, or to calculate error terms; (3) the duration of
time required for each taxon to complete the biological speciation process is unique;

PA. Buckley & Francine G. Buckley 120 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

(4) statistical separation of small among-species differences in percent nucleotide
divergence requires much larger samples than have been available; and, (5) the
approach used by Lovette er al. (1999) would fail to detect earlier invasions masked
by complete replacement of mtDNA lineages, although the probability of an
invading haplotype wholly replacing a resident one would be very small indeed
(1/population size).

Nonetheless, given that geological data strongly support Barbados’s emergence
=700,000 y BP; assuming a molecular clock with a nucleotide substitution rate of
2% per My; accepting that barbadensis is monophyletic in origin; and agreeing that
the 0.36% nucleotide substitution divergence between barbadensis and sclateri is
approximately correct, we reason, after consideration of the potentially confound-
ing factors noted above, that proto-barbadensis probably invaded Barbados from St
Lucia sometime 700,000—180,000 y BP—and considerably closer to the latter than
the former considering mtDNA data from four Barbados taxa.

Although courtship, pair formation and attendant displays (postural and vocal)
have never been studied in Loxigilla, we suggest that females choose males and
non-randomly, given that female choice is customary in strongly sexually dichro-
matic passerines. We further propose that male advertising song plays a major role,
as does distinctive male plumage (and thus that sexual selection operates to some
degree within the dichromatic species), but that the importance of both has been
severely curtailed in sexually monochromatic barbadensis. We further propose that
barbadensis females choose their males using behavioural or fitness characters
such as frequency of song, aggression toward conspecifics and predators, and
frequency and quality of courtship feeding. Finally, we consider that this complex
of factors, coupled with other behavioural and ecological features, especially loss of
distinctive male plumage, has resulted in barbadensis having diverged so far from
noctis stock as to have achieved biological-species status. Collectively these notions
offer fertile ground for vocal playback and plumage-alteration experiments
designed to elucidate the exact operation and relative roles of isolating mechanisms,
whose existence we do not doubt.

Peterson (1996) accumulated many instances of geographic variation in avian
sexual dichromatism. He determined that whilst variation in coloration of either sex
was about equally likely, males were about five times more likely to lose than to
gain bright plumage (reflecting initial incidence), and although males of island
populations were more likely to lose than gain bright colour, they were not necessar-
ily more likely to do so than their continental counterparts. He suggested that sexual
dichromatism characters are likely to have a simple Mendelian or sex-linked basis
whose alleles may be segregating in wild populations. Granted that plumage aberra-
tions in wild birds often follow Mendelian inheritance (reviewed in Buckley 1987),
the evidence for widespread Mendelian inheritance of species-specific characters is
less strong. Further, Peterson (1996) asserted that loss and/or gain of bright or dull
plumage (especially on islands) is more frequently due to genetic drift than to
selection. He did acknowledge, though, that loss of bright male plumage might play

PA. Buckley & Francine G. Buckley 121 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

a significant role in biological speciation, although allopatry would prevent the
majority of island examples from being tested in nature.

Doherty ef al. (2003) considered what effect sexual selection might have on
local extinction rates and turnover in avian communities. Extending earlier work
indicating that dichromatic waterfowl (Promislow ef al. 1994) and passerines
(Promislow ef al. 1992) seemed to suffer higher mortality rates than sexually
monochromatic congeners, Doherty ef a/. (2003) modelled 21 years of data from
the North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS), finding that dichromatic species
showed a mean 23% increase in annual local extinction rates over monochromatic
species per BBS survey route. But they unexpectedly also showed that this increase
in local extinction was almost exactly offset by local immigration and recolonisa-
tion, leading to relative community stability. Whereas this offset may occur
regularly in continental settings, it is demonstrably rare on oceanic islands
(MacArthur & Wilson 1967), which may explain the disproportionately large
number of monochromatic bird species on such islands.

We believe it most likely that ancestors of the present-day West Indian endemic
emberizine assemblage (Loxigilla, Melopyrrha, Melanospiza), irrespective of
number of invasions, were dichromatic, possibly akin to present-day Volatinia, and
that there has been strong stabilising (sexual?) selection to maintain dichromatism.
We consider that the plumage, behavioural and structural changes that have
occurred in Lesser Antillean Bullfinch populations in general (and Barbados
Bullfinch in particular) have a nuclear genetic basis that has been selected for.
Therefore, Barbados Bullfinch would show both nuclear and mitochondrial
evolution, the package comprising sufficient divergence from the main line of
Lesser Antillean Bullfinch evolution as to have developed concomitant prezygotic
reproductive isolating mechanisms.

Thus, we suggest that the form of ‘Lesser Antillean Bullfinch’ on Barbados is
best treated as a separate biological species, Barbados Bullfinch Loxigilla
barbadensis Cory 1886, which probably colonised Barbados from St Lucia around
180,000—700,000 y BP, and which has achieved specific status since its arrival. As
such this represents one of the more rapid examples of avian speciation, but because
this happened in an oceanic island context, it is perhaps less surprising; e.g. Klicka
& Zink (1997) have also noted, on the basis of mtDNA chronology, that a few avian
species do appear to have arisen unexpectedly rapidly.

And what of the low level of mitochondrial nucleotide divergence found by
Lovette et al. (1999) for barbadensis? Accepted practice, developed from
divergence levels of known species-pairs, indicates that values below c.3% indicate
only subspecific differentiation. Yet it is already known that birds may display
pronounced, nuclear-genetic-based geographic variation that is not mirrored in
mtDNA (e.g. Brawn et al. 1996). We believe Barbados Bullfinch is another
example, and suggest that this phenomenon may be more common on oceanic
islands than continents. We would also argue that whenever possible, it is better
science to infer taxonomic status from non-molecular evidence, and then to use

P. A. Buckley & Francine G. Buckley 122 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

molecular data to derive time since colonisation, hence timing and duration of
speciation.

Increasingly, genetic and ethological studies are suggesting that island bird
populations formerly lumped into polytypic species-complexes can be considered
biological species just as parsimoniously. In the West Indies alone, the four endemic
Myiarchus flycatchers were split into seven (Lanyon 1967); each of the four
allopatric subspecies of ‘Stripe-headed Tanager, Spindalis zena’, is now considered
a species (Garrido et al. 1997); each of the three isolated subspecies of “Dendroica
adelaidae’ is now considered a species (Adelaide, Barbuda and St Lucia Warblers,
respectively; Lovette et al. 1998); the isolated (and still extant?) Puerto Rican
Bullfinch Loxigilla portoricensis on St Kitts has just been recognised as St Kitts
Bullfinch L. grandis (Garrido & Wiley 2003); and the taxonomic status of the two
allopatric Cuban Bullfinch Melopyrrha nigra populations is also under evaluation
(J. Wiley, pers. comm.). To this group we now add Barbados Bullfinch.

Acknowledgements

Our work on the avifauna of Barbados has been supported by the US National Park Service and the US
Geological Survey. We thank Douglas Causey and Alison Pirie for access to specimens in the MCZ
collections. For hospitality, support and field companionship on Barbados, we are indebted to our
Barbados Checklist co-authors: the late Maurice and the late Hazel Hutt, Edward Massiah and Martin
Frost. Wayne Arendt kindly supplied the photo of Loxigilla noctis sclateri, and Dennis Skidds,
Environmental Data Center, URI, prepared Fig. 1. For discussion of their ongoing work on the deriva-
tion of the West Indian avifauna, for reprints and preprints, and for information of various sorts, we thank
Eldredege Bermingham, the late Nedra Klein, Irby Lovette, Herbert Raffaele, Robert Ricklefs and James
Wiley. And for constructive comments on various versions of this manuscript we acknowledge Chris
Feare, Martin Frost, Douglas Futuyma, Allan Keith, Edward Massiah, Michael Patten, Townsend
Peterson, Robert Ricklefs and James Wiley. We dedicate this paper to Ernst Mayr on the occasion of his
100th birthday. -

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Bond, J. 1956 et seg. Checklist of the birds of the West Indies, fourth edn, and supplements 1—27.
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Brawn, J., Collins, T., Medina, M. & Bermingham, E. 1996. Associations between physical isolation and
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Buckley, P. A. 1987. Mendelian genes. Pp. 144 in Cooke, F & Buckley, P. A. (eds.) Avian genetics: a
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Doherty, P., Sorci, G., Royle, J., Hines, J., Nichols, J. & Boulinier, T. 2003. Sexual selection affects local
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Hutt, M. B., Hutt, H. F, Buckley, P. A., Massiah, E. B., Frost, M. D. & Buckley, F. G. In press. The birds
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Addresses: P. A. Buckley, USGS-Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Box 8 @ Graduate School of
Oceanography, University of Rhode Island, Narragansett RI 02882 USA, e-mail: pabuckley@uri.ed.
Francine G. Buckley, Dept. of Natural Resource Sciences, Coastal Institute-Kingston, University of
Rhode Island, Kingston RI 02881 USA, e-mail: fgb@uri.edu

© British Ornithologists’ Club 2004

Willem-Pier Vellinga et al. 124 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

New and interesting records of birds from
Ayabaca province, Piura, north-west Peru

by Willem-Pier Vellinga, Fferemy N. M. Flanagan
& Todd R. Mark

Received 16 fuly 2002; revision received 16 February 2004

Because almost every reasonably-sized remnant humid forest in south-west
Ecuador has been recognised as a Key Area for bird conservation in South America
(Wege & Long 1995), it is clear that more field work is needed to assess the conser-
vation status of areas in adjacent parts of north-west Peru. Some of the
northernmost humid forests in this region are in the province of Ayabaca (dpto.
Piura). Much field work has been performed in neighbouring Ecuador, within
50—100 km to the north/north-west (e.g. Bloch et al. 1991, Williams & Tobias 1994,
Best & Kessler 1995). Approximately 80 km to the south, relatively extensive
investigations were conducted, primarily in the 1920s and 1930s (Palambla) and in
the 1970s (near Canchaque and Huancabamba) (Parker et al. 1985). Ayabaca has
largely escaped such attention, although Best et al. (1993) presented some field data
for the region, and additional information is available in Schjellerup (2000). This
paper reports on the results of field work in Ayabaca, in 2000, and aims to clarify
the conservation status of humid forests in the area.

The avifauna of the province is interesting as it represents a transition between
several biogeographic regions and Endemic Bird Areas (EBAs). The province
straddles parts of three EBAs, Central Andean Paramo (EBA 043), the Tumbesian
region (EBA 045) and the Southern Central Andes (EBA 046) (Stattersfield et al.
1998). The latter two are of interest in this study, as will be discussed.

The work by Best et a/., which was centred on the Bosque de Cuyas on Cerro
Chacas (see below), subsequently led to its inclusion in the Southern Central Andes
EBA (046), and to its recognition as a Key Area for bird conservation in South
America (Wege & Long 1995), due to the presence of a number of threatened
species (Collar et al. 1994).

Ayabaca is one of eight provinces that comprise the department of Piura. It is
bordered to the north and north-east by Ecuador and to the west, south and south-
east by the provinces of Sullana, Piura, Morropon and Huancabamba. Within Piura,
Ayabaca and Huancabamba are highland provinces. The altitude of Ayabaca in
general rises from 400 m in the west to over 3,000 m in the east. The economy is
split broadly between subsistence agriculture in the highlands and rice production
and cattle ranching at lower elevations. The capital, the town of Ayabaca (04°38’S,
79°42’W) lies at 2,700 m and is situated on the eastern flank of a mountain that
reaches 3,000 m and lies west of the main Andean chain, isolated by a narrow, dry,
rainshadow depression, formed by the watershed between the catchments of the rios
Calvas and Quiroz (Fig. 1). Natural habitat at all altitudes within the depression

Willem-Pier Vellinga et al. 125 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

PRR

4 ae (2 wit 2 ih

AS Pe Roey © *

Pt Rae &
5

. Pere

phy é

04°40’ 1

04°50’

80°00" 79°50" 79°40’ 79°30’ 7o720—s VV

Figure |. General area of the study sites. A: Ayabaca town, Y: Yanchala, 1: Bosque de Cuyas (with la:
Bosque de Cuyas and 1b: Bosque los Molinos), 2: Aypate, 3: El Toldo. The locality indicated by 4 is
Huamba, data for which (Schjellerup 2000) have been used in comparison. Heights have been interpo-
lated from the GLOBE-DEM dataset, www.ngdc.noaa.gov/seg/topo/globeget.shtml. The map covers
parts of Peru and Ecuador, but the political boundary is not indicated.

(minimum altitude 2,000 m) is severely degraded by human activities. Various
patches of more or less intact forest remain on the slopes east of the depression,
which are connected to the main Andean chain by ridges above 2,500 m.

Study sites and methods

The study focused on three forests at higher altitudes (generally above 2,400 m) of
Ayabaca province, one on Cerro Chacas, a mountain isolated from the main Andean
chain (Bosque de Cuyas), and two on a spur on the west slope of the main Andean
chain (Aypate and El Toldo; see Fig. 1). Aypate is on a somewhat isolated mountain
connected to the main Andean chain by a ridge. For each site the coordinates reflect
the general area of the sites.

Bosque de Cuyas (04°36’S, 79°44’W, 2,200-3,100 m) 29 June—1 July 2000 and
5—9 July 2000. Includes the Key Area of Cerro Chacas (Wege & Long (1995).
However, the forest extends from Cerro Chacas, incorporating other cerros and
quebradas, so the locally used name Bosque de Cuyas seems more appropriate in
describing this location. A neighbouring forest, Bosque Los Molinos, at the head of

a

Willem-Pier Vellinga et al. 126 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

the Quebrada Corriente de los Molinos, was visited briefly on two occasions. This
forest is connected to Bosque de Cuyas, with Cerro Llantuma (or Yantuma) between
them, and the entire area should be considered a single forest. The total area of
forest is estimated at 1,000 ha, with Bosque de Cuyas covering 600 ha and Bosque
Los Molinos 400 ha. Forest commences at 2,200 m and reaches 2,900 m. Still
higher (but over a rather limited area), forest is replaced by patches of elfin forest
or tussock grassland grazed by cattle. Although most remaining forest has been
modified by man, with timber extraction, and cattle grazing the understorey,
patches of primary forest persist on the steepest slopes. Within better-conserved or
primary forest, the general profile consists of a tree layer with dominant families
such as Lauraceae, Melastomataceae, Myrsanaceae, Clusiaceae, Erythrina spp.,
Ericaceae and Arecaceae, occasionally reaching 20—30 m tall and diameters of up
to 1 m. Below this a scrub or bush layer with dominant Baccharis sp., Vervesina
pentantha (Asteraceae), Piperaceae, Solanaceae, Papilionaceae, Amaryllidaceae
and Clorantaceae, reaches a maximum height of 6 m, and there is a herbaceous layer
with a mix of vines, tree-ferns, orchids such as Epidendrum spp., Lepanthes spp.
and Pleurothallis spp., mosses, lichens and bromeliads.

Higher paramo vegetation is dominated by stunted communities consisting of
Ericaceae (Befaria sp.), Melastomataceae, Myrsanaceae, Rubiaceae, Fabaceae,
Amaryllidaceae (Bomarea sp.), Asteraceae (Baccharis sp.), Clusiaceae, Piperaceae,
with a mix of bushes and grasses, such as Tibouchina (Baccharis spp.), Lupinus
silvestris (Fabaceae), Fuchsia sp. (Onagraceae), Gentiana spp., Halenia spp.
(Gentianaceae), as well as various Poaceae (Chusquea sp., Stipa sp.). Secondary
forest consists of Amaryllidaceae (Bomarea spp.), Asteraceae (Onoseris sp.,
Mixania sp., Senecio sp.), Clusiaceae (Clusia sp., Hypericum sp.), Ericaceae
(Bejaria sp., Cavendishia sp.), Myrsianaceae (Cybianthus rhopaloides, Myrcine
sp.), Solanacea (Jchoma sp.), Piperaceae (Piper spp.), Campanulaceae
(Siphocampylus sp.), Cyatheaceae (Cyathea spp.), Droseraceae (Drosera sp.),
Gentinaceae (Gentina sp., Halenia sp., Sybolanthus sp.), Melastomaceae
(Brachyotum sp., Miconia sp., Tibouchina sp.) and Rubiaceae (Cinchona calisaya,
Cinchona sp.).

As some 60 ha of Bosque de Cuyas are owned by the Municipal Council of
Ayabaca, which is interested to protect the forest and implement a management plan
for the area, the authors provided their data on the region.

Aypate (04°42’S, 79°35’W, 2,800-3,100 m) 2-4 July 2000. Aypate is known
nationally and, to a certain extent, internationally as an important Inca site on the
Inca highway between Cusco and Cajamarca. The total forest is estimated to cover
600-800 ha, although locals are clearing new fields. The forest is separated from
the Bosque de Cuyas, some 17 km away, by the depression mentioned above (see
Fig. 1). However, it is connected to the forests above El Toldo and the main Andean
chain by ridges, dotted with native humid shrub and hedges, above 2,500 m.

Willem-Pier Vellinga et al. 127 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

El Toldo (04°40°S, 79°31°W, 2,800—3,100 m) 10-13 July 2000. A number of forest
patches exist near this small village. The general area is well known for its archeo-
logical interest because of the presence of the Samanga petroglyphs. We visited one
forest patch of c.400 ha, two hours walk above the village, at the head of the
Quebrada el Toldo. Understorey was degraded by grazing cattle. Other patches of
similar size were noted in the vicinity, one of which, above Huamba, has been
visited twice by expeditions from the University of San Marcos in Lima
(Schjellerup 2000), see Appendix 1.

Field work was conducted on 1—13 July 2000 by JMNE, TM and WPY. Intensive,
opportunistic birding was complemented by modest mist-netting efforts.
Vocalisations were routinely recorded. We were joined by Abundio Segastagui of
the Universidad Nacional de Trujillo who studied the flora of the three locations
(Segastegui unpubl.).

Records of interest

Best et al. (1993) mentioned 59 species for Bosque de Cuyas, recorded during
seven field observer days. Inevitably, we encountered a number of new species for
this forest which, together with several unpublished records (see
Acknowledgements), brings the number of species recorded in Bosque de Cuyas to
around 110. No records from the other two forests were available previous to our
study, during which c.65 species were recorded both at El Toldo and at Aypate. The
complete lists of species recorded at each site are presented in Appendix 1. Threat
status, where applicable, is taken from BirdLife International (2000): VU =
Vulnerable and NT = Near Threatened.

BEARDED GUAN Penelope barbata (VU)

The species’ presence at Bosque de Cuyas was reconfirmed and moreover its local
distribution was determined to extend to Bosque los Molinos. Several were encoun-
tered on a daily basis. We also found it at Aypate and El Toldo, new localities for
this globally threatened species (BirdLife International 2000, Flanagan er a/. 2000).
Although threatened by habitat destruction and hunting, this guan persists for now
in small fragments of forest with disturbed understorey. Locals admit to continued
hunting of this species (at least in Bosque de Cuyas and El Toldo), which some refer
to as ‘pucacunga’ or ‘bare-throat’ in Quechua.

OCHRE-BELLIED DOVE Leptotila ochraceiventris (VU)

Best et al. (1993) mentioned the only record of this threatened species at Bosque de
Cuyas. We failed to relocate the species, and suggest that more tangible evidence of
the species’ presence at this locality is required.

Willem-Pier Vellinga et al. 128 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

PARAKEETS 4Aratinga sp.

On 9 July a flock of 25-30 Aratinga sp. parakeets was noted flying over the lower
section of Bosque de Cuyas, at c.2,200 m. Another flock of c.40 Aratinga sp. was
observed flying across the road between Ayabaca and Yanchala at approximately the
same elevation. These may have either been Scarlet-fronted Parakeet A. wagleri or
Red-masked Parakeet A. erythrogenys. A. wagleri is unknown from the area and is
only infrequently recorded in adjacent Ecuador, whilst A. erythrogenys is known
from the general area. Although usually encountered at lower altitudes, it has
apparently been recorded as high as 2,500 m in Utuana, Ecuador (Ridgely &
Greenfield 2001).

SCALY-NAPED PARROT Amazona mercenaria

Although not recorded during our study, the species has been recorded on several
occasions (in July 1998 and November 2000) in Bosque de Cuyas by JNMF. It is
not considered resident. The nearest records for the species are from Amaluza,
Ecuador (Williams & Tobias 1994) and Cerro Chinguela (Parker et a/. 1985).

STYGIAN OWL Asio stygius

Three pairs were heard along a 2-km stretch of the main road through Bosque de
Cuyas between c.2,200—2,600 m on the evenings of 6—7 July. All were calling from
the canopy of mature primary forest. Calls commenced shortly after sunset, and
continued throughout the night on 6 July. On 6 July a pair was sound-recorded for
20 minutes giving an antiphonal duet (published in part on Krabbe et a/. (2001). The
female was observed once, flying overhead in dense fog, permitting a view of the
Buteo-like silhouette and large size. This represents only the second record in Peru,
with the first, from around Sallique south of Huancabamba, still unpublished
(J.P.O’ Neill pers. comm.) However, the species is known from various localities in
adjacent Ecuador: Sozoranga, Angashcola and the Cordillera de Quichiragua (Best
& Kessler 1995), and occurrence in Peru is unsurprising. The vocalisation period in
Bosque de Cuyas coincides with records from Amaluza (Williams & Tobias 1994),
where the species was heard in July/August 1990 and July 1991. In Bosque de
Cuyas vocalisations were not heard during visits in October and December 2000,
by JNME, nor was there response to playback on those occasions.

AMAZILIA SP.

We briefly observed an Amazilia sp. in a Eucalyptus tree alongside the main road in
Yanchala (2,100 m), which leads through small agricultural fields with hedges of
native forest vegetation. The bird was perched c.10 m up. The bill was red or dark
orange with a dark, perhaps black, tip. The chin, throat, belly and vent were white
or at least very pale. The bird had rufous flanks and the crown was green.
Regrettably, the coloration of the upper tail was not visible. The record is interest-
ing given recent literature concerning Amazilia taxa in this region. In Weller (2000)
and del Hoyo ef al. (1999) Loja Hummingbird A. alticola was split from Amazilia

Willem-Pier Vellinga et al. 129 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

Hummingbird Amazilia amazilia, but in Ridgely & Greenfield (2001) this treatment
was not followed because of the existence of an as-yet undescribed form in Azuay,
Ecuador. The amount and distribution of pale and rufous coloration on the observed
bird accords with characters mentioned for A. (a.) alticola in Weller (2000), del
Hoyo et al. (1999) and Ridgely & Greenfield (2001), but it is unclear whether A. a.
leucophaea or A. a. dumerilii can be safely eliminated, as the amount of rufous
apparently shows appreciable individual variation (Ridgely & Greenfield 2001).
The closest locality from which A. (a.) alticola is known is apparently Malacatos,
Loja, Ecuador (04°14’°S, 79°15’ W, 1,500 m). It seems to occur sympatrically with
A. a. dumerilii in the Casanga Valley in central Loja, Ecuador (04°08’S, 79°49’ W,
900 m). A. a. dumerilii is also known from Cruzpamba (04°10’S, 80°01’ W, 1,000
m) and Paletillas (04°11°S, 80°17’W, 500 m), both in Loja, Ecuador. A. a.
leucophaea is known from both lowland localities (north-west to Alamor, Piura,
Peru, 04°29’S, 80°25’W, 110 m) and highland localities (north to Palambla, Piura,
Peru, 05°23’S, 79°37’ W, 1,200-—2,000 m). The present record is from an area
between these localities, where any of the three taxa might in principle occur.
Subsequent visits to the area should aim to clarify this matter.

SMOKY-BROWN WOODPECKER UVeniliornis fumigatus

Rather common at all localities. Of interest 1s the fact that it is unclear which taxon,
be it Kv f fumigatus or V f obscuratus, is present, as obscuratus occurs around
Huancabamba, Peru, and fumigatus in all Ecuadorian ranges south to Loja, but with
those in south-west Ecuador apparently intermediate (Ridgely & Greenfield 2001).
The characters of a male mist-netted in Bosque de Cuyas do not closely match
either subspecies, although it resembled obscuratus more than fumigatus. It had a
pale, whitish face contrasting sharply with the red cap and dark grey malar region.
The face was palest on the lores and around the eye. The grey throat was somewhat
paler than the malar region but showed no sharp contrast. Belly and mantle had a
distinct olive wash, the mantle contrasting with the dark upperwing. Its appearance
was rather similar to that shown in Frimer & Moller (1989) from the Cordillera
Blanca.

RUFOUS-NECKED FOLIAGE-GLEANER Syndactyla ruficollis (VU)

This endangered Tumbesian endemic was encountered on several occasions at
Bosque de Cuyas, in second growth as well as in more pristine habitat. The forest
may prove to be a stronghold for this Vulnerable species.

GREY-HEADED ANTBIRD Myrmeciza griseiceps (VU)

No efforts were made to find this species and we failed to locate it in July 2000, but
it was recorded on a subsequent visit, in December 2000, by JNMF and Rob
Williams. The species may be genuinely rare in Bosque de Cuyas. It has been
encountered on at least two other occasions (Best et a/. 1993, P. Coopmans pers.
comm. ).

Willem-Pier Vellinga et al. 130 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

RUSTY-BREASTED ANTPITTA Grallaricula ferrugineipectus (levmebambae?)
Encountered at 2,200 m in Bosque de Cuyas, where it had earlier been found by P.
Coopmans. The species only sang early morning. The habitat, of rather sparse
understorey, agrees with the literature (Fjeldsa & Krabbe 1990). Long known from
the west slope of the Andes in Peru from specimens taken independently by Parker
and Koepcke at Canchaque (Parker ef al. 1985), and more recently in Ecuador, at
Utuana (P. Coopmans unpubl.), the population is apparently isolated from that on
the east slope south to Bolivia, G. f leymebambae. The closest known population of
leymebambae appears to be that recently discovered at Cerro Wicsocunga (06°05’S,
78°20’ W), on the north-westernmost spur of the Cordillera Central, above the town
of Lonya Grande, dpto. Amazonas (TRM & L. Augustine unpubl.).

BLACKISH TAPACULO Scytalopus latrans subcinereus

The only Scytalopus at the study sites. Individuals were observed chasing one
another uttering excited calls. The reason for such behaviour, which once involved
three individuals, is unclear but may have represented a type of territorial behaviour
or be related to breeding activity.

GOLDEN-CROWNED FLYCATCHER Myiodynastes chrysocephalus (minor?)
Twice an adult was observed feeding two fledged young. This rather isolated record
appears to be the first west-slope record for Peru. Although not identified to
subspecies level, it was probably M. c. minor, which in Ecuador occurs on the west
slope south to western Loja, where apparently fairly common in small (<1 ha)
woodlots intermixed with fields and plantations at Alamor (03°52’S, 80°05’W),
c.110 km from Bosque de Cuyas (Williams & Tobias 1994), and along the east
slope as far south as the Cordillera del Condor (Ridgely & Greenfield 2001). The
nominate race is broadly distributed, on the east slope, from Peru to Bolivia, but is
only known south of the Marafion. This would be the first record of minor in Peru.
Apparently unknown on the east slope north of the Marafion in Peru, where it 1s,
however, likely to occur.

PIURA HEMISPINGUS Aemispingus piurae

This distinctive endemic taxon is easily encountered in Bosque de Cuyas, but is
apparently absent at the other localities. It was recently suggested to split this taxon
at specific level from H. melanotis based on a phylogenetic analysis (Garcia-
Moreno et al. 2001).

MASKED SALTATOR Saltator cinctus (NT)

One above El Toldo perched motionless for c.30 seconds in the open on a thick
horizontal branch dotted with mosses and bromeliads, some 10 m above ground.
Simultaneously, a typical flock containing Pearled Treerunner Margarornis
squamiger, Streaked Tuftedcheek Pseudocolaptes boissoneautii, Blue-capped
Tanager Thraupis cyanocephala, Blue-and-black Tanager Tangara vassorii, Brown-

Willem-Pier Vellinga et al. 131 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

capped Vireo Vireo leucophrys, Superciliaried Hemispingus Hemispingus supercil-
iaris and Blue-backed Conebill Conirostrum sitticolor was passing through the
vicinity. The saltator may have been associated with this flock, although we did not
find it again in similar flocks. This is one of the few observations in Peru, although
the species was already known to occur in the general area (Schjellerup 2000). It
has been suggested that it depends on Chusquea or on Podocarpus cones (BirdLife
International 2000). Both vegetation types were present in the forest, but neither
was common.

NORTHERN RUFOUS-NAPED BRUSH-FINCH Aflapetes latinuchus ssp.

The taxa most likely to occur in Ayabaca, A. /. comptus and A. I. latinuchus have
recently been treated as subspecies of a single species (Garcia-Moreno & Fjeldsa
1999), and generally characterised by the lack of a black forehead, sharp demarca-
tion between the rufous cap and greyish back, long yellow malar stripe, light
melanisation on the flanks, and white speculum in several populations. Fjeldsa &
Krabbe (1990) and Ridgely & Greenfield (2001) described further distinguishing

Figure 2. Two Northern Rufous-naped Brush-finches Atlapetes latinuchus mist-netted together at El
Toldo. Note the difference in speculum and extent of the pale nape (Willem-Pier Vellinga)

Willem-Pier Vellinga et al. 132 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

TABLE 1
Distinguishing characters of subspecies of Northern Rufous-naped Brush-finch Atlapetes latinuchus
based on Fjeldsa & Krabbe (1991), Garcia-Moreno & Fjeldsa (1999), Ridgely & Greenfield (2001)
and specimens in Louisiana State University Museum of Zoology.

bd

crown speculum — supraloral submalar
spot streak
A.l.latinuchus chestnut (paler on nape south medium vestigial very faint,
of Maranon) or absent variable
A.l.spodionotus chestnut never never moderate
A.l.chugurensis light chestnut, paler on nape never never very faint
A.l.comptus rufous or chestnut in Ecuador: never large (reduced __ distinct
usually paler than A./.spodionotus, in some)

especially on nape

characters of these taxa. These characters and an indication of their variability,
based on specimens of A. /atinuchus in the Louisiana State Uuniversity Museum of
Zoology, are described in Table 1.

In Bosque de Cuyas we encountered birds on which the supraloral spot (never
large, never absent) and the submalar streak (usually distinct, sometimes faint) were
variable, and on which the nape was distinctly paler than the crown. We never
observed a speculum on these birds, neither in the field or in the hand. Similar birds
were encountered at Aypate. These brush-finches seemingly possess traits similar to
those described for A. /. comptus in Ecuador (for which we lack information on
variability in the malar streak). Birds were encountered in a range of habitats,
ranging from low scrub and hedges between fields to the undergrowth and canopy
of the tallest trees in primary forest. Similar catholic tastes in habitat have been
noted for A. /. comptus in the Celica mountains in Ecuador (Bloch et al. 1991).

In sharp contrast, birds above El Toldo showed clear variation in the extent of
the speculum; all those observed in the field had at least a hint of this and in some
it was very obvious. Of two birds caught simultaneously (Fig. 2), one had a
speculum consisting of white patches on the base and centre of the seven outermost
primaries, whereas the other only showed a hint of a speculum, consisting of a little
white on the five outermost primaries. Both had a faint submalar streak and no
supraloral spot. The extent of rufous in the crown and nape differed appreciably
between them; the crown and nape of that with a speculum extended further onto
the back, ending in a squarish shape, as opposed to a more rounded shape in the
other. That without a clear speculum resembled A. /. comptus from Ecuador,
whereas the other clearly showed characters of both 4. /. latinuchus and A. I.
comptus from Ecuador. Comparison of the characters of these birds with those
shown in Table 1 shows that they cannot be safely attributed to either currently
recognised subspecies. Variation among taxa of A. latinuchus in this region,

Willem-Pier Vellinga et al. 133 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

especially the fact that strikingly different forms occur syntopically, warrants
further investigation.

Altitudinal extensions

PAURAQUE WNyctidromus albicollis

The familiar call was recorded at Bosque de Cuyas and Aypate. A pair was mist-
netted at Bosque de Cuyas. At Aypate birds were calling and observed flying around
our camp near the ruins at 2,800 m. These records are high for the species, the

record at Aypate apparently representing an elevational extension of c.500 m over
published data (Fjeldsa & Krabbe 1990).

ECUADORIAN PICULET Picumnus sclateri

One at the lower edge of Bosque de Cuyas, at 1,900 m, was apparently somewhat
high. Ridgely & Greenfield (2001) described an altitudinal range of 1,500—1,700 m
for the population in Loja, Ecuador, but it has been seen there at nearly 2,000 m (P.
Coopmans pers. comm.).

CHAPMAN’S ANTSHRIKE Thamnophilus zarumae

A Tumbesian encountered daily in and around Bosque de Cuyas, in disturbed as
well as pristine habitat. Also recorded at Yanchala, in hedges of native vegetation.
Near Ayabaca birds were seen at 2,700 m. It has been recorded as high as 2,500 m
at Utuana, Ecuador, and 2,550 m at Amaluza, Ecuador (Ridgely & Greenfield
2001).

GREY-BREASTED MARTIN Progze chalybea

Fifty were present in Ayabaca town, at 2,700 m, during our entire stay. They were
also encountered feeding above Bosque los Molinos. This appears to be a new
altitudinal record for the species, which seems to occur to c.2,000 m in southern
Ecuador, with one record from 2,570 m (Ridgely & Greenfield 2001).

Breeding activity

In July 2000 evidence of breeding activity for the following species was obtained.
Speckled Hummingbird Adelomyias melanogenis: fledged juvenile apparently
being fed by an adult at Bosque de Cuyas. Sparkling Violetear Colibri coruscans:
nest building below an overhang beside the road outside Ayabaca to Bosque de
Cuyas. Grey-breasted Mountain-toucan Andigena hypoglauca: fledged juvenile
accompanied by persistently alarm-calling adults at El Toldo; the juvenile
clambered to a height of c.3 m in small trees. Line-cheeked Spinetail Cranioleuca
antisiensis: a juvenile mist-netted at Bosque de Cuyas. Ash-coloured Tapaculo
Myornis senilis: one in juvenile plumage observed near Aypate. Barred Fruiteater
Pipreola arcuata: fledged juvenile accompanied by both adults at El Toldo.
Northern Rufous-naped Brush-finch Aftlapetes latinuchus: single fledged

Willem-Pier Vellinga et al. 134 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

juveniles accompanying small groups of adults in low secondary vegetation at El
Toldo.

Discussion and conclusion

The Bosque de Cuyas forms an isolated island of humid montane cloud forest on
the eastern fringe of the Tumbesian region, to the west of nearby humid montane
cloud forests in the main Andean chain (Fig. 1). Similar forest is still found on a
number of isolated mountains above 2,500 m in neighbouring Ecuador: east of
Gonzanama (c.04°13’S, 79°24’W), in the Celica range (c.04°03’S, 79°56’W), in
the Chilla range (c.03°33’S, 79°15’W), in the Sozoranga range (especially near
Utuana (04°22’S, 79°42’W), and near Uritusinga (c.04°06’S, 79°09’ W) (Bloch et
al. 1991, Williams & Tobias 1994, Best & Kessler 1995, Ridgely & Greenfield
2001).

In Peru, other areas of quite similar humid montane cloud forest exist on the
west slope of the western cordillera of the Andes, south of Cerro Chinguela. The
best-known such locality is Cruz Blanca (05°20’S, 79°32’W; Parker et al. 1985),
but a few others exist south of the Porculla pass in Cajamarca. Southern forests were
discussed in Koepcke (1961) and Franke (1992), and more recently the forests at the
head of the Zafia Valley (which apparently possess an exceptionally rich avifauna)
have been subject to ornithological investigation by teams from the University of
San Marcos in Lima (Salinas et al. 1998, 2003).

Most such ‘west-slope’ forests in Ecuador, as well as Peru, were included in
EBA 046 (Stattersfield et al. 1998), because of the occurrence of the restricted-
range endemics Bearded Guan Penelope barbata, Purple-throated Sunangel
Heliangelus viola and Rainbow Starfrontlet Coeligena iris. But in fact their
avifauna is characteristically different from that of forests within EBA 046 in the
main Andean chain, such as those in Podocarpus National Park in Ecuador. For one,
the total number of species occurring in west-slope forests is fewer, usually lacking
otherwise characteristic birds such as tinamous, jays, mountain-tanagers, toucans,
caciques and fruiteaters. The difference is highlighted in a limited comparison
between several ‘isolated’ and ‘main Andean chain’ forests in EBA 046, in
Appendix 2.

Perhaps more notable is the occurrence of a number of endemic taxa character-
istic of the highlands of EBA 045 in these EBA 046 forests. Examples include the
local form of Rusty-breasted Antpitta Grallaricula ferrugineipectus, Line-cheeked
Spinetail Cranioleuca antisiensis, Rufous-necked Foliage-gleaner Syndactyla
ruficollis, Chapman’s Antshrike Thamnophilus zarumae, Loja Tyrannulet
Zimmerius (chrysops) flavidifrons, Three-banded Warbler Basileuterus trifasciatus,
Piura Hemispingus Hemispingus piurae and Black-cowled Saltator Saltator
nigriceps.

These striking differences are easily appreciated when one travels the short
distance from Ayabaca across the Calvas—Quiréz watershed. During our relatively
brief forays to Aypate and El Toldo we readily found c.20 species that have so far

Willem-Pier Vellinga et al. 135 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

never been encountered in Bosque de Cuyas. In Huamba another 20 species have
been noted that do not reach Bosque de Cuyas (Schjellerup 2000). Conversely,
several species were encountered in Bosque de Cuyas but not at the other two
locations, or in Huamba. For now, we cannot exclude that these differences are not
the result of undersampling, given that Bosque de Cuyas has been subject to
relatively far greater ornithological investigation. Still, we note that some of the
common Tumbesian endemic taxa of Bosque the Cuyas are at least much scarcer or
perhaps absent at Aypate, El Toldo and Huamba, e.g. Hemispingus piurae,
Zimmerius (chrysops) flavidifrons, Thamnophilus zarumae, Syndactyla ruficollis
and Basileuterus trifasciatus.

The total area of EBA 046 is estimated at 10,000 km’ (Stattersfield et a/. 1998).
Regarding total forest cover in the area, Best et al. (1993) stated (with some caveats)
that “humid to very humid montane cloud forest’ is “found throughout south-west
Ecuador above 2.000 m’. However forests away from the main Andean chain, as
discussed above, are actually quite rare; Gonzanama: ‘only a tiny fragment [a few
ha] of heavily disturbed, mainly secondary forest remaining’; Uritusinga: ‘one patch
of relatively good forest” (a few km*); Sozoranga: ‘the small and isolated mountain
top of Jatunpampa’, ‘only small forest patches left’; the Celica range: two localities
mentioned, one of 400 ha, the other of 300 ha. In Ridgely & Greenfield (2001) the
area of remnant forest and woodland near Utuana is specifically mentioned as being
of great importance. Part of the Utuana forest is currently protected, with as much
as 1,000 ha targeted for future conservation by the Arcoiris and Jocotoco founda-
tions.

In Ridgely & Greenfield (2001) the distinctive character and avifauna of these
montane west-slope forests and their peculiar conservation situation were
highlighted, by splitting the Tumbesian EBA (045) into lowland (“Tumbesian
lowlands’) and highland (“Southwestern highlands’) sectors. It was stated that such
“separation’ might also prove useful in Peru. This indeed seems to be true. Including
the very similar Peruvian forests within the “Tumbesian highlands’ might well be
more appropriate.

It is clear from a comparison of a number of such Tumbesian highland forests
(Appendix 2) that Bosque de Cuyas is of conservation importance. Fourteen
distinctive, range-restricted taxa have been recorded there. Three globally threat-
ened species occur (all listed as Vulnerable in BirdLife International 2000):
Bearded Guan, Grey-headed Antbird and Rufous-necked Foliage-Gleaner, and it is
certainly important for the guan and foliage-gleaner. Additionally, the occurrence of
Stygian Owl and the local form of Rusty-breasted Antpitta is notable.

The forests near El Toldo and Aypate are also interesting from a conservation
standpoint, in particular given the presence of two Near-Threatened species: Grey-
breasted Mountain-toucan and Masked Saltator (BirdLife International 2000).

Other forests of ornithological and conservation importance undoubtedly await
discovery in Ayabaca province. Several, possibly similar to that above El Toldo,
were indeed noticed from a distance during our field work. Conceivably, remnants

Willem-Pier Vellinga et al. 136 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

of forest similar to Bosque de Cuyas may persist on the slopes above Frias.
Furthermore, humid forests at lower elevations might hold populations of other of
the Tumbesian endemics. Whether any important lower altitude humid forest is
extant in Ayabaca province or neighbouring provinces is unknown. It is most
probable that, at least in the higher reaches of the Cerros de Amotape, important
populations of some Tumbesian endemics will be located. The first expedition
patroned by ProAves Peru to this ornithologically uncharted territory was made in
June 2000 (Whiffin & Sadgrove 2000) and, more recently, a ProAves Peru project
was launched to study forests along the Loja/Ayabaca border, between Peru and
Ecuador. Hopefully, the latter will provide sufficient data to more thoroughly assess
the conservation importance of Ayabaca province.

In conclusion, Bosque de Cuyas is reconfirmed as an important site. That it
persists so close to a major town is surprising, and every effort to protect it must be
welcomed. Protecting the forest would not only secure populations of at least 14
distinctive range-restricted taxa, but also one of the largest ‘Tumbesian highland’
forests, a type that seems particularly in danger of disappearing.

Acknowledgements

Our study was an initiative of ProAves Pert with the additional participation of Abundio Segastegui
(Universidad Nacional de Trujillo / Museo de Ciencias Naturales) and Angel Seminario (Municipalidad
Provincial de Ayabaca). The study was funded by CARE International (Peru) and the Embassy of Finland
in Lima. Logistical support was provided by the Mayor of Ayabaca, Manuel Otero Santur. Additional
records were communicated by Paul Coopmans (Bosque de Cuyas), Jon Fjeldsa (Huamba) and Niels
Krabbe (Utuana). Additional data on Atlapetes latinuchus from the Louisiana State Museum collection
were provided by Dan Lane. Comments on earlier drafts by Jon Fjeldsa, Rob Williams, Thomas
Schulenberg, Paul Coopmans and an anonymous reviewer are gratefully acknowledged. JNMF thanks
Rob Williams, Mikko Pyhaéla and Nancy Hilgert for their company during field trips.

References:

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from south-west Ecuador and north-western Peru. Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl. 113: 108-120, 234-255.

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International, Cambridge, UK.

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Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.

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na of Loja province, southern Ecuador. International Council for Bird Preservation (Study Report
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Flanagan, J. N. M., Vellinga, W. P. & Mark, T. R. 2000. Seven new locations for the Bearded Guan
(Penelope barbata) from south-west Ecuador and north-west Peru. Bull. Cracid Specialist Group 11:
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Franke, I. 1992. Biogeografia y ecologia de las aves de los bosques montanos del Pert occidental. Pp.
181—188 in Young, K. R. & Valencia, N. (eds.) Biogeografia, ecologia a y conservacion del bosque
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Frimer, O. & Moller, S. 1989. The status of Polylepis forests and their avifauna in Cordillera Blanca.
Zool. Mus., Univ. of Copenhagen.

Garcia-Moreno, J. & Fjeldsa, J. 1999. Re-evaluation of species limits in the genus At/apetes based on
mtDNA sequence data. /bis 141: 199-207.

Garcia-Moreno, J., Ohlson, J. & Fjeldsa, J. 2001. MtDNA sequences support monophyly of Hemispingus
tanagers, Mol. Phyl. & Evol. 21: 424-435.

del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. & Sargatal, J. (eds.) 1999. Handbook of the birds of the world, vol. 5. Lynx
Edicions, Barcelona.

Koepcke, M. 1961. Birds of the western slope of the Andes of Peru. Amer. Mus. Nov. 2028.

Krabbe, N., Moore, J. V., Coopmans, P., Lysinger, M. & Ridgely, R. S. 2001. Birds of the Ecuadorian
highlands—the upper montane and paramo zones of Ecuador. John V. Moore Nature Recordings,
San Jose, CA.

Parker, T. A., Schulenberg, T. S., Graves, G. R. & Braun, M. J. 1985. The avifauna of the Huancabamba
region, northern Peru. Pp. 169-197 in Buckley, P. A., Foster, M. S., Morton, E. S., Ridgely, R. S. &
Buckley, F. G. (eds.) Neotropical ornithology. Orn. Monogr. No. 36.

Ridgely, R. S. & Greenfield, P. J. 2001. The The birds of Ecuador, vol. 1. Cornell Univ. Press, Ithaca, NY.

Salinas, L., Franke, I., Samame, M. & Fjeldsa, J. 1998. Primer registro de Amaurospiza concolor
(Emberizidae, Passeriformes) para el Peri. Libro de Resumenes, VII Reunion Cientifica, Inst.
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Salinas, L., Franke, I., Samame, M. & Fjeldsa, J. 2003. Primer registro del frutero pechinegro Pipreola
lubomirskii (Aves, Cotingidae) en la vertiente occidental de los Andes. Rev. peru. biol. 10: 93-97.

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Addresses: Willem-Pier Villenga, Groenesteinlaan 12, 9722 BZ, Groningen, The Netherlands, e-mail:
vellinga@phys.rug.nl. Jeremy N. M. Flanagan, ProAves Peru, Av. José de Lama 1510, Sullana, Peru,
e-mail: proaves@mail.udep.edu.pe. Todd R. Mark, 1880 White Oak Drive, Houston, TX, USA
77009, e-mail: moddtarks@hotmail.com

Willem-Pier Vellinga et al. 138 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)
APPENDIX 1
Species recorded at the Bosque de Cuyas, Aypate and E] Toldo, and at three similar nearby sites at
comparable altitudes in Peru: Huamba (Schjellerup 2000), Cruz Blanca (Parker et al. 1985), and Ecuador:
Utuana (N. Krabbe pers. comm.). Abbreviations used: ? = species doubtfully recorded; x? = species present,
subspecies unclear; B = recorded only in Best et al. (1993); C = recorded only by P. Coopmans (pers.
comm.); Y = around Yanchala. Figures indicate altitudes if species was recorded at a locality but outside the
altitudinal range present in Bosque de Cuyas (2,000-3,000 m).

ane
Sune: se
a 7 So &
= Oe ae ae
Z 208 BS au
= Una 3
2 A §8 28
~~ ° prtgets eS a
= o aS) 2 ms ss
ao S S) & N = Z
eee Ee =
nq < Be roe
Nothoprocta pentlandii Andean Tinamou Xx
Coragyps atratus Black Vulture x) ke ees x x
Cathartes aura Turkey Vulture Kae eK x x
Accipiter ventralis Plain-breasted Hawk X x X X x
Buteogallus meridionalis Savannah Hawk Xx
Geranoaetus melanoleucus Black-chested Buzzard-eagle 1 Xx X
Buteo magnirostris Roadside Hawk X % x
Buteo leucorrhous White-rumped Hawk X 1,750
Buteo albonotatus Zone-tailed Hawk x 1,750
Buteo brachyurus Short-tailed Hawk Z X
Buteo polyosoma Red-backed Hawk Rta, ngXine lee Xx ms
Buteo albigula White-throated Hawk Xx
Harpyhaliaetus solitarius Solitary Eagle 3
Phalcoboenus megalopterus Mountain Caracara Sees x
Penelope barbata Bearded Guan Xrwosey ux x %
Columba fasciata Band-tailed Pigeon K vias | ae x Xx x
Zenaida auriculata Eared Dove Kral Xt %
Columbina cruziana Croaking Ground-dove ¥
Leptotila ochraceiventris Ochre-bellied Dove ? K
Leptotila verreauxi White-tipped Dove Xx X x X
Geotrygon frenata White-throated Quail-dove * x Xx xX
Aratinga erythrogenys Red-masked Parakeet 2 ? Xx
Aratinga wagleri Scarlet-fronted Parakeet 2 u x
Bolborhynchus sp. Bolborhynchus sp. yi
Forpus coelestis Pacific Parrotlet Y
Amazona mercenaria Scaly-naped Parrot x
Piaya cayana Squirrel Cuckoo X x ~ 1,850
Tapera naevia Striped Cuckoo X
Crotophaga sulcirostris Groove-billed Ani x Cory 1,850
Tyto alba Barn Owl x
Otus roboratus West Peruvian Screech-owl x
Otus albogularis White-throated Screech-owl P x x Xx

Willem-Pier Vellinga et al.

Glaucidium jardinii
Asio stygius

Aegolius harrisii
Lurocalis rufiventris
Nyctidromus albicollis
Caprimulgus longirostris
Streptoprocne zonaris
Cypseloides rutilus
Aeronautes montivagus
Colibri thalassinus
Colibri coruscans
Amazilia sp.

Adelomyia melanogenys
Aglaeactis cupripennis
Lafresnaya lafresnayi
Coeligena iris

Ensifera ensifera
Heliangelus micraster
Heliangelus viola
Lesbia nuna

Lesbia victoriae
Thaumastura cora
Metallura tyrianthina
Myrtis fannyi

Acestrura mulsant
Pharomachrus auriceps
Trogon personatus
Andigena hypoglauca
Picumnus sclateri
Veniliornis fumigatus
Piculus rubiginosus
Piculus rivolii
Campephilus pollens
Lepidocolaptes affinis
Furnarius cinnamomeus
Synallaxis azarae
Hellmayrea gularis
Cranioleuca antisiensis
Margarornis squamiger
Pseudocolaptes boissonneautii
Syndactyla ruficollis
Xiphocolaptes promeropirhynchus
Lepidocolaptes lacrymiger
Thamnophilus zarumae
Myrmeciza griseiceps
Grallaria squamigera
Grallaria guatimalensis
Grallaria ruficapilla
Grallaria watkinsi
Grallaria quitensis
Grallaria rufula (cajamarcensis)

139

Andean Pygmy-owl
Stygian Owl

Buff-fronted Owl
Rufous-bellied Nighthawk
Pauraque

Band-winged Nightjar
White-collared Swift
Chestnut-collared Swift
Andean Swift

Green Violetear

Sparkling Violetear
hummingbird sp.

Speckled Hummingbird
Shining Sunbeam
Mountain Velvetbreast
Rainbow Starfrontlet
Sword-billed Hummingbird
Little Sunangel
Purple-throated Sunangel
Green-tailed Trainbearer
Black-tailed Trainbearer
Peruvian Sheartail

Tyrian Metaltail
Purple-collared Woodstar
White-bellied Woodstar
Golden-headed Quetzal
Masked Trogon
Grey-breasted Mountain-toucan
Ecuadorian Piculet
Smoky-brown Woodpecker
Golden-olive Woodpecker
Crimson-mantled Woodpecker
Powerful Woodpecker
Spot-crowned Woodcreeper
Pacific Hornero

Azara's Spinetail
White-browed Spinetail
Line-cheeked Spinetail
Pearled Treerunner
Streaked Tuftedcheek
Rufous-necked Foliage-gleaner
Strong-billed Woodcreeper
Montane Woodcreeper
Chapman's Antshrike
Grey-headed Antbird
Undulated Antpitta

Scaled Antpitta
Chestnut-crowned Antpitta
Watkins's Antpitta

Tawny Antpitta

Rufous Antpitta

x ~ KK HK RK

~ KM mK

~~ MP ~ mM MM

~™ €-1 0)

oo > mM ed

Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

x X x
x v50
?
X
X X
X Xx
X
Xx
x X X
X Xx x X
Xx X X
x x X
x Xx Xx X
X
X
ss X X
Xx Xx X
X
x
x X Xx
X
Z x
x x x
% X x
X
x x x
x X x X
x x X
Ds x Xx x
x
Xx x X i
x % % ?
x Xx % X
x x
X
x
X
Zz x
X X
Xx
x X X Xx
x
Sid 050+

x?

Willem-Pier Vellinga et al.

Grallaricula ferrugineipectus
leymebambae

Myornis senilis

Scytalopus latrans subcinereus

Phyllomyias nigrocapillus

Phyllomyias uropygialis

Zimmerius (chrysops) flavidifrons

Elaenia obscura

Elaenia albiceps

Elaenia pallatangae

Mecocerculus stictopterus

Mecocerculus poecilocercus

Mecocerculus leucophrys

Mecocerculus calopterus

Anairetes parulus

Anairetes nigrocristatus

Mionectes striaticollis

Contopus fumigatus

Poecilotriccus ruficeps

Contopus cinereus

Ochthoeca rufipectoralis

Ochthoeca fumicolor

Ochthoeca c. cinnamomeiventris

Ochthoeca jelskii

Myiotheretes striaticollis

Myiotheretes fumigatus

Attila torridus

Myiarchus tuberculifer

Myiodynastes chrysocephalus
(minor)

Tyrannus melancholicus

Pachyramphus versicolor

Pachyramphus albogriseus

Ampelion rubrocristatus

Pipreola arcuata

Cyanolyca turcosa

Cyclarhis gujanensis virenticeps

Vireo leucophrys

Catharus fuscater

Catharus ustulatus

Turdus fuscater

Turdus serranus

Turdus chiguanco

Turdus reevei

Mimus longicaudatus

Progne chalybea

Notiochelidon cyanoleuca

Notiochelidon murina

Campylorhynchus fasciatus

Troglodytes musculus

Troglodytes solstitialis

140
Rusty-breasted Antpitta

Ash-coloured Tapaculo
Blackish Tapaculo
Black-capped Tyrannulet
Tawny-rumped Tyrannulet
Loja Tyrannulet

Highland Elaenia
White-crested Elaenia
Sierran Elaenia
White-banded Tyrannulet
White-tailed Tyrannulet
White-throated Tyrannulet
Rufous-winged Tyrannulet
Tufted Tit-tyrant
Black-crested Tit-tyrant
Streak-necked Flycatcher
Smoke-coloured Pewee
Rufous-crowned Tody-flycatcher
Tropical Pewee
Rufous-breasted Chat-tyrant
Brown-backed Chat-tyrant
Slaty-backed Chat-tyrant
Jelski's Chat-tyrant
Streak-throated Bush-tyrant
Smoky Bush Tyrant
Ochraceous Attila
Dusky-capped Flycatcher
Golden-crowned Flycatcher

Tropical Kingbird

Barred Becard
Black-and-white Becard
Red-crested Cotinga
Barred Fruiteater
Turquoise Jay
Rufous-browed Peppershrike
Brown-capped Vireo
Slaty-backed Nightingale-thrush
Spotted Nightingale-thrush
Great Thrush

Glossy-black Thrush
Chiguanco Thrush
Plumbeous-backed Thrush
Long-tailed Mockingbird
Grey-breasted Martin
Blue-and-white Swallow
Brown-bellied Swallow
Fasciated Wren

Southern House Wren
Mountain Wren

rm Ps Po

a

a oa

x?

a a as!

rs PO

Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

x?

mr OK

a oo 2)

rm oP

a

Willem-Pier Vellinga et al.

Anthus bogotensis

Parula pitiayumi
Dendroica fusca
Mvioborus miniatus
Mvioborus melanocephalus
Basileuterus nigrocristatus
Basileuterus trifasciatus
Basileuterus luteoviridis
Basileuterus coronatus
Euphonia cyanocephala
Euphonia laniirostris
Conirostrum cinereum
Conirostrum sitticolor
Conirostrum albifrons
Diglossa caerulescens
Diglossopis cyanea
Diglossa humeralis
Diglossa albilatera
Diglossa sittoides
Pipraeidea melanonota
Tangara vassorii

Tangara viridicollis
Anisognathus lacrymosus
Dubusia taeniata

Thraupis episcopus
Thraupis cyanocephala
Piranga flava

Thlypopsis ornata
Hemispingus superciliaris
Hemispingus verticalis
Hemispingus (melanotis) piurae
Saltator nigriceps

Saltator cinctus
Catamblyrhynchus diadema
Pheucticus chrysogaster
Sporophila luctuosa
Amaurospiza concolor
Catamenia inornata
Sicalis flaveola

Phrygilus plebejus ocularis
Phrygilus alaudinus
Haplospiza rustica
Atlapetes leucopterus
Atlapetes latinuchus (comptus)
Atlapetes seebohmi
Buarremon torquatus nigrifrons
Zonotrichia capensis

Dives warscewiczi
Carduelis magellanica
Carduelis psaltria

141

Paramo Pipit

Tropical Parula
Blackburnian Warbler
Slate-throated Whitestart
Spectacled Whitestart
Black-crested Warbler
Three-banded Warbler
Citrine Warbler
Russet-crowned Warbler
Golden-rumped Euphonia
Thick-billed Euphonia
Cinereous Conebill
Blue-backed Conebill
Capped Conebill

Bluish Flowerpiercer
Masked Flowerpiercer
Black Flowerpiercer
White-sided Flowerpiercer
Rusty Flowerpiercer
Fawn-breasted Tanager
Blue-and-black Tanager
Silver-backed Tanager
Lacrimose Mountain-tanager
Buff-breasted Mountain-tanager
Blue-grey Tanager
Blue-capped Tanager
Hepatic Tanager
Rufous-chested Tanager
Superciliaried Hemispingus
Black-headed Hemispingus
Piura Hemispingus
Black-cowled Saltator
Masked Saltator

Plushcap

Southern Yellow Grosbeak
Black-and-white Seedeater
Blue Seedeater
Plain-coloured Seedeater
Saffron Finch
Ash-breasted Sierra-finch
Band-tailed Sierra-finch
Slaty Finch

White-winged Brush-finch
Rufous-naped Brush-finch
Bay-crowned Brush-finch
Stripe-headed Brush-finch
Rufous-collared Sparrow
Scrub Blackbird

Hooded Siskin

Lesser Goldfinch

~~ se mM

x?

x Ke MK MM

Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

xX

x?

x?

3,050+
X
Xx
x

~ OK

Pe eo oe

x KK MK ~ KM KM

x Ms

x eK

Willem-Pier Vellinga et al. 142 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

APPENDIX 2
Comparison of some EBA 046 forests. Abbreviations: ? = species doubtfully recorded; x? = species

present, subspecies unclear; VU = Vulnerable (BirdLife International 2000); NT = Near Threatened
(BirdLife International 2000).

Cruz Blanca (Parker ef al. 1985)
Utuana (N. Krabbe pers. comm.)
Huamba (Schyjellerup 2000)
Amaluza (Williams & Tobias 1994)

5 ™ =
s 3 io
. = =
< < za)
Range-restricted taxa
Penelope barbata VU x xX x x
Coeligena iris x x x x
Heliangelus viola X 5 Xx x x x Xe
Heliangelus micraster x x
Amazilia amazilia (alticola?) a
Cranioleuca antisiensis x x xX is mS x &
Myrmeciza griseiceps VU Xx X
Syndactyla ruficollis VU x Xx x
Leptotila ochraceiventris ? x
Hemispingus piurae X x X
Zimmerius (chrysops) flavidifrons x xe X x?
Atlapetes seebohmi x x om
Basileuterus trifasciatus x xX 26 me
Thamnophilus zarumae By X x 26
Picumnus sclateri X
Turdus reevei 2 x x
Saltator nigrifrons x Ke x x xX
Scytalopus latrans subcinereus X x x er x? xX x
Aratinga erythrogenys 2 x
Grallaria rufula cajamarcensis x
Grallaricula ferrugineipectus x Ke xe
Number of range-restricted taxa 14 14 13 7 12 8 5
Examples of easily recorded main-chain characteristic species
Cyanocorax turcosa x X x x
Anisognathus lacrymosus x X X x i
Pipreola arcuata X x x a
Cacicus holosericeus x
Andigena hypoglauca x x x

A. Townsend Peterson et al. 143 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

Detecting errors in biodiversity data based on
collectors’ itineraries

by A. Townsend Peterson, Adolfo G. Navarro-Sigtienza &©
Ricardo Scachetti Pereira
Received 24 April 2003

Museum curators have long checked the veracity of specimen data via collectors’
field notes, thus establishing whether a particular specimen could have been
collected at the claimed place and/or date. In fact, at least one institution (Museum
of Vertebrate Zoology, Berkeley, California) invests heavily in its archive of collec-
tors’ field notes and has dedicated enormous effort to make this information
increasingly useful (http://elib.cs.berkeley.edu/mvz/). This source of confirmatory
tests of veracity of specimen data, however, would seem at first glance to be
available only when detailed (and honest) field notes, journals and catalogues are
available.

The idea of checking itinerary information, however, can take on a new
relevance with the development of large biodiversity datasets. The example upon
which the analyses developed herein are based is that of the birds of Mexico, a
databasing project that has covered the Mexican bird holdings of essentially all
relevant natural history museums (Peterson ef al. 1998). This example, however, is
increasingly relevant in general: as large biodiversity datasets are assembled from
widely distributed sources, such detailed, multi-institutional information will
become available for many taxa and regions (e.g., Species Analyst, http://speciesan-
alyst.net; Red Mundial de la Informacidn de la _ Biodiversidad
http://www.conabio.gob.mx).

The purpose of this contribution is thus, to develop the framework of a method-
ology for identifying potential errors in geo-referencing or in the date of collection
of specimens by particular collectors. The general approach is that of assembling all
of the specimens collected from a particular collector in temporal order, and
imposing criteria of maximum radii of likely movement within a day, or over small
numbers of days. Although preliminary, and requiring customisation for particular
applications, the approach is developed and tested on five Mexican bird collectors.

Methods

Data from 33 core natural history museums in North America and Europe were
used in the development of this example. This dataset (c.400,000 records) (Peterson
et al. 1998) was queried for all specimens of each collector, and the top four collec-
tors in terms of productivity were chosen for analysis (Chester C. Lamb, collecting
1920-1969, 41,184 specimens; Wilmot W. Brown, collecting 1890-1953, 18,238
specimens; Mario del Toro Aviles, collecting 1926-1958, 8,744 specimens; A. R.

A. Townsend Peterson et al. 144 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

Phillips, collecting 1923-1989, 7,148 specimens). All of these collectors are now
deceased and all were sufficiently productive (Fig. 1) in terms of number of
specimens to provide adequate samples for analysis. We also included the 1,458
specimens collected by one of us (AGNS) as an example of specimens for which
data were assembled with great care. Specimen collection localities were assigned
geographic coordinates based on visual inspection of 1:50,000 topographic maps;
specimens for which precise geo-referencing was not possible were excluded from
analyses. Records were filtered to keep only those for which both dates and geo-
references were available, leaving 40,114 (Lamb), 17,809 (Brown), 7,051 (del Toro
Aviles), 6,887 (Phillips) and 1,456 (AGNS) (Fig. 1).

Records of each collector were assembled in Microsoft Excel worksheets and
sorted in order of date, and within dates by longitude and then latitude (ideally,
localities should have been sorted by geographic proximity, but this was not done
for computational simplicity). Distances (km) between one locality (latl, long1)
and the next (lat2, long2) were calculated from the spherical trigonometry formula:

SIN iad 1/57. 2958 ) SIN (lat 2 (57. 2958)+ —
Distance = 6378" ACOS| COS Gaz 1157 2958) COS reese
COS (long 2/ 57.2958) (long1/57.2958))

(drawn from http://www.auslig.gov.au/geodesy/datums/distance.htm).

Criteria for identifying potential errors were chosen using a set of assumptions
regarding the ability of collectors to move particular distances within particular
time intervals. For purposes of demonstration, we used 40 km moved in a single
day, 100 km moved from one day to the next, 200 km moved in two days, and 500
km moved in three days as a set of assumptions. These criteria were chosen arbitrar-
ily to represent distances greater than the maximum distances that collectors
typically move in particular time intervals. Clearly, if this methodology were to be
implemented more broadly, these assumptions could be varied to match particular
collectors: collectors moving on horseback could be assigned shorter distance
criteria than collectors moving by automobile on more modern roads.

Crude potential errors were summarised as number per 1,000 specimens for
which a potential problem was detected (i.e., number of potential errors identified
per number of specimens collected on the same day as another specimen, on the day
after another specimen, etc.). For a subset of records (Phillips’ specimens only),
records identified as potential problems were categorised, by laborious visual
inspection, into those situations that were most likely to be correct (e.g., collector
collected one specimen in one site, and then moved 62 km to another site, and
collected more specimens), versus those that were more likely to be erroneous, and
into an estimate of actual number of possible errors (e.g., if two sites 1,000 km apart

A. Townsend Peterson et al. 145 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

TABLE |
AGNS Brown Lamb Phillips del Toro Aviles

Days No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No.
specimens potential specimens potential specimens potential specimens potential specimens potential

analysed errors analysed errors analysed errors analysed errors analysed errors
0 1,220 2 13:55) 209 = 34,346 730 4,586 480 5,079 18]
l 154 2 2,365 113 4,339 553 1,147 385 1,316 160
2 ll | 774 23 464 101 305 100 186 15
3 l 0 321 5 165 35 45 23 71 2
Q-error 0.0016 0.0154 0.0213 0.1047 0.0357
l-error 0.0130 0.0478 0.1274 0.3357 0.1216
2-error 0.0909 0.0297 0.2177 0.3279 0.0807
3-error 0 0.0156 0.2121 0.5111 0.0282

were reported as being sampled during seven consecutive days, one error occurred,
rather than seven).

Results

The five collectors analysed herein present diverse results in terms of error
detection and analysis. Specimens collected by AGNS, as a first example, held a
total of five potential errors out of 1,456 specimens (Table 1). Of these specimens
with potential errors, four were somewhat long-distance moves in relatively short
amounts of time: for instance, after collecting for several days in the Sierra de
Juarez, Oaxaca, in early November 1987, AGNS moved 127 km between 5 and 6
November, and collected one bird at La Tinaja, Veracruz (Black Vulture Coragyps
atratus, MZFC 6395). Checking field notes for this collection indicated that this
specimen was a road-kill, and was indeed collected where and when its data
indicated; such was the case for one other specimen. Three specimens, however,
indeed held errors of geo-referencing (Fig. 1). For example, based on his specimen
label data, AGNS moved 541 km between collecting events on 19 and 20 April
1992. Inspection of his field notes indicated that he collected at Chiquihuites,
Volcan Tacana, Chiapas, on 16-19 April, and at Papales, Volcan Tacana, Chiapas,
on 20-21 April. These two localities are not 450 km apart; rather, the geographic
reference for Papales proved to represent an error of 5° of longitude. In fact, the two
localities are only a few km apart, signifying true errors (post-collection) in data
records associated with specimens collected by AGNS.

The other four collectors—in reality the object of this study—showed higher
apparent error rates (Table 1). Error rates, calculated under the different distance-
time criteria, for Brown ranged 0.015—0.050 per thousand, those for del Toro Aviles
0.028—0.122, for Lamb 0.021—0.218, and for Phillips 0.105—0.511 (see Table 1).
Specimens indicated as potentially erroneous revealed many clear cases of error; for
example, Phillips’ collections in early October 1955 were focused in Sinaloa and
Nayarit (Fig. 1), including collections on 8 October 1955. However, also on 8

A. Townsend Peterson et al. 146 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

October 1955, a specimen of Rufous-
capped Warbler Basileuterus rufifrons
(DMNH 26575) was apparently from
Acahuizotla, Guerrero, and clearly
represents an impossible jump (c.700 km)
for a single collector (Fig. 2). Each of the
four collectors showed several such clear
examples of error; a rough estimate of
numbers of actual errors (e.g., two distant
localities on the same date, etc., omitting
cases in which travel by automobile
would have made such distances possible)
for Phillips was about 65 probable errors.

Discussion

The approaches explored herein are not
new: curators and collection managers of
natural history museums have long used
collectors’ itineraries to assess the
veracity of specimen data. What is new is
the implementation of these approaches
in an exploratory sense, seeking to
identify specimens that have high
probabilities of error without prior reason
to suspect problems. Beyond simple error
detection, these methods offer an
opportunity to begin to understand
objectively the ways in which scientific
collections were assembled. In this case,
errors of geo-referencing or dating are
identified; additional approaches
focusing on other sources of error have
also been identified, and error-detection
tools developed (Chapman 1999). An

Figure 1. Maps of collecting localities for each of
the five collectors analysed in this paper: (A)
AGNS, (B) Brown, (C) Lamb, (D) del Toro Aviles,
and (E) Phillips. The geo-referencing error detected
in AGNS’s specimen data is evident off the coast of
Guerrero. Collecting localities are roughly classed
as to year of collection by five shades from black
(oldest specimens) to white (newest specimens).

A. Townsend Peterson et al. 147 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

important point, however, is that these methodologies are not being developed with
the aim of designating particular collectors as ‘good’ or ‘bad’, but rather as a way
of identifying potential problems among the data records from each collector.

Limitations
The methods explored herein can fail under three circumstances. First, the temporal
density of records from a particular collector must be sufficient to permit detection
of potential problems. For low-volume collectors, the probability that erroneous
records would overlap sufficiently in time to allow detection of problems would be
relatively low, so these methods will frequently miss problems with such collectors.
A second limitation is for situations in which specimens are listed as stemming
from a single collector, but more than one collector was really involved. Examples,
such as Adolphe Boucard across much of the world, are well known as listing the
efforts of multiple collectors under a single name. Three of the collectors analysed
herein (Brown, Lamb, del Toro Avilés) had no such arrangements. Lamb and often
Phillips apparently worked with teams of collectors, although to our knowledge
these teams usually remained together in groups (A. R. Phillips pers. comm. to ATP,
December 1988); one possible explanation for the complications among Phillips’
specimens, however, is that some of Phillips’ specimens may have been acquired

Figure 2. Map of collecting localities for Allan R. Phillips for 2-10 October 1955, showing a locality

in Guerrero on 8 October 1955 that is probably erroneous.

A. Townsend Peterson et al. 148 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

from his collectors, who may have continued accumulating specimens (and labelled
them under his name) when not in the field with Phillips. More general application
of these methods must nevertheless bear in mind that such collectors who included
catalogue entries from multiple collectors and preparators will often produce false
indications of errors.

The final, and darkest, possibility is that of complete fabrication of data. That
is, if a malicious collector simply invented everything, in this way, it would be
possible to make the associated information completely consistent. This complete
fabrication, rather than errors or fabrications associated with single specimens,
would not be detected by the approaches developed herein.

Causes of errors detected

A diversity of factors can produce the types of errors that have been detected in this
study. They range from mistakes in data recording to deliberate falsification and, of
course, have very different implications as a result. Going beyond simply detecting
errors then becomes important: analysis of the types and causes of errors detected
permits learning about the methods and motives of each collector, and may allow
detection of additional errors that could have important implications for biodiver-
sity inventories.

Errors can be divided into two general types: collector errors and post-collec-
tion errors. Post-collection errors can enter the process at a variety of points. In
older collections, such as with the Salvin and Godman collections from Mexico and
Central America, specimen labels were at times prepared at the museum well after
the collector’s involvement (Godman 1915), creating considerable opportunity for
mistakes. An excellent example of this effect_is for the type specimen of the
woodnymph Thalurania luciae (Deignan 1961), which is labelled as collected in the
Tres Marias Islands off western Mexico, and described as a species new to science;
in reality, it was from Brazil, its data having probably been confused between two
collections arriving at the U.S. National Museum of Natural History at the same
time. Numerous subsequent phases, including re-labelling, cataloguing, computer-
isation, and geo-referencing, provide additional opportunities for errors to come
into existence.

Collector errors are perhaps more complex. Certainly, some of these problems
are simple mistakes: a collector noted an incorrect date or locality on the label.
Brown, according to Phillips (pers. comm. to ATP, December 1988), had an
amusing source of error: labels with locality information were apparently made up
prior to collection and placed in the skinning kit. If all of the pre-made labels were
not used at a particular site, however, the remainder apparently stayed in the
skinning kit, and would be used (accidentally) at succeeding localities. This sort of
error would produce a clear signature of past, well-sampled localities appearing as
scattered errors at later sites. Such a signature is indeed present in at least some
Brown collections: for instance, a specimen of Olive Sparrow Arremonops [rufivir-
gatus| sumichrasti (MCZ 164687) was supposedly collected on 31 January 1931 at

A. Townsend Peterson et al. 149 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

Acapulco, Guerrero, when the collector was collecting numerous specimens from
Coyuca, Guerrero (e.g.. MCZ 163991). Acapulco, however, was sampled
intensively on 9 December 1930-8 January 1931 (e.g.. MCZ 163887).
Nevertheless, overall, Brown’s specimens appear to be relatively clean, without
overwhelming numbers of errors produced by his apparent carelessness regarding
labels.

A still-worse source of error is that in which labels were not prepared at the time
of collection. The famous example here is that of Mario del Toro Aviles, who
apparently had more than 10,000 unlabelled specimens in his house when visited by
A. R. Phillips (Binford 1989). This utter lack of interest in accuracy of label
information has caused numerous problems, including many odd locality and date
records (Binford 1989), and even species for which the type locality is most likely
inaccurate (Peterson & Nieto-Montes de Oca 1996). This pattern of collector
behaviour produces the relatively numerous random locality and date records that
characterise del Toro Aviles’ specimens, although del Toro Aviles ranked well
behind Lamb and Phillips in terms of error rates detected.

The higher error rates detected among the specimens of Lamb and Phillips are
quite surprising. In both cases, the collector had been considered to be relatively
reliable and no previous commentary had addressed potential problems with their
material. This implication of potential problems thus demands a more in-depth,
biographical analysis of these collectors.

Most difficult to manage are errors that involve deliberate falsification of data.
The most famous such doings are those of the collector Richard Meinertzhagen,
who apparently stole specimens, re-labelled them, and sometimes even re-prepared
them to give the appearance that he had collected them himself (Knox 1993,
Rasmussen & Collar 1999). As mentioned above, such broad falsification would be
difficult to detect using the methodologies developed herein.

Nevertheless, errors among the specimens of Allan R. Phillips are suspicious—
certainly, potential error rates associated with his specimens are higher than would
have been expected, so we must consider additional information regarding Phillips’
work as a collector. First, error rates among his specimens are high, indeed many
times those of Mario del Toro Aviles, whom Phillips criticised so thoroughly (A. R.
Phillips pers. comm. to ATP, December 1988). Second, Phillips was very concerned
about specimen data, e.g., in respect of moult patterns, migration records and
subspecific variation, so it seems unlikely that he would make so many random
errors. Third, comments made by Phillips (pers. comm. to ATP, December 1988)
regarding collecting specimens indicated that when he collected specimens during
periods for which he had no collecting permits, he would change dates to those time
periods for which permits were available. Finally, during museum studies as part of
the assembly of the Atlas, several specimens were encountered by AGNS in
Phillips’ personal collection that were collected by students and staff at Universidad
Nacional Autonoma de México and other Mexican institutions, including
specimens collected by AGNS himself! The implications of such findings beg

A. Townsend Peterson et al. 150 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

further information, perhaps from Phillips’ colleagues and associates, which would
illuminate the situation further and might permit a decision as to whether major
portions of Phillips’ material should be ignored in considerations of the specimen
record of Mexican birds.

Implementation
Clearly, a central concern for any broad implementation of these methodologies
should be the suites of assumptions regarding the ability of different collectors to
move particular distances per unit time. We have, in this prototype of the method,
used a ‘middle-of-the-road’ suite of assumptions, solely for the purposes of
demonstration. Clearly, modern collectors (e.g., AGNS) could be treated differently
from the former collectors (e.g., Brown), which would result in greater precision in
error detection. In this sense, consideration of some biographical information
regarding each collector could greatly enrich our error-detection approaches.
Tools for broad implementation of these error-detection approaches are
presently under development. A first requirement is that of large quantities of
biodiversity information, in which collectors’ entire specimen collections are
assembled. Such assemblies of information necessarily depend on integrating
information from across many institutions, as most collectors’ specimens are spread
widely among them. Projects such as that of the Atlas of Mexican bird distributions,
from which the present dataset is drawn, require intense investment in data manage-
ment and for that reason there are at present few such projects (Peterson et al. 1998,
Navarro-Siguenza et al. 2002). An alternative approach is that of distributed
biodiversity databases, which integrate electronic databases housed at different
institutions via the Internet. Nevertheless, a considerable time lag is involved in the
creation of such electronic databases, particularly for methods such as this one that
require complete information for full functionality.

Acknowledgements

We thank the curators and staff of the following scientific collections for access to specimens and data
under their care: American Museum of Natural History; Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia;
Bell Museum of Natural History; British Museum (Natural History); California Academy of Sciences;
Carnegie Museum of Natural History; Canadian Museum of Nature; Denver Museum of Natural
History; Delaware Museum of Natural History; Fort Hays State College; Field Museum of Natural
History; Iowa State University; University of Kansas; Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History;
Natuurhistorische Museum; Louisiana State University Museum of Zoology; Museum of Comparative
Zoology, Harvard University; Moore Laboratory of Zoology, Occidental College; Muséum Nationale
d’Histoire Naturelle; Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, Berkeley; Museo de Zoologia, Facultad de
Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de México; University of Nebraska; Royal Ontario Museum;
San Diego Natural History Museum; Southwestern College; Texas Cooperative Wildlife Collections;
University of Arizona; University of British Columbia Museum of Zoology; University of California Los
Angeles; Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolas de Hidalgo; United States National Museum of
Natural History; Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology; and Peabody Museum, Yale University. This
study was supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation. ATP’s work (in Brazil) was supported by
a grant from the Fundagao de Amparo 4 Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo.

A. Townsend Peterson et al. 151 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

References:

Binford, L. C. 1989. A distributional survey of the birds of the Mexican state of Oaxaca. Orn. Monogr.
No. 43.

Chapman, A. D. 1999. Quality control and validation of point-sourced environmental resource data. Pp.
409-418 in Lowell, K. (ed.) Spatial accuracy assessment: land information uncertainty in natural
resources. Ann Arbor Press, Chelsea, MI.

Deignan, H. G. 1961. Type specimens of birds in the United States National Museum. Smithsonian Inst.
Bull. 1961: 1-718.

Godman, F. D. 1915. Biologia Centrali Americana: introductory volume. Taylor & Francis, Ltd., London.

Knox, A. G. 1993. Richard Meinertzhagen—a case of fraud examined. /bis 135: 320-325.

Navarro-Sigtienza, A. G., Peterson, A.T. & Gordillo-Martinez, A. 2002. A Mexican case study on a cen-
tralized database from world natural history museums. CODATA Journal 1: 45-53.

Peterson, A. T., Navarro-Sigtienza, A. G. & Benitez-Diaz, H. 1998. The need for continued scientific col-
lecting: a geographic analysis of Mexican bird specimens. /bis 140: 288-294.

Peterson, A. T. & Nieto-Montes de Oca, A. 1996. Sympatry in Abronia (Squamata: Anguidae) and the
problem of Mario del Toro Aviles’ specimens. J. Herpetology 30: 260-262.

Rasmussen, P. C. & Collar, N. J. 1999. Major specimen fraud in the forest owlet Heteroglaux (Athene
auct.) blewitti. Ibis 141: 11-21.

Rasmussen, P. C. & Prys-Jones, R. P. 2003. History vs mystery: the reliability of museum specimen data.
Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl. 123A: 66-94.

Addresses: A. Townsend Peterson, Natural History Museum and Biodiversity Research Center, The
University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045, e-mail: town@ku.edu. Adolfo G. Navarro-
Sigiienza, Museo de Zoologia, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de México,
Apartado Postal 70-399, Mexico, D.F. 04510, Mexico. Ricardo Scachetti Pereira, Centro de
Referéncia em Informacao Ambiental, Av. Romeu Tortima 388, Barao Geraldo 13084-520
Campinas S.P., Brazil.

© British Ornithologists’ Club 2004

Rediscovery of the White-necked Picathartes
Picathartes gymnocephalus in Ghana

by Ben D. Marks, Fason D. Weckstein, Kevin P Fohnson,
Mathys 7. Meyer, James Braimah & Fames Oppong

Received 1 Fuly 2003

The White-necked Picathartes Picathartes gymnocephalus is endemic to the Upper
Guinean forests of West Africa (Fry et al. 2000) from Guinea to Ghana. Throughout
this range, the rapid fragmentation and destruction of lowland rain forest threatens
the survival of this remarkable species (BirdLife International 2000). Recent studies
have focused on various demographic and ecological questions regarding popula-
tions of P gymnocephalus in Guinea (Halleux 1994), Liberia (Allport 1991), Sierra
Leone (Thompson 1993, 2001, Thompson & Fotso 2000), and Ivory Coast
(Salewski et al. 2000). However, no recent records of this bird are available from
Ghana. The most recent published records of Picathartes in the country are those of

Ben D. Marks et al. 152 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

Grimes (1964, Grimes & Darku 1968), the latter summarising results from a 1966
survey. Since the 1960s, attempts to locate this species in Ghana have been
unsuccessful (John Mason pers. comm.). As a result, it was widely believed that P
gymnocephalus had been extirpated from Ghanaian forests. Here we report on the
recent rediscovery of P gymnocephalus in the Brong-Ahafo Region, Ghana.

On 14-30 March 2003 we conducted an avifaunal survey in a block of forest
reserves in Brong-Ahafo Region. Our survey relied heavily on a line of 26 consec-
utively-strung mist-nets running along the boundary line between Ayum and Subim
forest reserves (06°71’N, 02°73’W). The forest in this region is dominated by Celtis
spp., Ceiba and Pterogota tree species and has many large boulders and rocky
outcrops. On 26 March 2003 at 1040 h we mist-netted a P gymnocephalus (Fig. 1),
videotaped, photographed and released it unharmed. On 28 March 2003 we showed
the video of the Picathartes to a local hunter in Asumura to discover whether he was
familiar with the species. He immediately recognised the bird and told us that he
had encountered at least three individuals in the nearby forest reserves. He reported
some of the life history attributes of the species, such as breeding period (the fifth
month of the year) and nest site. On 30 March he led us to a nest site. The nests were
located on a boulder c.5 m high with a cave-like overhanging face sloping at a steep
angle down to the ground. The two nests were constructed from mud and plant
fibres, attached to the overhang with the cup of the nest forming a semi-circle c.30
cm wide, 15 cm high, and 15 cm deep. They were positioned less than 1 m apart at
approximately the same height (c.2.5 m). On the floor of the shelter formed by the

SE

Figure 1. Picathartes gynmochepalus mist-netted in Ghana on 26 March 2003 (J. D. Weckstein & B. D.
Marks)

Ben D. Marks et al. 153 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

over-hanging rock were several hundred snail shells; snails are a potential food
source for this species (Fry et a/. 2000). The local hunter noted that when he first
found this nesting site there was only one nest and that the second nest was new. JO
and the hunter revisited the nesting site on 22 April 2003 and noted that one of the
nests had undergone further construction, making it 18.5 cm high. The activity at
the nest site, coupled with the hunter’s report of other Picathartes in different sites
in this forest reserve system, suggest that this location may hold a viable population
of Picathartes. The Ghana Wildlife Division, Nature Conservation Research Centre
(NCRC, a Ghanaian NGO), and the Chief of Asumura are making an effort to
protect the species in these reserves. Further work is needed to census the area for
other individuals and nests to determine the viability of this Picathartes population.

Acknowledgements

We thank the Ghana Wildlife Department for their continued support of our research programme in
Ghana. In particular we would like to thank Mike Adu-Nsiah for all of his help with permits and his
enthusiasm for our work. John Mason, Patrick Adjewodah and Mavis Boateng from NCRC, as well as
Samuel Agyei, provided invaluable logistical support during all phases of this project. We also thank
Frank Agbeko, the people of Asumura, and especially Nana Prince Yaw Adomako for granting us access
to the forest reserves. Finally we thank the Louisiana State Museum of Natural Science and NSF PEET
DEB-0118794 to KPJ for financial support.

References:

Allport, G. (1991) The status and conservation of threatened birds in the Upper Guinea forest. Bird
Conserv. Intern. 1: 53-74.

BirdLife International. 2000. Threatened birds of the world. BirdLife International, Cambridge, UK &
Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.

Fry, C. H., Keith, S. & Urban, E. K. (eds.) 2000. The birds of Africa, vol. 6. Academic Press, London.

Grimes, L. 1964. Some notes on the breeding of Picathartes gymnocephalus in Ghana. [bis 106: 258-260.

Grimes, L. & Darku, K. 1968. Some recent breeding records of Picathartes gymnocephalus in Ghana
and notes on its distribution in West Africa. bis 110: 93-99.

Halleux, D. 1994. Annotated bird list of Macenta Prefecture, Guinea. Malimbus 16: 10-29.

Salewski, V., Goken, F., Korb, J. & Schmidt, S. 2000. Has the White-necked Picathartes Picathartes gym-
nocephala still a chance in Lamto, Ivory Coast? Bird Conserv. Intern 10: 41-46.

Thompson, H. S. 1993. Status of White-necked Picathartes—another reason for the conservation of the
Peninsula Forest, Sierra Leone. Oryx 27: 155-158.

Thompson, H. S. 2001. Body mass, measurements and moult of the White-necked Picathartes,
Picathartes gymnocephalus, in Sierra Leone. Ostrich 72: 209-212.

Thompson, H. S. & Fotso, R. 2000. Conservation of two threatened species: Picathartes. Ostrich 71:
154-156.

Addresses: Ben D. Marks & Jason D. Weckstein, Department of Biological Sciences and Museum of
Natural Science, 119 Foster Hall, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70808, USA, e-mail:
bmarksS@Isu.edu. Kevin P. Johnson & Mathys J. Meyer, Illinois Natural History Survey, 607 East
Peabody Drive, Champaign, IL 6182, USA. James Braimah & James Oppong, Ghana Wildlife
Division, Forestry Commision, P.O. Box M.239, Accra, Ghana.

© British Ornithologists’ Club 2004

Harold F- Greeney 154 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

A nest of the Spot-fronted Swift Cypseloides
cherriei in eastern Ecuador

by Harold F Greeney

Received 20 Fuly 2003

Among the most poorly known species in South America is the Spot-fronted Swift
Cypseloides cherriei. Originally described from Costa Rica 110 years ago (Ridgway
1893), it was considered to be confined to a single locality there for over 50 years
(Peters 1940) until specimens were reported from Colombia and Venezuela
(Zimmer 1945, Beebe 1949). Whilst its range is now known to extend to both slopes
of the Andes in northern Ecuador (del Hoyo et al. 1999, Ridgley & Greenfield
2001), its distribution is disjunct and poorly understood. Little has been reported
concerning the behaviour of Spot-fronted Swift in Ecuador (but see Moore et al.
1999, Ridgely & Greenfield 2001, Howell 2002), and the only reports of breeding
activity are from Rancho Grande in Venezuela (Collins 1980) and central Costa
Rica (Marin & Stiles 1992). Here I present observations of Spot-fronted Swift in
north-east Ecuador.

Observations were made at Cabanas San Isidro preserve, in Napo province, c.3
km west of Cosanga and adjacent to the Yanayacu Biological Station & Center for
Creative Studies (00°35’S, 77°53’W). The preserve encompasses primary and
disturbed forest at 2,000—2,500 m in elevation and experiences a wetter season from
roughly February to July. Whilst bird watchers and ornithologists have appreciated
the uniqueness of this area for nearly 20 years, little has been published about the
site and ornithological studies have only recently drawn more attention to its
avifauna (Greeney 2002, Dobbs et al. 2003, Price 2003, Greeney ef al. 2004).

On 27 May 2002 at 1300 h an adult Spot-fronted Swift was found sitting in a
seemingly completed but empty nest in the relatively level area of primary forest
west of the Cosanga River at 2,050 m. The nest was within a small cave created by
a pile of large boulders through which a small stream was running. Overall, the cave
was c.3 m high at the highest point and accessible from three entrances, each c.1.5
m high and 1.5—2.5 m wide. The nest had been constructed on top of an old
Chestnut-collared Swift Cypseloides rutilus nest that had successfully fledged two
young the previous October (Greeney unpubl. data). It was 1.5 m above the stream,
35 cm from the top of the cave at this point, and located on an outward-curving rock
face. It was slightly smaller than the remnants of the Chestnut-collared Swift nest,
which created a platform to support the new nest. The nest was a shallow cup
formed entirely of fresh green mosses, lichens, liverworts and pieces of ferns.
Unfortunately the nest was found destroyed two weeks later and no further observa-
tions were possible.

Harold F. Greeney 155 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

The cave where this nest was found has been used for breeding over the past four
years by Chestnut-collared Swifts (Greeney unpubl. data). This species breeds in
August—January in the area, roughly corresponding to the drier months. This, and
other similar nesting sites of the Chestnut-collared Swift are used as roosting sites
throughout the year. The exact nest site of the Spot-fronted Swift was re-used in
September—December 2002 and 2003 by a pair of Chestnut-collared Swifts. It is
unknown whether Chestnut-collared Swifts were using this cave as a roost in May
2002, but no other active nests were found.

Collins (1980) noted the proximity of Spot-fronted Swift nests to those of
Chestnut-collared Swift nests in Venezuela. Breeding activity for both species was
recorded in the wet season in that area (Beebe & Crane 1947, Collins 1980).
Chestnut-collared Swifts breed during the dry season in this area of north-east
Ecuador (Greeney unpubl. data), whereas all previous studies have indicated the
species to breed in the wet season (Snow 1962, Collins 1968, Marin & Stiles 1992).
The nest of Spot-fronted Swift observed here was during the wet season. Work on
swiftlets (Collocalia) in Indonesia suggested that species sharing roost sites used
foraging times as a resource-partitioning mechanism (Medway 1962, Harrison
1974). Whilst both of the Cypseloides swifts discussed here are often seen foraging
together in Ecuador (Howell 2002, M. Lysinger pers. comm.), and Collins (1980)
suggested a similar resource-partitioning hypothesis for observations in Venezuela
(Beebe 1949, Schafer & Phelps 1954), the information presented here suggests a
different ecological relationship between these congenerics in our area. My
observations warrant further investigation of possible niche partitioning for these
species in north-east Ecuador and point to the need for basic natural history and
observational studies on these and many other Neotropical birds.

Acknowledgements
I am deeply indebted to Carmen Bustamante and Mitch Lysinger at Cabafias San Isidro, for their
patience, support, and guidance. C. T. Collins and R. C. Dobbs generously provided comments and litera-
ture. Ruth Ann & John V. Moore generously provided funds to encourage my natural history observations
and the PBNHS continues to provide support and assistance. This is publication number 27 of the
Yanayacu Natural History Research Group.

References:

Beebe, W. 1949. The swifts of Rancho Grande, north-central Venezuela with special reference to migra-
tion. Zoologica 34: 53-62.

Beebe, W. & Crane, J. 1947. Ecology of Rancho Grande, a subtropical cloud forest in northern
Venezuela. Zoologica 32: 43-66.

Collins, C. T. 1968. The comparative biology of two species of swifts in Trinidad, West Indies. Bull.
Florida State Mus. 11: 257-320.

Collins, C. T. 1980. The biology of the Spot-fronted Swift in Venezuela. Amer. Birds 34: 852-855.

Dobbs, R. C., Greeney, H. F. & Martin, P. R. 2003. The nest, nesting behavior, and foraging ecology of
the Rusty-winged Barbtail (Premnornis guttuligera). Wilson Bull. 115: 367-373.

Harold F Greeney 156 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(2)

Greeney, H. F. 2002. First description of the nest for the Bicolored Antvireo (Dysithamnus occidentalis),
with notes on its behavior in eastern Ecuador. Orn. Neotrop. 13: 297-299.

Greeney, H. F, Hannelly, E. C. & Lysinger, M. 2004. First description of the nest and vocalisations of
the Peruvian Antpitta Grallaricula peruviana with a northward range extension. Cotinga 21: 14-17.

Harrison, T. 1974. The food of Collocalia swiftlets (Aves, Apodidae) at Niah Great Cave in Borneo.
J. Bombay Nat. His. Soc. 71: 376-393.

Howell, S. N. G. 2002. Additional information on the birds of Ecuador. Cotinga 18: 62-65.

del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. & Sargatal, J. (eds.) 1999. Handbook of the birds of the world, vol. 5. Lynx
Edicions, Barcelona.

Marin A., M. & Stiles, F G. 1992. On the biology of five species of swifts (Apodidae, Cypseloidinae)
in Costa Rica. Proc. West. Found. Vert. Zool. 4: 286-357.

Medway, Lord. 1962. The swiftlets (Collocalia) of Niah Cave, Sarawak. Ibis 104: 228-245.

Moore, J. V., Coopmans, P., Ridgely, R. S. & Lysinger, M. (1999) The birds of northwest Ecuador, 1. J.
V. Moore Nature Recordings, San Jose, CA.

Peters, J. L. 1940. Check-list of birds of the world, vol. 4. Harvard Univ. Press, Cambridge, MA.

Price, E. R. 2003. First description of the nest, eggs, hatchlings, and incubation behavior of the White-
bellied Antpitta (Grallaria hypoleuca). Orn. Neotrop. 14: 535-539.

Ridgway, R. 1893. Descriptions of two supposed new species of swifts. Proc. U.S. Natl. Mus. 16: 43-44.

Ridgely, R. S. & Greenfield, P. J. 2001. The birds of Ecuador. Cornell Univ. Press, Ithaca, NY.

Schafer, E. & Phelps, W. H. 1954. Las aves del parque nacional “Henri Pittier” (Rancho Grande) y sus
funciones ecologicas. Bol. Soc. Ven. Cienc. Nat. 83: 1-167.

Snow, D. W. 1962. Notes on the biology of Trinidad swifts. Zoologica 47: 129-139.

Zimmer, J. T. 1945. A new swift from Central and South America. Auk 62: 586-592.

Addresses: Yanayacu Biological Station & Center for Creative Studies, Cosanga, Napo, Ecuador, c/o 721
Foch y Amazonas, Quito, Ecuador, e-mail: revymmoss@yahoo.com

© British Ornithologists’ Club 2004

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Registered Charity No. 279583

Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club
ISSN 0007-1595
Edited by Guy M. Kirwan
Volume 124, Number 2, pages 73-152

CONTENTS ll 9088 01058

Club Ammounceme nts 5. .....:..00ss..s.s0eedectuseasseneieseenaseanecesnsnerenonstbyadenceasitie seeneseas= sae eae eae aaa 73
WARAKAGODA, D. H. & RASMUSSEN, P. C. A new species of scops-owl from Sri Lanka ........ 85
WHITTAKER, A., ANTOINE-FEILL S., A. H. & SCHEIELE Z., R. First confirmed record of

Oilbird Steatornis caripensis for Brazil ..............::.c-s0sseeercennesateesseeesodedustesenndennnucrssegen 106
BUCKLEY, P. A. & BUCKLEY, F. G. Rapid speciation by a Lesser Antillean endemic, Barbados

Bullfinch Loxigilla Darbadensi5 ..........:.<.s0scssesssaeseaysecsssavasnssenssennesisannsesesciqnaeedeeinaeee 108
VELLINGA, W.-P., FLANAGAN, J. N. M. & MARK, T. New and interesting records of birds from

Ayabaca province, Piura, north-west Peru. ..............i8b.:-.dsc0s<sscnesaseeaseonavadeanennce dees be 124
PETERSON, A. T., NAVARRO-SIGUENZA, A. G. & SCACHETTI PEREIRA, R. Detecting errors

in biodiversity data based on collectors’ itimeraries. .................0.+s0«022+0a0-»on-200-500esueese 143

MARKS, B. D., WECKSTEIN, J. D., JOHNSON, K. P, MEYER, M. J., BRAIMAH, J. &
OPPONG, J. Rediscovery of the White-necked Picathartes Picathartes gymnocephalus in Ghana 151

GREENEY, H. F. A nest of the Spot-fronted Swift Cypseloides cherriei in eastern Ecuador .............. 154

Authors are invited to submit papers on topics relating to the broad themes of taxonomy and distribution of
birds. Descriptions of new species of birds are especially welcome and will be given priority to ensure rapid
publication, subject to successful passage through the normal peer review procedure, and they may be
accompanied by colour photographs or paintings. On submission, manuscripts, double-spaced and with
wide margins, should be sent to the Editor, Guy Kirwan, preferably by e-mail, to GMKirwan@aol.com.
Alternatively, two copies of manuscripts, typed on one side of the paper, may be submitted to the Editor, 74
Waddington Street, Norwich NR2 4JS, UK. Where appropriate half-tone photographs may be included and,
where essential to illustrate important points, the Editor will consider the inclusion of colour figures (if
possible, authors should obtain funding to support the inclusion of such colour illustrations).

As far as possible, review, return of manuscripts for revision and subsequent stages of the publication
process will be undertaken electronically.

For instructions on style, see the inside rear cover of Bulletin 124 (1) or the BOC website:

www.boc-online.org

©British Ornithologists’ Club 2004
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Published by the British Ornithologists’ Club
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Volume 124 No. 3
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MEETINGS are normally held in the Sherfield Building of Imperial College, South Kensington, London
SW7. The nearest Tube station is at South Kensington; a map of the area will be sent to members, on request.
[Limited car parking facilities can be reserved (at a special reduced charge of £5.00), on prior application to
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FORTHCOMING MEETINGS
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Tuesday 28 September—Professor Glen Chilton—The curse of the Labrador Duck

Glen Chilton is an Associate Professor of Biology at St Mary’s College in Calgary, Canada. For the past 18
years most of his research efforts have concerned the songs of birds, particularly the evolution of songs in
crowned sparrows and New World warblers. This work has taken him to some of the most remote parts of
North America. He is currently on a research sabbatical in the UK. Nine years ago, while constructing the
species account of the extinct Labrador Duck for the Birds of North America series, he became fascinated by
the stories associated with this species. They are tales of murder, theft, enormous wealth and wartime crimes.
Glen is now travelling the world to examine all remaining stuffed specimens, and is writing a book about his
adventures.

Applications to Hon. Secretary (address below) by 14 September please.

Tuesday 2 November—Robert C. Fleischer—Hawaiian bird evolution and conservation

Rob Fleischer began his career studying morphological evolution and population genetics in introduced pop-
ulations of the House Sparrow in Kansas. He also has interests in avian brood parasitism, and the function
and consequences of bird song dialects, using genetic methods to study both in Brown-headed Cowbirds.
Since 1987, his primary research has been on evolutionary genetics, systematics and conservation genetics
of Hawaiian birds. He and his Smithsonian Institution collaborators have conducted molecular phylogenetic
analyses on many of the endemic taxa in the islands, including the radiation of Hawaiian honeycreepers. Rob
has also analysed ancient DNA from subfossil bones of many of the extinct birds, such as ponderous flight-
less waterfowl known as ‘moa nalos’ and used the same methods to measure losses of genetic variation over
millennia in the Nene. More recently, he has developed a programme that uses genetic and other methods to
examine interactions involving an introduced mosquito vector, a devastating, invasive, avian malaria
(Plasmodium relictum), and a host of susceptible native and largely resistant introduced birds. By under-
standing this complex system we may be able to develop more effective methods to control its impacts on
the native birds that yet remain in the forests of Hawaii.

Applications to Hon. Secretary (address below) by 14 October please.

Tuesday 7 December 2004—Dr A.G. (Andy) Gosler—Eggshell maculation in Great Tit and other passerines
Andy Gosler has worked at the Edward Grey Institute, Oxford, since late 1981 when, having recently com-
pleted an MSc in plant taxonomy, he assumed a part-time field assistant’s position ringing Great Tits in
Wytham Woods. The BOU’s David Lack Studentship then funded his D.Phil. to study the evolution and ecol-
ogy of Great Tit bills in Wytham Woods. Several important studies developed from that work. However, fas-
cinated by the seemingly pointless patterns of pigment spots (maculation) on Great Tit eggs, in 1988 he start-
ed recording and comparing the pigment patterns on eggs produced by different females. This ongoing study
is yielding fascinating insights into how finely tuned are the breeding adaptations of these. Andy has been a
member of both the BOU and BOC since 1976, and since 1998 has edited Jbis.

Applications to Hon. Secretary (address below) by 14 November please.

Future meetings in 2005—provisional dates for seven meetings in 2005 have been set for the following
Tuesdays: 25 January, 22 March, 26 April (AGM), 7 June, 27 September, 1 November and 6 December.

Overseas Members visiting Britain are especially welcome at these meetings, and the Hon. Secretary would
be very pleased to hear from anyone who can offer to talk to the Club, in 2005, giving as much advance
notice as possible—please contact: Tony Statham, Woodcock Hill, Durrants Lane, Berkhamsted, Herts. HP4
3TR, UK (or e-mail: SAHS@tinyonline.co.uk).

Club Announcements 157 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(3)

Bulletin of the
BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB

Vol. 124 No. 3 Published 5 September 2004

CLUB ANNOUNCEMENTS

2005 subscription rates: renewals

As announced in the June issue, subscription rates are to be increased with effect from | January 2005:
£17.50 for BOU members, £24 for non-BOU members and £32 for libraries and institutions. Renewal
leaflets (with Bankers Standing Order Forms) are enclosed for all Members, and, to minimise postal
delays and confusion over the Christmas period, it would be very helpful if early action could be taken
to complete these NOW. Any queries to Membership Secretary (mbcasement@aol.com), please.

Libraries and Institutions will receive separate renewal instructions from Steve Dudley:
bocadmin@bou.org.uk.

The 923rd meeting of the Club was held on Tuesday 27 April 2004, in the Sherfield Building Annexe,
Imperial College, following the Annual General Meeting. 22 Members and 10 guests were present.

Members attending were: Dr C. F MANN (Chairman), Miss H. BAKER, I. R. BISHOP, D. R.
CALDER, Cdr. M. B. CASEMENT RN, Professor R. A. CHEKE, N. CLEERE, D. J. FISHER, F. M.
GAUNTLETT, Rev. T. W. GLADWIN, D. GRIFFIN, J. P. HUME, J. A. JOBLING, G. M. KIRWAN, D.
J. MONTIER, Mrs A. M. MOORE, Mrs M. N. MULLER, Dr R. P. PRYS-JONES, P. J. SELLAR, S. A.
H. STATHAM, N. H. F. STONE and C. W. R. STOREY.

Guests present were: Ms G. BONHAM, Mrs C. R. CASEMENT, Mrs M. H. GAUNTLETT, Mrs J.
M. GLADWIN, Mrs M. MONTIER, P. J. MOORE, C. A. MULLER and Mrs S. STONE.

After dinner, a series of short talks was given by Members on subjects of topical interest; the fol-
lowing is a brief synopsis of the main points presented.

David Fisher spoke about the recent development of small digital cameras and their suitability for
taking photographs of birds through telescopes, an activity now termed ‘digiscoping’, Using a
PowerPoint projector, he showed a few spectacular examples of such photographs of birds from various
countries around the world, and then demonstrated results from a recent trip to Brazil. He concentrated
on the jacamar family (Galbulidae), showing images of seven species of jacamar, which included repre-
sentatives of four of the five genera in the family. David briefly described the differences between the
four genera, covering habitat, feeding behaviour and nesting, and also questioned whether Urogalba—
the original genus of the Paradise Jacamar Galbula dea—should have been subsumed within Galbula,
as that species appears to bear little resemblance to the rather typical appearance of the other nine species
in the genus.

Guy Kirwan spoke on Kaempfer’s Tody-tyrant Hemitriccus kaempferi. This poorly known
Brazilian endemic was, until very recently, known only from two specimens (illustrations of one of
which were shown). It is restricted to a tiny area of south-east Brazil, principally in north-east Santa
Catarina state. Following the first field observations of the bird, in 1991, Guy and his colleagues have
spent time in appropriate areas searching for (and in some cases finding) the species in new areas, doc-
umenting its behaviour, including nesting, and gaining new insights into its taxonomic relationships. The
results of these studies have been published in papers in Bird Conservation International and Cotinga,
but there is still much to learn. Guy also showed recent field photographs of the species and one of its
closest relatives, the Fork-tailed Tody-tyrant H. furcatus.

Club Announcements 158 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(3)

Nigel Cleere gave an illustrated talk on the Cayenne Nightjar Caprimulgus maculosus. This is the
rarest Neotropical caprimulgid, being known only from a single specimen, a male collected on 24 April
1917, by Samuel Milton Klages, at Saut Tamanoir (05°09’N, 53°45’W) on the Mana River in French
Guiana. It is held in the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburg, USA. Although not seen again
since its discovery, a small number of unidentified nightjars have been observed in French Guiana in
recent years. Since 1999, Nigel Cleere and Johan Ingels have searched for this elusive species at many
localities within French Guiana and have made several trips to the type locality, but their efforts have so
far proved fruitless. However, their journeys have not been totally unsuccessful, as they have discovered
new habitat information for Blackish Nightjar C. nigrescens. This relatively common species occurs
throughout the Guianan Plateau and Amazon Basin. Its primary habitat requirements are granite out-
crops, or inselbergs, within rain forest, although it will colonise new areas by occupying clearings and
dirt roads. At Saut Tamanoir, they found several pairs breeding on small rocky outcrops along the edges
of the Mana River.

Tony Statham gave a presentation entitled Birds on Stamps, a hobby that “meets his personal
objectives of an interest in global ornithology, bird illustration and philately combining some of the mar-
vels of nature into miniature works of art with the dimensions of geography and postal history”. His talk
was illustrated with several overhead transparencies showing the myriad of bird-stamp designs and
selected album pages from his collection. Some of these were also mounted as a display on boards in the
meeting room. Tony linked the long history of ornithology with man’s portrayal of birds in art through
the ages from Egyptians, Greeks and Romans to the present day. He suggested the expansion of interna-
tional trade from the 16th century introduced a much wider knowledge of birds to the public and collec-
tors patronised artists to portray their specimens in a variety of paintings. The evolution of woodcuts,
lithographs, modern printing methods and photography have all led to a vast array of bird books and ulti-
mately postage stamps. Among the first bird stamps to appear were those of Western Australia depicting
the Mute Swan Cygnus olor in 1854 and an early Japanese stamp illustrating a goose dated 1875. There
are some 20 different issues of bird stamps pre-dating 1900. Whilst ornithologists recognise in excess of
9,500 different species of birds, nearly one-third of these have been illustrated on the stamps of almost
every nation in the world and it is probable that there are now in excess of 25,000 different bird stamps
including extinct species such as the Dodo Raphus cucullatus. Tony went on to explain the predicament
of whether to collect stamps by their country of origin, which is perhaps the preferred choice of philat-
elists, or to sort his collection into bird families. He showed examples of both approaches with a selec-
tion of penguin stamps (mostly from the Southern Hemisphere) to a selection from a single country
(Afghanistan). He also highlighted that commercial opportunities have created a flood of ‘miniature
sheets’, which could easily form a collection on their own. Many are attractive works of art in their own
right, often showing birds in their natural habitat with allied plants and animals. Another derivation with-
in the subject is the selection of stamps, which have evolved with printing errors or colour variations.
Tony concluded that while the growing pressures of space made his interest in collecting bird books
something of a nightmare, he could console himself with the advantages of a great art collection con-
tained in only a few volumes of stamp albums.

Tom Gladwin expressed concerns in a short talk with the challenging title Biodiversity or Bitterns.
Biodiversity is of fundamental importance; globally it should be concerned with providing for the sur-
vival of the greatest number of species. Similarly, at the local level the principal objective should be to
optimise the number of species occurring naturally in areas managed for nature conservation. In gener-
al, the greater the proportion of expected species occurring naturally, the greater is the stability of the
communities of which they are part. Mosaics of inter-related habitats are also important to biodiversity,
especially to species whose developed life cycles require access to different habitat types. In some cases,
the lack of regard for these principles in seeking to increase the populations of certain high-profile
species is cause for concern. Some Biodiversity Action Plans, for example, have concentrated on a cat-
alogue of selected locally rare species with no evident regard to the ecological benefits that derive from
the wider concepts of biodiversity. There are examples of mosaics being reduced to create reedbeds for
the benefit of a single species, Bittern Botaurus stellaris. In at least one such instance semi-natural
floristically rich wet grassland was converted to a reed monoculture, a habitat with a lower species index,

Club Announcements 159 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(3)

with no prior consideration of the species that were consequentially lost from the site, resulting in a net
reduction of species diversity. This is not to suggest that threatened species do not merit special atten-
tion but that provision for their conservation should be made in a wider context. Further problems could
also arise when preferential management creates population imbalances within communities. Are popu-
lations of all prey species sustainable when predated by a local post-breeding population of up to 30
Marsh Harriers Circus aeruginosus at a single Suffolk location? What is the future, and impact on other
species, of over 300 Red Kites Milvus milvus concentrated in a small area along the borders of
Oxfordshire? There are also concerns about the prioritisation of limited resources. Might the efforts to
establish Ospreys Pandion haliaetus, by no measure a threatened species, in Rutland be better directed?
Given say £2 million for nature conservation should it be spent on a single species, e.g. Bittern, or more
soundly on raising the biological carrying capacity of the wider countryside? These questions merit a
wide-ranging debate.

Julian Hume gave an illustrated talk on The mystery of the Mascarene parrot. A diverse parrot
fauna once inhabited the Mascarenes but sadly, within a short period of human colonisation, all bar the
Echo Parakeet Psittacula echo of Mauritius had become extinct. Extinct Mascarene parrots are general-
ly poorly represented in the fossil record; only two are known from skins, and most by inadequate con-
temporary accounts and illustrations. Only one species, the Mascarin Mascarinus mascarinus, endemic
to Reunion, is seemingly well known. However, even with this species, a mire of erroneous assumptions
has accumulated concerning coloration, extinction date and affinities. During 1671—72, the most impor-
tant observer of Reunion avifauna, Dubois, noted a chicken-sized grey parrot with black face mask and
red bill—the first time the Mascarene parrot was described; it was last reported on Réunion in the 1770s.
At least three specimens arrived in Paris, described by Brisson in 1760 as a grey parrot, followed by
Buffon some 20 years later, who described it as brown. The bird was also illustrated a number of times,
the first by Martinet for Buffon’s planches enluminées, where Martinet depicted a brown bird with
bluish-lilac head—a coloration that has become the orthodox image today. The brown is almost certain-
ly an artefact of aging/exposure to light or, as no mechanical means were available to reproduce colour,
an original Martinet template was copied en masse by unskilled labour and thus open to variation.
Martinet’s illustration provided the basis for most Mascarin renditions: an unreliable source to begin
with. The extinction date of the Mascarin stems from the work of the German ornithologist Hahn, who
stated that the last living individual resided in the King of Bavaria’s menagerie in 1834, yet Hahn’s
Mascarin illustration was a direct copy of Martinet’s plate. Furthermore, the menagerie was auctioned in
1826 and an earlier inventory lists all species in precise detail and makes no mention of the Mascarin.
Hahn further described the Mascarin as ‘not very lively’ and one can only compare this scenario with
Monty Python’s dead parrot sketch—whatever Hahn had observed had ‘already met its maker.’ The date
of extinction is, therefore, unfounded and it probably became extinct before 1800. The affinities of this
aberrant parrot have been open to debate. Fossil evidence is rare and further complicated by the fact that
X-rays of the Paris specimen revealed that the skull had been removed, and its whereabouts are unknown.
Comparative analysis, however, indicates that it is derived from the south-east Asian Psittaculini.

Diana Bradley had contributed a quiz listing poets and bird names featuring in literature. This
proved both interesting and testing, and answers were given at the end of the meeting.

Corrigendum: Orthography of the name Xenopirostris damii
In Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl. 124: 69, the authorship of this taxon is represented as ‘Xenopirostris damii
(Schlegel, 1866)’. However, as Schlegel described this species in Xenopirostris, the parentheses are
inappropriate. The year in which this taxon was described is somewhat controversial, and it appears that
the correct date may have been 1865. Further details can be located at http://www.zoonomen.net. I am
grateful to Alan Peterson for drawing this matter to my attention. Ed.

M. Indrawan & S. Somadikarta 160 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(3)

A new hawk-owl from the Togian Islands,
Gulf of Tomini, central Sulawesi, Indonesia

by M. Indrawan & S. Somadtikarta

Received 17 November 2003

The Togian Islands in the Gulf of Tomini, central Sulawesi, Indonesia (Fig. 1) are
small islands, of which c.25% is covered by lowland forest. The archipelago is
separated from central Sulawesi by largely shallow water, in places less than 200 m
deep. Ornithological explorations have recently been mounted to the group
(Indrawan ef a/. unpubl.), but no endemic bird species were previously known. The
avifauna of Sulawesi includes two species of barn owls (Tytonidae) and four typical
owls (Strigidae). The former family is represented in Sulawesi by the endemic
Minahassa Masked-owl Tyto inexspectata and Sulawesi Owl T. rosenbergii, which
is endemic to Wallacea. The four other owls of mainland Sulawesi are: the northern
winter visitor, Brown Hawk-owl Ninox scutulata, and three Sulawesi endemics,
Sulawesi Scops-owl Otus manadensis, Ochre-bellied Hawk-owl Ninox ochracea
and the recently discovered Cinnabar Hawk-owl N. ios (Rasmussen 1999, Lee &
Riley 2001).

121°30'E

Tomint Bay

Una-una

Walea Kodi
Kololio Malenge

TOGIAN ISLANDS

6. 10-20
|

Kilometer } wun sPANDANG
; \

—.

Figure 1. Map of the Togian Islands.

M. Indrawan & S. Somadikarta 161 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(3)

Figures 2—3 (above and top right). Live Togian
Hawk-owl Ninox burhani, Togian Islands,
13 April 2001 (M. Indrawan)

Figure 4 (bottom left). Dorsal and ventral views of the holotype and paratype of Togian Hawk-owl Ninox
burhani (Mr Arief)

Figure 5 (bottom right). Dorsal and ventral views of, from left to right, Togian Hawk-owl Ninox burhani
(holotype), Ochre-bellied Hawk-owl N. ochracea, Speckled Hawk-owl N. punctulata and Brown Hawk-
owl N. scutulata. Note that Barking Owl N. connivens was not included because of its disproportionately
large size (Mr Arief)

M. Indrawan & S. Somadikarta 162 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(3)

Prior to the present study, no owls were listed for the archipelago, despite its
relative proximity to the mainland (Meyer 1879, Meyer & Wiglesworth 1898, Peters
1940, Stresemann 1940, Ripley 1941, White & Bruce 1986, Owen ef al. 1987,
Sibley & Monroe 1990, Coates & Bishop 1997, Holt et al. 1999, Konig et al. 1999).
Although the Togian Islands had previously been explored by our research group
(Indrawan ef al. unpubl.), no sightings or aural records had been made of any owl,
and thus we did not expect to find any owls in the islands. However, unidentified
owl vocalisations were heard on the night of 25 December 1999, whose source was
searched for, resulting in the observation of three birds (see Observations), which
we now know to belong to an undescribed species. The new species was discovered
during the first visit to Benteng, a village with gardens and surrounded by lowland
forest.

Here we describe a new species of hawk-owl and provide new records of typical
owls for the Togian archipelago, based initially on field observations and, thereafter,
two specimens collected for and housed at the Museum Zoologicum Bogoriense
(MZB), Cibinong, near Bogor, Indonesia. Colour matching was performed under
natural light using Smithe (1975) colour swatches.

Ninox burhani sp. nov. Togian Hawk-Owl

Holotype. MZB 30.365, adult male, collected in scrubby forest below 100 m a.s.l.,
at Benteng village, Togian Island, Togian archipelago, Gulf of Tomini, central
Sulawesi, Indonesia, by R. M. Hidayat with the assistance of Burhan and Iling
Taskir, on 8 April 2001 (Fig. 4.).

Paratype. MZB 30.366, adult male, collected in sago swamp at Baulu village,
Togian Island, Togian archipelago, at sea level, by M. Indrawan with the assistance
of Nasution and Akim, on 26 March 2002 (see Fig. 4).

Measurements and weight of the holotype (in mm; weight in g). Wing (chord)
183.5, tail 98.0, culmen 22.5, tarsus 29.0, weight (post mortem) 100 g (Table 1).

Specimens examined (including the holotype). Two males collected from Benteng
and Baulu villages, Togian Island, Togian archipelago, Gulf of Tomini, central
Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Description of the holotype. Plumage fresh (Fig. 4), the front of the head, crown,
back and streaks on the breast approach Mars Brown (223A) and Verona Brown
(223B). The face has a prominent pattern, with pale or Tawny Olive (223D)
supercilia, pronounced fine barring on the crown and nape to upper mantle,
coloured Sayal Brown (223C). Abdomen white with Raw Umber (223) shafts.
Flight feathers spotted, alternating between white and pale Tawny Olive (223D).
Wings have triangular white spots on the primaries. The relatively long tail is
between Dark Greyish Brown (20) and Fuscous (21), and prominently banded with
paler narrow bars of Tawny Olive (223D). Irides, based on photographic compari-

M. Indrawan & S. Somadikarta 163 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(3)

TABLE |
Measurements (in mm) of wing, shortfalls (distance of tip of each primary from the longest primary),
tail, pale and dark tail bars (width), culmen and tarsus, and weight (g) of Ninox burhani sp. nov., N. ios
and N. ochracea.

Ninox burhani — Ninox burhani Ninox ios* Ninox ochracea_ Ninox ochracea_ Ninox ochracea
MZB 30365 MZB 30366 RMNH 84701 MZB 5422 MZB 17713 MZB 17714
%& % % % & %

Characters
Wing 183.5 183.0 172.0 183.5 183.5 179.0 m
Shortfalls:

Pl 52.0 nm 53.0 49.0 55.0 m

p2 22.0 nm 16.0 17.0 19.0 m

P3 6.0 nm 2.0 2.0 5.0 5.0

P4 0 nm 0 0 0 0

P5 2.0 nm 2.0 0 0 4m

P6 8.0 nm 11.0 10.0 7.0 9.0

rT 21.0 nm 21.0 22.0 20.0 21.0

Ps 35.0 nm 33.0 31.0 31,5 34.0

P9 43.0 nm 39.0 46.0 44.0 45.0

P10 51.0 nm 47.0 51.0 49.0 51.0
Tail 98.0 98.0 97.0 103.0 109.0 101.0
Tail bars:

Pale 2.0 3.0 4.0** 2.0 2.0 2.0

Dark 9.5 TS SF 9.0 8.0 7.0
Culmen 22.5 23.0 17.9 24.0 23.0 23.0
Tarsus 29.0 29.0 22.6 30.0 28.0 -
Weight (g) 1007 987 78 - - -

Notes: * = data from Rasmussen (1999); ** = measured by R. W. R. J. Dekker (Nationaal
Natuurhistorisch Museum, Leiden [RMNH]) of bars approximately in the middle of the tail; m =
moult; + = post-mortem weight; nm = not measured (primaries worn, the first and second primaries
missing through moult). MZB 5422: male, collected on Buton Island, by Mohari, in 1910; MZB
17713: female, collected at Tonsea-lama, Tondano, Manado, by J. A. v. Braekel, no date; MZB 17714:
male, collected from Bumbulan, Celebes, by J. J. Menden, on 30 October 1939.

son, Orange Yellow (18), and bill paler than Cream (54) with a darker greyish base.
Rictal bristles blackish, but the basal half is Mars Brown (223A). Tarsi relatively
slender and, like the toes, unfeathered but bristled. Summary information on
plumage coloration is presented in Table 2, and the range of variation observed in
the field provided in the Observations section.

Diagnosis. Differences between Ninox burhani and its three congeners (Ochre-
bellied Hawk-owl N. ochracea, Speckled Hawk-owl N. punctulata and Brown
Hawk-owl N. scutulata) are readily observed (Fig. 5, which does not include WN. ios,
as MZB lacks specimens of this species, or Barking Owl N. connivens, which is
much larger than the other four).

M. Indrawan & S. Somadikarta 164 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(3)

The new species is medium-sized, brown hawk-owl, with white lower
underparts, from the lower breast to the vent, streaked with brown. Like most
typical owls, but unlike Cinnabar Hawk-owl (Rasmussen 1999), the face has
prominent supercilia, which may meet above the nasal area. In the hand, the crown
and nape are heavily barred. Flight feathers marked with white and pale spots.
Cinnabar Hawk-owl (specimens from Gunung Ambang, northern Sulawesi) is
bright rufous and lacks supercilia or spotted flight feathers (Rasmussen 1999), both
of which are present in Togian Hawk-owl.

The spotted flight feathers are shared with Ochre-bellied Hawk-owl (one
specimen, from Buton Island, south-east Sulawesi), although the spots are perhaps
slightly larger in Togian Hawk-owl. The upperparts of Ochre-bellied Hawk-owl are
similar to those of Togian Hawk-owl, between Mars Brown (223A) and Verona
Brown (223B), although the latter species is perhaps marginally darker brown, with
distinct fine pale barring on the nape to upper mantle. The barred tail is more
pronouncedly so in Togian Hawk-owl, but the most distinctive character separating
it from Ochre-bellied Hawk-ow] is the white lower underparts streaked with brown.

Togian Hawk-owl has similar upperparts coloration to those of two MZB
specimens of Speckled Hawk-owl from Lindu (central Sulawesi) and Rurukan
(northern Sulawesi). Any difference would be difficult to discern in the field, for
instance Mars Brown or Verona Brown versus Raw Umber, respectively. However,
Togian Hawk-owl’s underparts differ from those of Speckled Hawk-Owl (white
with streaks of Mars Brown and Verona Brown versus Prout’s Brown [121A] with
dense and uniform short bars of Buff [124]). The tail feathers are, unlike Togian
Hawk-owl, relatively short. The tarsus of Speckled Hawk-owl is heavily and densely
feathered, unlike Togian Hawk-owl. Like Togian Hawk-owl, however, the toes are
bristled.

The migratory Brown Hawk-owl N. scutulata japonica is larger (but much
smaller than Barking Owl). Two MZB specimens, from Amurang (northern
Sulawesi) and Buru (in the Moluccas), were examined. Upperparts between Warm
Sepia (221A) and darker than Ground Cinnamon (239), for the Buru and Amurang
specimens, respectively, and unlike Togian Hawk-Owl. Underparts (from breast to
vent) uniformly and heavily streaked, unlike Togian Hawk-Owl. These streaks
varied between Warm Sepia (Buru) and Ground Cinnamon (Amurang), and white
washed Buff (124). Unlike Togian Hawk-owl, tail bars pale and relatively broad,
with the pale bands slightly wider than the darker bands. Unlike Togian Hawk-owl,
tarsus feathered, albeit less densely than Barking Owl. Like Togian Hawk owl, toes
bristled. .

Barking Owl is markedly larger (e.g. wing of three MZB specimens from Obi,
in the central Moluccas, averaged 260 mm) and the upperparts markedly paler,
almost Verona Brown (223B). Underparts pale with elongated streaks, alternating
between Sayal Brown (223C) and Yellow Ochre (123C), from the upper breast, not
restricted to the lower breast as in Togian Hawk-owl. Tail bars less pronounced and

M. Indrawan & S. Somadikarta

Plumage Ninox burhani

165

TABLE 2
Comparisons of colour (Smithe 1975) of Ninox burhani, N. ochracea, N. punctulata,
N. scutulata and N. connivens.

Ninox ochracea

Front of head, Between Mars |Between Mars — | Raw Umber Between Warm _ | Approaching
crown and Brown (223A) Brown (223A) (223) Sepia (221A) and | Verona Brown
mantle feathers | and Verona and Verona darker than (223B)
Brown (223B), | Brown (223B) Ground
crown feathers Cinnamon (239),
with fine bars of on Buru and
Sayal Brown Amurang
(223C) specimens
respectively
Supercilium Present Present Present Present Present va
Upperparts Between Mars Between Mars | Raw Umber Between Warm | Verona Brown
Brown (223A) |Brown (223A) | (223) Sepia (221A) and | (223B)
and Verona and Verona darker than
Brown (223B) Brown (223B) Ground Cinnamon
(239), Buru and
Amurang
specimens
respectively
Scapulars and Between Raw Mars Brown Raw Umber As above Verona Brown
primaries Umber (223) and | (223A) with (223) (223B)
Mars Brown patches of white
(223A), with and Tawny Olive
patches of (223D)
whitish and
Tawny Olive
(223D)
Flight feathers | Patterned, mostly | Patterned, mostly | Patterned with | Patterned with _| Patterned with

with triangular
spots

Beate

Ninox punctulata

Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(3)

Ninox scutulata | Ninox connivens

with triangular
spots

spots, but much
smaller than
those in other
species

Between Mars
Brown (223A)
and Verona

Brown (223B)

Breast feathers

Clay (123B) with | Raw Umber

dark Brussel's
Brown (121B)

(223). Upper
breast has a
broad dark band
(Raw Umber,
223) between
chin and lower
breast, which are
white or Buff
(124)

bars anda few __| bars and a few
white spots on _| white spots on
the inner webs of | the inner webs of
the primaries the primaries

Buff (124) with
elongated streaks
of Sayal Brown
(223C) to Yellow
Ochre (123C)

Uniformly and
heavily (boldly)
streaked. These
streaks vary
between Warm
Sepia (221A,
Buru) and
Ground
Cinnamon (239,
Amurang)

M. Indrawan & S. Somadikarta

Plumage Ninox burhani

White with
streaks of Mars
Brown (223A)
and Verona
Brown (223B),
and Raw Umber
(223) shafts

Abdomen

Tail bands and
coloration

Tail bands very
pronounced, and
dark bands much
broader than pale
bands. Dorsal:
the dark bands
approach
between Dark
Greyish Brown
(20) and Fuscous
(21), with paler
bands of Tawny
Olive (223D)

Tarsus

Unfeathered, but
bristled

166

Ninox ochracea

Ninox punctulata

Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(3)

Ninox scutulata | Ninox connivens

Between Clay Prout's Brown As above As above
(123B) and (121A) with
Yellow Ochre dense and
(123C) uniform small

bars of Buff

(124)
Tail bands less _| Tail bands highly | Tail bands very _| Tail bands less
pronounced, and | pronounced, with | pronounced, with | pronounced, with
dark bands very narrow pale | broader pale indistinctly
broader than pale | bars. Dorsal: the | bands. Dorsal: contrasting pale
bands. Dorsal: dark bands pale bands are _| bands. Dorsal:
dark bands of approach Raw __ | the same or paler | darker bands of
Prout's Brown Umber (223) and | than the Mars Brown
(121A) and paler | pale bands upperparts (223A), and paler
bands between approach Buff |(Amurangand __ /|bands of Verona
Sayal Brown (124) Buru specimens, | Brown
(223C) and respectively),
Tawny Olive whereas the dark
(223D). Bands bands are
on outer part of Vandyke Brown
the inner webs (121)
had a Chamois
half-band (123D)
Unfeathered, but | Heavily and Feathered Heavily and
bristled densely feathered densely feathered
Bristled Bristled Bristled Bnistled

relatively broad. Unlike Togian Hawk-owl, tarsus feathered, but like Togian Hawk-

owl, its toes are bristled.

Habitat. The new species has been observed in disturbed lowland and hill forest,
mixed gardens and sago swamp, at elevations from sea level to 400 m. Although it
is found regularly in scrubby forests, such locations are within a mosaic of
evergreen rainforest remnants in various states of disturbance. The owl appears rare
within garden and settlements, for instance at the villages of Wakai and Malenge,
and thus is generally a forest species. Roosts in disturbed lowland forest are usually
heavily shaded and at the mid-canopy level, being further characterised by dense
stands of narrow-girthed trees entangled with vines, and frequently heavy bamboo
cover, a microhabitat also used by other typical owls in the islands (see below).

Etymology. The species is named for Burhan of Benteng village, in recognition of
his knowledge of the birdlife of Togian. Burhan, Iling Taskir, Nasution and other

M. Indrawan & S. Somadikarta 167 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(3)

members of the local community are capable students of, and interested to
conserve, the islands’ birds and their habitats.

Notes. The type specimen was caught alive in scrubby forest on 8 April 2001
(c.13.00 h), by R. M. Hidayat. Initially, blowpipes with paper-wrapped sticks were
employed, but these failed even to stun the bird. The specimen was eventually
caught alive using a catapult and small stone. On 14 April 2001, it was taken to
Ragunan Zoo, Jakarta, for veterinary care but died 48 hours later. The holotype was
prepared as a study skin by Anandang on 16 April 2001, and subsequently reshaped
with the assistance of Mohammad Toha, one of the best taxidermists at MZB, one
week before his untimely death on 10 July 2002.

The paratype was taken once field observations had proved that the species was
sufficiently common to warrant further specimen collection, and that the available
habitat sufficiently extensive to suggest that the taxon is present throughout much
of the archipelago (cf. Collar 2000). To minimise impact to the local population, the
second specimen was taken at a different locality almost one year later. It was
collected at a sago swamp near Baulu village, Togian Island, at sea level, on 26
March 2002 (c.09.00 h). Prior to its capture, the bird was roosting on a branch 2.5 m
above ground, near its presumed mate. It was collected using an air rifle, as current
local transportation logistics now prohibit the live transport of birds to MZB.

Observations

25 December 1999, c.20.15—20.30 h, Benteng village

Three unidentified hawk-owls, hunting from perches in a garden, were observed at
night using torches. They were medium-sized true owls, lacking ear-tufts, with a
dark mantle scalloped paler, darkish facial disk, grey bill, white underwings and
undertail patterned with fine black spots, pale underparts broadly streaked pale
brown on the upper breast, becoming less dense on the abdomen. Due to the poor
light it was unclear whether the mantle was dark brown, as in Brown Hawk-owl,
which is known from the Sulawesi subregion. Indeed, the first individual was
initially identified as a Brown Hawk-owl, but this species was eliminated at the time
of observation, and subsequently, because of the patterned upperparts and paler-
streaked underparts.

27 December 1999, c.09.00-09.10 h, Benteng

A single unidentified hawk-owl was flushed from a roost in bamboo. It was
medium-sized and brownish, with yellow irides, pale supercilia, a uniformly deep
chestnut-brown head, greyish-brown mantle with bold pale spots, boldly streaked
greyish-brown, pale underparts and brownish feet. This individual apparently
differed from those observed two nights previously in having a paler mantle and less
white on the breast.

M. Indrawan & S. Somadikarta 168 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(3)

24 February 2001, c.08.30—08.45 h, Benteng

Three unidentified hawk-owls roosting in the mid-canopy on a forested hillside
were flushed and good views obtained of two. Upperparts, head, chin, throat and
upper breast (to approximately the wing bend) brown. Supercilia whitish. Lower
breast and abdomen white, with long brown shaft-streaks that decreased on the
belly, and vent entirely white. Wings patterned with rounded spots, becoming
denser near the trailing edge. Irides yellow and bill grey to black.

14 May 2001, c.15.00 h, Benteng

The fourth observation was at 400 m on the slopes above Benteng, where a pair of
unidentified hawk-owls was flushed. Their plumage did not appear to differ from
that of the type specimen collected the previous month.

27 July 2001, c.1315—13.20 h, Belas (Benteng)

Two unidentified hawk-owls were flushed from their roost, in vine-entangled 5-m
tall hillside scrubby forest. After ten minutes they were relocated and good views
obtained for c.5 minutes, whereupon they disappeared again. They were similar in
appearance, but differed in size. Head and face uniform dark brown, with an
indistinct facial disk and obvious whitish supercilium. Irides yellow, mantle brown,
spotted ochraceous-buff on the wing-coverts and scapulars. Underparts, from breast
to vent, uniform ochre with traces of a few weak, irregular streaks on the upper
breast. Their ochre bellies clearly identified them as Ochre-bellied Hawk-owls,
although the white chin was not seen (cf. Coates & Bishop 1997). Bill blackish with
a paler greenish culmen. Tail relatively short, but tail bars (if any) not seen. Feet
yellowish green. They appeared to differ in size by c.20-30%. Based on this and
their behaviour (i.e. two birds roosting and remaining together), it is probable that
they were a pair.

28 July 2001, c.13.00-13.10 h, Benteng

The next observation was at the edge of primary forest, on a slope at c.100 m.
Initially a guttural call was heard (at 13.00 h.), KO-KORO-OK, preceded by a
single-note croak, which is the most frequently heard call (see below). After five
minutes two hawk-owls were found roosting together 10 m above ground. They flew
but one was briefly relocated. It appeared similar to the type specimen, with dark
brown mantle and wings, scapular spots, a brown head with an indistinct facial disk,
whitish supercilia and yellow irides. Breast whitish, boldly streaked darkish
chestnut-brown and vent uniformly pale (the diagnostic characters that identify the
type specimen). Bill dark grey with a greenish culmen. Tail relatively short, i.e. little
longer than the wing.

I August 2001, c.11.25—11.30 h, Belas (Benteng)
The final observation was made at Belas (where N. ochracea was also found). Two
flushed from a roost departed in different directions. After searching for 30 minutes,

M. Indrawan & S. Somadikarta 169 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(3)

only one could be relocated and was observed for seven minutes, before it
disappeared into denser vegetation. It was a dark brown hawk-owl with a brown
head and mantle, an indistinct dark brown facial disk, spotted scapulars and wing-
coverts, yellow irides, whitish supercilia, a dark greenish bill and relatively short
tail. The underparts pattern, however, differed from the type specimen, in being pale
ochraceous, but somewhat paler than in N. ochracea. Like the type specimen, the
breast and abdomen were streaked brownish and the vent unmarked. Thus, this
individual appeared intermediate in plumage, but closer to N. burhani. The tail was
not seen well, but its underside was barred relatively densely with ochre and brown.

Vocalisations

No direct observation was made of birds vocalising. However, one call, which was
heard extensively on Togian and Batudaka islands, was presumed to belong to this
form for two reasons. Firstly, both the call and the owl are relatively common.
Secondly, on 28 July 2001, the characteristic call was heard immediately prior to a
sighting of two N. burhani.

This call is a gruff, low-pitched, two- to four-syllable croak, KOK-KO-RO-OK!
The sequence is occasionally repeated and sometimes preceded by an introductory
croaking note. It differs from that of the migratory form of Brown Hawk-owl
N. scutulata japonica, which utters a mellow whistle, sometimes in couplets
(Coates & Bishop 1997, King 2002). Birds possibly singing in territorial defence
were noted frequently. Calling was noted at 20.00—04.00 h (December 1999 and
February 2001).

Distribution and status

Observations and vocalisations indicate that the new owl is resident and probably
breeds locally in Malenge, Togian and Batudaka islands (based on interviews with
Amir Dodoa, Alan and Salim). That the owl is resident during the northern winter
is confirmed by observations in July-August 2001. Croaking notes that we believe
pertain to the new species were detected further east, on Waleabahi Island (in March
2002), implying that it is widespread in moderate numbers through the archipelago.

Surprisingly, during the most recent visit to the islands (18—31 July 2003), a six-
day search of the species’ day-roosting locations (on 19-24 July) failed to produce
any sightings, although vocalisations were heard on several nights. The period in
which this visit occurred coincided with the end of the rainy season. The difficulty
in finding the species during daytime might have been due to increased conceal-
ment and it is postulated that at this season most birds are perhaps moulting and
thus more secretive.

M. Indrawan & S. Somadikarta 170 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(3)

Discussion

The discovery of a new endemic bird in the Togian Islands is unexpected, given that
the group is scarcely isolated from the eastern peninsula of Sulawesi. Although the
water separating the islands from the mainland reaches c.1,440 m in places, a
bathymetric map suggests that a long narrow bridge in shallow water, less than 150
m deep, appears to connect the shelves of the eastern peninsula to the Togian
Islands. Between them are numerous stepping-stone islands. This potential land
bridge is broken only by a narrow fault, less than 3 km wide and 500 m deep
(BAKOSURTANAL 1993).

The co-occurrence of two species of Ninox (N. burhani and N. ochracea) merits
interpretation. It is probable that the insular processes within the Togian Islands
provides for the formation of neo-endemics, of which Ninox burhani is part. It is
therefore postulated that birds of this group are subject to inter-archipelago specia-
tion, leading to these owls occurring in sympatry (as opposed to closely related
allospecies), therefore indicating complete speciation (cf. Diamond 1977).

Conclusion

The discovery of a new species of owl offers hope that the Togian group might
produce further endemic vertebrates. Furthermore, Togian Hawk-owl, although
persisting in dense scrub, is principally a forest-dependent species. The discovery
provides additional justification to halt forest clearance, which is increasing in the
Togian Islands (e.g. Indrawan 2000).

Acknowledgements

Our discovery would have been impossible without the kind assistance and enthusiasm of the community
in Benteng. We thank our dedicated guides, Burhan, Iling Taskir and Nasution, who taught us the owl’s
natural history and eventually helped capture the owl. R. M. Hidayat and Y. Irvan provided invaluable
assistance in transporting and caring for the live specimen (which later became the holotype) through a
difficult journey. The description resulted from a series of expeditions led by M. Indrawan and funded
by the Gibbon Foundation South East Asia, in 1999, and Nagao Natural Environmental Fund, in
2000-2003. Thanks are due to M. Bruce (Sydney), R. W. R. J. Dekker (Leiden), S. Eck (Dresden) and P.
C. Rasmussen (Michigan State Univ.), who commented on the manuscript. Darjono, Alwin Marakarmah,
S. N. Prijono and Sudaryanti kindly facilitated our studies at MZB. We also thank Mr Arief (Indonesian
Institute of Sciences) for assistance with photography. Further support was provided by Leffrendy Pesik
(KOFFAS-Bitung).

References:

BAKOSURTANAL (Indonesian Surveillance and Mapping Agency, in collaboration with the Hydro-
oceanographic Office of the Indonesian Navy). 1993. Map of national marine environment, no. 24:
central Sulawesi. BAKOSURTANAL, Jakarta.

Coates, B. J. & Bishop, K. D. 1997. A guide to the birds of Wallacea. Dove Publications, Alderley.

Collar, N. J. 2000. Collecting and conservation: cause and effect. Bird Conserv. Intern. 10: 1-15.

Diamond, J. M. 1977. Continental and insular speciation in Pacific land birds. Syst. Zool. 26: 263-268.

Holt, D. W., Berkley, R., Deppe, C., Enriquez Rocha, P. L., Olsen, P. D., Petersen, J. L., Rangel Salazar,
J. L., Segars, K. P. & Woods, K. L. 1999. Strigidae (typical owls). Pp. 152—242 in del Hoyo, J.,
Elliott, A. & Sargatal, J. (eds.) Handbook of the birds of the world, vol. 5. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.

M. Indrawan & S. Somadikarta IT Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(3)

Indrawan, M. 2000. Bitter chocolate (the implication of forest conversion in Togian Islands, central
Sulawesi). Far Eastern Economic Rev. (24 December 2000): 88.

King, B. F. 2002. Species limits in the Brown Boobook Ninox scutulata complex. Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl.
122: 250-257.

Konig, C., Weick, F. & Becking, J.-H. 1999. Owls. A guide to the owls of the world. Pica Press,
Robertsbridge.

Lee, R. J. & Riley, J. 2001. Morphology, plumage, and habitat of the newly described Cinnabar Hawk-
owl from north Sulawesi, Indonesia. Wilson Bull. 113: 17-22.

Meyer, A. B. 1879. Field-notes on the birds of Celebes. Part II. /bis (4) 3: 125-147.

Meyer, A. B. & Wiglesworth, L. W. 1898. The birds of Celebes and the neighbouring islands, vol. 1.
Friedlander & Sohn, Berlin.

Owen, D., Bilton, D, Lonsdale, K, & Strathdee, S. (compilers). 1987. Project Kelelawar. Final report of
the Oxford University expedition to Togian Islands, Sulawesi, Indonesia, summer 1987. Unpubl.
report.

Peters, J. L. 1940. Check-list of birds of the world, vol. 4. Harvard Univ. Press, Cambridge, MA.

Rasmussen, P. C. 1999. A new species of hawk-owl Ninox from north Sulawesi, Indonesia. Wilson Bull.
111: 457-464.

Ripley, S. D. 1941. Notes on a collection of birds from northern Celebes. Occ. Pap. Boston Soc. Nat.
Hist. 8: 343-358.

Sibley, C. G. & Monroe, B. L. 1990. Distribution and taxonomy of birds of the world. Yale Univ. Press,
New Haven & London, UK.

Smithe, F. B. 1975. Naturalist’s color guide. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., New York.

Stresemann, E. 1940. Die Vogel von Celebes. Teil III, 2. (Pici bis Accipitres). J Orn. 88: 389-487.

White, C. M. N. & Bruce, M. D. 1986. The birds of Wallacea: an annotated check-list. BOU Check-list
No. 7. British Ornithologists’ Union, London, UK.

Addresses: M. Indrawan and S. Somadikarta, Dept. of Biology, Faculty of Science and Mathematics,
University of Indonesia, Depok Campus, Depok 16424, Indonesia, e-mail: soma30@indo.net.id

© British Ornithologists’ Club 2004

Nomenclatural solution for a polyphyletic
Agelaius

by PE. Lowther, R. Fraga, T: S. Schulenberg &
S. M. Lanyon

Received 27 April 2003

One function of taxonomy is to reflect phylogeny and evolutionary relatedness.
Indeed, for many researchers, taxonomy represents a simple tool for introducing
assumptions of phylogenetic relationships into comparative studies of extant taxa.
The difficulty is that our understanding of avian phylogeny is improving very
rapidly and taxonomy, which changes very slowly, is increasingly in conflict with
this new information. If taxonomy is to be a useful tool for biologists, we must
balance our desire for stability in nomenclature with the need for taxonomy to
reflect accurately our knowledge of evolutionary relationships. Consequently,

Lowther et al. 172 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(3)

evolutionary relationships and overlying taxonomy need to be re-affirmed on a
regular basis. In the light of significant advances in our understanding of the
evolutionary relationships of the species classified in the genus Agelaius, we
believe it is time to propose formal changes to blackbird taxonomy.

The New World blackbird genus Agelaius presently consists of a group of ten
morphologically and ecologically similar species (Hellmayr 1937, Blake 1968,
Sibley & Monroe 1990). Males have black plumage with some species having
yellow or chestnut on the head and others with yellow or red epaulets; females of
this group have either a duller version of the male plumage or are brown and
streaked. Most species are marsh-nesters. However, the group has been shown to be
polyphyletic based on cladistic analyses of 879 base-pairs of cytochrome-b and
1035 bases of ND2 mtDNA sequence data. Species traditionally placed in the genus
Agelaius actually form three separate clades (Lanyon 1994, Lanyon & Omland
1999, Johnson & Lanyon 1999; see also Freeman & Zink 1995). Taxonomic
recommendations to describe this new understanding of the relationships of these
taxa have not yet been made. We suggest a solution here.

Among the ten species Agelaius, three monophyletic groups have been defined
by genetic analyses and are identified as follows:

Group 1 (five species in two clusters—[a] humeralis of Cuba and Haiti, and
xanthomus of Puerto Rico; and [b] phoeniceus of North America, tricolor of
California, USA, and assimilis of western Cuba). In genetic analyses, Group 1|
species form a sister-taxon to the brood parasitic cowbirds (Molothrus
[encompassing Scaphidura]).

Group 2 (two species—icterocephalus of northern South America and ruficapillus
of Brazil to northern Argentina). In genetic analyses, Group 2 species form a
cluster with sister-taxa Xanthopsar and Pseudoleistes and then joining with
Agelaioides.

Group 3 (three species—cyanopus of southern Brazil to northern Argentina,
xanthophthalmus of Peru and Ecuador, and thilius of temperate South
America; thilius appears slightly more distant from the other two species). In
genetic analyses, Group 3 species form a sister-group to the cluster described
above (i.e., the taxa Agelaioides, Group 2, Xanthopsar and Pseudoleistes).

The marsh blackbirds of Group 1 are distinctly separated from other “Agelaius’
in genetic analyses, in geography, and somewhat in skeletal morphology (Webster
2003). These five species have distributions in North America and the Caribbean;
all species in both Groups 2 and 3 are limited to South America. Group 1 species
show clumped breeding behaviours, either in true colonies or as packed clusters of
normal territories. In addition, these species are often polygynous, and all five nest
in marshes, which is different from the breeding habitats occupied by most
members of their sister group (i.e., Quiscalus and Euphagus; see Searcy et al. 1999,
Johnson & Lanyon 2000). We view it as appropriate to unite the species of Group

Lowther et al. 173 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(3)

1 ina single genus. As phoeniceus is the type species of the genus Age/aius Vieillot,
these five species are retained as members of Age/aius.

The question of how best to allow taxonomy to reflect phylogeny in the case of
Groups 2 and 3 is more complicated. To some extent the number of genera to
recognise is subjective and a matter of taste. Recognition of anything from a single
genus (including all members of Groups 2 and 3 as well as all species of
Pseudoleistes, Xanthopsar, Agelaioides, Amblyramphus, Curaeus and
Gnorimopsar) to as many as nine genera (separate genera for all of the six other
genera currently recognized in this clade, as listed above, and one genus for Group
2 and 2 genera for species of Group 3) is consistent with the known phylogeny of
these species. Recognition of a single genus, however, would obscure a great deal
of ecological diversity.

Some differences exist between members of Groups 2 and 3 with respect to
feeding ecology and aspects of their breeding biology. Arthropods (mostly insects)
seem to comprise 50% or more of the diet of the ‘thin-billed’ (Group 3) species.
Detailed studies are available for thilius in Argentina (Darrieu et al. 2001). Stomach
contents of 85 adults from northern Buenos Aires province (all seasons combined)
comprised 78% animal food and 22% seeds. Among insects ingested (66% of all
food items), weevils (Curculionidae: Coleoptera), aquatic midges (Stratiomydae:
Diptera) and caterpillars (Lepidoptera) were numerically important. Ingested seeds
were mostly of native grasses, particularly Panicum sp. According to Orians (1980),
thilius also feeds on emerging aquatic insects, including dragonflies and damselflies
(Odonata). Less extensive data on stomach contents also are available for cvanopus
(Beltzer & Paporello 1983). This blackbird is more aquatic than thilius, and
commonly picks prey from the underside of floating plants (Pistia, Azolla, etc.) or
from the water surface. Stomach contents contained c.50% of insect prey, including
beetles (Curculionidae, Dysticidae: Coleoptera) and flies (Chironomidae,
Stratiomyiidae: Diptera). This species also feeds on small cichlid fishes up to 3 cm
long. Data on xanthophtalmus food are scant, but habitat choice in this icterid
(floating meadows of Panicum grass, Orians & Orians 2000) suggests aquatic
adaptations similar to those of cyanopus.

The two species in Group 2 contrast with the ‘thin-billed’ group. Both ictero-
cephalus and ruficapillus consume large amounts of seeds even in the breeding
season and both species, particularly ruficapillus, are regarded as important pests of
cultivated rice (e.g. ffrench 1991, Bello Falavena 1988, Bruggers & Zaccagnini
1994). Stomach contents of ruficapillus may contain up to 62% of rice seeds (Vieira
et al. 2000). In addition, males of these species have similar pattern of ‘display
colours’ in their plumage—the head is yellow (icterocephalus) or chestnut
(ruficapillus)—while ‘display colours’ in all other ‘Age/aius’ is either lacking or
limited to epaulets (wing-coverts) only.

Differences in mating system and parental behaviour also occur. In Group 2,
icterocephalus is usually polygynous (Wiley & Wiley 1980). The mating system of
ruficapillus was described as monogamous (Bello Falavena 1988) but more recent

Lowther et al. 174 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(3)

data indicate that polygyny is common (Lyon 1997, C. Feare pers. comm.). In
icterocephalus, nests are started and built mostly by males (Wiley & Wiley 1980,
Naranjo 1995), who attract females to the structure by singing and displaying.
Females that accept a nest add a nest lining of fine grass. Comparable data for
ruficapillus seem more controversial. Klimaitis (1973) mentioned nest building
only by females in one Argentinian ruficapillus population, but all other studies for
the species contradict his statement. Nest building mostly by males has been found
elsewhere in Argentina (Lyon 1997, unpublished data of R. Fraga for five nests in
Buenos Aires, Entre Rios and Chaco provinces, unpublished data of C. Feare in
Santa Fe Province), and is the standard behaviour in Brazilian populations as well
(Belton 1985, Bello Falavena 1988, Cirne et al. 2000). Therefore, the account by
Klimaitis (1973) probably is erroneous; his paper mentions that he did not visit his
colony during a critical 15-day period that included most of the nest-building phase.
According to Lyon (1997), males of ruficapillus build nests during the courtship
phase while singing and displaying; nests not occupied by females quickly become
disheveled and deteriorate. This suggests that females finish or complete the nest
structure.

In some bird families (e.g., Ploceidae [Collias & Collias 1964]) males
commonly attract females by building a nest, but this courtship pattern in ictero-
cephalus and ruficapillus seems unique for icterids (Orians 1985) and represents
good evidence of a close phylogenetic relationship between both species of
Group 2. Within the ‘thin-billed’ Group 3, monogamy seems to be the rule
(Borshchein et al. 1994 for cyanopus; Orians 1980 for thilius, and Orians & Orians
2000 for xanthophtalmus). According to theses sources the nest is built by the
female in thilius and cyanopus; data for xanthophtalmus are lacking.

We believe that this ecological diversity warrants recognition at the generic level
and, therefore, reject the idea of creating a single large genus for Group 2, Group 3,
and their close relatives. Instead we prefer a more conservative change in taxonomy
that recognises these three groups at the generic level. We note also that Xanthopsar
flavus—sister-taxon of Group 2—has been lumped sometimes into ‘Agelaius’ (see
Sclater 1886, Short 1975, Ridgely & Tudor 1989, Sibley & Monroe 1990), but this
species’ behaviour and ecology (Jaramillo & Burke 1999) and its genetics (Lanyon
1994, Lanyon & Omland 1999) indicate Xanthopsar to be closer to Pseudoleistes
rather than to Group 2 species. We do not consider Xanthopsar flavus to be
‘Agelaius’.

We considered the placement of thilius in its own genus to reflect certain ecolog-
ical, vocal, and plumage differences from the other Group 3 species, as detailed
above. If this were done, however, then Agelasticus would be limited to thilius and
a new name would be needed for the two remaining Group 3 species.

Our preference is for a taxonomy that is consistent with phylogeny, that
introduces the fewest necessary taxonomic changes to reflect phylogeny, and that
recognises the natural history differences between Groups 2 and 3. Therefore, we
propose resurrection of Chrysomus Swainson for Group 2 and Agelasticus Cabanis

Lowther et al. 175 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(3)

for Group 3. Our proposed nomenclatural solution for Agel/aius, as indicated below,
identifies 3 genera:

Group 1: AGELAIUS Vieillot 1816 (type Oriolus phoeniceus Linnaeus 1766)
Agelaius humeralis (Vigors 1827)

Leistes humeralis Vigors 1827, Zool. J. 3: 442 [Tawny-shouldered Blackbird]
Agelaius xanthomus (Sclater 1862)

Icterus xanthomus P. L. Sclater 1862, Catalogue Coll. Amer. Birds, p. 131 [Yellow-
shouldered Blackbird]
Agelaius phoeniceus (Linnaeus 1766)

Oriolus phoeniceus Linnaeus 1766, Syst. Nat., 12 ed., p. 161 [Red-winged
Blackbird]
Agelaius tricolor (Audubon 1837)

Icterus tricolor Audubon 1837, Birds Amer. vol. 4, pl. 388, fig. 1 [Tricolored
Blackbird]
Agelaius assimilis Lembeye 1850

Agelaius assimilis Lembeye 1850, Aves Isla Cuba, p. 64, pl. 9, fig. 3 [Red-
shouldered Blackbird]

Group 2: CHRYSOMUS Swainson 1837 (type Oriolus icterocephalus Linnaeus
1766)
Chrysomus icterocephalus (Linnaeus 1766)

Oriolus icterocephalus Linnaeus 1766, Syst. Nat. 12 ed., p. 163 [Yellow-hooded
Blackbird]
Chrysomus ruficapillus (Vieillot 1819)

Agelaius ruficapillus Vieillot 1819, Nouv. Dict. Hist. Nat. 34: 556 [= 536],
[Chestnut-capped Blackbird]

Group 3: AGELASTICUS Cabanis 1851 (type Turdus thilius Molina 1782)
Agelasticus cyanopus (Vieillot 1819)

Agelaius cyanopus Vieillot 1819, Nouv. Dict. Hist. Nat. 34: 552 [Unicoloured
Blackbird]
Agelasticus xanthophthalmus (Short 1969)

Agelaius xanthophthalmus Short 1969, Occ. Pap. Mus. Zool. Louisiana State Univ.
no. 37 [Pale-eyed Blackbird]
Agelasticus thilius (Molina 1782)

Turdus thilius Molina 1782, Saggio Storia Nat. Chile, p. 250, 345 [Yellow-winged
Blackbird]

Acknowledgements
We thank Chris Feare and Alvaro Jaramillo for their comments.

Lowther et al. 176 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(3)

References:

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Belton, W. H. 1985. Birds of Rio Grande do Sul. Part 2. Formicariidae through Corvidae Bull. Amer.
Mus. Nat. Hist. 180: 1-241.

Beltzer, A. H. & G. Paporello, G. 1983. Alimentacion de aves en el valle aluvial del Rio Parana. IV.
Agelaius cyanopus cyanopus Vieillot, 1819 (Passeriformes, Icteridae). Iheringia Ser. Zool. 62:
55-60.

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Addresses: Peter E. Lowther, The Field Museum, 1400 South Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60605-
2496, USA, e-mail: lowther@fieldmuseum.org. Rosendo Fraga, Tucuman 335, 11 C, 1049 Buenos
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© British Ornithologists’ Club 2004

Range extension for Grey-headed Tanager
Eucometis penicillata in south-east Brazil

by Marcos Rodrigues & Henrique Belfort Gomes
Received 9 May 2003

Large areas in South America have still never been visited by ornithologists (Silva
1995a). This is particularly true for the Cerrado region of central Brazil, which
encompasses 1.8 million km’ (Silva 1995b), and the semi-arid region of Caatinga in
north-east Brazil, extending to 0.9 million km’ (Sampaio 1995, Pacheco 2000). This
paper describes the geographic distribution of a forest bird of South America, Grey-
headed Tanager Eucometis penicillata. Although common, the species has been
systematically overlooked in south-east Brazil by all bird compilations published so
far.

Grey-headed Tanager is an Oscine passerine member of the Thraupini tribe of
the Emberizinae subfamily Fringillidae (Sibley & Monroe 1990). This tribe
encompasses 413 species distributed mainly in the Neotropical region (Sibley &
Monroe 1990). Eucometis is a monotypic genus occurring from southern Mexico to

Marcos Rodrigues & Henrique Belfort Gomes 178 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(3)

south-eastern Brazil and varies in size and plumage over its range, where seven
subspecies are recognised (Nordgaard-Olesen 1974, Isler & Isler 1987). Eucometis
penicillata albicollis is the race that occurs mostly in the Cerrado region of central
Brazil, north-eastern Paraguay and eastern Bolivia (Nordgaard-Olesen 1974, Isler
& Isler 1987). Here, we follow the Ab’ Saber (1977) definition for the Cerrado. The
region includes most areas of the states of Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul and
Tocantins; western Minas Gerais and Bahia; southern Maranhao and Piaui; all of
the state of Goids and the Distrito Federal; north-eastern Paraguay and eastern
Bolivia (see Silva 1995a for a detailed description of the area).

Eucometis penicillata albicollis inhabits forest undergrowth and _ thickets,
always near river edges (Isler & Isler 1987, Sick 1997). According to Silva (1995a),
Grey-headed Tanager is a forest-dependent species, and in the Cerrado region it is
associated with gallery forests. According to Ridgely & Tudor (1989), the species’
abundance ranges from uncommon to locally fairly common.

The first report of Grey-headed Tanager in the Brazilian Cerrado region came
from Pelzeln (1870) who organised the diary and skins of Johannes Natterer, a
pioneer collector of the Brazilian fauna. Although Natterer had also travelled in the
west of Minas Gerais, the seven specimens of Grey-headed Tanager were collected
only in the states of Goias and Mato Grosso (Pelzeln 1870). Pinto (1952) reviewed
the bird collections made in the state of Minas Gerais and Grey-headed Tanager was
not included in his annotated list. Schaueensee (1970), in his classic A guide to the
birds of South America, documented the occurrence of Grey-headed Tanager in
Brazil in the states of Mato Grosso, Goias and Sao Paulo. Later, in a monograph of
the Thraupini, Norgaard-Olesen (1974) set the distribution of EF. penicillata albicol-
lis as being from east Bolivia to south-central Brazil (from Mato Grosso and Goias
southwards to north-west Sado Paulo). In the first edition of Helmut Sick’s
Ornitologia brasileira (1985), Grey-headed Tanager was stated to occur in Goias,
western SAo Paulo, and east of Para and Maranhao. Once again, the species
appeared to not occur in Minas Gerais. The same distribution was assigned by Isler
& Isler (1987), although their map for EF. penicillata albicollis did include the
extreme west of Minas Gerais, in the gallery forests of the rio Paranaiba, a major
tributary of the Parana basin, and inland towards the east, in a region known as
‘Triangulo Mineiro’ (Fig. 1). This distribution was essentially followed by Ridgely
& Tudor (1989) and Sibley & Monroe (1990), although the latter authors did not
include Minas Gerais in the species’ distribution. In 1997, a second edition of Sick’s
Ornitologia brasileira was reviewed and enlarged by J. F. Pacheco, who included
Grey-headed Tanager for Minas Gerais, although the source for such information
was not given.

Subsequent reference books have shown that in Minas Gerais Grey-headed
Tanager is confined to the extreme west of the state, in the “Triangulo Mineiro’
region, possibly extending to the headwaters of the rio Paranaiba and its tributaries,
more or less at the longitude of Sao Gotardo (approximately 46°00’ W) (see Fig. 1).

Marcos Rodrigues & Henrique Belfort Gomes — 179 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(3)

In fact, a recent paper on the effects of forest fragmentation on birds of the
Cerrado, conducted in the ‘Triangulo Mineiro’ region, found Grey-headed Tanager
to be a common resident of fragments as small as 7.5 ha (Marini 2001).

We have been working since 1999 on the ecology of landbirds at the Parque
Nacional da Serra do Cipo (hereafter Parque), municipality of Jaboticatubas, some
300 km east of the headwaters of the rio Paranaiba (Rodrigues ef al. 2000a, 2000b,
Rodrigues & Carrara in press). On two separate occasions we were able to observe
and capture Grey-headed Tanager. The Serra do Cipo is the name of a portion of the
Espinhacgo Range, a mountain chain with peaks reaching 1,700 m that cross from
south to north through most of Minas Gerais, separating two important biomes in
its central and southern portion: the Cerrado on the western slope and the Atlantic
Forest on the eastern slope (Ab’Saber 1977, Giulietti et al. 1997).

Our first sighting of Grey-headed Tanager at the Parque was made on 29 August
1999, in the closed undergrowth of tall gallery forest of the rio Mascates, a tributary
of the rio Cipo, at c.800 m altitude, at the base of the Farofa waterfall (19°22’S,
43°35’W). On the second occasion, on 13 October 2001, we captured a Grey-
headed Tanager in a mist-net within dense thickets 10 m from the banks of the rio
Cipo (19°20°S, 43°36’W), near the Parque headquarters (c.800 m altitude). The
areas differ from each other in the sense that the Farofa waterfall forest is much
better preserved than the young thicket stage, although the river they follow is the
same.

This sight record and capture of the Grey-headed Tanager extends its known
range some 400 km eastwards. In addition, our records show that it occurs at the
edge of the Cerrado region, and on the east bank of the rio Sao Francisco basin.

However, these are not the first records of Grey-headed Tanager in the Serra do
Cipo west-slope region. Willis & Oniki (1991) had recorded the bird during surveys
of eight sites in Minas Gerais in 1977 and 1978. Grey-headed Tanager was recorded
on the west bank of the rio Cip6, in a patch of deciduous woodland near to the road
88 km from Belo Horizonte. This record was published in a paper on cloacal
temperatures of some birds of Minas Gerais by Oniki (1980) and a paper on its
behaviour by Willis (1985).

We have searched for other possible records of Grey-headed Tanager in Minas
Gerais using available faunal lists in the literature and in the collection of the
Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. The results are shown in Table | and plotted
in Fig. 1.

Discussion

Specimens of Grey-headed Tanager have been collected in Minas Gerais since the
late 1960s. Although the entire state has suffered great human impact since
Brazilian colonial times, major changes such as deforestation, leading to severe
fragmentation, occurred in its Atlantic portion, east of the Espinhago Range (Dean
1996). The Cerrado region of Minas Gerais started to be heavily modified in the

Marcos Rodrigues & Henrique Belfort Gomes 180

Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(3)

TABLE 1
Records of Grey-headed Tanager Eucometis penicillata in the state of Minas Gerais, south-eastern
Brazil. The source labelled DZ refers to the ornithological collection of the Universidade Federal de
Minas Gerais.

Locality Municipality Date Source

Rio Sao Miguel, Arinos 21 September 1969 DZ 2114

Vale do Urucuia

Cardeal Mota Santana do Riacho 1977-1978 Oniki 1980,

(19°21 S, 43°37’ W) Willis & Oniki 1991
Fazenda Jaguara Lagoa Santa 1987 Christiansen & Pitter 1997

(19°29°S, 44°00°W)

Mata da Barrigud Pedrinopolis 30 August 1987 DZ 2113
UHE-Bocaina Coromandel 2 May 1988 DA2Z1IN
Fazenda da Mata Araguari 1994-1996 Marini 2001
(18°30°S, 48°03’ W)

Cruzeiro dos Peixotos Uberlandia 1994-1996 Marini 2001
(18°46’S, 48°21°W)

Fazenda Exp. do Gloria Uberlandia 1994-1996 Marini 200
(18°52’S, 48°13’ W)

Reserva Biologica do Panga Uberlandia 1994-1996 Marini 2001
(19°11°S, 48°21°W)

Granja Marileuza Uberlandia 1994-1996 Marini 2001
(18°52’S, 48°15’ W)

Farofa waterfall Jaboticatubas 2000 this work
(19°22’S, 43°35’°W)

Parque headquarters Jaboticatubas 2002 this work
(19°20’S, 43°37’ W)

Fazenda Brejao, west bank

of the rio Paracatu Brasilandia de Minas 2002 M. Rodrigues unpubl. data
Fazenda Santa Cruz Felixlandia 2002 DZ 3478

(17°00°S, 46°00°W)

early 1960s, following the building of Brasilia, the capital of Brazil, in the Brazilian
Central Highlands. So, it is reasonable to think that Grey-headed Tanager had been
present, at least on the west bank of the rio Sao Francisco basin, much earlier than
this. Grey-headed Tanager is associated with gallery forests, which form a dense
network within the Cerrado region. This network of forests makes contact with all
hydrological basins in the Cerrado region of Minas Gerais, namely the Sao
Francisco and the Parana basin (rio Paranaiba and rio Grande), and which in turn
are connected to the Araguaia basin of Goias state. With this background, one could
have predicted the occurrence of Grey-headed Tanager east of the rio Sao Francisco
and towards the rio Grande in the south. The rio Sao Francisco does not seem to

Marcos Rodrigues & Henrique Belfort Gomes 181 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(3)

have been a geographical barrier to the range of Grey-headed Tanager. So why has
Grey-headed Tanager been overlooked here for so long? We put forward three, not
exclusive, possible explanations.

The first, as illustrated by Silva (1995b), is that most of the Cerrado region area
has never been visited by ornithologists. Very few published and complete bird
surveys have been undertaken in the Cerrado of Minas Gerais (see historical
account in Pinto 1952, and also Willis & Oniki 1991, Melo-Junior et a/. 2001). As
this area covers more than 200,000 km’, the need for surveys must be emphasised.

The second is that Grey-headed Tanager has been extending its range in the past
40 years due to global and regional climatic changes, a phenomenon already
observed in other bird species (Willis & Oniki 1985). According to Silva (1996),
those bird species that depend on gallery forest have expanded and/or are expand-
ing their ranges into the Cerrado region from their centres of distribution. He
showed that Amazonian elements occurring in the Cerrado are restricted to its

Sao Paulo

200 Kilometer:

Figure |. Major river basins of the Cerrado region of Minas Gerais and recent records for Grey-headed
Tanager Eucometis penicillata in chronological order. 1, Arinos; 2, Santana do Riacho; 3, Lagoa Santa;
4, Pedrinopolis; 5, Coromandel; 6, Araguari; 7, Uberlandia; 8, Jaboticatubas; 9, Brasilandia de Minas;
10, Felixlandia.

Marcos Rodrigues & Henrique Belfort Gomes 182 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(3)

peripheral depression and low-altitude plateaux. This is not the case for Grey-
headed Tanager, a bird species not considered in Silva’s (1996) analysis.
Grey-headed Tanager is an Amazonian element within the Cerrado region, but not
restricted to peripheral depressions near the border of the two biomes. In fact,
according to the data presented here, Grey-headed Tanager occurs at the border of
Cerrado—Atlantic forest domain on the top of the plateau, as demonstrated by the
Serra do Cipo individuals. Perhaps Silva (1996) could not include Grey-headed
Tanager in his dataset because all of the localities presented in the current paper
were not accessible at that time. Therefore, with the data available nowadays, it is
difficult to determine if Grey-headed Tanager is expanding its range. However, a
few 19th-century naturalists made comprehensive bird collections within the
Cerrado of Minas Gerais, but Grey-headed Tanager did not appear in any of those
collections (Pinto 1952). A good example is the large bird collection made by the
Danish naturalists Peter Lund and J. Reinhardt between 1835 and 1855 in Lagoa
Santa, a locality on the border of the Cerrado and Atlantic domains (Reinhardt 1870
in Pinto 1952, Warming 1908). Lund and Reinhardt did not collect or observe Grey-
headed Tanager. More than 100 years later, Grey-headed Tanager was observed by
Christiansen & Pitter (1997) at the very same locality surveyed by Lund and
Reinhardt.

The third is that ornithological surveys have been insufficiently comprehensive
to detect such an inconspicuous, although common, species. Most surveys do not
show the ‘species accumulation curve’, a simple graphic tool that gives researchers
a clue as to whether they have detected most species of a particular region.
Moreover, most surveys have not used mist-nets or tape-recorders.

Therefore, if a common and possibly widespread bird has been overlooked for
years, what about rare, inconspicuous, or even endemic species? As the number of
professional ornithologists grows in Brazil, new localities for endemic species, and
even new taxa, are being discovered (e.g. Vasconcelos et al. 2002). For instance,
from 1983 to 1998, 17 new bird species were described from Brazil. Of those, 14
species were found in localities close to densely populated parts of south-eastern
Brazil (Vasconcelos et al. 2002). We still need to assess the impact of these findings
on our biodiversity pattern analysis.

Development of the understanding of the global distribution of biodiversity is
one of the main objectives for ecologists and conservation biologists. Recent years
have produced a large number of studies documenting broad-scale patterns of
biodiversity (e.g. Bibby et al. 1992). Many of these studies have directly explored
the implications of these patterns for conservation biology (e.g. Myers et al. 2000).
However, we indicate here that more attention should be addressed to the complete-
ness and accuracy of field data collection at the level of local study plots (Gaston
2000). The consequences of underestimation of diversity can go far beyond
academic circles, since decision-makers are increasingly basing their policies on
our scientific research.

Marcos Rodrigues & Henrique Belfort Gomes — 183 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(3)

Acknowledgements

We wish to thank all of the volunteer students who assisted in our field work in Minas Gerais. We also
thank L. Atzeni for her unconditional support, M. F. Vasconcelos and M. A. Pizo for criticism of this
manuscript, and I. Lamas for the information on some DZ specimens. MR’s research is supported by a
grant from the Conselho Nacional para o Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico-CNPq. The
Laboratory of Ornithology of UFMG is supported by Fundagao O Boticario de Protegdo a Natureza,
PRPq-UFMG, and Vallourec & Mannesmann Tubes. We thank the staff of the Brazilian Environmental
Agencies (IBAMA and CEMAVEB), especially Albino B. Gomes director of Parque Nacional da Serra do
Cipo for allowing us to work in the park.

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Address: M. Rodrigues & H. B. Gomes, Laboratorio de Ornitologia, Departamento de Zoologia, ICB,
Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, CP 486, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil, e-mail:
ornito@mono.icb.ufmg.br

© British Ornithologists’ Club 2004

The correct name of the Afrotropical mainland
subspecies of Barn Owl Tyto alba

by M.D. Bruce & R.F. Dowsett

Received 19 May 2003

In a recent account of the barn owl family (Tytonidae) by one of us (Bruce 1999),
MDB retained the Barn Owl Zyto alba population of Fernando Po (Bioko) as the
endemic subspecies poensis (Fraser 1843), leaving all other Afrotropical birds
(except thomensis (Hartlaub 1852) of Sao Tomé) as affinis (Blyth 1862). MDB also
pointed out that if poensis is not recognised, then it replaces affinis because it is the
oldest available name. However, several recent and influential works that have not
accepted poensis, have nevertheless used the name affinis for mainland birds (Fry
et al. 1988, Konig et al. 1999, Borrow & Demey 2001).

It is of interest to note that Blyth, the describer of affinis, subsequently wrote:
‘S. affinis, nobis (Ibis, 1862, p. 388), from South Africa, proves to be S. poensis,
Fraser’ (1866: 251). This interpretation was followed by Gray (1869). In Sharpe’s
revision of the species and family (1875) he merged a large number of the named

M.D. Bruce & R.J. Dowsett 185 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(3)

taxa under Strix flammea (the old name for 7) alba) due to the problem of
understanding the range of variation, so that African birds were not separated from
those of Europe, the Americas and other regions, and this treatment was followed
for a time (e.g. Shelley 1896). Hartert (1913) provided the first comprehensive
review of barn owls at a subspecific level, separating African birds as 7! a. maculata
(Brehm 1855), described from Sudan. He queried the identity of poensis although
noting it may be the oldest name for African birds. The name maculata proved to
be unavailable and Afrotropical birds were separated as affinis (Grant 1915).

Hartert continued to query poensis because he was still unable to examine any
specimens from Fernando Po and retained affinis (1929). Bannerman (1933) was
also unsure if Fraser’s description, in the absence of a specimen, was unequivocally
of T. alba and used affinis (thus also avoiding the vexing problem of dates). Peters
(1940) used affinis and did not mention poensis at all. Mackworth-Praed & Grant
(1957) did, however, believe that Fraser’s description was of a barn owl and pointed
out its priority over affinis if not kept separate, as did Basilio (1963), following
Stresemann (in Wolff-Metternich & Stresemann 1956). Eck & Busse (1973) also
queried affinis as a synonym of poensis but in a subsequent review of barn owls
affinis was retained (Schneider 1977) and the anomaly was overlooked in a supple-
ment (Eck 1995). Pérez del Val et al. (1994) merely listed affinis as the Fernando
Po form, without mentioning poensis.

Is poensis separable morphologically from mainland birds? Chapin, the first
author since Fraser to publish the results of a personal examination of material,
thought that poensis might be a valid taxon. He believed that two specimens in the
American Museum of Natural History [collected by Correia in 1929 (the first
obtained from Fernando Po since the type specimen)|] show ‘more contrast in the
vermiculation of crown, back, and wing-coverts than those of the mainland’ (1939:
403-404). Mackworth-Praed & Grant (1957; see also 1970) accepted Chapin’s
observations as sufficient to recognise poensis as a subspecies endemic to Fernando
Po. Basilio (1963), however, acknowledged poensis might not be valid although he
retained poensis as separate from affinis following Stresemann (in Wolff-
Metternich & Stresemann 1956), who noted poensis was similar to affinis but
smaller (based on feather samples of a single female collected and measured by
Wolff-Metternich in 1939). White accepted poensis as valid, his wording suggest-
ing he was following Chapin (and Mackworth-Praed & Grant), although he added
‘dorsal shaft streaks and ventral spots finer or smaller’ (1965: 191), but it is not
indicated if he had personally examined any specimens. The type specimen of
poensis might be expected to be in the Natural History Museum, Tring, but it is not
(Bannerman 1933) and apparently it has been missing for a long time (Hartlaub
1857, Sharpe 1876). However, there is a specimen labelled ‘poensis’ and registered
in 1842, but of uncertain provenance, possibly from the Cape Verde Islands (Sharpe
1875) or the Gulf of Guinea (Moore 2001).

Eisentraut (1973) had a single specimen from Fernando Po, and wrote [transla-
tion by N. Bahr]: “Considering the high variability in tone and pattern, and with

M.D. Bruce & R.J. Dowsett 186 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(3)

regard to the limited material available from Fernando Poo, it seems almost
impossible to me to decide unambiguously if the race poensis..... is valid. Amadon
(1953), who examined two further specimens collected on the island by Correia, left
this question unanswered, too. The male I brought back agrees in colouration and
markings with the description Bannerman [1933] gave for mainland affinis
extensively. When comparing mainland material, especially from Cameroon, at the
British Museum, two specimens almost exactly agreed with my island specimen in
tone and markings. Therefore I am unable to accept an endemic race from Fernando
Poo at the moment.’; de Naurois (1983) agreed.

We believe that Fraser’s Strix poensis, based on a single specimen, does indeed
refer to a T. alba obtained on Fernando Po during Fraser’s stay from 15 May to 5
July 1842, although it is not clear if he himself collected the specimen (Fraser 1842,
1843, Moore 2001). No-one has provided any firm evidence of differences warrant-
ing the separation of poensis from mainland birds, and indeed the findings of
Eisentraut (1973) certainly suggest there may be none. Consequently, the name
poensis must be used for the mainland birds as well as those of Fernando Po, and
affinis therefore becomes a junior synonym. The only important differences of any
Afrotropical island population from mainland T: alba are to be found in the notably
darker plumage and smaller size of 7’ a. thomensis. Sao Tomé is a long-isolated
island of high endemism, unlike Fernando Po. Madagascar is also an area of
endemism, but barn owls there must be a late arrival as 7: a. hypermetra (Grote
1928) was considered to be inseparable from ‘affinis’, although on average these
populations are larger than mainland birds (cf. Benson 1963, Benson et al. 1976).
However, recent indications that hypermetra may be valid also suggest a need to re-
evaluate the taxonomic status of African populations of barn owls, e.g. compare the
different treatments in Bruce (1999) and Konig eral. (1999).

Acknowledgements
For help in various ways we thank Norbert Bahr and Mrs Amberley Moore.

References:

Amadon, D. 1953. Avian systematics and evolution in the Gulf of Guinea. The J.G. Correia collection.
Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist. 100: 393-452.

Bannerman, D. A. 1933. The birds of tropical West Africa, vol. 3. Crown Agents, London.

Basilio, A. 1963. Aves de la isla de Fernando Poo. Ed. Coculsa, Madrid.

Benson, C. W. 1963. Notes on some specimens mainly from Aldabra. Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl. 83: 13-15.

Benson, C. W., Colebrook-Robjent, J. F. R. & Williams, A. 1976. Contribution a l’ornithologie de
Madagascar. [2] L’Oiseau et R.EO. 46: 209-242.

Blyth, E. 1862. [The following notes are extracted from Mr. Blyth’s more recent letters]. Jbis 4: 387-390.

Blyth, E. 1866. The ornithology of India. -A Commentary on Dr. Jerdon’s “Birds of India’. [1] Jbis (2)
2: 225-258.

Borrow, N. & Demey, R. 2001. Birds of western Africa. Christopher Helm, London, UK.

Bruce, M. D. 1999. Family Tytonidae (barn-owls). Pp. 34-75 in del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. & Sargatal, J.
(eds.) Handbook of the birds of the world, vol. 5. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.

Chapin, J. P. 1939. The birds of the Belgian Congo. Part I. Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist. 75: i—vi, 1-632.

M.D. Bruce & R.J. Dowsett 187 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(3)

de Naurois, R. 1983. Falconidae, Psittacidae et Strigiformes des iles de Sao Tomé et Principe (Golfe de
Guinée). Bonn. Zool. Beitr. 34: 429-451.

Eck, S. 1995. Erginzungen zur Systematik der Schleiereulen. Neue Brehm Biicherei 340: 152-156.

Eck, S. & Busse, H. 1973. Eulen. Die rezenten und fossilen Formen. Aves, Strigidae. Neue Brehm-
Biicherei 469: 1-196.

Eisentraut, M. 1973. Die Wirbeltierfauna von Fernando Poo und Westkamerun. Bonn. Zool. Monogr.
3: 1-428.

Fraser, L. 1842. Letter from Mr. Fraser, Zoologist to the Niger Expedition. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist.
10: 126-127.

Fraser, L. 1843. [On two new species of birds from Western Africa]. Proc. Zool. Soc., Lond. 1842:
189-190.

Fry, C. H., Keith, S. & Urban, E. K. (eds.) 1988. The birds of Africa, vol. 3. Academic Press, London,
UK.

Grant, C. H. B. 1915. On a collection of birds from British East Africa and Uganda, presented to the
British Museum by Capt. G.P. Cozens [sic = Cosens]. Part II. Accipitriformes-Cypseli. /bis (10) 3:
235-316.

Gray, G. R. 1869. Hand-list of genera and species of birds, distinguishing those contained in the British
Museum. Pt 1. Brit. Mus., London.

Grote, H. 1928. Neue Formen von Ostafrika, Aldabra und Madagaskar. Orn. Monatsber. 36: 77-79.

Hartert, E. 1913. Die Végel der paldarktischen Fauna. Bd. 2. R. Friedlander, Berlin.

Hartert, E. 1929. On various forms of the genus 7yto. Novit. Zool. 35: 93-104.

Hartlaub, G. 1852. Descriptions de quelques nouvelles espéces d’Oiseaux. Rev. Mag. Zool. (2) 4: 3-7.

Hartlaub, G. 1857. System der Ornithologie Westafrica’s. C. Schinemann, Bremen.

Konig, C., Weick, F & Becking, J.-H. 1999. Owls. A guide to the owls of the world. Yale Univ. Press,
New Haven & London, UK.

Mackworth-Praed, C. W. & Grant, C. H. B. 1957. On Strix poensis Fraser, Proc. Zool. Soc., p. 189, 1842.
Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl. 77: 154-155.

Mackworth-Praed, C. W. & Grant, C. H. B. 1970. Birds of west central and western Africa, vol. 1.
Longman, London.

Moore, A. 2001. A commentary on a list of birds collected on the 1841 naval expedition to the Niger
River. Malimbus 23: 93-109.

Pérez del Val, J., Fa, J. E., Castroviejo, J. & Purroy, F. J. 1994. Species richness and endemism of birds
in Bioko. Biodiv. & Conserv. 3: 868-892.

Peters, J. L. 1940. Check-list of birds of the world, vol. 4. Harvard Univ. Press, Cambridge, MA.

Schneider, W. 1977. Schleiereulen. Tytonidae. Second edn. Neue Brehm Biicherei 340: 1-151.

Sharpe, R. B. 1875. Catalogue of the Striges, or nocturnal birds of prey. Catalogue of the birds in the
British Museum, vol. 2. Brit. Mus., London.

Sharpe, R. B. 1876. On the geographical distribution of Barn-Owls. /n Rowley, G. D (ed.) Orn. Miscell.
1: 269-298.

Shelley, G. E. 1896. The birds of Africa, comprising all the species which occur in the Ethiopian Region,
vol. 1. R. H. Porter, London, UK.

White, C. M. N. 1965. 4 revised check list of African non-passerine birds. Government Printer, Lusaka.

Wolff-Metternich, F & Stresemann, E. 1956. Biologischen Notizen tiber V6gel von Fernando Po. J. Orn.
97: 274-290.

Addresses: M. D. Bruce, P.O. Box 180, Turramura NSW 2074, Australia, e-mail:
mdbruce@ozemail.com.au. R. J. Dowsett, Le Pouget, 30440 Sumene, France, e-mail:

Dowsett@aol.com

© British Ornithologists’ Club 2004

Juan F. Freile 188 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(3)

Range extensions and other noteworthy and new
bird records from mainland Ecuador

by Fuan F Freile

Received 4 Fune 2003

Bird species distribution in the Neotropics is still incompletely understood, with
new distributional records and range extensions being regularly found. In addition,
several species show patterns of seasonal, altitudinal or erratic movements that are
still very poorly documented (see Joseph 1997).

In this note I present new localities for little-known species in Ecuador, includ-
ing some globally or locally threatened (BirdLife International 2000, Granizo et al.
2002), as well as range and altitudinal extensions obtained from field work carried
out in most of Ecuador’s zoogeographic regions on a regular basis between 1996
and 2002 (Table 1, Fig. 1). The distribution and taxonomy of the species treated
herein follow Ridgely & Greenfield (2001).

Birds were recorded through observations, mist-netting and tape-recording.
Information on each study site is mentioned in the species accounts and details of
the study sites are given in Table 1. Where appropriate, brief comments on the
species’ distribution, identification, taxonomy, natural history and conservation
status are included as well. Further details on the species recorded, site lists and
methods used are available directly from the author (see also Freile 2000). All of the
observations presented in this paper pertain to the author unless otherwise noted.
Photographs and tape-recordings are deposited in the archives of Fundacion
Numashir of Ecuador, and will be deposited in due course in the Library of Natural
Sounds, Cornell University, and research permits for collecting at particular sites
are held at Centro de Datos para la Conservacién (see www.jatunsacha.org), at
Fundacion EcoCiencia (www.ecociencia.org), and at the Departamento de Biologia,
Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Ecuador.

Species accounts

GREY TINAMOU Tinamus tao

At least four different individuals were heard (one of them tape-recorded) at Nueva
Alianza, Morona-Santiago province, at 1,300—1,500 m elevation on 11-19 May
2002. Nueva Alianza lies adjacent to the extensively forested Sangay National Park.
An additional record from Morona-Santiago is that of a female specimen collected
by N. Krabbe at Unnsuants; 1,000 m elevation (MECN 7634), on 25 January 2002.
Known from very few localities in Ecuador, these are the first records from
Morona-Santiago province (Ridgely & Greenfield 2001) and suggest that its range
is continuous along the east slope of the Andes.

Juan F. Freile 189 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(3)

Figure 1. Map of Ecuador showing the study sites (circles and numbers). Numbers correspond to those
mentioned in Table 1. Contour lines at 300 m (thin line) and 1,000 m elevation (broad line). Scale 1:
4,000.000.

GREY-HEADED KITE Leptodon cayanensis

An adult was observed flying over a forested area above Mindo, Pichincha province,
at 1,500 m elevation on 28 March 1998. Previously known in Ecuador up to 900 m
in El Oro province (Ridgely & Greenfield 2001). Kirwan & Marlow (1996)
reported L. cayanensis in their review of Mindo bird records, but gave no further
information. There is an additional unpublished sighting as high as 1,600 m, above
Mindo (M. Tellkamp pers. comm.).

Juan F. Freile 190

TABLE 1

Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(3)

Localities mentioned in the text, where bird species reported in this note were recorded (see Fig. 1).

OO ON HNN FW NY

—= —
> &

WNONN NN NY NN WYN HY ES Ke eK Se =
GTO MON DUN BPWNrR COW WAND NA PW WV

Localities, provinces
Atacames—Tonsupa area, Esmeraldas
Cerro Golondrinas Reserve, Carchi
Guandera Biological Station, Carchi
Alto Choco Reserve, Imbabura

Finca Paraiso de Papagayos, Esmeraldas
Los Cedros Reserve, Imbabura

Laguna Grande, Cuyabeno Reserve, Sucumbios
Palmitopamba, Pichincha

Mindo, Pichincha

Tandayapa Valley, Pichincha

Oyacachi, Napo

Oyacachi—El Chaco road, Napo

Parque Metropolitano, Quito, Pichincha
Papallacta, Napo

Panacocha, Sucumbios

Confluence of rio Paflayacu with rio Napo, Sucumbios
Otonga Reserve, Cotopaxi

Micacocha, Antisana Ecological Reserve, Napo
Tiputini Biodiversity Station, Orellana
Yasuni Research Station, Orellana
Machay, Tungurahua

Parque Omaere, Pastaza

Cashca Totoras, Bolivar

Tiquibuzo, Bolivar

La Libertad, Guayas

Unnsuants, Morona-Santiago
Guarumales, Azuay

Muiazal, Morona-Santiago

Fasanan, Azuay

Nueva Alianza, Morona-Santiago

TINY HAWK Accipiter superciliosus
One was observed and tape-recorded atop a Cecropia tree at a forest border at
Tiputini Biodiversity Station, Orellana province, on 15 January 2000. It was giving
a fast and agitated series of klee-e, klee-e calls (it also gave the same call described
by Ridgely & Greenfield 2001), and had an antbird-sized bird in its claws. Another
bird was observed at close range for c.5 minutes in primary forest edge at Yasuni
Research Station, on 27 September 2001. Both localities are within Yasuni National
Park. On 4 September 2000, at Miazal, Morona-Santiago province (trans-Kutuku
region), 300 m elevation, two birds were also seen at a forest border perching at

Co-ordinates

00°52’N, 79°51’W
00°49’N, 78°07’ W
00°36’N, 77°41’W
00°22’N, 78°27’ W
00°18’N, 79°27’W
00°18’N, 78°46’ W
00°02’N, 76°12’W
00°10’N, 78°40’ W
00°02’S, 78°48’ W
00°01°S, 78°46’W
00°05’S, 78°34" W
00°14’S, 77°55’°W
00°13’S, 78°30’W
00°22’S, 78°13’W
00°23’S, 76°07’ W
00°26’S, 76°05’ W
00°25’S, 79°00’ W
00°30’S, 78°08’ W
00°38’S, 76°08’ W
00°40’S, 76°23’ W
01923735, 7S ww.
01°28 Sires
01°43’S, 78°58’ W
02°01’S, 79°05’ W
02°14’S, 80°577W
02°33"S, 77°54ai
02°34’S, 78°30°W
02°38’S, 77°477W
03°02’S, 78°42’W
02°05’S, 78°09" W

Altitude (m)
10
1,900
3,600
2,100
100
1,450
220
1,400
1,500
1,800
3,000
2,550
2,900
3,600
220
200
1,750
3,800
200
220

Juan F. Freile 191 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(3)

canopy level and giving a weak cree-cree call (see Ridgely & Greenfield 2001).
There are few records of this species in Amazonian Ecuador (Ridgely & Greenfield
2001), where it appears to be a widespread, low-density resident (R. S. Ridgely pers.
comm. ).

MERLIN Falco columbarius

A single was observed at close range for up to 15 minutes above Papallacta, Napo
province, at 3,600 m elevation on 28 January 2002, flying above paramo and
actively chasing and attacking a flock of Brown-bellied Swallows Notiochelidon
murina. At Guandera Biological Station, Carchi province, two individuals were
observed on two separate occasions, on | and 3 February 2002, flying over paramo
and adjacent elfin forest at 3,500—3,600 m elevation. This migrant raptor was
previously reported up to 3,000 m (Ridgely & Greenfield 2001) and was not
recorded at Guandera by Cresswell ef al. (1999) (although their study was
undertaken in July-September, when the species would not be present). D. Wolf
(pers. comm. to R. S. Ridgely) also recorded this species above Papallacta on 16
January 2000, suggesting that it may be regular there.

WHIMBREL Numenius phaeopus

A single was observed at close range for several minutes at a swampy area in the
paramo of Guandera Biological Station, Carchi province, at 3,600 m elevation. This
species was previously recorded primarily from the coastal lowlands in Ecuador,
with only a handful of records inland, including a single record from the highlands
(Ridgely & Greenfield 2001). Confusion with other shorebird species is unlikely, as
the long decurved bill and bold stripes in the crown are unique among other species
occurring in Ecuador (Hayman ef al. 1996, Ridgely & Greenfield 2001).

WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER Calidris fuscicollis

One was observed closely feeding at a sandy beach and in flight at the rio
Esmeraldas, below Finca Paraiso de Papagayos (3 km by road from Quinindé town),
at c.100 m elevation, on 10 March 1998. It was identified in flight by its conspicu-
ous white rump, a feature not present in any other sandpiper species that occurs
regularly in Ecuador (Hayman ef al. 1986, Ridgely & Greenfield 2001). Curlew
Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea, an Old World species that has been recorded once in
Ecuador (Ridgely & Greenfield 2001), has a long and slightly down-curved bill and
long legs (protruding in flight) (Hayman ef a/. 1986), two features not shown by the
observed bird. There are very few records of this species in Ecuador and none from
the western lowlands (Ridgely & Greenfield 2001). As it does not winter in Ecuador
(Ridgely & Greenfield 2001) this record probably involved a bird returning to its
breeding grounds from southern South America (Hayman ef al. 1986).

PECTORAL SANDPIPER Calidris melanotos
A flock of 4-5 was observed at a muddy area next to Micacocha Lake, Antisana
Ecological Reserve, Napo province, at 3,800 m elevation, on 24 September 1997.

Juan F. Freile 192 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(3)

Identification was based on throat and breast streaking abruptly ending on the lower
breast. One of the observers (P. Catry) had extensive experience with shorebird
identification and confirmed its identity. Previously recorded up to 3,500 m in
Ecuador (Ridgely & Greenfield 2001).

STILT SANDPIPER Micropalama himantopus

Two were observed in a flock including Greater Tringa melanoleuca and Lesser
Yellowlegs T: flavipes, and Spotted Actitis macularius and Baird’s Sandpipers
Calidris bairdii, at Micacocha Lake, Antisana Ecological Reserve, Napo province,
at 3,800 m elevation, on 24 September 1997. All were feeding along a muddy beach
and floating vegetation of this lake. The Stilt Sandpipers were identified by their
long whitish superciliary stripes, long slightly curved bill and long greenish legs
(Hayman et al. 1986, Ridgely & Greenfield 2001). Previously known from two
other Andean localities in Ecuador up to 3,500 m (Ridgely & Greenfield 2001).

WILSON’S PHALAROPE Phalaropus tricolor

Three were observed feeding on floating vegetation at Micacocha Lake, Antisana
Ecological Reserve, Napo province, at 3,800 m elevation, on 24 September 1997.
This species was previously reported up to 3,500 m in Ecuador (Ridgely &
Greenfield 2001). Subsequently, this area has been dammed, a change that will
probably reduce the number of visiting migrant shorebird species, as well as of
resident waterbirds in the near future (e.g. Silvery Grebe Podiceps occipitalis,
Black-faced Ibis Theristicus melanopis) that were associated with this lake
(however see Munoz & Olmedo 2001).

RED-AND-GREEN MACAW 4ra chloropterus

A flock of five was observed over primary forest and forest border above Tiputini
River, at Tiputini Biodiversity Station, Yasuni National Park, at 250 m elevation, on
17 January 2000. Another flock of four was observed flying over Panacocha Lake
and adjacent primary forest, Sucumbios province, at a similar altitude, on 25-26
January 2000. Ara chloropterus is seemingly declining in Ecuador with only few
recent records, and an apparent absence from seemingly adequate habitat (Ridgely
& Greenfield 2001, Ribadeneira 2002).

GOLDEN-PLUMED PARAKEET Leptosittaca branickii

Two flocks of c.10 individuals in each were recorded daily (one of them was tape-
recorded) at Fasafian (upper rio Shiu), Azuay province, between 2,900 and 3,100 m
elevation, on 16—21 December 1999. Forest at these altitudes is fairly continuous at
Fasanan, and comprises at least 600 ha (Freile 2000). There is a good number of
recent records of this threatened species in southern Ecuador, which apparently
engages in seasonal migrations (Ridgely & Greenfield 2001). These latter authors
suggest that L. branickii is probably not so gravely at risk, but its geographic restric-
tion, nomadic behaviour and the fact that during breeding the species becomes very

Juan F. Freile 193 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(3)

local and vulnerable to poaching should be taken into account to better assess its
conservation status (Jacome 2002, N. Krabbe pers. comm.).

RED-FACED PARROT Hapalopsittaca pyrrhops

A pair was observed on two separate days flying above montane forest and adjacent
clearings at Fasanan, Azuay province, at 3,000 m elevation, on 17 and 19 December
1999. The species is known from a handful of sites in southern Ecuador, and is
threatened by intense deforestation throughout its small range (BirdLife
International 2000, Ridgely & Greenfield 2001). For natural history information
see Toyne eft al. (1995) and Toyne & Flanagan (1997).

RED-BILLED PARROT Pionus sordidus

A single bird was observed flying above forested and cleared areas at Cashca
Totoras, Bolivar province, at 2,900—3,000 m elevation, on 7 September 1999. It was
readily identified from White-capped Parrot, Pionus seniloides, the only other
parrot species recorded at this site, by its uniformly green-coloured plumage, red
vent and reddish bill (Ridgely & Greenfield 2001). It was not seen during the
following days, suggesting that it was only passing through the area. However, three
additional birds were observed by E. Bonaccorso in July 2003. It was previously
reported up to 2,600 m in the eastern slope of the Andes in Ecuador (Ridgely &
Greenfield 2001). There are some other records of local migrations in this species
(Forshaw & Cooper 1977) but it has also been suggested that it is poorly adapted
for long-distance daily movements (Collar 1997).

BAND-BELLIED OWL Pulsatrix melanota

Up to five individuals were heard, seen and tape-recorded at primary forest borders
and adjacent clearings with tall standing trees in Nueva Alianza, Morona-Santiago
province, at 1,300—1,500 m elevation, on 11—19 May 2002. This owl was previously
unrecorded from the central portion of the eastern Andean slope, and this record
helps partially to fill this discontinuity (Ridgely & Greenfield 2001).

SHORT-EARED OWL Asio flammeus

One was observed during late afternoon perching on a fence post and flying over
agricultural fields for c.20 minutes in Tiquibuzo, Bolivar province, at 2,200 m
altitude, on 31 October 1999. Previously recorded mostly between 3,000 and
4,000 m along the Andes of Ecuador (Ridgely & Greenfield 2001).

COLLARED INCA Coeligena torquata

Four were observed feeding on an unidentified Rubiaceae sp. and chasing other
hummingbirds inside secondary forest above Machay, Tungurahua province, at
1,800 m elevation, on S—9 August 1999. Previously recorded mostly between 2,100
and 3,000 m (Krabbe et a/. 1998, Ridgely & Greenfield 2001), but now regularly
found down to 1,750 m at Tandayapa, Pichincha province, mainly at bird feeders (R.
S. Ridgely pers. comm.). Furthermore, at least three individuals were observed in

Juan F. Freile 194 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(3)

secondary forest and at forest borders in Tiquibuzo, Bolivar province (2,200 m), on
30 October—3 November 1999. Recent records of this species in western Ecuador
are restricted to the north (south to Cotopaxi province, Ridgely & Greenfield 2001).

EMERALD TOUCANET Aulacorhynchus prasinus

Heard and seen within secondary forest and forest borders above Machay,
Tungurahua province, at 1,600—1,800 m elevation, on 5—9 August 1999. Birds
showed a contrasting whitish throat and yellow central stripe on their bills, two
features that distinguish the race albivitta, of northern Ecuador and eastern
Colombia, from the southern race cyanolaemus (Ridgely & Greenfield 2001). This
record extends the currently known range of albivitta by c.60 km south to the
northern side of the Pastaza River depression, and fills an apparent discontinuity in
the distribution of A. prasinus (Ridgely & Greenfield 2001). The rio Pastaza
appears to constitute a distributional barrier for some Andean taxa (e.g. Moustached
Antpitta Grallaria alleni, Handsome Flycatcher Myiophobus pulcher; see Krabbe et
al. 1998), and it also separates the ranges of subspecies that may actually represent
valid species (e.g. Metallura williami, see Krabbe et al. 1998, Ridgely & Greenfield
2001). It seems plausible that the rio Pastaza also separates the races of A. prasinus,
but confirmation of which race occurs in the intervening area between Tungurahua
and Morona-Santiago provinces is needed. As suggested by Ridgely & Greenfield
(2001) and Navarro et al. (2001) this species with many allopatric taxa may prove
to be separable into different valid species.

BLACK-BILLED MOUNTAIN-TOUCAN Andigena nigrirostris
A group of five was observed daily at a campsite in Oyacachi—El Chaco road, Napo
province, at 2,550 m elevation on 17—22 February 1997. Grey-breasted Mountain-
toucan A. hypoglauca was not recorded at the site. A. nigrirostris was previously
known up to 2,300 m altitude, above which it is replaced by Grey-breasted
Mountain-toucan (Krabbe et al. 1998, Ridgely & Greenfield 2001).

CHANNEL-BILLED TOUCAN Ramphastos vitellinus

Two were heard, seen and tape-recorded at a primary forest border in Nueva
Alianza, Morona Santiago province, at 1,500 m elevation, on 18 May 2002. This
Amazonian species has been found as high as 1,400 m in the Cordillera de Kutuku
and locally up to 1,100 m along the Andean foothills (Ridgely & Greenfield 2001).

CHESTNUT-MANDIBLED TOUCAN Ramphastos swainsonii

Two were observed and heard daily at a campsite located in secondary forest at
1,400 m elevation in Palmitopamba, north-west of Nanegal, Pichincha province, on
22-26 July 1996. Additionally, several were observed in secondary forest, forest
borders and adjacent clearings with tall standing trees in Los Cedros Reserve,
Imbabura province, at 1,400—-1,500 m elevation, on 17-23 May 1999. Ridgely &
Greenfield (2001) reported old records at similar altitudes in the north-west, but
gave recent records only as high as 1,000 m, in south-western Ecuador.

Juan F. Freile 195 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(3)

OLIVACEOUS PICULET Picumnus olivaceus

One was observed at close range feeding along vines and small trees in secondary
forest at 1,400 m elevation in Palmitopamba, north-west of Nanegal, Pichincha
province, on 24 July 1996. Previously recorded mainly below 900 m (Ridgely &
Greenfield 2001).

LINED ANTSHRIKE TJhamnophilus tenuepunctatus

Several were heard, seen and tape-recorded at secondary forest, forest borders,
gardens and shrubs in adjacent clearings in Guarumales (Hidropaute Company
Camp), Azuay province, at 1,750 m elevation, on 2—7 December 1999. Previously
known to occur mostly below 1,400 m (Rassmusen & Rahbek 1994, Ridgely &
Greenfield 2001), with small numbers up to 1,650—1,700 m in Zamora-Chinchipe
(R. S. Ridgely pers. comm.). Ridgely & Greenfield (2001) suggested that this
species may be spreading upslope following deforestation.

WHITE-BACKED FIRE-EYE Pyriglena leuconota

A male was mist-netted and collected in Palmitopamba, north-west of Nanegal,
Pichincha province, on 25 July 1996, at 1,450 m elevation. The specimen was
deposited at the Zoology Museum of the Departamento de Biologia, Pontificia
Universidad Catolica del Ecuador (QCAZ 1289). In the western Andes of Ecuador
P. leuconota had not previously been recorded above 1,350 m, at nearby
Maquipucuna Reserve (Ridgely & Greenfield 2001).

SPOTTED TODY-FLY CATCHER Jodirostrum maculatum

One was observed closely for c.5 minutes in an /nga sp. planted tree in the gardens
of Yasuni Research Station, Orellana province (250 m elevation), on 20 January
2000. Another was observed and tape-recorded in a garden bush in Pafiacocha,
Sucumbios province (c.250 m), on 23 January 2000. It was readily identified by the
spotted pattern on the white throat and yellow breast and sides, and by the contrast-
ing grey head and conspicuous pale orange iris (Ridgely & Tudor 1994, Ridgely &
Greenfield 2001). These authors mentioned that in Ecuador T. maculatum has been
recorded only on river islands and riparian woodland along the lower section of the
Napo, Aguarico and Pastaza rivers. My records might represent dispersing or
wandering individuals, which had followed the courses of small tributaries of the
Napo River (Tiputini and Panayacu), or that the species is beginning to spread into
anthropogenic habitat (R. S. Ridgely pers. comm.).

PIED WATER-TYRANT Filuvicola pica

One was observed on a sandy shore and adjacent vegetation at the confluence of the
Panayacu with the Napo, Sucumbios province, on 30 January 2000. The black-and-
white plumage pattern was conspicuous and distinctive. There is only one previous
record in Ecuador, also from along the Napo but several km upstream, in the Jatun
Sacha area (Ridgely & Greenfield 2001). Its status here remains uncertain.

Juan F. Freile 196 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(3)

YELLOW-BELLIED CHAT-TYRANT Ochthoeca diadema

A single was observed and tape-recorded in secondary forest undergrowth
dominated by bamboo in Tiquibuzo, Bolivar province (2,200 m elevation), on 2
November 1999. On the western slope of the Andes the species has been recorded
south to Cotopaxi province in the north, and locally in the south-west, in Azuay
province (Ridgely & Greenfield 2001). Tiquibuzo is located c.120 km north of the
Azuay site and c.140 km south of western Cotopaxi, but this record accords with
the range estimation given by Krabbe et al. (1998), and helps to fill the apparent
gap between the two areas (its distribution is probably continuous in appropriate
habitat).

STRIPED MANAKIN Machaeropterus regulus

A female was mist-netted and photographed within secondary forest in Parque
Omaere (near El] Puyo), Pastaza province, at 950 m elevation, on 13 November
1999. This Amazonian manakin has been reported up to 1,000 m in the south-east
(Cordillera de Kutuku), but in the north it is not usually found above 700 m
(Ridgely & Greenfield 2001). This is the highest record from north of the Pastaza
River.

BEAUTIFUL JAY Cyanolyca pulchra

A group of six was observed and tape-recorded inside secondary forest along a
creek in the Cerro Golondrinas Reserve, Carchi province, at 1,900 m altitude, on
2 June 1999. This restricted-range and Near-Threatened species is known from only
a few localities in Ecuador, and is apparently declining (Ridgely & Greenfield
2001, Greenfield 2002).

RED-EYED VIREO Vireo olivaceus

Three different observers (J. A. Chaves, P. Castafieda and the author) observed a
group of three birds during the morning of 22 March 2002 in Quebrada Ashintaco,
Parque Metropolitano, Quito, Pichincha province, at 2,900 m elevation. They were
feeding and moving conspicuously among shrubby vegetation. They were not
observed subsequently, so they probably represented the boreal migrant olivaceus
race, which is the only subspecies of V olivaceus recorded in the highlands of
Ecuador (Ridgely & Greenfield 2001). There is a single highland record from
southern Ecuador, and it has not been previously found in the Quito area (Ridgely
& Greenfield 2001).

BLACK-BILLED THRUSH Turdus ignobilis

Several were observed along forest borders and open areas around Machay town,
Tungurahua province, at 1,600 m elevation, on 5 August 1999. On 2-7 December
1999, in Guarumales, Azuay province (1,750 m), several were also seen and heard
in open areas, gardens and adjacent secondary forest. Previously recorded up to
1,200 m, but as this species is capable of quickly colonising recently cleared areas

Juan F. Freile 197 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(3)

it is not unexpected to find it at open areas above this elevation (Ridgely &
Greenfield 2001).

SOUTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW Stelgidopteryx ruficollis

Singles, small groups and large flocks of this species have been recorded at altitudes
above those reported by Ridgely & Greenfield (2001). Records come from Cerro
Golondrinas Reserve (1,700—1,800 m), Bellavista Reserve (1,800 m), Tandayapa
Bird Lodge (1,700 m), Mindo Biological Station (1,700 m) and Otonga Reserve
(1,700—1,800 m). As this species is capable of long flights, and is also typical of
cleared areas, it may be spreading upslope following deforestation.

GRASS WREN Cistothorus platensis

At least two were heard and seen in artificial pastures at 1,900 m elevation above
Guarumales Camp, Azuay province, on 2 December 1999. The species is known to
occur mostly above 2,800 m, with a few records down to 2,200 m (Loja—Zamora
road) (Ridgely & Greenfield 2001). Considering the extent of pastureland along the
road from Paute through Guarumales (pers. obs.), it seems plausible that this
species is spreading downslope following deforestation.

TENNESSEE WARBLER Vermivora peregrina

One was mist-netted and released in a shrubby creek surrounded by planted
Eucalyptus Eucaliptus globulus trees in Parque Metropolitano, outside Quito,
Pichincha province, at 2,900 m elevation, on 6 March 2002. This migrant species
has been previously reported from a single inter-Andean locality (San Pablo Lake)
and at present is mostly known from the western slope of the Andes, in the Mindo
area (Ridgely & Greenfield 2001), with an additional recent record from
Bombuscaro, Podocarpus National Park, Zamora-Chinchipe province (N. Athanas
pers. comm. to R. S. Ridgely).

AMERICAN REDSTART Setophaga ruticilla

Several were observed and heard giving soft scheet calls in secondary forest and
adjacent gardens in Parque Omaere (near El Puyo), Pastaza province, at 950 m
elevation, on 11-14 November 1999. In eastern Ecuador S. ruticilla is known to
occur along the entire base of the Andes (Ridgely & Greenfield 2001), although the
distribution map in this work does not include the area.

CANADA WARBLER Wilsonia canadensis

One was mist-netted and photographed in a regenerating scrubby area adjacent to
secondary forest at a campsite on the Oyacachi—E] Chaco road, Napo province, at
2,550 m elevation, on 19 February 1997. Previously recorded from both sides of the
Andes up to 2,000 m (Ridgely & Greenfield 2001).

Juan F. Freile 198 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(3)

BUFF-RUMPED WARBLER Basileuterus fulvicauda

Three were observed in shrubby vegetation along a small stream in secondary forest
at c.1,600 m elevation in the Cerro Golondrinas Reserve, Carchi province, on 1 June
1999. It had previously been recorded only below 1,000 m (Ridgely & Greenfield
2001).

CHESTNUT-VENTED CONEBILL Conirostrum speciosum

One male was observed for c.5 minutes in a primary forest border at Laguna Grande
Lake, Cuyabeno Faunistic Reserve, Sucumbios province, 220 m elevation, on 14
September 1996. It was identified by its bluish-grey plumage with a conspicuous
chestnut vent and by the small whitish spot in the wing (which was fairly conspic-
uous in the individual observed) (Hilty & Brown 1986). Confusion with other
passerines was unlikely (see Hilty & Brown 1986, Ridgely & Greenfield 2001).
There is only a handful of previous records in Ecuador, all of them above 400 m
elevation, near the base of the Andes (Ridgely & Greenfield 2001). It is regular
around and just above the town of Zamora, often feeding in Jnga sp. trees (R. S.
Ridgely pers. comm.). This species was reported as a rare inhabitant at the margins
of lakes in the Cuyabeno area by Paz y Mifio (1989); however he did not provide
any further details of his observations. This record is the first modern report away
from the Andean foothills.

GOLDEN-RUMPED EUPHONIA Euphonia cyanocephala

A group of three was observed at close range accompanying a mixed-species flock,
mainly of tanagers, in a shrubby area in Oyacachi town, Napo province 3,000 m
elevation, on 15 February 1997. This report represents the highest elevation at
which this species has been recorded in Ecuador (R. S. Ridgely pers. comm.). This
handsome euphonia occurs mostly along the west slope of the Andes and the inter-
Andean valleys, with only scattered records from the eastern slope (Ridgely &
Greenfield 2001). Eastern records come from areas altitudinally below Oyacachi
(San Isidro, Valladolid, Machay; Ridgely & Greenfield 2001).

BLACK-CAPPED TANAGER Tangara heinei

A pair was observed feeding at an isolated Moraceae tree in a degraded area close
to secondary forest, and attending a nest in the same tree, in Alto Choco Reserve
(on the road to Intag), Imbabura province, at 2,100 m elevation, on 16—20 June
1999. I was unable to see if the nest already contained eggs or nestlings, but nest
material (small thin twigs) was frequently transported by both birds to the nest site.
The species has been recorded from a few sites in western Ecuador, all of them
recent, mostly between 1,100 and 1,900 m elevation (Ridgely 1980, Ridgely &
Greenfield 2001).

SILVER-BEAKED TANAGER Ramphocelus carbo
Several were observed along forest borders, clearings and gardens at two sites in the
eastern slope of the Andes: Machay town, Tungurahua province, at c.1,600 m

Juan F. Freile 199 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(3)

elevation, on 5 August 1999, and Guarumales Camp, Azuay province, at 1,700 m,
on 2—7 December 1999. Previously recorded up to 1,300 m in western Napo
(Ridgely & Greenfield 2001). It has also been recorded in recent years up to 1,600
m in Valladolid, Zamora-Chinchipe province (R. S. Ridgely pers. comm.). This
species is capable of rapidly colonising recently cleared areas, and its presence at
both sites reported here is not surprising.

RED-HOODED TANAGER Piranga rubriceps

Two were observed at a secondary forest gap close to a forest border, at 1,700 m
elevation, above Machay, Tungurahua province, on 7 August 1999. This striking
tanager has been recorded mostly between 2,200 and 3,000 m altitude and seems to

occur continuously along the eastern slope of the Andes in Ecuador (Krabbe et al.
1998, Ridgely & Greenfield 2001).

BLACK-EARED HEMISPINGUS Hemispingus melanotis ochraceus

One was mist-netted and photographed in secondary forest dominated by bamboo
in the Cerro Golondrinas Reserve, Carchi province, at 2,000 m altitude, on 4 June
1999. The species is known from very few sites in north-west Ecuador, all of them
from Pichincha south to Azuay province (Ridgely & Greenfield 2001). The present
site is c.80 km north of previously known sites, but is in accordance with the
estimated geographic range made by Krabbe et al. (1998). My record also partially
fills the apparent discontinuity between Pichincha and south-west Colombia, where
it has also been found (Hilty & Brown 1986). The race ochraceus was recently
proposed to represent a separate species (Ridgely & Greenfield 2001), but molecu-
lar data do not support this assumption (Garcia-Moreno et al. 2001, 2003).

ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK Pheucticus ludovicianus

One was observed within a mixed-species flock in a shrubby area adjacent to
secondary forest in Guarumales Camp, Azuay province, at 1,750 m altitude, on 5
December 1999. Records of this migrant species come mostly from western
Ecuador, with only a few reports from the eastern slope of the Andes (Ridgely &
Greenfield 2001).

YELLOW-FACED GRASSQUIT Tiaris olivacea

A group of c.5 individuals was observed on 11—14 September 1999, in the
Atacames-Tonsupa area, Esmeraldas province. This is the first record from coastal
Ecuador (Ridgely & Greenfield 2001). The species, considered a recent arrival by
Ridgely & Greenfield (2001), seems to be spreading in western Ecuador following
deforestation and will probably be encountered in other areas further south, west
and north.

LESSON’S SEEDEATER Sporophila bouvronides
Flocks of up to seven (males and female-plumaged birds) were observed in small
pastures along the Maxus Road, Yasuni National Park, Orellana province, at the

Ce eS UN Ne aa

Juan F. Freile 200 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(3)

following sites: Capiron, YPF Camp, Amo-C Camp and Yasuni Research Station, in
June 1998 and 2000. The status of this intratropical migrant species in Ecuador is
still poorly known, with only a few scattered records mostly from November to
April (Ridgely & Greenfield 2001). The records reported here are anomalous, as is
the August record mentioned by Ridgely & Greenfield (2001). Although S.
bouvronides can easily be confused with S. lineola (Lined Seedeater), none of the
males observed had the white coronal stripe typical of the latter species (see Hilty
& Brown 1986, Ridgely & Greenfield 2001).

YELLOW-BROWED SPARROW 4Ammodramus aurifrons

Several were seen and tape-recorded at clearings and gardens in Guarumales Camp,
Azuay province, at 1,750 m altitude, on 2-7 December 1999. This species seems to
be spreading to Andean slopes following deforestation, as it is able to colonise
newly cleared areas quickly (Ridgely & Greenfield 2001). It has previously been
recorded up to 1,600 m, and even to 2,500 m as a wanderer (Ridgely & Greenfield
2001). At present it is also common around Valladolid, Zamora-Chinchipe province,
at 1,600 m elevation (R. S. Ridgely pers. comm.).

GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE Quiscalus mexicanus

Groups and singles were observed at La Libertad town, Guayas province, on the
Santa Elena Peninsula, on 28—31 August 2001. Previous records in western Ecuador
were restricted to areas where mangroves are still extensive (Ridgely & Greenfield
2001), and these authors mentioned that in the Santa Elena Peninsula it does not
occur at all. The birds observed were probably dispersing from other areas further
north or, even more likely, this species is beginning to colonise anthropogenic areas,
as it does in other countries.

Acknowledgements

I thank Tom B. Smith, Borja Mila and Jordan Karubian, Center for Tropical Research, University of
California at Los Angeles for letting me publish bird records gathered during their field research in
Ecuador (Nueva Alianza, Tiputini, Yasuni, Miazal, Pafacocha, Parque Metropolitano), to Felipe Campos
and Andrés Vallejo, Centro de Datos para la Conservacion—Ecuador (CDC—Ecuador), for taking me on
field trips to Palmitopamba and Oyacachi, to Tjitte de Vries (Departamento de Biologia, Pontificia
Universidad Catolica del Ecuador) and Milton Ortega (Daimi Services) for the trips to Yasuni National
Park, and to Isidro Gutiérrez at Ministerio del Ambiente for research permits for visiting other sites (see
Freile 2000). Field research in other areas was financially supported by Programa de Becas de
Investigacion para la Conservacion of Fundacion EcoCiencia (funds from a grant of the Royal Embassy
of the Netherlands), and the William Belton Donation Program of American Bird Conservancy. Several
people and institutions gave logistic support and are fully acknowledged in Freile (2000). I also thank all
the people who have accompanied me on field trips, particularly Melissa Moreano, Jaime A. Chaves,
Nadia Vieira, Santiago Espinosa, David Lasso, Miguel Pinto, Gustavo Cafias and Paulo Catry. Mark B.
Robbins, Robert S. Ridgely and Niels Krabbe are deeply thanked for their comments on this manuscript,
and Kerem Ali Boyla for preparing the map. This paper is dedicated to the late Fernando Ortiz-Crespo
for sharing his enthusiasm for and knowledge of birds.

Juan F. Freile 201 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(3)

References:

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Address: Numashir, Fundacion para la Conservacion de Ecosistemas Amenazados. Casilla Postal 17-12-
122, Quito, Ecuador, e-mail: jfreile@numashir.org

© British Ornithologists’ Club 2004

First Palearctic record of the endangered
Bermuda Petrel Pterodroma cahow

by Foél Bried & Maria C. Magalhdaes

Received 15 Fuly 2003

Many Procellariiformes make regular long-distance movements at sea (up to several
thousands of km) during both breeding and non-breeding periods (Gonzalez-Solis
et al. 2000, Weimerskirch et al. 1999, Weimerskirch & Wilson 2000). The Bermuda
Petrel Pterodroma cahow, endemic to Bermuda (in the subtropical north-western
Atlantic), is classified as Endangered according to IUCN Red List criteria (BirdLife
International 2000), with a few tens of breeding pairs (BirdLife International 2000,
Madeiros 2002). Its movements during the non-breeding period are poorly known,
dispersal being supposed to occur towards the north or the north-west in the
subtropical western Atlantic (del Hoyo et al. 1992), as far as off North Carolina
(Wingate et al. 1998). Here, we report the first record of a Bermuda Petrel in the
Palearctic.

On 17 November 2002, during the daytime, MCM incidentally captured a gadfly
petrel (genus Pterodroma) in a burrow on an offshore islet free of introduced
predators, in the Azores archipelago. The bird was ringed using an individually
numbered metal ring, measured and photographed (Figs. 1-3). Measurements taken
were: wing length (flattened chord) using a stopped ruler correct to | mm; tarsus
length; bill (exposed culmen length, bill depth at gonys, bill depth at nostrils) and
total head length (head plus bill) using a vernier calliper (to 0.1 mm). A 100-ml
blood sample was also taken (under license) for future genetic studies. The bird was
released into its burrow after handling.

Joél Bried & Maria C. Magalhdaes 203 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124/3)

The following description was taken. Upperparts dark to medium grey,
gradually becoming blackish grey on nape and crown (Figs. | and 2); tail also dark
grey but uppertail-coverts formed a narrow pale creamish, rather than greyish,
crescent; forehead white with few black mottlings, the white almost extending to
eyes; lores black near eye, white near bill and gape; ear-coverts black (Fig. 1).
Underparts from chin to undertail-coverts, and flanks, pure white; sides of breast
grey, but grey markings did not join to form a collar; no brood patch. Wings—
upperwing dark grey without obvious markings (Fig. 2); axillaries white, marginal
and lesser underwing-coverts blackish: lesser under secondary-coverts formed
broad dark bar along forearm; median underwing-coverts white; greater underwing-
coverts white but some dark spots visible in subterminal position on the greater

TABLE 1
Measurements of Pterodroma cahow, P. feae and P. mollis. Mean values (and ranges in brackets) are
given. All values are expressed in mm.

Pcahow Pcahow’ Pcahow P feae P feae P feae P mollis dubia
(Azores) (Bermuda) (Bermuda) (Azores) (Bugio) (Bugio) (Crozet)
Wing 269" 260.7 ; (245-265) 269.75 267.8 266.4 248.2
(260-262) (269.5-270) (258-282) (262-270) (244-252)
Tail - 120.9 ~ 120 110.3 108.5 1122
(118—123.8) (112-128) (106-155) (102-111) (108-116)
Tarsus 35.9 35.4 ~ 35.3 35.8 35.9 36.8
(34.4-37.3) (35.0-35.6) (32.0-41.0) (34.3—38.2) (33.7-39.6)
Culmen 28.3 28.6 28.1 29.1 29.1 28.4 28.4
(27.4-29.6) (25.7-304) (28.5-29.7) (27.0-31.0) (27.2—29.9) (27.1-29.3)
Gonys 12.2 - 11.6 12.8 - 124 11.3
(10.7—12.3) (11.2—13.2) (10.3—12.0)
Nostrils 14.0 - i124 13.0 14.6 14.3 13.0
(11.1—13.3) (13.0-16.2) (13.4—15.6) (12.1—14.8)
Total head 75.6 — - 73.1 - 724 73.1
(71.3—73.3) (72.2-75.1)
Middle toe — 47.1 - - - -
plus claw (46.249.0)
Sample size 1 3 8-11 1-2 29-40 3-5 4-11
Source® l 2 3 4,5 6 1 l

1 Flattened wing chord.

2 The sample included a fledgling.

31: this study (P feae and P mollis specimens are from the Muséum National d*Histoire Naturelle de
Paris); 2: Murphy & Mowbray (1951, specimens); 3: Wingate ef al. (1998, specimens); 4: Bibby &
del Nevo (1991. live bird); 5: Monteiro & Furness (1995, live bird); 6: Zino & Zino (1986, live
birds).

Joél Bried & Maria C. Magalhaes 204 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(3)

Figure 1. Side view of the Bermuda Petrel captured in the Azores (J. Bried)
Figure 2. Upperparts of the same individual (J. Bried)
Figure 3. Underparts of the same individual (J. Bried)

Joél Bried & Maria C. Magalhdes 205 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(3)

under secondary-coverts and outermost greater under primary-coverts (Fig. 3).
Legs pink; toes and webs with proximal third pink and distal two-thirds black,
except for entirely black outer toe. Bill black with moderately arched maxillary
unguis.

This bird was clearly larger than Madeiran Petrel P madeira (see Monteiro &
Furness 1995, p. 11) and slightly larger than Subantarctic Soft-plumaged Petrel P
mollis dubia, but similar in size to Fea’s Petrel P feae (Table 1). Its measurements
fell at the upper range limit for Bermuda Petrel specimens (Table 1), but well
within the range of the values obtained from 12 live adults (J. L. Madeiros pers.
comm.).

The plumage characters of this bird, especially the underwing pattern with the
dark ‘thumb print’ mark on the outer greater under primary-coverts and the pale
band at the base of the tail (Wingate et a/. 1998), its measurements, and its more
slender bill than in Fea’s Petrel (see, e.g. photograph in Monteiro & Furness 1995),
confirmed it as Pterodroma cahow.

This individual seemed robust and healthy. Although not weighed, a manual
inspection showed that it was carrying fat reserves and had no apparent ectopara-
sites. The petrel was recaptured in the same burrow on 21 November 2002 at
c.22.00 h by JB after uttering a moaning call, apparently in response to the vocali-
sations of a Little Shearwater Puffinus assimilis baroli in a neighbouring burrow.
After we checked the ring number, the bird was again released into its burrow.
During another visit to the islet on 31 January 2003, JB found the burrow empty
and did not find Bermuda Petrels in any neighbouring burrows.

Discussion

Our capture of a Bermuda Petrel on 17 November 2002 represents, to the best of
our knowledge, the first proven record of this species for the Palearctic. In addition,
the recapture of this individual in the same burrow four days later suggests that it
exhibited some level of site tenacity. The burrow was situated on a slope oriented
eastwards, c.20 m above sea level.

When breeding, Bermuda Petrels return ashore at the onset of the pre-laying
period in late October and November; most eggs are laid during the first fortnight
of January and chicks fledge in late May and June (Palmer 1962, del Hoyo ef al.
1992). The Azorean individual was thus occupying a burrow at the same period as
its pre-laying conspecifics in Bermuda. This behaviour, together with its fat
reserves, suggests that it was in pre-laying condition as well. In addition, its
behaviour and its measurements (within the top 20% of the range) made it likely
that it was a male (J. L. Madeiros & D. B. Wingate pers. comm.); however, this still
needs confirmation through blood analyses. The scarcity of at-sea observations of
Bermuda Petrel (Wingate et a/. 1998) makes it impossible to know whether or not
the Azores area is part of the normal range of this species.

Joél Bried & Maria C. Magalhaes 206 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(3)

Acknowledgements

This work was part of the Life Program “Gestao Integrada das Zonas Costeiras e Marinhas nos Acores’
(Contract B4-3200/98-509) and of JB’s post-doctoral contract IMAR/FCT-PDOC-001/2001-BirdEco.
We thank V. Encarnacgao from CEMPA and the Direccgao Regional do Ambiente for allowing scientific
work on the petrels in the Azores (Licence No. 4/CN/2002), as well as Marco and Zé Ricardo from the
local Clube Naval for transportation to the islet. We are also grateful to the Muséum National d’ Histoire
Naturelle de Paris (France) for allowing JB to examine specimens of Soft-plumaged and Fea’s Petrels, to
J. L. Madeiros for providing us with measurements from live Bermuda Petrels, and to M. Bolton, D. B.
Wingate and B. Zonfrillo for fruitful discussions via e-mail and/or help with the literature. M. Bolton
additionally improved the English. We also thank C. Feare and an anonymous referee for their comments
on the manuscript.

References:

Bibby, C. J. & del Nevo, A. 1991. A first record of Pterodroma feae from the Azores. Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl.
111: 183-186.

BirdLife International. 2000. Threatened birds of the world. BirdLife International, Cambridge, UK &
Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.

Gonzalez-Solis, J., Croxall, J. P. & Wood, A. G. 2000. Sexual dimorphism and sexual segregation in ae
aging strategies of Northern Giant Petrels, Macronectes halli, during incubation. Oikos 90:
390-398.

del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. & Sargatal, J. (eds.) 1992. Handbook of the birds of the world, vol. 1. Lynx
Edicions, Barcelona.

Madeiros, J. L. 2002. Bermuda’s remarkable Cahow. World Birdwatch 24: 16-18.

Monteiro, L. R. & Furness, R. W. 1995. Fea’s Petrel Pterodroma feae in the Azores. Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl.
115: 9-14.

Murphy, R. C. & Mowbray, L. S. 1951. New light on the Cahow, Pterodroma cahow. Auk 68: 266-280.

Palmer, R. S. 1962. Handbook of North American birds, vol. 1. Yale Univ. Press, New Haven.

Weimerskirch, H., Catard, A., Prince, P. A., Cherel, Y. & Croxall, J. P. 1999. Foraging White-chinned
Petrels Procellaria aequinoctialis at risk: from the tropics to Antarctica. Biol. Conserv. 87:
273-275.

Weimerskirch, H. & Wilson, R. P. 2000. Oceanic respite for Wandering Albatrosses. Birds taking time
off from breeding head for favourite long-haul destinations. Nature 406: 955—956.

Wingate, D. B., Hass, T., Brinkley, E. S. & Patteson, J. B. 1998. Identification of Bermuda Petrel. Birding
30: 18-36.

Zino, P.A . & Zino, F. 1986. Contribution to the study of the petrels of the genus Prerodroma in the archi-
pelago of Madeira. Bol. Mus. Mun. Funchal Suppl. 2: 325-331.

Address: Departamento de Oceanografia e Pescas, Centro do IMAR da Universidade dos Agores, 9901-
862 Horta, Acores, Portugal, e-mail: joelbried@yahoo.com

© British Ornithologists’ Club 2004

Guy M. Kirwan et al. 207 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(3)

Further comments on the avifauna of the middle
Sao Francisco Valley, Minas Gerais, Brazil

by Guy M. Kirwan, Juan Mazar Barnett,
Marcelo Ferreira de Vasconcelos, Marcos A. Raposo,
Santos D’Angelo Neto & Ignacio Roesler
Received 24 Fuly 2003

In earlier contributions (Kirwan ef al. 2001, Raposo et al. 2002, Whitney et al.
2003) GMK, JMB and others drew attention to the highly threatened avifauna of the
middle reaches of the rio Sao Francisco in eastern Brazil, and the river’s importance
in influencing biogeographical processes of avian speciation and endemism. We
also presented notes on behavioural aspects of a number of poorly known species,
and provided new southernmost records for several north-east Brazilian caatinga
specialists. Details of our principal study sites were included in the earlier paper.
Since then we have made further visits to the area, resulting in additional data
substantially augmenting our previous field work. Here, our intention is only to
supply details of those records that update our knowledge of the Minas Gerais
avifauna, along the middle reaches of the Sao Francisco Valley. Systematic order
and scientific nomenclature follow Sick (1997), with all departures from this
explained in Kirwan et al. (2001).

Methods

All tape-recordings were made using Sony TCM-5000 EV tape recorders and
Sennheiser ME-66 microphones, and will be deposited at the Arquivo Sonoro Prof.
Elias Coelho (ASEC), Departamento de Zoologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de
Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Several ‘new’ localities were visited and details of these are presented below
(see also Fig. 1). Coordinates were taken from GPS readings or estimated from a
map.

Rio Lavado (17°58’S, 44°34’W), Lassance municipality: a patch of gallery forest
within an area of altered cerraddo (closed-canopy, dense woodland), south of
Lassance, visited briefly on 9 January 2003.

Lassance (17°54’S, 44°34°W), Lassance municipality: an area of cerrado and
Mauritia palm veredas surrounding the city was visited on 2 February 1997.

Fazendas Jatoba do Cotobelo and Jatoba da Mata (centred at 17°45’S,
44°42’W), Varzea da Palma municipality: possess areas of cerradado woodland,
open areas with caatinga influence, and gallery forest, as well as wetlands and
agricultural fields. Active carbon ovens were noted in the area. Visited on 10
January 2003.

Guy M. Kirwan et al. 208 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(3)

BRAZIL

O
Belo Horizont

Figure 1. Map of the study localities in northern Minas Gerais. 1. Faz. Nova Uniao; 2.Japoré; 3.
Mocambinho; 4. Peruagu; 5. Levindpolis; 6. Brejo do Amparo; 7. Januaria (10 km north of); 8.Po¢go da
Vovo; 9. Pesqueiro Itambé; 10. rio Sao Francisco; 11. Faz. Buriti; 12. Curral de Pedras; 13. Serra
Boqueirao; 14. Pirapora (south of); 15. Cia Florestal; 16. Faz. Jatoba do Cotovelo and Faz. Jatoba da
Mata; 17. Lassance; 18. rio Lavado.

Companhia Florestal at Varzea da Palma (centred at 17°40’S, 44°44’W), Varzea
da Palma municipality: road south and west of the town, that passed through a
forestry plantation (mainly Eucalyptus), and continued through areas of degraded
cerraddo, open areas with influence of caatinga, and several tracts of gallery forest.
Visited on 10 January 2003.

Pirapora (south of) (centred at 17°25’S, 44°48’ W), Pirapora municipality: an area
crossed by several minor roads south of the town, through caatinga—cerradao transi-
tion habitats, open agricultural fields and a few remaining patches of tall
woodlands. Visited on 11 January 2003.

Serra do Boqueirao (17°23’S, 44°32’ W), Jequitai municipality: rocky escarpment
between Jequitai and Varzea da Palma, accessed via a minor road. The area presents
mostly degraded woodland and cerraddo habitats, agricultural fields, and taller
woodland along the base of the serra. There is a large marshy area, as well as a
number of small streams with narrow belts of gallery forest. Accessed from Jequitai
on 11 January 2003.

Curral de Pedras (17°06’S, 44°35’W), Jequitai municipality: north-east of
Pirapora inland of the right bank of the Sao Francisco, accessed from Jequitai. The
name, ‘curral de pedras’, refers to a limestone formation, which appears
labyrinthine due to a series of concentric circles in the rock, and in this case is

Guy M. Kirwan et al. 209 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(3)

surrounded by reasonably well-preserved semi-deciduous dry forest. It was visited
in late-November 1995.

Fazenda Buriti (16°08°S, 45°09’ W), Pintopolis municipality: area of cerrado and
pastures. Visited on 17 June 2002.

Sao Francisco river (c.15°37°S, 44°28’ W), Januaria municipality: 15—20 km south
of Januaria, along a dirt road parallel to the left margin of the river. It contains dense
scrub, inundated areas and patches of tall gallery woodlands. It was visited on 10
February 2002, and on 13 and 15 January 2003.

Brejo do Amparo (15°29’S, 44°22’W), Januaria municipality: a well-known
locality (Snethlage 1928, Willis & Oniki 1991), c.10 km west of Januaria. We
briefly surveyed the tall woodlands and fields along the rocky escarpments west of
this locality, on 12 January 2003.

Januaria (north of; c.15°25’S, 44°35’W), Januaria municipality: access roads to
the “Escola Agrotécnica’, where areas of scrub among agricultural land, and patches
of tall woodlands were surveyed on 14 January 2003.

Poco da Vové (15°22’S, 43°37’W), Jaiba municipality: region of second-growth
caatinga woodlands and pastures. It was visited on 7 July 2002.

Pesqueiro Itambé (15°21°S, 44°11’ W), Januaria municipality, is located close to
Riacho da Cruz village, at the left margin of rio Sao Francisco. Typical habitats are

second-growth gallery forest, and riverbanks. This area was surveyed on 27-28
April 2002.

Levinopolis (c.15°15’S, 44°17’W), Levinopolis municipality: area west of town,
along a local road, through limestone escarpments with mostly low-stature (possibly
degraded) semi-deciduous woodlands. Visited on 14 January 2003.

Japoré (14°42’S, 44°04°W), Manga municipality: second-growth caatinga
woodland. Visited on 6 July 2002.

Fazenda Nova Uniao (14°25’S, 44°26’ W), Montalvania municipality: 1.5 km north
of Montalvania, the fazenda contains arboreal caatinga, second-growth caatinga
woodland, and pastures. Visited on 6 and 7 December 2002.

The general region presents a mosaic of habitats, ranging from open pastures
and agricultural fields, to cerrado, cerraddo, areas with an influence of open
(usually degraded) caatinga, arboreal caatinga, ‘mata de Jaiba’, deciduous and
semi-deciduous forests, strips of gallery woodland, and some remaining patches of
tall woodland (where ‘jatoba’ Hymenaea sp. abounds). This mix of habitats is a
result of the geographical location of this area, at the meeting points of the cerrado
and caatinga biomes, and several areas represent transitional habitats (Rizzini
1997).

Natural habitats have been greatly modified by human actions, and currently
only a few areas of intact woodlands remain, where once rich forests existed (Hartt
1870, Spix & Martius 1981). These forests have been felled mainly to provide open

Guy M. Kirwan et al. 210 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(3)

land for agriculture, Eucalyptus plantations, and to produce carbon, an activity
noted at Fazendas Jatoba do Cotobelo and Jatoba da Mata. Silva & Oren (1992,
1997) alerted ornithologists to the fragile situation of the remaining deciduous
forests growing on calcareous soils, and Kirwan et al. (2001) and Raposo et al.
(2002) added further details concerning habitat modification in the region. We
suggest that imminent land-use reform will be required if remaining natural habitats
are to be sustainably managed.

We also checked specimens collected in the region housed in two Brazilian
collections: the ‘Colegao Ornitologica do Departamento de Zoologia da
Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais’ (DZUFMG) in Belo Horizonte, Minas
Gerais; and the ‘Museu de Historia Natural de Taubaté’ (MHNT), in Taubaté, Sao
Paulo.

Species accounts

MISSISSIPPI KITE /ctinia mississippiensis

Three observed soaring over Fazenda Jatoba da Mata, south of Varzea da Palma, on
10 January 2003 (IR) is about the sixth country record. All individuals had unbarred
tails, a diagnostic character to distinguish this species from Plumbeous Kite J.

plumbea, with which IR is very familiar. First recorded in Brazil, at the Anavilhanas

archipelago, Amazonas, in late November 1985 (Stotz et al. 1992) with subsequent
sight records of migrant flocks in Mato Grosso: 82 over Chapada dos Guimaraes on

14 November 1996 (A. Whittaker in Mazar Barnett et al. 1999), over 200 south of
Poconé on 17 October 1997 (H. Buck in Mazar Barnett & Kirwan 2000a), c.20

between Poconé and the rio Pixiam on 12 October 1999 and 63 at the Chapada dos

Guimaraes on 14 October 1999 (P. O’Neill in Mazar Barnett & Kirwan 2000b).°
Wintering range very imprecisely known. The largest numbers are postulated to be

in Paraguay, although Hayes (1995) considered it to be rare in most regions of the

country, and northern Argentina (del Hoyo et al. 1994). Speculated also to winter in

adjacent south-east Bolivia and south-west Brazil (Ferguson-Lees & Christie 2001).

The present record seems to indicate that, at least in small numbers, the species

does, indeed, winter in Brazil.

ORNATE HAWK-EAGLE Spizaetus ornatus

Singles observed at Parque Nacional Cavernas do Peruagu on 30 May and 24
August 2002 (MFV, SDN). On both occasions, they were flying over patches of
arboreal caatinga on limestone outcrops, and the latter was tape-recorded. Ornate
Hawk-eagle is a threatened species in Minas Gerais (Lins et al. 1997) and this is the
first state record from within a protected area (Brandt 1998).

WHITE-BROWED GUAN Penelope jacucaca
A specimen was taken, by S. F. Guimaraes, at Jatoba (15°18’S, 44°10’W), Januaria
municipality, on 21 August 2000 (MHNT 4561). This becomes the second state

Guy M. Kirwan et al. 211 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(3)

locality, after Mocambinho (Kirwan ef a/. 2001), from where a specimen is also
available, taken by J. E. Simon and J. M. C. da Silva on 29 July 1998 (DZUFMG
2883).

LEAST NIGHTHAWK Chordeiles pusillus

Up to 50 observed over the rio das Velhas, south of Pirapora, on | and 21 October
2002 (GMK, MAE, GMF, RS ef a/.), with fewer individuals noted in early-January
2003 at Rio Lavado and west of Lassance. We had not previously recorded the
species in this region (Kirwan ef a/. 2001) and Willis & Oniki (1991) did not record
it at Januaria. We use these observations to draw attention to the fact, overlooked by
Cleere & Nurney (1998) and Cleere (1999), that races other than northerly esmeral-
dae also undertake seasonal movements. Holyoak (2001) also provided very little
information on such migrations. We have observed this species in several areas of
Sao Paulo, e.g. around Itirapina, and Minas Gerais states, e.g. at the Serra do Cipo,
Serra da Canastra and elsewhere, on a distinctly seasonal basis, confirming that
nominate pusillus also makes regular migratory movements, as mentioned by Sick
(1997). The recent discovery that this species breeds in north-eastern Argentina
(Krauczuk 1998), and the timing of records there, also indicate migrations.

PLAIN-TAILED NIGHTHAWK WNyctiprogne vielliardi

Until recently known only from the type locality in Bahia, near Manga (Lencioni-
Neto 1994), but its known range was thereafter extended south to central Minas
Gerais, in the proximity of Pirapora (Whitney et a/. 2003). In previous visits to the
region GMK, JMB ef a/. witnessed large concentrations of these nighthawks along
the Sao Francisco and its main tributaries, considering them to be common in areas
around Pirapora, Januéria and Mocambinho. At the last we noted groups of
150—200 individuals subdivided into smaller flocks (Whitney et al. 2003).
Remarkably, during our October and November 2002 and January 2003 visits to the
same area, it was only with considerable difficulty that we located any N. vielliardi,
with none at Mocambinho, very few south of Pirapora, on 12 October (GMK et al.),
and only two individuals 10 km south of Januaria, on 13 January (GMK, JMB, IR).
Searches for the species at other, apparently suitable areas of the rio Sao Francisco,
e.g. immediately south-west of the town of Pirapora, in February 2002 (GMK, DB,
AG, JM) failed to locate any N. vielliardi. The reasons for this drastic variation in
numbers can only be speculated. Seasonal movements are plausible, but our mid-
December 1999 and mid-January 2003 visits differed in timing by as little as three
weeks, and it appears unlikely that the species engages in such migrations (seasonal
movements in Band-tailed Nighthawk N. /eucopyga are known from only one small
area of Brazil and nowhere else across its broad range; Holyoak 2001). Climatic
events are not likely to have played a major role, nor has habitat modification of
those areas used by this species been documented in the region, to the extent to
which it would have caused such results. Originally described in Chordeiles,

Guy M. Kirwan et al. 22 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(3)

Whitney et al. (2003) provided detailed rationale for considering it within
Nyctiprogne.

PYGMY NIGHTJAR Caprimulgus hirundinaceus

During nocturnal surveys, a female was spotlighted down to distances of just 25 cm,
12 km south of Pirapora, on | October 2002 (GMK, RS et al.). Its very small size
was immediately apparent, and contrasted noticeably with the other caprimulgids
present on the same dirt road, Pauraque Nyctidromus albicollis and Scissor-tailed
Nightjar Hydropsalis torquata. It had only restricted white in the primaries and
lacked any white in the tail. Little Nightjar C. parvulus might be expected at this
season in this part of Minas Gerais (Sick 1997, Melo et al. 2000), although we have
failed to record it at any localities in this region (Kirwan et al. 2001), but was
eliminated because it possesses a broad hindneck collar, more extensive white
throat, more broadly patterned wing-coverts, supercilium effect, and lacks any
white in the wing. Given the very dark plumage of the form C. h. vielliardi, which
may even lead observers to mistake it for Blackish Nightjar C. nigrescens (Ribon
2000), we attribute this record to the nominate subspecies, the first locality in Minas
Gerais. Three races of this Brazilian endemic are currently recognised: the nominate
in the arid north-east from southern Piaui to Bahia and Alagoas, C. h. cearae from
northern Ceara to extreme northern Bahia and the recently described C. h. vielliardi
from one locality in Espirito Santo and another in extreme eastern Minas Gerais
(Ribon 1995, Cleere & Nurney 1998, Vasconcelos & Lins 1998).

FRILLED COQUETTE Lophornis magnificus

A male observed periodically over 30 minutes within a patch of tall woodland on
the left bank of the rio Sao Francisco, 15 km south of Januaria, on 10 February 2002
(DB, AG, GMK, JM) and another male in the same area on 15 January 2003
(GMK). Occurs principally in east coastal Brazil, from Alagoas south to Rio Grande
do Sul, and west to Goias and Mato Grosso (Sick 1997, del Hoyo et al. 1999), but
there appear to be few, if any, previous mentions of the species for Minas Gerais.

SILVERY-CHEEKED ANTSHRIKE Sakesphorus cristatus

Only recently discovered to be relatively widespread in the middle reaches of Sao
Francisco Valley in the extreme south-west of its range (Kirwan ef al. 2001). Four
specimens deposited in DZUFMG were taken at Mocambinho between 14 and 18
September 1996 by G. T. Mattos (DZUFMG 2521, DZUFMG 2522, DZUFMG
2523, DZUFMG 2524; two males and two females). Additional sight-record locali-
ties are: Japoré, Poco da Vovo region, and Fazenda Nova Uniao, (MFV, SDN), and,
extending the species’ range further south from Pirapora (Kirwan et al. 2001), just
west of Varzea da Palma on 10 January 2003 (GMK).

Guy M. Kirwan et al. 213 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(3)

CHOTOY SPINETAIL Schoeniophylax phryganophilus

This relatively common and widespread species of light woodland and scrubland of
south-central South America has an isolated population (petersi) in the middle
reaches of the Sao Francisco valley. Pinto (1978) only mentioned it for Pirapora, in
Minas Gerais, and Barra in Bahia. Sick (1997), probably assuming a continuous
distribution, considered it to occur in the Sao Francisco Valley of interior Bahia and
Minas Gerais. We have recorded this taxon at a number of localities in the study
region, and though they are all broadly within its known range, very little has been
published concerning this form’s distribution. Specific Minas Gerais localities from
the literature, other than Pirapora (Pinto 1978, Kirwan ef al. 2001) are near
Itacarambi (Kirwan ef al. 2001), and south of Januaria (Willis & Oniki 1991). We
have also recorded the species c.10 km north of Januaria, on 14 January 2003, and
between Varzea da Palma and Lassance, on 10 January 2003, when a pair was found
nest-building, taking material from a disused Common (Rufous-fronted) Thornbird
Phacellodomus rufifrons nest. This would appear to be the southernmost record for
petersi. In addition, a female specimen (DZUFMG 2489) was taken by G. T. Mattos
at Mocambinho on 23 November 1996, and MFV has collected others on the
western slope of the Serra do Espinhaco in recent years. The species is almost
certainly frequent in woodland edge, degraded brush and agricultural land through-
out north-central and extreme north-east Minas Gerais. The validity of petersi is
perhaps questionable (e.g. Vaurie 1980, Brammer 2002, MFV pers. obs.), although
a thorough analysis, including vocalisations, is still lacking.

RED-SHOULDERED SPINETAIL Gyalophylax hellmayri

Observed at Japoré, on 6 July 2002 (SDN), where one vocalised close to the ground
in secondary low caatinga. This is only the third published state locality for G.
hellmayri, which is considered globally Near Threatened (BirdLife International
2000).

GREATER WAGTAIL-TYRANT Stigmatura budytoides

The form S. b. gracilis appeared to be rather common in scrub on the left bank of
the rio Sao Francisco, 15 km south of Januaria, on 10 February 2002 (DB, AG,
GMK, JM; tape-recorded) and 13 January 2003 (GMK). The species was first
reported for Minas Gerais by Kirwan et al. (2001) from Mocambinho, where further
observations by DB, AG, JM and ourselves have demonstrated it to be common. The
new locality extends its range further south by c.70 km. We will comment elsewhere
on the taxonomy of this genus.

MINAS GERAIS TYRANNULET Phylloscartes roquettei

Raposo ef al. (2002) presented details of observations from two localities in the rio
Sao Francisco Valley. At one of these, the Corrego dos Ovos, GMK, RS et al.
subsequently discovered a pair (the subject of comparatively regular observation in
recent years) nest-building on 1—2 October 2002. The nest was located c.10 m above

Guy M. Kirwan et al. 214 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(3)

ground in a tree flanking the corrego (stream) and situated within | m of a termitar-
ium suspended close to the main trunk. The nest was broadly globular in shape,
slightly distended top to bottom (as is typical among several genera of tyrannid
flycatchers) with a short side entrance tube, and was constructed of fine rootlets,
dead twigs, lichens, grassy material and a small number of dead leaves, and without
an inner chamber at this stage (visible because the nest was sufficiently ‘transpar-
ent’). It was attached to a small branch, almost at its extreme tip, and its
approximate dimensions were 10 cm in height and 6—7 cm across. The pair was
actively collecting nest material, usually very close to or from the ground, when
they appeared almost fearless and would perch within very close proximity of the
observers (photographed; see Fig. 2). GMK (together with MAE, GMF et al.)
returned to the area on 21—22 October 2002, by which time the nest had apparently
been completed (Fig. 3). Only one individual was seen throughout the 2—3-hour
observation period, and the other was presumed to be sitting. A further visit to the
area, on 11 January 2003, revealed no sign of the pair, despite use of playback (they
are usually exceptionally responsive) or even the nest. These data are the first
available concerning this species’ breeding biology. Elsewhere in January 2003,
JMB, GMK, IR and HS conducted further playback surveys for the species at
several apparently suitable localities in the general region, at Fazenda Jatoba da
Mata, along the road through the Companhia Florestal, south of Pirapora, along the
road to Serra do Boqueirao and near Jequitai, near Brejo do Amparo, along the Sao
Francisco river south of Januaria, and north of Januaria, also without success.
Subsequently, however, it has been found in the Cavernas do Peruacgu National Park,
by Dante Buzzetti (see del Hoyo ef al. in press). We can only assume that P roquet-

Figure 2. Minas Gerais Tyrannulet Phylloscartes roquettei, south of Pirapora, Minas Gerais
(Rick Schaefer)

Figure 3. Nest of Minas Gerais Tyrannulet Phylloscartes roquettei, south of Pirapora, Minas Gerais
(Louise Augustine)

Guy M. Kirwan et al. 215 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(3)

tei is genuinely rather uncommon within its apparently limited range, presumably
to large extent due to the ongoing logging of tall emergent trees in this area of
Brazil.

STRIPE-NECKED TODY-TYRANT Hemitriccus striaticollis

Regularly observed in small numbers 12 km south of Pirapora in degraded gallery
forest fringing the rio das Velhas (GMK ef al.; Kirwan et al. 2001). One was
observed in second growth of gallery forest at the left margin of the rio Sao
Francisco on 27 April 2002, near Riacho da Cruz village. It vocalised while
foraging in the understorey (MFV, SDN). Another was tape-recorded in riverine
scrub along the road to Mocambinho, on the right bank of the rio Sao Francisco, on
12 January 2003 (JMB), and two pairs were tape-recorded in similar habitat, but on
the left bank of this river, c.15 km south of Januaria, on 13 January 2003 (JMB, IR).
These individuals moved within the tangled understorey of riverine woodland. This
is a little-known species in Minas Gerais and the records south of Pirapora appear
to represent the southernmost state locality for the species (see map in Ridgely &
Tudor 1994). Although the species was known from this area, its regional distribu-
tion is poorly documented, and our records serve to underscore the fact that it is
relatively widespread, where suitable habitat exists.

CAATINGA BLACK-TYRANT Knipolegus franciscanus

MFYV and SDN observed K. franciscanus at Parque Nacional Cavernas do Peruacu,
on 30-31 May and 24-25 August 2002, confirming previous observations by
Andrade (1990). A single male was observed on both occasions, and was
photographed. It perched close to an arboreal caatinga edge near a limestone
outcrop. On 14 January 2003, GMK, JMB and IR observed a lone male in low-
stature dry forest atop a relatively low rocky outcrop (/ajeiro) between Riacho da
Cruz and Levinopolis, on the left bank of the Sao Francisco. This was the only
individual found between Pirapora and Itacarambi in four days of searching
throughout the area. Notably, it was discovered near human habitation. As is usual
in our experience of this form, it behaved rather unobtrusively, unlike many others
within the genus Knipolegus, perching quietly and occasionally very low within the
low crowns of the open forest, and only intermittently conducting short, low
foraging sallies. Sometimes perched on more exposed situations such as a dead
cactus, hanging branches or even on top of rocks. Sally flights were normally within
the crown of small trees and also towards the ground. It delivered short, nervous tail
flicks. We believe that this species’ rather unobtrusive behaviour renders it difficult
to find in the taller, more densely vegetated sandstone outcrops that abound in the
region. It is therefore probably commoner in the area than our records suggest,
although the species clearly has a rather restricted range and specific habitat
requirements, and is evidently not common. One exception to this is an area known
as Curral de Pedras (17°06’S, 44°35’W), where as many 50 individuals were seen
in just one hour, on 22 November 1995 (MAR). Three males and a female were

Guy M. Kirwan et al. 216 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(3)

collected and are housed at the Museu Nacional do Rio de Janeiro (MNRJ
42730/3 1/32/33). Lima (1999) listed only five localities (including Jequitai) in
Minas Gerais for this highly localised and only recently recognised species (Silva
& Oren 1992).

LONG-BILLED WREN Thryothorus longirostris

One (tape-recorded and photographed) responded weakly and with an unfamiliar
vocalisation to playback of the voice of T /. bahiae, at Mocambinho, on 9 February
2002 (DB, AG, GMK, JM) and several of this form were found in caatinga at Parque
Nacional Cavernas do Peruacu, on 30-31 May 2002 (MFV, SDN) and 13 January
2003 (JMB, IR, HS; when tape-recorded). MFV and SDN also found the species on
the right bank of the Sao Francisco, in the Pogo da Vovo region, on 7 July 2002. In
addition, two specimen records are available for the state, both held at DZUFMG
and taken at Mocambinho: DZUFMG 2572 (male) taken on 4 April 1997 by M. R.
Bornschein, B. L. Reinert and M. M. Coelho, and DZUFMG 2529 (female) taken
on 20 May 1997 by G. T. Mattos. These specimens were compared to the nominate
race and appear to belong to 7 /. bahiae. They also appear to be the first state
records, but are unsurprising given the discovery of several other caatinga species
from further north in this area of Minas Gerais in recent years. Indeed, MFV and
SDN have found this form to be very common in the caatinga of much of northern
Minas Gerais, including away from the Sao Francisco Valley. Specimens have been
deposited at DZUFMG. Brewer & MacKay (2002) considered the range of 7. 1.
bahiae to encompass Ceara and eastern Piaui south to northern Bahia and Alagoas.
We will comment elsewhere on the taxonomy of this species.

SCARLET-THROATED TANAGER Compsothraupis loricata

Found at two new localities in January 2003 (GMK, JMB, IR), at Rio Lavado and
along the road through the Companhia Florestal, up to 75 km south of Pirapora,
which is the southernmost locality for this Brazilian endemic mentioned by Sick
(1997). It was also recorded at a number of sites around Pirapora and further north.
The species seems relatively abundant in the southernmost edge of its range, and is
normally encountered in flocks of 5—15 individuals (possibly involving family
groups), mostly in gallery woodlands and taller wooded areas.

GREY-HEADED TANAGER Eucometis penicillata

One observed at close quarters in patchy forest bordering the left bank of the rio Sao
Francisco, 10 km south of Januaria, on 10 February 2002 (DB, AG, GMK, JM).
This widespread species reaches its farthest south and east in Goias, and western
Sao Paulo and Minas Gerais states (Sick 1997). Our record extends its range to
north-central Minas Gerais, a distance of c.170 km from one of the closest specific
localities that we can locate, Parque Nacional de Brasilia (Forrester 1993).

Guy M. Kirwan et al. 217 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(3)

RUSTY-COLLARED SEEDEATER Sporophila collaris

Three males were present at the scrubby edges of an extensive marsh beside the
road between Jequitai and the Serra do Boqueirao, on 11 January 2003 (GMK,
JMB, IR, HS). They were observed feeding in the open rush-beds fringing the
waterbody, and flying back and forth between there and scrubby marsh away from
the open waterside. No female-plumaged individuals were found. In the field these
birds appeared uniform black from the crown, forehead and cheeks to the lower
mantle, with an obvious pale grey rump, the tail and wings were black, with a white
speculum, and a white bar on the median wing-coverts. The white throat extended
as a half-collar below the cheeks and onto the ear-coverts, but did not meet on the
hindneck. There was a broad black pectoral band and otherwise white underparts.
Previously, MAR had collected a male probably at the same marsh as the observa-
tions above, in 1995 (MNRJ 42726), and a second specimen (MNRJ 28817) from
Concei¢ao da Aparecida, south of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, with slightly more
ochre suffusion on the belly, was found among the S. americana specimens in that
institution. These specimens are very different to all other S. collaris examined by
us in MNRJ but they do recall one, of uncertain locality in Brazil, in the Natural
History Museum (Tring, accession number 85.2.10.132). They are, in many
respects, closer to S. americana than to other S. collaris due to the predominantly
black-and-white plumage, partial nuchal collar, greyer rump and black pectoral
band, although the last was broader than in typical americana and unbroken, and
there was no trace of a greater covert bar. JMB considered that the bill morphology
of these Minas Gerais specimens was strikingly similar to that of specimens of S.
americana from northern Amazonia housed at MNRJ, and quite different from S.
collaris specimens in the same institution. Sharing morphological and plumage
characters with both S. americana and S. collaris, we feel unsure as to the
taxonomic identity of this population. This also opens questions concerning
previous southern records of S. americana (e.g. Stuart 2000). Subspecies limits
within S. collaris are currently under review by MAR, as more than one species may
be involved.

SAO FRANCISCO SPARROW 4rremon franciscanus

Our observations in the newly declared Parque Nacional Cavernas do Peruacu
indicate this recently described and globally Near-Threatened species (BirdLife
International 2000) to be rather common there. We have also discovered it in the
Pogo da Vovo region, on 7 July 2002 (MFV, SDN) and in scrubby, heavily degraded
roadside caatinga just north of Montalvania, on 8 February 2002 (DB, AG, GMK,
JM). An additional specimen (the sixth) to those mentioned by Raposo (1997) is
available: a male taken at Mocambinho by G. T. Mattos on 19 May 1997 (DZUFMG
2480). Further south, e.g. around Pirapora, the species appears to be replaced by
Saffron-billed Sparrow A. flavirostris, which until recently was known from rather
few localities in the state (Raposo 1997) principally in the west (e.g. Sick 1997,
Silveira 1998, Marini 2001) but also to the centre, around Belo Horizonte (Melo-

Guy M. Kirwan et al. 218 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(3)

Junior et al. 2001, Vasconcelos & Melo-Junior 2001; GMK pers. obs.), and south
(Vasconcelos et al. 2002). Thus far, A. franciscanus appears to be known from just
eight, perhaps nine localities (Raposo 1997, Parrini et al. 1999, Kirwan et al. 2001,
D’ Angelo Neto & Vasconcelos unpubl.), though we suspect that it is reasonably
common in suitable habitat within its comparatively small range. A record of A.
flavirostris from Manga (Mattos eft al. 1991) may well be in error, as A. francis-
canus was undescribed at that time, and the latter seems much more likely to occur
at this site (J. F Pacheco in Jitt. 2003).

FORBES’S BLACKBIRD Curaeus forbesi

It appears worthy of remark that we have searched for this globally threatened
species at several localities in the region, without success, notably at the sugarcane
fields and marshy areas fringed by woodlands at Brejo do Amparo (JMB, GMK,
IR), where probably observed in 1977 by Willis & Oniki (1991) and south of
Pirapora, at the rio das Velhas, where found by E. Willis and H. Remold in 1999
(BirdLife International 2000). The habitat at the former is similar to that where the
species 1s known from in Pernambuco (JMB, IR pers. obs, L. A. P. Gonzaga and W.
Silva pers. comm.).

Acknowledgements

Among others, the following observers, indicated by their initials in the text, jomed GMK and JMB in
recent field trips to the middle reaches of the rio Sao Francisco Valley: Dave Beadle (DB), Mark
Elwonger (MAE), Mike Flieg (GMF), Arthur Grosset (AG), Jeremy Minns (JM), Rick Schaefer (RS) and
Hadoram Shirihai (HS). GMK is grateful to Robert Prys-Jones and Mark Adams at the Natural History
Museum (Tring) for access to specimen material at that institution. J. A. Silva kindly prepared the map.
Chris Feare, the editor, and Fernando Pacheco, as referee, made several comments which improved the
manuscript.

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Addresses: Guy M. Kirwan, 74 Waddington Street, Norwich NR2 4JS, UK. Juan Mazar Barnett, Av.
Forest 1531 1°B, (1430) Buenos Aires, Argentina. Marcelo Ferreira de Vasconcelos, Departamento
de Biologia Geral, Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros, Av. Rui Braga, s/ne 39401-089, Montes
Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Marcos A. Raposo, Setor de Aves, Departamento de Vertebrados,
Museu Nacional, Quinta da Boa Vista, s/ne Rio de Janeiro, RJ 20940-040, Brazil. Santos D’Angelo
Neto, Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros, Av. Rui Braga, s/ne
39401-089, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Ignacio Roesler, Calle 2 N°1187, (1900) La Plata,
Buenos Aires, Argentina.

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Hon. Editor: G.M. Kirwan (1 January 2004)

Chairman of BOU/BOC Joint Publications Committee (JPC): Reverend T.W. Gladwin.
Membership Secretary: Cdr. M.B. Casement OBE RN (2004)

Registered Charity No. 279583

Pe

“ulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club
ISSN 0007-1 595
_ Edited by Guy M. Kirw:
— 124, Number 3, pages 157-220

INSTITUTION LIBRARIES

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CONTENTS
Club Announcements 2.6605 ae vo wks ba kw Rs 2 ee lee
INDRAWAN, M. & SOMADIKARTA, S. A new hawk-owl from the Togian Isla
Tomini, central Sulawesi, Indonesia... .. 30.005 24. ons ca Pa:
LOWTHER, P. E., FRAGA, R., SCHULENBERG, T. S. & LANYON, S. M. Nome
colulien Rar a paleuieiciay Actas eb adludw eam hake pore 6 op 6 6 bate ele
RODRIGUES, M. & BELFORT GOMES, H. Range extension for Greyiusgiell Tanag
Eucometis penicillata in south-east Brazil... ..........04..+s00.+122)55 eigen
BRUCE, M. D. & DOWSETT, R. J. The correct name of the Afrotropical mainland subspecies of — |
Barn Owl Tyto alba ... 2. oe ens cen cea ee wen ee ,
FREILE, J. F Range extensions and other noteworthy and new bird records from mainland ©
Bee@adOr 2. ois oi ea be ea va cles en te ee ok « aye 6 ay ea

BRIED, J. & MAGALHAES, M. C. First Palearctic record of the endangered Bermuda Petrel
Pterodroma cahow .. o.oo ccc a cee ce ewe sae we ce sen dad say eee

KIRWAN, G. M., MAZAR BARNETT, J., VASCONCELOS, M. FE. RAPOSO, M. A., DDANGELO
NETO, S. & ROESLER, I. Further comments on the avifauna of the middle Sao Francisco
Valley, Minas Gerais, Brazil .. 2... 0.30605 nee ae ee ese so er

Authors are invited to submit papers on topics relating to the broad themes of taxonomy and distribution of
birds. Descriptions of new species of birds are especially welcome and will be given priority to ensure rapid
publication, subject to successful passage through the normal peer review procedure, and they may be ©
accompanied by colour photographs or paintings. On submission, manuscripts, double-spaced and with
wide margins, should be sent to the Editor, Guy Kirwan, preferably by e-mail, to GMKirwan@aol.com.
Alternatively, two copies of manuscripts, typed on one side of the paper, may be submitted to the Editor, 74
Waddington Street, Norwich NR2 4JS, UK. Where appropriate half-tone photographs may be included and,
where essential to illustrate important points, the Editor will consider the inclusion of colour figures (if pos-
sible, authors should obtain funding to support the inclusion of such colour illustrations).

As far as possible, review, return of manuscripts for revision and subsequent stages of the publication
process will be undertaken electronically.

For instructions on style, see the inside rear cover of Bulletin 124 (1) or the BOC website:

www.boc-online.org

©British Ornithologists’ Club 2004
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Volume 124 No. 4
December 2004

MEETINGS are normally held in the Sherfield Building of Imperial College, South Kensington, London
SW7. The nearest Tube station is at South Kensington; a map of the area will be sent to members, on request.
[Limited car parking facilities can be reserved (at a special reduced charge of £5.00), on prior application to
the Hon. Secretary].

The cash bar is open from 6.15 pm, and a buffet supper, of two courses followed by coffee, is served at
7.00 pm. (A vegetarian menu can be arranged if ordered at the time of booking). Informal talks are given
on completion, commencing at about 8.00 pm.

Dinner charges are £19.00 per person but will be increased to £20.00 as from 1 January 2005.

FORTHCOMING MEETINGS
See also BOC website: http://www.boc-online.org

7 December 2004—Dr A.G. (Andy) Gosler—Eggshell maculation in the Great Tit and other passerines
Andy Gosler has worked at the Edward Grey Institute, Oxford, since late 1981 when, having recently com-
pleted an MSc in plant taxonomy, he assumed a part-time field assistant’s position ringing Great Tits in
Wytham Woods. The BOU’s David Lack Studentship then funded his D.Phil. to study the evolution and ecol-
ogy of Great Tit bills in Wytham Woods. Several important studies developed from that work. However, fas-
cinated by the seemingly pointless patterns of pigment spots (maculation) on Great Tit eggs, in 1988 he start-
ed recording and comparing the pigment patterns on eggs produced by different females. This ongoing study
is yielding fascinating insights into how finely tuned are the breeding adaptations of these. Andy has been a
member of both the BOU and BOC since 1976, and since 1998 has edited /bis.

Applications to Hon. Secretary (address below) by 14 November please.

25 January 2005—Professor Glen Chilton—Lessons learned from the songs of North American sparrows
and warblers

Glen Chilton is an Associate Professor of Biology at St Mary’s College in Calgary, Canada. For the past 18
years most of his research efforts have concerned the songs of birds, particularly the evolution of songs in
crowned sparrows and New World warblers. This work has taken him to some of the most remote areas of
North America. Glen addressed the Club in September 2004 concerning the Labrador Duck and we are
delighted to welcome him back to talk about his specialist subject.

Applications to Hon. Secretary (address below) by 11 January please.

15 March 2005 (please note change of date)—Dr D. H. (David) Thomas—The shady life of birds

David Thomas, Senior Lecturer in Zoology at the University of Wales, has specialised in the behavioural and
physiological adaptations of birds in extreme environments, especially deserts—research on sandgrouse and
phasianids in Moroccan Sahara, Negev, Namib and Sonoran Deserts as well as marine habitats—research on
penguins in southern Africa and on shearwaters in the UK.

Applications to Hon. Secretary (address below) by I March please.

Future meetings in 2005—dates for further meetings in 2005 have been set for the following Tuesdays:
26 April (AGM), 7 June, 27 September, 1 November and 6 December. Speakers to be announced.

Overseas Members visiting Britain are especially welcome at these meetings, and the Hon. Secretary would
be very pleased to hear from anyone who can offer to talk to the Club, in 2005, giving as much advance
notice as possible—please contact: Tony Statham, Woodcock Hill, Durrants Lane, Berkhamsted, Herts. HP4
3TR, UK (or e-mail: SAHS @tinyonline.co.uk).

Registered Charity No. 279583

Club Announcements 221 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(4)

Bulletin of the

Vol. 124 No. 4

CLUB ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Club regrets to announce the resignation (with immediate effect) of Mary Muller from her position
as Vice-Chairman and as a member of the Committee. Cdr. Michael Casement will assume the respon-
sibility of Vice-Chairman until the AGM in April 2005, as well as continuing his ex-officio role as
Membership Secretary. ,

2005 Subscription renewals—we are grateful to all members who have taken early action on the
renewal notice enclosed with the September issue and have increased their Bankers Standing Orders
(BSOs) for the new annual rates with effect from 1 January 2005. At the time of going to press (late
October), approximately half have notified the Membership Secretary that amended BSOs have been
dispatched to their banks and a fair number of remittances have now been received. If action is not
already in hand, please do so now in order to minimise delays and unnecessary correspondence over the
Christmas period. All queries to the Membership Secretary as soon as possible please
(mbcasement @aol.com).

The 925th meeting of the Club was held on Tuesday 28 September 2004, in the Sherfield Building
Annexe, Imperial College, London. 23 Members and 8 guests were present.

Members attending were: Dr C. F MANN (Chairman), Miss H. BAKER, Mrs D. M. BRADLEY,
D. R. CALDER, Cdr. M. B. CASEMENT RN, Prof. R. A. CHEKE, Prof. G. CHILTON (Speaker), F. M.
GAUNTLETT, D. GRIFFIN, C. A. R. HELM, J. P. HUME, D. J. MONTIER, MRS A. M. MOORE, Dr
R. P. PRYS-JONES, R. J. PRYTHERCH, N. J. REDMAN, Dr P. G W. SALAMAN, S. A. H.
STATHAM, C. W. R. STOREY, Dr D. H. THOMAS, M. P. WALTERS, R. P. WEBSTER and P. J.
WILKINSON.

Guests present were: M. J. BRADLEY, Mrs C. R. CASEMENT, Dr L. CHILTON, Mrs K.
CHILTON, Mrs M. H. GAUNTLETT, Mrs M. MONTIER, P. J. MOORE and D. RUSSELL.

After dinner, Prof. Glen Chilton outlined the unusual stories surrounding the now extinct Labrador
Duck in an entertaining talk titled The curse of the Labrador Duck. The following is a brief synopsis.

The North American Labrador Duck Camptorhynchus labradorius became extinct in the late-19th
century. What we know concerning the natural history of the Labrador Duck is greatly exceeded by our
ignorance, and the published literature contains many errors. It was a seaduck, and fed on small mussels,
from sandy shoals. The species wintered along the American eastern seaboard, particularly in the waters
around New York city. The only description of Labrador Duck nests comes from Audubon, who visited
Labrador in July 1833; the account accompanies his painting of the species. However his diary explic-
itly states that he found no Labrador Duck nests. Museums in Tring and Dresden have eggs thought to
be those of Labrador Ducks, as does a private collection. DNA analysis has now been performed on all
nine eggs to determine which, if any, were actually produced by Labrador Ducks. There are 53 stuffed
specimens of Labrador Duck housed in 30 museums in 12 countries. One, in Germany, was destroyed
by WWII bombing; many other specimens in England, France and Germany narrowly avoided destruc-
tion at that time. One specimen is a reconstruction, using the bill of a Labrador Duck and the body of a
white duck with black paint. Most specimens entered institutions before the era of detailed record
keeping. Details of collection of some specimens are well documented, providing information about
habitats used and the timing of migration. It is unclear why this duck became extinct. As a seaduck, it

Club Announcements 222 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(4)

may have been negatively influenced by raw sewage dumped into the ocean along the American eastern
seaboard.

Referees

I am grateful for the invaluable contributions of the following persons, who have provided reviews of
manuscripts submitted to the Bulletin during the course of my first year as editor (those who refereed
more than one manuscript are denoted by an asterisk in parentheses after their name): Mark Adams, Axel
Bratinlich, Michael Brooke, Dan Brooks, Bill Bourne, David Christie (*), Mario Cohn-Haft, Nigel
Collar (*), Charles Collins, John Cooper, Mike Crosby, Andrés Cuervo, Jon Curson, Richard Dean, Ron
Demey, Edward C. Dickinson (*), Bob Dowsett (*), Guy Dutson, Jonathan C. Eames, Brant Fairclough,
James Ferguson-Lees, Jon Fjeldsa, Steven Gregory, Kees Hazevoet, David Holyoak, Niels Krabbe, Scott
Lanyon, Curtis Marantz, Phil McGowan, Fabio Olmos (*), Fernando Pacheco (*), David Pearson, Alan
Peterson, Theunis Piersma, Doug Pratt, Pamela Rasmussen, Van Remsen (*), Robin Restall, Craig
Robson, Paul Salaman, Frank Steinheimer, F. Gary Stiles, Lars Svensson, David Wege, André Weller (*),
and Andrew Whittaker.—THE EDITOR

Marcos Pérsio Dantas Santos 223 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(4)

New records of birds from the Brazilian state of
Roraima

by Marcos Persio Dantas Santos
Received 26 Fuly 2003

Roraima is the northernmost state in Brazil, and has a total land area of 225,116 km’
and a population of c.325,000. Of these, 200,000 (61.5%) live in Boa Vista, the
state capital (Barbosa et al. 1997), emphasising the state’s generally very low
human population density. The naturalist Johan Natterer was the first person to con-
duct ornithological investigations in Roraima (in 1831—1832). The majority of his
collections were made along the rio Branco, especially around Sao Joaquim fort
(Pelzeln 1871). Subsequently, in 1962 Olivério Pinto conducted an expedition to
Roraima, traversing the rio Mucajai, and presented the first avian catalogue for
Roraima, summarising bird collections made in the state (Pinto 1966). In recent
decades, ornithological effort has been concentrated around Maraca Ecological

Venezuela

» Guyana

Kennedy Ranch

Ilha Inajatuba

Ilha da Alianca

Virua National Park headquaters

iil Teal (i foul ae

Highway “vicinal 29”

se Roraima rivers

Amazonas state (Brazil)

100 0 100 Miles
a S| S

Figure 1. Map showing localities in the state of Roraima mentioned in the text.

Marcos Pérsio Dantas Santos 224 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(4)

Station (Moskovits et al. 1985, Silva & Oren 1990) and the capital Boa Vista
(Borges 1994). Stotz (1997) compiled the most recent checklist for Roraima, which
included a total of 492 species, whilst more recently, Grosset & Minns (2002) pub-
lished new data on Poecilurus kollari and Santos (2003) distributional information
for Cercomacra carbonaria. I initiated research concerning birds in Roraima in
January 2002. During this study I have made six visits to the state, each lasting 24
months and surveying seasonally flooded forest bordering the lower rio Branco,
regions of higher land forest to the south and savannas to the north, close to the bor-
der with Guyana (Fig. 1).

My research has added five bird species new to the Stotz (1997) list and
increased the total number of species recorded in the state to 497. All specimens
have been deposited in the ornithological collection of the Museu Paraense Emilio
Goeldi (MPEG), in Belém, Para, Brazil.

Species accounts

SAPPHIRE-RUMPED PARROTLET Touit purpurata

On 10 August 2002, a male (MPEG 56276) was collected along the road leading to
Virua National Park headquarters (01°29’N, 61°00’ W). The species is widespread
through the Guianas, northern Brazil, south-west Colombia and eastern Ecuador
(Forshaw & Cooper 1973), with the geographically closest records coming from
Jai National Park (Borges et al. 2001) and areas north of Manaus (Cohn-Haft et al.
1997), both in Amazonas state. However, it had not previously been mentioned for
Roraima. In Virua National Park, it proved to be relatively common, with groups of
up to 25 individuals being observed.

CHESTNUT-BELTED GNATEATER Conopophaga aurita

On 2 February 2003, a male (MPEG 56879) was collected in the municipal district
of Sao Joao da Baliza, on highway 29 (00°59’N, 59°52’W), in an area of high-
ground forest (terra firme). Whilst this species is the most widespread of the genus
(Sick 1997), it had not previously been recorded in Roraima.

ZIMMER’S WOODCREEPER Xiphorhynchus kienerii

Between 14 and 17 August 2002, five (MPEG 56325-56329) were collected on Ilha
da Alianga (01°28’N, 61°15’ W), in the rio Branco adjacent to Virua National Park.
This species has been found to occur exclusively in seasonally flooded forest (del
Hoyo et al. 2003), and is common in such habitat on the Anavilhanas archipelago
in the rio Negro (A. Whittaker pers. obs.) and at the mouth of the rio Jau (Borges
et al. 2001). Given that this species exclusively occupies flooded forests and that
there are no such forests north of Caracarai (01°50’N, 61°08’ W), this region may
represent the northernmost limit for the species. For comments on this species’ tax-
onomy see Aleixo & Whitney (2002).

Marcos Pérsio Dantas Santos 225 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(4)

ASH-BREASTED ANTBIRD Myrmoborus lugubris

Between 13 and 14 August 2002, four (MPEG 56403-56406) were collected on
Ilha da Alianga (01°28°N, 61°15’W), and three additional individuals (MPEG
56401, 56402, 56828) on Ilha de Inajatuba (01°25’N, 61°16’ W), in the lower rio
Branco adjacent to Virud National Park. The species occupies flooded forests along
the rio Napo in Ecuador, north-east Peru, south-east Colombia, in Brazil, along the
rio Amazonas to the confluence with the lower rio Tocantins. Its presence in
Roraima considerably expands the species’ known range from the closest-known
localities of the archipelagos of Mariua and Anavilhanas, on the rio Negro
(A. Whittaker pers. comm.).

BLACKISH-GREY ANTSHRIKE Thamnophilus nigrocinereus

Between 13 and 15 August 2002, five (MPEG 56351-56825) were collected on Ilha
da Alianga (01°28°N, 61°15’W) and it is common on seasonally flooded islands in
the lower rio Branco. The species is typically found in Brazil along the rios Negro
and Amazon in areas of flooded forest (vdrzea), in forests along small streams and
in igapo (black-water) flooded forests (Sick 1997).

BLACK-CHESTED TYRANT Taenotriccus andrei

On 24 January 2003 one (MPEG 56881) was collected at Fazenda Kenedy
(02°40°N, 61°12’W), along the right bank of the rio Mucajaf. Only one bird was
found, in a narrow band of degraded forest adjacent to pasture. Traylor (1979)
already indicated the species’ presence in the state, based on specimens taken along
the rio Padauiri, but as noted by Paynter & Traylor (1991) this locality belongs to
the state of Amazonas, making my record the first for the species in Roraima. This
species is very poorly known and is only sparsely distributed in the Brazilian
Amazon (where it is principally known from the Tapajoés, Itaituba, Altamira and
lower Xingu rivers, the forests around Belém and in northern Maranhao), as well as
in southern Venezuela and probably Surinam (Ridgely & Tudor 1994).

Acknowledgements
I thank José Maria Cardoso da Silva for guidance, and Luis Fabio Silveira and Andrew Whittaker for
critically reviewing the manuscript. My field studies were funded by Fundagao 0 Boticario de Protecao
a Natureza (FBPN—050820012), WWF-Brazil—Ford Foundation (CSR 243-2001), Conselho
Brasileiro de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnol6gico (CNPq) and the Instituto Brasileiro de Meio
Ambiente (IBAMA).

References:

Aleixo. A. & Whitney, B. M. 2002. Dendroplex (=Xiphorhynchus) necopinus is a junior synonym of
Dendrornis kienerii (= Xiphorhynchus picus kienerii) Des Murs 1855. Auk 119: 520-523.

Barbosa, R. I., Ferreira, E. J. G & Castell6n E. G. (eds.) 1997. Homem, ambiente e ecologia no estado
de Roraima. INPA, Manaus.

Borges, S. H. 1994. Listagem e novos registros de aves para a regiao de Boa Vista, Roraima, Brasil. Bol.
Mus. Para. Emilio Goeldi, sér. Zool. 10: 191-202.

Marcos Pérsio Dantas Santos 226 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 1244)

Borges. S. H.. Cohn-Hait. M.. Carvalhaes. A. M. P.. Henriques. L. M., Pacheco, J. F. & Whittaker. A.
2001. Birds of Jai National Park. Brazilian Amazon: species check-list, biogeography and conser-
vation. Orn. Neotrop. 12: 109-140.

Cohn-Haft, M.. Whittaker, A. & Stouffer, P. C. 1997. A new look at the “species-poor” central Amazon:
the avifauna north of Manaus, Brazil. Pp. 205—235 in Remsen, J. V. (ed.) Studies in Neotropical
ornithology honoring Ted Parker. Om. Monosr. No. 48.

Forshaw, J. M. & Cooper. W. T. 1973. Parrots of the world. Lansdowne Press, Melbourne.

Grosset, A. & Minns. J. 2002. Photospot: Hoary-throated Spinetail Poecilurus kollari. Cotinga 18: 114.

del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. & Sargatal. J. (eds.) 2003. Handbook of the birds of the world, vol. 8. Lynx
Edicions, Barcelona.

Moskovits, D. K.. Fitzpatick. J. W. & Willard. D. E. 1985. Lista prelimmar das aves da Estacao
Ecolégica de Maraca, terit6rio de Roraima, Brasil, e areas adjacentes. Pap. Avulsos Zool. 36 (6):
51-68.

von Pelzeln. A. 1871. Zur Ornithologie Brasiliens. A. Pichler, Vienna.

Ridgely. R. S. & Tudor. G 1994. The birds of South America, vol. 2. Univ. Texas Press, Austin.

Paynter, R. A. & Traylor. M. A. 1991. Ornithological gazetteer of Brazil. Mus. Comp. Zool., Cambridge,
MA.

Pinto. O. M. O. 1966. Estudo critico e catélogo remissivo das aves do Termiténo Federal de Roraima.
Cadernos da Amaz6nia 8: 1-176.

Santos, M. P. D. 2003. Novos registros do chorord-do-Rio-Branco (Cercomacra carbonaria) no estado
de Roraima, Brasil. Atualidades Ornitolégicas 114: 3.

Sick. H. 1997. Ornitologia brasileira. Ed. Nova Fronteira. Rio de Janeiro.

Silva, J. M. C. & Oren, D. C. 1990. Resultados de uma excursao ormitolégica a ilha de Maraca, Roraima,
Brasil. Goeldiana Zool. 5: 1-8.

Stotz. D. F. 1997. Levantamento preliminar da avifauna em Roraima. Pp. 581—608 im Barbosa, R. L,
Ferreira, E. J. G & Castell6n E. G (eds.) 1997. Homem, ambiente e ecologia no estado de Roraima.
INPA. Manaus.

Traylor. M. A. 1979. Checklist of the birds of the world. vol. 8. Mus. Comp. Zool., Cambridge, MA.

Address: Universidade Federal do Piaui. Departamento de Biologia. TROPEN, Niicleo de Referéncia em
Ciéncias Ambientais do Trépico Ecotonal do Nordeste, Av. Universitaria, 1310, Inmga, Teresina,
Piaui. CEP 640449-550. Brazil. e-mail: persio@ufpi_br

© British Omithologists° Club 2004

A record of Pale-legged Hornero
Furnarius leucopus from Ecuador

by Niels Krabbe

Recetved 8 August 2003

On 2 February 2002, during field work on the eastern slope of the Cordillera de
Cutucti in Morona-Santiago Province, south-east Ecuador, along a small tibutary
of the rio Morona, near Unnsuantz (02°33°S, 77°54’ W. elevation 525 m), I collected
a specimen of Pale-legged Hornero Furnarius leucopus. The specimen is now
housed in the Museo Ecuatoriano de Ciencias Naturales, Quito (MECN 7647).
There is no published specimen record of the species from Ecuador and north of
the rio Marafidn in Peru, but J. V. Remsen, Louisiana State University, Museum of

Niels Krabbe 227 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(4)

Zoology (LSUMZ), kindly placed at my disposal the previously unpublished data
of a series of six Peruvian specimens collected during expeditions by LSUMZ in
dpto. Amazonas in 1978-1981, all of the widespread form tricolor. Two of these
were collected along the rio Cenepa (near Huampami, 04°28°S, 78°10’ W, 200 m),
and four along the rio Santiago (Caterpiza, 03°50’S, 77°40’ W, 200 m), suggesting
that the species might also occur in the ornithologically unexplored Ecuadorian
territory along these rivers. Field work in seemingly suitable habitat along the rio
Pastaza (Kapawi, Isla Sharamentsa) in Ecuador, by myself and others, has failed to
demonstrate the presence of this easily detectable species, suggesting that its
Ecuadorian distribution is genuinely limited to the rivers further west.

Although the Ecuadorian specimen has not been subspecifically allocated
through direct comparison, it is undoubtedly referable to tricolor like the Peruvian
specimens taken nearby.

Address: Zoological Museum, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15, Copenhagen, 2100
Denmark, e-mail: NK Krabbe @zmuc.ku.dk

© British Ornithologists’ Club 2004

A Syrian record: the case of Aharoni’s
Thick-billed Larks Ramphocorts clotbey

by Guy M. Kirwan

Received 13 August 2003

Thick-billed Lark Ramphocoris clotbey is the sole representative of an attractive
genus restricted to the Western Palearctic, where it breeds discontinuously, sparsely
and, in some areas, erratically, from Morocco across North Africa to Jordan, north-
central Saudi Arabia and, more irregularly, Kuwait (Snow & Perrins 1998). It was
also mentioned for the ‘Syrian desert’ by Vaurie (1959) where, as detailed by
Kumerloeve (1969a), two pairs were found in 1930 and, in 1931, a pair with four
eggs. This information was repeated by Cramp (1988), but subsequently Baumgart
(1995) considered that the records could not certainly be stated to have been made
in modern-day Syria, and regarded the species’ occurrence in the latter country as
unproven. Snow & Perrins (1998) added similar clarification; it might also be
remarked that as early as 1970 Hiie & Etchécopar had questioned whether these
records might definitely be considered as being from the Syrian Arab Republic.
Given the species’ somewhat nomadic tendencies, it is perhaps surprising that
Thick-billed Lark has apparently wandered so infrequently beyond its main range:
there are several records from the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia (Bundy ef al.
1989), a single mention for the former South Yemen (Hollom ef al. 1988), at an
unknown location on 11 March 1962 (Warr unpubl. ms.), which was not included
by Martins et al. (1996), an accepted record, in April 1999, in Oman (Eriksen &

Guy M. Kirwan 228 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(4)

Sargeant 2000) and a published claim of one in flight in the vicinity of the former
Amik Goli, southern Turkey, in late May 1975 (Anon. 1976), a record which was
not admitted to the list of birds reliably recorded in the country (Kirwan et al.
1999).

Aharoni and the Syrian Thick-billed Larks

What of the Syrian record? Kumerloeve (1969a) based his text on Aharoni (1931),
who provided a detailed account of the discovery of the nest. However, neither
proffered locality information. Prof. Aharoni was a Jewish zoologist of Lithuanian
origin, who settled in Palestine and travelled extensively in the latter country and
neighbouring regions until his death in 1946 (Warr 1996). His published contribu-
tions included the most thorough account of the African Darter Anhinga rufa colony
at Amik Golii (the former Sea of Antioch), now sadly lost, considerable information
concerning Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita breeding places in Syria and many of our
initial data for the breeding birds of the Syrian Desert (Aharoni 1928, 1929, 1930,
1931). Unfortunately, his reports were not always reliable or precise. As noted by
Kumerloeve (1969b) and Baumgart (1995), there can be almost no doubt that
Aharoni’s (1932) claim that the Cyprus Wheatear Oenanthe cypriaca had bred in
Syria is false, whilst Safriel (1980) ably elucidated the problems associated with
divining the whereabouts of Aharoni’s localities of Bald Ibis colonies in the same
country, and Serra (2003) even suggested that over-reliance on these data had
resulted in the latter species being erroneously considered to be extinct there.

Baumgart (1995) did not present details as to why he considered the records as
uncertainly appertaining to modern-day Syria, nor did he speculate as to which
country the records might refer. With the post-World War One division of the
Ottoman Empire and our knowledge of Aharoni’s wanderings, his records of Thick-
billed Lark could pertain to Lebanon, Syria or Turkey.

National boundary changes

Under the terms of the May 1916 Sykes—Picot agreement, Britain and France
established an advance agreement to divide the Levant between them upon the
cessation of hostilities, with Britain assuming control of modern-day Iraq, Israel
and Jordan, and Lebanon and Syria (collectively Greater Syria) being administered
by the French. Problems soon arose, however, particularly in the French mandate,
which also included the province of Alexandretta (the modern-day Hatay or
Antakya province of southernmost Turkey). A special administrative system was
designed for the latter under the Franco—Turkish agreement of Ankara, in 1921, and
expanded boundaries for Lebanon were declared in September 1920. Indeed, even
under the Ottomans, the region around Mount Lebanon had enjoyed a state of semi-
autonomy since 1861. In 1926, as part of ongoing constitutional and governmental
changes to Greater Syria, the French instituted Lebanon as an independent republic,
although it remained under their control. During the period between 1920 and

Guy M. Kirwan 229 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(4)

official independence the country’s northern border was further north than its
current position, encompassing the coastal strip as far as Latakia. In 1939,
Alexandretta was finally ceded to Turkey, but despite strong Arab opposition to the
French mandate, an independent Syria was not recognised until 1941 and this was
not made official until 1946, whilst Lebanon only achieved such status three years
earlier, in 1943 (Gilbert 1995, O’ Brien 2002, Goldschmidt 2002, Keay 2003).

The specimens

Aharoni (1931la,b) mentioned that his specimens had been sent to England, to
Jourdain and Rothschild, and indeed, by chance, I located the two (one labelled a
female and the other almost certainly a male, on the basis of size, much whiter-
looking bill and more clearly demarcated cheek-spots, and the intensity and size of
the black markings on the breast; see Keith et al. 1992, Svensson et al. 1999) in the
Natural History Museum, Tring (accession numbers 1939.12.9.276 and 277;
Fig. 1), and the label information confirms that they were taken at ‘El Zerka, in the
north Syrian desert, on 6 April 1931’. Furthermore, the egg collection at the same
institution contains two eggs collected by Aharoni at a locality named Dschukeil,

Figure 1. Syrian specimens of Thick-billed Lark Ramphocoris clotbey held in the Natural History
Museum, Tring (Guy M. Kirwan, copyright the Natural History Museum)

Guy M. Kirwan 230 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(4)

on 20 April 1931. Whether Aharoni found two nests is unclear, given the discrep-
ancy in date and location and the information presented by Kumerloeve (1969a).
The two-clutch hypothesis might appear more plausible, given the difference in
dates and localities, and that Kumerloeve explicitly stated that ‘the’ nest had four
eggs. However, a perusal of the specimen registers at Tring reveals that Aharoni
was collecting at Baalbek and other sites in the Anti-Lebanon range on 20 April and
the days immediately prior to and after this date, thus suggesting that an error was
made in the registration or subsequently (see Knox & Walters 1992). Baumgart was
apparently unaware of the existence of the specimens and eggs (M. Kasparek in litt.
June 2003).

Identifying the localities

We now come to the issue of identifying the whereabouts of these localities. It is as
well to bear in mind the various problems inherent to such research, which were
discussed by Safriel (1980). However, from my readings of Aharoni’s published
field work, it is equally important to note that he was not an uncritical or careless
observer, despite some of the errors and problems outlined previously. In his
writings, he consistently differentiated between Lebanon and Syria, rather than
writing as if he were referring simply to Greater Syria. Thus, from the specimens
register at Tring it is usually possible to identify in which of the modern-day
countries Aharoni was collecting during a given period.

Given Aharoni’s field work in the Hatay, it is possible that the records could
have been made on Turkish soil. Neither El Zerka nor Dschukeil, even allowing for
variant phonetics, is a Turkish name and both are absent from the most comprehen-
sive gazetteer I have located (Burgett et al. 1984). Furthermore, I am unaware of
any suitable habitat for the species in this region of Turkey (another factor mitigat-
ing against the claim mentioned earlier in this note).

At the time Aharoni made his observations, Lebanon comprised a slightly
greater area than it does now. Irrespective of the obvious conclusion should
Aharoni’s R. clotbey have emanated from the part ‘returned’ to Syria (Latakia), this
possibility seems rather unlikely, given the habitat in the relevant region. As already
mentioned, the possibility that Aharoni failed to distinguish between Lebanon and
Syria appears somewhat remote. For localities of either name (or tangible variants),
I searched the Syrian gazetteer available within an online database
(http://www.nima.mil/gns/html/cntry_files.html). I located just two possibilities,
both relating to El Zerka: Al Zirbeh (a town just south of Aleppo, now Halab, and
relatively close to the Turkish border) and Al Zarga (just north of Al Raqga and
much further east). Of these, the former would appear more probable, it being much
closer to Aharoni’s known haunts and is in a region with suitable habitat for R.
clotbey.

However, my perusal of the Tring specimens register revealed that he also
collected a juvenile Houbara Bustard Chlamydotis undulata (NHM 1939.12.9.242)

and a Red-rumped Wheatear Oenanthe moesta (NHM 1939.12.9.219), among other
species, at El] Zerka. The latter is unknown in Lebanon, and the former has been
recorded just twice (Ramadan-Jaradi & Ramadan-Jaradi 1999). Even more
importantly, the register also reveals that Aharoni was collecting in the well-known
Qaryatein area one day prior to a March 1931 visit to El Zerka. This would
definitely seem to place the Thick-billed Lark records within modern Syrian
territory and prove that Roselaar (1995) was correct to consider the records to have
probably come from the Qaryatein—Palmyra area, but also means that neither of the
localities identified during the gazetteer search is likely to represent the collecting
site of Aharoni’s specimens.

Nonetheless, I enquired of Dr G. Ramadan-Jaradi (a Lebanese ornithologist)
whether he knew of any localities similar to the names on Aharoni’s specimen
labels. We eliminated two possibilities due to their location, but another merits full
quotation of GR-J’s response of June 2003:

“We also have...Ain El Zarka (34°21’N 36°22’E)...one of the springs which
feeds Al Assi (Oronte) River. It is located on the western slopes of the Anti-
Lebanon range, north of the Beqaa Valley, near Hermel. It is a semi-desert
habitat where rainfall—partially inhibited by the high mountains—is just
250 mm pa. It is a direct extension of the Syrian Desert via the Homs depres-
sion. Among the typical plants are Artemisia, Haloxylon, Salsola, Achillea,
Scorzonera and Gymnarrhenea.”

It is worth noting that the Thick-billed Lark is not mentioned for Lebanon
(Ramadan-Jaradi & Ramadan-Jaradi 1999), but that semi-desert areas around
Hermel have produced a number of ‘surprises’ in recent years including Mourning
Wheatear Oenanthe lugens, Scrub Warbler Scotocerca inquieta (Bara 2002) and
Temminck’s Horned Eremophila bilopha and Bar-tailed Desert Larks Ammomanes
cinctura (Bradshaw & Kirwan 2000), some or all of which may be breeding there.
On the basis of the above, R. clotbey is clearly worth searching for too. Whilst I
consider that the available evidence suggests that Aharoni really did collect his
specimens in modern-day Syria, the possibility that it might also occur in present-
day Lebanon needs also to be considered.

Acknowledgements
The following offered invaluable assistance at the Natural History Museum (Tring): Mark Adams,
Alison Harding, Robert Pris-Jones, Douglas Russell and Effie Warr. Mike Evans and Ghassan
Ramadan-Jaradi made helpful comments concerning the whereabouts of Aharoni’s collecting localities.
Max Kasparek and David Murdoch also assisted in the preparation of this short manuscript. I am grateful
to Chris Feare for guiding this contribution through the editorial process.

References:

Aharoni, J.1928. Der Waldrapp, Comatibis eremita (L.). Orn. Beob. 26: 58-60.

Aharoni, J. 1929. Zur Brutbiologische von Comatibis comata Bp. (Geronticus eremita L.). Beitr. Fortpfl.
Biol. Vogel 5: 17-19.

Aharoni, J. 1930. Brutbiologisches aus dem Antiochia-See. Beitr. Fortpfl. Biol. Vogel 6: 145-151.

Guy M. Kirwan 232 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(4)

Aharoni, J. 1931a. Brutbiologisches aus der Syrische Wiiste und dem Libanon. Beitr. Fortpfl. Biol. Vogel
7: 161-166, 222-226.

Aharoni, J. 1931b. Drei neue Vogel fiir Palastina und Syrien. Orn. Monatsber. 39: 171-173.

Aharoni, J. 1932. Bemerkungen und Ergénzungen zu R. Meinertzhagens Werk “Nicoll’s Birds of
Egypt”. J. Orn. 80: 416-424.

Anon. 1976. Recent reports. Orn. Soc. Turkey Bull. 13: 4.

Bara, T. 2002. Bird notes from Lebanon, including two new species. Sandgrouse 24: 4445.

Baumgart, W. 1995. Die Vogel Syriens: eine Ubersicht. Kasparek Verlag, Heidelberg.

Bradshaw, C. G. & Kirwan, G. M. (compilers) 2000. Around the region. Sandgrouse 22: 156-160.

Bundy, G., Connor, R. J. & Harrison, C. J. O. 1989. The birds of the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.
H. EK. & G Witherby, London.

Burgett, C., Rockmore, M. & Quinting, G. 1984. Gazetteer of Turkey, vols. 1-2. Defense Mapping
Agency, Washington DC.

Cramp, S. (ed.) 1988. The birds of the Western Palearctic, vol. 5. Oxford Univ. Press.

Eriksen, J. & Sargeant, D. E. 2000. Oman bird list. The official list of the birds of the Sultanate of Oman.
Oman Bird Records Committee, Muscat.

Gilbert, M. 1995. The Routledge atlas of Jewish history. Routledge, London.

Goldschmidt, A. 2002. A concise history of the Middle East. Westview Press, Boulder.

Hollom, P. A. D., Porter, R. F., Christensen, S. & Willis, I. 1988. Birds of the Middle East and North
Africa. T. & A. D. Poyser, Calton.

Hiie, F. & Etchécopar, R. D. 1970. Les oiseaux du Proche et du Moyen Orient. Ed. Boubée, Paris.

Keay, J. 2003. Saving the wind. The seeds of conflict in the Middle East. John Murray, London.

Keith, S., Urban, E. K. & Fry, C. H. (eds.) 1992. The birds of Africa, vol. 4. Academic Press, London.

Kirwan, G M., Martins, R. P., Eken, G & Davidson, P. 1999. A checklist of the birds of Turkey.
Sandgrouse Suppl. 1: 1-32.

Knox, A. G. & Walters, M. 1992. Under the skin: the bird collections of the Natural History Museum.
Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl. Centenary Suppl. 112A: 169-190.

Kumerloeve, H. 1969a. Recherches sur l’avifaune de la République Arabe Syrienne essai d’un apercu.
Alauda 37: 43-58.

Kumerloeve, H. 1969b. On the occurrence of the Pied Wheatear Oenanthe leucomela in Asia Minor and
adjacent countries. Ibis 111: 238-239. 5

Martins, R. P., Bradshaw, C. G., Brown, A., Kirwan, G. M. & Porter, R. F. 1996. The status of passerines
in southern Yemen and the records of the OSME survey in spring 1993. Sandgrouse 17: 54-72.

O’Brien, C. K. (ed.) 2002. Philip’s atlas of world history. Philips, London.

Ramadan-Jaradi, G. & Ramadan-Jaradi, M. 1999. An updated checklist of the birds of Lebanon.
Sandgrouse 21: 132-170.

Roselaar, C. S. 1995. Songbirds of Turkey: an atlas of biodiversity in Turkish passerine birds. Pica Press,
Robertsbridge & GMB, Haarlem.

Safriel, U. N. 1980. Notes on the extinct population of the Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita in the Syrian
Desert. [bis 122: 82-88.

Serra, G. 2003. The discovery of Northern Bald Ibises in Syria. World Birdwatch 25: 10-13.

Svensson, L., Mullarney, K., Zetterstrom, D. & Grant, P. J. 1999. Collins bird guide. HarperCollins,
London.

Snow, D. W. & Perrins, C. M. (eds.) 1998. The birds of the Western Palearctic. Concise edition. Oxford
Univ. Press.

Vaurie, C. 1959. The birds of the Palearctic fauna. Passeriformes. H. F. & G Witherby, London.

Warr, F. E. 1996. Manuscripts and drawings in the Ornithology and Rothschild Libraries of the Natural
History Museum at Tring. British Ornithologists’ Club Occ. Publ. 2, Tring.

Address: 74 Waddington Street, Norwich, Norfolk NR2 4JS, UK, e-mail: GMKirwan @aol.com

© British Ornithologists’ Club 2004

Barry Taylor et al. 233 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(4)

The nest, eggs and chicks of the
White-winged Flufftail Sarothrura ayresi

by Barry Taylor, Mengistu Wondafrash & Yirmed Demeke

Received 4 September 2003

The genus Sarothrura (flufftails) is endemic to Africa and Madagascar and includes
nine species of small rails (length 13.5—17 cm) which inhabit dense ground vegeta-
tion of wetlands, grasslands, forest and dense bush (Taylor & van Perlo 1998). Most
species are extremely shy and difficult to observe, and are usually located only by
their very distinctive calls. Two species are classed as globally Endangered:
Slender-billed Flufftail S. watersi of Madagascar and White-winged Flufftail S.
ayresi of mainland Africa (Stattersfield & Capper 2000). The only known popula-
tions of White-winged Flufftail occur in highland marshes near Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia, and, 4,000 km to the south, in mainly highland marshes of eastern South
Africa, where the species is regarded as Critically Endangered (Taylor 2000). Its
total numbers are estimated at 210—215 pairs, confined to two marshes in Ethiopia,
and 235 individuals in South Africa (Taylor & van Perlo 1998).

In Ethiopia White-winged Flufftail breeds in July-August, in high-altitude
seasonal marshes dominated by grasses, forbs and short sedges (Taylor & van Perlo
1998). The species is recorded from its breeding areas only in June—September,
outside which period there is only one country record, from a lower altitude
permanent marsh in May (Taylor 1994, Taylor & van Perlo 1998). South African
records fall mainly in the period October-March inclusive, with isolated records in
May, August and September, whilst there are also records from Zimbabwe in
January—March 1977 and 1979, and one from Zambia in November 1962 (Taylor
1994, Taylor & van Perlo 1998). The species is assumed to migrate from Ethiopia
to South Africa during the non-breeding season, as there is little overlap in
occurrence dates between its two centres of distribution and also because there is
no evidence that the species breeds anywhere in southern Africa, where it occurs
mainly in tall, permanent reed and sedge marshes, which are very different to its
breeding habitat in Ethiopia (Taylor & van Perlo 1998, BT unpubl. obs.).

In Ethiopia, small numbers of this enigmatic species were recorded from 1939
to 1957 (Collar & Stuart 1985), after which no sighting was reported until 1984
(Massoli-Novelli 1988). In August 1995 the species was ‘rediscovered’ in small
numbers at one of its traditional breeding sites (Atkinson et al. 1995). From 1996
to 1999, BT made annual visits to Ethiopia to study the species in collaboration
with MW, YD and other field workers. This note describes the chicks, which were
found in August 1996, and the nest and eggs, which were found in August 1999.

Barry Taylor et al. 234 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(4)

The nest and eggs

The principal problem encountered in studying the breeding of this species is the
vulnerability to disturbance and damage of the breeding sites, and the nesting
habitat, by observers walking through the vegetation. The birds nest in rapidly
growing vegetation only 20-40 cm tall (Taylor & van Perlo 1998), which is very
susceptible to damage by trampling. The smaller of the two known breeding sites
also suffers significant disturbance and damage by grazing livestock and by the
cutting of growing Eleocharis sedges—the destruction of almost all of the bird’s
once-extensive breeding habitat in the highlands near Addis Ababa has been largely
due to overgrazing and sedge cutting (Taylor & van Perlo 1998, BT & MW unpubl.
obs.). In view of the bird’s conservation status, and the importance of the only two
known breeding sites for its survival, only very limited searches for nests were
made, and great care was taken not to disturb any area more than once and to
minimise the amount of damage caused by observers walking through the vegeta-
tion. Finding and describing the nest and eggs was, however, deemed essential for
two reasons: (1) to establish the precise nature of the nesting habitat, so that suitable
areas could be located, protected and restored in currently degraded wetlands; and
(2) to clarify the bird’s relationships with its congeners—for example, it had been
suggested that this species lays patterned eggs (Taylor & van Perlo 1998), whereas
all other flufftails lay pure white eggs.

On 12 August 1999 a nest was found by YD and BT at a wetland site near Addis
Ababa. The exact location of the site is not given in order to safeguard the wetland
from disturbance. The nest was in a clump of mixed vegetation dominated by
Eleocharis marginulata, a grass (probably Pennisetum schimperi) and a buttercup
Ranunculus sp. It was placed about 1 cm above the substrate, on top of a small pad
of Eleocharis stems, probably flattened by the bird, that were woven into the nest
structure. The ground was largely flat and shallowly flooded to a depth of 1-5 cm
and the nest was constructed in a clump of vegetation on a small, low ‘island’ of
moist ground slightly above the water level. The vegetation in which the nest was
built was 40-45 cm high and the surrounding vegetation was 30-45 cm high, in a
continuous area of similar habitat near the edge of the wetland, about 60 m from the
river running along the wetland margin. The nest (Fig. 1) was a ball of woven live
Eleocharis and grass, with a few growing Ranunculus leaves woven into the
outside. It was quite thickly lined with long pieces of dead grass and Eleocharis
woven around the cavity walls. The circular entrance was at the side, near the top
and at an angle of c.40° above the horizontal. It had Eleocharis stems protruding
from its base and running down to the ground to form a rough ramp. The entrance
faced towards the outside edge of the vegetation clump and the nest was very well
concealed by surrounding vegetation, with live Eleocharis and Ranunculus forming
a natural cover over and around it, except in front of the entrance, where there was
a small open space just large enough for the bird to stand. There was no tunnel or
track through the vegetation to the nest.

Barry Taylor et al. 235 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(4)

Figure 1. Left: the three eggs from the nest; right:
White-winged Flufftail nest, Ethiopia, 12 August 1999
(B. Taylor)

TABLE 1
Morphometrics of three eggs in the nest discovered near Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 12 August 1999.

Length Width Mass Calculated Calculated
(mm) (mm) (g) volume (ml) density (g/ml)
27.2 19.8 5.47 5.44 1.007
27.3 20.0 5.65 5.57 1.014
27.8 19.9 5.78 5.6 1.030

The female came out of the nest as the observers approached, and walked 1.5 m
away to stand on an open patch of flattened Eleocharis, from which it flew when
the observers were less than 2 m away. A few minutes later a male was flushed c.20
m from the nest. Ethiopian Snipe Gallinago nigripennis were also nesting in this
habitat, and we found over 20 nests of this species while searching for White-
winged Flufftail nests.

Nest dimensions (cm) were: outside height 17.5; outside width 15; entrance
diameter 4.8; entrance height 5; thickness of walls and base 2.0—2.8; cavity
diameter 9.8; cavity height 9.4.

The nest contained three fresh eggs which were oval, white, smooth and slightly
glossy (Fig. 1). One egg was collected and is deposited in the National Museum,
Addis Ababa. Egg morphometrics are given in Table 1: volumes were computed
from volume = 0.51*L*W2 where L = length and W = width (Hoyt 1979).

Barry Taylor et al. 236 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(4)

The nest was visited on 17 and 31 August when it held five incubated eggs,
which were slightly visible through the nest walls (D. Kotze in litt.). When visited
again on | September, by YD, the nest was empty with no sign of damage or distur-
bance, indicating that the chicks had hatched successfully and that the incubation
period was 15-16 days, assuming that one egg per day was laid from 13 or 14
August, and that incubation commenced when the clutch was complete.

The chicks

On 24 August 1996, BT visited the smaller breeding site with J. Atkins and
S. Millington. While walking through very dense, continuous, 20—25-cm-tall
vegetation flooded to a depth of 1-10 cm (most parts had at least 5 cm of standing
water) and before dusk, at about 18.00 h, BT found a female White-winged Flufftail
running through the vegetation, very unwilling to fly. All the observers stopped
immediately and examined the ground, while the female ran around agitatedly. One
small black downy chick was found sitting in a footprint on flattened grass. When
picked up to ascertain whether it had been injured, the chick called repeatedly with
loud, rather harsh cheeps.

A second chick then began to call from another trampled spot, and was also
picked up and examined. The female, attracted by the calls, ran around uttering
quiet quacking notes and occasional quiet gulps and subdued, repeated grg and crk
notes. A third chick was also found, but sadly it had been stepped on in dense
vegetation as the observers approached; this chick was collected and is deposited in
the ornithological collection of the National Museum, Addis Ababa. The two
uninjured chicks were placed on the ground near the female, who led them into
cover. Shortly afterwards a male flew from partially trampled vegetation c.30 m
from the spot where the chicks had been found. A few minutes before this observa-
tion, another chick, possibly from another brood, was heard calling in similar
vegetation about 100 m away.

The age of the chicks examined was judged to be two days, from observations
of other flufftail species (Taylor 1994). The collected chick weighed 5.4 g and had
black down, grey eyelids, blackish-brown eyes and grey-black legs and feet. The
bill was shallowly conical with a chisel-like tip to the upper mandible; it had a
pinkish-white base, a 1 mm-wide black vertical band immediately in front of the
nostril, and an ivory tip. There was no egg tooth. The stomach contained Coleoptera
(Dytiscidae) imagines, Diptera larvae (Tipulidae and Tabanidae), and the remains
of small crustaceans.

Discussion

White-winged Flufftail is atypical of its genus in several respects: it has white
secondaries (a character shared with the small rails of the genus Coturnicops of
Asia and the Americas); it shows very reduced sexual dimorphism in the plumage;
it apparently has a limited vocal repertoire and normally makes advertising calls

Barry Taylor et al. Zoe Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(4)

only for a short period at dawn and dusk; it rarely responds to playback of its calls;
and it is often easy to flush (Taylor 1994, Taylor & van Perlo 1998). Also, unlike
other flufftails, when breeding it has never been heard to make any advertising or
territorial call, or to respond to playback of any of its calls (Taylor & van Perlo
1998, BT unpubl. obs.). Its eggs and chicks are typical of the genus, and it is now
clear that this species does not lay patterned eggs, as was suggested by Taylor &
van Perlo (1998) on the basis of two unidentified clutches of patterned eggs found
in cup-shaped grass nests in a seasonal wetland in Zimbabwe in the 1950s, and
thought possibly to be flufftail nests (D. Parkes in Jitt.). White-winged Flufftail’s
ball-shaped nest differs from those of other wetland and grassland flufftails such as
Red-chested S. rufa, Streaky-breasted S. boehmi and Striped Flufftails S. affinis,
which build a cup or bowl, sometimes with a loosely woven canopy of live vegeta-
tion (Taylor & van Perlo 1998).

Other flufftail species have a nest-building period of 2—3 days, usually lay eggs
at daily intervals and incubate the clutch for 14—18 days (Taylor & van Perlo 1998).
Assuming that White-winged Flufftail also takes 2—3 days to build its nest, the
chicks seen on 24 August 1996 would have been hatched from eggs laid in the first
few days of August in a nest constructed at the end of July. Only one week before
this, on 24 July 1996, no White-winged Flufftails were seen at the site and the
vegetation was deemed too short and sparse for occupation by the birds (J. Atkins
in litt.), which presumably started nesting almost immediately after their arrival
during the last week in July. The nest found on 12 August 1999 would probably
have been built at the end of the first week in August; a visit by BT and YD to the
site on 4 August showed that the vegetation was only just reaching the height and
density to provide adequate cover for the birds, only two of which (both males)
were flushed.

The only other record of a young White-winged Flufftail is that of an unfledged
juvenile collected at Sululta, Ethiopia on 22 September 1948 (Gadjacs & Keve
1968), and described in detail by Taylor & van Perlo (1998). This specimen is a
male, well feathered on the head and body and with growing remiges. Based on the
known growth rate of other Sarothrura species’ chicks (Taylor 1994), this bird is
estimated to be about 16 days old, and was thus probably hatched from an egg laid
in the third week of August.

Our observations suggest that White-winged Flufftails begin to nest almost
immediately after their arrival, which coincides with the development of the vegeta-
tion to a height of 20-40 cm and before the ground becomes entirely flooded. This
offers some support to the suggestion by Keith er al. (1970) that the migratory
Streaky-breasted Flufftail may ‘represent the White-winged Flufftail ecologically’
in central and southern Africa. In this region, Streaky-breasted Flufftails begin
nesting almost immediately after their arrival in temporarily inundated vegetation
which, although grass-dominated, is often relatively sparse, of a similar height to
that used by White-winged Flufftails in Ethiopia, and occurs on moist to shallowly
flooded ground (Hopkinson & Masterson 1984, Taylor & van Perlo 1998).

Barry Taylor et al. 238 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(4)

Our observations also suggest that White-winged Flufftails move their chicks to
more deeply and continuously flooded areas of denser vegetation very soon after
hatching, and such behaviour might provide some degree of protection for the
chicks, as the nest sites would be vacated before the vegetation had grown
sufficiently to make it suitable for cutting by local people.

The basic information on the breeding habitat, nest and eggs of White-winged
Flufftail having been obtained, BT hopes that future work on this species in
Ethiopia will give priority to locating new breeding sites and rehabilitating
degraded wetlands to recreate suitable breeding habitat. Further disturbance of
nesting birds to obtain more information on the nest and eggs would be unjustified,
and the best method of obtaining detailed information on the breeding of this
species would seem to be captive breeding, which has provided much important
information for other wetland flufftails (Wintle 1988, Taylor 1994, Taylor & van
Perlo 1998).

Acknowledgements

BT’s visits to Ethiopia were funded by the Middelpunt Wetland Trust (South Africa), the African Bird
Club, the Zoological Society for the Conservation of Species and Populations, the South African
Department of Foreign Affairs and the Sandton Bird Club (South Africa). We are very grateful to the
Ethiopian Wildlife & Natural History Society (EWNHS), the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation
Organisation and Oxfam for the loan of vehicles and staff, and for much organisational and logistical
assistance; we are especially grateful to Ato Tilaye Nigussie and Ato Abaye Assefa (EWNHS) and Ato
Tesfaye Hundessa (EWCO) for their help and support. We thank Ato Akali Yemane, Ato Sileshe Dejene,
Ato Tadesse Woldemariam Gole, Ato Tewabe Ashenafi, Dr Patrick Abbot, John Atkins, Donovan Kotze
and Spike Millington for much help with field work. BT is especially grateful to John Atkins for his
hospitality, advice and assistance in 1996.

References:

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for Bird Preservation, Cambridge.

Gadjacs, M. & Keve, A. 1968. Beitrage zur Vogelfauna des mittleren Athiopie. Stuttgarter Beitr. fiir.
Naturkunde 182: 1-13.

Hopkinson, G. & Masterson, A. N. B. 1984. The occurrence and ecological preferences of certain
Rallidae near Salisbury, Zimbabwe. Proc. V Pan-Afr. Orn. Congr.: 425-440.

Hoyt, D. F. 1979. Practical methods of estimating volume and fresh weight of bird eggs. Auk 96: 73-77.

Massoli-Novelli, R. 1988. Segnalazione di Schiribilla Alibianche, Sarothrura ayresi, in Etiopia. Riv. Ital.
Orn. 58: 40-42.

Stattersfield, A. J. & Capper, D. R. (eds.) 2000. Threatened birds of the world. BirdLife International,
Cambridge, UK & Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.

Taylor, P. B. 1994. The biology, ecology and conservation of four flufftail species, Sarothrura (Aves,
Rallidae). Ph.D. thesis, Univ. of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.

Taylor, P. B. 2000. Whitewinged Flufftail. Jn Barnes, K. N. (ed.) The Eskom Red Data Book of birds of
South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. BirdLife South Africa, Johannesburg.

Taylor, P. B. & van Perlo, B. 1998. Rails: a guide to the rails, crakes, gallinules and coots of the world.
Pica Press, Robertsbridge.

Wintle, C. C. 1988. Crakes and flufftails in captivity. Unpublished MS. Bromley, Zimbabwe.

Barry Taylor et al. 239 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(4)

Addresses: Barry Taylor (corresponding author), School of Botany & Zoology, University of Natal,
Private Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, South Africa, e-mail: taylorb@nu.ac.za. Mengistu Wondafrash,
Ethiopian Wildlife & Natural History Society, P.O. Box 13303, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Yirmed
Demeke, Institute of Biodiversity Conservation and Research, P.O. Box 32099, Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia.

© British Ornithologists’ Club 2004

Noteworthy ornithological records from
Rondonia, Brazil, including a first country
record, comments on austral migration,
life history, taxonomy and distribution,
with relevant data from neighbouring states,
and a first record for Bolivia

by Andrew Whittaker

Received 4 September 2003

Located in the south-west of Brazil’s immense Amazon region is the state of
Rond6onia. Rivers play a major role in the state’s geography with the rio Madeira
dissecting the western section as it flows north-east into the Amazon. Furthermore,
the borders with Bolivia are defined by the rios Mamoré, Guaporé and Branco. The
state’s largest river, the Madeira, acts as a major barrier to many species of birds,
animals and plants, which occur on only one side (Haffer 1992). Further east is the
rio Tapaj6s, flowing north-east and forming another major physical barrier to
species distribution. The area of land between these two major Amazon tributaries
is known as the ‘Rond6nian area of endemism’, and contains many unique bird taxa
(Haffer 1974, Cracraft 1985). The Rond6nian endemic centre encompasses almost
all of Rond6nia, with the exception of the extreme west, on the left bank of the rio
Madeira, bordering Amazonas and Acre. The presence of this rich endemic centre
makes Rond6nia of very high conservation importance, due not only to the large
number of endemics but also the extremely high indices of deforestation (Fearnside
1987, 1989). Thus the fauna and flora of Rond6nia are some of the most threatened
within all of Brazilian Amazonia.

Little has been published on the avifauna of Rond6nia. Natterer collected along
the rios Madeira and Guaporé, whilst von Pelzeln (1868-1871) and Hoffmann
concentrated along the lower rio Ji-Parana and rio Madeira (Hellmayr 1910). More
recently, intensive ornithological field work was conducted along the middle rio Ji-
Parana (or ‘Machado’ as it is known locally), at Cachoeira Nazaré (09°44’S,
61°53’ W) and Pedra Branca (10°02’S, 62°06’ W) by Stotz et al. (1997), resulting in

Andrew Whittaker 240 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(4)

; Z 7
pA’ A Gs * h N A =
ot ee bee reo 5 : M A O
~ Z a] a 4 ets KS >. ¢ J
‘= x "1! GROSSO
} *~ y 11
s ee aes OF a
: ‘|
as RONDONIA >= ‘
rs. a
l : a
Set pee
ee aati :
2, + ar aii DS

Figure 1. Rond6nia illustrating the main survey sites and major collecting sites referred to in the text.
State boundaries and major rivers are marked. Stars mark the study sites; 1) Paakas Palafitas Lodge, 2)
Fazenda Rancho Grande, 3) Taquaras campina, 4) Cachoeira Nazaré, 5) Perda Branca, and 6) Parque
Estadual de Guajara-Mirim. Note the scale is too small to depict either Palafitas Island or Nova Colonia.

several noteworthy discoveries, including the remarkable Rond6énia Bushbird
Clytoctantes atrogularis, new to science (Lanyon et al. 1990).

Here I present important ornithological records made during field trips to
Rondo6nia, including the first documented Subtropical Doradito Pseudocolopteryx
flaviventris for Brazil and the first documented Pearly-breasted Conebill
Conirostrum margaritae for Bolivia. Species accounts include life-history data for
several little-known species (with additional non-Rond6nian data included where
deemed important), comments on austral migrants, taxonomy and distributional
information, including range extensions and new state records. References

Andrew Whittaker 241 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(4)

consulted for prior Rond6nian records, in addition to those already listed above,
were (Peters 1940, 1948, 1951, 1968, 1979a,b, Pinto 1944, 1978, Ridgely & Tudor
1989, 1994, Whittaker 1996a).

Austral migrants are species that breed in southern temperate South America
and during the austral winter move north (Sick 1985, 1993, Chesser 1994). In
general, such migrants arrive in Amazonia in March—May and depart in
September—November. The presence of several austral migrants can be relatively
hard to determine in Amazonia due to the existence of local resident populations;
on arrival they merely augment existing populations and often go unrecorded. For
example, Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus is resident throughout
Amazonia, making it near impossible to determine not only when austral migrant
kingbirds arrive but also how many are involved, how long they remain and when
they depart south. Often the only clue to the presence of migrants in Amazonia are
flocks of 10—20 Tropical Kingbirds perched high in treetops along rivers during the
austral winter (pers. obs.).

Methods and study sites

Survey work involved both audio and visual methods, with a significant emphasis
on vocal identification. Voucher tape-recordings were made using a Sony TCM
5000 and a Sennheiser ME 66 microphone. All tape-recordings will be archived at
the British Library National Sound Archive. Observations were made using 10 x 42
binoculars and by using playback to confirm visual identifications.

Survey work focused on three main sites (Fig 1): five trips were made to
Fazenda Rancho Grande, near Ariquemes, in 1989-1995; an eight-day rapid
ornithological assessment of the Parque Estadual Guajara-Mirim was conducted in
April 1995; and two visits to Pakaas Palafitas Lodge and the surrounding area were
made, on 3-12 July 2002 and 18-26 June 2003. I also include opportunistic
observations made en route from Porto Velho to Guajara-Mirim at Taquaras and
along the rio Guaporé south of Pimenteiras do Oeste. Details of the survey sites and
their vegetation are listed below.

Fazenda Rancho Grande near Ariquemes (10°17’S, 62°52’W): primary upland
terra firme forest, pastures and second-growth forest and some river-edge habitats.
Continued deforestation in neighbouring fazendas has reduced the size of this forest
and it has become more isolated from virgin forest.

Parque Estadual de Guajard-Mirim (10°50’S, 64°85’ W): surveys were made along
a recently cut road running east to the rio Formoso. Habitat consisted of primary
upland terra firme with some river-edge, and microhabitats of Guadua bamboo and
extensive dense vine tangles. Some small hills and bluffs occur in the terra firme,
with rocky outcrops of 100-200 m supporting drier, stunted semi-deciduous forest.
What appeared to be recent illegal entry had prompted road cutting, timber extrac-
tion and hunting within the park’s boundaries.

Andrew Whittaker 242 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(4)

Paakas-Palafitas Lodge (10°51’S, 65°16’ W): situated 10 km south-east of Guajara-
Mirim at the confluence of the rio Mamoré (white water) and the rio Pacaas Novos
(black water). Based at the lodge, surveys were made in nearby upland terra firme,
vdarzea and igapd, oxbow lakes, river bluffs, second-growth forest and cattle
pasture. Much timber extraction and subsistence farming was evident (increasing in
2003) in nearby upland terra firme. However, large forest tracts are still connected
to contiguous virgin forest.

Palafitas Island (09°74’S, 65°13’ W): situated 5 km upriver of Paakas Palafitas Lodge
on the rio Mamoré, an unnamed river island, which for my purposes here I refer to as
Palafitas Island. Habitats included sandbars (at low water), mudbanks and succes-
sional riparian habitats dominated by various pioneer plant communities and mature
disturbed varzea. The island is uninhabited: although a small area of Cecropia and
cane grass found burnt in 2002, the same area was undisturbed in 2003.

Nova Colonia (09°01’S, 65°80’W): a small settlkement c.12—15 km along the rio
Pacaas Novos with three families along a small left bank (black-water) tributary.
Here I surveyed igapé and primary upland terra firme and second-growth forests.

Taquaras campina (09°44’S, 65°13’W): near the small town of Taquaras. Here I
surveyed campina forest (white-sand forest on a poorly drained sandy/clay soil)
with stunted trees.

Habitats

Here I present a brief description of the various habitats and microhabitats that I
surveyed and that are mentioned in the species accounts. Vegetation classification
is based on Stotz et al. (1996), where more detailed floristic species lists typical of
each habitat can be found.

Forested habitats

Tropical Lowland Evergreen Forests. Forests below 900 m, where rainfall is greater
than 2,000 mm pa, grow where soils are suitable, sufficiently deep, well drained and
never flooded.

Upland terra firme forest has canopy heights of 30-40 m with emergents
reaching 50-60 m and a closed canopy. The understorey was rather open and
contained many spiny palms. Terra firme is renowned for the extraordinary
diversity of plant species (Gentry 1990). Microhabitats found within these forests
included Guadua bamboo, treefall gaps, vine tangles and stream sides. This forest
type is the most abundant habitat and therefore the most commonly surveyed.

Flooded Tropical Evergreen Forests. Flooded permanently or annually, most such
forests are structurally and floristically similar to upland forests, but differ in
supporting flood-tolerant trees and undergrowth plants. For more detailed informa-
tion see Prance (1979).

Andrew Whittaker 243 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(4)

Floodplain vdrzea is found only along Amazonian white-water rivers and is
flooded annually for several months. This habitat is sparse, being found only on
Palafitas Island, where the canopy is 20-30 m with a typically open understorey and
dense Heliconia patches, vine tangles and many bromeliads, with some human
disturbance.

Floodplain igapo forest is primarily found on sandy soils bordering black-water
and clear-water rivers of Amazonia. Typically flooded for 5—6 months or longer
p.a., this forest type occurs along the rio Pacaas Novos and its tributaries. At Novo
Colonia it varied greatly, from tall forest with a 20-30 m-high canopy to a denser,
lower 6-10 m-high canopy nearer the river. Both types have a very open
understorey with few or no shrubs. Denser vine tangles were found along smaller
streams and several areas of standing water.

Filled-in floodplain lakes (swamp forests), in my survey refers to an oxbow lake
containing several mature stands of Ficus and large clumps of Cecropia, and small-
leafed bamboos at the edge of standing water. Around the lake are low stunted
bushes, clumps of small trees, 5—10 m tall, and many flooded sedges.

River-edge (and river island) forests. River-edge are early successional forests
bordering rivers, and sometimes referred to as river bluffs. They replace riparian
shrubby thickets and, in upper Amazonia, are regularly flooded, although run-off is
rapid and vegetation is rarely submerged for more than a few days or weeks. This
habitat contains stands of trees dominated by Cecropia, some Ficus and much
Gynerium (Gramineae).

River islands are dynamic, constantly changing size and shape. Thus, a variety
of successional habitats can be found, depending on the age of the island (Remsen
& Parker 1983). I surveyed a mature island, with vegetation types from cane grass,
Tessaria, Mimosa and Salix scrub, clumps of Cecropia and 20-30 m-tall mature
vdrzea with some vine tangles.

Gallery forests. These occur along watercourses throughout drier regions (annual
rainfall less than 1,600 mm), where other conditions (e.g. fire) inhibit the growth of
woody vegetation away from the rivers.

White-sand forests. Forest and scrub on white sand in Amazonia. These occur very
patchily, covering c.60,000 km in Brazil (Pires 1974). Overall structure and
composition varies greatly between sites, depending on soil type and drainage.
Typically, most white-sand soils in Brazil contain virtually no clay; nutrient levels
are extremely low and water retention poor. However, in my study area white-sand
forests occur on weathered clays with poor drainage (pers. obs.). Edaphic
conditions, especially drainage, considerably affect vegetation structure and
composition (Gentry 1988). Plant endemism is high in these campinas, but plant
diversity is low (Anderson 1981). Such white-sand forests are referred to as varillal
or very low-stature chamizal in Peru (Alvarez Alonso & Whitney 2003).

Andrew Whittaker 244 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(4)

Campina is rather open scrub, with only small shrubs and trees (4-12 m), and
patches of bare sand, which are usually well drained. I surveyed poorly drained
campina on white-sand weathered clay at Taquaras campina, which has a 10-12 m
canopy and adjacent taller campinarana. Low tree species diversity occurs in both
areas. The campina has melastomes dominating the fairly open understorey, where
small patches of low terrestrial bromeliads most frequently occur in the lower
wetter areas.

Campinarana is closed-canopy woodland taller than campina, which often
occurs adjacent to campina where soils with more nutrients and better drainage
exist. This, in turn, is surrounded by upland terra firme, where soils are richer still,
with the transition being gradual (pers. obs.). The Taquaras site has a closed canopy
of 12—18 m with an open understorey and few or no shrubs.

Palm forests. Small to extensive stands of Mauritia flexuosa in poorly drained areas
within savannas, at lake edges or along streams in Amazonia.

Second-growth forests and woodlands. Two types were surveyed: tall second
growth dominated by Cecropia and lower shrubby vegetation dominated by Vismia
spp. The latter is sometimes described as second-growth scrub.

Non-forest habitats

Cerrado is distinctive savanna vegetation, with tall grass and scattered low, gnarled
trees. In areas of denser tree cover it is known as cerraddo. This habitat occurs
mostly in central Brazil, adjacent eastern Bolivia and north-east Paraguay.

Species accounts

AGAMI HERON Agamia agami

S. L. Hilty and I observed an adult and an immature at an overgrown oxbow lake at
Paakas Palafitas Lodge. In response to my close approach a low guttural series of
notes, presumed to be an alarm call, was repeated and st -recorded. Zimmer &
Hilty (1997) reported what must be the same voice as uur’ r’r’r’ from Amazonas,

Venezuela. This unobtrusive species was recorded by Stotz et al. (1997) as rare
along the middle rio Jiparana.

LEAST BITTERN Jxobrychus involucris

A single vocalising bird was tape-recorded at an overgrown oxbow lake at Paakas
Palafitas Lodge by S. L. Hilty and myself on three evenings between 20 and 25 June
2003. This apparently represents a new state record. The Amazonian distribution of
the species is poorly understood as it inhabits dense marshes and, unless vocal, is
easily overlooked.

Andrew Whittaker 245 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(4)

ORINOCO GOOSE Neochen jubata

At least two territorial pairs were present at Palafitas Island, in the rio Mamoré,
during July 2002 and June 2003. Birds were tape-recorded and observed entering
forest, where they were presumed to be nesting in July 2002. Reported as rare on
the middle rio Jiparana (Stotz et al. 1997). Once widespread in Brazil, Orinoco
Goose is now extremely rare and very local, and mostly encountered along remote
waterways with low human populations and little or no hunting pressure. In areas
such as along the middle rio Jurua flocks of up to 20 were not uncommon in 199]
(Whittaker & Oren 1999).

ZONE-TAILED HAWK Buteo albonotatus

An adult observed mid-morning on 11 July 2002 outside Guajara-Mirim, soaring
over a small serra 2 km east of the town. This is apparently the first record for
Rondonia. There are few records from Amazonian Brazil, the closest being from

Acre, at Cruzeiro do Sul, and along the upper rio Jurua at Porto Walter (Whittaker
& Oren 1999).

ROADSIDE HAWK Buteo magnirostris
Surprisingly, in 2003 two subspecies were observed sympatrically at Paakas
Palafitas Lodge, the darker B. m. saturatus and paler B. m. magnirostris. In plumage
the darker saturatus was easily identified by its characteristic blackish hood, dark
brown upperparts, white eye and cinnamon-rufous barring below, whereas
magnirostris 1s distinctly paler above with a grey back and head, yellow eye, grey
upper breast and finer tawny barring below. These differences were obvious in the
field, where saturatus was the commonest form, with 2—4 seen daily. I recorded
only one adult magnirostris, on 22 June 2003, perched beside the rio Pacaas Novos.
In Brazil saturatus occurs in Acre, Mato Grosso do Sul and Mato Grosso (Pinto
1978), with magnirostris throughout Amazonian Brazil. However, on 23 and 25
June 2003, I observed two adults intermediate between these two subspecies
unidentified to any race or age-related plumage. This observation suggests
interbreeding where the two forms are sympatric. Possibly saturatus has recently
colonised Rondonia from the south, following rapid deforestation in recent decades,
permitting the two forms to come into contact. Further research around Guajara-
Mirim is essential to clarify if the two subspecies do interbreed.

LONG-WINGED HARRIER Circus buffoni

A dark-morph adult was videotaped quartering over early-successional growth at
Palafitas Island on 10 July 2002. This appears not only to be a new state record but
also the first for Amazonian Brazil, and certainly represented an austral migrant.
Austral migrants in Brazil are principally known from Rio Grande do Sul and Santa
Catarina (Sick 1985), but the nearest records to Rond6nia are from Mato Grosso, in
the northern Pantanal, and Chapada dos Guimaraes where this harrier is present
only during the austral winter (pers. obs.).

Andrew Whittaker 246 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(4)

CRYPTIC FOREST-FALCON Micrastur mintoni

This recently described species (Whittaker 2002) was observed and tape-recorded
in terra firme near Paakas Palafitas in June 2003 and at Nova Colonia in July 2002.
It was also recorded in seasonally flooded igapé and in second growth bordering
terra firme at Novo Colonia. Two specimens, previously identified as Lined Forest-
falcon M. gilvicollis, from Cachoeira Nazaré (Stotz et al. 1997) are, in fact, mintoni
(pers. obs.). Lined Forest-falcon occurs in Rond6nia only west of the rio Madeira,
in terra firme (Whittaker 2002).

ORANGE-BREASTED FALCON Falco deiroleucus

I located an adult (presumed male) of this rare falcon on 15 July 2000, while
leading a bird tour with S. L. Hilty, on the rio Guaporé, south of Pimenteiras do
Oeste, Rond6nia. This is seemingly the first state record, with the nearest known
records being from Mato Grosso, where K. J. Zimmer and I observed an adult at
Chapada dos Guimaraes on 13 September 1996.

For many years, Orange-breasted Falcon was considered absent from central
Amazonia (Cade 1982), but recent reports have confirmed that it inhabits central
Amazonian Brazil (Whittaker 1996b). The Rond6nian record and other unpublished
Amazonian records confirm this: K. J. Zimmer and I observed what was presum-
ably the first record for Roraima, a subadult on a river island in the rio Branco, 6
km north of Boa Vista, on 1 November 1994, and also an adult male at the Serra
dos Carajas, Para, in February 2003.

Documented hunting attempts and prey of F. deiroleucus are few. S. L. Hilty and
I observed the male still-hunting from the crown of a dead 25—30 m emergent on a
river bluff of the rio Guaporé. The falcon launched itself from the 25 m-perch in
very fast direct flight, initially in a sharp 45°-dive until it reached c.10 m above the
water, where it adopted powerful horizontal dashing flight for c.350-400 m towards
a Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus. The flycatcher was flying across the river,
but presumably noted the approaching falcon and thus evaded its upward stoop. The
falcon thereafter immediately returned to its original perch. This had been assumed
to be the most common hunting technique (Bierregaard 1994). Prey are mostly
medium-sized to large birds, including pigeons, parrots, parakeets, swifts and
martins (Bierregaard 1994), but smaller prey such as insects have been recorded
(Whittaker 1996b). I also confirmed an adult female taking a Crested Oropendola
Psarocolius decumanus from a photograph taken by Jackie Dann, in Bolivar,
Venezuela.

LARGE-BILLED TERN Phaetusa simplex

I observed this common and widespread species on several occasions following
both Tucuxi Sotalia fluviatilis and Amazon River Dolphin /nia geoffrensis pods
along the rio Mamoré at Paakas Palafitas Lodge. Birds were seen plunge-diving
near these dolphins and taking fish disturbed by the dolphins or pieces of fish left
by them. I have noted this behaviour frequently throughout Amazonian Brazil on

Andrew Whittaker 247 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(4)

all major rivers, where the birds follow dolphins for long periods swooping or
plunge-diving for prey disturbed by them. Large-billed Terns seem to more
frequently engage in this behaviour when following the larger /nia geoffrensis,
although further observations are needed to quantify this.

CRIMSON-BELLIED PARAKEET Pyrrhura perlata

Regularly observed in small flocks at Fazenda Rancho Grande by K. J. Zimmer and
myself. In late-January 1995 six including two apparent immatures were observed
food begging (head-bobbing). The immatures mostly differed in lacking the bold
crimson belly, instead showing just a few sparse crimson feathers on the belly.
Crimson-bellied Parakeet is sympatric with Hellmayr’s Parakeet P. amazonum
(Joseph 2002), a Brazilian endemic, at all three sites but was the less common of
the two. Flight calls of these Pyrrhura are so similar, and vary according to the
number of birds calling, that the less common Crimson-bellied can be overlooked.
However, when Crimson-bellied Parakeet vocalises from a perch it is fairly easily
separated by voice from Hellmayr’s Parakeet, instead sounding most similar to
Pearly Parakeet P. lepida.

RUFOUS-VENTED GROUND-CUCKOO Neomorphus geoffroyi

This rarely seen species was observed on three occasions for a total of c.20 minutes
in terra firme at Parque Estadual de Guajara-Mirim, on 24—25 April 1995. During
my observations I noted the following details: mantle glossy green, wings greenish
with purplish flight-feathers, tail (in good light) metallic purplish with metallic
greenish tips, forehead scaled buff-brown, hindcrown metallic green and hindneck
boldly scaled green with less obvious pale buff, heavy buff scaling reaching to the
black breast-band, and below plain buff with a rufous ventral area. Soft parts: irides
dull creamy white, bill horn and legs grey. Only after three close views was I able
to note the bird’s bright blue bare post-orbital skin; thus, this field mark could be
easily overlooked in shaded forest understorey. My plumage description most
closely accords with nominate geoffroyi, which is known from specimens taken
along the rio Madeira at Calama and Maruins (Peters 1940).

Little has been published on the behaviour of this species. I initially observed it
foraging on the forest floor below an understorey mixed-species flock of antshrikes
(Thamnomanes, Thamnophilus), antwrens (Myrmotherula) and Rose-breasted Chat
Granatellus pelzelni. The Neomorphus was confiding when I was still, but any
movement would cause it to raise and depress its long, glossy metallic green crown
feathers. I also observed the bird scratching its large bill with its feet, rather like a
domestic chicken. It kept entirely on the forest floor, where it walked slowly and
deliberately, and without warning would suddenly run at great speed (quicker than
anticipated), before abruptly pausing to catch unidentified prey in the leaf litter. The
running bird was extremely fast and agile, even moving thus through dense vine
tangles. It also habitually lowered the head from the normal position just before
running until it stopped. The ground-cuckoo seemed to prefer the thick cover of

Andrew Whittaker 248 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(4)

fallen vine tangles, which are fairly widespread in parts of this forest. Once I saw
the bird crouch on the ground, quivering its wings and opening the bill, perhaps
suggesting the presence of a second bird.

The voice of the nominate form, to my knowledge, is unknown. I only twice
heard loud bill-clapping when the bird ran directly towards me, to within 3 m. I
played the voice of Rufous-winged Ground-cuckoo N. rufipennis without eliciting
any response.

Further research is urgently required to properly assess species limits and basic
ecological requirements among this ground-cuckoo’s disjunct taxa. Significant
habitat destruction is occurring or has occurred throughout the species’ range,
particularly where N. g squamiger (in the lower rio Tapajés), N. g. maximiliani
(Bahia) and N. g. dulcis (Espirito Santo to Rio de Janeiro) occur. All are Brazilian
endemics and warrant immediate research and conservation attention.
Documentation of the threatened Banded Ground-cuckoo N. radiolosus from
Ecuador and Colombia in lowland terra firme confirms this species to be extremely
sensitive to habitat disturbance (Collar et al. 1992).

BURROWING OWL Speotyto cunicularia

One was observed along the road from Porto Velho to Fazenda Rancho Grande, on
24 January 1995, and at least two pairs in cattle pasture near Paakas Palafitas
Lodge, daily in June 2003. The species is presumably a recent colonist in Rond6nia
following large-scale deforestation that has transformed vast areas into cattle
pasture. I am unaware of any previous records from the state, and my observations
appear to the first. Very few records are available for this open-country owl from
rainforest areas in the Amazon basin. The closest are both from Amazonas, where
deforestation has made way for large-scale cattle ranches, mostly south of the
Amazon. However, north of the Amazon, some 80 km north of Manaus, a resident
individual was located at one of three large 15,000-ha partially deforested cattle
ranches, during 1992 to 1994 (Cohn-Haft et al. 1997), and south of the Amazon I
recorded a pair 35 km south of Careiro, on 28 September 2003.

SAND-COLOURED NIGHTHAWK Chordeiles rupestris

A flock of 50+ was present on recently exposed sand and mudbanks on Palafitas
Island, in the rio Mamoré, in both July 2002 and June 2003. Water levels were falling
(an annual event at this season), and these usually silent, crepuscular birds were very
vocal and active even in mid afternoon, as nest sites on exposed sandbars became
available. Displaying males were chasing one another and calling loudly in flight.
Displaying birds were easily recognised as males, as on landing they revealed their
striking white throats while uttering their rather musical gurgling songs.

NACUNDA NIGHTHAWK Podager nacunda
A lone bird was observed day-roosting on a sandbar on Palafitas Island on 10 July
2002. Upon my approach the bird opened its eyes, raised its head and fluffed out its

Andrew Whittaker 249 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(4)

throat, revealing its white throat patch (confirming it to be a male). It then
proceeded to give a single deep gruff call, which was repeated every 7—10 seconds
before it flushed, landing c.30 m distant. The species is a well-known austral
migrant to Amazonia (Sick 1985) and I assume this individual too was an austral
migrant. Nearest breeding records are from northern Mato Grosso, where I have
recorded breeding in September at Chapada dos Guimaraes (unpubl. pers. obs.).

SILKY-TAILED NIGHTJAR Caprimulgus sericocaudatus

This little-known nightjar was tape-recorded at Parque Estadual Guajara-Mirim on
the clear moonlight night of 25th and dawn of 26 April 1995. Four to five well-
spaced birds were heard singing in primary upland ferra firme dotted with a few
bare rocky outcrops. This record appears to represent the first for Rond6nia.

In response to playback, a bird flew 150-200 m from a forest clearing and
landed c.8—12 m above me in a tall sapling. This male then started singing from a
fairly concealed perch, a rather melodious two-note call, repeated monotonously
every 1-2 seconds for periods of up to three minutes. The bird tossed its head
slightly upwards when singing. It was noted to be overall dark, but I noted a distinct
broad rufous collar and heavy white spotting on the upper breast.

Comparisons with tape-recordings of nominate sericocaudatus from Argentina
and mengeli from Ucayali, Peru (Hardy et al. 1989), confirmed the Rond6nian birds
to pertain to the latter. Subspecies mengeli is known from very few Brazilian locali-
ties, with Amazonian specimens from Santarém, Para (Pinto 1978, Sick 1985), and
I tape-recorded a singing male at rio Cristalino, Alta Floresta, Mato Grosso, at a
clearing in primary upland terra firme. This is the sole record during 15 years of
intensive field work at the site (pers. obs).

SCISSOR-TAILED NIGHTJAR HAydropsalis brasiliana

An adult male was almost overlooked as a Ladder-tailed Nightjar H. climacocerca
when flushed from a day roost on Palafitas Island on 10 July 2002. The bird was
disturbed from low bushes in early-successional growth and flushed c.10 m to perch
on an exposed horizontal branch | m above ground in a young sapling. The species
probably undertakes rather local movements or perhaps some are austral migrants,
as it is not usually found on Amazonian river islands. Along the rio Mamoré, as in
most of Amazonia, H. climacocerca is the common riverine nightjar, being often
fairly numerous on white-water river islands (pers. obs.). Movements of H. brasil-
iana are poorly known in Brazil, but the race furcifera disappears from many areas
of Rio Grande do Sul during the austral winter (Belton 1984).

LONG-TAILED POTOO Nyctibius aethereus
One heard on 28 January 1995 in terra firme at Rancho Grande, Ariquemes.
Reported to be a rare resident by Stotz et al. (1997) at Cachoeira Nazaré from river-
bluff forest. Unless its vocalisations are known and nocturnal surveys undertaken
this low-density species easily goes unrecorded.

Andrew Whittaker 250 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(4)

LESSER SWALLOW-TAILED SWIFT Panyptila cayennensis

A pair was observed roosting in a nest positioned under a building beside the rio
Mamoré, at Paakas Palafitas Lodge, in late-June 2003. The nest was a c.1-m-long
vertical, straight tube with a diameter of 10-12 cm and the entrance at the bottom,
located 12 m up on the underside of a large cement roof supported by stilts. The nest
was constructed of yellow plant fibres neatly cemented together. Nesting in Brazil
was recorded by Sick (1985), who reported nests attached to tree trunks and even
on a roof inside a house. I observed a nest in Alagoas in January 2004, located in
the apex of the eves of a chalet. Sick (1947) also stated that nest length varies from
30 cm to | m.

RUFOUS-NECKED PUFFBIRD Malacoptila rufa

Only two records of this rarely encountered and poorly known puffbird were made,
in terra firme understorey at Rancho Grande, in May 1990, by R. S. Ridgely, G
Tudor and myself, and by K. J. Zimmer, on 29 January 1993. Stotz et al. (1997)
recorded this puffbird as common at both Cachoeira Nazaré and Pedra Branca.
However, this included mist-net captures (1,450 mist-netting days). Mist-netting is
one of the most reliable methods of censusing these forest puffbirds, enabling a true
impression of their abundance (pers. obs.).

Little is known about the behaviour of Rufous-necked Puffbird. Singles or
widely spaced pairs still-hunt from perches, normally at 2-10 m, occasionally
higher, within forest, and if flushed fly silently in a normally straight line before
landing 15-20 m distant. On landing they slightly spread their tail-feathers and
nervously jerk the tail sideways (either to left or right) from the normal vertical
position. These movements continue until the tail is c.15—20° from the vertical, and
then return to the latter, before jerking 15—20° to the opposite side. Similar
behaviour has been noted among nunlets Nonnula (Whittaker et al. 1995), and
continues while observers are nearby. Such behaviour might be used to visually
communicate danger between pairs (pers. obs.). Their still-hunting behaviour,
combined with the fact that this puffbird seemingly vocalises infrequently (or only
for short periods, especially around dawn and dusk) and its voice is quiet (and
easily overlooked as an insect), means that the species is very easily missed during
field surveys.

The voice is also poorly known. I tape-recorded what I presume to be the song
of the subspecies brunnescens, first at Alta Floresta, Mato Grosso, on 12 November
1996, and subsequently twice along the rio Roosevelt, Amazonas, a series of high,
thin notes forming a 4—5-second metallic trill (slowing slightly at the end), repeated
every 20—25 seconds, which is similar to the only description of the species’ voice
(Zimmer et al. 1997). This loudsong is similar to that of White-whiskered Puffbird
M. panamensis and could be overlooked as an odd-sounding Golden-crowned
Spadebill Platyrinchus coronatus song at distance (pers. obs.). Both K. J. Zimmer
(pers. comm.) and I, using a copy of my recording, have solicited silent perched M.
rufa in Mato Grosso (nominate) and in Amazonas to respond using the same vocali-

Andrew Whittaker 251 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(4)

sation. I also recorded a different voice in response to playback of the song, from
two territorial birds along the rio Roosevelt. This voice was a louder series of fast
trilled notes, with an emphatic and abrupt, louder final note, quickly repeated 8—9
times during an |1-second period, and given once or occasionally twice immedi-
ately following playback of the loudsong. The two birds approached me to within
a few metres in the understorey. I assume agitated birds at territorial boundaries use
this voice naturally. During their approach I noted that they seemed to puff out the
breast feathers, making their striking pure white upper-breast patches appear larger
and more prominent in the poorly lit understorey. Such behavior might be used in
territorial disputes. Several other forest-dwelling Malacoptila have white upper-
breast patches and inhabit the dark understorey of tropical forests (pers. obs.). Call
notes of M. rufa are described as a high, thin descending seeee... (Zimmer et al.
1997), almost identical to alarm calls I have noted from Semi-collared M.
semicincta, Crescent-chested M. striata, White-chested M. fusca, White-whiskered
and Black-streaked Puffbirds M. fulvogularis (pers. obs.).

K. J. Zimmer (pers. comm.) observed a bird at Rancho Grande attending a
small swarm of Labidus ants also attended by Black-faced Antbird Myrmoborus
myotherinus, Scale-backed Antbird Hylophylax poecilinota and a pair of Warbling
Antbirds Hypocnemis cantator, but no obligate ant followers. I also observed this
puffbird feeding at the head of a large Eciton ant swarm at Amazonia National Park,
Amazonas, with many obligate antbirds in attendance, including Harlequin Antbird
Rhegmatorhina berlepschi and Black-spotted Bare-eye Phlegopsis nigromaculata,
as well as Barred Forest-falcon Micrastur ruficollis and Dark-winged Trumpeter
Psophia viridis.

There are apparently no recorded breeding observations of this puffbird. In
upland terra firme at the rio Cristalino, Mato Grosso, on 8 September 2000 and 4
August 2003, after flushing birds from the forest floor, I located two nest burrows.
The first was in a large bamboo patch only a few metres from a well-trodden trail.
The second was in patchy bamboo and vine tangles just 30 cm from an infrequently
used trail. Both were in flat terrain but the burrow entrance was constructed on a
slight gradient. As in other Malacoptila the entrance was reinforced by c.30—50 dry,
dead twigs of 2—10 cm, although one was 30 cm long. I have also noted such nest
protection in White-chested and Crescent-chested Puffbirds, and Stiles & Skutch
(1989) recorded it in Costa Rica for White-whiskered Puffbird. As well as offering
at least some protection from erosion, I suggest that these sticks around the entrance
may act as deterrent against terrestrial predators such as snakes. In passing over the
twigs they would possibly be more likely to overlook the nest than if it was a bare-
sided hole on the open forest floor. Thus, these twigs possibly help reduce nest
predation, increasing nest success.

I was unable to confirm if the first nest had eggs or young, but the August nest
contained two c.7—9-day-old chicks, just in pin with their eyes open. I measured the
nest tunnel, which was oval-shaped at the exit and c.8 x 5 cm. The burrow sloped

Andrew Whittaker 252 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(4)

gently down and back for c.75 cm, where it curved right, and the nesting chamber
was visible, with a small amount of dry vegetation in the cup lining.

CHESTNUT JACAMAR Galbalcyrhynchus purusianus

Known in Brazil only from the upper rio Purtis and rio Jurua, Acre (Sick 1993). My
records represent both a significant range extension and the first east of the rio
Madeira.

The oxbow lake behind Paakas Palafitas Lodge held a resident territorial family
group of six observed daily in both years. Birds were always perched on prominent
vantage points, sometimes with all group members in the same tree. Still-hunting
was mostly from exposed horizontal branches, often from some of the most-
exposed tall trees at the edge of the vdrzea or in lone trees within the flooded
oxbow. Preferred perches seemed to be in open trees, such as Cecropia, affording
opportunities for the mostly horizontal sallies after insects. Most sallies were over
4—8 m, but some of 20-30 m were observed. Following sallies, individuals mostly
returned to the initial perch. All identified prey were Hymenoptera wasps, bees and
sweat bees.

Playback of their voice resulted mostly in the entire group, one by one, flying
in to investigate (often from some distance). Upon landing, often on the same
branch, they perched side by side and gave long excited rattle calls, energetically
head-bobbing with their crest feathers erect and pumping their tails. The same
territorial behaviour occurs in the more widespread White-eared Jacamar G
leucotis after playback.

BLACK-GIRDLED BARBET Capito dayi

Fairly common at Fazenda Rancho Grande, where it was regularly seen by K. J.
Zimmer and myself, often feeding in the midstorey or canopy on small berries and
Cecropia catkins at terra firme edge. Possibly less common in forested areas at
Paakas Palafitas, where observed on only three occasions in terra firme. Stotz et al.
(1997) noted the species as being common on the middle rio Ji-Parana in terra
firme, seasonally flooded forest and river-bluff forest.

Foraging observations consisted of perch-gleans to leaf and branch surfaces,
often on terminal branches in the subcanopy. Prey included a large katydid or
mantis that was held in the bird’s claws and repeatedly jabbed with the beak before
being swallowed whole. In Mato Grosso, at the rio Cristalino, I have twice observed
this species (a pair and a family group) in the understorey, foraging just above the
forest floor at Eciton army ant swarms, where they pursued escaping arthropods in
dead fallen bamboo.

CURL-CRESTED ARACARI Preroglossus beauharnaesii
Fairly common in ferra firme at Paakas Palafitas, where groups were seen near-
daily. However, the species was not recorded at Rancho Grande or at the two sites

Andrew Whittaker 253 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(4)

along the middle rio Ji-Parana (Stotz et al. 1997), suggesting that the species may
be patchily distributed in RondO6nia and possibly is absent from some regions.

WHITE WOODPECKER Melanerpes candidus

Three were observed on Palafitas Island in July 2002 and, in June 2003, a vocalis-
ing pair was observed flying high above Pakaas Palafitas Lodge along the rio
Mamoré before landing in second growth near the lodge. The distribution of this
woodpecker in Rond6nia is poorly known and these records may prove to be the
first for the state. Within Amazonia the species seems very local, preferring vdrzea
and mature river islands. Whereas in other parts of its range the species is found in
patchy Atlantic Forest, it seems to be most abundant, in Brazil, in gallery forests of
the Pantanal in Mato Grosso (pers. obs.).

POINT-TAILED PALMCREEPER Berlepschia rikeri

This Moriche Palm Mauritia flexuosa specialist was tape-recorded in extensive
palm groves within a swampy area surrounded by cattle pasture at Paakas Palafitas
Lodge. The species’ distribution in Rond6nia is very poorly known and it was not
recorded by Stotz et al. (1997) at either of their study sites, although there are
records from the upper rio Madeira (Pinto 1978).

DUSKY-CHEEKED FOLIAGE-GLEANER Anabazenops dorsalis

I tape-recorded and observed a lone individual of this bamboo specialist (Parker et
al. 1997) in the understorey of terra firme at Parque Estadual de Guajara-Mirim, on
23 April 1995. This represents only the third documented locality for the species in
Brazil. The others are Cachoeira Nazaré, where two specimens were collected
(Stotz et al. 1997), and Alta Floresta, Mato Grosso, where it has been tape-recorded
(Zimmer et al. 1997). In response to playback the bird approached closely, uttering
a long series of fast chattering notes, with its white throat-feathers erect, wings
partially open and drooping, and its crown feathers slightly raised. I have noted the
same behaviour to playback at the rio Cristalino, Mato Grosso.

GREY-THROATED LEAFTOSSER Sclerurus albigularis

This forest dweller was tape-recorded and observed in terra firme at Parque
Estadual de Guajara-Mirim, on 23 April 1995. K. J. Zimmer and I also made
observations and tape-recordings of other individuals at Fazenda Rancho Grande in
1990-1995. The first Brazilian record was from Cachoeira Nazaré (Stotz et al.
1997) where it was described as rare, with one mist-netted in 1986. Two were
recently collected at Alvorada do Oeste, Rond6énia (Whittaker & Oren 1999). These
Rond6nian specimens apparently concern the subspecies albicollis (Remsen 2003)
and not kempffi, which was only recently described from nearby Bolivia (Kratter
1997), as suggested by Stotz et al. (1997).

Andrew Whittaker 254 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(4)

WEDGE-BILLED WOODCREEPER Glyphorynchus spirurus inornatus

Very common understorey inhabitant of terra firme at all sites. Rond6nian birds
refer to the subspecies inornatus, found south of the Amazon from the right bank of
the rio Madeira to the left bank of rio Tapajés, extending south to northern Mato
Grosso along the rio Roosevelt. The voice of this Brazilian endemic distinctly
differs from nominate birds, strongly suggesting that more than one species is
involved in Glyphorynchus (Marantz et al. 2003; pers. obs.), and that a thorough
revision of its taxonomy is required. The most commonly heard voice of inornatus
is two loud, clear penetrating notes, TUE, TUE... repeated every 5—8 seconds, and
very unlike the commonly heard ‘sneezing’ chief notes of other Amazonian taxa.
The complex song of inornatus also differs, being a more musical series, rising up
the scale, with a more buzzy series of terminal notes (pers. obs.).

On 8 July 2002, while in terra firme at Novo Colonia I flushed an incubating
Glyphorynchus from its nest in a hollow, broken vertical stump c.1.25 m high and
30 cm in diameter. The nest cup was c.1 m inside the stump and contained two
small white eggs.

CURVE-BILLED SCYTHEBILL Campylorhamphus procurvoides

I tape-recorded and observed one in terra firme at Parque Estadual de Guajara-
Mirim on 25 April 1995, presumably of the race probatus, which occurs on the
south bank of the Amazon and east of the rio Madeira to the left bank of the rio
Tapajos (Peters 1951). Parker et al. (1997) recorded it as rare in terra firme forests
at Cachoeira Nazaré, with only two collected, which were the first records for
Rondénia.

The voice of Curve-billed Scythebill that I tape-recorded in Rond6nia was
strikingly different from nominate procurvoides, with which I am very familiar
from the north bank of the Amazon at Manaus, Amazonas. However, the Rondonian
voice is identical to those I have tape-recorded at Alta Floresta, which are of the
race multostriatus (Peters 1951) and is somewhat associated with bamboo. Tape-
recordings I have made of sanus in southern Venezuela also distinctly differ from
nominate birds and from the two south-bank forms. During extensive field work, I
have found consistent and distinctly different vocal types throughout the species’
range, strongly implying that more than one species is involved. I am currently
reviewing vocal data and species limits in Curve-billed Scythebill.

STRIATED ANTBIRD Drymophila devillei

This bamboo specialist was tape-recorded in a stand of Guadua bamboo near the
rio Formoso at Parque Estadual de Guajara-Mirim, on 26 April 1995. I confirmed
by plumage characters (ochraceus underparts) and vocal differences from nominate
devillei that these birds represented the race subochracea. Other state records of
Striated Antbird exist only from 40 km west of Cachoeira Nazaré (Parker ef al.
1997), where four specimens of the nominate race were taken in bamboo. Novaes
(1976), however, reported specimens of subochracea from the nearby rio Aripuana,

Andrew Whittaker 255 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(4)

and I recently confirmed the presence of this subspecies along its major tributary,
the rio Roosevelt. Only subochracea has been found at Alta Floresta (Zimmer et al.
1997). Parker et al. (1997) noted that the distance between Cachoeira Nazaré and
rio Aripuana is less than 250 km, with no apparent geographical barrier between
them. These new records of subochracea confirm that both races occur south of the
rio Ji-Parana, with no major river barriers between the sites, and provide even
stronger evidence of the theory that more than one species is involved (Zimmer &
Isler 2003; pers. obs.).

Documented site records for Brazil are very few and scattered, thus any new
documentation sheds light onto its Brazilian range. In 1992, I recorded a significant
range extension for the species near the lower rio Jurua, along the Amazon at
Caitau-uara, where I tape-recorded and observed nominate devillei in Guadua
bamboo. I had previously collected the same taxon from the headwaters of the
upper rio Jurua (Whittaker & Oren 1999).

Almost nothing is known of the species’ breeding biology, except for a single
report of a female entering an apparent domed nest in bamboo (Zimmer & Isler
2003). I observed a pair feeding a full-grown juvenile (in female plumage) at
Parque Estadual de Guajara-Mirim on 27 April 1995.

THRUSH-LIKE ANTPITTA Myrmothera campanisona subcanescens

K. J. Zimmer and I noted, at Fazenda Rancho Grande in 1991, that the loudsong of
this form is distinctly different from all other subspecies. Further extensive tape-
recordings made by us throughout the range of M. campanisoma, including all of
the Brazilian subspecies, convinced us that subcanescens exhibits consistent vocal
differences both in loudsong and calls. We are currently examining vocal variation
within the entire M. campanisona complex, with an eye toward possibly revising
species limits. The race subcanescens is a Brazilian endemic found only south of
the Amazon, east of the rio Madeira to the right bank of the rio Tapajos.

GREENISH ELAENIA Myiopagis viridicata

Fairly common in terra firme near Paakas Palafitas Lodge both in July 2002 and
June 2003, when I tape-recorded and observed several individuals. The species
typically inhabits gallery forest during the breeding season, so these records in ferra
firme outside the breeding season concern austral migrants. Stotz et al. (1997)
recorded it as an uncommon austral migrant in low forest and second growth at
Cachoeira Nazaré. The species is only a winter visitor to Peru and the states of Acre
and Rond6nia in north-west Brazil (Chesser 1995). Much further east it has been
recorded at Alta Floresta, Mato Grosso, also in terra firme forest, in August
(Zimmer et al. 1997), where it is a presumed austral migrant.

LARGE ELAENIA Elaenia spectabilis
Common on Palafitas Island with multiple individuals in July 2002 and June 2003.
Chesser (1997) reported it as an austral migrant in Bolivia north of c.18°S and |

Andrew Whittaker 256 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(4)

recorded Large Elaenia as a common migrant breeder in cerrado, around Cuiaba,
Mato Grosso, in September. However, in June and late-July visits I have found
these areas completely lacking the species.

These presumed austral migrants were vocal, with the commonly heard single
call note being tape-recorded (also heard on the breeding grounds; pers. obs.). I
noted several hover-gleaning and feeding on Cecropia catkins on the river islands,
Where agonistic behaviour was also observed, suggesting territoriality on the
wintering grounds. I have noted the species to be a fairly common austral visitor to
successional vegetation on river islands in the Amazon and its major tributaries
(pers. obs.).

PLAIN TYRANNULET J/nezia inornata

This small tyrant flycatcher was fairly common, with multiple birds seen daily, at
Guajara-Mirim in July 2002 and June 2003. Here I found the species in various
habitats including on Palafitas Island, in igapd, second growth along the rio
Mamoré and in oxbow lake vegetation. However, one was found at the edge of a
small manioc field, uncharacteristically foraging 25-m high in the subcanopy of
terra firme. Birds were rather vocal, regularly giving a long, very piculet Picumnus-
like trill; this voice is very different from the more musical one heard in northern
Argentina on the breeding grounds (pers. obs.). I have also noted this piculet-like
voice commonly in the northern Pantanal, Mato Grosso, during the austral winter.
Plain Tyrannulet is a known austral migrant to south-west Amazonia, with previous
specimens from Rond6nia (Stotz et al. 1997).

I believe these records refer to austral migrants, which were considered to be
common in low forest at Cachoeira Nazaré in May—July by Stotz et al. (1997). The
species is also known from the Brazilian Amazon in Acre (Chesser 1995), with
unpublished observations from the upper rio Jurua in the austral winter (pers. obs).
It is also reported to occur in southern Amazonian Peru (Parker et al. 1982) and
adjacent northern Bolivia (Gyldenstolpe 1945). Chesser (1997) listed it as a winter
resident at Pando, El Beni and in northern dpto. Santa Cruz, above c.17°S.

SUBTROPICAL DORADITO Pseudocolopteryx acutipennis

My observations are the first Brazilian records and certainly refer to austral
migrants. All records were from Palafitas Island in the rio Mamoré. A single
observed at close range on 4 July 2002 had the distinctly bicoloured bill, black on
the upper mandible and pink on the lower, indicative of an immature (Ridgely &
Tudor 1994). A presumed second individual, also an immature, was observed
shortly afterwards, 250 m away in another part of the island. A third record involved
a lone bird, on 10 July 2002, c.1.5 km from the original site, and this bird was
documented with video footage. It had an all-dark bill and was a presumed adult.
On 21 June 2003, again on Palafitas Island, a doradito, presumably Subtropical,
was briefly seen by S. L. Hilty and myself.

Andrew Whittaker 257 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(4)

Prolonged close studies of these three birds, for a total of c.11 minutes, allowed
for excellent field studies. All had two pale creamy-white wingbars and a dark
smudge on the cheeks, forming a darker patch that was most notable at close range.
No contrast in head to back colour was noted, with a uniform olive crown, back and
wings. At close range | noted the first immature as having dark eyes and blue-grey
legs. The birds were inquisitive, in response to ‘pishing’ approaching closer in the
tall cane grass, which was abundant on the island and in which they were most
frequently observed. Here they regularly clung to vertical stems and occasionally
perched on larger horizontal leaves at c.12—36 cm, sallying into the dense cane
grass before reappearing minutes later and often at some distance. I observed both
wing- and tail-flicking, especially when the birds were agitated or nervous. One
was observed moving through a recently burnt area with 1.5 m burnt canebrake and
young Cecropia, climbing to 3.5 m in a burnt tree before dropping to forage in low
semi-burnt canebrake.

Subtropical Doradito breeds locally in the Andes from northern Colombia to
north-west Argentina, spreading into adjacent lowlands during the austral winter
(Ridgely & Greenfield 2001). Chesser (1997) noted that in Bolivia during the
breeding season the species is found at 2,200—3,550 m, but in the austral winter it
reaches the adjacent departments of Santa Cruz, Cochabamba, El Beni and La Paz,
where the species occurs in May—June, August, October and December, but never
above 700 m.

I suggest that the species is easily overlooked especially as it is not vocal during
the austral winter. Through more ornithological field work in the state at this
season, Subtropical Doradito may prove to be a fairly regular visitor to Rond6énia
and possibly other parts of western Amazonian Brazil.

YELLOW TYRANNULET Capsiempis flaveola

Several pairs were observed and tape-recorded in 2002 and 2003, at the margins of
the oxbow lake at Pacaas Palafitas Lodge, where they only associated with dense
stands of an unknown genus of small-leaf bamboo. An extensive area of bamboo,
covering several km on the left bank of the rio Paakas Novos (following extensive
deforestation), also held the species, where it was common. This active little tyrant
shared such habitat with Stripe-necked Tody-tyrant Hemitriccus striaticollis. These
records represent a range extension within Brazil from the nearest known records
600 km to the west at Alta Floresta (Zimmer et al. 1997), and seem to be the first
documented for the state.

Yellow Tyrannulet seems to be very patchily distributed through much of
Amazonia, with documented records south of the Amazon and west of the rio
Madeira practically non-existent. I have collected specimens south of the Amazon
at Caitau-Uara, Amazonas, in September 1992 (housed in the Museu Emilio Goeldi,
Belém). These also seem to be the first documented from the rio Purtis/rio Jurua
interfluvium. Specimens are also known from the west bank of the rio Madeira, 60
km south-west of its confluence with the Amazon. Pacheco (1995) reported a

Andrew Whittaker 258 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(4)

westward range extension involving a small population at Mamiraua, Amazonas, on
the north bank of the Amazon.

SOUTHERN SCRUB FLYCATCHER Sublegatus modestus

Singles of this rather easily overlooked nondescript flycatcher were noted on four
visits to Palafitas Island in July 2002 and once in June 2003. I closely observed and
tape-recorded the single rising whistled note. Field identification was based on their
brighter overall appearance, more contrasting underparts and bolder pale wingbars,
versus the very similar but duller Amazonian Scrub Flycatcher S. obscurior. In
Amazonia, Amazonian Scrub Flycatcher seems to be found strictly in upland
tropical forest, where it inhabits open canopy, large treefall clearings, natural or
man-modified forest edge, and in vdrzea on floodplains close to major rivers where
dense Guadua bamboo occurs in the understorey (pers. obs.).

Southern populations (brevirostris) are at least partially migratory with winter
records from Amazonian Peru, in Ucayali and Madre de Dios (Ridgely & Tudor
1994). Stotz et al. (1997) reported S. modestus as a rare austral migrant in second
growth at Cachoeira Nazaré, and it was found during the austral winter in Bolivia
north of 17°S, in June—September (Chesser 1997). During the austral winter I have
observed migrant modestus in large stands of Guadua bamboo in Manu National
Park, Madre de Dios, Peru, in river floodplains within vdrzea. Here, during the
austral winter, I have found modestus to be syntopic with resident Amazonian Scrub
Flycatcher, which was once considered a subspecies of modestus (Traylor 1982).

ZIMMER’S TODY-TYRANT Aemitriccus minimus

This easily overlooked tyrant flycatcher was located by its distinctive voice, and
tape-recorded and observed at the Taquaras campina forest, where two territorial
birds were noted in July 2002 and June 2003. Singing in the higher forest substrate,
its insect-like vocalisation is easily overlooked until known. This behaviour,
combined with it inhabiting mostly forest canopy and subcanopy (only rarely
coming lower), confirms why the species mostly is under-recorded. Now that field
ornithologists are familiar with the voice, its known range has been greatly
expanded (Zimmer et al. 1997, Cohn-Haft 2000, Borges et al. 2001). I have tape-
recorded the species in Mato Grosso, at Fazenda Esperanca (near Bom Jesus de
Araguaia) and at Xingu Refugio Amazonica, the rio Von Den Steinen, and K. J.
Zimmer and I also tape-recorded it at Borba, in Amazonas, at Amazonia National
Park, Caxiuana and Carajas, all in Para, and at Caseara, in Tocantins. The latter
record is the first documentation of the species east of the rio Tocantins.

BUFF-CHEEKED TODY-FLY CATCHER Todirostrum senex

Despite being considered ‘unknown in life’ (Ridgely & Tudor 1994), I was able to
identify the species based on familiarity with its vocalisations and appearance
acquired at the type locality, where M. Cohn-Haft and B. M. Whitney (pers. comm.)

Andrew Whittaker 259 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(4)

rediscovered it several years ago. They kindly alerted me to its presence and are
currently preparing a paper concerning its natural history and taxonomic affinities.

On 12 July 2002 I located this little-known species at Taquaras by virtue of its
distinctive voice (a rather loud, dry metallic trill) in dense stunted campina-type
forest. Here I observed and tape-recorded several individuals, initially in July 2002
and again on 25 June 2003. This campina is on white sand and weathered clay that
is poorly drained. I also found Zimmer’s Tody-tyrant Hemitriccus minimus
sympatric with Buff-cheeked Tody-flycatcher. Zimmer’s Tody-tyrant mostly
foraged in the higher forest substrate, whilst vocally Buff-cheeked Tody-flycatcher
was the commoner of the two.

Even though July is the dry season here, the stunted campina had several small
pools and muddy areas, and in June 2003 was even wetter, confirming that the area
is flooded during the wet season (November—April). The canopy was fairly uniform
in height (8-12 m), with low tree species diversity, dominated by 1.25—2.5-m
Melastoma spp. in the understorey, with some of the forest floor covered by moss
and low terrestrial bromeliads.

Following playback, two T. senex permitted approach to 3-4 m while they
foraged in the fairly open understorey. They spent long periods foraging in
Melastoma at 1-2 m, but also in lower branches of trees up to 4-5 m. Audible wing-
whirr was very noticeable as they flew between perches and could be heard at
15-20 m. I noted short sally-gleans of 0.5—2.0 m to live leaves and occasionally to
branches or trunks, and a 5-m diagonal sally was observed. The only identified prey
was a l-cm green Orthoptera, which was held in the beak and bashed repeatedly
against a branch before being swallowed whole.

These records, along with unpublished observations by M. Cohn-Haft and B. M.
Whitney (pers. comm.) from further north in Rond6nia, are the first state records.
My records represent a range extension of c.850 km south-southwest of Borba, the
type locality. I have also recently tape-recorded the species along the lower rio
Roosevelt, at Pousada Rio Roosevelt, Amazonas (08°29’S, 60°57’W), extending
the known range further east. Whether the Rond6nian or rio Roosevelt birds
represent disjunct populations or whether the species is continuously distributed
over this region, perhaps even in suitable habitat in adjacent Bolivia, requires
further field and museum work.

Recent field work in white-sand areas has resulted in several noteworthy
ornithological discoveries, including new taxa and rediscoveries (Whittaker 1994,
Whitney & Alvarez Alonso 1998, Isler et al. 2001), re-emphasising the exceptional
conservation importance of these unique forests. Alarmingly, from July 2002 to
June 2003, subsistence farmers at Taquaras cleared several pristine areas of
campina holding T: senex. Unfortunately, the ever-increasing human population of
the area and the economic value of white-sand soil for the building construction
trade, combined with subsistence farming, are now threatening this habitat before it
has been biologically surveyed, much less protected.

Andrew Whittaker 260 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(4)

FUSCOUS FLYCATCHER Cnemotriccus fuscatus

Very common and vocal around Paakas Palafitas on both visits, in terra firme
clearings and along roads lined with bamboo through terra firme, second growth,
varzea edge, river islands and igapo. Apparently a fairly common austral migrant
to western RondOnia, residents in Amazonia occur only in early-successional
vegetation on river islands (pers. obs). Stotz et al. (1997) recorded the species as a
rare austral migrant at Cachoeira Nazaré, in lowland forest.

EULER’S FLYCATCHER Lathrotriccus euleri

Presumed austral migrants were uncommon and not very vocal in second growth
bordering terra firme and igapo around Paakas Palafitas Lodge, in July 2002 and
(rare) in June 2003. Interestingly, Euler’s Flycatcher was found to be absent from
the middle rio Ji-Parana sites a little further north (Stotz et al. 1997).

OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER Contopus borealis

This boreal migrant was observed at Rancho Grande on 29 and 31 January 1993,
24 January and 3 November 1995. All records were from the terra firme/second-
growth ecotone, where they perched high in the canopy (mostly on dead snags).
These are perhaps the first records for Rond6nia, although scattered records are
available from elsewhere in Amazonia (Cohn-Haft et al. 1997), and I have
unpublished records from Alta Floresta (Mato Grosso) and the Serra dos Carajas
(Para).

VERMILION FLYCATCHER Pyrocephalus rubinus

Around Paakas Palafitas Lodge this distinctive tyrant flycatcher was very common
in June 2003 and uncommon in July 2002. Several males were recorded in heavy
body and tail moult. This species is an austral migrant, inhabiting terra firme edge,
river islands and cattle pasture. Reported as a winter visitor to most of Bolivia
except the extreme south (Chesser 1997). At Cachoeira Nazaré it is a rare austral
migrant in second growth (Stotz et al. 1997).

LITTLE GROUND-TYRANT Muscisaxicola fluviatilis

This species’ range in Brazil is very poorly known, with only two historical
specimens—from Crato (just north of Humaita), on the left bank of the rio Madeira,
Amazonas, on 14 November 1829 (Pelzeln 1870); and at Milho, on the rio Jiparana
(c.150 km south-east of its mouth), Rond6nia, on 19 June 1908 (Hellmayr 1910)—
and several recent sight records. I recorded it as fairly common at Palafitas Island,
in July 2002, where 3-4 were seen, mostly on sandbars, exposed mudbanks and
occasionally in low scrubby successional vegetation close to the river’s edge.
However, in June 2003 only one was found. Stotz et al. (1997) reported the species
as rare at Cachoeira Nazaré and other reports come from observations by P. Roth
along the upper rio Aripuana, Mato Grosso in August—October (Pacheco 1994).
Recent sightings from Amazonas include singles near Tefé, on 1 July 1993, and 30

Andrew Whittaker 261 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(4)

km west of the lower rio Japura, on 15 July 1993 (Pacheco 1994). I have
unpublished records of several individuals along the upper rio Jurua, at Eirunepé,
on 10 October 1991. Interestingly, all these records fall within the period of austral
migration. Sick (1993) suggested that the species might appear in Brazil only
during migration.

HUDSON’S BLACK-TYRANT Knipolegus hudsoni

On 20 June 2003, on Palafitas Island, | observed an adult male, and the following
day S. L. Hilty and I observed both an adult male and female-plumaged bird. The
adult male was territorial, repeatedly chasing the female-plumaged bird through
low Tessaria scrub. However, males possess a female-type plumage following post-
juvenile moult (Fjeldsa & Krabbe 1990), and thus females cannot certainly be
separated from young males in the austral winter.

This species is an austral migrant to Brazil, previously recorded only from Mato
Grosso, at Descalvados, in the Serra do Roncador in August-September (Sick
1985). It breeds in chaco woodland in central Argentina, from Cordoba south to Rio
Negro and south-west Buenos Aires provinces. Austral migrants are also known
from nearby Bolivia, with a few records from Paraguay (Hayes 1995).

Formerly considered Near Threatened (Collar et al. 1992), I believe these river
island observations are important, as they confirm yet another habitat for the
species on its wintering grounds. During the austral winter, migrants have been
reported from trees and bushes at woodland and road edges in Beni, Bolivia (Brace
et al. 1996), and from Santa Cruz in chaco, weedy pasture and even gardens (Parker
1989). S. L. Hilty and I have recorded it in hedges, overgrown pasture and near
windbreaks by sewage ponds in Santa Cruz.

BLACK-BACKED WATER-TYRANT Fluvicola albiventer

One observed on 11 July 2002 on Palafitas Island was feeding at the water’s edge
on exposed mudbanks. Recorded as a winter resident in Bolivia, from adjacent
Santa Cruz and El Beni in June—November (Chesser 1997), and Peru (Parker et al.
1994), in Brazil it is an austral migrant to Acre, Rond6nia (Chesser 1995) and
south-east Mato Grosso (Willis & Oniki 1990).

RUFOUS CASIORNIS Casiornis rufa

Three records of this austral migrant: one observed and tape-recorded in the canopy
of terra firme on the edge of a man-made clearing near Paakas Palafitas Lodge on
9 July 2002; a second heard in the canopy of igapé at Nova Colonia on 10 July
2002; and the last, a silent individual, in the Taquaras campina forest on 26 June
2003. Reported in low forest from the middle rio Jiparana at Cachoeira Nazaré,
where specimens were obtained in May and June (Stotz et al. 1997). Other
Brazilian Amazon records (north of the Amazon) are from northern Para (Snethlage
1914) and in gallery forest c.50 km south of Porto Grande, Amapa (K. J. Zimmer,
pers. comm.). South of the Amazon in Brazil the species is known from Acre (Stotz

Andrew Whittaker 262 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(4)

et al. 1997) and Alta Floresta, northern Mato Grosso, in September, in isolated
small deciduous forests on rocky outcrops within terra firme (Zimmer et al. 1997).

PALE-BELLIED MOURNER Rhytipterna immunda

At Taquaras campina 2-3 of this easily overlooked species were located in low,
stunted and poorly drained sandy/clay forest by virtue of their distinctive voice,
which was tape-recorded. Their resemblance to Myiarchus flycatchers, as already
reported (Ridgely & Tudor 1994, Zimmer & Hilty 1997), is striking. In response to
playback, they were rather shy and retiring, flying to the canopy of 8—10-m trees,
where they briefly perched very alert before quickly retreating from sight. These
documented records seemingly are the first for Rond6nia. Known from specimens
in the Museu Emilio Goeldi (Belém) taken in campina near Borba further down the
rio Madeira, the nearest Brazilian records are from southern Mato Grosso (Ridgely
& Tudor 1994).

BROWN-CRESTED FLYCATCHER Myiarchus tyrannulus

Remarkably common austral migrant with multiple birds recorded daily, although
far more often heard than seen, as found mostly high in the canopy of terra firme.
Also recorded in the canopy of varzea on mature river islands and along wooded
banks of the rio Mamoré. Apparently present only in winter (June—October) in
adjacent northern Bolivia (Chesser 1997). At Cachoeira Nazaré presumed austral
migrants were recorded twice in low forest in June. At other Amazonian sites in
Brazil, known from specimens taken in the austral winter in Acre and Rondonia
(Chesser 1997) and at Alta Floresta, Mato Grosso, in August-September (Zimmer
et al. 1997). However, there are isolated resident breeding populations in
Amazonian savannas, at Alta do Chao, Para (Sanaiotti & Cintra 2001) and the lower
rio Xingu, including Parque Indigena do Xingu (pers. obs.). The complete lack of
other published records outside the austral winter from most of the Amazon basin
confirms that the species is almost exclusively an austral visitor to the Brazilian
Amazon and that it is commoner in south-west Amazonia.

YELLOW-THROATED FLYCATCHER Conopias parva

This canopy flycatcher was very uncommon at Nova Colonia, on 8 July 2002, and
was observed and tape-recorded at Taquaras campina, on 12 July 2002, where it
was found accompanying a small mixed-species flock. The record from Nova
Colonia, in south-west Rond6nia, quite probably represents the species’ southern-
most locality.

The species’ canopy habits, where it occurs exclusively in the upper strata
mostly of terra firme, make it especially prone to be overlooked (Whittaker & Oren
1999, Alvarez Alonso & Whitney 2003), unless its distinctive voice is known (pers.
obs.). Until recently, this has caused large gaps and poor representation of its true
range in the literature, especially south of the Amazon (Ridgely & Tudor 1994).
Brazilian records south of the Amazon are one from Urucu, Amazonas (Peres &

Andrew Whittaker 263 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(4)

Whittaker 1991) and the upper rio Jurua, Acre (Whittaker & Oren 1999), the latter
overlooked by Alvarez Alonso & Whitney (2003). However, Alvarez Alonso &
Whitney (2003) reported a series of new observations by B. M. Whitney south of
the Amazon in Brazil, from the west bank of the lower rio Tapajés west to extreme
western Acre, and south along both banks of the rio Madeira in northern Rondonia.
I also have voucher tape-recordings documenting Yellow-throated Flycatcher south
of the Amazon, from Amazonas along the rio Mapia, near Borba, and in the extreme
west of the state on the Peruvian border, along the rio Javari, at Palmari Lodge, in
August 2002. Recent north-bank records from west of the rio Negro are available
from Jau National Park (Borges et al. 2001). I also have tape documentation both
north and south of Jai National Park, with a pair c.35 km east of Manacapuru,
Ziggylandia, and a nesting pair tape-recorded and observed at Barcelos, Amazonas,
on 20 December 1997. This pair was seen carrying nest material to a hollow 20 m
up in an isolated tree, in second growth some 100 m from virgin terra firme.

I found Yellow-throated Flycatcher and Three-striped Flycatcher Conopias
trivirgata together at Ziggylandia, Amazonas, where I have observed both in the
canopy of terra firme, but never in the same canopy flock. Possibly C. trivirgata is
more restricted, in these areas, to black-water transition (only occasionally ventur-
ing into terra firme), which borders terra firme, and C. parva is exclusively
restricted to upland terra firme.

Increased field work by ornithologists familiar with Yellow-throated
Flycatcher’s voice will surely bring greater insight into its precise Amazonian
range. However, the reported absence in Rond6nia from both the middle rio Ji-
Parana (Stotz et al. 1997), and Rancho Grande, where experienced field workers
familiar with its voice have failed to find it, suggests that the species is rather local
and patchily distributed east of the rio Madeira. The species’ patchy distribution
was also noted by Alvarez Alonso & Whitney (2003), who suggested that it occurs
only in forests on sandy and other nutrient-poor soils.

YELLOW-BROWED TYRANT Satrapa icterophrys

One observed by S. L. Hilty and I on Palafitas Island, on 20 June 2003, in early-
successional growth including Jessaria and canebrake, seemingly represents the
first state record and presumably was an austral migrant. Chesser (1997) reported
Yellow-browed Tyrant as an austral migrant (June—October) to northern Bolivia.
Amazonian records are few, although Ridgely & Tudor (1994) reported it to be less
numerous further north, where it apparently occurs only as an austral migrant,
noting one record from Manaus, Amazonas. This record involved a bird I observed
nest building at Machantaria Island, in the Amazon, on 30 August 1992. Subsequent
visits, over several years by various ornithologists, failed to produce any further
records on this or other nearby river islands. I therefore suggest this breeding record
to have been exceptional. In the northern Pantanal, Mato Grosso, it is a not
uncommon austral migrant (pers. obs.).

Andrew Whittaker 264 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(4)

BLACK-NECKED RED-COTINGA Phoenicircus nigricollis

Two observed and tape-recorded by S. L. Hilty and myself in terra firme near
Paakas Palafitas Lodge, on 23 June 2003, was the second state record, following the
report of one observed and tape-recorded at Parque Estadual de Guajara-Mirim, in
April 1995 (Whittaker 1996a). It seems highly probable that the species also occurs
in adjacent north-east Bolivia.

BLACK MANAKIN Xenopipo atronitens

This sandy soil specialist was fairly common in the Taquaras campina, where
several adult males and female-plumaged birds were observed and tape-recorded.
This seems to be the first state record, with the nearest known populations being in
north-east Bolivia, in Santa Cruz, on the Serrania de Huanchaca (Ridgely & Tudor
1994). In Brazil the nearest site for Xenopipo is in south-west Mato Grosso
(Ridgely & Tudor 1994). My record represents a range extension within the
Madeira drainage of c.850 km from Borba, from where there are specimen records
(Pinto 1944).

SOUTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW Stelgidopteryx ruficollis
Presumed austral migrants involved flocks of 50+ along the rio Mamoré, in July
2002, swelling local residents, which almost never flock (pers. obs.). However, no
large numbers were noted in June 2003. Southern populations are migratory,
moving north in Brazil (Pereyra 1969), with birds from Rio Grande do Sul largely
absent in mid February to mid August (Belton 1985). I have also observed larger
numbers of the species, with flocks of over 100, along several major Amazonian
rivers in the austral winter (pers. obs.). However, the full extent of their winter
range in the Amazon is unclear and difficult to document due to the species being
a common resident throughout the region.

TOOTH-BILLED WREN Odontorchilus cinereus

This canopy species was observed and tape-recorded near Paakas Palafitas Lodge
in mixed-species canopy flocks in terra firme, where it was fairly common and very
vocal, especially in June 2003. R. S. Ridgely, K. J. Zimmer and I found it very
common at Fazenda Rancho Grande, where on 25 April 1991 a pair was observed
carrying twigs to a nest cavity 20 m high at the edge of terra firme. The pair was
also seen in courtship display and any other birds approaching the nest were chased
aggressively. Stotz et al. (1997) reported the species as common at Cachoeira
Nazaré and uncommon at Pedra Branca. At Alta Floresta, Mato Grosso, Zimmer et
al. (1997) reported it to be uncommon. The species also occurs in adjacent north-
east dpto. Santa Cruz, Bolivia (Bates et al. 1989, 1992).

CREAMY-BELLIED THRUSH Turdus amaurochalinus
Austral migrants to Rond6nia were recorded as rather uncommon around Paakas
Palafitas, mostly in second growth and terra firme edge. Further north, it was absent

Andrew Whittaker 265 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(4)

at Pedra Branca and uncommon at Cachoeira Nazaré (Stotz et al. 1997). However,
the species is mostly absent or very rare east of here in Amazonia (pers. obs.).
Recorded as common 700 km to the south-east, where up to 10,000+ roost annually
in the bamboo understorey of terra firme at Flor del Ouro, Noel Kempff Mercado
National Park, Santa Cruz, Bolivia, in July (S. L. Hilty & A. Whittaker pers. obs.).

PEARLY-BREASTED CONEBILL Conirostrum margaritae

I initially observed an adult feeding an immature in low Cecropia on a Bolivian
river island adjacent to Palafitas Island, in the rio Mamoré, on 11 July 2002. In June
2003, S. L. Hilty and I documented this new record for Bolivia when we tape-
recorded and observed several small groups on the same island in
Cecropia-dominated stands of trees. I also observed and tape-recorded a pair of
Chestnut-vented Conebills C. speciosum in the same Cecropia stand. On the
Amazon, near Manaus, at Machantaria Island, Amazonas, I have recorded Pearly-
breasted, Chestnut-vented and Bicoloured Conebills C. bicolor, which might
represent the first documentation of these conebills occurring syntopically.

The most commonly heard voice is a complex series of fast musical twittering
notes, which sounds as if several birds are singing concurrently, but often involves
only a single bird singing within a small group. I have found the species to always
be very responsive to playback.

This appears to represent the first record for Bolivia. Previously, C. margaritae
was known only from the lower rio Madeira near Borba (Peters 1968), where I
observed it in 2001. Known elsewhere in Brazil from along the middle Amazon,
from the mouth of the rio Jamunda to the mouth of the rio Negro (Ridgely & Tudor
1989), the Bolivian records represent a range extension of c.1,050 km. Pearly-
breasted Conebill probably has a continuous range along the entire Amazon in
Brazil, a supposition supported by my tape-recordings and specimens from Caitau-
Uara, in September 1992, which extended the range some 600 km west.

SLATE-COLOURED SEEDEATER Sporophila schistacea

Several singing adult males and immature males (in female plumage) were tape-
recorded, and small loose flocks of 5—8 were observed, at Paakas Palafitas in June
2003. They were associated with small agricultural clearings in terra firme,
especially where dry-land rice was being cultivated. Two or three were also
observed at Parque Estadual Guajara-Mirim in forest borders close to small patches
of bamboo and overgrown cattle pasture. An adult male tape-recorded singing on
27 January 1995 at Rancho Grande was the only record for the site; it frequented a
recently burned forest edge bordering grassland.

At Paakas Palafitas males were observed singing mostly from concealed
perches at the forest edge, usually at 4-8 m, but reaching 11—12 m after playback.
Singing birds were very territorial, being extremely responsive to playback and
affording excellent close studies. The large yellow bill was very obvious on adult
males, which showed pink gapes when singing. Other field marks noted on this

Andrew Whittaker 266 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(4)

basically grey bird were the two small symmetrical white spots on the lower neck
and darker grey centre to the throat, with a white mid belly.

Previously recorded in Rond6nia only from Cachoeira Nazaré, where it was
reported as rare (only two March records) and fairly common at nearby Pedra
Branca in terra firme and secondary forest, in February (Stotz et al. 1997). Stotz et
al. (1997) suggested the species might be nomadic, as found by Parker et al. (1982)
in south-east Peru. In Costa Rica, Willis & Eisenmann (1979) and Stiles & Skutch
(1989) noted that Slate-coloured Seedeater is possibly an irruptive species follow-
ing bamboo seeding, as in Panama. However, my observations, and those of Stotz
et al. (1997) in RondOnia, confirm that the species also occurs in areas lacking
bamboo, as at two of the sites where I located it bamboo was absent. In Acre, west
Amazonian Brazil, Whittaker & Oren (1999) found the species to be only associ-
ated with bamboo.

Recent deforestation in Rond6énia and elsewhere in the Amazon has resulted in
the cultivation of dry rice in small agricultural settlements, which seems to be a
very important alternative food resource for the species (pers. obs.). Stotz et al.
(1997) noted that stomach contents of nine specimens taken at Pedra Branca
contained rice, which was being harvested. This newly available food, combined
with increasing bamboo as a result of the creation of forest gaps (Janzen 1983,
Marcus 1983), may lead to an increasing and more widespread population of the
species within Amazonia.

DARK-THROATED SEEDEATER Sporophila ruficollis

S. L. Hilty and I observed an adult male at Palafitas Island on 20 June 2003, along
with three unidentified female seedeaters. In Brazil known previously only from
Mato Grosso, Goids, S40 Paulo and in Minas Gerais, at Pirapora in September (Sick
1985). This is apparently the first state record and confirmation that the species
occurs on river islands in early-successional growth. Significant numbers have been
recorded in Bolivia at Noel Kempff Mercado National Park, some 700 km to the
south-east, with estimated numbers reaching 16,160 (Pearce-Higgins 1996).

RUFOUS-RUMPED SEEDEATER Sporophila hypochroma

S. L. Hilty and I observed an adult male of this Near-Threatened species on
Palafitas Island on 19 June 2003. It was perched atop a 6-m Tessaria in sunlight,
and its calls were tape-recorded. This bird was in an area of early-successional
vegetation with much seeding grass and sedges. For comparison, we recorded at
least three other species of unidentified female-plumages seedeaters associated with
several adult male Chestnut-bellied Seedeaters S. castaneiventris.

The few documented records of this rare species in Brazil are from the southern
Pantanal, east of Corumba, Mato Grosso do Sul, at Emas National Park, Goias, in
October 1979, and south-west Goids, in October 1984 (Ridgely & Tudor 1989). I
photographed an adult male in the northern Pantanal, at Pixiam, Mato Grosso, on 4
November 1996, in flooded grassland bordering a small marsh. Ridgely & Tudor

Andrew Whittaker 267 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(4)

(1989) suggested that the species might be an austral migrant. The Rond6nia record
confirms that the species certainly wanders further north in the austral winter, but
to what extent and how important river islands are to this species at this season 1s
unknown. It also represents a new state record and a significant extension of its
known range. The species is, however, known to be a regular austral migrant c.700
km south-east in Noel Kempff Mercado National Park, Bolivia, where estimates of
4.480 individuals were reported in August-September 1994 (Pearce-Higgins 1996).

YELLOW-SHOULDERED GROSBEAK Parkerthraustes humeralis

Fairly common in mixed-species canopy flocks at Fazenda Rancho Grande.
Reported as uncommon at Cachoeira Nazaré (Stotz et al. 1997). On 25 April 1990,
at Fazenda Rancho Grande, I observed two in the canopy of ferra firme in the bare
crown of an emergent, with sluggish movements, sallying 1-3 m after a hatch of
winged termites or ants.

To my knowledge there are no known breeding records of the species. Whilst
observing a pair in the upper midstorey of terra firme at Parque Estadual de
Guajara-Mirim, on 24 April 1995, I noted one carrying a c.3.5 cm-long green leaf
to the crown of a 35-40-m emergent. Two further nesting records are from Alta
Floresta, Mato Grosso: in early May 2003, A. Lees (pers. comm.) observed one
carrying nesting material in the canopy, and on 29 June 2003 A. Kirschel (pers.
comm.) watched a pair repeatedly carrying large green leaves to the crown of a 50-
m emergent in ferra firme.

The most frequently heard vocalisation is a high-pitched two-syllable note
(easily overlooked), the second note rising in pitch, repeated every 3—7 seconds,
often from an exposed forest canopy perch. In response to playback from canopy
towers, I have observed birds puff out their plumage, cock the tail almost vertically
and hold it there, while flicking their wings and exposing their striking yellow
shoulders (which are normally partially concealed). Maintaining this odd stance,
birds often sang a more complex series of musical twittering notes (similar to the
song of Palm Tanager Thraupis palmarum). | have also tape-recorded this complex
voice, without playback, in the canopy of terra firme in early December at the rio
Cristalino, Mato Grosso.

Remarks

The results of this survey augment the growing pool of knowledge concerning
Rond6nia avifauna, but most of the state is still ornithologically extremely poorly
known (Oren & Albuquerque 1991). The recent discovery of a new primate in the
state (Ferrari & Lopes 1992) further emphasises the necessity of further field work.
The results of my preliminary ornithological surveys again underline how little is
known of the state’s avifauna and how much remains to be discovered. Initial
surveys of a white-sand forest campina in Rond6nia have discovered the poorly
known Buff-cheeked Tody-flycatcher and several other specialists of this habitat

Andrew Whittaker 268 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(4)

not previously recorded in the state. Soil mosaics within the Amazon basin are
complex and dramatically modify vegetation types (Gentry 1988), which in turn
have a major effect on the fauna and play an important role in defining species
distributions throughout the Amazon (Gentry 1990).

These results emphasise not only the importance of these campina and
campinarana forests for endemic and poorly known birds, but also how fragile they
are to human disturbance. Rond6nia’s ever-increasing population and expansion
into untouched natural areas of the state requires immediate attention from conser-
vation organisations or the future of its rich biodiversity and endemic fauna and
flora may prove very bleak. A major inventory of plants and animals and their
ecological requirements is urgently required throughout Rond6nia, encompassing
all of the major biomes, to establish priority areas for future conservation.

Acknowledgements

I dedicate this paper to the memory of my father, Victor Nuttall Whittaker, who introduced me to the
wonders of the natural world, especially birds. He constantly encouraged and helped me learn more
about birds through his own self-taught knowledge. Unselfishly giving up his free time to drive me to
bird ringing meetings, he also enrolled us both on ornithology night classes for two years, with me the
youngest in the class by far. This decision was a crucial one, allowing me to mature as an ornithologist.
Many of my most memorable childhood moments were birding with my father and mother in the UK,
and on night class outings and family holidays in Europe. He is greatly missed.

I thank my friends and colleagues Kevin Zimmer, Steve Hilty, Robert Ridgely and Guy Tudor for
their companionship and help in the field during some of these surveys. The manuscript benefited great-
ly from early reviews by Mario Cohn-Haft, Kevin Zimmer and Guy Kirwan, to whom I am grateful. For
the excellent map I thank Mort Isler. For my travel opportunities, enabling a great part of this research,
special thanks to Victor Emanuel, of Victor Emanuel Nature Tours, and Renato Cintra. I express a very
warm thanks to all of the staff at Paakas Palafitas Lodge and Rancho Grande for their wonderful hospi-
tality. Finally, I must acknowledge my wife, Nadime, and my children, Steven, Luana and Suzana, for
all their encouragement and their understanding of my absences from home.

References:

Alvarez Alonso, J. & Whitney, B. M. 2003. New distributional records of birds from white-sand forests
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Andrew @birdingbraziltours.com

© British Ornithologists’ Club 2004

José Cabot & Tjitte de Vries 272 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(4)

Age- and sex-differentiated plumages in the two
colour morphs of the Variable Buzzard Buteo
polyosoma: a case of delayed maturation with
subadult males disguised in definitive adult
female plumage

by Fosé Cabot & Tytte de Vries

Received 15 September 2003

The polymorphic plumage of Variable Buzzard Buteo polyosoma has generated a
long and complicated controversy regarding the species’ taxonomic classification
(Vaurie 1962). Initially described as Falco polyosoma Quoy et Gaimard 1824, it has
subsequently been referred to variously as Haliaeetus erythronotus King 1827;
Aquila braccata Meyen 1834; Buteo varius Gould 1937; Buteo unicolor Lafresnaye
& d’Orbigny, 1837; Buteo erythronotus Taczanowski, 1877; Buteo tricolor
d’Orbigny (p.106 in Hellmayr 1932); Buteo melanosthetus (os) Philippi, 1899;
Buteo poecilogaster Philippi, 1899; Buteo macronynchus Philippi, 1899; Buteo ater
Philippi, 1899; Buteo pictus Philippi, 1899; Buteo aethiops Philippi, 1899; and
Asturina aethiops Philippi, 1899. The number of synonyms is due, in part, to the
fact that different plumage patterns were thought to represent different species.

Since Gurney’s (1879) description of Buteo poecilochrous, a long debate has
ensued as to the species’ relationship with B. polyosoma. This is to some extent
understandable since several plumages of these taxa are virtually identical and there
is an overlap in some measurements. Furthermore, they occur at the same
altitudes—albeit in different habitats—in the Bolivian altiplano during the austral
winter (Cabot & Serrano 1986, Cabot 1991). The two were for a long period differ-
entiated on the basis of the relative distances between the tips of the third- and
fifth-outermost primaries (Stresemann 1925), a feature subsequently disproved,
leading to them being regarded as conspecifics (Farquhar 1998). Cabot & de Vries
(2003) analysed the morphology and ecological behaviour of the two, proving their
clear separability using other measurements and that they behave as species under
the Biological Species Concept, although DNA studies have revealed their close
similarity (Riesing et al. 2003), indicating that recent parapatric differentiation at
high altitude in the Andes culminated with the retreat of the ice-packs at the close
of the last glacial period, as suggested by Haffer (1967) and Dorst & Vuilleumier
(1986) for birds of this region. These two species have the lowest known wing-
loads of their genus (Cabot & de Vries 2003), an adaptation to the low atmospheric
pressure in high-altitude ecosystems.

The plumage of Buteo polyosoma (and B. poecilochrous) was studied by Vaurie
(1962), who established that adults of B. polyosoma are of five different types. He
also noted sexual dimorphism and that adult females have a red back, whilst males

José Cabot & Tjitte de Vries 273 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(4)

have a uniform grey back, although some possess a red patch as in females. The
types defined by Vaurie (1962) are as follows. Type A: head, thighs and undertail-
coverts dark brown or dark slate, with mantle and rest of underparts chestnut and
unbarred. Type B: crown, nape and mantle the same colour as type A, but
underparts white with narrow dusky-brown or grey bars that vary in intensity from
broad and dense to unappreciable. Type C: body plumage including underwing-
coverts grey (from pale slate to virtually black), with 50% having scattered reddish
feathers on the mantle. Type D: upperparts grey and underparts and underwing
white, with some showing some chestnut at the upper border of the mantle. Type E:
crown and nape as in types A and B, but with variegated underparts: ventrally grey
and brown, transversal pectoral band chestnut and rest of underparts and thighs
having slate- and white-coloured bars.

Pavez (1998) was first to describe the plumages of the pale phase of B.
polyosoma and to relate different plumages to age. His study was based on plumage
changes in captive Chilean birds from the first year and his results established that:
(1) definitive adult plumage is reached more or less in the sixth year; (2) plumages
are related to an age-dependent pattern of markings and coloration; (3) males
between third and fifth years show some transitory characters, such as a reddish
mantle, which correspond to definitive female plumage; and (4) definitive adult
plumage is sexually dimorphic: males have a uniform grey back, females a brick-
red patch.

Here we describe, for the first time, sex- and age-related plumage changes in the
dark morph, and also include a more specific description of colour patterns for the
entire distribution of the pale morph, as described by Pavez (1998) for Chilean
birds. Finally, the colour phases are established for the different ages (1-6 years).

Material and methods

We examined 160 specimens held at the Natural History Museum (Tring), Museum
of Natural History (Stockholm), Zoological Museum (Copenhagen), Landes
Museum (Linz), Museum d’Histoire Naturelle de Genéve (Geneva), Museo
Regionale di Scienze Naturali (Turin), Institut Royal des Sciences Naturelles de
Belgique (Brussels), Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle (Paris), Estacion
Biol6gica de Dofiana (Seville), Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (Madrid),
Museo Ecuatoriano de Ciencias Naturales (Quito), Museo de Ciencias Naturales
“Mejia” (Quito), Museo de la Escuela Politécnica Nacional (Quito), and Museo
Nacional de Ciencias del Instituto Técnico Superior “Bolivar” (Ambato, Ecuador).
Specimens were available from Colombia (two), Ecuador (20), Peru (seven),
Bolivia (24), Argentina (49), Chile (29) and the Falklands (21); four were of
unknown origin. Four specimens of Buteo polyosoma exsul from the Juan
Fernandez Islands were examined as comparative material.

Some controversial and undated skins were identified and sexed on the basis of
secondary length, wing length, wing depth and the shape of the wingtip, as per the

José Cabot & Tjitte de Vries 274 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(4)

range of values given by Goodall et al. (1951), de Vries (1973), Cabot (1991) and
Cabot & de Vries (2003). The Stresemann criteria for distinguishing the species
from B. poecilochrous were not used, as they are not diagnostic (Farquhar 1998,
Cabot & de Vries 2003). Birds were classified according to similarities in plumage
marks and coloration, enabling us to create a fixed number of categories that
included all plumage types. Overall, these categories were relatively homogenous,
despite the high degree of individual and geographical variation within plumages.
In uniformly coloured areas of plumage, differences lie in ground-colour tones, as
well as in their extent and distribution. Markings also vary in size, density and
distribution. The age-related sequence of plumages was established from those
birds that presented intermediate characteristics, denoting the change from one
plumage category to another as feathers are replaced. The sequence of plumage
changes was established by the simultaneous presence of old and new feathers,
which were identified by wear on their distal edges or by differences in tone when
the ground colour was similar. Changes in size, colour and distribution of markings
were also taken into account, especially on the underparts.

Moult patterns were not subject to close scrutiny. Captive birds in southern
Iberia moulted in mid May and late September. Nevertheless, these periods may not
correspond to moulting periods in their country of origin (Peru). Like Pavez (1998),
we detected no protracted moult in the species. Neither were we able to discover
how much individual variation—as occurs in large eagles—there is in the time birds
take to acquire adult appearance.

Specimens were photographed dorsally, ventrally and laterally and the images,
once classified by age and sex, permitted comparative analysis between skins
housed in different museums. Descriptions of the plumages of 12 live birds (three
juveniles, two subadults and seven adults) in private zoos and raptor centres were
made by means of twice-annual visits over three consecutive years to monitor
changes. Live birds were sexed using molecular techniques (Ellegren 1996). The
most distinctive plumage characteristics of the two morphs, including sexual differ-
ences, are given in Table 1.

Dark morph

First-year: variable but sexes alike. Entirely dark chocolate-brown to uniform
blackish brown, sometimes with cheeks paler and tinged tawny; crown and nape
feathers have white bases visible on nape; mantle usually uniform; upperwing-
coverts and scapulars have profuse and contrasting ochre or grey-ochre markings;
secondaries dark-barred and distally pale-fringed; outermost primaries with
blackish-brown tips, and ochre or creamy notches, especially on inner web; rump
and uppertail-coverts dark chocolate-brown with concealed pale ochraceous or
tawny spots; underparts with whitish to ochre-tawny spots, principally on mid and
rear underparts, decreasing in size and merging into pale, scattered spotting on
thighs and undertail-coverts; lesser and median underwing-coverts dark brown with

José Cabot & Tijitte de Vries

AGE

First-year

Second-year

Third-year

Fourth-year

Fifth-year

Sixth-year

2

Se Ny

Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(4)

TABLE |
Diagnostic characters according to age and sex in pale and dark phases of Buteo polyosoma.

DARK PHASE

Appearance wholly brown to blackish
brown; upperparts marked ochre or grey-
white; underparts sparsely pale or white
spotted. Tail: above greyish brown with
usually 14-18 close, narrow, irregular
dark bands.

As first-year but darker and more black-
ish, less brown; more uniform; scattered
marks on upperwing-coverts, tail has
same pattern but slightly greyer than in
previous plumage.

Male: upperparts and head dark brown;
mantle pale reddish tawny admixed
brown; throat brown and rest of under-
parts uniform brown suffused reddish;
concealed pale marks on uppertail-
coverts; tail washed white or greyish
with bold narrow blackish undulating
lines and broad subterminal black band,
occasionally incomplete. Female: brick-
red mantle, some feathers on upper man-
tle have dark centres and dark shafts on
lower mantle; underparts similar to male
but brick red.

Male: wholly bluish grey to dark slate-
grey with faint brown wash and slight
reddish dorsal coloration admixed grey;
reddish pectoral band. Female: darker
slate-grey with rich, pure and intense
brick red dorsal patch; below also brick
red except throat, thighs and undertail-
coverts.

Male: entirely grey with scattered red-
dish-and-grey feathers on back and cen-
tral chest. Female: darker, with grey bib
from chin to mid breast; rest of plumage
similar to fourth-year birds.

Male: all grey with sometimes just a few
vestigial red feathers on the mantle and,
very occasionally, the breast. Female:
essentially as previous year.

PALE PHASE

Malar stripe and upperparts dark brown with
tawny-ochre markings; supercilium, cheeks and
underparts pale ochraceous with dark streaks on
throat and breast-sides; rest of underparts and
thighs have brownish diamond-shaped marks
which progressively decrease in size, merge and
become more widely spaced towards tail; tail
more brownish than in first-year dark phase.

As first-year but mid and rear underparts reticu-
lated or boldly marked with rufescent-brown to
rusty-orange bars, which decrease in size,
becoming more widely spaced and diffuse
towards undertail-coverts and thighs.

Male: top and sides of head blackish brown, dor-
sal patch reddish tawny admixed brown; below
whitish with underparts unmarked or with scant
streaks on breast-sides; rest of underparts and
thighs barred rusty-brown, stronger towards
flanks, with finer and more widely spaced bar-
ring nearer tail. Tail as dark phase of same age
but lacks greyish wash and has finer transverse
black lines. Female: darker, with obvious brick
red dorsal patch extending towards nape and
from neck-sides towards flanks; underparts more
barred.

Male: upperparts grey, with slight brownish
tinge; top of head also grey and lower half white;
brick red mantle; below white, finely barred dark
chestnut to grey from mid breast to vent and
thighs. Female: underparts as male, although
somewhat more barred and has reddish-chestnut
flanks and spots either side of breast.

Male: similar to fourth-year birds, with small or
poorly defined dorsal patch consisting of just a
few reddish feathers; central vent and thighs with
fine grey bars or vermiculations. Female: black-
ish-grey barring finer than in fourth-year; grey
spots on breast-sides, and greyish flanks.

Male: as fifth-year but white below with grey
vermiculations on thighs and flanks. Female:
essentially as fifth-year.

José Cabot & Tjitte de Vries 276 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(4)

pale dots; uppertail greyish or blackish grey, with closely spaced irregular brownish
bars or extensive mottling.

Second-year: sexes alike. Like first-year but darker, from brownish to extremely
dark sooty black. Incipient dimorphism usually detectable: males normally
uniformly darker than females; markings restricted to median and greater
upperwing- and uppertail-coverts; underparts in both sexes have scant pale spotting
largely restricted to flanks; underwing almost lacks markings. Some show a pale
wash on cheeks; tail greyer and with same pattern of dark barring as in previous
plumage.

Third-year: sexes differ. Male: crown, head-sides, nape and hindneck blackish
brown; crown and nape feathers have visible white bases; mantle reddish or reddish
brown with some two-toned feathers having dark brown centres and reddish fringes
forming a more or less consistent and homogeneous patch; rest of upperparts
brownish black with concealed cinnamon-tawny scapular marks, and secondaries
and primaries have dark barring on outer webs; outermost primaries have black tips,
but inner primaries and secondaries may be fringed white distally; uppertail-coverts
blackish with concealed pale spots; underparts reddish brown except throat, thighs,
vent and undertail-coverts, which are uniform blackish brown; underwing-coverts
also blackish with a few small dots; tail whitish, washed grey, especially on sides,
with bold transversal black lines and a more or less complete broad subterminal
black band; below a fine pale grey band and feathers finely fringed white distally.
Female: usually like male but darker and reddish areas brighter; mantle uniform
and brighter brick red, this colour sometimes extending from crown to scapulars
and dorsal patch, and may also include neck-sides. Remarks: specimens in moult
from second- to third-year show great individual variation in number of old brown
feathers mixed with new reddish ones on dorsal patch and underparts. Aside of
flight-feathers and tail, some females at this age and the next year can be
extensively erythristic.

Fourth-year: sexes differ. Male: head and upperparts mid grey to uniform dark
slate-grey, frequently with almost imperceptible brownish tones; nape feathers have
visible white bases and black tips, forming conspicuous black-and-white nuchal
spot; dorsal reddish patch consists of two-toned feathers, with grey centres and
chestnut fringes, on hindneck and upper mantle; lesser and median upperwing-
coverts uniform grey; greater coverts, secondaries and primaries grey with irregular
close dark barring. Primaries and secondaries pale-tipped with blackish subtermi-
nal coloration visible in flight on upper and lower surfaces as a broad blackish distal
band that follows outline of wing and remains evident in subsequent plumages;
underparts uniform grey with a transversal reddish pectoral band; lesser and median
underwing-coverts uniform pale grey, sparsely spotted; greater underwing-coverts
pale greyish with black barring; tail as previous plumage but whiter and has a

José Cabot & Tjitte de Vries 274 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(4)

blacker, complete subterminal band. Female: upperparts dark slate-grey to slate-
grey, similar to previous plumage, but has dorsal patch more intense and purer;
underparts extensively reddish except throat, neck, thighs and belly, which are
uniform slate-grey. Undertail-coverts, wing and tail as male and remain as such in
subsequent plumages.

Fifth-year: sexes differ. Male: as previous plumage but greyer, lacking brownish
tones, ground colour varying from lead or blue-grey to uniform blackish slate; the
few grey-and-red feathers in upper mantle not forming a defined patch; rump
blackish and upper- and undertail-coverts have white distal fringes; underparts
uniform grey with scattered reddish feathers that may or may not form a defined
transversal upper breast-band; lesser and median underwing-coverts with scant pale
grey spotting and same barring as on greater underwing-coverts. Female:
upperparts similar to fourth-year plumage but with a shorter, reddish dorsal patch
from base of hindneck to mantle or mid scapulars; underparts have a uniform grey
bib, paler on throat; below, a broad uniform red band restricted to mid breast; flanks
with mixed grey and reddish tones; belly, thighs and undertail-coverts same
blackish-grey colour.

Older than five years: sexes differ. Male: appears all uniform grey, sometimes
with a few grey-and-red feathers on mantle and, more rarely, in mid chest, which
are lost in subsequent years, although some persist in oldest live birds. Female:
grey areas darker than in male in all plumages. Red-and-grey pattern similar to
fifth-year with no obvious changes. Remarks: Exceptionally, an adult female from
Colchagua (Cordillera, Chile, BMNH 1844.44.10.7.1) did not have thighs and
lower chest uniform grey, as is usual in B. polyosoma, but instead showed faint, fine
and well-spaced whitish bars over steel grey on belly and thighs, typical of defini-
tive plumage of dark-morph B. poecilochrous (Gurney 1879, Cabot & de Vries
unpubl.). This unusual bird has subsequently been reidentified (twice as B.
polyosoma and once as B. poecilochrous) and was discussed by experienced
taxonomists such as Hellmayr (1932) and Vaurie (1962). Farquhar (1998) also
found, amongst the specimens he examined, a male dark-morph B. polyosoma with
barred rear underparts.

Pale morph

First-year: sexes alike. Upperparts dark brown; feathers on crown, nape and
hindneck pale-bordered, affording streaked appearance, with white feather bases to
crown and nape (visible on latter); mantle usually more uniform or feathers have
pale fringes; upperwing-covert and scapular feathers have pale fringes coarsely
marked with ochraceous yellowish to tawny cinnamon; rump brown with ochre or
tawny spots; uppertail-coverts white with cinnamon-coloured marks; secondaries
and primaries browner than dark morph; supercilium and cheeks pale cream to

José Cabot & Tjitte de Vries 278 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(4)

rusty, frequently with short, fine dark streaks; malar stripe dark brown; underparts
creamy to ochraceous; some fine dark streaks on chin; feathers on neck-sides and
upper breast have some dark shaft-streaks and a tear-shaped base, central parts
more uniform; mid and rear underparts clearly delimited by dense V-shaped rusty
to rufous or mahogany marks, browner on sides of mid underparts, which radiate,
decrease in size and become less pointed on rear underparts and thighs; a few small
dark marks on undertail-coverts; underwing-coverts beige with dark markings.
Uppertail grey-brown, paler, but with same barred pattern as first-year dark morph.

Second-year: sexes alike, as preceding plumage. Upperparts similar, with profuse
pale marks and feathers on dorsum broadly fringed pale ochre to cinnamon,
especially on mantle-sides, where markings apparently more rufous or cinnamon in
females; in some, median and lesser upperwing-coverts and scapulars are
extensively marked tawny cinnamon or admixed brown; rump brown with ochre or
tawny spots and uppertail-coverts cinnamon; throat faintly whitish, but underparts
similarly or less marked; mid and rear underparts reticulated or have coarse rusty to
ferruginous bars; markings diminish towards tail and merge into barring on thighs
and vent; slight barring on undertail-coverts. Uppertail more greyish, but
sometimes washed cinnamon and has same markings, the ultimate dark bar distally
more obvious and slightly broader.

Third-year: sexes differ. Male: head, nape and sides dark brown or blackish,
crown and nape feathers with white bases (visible on latter), and rest of upperparts
brown-grey, with a pale chestnut patch on mantle sometimes extending onto
scapulars; occasionally reddish feathers with dark centres, usually on upper mantle,
with dark lines along shafts on lower mantle; upperwing-coverts and scapulars have
markings as in rest of previous plumage; rump brown with ochre marks and
uppertail-coverts cinnamon; underparts whitish with unmarked, uniform bib, or
some dark lines on sides; mid and rear underparts have rusty-orange to brown-
mahogany barring, tending to ferruginous, which decreases in size and in intensity
near tail; thighs similarly barred. Tail white with broad black subterminal band
bordered below by a narrow greyish band; distally bordered white with fine, well-
spaced black transversal lines above, varying in number. Underwing-coverts
whitish with some dark markings. Female: crown blackish brown with darker back;
mantle with intense brick-red patch, which in some reaches from nape to scapulars;
also extends to neck-sides, forming reddish patch either side of bib, extending to
flanks and underwings, which appear reddish or cinnamon-tinged, admixed grey;
rest of underparts similar to male, although more ferruginous and more heavily
marked.

Fourth-year: sexes differ. Male: similar to preceding plumage; upperparts grey,
from silvery to bluish lead grey without brownish tone; visible white bases to
feathers on nape; dorsal patch more intense brick red. In some, patch restricted to

José Cabot & Tjitte de Vries 279 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(4)

shoes
WIT

° year 3° year ° year 5° year ° year

Figure 1. Dark-phase plumage patterns in B. polyosoma according to age and sex. Numbers correspond
to calendar year.

Figure. 2. B. polyosoma pale-phase male plumage patterns according to age. Numbers correspond to
calendar year. (1) = late.

José Cabot & Tjitte de Vries 280 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(4)

mantle, but in others extends to scapulars. Patch also varies from almost uniformly
reddish to grey due to number of red-and-grey feathers; upperwing as dark morph,
although paler; rump dark grey or brownish grey, and uppertail-coverts whitish with
grey barring; underparts generally white, with grey or blackish-grey barring and
becoming finer and less perceptible ventrally; undertail-coverts almost uniform
white with few dark markings; lesser and median underwing-coverts whitish,
almost lacking markings, and greater coverts pale grey with dark barring; tail as
preceding plumage, although whiter with subterminal band blacker and transversal
lines finer and better defined. Female: upperparts darker with a black crown in
some; dorsal patch uniform; more extensive, intense brick-red mantle, with dark
streaks on upper mantle, extending to form reddish-grey spots either side of chest;
in some red dorsal patch can extend from scapulars to mid crown; rump darker
slate-grey and uppertail-coverts whitish with grey to black barring. Underparts like
male but with blacker and slightly broader barring; sides have black to grey barring
with chestnut- or rusty-toned markings.

Fifth-year: sexes differ. Male: essentially similar to previous plumages but
upperparts paler grey with visible dark shafts; feathers on nape have white bases
and black tips forming a visible patch; small red patch restricted to upper mantle or
a few irregularly distributed red-and-grey feathers; underparts with grey markings
either side of bib; mid and rear underparts and thighs with transverse dark lines or,
sometimes, almost imperceptible vermiculations, becoming more obvious on lower
breast-sides; flanks have transverse lines and grey markings; lesser and median
underwing-coverts purer white, greater underwing-coverts white to greyish with
blackish barring. Female: dorsal plumage similar to previous year; less barred on
underparts; flanks with grey markings and barring as male.

Older than five years: sexes differ. Male: upperparts totally grey or with scattered
red-and-grey feathers on mantle; underparts tend to be more uniform with age and
gradually lose transverse lines on chest and thighs, although faint vermiculations
almost always detectable. Female: little change, except a gradual loss in intensity
and width of transverse lines on underparts, which are always more obvious in
males.

Remarks: in both dark and pale morphs, some have a white or ochraceous
forehead, or a spot either side of bill base. To a greater or lesser degree, some have
secondaries and tips of innermost primaries with a white or whitish fringe. Some
juveniles of both morphs have uniformly blackish tips to outermost primaries,
whilst others exhibit some pale spotting on inner webs or spots on inner and outer
webs that form contrasting pale brown barring.

The sequences of age-related plumage changes, from juvenile to definitive adult, in
both sexes are summarised in Fig. 1.

José Cabot & Tjitte de Vries 281 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(4)

Relationship between the morphs

Pale birds predominated (86.1%; n=129) over dark in our sample; only four dark-
phase birds (two from Tucuman, Argentina, one from Colchagua, Chile, two from
La Paz, Bolivia) are known away from southernmost South America (in European
collections none was found from Colombia, Ecuador or Peru); all other dark
specimens (82.4%; n=25) are from southern Argentina and Chile. This approxi-
mates to the percentages found by de Vries (1973) (82.7 %, n=75) and by Vaurie
(1962) (90%, n=242) for pale birds.

Field observations reveal a much greater proportion of pale birds. Bellati (pers.
comm.) recorded only six dark birds (1.2%) of a total of 490 observed in non-
Andean Patagonia (Bellati 2000). Dondazar et al. (1993) found only pale birds in
Patagonia, as did JC in Andean Bolivia during a five-year study. Furthermore, all
13 live birds studied from Peru were pale morphs, as were six observed in March
2003 in Andean Ecuador.

Discussion

Morphs, delayed plumage maturation and plumage change

All plumage types of all birds examined can be classed as belonging to either pale
or dark morphs. Such coloration is not uncommon in Buteo (Brown & Amadon
1968) and has been recognised in B. polyosoma (Reynolds 1935, Housse 1945,
Woods 1988). The rufous morph suggested by Goodall et al. (1951) and Johnson
(1965) on the basis of dark-morph specimens with extensively chestnut body

plumage does not exist.
Pale-phase birds—also referred to as ‘normal-phase’ birds (Jiménez 1995)—are

more abundant, both in the wild and in museums. Dark birds are rare over much of
the species’ distribution. The relatively numerousness of dark-morph birds in
collections is explained by the large number of specimens in the Natural History
Museum (Tring), in which the Falklands and the southern tip of South America—
where dark birds are commoner (Reynolds 1935, Woods 1988)—are particularly
well represented. Other European museums have a majority of birds from Argentina
and Chile, i.e. the region where a large percentage of southern birds winter. Another
factor is the possible bias shown by collectors towards rarer dark birds, as a means
of equalling numbers in a series of both colour morphs.

Age- and sex-related plumage changes in pale birds were briefly mentioned by
Reynolds (1935) and subsequently described by Housse (1945) and Goodall et al.
(1951), who calculated 3-5 years as the time needed to reach definitive plumages.
Our results and those of Pavez (1998) have established a period of six years. This
is long considering the size and weight (c.1 kg: Cabot 1991, Jiménez 1995) of the
species.

José Cabot & Tjitte de Vries 282 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(4)

Delayed maturation only occurs in the phylogenetically closest species that
constitute the oldest cluster within Buteo (Riesing et al. 2003). Along with B.
polyosoma, these species are: B. poecilochrous (Cabot & de Vries unpubl.), B.
albicaudatus (Lehmann 1945, Torres Barreto 1986) and B. melanoleucus. Papers on
plumage change in B. polyosoma published in Spanish have been all but ignored,
unlike publications in English by European and North American authors based on
analyses of incomplete series’ of skins that do not provide evidence for the
existence of sequential plumage variation. Thus, Vaurie (1962), Brown & Amadon
(1968) and Farquhar (1998) discussed plumage, age and sexual dimorphism in B.
polyosoma without being aware of its sequential pattern of plumage change.

This process of plumage change concludes with a sexually dimorphic terminal
plumage, somewhat unusual in Buteo. Prior to this, subadult males pass through a
stage in which they acquire coloration and patterns resembling the final female
plumage of their respective phases. Acquisition of adult female markings by
subadult males also occurs in B. poecilochrous, a polyandrous species in which up
to four males may cooperate in chick-raising (Solis & Black 1985, Coello 1997).
However, no cases of polyandry have been recorded for B. polyosoma anywhere in
its vast range (Jiménez 1995).

The following features stand out in this process of delayed maturation. Both
morphs coincide in the following: retention of juvenile characteristics during the
first two years of life, with incipient sexual dimorphism occurring in the second
year onwards; and immature males (third and fourth years) imitate definitive adult
female plumage of their respective morphs. Conversely, female erythrism reaches
its peak at this age, as if female plumage always tends to differ from that of males.
Fifth-year or older birds show marked sexual dimorphism (unusual in this genus):
thus, males lose their female characteristics whilst females retain plumage patterns
similar to subadults.

Fifth-year Chilean males show similar reddish dorsal coloration to females
(Pavez 1998). We have observed southern males—presumably of this age group—
with uniform white underparts and extensive reddish dorsal areas. Nevertheless,
throughout the rest of the species’ range birds of this age tend to have less reddish
dorsal coloration and in live, fourth-year Peruvian males the reddish dorsal area is
relatively small. This seems to indicate that the process of delayed maturation
varies between geographically distinct populations. Such variations can be linked
to obvious differences in size, given the direct relationship between longevity and
body size. The largest birds occur in the southernmost part of the species’ range, and
the smallest in coastal Peru and Ecuador (de Vries 1973, Fjeldsa & Krabbe 1990,
Cabot & de Vries 2003).

The two morphs differ in regard to sexual dimorphism in body plumage. Pale-
phase birds of both sexes have virtually identical underparts but different dorsal
plumages, whilst dark-phase birds maintain differences in upperparts and
underparts.

José Cabot & Tjitte de Vries 283 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(4)

Vaurie (1962) and de Vries (1973) assumed that birds with white tails (and a
black subterminal band) were sexually adult, although, as we have seen, this
characteristic is reached as early as the third year. Reynolds (1935), who claimed to
have climbed to hundreds of nests, mentioned that it is not unusual to find breeding
pairs in which one bird still has the brownish coloration mixed with white or red of
the following plumage stage. This indicates that sexual maturation is not delayed
until the sixth year. Mate selection remains mysterious, and we should note that it
is surprising that white-tailed males (3-5 years old) should moult through an
incomplete, dullish reddish-brown female plumage, and that in these same age-
classes females should become very prominent in their brilliant reddish-brown
colours.

Vaurie’s phases

Vaurie (1962) established five adult plumage types, four of which coincide with
those described here. Types B and D of Vaurie’s classification correspond to defini-
tive adult male and female pale-morph plumages respectively (Pavez 1998), whilst
types C and A coincide with definitive dark-morph male and female plumages (over
five years old). Vaurie (1962) was correct in establishing these categories in his
heterogeneous sample, despite the existence of delayed maturation with several
successive age-classes appearing before a definite plumage phase had been
recognised. Likewise, no accurate criteria existed then for separating B. polyosoma
from B. poecilochrous in the hand. This we see in Vaurie’s type E (birds with
reddish backs and breasts, and reddish and grey-barred with white rear underparts
and thighs). Vaurie’s type E does not correspond to any plumage phase in B.
polyosoma, rather it represents a dark-phase B. poecilochrous female prior to the
acquisition of definitive plumage. In its final adult plumage B. poecilochrous loses
the transverse chestnut pectoral band and retains the white-grey or whitish black,
strongly barred, mid and rear underparts and tibial feathers (Gurney 1879, Lehmann
1945, Johnson 1965). Such confusion between B. polyosoma (uniform underparts)
and B. poecilochrous (strongly barred) is also obvious in Fig. 196, Plate 62 of
Ferguson-Lees & Christie (2001). The final characteristic plumage of a dark-phase
adult female is shown in Fig. 184, Plate 18 (Thiollay 1994), although the uniform
grey bib and rear underparts are less extensive than in real life.

Brown-headed specimens in Vaurie’s type A represent subadult dark-phase
females, 34 years old, which will eventually moult to a grey head and bib, uniform
grey and unbarred rear underparts, with a transverse chestnut pectoral band, but this
is not definitive plumage.

Acknowledgements
We are most grateful to the following: Dr Jon Fjeldsa for his very useful suggestions and corrections,
and the following museum curators who kindly permitted access to specimens and also sent material: Dr
Josefina Barreiro, Curator of Birds, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (Madrid), Dr Sonia
Sandoval, Executive Director, Museo de Ciencias Naturales (Quito), Dr Marta Espinosa, Director,
Museo de Ciencias Naturales “Mejia” (Quito), Dr Cristina Leén, Director, Museo del Instituto Técnico

José Cabot & Tjitte de Vries 284 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(4)

Superior “Bolivar” (Ambato), Dr Gerhard Aubrecht, Landes Museum (Linz), Dr Alice Cibois and Dr
Manuel Ruedi, Museum d’Histoire Naturelle de Genéve (Geneva), Dr Geraldine Veron, Muséum
National d’ Histoire Naturelle (Paris), H. Baagoe, Zoological Museum, University of Copenhagen, Dr
Goran Frisk, Museum of Natural History (Stockholm), Dr René W. R. J. Dekker, Naturalis (Leiden), Dr
Kees Roselaar, Zoological Museum (Amsterdam), Dr Lenglet, Institut Royal des Sciences Naturelles de
Belgique (Brussels), and Dr Claudio Pulcher, Museo Regionale di Scienze Naturali (Turin). We also
thank staff of the Natural History Museum (Tring) for their kind attention, Dr Nigel Collar for his
assistance and Les & Marjorie Newman of Berkhamsted for their hospitality to JC. We are also most
indebted to Maria Angeles Prieto, Fernando Feds Costilla, José Luis Ortiz and Juan Ignacio Caballo, who
allowed us to obtain data from live birds, and to Esther Aukje, Martje Irene, Therese Isabel de Vries and
Mike Lockwood who corrected the English text.

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Addresses: J. Cabot, Estacién Biolégica de Dofana, Av. Maria Luisa s/n. 41013, Seville, Spain, e-mail:
cabot@ebd.csic.es. T. de Vries, Dpto. Biologia, Pontificia Universidad Catélica del Ecuador,
Apartado 17-01-2184, Quito, Ecuador, e-mail: tdevries@puce.edu.ec

© British Ornithologists’ Club 2004

Recent observations of Dull-coloured Grassquit
Tiarts obscura in Mato Grosso reinforce its
status as an austral migrant to south-west Brazil

by Andrew Whittaker & Braulio Carlos

Received 25 September 2003

On 16 September 2000, at Coxip6 de Ouro, Cuiaba, Mato Grosso, whilst leading a
bird tour, AW heard an unknown call in response to his imitation of Ferruginous
Pygmy-owl Glaucidium brasilianum. Tracking this call to some low, dry thorny
scrub bordering taller gallery forest, he located two unfamiliar dull-coloured
Fringillidae. AW recommenced the ow! imitations and the birds approached even
closer, permitting excellent views at 5—6 m through 10 x 42 binoculars in perfect
light. The following field marks were noted: two small c.10.5—11.0 cm nondescript

Andrew Whittaker & Braulio Carlos 286 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(4)

dull seedeaters, olive-brown above with a slightly paler buffy eye-ring and one had
slightly richer brownish fringes to the greater wing-coverts. The only distinctive
feature shown by both birds was the short, stubby bicoloured bill, with pale yellow-
ish lower mandible contrasting with a darker dusky upper mandible. Underparts
were a dirty off-white sandy coloration, paler than the browner upperparts. The
general nondescript plumage combined with the distinctive bicoloured bill
confirmed that they were Tiaris obscura. AW recognised the significance of this
record, but as the birds were silent and he lacked photographic equipment,
documentation was impossible. The two Tiaris obscura loosely associated with two
Red Pileated-finches Coryphospingus cucullatus, which had also approached
closely in response to the owl imitation.

AW shared this exciting record with BC, alerting him to the possible presence
of the species in the northern Pantanal during the austral winter. On 8 March 2002,
near Poconé, Mato Grosso, in open grassland along the Transpantaneira highway
leading into the northern Pantanal (16°19’S, 56°38’W), BC heard an unknown
vocalisation that reminded him of the cut of TZ. obscura on Mayer (2000). In
response to playback of this recording, a single 7: obscura immediately approached
to within 2 m, remaining very agitated, but silent. Thus, again, audio recordings
could not be obtained to authenticate the record. BC noted the bicoloured bill as
extremely evident, yellowish below with a dark dusky maxilla, and that the bird had
an indistinct buff eye-ring. Following playback of G brasilianum the only other
seedeater to approach was an immature male Dark-throated Seedeater Sporophila
ruficollis. Again, on 16 October 2002, at Chapada dos Guimaraes, Mato Grosso, BC
observed 2-3 T. obscura at the transition between gallery forest and shorter dry
scrub. All were easily distinguished by their distinct bicoloured bills. They
remained silent and were in a monotypic flock, without any other seedeaters.

Bates (1997) drew attention to two overlooked historic T. obscura specimens
housed in the American Natural History Museum (AMNH), collected by H. H.
Smith at Chapada, Mato Grosso, Brazil, on 29 July and 30 August 1885. These two
(AMNH 32582 and 32588) had been overlooked for over a century, having been
misidentified as female Sooty Grassquits Tiaris fuliginosa (e.g. Allen 1891,
Naumburg 1930, Hellmayr 1938). They are the first Brazilian specimens of 7:
obscura. Bates (1997) suggested they are T: o. obscura, which breeds in Paraguay
and Argentina, and is a regular visitor during the austral winter to the eastern
lowlands of Bolivia, Paraguay and northern Argentina. Bates (1997) went on to
state that these records represent non-breeding extralimitals and that additional
information is required to determine the status of the species in the region.

Our recent field observations reinforce the impression that 7: o. obscura is an
austral migrant to south-west Brazil, which due to its cryptic similarity in the field
to several species of female seedeaters Sporophila sp. and female grassquits Tiaris
sp. has most probably been long overlooked. We hope our report will alert
observers to pay critical attention to female-type Sporophila and Tiaris, particularly
during the austral winter, and permit them to key into T. obscura. We recommend

Andrew Whittaker & Braulio Carlos 287 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(4)

detailed field searches for 7: obscura in south-west Brazil during the austral winter
to clarify its range and status in Brazil.

References:

Allen, J. A. 1891. A collection of birds from Chapada, Mato Grosso, Brazil, made by Mr. Herbert H.
Smith. Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist. 3: 337-380.

Bates, J. M. 1997. Distribution and geographic variation in three South American grassquits
(Emberizinae, Jiaris). Pp. 91-110 in Remsen, J. V. (ed.) Studies in Neotropical ornithology honor-
ing Ted Parker. Orn. Monogr. 48.

Hellmayr, C. E. 1938. Catalog of birds of the Americas and adjacent islands. Field Mus. Nat. Hist, Zool.
mers, pt. LI).

Mayer, S. 2000. Birds of Bolivia 2.0. CD-ROM. Bird Songs International, Westernieland.

Naumburg, E. M. B. 1930. The birds of Mato Grosso, Brazil: a report of the birds secured by Roosevelt-
Rondon Expedition. Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist. 60: 1-432.

Addresses: Andrew Whittaker, Conjunto Acariquara, Rua Samaumas 214, Manaus 69085-053,
Amazonas, Brazil, e-mail: Andrew @birdingbraziltours.com. Braulio Carlos, Rua Barao de Melgaco
130, apt. 2631, Cuiaba 78025-300, Mato Grosso, Brazil.

© British Ornithologists’ Club 2004

A specimen of Cape Petrel Daption capense
from north-east Brazil

by Caio Fosé Carlos, feremiah Trimble &
Carmem Elisa Fedrizzi
Received 8 October 2003

Cape Petrel Daption capense is a mid-sized procellariiform which breeds on
subantarctic islands throughout the Southern Ocean, and the Antarctic Peninsula
and continent (Harrison 1983, del Hoyo et al. 1992). On dispersal, which
commences February—March, it regularly occurs north to c.25°S, and has reached
Ecuador and Colombia, and even Mexico and northern California; in the Atlantic,
it reaches Uruguay and Brazil, north to Rio de Janeiro (Harrison 1983, Sick 1997).
As part of ongoing research on seabirds off north-east Brazil, we located an old,
and apparently overlooked, specimen of the species at the Museum of Comparative
Zoology (MCZ), Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts. The bird (MCZ
226730, adult, sex unknown) was collected by George H. Mackay at Cabo de Sao
Roque (05°29’S, 35°16’W), on the coast of Rio Grande do Norte, near the mouth
of the Maxaranguape River (Paynter & Traylor 1991), on 9 June 1863. This record
extends the species’ range north more than 2,000 km in the western Atlantic (Blake
1977, Pinto 1978, Harrison 1983, Sick 1997, Vooren & Brusque 1999).
Measurements (mm) of the skin are: culmen 33; wing 262; tail 99 and tarsus 44.
Plumage: upperparts with black mantle merging into white back and rump, both

Carlos et al. 288 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(4)

broadly marked with black chevrons recalling a checkerboard; wings mostly black;
and tail mostly black with white base. Given the plumage and morphometrics, the
specimen is of nominate D. c. capense, which breeds on subantarctic islands in the
western hemisphere (e.g. South Georgia and the South Shetlands), the Antarctic
Peninsula and continent (Harrison 1983, del Hoyo et al. 1992). The other
subspecies, D. c. australe breeds at the Snares, Antipodes, Bounty and Campbell
islands, off New Zealand, and is smaller and has more white on the upperparts
(Harrison 1983). For a comparison of the plumages of these taxa see Fig. 1.

How could a southern polar procellariiform reach the warm waters of north-east
Brazil? During the austral winter, many birds from the Southern Ocean undertake
regular northward movements along the Brazilian coast to c.22°S, mainly occurring
at rich upwelling areas like those of the Cabo Frio region, Rio de Janeiro, or high-
productivity areas in south and central Sao Paulo (Olmos et al. 1995, Sick 1997).
More rarely, some reach waters off north-east and north Brazil. For instance, White-
chinned Petrel Procellaria aequinoctialis and Atlantic Petrel Pterodroma incerta
have been recorded at the mouth of the Amazon (Novaes 1959, Teixeira et al.
1996), Light-mantled Sooty Albatross Phoebetria palpebrata in coastal Bahia
(Sampaio & Castro 1998), and Snowy Sheathbill Chionis albus in Pernambuco
(Telino Junior et al. 2001). Strong winds associated with cold fronts originating in

Sao Roque, Bi

Figure 1. Cape Petrel Daption capense capense specimen from Cabo de S40 Roque (MCZ 226730), Rio
Grande do Norte, Brazil, and a specimen of D. c. australe from the Snares Islands, New Zealand (MCZ
300895) (Jeremiah Trimble)

Carlos et al. 289 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(4)

Antarctica may be important in explaining the apparently anomalous occurrence of
such birds north to the equator.

The appearance of Southern Ocean birds in north-east Brazil, a region
dominated by sandy beach coasts where the sea is generally nutrient-poor, may be
linked to the high outflow of nutrients from such mainland ecosystems as large
estuaries and associated mangrove swamps, e.g. in the Canal de Santa Cruz estuar-
ine complex, Pernambuco, and the mouth of the Sao Francisco River, Alagoas
(Azevedo Junior 1998, Souza 1993). Thus, the region of Cabo de S40 Roque, which
is only c.3 km north of the mouth of the Maxaranguape River, may constitute a
relatively productive area, permitting the occurrence of subantarctic birds such as
Cape Petrel and Southern Fulmar Fulmarus glacialoides, the latter confirmed by
three skins at MCZ (186306, 186307, 226729, all taken, on 9 June 1863, at Cabo
de Sao Roque, and collected by George H. Mackay).

Finally, it must be stressed that there are few studies on the distribution of
seabirds off north-east Brazil. Antas (1991) noted that ornithologists interested in
seabirds are mainly resident in southern Brazil. Future surveys will probably reveal
that southern migrants are more common in the region than previously supposed.

Acknowledgements

We thank Dr D. Causey for facilities to examine the specimens in MCZ. J. Cooper and G. M. Kirwan
greatly improved the final manuscript, and S. Kenney, G. D. Bieber, and J. P. Coimbra kindly commented
on earlier versions. Branyl Com. & Ind. Téxtil Ltda partially supported the studies of C. J. Carlos. C. E.
Fedrizzi received a master’s scholarship from the Fundagao Coordenacao de Aperfeigoamento de
Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES), Brasilia, Brazil.

References:

Antas, P. de T. Z. 1991. Status and conservation of seabirds in Brazilian waters. Pp. 140-158 in Croxall,
J. P. (ed.) Seabird status and conservation: a supplement. International Council for Bird
Preservation, Cambridge, UK.

Azevedo Junior, S. M. 1998. As aves do Canal de Santa Cruz, Pernambuco, Brazil. Cad. Omega Univ.
Fed. Rural de Pernambuco, Sér. Biol. 5: 35-50.

Blake, E. R. 1977. Manual of Neotropical birds, vol. 1. Chicago Univ. Press.

Harrison, P. 1983. Seabirds: an identification guide. Croom Helm, Beckenham.

del Hoyo, J. Elliott, A. & Sargatal, J. (eds.) 1992. Handbook of the birds of the world, vol. 1. Lynx
Edicions, Barcelona.

Novaes, F. C. 1959. Procellaria aequinoctialis on Amazon River in Brazil. Condor 61: 299.

Olmos, F., Martuscelli, P., Silva e Silva, R. & Neves, T. 1995. The seabirds of Sao Paulo, southeastern
Brazil. Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl. 115: 117-128.

Paynter, R. A. & Traylor, M. A. 1991. Ornithological gazetteer of Brazil, vol. 2. Mus. Comp. Zool.,
Harvard Univ., Cambridge, MA.

Pinto, O. M. O. 1978. Novo catdlogo das aves do Brasil, 1* parte: aves nado Passeriformes e
Passeriformes nado Oscines com exclusdo da familia Tyrannidae. Empresa Grafica da Revista dos
Tribunais S.A., Sao Paulo.

Sampaio, C. L. S. & Castro, J. O. 1998. Registro de Phoebetria palpebrata (Foster, 1785) no litoral da
Bahia, nordeste do Brasil (Procellariformes: Diomedidae). Ararajuba 6: 136-137.

Sick, H. 1997. Ornitologia brasileira. Ed. Nova Fronteira, Rio de Janeiro.

Carlos et al. 290 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(4)

Souza, M. C. 1993. Sobre aves marinhas no litoral do estado de Sergipe e Alagoas. Jn IIT Congresso
Brasileiro de Ornitologia. Resumos. Universidade Catélica de Pelotas/Sociedade Brasileira de
Ornitologia, Pelotas.

Telino Junior, W. R., Lyra-Neves, R. M., Farias, G. B., Brito, M. T., Pacheco, G. & Oliveira-Siqueira, S.
A. 2001. Ocorréncia e aspectos comportamentais da pomba-antartica, Chionis alba
(Charadriiformes: Chionidae), em Pernambuco, Brasil. Tangara 1: 26-29.

Teixeira, D. M., Oren, D. C. & Best, R. C. 1986. Notes on some Brazilian seabirds (2). Bull. Brit. Orn.
Cl. 106: 74-77.

Vooren, C. M. & Brusque, L. F. 1999. Diagnéstico sobre aves do ambiente costeiro no Brasil. Report to
the Programa Nacional da _ Diversidade Bioldgica (PRONABIO). Available:
http://www.bdt.org.br/workshop/costa/aves.

Addresses: Caio José Carlos (author for correspondence), Programa de P6s-Graduacao em Oceanografia
Biolégica, Fundagao Universidade Federal do Rio Grande, Av. Italia Km 8, C.P. 474, Rio Grande,
RS 96201-900, Brazil, e-mail: cajoca@uol.com.br. Jeremiah Trimble, Bird Department, Museum of
Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, 26 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA, e-mail:
jtrimble @ oeb.harvard.edu. Carmem Elisa Fedrizzi, Mestrado de Biologia Animal, Departamento de
Zoologia, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Av. Professor Moraes Rego 1235, Cidade
Universitaria, Recife, PE 50670-420, Brazil; current address: Programa de Pés-Graduagao em
Oceanografia Biol6gica, Fundacgao Universidade Federal do Rio Grande, Av. Italia Km 8, C.P. 474,
Rio Grande, RS 96201-900, Brazil, e-mail: cefedrizzi@uol.com.br.

© British Ornithologists’ Club 2004

Motacilla samveasnae is the correct scientific
name for the Mekong Wagtail

by 7 W Duckworth & Per Alstrém

Received 23 March 2004

The Mekong Wagtail Motacilla samveasnae was described recently (Duckworth et
al. 2001). The spelling of its name was questioned by van Rootselaar (2002), who
stated that ‘Following the nomenclatural rules of the International Commission on
Zoological Nomenclature...and considering that the species’ name was ‘formed
directly from a modern personal name’ and that ‘the name is to be formed by adding
to the stem of that name -i if the personal name is that of a man’, the Mekong
Wagtail’s scientific name should perhaps be cited as ‘Motacilla samveasnai
Duckworth et al. 2001’, instead of Motacilla samveasnae’. This proposal is not
correct, and would lead to confusion if adopted.

The International code of zoological nomenclature, fourth edn (International
Commission on Zoological Nomenclature 1999) governs the formation and usage
of all names proposed on or after 1 January 2000. Article 31.1.1 states that “A
species group name, if a noun in the genitive case formed from a personal name that
is Latin, or from a modern personal name that is or has been Latinized, is to be

J. W. Duckworth & Per Alstrém 291 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(4)

formed in accordance with the rules of Latin grammar’. Article 31.1.2 states that ‘A
species group name, if a noun in the genitive case...formed directly from a modern
personal name, is to be formed by adding to the stem of that name -/ if the personal
name is that of a man.,... -ae if of a woman...’. Those proposing names are at liberty
whether to follow article 31.1.1 or 31.1.2. The bird is named after Sam Veasna, a
man (Poole 2000), and therefore under article 31.1.2 it would take the form
‘samveasnai , aS suggested by van Rootselaar. However, the masculine genitive
singular ending -ai may not have existed in Classical Latin (if it did, it was very
rare), the genitive singular of Latin nouns (of either gender) ending in -a typically
being -ae (e.g. agricola, -ae, masculine, a farmer). Proposing the name under
article 31.1.1 avoids the awkward ‘ai’ ending. As a personal name ‘samveasna’ is a
noun. In treating its genitive as ‘samveasnae’ it was Latinized in accordance with
the rules of Latin grammar. The present example is thus analogous to that presented
under article 31.1.1, whereby a man’s name, “Poda’, is also used directly, and given
the genitive form of ‘podae’. This style has typically been used for species-group
names where the man’s name ends in -a, e.g. Turdus feae and Muntiacus feae, both
named after Leonardo Fea, the (male) Italian ornithologist and collector.

The code makes it clear that the spelling ‘samveasnae’ should be retained
unchanged. Article 32.1 defines ‘the ‘original spelling’ of a name as the spelling
used in the work in which the name was established’ (in this case, Duckworth et al.
(2001), who used ‘samveasnae’). Article 32.2 states that ‘the original spelling of a
name is the ‘correct original spelling’, unless it is demonstrably incorrect as
provided in Article 32.5’. Article 32.5 defines incorrect original spellings. Article
32.5.2 deals with presentational issues (diacritics, ligatures, apostrophes, hyphens
etc.) and article 32.5.3 refers only to family-group names. The only part of article
32.5 relevant to Motacilla samveasnae is article 32.5.1, which states, “if there is in
the original publication itself, without recourse to any external source of informa-
tion, clear evidence of an inadvertent error...it must be corrected.” Nowhere in
Duckworth ef al. (2001) did we state or imply that article 31.1.2 was used in
forming the name (this was an assumption by van Rootselaar), nor did we state that
Sam Veasna was a man. Thus, there are no grounds for considering ‘“samveasnae’
an incorrect original spelling as defined by the code.

Article 32.3 specifies that ‘the correct original spelling of a name is to be
preserved unaltered, except where it is mandatory to change the suffix or the gender
ending under Article 34’. No provision of article 34 is relevant to this case: all deal
with ‘mandatory changes in spelling consequent upon changes in rank or combina-
tion’.

Hence, no article in the code supports van Rootselaar’s statement that the
original spelling should be changed. Because this is a complex issue, the code
provides specific guidance through article 31.1.3: “The original spelling of a name

J. W. Duckworth & Per Alstrém 292 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 124(4)

formed under Articles 31.1.1 and ... [see above] is to be preserved unless it is
incorrect [Arts. 32.3, 32.4]’ (see above).

Acknowledgements

We thank Nigel Collar for drawing our attention to van Rootselaar’s statement, and Walter Bock,
Douglas Brandon-Jones, Normand David, Edward Dickinson, Colin Groves, Peter Grubb and Colin
Poole for advice on the issue.

References:

Duckworth, J. W., Alstr6m, P., Davidson, P., Evans, T. D., Poole, C. M., Tan Setha & Timmins, R. J.
2001. A new species of wagtail from the lower Mekong basin. Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl. 121: 152-182.

International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature 1999. International code of zoological nomen-
clature. Fourth edn. The International Trust for Zoological Nomenclature, The Natural History
Museum, London.

Poole, C. 2000. Obituary: Sam Veasna. Oriental Bird Club Bull. 31: 8.

van Rootselaar, O. 2002. New birds for the world: species described during 1999-2002. Birding World
15: 428-431.

Addresses: J. W. Duckworth, East Redham Farm, Pilning, Bristol BS35 4JG UK. Per Alstrém,
Department of Systematic Zoology, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala University, Norbyvagen
18 D, SE-752 36 Uppsala, Sweden, e-mail: per.alstrom @ebc.uu.se

© British Ornithologists’ Club 2004

The above contribution raises an interesting issue, of which future contributors of papers describing new
taxa, or proposing new names for existing taxa, need to be mindful. Both the etymologies of English and
scientific names, and their derivations, should be clearly explained in all such cases. In the present
instance, the authors of the new wagtail, Motacilla samveasnae, have successfully demonstrated that
their original name was correct, but a clear explanation of the derivation of their suffix in the original
publication would have avoided the need for such clarification —THE EDITOR.

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SONIAN INSTITUTION LIB
Bulletin of the British Ornitho Wil

Edited by Guy M. Kirw 117 9587
Volume 124, Number 4, pages ae

CONTENTS

KRABBE, N. A record of Pale-legged Hornero Furnarius leucopus from Ecuador .............
KIRWAN, G M. A Syrian record: the case of Aharoni's Thick-billed Larks Ramphocoris clotbey . .
TAYLOR, B., WONDAFRASH, M. & DEMEKE, Y. The nest, eggs and chicks of the White-winged

Flufftail Sarothrura ayresi. «os << ed iw ee ee ee kn we 2 233

WHITTAKER, A. Noteworthy ornithological records from Rond6nia, Brazil, including a first
country record, comments on austral migration, life history, taxonomy and distribution, with
relevant data from neighbouring states, and a first record for Bolivia..................... 239

CABOT, J. & DE VRIES, T. Age- and sex-differentiated plumages in the two colour morphs of the
Variable Buzzard Buteo polyosoma: a case of delayed maturation with subadult males disguised

in definitive adult female plumage ........-..... 20... -0e00e0s++ 05) oe 272
WHITTAKER, A. & CARLOS, B. Recent observations of Dull-coloured Grassquit Tiaris obscura

in Mato Grosso reinforce its status as an austral migrant to south-west Brazil .............. 285
CARLOS, C. J., TRIMBLE, J. & FEDRIZZI, C. E. A specimen of Cape Petrel Daption capense

from north-east Brazil .. 2... ke be cee eee eect bee ee eee ese sas 3 287
DUCKWORTH, J. W. & ALSTROM, P. Motacilla samveasnae is the correct scientific name for the

Mekong Wagtail . . 20.25.86 0c eee eves bok e eee anes an bs 0 2 gee eee 290

Authors are invited to submit papers on topics relating to the broad themes of taxonomy and distribution of
birds. Descriptions of new species of birds are especially welcome and will be given priority to ensure rapid
publication, subject to successful passage through the normal peer review procedure, and they may be
accompanied by colour photographs or paintings. On submission, manuscripts, double-spaced and with wide
margins, should be sent to the Editor, Guy Kirwan, preferably by e-mail, to GMKirwan@aol.com.
Alternatively, two copies of manuscripts, typed on one side of the paper, may be submitted to the Editor, 74
Waddington Street, Norwich NR2 4JS, UK. Where appropriate half-tone photographs may be included and,
where essential to illustrate important points, the Editor will consider the inclusion of colour figures (if pos-
sible, authors should obtain funding to support the inclusion of such colour illustrations).

As far as possible, review, return of manuscripts for revision and subsequent stages of the publication
process will be undertaken electronically.

For instructions on style, see the inside rear cover of Bulletin 124 (1) or the BOC website:

www.boc-online.org

©British Ornithologists’ Club 2004
Apart from single copies made for the purposes of research or private study, or criticism or review, as per-
mitted under UK law, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by
any means, except with prior permission of the publishers. Enquiries concerning reproduction outside these
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despatched by surface mail, after their current subscription has been paid.

Printed on acid-free paper.
Published by the British Ornithologists’ Club
Typeset by Alcedo Publishing of Pennsylvania, USA, and printed by Crowes of Norwich, UK

|

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wey 05 2005
LIBRARIES ee

Edited by Guy Kirwan

Index for Volume 124 (2004)

Compiled by Mary N. Muller

il
LIST OF AUTHORS AND CONTENTS

ALSTROM, P. see DUCKWORTH, J. W.

ANGEHR, G. R., CHRISTIAN, D. G. & APARICIO, K. M. A survey of the Serrania de
Jungurud6, an isolated mountain range in eastern Pamama................cssccesceeeseeeenceesseeeecesseesseeensees

ANTOINE-FEILL S., A. H. see WHITTAKER, A.
APARICIO, K. M. see ANGEHR, G. R.
BELFORT GOMES, H. see RODRIGUES, M.
BRAIMAH, J. see MARKS, B. D.

BRAYSHAW, M. see YOUNG, H. G.

BRIED, J. & MAGALHAES, M. C. First Palearctic record of the endangered Bermuda Petrel
PLCKOAVOING CANOW sevcscacisscesvsedcssscsinssnnvscetepentesees Meenossonnt and oe ete

BRUCE, M. D. & DOWSETT, R. J. The correct name of the Afrotropical mainland subspecies of
Barn: Ow Tito) QI Dd 2s... asc csnsw ss casentececeeooncannsehoncinu'ee Ong, Ose e eon coon EE oreo RE nee eer

BUCKLEY, F. G. sce BUCKLEY, FP. A.

BUCKLEY, P. A. & BUCKLEY, F. G. Rapid speciation by a Lesser Antillean endemic, Barbados
Bullfineh Loxigilla bar badensis. ...0.000:...cs0ssssecessecssouvereeonnoodeestskesoeeeetsectieies oe

CABOT, J. & VRIES, T. de. Age- and sex-differentiated plumages in the two colour morphs of
the Variable Buzzard Buteo polyosoma: a case of delayed maturation with subadult males
disguised in definitive adult female plumage...............<.<.--<.+-se0c:.c+-<0c<-s2s---=-2<

CARLOS, B. see WHITTAKER, A.

CARLOS, C. J., TRIMBLE, J. & FEDRIZZI, C. E. A specimen of Cape Petrel Daption capense
from north-east Brazil ..scs.0c.4-secass.ccesscceceencescoceusese cost son sntce sa cncdemeseunedtcescodetesoe ete eee ee

CHAVES, JOAS sce PREILESY P-
CHRISTIAN, D. G. see ANGEHR, G. R.

CLEERE, N. A previously unidentified museum specimen of Plain-tailed Nighthawk Nyctiprogne
vielliardi-(Caprimul 21dae)..........sos..de..+0.steececes eeneesencte cata -Bericene seg eedes teatecc-+ ie

CLUB NOTICES
Notice and Agenda for the AGM 27 April 2004 ............<.s..csecsccecossses0sse-2eecece- 02s
Report of the AGM held on 27 April 2004 ...... ... -2.0.0...<cseose+seseeecaneensbe 1 soraestedo=e2<-eees eee eee
Trustees Annual Report for 2003 & Financial Statement 2. <2....2c.2.c220c0.sttse-c02teoeenec-oe
Meeting Reports: cccc con os5cbsbscchs sce oon ee 1 73-43

D’ ANGELO NETO, S. see KIRWAN, G. M.

DEMEKE, Y. see TAYLOR, B.

DICKERMAN, R. W. Notes on the type of Bubo virginianus SCIAVIVENUHIS .........1ccccsccceeeeceeseceesseeenseeeees
DOWSETT, R. J. see BRUCE, M. D.

DUCKWORTH, J. W. & ALSTROM, P. Mortacilla samveasnae is the correct scientific name for the
Mekong: Wastalll ss. .:.0.ci5ec0ooog.eccd veces 2 ctosias ina ees eee ee Seen

FEDRIZZI, C. Es see CARLOS, €) J.
FLANAGAN, J. N. M. see VELLINGA, W.-P.
FRAGA, R. see LOWTHER, P. E.

FREILE, J. F. Range extensions and other noteworthy and new bird records from mainland
Cua OR, .osc.snesshtspeenstonsssdentedaghsaneshensecelcuvanadhe dees sede oes ete ee teat arene eames setae ee a ekee tee

FREILE, J. F. & CHAVES, J. A. Interesting distributional records and notes on the biology of bird
species, from a cloud forest reserve in north-west EquadOn 2 <c 2c coc ecs cote cee eee

GELIS, R. A. see GREENEY, H. F.

ci)

188

ill

GREENEY, H. F. A nest of the Spot-fronted Swift Cypseloides cherriei in eastern Ecuador ................ 154
GREENEY, H. F., GELIS, R. A. & WHITE, R. Notes on breeding birds from an Ecuadorian
Se oe ene en creer arene cacen cata cererot cactlenadcphicaadst lied kMiWes idaon ected 28

HAWKINS, F. see WOOLAVER, L.

INDRAWAN, M. & SOMADIKARTA, S. A new hawk-owl from the Togian Islands, Gulf of
EM ECRIICTD | PTCOMESIA 5.00 sisaccwasinnncRbtce duke bowed wh oeds alae. aches cdak es Wwe Raed. ddeucs 160

JOHNSON, K. P. see MARKS, B. D.
KIRWAN, G. M. A Syrian record: the case of Aharoni’s Thick-billed Larks Ramphocoris clotbey ......227

KIRWAN, G. M., MAZAR BARNETT, J., VASCONCELOS, M. F., RAPOSO, M. A., DDANGELO
NETO, S. & ROESLER, I. Further comments on the avifauna of the middle Sao Francisco

RE PPE EAP N oc aha cag apne cs ee de Joao susan vce stasennsse naanacananaden 207
KRABBE, N. A record of Pale-legged Hornero Furnarius leucopus from Ecuadot..............:::cccc0eec00000 226
KUMAR R., S. & SINGH, P. A new subspecies of Sclater’s Monal Lophophorus sclateri from

a SSD LET TES OES, EDT) ee en Oe ee er ene ee Pre a 16

LANYON, S. M. see LOWTHER, P. E.

LOWTHER, P. E., FRAGA, R., SCHULENBERG, T. S. & LANYON, S. M. Nomenclatural
en uEnnerE mRIRUBINUICHC EAI AIS: <u) Seecresists, eles lk. Se SRS BN es ee eed. 171

MAGALHAES, M. C. see BRIED, J.
MARK, T. R. see VELLINGA, W.-P.

MARKS, B. D., WECKSTEIN, J. D., JOHNSON, K. P., MEYER, M. J. BRAIMAH, J. &
OPPONG, J. Rediscovery of the White-necked Picathartes Picathartes gymnocephalus in Ghan
1 5 ]
MAZAR BARNETT, J. see KIRWAN, G. M.

MEYER, M. J. see MARKS, B. D.

NAVARRO, C. see STREWE, R.
NAVARRO-SIGUENZA, A. G. see PETERSON, A. T.
NICHOLS, R. see WOOLAVER, L.

OPPONG, J. see MARKS, B. D.

PETERSON, A. T., NAVARRO-SIGUENZA, A. G. & SCACHETTI PEREIRA, R.
Detecting errors in biodiversity data based on collectors’ itimeraries ..............ccceesceeeseeeeseeeeeeeeees 143

RAPOSO, M. A. see KIRWAN, G. M.

RASMUSSEN, P. C. see WARAKAGODA, D. H.

RAZAFINDRAJAO, F. see WOOLAVER, L.

RODRIGUES, M. & BELFORT GOMES, H. Range extension for Grey-headed Tanager

ae PPE MUP MDSTEAsETE SAVEIESL-CASE PMRAAEL «2 oceans renee eee eee c ree teen ka Senta thsaseaasnnccasedeveenences 177
ROESLER, I. see KIRWAN, G. M.
SANTOS, M. P. D. New records of birds from the Brazilian state of Roraima................:ccc:cccseeceeeseeees 223

SCACHETTI PEREIRA, R. see PETERSON, A. T.
SCHEIELE Z., R. see WHITTAKER, A.
SCHULENBERG, T. S. see LOWTHER, P. E.
SINGH, P. see KUMAR R., S.

SOMADIKARTA, S. see INDRAWAN, M.

STREWE, R. & NAVARRO, C. New and noteworthy records of birds from the Sierra Nevada de
SARE td Ke CUEHt. SICHEAN-CASLCEAE COORDS 1 coc once aidontisenndandedesddatteeswatadondauconsavcedactecurcencexs 38

iV
TAYLOR, B., WONDAFRASH, M. & DEMEKE, Y. The nest, eggs and chicks of the
White-winged.Flufftail Sarothrura, ayresi -..2.2.-26. 20.2 Rn eves a ee
TRIMBLE , J. see CARLOS, C. J.
VASCONCELOS, M. F. see KIRWAN, G. M.

VELLINGA, W.-P., FLANAGAN, J. N. M. & MARK, T. R. New and interesting records of birds
from Ayabaca province, Piura, north-west Pen .............:ss.0«-desssestucstite-adceeeeeceeyeee Se

VRIES, T. de see CABOT, J.

WARAKAGODA, D. H. & RASMUSSEN, P. C. A new species of scops-owl from Sri Lanka.........

WECKSTEIN, J. D. see MARKS, B. D.
WHITE, Ko see GREENEY EP:

WHITTAKER, A. Noteworthy ornithological records from Rond6nia, Brazil, including a first
country record, comments on austral migration, life history, taxonomy and distribution, with
relevant data from neighbouring states, and a first record for Bolivia .................ccccccsecceeseeeesseeeees

WHITTAKER, A, ANTOINE-FEILL S., A. H. & SCHEIELE Z., R. First confirmed record of
Oilbird Steatornis caripensis for Brazil.................<-...c0-seseseseanseens ceoeseeneeenoeete ee

WHITTAKER, A. & CARLOS, B. Recent observations of Dull-coloured Grassquit Tiaris obscura
in Mato Grosso reinforce its status as an austral migrant to south-west Brazil.........0.....cseeee

WONDAFRASH, M. see TAYLOR, B.
WOOLAVER, L., NICHOLS, R., RAZAFINDRAJAO, F. & HAWKINS, F. Sighting of Van
Dam’s Vanga Xenopirostris damii (Schlegel, 1866) in mangroves in north-west Madagascat.....

YOUNG, H. G. & BRAYSHAW, M. The downy young of grey teal (Anatidae) with first
descriptions of the ducklings of Madagascar Teal Anas bernieri and Indonesian Teal
A. SIDDETIFTONS bic cccsesnsecessecensnceansteasasteds snssous eaves caancencensdelt ect peeee ee ee ee ee

INDEX TO SCIENTIFIC NAMES

All generic and specific names (of birds only) are indexed. New specific and subspecific names are indexed in bold print

under generic, specific and subspecific names. Illustrations are numbered in italics.

Aburria aburri 8, 15
aburri, Aburria 8, 15
Accipiter bicolor 8

— collaris 8, 15, 47

— superciliosus 61, 190

— ventralis 8, 138
Acestrura mulsant 139
Actitis macularius 192
acutipennis, Pseudocolopteryx 256
adelaidae, Dendroica 122
Adelomyia melanogenys 15, 133, 139
aedon, Troglodytes 16
Aegolius harrisii 139
aequatorialis, Androdon 56
aequinoctialis, Procellaria 288
Aeronautes montivagus 139
aeruginosus, Circus 158
aethereus, Nyctibius 249
affinis, Cyanocorax 48

—, Lepidocolaptes 139

—., Sarothrura 237
agami, Agamia 244
Agamia agami 244
Agelaius 171-5

— assimilis 172, 175

— cyanopus 172-5

— flavus 174

— humeralis 172-5

— icterocephalus 172-5

— phoeniceus 172-5

— tuficapillus 172-5

— thilius 172-5

— tricolor 172, 175

— xanthomus 172-5

— xanthophthalmus 172-5
Agelaioides 172-3
Agelasticus 174-5

— cyanopus 175

— xanthophthalmus 175
Aglaeactis cupripennis 139
Aglaiocercus coelestis 15
Ajaia ajaja 2
ajaja, Ajaia 2
alaudinus, Phrygilus 141
alba, Tyto 138, 184-6
albicaudatus, Buteo 282
albiceps, Elaenia 140
albicollis, Leucopternis 61

—, Nyctidromus 133, 135, 212

—, Turdus 35
albifrons, Conirostrum 16, 141
albigula, Buteo 138
albigularis, Sclerurus 253
albilatera, Diglossa 16, 49, 141
albiventer, Fluvicola 261

—, Tachycineta 58
albogriseus, Pachyramphus 140
albogularis, Anas 63, 66, 65

—, Otus 138
albonotatus, Buteo 47, 138, 245
albus, Chionis 288
alfredi, Otus 88-102
alius, Otus 103
alleni, Grallaria 13, 15, 194
altera, Corapipo 62

alticola, Amazilia 128
amaurochalinus, Turdus 264
Amaurospiza concolor 141
Amazilia 128, 139

— alticola 128

— amazilia 129, 142

— tzacatl 15
amazilia, Amazilia 129, 142
Amazona mercenaria 128, 138
amazonum, Pyrrhura 247
Amblyramphus 173
americana, Sporophila 217
Ammodramus aurifrons 200
Ammomanes cinctura 221
Ampelion rubrocristatus 140
Anabacerthia striaticollis 48

— variegaticeps 15
anabatinus, Thamnistes 62
Anabazenops dorsalis 253
Anairetes nigrocristatus 140

— parulus 140
Anas albogularis 63, 66, 65

— bernieri 62-7, 65

— castanea 63, 64, 65

— gibberifrons 62-7, 65

— gracilis 63, 64, 65
Andigena hypoglauca 133, 139, 142, 194

— lamuinirostris 15

— nigrirostris 194
andrei, Taeniotriccus 225
Androdon aequatorialis 56
ani, Crotophaga 15
Anhinga anhinga 2

— rufa 228
anhinga, Anhinga 2
Anisognathus lacrymosus 141—2

— melanogenys 49

— notabilis 13, 16

— somptuosus 13, 16
anneae, Euphonia 52, 55
Anthus bogotensis 141
antisiensis, Cranioleuca 133, 134, 139, 142
Ara chloropterus 192
Aratinga 128

— erythrogenys 128, 138, 142

— wagleri 128, 138
arcuata, Pipreola 133, 140, 142
ardesiacus, Thamnomanes 33
argyrotis, Penelope 47
Arremon flavirostris 217-8

— franciscanus 217-8
Arremonops rufivirgatus 148
arthus, Tangara 16
arunachalensis, Lophophorus sclateri subsp. nov.

20-25, 19
Asio flammeus 193

— stygius 128, 139
assimilis, Agelaius 172, 175

—, Puffinus 4, 205
astreans, Chaetocercus 48
Athene 101
Atlapetes latinuchus 131-3, /3/

— leucopterus 16, 141

— seebohmi 141, 142

— tricolor 16

atratus, Coragyps 15, 29, 138
atrifrons, Odontophorus 47
atrinucha, Thamnophilus 62
atrogularis, Clytoctantes 240
atronitens, Xenopipo 264
Attila torridus 140
Aulacorhynchus calorhynchus 48

— haematopygus 15

— prasinus 62, 194
aura, Cathartes 15, 138
aurantiaca, Metopothrix 32
aureliae, Haplophaedia 57
aureopectus, Pipreola 48
auriceps, Pharomachrus 15, 139
auriculata, Zenaida 138
aurifrons, Ammodramus 200
aurita, Conopophaga 224
Automolus rubiginosus 62
ayresi, Sarothrura 233-8, 235
azarae, Synallaxis 15, 139

badius, Phodilus 101
bairdi, Calidris 192
bakkamoena, Otus 101,
balli, Otus 94, 102,
barbadensis, Loxigilla 108-22, 1/3
barbata, Penelope 127, 134, 138, 142
barbatus, Myiobius 62
Baryphthengus marti 62
Basileuterus conspicillatus 49

— coronatus 16, 141

— fraseri 2

— fulvicauda 62, 198

— ignotus 55, 60

— luteoviridis 141

— nigrocristatus 141

— trufifrons 146

— trifasciatus 134—5, 141, 142

— tristriatus 16
Batrachostomus moniliger 101
beauharnaesii, Pteroglossus 252
bella, Goethalsia 55, 57
bellulus, Margarornis 55, 57
berlepschi, Rhegmatorhina 251
Berlepschia rikeri 253
bernieri, Anas 62-7, 65
bicolor, Accipiter 8
— Conirostrum 265
— Tiaris 112
bidentatus, Harpagus 29
bilopha, Eremophila 231
boehmi, Sarothrura 237
bogotensis, Anthus 141
Boissonneaua flavescens 15

boissonneautii, Pseudocolaptes 15, 130, 139

Bolborhynchus 138

— Bolborhynchus lineola 15
bonariensis, Molothrus 36
borealis, Contopus 260
Botaurus stellaris 158
bourcierii, Eubucco 62
bouvronides, Sporophila 199-200
brachyura, Myrmotherula 33
brachyurus, Buteo 138
bracteatus, Nyctibius 106
branickii, Leptosittaca 192
brasiliana, Hydropsalis 249
brasilianum, Glaucidium 285-6
Brotogeris cyanoptera 31

v1

brunneinucha, Buarremon 16, 62
brunnescens, Premnoplex 15, 62
Buarremon brunneinucha 16, 62

— torquatus 59, 141
Bubo 101

— nipalensis 101

— virginianus 5

— zeylonensis 101
budytoides, Stigmatura 213
buffoni, Circus 245
Bulweria bulwerii 4
bulwerii, Bulweria 4
burhani, Ninox sp. nov. 162—70, /6/
Buteo albicaudatus 282

— albigula 138

— albonotatus 47, 138, 245

— brachyurus 138

— leucorrhous 138

— magnirostris 15, 138, 245

— platypterus 117

— poecilochrous 272-83

— polyosoma 138, 272-283, 279
Buteogallus meridionalis 138
Butorides virescens 116

Cacicus holosericeus 142
— uropygialis 62
caerulescens, Diglossa 141
cahow, Pterodroma 202-5, 204
Calidris bairdii 192

— ferruginea 191

— fuscicollis 191

— melanotos 191
callopterus, Piculus 55, 57
Calonectris diomedea 4
calopterus, Mecocerculus 140
calorhynchus, Aulacorhynchus 48
campanisona, Myrmothera 255
Campephilus pollens 15, 139
Camptorhynchus labradorius 221
Campylopterus falcatus 44, 43
Campylorhamphus procurvoides 254

— pusillus 15
Campylorhynchus fasciatus 140
canadensis, Caryothraustes 60

—, Wilsonia 197
candidus, Melanerpes 253
canigularis, Chlorospingus 16
cantator, Hypocnemis 251
capense, Daption 287-9, 288
capensis, Zonotrichia 16, 141
Capito dayi 252
Caprimulgus hirundinaceus 212

— indicus 101

— longirostris 15, 139

— maculosus 158

— nigrescens 158

— parvulus 212

— sericocaudatus 249
Capsiempis flaveola 257
carbo, Ramphocelus 198
carbonaria, Cercomacra 224
Carduelis magellanica 141

— psaltria 141

— xanthogastra 13, 16
caripensis, Steatornis 9, 15, 106—7
carolinensis, Conuropsis 2
Caryothraustes canadensis 60
Casiornis rufa 261

cassinii, Mitrospingus 62
castanea, Anas 63, 64, 65

—, Hapaloptila 10, 15
castaneiventris, Sporophila 266
castaneus, Pachyramphus 34
castanonotum, Glaucidium 101
castro, Oceanodroma 4
Catamblyrhynchus diadema 16, 141
Catamenia inornata 141
Cathartes aura 15, 138
Catharus fuscater 16, 62, 140

— ustulatus 140
cayana, Piaya 15, 138

—, Tityra 34
cayanensis, Leptodon 189
cayennensis, Panyptila 44, 250
Celeus loricatus 62
Cercomacra carbonaria 224
chabert, Leptopterus 70
Chaetocercus astreans 48
Chaetura cinereiventris 44
chalybea, Progne 12, 16, 133, 140
Chamaepetes goudotii 8, 15
chapmani, Patagioenas 55
Charadrius collaris 30
cherriei, Cypseloides 154—5
chiguanco, Turdus 140
Chionis albus 288
Chlamydotis undulata 230
Chlorophonia flavirostris 55, 60
Chloropipo holochlora 58
chloropterus, Ara 192
Chlorospingus canigularis 16

— inornatus 55, 59

— semifuscus 8, 16

— tacarcunae 55
Chlorostilbon russatus 48, 43
Chlorothraupis olivacea 62
chocoensis, Scytalopus 52, 55, 57, 58
Chondrohierax uncinatus 15
Chordeiles 211—2

— pusillus 211

— rupestris 248
chrysocephalus, Myiodynastes 16, 130, 140
chrysocrotaphum, Todirostrum 35
chrysogaster, Pheucticus 16, 141
chrysomelas, Chrysothlypis 55, 59
Chrysomus 174

— icterocephalus 175

— ruficapillus 175
chrysops, Zimmerius 16, 134-5, 140, 142
chrysopterus, Masius 16
Chrysothlypis chrysomelas 55, 59
Cinclus leucocephalus 16
cinctura, Ammomanes 221
cinctus, Rhynchortyx 61

—, Saltator 130, 141
cinerea, Serpophaga 16
cinereiventris, Chaetura 44

—, Microbates 62

cinereum, Conirostrum 2, 141
cinereus, Contopus 140

—, Odontorchilus 264
cinnamomea, Pyrrhomyias 16
cinnamomeiventris, Ochthoeca 16, 140
cinnamomeus, Furnarius 15, 139
Cinnycerthia olivascens 16
Circus aeruginosus 159

— buffoni 245
Cisticola lateralis 2

Vii

Cistothorus platensis 197
clarkii, Otus 55, 60
climacocerca, Hydropsalis 249
clotbey, Ramphocoris 227-31, 229
Clytoctantes atrogularis 240
Cnemotriccus fuscatus 260
Coccyzus euleri 41

— minor 42
coelestis, Aglaiocercus 15

—, Forpus 138
Coeligena iris 134, 139, 142

— phalerata 48

— torquata 15, 193

— wilsoni 15
Coereba flaveola 62
coloratus, Myadestes 55, 58
Colibri coruscans 133, 139

— thalassinus 139
collaris, Accipiter 8, 15, 47

—, Charadrius 30

—, Sporophila 217

—., Trogon 62
Columba fasciata 15, 138

— plumbea 15
columbarius, Falco 191
Columbina cruziana 138
Compsothraupis loricata 216
concolor, Amaurospiza 141
Conirostrum albifrons 16, 141

— bicolor 265

— cinereum 141

— fraseri 2

— margaritae 240, 265

— sitticolor 131, 141

— speciosum 198, 265
connivens, Ninox 163-6
Conopias parva 262

— trivirgata 263
Conopophaga aurita 224
conspicillatus, Basileuterus 49
Contopus borealis 260

— cinereus 140

— fumigatus 16, 140
Conuropsis carolinensis 2
conversii, Discosura 56
cora, Thaumastura 139
Coragyps atratus 15, 29, 138
Corapipo altera 62
coronatus, Basileuterus 16, 141

—., Platyrinchus 250
coruscans, Colibri 133, 139
Coryphospingus cucullatus 286
Cranioleuca antisiensis 133, 134, 139, 142

— erythrops 15

— hellmayri 48
crassirostris, Lysurus 55
cristatus, Sakesphorus 212
Crotophaga ani 15

— sulcirostris 138
cruentatus, Melanerpes 32
cruziana, Columbina 138
cryptolophus, Lathria 16
Crypturellus kerriae 54, 55

— soui 61
cucullatus, Coryphospingus 286

—, Raphus 158
cunicularia, Speotyto 248
cupripennis, Aglaeactis 139
Curaeus 173

— forbesi 218

cyanea, Diglossopis 16, 141
cyanicollis, Tangara 16
cyanocephala, Euphonia 141, 198

—, Thraupis 16, 130, 141
Cyanocorax affinis 48

— turcosa 142
cyanoleuca, Notiochelidon 16, 140
Cyanolyca pulchra 196

— turcosa 16, 140
cyanoptera, Brotogeris 31
cyanopus, Agelaius 172-5

—, Agelasticus 174-5
Cyclarhis gujanensis 140
Cymbilaimus lineatus 32
cypriaca, Oenanthe 228
Cypseloides cherriei 154—5
Cypseloides rutilus 15, 42, 139, 154

damii, Xenopirostris 69-70
Daption capense 287—9, 288
dayi, Capito 252
dea, Galbula 157
decumanus, Psarocolius 246
deiroleucus, Falco 246
Deleornis fraseri 2
Dendrocincla homochroa 45, 43

— tyrannina 15
Dendroica adelaidae 122

— dominica 46

— fusca 16, 46, 141

— pensylvanica 46

— pinus 46
devillei, Drymophila 254
diadema, Catamblyrhynchus 16, 141

—, Ochthoeca 16, 196
dialeucos, Odontophorus 55
Diglossa albilatera 16, 49, 141

— caerulescens 141

— humeralis 141

— sittoides 141
Diglossopis cyanea 141
diomedea, Calonectris 4
Discosura conversii 56
Dives warszewiczi 141
dominica, Dendroica 46

—, Pluvialis 41
dominicensis, Tyrannus 117
dorsalis, Anabazenops 253
Doryfera ludovicae 10, 15
Drymophila devillei 254
Dubusia taeniata 141
Dysithamnus mentalis 62

echo, Psittacula 159
eduardi, Tylas 70
Elaenia albiceps 140

— frantzii 48

— obscura 140

— pallatangae 140

— spectabilis 255
Elanoides forficatus 15, 41
Ensifera ensifera 139
ensifera, Ensifera 139
episcopus, Thraupis 16, 141
eremita, Geronticus 228
Eremophila bilopha 231
erythrogenys, Aratinga 128, 138, 142
erythrops, Cranioleuca 15

Vili

erythropygius, Xiphorhynchus 15, 62
erythrurus, Terenotriccus 62
Eubucco bourcierii 62
Eucometis penicillata 177-83, 216
euleri, Coccyzus 41

—, Lathrotriccus 260
Euphagus 172
Euphonia anneae 52, 55

— cyanocephala 141, 198

— laniirostris 141

— xanthogaster 16, 59

falcatus, Campylopterus 44, 43
Falco columbarius 191

— deiroleucus 246

— sparverius 15, 117
fannyi, Myrtis 139
fasciata, Columba 15, 138
fasciatus, Campylorhynchus 140
feae, Oestrelata 3

—, Pterodroma 3, 203-5
ferruginea, Calidris 191

ferrugineipectus, Grallaricula 130, 134, 140, 142

flammeolus, Otus 100
flammeus, Asio 193
flava, Piranga 141
flaveola, Capsiempis 257

—, Coereba 62

—, Sicalis 141
flavescens, Boissonneaua 15
flavicans, Myiophobus 16
flavipes, Platycichla 48

—, Tringa 192
flavirostris, Arremon 217—8

—, Chlorophonia 55, 60
flaviventris, Pseudocolopteryx 240
flavovirens, Phylloscartes 52
flavus, Agelaius 174

—, Xanthopsar 174
florida, Tangara 62
fluviatilis, Muscisaxicola 260
Fluvicola albiventer 261

— pica 195
forbesi, Curaeus 218
forficatus, Elanoides 15, 41
Formicarius rufipectus 15
Forpus coelestis 138
franciscanus, Arremon 217-8

—., Knipolegus 215
frantzii, Elaenia 48
fraseri, Basileuterus 2

—, Conirostrum 2

—., Deleornis 2

—, Oreomanes 2

—., Stizorhina 2

—, Threnetes 2

—., Tityra 2

—, Tympanistria 2
Fraseria 2
frenata, Geotrygon 15, 138
fucosa, Tangara 55, 59
fuliginosa, Tiaris 47, 286
Fulmarus glacialoides 289°
fulvicauda, Basileuterus 62, 198
fulviceps, Thlypopsis 47
fulviventris, Myrmotherula 62
fulvogularis, Malacoptila 251
fumicolor, Ochthoeca 140
fumigatus, Contopus 16, 140

—, Myiotheretes 140
—, Veniliornis 15, 129, 139
furcata, Thalurania 31
furcatus, Hemitriccus 157
Furnarius cinnamomeus 15, 139
— leucopus 226
fusca, Dendroica 16, 46, 141
—, Malacoptila 251
fuscater, Catharus 16, 62, 140
—, Turdus 16, 140
fuscatus, Cnemotriccus 260
fuscicollis, Calidris 191
fuscipennis, Philydor 62
fusconota, Nigrita 2

Galbalcyrhynchus leucotis 252
_ — purusianus 252

Galbula dea 157
Gallinago nigripennis 235
geoffroyi, Neomorphus 247
Geothlypis semiflava 16
Geotrygon frenata 15, 138

— goldmani 55, 56

— lawrencii 55

— montana 30, 61
Geranoaetus melanoleucus 138
Geronticus eremita 228
gibberifrons, Anas 62-7, 65
gigantea, Grallaria 15
gilvicollis, Micrastur 246
gilvus, Mimus 117
glacialoides, Fulmarus 289
Glaucidium 101

— brasilianum 285-6

— castanonotum 101

— griseiceps 56

— jardinii 139

— nubicola 13, 15
Glaucis hirsuta 31
Glyphorynchus spirurus 62, 254
Gnorimopsar 173
Goethalsia bella 55, 57
goldmani, Geotrygon 55, 56
Goldmania violiceps 55
goudotii, Chamaepetes 8, 15
gracilis, Anas 63, 66, 65
Grallaria alleni 13, 15, 194

— gigantea 15

— guatimalensis 139

— quitensis 139

— ruficapilla 15, 139

— rufula 139, 142

— squamigera 139

— watkinsi 139
Grallaricula ferrugineipectus 130, 134, 140, 142
Granatellus pelzelni 247
grandis, Loxigilla 122
grenadensis, Loxigilla 111
griseiceps, Glaucidium 56

—, Myrmeciza 129, 139, 142
griseus, Nyctibius 15, 31, 42
grossus, Saltator 62
guatemalae, Otus 61
guatimalensis, Grallaria 139
gujanensis, Cyclarhis 140

—, Odontophorus 30
gularis, Hellmayrea 139

—, Paroaria 36
guttata, Tangara 62

iX

guttuligera, Premnornis 11, 15
guy, Phaethornis 61
Gyalophylax hellmayri 213

gymnocephalus, Picathartes 151—3, /52

Gymnopithys leucaspis 62
gyrola, Tangara 62

haematopygus, Aulacorhynchus 15

haliaetus, Pandion 15, 159
hamatus, Rostrhamus 29
Hapalopsittaca pyrrhops 193
Hapaloptila castanea 10, 15
Haplophaedia aureliae 57

— lugens 15
Haplospiza rustica 49, 141
Harpagus bidentatus 29
Harpyhaliaetus solitarius 138
harrisii, Aegolius 139
heinei, Tangara 198
Heliangelus micraster 139, 142

— strophianus 10, 15

— viola 134, 139, 142
Heliodoxa imperatrix 10, 15

— jacula 61

— rubinoides 15
Hellmayrea gularis 139
hellmayri, Cranioleuca 48

—, Gyalophylax 213

Hemispingus melanotis 16, 130, 141, 199

— piurae 130, 134-5, 142

— superciliaris 130, 141

— verticalis 141
Hemitriccus furcatus 157

— kaempferi 157

— minimus 258, 259

— striaticollis 215, 257
Henicorhina leucophrys 16, 62
Heterospingus xanthopygius 59
himantopus, Micropalama 192
hirsuta, Glaucis 31
hirundinaceus, Caprimulgus 212
holochlora, Chloropipo 58
holosericeus, Cacicus 142
homochroa, Dendrocincla 45, 43
hudsoni, Knipolegus 261
humeralis, Agelaius 172—5

—., Diglossa 141

—, Parkerthraustes 267
Hydropsalis brasiliana 249

— climacocerca 249

— torquata 212
Hylopezus perspicillatus 62
hypochroma, Sporophila 266
Hypocnemis cantator 251

hypoglauca, Andigena 133, 139, 142, 194

Hylophylax poecilinota 251

icterocephala, Tangara 62

icterocephalus, Agelaius 172—5
—, Chrysomus 175

icteronotus, Ramphocelus 16

icterophrys, Satrapa 263

icterorhynchus, Otus 88, 94

Ictinia mississippiensis 210
— plumbea 210

ignobilis, Thripadectes 15
—, Turdus 196

ignotus, Basileuterus 55, 60

immaculata, Myrmeciza 62
—, Pnoepyga 103
immunda, Rhytipterna 262
impejanus, Lophophorus 18-26
imperatrix, Heliodoxa 10, 15
incerta, Pterodroma 288
indicus, Caprimulgus 101
inexspectata, Tyto 160
Inezia inornata 256
ingens, Otus 9, 15
inornata, Catamenia 141
—., Inezia 256
inornatus, Chlorospingus 55, 59
inquieta, Scotocerca 231
inquisitor, Tityra 2
insularis, Otus 94
involucris, Ixobrychus 244
ios, Ninox 163
ireneae, Otus 88
iris, Coeligena 134, 139, 142
isidori, Oroaetus 8, 15
Ixobrychus involucris 244

jacarina, Volatinia 16
jacucaca, Penelope 210
jacula, Heliodoxa 61
jardinii, Glaucidium 139
jelskii, Ochthoeca 140
jubata, Neochen 245

kaempferi, Hemitriccus 157

kerriae, Crypturellus 54, 55

kienerii, Xiphorhynchus 224

Knipolegus franciscanus 215
— hudsoni 261

kollari, Poecilurus 224

labradorius, Camptorhynchus 221

lacrymosus, Anisognathus 141, 142
lacrymiger, Lepidocolaptes 15, 139

Lafresnaya lafresnayi 139
lafresnayi, Lafresnaya 139
laminirostris, Andigena 15
laniirostris, Euphonia 141
latebricola, Scytalopus 48
lateralis, Cisticola 2
Lathria cryptolophus 16
Lathrotriccus euleri 260

latinuchus, Atlapetes 131, 133, /3/

latrans, Scytalopus 130, 140, 142
lawrencii, Geotrygon 55
lepida, Pyrrhura 247
Lepidocolaptes affinis 139

— lacrymiger 15, 139
Leptodon cayanensis 189
leptogrammica, Strix 101
Leptopterus chabert 70
Leptosittaca branickii 192

Leptotila ochraceiventris 127, 138, 142

— verreauxi 138
Lesbia nuna 139
— victoriae 139
leucaspis, Gymnopithys 62
leucocephalus, Cinclus 16
leuconota, Pyriglena 195
leucophrys, Henicorhina 16, 62
—, Mecocerculus 140

—, Vireo 16, 49, 131, 140
leucoptera, Piranga 16
Leucopternis albicollis 61

— princeps 15, 61
leucopterus, Atlapetes 16, 141
leucopus, Furnarius 226
leucopyga, Nyctiprogne 72, 211
leucorrhous, Buteo 138
Leucosticte sillemi 103
leucotis, Galbalcyrhynchus 252
Ihuysii, Lophophorus 18-25
lineatum, Tigrisoma 29
lineatus, Cymbilaimus 32
lineola, Bolborhynchus 15

—, Sporophila 200
Linurgus olivaceus 2
Lochmias nematura 57
longicaudatus, Mimus 140
longirostris, Caprimulgus 15, 139

—, Thryothorus 216
Lophophorus impejanus 18—25

— lhuysii 18-25

— sclateri 16—25, 19

Lophophorus sclateri arunachalensis

subsp. nov. 20—5, 19
Lophornis magnificus 212
Lophotriccus pileatus 62

— vitiosus 35
loricata, Compsothraupis 216
loricatus, Celeus 62
Loxigilla 121

— barbadensis 108-22, 1/3

— grandis 122

— grenadensis 111

— noctis 108-22, 1/3

— portoricensis 132

— sclateri 111-2
luciae, Thalurania 148
luctuosa, Sporophila 141
ludovicae, Doryfera 10, 15
ludovicianus, Pheucticus 199
lugens, Haplophaedia 15

—, Oenanthe 231
lugubris, Myrmoborus 225

—, Quiscalus 117
Lurocalis rufiventris 15, 139
luteoviridis, Basileuterus 141
lyra, Uropsalis 15
Lysurus crassirostris 55

Machaeropterus regulus 196
macularius, Actitis 192
maculatum, Todirostrum 195
maculosus, Caprimulgus 158
madeira, Pterodroma 3, 205
magellanica, Carduelis 141
magicus, Otus 94-5, 103
magnificus, Lophornis 212
magnirostris, Buteo 15, 138, 245
major, Tinamus 61
Malacoptila 251

— fulvogularis 251

— fusca 251

— panamensis 250

— rufa 250-2

— semicincta 251

— striata 251
malaris, Phaethornis 31
manadensis, Otus 160

margaritae, Conirostrum 240, 265
Margarornis bellulus 55, 57

— squamiger 15, 130, 139
marina, Pelagodroma 4
martii, Baryphthengus 62
Mascarinus mascarinus 159
mascarinus, Mascarinus 159
Masius chrysopterus 16
mcleannani, Phaenostictus 62
Mecocerculus calopterus 140

— leucophrys 140

— poecilocercus 16, 140

— stictopterus 140
megalopterus, Phalcoboenus 138
Megarhynchus pitangua 29
Megascops 101
melancholicus, Tyrannus 16, 140, 241
Melanerpes candidus 253

— cruentatus 32
melanocephalus, Myioborus 141
melanoceps, Myrmeciza 33
melanogenys, Adelomyia 15, 133, 139

—, Anisognathus 49
melanoleuca, Tringa 192
melanoleucus, Geranoaetus 138

—, Odontophorus 61

—, Spizastur 41, 54
melanonota, Pipraeidea 16, 141
melanonotus, Odontophorus 9, 15
melanopis, Theristicus 192
Melanospiza 121
melanota, Pulsatrix 193
melanotis, Hemispingus 16, 130, 141, 199
melanotos, Calidris 191
melanura, Pyrrhura 9, 15
Melopyrtha 121

— nigra 122
mentalis, Dysithamnus 62
mercenaria, Amazona 128, 138
meridionalis, Buteogallus 138
Metallura tyrianthina 139

— williami 194
Metopothrix aurantiaca 32
mexicanum, Tigrisoma 41
mexicanus, Quiscalus 200

—, Sclerurus 12, 15, 32, 62
michleri, Pittasoma 55, 57
micraster, Heliangelus 139, 142
Micrastur 8

— gilvicollis 246

— mintoni 246

— tuficollis 61, 251

— semitorquatus 15, 61
Microbates cinereiventris 62
Micropalama himantopus 192
Milvus milvus 159
milvus, Milvus 159
Mimus gilvus 117

— longicaudatus 140
miniatus, Myioborus 16, 62, 141
minimus, Hemitriccus 258, 259
minor, Coccyzus 42

—., Platypsaris 34
mintoni, Micrastur 246
minuta, Piaya 9, 15
minutus, Xenops 62
Mionectes olivaceus 16, 62

— striaticollis 16, 140
mississippiensis, Ictinia 210
Mitrephanes phaeocercus 62

Xi

Mitrospingus cassinii 62
modestus, Sublegatus 258
moesta, Oenanthe 231
mollis, Oestrelata 3

—, Pterodroma 203-5
Molothrus 172

— bonariensis 36
Monasa nigrifrons 32
moniliger, Batrachostomus 101
montana, Geotrygon 30, 61
montivagus, Aeronautes 139
Motacilla samveasnae 290—2
mulsant, Acestrura 139
murina, Notiochelidon 140, 191
Muscisaxicola fluviatilis 260
musculus, Troglodytes 140
Myadestes coloratus 55, 58

—ralloides 16
Myiarchus 122, 262

— tuberculifer 16, 62, 140

— tyrannulus 262
Myiobius barbatus 62
Myioborus melanocephalus 141

— miniatus 16, 62, 141
Myiodynastes chrysocephalus 16, 130, 140
Myiopagis viridicata 255
Myiophobus flavicans 16

— pulcher 194
Myiotheretes fumigatus 140

— striaticollis 140
Myiotriccus ornatus 16
Myiozetetes similis 16
Myornis senilis 15, 133, 140
myotherinus, Myrmoborus 251
Myrmeciza griseiceps 129, 139, 142

— immaculata 61

— melanoceps 33
Myrmoborus lugubris 225

— myotherinus 251
Myrmothera campanisona 255
Myrmotherula 247

— brachyura 33

— fulviventris 62

— schisticolor 62
Myrtis fannyi 139
mystaceus, Platyrinchus 62

nacunda, Podager 248
naevia, Tapera 15, 138
nematura, Lochmias 57
Neochen jubata 245
Neomorphus geoffroyi 247
— radiolosus 248
— rufipennis 248
nigra, Melopyrrha 122
nigrescens, Caprimulgus 158
nigricans, Sayornis 16
nigriceps, Saltator 134, 141-2
nigricollis, Phoenicircus 264
—, Sporophila 16
nigrifrons, Monasa 32
nigripennis, Gallinago 235
nigrirostris, Andigena 194
—, Patagioenas 54—5
Nigrita fusconota 2
nigrocapillus, Phyllomyias 140
nigrocinereus, Thamnophilus 225
nigrocristatus, Anairetes 140
—, Basileuterus 141

nigromaculata, Phlegopsis 251
nigroviridis, Tangara 16
Ninox 101
Ninox burhani sp. nov. 162—70, /6/
— connivens 163-6
— ios 163
— ochracea 160-6, /6/
— punctulata 163-6, /6/
— scutulata 101, 160-6, /6/
nipalensis, Bubo 101
noctis, Loxigilla 108-22, //3
Nonnula 250
notabilis, Anisognathus 13, 16
Nothoprocta pentlandii 138
Notiochelidon cyanoleuca 16, 140
— murina 140, 191
nubicola, Glaucidium 13, 15
Numenius phaeopus 191
nuna, Lesbia 139
Nyctibius aethereus 249
— bracteatus 106
— griseus 15, 31, 42
Nyctidromus albicollis 133, 139, 212
Nyctiprogne 212
— leucopyga 72, 211
— vielliardi 71-2, 211

obscura, Elaenia, 140

—., Tiaris 285-7
obscurior, Sublegatus 35, 285-7
obsoletus, Turdus 62
occipitalis, Podiceps 192
Oceanodroma castro 4

Xil

— alius 103

— bakkamoena 101

— balli 94, 102

— clarkii 55, 60

— flammeolus 100

— guatemalae 61

— icterorhynchus 88, 94
— ingens 9, 15

— insularis 94

— ireneae 88

— magicus 94-5, 103,
— manadensis 160

— pembaensis 88

— roboratus 138

— tufescens 85-102, 86
— rutilus 100

— sagittatus 88-9

— scops 100

— spilocephalus 88—102
— sunia 88-9

Otus thilohoffmanni sp. nov. 87—103, 86, 89

Pachyramphus albogriseus 140

— castaneus 34

— polychopterus 34

— versicolor 16, 140
pallatangae, Elaenia 140
palmarum, Thraupis 16
palmeri, Tangara 59
palpebrata, Phoebetria 288
panamensis, Malacoptila 250

—, Scytalopus 55, 58
Pandion haliaetus 15, 159

ochraceiventris, Leptotila 127, 138, 142
ochracea, Ninox 160—6, /6/

ochraceus. Troglodytes 52, 55, 58
Ochthoeca cinnamomeiventris 16, 140

Panyptila cayennensis 44, 250
Parkerthraustes humeralis 267
Paroaria gularis 36

Parula pitiayumi 16, 141

— diadema 16, 196

— fumicolor 140

— jelskii 140

— rufipectoralis 140
Ocreatus underwoodii 15
Odontophorus atrifrons 47

— dialeucos 55

— gujanensis 30

— melanoleucus 61

— melanonotus 9, 15
Odontorchilus cinereus 264
Oenanthe cypriaca 228

— lugens 231

— moesta 231
Oestrelata feae 3

— mollis 3
olivacea, Chlorothraupis 62

—., Tiaris 199
olivaceus, Linurgus 2

—, Mionectes 16, 62

—, Picumnus 195

—., Vireo 196
olivascens, Cinnycerthia 16
olivater, Turdus 49
ophthalmicus, Pogonotriccus 16
Oreomanes fraseri 2
ornata, Thlypopsis 141
ornatus, Myiotriccus 16

—, Spizaetus 30, 61, 210
Oroaetus isidori 8, 15
Otus albogularis 138

— alfredi 88-102

parulus, Anairetes 140
parva, Conopias 262
parvulus, Caprimulgus 212
parzudaki, Tangara 16
Patagioenas chapmani 55

— nigrirostris 54-5

— plumbea 54-5

— subvinacea 54—5
Pelagodroma marina 4
pelzelni, Granatellus 247

—, Pseudotriccus 12, 16, 58
pembaensis, Otus 88
Penelope argyrotis 47

— barbata 127, 134, 138, 142

— jacucaca 210
— purpurascens 61

penicillata, Eucometis 177—83, 216

pensylvanica, Dendroica 46
pentlandii, Nothoprocta 138
peregrina, Vermivora 46, 197
perlata, Pyrrhura 247
personatus, Trogon 15, 139
perspicillatus, Hylopezus 62
peruviana, Rupicola 16
Phacellodomus rufifrons 213
Phaenostictus mcleannani 62
phaeocercus, Mitrephanes 62
phaeopus, Numenius 191
Phaethornis guy 61

— malaris 31

— superciliosus 31

— syrmatophorus 15

Phaetusa simplex 246
Phalaropus tricolor 192
Phalcoboenus megalopterus 138
phalerata, Coeligena 48
Pharomachrus auriceps 15, 139
Pheucticus chrysogaster 16, 141

— ludovicianus 199
Philydor fuscipennis 62
Phlegopsis nigromaculata 251
Phodilus badius 101
Phoebetria palpebrata 288
phoeniceus, Agelaius 172-5
Phoenicircus nigricollis 264
phryganophilus, Schoeniophylax 213
Phrygilus alaudinus 141

— plebejus 141
Phyllomyias nigrocapillus 140

— uropygialis 140

— zeledoni 46, 43
Phylloscartes flavovirens 52

— roquettei 213-4, 2/4
Piaya cayana 15, 138

— minuta 9, 15
pica, Fluvicola 195
Picathartes gymnocephalus 151-3, /52
Piculus callopterus 55, 57

— rivolii 15, 139

— rubiginosus 15, 139
Picumnus olivaceus 195

— sclateri 133, 139, 142

— squamulatus 45, 43
pileatus, Lophotriccus 62
pinus, Dendroica 46
Pionus seniloides 193

— sordidus 15, 193
Pipraeidea melanonota 16, 141
Pipreola arcuata 133, 140, 142

— aureopectus 48

— riefferii 16
Piranga flava 141

— leucoptera 16

— rubra 62

— tubriceps 199
pitangua, Megarhynchus 29
Pitangus sulphuratus 246
pitiayumi, Parula 16, 141
Pittasoma michleri 55, 57
piurae, Hemispingus 130, 134-5, 142
platensis, Cistothorus 197
Platycichla flavipes 48
Platyrinchus coronatus 250

— mystaceus 62
Platypsaris minor 34
platypterus, Buteo 117
plebejus, Phrygilus 141
plumbea, Columba 15

—, Ictinia 210

—, Patagioenas 54-5
Pluvialis dominica 41
Pnoepyga immaculata 103
Podager nacunda 248
Podiceps occipitalis 192
poecilinota, Hylophylax 251
poecilocercus, Mecocerculus 16, 140
poecilochrous, Buteo 272-83
Poecilotriccus ruficeps 16, 140
Poecilurus kollari 224
Pogonotriccus ophthalmicus 16
pollens, Campephilus 15, 139
polychopterus, Pachyramphus 34

Xill

polyosoma, Buteo 138, 272-83, 279
portoricensis, Loxigilla 132

prasinus, Aulacorhynchus 62, 194
Premnoplex brunnescens 15, 62
Premnornis guttuligera 11, 15
princeps, Leucopternis 15, 61
Procellaria aequinoctialis 288
procurvoides, Campylorhamphus 254
Progne chalybea 12, 16, 133, 140

promeropirhynchus, Xiphocolaptes 15, 139

psaltria, Carduelis 141
Psarocolius decumanus 246

Pseudocolaptes boissonneautii 15, 130, 139

Pseudocolopteryx acutipennis 256

— flaviventris 240
Pseudoleistes 172—3
Pseudotriccus pelzelni 12, 16, 58

—ruficeps 16
Psittacula echo 159
Psophia viridis 251
Pterodroma cahow 202-5, 204

— feae 3, 203-5

— incerta 288

— madeira 3, 205

— mollis 203-5
Pteroglossus beauharnaesii 252
Puffinus assimilis 4, 205
pulcher, Myiophobus 194
pulchra, Cyanolyca 196
Pulsatrix melanota 193
punctulata, Ninox 163-6, /6/
purpurascens, Penelope 61
purpurata, Touit 224
purusianus, Galbalcyrhynchus 252
pusillus, Campylorhamphus 15

—, Chordeiles 211
Pyriglena leuconota 195
Pyrocephalus rubinus 260
Pyrrhomyias cinnamomea 16
pyrrhops, Hapalopsittaca 193
Pyrrhura amazonum 247

— lepida 247

— melanura 9, 15

— perlata 247

— viridicata 47

Quiscalus 172

— lugubris 117

— mexicanus 200
quitensis, Grallaria 139

radiolosus. Neomorphus 248
ralloides, Myadestes 16
ramphastinus, Semnornis 11, 15
Ramphastos sulfuratus 48, 62

— swainsonii 194

— vitellinus 194
Ramphocelus carbo 198

— icteronotus 16
Ramphocoris clotbey 227-31, 229
Raphus cucullatus 158
reevei, Turdus 140, 142
regulus, Machaeropterus 196
Rhegmatorhina berlepschi 251
Rhodinocichla rosea 49, 43
Rhynchortyx cinctus 61
Rhytipterna immunda 262
riefferii, Pipreola 16

rikeri, Berlepschia 253
rivolii, Piculus 15, 139
roboratus, Otus 138
roquettei, Phylloscartes 213-4, 2/4
rosea, Rhodinocichla 49, 43
rosenbergii, Tyto 160
Rostrhamus hamatus 29
rubiginosus, Automolus 62

—, Piculus 15, 139
rubinoides, Heliodoxa 15
rubinus, Pyrocephalus 260
rubra, Piranga 62
rubriceps, Piranga 199
rubrocristatus, Ampelion 140
ruckeri, Threnetes 2
rufa, Anhinga 228

—, Casiornis 261

—, Malacoptila 250-2

—, Sarothrura 237
rufescens, Otus 85-102, 86
ruficapilla, Grallaria 15, 139
ruficapillus, Agelaius 172—5

—, Chrysomus 175
ruficeps, Poecilotriccus 16, 140

—., Pseudotriccus 16
ruficervix, Tangara 16
ruficollis, Micrastur 61, 251

—, Sporophila 266, 286

—., Stelgidopteryx 16, 197, 264

—, Syndactyla 129, 134—5, 139, 142

rufifrons, Basileuterus 146
—, Phacellodomus 213
rufipectoralis, Ochthoeca 140

rufipectus, Formicarius 15
rufipennis, Neomorphus 248
rufiventris, Lurocalis 15, 139
rufivirgatus, Arremonops 148
rufula, Grallaria 139, 142
rupestris, Chordeiles 248
Rupicola peruviana 16
russatus, Chlorostilbon 48, 43
rustica, Haplospiza 49, 141
ruticilla, Setophaga 197
rutilus, Cypseloides 15, 42, 139, 154
—, Otus 100

sagittatus, Otus 88-9
Sakesphorus cristatus 212
Saltator cinctus 130, 141

— grossus 62

— nigriceps 134, 141

— nigrifrons 142
samveasnae, Motacilla 290-2
sanctaemartae, Scytalopus 48
Sarothrura 233, 237

— affinis 237

— ayresi 233-8, 235

— boehmi 237

— rufa 237

— watersi 233
Satrapa icterophrys 263
Sayornis nigricans 16
Scaphidura 172
Schiffornis turdinus 62
schistacea, Sporophila 265-6
schisticolor, Myrmotherula 62
Schoeniophylax phryganophilus 213
sclateri, Lophophorus 16-25, 19

XIV

sclateri arunachalensis, Lophophorus

subsp. nov. 20-5, 19

—, Loxigilla 111-2

—, Picumnus 133, 139, 142
Sclerurus albigularis 253

— mexicanus 12, 15, 32, 62
scops, Otus 100
Scotocerca inquieta 231
scutulata, Ninox 101, 160-6, /6/
Scytalopus chocoensis 52, 55, 57, 58

— latebricola 48

— latrans 130, 140, 142

— panamensis 55, 58

— sanctaemartae 48

— spillmanni 12, 15

— vicinior 12, 15, 52, 58
seebohmi, Atlapetes 141, 142
Selenidera spectabilis 62
semicincta, Malacoptila 251
semiflava, Geothlypis 16
semifuscus, Chlorospingus 8, 16
semitorquatus, Micrastur 15, 61
Semnornis ramphastinus 11, 15
senex, Todirostrum 258
senilis, Myornis 15, 133, 140
seniloides, Pionus 193
sericocaudatus, Caprimulgus 249
Serpophaga cinerea 16
serranus, Turdus 16, 140
setifrons, Xenornis 55
Setophaga ruticilla 197
Sicalis flaveola 141
sillemi, Leucosticte 103
similis, Myiozetetes 16
simplex, Phaetusa 246
sitticolor, Conirostrum 131, 141
sittoides, Diglossa 141
solitarius, Harpyhaliaetus 138
solstitialis, Troglodytes 16, 140
somptuosus, Anisognathus 13, 16
sordidus, Pionus 15, 193
soul, Crypturellus 61
spadix, Thryothorus 58
sparverius, Falco 15, 117
speciosum, Conirostrum 198, 265
spectabilis, Elaenia 255

—, Selenidera 62
Speotyto cunicularia 248
spillmanni, Scytalopus 12, 15
spilocephalus, Otus 88—102
Spindalis zena 122
spirurus, Glyphorynchus 62, 254
Spizaetus ornatus 30, 61, 210

— tyrannus 61
Spizastur melanoleucus 41, 54
Sporophila 286

— americana 217

— bouvronides 199-200

— castaneiventris 266

— collaris 217

— hypochroma 266

— lineola 200

— luctuosa 141

— nigricollis 16

— ruficollis 266, 286

— schistacea 265
squamiger, Margarornis 15, 130, 139
squamigera, Grallaria 139
squamulatus, Picumnus 45, 43

Steatornis caripensis 9, 15, 106-7
Stelgidopteryx ruficollis 16, 197, 264
stellaris, Botaurus 158
stictopterus, Mecocerculus 140
Stigmatura budytoides 213
Stizorhina fraseri 2
stolzmanni, Tyranneutes 34
Streptoprocne zonaris 15, 139
striata, Malacoptila 251
striaticollis, Anabacerthia 48

—, Hemitriccus 215, 257

—, Mionectes 16, 140

—, Myiotheretes 140
Strix 101

— leptogrammica 101
strophianus, Heliangelus 10, 15
stygius, Asio 128, 139
subalaris, Syndactyla 15
Sublegatus modestus 258

— obscurior 35, 258
subvinacea, Patagioenas 54—5
sulcirostris, Crotophaga 138
sulfuratus, Ramphastos 48, 62
sulphuratus, Pitangus 246
sunia, Otus 88-9
superciliaris, Hemispingus 131, 141
superciliosus, Accipiter 61, 190

—, Phaethornis 31
susurrans, Xiphorhynchus 48
swainsonii, Ramphastos 194
Synallaxis azarae 15, 139

— unirufa 15
Syndactyla ruficollis 129, 134-5, 139, 142

— subalaris 15
syrmatophorus, Phaethornis 15

tacarcunae, Chlorospingus 55
Tachycineta albiventer 58
taeniata, Dubusia 141
Taeniotriccus andrei 225
Tangara arthus 16

— cyanicollis 16

— florida 62 ©

— fucosa 55, 59

— guttata 62

— gyrola 62

— heinei 198

— icterocephala 62

— nigroviridis 16

— palmeri 59

— parzudakii 16

— ruficervix 16

— vassorii 130, 141

— viridicollis 141
tao, Tinamus 40, 188
Tapera naevia 15, 138
tenuepunctatus, Thamnophilus 195
Terenotriccus erythrurus 62
thalassinus, Colibri 139
Thalurania furcata 31

— luciae 148
Thamnistes anabatinus 62
Thamnomanes 247

— ardesiacus 33
Thamnophilus 247

— atrinucha 62

— nigrocinereus 225

— tenuepunctatus 195

— zarumae 133—5, 139, 142

XV

Thaumastura cora 139

Theristicus melanopis 192

thilius, Agelaius 172-5
—, Turdus 175

thilohoffmanni, Otus sp. nov. 87-103, 86, 89

Thlypopsis fulviceps 47
— ornata 141
Thraupis cyanocephala 16, 130, 141
— episcopus 16, 141
— palmarum 16
Threnetes fraseri 2
— ruckeri 2
Thripadectes ignobilis 15
— virgaticeps 15
Thryothorus longirostris 216
— spadix 58

Tiaris 118, 286

— bicolor 112

— fuliginosa 47, 286

— obscura 285-7

— olivacea 199
Tigrisoma lineatum 29

— mexicanum 41
Tinamus major 61

— tao 40, 188
Tityra cayana 34

— fraseri 2

— inquisitor 2
Todirostrum chrysocrotaphum 35

— maculatum 195

— senex 258-9
torquata, Coeligena 15, 193

—, Hydropsalis 212
torquatus, Buarremon 59, 141
torridus, Attila 140
Touit purpurata 224
tricolor, Agelaius 172, 175

—., Atlapetes 16

—, Phalaropus 192
trifasciatus, Basileuterus 134—5, 141, 142
Tringa flavipes 192

— melanoleuca 192
tristriatus, Basileuterus 16
trivirgata, Conopias 263
Troglodytes aedon 16

— musculus 140

— ochraceus 52, 55, 58

— solstitialis 16, 140
Trogon collaris 62

— personatus 15, 139
tuberculifer, Myiarchus 16, 62, 140
turcosa, Cyanocorax 142

—, Cyanolyca 16, 140
turdinus, Schiffornis 62
Turdus albicollis 35

— amaurochalinus 264

— chiguanco 140

— fuscater 16, 140

— ignobilis 196

— obsoletus 26

— olivater 49

— reevei 140, 142

— serranus 16, 140

— thilius 175
Tylas eduardi 70
Tympanistria fraseri 2

— tympanistria 2
tympanistria, Tympanistria 2

Tyranneutes stolzmanni 34
tyrannina, Dendrocincla 15
tyrannulus, Myiarchus 262
Tyrannus dominicensis 117

— melancholicus 16, 140, 241
tyrannus, Spizaetus 61
tyrianthina, Metallura 139
Tyto alba 138, 184-6

— inexspectata 160

— rosenbergii 160
tzacatl, Amazilia 15

uncinatus, Chondrohierax 15
underwoodii, Ocreatus 15
undulata, Chlamydotis 230
unirufa, Synallaxis 15
Urogalba 157
Uropsalis lyra 15
uropygialis, Cacicus 62

—, Phyllomyias 140
ustulatus, Catharus 160

variegaticeps, Anabacerthia 15
vassorii, Tangara 130, 141
Veniliornis fumigatus 15, 129, 139
ventralis, Accipiter 8, 138
Vermivora peregrina 46, 197
verreauxi, Leptotila 138
versicolor, Pachyramphus 16
verticalis, Hemispingus 141
vicinior, Scytalopus 12, 15, 52, 58
victoriae, Lesbia 139
vielliardi, Nyctiprogne 71-2, 211
vilissimus, Zimmerius 62
viola, Heliangelus 134, 139, 142
violiceps, Goldmania 55
Vireo leucophrys 16, 49, 131, 140
— olivaceus 196 .
virescens, Butorides 116
virgaticeps, Thripadectes 15
virginianus, Bubo 5
viridicata, Myiopagis 255

—, Pyrrhura 47
Page 1 Line
«é 4 «
« 16 «
‘ 19 «
&é 32 «
‘< 34 “é
« A] Pe
‘ A4 «é
&é 48 «é
« 62 «c
7 14] =
142 em
a 142 zs
225 %

XVI

viridicollis, Tangara 141
viridis, Psophia 251
vitellinus, Ramphastos 194
vitiosus, Lophotriccus 35
Volatinia jacarina 16

wagleri, Aratinga 128, 138
warszewiczi, Dives 141
watersi, Sarothrura 233
watkinsi, Grallaria 139
williami, Metallura 194
wilsoni, Coeligena 15
Wilsonia canadensis 197

xanthogaster, Euphonia 16, 59
xanthogastra, Carduelis 13, 16
xanthomus, Agelaius 172-5

xanthophthalmus, Agelaius 172-5

—, Agelasticus 175
Xanthopsar 172-3
— flavus 174

xanthopygius, Heterospingus 59

Xenopipo atronitens 264
Xenopirostris damii 69—70
Xenops minutus 62
Xenornis setifrons 55

Xiphocolaptes promeropirhynchus 15, 139

Xiphorhynchus erythropygius 15, 62

— kienerii 224
— susurrans 48

zarumae, Thamnophilus 133-5, 139, 142

zeledoni, Phyllomyias 46, 43
zena, Spindalis 122

Zenaida auriculata 138
zeylonensis, Bubo 101

Zimmerius chrysops 16, 134-5, 140, 142

— vilissimus 62
zonaris, Streptoprocne 15, 139
Zonotrichia capensis 16, 141

CORRECTIONS TO TEXT

Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl. 123 (2) not 122 (3)
diomedea not diomedia
tristriatus not trisiatus
Lophophorus not Lophophorous
aurantiaca not aurantiacus
polychopterus not polycopterus
melanoleucus not melanoleucos ~
cayennensis not cayenensis
Chlorostilbon not Chlorstilbon
leucaspis not leucapsis
warszewiczi not warscewiczi
nigriceps not nigrifrons
Cyanolyca not Cyanocorax
Taeniotriccus not Taenotriceus

i

UTION Hii
175 2466

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British Le
Ornithologists’
Club

a a

Volume 125 No. 1
March 2005

MEETINGS are normally held in the Sherfield Building of Imperial College, South Kensington, London
SW7. The nearest Tube station is at South Kensington; a map of the area will be sent to members, on request.
(Limited car parking facilities can be reserved [at a special reduced charge of £5.00], on prior application to
the Hon. Secretary.) :

The cash bar is open from 6.15 pm, and a buffet supper, of two courses followed by coffee, is served at
7.00 pm. (A vegetarian menu can be arranged if ordered at the time of booking.) Informal talks are given
on completion, commencing at about 8.00 pm.

Dinner charges are £20.00 as from 1 January 2005.

FORTHCOMING MEETINGS
See also BOC website: http://www.boc-online.org

15 March 2005 (please note change of date)—Dr D. H. (David) Thomas—The shady life of birds

David Thomas, Senior Lecturer in Zoology at the University of Wales, has specialised in the behavioural and
physiological adaptations of birds in extreme environments, especially deserts—research on sandgrouse and
phasianids in Moroccan Sahara, Negev, Namib and Sonoran Deserts as well as marine habitats—tresearch on
penguins in southern Africa and on shearwaters in the UK.

Applications to Hon. Secretary (address below) by I March please.

26 April 2005—ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING at 6pm, followed by Club Social Evening. There will
be no speaker, but Members are invited to bring along one or two slides (or a specimen!) of a bird of topical
interest, and to speak for not more than 5—10 minutes about it. The aim will be to generate discussion and
to facilitate the exchange of information between members.

Applications to Hon. Secretary (address below) by 12 April please, including subjects to be raised and any
special facilities required.

7 June 2005—Dr Joanne Cooper—A Tomb Wader exposed: x-raying the birds of the gods

From a background in geography and geology (but with a long-term interest in birds), Jo studied the Late
Pleistocene avifaunas of Gibraltar for her PhD in the Bird Group of The Natural History Museum. During
this time she also began working with the Museum's collection of ancient Egyptian bird mummies, using her
experience of avian osteology to identify and analyse the specimens. Her work at the Bird Group was then
interrupted by spending a year in New Zealand pursuing her interests in the fossil birds of the Chatham
Islands. Returning to the UK in 2001, she went back to the NHM, where she now works as one of the Bird
Group's curators. Following a surge of interest in the NHM's animal mummies, she has recently re-opened
her files on the mummies and is actively researching them once again.

Applications to Hon. Secretary (address below) by 24 May please.

27 September 2005—Dr Colin Ryall—The House Crow
Details to follow.

Applications to Hon. Hon. Secretary (address below) by 13 September please

Future meetings in 2005—dates for further meetings in 2005 have been set for the following Tuesdays:
1 November and 6 December. Speakers to be announced.

Overseas Members visiting Britain are especially welcome at these meetings, and the Hon. Secretary would
be very pleased to hear from anyone who can offer to talk to the Club, in 2005, giving as much advance
notice as possible—please contact: Tony Statham, Woodcock Hill, Durrants Lane, Berkhamsted, Herts. HP4
3TR, UK (or e-mail: SAHS@tinyonline.co.uk).

Registered Charity No. 279583
©British Ornithologists’ Club 2005

Club Announcements Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

Bulletin of th
BRITISH ORNITHOL S’ CLUB

Vol. 125 No. 1 Published 14 March 2005

CLUB ANNOUNCEMENTS

2005 subscription renewals. These were due on | January. At the time of going to press (2 February),
many subscription renewals were still outstanding; including a high proportion of ‘underpayments’ of
Bankers Standing Orders (BSOs) which have not been amended to the increased rates for 2005. If action
has not already been taken, please send the correct remittance to the Membership Secretary
(mbcasement@aol.com) as soon as possible. Despatch of the June issue 125 (2) will be delayed for
those who have not paid in full by | June.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The Annual General Meeting of the British Ornithologists’ Club will be held in the Sherfield Building,
Imperial College, London SW7 at 6.00pm on Tuesday 26 April 2005.

AGENDA
ik: Minutes of the 2004 Annual General Meeting (see Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl. 124: 74-76).
2. Chairman’s report.
3: Trustees Annual Report and Accounts for 2004 (both to be distributed at the meeting).
4. The Bulletin. Editor’s report.
3. Publications report—Revd. T. W. Gladwin, Chairman JPC.
6. The election of Officers. The Committee proposes that:
(i) Cdr. M. B. Casement, OBE, RN, be elected Chairman (vice Dr C. F. Mann) and to continue
(ex-officio) as Hon. Membership Secretary.
(ii) MrS.A.H. Statham be re-elected as Hon. Secretary.
(iii) Mr D. J. Montier be re-elected as Hon. Treasurer.
(iv) Three appointments to committee be made (vice Prof. R. A. Cheke, Mrs M. N. Muller and
Dr P. G. W. Salaman) from the following five nominations: Miss H. Baker, Dr J. Cooper,
Mr D. J. Fisher, Mr S. W. Lowe and Mr P. J. Wilkinson.
Note: no appointment has yet been proposed for Vice-Chairman.
Ex-officio members (in continuation): Revd. T. W. Gladwin (Chairman Joint Publications
Committee), Prof. R. A. Cheke (Hon. Publications Officer), Dr P. G. W. Salaman (Hon.
Website Manager) and G. M. Kirwan (Hon. Editor)
, = Any other business of which advance notice has been given.

The 924th meeting of the Club was held on Tuesday 22 June 2004, in the Sherfield Building Annexe,
Imperial College, London. 16 Members and 4 guests were present.

Members attending were: Dr C. F MANN (Chairman), Miss H. BAKER, I. R. BISHOP, D. R.
CALDER, F. M. GAUNTLETT, D. GRIFFIN, C. A. R. HELM, G. P. JACKSON, R. H. KETTLE, R. R.
LANGLEY, Dr P. J. K. McGOWAN (Speaker), D. J. MONTIER, N. J. REDMAN, S. A. H. STATHAM,
R. P. TIPPER and R. P. WEBSTER.

Club Announcements 2 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

Guests attending were: Ms G. BONHAM, Mrs J. CALDER, Mrs M. H. GAUNTLETT and Mrs M.
MONTIER.

After dinner, Dr Phil McGowan, Conservation Director of the World Pheasant Association, gave a
talk on Threatened pheasants and partridges in Asia. The following is a brief synopsis.

Pheasants and their relatives have had a long association with man, being important in culture as
well as for sport and food. The order (Galliformes) to which they belong has a worldwide distribution
with high concentrations of species in Asia and South America. These are also regions where most
threatened species occur and also where food is in short supply for human societies. It is believed that
hunting for one reason or another makes these birds more at risk of extinction than most other orders of
birds. In eastern Asia there are about 105 species of pheasant and partridge with all but a handful being
endemic. Of these, 33 are considered threatened and a further 16 near threatened. The most threatened
is Himalayan Quail Ophrysia superciliosa, which may be extinct, as it has not been recorded for more
than 100 years despite several searches, although none has been very thorough. Other highly threatened
species include Sichuan Hill-partridge Arborophila rufipectus, Orange-necked Hill-partridge A. davidi,
Edwards’ Pheasant Lophura (edwardsi) edwardsi and Bornean Peacock-pheasant Polyplectron schleier-
macheri, a rather enigmatic species that is rarely reported. A considerable amount of work has been
undertaken on these species over the last 25 years and this has greatly enhanced our knowledge of their
distribution, status and conservation requirements. For example, the once-extensive distribution of
Swamp Francolin Francolinus gularis in India and Nepal is now restricted to isolated patches of wet
grassland and agriculture, and if a mosaic of these habitats can be maintained, along with a few key pro-
tected areas, then its survival prospects are good. Also, a key issue for the Western Tragopan Tragopan
melanocephalus in the western Himalayas is likely to be hunting pressure in the winter when snow
forces the species downslope and close to villages. Solutions to these issues are now being developed
and include community programmes (such as support for schools in Seti Khola, west-central Nepal) and
strict protection where necessary, such as in southern Sichuan.

The 927th meeting of the Club was held on Tuesday 7 December 2004, in the Sherfield Building Annexe,
Imperial College, London. 19 Members and 4 guests were present.

Members attending were: Cdr. M. B. CASEMENT RN (Acting Chairman), Miss H. BAKER, Ms D.
V. BREESE, Dr K. B. BRIGGS, D. R. CALDER, Prof. R. A. CHEKE, D. GRIFFIN] KeaEROR:
S. HOWE, K. N. IDDI, G. P. JACKSON, Dr A. G. GOSLER (Speaker), R. R. LANGLEY, D. J.
MONTIER, Dr C. RYALL, S. A. H. STATHAM, C. W. R. STOREY, R. P. WEBSTER and P. J. WILKIN-
SON.

Guests attending were: Mrs J. CALDER, Mrs C. R. CASEMENT, Mrs J. A. JONES and Mrs M.
MONTIER.

After dinner, Dr Andy Gosler gave a most interesting talk on Eggshell maculation in the Great Tit
and other passerines. The following is a brief synopsis.

The pigmented eggshells of birds have been subject to much debate by ornithologists for over 150
years, but for most species the pigmentation patterns have remained inexplicable. In some ground-nest-
ing species (e.g. waders) pigmentation undoubtedly camouflages the eggs from predators, and this
together with the unpigmented eggs of hole-nesting species had reinforced the view that crypsis was the
principal role of pigmentation. Several non-passerine orders (e.g. owls, pigeons, woodpeckers) also have
unpigmented eggs, suggesting that phylogeny is also reflected in eggshell patterning, although many of
these species are also hole-nesters. For brood parasites (e.g. cuckoos), the risk of detection by a host has
led to eggshell-mimicry. However, signal functions, such as crypsis and cuckoldry, cannot explain the
most common pattern seen in birds (e.g. very many passerines worldwide), of a small white egg speck-
led with reddish-brown spots, typically forming a ring around the broad end of the egg. Studies of Great
Tit Parus major eggs in Wytham Woods, Oxfordshire, have shown that such pigmentation is intimately
related to eggshell structure, calcium availability, and water loss in incubation. In other words, while we
were distracted by the patterns, we failed to appreciate that the pigments on these eggs were shell com-
pounds related to eggshell strength and function rather than signalling.

Knut Eisermann 3 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

Noteworthy bird observations in Alta Verapaz,
Guatemala

by Knut Etsermann
Received 11 November 2002; revision recetved 20 Ffanuary 2005

Basic studies of the avifauna in previously unsurveyed areas of dpto. Alta Verapaz,
Guatemala, were conducted between August 1997 and March 2002, with long-term
bird monitoring based on monthly point counts established in December 2001. The
principal results of the research will be published elsewhere. Here | provide distri-
butional data for rare and little-recorded species, and records that represent
altitudinal range extensions.

Study areas and methods

Alta Verapaz, in Guatemala, is characterised by the transition from cloud forest
(<2,500 m) to lowland rainforest. The observations described herein were made in
the following areas (see Fig. 1).

Ik*bolay region (midpoint 15°51’°N, 90°35’W): a small montane area in the north-
ernmost foothills of the Sierra de Chama, 170—700 m, at the north edge of the
floodplain of the rio Ik’bolay; humid evergreen broadleaf forest. Study periods:
26 August-5 September 2001, 14-25 January 2002, and December 2001—July
2004 (monthly point counts).

Cerro Peyan in Laguna Lachua National Park (midpoint 15°50’N, 90°40’W);: part
of the northern foothills of the Sierra de Chama, 170-700 m; humid evergreen
broadleaf forest. Study periods: 23 July 2001, 25 May 2002, and December
2001—July 2004 (monthly point counts).

Sierra Sacranix (midpoint 15°30’N, 90°30’W): part of the Sierra de Chama, large-
ly uninterrupted transition from humid evergreen broadleaf forest at 400 m to
cloud forest at 1,800 m; primary forest covers c.200 km’, largely undisturbed
owing to absence of human infrastructure. Study periods: 12—19 October 2001,
11-20 March 2002, and December—June 2004 (monthly point counts).

Pampajché (15°25’N, 90°35’W): humid evergreen broadleaf forest at 1,300—1,500
m (low-altitude cloud forest). Study period: 30 May—2 June 2000.

Yalijux (15°20’°N, 90°05’W): (1) humid evergreen broadleaf forest at 2,000—2,500
m (high-altitude cloud forest), study period: 7-8 November 2000; and (2) humid
evergreen forest at 600—1,000 m, study periods: September 2001, February
2002, 21 February 2002 and 31 March 2002.

Guaxac (15°20’N, 90°09’ W): (1) humid evergreen broadleaf forest at 1,000—2,000
m (low-altitude cloud forest), study periods: 22—30 September 2001 and 26

Knut Eisermann ~ Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

February 2001; (2) pine forest at 700—1,000 m, study periods: 22-30 September
2001 and 18-27 February 2002; and (3) shade-coffee plantation under /nga sp.
at 1,100—1,500 m, study periods: 22-30 September 2001 and 18-27 February
2002.

Caquipec (15°20’°N, 90°9’W): humid evergreen broadleaf forest at 2,000—2,400 m
(high-altitude cloud forest), study period: September 1997—October 1998.

The records described herein are results of casual observations and audio-visu-
al point counts (Bibby ef a/. 1992) with a duration of ten minutes at each point and
a minimum distance of 200 m between points. Censusing was conducted under the

90°45' 90°30' 91° 89°

Laguna Lachua

15°45'

15°30'

90°45' 90°30'
Figure 1. Location of the study sites, altitudinal zones, major rivers and the towns of Coban and San
Cristobal Verapaz. The inset map shows the location of the study area in Guatemala. Study sites:
A-Ik'bolay region, B—Cerro Peyan, C-—Sacranix range, D—Pampajché, E-Yalijux, F—Guaxac,
G-—Caquipec. Altitudinal zones: black 1,800—2,500 m, dark grey 1,000—1,800 m, pale grey 500—1,000 m,
dotted 250—500 m, white <250 m.

Knut Eisermann 5 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

most favourable weather conditions (no rain, no or light wind), between 0545 h and
0930 h. Point counts were conducted, in part, as fixed-radius counts, and in part
with distance estimates (distance sampling, Buckland ef a/. 2001). From the latter,
densities were calculated with software Distance 3.5 (Thomas ef a/. 1998). I fitted
half-normal and hazard rate models to the data and used the Akaike Information
Criterion (AIC) to select the model with the best fit (Buckland ef a/. 2001).
Coordinates of locations were obtained using a hand-held GPS. Details concerning
relevant methodologies are indicated in the species accounts, as they differ between
species. Species nomenclature follows AOU (1998).

Species accounts

HIGHLAND GUAN Penelopina nigra

Common (daily observations) at all sites with humid evergreen broadleaf forest
above 900 m (Sacranix, Pampajché, Guaxac, Caquipec and Yalijux). Never
observed in coffee plantations or secondary scrub. In Caquipec and Yalijux, obser-
vations were made in low-canopy (15 m) secondary forest, adjacent to primary
cloud forest. Highland Guan is commonest above 1,000 m (Andrle 1967b, Howell
& Webb 1995, Gonzalez-Garcia et al. 2001, Komar 2002). An observation of three
females at the unusually low altitude of 700 m was made on 31 March 2002, in
Yalijux. Several low-altitude observations are available from Mexico: at 460 m in
Oaxaca (Hoffmeister 1951), at 300 m in El Triunfo (Gonzalez-Garcia et al. 2001),
and at 500 m (Alvarez del Toro 1980), who did not mention an observation site.
Further research is needed to determine if Highland Guan is, in part, an altitudinal
migrant.

Breeding was observed at two study sites. In Pampajché a nest with one egg was
found on 31 May 2000 (photographed), c.3 m above ground in a small tree. The
female was incubating. In Sacranix a pair was seen together with a mid-sized juve-
nile, already able to fly, on 30 June 2003. Although there are historic reports from
Alta Verapaz (Salvin & Godman 1897-1904), more recent accounts did not men-
tion the region as being within the species’ range (Baepler 1962, Vannini &
Rockstroh 1997). My data close a gap in our knowledge of the modern distribution
of Highland Guan in central Guatemala.

SOLITARY EAGLE JAarpyhaliaetus solitarius

Rare in northern Middle America (Howell & Webb 1995). I observed the species
very well in the Sierra Sacranix (15°31°N, 90°30’W). On 13 October 2001 I saw
two adults flying together, 40 m above ground over a small clearing; shortly after-
wards, they began to ascend while soaring. Howell & Webb (1995) emphasised the
difficulty in distinguishing Solitary Eagle from either of the black hawks,
Buteogallus anthracinus and B. urubitinga, and consequently doubted some records
from southern Mexico and Guatemala published since the 1980s. However, the long
head in comparison to the body and the heavy bill distinguished those I observed

Knut Eisermann 6 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

from Common Black Hawk B. anthracinus, which also occurs in Sacranix.
Additionally, I am very familiar with both Buteogallus through frequent observa-
tions on the Guatemalan Atlantic coast, at Punta de Manabique in the same year. I
believe that the individuals I saw were Solitary Eagles, but I am aware that even
observers experienced with raptors erroneously identify this species in the field.
Together with Claudia Avendano, Victor Xi Poou, Efrain Pop Chub and Ernesto Col,
I made a further observation in Sacranix on 27 May 2003. At a small forest clear-
ing we observed a raptor of the colour and shape of Solitary Eagle or Common
Black Hawk, flying straight and fast, 200 m above the canopy. It called ple-ple-
ple..., similar to the transcription in Howell & Webb (1995) for Solitary Eagle. I
have never heard a similar call from Common Black Hawk, making me believe that
it was a Solitary Eagle. Formal documentation of this species from Sacranix, either
with photographs or sound recordings, is nonetheless required.

RESPLENDENT QUETZAL Pharomachrus mocinno

Common (daily observations) at all sites with humid broadleaf forest above 900 m
(Pampajché, Sacranix, Guaxac, Caquipec, Yalijux), and also seen in low-canopy (15
m) secondary forest, adjacent to primary cloud forest. On 19 March 2002, quetzals
were observed at an unusually low elevation in Sierra Sacranix, where intensive dis-
play (flights, song and calls) of at least ten birds was observed at 950 m. In north-
ern Central America the species is considered resident at 1,400—3,000 m (Howell &
Webb 1995). Records at low elevations are known only from the non-breeding sea-
son, due to altitudinal migration (Wheelwright 1983, Loiselle et al. 1989, Powell &
Bjork 1994, Solorzano 1995, Paiz 1996). In Guatemala breeding is reported in
March—June (Unger 1988, LaBastille et al. 1972, Paiz 1996, pers. obs.).

KEEL-BILLED MOTMOT Electron carinatum

Recorded at Cerro Peyan and in the Ik’bolay region. On 24 August 2001, two were
observed (KE, Efrain Caal), c.8 m above ground, in the lower canopy of humid ever-
green forest bordering the floodplain of the rio Ik’bolay at 250 m (15°50’N,
90°35’ W). Our attention was drawn by their short call. They were easily recognised
by their broad bill, which is much wider than in Blue-crowned Motmot Momotus
momota (the most abundant motmot at Ik’bolay and Cerro Peyan), and we also
observed the large chest spots and different face pattern. Additionally, the bare
shafts in the central rectrices were much shorter than in Blue-crowned Motmot. On
25 May 2002 two were heard in humid evergreen forest in the foothills of Peyan, at
250 m (15°50’N, 90°39’W, KE, Claudia Avendafio, Efrain Caal, Roberto Caal,
Javier Caal). The distance between these observations is 7 km. On each of the fol-
lowing dates during monthly bird counts a calling bird was recorded at Cerro Peyan
and the Ik’bolay region by E. Caal, R. Caal and J. Caal: 2002 (20 July, 4 August,
6-7 October); 2003 (8 January, 5 April, 13 April, 12 June, 6 October); 2004 (5
January, 11 April, 12 June). All observations were within a radius of 2 km of the
first sighting.

Knut Eisermann 7 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

The species is considered Vulnerable due to the small size of its fragmented pop-
ulations (Hilton-Taylor 2000, BirdLife International 2004). Recently, there has been
an increase in the number of observations of Keel-billed Motmot (Howell & Webb
1992, 1995, Miller & Miller 1996). In Guatemala, Keel-billed Motmot has been
recorded at Laguna Perdida and Tikal, Peten (Smithe 1966, Collar et a/. 1992), and
at Cerro San Gil, Izabal (Howell & Webb 1992, Robbins & Dowell 1996). Miller &
Miller (1996) mentioned an ‘anecdotal historical’ record near the rio Chixoy, but
provided no specifics. This record is probably based on an uncertain observation
mentioned in Salvin & Godman (1888-1904) at Santa Ana, presumably 10 km
south of San Cristobal Verapaz (Godman 1915, Collar et al. 1992) (Fig. 1). Our
recent observations confirm that the species is present in the northern foothills of
the Sierra Chama. It was not recorded in foothills with humid evergreen forest or at
higher elevations in the Sierra Sacranix.

SLATE-COLOURED SOLITAIRE Myadestes unicolor

Inhabits montane humid evergreen and pine—oak forest at 800—2,700 m (Howell &
Webb 1995, Stotz et al. 1996), and is an altitudinal migrant, reaching close to sea
level in winter (Howell & Webb 1995). Andrle (1967a) reported the species at 400
m and S. N. G. Howell (pers. comm.) near sea level in the Sierra de los Tuxtlas,
Mexico, in November—February.

At Cerro Peyan singing individuals were recorded on 23 July 2001 and on 7
October 2004, at 400 m. In the Ik’bolay region, two singing birds were recorded on
30 August 2001, at 500 m. No other observations were made at these sites in
December 2001—October 2004. In the Sierra Sacranix it was common between 500
and 1,800 m. During a fixed-radius (40 m) point count survey in mid-March 2002
(28 points at 520—650 m, 12 at 850—1,350 m), I recorded a mean 0.4 + 0.6 (SD)
individuals per point at low elevation, and 1.6 + 0.8 individuals at high elevation.
The solitaire was recorded on 39% of the points at low and on 92% of the points at
high elevation.

The following nesting data are from Sacranix: (1) nest with two eggs, adult incu-
bating on 28 May 2003, at 1,480 m; (2) nest with two eggs, adult incubating on 28
July 2003, at 1,300 m; (3) juvenile with scalloped head and breast (see Howell &
Webb 1995) in forest midstorey on 30 July 2003; (4) completed nest without eggs
on 22 July 2004, nest with two eggs and incubating adult on 7 August 2004, at 1,450
m. No nests were found at lower elevations.

Point counts with distance estimation were conducted in December 2003—July
2004 at 520-650 m and 1,200—1,700 m. To calculate densities repetitions of points
were pooled taking into account number of visits (Buckland ef a/. 2001). Based on
nesting dates, I assume that May—July is the main breeding season. I calculated den-
sities for both altitudinal classes during the assumed breeding and non-breeding
seasons (December—March). At low elevation, 22 points were sampled 2-4 times in
December—March and 3-4 times in May—July. At high elevation, 55 points were
sampled 24 times during the non-breeding and 14 times in the breeding season.

Knut Eisermann 8 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)
TABLE 1
Number of individuals detected, encounter rate of individuals or flocks per point count (95% confi-
dence level), and density of individuals or flocks respectively (95% confidence level) of Slate-coloured
Solitaire Myadestes unicolor and Common Bush-tanager Chlorospingus ophthaimicus during the
breeding and non-breeding seasons at two different altitudes in the Sierra Sacranix. Sample size (num-
ber of individuals or flocks) and effort (number of point counts) are indicated.

Parameter Non-breeding Breeding
Slate-coloured Solitaire Myadestes unicolor
18 December 2003— 3 May—22 July 2004
6 April 2004
520-650 m No. of individuals detected 104 52
No. of count points 22 22
No. of counts 71 71
Density (individuals/ha) 6.0 (4.3-8.3) 2.2 (1.43.3)
Encounter rate 1.5 (1.2-1.7) 0.7 (0.6-0.9)
10 December 2003— 6 May—23 July 2004
31 March 2004
1,200—1,700 m No. of individuals detected 515 548
No. of count points 55 55
No. of counts 208 195
Density (individuals/ha) 6.9 (6.1—7.8) 9.3 (6.1—14.4)
Encounter rate 2.5 (2.3-2.7) 2.8 (2.6-3.0)
Common Bush-tanager Chlorospingus ophthalmicus
18 December 2003— 4 April—22 July 2004
5 March 20
520-650 m No. of flocks detected 28 : 8
No. of count points 22 22
No. of counts 67 87
Density (flocks/ha) 4.6 (2.8-7.6) —
Density (individuals/ha) 11.9 (7.1—19.7)
Encounter rate (flocks) 0.4 (0.3-0.6) —
10 December 2003-— 25 March—23 July 2004
7 March 2004
1,200—1.700 m No. of flocks detected 19] 229
No. of count points 55 55
No. of counts 167 250
Density (flock/ha) 10.1 (8.7—11.8) 8.2 (7.0-9.5)
Density (individuals/ha) 26.1 (22.2-30.6) 22.7 (19.4-26.6) ©
Encounter rate (flocks) 1.1 (1.0—1.3) 0.9 (0.8—1.0)

At high elevation density was higher in the breeding season and at low elevations
density was higher during the non-breeding season (Table 1), supporting the
assumption that birds move to lower elevations in the non-breeding season.
However, density was also relatively high (2.2 birds/ha) at low elevations in the

Knut Eisermann 9 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

breeding season, perhaps indicating that Slate-coloured Solitaire breeds below 700
m in Sacranix, although no nest was found at this altitude. In further studies mist-
netting should be conducted to investigate breeding condition of adults (brood
patch, cloacal protuberance; see Mason 1938).

COMMON BUSH-TANAGER Chlorospingus ophthalmicus

The most abundant species in the bird community of high-altitude cloud forest in
Caquipec, at 2,000—2,400 m (Eisermann 1999). In the Sierra Sacranix it was record-
ed at the unusually low elevation of 550 m, on 14 March 2002. Fledged juveniles
were observed on 2 May 2004 in the Sierra Sacranix, and on 15 May 1998 on
Caquipec (Eisermann 1999). In Costa Rica incubation and nestling time occupies
c.27 days (Skutch 1967). Taking into account pair formation and nest building, the
low-elevation record falls immediately prior to the start of the nesting season.
Common Bush-tanager is common above 1,000 m in northern Middle America,
with altitudinal migration to near sea level noted in Los Tuxtlas, Mexico, in winter
(Howell & Webb 1995).

Point counts with distance estimation were conducted in the Sierra Sacranix
from December 2003 to July 2004, at 520—650 m and at 1,200—1,700 m. At low ele-
vation, 22 points were sampled 2-4 times in December—March, and 3-5 times in
April—July. At high elevation, 55 points were sampled 1-4 times during the non-
breeding and 2—5 times during the breeding season. Late March—July was assumed
to be breeding season.

Common Bush-tanager was more abundant at higher than lower elevations
(Table 1). At low elevation it was more abundant in the non-breeding than in breed-
ing season, suggesting downslope migration. With only eight records during 87
point counts in breeding season, calculation of reliable density estimates was
impossible. Nesting at low elevation cannot be precluded and should be investigat-
ed using mist-netting in future studies. At high elevation, density was found to be
slightly higher in the non-breeding than in the breeding season (Table 1).

Acknowledgements

This is a contribution of the PROEVAL RAXMU Bird Monitoring Program. I thank the Mayan Q’eqchi’
communities of Chicacnab, Rocja Pomtila, Faisan Dos, Sanimtaca, Xalabé, Sacmoc, as well as Roger
Ardeébol and Carlos Victoria for their hospitality. Field assistants Ratil Choc, Efrain Caal, Javier Caal and
Roberto Caal contributed to the field work. Some point count data were gathered by the following mem-
bers of the bird monitoring program of PROEVAL RAXMU: Efrain Pop Chub, Victor Xi Poou and
Ernesto Col (December 2003 to July 2004; Sacranix), Efrain Caal, Javier Caal and Roberto Caal (April
2002—July 2004; Ik’bolay and Cerro Peyan). Mark Herzog and Jeff Laake provided helpful advice for
the distance analysis. I appreciate critical comments on an earlier draft of this manuscript by Steve
Howell and Chris Feare, and improvements to English usage made by Chandler Robbins through the
Association of Field Ornithologists’ programme of editorial assistance. I appreciate final editorial assis-
tance from Guy Kirwan. The results presented here are part of projects supported by National Fish and
Wildlife Foundation, US Fish & Wildlife Service, Quetzal e.V. (‘Association Quetzal, Germany’), Verein
Sachsischer Ornithologen (‘Association of Saxon Ornithologists, Germany’), NABU Regionalgruppe
Erzgebirge (“Regional Group Erzgebirge of the Nature Conservation Union, Germany’), Idea Wild, and
the School of Biology of San Carlos University, Guatemala.

Knut Eisermann 10 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

References:

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Andrle, R. F. 1967a. Birds of the Sierra de Tuxtla in Veracruz, Mexico. Wilson Bull. 79: 163-187.

Andrle, R. F. 1967b. Notes on the Black Chachalaca (Penelopina nigra). Auk 84: 169-172.

American Ornithologists’ Union (AOU). 1998. Check-list of North American birds. Seventh edn. AOU,
Washington DC.

Baepler, D. 1962. The avifauna of the Soloma region in Huehuetenango, Guatemala. Condor 64:
140-153.

Bibby, C. J., Burgess, N. D. & Hill, D. A. 1992. Bird census techniques. Academic Press, London.

BirdLife International. 2004. Threatened birds of the world 2004. CD-ROM. BirdLife International,
Cambridge, UK.

Buckland, S. T., Anderson, D. R., Burnham, K. P., Laake, J. L., Borchers, D. L. & Thomas, L. 2001.
Introduction to distance sampling. Oxford Univ. Press.

Collar, N. J., Gonzaga, L. P., Krabbe, N., Madronio Nieto, A., Naranjo, L. G., Parker, T. A. & Wege, D.
C. 1992. Threatened birds of the Americas: the ICBP/IUCN Red Data Book. International Council
for Bird Preservation, Cambridge, UK.

Eisermann, K. 1999. Avifaunistisch-dkologische Untersuchungen in einer Nebelwaldregion Guatemalas
als Grundlage fur die Entwicklung eines Biomonitoringprogamms. Diploma. Univ. Applied
Sciences Eberswalde.

Godman, F. D. 1915. Biologia Centrali-Americana. Introductory volume. Taylor & Francis, London.

Gonzalez-Garcia, F., Brooks, D. M. & Strahl, S. D. 2001. Historia natural y estado de conservacion de
los Cracidos en Mexico y Centroamérica. Pp. 1-50 in Brooks, D. M. & Gonzalez-Garcia, F. (eds.)
Cracid ecology and conservation in the new millennium. Misc. Publ. Houston Mus. Nat. Sci. 2.

Hilton-Taylor, C. 2000. 2000 IUCN Red List of threatened species. UCN, Gland & Cambridge, UK.

Hoffmeister, D. F 1951. A western record of the quetzal, Pharomachrus mocinno mocinno, and chacha-
laca, Penelopina nigra, in Mexico. Auk 68: 507-508.

Howell, S. N. G. & Webb, S. 1992. New and noteworthy bird records from Guatemala and Honduras.
Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl. 112: 42-49.

Howell, S. N. G. & Webb, S. 1995. A guide to the birds of Mexico and northern Central America. Oxford
Univ. Press. =

Komar, O. 2002. Birds of Montecristo National Park, El] Salvador. Orn. Neotrop. 13: 167-193.

LaBastille, A., Allen, D. G. & Durrell, L. W. 1972. Feather structure and behavior of the Quetzal. Auk
89: 339-349.

Loiselle, B. A., Blake, J. G., Moermond, T. C. & Mason, D. J. 1989. Low elevation record for
Resplendent Quetzals in Costa Rica. J. Field Orn. 60: 86-88.

Mason, E. A. 1938. Determining sex in breeding birds. Bird-Banding 9: 46-48.

Miller, B. W. & Miller, C. M. 1996. New information on the status and distribution of the Keel-billed
Motmot Electron carinatum in Belize, Central America. Cotinga 6: 61—64.

Paiz, M. C. 1996. Migraciones estacionales del Quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno mocinno de la llave)
en la Sierra de las Minas y sus alrededores: implicaciones para su conservacion. Tesis de
Licenciatura. Univ. Valle de Guatemala.

Powell, G. V. N. & Bjork, R. D. 1994. Implication of altitudinal migration for conservation strategies to
protect tropical biodiversity: a case study of the quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno) at Monte Verde,
Costa Rica. Bird Conserv. Intern. 4: 161-174.

Robbins, C. S. & Dowell, S. D. 1996. Ornithological research at Cerro San Gil, Guatemala: April 17—30,
1996. National Biological Service, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, Maryland.

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London.

Salvin, O. & Godman, F. D. 1897-1904. Biologia Centrali-Americana. Aves, vol. 3. Taylor & Francis,
London.

Skutch, A. F. 1967. Life histories of Central American highland birds. Publ. Nuttall Orn. Cl. No. 7.
Cambridge, MA.

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Smithe, F. B. 1966. The birds of Tikal. Natural History Press, New York.

Solorzano, S. 1995. Fenologia de 22 especies arboreas y su relacion con la migracion altitudinal del quet-
zal (Pharomachrus mocinno mocinno de la Llave 1832), en la reserva de la Biosfera El Triunfo,
Chiapas, Mexico. BSc Thesis. Univ. Nacional Autonoma de México.

Stotz, D. F., Fitzpatrick, J. W., Parker, T. A. & Moskovits, D. K. 1996. Neotropical birds: ecology and
conservation. Univ. Chicago Press.

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Address: Asociacion PROEVAL RAXMU, Coban, Guatemala. Postal address: P.O. Box 098 Periférico,
Guatemala Ciudad, Guatemala.

© British Ornithologists’ Club 2005

Notes on breeding of Salvadori’s Teal Anas
waiguiensis and other birds in Crater Mountain
Wildlife Management Area, Papua New Guinea

by Craig T? Symes & Stuart F. Marsden

Received 15 September 2003; revision received 26 November 2004

The breeding biology of many New Guinea bird species is little known (Beehler er
al. 1986, Coates 1985, 1990, Mack 1994). For many principally Australian species
information on breeding has been inferred from studies and records there (Mack
1994). Coates (1985) noted that the breeding seasons of New Guinea birds can be
generally classed as: a) hawks—dry season; b) granivorous grassland and savanna
species—wet season; c) insectivores and mixed feeders—late-dry to early-wet
season; d) frugivores—all year; and e) waterbirds—late-wet to mid-dry season.
However, such generalisations may not be applicable to regions experiencing no
distinct seasonal variation in rainfall, such as occurs in the area of this study.
Breeding of birds was recorded in the Crater Mountain Wildlife Management
Area (CMWMaA), in the Eastern Highlands of Papua New Guinea, during a study
of the importance of home-gardens (hereafter gardens; any cleared or historically
altered land, principally for agricultural purposes) for insectivorous and nectivorous
species. This paper serves to augment information on the breeding biology of some
Papua New Guinea birds; in particular that of Salvadori’s Teal Anas waigniensis.
Breeding records, in this area with seasonally unpredictable rainfall, may be of
significance to a future understanding of avian breeding biologies in the tropics.

Craig T. Symes & Stuart J. Marsden 12 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

Methods and study area

The study was conducted in CMWMA, a 27,000-ha region on the borders of
Chimbu, Eastern Highlands and Gulf provinces, in the Purari River catchment. The
region encompasses some of the largest sections of primary forest in Papua New
Guinea, and ranges from lowland tropical forest on the Purari River (50 m) to
montane forest and subalpine scrub on the summit of Crater Mountain, at 3,100 m
(Mack & Wright 1996, Wright et al. 1997, Igag & Murphy 2002). Over a 3.5-year
period, rainfall at Crater Mountain Biological Research Station (CMBRS: Fig. 1;
c.900 m, 06°43’S, 145°05’E) averaged 6,400 mm/p.a., ranged from 180-960
mm/month and was seasonally unpredictable (Wright et al. 1997). Igag (2002),
however, referred to the austral late autumn/early winter (March—June) as the ‘dry
period’, when less rainfall occurred, although monthly variation did not appear
significant. Humidity is high and treefalls as a result of strong winds common
(Wright et al. 1997; CTS pers. obs.).

Evidence of birds breeding was collected from mid April to mid October 2002,
at altitudes of 300—900 m (Fig. 1, Table 1). All observations were opportunistic and
made north of the Pio River. Information collected on each nest was circumstantial
and depended on available time. Habitats surveyed ranged from small active
gardens (crops of sweet potato, sago palm, banana and vegetables), abandoned
gardens of different ages, little-disturbed primary forest (subject only to periodic
hunting and small-tree removal), and pristine lowland to hill forest (Paiymans 1976).
Details of Palm Cockatoo Probosciger arterrimus, Eclectus Parrot Eclectus roratus
and Pesquet’s Parrot Psittrichas fulgidus are not included here, as they have been
presented earlier (Igag 2002), and information on Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
Cacatua galerita nests is also not given here (except in two examples, see Rainbow
Lorikeet Trichoglossus haematodus and Grey Crow Corvus tristis accounts) as
cavities were high in canopy trees and were not inspected.

Feeding and functional guilds are indicated thus: a) Haw = hawks, b) Gra =
granivores, c) Ins = insectivores and mixed feeders, d) Nec = nectarivores [not
considered by Coates (1985)], e) Fru = frugivores, and e) Wat = waterbirds (Coates
1985, Beehler et al. 1986). Specific nest dimensions are indicated by OD (outside
diameter of nest bowl) and ID (inside diameter of nest bowl). Nest depth refers to
the bow] and nest length refers to total vertical dimension. The approximate altitude
at which each nest was recorded is also presented. Nomenclature follows Beehler et
al. (1986). 3

Nests for which specific information was provided by landowners is referenced
(LO pers. comm.) and those where information was proffered by Trained Local
Observers as (TLO pers. comm.). TLOs are local landowners, knowledgeable in
local fauna and flora, trained to assist visiting researchers and dedicated to promot-
ing sustainable use of the environment through research and eco-tourism. Most
nests were positively identified by CTS, by observing the nest or adults of the
respective species in nest attendance, and are indicated (CTS pers. obs.).

Craig T. Symes & Stuart J. Marsden 13

TABLE |

Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

Study areas within CMWMA in which nests and breeding were observed. Nests recorded in Results
are noted as being observed in the vicinity of one of these settlements or the research station

Settlement

Haia

Yabaramaru

Yualaido
Wara Oo

CMBRS

(CMBRS) (see Fig. 1).

Habitat type

Hill/lowland forest transition, village established
1970s around airstrip, high levels of disturbance
and active gardens closer to village

Lowland forest, village established after Soliabedo
abandoned (National Mapping Bureau 1985)
As previous site

Hill and lowland forest, small village of c.100
people, lower levels of disturbance with increased
distance from settlement

Hill forest, research station established late 1980s,
moratorium on hunting and gathering in area

Madang
Guinea Miawilhe tp,

Altitude (m) Grid

650-830

300-450

300-400
450-650

850—950

reference
06°42’S, 144°59°E

06°43°S, 144°50°E

06°43°S, 144°52°E

06°45’S, 145°02’E

06°43’S, 145° 05’°E

Figure 1. Map showing general area of the Crater Mountain Wildlife Management Area where the study

occurred.

Craig T: Symes & Stuart J. Marsden 14 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

TABLE 2
Egg-laying months (extrapolated for those nests without eggs) of birds in CMWMA. Guilds include:
a) granivores, b) insectivores and mixed feeders, c) frugivores, and d) waterbirds (Coates 1985). Only
months in which the study was conducted are shown. Number of records is given together with the
number of species in parentheses. Months in which least rainfall was recorded at Haia (1998-2001)
are shaded (March—June) (Igag 2002).

Guild Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct TOTALS

Granivore 1 1 (1)

Insectivore and mixed ] 8 6 9 2 26 (15)

Frugivore 4 2 2 3 1 12 (8)

Water 1 ] 2 4 (2)

Totals 4 2 3 12 8 11 g 43 (26)
Results

Nests recorded in this study are summarised below. Those species recorded nesting
by Mack (1994) are indicated *. Thirty-two species in 17 families were recorded
breeding in CMWMA. Egg-laying month was estimated for each observation of an
active nest. These are summarised in Table 2 for all breeding records and are also
presented in parentheses at the start of each breeding observation account. Species
allocated to more than one guild were considered mixed feeders. Not all breeding
records are presented below, as some do not amplify existing data (five species in
four families) (Coates 1985, 1990, Mack 1994).

Mean clutch size for open nesting birds was 1.5 (n=26) (an open nest being
defined as one in which the nest bowl is exposed to the environment from above).
The mean number of nestlings recorded per nest (1.2; n=9) was lower (due to
predation, egg infertility, nestling death, other loss) than the mean number of eggs
per nest (1.6; n=17) (waterbirds excluded from means).

Nest records

SALVADORPS TEAL Anas waiguiensis (Wat)
Haia (440 m): a large tree growing at c.45° over the Mei River (between the Je and
Nimi rivers; 06°43’S, 144°57’E) contained an old nest (TLO pers. comm.). The site,
c.6 m above the river, was set in vegetation and epiphytes on the upper side-of the
main trunk. One egg was removed two years previously (LO pers. comm.).
Yabaramaru (305 m): an island on the Wi River harboured several old nests (LO
pers. comm.). On 28 July, four separate shallow depressions within a 10-m radius,
scraped in the soil and concealed by grass, were identified as having previously
been used (LO pers. comm.). A local landowner indicated that one nest had
contained three eggs and another had produced four chicks in c.1997 (LO pers.
comm.). Another possible nest further upstream was not visited (LO pers. comm.).
Haia (August, 630 m): on 24 August an incubating bird was flushed from a nest
on a large boulder island in the middle of the Nimi River (Fig 2, CTS pers. obs.).

Craig T. Symes & Stuart J. Marsden Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

Figure 2. Large boulder island in the Nimi River where a Salvadori's Teal Anas waiguiensis nest was
identified. An incubating bird was flushed off the nest site at the apex of the rock. The river level was
relatively low, flowing only one side of the rock during nest inspection (Craig T. Symes)

Figure 3. Salvadori's Teal Anas waiguiensis nest on large boulder island in Nimi River, showing exposed
eggs after the incubating bird was flushed off the nest (Craig T. Symes)

Craig T. Symes & Stuart J. Marsden Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

ee z oh an ae i = a - 3
Figure 4. 'Log island' in the Nimi River with TLO, ljenepe Houmore, indicating site of the Salvadori's
Teal Anas waiguiensis nest (Craig T. Symes)

Figure 5. Salvadori's Teal Anas waiguiensis nest on 'log island' on the Nimi River, showing down
covering eggs. The adults were absent (Craig T. Symes)

Craig T. Symes & Stuart J. Marsden 17 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

The river was low and only flowing west of the island at the time. During higher
rains the rock is surrounded by water (TLO pers. comm.). The rock was c.4 m high
on the accessible side (rock diameter c.6-10 m) with grass and small shrubs
covering the top 2 m of exposed rock. Three cream-white eggs were partially hidden
by off-white down in a grass nest (OD c.20 cm, ID c.9 cm). On 21 August three eggs
were in the nest (LO pers. comm.) (Fig. 3).

Haia (September, 770 m): on 20 August (hereafter Day 1) a possible nest on a
small ‘log island’ in the Nimi River north of Haia was discovered (TLO pers.
comm.), it being a scrape in the soil, concealed by grass growing on the log (CTS
pers. obs.). Water level was low and the river only flowed east of the ‘island’. The
log, which had become attached to rocks in the river, was c.10 m downstream from
a crossing point in the river (the path from Haia to Karamu) (Fig. 4). Visits to the
nest site attempted to minimise disturbance and only involved peering at the nest
when the adults were absent, and then departing. The following is a record of visits
to the site (CTS pers. obs., TLO pers. comm.). Day 7: on approaching the nest one
bird flew from nearby and settled c.20 m upstream on exposed rocks in the river. It
remained until CTS and a TLO departed c.10 minutes later. The scraping appeared
deeper, being a shallow depression in the damp soil. Day 10: the scrape was finely
lined with dry grasses. Day /2: the nest was lined with more dry grasses and two
small green fern fronds. Another scraping was observed in the ground c.50 cm
away, possibly from where nest material had been collected. Day 13: a single cream-
white egg was present in the nest, which was still lined with grass. No birds were
seen. Day 14: the nest was as the day before, but the egg was finely smeared with
dirt and mud. Day /6: as previous inspection; no birds were observed. Days 18 &
20: two eggs were present. Days 22 & 24: three eggs were present; the nest was still
lined only with grass. Days 26 & 29: a bird was at the nest and was not disturbed.
Day 32: an incubating bird was flushed and flew upstream out of sight. The nest had
four eggs and was lined with a thick layer of down. Day 38: no bird was observed
at the nest but one was seen flying upstream. It briefly settled on a submerged rock
before moving into some rapids. The nest had four eggs, nestled beneath a layer of
down feathers. Days 42 & 44: the four eggs were covered with feathers and an adult
was foraging downstream (Fig. 5). Days 48, 50, 52 & 54: the nest appeared
abandoned probably due to human passage along the nearby footpath or observer
disturbance.

Haia (September, 740 m): on 10 September four eggs were in a nest on a large
rock beside the Ware River (a tributary of the Ooh east of Haia) (TLO pers. comm.).
The nest was set in a hollow in grass on the riverbank and lined with feathers (M.
Opiang pers. comm.). On 21 September the nest was empty, the eggs possibly
removed by humans.

A report from a landowner who removed 15 eggs from a nest on an island on
the Nimi River is considered suspect given the numbers of eggs observed in nests
in this study (TLO pers. comm.). Salvadori’s Teal was also indicated to occur
regularly on a stretch of river (width 30-50 m) near the Torrent Flycatcher nest on

Craig T. Symes & Stuart J. Marsden 18 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

the Je (TLO pers. comm.). A landowner assured CTS that birds roosted on a large
boulder (height 2 m above water, diameter c.8 m) in the middle of the fast-flowing
river c.1 km downstream of the flycatcher nest. A teal feather was found on a rock
but no birds were seen during observations one evening. The species was also
reported to occasionally occur on the Pio River (TLO pers. comm.) (river width
50-100 m), a more turbid river (CTS pers. obs.).

GREY-HEADED GOSHAWK Accipiter poliocephalus (Haw)

Haia (840 m): on 25 August an adult was flushed from a nest in a subcanopy tree
(nest height 6.5 m; tree height c.14 m) (TLO pers. comm.). The tree was at the edge
of an active garden north of Haia. The nest, a deep bowl of twigs and small
branches, was lined with leaves and set against the main trunk. On 1 and 4
September the nest was still empty (CTS pers. obs.).

BROWN CUCKOO-DOVE Macropygia amboinensis * (Fru/Gra)

Haia (May, 875 m): on 27 May an adult was flushed from a nest, c.6 m above
ground, in the fronds of a Pandanus sp. (tree height c.8 m; dbh 17.5 cm above
support roots). The forest canopy was open. On 7 June a male was sitting on the
same nest.

GREAT CUCKOO-DOVE Reinwardtoena reinwardtii * (Fru/Gra)

Wara Oo (April, 550 m): on 12 May a nest on a ledge (height 2.4 m, dimensions 20
x 80 cm) c.1.5 m from a small waterfall contained one chick covered in pinkish-
white down. The nest was a shallow bowl sparsely lined with fine plant material. An
adult flew off on approaching the nest (CTS pers. obs.). A week earlier a single egg
was in the nest (TLO pers. comm.).

Yabaramaru (July, 480 m): on 22 July a bird incubating a single white egg was
flushed from a nest on a cliff ledge c.12m above ground (CTS pers. obs.). The c.25 m-
high cliffs formed the entrance to a large sinkhole, in a valley, in pristine forest.

Yabaramaru (June, c. 450 m): on 24 July young boys brought CTS a nestling
they had collected from a cliff nest in nearby forest. The nestling was adult size,
with blue-black feathers and a half-grown tail; the legs and bill were black.

WOMPOO FRUIT-DOVE Piilinopus magnificus (Fru)

Yabaramaru (July, 440 m): on 29 July a bird was incubating a single white egg in a
nest c.6 m above ground in a forest understorey tree (dbh 22 cm). The nest was flat,
with a base of small sticks and twigs, lined on the upper surface with smaller twigs
and vine tendrils, sited in little-disturbed lowland forest. On 3 August the nest
appeared destroyed, possibly by debris falling from the canopy (CTS pers. obs.).

SUPERB FRUIT-DOVE Piilinopus superbus * (Fru)
Wara Oo (May, 750 m): on 14 May a single white egg was in a nest on a branch
(diameter 4.5 cm) of a small understorey tree (dbh 20 cm) (CTS pers. obs.). The

Craig T. Symes & Stuart J. Marsden 19 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

nest was a sparse platform of rigid twigs, with no evident bowl, at a height of
2.65 m. An adult flew off on approaching the nest (TLO pers. comm.).

Yualaido (July, 440 m): on 31 July a female was flushed from a nest at a height
of 2.5 m. The nest was a thin layer of rigid twigs sited in the fork of a horizontal
branch of an understorey tree of c.6 m (dbh 4 cm). A single white egg was visible
from below (CTS pers. obs.).

BEAUTIFUL FRUIT-DOVE Piilinopus pulchellus * (Fru)

Wara Oo (635 m): on 5 October a male was flushed from an empty nest in an
understorey tree in little-disturbed forest. Next day the nest was still empty (CTS
pers. obs.).

ZOE IMPERIAL PIGEON Ducula zoeae (Fru)

Haia (April, 760 m): on 23 April a bird was observed at a nest in a large tree within
an abandoned coffee plantation. The nest was c.13 m above ground in the outermost
branches (CTS pers. obs.).

RAINBOW LORIKEET Trichoglossus haematodus (Nec/Fru)

Haia (770 m): on 8 May a pair was seen entering a cavity between the branch of a
large canopy tree and a mass of ferns and epiphytes growing on the branch. The
cavity was c.20 m above ground. At the same time a pair of Sulphur-crested
Cockatoos was active at another cavity (height c.25 m) in the same tree (CTS pers.
obs.).

GLOSSY SWIFTLET Collocalia esculenta (Ins)

Yabaramaru (June, c.450 m): on 24 July young boys brought CTS three nests of the
species. Each contained a single nestling at different stages of development. The
nests had been removed from a low cliff in nearby pristine forest (see Great Cuckoo-
dove). Each nest was a small delicate cup of plant material, neatly lined on the
outside with fine live moss.

RUFOUS-BELLIED KOOKABURRA Dacelo gaudichaud (Ins)

Yabaramaru (490 m): a cavity (diameter c.7 cm, entrance height 3.2 m) within a
spherical ant nest (diameter c.70 cm) was pointed out by a landowner as an old
breeding site. The nest was in a Pandanus sp. (dbh 13 cm) in a recently abandoned
garden. The cavity was in use by bees when inspected on 22 July.

DWARF KINGFISHER Ceyx /epidus (Ins)

CMWMA (400-800 m): excavated cavities (fresh and old) were frequently
observed at the base of treefalls. The soil lifted by the roots of the fallen tree
provided a near-vertical bank into which the excavations were made (CTS pers.
obs.). These cavities were indicated as Dwarf Kingfishers nest sites by TLOs. Some
were shallow cavities and, being next to paths, were likely abandoned, and in some

Craig T. Symes & Stuart J. Marsden 20 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

the end was not visible. None was thoroughly inspected. A Dwarf Kingfisher was
observed in an abandoned garden, leaving a freshly worked cavity on the underside
of a toppled tree.

BLYTH’S HORNBILL Rhycticeros plicatus (Fru)

Wara Oo (April, c.600 m): an unidentified tree species felled by a landowner in mid
April contained four eggs (TLO pers. comm.). A sample of the nest plug brought to
CTS had a distinctive aromatic citrus smell (CTS pers. obs.).

WHITE-BELLIED THICKET FANTAIL Rhipidura leucothorax (Ins)

Yualaido (July, 465 m): on 1—2 August two pale brown eggs, speckled darker brown
at the broad end, were being incubated in a nest suspended from a dead vine on a
sago palm Metroxylon sagu (CTS pers. obs.). The nest, lined on the outside (OD 7
cm) with dry bamboo and sugarcane leaves bound with spider web silk, was lined
smoothly in a neat bowl (ID 6 cm) with spider silk. The nest was c.15 cm long with
the base a tapering ‘tail’ of fine hanging material and spider silk. The nest was 2.5 m
above a small stream (width 2 m), directly above a small log bridge.

CHESTNUT-BELLIED FANTAIL Rhipidura hyperythra * (Ins)

Haia (July?, 835 m): on 4 September a nest adjacent to a regularly used trail (c.3 m
wide) in little-disturbed forest was indicated as belonging to the species (TLO pers.
comm.). It appeared to have been used recently and was sited in the horizontal
branch of an understorey tree at a height of 3.3 m. The nest was a neatly compacted
mesh of fine plant material and spider webs. A 0.5—1.0-cm portion of the nest lip
was raised in a small bump. Nest length was 8-10 cm with threads of material
hanging below the nest.

NORTHERN FANTAIL Rhipidura rufiventris (Ins)

Haia (August, c.830 m): on 4 September a bird was incubating two eggs in a nest
in a garden tree (nest height 3.1 m, tree height c.5 m). The eggs were white, lightly
speckled rufous-red (LO pers. comm.). The nest was a neatly compacted bowl of
woven plant material and spider webs sited in a horizontal fork (CTS pers. obs.).

HOODED MONARCH Monarch manadensis (Ins)

Yualaido (July, 450 m): two dark brown eggs, speckled darker at the broad end, were
being incubated on 2 August. The nest, 1.65 m high in the fork of a small
understorey tree (dbh 1.5 cm, height c.2.5.m), was a neat bowl (OD 10 cm, ID 4.5
cm) lined inside with fine epiphyte roots. Fresh moss on the outside hung below the
nest in a ‘tail’ (nest length 22 cm). Two other nests, thought to be of monarchs (TLO
pers. comm.), were found: on 4 September (empty but with fresh faeces) and 25
September (one egg).

Craig T. Symes & Stuart J. Marsden 21 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

TORRENT FLYCATCHER Monachella muelleriana (Wat)

Yualaido (July, 470 m): on 3 August a nest, a neat bowl of finely woven epiphyte
roots, the exterior lined with moss (OD 9 cm, ID 6 cm, length 6 cm, depth c.2 cm),
was observed on the ledge of a large boulder in the Je River. The nest was c.2.5 m
above the water and 30 cm below the top of the boulder, on which grass was
growing. A nestling in pin, and a pale brown egg with darker brown patches, were
present in the nest (CTS pers. obs.).

BANDED YELLOW ROBIN Poecilidryas placens (Ins)

Haia (July, 760 m): on 22 August a fully feathered nestling was observed in a nest
in pristine hill forest (CTS pers. obs.). The nest (length 2 cm, depth c.1 cm) was 1.7
m above ground in a low (3.3.m) understorey tree (dbh 3 cm), on the horizontal fork
of a side branch, and was constructed of tendrils and fine epiphyte roots, lined on
the outside with moss. On 26 August the nest was empty and the nestling had
perhaps fledged (CTS pers. obs.).

Wara Oo (August, 580 m): on 30 September a small nestling was observed in a
nest (height 2.1 m) in an understorey shrub (height 2.5 m) in pristine forest. The
nest, set on a horizontal side branch, was a shallow bow! of finely woven epiphyte
roots and plant material, with live moss on the outside (OD 9 cm, ID 5 cm).

GREY WHISTLER Pachycephala simplex (Ins)

Haia (August?, 830 m): a nest c.12 m above ground was observed under construc-
tion in a tree (height c.15 m) on the edge of an active garden. The nest was in the
foliage of a horizontal side branch. On 30 August an adult was seen bringing a 3-4-
cm dry leaf to the nest. On 3 September, in 14 minutes, an adult was seen bringing
an epiphyte root (c.5 cm long), a dry leaf with only the veins remaining (c.6 cm)
and a grasshopper to the nest (CTS pers. obs.).

LITTLE SHRIKE-THRUSH Colluricincla megarhyncha * (Ins)

Haia (September, 760 m): on 20 September a nest, the inside lined with fine
epiphyte roots and plant material, and the outside with large dead leaves, was found
beside a footpath within little-disturbed forest. The nest (OD 14 cm, ID 7 cm, length
14 cm) was set against the main stem of a small understorey tree (dbh 4 cm, height
2.1 m) at a height of 1.4 m, and contained two cream-brown eggs, speckled brown
all over, with a darker band of almost complete brown at the broad end. On 26
September the two eggs were still present (CTS pers. obs.).

Wara Oo (September, c.570 m): a nest, 2.15 m above ground, was found on 30
September in a subcanopy tree (height c.23 m) in pristine forest. It was observed
again on | October. A single cream egg, speckled dark brown all over, more lightly
at the narrow end, was missing on 2 October. The nest (OD 12 cm, ID 6 cm, length
11 cm) was set in a leaf whorl near the main trunk (dbh 3 cm). The outside of the
nest was a rough layer of leaves and twigs (CTS pers. obs.).

Craig T. Symes & Stuart J. Marsden 22 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

RUSTY PITOHUI Pitohui ferrugineus * (Ins/Fru)

Yualaido (July, 445 m): a single pale blue egg, lightly flecked brown, green and red
at the broad end, was found on 18 July. The nest (OD c.13 cm, ID c.8cm, length c.11
cm) was in the fork of a climber on a small forest understorey tree (dbh 2.5 cm,
height 4 m) at a height of 2.3 m. It was a neat bowl, the outside a mesh of vine and
tendril twigs, the inside lined with fine bark and epiphyte roots. The habitat was
little-disturbed lowland forest (e.g. small-tree removal) (CTS pers. obs.).

Haia (October, 780 m): on 14 September a bird was observed constructing a nest
3.15 m high in an understorey tree within a home-garden clearing. On 28 September
the nest was still empty. On 22 October a small nestling, covered in brown feathers,
was observed in the nest (length c.15 cm, OD c.12 cm). The outside of the nest was
an untidy arrangement of twigs and sticks, and was set in a fork of the main trunk
(dbh 4.5 cm) (CTS pers. obs.).

Observations at this nest suggested that the period between nest construction
and egg laying is at least two weeks.

BLACK BERRYPECKER WMelanocharis nigra * (Ins/Fru)

Wara Oo (September, 600 m): on 30 September an adult was observed incubating
at a nest (height 2.25 m) in an understorey tree (height 2.5 m, dbh 2.0 cm) within
pristine forest (CTS pers. obs.). The nest was a tightly woven cup (OD 5 cm, ID 4
cm, length 6 cm) of fine epiphyte roots with lichen on the outside, and was sited in
the fork of a small horizontal branch. The two eggs were creamy-white blotched
dark brown, heaviest at the broad end. The incubating bird and eggs were observed
again on 1, 2 and 6 October.

BLACK SUNBIRD WNectarinia aspasia (Nec/Ins)

Haia (August, c.795 m): on 11 August a pair was observed nest building in the
foliage of an understorey tree at a height of c.8 m. The site was in little-disturbed
hill forest.

LONG-BILLED HONEYEATER WMelilestes megarhynchus * (Ins)
Haia (July?, 835 m): on 19 September an adult was observed feeding a juvenile in
the subcanopy of second-growth forest.

DWARF HONEYEATER Oedistoma iliolophus * (Ins/Nec)
Yualaido (July, 455 m): a nest indicated as of this species was observed on 18 July
in a small tree in an active garden (LO pers. comm.). The nest was sited 1.45 m
above ground in a 2.5 m-high tree (dbh 5.5 cm). Two white eggs were present in the
deep bowl of bamboo leaves and grass, lined with finer plant material (OD 9 cm,
ID 4 cm, length 11 cm) (CTS pers. obs.). The nest was probably abandoned due to
the increased presence of gardeners in the vicinity.

Haia (August, c.810 m): a nest under construction was observed on 24 August
in a small (1.2 m) understorey shrub in mildly disturbed hill forest. The nest was

Craig T. Symes & Stuart J. Marsden 23 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

0.75 m above ground and shielded by fern fronds c.10 cm above the nest. On 27
August the nest (OD 9 cm, ID 4.5 cm, length 8 cm) of fine woven plant material
and epiphyte rootlets was unlined, but on 3 September it was lined with fine clear
white seed material and contained one white egg, finely speckled pale rufous at the
broad end. On 4 September an adult was observed incubating at the nest, the bird’s
bill only just visible. On 19 September the nest was empty.

Haia (October, 830 m): on 28 September a nest was observed under construc-
tion | m high in an understorey shrub in pristine forest (TLO pers. comm.).

SCRUB WHITE-EARED MELIPHAGA Meliphaga albonotata (Ins/Fru)
Yualaido (July, 445 m): on 18 July a nest with two cream eggs, lightly speckled dark
brown, was found in a garden tree (Ficus sp., dbh 17 cm, height c.15 m) at a height
of c.11 m (CTS pers. obs.). The nest was constructed of woven bamboo leaves and
moss, well camouflaged in the tree canopy. On 29 July, two lightly feathered
nestlings were present (TLO pers. comm.).

Haia (September, c.800 m): on 4 September a nest was observed under construc-
tion at a height of c.7 m in a 16-m subcanopy tree within an abandoned garden. The
nest was a fine ball of intertwined moss, grass and white seed material, with some
leaves, and was set in a horizontal fork, with most of the nest set below the branch.
On 25 September the nest was complete.

Haia (September, 775 m): on 28 September a nest (OD c.8 cm, ID c.7 cm, depth
c.8 cm) was found 2.3 m above ground in a shrub (dbh 5 cm) in regrowth within an
abandoned garden (CTS pers. obs.). The thin-walled nest of fine grass and bamboo
leaves, with moss embedded, was lined with fine white seed material. Like the
previous nest, the top was level with the branches in a horizontal fork. Two
nestlings, with grey-black skin and in pin, had bright yellow gapes and opened their
eyes when alert.

Wara Oo (September, 610 m): on 29 September a single pinky-cream egg,
speckled dark rufous at the broad end, was observed in a nest 2.3 m above ground
(CTS pers. obs.). The nest (OD c.8 cm, ID c.7 cm) was woven onto the branches of
a horizontal fork in a tree (dbh 5 cm, height c.3.5 cm), the top of the nest level with
the branches. The nest was flimsy with moss on the outside and fine woven grass
on the inside, lined with fluffy white seeds. The egg was still present on 2 October.

Haia (September, 730 m): on 29 September two nestlings were observed solicit-
ing food in a nest (height 2.4 m) in the horizontal fork of a creeper within a large
canopy tree. The top of the nest was set below the branch and was a thin-walled
construction of moss and leaves. Habitat was near-pristine forest.

TAWNY-BREASTED HONEYEATER Xanthotis flaviventer (Fru/Ins)
Haia (c.790 m): on 1 September an adult departed after removing a tendril from the
branch of a subcanopy tree in an abandoned garden (CTS pers. obs.).

Craig T. Symes & Stuart J. Marsden 24 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

STREAK-HEADED MANNIKIN Lonchura tristissima * (Gra)

Haia (August, 775 m): on 31 August a nest indicated as of this species was observed
in an abandoned garden without trees (LO pers. comm.). The nest (OD 7 cm, ID 4
cm), an untidy woven ball of coarse grass and bamboo leaves, was 1.6 m above
ground within the foliage of a shrub. It contained four eggs, three pale brown,
speckled rufous, and the other white, flecked brown at the broad end. Such discrep-
ancy in egg coloration is only readily explained if the nest had been parasitised by
a cuckoo, although such behaviour is unmentioned in the secondary literature
(Restall 1996, Payne 1997). Both Brush Cacomantis variolosus and Chestnut-
breasted Cuckoos C. castaneiventris were regularly recorded near the nest, and the
egg of the former species is apparently rather similar to that observed here (Payne
1997). The nest appeared abandoned due to disturbance and tampering, or due to
being parasitised (CTS pers. obs.).

TORRENT-LARK Grallina bruijini * (Wat)

CMBRS (875 m): on 14 October an adult was flushed from an empty nest on an
exposed branch dangling c.2 m above a fast-flowing stream. The nest was a
compacted construction of mud and plant material, including epiphyte roots, atop a
flexible branch thinner than the nest (OD 12 cm) (CTS pers. obs.).

HOODED BUTCHERBIRD Cracticus cassicus (Ins)

Haia (770 m): on 22 September an adult was observed transporting a large twig to
a nest c.18 m high in a large Jerminalia sp., within an old garden. The nest, a sparse
layer of twigs and small branches, was possibly still being constructed. A maximum
of five birds was observed in the immediate vicinity during mid morning, calling
and displaying in a 50-m radius (CTS pers. obs.).

GREY CROW Corvus tristis * (Fru)

Yabaramaru (510 m): on 24 July a landowner showed CTS an old nest site,
reputedly used by this species in the past (LO pers. comm.). The large nest of OD
c.50—60 cm was at least 25 m high in the fork of a canopy tree (Motu, height c.32 m,
dbh 3.24 m) (CTS pers. obs.).

Haia (770 m): a nest tree, c.2 km north-west of Haia, indicated to have been used
by this species was shown to CTS by a local landowner. The nest, a platform of large
twigs, was c.35 m above ground, near the top of a large canopy emergent. A
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo was observed using a cavity in the same tree (see
Rainbow Lorikeet account).

Haia (June, 790 m): on 27 August two juveniles were observed soliciting from
adults c.1 km north of Haia in forest at the edge of a recently abandoned garden.

Discussion and concluding remarks

Salvadori’s Teal nests observed on the Wi River during this study were probably
further downstream than those recorded by Diamond (1972). Those noted by

Craig T. Symes & Stuart J. Marsden 25 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

Diamond (1972) in July were described as grass-lined depressions on a riverside
rock, but they were probably inactive. These are low-altitude records for a species
that prefers clear, fast-flowing alpine streams (Diamond 1972, Coates 1985).
Habitat quality, rather than altitude, is thus more likely an important factor in
determining the range and breeding distribution of Salvadori’s Teal (Diamond
1972). On Mount Wilhelm (above 3,215 m), on the lower Pindauande Lake, two
nests in which eggs had already hatched were found in consecutive years (Smith
1976). Egg remains in these nests, both on a mossy ledge c.1 m above water level,
suggested that no more than 2—3 eggs were laid in each (Smith 1976). Further, the
observation of only a single pair on the lake suggested that both nests belonged to
the same pair (Smith 1976). It is therefore unknown whether the four nest scrapes
found on the Wi in this study were made by a single (the same?) pair in successive
years or more than one pair in the same year. Based on Smith (1976) and the
infrequent sightings of large flocks on rivers in the region, we suggest that the same
pair returned annually to a traditional or safe nest site. In two consecutive years
(1971/72) ducklings with adults were observed in August and July (Smith 1976),
indicating earlier egg laying than in our study.

Observations made on 24 March—10 November 1977 regularly recorded small
numbers of Salvadori’s Teal on the Baiyer River, where the species was often seen
feeding at a point where the river rushes over rocky outcrops (Bishop 1977). On 14
October 1977 two young were brought to the Batyer River Wildlife Sanctuary but
subsequently died (Bishop 1977). In October of another year, four ducklings were
brought in and marked with broad black and white stripes (Bishop 1977). These
dates accord with breeding times recorded in our study, months most likely to be
considered the dry season outside the study area.

It is difficult, given the few data, to determine breeding seasons of respective
guilds in relation to any minor variation in rainfall. We therefore suggest that a
combination of factors (e.g. day-length, seasonal food availability and natural
breeding cycles) trigger breeding in the region. However, at CMBRS, over a 3.5-
year period, no seasonal variation in overall fruiting patterns was detected (Wright
et al. 1997). If any pattern of rainfall is detectable at Haia (Igag 2002) then most
frugivore breeding records were in the dry season and insectivore and mixed feeders
in the early-wet. Very few species recorded in our study can be considered strict
nectarivores, thus if nectarivore records are grouped with mixed feeders the number
of records for this guild in the early-wet season increases (Table 2). All waterbird
records were in the early-wet season, according with Bishop (1977), Diamond
(1972) and Coates (1985).

In lowland forest, Bell (1982) noted avian breeding seasons to be in the late-dry
season (September—October, austral spring), although breeding occurred year-
round. Mixed feeders, including honeyeaters, had patterns similar to carnivores,
breeding during the dry season, peaking in December (Bell 1982). Our study may
possess insufficient data to make interpretations on an annual scale, but there is
evidence to suggest a distinct difference in breeding times between guilds.

Craig T. Symes & Stuart J. Marsden 26 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

Few waterbirds occur in Crater Mountain yet all three known residents were
recorded breeding (Mack 1994). It is probable that they always breed close to fast-
flowing rivers and that nest failures as a result of rapid fluctuations in water levels
due to heavy rains may occur. During our study all waterbird records were in the
early-wet season, according with Bishop (1977), Diamond (1972) and Coates
(1985).

In CMWMA Eclectus Parrots showed no seasonality in breeding patterns,
although Vulturine Parrots and Palm Cockatoos did, breeding in the wet season
(July—November) (Igag 2002). The more specialised diets of the latter two may be
instrumental in determining breeding patterns.

Thirty-six species were incidentally recorded breeding at CMBRS during c.30
months (May 1990—March 1993) research on Dwarf Cassowary Casuarius bennetti
(Mack 1994). The CMWMA encourages research as an alternative income to
logging for local communities. However, researchers tend to conduct short-term
studies in the area and incidental information collected is ‘lost’ in offices and files
at various research institutions. By publishing these data, questions concerning the
breeding biology of birds in tropical regions can begin to be addressed.

Acknowledgements

The North of England Zoological Society and Manchester Metropolitan University funded the study of
the effects of garden practices on bird communities in the Papua New Guinea Eastern Highlands. The
National Research Institute of Papua New Guinea (NRI) and Research and Conservation Foundation of
Papua New Guinea (RCF) provided necessary study permits and logistical support. The Wildlife
Conservation Society (WCS—Papua New Guinea Program) is thanked immeasurably for logistical
support in Goroka (EHP). The Pawaian people of CMWMaA are particularly acknowledged for their
friendship, support and enthusiasm, especially Trained Local Observers, Ijenepe Houmore, Sam, Rocksy
Soai, Kayol Tulai, Kowboi and Waloai Jaupe. Muse Opiang is thanked for reporting the one Salvadori’s
Teal nest.

References:

Beehler, B. M., Pratt, T. K. & Zimmerman, D. A. 1986. Birds of New Guinea. Princeton Univ. Press.

Bell, H. L. 1982. A bird community of lowland rain forest in New Guinea. 2. Seasonality. Emu 82:
65-74.

Bishop, D. 1977. Further bird observations from Baiyer River. New Guinea Bird Soc. Newsletter 138:
9-17.

Coates, B. J. 1985. The birds of Papua New Guinea, vol. 1. Dove Publications, Alderley.

Coates, B. J. 1990. The birds of Papua New Guinea, vol. 2. Dove Publications, Alderley.

Diamond, J. M. 1972. Avifauna of the Eastern Highlands of New Guinea. Publ. Nuttall Orn. Cl. 12.
Cambridge, MA.

Igag, P. 2002. Conservation of large rainforest parrots: a study of breeding biology of the Palm Cockatoo
Probosciger arterrimus, Eclectus Parrot Eclectus roratus and Vulturine Parrot Psittrichas fulgidus.
MSc thesis. Australia Natl. Univ. (ANU), Canberra.

Igag, P. & Murphy, S. 2002. Palm Cockatoo conservation in Papua New Guinea. PsittaScene 51: 6—7.

Mack, A. L. 1994. Notes on the nests and eggs of some birds at Crater Mountain Research Station, Papua
New Guinea. Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl. 114: 176-181.

Mack, A. L. & Wright, D. D. 1996. Notes on occurrence and feeding of birds at Crater Mountain
Biological Research Station, Papua New Guinea. Emu 96: 89-101.

Craig T. Symes & Stuart J. Marsden 27 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

National Mapping Bureau. 1979. Papua New Guinea 1:100 000 Topographic Survey, sheet 7984—
Crater. Royal Australian Survey Corps, Canberra

National Mapping Bureau. 1985. Papua New Guinea 1:100 000 Topographic Survey, sheet 7884—
Karimui. Royal Australian Survey Corps, Canberra.

Paijmans, K. (ed.) 1976. New Guinea vegetation. Natl. Univ. Press. Canberra.

Payne, R. B. 1997. Family Cuculidae (cuckoos). Pp. 508-607 in del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. & Sargatal, J.
(eds.) Handbook of the birds of the world, vol. 4. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.

Restall, R. 1996. Munias and mannikins. Pica Press, Robertsbridge.

Smith, J. M. B. 1976. Notes on birds breeding above 3,215 metres on Mt Wilhelm, Papua New Guinea.
Emu 76: 220-221.

Wright, D. D., Jessen, J. H., Burke, P. & de Silva Garza, H. G. 1997. Tree and liana enumeration and
diversity on a one-hectare plot in Papua New Guinea. Biotropica 29: 250-260.

Addresses: Craig T. Symes, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria,
0002, South Africa, e-mail: craig.symes@zoology.up.ac.za. Stuart J. Marsden, Dept. Environmental
& Geographical Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Chester Street, Manchester M1
5GD, UK, e-mail: s.marsden@mmu.ac.uk

© British Ornithologists’ Club 2005

On the type series of Macropsalis Ralinowskiu1
(Berlepsch & Stolzmann 1894) (Caprimulgidae)

by Nigel Cleere

Received 25 October 2003

Swallow-tailed Nightjar Uropsalis segmentata is a little-known Andean species that
inhabits montane forests from central Colombia south to central Bolivia (Cleere
1998, 1999, Holyoak 2001). Two races are currently recognised, U. s. segmentata
(Cassin 1849) in Colombia and Ecuador and U. s. kalinowskii (Berlepsch &
Stolzmann 1894) in central Peru to central Bolivia. They differ in the size and
markings of the outer tail feathers in adult males.

The nominate race was described under the name Hydropsalis segmentatus by
Cassin (1849) from two Bogota specimens originally in the Rivoli collection. The
specimens were identified as a middle-age male and young female, and are now
deposited in the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia (ANSP), where they
were documented as ANSP 21.939 male, type, and ANSP 21.941 by Stone (1899).
The nomination of ANSP 21.939 as the type was an act of lectotypification by
Stone and ANSP 21.941 therefore became a paralectotype.

Macropsalis kalinowskii was described by Berlepsch & Stolzmann (1894) from
eight specimens, five males and three females, collected by J. Kalinowski at
Pariayacu, near Maraynioc, in central Peru on 26 October 1891, 5 and 6 November
1891, 12 December 1891, 16 September 1892 and 26 February 1893. The types
were stated to be in the Branicki [sic] collection and the Berlepsch collection,

Nigel Cleere 28 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

although these have since been sold or transferred to the Museum and Institute of
Zoology, Warsaw, Poland (MZPW), and the Forschungsinstitut und Naturmuseum
Senckenberg, Frankfurt am Main, Germany (SMF). The type material of M.
kalinowskii has received very little subsequent attention and only two specimens
appear in modern type catalogues. A male deposited in the Museum and Institute of
Zoology, Warsaw (MZPW 2287) was recorded as the type by Sztoleman &
Domaniewski (1927) and a female deposited in the National Museum of Natural
History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, USA (USNM 159776), was listed as
a co-type by Deignan (1961). It is of interest, therefore, to fully document the type
material of M. kalinowskii.

Material and methods

I visited most of the major natural history museums in Europe and North America
and carefully examined all specimens of Macropsalis kalinowskii. Specimen label
data were compared with the literature, museum registers and archive material
where available, and all eight specimens, five males and three females, collected by
J. Kalinowski at Pariayacu, near Maraynioc, Peru, were located.

Results and discussion

The original description of Macropsalis kalinowskii was based upon the five males
and three females, which were supported with data such as locality, collection dates
and collector. It was also stated that these specimens were lodged in two private
collections, the Musée Branicki in Poland and the Musée Berlepsch in Germany,
but the number sent to each collection was not elaborated. The Branickis’ collection
is now held in the Museum and Institute of Zoology in Warsaw, Poland, and the
Berlepsch collection in the Forschungsinstitut und Naturmuseum Senckenberg in
Frankfurt am Main, Germany. However, it is clear from the examination of material
in each collection that both Berlepsch and the Branickis readily exchanged material
with other collectors (see below), and hence the type series is not confined to the
museums in Warsaw and Frankfurt.

In the collections housed at the Museum and Institute of Zoology in Warsaw
there are three specimens, an immature male with the outer tail feathers still
growing and two adult males, all taken at Maraynioc, Peru, by J. Kalinowski and
received from the Branickis’ collection. Sztoloman & Domaniewski (1927) identi-
fied one of these specimens, MZPW 2287, an adult male collected on 12 December
1891, as the type, which therefore was an act of lectotypification. The number on
the specimen label is actually 2287P, which is an old registration number, and it has
yet to be given a new number. On the Branicki label is the number 2286P, which is
obviously an error, as this is the old museum number of the holotype of
Macropsalis lyra peruana, see Sztoloman & Domaniewski (1927: 106). On
Kalinowski’s original label is his field number 1573. This specimen is also identi-
fied as the type in the museum’s card index system. The second specimen, MZPW

Nigel Cleere 29 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

23522, is an immature male collected on 26 February 1893, with a Kalinowski field
number of 1868. This specimen was sexed as a female on the original museum label
and is recorded as a type on the museum card index. The third specimen, MZPW
23517, is an adult male collected on 16 September 1892 and has a Kalinowski field
number of 1760. The specimen was originally identified as a type on both the
Branicki label and on the museum index card but this has since been crossed out.
There appears to have been a fourth specimen in the Branickis’ collection, but it is
now in the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution,
Washington, USA, where it was registered as a co-type by Deignan (1961). The
term of co-type is no longer recognised under the /nternational code of zoological
nomenclature (1999), and as a result of the lectotypification by Sztoleman &
Domaniewski (1927), the specimen therefore becomes a paralectotype. This
specimen, USNM 159776, is an adult female collected above the rio Pariayacu
(13,120 feet), at the ‘Hacienda’ Maraynioc, dpto. Junin, Peru, on 6 November 1891,
with a Kalinowski field number of 1512.

The other four specimens of the type series appear to originally have been
lodged in the Berlepsch collection. However, in the Forschungsinstitut und
Naturmuseum Senckenberg in Frankfurt am Main, where the bulk of this collection
is now housed, there are only two specimens, both having been sent to Berlepsch by
J. Stolzmann in Warsaw, but neither was recorded as types by Berlepsch. As a result,
these specimens were also not identified as types by the Frankfurt museum. The
first specimen, SMF 29931, is an adult male collected on 6 November 1891, and
has a Kalinowski field number of 1511. The second specimen, SMF 29932, is an
adult female collected on 5 November 1891, with a Kalinowski field number of
1509.

The remaining two specimens are now in the collection of the American
Museum of Natural History, New York (AMNH), where they arrived as part of the
Rothschild collection, which was purchased in 1931. Examination of other material
in both the Rothschild and Berlepsch collections reveals that these two collectors
exchanged many specimens over a period of time and it seems likely that Rothschild
obtained these two birds from Berlepsch rather than the Branickis. As mentioned
above, Berlepsch failed to record the type status of his series of Macropsalis
kalinowskii and, as a consequence, neither specimen was identified as a type by
Hartert (1922) or by Greenway (1978). The first specimen, AMNH 477023, is an
adult male collected at Maraynioc in central Peru on 5 November 1891 by J.
Kalinowski and the second, AMNH 477024, is an adult female collected at
Maraynioc in central Peru on 26 October 1891 by J. Kalinowski. Neither specimen
still has an original Kalinowski field label attached.

Although the type locality was given as Pariayacu, near Maraynioc, central Peru
in the original description, the above text reflects what is recorded on the museum
and collector’s labels. It is unclear where Deignan (1961) obtained the additional
locality data for the specimen lodged in the National Museum of Natural History,
Smithsonian Institution, Washington, USA. I found no other specimens of

Nigel Cleere 30 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

Macropsalis kalinowskii collected by J. Kalinowski in central Peru in any of the
museums visited or contacted and believe that the eight specimens discussed above
constitute the type series.

Type series of Macropsalis kalinowskii
Berlepsch & Stolzmann 1894

Macropsalis kalinowskii Berlepsch & Stolzmann 1894, Ibis (6) 6, p.399.
Now = Uropsalis segmentata kalinowskii, see Peters 1940, p.219.

Lectotype MZPW unregistered, adult male collected at Pariayacu near Maraynioc,
dpto. Junin, Peru, 12 December 1891 by J. Kalinowski (field no.1573).

—old museum no.2287P.

—ex Branickis’ collection no.2286P (= error).

—for lectotypification, see Sztoleman & Domaniewski 1927, p.107.

Paralectotype MZPW 23522, immature male collected at Pariayacu near
Maraynioc, dpto. Junin, Peru, 26 February 1893 by J. Kalinowski (field no.1868).
—ex Branickis’ collection.

Paralectotype MZPW 23517, adult male collected at Pariayacu near Maraynioc,
dpto. Junin, Peru, 16 September 1892 by J. Kalinowski (field no.1760).

—old museum no.2167C.

—ex Branickis’ collection.

Paralectotype SMF 29931, adult male collected at Pariayacu near Maraynioc,
dpto.Junin, Peru, 6 November 1891 by J. Kalinowski (field no. 1511).

—ex Berlepsch collection.

—collection locality presumably the same as USNM 159776 (see below).

Paralectotype SMF 29932, adult female collected at Pariayacu near Maraynioc,
dpto. Junin, Peru, 5 November 1891 by J. Kalinowski (field no. 1509).
—ex Berlepsch collection.

Paralectotype USNM 159776, adult female collected above the rio Pariayacu
(13,120 feet) at Hacienda ‘Marainioc’, dpto. Junin, Peru, 6 November 1891 by
J. Kalinowski (field no. 1512).

—ex Branickis’ collection.

—for collection locality see Deignan 1961, p.167.

Paralectotype AMNH 477023, adult male collected at Pariayacu near Maraynioc,
dpto. Junin, Peru, 5 November 1891 by J. Kalinowsk1.
—ex Rothschild collection.

Paralectotype AMNH 477024, adult female collected at Pariayacu near Maraynioc,
dpto. Junin, Peru, 26 October 1891 by J. Kalinowski.
—ex Rothschild collection.

Nigel Cleere 31 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

Acknowledgements

I thank the following museum curators and staff for all their assistance while working in the collections
under their care: Paul Sweet and Mary LeCroy (American Museum of Natural History); Gerald Mayr
(Forschungsinstitut und Naturmuseum Senckenberg, Frankfurt am Main) and Malgorzata Adamezewska
(Museum and Institute of Zoology, Warsaw). I also thank Robert Pr¥ys-Jones and Paul Salaman of the
Natural History Museum/Project Biomap for the opportunity to visit the above-mentioned museums.

References:

Berlepsch, H. de & Stolzmann, J. 1894. Descriptions de quelques espéces nouvelles d’ oiseaux du Pérou
central. /bis (6) 6: 385-405.

Cassin, J. 1849. Descriptions of new species of birds of the family Caprimulgidae, specimens of which
are in the collection of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phil.
4: 236-239.

Cleere, N. 1998. Nightjars. A guide to nightjars and related nightbirds. Pica Press, Robertsbridge.

Cleere, N. 1999. Family Caprimulgidae (Nightjars). Pp. 302-386 in del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. & Sargatal,
J. (eds.) Handbook of the birds of the world, vol. 5. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.

Deignan, H. G. 1961. Type specimens of birds in the United States National Museum. US Natl. Mus.
Bull. 221.

Greenway, J. C. 1978. Type specimens of birds in the American Museum of Natural History. Part 2. Bull.
Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist. 161 (1).

Hartert, E. 1922. Types of birds in the Tring museum. Novit. Zool. 29: 365-412.

Holyoak, D. T. 2001. Nightjars and their allies. Oxford Univ. Press.

International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature. 1999. International code of zoological nomen-
clature. Fourth edn. The International Trust for Zoological Nomenclature, The Natural History
Museum, London.

Peters, J. L. 1940. Check-list of birds of the world, vol. 4. Harvard Univ. Press, Cambridge, MA

Sztoleman, J. & Domaniewski, J. 1927. Typy opisowe ptakow w Polskiem panstwowem museum przy-
rodniczem. Ann. Zool. Mus. Pol. Hist. Nat. 6: 95-194.

Stone, W. 1899. A study of the type specimens of birds in the collection of the Academy of Natural
Sciences of Philadelphia, with a brief history of the collection. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phil. 51: 5—62.

Address: The Bird Group, Dept. of Zoology, The Natural History Museum, Akeman Street, Tring, Herts.
HP23 6AP, UK, e-mail: cleere@churr.freeserve.co.uk.

© British Ornithologists’ Club 2005

Expunging the ‘Mascarene starling’
Necropsar leguati: archives, morphology
and molecules topple a myth

by Storrs L. Olson, Robert C. Fleischer,
Clemency T: Fisher & Eldredge Bermingham

Received 8 November 2003

Until relatively recently, species of birds known from unique specimens tended to
be ignored, often being written off as dubious in one way or another. Because of the
rapidity of extinction on islands, however, it is not at all unlikely that a species

Storrs L. Olson et al. 32 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

could be collected and prepared as a museum specimen only once and then become
extinct, leaving little or no other trace of its former existence. Careful study of the
history of unique specimens and intensive scrutiny of the specimens themselves
often leads to a species being fully restored, which has contributed significantly to
our knowledge of biodiversity, zoogeography, and evolution (e.g. Graves & Olson
1987, James et al. 1989, Olson 1986a,b, Olson et al. 1989).

Less frequently, investigations of an unique holotype do not end in such positive
results and specimens may turn out to be composites (Olson & Schifter 1989),
hybrids (Olson & Violani 1996), or simply mislabelled and misidentified (Olson
1992). The subject of the present study, a supposed Mascarene starling, falls in the
last category. This unfortunate relic was trebucheted into ornithological legend by
Henry Ogg Forbes, director of the Liverpool Museum (Forbes 1898), in a six-page
paper with a colour plate (Fig. 1), line drawing and table. At a time when ornithol-
ogists were routinely introducing new species of birds with a descriptions of only a
sentence or two, such detail as Forbes advanced might now seem exemplary were it
not for the fact that ultimately the entire result is seen to be a fiction.

This single specimen became the focus of one unfounded assumption after
another, compounded by some over-vigorous imaginations and lack of any careful
subsequent scientific scrutiny, which led to the development of what in hindsight
can only be regarded as a myth. With the true identity of this specimen now at hand,
its entire written history can be summed up as a banquet of codswallop.

: orp taney seal died eet

Nerepese lapanic Ferber =

Figure 1. The first published illustration of Necropsar leguati, from Forbes (1898)

Storrs L. Olson et al. 33 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

History

The specimen in question (Liverpool Museum D.1792; Figs. 2-3) was among a
mixed lot purchased 10 August 1850 from the dealer Jules Verreaux by the 13th Earl
of Derby, whose collection was transferred to the Liverpool Museum in 1851
(Fisher 2002). Its identity was still undetermined when the specimen, then a flat
skin, surfaced in an inventory of the collection in 1897. The bird, which was
essentially white and had been labelled only ‘Madagascar’ by the Maison Verreaux,
had been placed among bulbuls of the genus Hypsipetes (Forbes 1898: 30), one
Madagascan species of which is about the same size and of somewhat the same
build. Thus the initial tentative placement of the specimen was among the bulbuls,
Pycnonotidae. “That it had been left undetermined for so long a period is probably
due to the fact of its being taken for an albino of some species of the above-named
genus, or perhaps for a white starling’ (Forbes 1898: 30). The last phrase is a non
sequitur—if it had been stored among bulbuls, what grounds would there be for
assuming that anyone had previously taken it for a starling?

Forbes had evidently reached the conclusion beforehand that the specimen was
a starling, and that it had come from the Mascarene islands, so his presentation was
weighted heavily towards making the few available facts fit with his preconception.
Madagascar is close to the Mascarenes, and the Mascarenes were known to have
been the home of two species of starlings. One of these, Fregilupus varius, is known
historically from the island of Réunion, where it became extinct in the middle of the
19th century (Fuller 2001). This was a showy bird, with large crest and white head
and underparts, thus seemingly fitting with the whiteness of Forbes’ specimen. The
other Mascarene starling is known from fossils from the island of Rodrigues and
was named Necropsar rodericanus (H. H. Slater in Gunther & Newton 1879: 427).

Forbes referred to an anonymous early account, first published by Newton
(1875), concerning a bird with white and black plumage, the size of a Blackbird
Turdus merula, that had been encountered on Islet au Mat (now called [le
Gombrani) but not on the main island where the bones of Necropsar rodericanus
were later found. This account was later attributed to one Tafforet, whose visit to
Rodrigues took place in 1725 (Dupon, 1973, Cheke 1987). [le Gombrani is one of
a number of small islets within the Rodrigues lagoon that would have provided
refugia for the native birds that had been decimated by rats on the main island by
1725. Rats arrived as early as September 1601 during the visit of a Dutch fleet. All
the islets are too small to have harboured endemic species and consequently
Rodrigues would have had only one species of starling.

Despite the fact that it had no black in the wings and tail, Forbes assumed that
the mystery skin was the same species as in Tafforet’s anonymous account, and that
this had to be different from Fregilupus varius because of its lack of a crest, among
other things, and from Necropsar rodericanus because of the smaller tarsus. He
therefore named the specimen from the Derby collection as a new species,
Necropsar leguati, evidently not wishing to create a new genus for it.

Storrs L. Olson et al. 34 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

Rothschild (1907: 6), disliking the idea of two starlings existing on Rodrigues,
suggested that N. /eguati was probably an albinistic example of ‘the Mauritius
species of Necropsar’. Mauritius is the only Mascarene island where no starling is
otherwise known, and there is not yet a shred of evidence, historical or paleontolog-
ical, that it ever harboured a starling. Hachisuka (1953), never one to let the lack of
evidence stand in the way of naming new taxa, seized upon Rothschild’s conjecture
and proceeded to create a new genus Orphanopsar, with N. leguati as its type and
only species, although the only difference from N. rodericanus that he mentioned
was smaller size. Earlier Hachisuka (1937) had gone even further out of bounds in
placing the bird observed on Islet au Mat in the Corvidae and naming it as a new
genus and species of aberrant chough, Testudophaga bicolor, based only on
Tafforet’s description. This, however, has no relevance to the history of the type of
N. leguati.

Greenway (1958) was very circumspect and conservative, suggesting that N.
leguati might be a specimen of N. rodericanus, and he listed both in the synonymy
of Fregilupus varius. Wagstaffe (1978) ventured the opinion that N. /eguati was a
valid species. In the influential Peters Check-list, Amadon (1962: 103) unquestion-
ingly accepted Necropsar leguati as a valid species, giving its provenance as ‘Met
[sic] Islet, off Rodriguez’, and suggesting that it was ‘possibly identical with N.
rodericanus Sclater’. This was the received wisdom at least as late as 1987 (Fuller
1987).

The first hint that things might not be as they seemed came from P. J. Morgan,
Wagstaffe’s successor as Keeper of Vertebrate Zoology at the Liverpool Museum (in
Cheke 1987: 49), whose examination of the specimen of N. /eguati suggested that
it ‘may not be a starling at all.’ This proves to be the case.

Plumage and morphology

As described by Forbes (1898: 34) the specimen of Necropsar leguati is ‘white
everywhere, except for a lighter or darker ferruginous wash on the external webs of
the distal half of the primaries and secondaries, as also on the outer webs of the
newly moulted, and on both webs of the unmoulted rectrices.’ This was repeated
verbatim by Hachisuka (1953: 204), as usual without attribution or quotes. In our
examination of the specimen, however, it was obvious that the brownish portions of
the remiges were asymmetrical from one side of the specimen to the other. Thus we
agree completely with Morgan (in Cheke 1987: 49) that the darker portions of the
flight feathers are due to ‘discolouration’. This staining was evidently an ongoing
process, because, as noted by Forbes, the older feathers of the tail are more heavily
coloured than the freshly moulted ones, suggesting the bird may have been kept in
captivity. In any case, the plumage is entirely white which, with the yellowish bill
and feet, which were probably pink in life, leave no doubt that the specimen is an
albino. As further evidence of this, the bases of the contour feathers are white,
whereas they are dark, for example, in Fregilupus varius and Cinclocerthia.

Storrs L. Olson et al. 35 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

Figure 2. X-radiographs of the skulls in skin specimens in lateral view. A, holotype of Necropsar leguati
LIV D.1792; B, Cinclocerthia gutturalis BMNH 1856.3.12.10 (Martinique); C, Cinclocerthia tremula
pavida BMNH 1840.5.13.11 (Nevis); D, Cinclocerthia macrorhyncha BMNH 1894.12.24.2 (St Lucia);
E, Cinclocerthia ruficauda tenebrosa BMNH 1898.2.8.21 (St Vincent). Note not only the great similar-
ity of N. leguati and Cinclocerthia, but also the absence of the ossified posterior border of the nostril that
characterises the Pycnonotidae, with which N. /eguati was first associated.

Figure 3. Specimens in ventral view: A, Cinclocerthia tremula pavida BMNH 1840.5.13.11 (Nevis); B,
C. ruficauda tenebrosa BMNH 1898.2.8.21 (St Vincent); C, C. c. macrorhyncha BMNH 1894.12.24.2
(St Lucia); D, holotype of Necropsar leguati LIV D.1792.

Storrs L. Olson et al. 36 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

But an albino what? Surely it is not a starling. ‘Its wings, however, are quite
unlike those of any starling,’ as Forbes (1898: 30) himself stated outright. He went
on to amplify this further (p. 33): ‘It possesses ten primaries, and of these the tenth,
or outermost, is not the rudimentary or very reduced quill seen in the Sturnidae
generally.’ It is testimony to his willingness to delude himself that he could continue
to rationalise that the bird was somehow nevertheless a starling.

The well-developed outer primary not only establishes that the specimen is not a
starling, but also not a member of any of the so-called nine-primaried oscines.
Likewise, the wing is not ‘short, rounded, and ‘concave’ as attributed to most of the
species of Timaliidae (Newton 1896: 963). The tarsal scutellation (inaccurately
depicted by Forbes 1898) is not ‘booted’ as in the typical thrushes (Turdidae). Bill
shape alone eliminates many other groups such as finches, shrikes and flycatching
birds. Bulbuls (Pycnonotidae) may be absolutely ruled out by their tiny feet, bill
shape and presence of filoplumes in the nape. Furthermore, X-radiographs of the
holotype of N. leguati (Fig. 2) show that it did not have the posterior margin of the
nostril ossified as in the Pycnonotidae (Olson 1990), thus eliminating the family with
which the specimen had originally been associated while in Lord Derby’s collection.

Through such a process of elimination we were finally led to make detailed
comparisons with the species of Mimidae (mockingbirds and thrashers) and here
the resemblances became much greater. In size, length and shape of bill, wing
formula, and foot structure and scutellation, the holotype of N. /eguati could be

- eee
i INST SS

Figure 4. Close-up of ventral view of head (A, B) and lateral view (C) of entire specimen of A, C,
holotype of Necropsar leguati LIV D.1792; B, Cinclocerthia macrorhyncha BMNH 1894.12.24.2 (St
Lucia).

Storrs L. Olson et al. 37 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

matched only by the West Indian thrashers known as tremblers (Cinclocerthia)
(Figs. 3-4).

The tremblers range throughout most of the Lesser Antilles, from Saba to St
Vincent, with six recognised taxa that have usually been considered subspecies of
Brown Trembler C. ruficauda (e.g. Davis & Miller 1960). However, in a more
recent detailed analysis, Storer (1989) advocated recognition of two species, C.
gutturalis for the populations from Martinique and St Lucia, and C. ruficauda for
the remainder. Studies of DNA suggest that recognition of even more species may
be warranted (see below).

The fact that the holotype of N. /eguwati came from the French establishment of
Maison Verreaux suggests the possibility of the specimen having originated in the
French islands of Martinique or Guadeloupe. Colour comparisons, of course, are
impossible because the specimen is an albino. The various taxa differ among
themselves to some extent in size, but our measurements of the specimen of N.
leguati compared with those in Storer (1989) were inconclusive, partly because
there were so few specimens available from the French islands, especially
Martinique. So only molecular analysis remained for a finer resolution of the
identity of N. leguati.

Provenance

As noted, the specimen of Necropsar leguati was received from Jules Verreaux and
is labelled only ‘Madagascar’. Forbes (1898: 30) suggested that because Verreaux
had been to the Mascarene islands and had collected a specimen of the Réunion
Starling Fregilupus varius that he had prepared as a skeleton, that he ‘may have also
secured’ the bird in question during that visit. But then Forbes went on to remark
that ‘It is well known that M. Verreaux was often very inexact in the precise
geographical data he inscribed on the labels of his specimen.’ In fact, the unreliabil-
ity of specimen labels emanating from Maison Verreaux is notorious in ornithology.
“The firm more than once sent out material completely mislabelled’ and engaged in
deliberately altering the identifications of birds’ eggs to increase their market value
(Mearns & Mearns 1988: 406). If it is allowed, as Forbes did, that the specimen in
question could have come from somewhere other than Madagascar, then there is no
basis for picking one locality over another without some sort of corroborating
evidence.

We decided to look through some of the other specimens in the Liverpool
Museum that came from Verreaux in the same purchase lot as the holotype of N.
leguati, to see if any of them might shed some light on its provenance (this action
being made easier by the existence of a specimen database which could be cross-
referenced by date of purchase). We were not disappointed in our expectation of
finding specimens with obviously erroneous locality information: a specimen of the
North American Virginia Rail Rallus limicola, with ‘Martinique’ crossed out by
Verreaux and ‘Nle Zelande’ (New Zealand) substituted; a Ptilinopus fruit dove

Storrs L. Olson et al. 38 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

labelled ‘Iles Marquises’ annotated by David Holyoak as having an erroneous
locality; a specimen of one of the South American subspecies of Southern Rough-
winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx ruficollis labelled ‘Jamaique’; etc.

But the real clincher came when examining a specimen identified as Foudia
madagascariensis and labelled ‘Madagascar’. Foudia is a genus of weaver finch
(Ploceidae) confined to the south-west Indian Ocean islands. The supposed Foudia
(D.3185) is a partial albino with the belly, mantle, rump and one rectrix white. The
characteristic bill shape, rufous undertail-coverts and coloration of the remaining
pigmented parts, however, establish beyond doubt that this is a specimen of the
Lesser Antillean Bullfinch Loxigilla noctis.

The presence of another albinistic bird endemic to the Lesser Antilles labelled
‘Madagascar’ in the same purchase lot as the holotype of Necropsar leguati is too
unlikely to be attributed to coincidence. Verreaux was obviously receiving
specimens from the Lesser Antilles from someone, probably an aviculturist, with an
affinity for albinos. To these Verreaux proceeded to give what may have been
considered a more interesting and exotic provenance.

Mitochondrial DNA

Our comparisons were greatly facilitated by the fact that mitochondrial DNA
adenosine triphosphatase subunits 8 and 6 (ATP6/8) had already been sequenced for
most relevant taxa of Antillean Mimidae (Hunt ef al. 2001). Grey Trembler
Cinclocerthia gutturalis of Martinique was not included in that study, however, for
lack of fresh material. Therefore, we obtained samples from a skin specimen of C.
gutturalis (USNM 75724) and from the holotype of Necropsar leguati. We also
sequenced part of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene (Cytb) from the same
samples of Cinclocerthia and Margarops (sensu lato) as used in Hunt et al. (2001).

In April 2000, a small piece of toe pad was sliced with a sterile scalpel from the
specimen of Necropsar leguati at the Liverpool Museum (D.1792). The sample was
placed in a sterile microfuge tube and returned to the ancient DNA laboratory in the
Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Durham, where all subse-
quent molecular analyses of the sample were completed. In February 2001, a small
piece of toe pad was sliced with a sterile scalpel from a specimen of Cinclocerthia
gutturalis (USNM 75724 male, collected by EF A. Ober on Martinique). The sample
was placed in a sterile microfuge tube and returned to the ancient DNA laboratory
in the National Zoological Park, Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC, where all
subsequent molecular analyses of the sample were completed.

Thus, DNA isolations of the two toe pad slices were conducted in separate
laboratories on separate continents. Part of each sample was cut into smaller pieces
using a sterile scalpel. DNA was isolated from the diced samples using an overnight
DTT / SDS / Proteinase K digestion, followed by phenol-chloroform extraction and
centrifugal dialysis concentration (Fleischer et al. 2000). From 24 ml of DNA
extract were used in PCR amplifications of specific mtDNA regions for the

Storrs L. Olson et al. 39 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

St. Vincent
98 Cc. rufvicauda 2134

Dominica-C. ruficauda 1

a trot Dominica-C. ruflcaucda 5

Guadeloupe
9o7 100 Cc. ruficaucda 1

Montserrat
Cc. ss
4 ruficauda 1

St. Lucia - C_guttaralis 2

14100 Martinique - C_gutturalis

Wecropsar leguati ]

Barbuda - M. fuscatus 1
100
Guadeloupe - A47_ fuscatus 7

Margarops

Puerto Rico - M7. fuscatus 11

Seo Dominica - M_ furscus 1
100 Montserrat
M._ Ffarscus 1

100

Guadeloupe - AF. fuscus 5

. Martinique -A7_ fuscus 1
S changes

Figure 5. A phylogram of one of two most parsimonious trees found using a branch-and-bound search.
The tree length is 135 steps. The numbers at each node are the percentage of 1,000 bootstrap replicates
in which the particular node was found, if above 50%. Tree is based on 648 bp of Cytb and ATP8/6
sequence of two museum specimens (Martinique—C. gutturalis and Necropsar leguati) and Cytb
sequences from this paper and ATP8,6 sequences from Hunt ef al. (2001).

museum specimen samples. We targetted two mtDNA regions: Cytb and ATP8/6. A
total of 332 bp of the Cytb region was amplified in two small pieces with primers
Cytbl-anc and Cytb.X (112 bp of sequence) and Cytbh2.RC and Cytb.wow (220 bp)
(Dumbacher ef al. 2003). Part of the ATP8/6 region was also amplified in two
pieces totaling 350 bp with primers A6MNH and t-lys (192 bp; Dumbacher et al.
2003) and ATP6R (5’°-AGGTGTCCTGCTGTGAGGTT-3’) and ATP6L (5’-
CCTAGCCTTCCCCCTATGAC-3’) (158 bp). Additional Cinclocerthia and
possible outgroup ATP8/6 sequences were obtained from Genbank, from a deposit
by Hunt et al. (2001). Additional Cytb sequences were obtained using Cytbl-anc
and Cytb.wow on a subsample of the fresh material from Hunt ef a/. (2001). PCR
products were cycle sequenced and sized on an ABI automated DNA sequencer.
Resulting sequence chromatograms were inspected to ensure correct nucleotide
identification. Both strands were sequenced. Sequences were aligned in Sequencher
(version 4.1.2; GeneCodes Corporation) to each other and to outgroup sequences.
We obtained a total of 682 bp of mtDNA sequence from Necropsar leguati and
the Martinique specimen of Cinclocerthia gutturalis: 332 of Cytb, 350 of ATP6/8
(Genbank accession numbers pending). The sequences were aligned with each
other. The Cytb sequences were identical except for a few ambiguous bases in the

Storrs L. Olson et al. 40 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

specimen of C. gutturalis. The ATP8 and 6 sequences were identical between the
two specimens, but for a single nucleotide substitution. This low level of sequence
divergence strongly indicates that the two specimens are from the same species. We
aligned the two museum specimen sequences to the ATP6/8 sequences from Hunt
et al. (2001) and to the Cytb sequences.

We conducted four different types of phylogenetic analyses on the dataset to
reconstruct phylogenetic trees from the sequences: parsimony, neighbour-joining
(using a Kimura 2-parameter distance), and maximum likelihood using PAUP*
4.0b10 (Swofford 2002), and a Bayesian analysis using Mr. Bayes 3.0 (Huelsenbeck
& Ronquist 2001). We show here one maximum parsimony tree with associated
bootstrap values on the nodes (Fig. 5), but note that in all trees produced by any
criterion, the specimen of Necropsar leguati is a clear and close sister lineage to the
specimen of C. gutturalis from Martinique. The clade is basal to a C. ruficauda/C.
gutturalis clade, and this is nested within a clade of other Caribbean mimids,
including Scaly-breasted thrasher Margarops fuscus and Pearly-eyed Thrasher M.
fuscatus. Thus, based on both the sequence comparison and the phylogenetic
analysis it appears that the holotype of Necropsar leguati is an example of C.
gutturalis sensu stricto, which is known historically only from Martinique.

On the basis of the DNA analysis, one could justify recognising as many as four
species of Cinclocerthia: C. tremula (Lafresnaye 1843) from Guadeloupe, with a
subspecies C. t. pavida Ridgway (1904, type locality St Kitts) from most of the
Lesser Antilles north of Guadeloupe; C. ruficauda (Gould 1836) of Dominica, with
a subspecies C. r tenebrosa Ridgway (1904) from St Vincent; C. gutturalis
(Lafresnaye 1843) from Martinique; and C. macrorhyncha Sclater (1866) from St
Lucia. The distribution of the two basal taxa, C. gutturalis and C. macrorhyncha,
scattered among the seemingly more derived forms, does not match expectation
based on linear colonisation of the Lesser Antilles and suggests a rather old split.
Such a conclusion requires corroboration from other sources such as nuclear DNA,
morphology, and perhaps call and behaviour. Regardless, Necropsar leguati clearly
belongs with Cinclocerthia gutturalis.

Conclusions

On the basis of morphology and the history of the specimen, the holotype of

Necropsar leguati Forbes, 1898, a supposed Mascarene starling, is shown instead to

be a mislabelled albino West Indian trembler of the genus Cinclocerthia. Studies of

mitochondrial DNA identify the specimen with the distinctive basal taxon from

Martinque C. gutturalis. These conclusions have the following consequences:

1. Necropsar leguati Forbes, 1898, becomes a junior subjective synonym of
Ramphocinclus gutturalis Lafresnaye, 1843 = Cinclocerthia gutturalis.

2. Orphanopsar Hachisuka, 1953, becomes a junior subjective synonym of
Cinclocerthia Gray, 1840.

Storrs L. Olson et al. 41 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

3. Necropsar leguati must now be entirely expunged from the avifauna of the
Mascarene islands.

Acknowledgements

Robert Prys-Jones, The Natural History Museum, Tring, made several very pertinent suggestions, and
both he and Gary R. Graves, Division of Birds, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian
Institution, Washington (USNM) made specimens in their charge available for study. Mark Adams, of
The Natural History Museum, Tring, was instrumental in providing measurements and brought several
specimens to the Liverpool Museum in order to allow photographs and X-radiographs to be made of
tremblers held at the NHM alongside the holotype of Necropsar leguati. Rus Hoelzel, University of
Durham, provided laboratory space and logistic assistance, and Steve Newman, formerly of National
Museums Liverpool, took the X-radiographs. For laboratory assistance we thank Carl McIntosh and
Maribel Gonzalez. Partial funding was provided by the Smithsonian Institution Scholarly Studies
Program. We also thank Julian Hume for his comments and suggestions.

References:

Amadon, D. 1962. Family Sturnidae. Pp. 75—121 in Mayr, E. & Greenway, J. C. (eds.) Check-list of birds
of the world, vol. 15. Mus. Comp. Zool., Cambridge, MA.

Cheke, A. S. 1987. An ecological history of the Mascarene Islands, with particular reference to extinc-
tions and introductions of land vertebrates. Pp. 5-89 in Diamond, A. W. (ed.) Studies of Mascarene
Island birds. Cambridge Univ. Press.

Davis, J. & Miller, A. H. 1960. Family Mimidae. Pp. 440-458 in Mayr, E. & Greenway, J. C. (eds.)
Check-list of birds of the world, vol. 9. Mus. Comp. Zool., Cambridge, MA.

Dumbacher, J. P., Pratt, T. K. & Fleischer, R. C. in press. Phylogeny of the owlet-nightjars (Aegothelidae)
based on mitochondrial DNA sequence. Mol. Phyl. & Evol.

Dupon, J. F. 1973. Relation de lisle Rodrigue [sic]. Texte attribué a Tafforet, circa. 1726. Proc. Roy. Soc.
Arts. Sci. Mauritius 4: 1-16.

Fisher, C. T. (ed.) 2002. A passion for natural history: the life and legacy of the 13th Earl of Derby.
National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside, Liverpool.

Fleischer, R. C., Olson, S. L., James, H. F. & Cooper, A. C. 2000. The identity of the extinct Hawaiian
eagle (Haliaeetus) as determined by mitochondrial DNA sequence. Auk 117: 1051-1056.

Forbes, H. O. 1898. On an apparently new, and supposed to be now extinct, species of bird from the
Mascarene Islands, provisionally referred to the genus Necropsar. Bull. Liverpool Mus. 1: 29-70.

Fuller, E. 1987. Extinct birds. Viking/Rainbird, London.

Fuller, E. 2001. Extinct birds. Revised edn. Cornell Univ. Press, Ithaca, NY.

Graves, G. R. & Olson, S. L. 1987. Chlorostilbon bracei Lawrence, an extinct species of hummingbird
from New Providence Island, Bahamas. Auk 104: 296-302.

Greenway, J. C. 1958. Extinct and vanishing birds of the world. American Committee for International
Wild Life Protection (Special Publ. No. 13), New York.

Ginther, A. & Newton, E. 1879. Extinct birds of Rodriguez. Phil. Trans. Roy. Soc. Lond. 168 (extra):
423-437.

Hachisuka, M. 1937. Extinct chough from Rodriguez. Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash. 50: 211-214.

Hachisuka, M. 1953. The dodo and kindred birds. H. F. & G. Witherby, London.

Huelsenbeck, J. P. & Ronquist, F 2001. MRBAYES: Bayesian inference of phylogeny. Bioinformatics
17: 754-755.

Hunt, J. S., Bermingham, E. & Ricklefs, R. 2001. Molecular systematics and biogeography of Antillean
thrashers, tremblers, and mockingbirds (Aves: Mimidae). Auk 118: 35-55.

James, H. F., Zusi, R. L. & Olson, S. L. 1989. Dysmorodrepanis munroi (Fringillidae: Drepanidini), a
valid genus and species of Hawaiian finch. Wilson Bull. 101: 159-179.

Mearns, B. & Mearns, R. 1988. Biographies for birdwatchers. Academic Press, London.

Newton, A. 1875. Additional evidence as to the original fauna of Rodriguez. Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond.
1875: 39-43.

Storrs L. Olson et al. 42 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

Newton, A. 1896. A dictionary of birds. Adam & Charles Black, London.

North-Coombes, A. 1979. The vindication of Francois Leguat. Service Bureau, Port Louis, Mauritius.

Olson, S. L. 1986a. An early account of some birds from Mauke, Cook Islands, and the origin of the
“Mysterious Starling” Aplonis mavornata Buller. Notornis 33: 197-208.

Olson, S. L. 1986b. Gallirallus sharpei (Buttikofer) nov. comb., a valid species of rail (Rallidae) of
unknown origin. Gerfaut 76: 263-269.

Olson, S. L. 1990. Preliminary systematic notes on some Old World passerines. Riv. Ital. Orn. 59:
183-195.

Olson, S. L. 1992. Requiescat for Tricholimnas conditicius, a rail that never was. Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl. 112:
174-179.

Olson, S. L. & Schifter, H. 1989. The identity of the fabricated bird Sassius simplex and its final disso-
ciation from the Hawaiian avifauna. Riv. Ital. Orn. 59: 43-48.

Olson, S. L. & Violani, C. 1996. Some unusual hybrids of Ramphocelus, with remarks on evolution in
the genus (Aves: Thraupinae). Bol. Mus. Reg. Sci. Nat. (Torino), 13: 297-312.

Olson, S. L. Balouet, J. C. & Fisher, C. T. 1989. The owlet-nightjar of New Caledonia, Aegotheles savesi,
with comments on the systematics of the Aegothelidae. Gerfaut 77: 341-352.

Rothschild, W. 1907. Extinct birds. Hutchinson & Co., London.

Storer, R. W. 1989. Geographic variation and sexual dimorphism in the tremblers (Cinclocerthia) and
White-breasted Thrasher (Ramphocinclus). Auk 106: 249-258.

Swofford, D. L. 2002. PAUP*. Phylogenetic analysis using parsimony (*and other methods). Version 4.
Sinauer Associates, Sunderland, MA.

Wagstaffe, R. 1978. Type specimens of birds in the Merseyside County Museums. Merseyside County
Museums, Liverpool.

Addresses: Storrs L. Olson, Division of Birds, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian
Institution, Washington DC 20560, USA. Robert C. Fleischer, Genetics Program, Department of
Systematic Biology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, 3001
Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20008, USA. Clemency T. Fisher, Department of
Science, Liverpool Museum, National Museums Liverpool, William Brown Street, Liverpool L3
8EN, UK, e-mail: clem.fisher@liverpoolmuseums.org.uk. Eldredge Bermingham, Smithsonian
Tropical Research Institute, Naos Laboratories, Apartado 2072, Balboa, Republic of Panama.

© British Ornithologists’ Club 2005

The type locality of the Hadeda Ibis
Bostrychia hagedash (Latham)

by WR. F Dean

Received 8 November 2003

Bostrychia hagedash was described as Tantalus Hagedash by Latham (1790), with
type locality Cape of Good Hope (Caput B. Spei), very likely from a specimen shot
in September 1775 and briefly described by Sparrman (1783, p.293 in the original,
pp.280—281 in the English translation). This is not specifically stated in Latham’s
type description, but the only reference (undated) given therein is to Sparrman’s
book. The page numbers match the English translation by George Forester (1785).

WR. J. Dean 43 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

Latham’s description of the type is extremely similar to Sparrman’s description of
the bird he shot. The locality “Cape of Good Hope’ is vague; although at that time it
was generally used to refer to the Cape Peninsula (Cape of Good Hope sensu
stricto), it may also have been used in a broader sense to refer to the south-western
part of South Africa (now the Western Cape Province = Cape of Good Hope sensu
lato). There is little doubt that Sparrman was the first to record B. hagedash—he
noted that it was a ‘new species of tantalus, called by the colonists hagedash, and
also hadelde’ (Sparrman 1783: 280). The bird was shot in ‘Houteniqualand’ (=
Outeniqualand), identified by Sparrman as the area between the Great Brak River
and Keurbooms River. This is the uplifted coastal plain south-east of the Outeniqua
Mountains, with the western edge c.375 km due east of the Cape Peninsula. On his
travels to the area, Sparrman proceeded to Geelbeksvlei near Mossel Bay, and ‘after
an excursion in Outeniqualand, went across the ‘Attaquas Pass’ [33°55’S, 21°58’E,
near the Robinson Pass over the Outeniqua Mountains] to the Langkloof’
(Rookmaaker 1989: 143). Sparrman apparently camped at Geelbeksvlei, and quite
likely shot the ‘new species of tantalus’ there.

Although Sparrman noted that the bird was common, it is possible that he was
referring to its status at Swartkops (Zwartkops) River, near Port Elizabeth, an area
that he also visited, and not to its abundance in Outeniqualand. Until the late 1950s
Bostrychia hagedash was virtually unknown west of Tsitsikama, where it was first
recorded in 1959 (Thesen 1959) and subsequently by 1963 at George (Skead 1966),
at the start of a rapid spread westwards (Hockey ef al. 1989). Winterbottom (1968)
noted that the species was recorded at that time only from Oudtshoorn (45 km north-
west of George), but ‘may well occur, at least occasionally, in eastern Mossel Bay’.
Within the last 50 years B. hagedash has extended its range west and north; it was
first noted at Somerset West in the late 1970s and by 1989 had reached Tokai on the
Cape Peninsula (Hockey et al. 1989). B. hagedash is now widely distributed
throughout Western Cape Province (Anderson 1997).

The type locality of ‘Cape of Good Hope’, if used in the restricted sense of
referring to the Cape Peninsula, is not compatible with what is known about the
distribution of the species in the late 1700s. The locality where Sparrman shot a
specimen of B. hagedash is not precisely known, but it was not the Cape of Good
Hope sensu stricto. Although imprecise, it is, however, the earliest published locality
at which the species was recorded, not necessarily directly connected to the type
description. The type locality of B. hagedash should therefore be corrected to the
earliest published locality, ‘Outeniqualand’, which may be further restricted to
Geelbeksvlei (34°04’S, 22°04’E), just east of Mossel Bay, and about 40 km west of
George.

Acknowledgement
I thank R. J. Dowsett for his comments on a draft of this note.

W. R. J. Dean 44 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

References:

Anderson, M. D. 1997. Hadeda Ibis. Pp. 108-109 in Harrison, J. A., Allan, D. G., Underhill, L. G.,
Herremans, M., Tree, A. J., Parker, V. & Brown, C. J. (eds.) The atlas of Southern African birds, vol.
1. BirdLife South Africa, Johannesburg.

Hockey, P. A. R., Underhill, L. G., Neatherway, M. & Ryan, P. G. 1989. Atlas of the birds of the south-
western Cape. Cape Bird Club, Cape Town.

Latham, J. 1790. Index Ornithologicus [sic], 2 vols. Published privately, London.

Rookmaaker, L. C. 1989. The zoological exploration of southern Africa. 1650-1790. A. A. Balkema,
Rotterdam.

Skead, C. J. 1966. Hadedah Ibis Hagedashia hagedash (Latham) in the Eastern Cape Province. Ostrich
37: 103-108.

Sparrman, A. P. 1783. A voyage to the Cape of Good Hope, towards the Antarctic Polar Circle, and round
the world; but chiefly to the country of the Hottentots and Caffres, from the year 1772 to 1776
(English translation 1785 by George Forester). G. G. J. & J. Robinson, London.

Thesen, H. P. 1959. Eastern Cape Naturalist, December (11).

Winterbottom, J. M. 1968. A check list of the land and fresh water birds of the western Cape Province.
Ann. S. Afr. Mus. 53: 1-276.

Address: Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7701
South Africa, e-mail: lyctum@mweb.co.za

© British Ornithologists’ Club 2005

First description of the nest of Buff-tailed
Sicklebill Eutoxeres condamini

by Brian F Powell

Received 18 November 2003; revision received 1 November 2004

Buff-tailed Sicklebill Eutoxeres condamini occurs in lowland terra firme of south-
west Colombia and eastern Ecuador and Peru. Eutoxeres hummingbirds are mem-
bers of the hermit subfamily (Trochilidae: Phaethornithinae), whose members lack
showy or iridescent plumage. Eutoxeres are unique in having stout legs, which are
used to cling to Heliconia and Centropogon flowers, their preferred food sources
(Hilty & Brown 1986, Fjeldsa & Krabbe 1990). Although several nests of E. con-
damini have been noted in the literature (Fjeldsa & Krabbe 1990, Salaman et al.
2002), to my knowledge this note constitutes the first detailed nest description.

The occupied nest was discovered on 10 February 1994 in closed-canopy forest
at Jatun Sacha Biological Station, 20 km east of Tena, Napo province, Ecuador
(01°04’S, 77°36’ W, 450 m). The breeding season was previously considered to be
perhaps September—November in Peru (del Hoyo ef al. 1999).

The nest was suspended from a palm leaf of Prestoea schultzeana burret
(Palmae), 1.2 m above a small stream. The nest was attached to a narrow leaflet, 55
cm long and 3-4 cm wide, and the construction commenced 15 cm down from the
petiole (Fig. 1). The nest was 35 cm long, its maximum external diameter 7 cm, cup

Brian F. Powell 45 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

depth 3.5 cm, inside width of cup 3.2 cm and distance from bottom of cup to bot-
tom of nest 20 cm. It was constructed of mosses, rhizomes and other fine plant
materials, giving the nest a dark brown coloration. The cup was lined with course
materials resembling palm-leaf pinnules. Woven into the bottom of the nest were
small dried leaves (Fig. la), which are a common feature of hermit nests (Ruschi
1982, Vigle 1982) and likely assist in disrupting its outline. As with most humming-
bird nests, spider webs were used extensively in nest construction, especially around
the cup and on points of attachment to the leaf. A unique feature was a strong
assemblage of spider webs that originated from the ‘tail’ end of the nest and were
attached to the tip of a nearby leaflet, which held a few plant tendrils and leaves
(Fig. 1b).

According to Ruschi’s (1982) classification of hummingbird nests, that
described here falls into the Type I category, characterised by their elongated shape
with a main body that extends into a caudal apex and, in being loosely woven, the
eggs or nestlings are visible through the material. Hummingbirds with this type of
nests are also found in the genera Ramphodon, Glaucis and Threnetes. The nest
described here differed from previously described nests of those genera, and that of
congeneric FE. aquila (Vigle 1982), in having distinct sides extending 8.5 cm from

~~ NG

Figure 1. Nest of Buff-tailed Sicklebill Eutoxeres condamini showing well-developed overhang above
cup, collection of leaves and fine plant materials at the base (a), and attachment to nearby leaflet (b),
Jatun Sacha Biological Station, Napo province, Ecuador, 1994.

Brian F. Powell 46 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

the cup’s rim and culminating in a well-developed overhang (Fig. 1a). The sides and
overhang probably offered protection from rain and visual detection by predators;
the palm leaflet to which the nest was attached was thin. In contrast, the nest of E.
aquila described by Vigle (1982), was attached to a broad section of a Heliconia
leaf that appeared to offer considerable protection.

The nest described here was sited over running water, which is common
amongst Neotropical hummingbirds (Davis 1958, Skutch 1964, Haverschmidt
1968, Vigle 1982). A possible reason for nesting over water is that fecal matter can
be deposited directly over the side of the nest and carried away by the water. This
may be advantageous considering the liquid nature of hummingbird excrement
(which cannot be transported in sacs) and its potential for attracting predators.

When I discovered the nest, the adult departed on my approaching to within 2-3
m. The nest contained two recently hatched nestlings. On 13 February, I returned to
observe the adult. In 70 minutes of observation, the adult left and returned to the
nest six times, but always remained within 20 m of it. During this period the adult
perched on the nest for 25 minutes with its bill in a near-vertical position, a charac-
teristic perching posture for hermits with nests of this type (Skutch 1964, Ruschi
1982, Vigle 1982). When I returned on 18 February the nest was unoccupied but
was otherwise unchanged.

Acknowledgements
James Norwalk donated his time and expertise for the illustration. Bonnie Bochan graciously offered
countless hours of friendship and guidance during my stay at Jatun Sacha, and Steve Herman encour-
aged this manuscript through his never-ending support of my work. Robert Steidl and Jose Telli provid-
ed comments on earlier versions of the manuscript.

References:

Davis, T. A. W. 1958. The displays and nests of three forest hummingbirds of British Guiana. Jbis 100:
31-39.

Fjeldsa, J. & Krabbe, N. 1990. Birds of the high Andes. Zool. Mus., Univ. of Copenhagen & Apollo
Books, Svendborg.

del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. & Sargatal, J. (eds.) 1999. Handbook of the birds of the world, vol. 5. Lynx
Edicions, Barcelona.

Haverschmidt, F. 1968. A nest of the Rufous-breasted Hermit with three eggs. Auk 85: 693.

Hilty, S. L. & Brown, W. L. 1986. A guide to the birds of Colombia. Princeton Univ. Press.

Ruschi, A. 1982. Beija-flores do estado do Espirito Santo. Ed. Rios, Sao Paulo.

Salaman, P. G. W., Stiles, F. G., Bohorquez, C. I., Alvarez, M., Umaria, A. M., Donegan, T. M. &
Cuervo, A. M. 2002. New and noteworthy bird records from the east slope of the Andes of
Colombia. Caldasia 24: 157-189.

Skutch, A. F. 1964. Life histories of Hermit hummingbirds. Auk 81: 5—25.

Vigle, G. O. 1982. A nest of Eutoxeres aquila heterura in western Ecuador. Auk 99: 172-173.

Address: The Evergreen State College, Olympia, Washington 98505, USA. Present address: USGS
Sonoran Desert Research Station and School of Natural Resources, 125 Biological Sciences East
Building, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA, e-mail: bpowell@ag.arizona.edu

© British Ornithologists’ Club 2005

Richard Schodde & Edward C. Dickinson 47 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

The valid name for the north-west Australian
subspecies of the Shining Flycatcher
Myzagra alecto (Monarchidae)

by Richard Schodde & Edward C. Dickinson

Received 21 November 2003

Since Mees (1982: 134) drew attention to the fact that Piezorhynchus nitidus Gould,
1841 was a junior secondary homonym of Myiagra nitida Gould, 1838 in Myiagra,
the north-west Australian subspecies of the Shining Flycatcher, Myiagra alecto
(Temminck, 1827), has usually been known by the name melvillensis Mathews (e.g.
Ford 1983, Schodde & Mason 1999, Johnstone 2001). In an anonymous paper, for
which authorship was credited later (Mathews 1912b), Mathews (1912a) published
that name in the combination Monarcha alecto melvillensis, on 2 April 1912, type
locality Melville Island. In the same publication, however, he also published
Myiagra rubecula melvillensis for the Melville Island population of the Leaden
Flycatcher Myiagra rubecula (Latham, 1802).

Thus, the nomenclature of the Shining Flycatcher is beset with a further problem
in secondary homonymy, as appreciated by Mayr (1986: 524), who nevertheless
treated Monarcha alecto melvillensis Mathews and Myiagra rubecula melvillensis
Mathews as junior synonyms of other names, and did not assign precedence. Mayr
had concluded that the north-west Australian subspecies of the Shining Flycatcher
(basionym: Monarcha alecto melvillensis) was consubspecific with Myiagra alecto
rufolateralis (G. R. Gray, 1858, type locality: Aru Islands), a conclusion since
shown to be unfounded by detailed analyses of characters in Schodde & Mason
99):

To resolve the issue of seniority for simultaneously published Monarcha alecto
melvillensis Mathews, 1912 and Myiagra rubecula melvillensis Mathews, 1912, we,
acting as first revisers under Art. 24.2 of the International code of zoological
nomenclature (1999), choose the first name as senior. By this action, that name
remains available for the north-west Australian Shining Flycatcher. The latter name,
which has never been treated as anything other than a junior synonym of north-west
Australian Myiagra rubecula concinna Gould, 1848, in post-1950 literature, now
becomes junior and invalid whenever the species alecto is treated as a member of
the genus Myiagra (ICZN Arts. 57.3.1, 59.4).

References:

Ford, J. 1983. Taxonomic notes on some mangrove-inhabiting birds in Australasia. Rec. West. Australian
Mus. 10: 381-415.

Johnstone, R. E. 2001. Checklist of the birds of Western Australia. Rec. West. Australian Mus., Suppl.
63: 75-90.

International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature. 1999. International code of zoological nomen-
clature. Fourth edn. The International Trust for Zoological Nomenclature, The Natural History
Museum, London.

Richard Schodde & Edward C. Dickinson 48 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

Mathews, G. M. 1912a. Additions and corrections to my Reference List to the birds of Australia. Austral
Avian Record 1: 25-S2.

Mathews, G. M. 1912b. Editorial notice. Austral Avian Record |: 65.

Mayr, E. 1986. Monarchidae. Jn Watson, G. E., Traylor, M. A. & Mayr, E. (eds.) Check-list of birds of
the world, vol. 11. Mus. Comp. Zool., Cambridge, MA.

Mees, G. F. 1982. Birds from the lowlands of southern New Guinea (Merauke and Koembe). Zool.
Verhand., Leiden 191.

Schodde, R. & Mason, I. J. 1999. The directory of Australian birds passerines. CSIRO Publishing,
Melbourne.

Addresses: Richard Schodde, Australian Biological Resources Study, GPO Box 787, Canberra City, ACT
2601, Australia, e-mail: Richard.Schodde@deh.gov.au. Edward Dickinson, The Trust for Oriental
Ornithology, Flat 3, Bolsover Court, 19 Bolsover Road, Eastbourne BN20 7JG, UK.

© British Ornithologists’ Club 2005

The taxonomic status of the three subspecies of
Cuculus saturatus

by Ben King

Received 3 fanuary 2004

Cuculus horsfieldi Moore 1857, Cuculus saturatus ‘Hodgson’ Blyth 1843, and
Cuculus lepidus S. Muller 1845, were all originally described as species. However,
Peters (1940) placed C. horsfieldi as a subspecies of C. saturatus and C. lepidus as
a subspecies of C. poliocephalus Latham 1790. Wells & Becking (1975)
demonstrated that /Jepidus was more closely related to C. saturatus, based on its
song, which they described and illustrated with sonograms. A classification of C.
saturatus consisting of three subspecies was generally followed into the 1990s, e.g.,
by Sibley & Monroe (1990), Howard & Moore (1991) and Wells (1999). However
Payne (1997) considered C. horsfieldi a species separate from C. saturatus, based
on differences in their songs, which he described. Clements (2000) followed this
split.

The breeding ranges of the three forms of Cuculus saturatus are allopatric. C.
(s.) horsfieldi breeds across northern Eurasia from north-east Europe to Japan and
north-east China. C. (s.) saturatus breeds across the Himalayas, southern China,
Taiwan and the extreme northern part of south-east Asia. C. (s.) /epidus is resident
in Malaya, and the Greater and Lesser Sunda Islands. C. (s.) horsfieldi and C. (s.)
saturatus winter from southern India east and south to New Guinea and Australia.
Recent field work and museum study suggests that the taxonomic status of these
forms should be revisited.

Ben King 49 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

C. saturatus Nepal

Le)

Connop
C. saturatus West Bengal C. lepidus Malaya

TT) ee vo nT

C. horsfieldi Japan C. saturatus Bhutan

ae ae eel il oe
C. horsfieldi Japan C. saturatus Sichuan

yn | en) | lia

Kabaya
| ae

Ta is
C. horsfieldi Taiwan C. saturatus Guangxi

Severinghaus

0 1 2 3 4 0 1 2 3 4 0 1 2 3 4 5
seconds

Figure 1. Samples of the territorial songs of Cuculus (s.) horsfieldi, C. (s.) saturatus and C. (s.) lepidus
from different parts of their ranges. Note that the song of horsfieldi consists of only two equal notes
whilst that of saturatus has 34 equal notes with a higher pitched introductory note. C. (s.) /epidus song
differs from saturatus song by its higher pitch, with only 2—3 equal notes.

Songs

Wells & Becking (1975) presented a single sonogram for each of the three C.
saturatus forms (with two for lepidus: one from Java and one from peninsular
Malaysia), as well as C. poliocephalus. They relied on published descriptions to
establish the universality of each form’s song and concluded that the songs of the
three forms of saturatus they recognised were sufficiently similar to indicate
conspecificity, whilst the song of C. poliocephalus was quite distinct.

Herein are presented sonograms (Figs. 1—2) of recently recorded and previously
unpublished (mostly) tape-recordings of all four of these forms from different parts
of their wide ranges, indicating that the song of each is indeed universal. The much
higher pitched song of C. poliocephalus is so different that further comparison with
the three C. saturatus forms is considered unnecessary.

Ben King 50 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

The song of horsfieldi is a deep booming couplet hoop hoop (occasionally 34
notes), the two notes 0.3—0.5 kHz in frequency, c.0.14 seconds apart. The call of
saturatus is composed of 3-4 similar hoop notes similarly spaced and pitched, with
a shorter introductory Auk note on a higher frequency (0.35—0.58 kHz). The song of
lepidus is similar in structure to saturatus but the entire song is higher pitched, with
only 2—3 hoop notes. Most of the energy of the hoop notes is above 0.5 kHz (i.e.
0.45—0.70 kHz).

The number of hoop notes varies among as well as between individuals in all
three forms. David Wells (pers. comm.) states that /epidus in peninsular Malaysia
produces songs similar to those of saturatus and horsfieldi, albeit in the lepidus
pitch range and subordinate to its normal song. Lindholm & Lindén (2003), in a
study of horsfieldi songs from north-east Europe and across Siberia state that the
basic rhythm of its song ‘could be described as invariably having bisyllabic
phrases’, and described several variants. My own field experience with all three
forms suggests that, whilst there is variability in the numbers of hoop notes and
presence or absence of the introductory huk note, usage of the ‘normal’ song as
presented in the sonograms and the description above is well over 99%. Thus, each
of the three forms of Cuculus saturatus has a distinct song, which readily identifies
the individual.

Playback experiments per se were not carried out. However, in the course of
tape-recording, I normally playback the voices of the birds I record to visually
ensure the correct identity of the vocalist. Response of Cuculus cuckoos varies
immensely from none to approaching closely and calling more. In the course of
these playbacks, I have never observed a response by a Cuculus cuckoo other than
the species whose vocalisations were played. This experience indicates that the
main function of Cuculus songs is intraspecific communication and bolsters the
notion of their usefulness as a taxonomic character. It also suggests that playback
experiments might be helpful in elucidating Cuculus systematics.

The recording of horsfieldi from Taiwan by Severinghaus on 29 April is interest-
ing in that horsfieldi is not known to breed that far south, yet it was made during
the breeding season on that island, and although the date is not too late in spring for
the bird to have been en route further north, Cuculus cuckoos rarely call away from
their breeding areas. This suggests that a reassessment of the taxonomic status of
the birds breeding on Taiwan is needed.

Sonograms were made using Canary 1.2.4, the Bioacoustics Workstation of the
Bioacoustics Research Program at the Macaulay Library of Natural Sounds at the
Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology.

Morphology

The plumage of females is identical to that of males in each of the three forms,
except for the brown ‘hepatic’ plumage phase of some females. The respective
plumages of horsfieldi and saturatus are identical, including the brown ‘hepatic’

Ben King 51 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

TABLE |
Comparison of wing length of adults (presumed accurately sexed) of Cuculus (s.) horsfieldi, C. (s.)
saturatus and C. (s.) /epidus. Note that there was no overlap in the sample measured. However, with a
larger sample, Robert Payne (pers. comm.) found slight overlap in wing measurements of adult C. (s.)
horsfieldi and C. (s.) saturatus of c.5%. Measurements in mm; s.d. = standard deviation.

Male Female
Cuculus (s.) horsfieldi
flattened wing length
sample size 13 8
mean (range) 203.5 (194-212) 196.9 (186-212)
s.d. 5.7 7.8
Cuculus (s.) saturatus
flattened wing length
sample size i4 5
mean (range) 186.7 (174-192) 177.0 (172-185)
s.d. 4.8 6.4
Cuculus (s.) lepidus
flattened wing length
sample size 14 15
mean (range) 156.2 (147-169) 147.5 (143-152)
s.d. 6.2 3.5

phase females, and there appears to be no way to differentiate them by plumage
alone, either in the field or in the hand (Robert Payne, pers. comm..).

Most accurately sexed specimens of horsfieldi and saturatus can be distin-
guished by horsfieldi’s larger size (i.e. wing length); see Table 1 and Fig. 3. From a
larger sample, Robert Payne (pers. comm.) found that 95% of accurately sexed adult
specimens could be differentiated.

However, grey phase /epidus can readily be differentiated from the grey phase
of both horsfieldi and saturatus by both plumage characters (Table 3) and measure-
ments (Table | and Fig. 3). C. (s.) /epidus is overall darker with broader dark bands
on the lower breast and belly, and darker, more rusty-buff, undertail-coverts. None
of the /epidus in the sample overlapped with saturatus or horsfieldi in wing length,
and only a few in culmen length.

‘Hepatic’ phase female C. (s.) /epidus can be distinguished from ‘hepatic’ phase
female saturatus and horsfieldi by darker rufous upperparts with broader black
barring, and broader black barring on the underparts.

C. (s.) lepidus also shows a difference in wing formula (see Table 2), with p7
(numbered from the outermost secondary) being second longest and p9 being third
longest (usually reversed in horsfieldi and saturatus), and has a slightly more
rounded wing. As both horsfieldi and saturatus are migratory, a more pointed wing

Ben King 52 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

than in resident /epidus could be expected and this difference is not presented as
having taxonomic significance.

Discussion

The genus Cuculus comprises a group of species very much alike in plumage, so
much so that they are normally difficult or impossible to differentiate by sight
alone, and often difficult to identify even in the hand. They are, however, highly
vocal during the breeding season, often seeming to call all day and all night. Each
species has a distinctive song that is stereotyped and much the same over its entire
range. These species-specific songs enable identification and are an excellent key
to their taxonomic status (Payne 1997).

With the larger number of tape-recordings of the three Cuculus saturatus forms
from a broad sample of their wide ranges now available, it can be demonstrated that,
whilst the songs of all three forms are variable, each has a consistent and different
‘normal’ song, which is that usually heard in the field.

TABLE 2
Comparison of wing formula of Cuculus (s.) horsfieldi, C. (s.) saturatus and C. (s.) lepidus. Note
somewhat different wing shape of /Jepidus. Measurements in mm.

horsfieldi saturatus lepidus
12 specimens 11 specimens 13 specimens
(8 males, 3 females, 1?) (8 males, 3 females) (9 males, 3 females, 1?)

Longest primary 8 8 8
Second-longest 9 (7 once) 9 (7 twice) 7
primary—mean 9 = 7 (four times) 9 = 7 (three times)

distance from tip 6.6 (0.0—8.8) 8.0 (0.0—10.2) 5.3 (3.2-8.0)
(range)

Third-longest 7 (9 once) 7 (9 twice) 9
primary—mean 7 = 9 (four times) 7 = 9 (three times)

distance from tip 9.2 (0-11.1) 9.5 (0.0—13.3) 9.7 (7.1-12.2)
(range)

Fourth-longest 6 6 6
primary—mean 24.2 (18.4-29.1) 21.7 (19.0-24.0) 16.5 (13.1-19.8)
distance from tip

(range)

Fifth-longest 5 5 5
primary—mean 40.1 (32.8-46.8) 36.6 (25.5-38.9) 27.0 (23.3-31.4)

distance from tip
(range)

Ben King 53 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

ice

i} ohm ie tat |
6. pobocophohes West BennalC.potocophakes _\ Jeoan|

Figure 2. Samples of the territorial song of Cuculus poliocephalus from different parts of its range.

220
O = Cuculus horsfieldi

X =C. saturatus
2004 A=C. lepidus

210

190

180

170

160

Flattened Wing (mm)

150

140

130
22 24 26 28 30 32
Culmen from Skull Base (mm)

Figure 3. Scatter plot of wing length against culmen length for respective sexes of Cuculus (s.) horsfieldi,
C. (s.) saturatus and C. (s.) lepidus. Note that there is no overlap in this sample in wing length between
respective sexes of the three forms. However, with a much larger sample, Robert Payne (pers. comm.)
found c.5% overlap in wing length of respective sexes of horsfieldi and saturatus. Note also that there is
no overlap in culmen length between horsfieldi and lepidus, but some overlap between saturatus and
lepidus, and nearly complete overlap between horsfieldi and saturatus.

Ben King 54 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

TABLE 3
Comparison of grey-phase adult Cuculus (s.) saturatus and C. (s.) horsfieldi
with grey-phase adult C. (s.) lepidus.

Cuculus (s.) saturatus body area Cuculus (s.) lepidus
Cuculus (s.) horsfieldi

dark grey upperparts of body dark slaty grey

more, because neck paler contrast between sides of neck little, because neck darker

and dark upperwing-coverts

pale grey throat and upper breast grey

white, often with buffy tinge base colour of lower breast pale buffy
and belly

c.60% of width of pale bands dark bars on lower breast almost equal in width to
and belly pale bands

buffy undertail-coverts rusty buff

Morphologically, horsfieldi and saturatus differ only in size, with much overlap.
However most (c.95%) accurately sexed adult specimens can be differentiated by
wing length.

C. lepidus differs markedly from saturatus/horsfieldi in plumage and size, its
plumage differing sufficiently to permit field identification of /epidus by sight
alone, whilst measurements will easily distinguish most, if not all, lepidus
specimens. In a genus wherein most species are morphologically very close, /epidus
is conspicuous in its differences from saturatus/horsfieldi.

The similarity between the songs of /epidus and saturatus suggest saturatus is
the closest relative of lepidus, whilst the different songs of Cuculus canorus Linné
1758, and C. micropterus Gould 1837, suggest that they are more distant genetically
from saturatus. But, morphologically, canorus, micropterus and
saturatus/horsfieldi are quite similar to each other, yet quite distinct morphologi-
cally from /Jepidus. I would argue that vocalisations are a better indicator of
relatedness than morphology in this case.

It is concluded that the three forms of Cuculus saturatus all represent species
taxa, based on their distinct songs and different measurements, the case of lepidus
bolstered by its distinct plumage. The following English names are recommended:
Oriental Cuckoo C. horsfieldi; Himalayan Cuckoo C. saturatus; and Sunda Cuckoo
C. lepidus.

The distinct song types and measurements of each of the three forms, as well as
the plumage differences between lJepidus and saturatus/horsfieldi satisfy the
diagnosibility requirement of the Phylogenetic Species Concept. Their breeding
allopatry will prevent merging in the future. Satisfying the non-interbreeding

Ben King 55 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

requirement of the Biological Species Concept is more difficult and involves a
judgment call because the three forms are allopatric in their breeding range.
However, I would postulate that the distinct calls of these three forms would operate
as an effective isolating mechanism if they were to meet on their breeding grounds.
DNA studies and possibly playback experiments would help to resolve the
taxonomic status of the three forms.

The variation in the vocalisations shown by the sonograms of C. /epidus cannot
be understood without more data. It will take a study of vocalisations, DNA,
measurements and plumage characteristics from a series of individuals from each
main island group in the Greater and Lesser Sundas to determine whether C. /epidus
is one variable species or several.

Acknowledgements

Jeff Groth, Mary LeCroy, Robert Payne, David Wells and an anonymous reviewer provided helpful
commentary. Jeff Groth prepared the sonograms. John Fitzpatrick and Greg Budney of the Macaulay
Library of Natural Sounds at the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology provided support and the use of
tape-recording equipment. The Taiwan C. horsfieldi recording by Sheldon Severinghaus is on deposit at
the Macaulay Library of Natural Sounds at the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology; the Nepal C. satura-
tus tape-recording by Scott Connop is on his single cassette Birdsongs of Nepal, published by the Cornell
Laboratory of Ornithology in 1993; the first Japanese C. horsfieldi tape-recording is from a three-
cassette collection, entitled Japanese birds in sound, 100 well-known species, published in 1971 by NHK
TV in Japan; the second Japanese C. horsfieldi tape-recording is on a six-CD set by Tsuruhiko Kabaya,
The songs and calls of 420 birds in Japan, published by Shogakukan, Tokyo, in 2001; the Siberian C.
horsfieldi by Krister Mild is on his self-published two-cassette Soviet bird songs (1987), Stockholm. All
of the recordings without a parenthetical recordist were made by Ben King and will eventually be
deposited at the Macaulay Library of Natural Sounds at the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology. All
measured specimens are housed at the American Museum of Natural History, New York.

References:

Clements, J. F. 2000. Birds of the world: a checklist. Ibis Publishing, Vista, CA.

Howard, R. & Moore, A. 1991. A complete checklist of the birds of the world. Second edn. Academic
Press, London.

Lindholm, A. & Lindén, A. 2003. Oriental Cuckoo in Finland. Alula 9: 122-133.

Payne, R. B. 1997. Cuckoos (Cuculidae). Pp. 508-607 in del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. & Sargatal, J. (eds.)
Handbook of the birds of the world, vol. 4. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.

Peters, J. L. 1940. Check-list of the birds of the world, vol. 4. Harvard Univ. Press, Cambridge, MA.

Sibley, C. G. & Monroe, B. L. 1990. Distribution and taxonomy of birds of the world. Yale Univ. Press,
New Haven & London.

Wells, D. R. 1999. The birds of the Thai-Malay Peninsula. Academic Press, London.

Wells, D. R. & Becking, J. H. 1975. Vocalizations and status of Little and Himalayan Cuckoos, Cuculus
poliocephalus and C. saturatus in Southeast Asia. /bis 117: 366-371.

Address: Ornithology Department, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th
Street, New York, NY 10024, USA.

© Bnitish Ornithologists’ Club 2005

Sergio Cordoba & Jorge A. Ahumada 56 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

Confirmation of Buff-fronted Owl Aegolius
harrisu for the Cordillera Oriental of Colombia

by Sergio Cordoba & Forge A. Ahumada

Received 9 Fanuary 2004

Buff-fronted Owl Aegolius harrisii is rare and poorly known. Records come from
a variety of habitats and altitudes in Colombia, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia,
Uruguay and Argentina (Parker et al. 1985, Hilty & Brown 1986, Fjeldsa & Krabbe
1990, Studer & Teixeira 1994, Konig et al. 1999). Few specimens are available and
the species has been recorded at comparatively few localities.

For Colombia, Buff-fronted Owl has been reported only from “Bogota’ trade
skins from the 19th century (Meyer de Schauensee 1949), from five specimens
taken in 1939-72 by Kjell von Sneidern at 1,560—1,860 m, at El Tambo, dpto.
Cauca, on the lower slope of the Western Andes, below Cerro Munchique (02°32’N,
76°57’W), and at Llorente, dpto. Narifio, southern Colombia (00°49’N, 77°15’W)
(von Sneidern 1954, Fitzpatrick & Willard 1982, Instituto de Ciencias
Naturales—Museo de Historia Natural, Bogota no. 29869). Here we report new
distributional information, measurements and weights from four individuals at
three localities, two near Bogota and the third near the Colombian—Venezuelan
border (Fig. 1). Data were obtained by personnel from the Laboratory of Population
and Community Ecology, Universidad Javeriana, and during biological inventories
on the eastern flank of the Cordillera Oriental by personnel from the Instituto
Alexander von Humboldt, Bogota. Birds captured with mist-nets were measured
with dial callipers or a millimetre rule (wing chord and tail length), and weighed
using an electronic or spring balance. The following records confirm the species’
presence in the Cordillera Oriental.

Sites where owls were mist-netted or collected near Bogota are c.15 km west, at
Finca San Cayetano, Vereda Fute, municipio Bojaca, dpto. Cundinamarca
(04°38’N, 74°19’W), where a male and a female were collected (Coleccion del
Laboratorio de Ecologia de Poblaciones y Comunidades, Pontificia Universidad
Javeriana, Bogota, no. 068, no. 099), and c.20 km north-west of the city, at Finca
Miralejos, Vereda Pueblo Viejo, municipio Zipacon, dpto. Cundinamarca (04°46’N,
74°24’W), where a female was mist-netted, banded and released. The region is
intensively farmed, with remnant forest patches along the west border of the Sabana
de Bogota, at 2,600-—2,900 m. Cloud forest fragments of varying size and degrees
of disturbance are interspersed with potato, corn and vegetable crops, and dairy
cattle pastures. The forest at San Cayetano is part of a larger tract that continues
from south-west of Bogota for c.50 km north along the ridge of the Bogota plateau.
Forest at the site is fairly undisturbed, on a gentle slope, with large trees averaging
15 m high, and dense undergrowth. At Miralejos there is a mosaic of small-forest
fragments within a matrix of pastures. Forest is similar to that at San Cayetano in

Sergio Cordoba & Jorge A, Ahumada ST Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

height and general structure, although the canopy is discontinuous and there are
more signs of recent human and cattle disturbance. Trees and shrubs of the families
Asteraceae (Ageratina spp., Erato spp. and Eupatorium spp.), Winteraceae (mostly
Drimis spp.) and Melastomataceae (Miconia spp., Tibuchina lepidota, Bucquetia
spp. and Clidemia spp.) are dominant at both sites. Rubiaceae (mostly Palicourea
spp.), Ericaceae (Macleania rupestris) and Melastomataceae (Miconia spp.)
dominate the understorey, with some Orchidaceae (Pleurotalis spp. and Epidendron
spp.) and Araceae (Anturium spp.).

The third site is on the eastern flank of the Cordillera Oriental, in Parque
Nacional Natural Tama, municipio Herran, dpto. Norte de Santander (07°26’N,
72°27'W), at 2,430 m, within forest with a dense understorey dominated by
Rhipidocladium plants.

/
CeemeentaoeamnlS -

tx

Figure 1. Map with records of Buff-fronted Owl Aegolius harrisii in the Andes of Colombia (dark grey
shading), showing previous (white circles) and new (white squares) locations.

Sergio Cordoba & Jorge A. Ahumada 58 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

The two captured at San Cayetano, on 14 October 1998 and 7 December 1998,
were possibly a pair and were caught early morning in mist-nets placed within
forest. The female captured at Miralejos, on 15 March 1999, was caught at 23.00 h
in a mist-net near the forest edge. At both sites mist-nets were placed at ground
level. The male specimen collected in Parque Nacional Natural Tama, on 25 June
1999, was also captured early morning. A headless Atlapetes was found in the same
mist-net, 50 cm from the owl. This specimen (no. 10636) has been deposited at the
Instituto de Investigaciones de Recursos Bioldgicos Alexander von Humboldt
(Villa de Leyva).

All four birds had the bill dusky with a whitish tip, and the feet yellow-flesh. The
iris colour of the males was more greenish yellow and that of the females was
yellowish green. Measurements and other data for our birds and a 1972 specimen
are presented in Table 1. Some mammal hairs were present in the stomach of one of
the females (LEP 099).

Acknowledgements

Funding was provided by COLCIENCIAS (grant number 1203-13-683-95) and the Pontificia
Universidad Javeriana. We also thank J. M. Ponce and M. Cubillos for access to their properties. Special
thanks to Gary Stiles (Instituto de Ciencias Naturales—Museo de Historia Natural, Universidad Nacional
de Colombia), Mauricio Alvarez and Ana Maria Umana (Instituto de Investigaciones en Recursos
Bioldgicos Alexander von Humboldt) for access to specimen material in their care. Gary Stiles and
Mauricio Alvarez also commented on the manuscript. Camilo Peraza, Maria Piedad Baptiste, Tomas
Bolanos, Jose Miguel Rojas and Hector Angarita at the Laboratory of Population Ecology—Pontificia
Universidad Javeriana afforded logistic support.

References:

Fitzpatrick, J. W. & Willard, D. E. 1982. Twenty-one bird species new or little known from the Republic
of Colombia. Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl. 102: 153-158.

Fjeldsa, J. & Krabbe, N. 1990. Birds of the high Andes. Zool. Mus., Univ. of Copenhagen & Apollo
Books, Svendborg.

Hilty, S. L. & Brown, W. L. 1986. A guide to the birds of Colombia. Princeton Univ. Press.

Konig, C., Weick, F. & Becking, J.-H. 1999. Owls: a guide to the owls of the world. Pica Press,
Robertsbridge.

Meyer de Schauensee, R. 1949. The birds of the Republic of Colombia. Cal/dasia 5: 503.

Parker, T. A., Schulenberg, T., Graves, G. & Braun, M. J. 1985. The avifauna of the Huancabamba region,
northern Peru. Pp. 169-197 in Buckley, P. A., Foster, M. S., Morton, E. S., Ridgely, R. S. & Buckley,
F. G. (eds.) Neotropical ornithology. Orn. Monogr. 36.

von Sneidern, K. 1954. Notas sobre algunas aves del Museo de Historia Natural de la Universidad del
Cauca, Popayan, Colombia. Novedades Colombianas 1: 3-13.

Studer, A. & Teixeira, D. M. 1994. Notes on the Buff-fronted Ow] Aegolius harrisii in Brazil. Bull. Brit.
Orn. Cl. 114: 62-63.

Addresses: Sergio Cordoba, Instituto de Investigacion de Recursos Bioldgicos Alexander von Humboldt,
Claustro de San Agustin, Villa de Leyva, Boyaca, Colombia, e-mail: scordoba@humboldt.org.co.
Jorge A. Ahumada, National Wildlife Health Center, 6006 Schroeder Road, Madison, Wisconsin
53711, USA.

© British Ornithologists’ Club 2005

A. Townsend Peterson & I. Lehr Brishin, Jr. 59 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

Phenotypic status of Red Junglefowl Gallus
gallus populations introduced on Pacific islands

by A. Townsend Peterson and I. Lehr Brisbin, Fr.

Received 27 February 2004

Following many decades without conservation attention, the genetic integrity of
populations of Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus populations worldwide has recently
become an issue of concern (Brisbin 1996, Peterson & Brisbin 1998, Anon. 2001,
Brisbin ef a/. 2002). In general, the concern is that extensive hybridisation with
domestic or feral chicken populations is swamping ‘wild type’ genomes, leading to
loss of original genotypes. Numerous phenotypic markers suggest domestic/feral
influence, including the presence of white or other atypical colours in the wings,
hackles or tail; presence of a comb in hens; absence of eclipse plumages in males;
call characteristics; and elongated or exaggerated tail plumes (Peterson & Brisbin
1998, Brisbin et al. 2002, Cornwallis 2002), although the relationship between
phenotype and genotype can be less than direct (West-Eberhard 2003). Of course,
the real challenge is not establishing that particular stocks are contaminated, but
rather that of finding pure stocks: molecular markers under development (Brisbin
et al. 2002) and ongoing hybridisation experiments (Brisbin & Peterson in prep.)
indicate that absence of the above traits is insufficient to indicate genetic purity, but
their absence is a good indication that populations exhibiting them are not candidate
pure populations. If indeed genetically pure Red Junglefowl are rare or even
endangered, as we suspect, documentation of the distribution and characteristics of
pure stocks becomes key in the conservation of the species and its genome.

As has been emphasised many times previously (e.g. Remsen 1995), natural
history museum collections represent the only long-term repository of primary
knowledge regarding biological diversity. In the present case, an extensive series
(N=87) of birds identified as “Red Junglefowl’ in the collections of the American
Museum of Natural History (AMNH), collected between the 1890s (Palmer in
Hawaii) and the 1920s and 1930s (Whitney South Sea Expeditions in much of the
south-west Pacific) document phenotypes (and potentially genotypes) of this
species 80—100 years ago (Ball 1933). We reviewed each specimen in these series’
in detail, noting phenotypic traits that differ from the ‘wild type’ red junglefow! that
is well known (Beebe 1926, Delacour 1951, Parkes 1962, Cornwallis 2002), includ-
ing the following body regions: body feathers (in genetically pure individuals
should be all-black in males, mottled brown in females), tail size (should be
relatively short and not exceptionally elongated), tail colour (should be all black in
males or brown in females), legs (should be slender and dark and not thick and
yellow), wing colour (should be all black in males or brown in females), comb
(should be small and simple, and not large and elaborate), hackle colour (should be
bright orange), spurs (should be relatively small and short), and collar colour

A. Townsend Peterson & I. Lehr Brisbin, Jr. 60 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

TABLE 1
Summary of phenotypes of Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus or feral chickens collected from Pacific
islands in the 1890s—1930s, in the collection of the American Museum of Natural History (New York).
Traits listed in the right-hand columns are all phenotypic dimensions in which genetic contamination
has been noted. Numbers indicate numbers of individuals in the sample showing the particular
phenotypic feature.

ar 3 =
Island 3 N E & 2 = = - = 3 =
Austral Islands, Tubuai 1921 l l ]
Caroline Islands, Kusaie 1931 -
Caroline Islands, Ponape 1930 5
Fiji Islands, Kambara 1920s 2 ] ] l
Fiji Islands, Kio 1924 - 2 2 l
Fiji Islands, Koro 1924 3 2 l ]
Fiji Islands, Makongai 1924 3 ] ] 2 2 2
Fiji Islands, Taviuni 1924 l l :
Fiji Islands, Vanua Mbalava 1924 2 2
Hawaiian Islands, Kauai 189] 5 5 2 - 2
Marquesas Islands, Eiau 1922 2 2 ] 2 l
Marquesas Islands, Hivaoa 1922 - 3 2 3 3
Marquesas Islands, Motane 1922 l ] l
Marquesas Islands, Nukahiva 1921192253 3 l
Marquesas Islands, Uahuka 1922 5 5 ] ] l -
New Guinea, NE coast, Long Island 1933 3 2 ] 2
New Hebrides, Efate Island 1926 Ry a - - l l l
Society Islands, Moorea 1921,1924 16 6 l ~ 2 2 -
Society Islands, Raiatea 1922 2 l 2
Society Islands, Tahiti 1921 ll l 2 3 -

Tonga Islands, Ala 1925 2 l l l ]

A. Townsend Peterson & I. Lehr Brisbin, Jr. 61 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

(should be black in males or brown in females). Here, we briefly present the results
of our review of these series of specimens.

In general, both the Whitney and Palmer series appear to document extensive
genetic contamination of junglefowl stocks on Pacific islands (Table 1). Indeed,
every individual from every island showed clear evidence of domestic influence in
at least one phenotypic trait examined, as had been noted in a previous review of the
Whitney material (Ball 1933). The exception among the AMNH specimens,
interestingly, are those collected in the early 1930s on the Caroline Islands: no
individual from this series (N=9) showed indications of genetic contamination.

Given that our ongoing experiments (Brisbin et a/. 2002) indicate that
phenotypic markers are poor indicators of absolute purity (i.e. even moderate levels
of genetic contamination can prove undetectable via phenotypic markers), the
Caroline Island populations deserve closer examination. The specimens available
are at least as pure phenotypically as those present in the native distributional areas
in the same era (Peterson & Brisbin 1998, Brisbin et a/. 2002). As no recent
Caroline Island specimens have been located in our surveys of other natural history
museum collections, investigation of the present-day integrity of these populations
would be a priority.

References:

Anonymous. 2001. Red junglefowl genetics. Tragopan 13/14: 5-6.

Ball, S. C. 1933. Jungle fowls from Pacific islands. Bernice R Bishop Mus. Bull. 108: 1-121.

Beebe, W. 1926. Pheasants—their lives and homes. Doubleday, Page & Co., Garden City, NY.

Bnisbin, I. L. 1996. Concerns for the genetic integrity and conservation status of the red junglefowl.
Tragopan 4: 11-12.

Brisbin, I. L., Peterson, A. T., Okimoto, R. & Amato, G. 2002. Characterization of the genetic status of
populations of Red Junglefowl. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 99: 217-223.

Cornwallis, C. 2002. The status and degree of hybridisation of Red Junglefow] on three islands—a com-
ment. Tragopan 16: 26-29.

Delacour, J. 1951. The pheasants of the world. Country Life, London.

Parkes, K. C. 1962. The Red Junglefowl of the Philippines—native or introduced? Auk 79: 479-481.

Peterson, A. T. & Brisbin, I. L. 1998. Genetic endangerment of wild Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus? Bird
Conserv. Intern. 8: 387-394.

Remsen, J. V. 1995. The importance of continued collecting of bird specimens to ornithology and bird
conservation. Bird Conserv. Intern. 5: 145—180.

West-Eberhard, M. J. 2003. Developmental plasticity and evolution. Oxford Univ. Press.

Addresses: A. Townsend Peterson, Natural History Museum and Biodiversity Research Center,
The University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045, USA. I. Lehr Brisbin, Savannah River Ecology
Laboratory, P.O. Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802, USA.

© Bnitish Ornithologists’ Club 2005

Nigel Cleere 62 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

A review of the type material of the Oilbird
Steatornis caripensis

by Nigel Cleere

Received 4 March 2004

The Neotropical Oilbird Steatornis caripensis von Humboldt, 1817 is the sole
member of the family Steatornithidae, which is placed either within the
Caprimulgiformes (e.g. Peters 1940, Cleere 1998, Thomas 1999, Holyoak 2001) or
the Strigiformes (e.g. Sibley et al. 1988, Sibley & Ahlquist 1990, Sibley & Monroe
1990). Described from Caripe caves in north-east Venezuela by von Humboldt
(1814), it has long been regarded as a monotypic species, although a smaller,
southern race was described from northern and central Peru by Taczanowski (1884).
The Peruvian form was subsequently found to be indistinguishable from birds from
Trinidad and from Bogota trade skins (Zimmer 1930).

The species has been reasonably well studied since its discovery (e.g. Snow
1961, 1962, Roca 1994), but little has been published on its taxonomy or nomencla-
ture, and the only recent data appears to be my own (Cleere 2002). Here, I now
comment on the Oilbird’s type material.

Materials and methods

I visited most of the major natural history museums in Europe and North America
and carefully examined all Oilbird specimens. I also compared their data with the
literature, museum registers and archive material where available.

Results and discussion

Steatornis caripensis was described from the Caripe caves in north-east Venezuela
by von Humboldt (1814), who mentioned that two birds were obtained by his
colleague, A. Bonpland, on or shortly after 18 September 1799. Presumably, these
two would eventually have been regarded as types, but following collection their
whereabouts remained a mystery for several years. The earliest report on the fate of
these specimens appears to have been that of LV Herminier (1834), who revealed that
having been dispatched to Europe, they were lost in a shipwreck off the coast of
West Africa in 1801.

Since its discovery, only one other form of Oilbird has been described, named
Steatornis caripensis, var. peruviana by Taczanowski (1884), who presented a full
account of birds found in northern and central Peru (see below), and also
highlighted plumage differences compared to Venezuelan birds. No type data were
given, but localities where the new race was said to occur were listed as Tingo
Maria, dpto. Huanuco (Raimondi), Cajamarca and Pumamarca, dpto. Junin (Jelski),
Ninabamba and Querocotillo, dpto. Cajamarca (Stolzmann) and la vallée

Nigel Cleere 63 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

Huayabamba, dpto. Amazonas (Stolzmann). (Names in brackets refer to those
persons who supplied information or specimens to the author, who never travelled
to Peru himself.) Supporting the description of this new Oilbird was a series of
notes on the habits of this species at Ninabamba, written by J. Stolzmann. In one
passage, Stolzmann refers to an incident in which 60 shots were fired to bring down
11 birds, although not all were recovered and the precise number preserved as
museum specimens was not given. The specimens were initially sent to the
Zoological Cabinet in Warsaw, Poland, which was formerly part of the Royal
University of Warsaw, and then later to the Branickis’ collection, also in Poland
(Kazubski 1996). However, prior to their transfer to the Branickis’ collection, one
specimen had already been sent to Count Berlepsch’s collection in Germany (see
below). The Branickis’ collection was subsequently transferred to the Museum and
Institute of Zoology in Warsaw, Poland (MZPW), and the Berlepsch collection to
the Forschungsinstitut und Naturmuseum Senckenberg, Frankfurt am Main,
Germany (SMF). No data on specimens collected at the other localities were given.

Prior to his description of the Oilbird found in Peru, Taczanowski published two
short accounts of the material collected (see above). In the first, he confirmed that
several specimens had been collected on 4 July 1879 in a cave situated at 7,100 ft
(c.2,160 m), at Ninabamba, Chota province, Santa Cruz district, in dpto. Cajamarca,
on the west slope of the Andes (Taczanowski 1880). In the second, he simply
recorded that two specimens were collected in February 1880 at Huambo
(Taczanowski 1882).

The first documentation of the type material of Steatornis caripensis peruvianus
was by Taczanowski (1889). In this work, the author listed as types a male and
female labelled 10878 (an old catalogue number?), and referred to two other
specimens not included in the inventory, but obtained by Stolzmann in Ninabamba
and Huambo. In a later type catalogue of birds in the Museum and Institute of
Zoology in Warsaw, Poland, only one specimen was listed (Sztolcman &
Domaniewski 1927). This was recorded as MZPW P.2300, an adult male collected
4 July 1879 at Ninabamba, north-east Peru, by J. Stolzmann, which can now be
accepted as an act of lectotypification under the International Commission on
Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) (1999) art. 74.1. The specimen is recorded as the
type on the museum index card, although the writing differs to that on the museum
label.

A second specimen housed in the Museum and Institute of Zoology in Warsaw,
Poland is recorded as a co-type, a term no longer recognised by the ICZN. This
specimen is unregistered (=~=MZPW 1453?), and is an unsexed bird collected 24
February 1880 at Huambo, Peru, by J. Stolzmann. Although regarded as a co-type
on the museum index card, the entry is in a different ink and handwriting to the
type, and was possibly added to the museum records at a later date. A third
specimen present in the Museum and Institute of Zoology in Warsaw, Poland, but
not recorded as a type in the museum’s records, is MZPW 23912, an adult female
also collected 4 July 1879 at Ninabamba, north-east Peru, by J. Stolzmann. This

Nigel Cleere 64 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

specimen appears to have been registered on the museum index card at the same
time as the lectotype (i.e. same handwriting) and is probably a paralectotype. A
fourth specimen in the Museum and Institute of Zoology in Warsaw, Poland, is
MZPW 23914, an undated adult female collected at Huambo by J. Stolzmann. This
specimen was formerly in the Branickis’ collection, where it had a collection
number 924c and was labelled as a type. I believe that these four specimens are the
ones referred to by Taczanowski (1889).

In the Forschungsinstitut und Naturmuseum Senckenberg, Frankfurt am Main,
Germany (SMF), there is a specimen that was formerly in the Berlepsch collection,
which he received from Taczanowski in Warsaw in October 1880. This specimen is
registered as SMF 29967, and is an adult male collected 4 July 1879 at Ninabamba,
north-east Peru, by J. Stolzmann. Although this specimen was sent to Germany prior
to the description of the Peruvian Oilbird and its types were published, it was clearly
part of the original series used to establish the new form, and I therefore have no
hesitation in accepting that it is probably also a paralectotype. As a result of my
investigations, I believe that the synonymy and types of the Oilbird may be given as
follows.

Steatornis von Humboldt, 1814

Steatornis von Humboldt F. H. A., 1814, in von Humboldt F. H. A. & Bonpland A.
J. A., Voy. Nouv. Cont. Pt. 1, Vol. 1, p. 416.

For citation, see Cleere, N. 2002, Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl. 122, p. 71.
Type, by monotypy, ‘Guacharo’ = Steatornis caripensis von Humboldt F. H.
A TS1%:

Steatornis caripensis von Humboldt, 1817

Steatornis caripensis von Humboldt F. H. A., 1817, Bull. Sci. Soc. Philom. Paris,
Pp. 2:

Two probable syntypes collected c.18 September 1799 at Caripe cave,
Monagas, north-east Venezuela by A. Bonpland. Lost at sea off the coast of
western Africa in 1801, see LHerminier 1834, p. 321.

Nyctibius steatornis Stephens J. F., 1826, in Shaw G., Gen. Zool. 13, Pt. 2, Aves.

Published as Ny ? steatornis, a new name for the erroneous Caprimulgus
steatornis Humboldt.

For date of publication, see Mathews G. M. 1919, Birds of Australia, vol. 7,
p. 467.

Nigel Cleere 65 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

Steatornis caripensis peruvianus Vaczanowski L., 1884, Orn. Pérou, vol. 1, p. 199.

Published as Steatornis caripensis, var. peruviana, but see ICZN (1999) Art.
30.1.2 and Art. 45.6.4.

Lectotype MZPW unregistered, adult male, relaxed mount, collected 4 July
1879 at Ninabamba, Cajamarca, Peru, 7,100 ft (c.2,160 m), by J. Stolzmann.
Old museum no. MZPW 2300 P. For lectotypification, see Sztolcman &
Domaniewski 1927, p. 107.

Paralectotype MZPW 23912, adult female, relaxed mount, collected 4 July
1879 at Ninabamba, Cajamarca, Peru, 7,100 ft (c.2,160 m), by J. Stolzmann.

Paralectotype SMF 29967, adult male, collected 4 July 1879 at Ninabamba,
Cajamarca, Peru, 7,100 ft (c.2,160 m), by J. Stolzmann. Ex Berlepsch collec-
tion—treceived October 1880 from L. Taczanowski in Warsaw.

Paralectotype MZPW unregistered (~MZPW 1453?), adult, collected 24
February 1880 at Huambo, Amazonas, Peru, by J. Stolzmann.

Paralectotype MZPW 23914, adult female, collected February 1880
(probably on 24th) at Huambo, Amazonas, Peru, by J. Stolzmann. Ex
Branickis’ collection no. 924¢c.

Acknowledgements

I thank all of the museum curators and staff for their assistance whilst working in the collections under
their care, especially Malgorzata Adamczewska (Museum and Institute of Zoology, Warsaw, Poland) and
Gerald Mayr (Forschungsinstitut und Naturmuseum Senckenberg, Frankfurt am Main, Germany). I also
thank Robert Prys-Jones and Paul Salaman of the Natural History Museum/Project Biomap for giving
me the opportunity to visit the above-mentioned museums. Finally, my thanks go to Edward Dickinson
for discussions on the type material, and to David Christie and Mike Wilson for translating French and
Russian texts.

References:

Cleere, N. 1998. Nightjars. A guide to nightjars and related nightbirds. Pica Press, Robertsbridge.

Cleere, N. 2002. Notes on the generic citation of the Oilbird Steatornis caripensis (Steatornithidae). Bull.
Brit. Orn. Cl. 122: 71-73.

LHerminier, F. 1834. Mémoire sur le Guacharo (Steatornis caripensis (Humboldt)). Nouv. Ann. Mus.
Nat. 3: 321-331.

Holyoak, D. T. 2001. Nightjars and their allies. The Caprimulgiformes. Oxford Univ. Press.

von Humboldt, F. H. A. 1814. P. 416 in von Humboldt, F H. A. & Bonpland, A. J. A. Voyage aux régions
équinoxiales du Nouveau Continent fait en 1799, 1800, 1801, 1802, 1803 et 1804, vol. 1. F. Schoell,
Paris.

von Humboldt, F. H. A. 1817. Sur le Steatornis, nouveau genre d’oiseau nocturne. Bull. Sci. Soc. Philom.
Paris: 51-52.

International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature. 1999. /nternational code of zoological nomen-
clature. Fourth edn. The International Trust for Zoological Nomenclature, The Natural History
Museum, London.

Kazubski, S. L. 1996. The history of the Museum and Institute of Zoology, PAS. Bull. Mus. Inst. Zool.
PAS 1: 7-19.

Peters, J. L. 1940. Check-list of birds of the world, vol. 4. Harvard Univ. Press, Cambridge, MA.

Nigel Cleere 66 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

Roca, R. L. 1994. Ojilbirds of Venezuela: ecology and conservation. Publ. Nuttall Orn. Cl. 24.
Cambridge, MA.

Sibley, C. G. & Ahlquist, J. E. 1990. Phylogeny and classification of birds. A study in molecular evolu-
tion. Yale Univ. Press, New Haven & London.

Sibley, C. G., Ahlquist, J. E. & Monroe, B. L. 1988. A classification of the living birds of the world based
on DNA-DNA hybnidization studies. Auk 105: 409-423.

Sibley, C. G. & Monroe, B. L. 1990. Distribution and taxonomy of birds of the world. Yale Univ. Press,
New Haven & London.

Snow, D. W. 1961. Natural history of the Oilbird in Trinidad, W. I. Part I. Zoologica 46: 27—S0.

Snow, D. W. 1962. Natural history of the Oilbird in Trinidad, W. I. Part IT. Zoologica 47: 199-221.

Sztolcman, J. & Domaniewski, J. 1927. Typy opisowe ptakow w Polskiem panstwowem museum przy-
rodniczem. Ann. Zool. Mus. Pol. Hist. Nat. 6: 95—194.

Taczanowski, L. 1880. Liste des oiseaux recueillis au nord du Pérou par M. Stolzmann pendant les
derniers mois de 1878 et dans la premiere moitié de 1879. Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1880: 189-215.

Taczanowski, L. 1882. Liste des oiseaux recueillis par M. Stolzmann au Pérou nord-oriental. Proc. Zool.
Soc. Lond. 1882: 2-49.

Taczanowski, L. 1884. Ornithologie du Pérou, vol. 1. R. Friedlander & Sohn, Berlin.

Taczanowski, L. 1889. Collections of the zoological cabinet of the Imperial Warsaw University 1. A list
of type specimens of birds used to name new species. Varshav. Univ. Izv. 4: 1-40.

Thomas, B. T. 1999. Family Steatornithidae (Oilbird). Pp. 244-251 in del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. & Sargatal,
J. (eds.) Handbook of the birds of the world, vol. 5. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.

Zimmer, J. T. 1930. Birds of the Marshall Field Peruvian expedition, 1922—1923. Field Mus. Nat. Hist.
Zool. 17: 233-480.

Address: The Bird Group, Dept. of Zoology, The Natural History Museum, Akeman Street, Tring, Herts.
HP23 6AP, UK, e-mail: cleere@churr.freeserve.co.uk

© British Ornithologists’ Club 2005

Two unreported specimens of
Ochre-breasted Pipit Anthus nattereri
from a new Brazilian locality

Rosendo M. Fraga & Fohn M. Bates

Received 7 March 2004

Ochre-breasted Pipit Anthus nattereri is a rare species of grassland and open, low
cerrado in southern Brazil, eastern Paraguay and north-east Argentina (Collar ef al.
1992, Ridgely & Tudor 1989). BirdLife International (2000) classified the species
as Vulnerable because of range reduction associated with habitat destruction and
changes in fire and grazing regimes (see Parker & Willis 1997). Collar et al. (1992)
listed just 18 historical localities in Brazil for this pipit, although recent research has
yielded a few additional sites (e.g. Silveira 1998).

We describe here two unreported male specimens from the bird collection of the
Field Museum of Natural History (FMNH), Chicago, USA, collected by Emmet R.

Rosendo M. Fraga & John M. Bates 67 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

Blake in November 1937 and previously mislabeled as Hellmayr’s Pipit Anthus
hellmayri.

We found the diagnostic characters mentioned by Hellmayr (1921, 1935) in both
specimens (FMNH 110977 and FMNH 110979). The feet have a long posterior toe
and a long, relatively flat posterior claw. The toe and claw combined measure 26
mm and 28 mm in the two males. The bills lack the dark tip of he//mayri and the
tail shapes are different. Both specimens have a yellowish-ochre coloration to the
head and breast, typical of nattereri, but this is a less obvious character.

The collection locality is Fazenda Morungaba, Parana state, Brazil, at an
elevation of 600 m. According to Paynter & Traylor (1991) the coordinates of this
fazenda are 24°10°N, 49°20’W. Blake also collected five specimens of Hellmayr’s
Pipit Anthus hellmayri at Fazenda Morungaba in the same period. These specimens
are referable to the subspecies brasilianus (see Voelker 1999 for the probable
specific status of this form). A. nattereri and A. hellmayri brasilianus occur
sympatrically at other sites in Brazil and Argentina (Silveira 1998, Fraga 2001).

According to F. C. Straube (pers. comm.), there are no specimens of A. nattereri
in the main ornithological collection of Parana state (Museu de Historia Natural
Capao da Imbuia). Collar et a/. (1992) listed only two previous localities for A.
nattereri from Parana, based on specimens taken in 1907 and 1922 at Fazenda
Monte Alegre and Invernadinha. These two localities (plus our own) cover a linear
distance of c.255 km across the eastern highlands of the state, with an elevational
range of 600—1,065 m, where a mosaic of grasslands and forest is a conspicuous
landscape feature. The highlands of eastern Parana still possess extensive areas of
native grassland (campos gerais) that could support this pipit, and visiting ornithol-
ogists are advised to search for the species. The months of all the Parana specimens
(May, August and November) suggest its residency there, as reported elsewhere for
this pipit (e.g. Fraga 2001). The specimens reported here augment our scant
information on the former distribution and history of the species.

Acknowledgements

R. Fraga visited the FMNH through a scholarship provided by the Robert O. Bass Fund. F. C. Straube
and F. Olmos made useful comments on a first draft of the manuscript.

References:

BirdLife International. 2000. Threatened birds of the world. BirdLife International, Cambridge, UK &
Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.

Collar, N. J., Gonzaga, L. P., Krabbe, N., Madrofio Nieto, A., Naranjo, L. G., Parker T. A. & Wege, D. C.
1992. Threatened birds of the Americas: the ICBP/IUCN Red Data Book. International Council for
Bird Preservation, Cambridge, UK.

Fraga, R. M. 2001. The avifauna of Estancia San Juan Poriahu, Ibera marshes, Argentina: checklist and
some natural history notes. Cotinga 16: 81-86.

Hellmayr, C. E. 1921. Remarques sur les espéces neotropicales du genre Anthus. Hornero 2:
180-193.

Hellmayr, C. E. 1935. Catalogue of the birds of the Americas, vol. 13. Field Mus. Nat. Hist.,
Chicago.

Rosendo M. Fraga & John M. Bates 68 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

Parker, T. A. & Willis, E. O. 1997. Notes on three tiny grassland flycatchers, with comments on the dis-
appearance of South-American fire-diversified savannas. Pp. 549-555 in Remsen, J. V. (ed.) Studies
in Neotropical ornithology honoring Ted Parker. Orn. Monogr. No. 48.

Paynter, R. A. & Traylor, M. A. 1991. Ornithological gazetteer of Brazil. Mus. Comp. Zool., Cambridge,
MA.

Ridgely, R. S. & Tudor, G. 1989. The birds of South America, vol. 1. Univ. Texas Press, Austin.

Silveira, L. F. 1998. The birds of Serra da Canastra National Park and adjacent areas, Minas Gerais,
Brazil. Cotinga 10: 55-63.

Voelker, G. 1999. Molecular evolutionary relationships in the avian genus Anthus (pipits: Motacillidae).
Mol. Phyl. & Evol. 11: 84-94.

Addresses: Rosendo M. Fraga. Tucuman 335, 11°C, (1409) Buenos Aires, Argentina, e-mail:
fragarosendo@infovia.com.ar. John M. Bates. Bird Division, Field Museum of Natural History,
1400 South Lakeshore Drive, Chicago, IL 60605, USA, e-mail: jbates@fmnh.org

© British Ornithologists’ Club 2005

A new genus for the Mongolian Finch
Bucanetes mongolicus (Swinhoe, 1870)

by Guy M. Kirwan & Steven M. S. Gregory

Received 10 April 2004

The so-called ‘desert finches’ represent a generally recognised, if only broadly
aligned, grouping of four species found in the Western Palearctic and Western and
Central Asia. They are: Crimson-winged Finch Rhodopechys sanguineus (Gould,
1838) of north-west Africa (R. s. alienus Whitaker, 1897) and Turkey and the Levant
east to Central Asia (R. s. sanguineus); Desert Finch Rhodospiza obsoleta
(Lichtenstein, 1823) in the Levant east to Inner Mongolia (monotypic); and the two
species of ‘trumpeter’ finches, Trumpeter Finch Bucanetes githagineus
(Lichtenstein, 1823), which comprises four subspecies found discontinuously from
the Canaries to Central Asia and north-west India, and Mongolian (Trumpeter)
Finch B. mongolicus (Swinhoe, 1870) of Turkey east to western China (monotypic).
The genera Rhodopechys Cabanis, 1851, and Rhodospiza Sharpe, 1888, are rarely
challenged in the most-modern literature (the use of all three genera was first
widely promulagated by Hartert & Steinbacher 1938), although Desert Finch, the
sole representative of the latter genus is sometimes regarded as a constituent of
Rhodopechys (see below). Of particular debate is the generic assignment of the
other two species, which is further discussed here. It has recently been suggested
that Rhodopechys sanguineus alienus might represent a phylogenetic species,
distinct from nominate sanguineus (Fry & Keith 2004). As is partially visible in the
accompanying photos, the two are rather distinct in adult male plumage and GMK,
at least, favours the theory that the two are probably allospecies (Kirwan &

Guy M. Kirwan & Steven M. S. Gregory 69 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

Atkinson in prep.). This issue is beyond the scope of the present contribution,
however, and will be addressed elsewhere.

Treatment in the literature

As part of an ongoing field, museum and literature study into the distribution and
taxonomy of Turkish birds (Kirwan ef al. in prep), the first-named author revisited
the question of the most appropriate genus in which to treat the two species of
‘trumpeter’ finches. Two existing options appeared available, to consider them both
as Bucanetes or to subsume them, and perhaps Rhodospiza, within Rhodopechys.
Initially, he took a sample of some of the existing and more modern literature,
including field guides. Literature was solely selected on the basis of material
available in his library that covered at least three of the four species, and which did
not strictly follow another previously accessed source for taxonomy and nomencla-
ture. Eleven publications treated all of the ‘desert finches’ within an expanded
Rhodopechys (Vaurie 1949, Ripley 1961, Vaurie 1972, Ali & Ripley 1974, Htie &
Etchécopar, Cheng Tso-hsin 1987, Sibley & Monroe 1990, Clement et al. 1993,
Sibley 1996, King 1997, Adamian & Klem 1999) and the others, 14, considered the
group to comprise three genera (Voous 1977, Flint et al. 1984, Roberts 1992,
Beaman 1994, Baumgart 1995, Roselaar 1995, Inskipp et al. 1996, Porter et al.
1996, Beaman & Madge 1998, Grimmett eft al. 1998, Snow & Perrins 1998,

Figure 1. Sonograms of Mongolian Finch Bucanetes mongolicus (upper, recorded near Xining, Qinghai
province, in western China, in June 1993, by Paul Holt, using a Sony TCM SOOOEV cassette recorder,
Sennheiser ME88 + pre-amp.), and Trumpeter Finch B. githagineus (lower, recorded near Ouarzazate,
Morocco, in March 1978, by Claude Chappuis, using a Grampian DP microphone, Nagra SN tape-
recorder and parabola). Sonograms prepared by Richard Ranft (The British Library National Sound
Archive, London, UK) using Avisoft software, with standard default settings. Recordings © of the
recordists.

Guy M. Kirwan & Steven M. S. Gregory 70 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

Svensson eft al. 1999, Dickinson 2003, Fry & Keith 2004). From this, distinctly
unscientific but probably broadly accurate sampling of the different treatments, it
seemed that there was an increasing tendency for the four species to be treated in
three genera, and therefore for Bucanetes and Rhodospiza to be recognised. (It
should be noted that if included within Rhodopechys, the specific name of the
Mongolian Finch remains mongolicus, whilst if treating Trumpeter Finch similarly
its name must be spelled githagineus: David & Gosselin 2002, and not as in Howell
et al. 1968).

The relationship of B. mongolicus to B. githagineus

Although generally accorded specific status, Mongolian Finch was considered a
subspecies of Trumpeter Finch by Dementiev & Gladkov (1966-70) and Cheng
Tso-hsin (1976, 1987), an arrangement that is clearly untenable given the sugges-
tion of Panov & Bulatova (1972) that mongolicus is more closely related to Scarlet
(Common) Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus, and, even more importantly, because
the two are broadly sympatric without interbreeding (e.g. Vaurie 1949). East in
Asia, mongolicus and githagineus are also apparently altitudinally segregated
(Haffer 1989), but further west, e.g. in Turkey and the Caucasus, they have been, at
least occasionally, recorded in total sympatry (see Roselaar 1995, Kirwan et al.
2003), and some evidence of character displacement has been noted (in greatest
detail by Panov & Bulatova 1972), which is a phenomenon frequently observed
among relatively closely related species in areas where they overlap. They also
differ markedly in vocalisations, see Fig. 1 for sonograms of their principal song-
types. Given such striking differences in the latter, we (like others) prefer to drop
the ‘trumpeter’ modifier from the vernacular name of B. mongolicus.

With hindsight, in some respects it was rather perceptive of Swinhoe to have
described Mongolian Finch within Carpodacus given that the species’ coloration
and behaviour, especially courtship, shows much greater similarity with the latter
genus than to the other Bucanetes (GMK pers. obs.). Cabanis (1851) described the
genus Bucanetes thus (translated from the German): 'Satisfactorily distinguished
from Carpodacus by the longer, more pointed wing and the shorter tail, as well as
by the less broad bill, tighter feathering and coloration’. In some of these characters,
B. mongolicus also differs from Carpodacus, but clearly, as the characterisation of
a genus, such a description leaves much to be desired and does not provide
compelling rationale for the inclusion of other species taxa therein. Additionally, E.
N. Panov (in litt. 2003) and Panov & Bulatova (1972) reported that unpublished
work on the vocalisations of C. erythrinus and B. mongolicus also appears to
support the idea of a close relationship between the two. To transfer either of the two
‘trumpeter finches’ to Carpodacus (as was done by Ripley 1982) is unsupported by
all of the available evidence, although the caryotypes (Panov & Bulatova’s work
somewhat pre-dates currently fashionable DNA analyses) of mongolicus and
erythrinus are rather similar and both differ more significantly from githagineus

Guy M. Kirwan & Steven M. S. Gregory 7)

Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

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Figure 2 (top). Specimens of ‘desert finches’ (from top to bottom): Crimson-winged Finch Rhodopechys

sanguineus alienus, Red-browed Finch Callacanthis burtoni, and Crimson-winged Finch R. s.
sanguineus (Guy M. Kirwan, © the Natural History Museum, Tring)

Figure 3 (bottom). Desert Finch Rhodospiza obsoleta (top) and Trumpeter Finch Bucanetes githagineus
zedlitzi (Guy M. Kirwan, © the Natural History Museum, Tring)

Guy M. Kirwan & Steven M. S. Gregory 7 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

Figure 4 (top). Dorsal views of the same specimens as in Fig. 3 (Guy M. Kirwan, © the Natural History
Museum, Tring)

Figure 5 (lower). Mongolian Finches Bucanetes mongolicus (lower two birds) and Trumpeter Finches B.
githagineus (Guy M. Kirwan, © the Natural History Museum, Tring)

Guy M. Kirwan & Steven M. S. Gregory 73 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

1.5

0.5

0.0

-1.0

X Data

Figure 6. Results of a Principal Components Analysis for wing, tail and bill (culmen) lengths of all taxa
of ‘desert finches’ plotted two dimensionally. BG = Bucanetes githagineus githagineus (12 males, three
females), BGA = B. g. amantum (seven males, seven females), BGC = B. g. crassirostris (11 males, ten
females), BGZ = B. g. zedlitzi (20 males, three females), BM = B. mongolicus (26 males, 16 females),
CB = Callacanthis burtoni (nine males, eight females), RO = Rhodospiza obsoleta (14 males, eight
females), RS = Rhodopechys sanguineus sanguineus (19 males, eight females), and RSA = R. s. alienus
(seven males, five females).

Guy M. Kirwan & Steven M. S. Gregory 74 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

86 te ee
.
RSAC
RSA
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a
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Figure 7. Results of a Principal Components Analysis for wing, tail and bill (culmen) lengths of all taxa
of ‘desert finches' plotted three dimensionally. BG = Bucanetes githagineus githagineus (12 males, three
females), BGA = B. g. amantum (seven males, seven females), BGC = B. g. crassirostris (11 males, ten
females), BGZ = B. g. zedlitzi (20 males, three females), BM = B. mongolicus (26 males, 16 females),
CB = Callacanthis burtoni (nine males, eight females), RO = Rhodospiza obsoleta (14 males, eight

females), RS = Rhodopechys sanguineus sanguineus (19 males, eight females), and RSA = R. s. alienus
(seven males, five females).

Guy M. Kirwan & Steven M. S. Gregory 75 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

than from each other, and thus we do not favour the option of subsuming mongoli-
cus alone within Carpodacus (as proposed by Panov & Bulatova 1972), because of
the obvious and highly significant outward (i.e. morphological) differences between
them. In some respects, Mongolian Finch shares several morphological characteris-
tics with both Crimson-winged and Desert Finches (see Figs. 2-4). Indeed,
Mongolian Finch’s unequivocal discovery in the Western Palearctic, in Turkey, was
complicated by chronic confusion with both these other species (see Barthel et al.
1992, Kirwan & Konrad 1995, Kirwan et al. 2000).

Given the findings of Panov & Bulatova (1972), to view the genus Bucanetes as
monophyletic clearly becomes untenable, but at present few other options for its
systematic placement exist. As noted above, both species of Bucanetes have been
considered within an expanded Rhodopechys, along with R. sanguineus and
Rhodospiza obsoleta (see e.g. Vaurie 1949, Cheng Tso-hsin 1987, Sibley & Monroe
1990, Clement et al. 1993; equally, some have viewed all four species within
Bucanetes, although, from a nomenclatural standpoint, this runs contra to the
principle of priority). Such an arrangement, whilst possessing some obvious
advantages and clearly supported by a number of shared morphological,
behavioural and other characteristics, also has significant negative results. For
Rhodopechys cannot really be viewed as a natural or monophyletic grouping either,
all four species are significantly different in many respects, and diverge more subtly
in others (e.g. their breeding biologies; see Harrison & Castell 2001). Furthermore,
Crimson-winged Finch appears to be most closely related to Red-browed
(Spectacled) Finch Callacanthis burtoni, a monotypic genus found in the
Himalayas, which in turn is most closely allied to the rosefinches and the Acanthis
group (subgenus) of Carduelis (C. S. Roselaar in Cramp & Perrins 1994), and these
two may prove to be congenerics (as, indeed, they were treated by Ripley 1982). The
eggs of Rhodopechys sanguineus and Callacanthis are remarkably similar, but
differ from those of Bucanetes and Rhodospiza, which three species are generally
rather similar (M. P. Walters unpubl. ms.), although their choices of nest location are
quite different (Harrison & Castell 2002). Further, Desfayes (1969) demonstrated
that Bucanetes and Rhodopechys are probably not close relatives. Thus, an
expanded Rhodopechys appears to be a ‘catch-all’ option for taxa whose relation-
ships are sufficiently enigmatic to defy easy categorisation and are not necessarily
congeneric (as was done for many years with a number of African sunbirds; see
Irwin 1993, 1999). All of the principal taxa involved, including Callacanthis
burtoni, are depicted in Figs. 2—S.

Intra-group relationships based on mensural data

GMK, with the assistance of Phil Atkinson, tested the relationships of all taxa
within the ‘desert finches’ grouping based on an analysis of mensural data. These
were taken from specimens held at the Natural History Museum, Tring, involving
the following samples: Callacanthis burtoni (Punjab and north-west India: N=17,

Guy M. Kirwan & Steven M. S. Gregory 76 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)
TABLE 1
Means + SD and sample sizes for wing, tail and bill measurements of the ‘desert finches’, based on
specimens held in the Natural History Museum (Tring). BGG = Bucanetes githagineus githagineus,
BGA = B. g. amantum, BGC = B. g. crassirostris, BGZ = B. g. zedlitzi, BM = B. mongolicus, CB =
Callacanthis burtoni, RO = Rhodospiza obsoleta, RS = Rhodopechys sanguineus sanguineus, and RSA
= R. s. alienus. Any specimen for which one or more dataset could not be measured was excluded
from the analysis and table.

Females Males

Wing (mm) Tail (mm) Bill (mm) N Wing (mm) Tail (mm) Bill (mm) N
BGG 79332 1:15] S033. 0581 MO23--08ilee3 $3.334+2.67 51.5822.39, l103)20430s0e
BGA 80.1422.34 51.1442.04 10.8740.31 7 82.434151 53144227. 1792 see
BGC 83.6 + 2.88 54.4+2.63 10.41+0.47 10 87.1842.32 57.2724.13 10.80+0.28 11
BGZ 83.67+1.53 54.0041 10.50+0.46 3 85.75+1.59 5465+3.23 10474031 20
BM 86.942 1.69 55.75+3.71 10.17+0.59 16 88.7721.88 56.65+3.14 10.07+052 26
CB 94.4441.24 64.50243.89 15.252+0.84 8 98.942 1.84 67.114+3.18 15.382046 9
RO 84.13+1.64 64.25+3.81 11.66+046 8 86.3621.91 64.2143.62 11.79+058 14
RS 99.3821.85 56.63+2.56 13.64+0.92 8 104.0542.59 60.26+3.26 13.76+0.65 19
RSA 102 + 1.87 61.40+1.14 13604043 5 105.57+2.76 64.00+1.15 1330204 7

including nine males); Rhodopechys sanguineus (Armenia, Syria, Iran, Turkey,
Lebanon, Kazakhstan and Samarkand: N=30, including 22 males); R. s. alienus
(Moroccan Atlas: N=13, including seven males); Bucanetes mongolicus (China,
Central Asia and Afghanistan: N=44, including 27 males); B. g. githagineus (all
Egypt: N=15, including 12 males); B. g. zedlitzi (Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia:
N=24, including 20 males); B. g. amantum (Canaries: N=16, including eight
males); B. g. crassirostris (Punjab and Sind: N=21, including 11 males); and
Rhodospiza obsoleta (Central Asia: N=22, including 14 males). Specimens were
generally sexed according to label data, but these were checked against the litera-
ture in the case of suspect identifications. The following data were obtained from
each specimen: wing-chord (flattened), tail length and culmen length (to skull),
using a standard metal wing-rule with a perpendicular stop at zero (accurate to 0.5
mm), and dial callipers (accurate to 0.1 mm). Specimens for which an incomplete
series of mensural data was available were excluded from the statistical analysis.
A Principal Components Analysis (PCA) was performed on the net data, and the
results mapped on both two-dimensional (Fig. 6) and three-dimensional plots
(Fig. 7). The two-dimensional plot confirmed that (as is well known for these taxa)
males are generally larger than females, and further revealed that Rhodospiza
obsoleta, Callacanthis burtoni, Rhodopechys sanguineus and R. s. alienus are all
rather well-differentiated taxa, with the two-dimensional plot also revealing the
close relationship that has been suggested between Callacanthis and Rhodopechys),
but the situation surrounding the two Bucanetes is rather more complex, although
bill morphology and overall size appear to separate the two species. The three-
dimensional plot more clearly separates the two Bucanetes species, but reveals a

Guy M. Kirwan & Steven M. S. Gregory 77 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

close relationship between the different subspecies of githagineus (as would be
expected).

The PCA results also revealed the marked separation between Rhodopechys
sanguineus sanguineus and R. s. alienus, which will be discussed elsewhere
(Kirwan & Atkinson in prep.).

Genus-group nomenclature

Before progressing to any conclusion, we present an updated synonymy of the
genus-group names under consideration, including that for Red-browed
(Spectacled) Finch, Callacanthis.

Callacanthis
Callacanthis Reichenbach, 1850. Avium Systema Naturale, [100 plates of
generic details], Section 6, Insessores Enucleatores, pl. Ixxviii.
Type by subsequent monotypy, Bonaparte, 1850, Conspectus Generum Avium,
1, p. 507., Carduelis burtoni Gould, 1838.
Section 6 of Reichenbach’s generic details has been dated 1 June 1850 by
Meyer (1897: vi), with no current evidence to the contrary, whereas
livraison 64 of Bonaparte’s work bears the printers date of 30 August
1850, and is considered by most commentators to have been issued
during December 1850.
Burtonia Bonaparte, 1850. Conspectus Generum Avium, 1, p. 507.
Type by virtual tautonymy, Burtonia erythrophrys (Blyth, 1846) = Carduelis
burtoni Gould, 1838.

Rhodopechys
Rhodopechys Cabanis, 1851. Mus. Heineanum, 1, p. 157, fn.
Type by original designation, Fringilla sanguinea Gould, 1838 (1837).

Bucanetes
Bucanetes Cabanis, 1851. Mus. Heineanum, 1, p. 164.
Type by subsequent designation, G. R. Gray, 1855, Cat. Genera Subgenera
Birds, p. 81. Pyrrhula payraudei Audouin, 1825 = Fringilla githaginea M. H.
K. Lichtenstein, 1823.
Cabanis originally included two species, therefore type ‘by monotypy’ as
cited by Howell et al. (1968: 263) is incorrect.

Rhodospiza
Rhodospiza Sharpe, 1888. Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., 12, p. 282.
Type by monotypy, Fringilla obsoleta M. H. K. Lichtenstein, 1823.

From the above, it is self-evident that Rhodopechys Cabanis, 1851, has page priority
over Bucanetes Cabanis, 1851, as the senior name for the ‘desert finches’ if all four
species are considered congeneric, and this, indeed, has long been accepted as the

Guy M. Kirwan & Steven M. S. Gregory 78 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

case. Should, however, Callacanthis burtoni (Gould, 1838) also be included then
Callacanthis Reichenbach, 1850, would have seniority.

A new genus for mongolicus?

It seems entirely plausible to us that each of the four species included within
Rhodopechys by, e.g., Sibley & Monroe (1990) warrants separate generic allocation,
and it is surely significant to note that no less a commentator than Voous (1977)
struggled with the systematic position of many of the carduelines, he being forced
to acknowledge the striking distinctiveness and the lack of obvious relationships of
a number of taxa. We recommend that all four of these ‘desert’ finches and
Callacanthis be subject to DNA analysis in order to more clearly define their
relationships. As can be seen from the synonymy, no generic name currently exists
to serve for a monotypic mongolicus. Sharpe (1888: 284) included both ‘trumpeter’
finches within Erythrospiza (Bonaparte; Bp. Faun. Ital., Ucc. Pl. 35 fig. 3
[1832-41]), but as was shown by W. L. Sclater (1926: 130) Bonaparte introduced
this name earlier, in 1831, with G. R. Gray’s (1840: 48) designation of Loxia
erythrina Pallas, 1770, as the type, precluding Erythrospiza from being the generic
name for any of the ‘desert finches’ (Howell et al. 1968: 267).

In our opinion, until such time as it becomes possible to conduct a detailed and
robust molecular analysis of these and other outlying taxa, it seems logical either to
treat all of the four species of ‘desert finches’ within their own monotypic genera
or to include all within Rhodopechys, almost certainly expanded to incorporate
Callacanthis. If the former, then the relationship of mongolicus to those species
traditionally included within Carpodacus requires further evaluation. P. C.
Rasmussen (in Jitt. 2003) notes that Carpodacus, as currently understood, also
appears to represent a non-monophyletic assemblage, and therefore demands
revision. We therefore anticipate the need for an exclusive generic name for the
Mongolian Finch, and propose here:

Eremopsaltria, gen. nov.

Type Species: Carpodacus mongolicus Swinhoe, 1870. Proc. Zool. Soc., London,
p. 447.

Etymology: Greek monpta eremia, desert, and oAtove psaltria, female lyre-
player, singer.

Gender: feminine.

Monotypic.

New Combination:

Eremopsaltria mongolica (Swinhoe, 1870).

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to the following for diverse advice and assistance in the preparation of this manuscript:
Vasil Ananian, Peter Castell, David Christie, Edward Dickinson, Eugene Panov, Richard Ranft, Pamela

Guy M. Kirwan & Steven M. S. Gregory 79 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

Rasmussen and Hadoram Shirihai, and Mark Adams, Robert Pris-Jones, Michael Walters and Effie Warr
(of The Natural History Museum, Tring). In addition, we are grateful to Normand David for kindly
confirming the gender of the new name and the gender agreement of the new combination. Comments
from the referees, Axel Braunlich and Frank Steinheimer, immeasurably improved the final manuscript.
We are grateful to Phil Atkinson for his considerable assistance with the statistical analysis. GMK’s field
studies of these taxa in Turkey were abetted by a number of additional people and organisations that are
fully credited in Kirwan & Konrad (1995) and Kirwan er a/. (2000).

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Helm, London.

Cramp, S. & Perrins, C. M. (eds.) 1994. The birds of the Western Palearctic, vol. 9. Oxford Univ. Press.

David, N. & Gosselin, M. 2002. The grammatical gender of avian genera. Bull. Brit. Orn. Club 122:
257-282.

Dementiev, G. P. & Gladkov, N. A. (eds.) 1966-70. The birds of the Soviet Union. Israel Program for
Scientific Translations, Jerusalem.

Desfayes, M. 1969. Remarques sur les affinités des Fringillidés des genres Rhodopechys et Callacanthis.
Oiseau & R.FO. 39: 21-27.

Dickinson, E. C. (ed.) 2003. The Howard & Moore complete checklist of the birds of the world. Third
edn. Christopher Helm, London.

Flint, V. E., Boehme, R. L., Kostin, Y. V. & Kuznetsov, A. A. 1984. A field guide to birds of Russia and
adjacent territories. Princeton Univ. Press.

Fry, C. H. & Keith, S. K. (eds.) 2004. The birds of Africa, vol. 7. Academic Press, London.

Gray, G. R. 1840. A list of the genera of birds. London.

Grimmett, R. F., Inskipp, T. & Inskipp, C. 1998. Birds of the Indian subcontinent. Christopher Helm,
London.

Haffer, J. 1989. Parapatrische Vogelarten der palaarktischen Region. J. Orn. 130: 475-512.

Harrison, C. J. O. & Castell, P. 2002. Birds nests, eggs and nestlings of Britain and Europe with North
Africa and the Middle East. Revised edn. HarperCollins, London.

Hartert, E. & Steinbacher, F. 1938. Die Vogel der paldarktischen Fauna. Berlin.

Howell, T. R., Paynter, R. A. & Rand, A. L. 1968. Carduelinae. Pp. 207-306 in Paynter, R. A. (ed.)
Check-list of birds of the world, vol. 14. Harvard Univ. Press, Cambridge, MA.

Hiie, F. & Etchécopar, R. D. 1970. Les Oiseaux du Proche et du Moyen Orient. Ed. Boubée, Paris.

Inskipp, T., Lindsey, N. & Duckworth, J. 1996. An annotated checklist of the birds of the Oriental region.
Oriental Bird Club, Sandy.

Irwin, M. P. S. 1993. What sunbirds belong to the genus Anthrepetes? Honeyguide 39: 211-216.

Guy M. Kirwan & Steven M. S. Gregory 80 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(1)

Irwin, M. P. S. 1999. The genus Nectarinia and the evolution and diversification of sunbirds: an
Afrotropical perspective. Honeyguide 45: 45-58.

King, B. F. 1997. Checklist of the birds of Eurasia. Ibis Publishing, Vista, CA.

Kirwan, G. M. & Atkinson, P. in prep. Taxonomy of the Crimson-winged Finch Rhodopechys
sanguineus: a test case for defining species limits between allopatric taxa?

Kirwan, G. M., Bechtolsheim, M. & Willig, S. 2000. Distribution of Mongolian Finch in Turkey. Dutch
Birding 22: 149-150.

Kirwan, G. M., Boyla, K. A., Castell, P., Demirci, B., Ozen, M. & Welch, H. in prep. The birds of Turkey:
a study of the distribution, taxonomy and breeding of Turkish birds.

Kirwan, G. & Konrad, V. 1995. Little known Western Palearctic birds: Mongolian Trumpeter Finch.
Birding World 8: 139-144.

Kirwan, G. M., Ozen, M., Kurt, B. and Martins, R. P. 2003. Turkey Bird Report 1997-2001. Sandgrouse
25: 8-31.

Meyer, A. B. 1879. Index zu L. Reichenbach’s Ornithologischen Werken. R. Friedlander & Sohn, Berlin.

Panov, E. N. & Bulatova, N. S. 1972. [On the common habitats and interrelations of Trumpeter Finches
(Bucanetes githagineus Licht. and B. mongolicus Swinh.) in Transcaucasia.] Bull. Moscowskogo
Obschestva Ispytatelei Prirody, Otdel biologii 77 (4): 86—93. [In Russian. ]

Porter, R. FE, Christensen, S. & Schiermacker-Hansen, P. 1996. Field guide to the birds of the Middle
East. T. &. A. D. Poyser, London, UK.

Ripley, S. D. 1961. A synopsis of the birds of India and Pakistan. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., Bombay.

Ripley, S. D. 1982. A synopsis of the birds of India and Pakistan. Second edn. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.,
Bombay.

Roberts, T. J. 1992. The birds of Pakistan, vol. 2. Oxford Univ. Press.

Roselaar, C. S. 1995. Songbirds of Turkey: an atlas of biodiversity in Turkish passerine birds. Pica Press,
Robertsbridge & GMB, Haarlem.

Sclater, W. L. 1926. [Note on the generic name of the Trumpeter Bullfinch.] Bull. Brit. Orn. Club 46:
130-131.

Sharpe, R. B. 1888. Catalogue of the birds in the British Museum, vol. 12. Brit. Mus., London.

Sibley, C. G. 1996. Birds of the world. Version 2.0. Thayer Birding Software, Cincinnati.

Sibley, C. G. & Monroe, B. L. 1990. Distribution and taxonomy of birds of the world. Yale Univ. Press,
New Haven, CT & London, UK.

Snow, D. W. & Perrins, C. M. (eds.) 1998. The birds of the Western Palearctic. Concise edition. Oxford
Univ. Press.

Svensson, L., Grant, P. J., Mullarney, K. & Zetterstr6m, D. 1999. Collins bird guide. HarperCollins,
London, UK.

Vaurie, C. 1949. Notes on some Asiatic finches. Amer. Mus. Novit. 1424: 1-63.

Vaurie, C. 1972. Tibet and its birds. H. F. & G. Witherby, London.

Voous, K. H. 1977. List of recent Holarctic bird species. British Ornithologists’ Union, London.

Wolters, H. E. 1975-82. Die Vogelarten der Erde. Paul Parey, Berlin.

Addresses: Guy M. Kirwan, 74 Waddington Street, Norwich NR2 4JS, UK, e-mail: biatas@bol.com.br.

Steven M. S. Gregory, 35 Monarch Road, Northampton, Northamptonshire NN2 6EH, UK, e-mail:
sgregory.avium@ntlworld.com

© British Ornithologists’ Club 2005

INSTRUCTIONS FOR AUTHORS

Authors are invited to submit papers on topics relating to the broad themes of taxonomy and distribution of
birds. Descriptions of new species of birds are especially welcome and will be given priority to ensure rapid
publication, and may be accompanied by colour photographs or paintings.

Submission may be made electronically to the Editor (GMKirwan@aol.com): if large (>1mb) files are
involved, e.g. to include illustrations, please contact editor first. Submission may also be made by post (to
Guy Kirwan, 74 Waddington Street, Norwich NR2 4JS, UK); in this case send two hard copies and also a
copy on a 3.5" disk, as Word or WordPerfect files for PC. Where possible, reviews, and returns of papers
and reviewers’ comments to authors, will be undertaken electronically.

Where appropriate half-tone photographs may be included and, where essential to illustrate important points,
the Editor will consider the inclusion of colour illustrations (if possible, authors should obtain funding to
support this inclusion of such colour plates).

Papers should follow the general style:
Title—lower case, centred, bold
by Author(s)—lower case, centred, italics
Introductory section without a heading
Primary headings—lower case, centred, bold
Secondary headings—left justified, lower case, italics, bold
English names of animals should begin with capitals; give English name at first mention of every species.
Numerals—thousands separated by commas, e.g. 1,000, 12,000
Units of measurement, SI. Space between values and unit, e.g. 12.1 g
Statistical tests in the form: (75, = 3.12, P< 0.01). (K’; = 7.31, ns.)

Citations to references in text: Author (Date); Author & Author (Date); if three or more authors—Author et
al. (Date); or (Author(s) Date) etc.

References:

Author, A. (or Author, A. & Author, B.) Date. Title of paper. Title of journal in italics. Volume: pages.

Author, A. Date. Title of book in italics. Publisher, place of publication.

Author, A. Date. Title of paper/chapter. Pages in Editor, A. & Editor, B. (eds.) Title of book/proceedings in
italics. Pages. Publisher, place of publication.

Address(es): addresses of authors, including e-mails if desired.
Format for tables (to be typed on separate sheets at end of paper):

TABLE n
Description of table contents, including any abbreviations

Data

Legends for figures to be typed on one sheet at end of paper, in the form: Figure n. Text of legend, includ-
ing key to symbols etc.

In a separate file (or on a separate sheet), authors should provide an abstract of no more then 150 words. This
will be placed on the British Ornithologists’ Club website.

Correspondence confirming acceptance of papers will be accompanied by a form on which authors must
assign copyright of their paper to the British Ornithologists’ Club. Authors may be charged for any correc-
tions that they request after their papers have been sent to the typesetter. After publication, authors will be
sent, free of charge, a PDF file of their paper, which that can be used to prepare reprints.

HSONIAN INSTITUTION

il

Bulletin of the British Ornitholog |
ISSN 0007-1595

Volume 125, Number 1, pages 1-80
CONTENTS

Club Announcements ... 2.0... ode ie cee ee ee be wn om oe ee eee me
EISERMANN, K. Noteworthy bird observations in Alta Verapaz, Guatemala..................
SYMES, C. T. & MARSDEN, S. J. Notes on breeding of Salvadori’s Teal Anas waiguiensis and
other birds in Crater Mountain Wildlife Management Area, Papua New Guinea ............
CLEERE, N. On the type series of Macropsalis kalinowskii (Berlepsch & Stolzmann 1894)
(Caprimulgidac) 2.2... eee ne oe een woe owe a 2 el ner
OLSON, S. L., FLEISCHER, R. C., FISHER, C. T. & BERMINGHAM, E. Expunging the
“Mascarene starling’ Necropsar leguati: archives, morphology and molecules topple a myth .
DEAN, W. R. J. The type locality of the Hadeda Ibis Bostrychia hagedash (Latham) ............
POWELL, B. F. First description of the nest of Buff-tailed Sicklebill Eutoxeres condamini .......
SCHODDE, R. & DICKINSON, E. C. The valid name for the north-west Australian subspecies of
the Shining Flycatcher Myiagra alecto (Monarchidae) ...............--+«s-+s 00 eee
KING, B. The taxonomic status of the three subspecies of Cuculus saturatus ................+-
CORDOBA, S. & AHUMADA, J. A. Confirmation of Buff-fronted Owl Aegolius harrisii for the
Cordillera Oriental of Colombia ....... 0... 2.620. ee ene eee eee ee so 2
PETERSON, A. T. & BRISBIN JR., I. L. Phenotypic status of Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus
populations introduced on Pacific islands ............0.6054.5¢++05-= 202 5= en
CLEERE, N. A review of the type material of the Oilbird Steatornis caripensis ................
FRAGA, R. M. & BATES, J. M. Two unreported specimens of Ochre-breasted Pipit Anthus
natiereri from a new Brazilian locality ............../.03%.€s-.«s0-+-s 25

KIRWAN, G. M. & GREGORY, S. M. S. A new genus for the Mongolian Finch Bucanetes
mongolicus (Swinhoe, 1870)... ..... . . 22002 6005520500 o enw an ane « ew or

MEMBERSHIP
See also website: http://www.boc-online.org

Edited by Guy M. Kirwan 9088 01 140 8267 —

66

68

All correspondence on membership, and changes of address should be addressed to: The Membership
Secretary, Cdr. M.B. Casement, OBE, RN, Dene Cottage, West Harting, Petersfield, Hants. GU31 5PA, UK
(or e-mail: mbcasement@aol.com). For details of Club Meetings see inside front cover. For membership
and subscription information, purchase of back numbers and other BOC publications, see the inside rear

cover of Vol. 124(4) or the BOC website.

COMMITTEE
Dr C. F. Mann (Chairman) (2001)
Cdr. M. B. Casement OBE RN (Vice-Chairman & Membership Secretary) (2004)
S. A. H. Statham (Hon. Secretary) (2004)

D. J. Montier (Hon. Treasurer) (1997) I. R. Bishop OBE (2003)
Dr P. G. W. Salaman (Hon. Website Manager) (2001) C. W. R. Storey (2003)
Prof. R. A. Cheke (BOC Publications) (2001) J. P. Hume (2004)

Ex-officio members
Hon. Editor: G. M. Kirwan (1 January 2004)
Chairman of BOU/BOC Joint Publications Committee (JPC): Revd. T. W. Gladwin.

Printed on acid-free paper.
Published by the British Ornithologists’ Club
Typeset by Alcedo Publishing of Pennsylvania, USA, and printed by Crowes of Norwich, UK

OL
ties -
writish a
Ornithologists’
Club

ay :

Volume 125 No. 2
June 2005

MEETINGS are normally held in the Sherfield Building of Imperial College, South Kensington, London
SW7. The nearest Tube station is at South Kensington; a map of the area will be sent to members, on request.
(Limited car parking facilities can be reserved [at a special reduced charge of £5.00], on prior application to
the Hon. Secretary.)

The cash bar is open from 6.15 pm, and a buffet supper, of two courses followed by coffee, is served at 7.00
pm. (A vegetarian menu can be arranged if ordered at the time of booking.) Informal talks are given on com-
pletion, commencing at about 8.00 pm.

Dinner charges are £20.00 as from 1 January 2005.

FORTHCOMING MEETINGS
See also BOC website: http://www.boc-online.org

7 June 2005—Dr Joanne Cooper—A Tomb Wader exposed: x-raying the birds of the gods

From a background in geography and geology (but with a long-term interest in birds), Jo studied the Late
Pleistocene avifaunas of Gibraltar for her PhD in the Bird Group of The Natural History Museum. During
this time she also began working with the Museum’s collection of ancient Egyptian bird mummies, using her
experience of avian osteology to identify and analyse the specimens. Her work at the Bird Group was then
interrupted by spending a year in New Zealand pursuing her interests in the fossil birds of the Chatham
Islands. Returning to the UK in 2001, she went back to the NHM, where she now works as one of the Bird
Group’s curators. Following a surge of interest in the NHM’s animal mummies, she has recently re-opened
her files on the mummies and is actively researching them once again.

Applications to Hon. Secretary (address below) by 24 May please.

27 September 2005—Dr Colin Ryall—An assessment of the worldwide spread of the House Crow: present
and future

After completing a research fellowship in microbial ecology at the Institute of Dermatology, Colin took up
a series of posts in Africa. In 1984, whilst working in Mombasa and carrying out bird research in his spare
time, he first encountered the House Crow Corvus splendens and has been hooked ever since. Colin is cur-
rently a Senior Lecturer in Environmental Management at Kingston University and has published c.50
papers, 13 of them on C. splendens. Over the past century or so, C. splendens, a native of the Indian region,
has spread to all continents except Antarctica, frequently with adverse consequences. This talk will review
this invasion and the species’ present status, and discuss future potential impacts.

Applications to Hon. Secretary (address below) by 13 September please

Future meetings in 2005—dates for further meetings in 2005 have been set for the following Tuesdays:
1 November and 6 December. Speakers to be announced.

Overseas Members visiting Britain are especially welcome at these meetings, and the Hon. Secretary would
be very pleased to hear from anyone who can offer to talk to the Club, in 2005, giving as much advance
notice as possible—please contact: Tony Statham, Ashlyns Lodge, Chesham Road, Berkhamsted, Herts. HP4
2ST, UK (or e-mail: SAHS@tinyonline.co.uk).

Registered Charity No. 279583
©British Ornithologists’ Club 2005

Club Announcements

Bulletin of the
BRITISH ORNITHOL S’ CLUB

Vol. 125 No. 2 Published 13 June 2005

CLUB ANNOUNCEMENTS

E. D. H. Johnson. It is with great regret that we report that ‘Johnnie’ died on 24 February 2005, at his
home in Jersey, aged 85. A member of the Club since 1970, he was bird recorder for Jersey 1949-74, and
was well known to many as a bird photographer and sound recorder. He was a contributor to numerous
journals (including Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl.) and TV films. His special interests included trans-Saharan migra-
tion, and with his late wife, Gwen (who died in 1994), he led many expeditions to south-east Morocco,
the Algerian Sahara, Ethiopia, South Africa and the Indian subcontinent.

Changes to the Committee. Following the AGM (26 April) the composition is now as shown on the
inside rear cover.

Membership Secretary. Michael Casement has now assumed the chairmanship but will continue as
Hon. Membership Secretary until handing over these responsibilities to Steve Dudley, BOU
Administrator, at a date to be announced.

Subscription underpayments. Rates were increased as of 1 January 2005 to £17.50 for BOU members,
£24 for non-BOU members and £32 for libraries and institutions, but a significant number have failed to
increase their Bankers Standing Order (BSO) arrangements and are thus underpaid for 2005. Individuals
have been notified but early action by those who have not yet remedied the underpayment (£5.50 for
members of the BOU) would be greatly appreciated—to Michael Casement, please.

Subscription rates for 2006 will be unchanged.

The 926th meeting of the Club was held on Tuesday 2 November 2004, in the Sherfield Building Annexe,
Imperial College, London. 26 members and 9 guests were present.

Members attending were: Dr C. F. MANN (Chairman), D. N. S. ALLEN, Miss H. BAKER, I. R.
BISHOP, D.R. CALDER, Cdr. M.B. CASEMENT, RN, Professor R.A. CHEKE, E. C. DICKINSON, Dr
C. T. FISHER, D. FISHER, F. M. GAUNTLETT, Revd T. W. GLADWIN, D. GRIFFIN, K. HERON, R.
P. HOWARD, R. H. KETTLE, R. R. LANGLEY, D. J. MONTIER, A. J. PITTMAN, Dr R. P. PRYS-
JONES, Dr P. G. W. SALAMAN, P. SELLAR, S. A. H. STATHAM, C. W. R. STOREY, G. THOMAS
and Dr C. G. VIOLANI

Guests attending were: R. C. FLEISCHER (Speaker), Miss G. BONHAM, Mrs J. CALDER, Mrs M.
H. GAUNTLETT, Mrs J. M. GLADWIN, R. HEATON, Mrs J. A. JONES, Mrs M. MONTIER and B.
WARREN.

After dinner, Robert C. Fleischer gave a talk on aspects of Hawaiian bird evolution and conserva-
tion, which he summarised as follows.

The Hawaiian archipelago is an amazing laboratory for studying evolution, extinction and the con-
servation biology of birds, and examples of this were provided from my and my collaborators’ long-term
research programme. An overview of the conveyor belt formation of the islands and how this has impact-
ed the habitats of the archipelago, the evolution of Hawaiian organisms via the processes of adaptive radi-
ation, and our ability to reconstruct a timeframe for Hawaiian bird evolution were all discussed.
Examples of the diversity of Hawaiian birds, past and present (including fossil bird reconstructions by
Julian Hume based on the work of Storrs Olson and Helen James) were presented, and Dr Fleischer dis-
cussed those factors that led to the extinction of over half of Hawaii’s bird species by c.500 years ago

Sa.

Club Announcements 82 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

Ancient DNA methods are now able to recover many aspects of the history of these birds that would be
unknowable without such technology. In particular, examples from my collaborative research on (1) the
phylogeny of extinct, giant flightless waterfowl, and (2) how genetic variation was apparently lost more
than 500 years ago in the globally threatened Hawaiian Goose or Nene Branta sandvicensis. Finally, the
speaker discussed some of the current threats to Hawaiian birds, especially detailing the risks from intro-
duced diseases (avian malaria and poxvirus) spread by invasive mosquitoes and abetted by introduced
European pigs, and what man is doing to understand this complex biological system using genetic and
other methods.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2005

1. The Annual General Meeting of the British Ornithologists’ Club was held in the Sherfield Building
Annexe, Imperial College, London SW7, on Tuesday 26 April 2005 at 6 pm with Dr C. F. Mann in the
Chair. Seventeen members were present (including eight from the committee) and apologies were
received from: Dr P. G. W. Salaman, C. W. S. Storey, Revd. T. W. Gladwin, P. J. Wilkinson, S. W. Lowe,
D. J. Fisher and Dr W. R. P. Bourne. The Minutes of the 2004 AGM, held on 27 April 2004, which had
been published (Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl. 124: 74-76), were approved and signed by the Chairman.

2. Chairman’s report. At each AGM I tell you I think we have had a very successful year, and you may
well be bored with hearing it, but once again I believe it is true for last year.

We held seven dinner meetings during the year, six with full talks on diverse topics by experts in their
various fields. All were delivered with considerable erudition and stimulated lively discussions indicating
much interest from the audience. The AGM was followed as usual by mini-talks, in this case six, on a vari-
ety of topics. The mean attendance at 33.1 per meeting was slightly down on the previous year.

Membership of the Club again fell slightly, down now to 539. However, fluctuations are the norm,
and other societies, such as BOU and Linnean Society, seem to have similar problems over retention and
recruitment of members. I am only too aware of the enormous effort that the Hon. Membership Secretary
puts into the chasing of recalcitrant members for their subscriptions. One positive sign is that three of
our student members, who enjoyed free membership for a year, have now joined as full members, and
others have indicated that they may follow suit in future when their financial situations permit.

Our website continues to be expertly managed by Paul Salaman and attracts many hits. Progress
continues to be made on the scanning of the Bulletin, although it may be some time before all issues are
available on CD.

You will be hearing in more detail from our Hon. Treasurer that our financial situation is again very
sound, with an increase of income over expenditure of just over £10,000. A new asset of the Club is an
electronic projector. More speakers are now using PowerPoint presentations, and the hiring of such
equipment is prohibitively expensive.

The BOU-BOC Joint Publications Committee has continued in worthy fashion, thanks to the
Chairman Tom Gladwin and its members. Two regional checklists, Morocco and Hispaniola, have
appeared and been well received. Two further regional checklists have been delayed due to illness, but
they, and the Bird Atlas of Uganda, will hopefully appear this year. Other checklists are in the pipeline,
as are the proceedings of the conference on Recent Avian Extinctions, which will appear in the Bulletin.

Vol. 124 of the Bulletin was produced to an excellent standard. Thanks and congratulations are due
to the Hon. Editor, Guy Kirwan, for this achievement. As you will hear later, papers on the Neotropics
feature prominently. The increasing interest in this part of the world by British and other European
ornithologists may have some part to play, but I like to think that the enhanced reputation of the Bulletin
is also part responsible for more authors choosing the Bulletin over North American publications.

The plans to develop a joint administration with the BOU have come to fruition, and should be fully
implemented soon. Regrettably we had to increase the Club’s subscription with effect from January this
year to £17.50 for BOU members, £24 for non-BOU members and £32 for institutions.

As this is the last time I shall be speaking to you in this capacity, I must thank all committee mem-
bers for their hard work and support during my four years as Chairman. In particular I must single out

Club Announcements 83 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

our Hon. Treasurer, David Montier, for all his efforts and diligence with the Club’s finances. Tony
Statham took over as Hon. Secretary one year ago and has proved himself a worthy successor to Michael
Casement. Above all, my very sincere thanks go to Michael. He served as Hon. Secretary during the first
three years of my tenure, and then as Hon. Membership Secretary seeing through the difficult period of
subscription change. The latter post he then combined with that of Vice-Chairman when Mary Muller
had to step down. His devotion to the Club knows no bounds and he is willing to involve himself in every
problem that presents itself. If a few days pass without an e-mail from Michael | start to worry. Thanks
also go to the trustees of the Herbert Stevens Trust Fund, to Pat Sellar and Ron Kettle for their assistance
and expertise with audio-visual equipment, and finally to Imperial College for providing a venue and
meals for our meetings.

3. Trustees Annual Report. The Chairman advised the meeting that the Trustees Annual Report and
Annual Accounts were again combined in the handout available to those attending the meeting, and con-
firmed that these would also be published in the June issue of the Bulletin. The Hon. Treasurer drew
attention to a few facts in the report and accounts, highlighting the increase in the value of the Club’s
investments (+9.5%), which was slightly ahead of the performance of the FTSE All-Share index during
the same period (+9.21%). The Hon. Treasurer also explained details of the Restricted Funds and advised
that copies of the accounts for the Herbert Stevens Trust Fund were available to those wanting a copy.

4. The Bulletin. 2004 was a successful year for the Bulletin. Some 32 papers were published, including
the type descriptions of three taxa. Mean waiting times for publication remain at 13—14 months, and one
of the key aims for 2005 and beyond is to reduce the gap between submission and publication. Other future
plans include publication of the Recent Avian Extinction conference proceedings as part of the Bulletin.
The Hon. Editor thanked Eng-Li Green, Mike Dawson and Crowes, Mary Muller, Michael Casement, Tony
Statham, and staff of the Natural History Museum (Tring) for their diverse assistance during the year.

5. Publications report. Revd. Tom Gladwin had sent apologies for his absence and the Chairman asked
Tony Statham to provide an update on the activities of the Joint Publications Committee (JPC). Tony
Statham drew attention to the relevant section in the Trustees Annual Report and confirmed the
Chairman’s comment that the Bird Atlas of Uganda was expected this year, probably in June/July. Other
publications for 2005 should include The Birds of Sao Tome and Principe with Annobon and The Birds
of Borneo, both of which had been delayed by illness. Future publications planned for 2006 include The
Birds of Singapore whilst work will commence on a new Status of Birds in Britain and Ireland. The
Chairman and the Hon. Treasurer had highlighted the successful sales of The Birds of Morocco, which
has been nominated as “=4th Best Bird Book of the Year’ by British Birds. The Hon. Secretary conclud-
ed with a reminder that the JPC was grateful to the late Janet Kear, who had made a very significant con-
tribution as Commissioning Editor of the Checklist Series, and to Steve Dudley for progressing and man-
aging the titles in its charge.

6. Election of Officers and Committee. The Chairman said that the proposed changes to the Committee

were as published in Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl. 125 (1): 1.

* Cdr. M. B. Casement, OBE, RN, be elected Chairman (vice Dr C. F. Mann) and to continue (ex-offi-
cio until further notice) as Hon. Membership Secretary.

* Miss H. Baker be appointed to the Committee (vice Mrs Mary Muller) and be appointed Vice-
Chairman.

* MrD. J. Montier be re-elected as Hon. Treasurer.

* MrS.A. H. Statham be re-elected as Hon. Secretary.

* DrJ.H. Cooper be appointed to the Committee (vice Prof. R. A. Cheke)

* Mr P. J. Wilkinson be appointed to the Committee (vice Dr P. G. W. Salaman)

The following ex-officio members were confirmed in continuation.

* Revd. T. W. Gladwin (Chairman Joint Publications Committee)

* Prof. R. A. Cheke (Hon. Publications Officer)

* DrP.G. W. Salaman (Hon. Website Manager)

* MrG. M. Kirwan (Hon. Editor)

Club Announcements 84 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

7. Any Other Business. The Chairman asked the Hon. Secretary (Tony Statham) to read a letter sent by
member Dr W. R. P. Bourne. After the initial paragraph submitting apologies for his absence at the AGM,
Dr Bourne stated “It seems a pity that the Club’s excellent supplement to Bulletin Vol. 123 (Why
Museums Matter) should be spoilt by the inclusion on pp.226—233 of an account of the collection of no
less than 665 Great Grey Shrikes in a limited area for no clear purpose when a tenth of that number
should have been sufficient for all the investigations described there. This is exactly the sort of behav-
iour that brings both museums and ornithology into disrepute, and I thought it was now generally agreed
that accounts of such activities should no longer be included in respectable publications. It seems possi-
ble that this example (which I shall be commenting on in an otherwise favourable review in British
Birds) might become a classical example of museum misbehaviour. I suggest that the Club should pass
a motion that it should be more careful what it publishes in future?”

The Committee had considered Dr Bourne’s letter briefly before the AGM and subsequently the
Hon. Editor concluded on consulting the paper in question that the sample was not excessive given the
timescale over which it was taken and the overall large area in which it was made. The Committee in
general thought that no blame was attributable to the Club; the publication reported the proceedings of
an international conference and the paper in question had been quoted verbatim.

The meeting closed at 6.32 pm.

BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB
Founded 5 October 1892
Registered Charity No. 279583

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2004
List of Trustees—Committee

Dr C. F. MANN Chairman (2001)

Cdr. M. B. CASEMENT, OBE, RN, Vice-Chairman and Membership Secretary (2004)
S.A. H. STATHAM Hon. Secretary (2004)

D. J. MONTIER Hon. Treasurer (1997)

I. R. BISHOP, OBE (2003)

Prof. R. A. CHEKE (2001)

J. P. HUME (2004)

Dr P. G. W. SALAMAN (2001)

C. W. R. STOREY (2003)

Ex-officio Revd. T. W. GLADWIN Chairman JPC (2002)

Correspondence and enquiries to the Hon. Secretary, Ashlyns Lodge, Chesham Road, Berkhamsted,
Herts. HP4 2ST

Auditors and Independent Examiners Porritt Rainey & Co, 9 Pembroke Road, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13
1XR

Bankers Barclays Bank plc, Dale House, Wavertree Boulevard, Liverpool L7 9PQ

Constitution
The British Ornithologists’ Club was founded in October 1892. It currently operates under Rules revised
in 2000 and approved at a Special General Meeting on 31 October of that year. Members of the
Committee, who are also the Trustees of the Club, are listed above with the dates of their appointment.
Committee members are elected for a term of four years, with the exception of the Hon. Secretary and
Hon. Treasurer, who are both subject to re-election at each AGM.

Objects of the Charity
The promotion of scientific discussion between Members of the British Ornithologists’ Union and others
interested in ornithology, and to facilitate the dissemination of scientific information concerned with
ornithology, with a particular emphasis on avian systematics, taxonomy and distribution.

Club Announcements 85 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

The Committee

The Committee met seven times during the year. Mrs M. N. Muller, Vice-Chairman, tendered her
resignation in September and it was agreed that Cdr. M. B. Casement would act as Vice-Chairman until
the AGM in April 2005 as well as continuing his ex-officio role as Membership Secretary. The
appointments of S. A. H. Statham as Hon. Secretary in succession to Cdr. M. B. Casement, Prof. R. A.
Cheke as Honorary Publications Officer vice J. A. Jobling and J. P. Hume as a member of the committee
in succession to S. A. H. Statham were approved at the AGM on 27 April 2004.

Dr P. G. W. Salaman (Hon. Website Manager) continued to maintain the BOC website and Messrs.
S. M. S. Gregory and M. A. Carr made further progress on the project for the electronic archiving and
marketing of the complete set of the Bulletin. Discussions continued with the BOU towards sharing
administration costs for both societies; in line with this proposal, the BOU took over the subscription
management of BOC Institutional Subscribers and sales of BOC publications as from 1 June 2004.

The Committee continues to be most grateful to the Trustees of the Herbert Stevens Trust Fund (Mr
Nigel Crocker, Mr Peter Oliver and Mr Richard Price) for their time and expertise advising on the per-
formance of the Fund.

Meetings

The number of evening meetings held at Imperial College, London, was maintained at seven in 2004. A
total of 219 (162 members and 57 guests) attended these meetings, which represented an average
attendance of 31.3. The programme of speakers again covered a wide variety of ornithological subjects
both in the UK and overseas, including Red Kites, the extinct Labrador Duck and eggshell maculation
in the Great Tit. As in previous years, the 27 April meeting following the AGM took the form of a social
evening, during which informal short talks and brief discussions were contributed by six participants on
a range of subjects from individual species to digiscoping and postage stamps of birds. Summaries of all
these are to be found in the Club Announcements section of the Bulletin. Regrettably, Imperial College
increased their catering and venue charges for 2004 requiring an increase in the cost of Club dinners to
£19 per head.

The Bulletin

Vol. 124 contained 292 pages and the 32 papers covered a broad geographical spread although, as has
become usual in recent years, there was a strong accent on new distributional data from the Neotropics.
Nonetheless, other traditional Bulletin topics of taxonomy and nomenclature were also well represented,
with descriptions of three new taxa, all from Asia, appearing during the year. These were: new owl
species in Sri Lanka and Indonesia, and a new subspecies of monal pheasant from the Indian
subcontinent. Following the recent pattern, all of the new taxa were well illustrated in colour, and the
Bulletin continues to act as an important forum for publication of new forms, especially given the
Bulletin’s priority for such papers.

For papers published in 2004, the interval between receipt and publication was 3—29 months, aver-
aging 13-14 months, which is the norm in recent years. It is hoped to reduce ‘waiting time’ to 10—12
months. The Bulletin retains its popularity, with a total of 58 new manuscripts being received during
2004. Of these, 14 were rejected and three withdrawn by their authors following review, whilst of the
remainder five are still being refereed.

Grateful thanks are due, as always, to referees who have given freely of their time and expertise, as
well as to Eng-Li Green, of Alcedo Publishing, and Mike Dawson and team, of Crowes (our printers),
for their support and efficiency. Mary Muller cheerfully produced the index, Tony Statham and Michael
Casement prepared the cover information and Club Announcements, and staff at the Natural History
Museum, Tring, also provided much-appreciated support to the Hon. Editor.

Bulletin Sales
Subscriptions from Institutional Subscribers during 2004 totalled 105 (down from 113 in 2003), with 24
in the UK and 81 overseas (25 different countries). Of the latter 36 were from the USA, 27 from Europe,
five from Australia and four each from Canada, Asia and Africa.

Club Announcements 86 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

Report of the Joint Publications Committee

The BOC-BOU Joint Publications Committee (JPC), formed in May 2002 under the continuing
chairmanship of Revd. T. W. Gladwin, comprised: S. P. Dudley (Publications Manager), the late Prof. J.
Kear (Checklist Editor), Prof. R. A. Cheke (Commissioning Editor), D. J. Montier, N. J. Redman and S.
A. H. Statham. The joint committee (JPC) met once in 2004. Several titles progressed towards publication
and two new proposals were considered. Four proposed titles have been cancelled and no progress has
been reported on five others. The Chairman is alternately appointed by the BOC and BOU. Tom Gladwin
has accepted the BOC’s invitation to continue for a further two years from April 2005. Bob Cheke
succeeded James Jobling as Commissioning Editor for the BOC and Tony Statham has been appointed
the BOC’s other representative. As a result of Janet Kear’s death there were two vacancies to be appointed
by the BOU. (Since this report was written, the BOU has appointed Dr Chris Perrins to the JPC).

Forthcoming Publications. The checklists The Birds of Sao Tome and Principe with Annobon and
The Birds of Borneo have been delayed by illnesses. These and the Bird Atlas of Uganda are now expect-
ed to be published in 2005. The proceedings of the conference on Recent Avian Extinctions are to be
published in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club.

Future Publications. The checklist The Birds of Singapore is progressing, with publication antici-
pated in 2006. Work will commence on a new Status of Birds in Britain and Ireland, which the JPC has
proposed should properly be published as part of the Checklist series.

Acknowledgements. The Committee is grateful to Dilys Breese and James Jobling who retired in
April, to the late Janet Kear who made a very significant contribution as Commissioning Editor of the
Checklist series, and to Steve Dudley for progressing and managing the titles in its charge.

Membership

As at 31 December 2004, there were 539 paid-up Members: 291 with addresses in the UK and 248
overseas in 43 countries. Overseas figures included USA (48), Germany (27), The Netherlands (14) and
France (13); 16 Members have addresses in South American countries (Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador,
French Guiana and Peru). The Club welcomed 11 new Members, including three previous Members
reinstated; additionally, nine new Members joined as of | January 2005, including three former student
free members for 2004. But the Club mourned the death of one Member: Dr R. S. Marrus (1994-2001),
whose death in 2001 was reported in January 2004. There were seven resignations; also seven who gave
advance notice they would not renew for 2005, and 12 were removed under Rule 24, resulting in a net
decrease in membership of nine during the year.

Finance
Total assets of the Club at 31 December 2004 totalled £387,437, compared with £357,360 at the end of
2003, an increase of £30,077. Of this improvement, £20,067 is the result of a further increase in the value
of the Club’s investments and the balance of £10,010 represents the excess of income over expenditure
for the year.

Total income in 2004 at £36,612 was slightly lower than in 2003. Subscriptions dropped to just
below £10,000, which included a contribution of £590 in tax repayments on Gift Aid and Deeds of
Covenant. Investment income of £16,770 showed a slight increase, mainly because of a gradual rise in
interest rates offsetting marginally lower income from the unit trust holdings as the tax credits on
distributions were phased out. Income from sales of publications, of £5,466, benefited from sales of The
Birds of Morocco and The Birds of Hispaniola published with the BOU as our first two joint
publications. It is very encouraging to see that British Birds has just nominated The Birds of Morocco as
‘=A4th Best Bird Book of the Year’. After the initial burst of sales at the end of 2003 and in 2004, income
from these titles will inevitably slow.

Expenditure totalled £26,602, well down on the previous year because no new publications
appeared, though work is progressing on a number of new titles. Bulletin costs increased to £13,821 and
continued to outstrip subscription income. Administration expenses were £3,807 for the year, including,
for the first time, a management fee paid to the BOU for taking responsibility part way through the year
for handling institutional subscriptions and sales of publications, including back numbers of the Bulletin.

Club Announcements 87 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

In 2005, there is expected to be increased expenditure on new publications, particularly the Bird Atlas
of Uganda, which after a long preparation period should appear in print during the year, and a further
rise in administration costs as the BOU takes over collection of subscriptions previously handled
voluntarily by our extremely hard-working Membership Secretary.

Investments
As stock markets maintained their recovery in 2004, the value of the Club’s investments in charity unit
trusts held in the Herbert Stevens and Barrington Trust Funds increased to £229,384 by 31 December,
an increase of 9.5% over the year, though after allowing for inflation they are still well below the
exceptional highs of earlier years in real terms. Total investments in the Balance Sheet are stated at
£278,384, the additional £49,000 being the capital from the Clancey bequest currently deposited in a
fixed-rate Building Society account.

Reserves

Of the Club’s total resources, £20,000 is held in a Designated Unrestricted Fund towards the cost of
future publications and £56,872 in Restricted Funds as backing for new developments for the Bulletin
or additions to the Club’s Occasional Publications series. The investments that form a large part of the
Unrestricted Funds are the result of past legacies and provide a regular source of income towards the
Club’s administrative expenses, whilst additional liquid funds are available to finance future planned
publications. This can involve substantial expenditure against a rather slow payback, as expected with
specialist publications that are highly valued, but fall within an inevitably limited market.

Risks
The Committee has reviewed the major risks to which the Club is exposed, particularly with regard to
safeguarding the Club’s investments held in diversified portfolios within separately managed charity unit
trusts, providing an acceptable balance between security and risk, and also managing the Club’s cash
resources and publications within a controlled timetable. A joint committee with the BOU considers
proposals and forwards recommendations for further publications, bearing in mind the level of resources
available.

Trustees’ Responsibilities
Under the Charities Act 1993, the Trustees are required to prepare a statement of accounts for each
financial year which gives a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity at the end of the
financial year, and of the incoming resources and application of resources in the year. In preparing the
statement the trustees are required to.

* Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

* Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

* State whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice have been
followed, subject to any material departure disclosed and explained in the statement of accounts;

* Prepare the financial accounts on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that
the charity will continue its operations.

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable
accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity, and to enable them to ensure that any statement
of accounts prepared by them complies with the regulations under section 41 (1) of the Charities Act
1993. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the trust and hence for taking reasonable
steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and any other irregularities.

Approved and signed on behalf of the Trustees

C. F. Mann
Chairman Date: 26 April 2005

Club Announcements 88 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB
BALANCE SHEET—31 December 2004

2004 2003
Notes £ £ £ £
FIXED ASSETS
Projection Equipment 2 486 -
INVESTMENTS
At Market Value 3 278,384 258,317
CURRENT ASSETS
Stock of Publications 100 100
Cash at Bank and in hand 4,404 3,143
Cash on Deposit 109,828 101,368
Prepayments 363 338
Other Debtors 1,692 880
114,873 98,244
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Subscriptions in advance (4,142) (3,589)
Creditors falling due within one year (3,678) (3,197)
108,567 99,043
TOTAL ASSETS 387,437 357,360
FUNDS
Unrestricted
Designated 4 20,000 15,000
Other 5 310,565 287,773
330,565 302,773)
Restricted 6 56,872 54,587
387,437 357,360
Approved and Signed on behalf of the Trustees
C. F Mann
Chairman Date: 29 April 2003

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES—31 December 2004

2004 2003
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
£ £ £ 6
INCOMING RESOURCES
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Members 6,970 = 6,970 7,067
Institutional subscribers 2,300 - 2,300 2,768
Income Tax recoverable

under Gift Aid & Deeds of Covenant 590 - 590 54]

Club Announcements 89 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

DONATIONS 38 - 38 135

INVESTMENT INCOME

Herbert Stevens Trust Fund 10,215 - 10,215 10,383
Barrington Trust Fund 36 - 36 36
Interest received 4,234 2,285 6,519 5,744

14,485 2,285 16,770 16,163

SALES OF PUBLICATIONS

Bulletin 160 - 160 | pho ps
Other BOC publications 831 - 831 1,501
Joint BOU/BOC Checklists 4,475 - 4,475 5,554

5,466 - 5,466 8,588
MEETINGS 4,127 - 4,127 4,227
OTHER INCOME 351 - 351 82

TOTAL INCOME 34,327 2,285 36,612 39,571

RESOURCES EXPENDED
CHARITABLE EXPENDITURE

MEETINGS

Room and equipment hire,

speakers’ expenses, etc. 1,468 - 1,468 1,495
Restaurant 4,119 - 4,119 4,376
CONFERENCE SPONSORSHIP 500 - 500 -
BOC BULLETIN

Production, printing and distribution 13,821 - 13,821 11,245
Computer software - - - 1,099
Costs related to special sales

offer of back numbers 2,058 - 2,058 -
ADMINISTRATION 7 3,807 - 3,807 4,880
OTHER EXPENDITURE 180 - 180 -

TOTAL EXPENDITURE 26,602 - 26,602 47,395

EXCESS OF INCOME OVER

EXPENDITURE 7,725 2,285 10,010 (7,824)
Increase in value of investments 20,067 - 20,067 21,297
27,792 2,285 30,077 13,473

TOTAL FUNDS brought
forward at | January 2004 302,773 54,587 357,360 343,887

TOTAL FUNDS at
31 December 2004 330,565 56,872 387,437 357,360

Club Announcements 90 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

a)

b)

C)

e)

4.

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS—31 December 2004

ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Accounts. The Financial Statements are prepared under the historical cost convention as modified by the
inclusion of investments in the Herbert Stevens and Barrington Trust Funds at market values. They are also pre-
pared in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective June 2002) and follow
the recommendations in Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practic issued in
October 2000.

Investments and Cash Deposits. The Herbert Stevens and Barrington Trust Funds are invested in quoted charity
unit trusts and included as investments in the Balance Sheet at year-end market values. Income from these funds
and from cash deposits shown in the Balance Sheet under Current Assets is included in Incoming Resources in the
Statement of Financial Activities on a receipts basis. The Clancey Bequest is held in a fixed-term, Building Society
deposit account which forms part of the total of investments in the Balance Sheet. Interest on this deposit account
is brought into the Statement of Financial Activities on an accruals basis.

Subscriptions. Subscriptions for the current year and any arrears are included in Incoming Resources in the
Statement of Financial Activities. Subscriptions received in advance are carried forward in the Balance Sheet as
Current Liabilities.

Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis.

Depreciation. Depreciation of fixed assets is calculated to write off their value over their expected useful lives at
an annual rate of 25% on cost.

Publications. The cost of publications is written off in the Statement of Financial Activities as incurred except for
a nominal stock value of £100 carried in the Balance Sheet.

FIXED ASSETS
Projection Equipment 2004
£
Additions 648
Depreciation for the year 162
Net Book Value at 31 December 2004 486
INVESTMENTS—at market value
2004 2003
£ £
UNRESTRICTED FUNDS
Herbert Stevens Trust Fund 228,381 208,377
Barrington Trust Fund 1,003 940
RESTRICTED FUNDS
Clancey Bequest 49,000 49,000
278,384 258,317
All investments are held in the UK.
UNRESTRICTED DESIGNATED FUND
for future publications 2004
£
Balance at 1 January 2004 15,000

Designated during the year 5,000

Balance at 31 December 2004 20,000

Club Announcements 9] Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

§. OTHER UNRESTRICTED FUNDS

Herbert Barrington
General Stevens Trust
Fund Trust Fund Fund TOTAL
“S £ £ £
Balances at | January 2004 78,456 208,377 940 287,773
Increase in value of
investments during year ~ 20,004 63 20,067
Excess of income over expenditure (eS) $125
Transfer to Unrestricted Designated Fund ( 5,000) ~ - ( 5,000)
Balances at 31 December 2004 81,181 228,381 1,003 310,565
6. RESTRICTED FUNDS
Bird Atlas
Clancey Publications of Uganda
Bequest Fund Fund TOTAL
£ £ £ £
Balances at | January 2004 50,420 3,964 203 54,587
Interest received 2,108 168 9 2,285
Balances at 31 December 2004 52,528 4,132 212 56,872

a. The Clancey bequest was donated by the late Dr P. A. Clancey with the request that it should be used to support
and enhance the Club’s Bulletin.

b. The Publications Fund is available to finance Club publications other than regular issues of the Bulletin.

ce. The Bird Atlas of Uganda Fund is specifically to assist with financing the production and publication of the Atlas.

7. ADMINISTRATION EXPENSES include 2004 2003
£ Ee

Club's share of cost of fitting out and rental of storage unit 916 1,744

Audit and Independent Examination fees 550 550

Depreciation 162 -

Other administration expenses Ze 2,586

3,807 4,880

8. REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES
No Committee members receive any remuneration, but are reimbursed for expenses incurred by them on behalf
of the Club. The amount reimbursed during the year was £1,576 (2003 £1,285)

Club Announcements 92 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF
THE BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB

I report on the accounts of the Club for the year ended 31 December 2004, which are set out on pages 88 to 91.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and independent examiners

The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit
is not required for this year (under section 43(2) of the Charities Act 1993 [the 1993 Act]) and that an independent
examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

¢ Examine the accounts (under section 43(3)(a) of the 1993 Act);

* To follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners (under section
43(7)(b) of the 1993 Act); and

* To state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of Opinion

My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An
examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts present-
ed with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and the seek-
ing of explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all
the evidence that would be required in an audit and, consequently, I do not express an audit opinion on the view given
by the accounts.

Independent Examiners’ statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements:
* to keep accounting records in accordance with s41 of the 1993 Act; and

* to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting
requirements of the 1993 Act have not been met; or

(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to
be reached.

Alan Peal ACA—Principal.
Porritt Rainey & Co. Chartered Accountants
Date: 26 April 2005

CORRIGENDA

In Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl. 125, the figures on pp. 35—36 were incorrectly positioned. Fig. 2 is actually that placed as Fig. 4,
Fig. 3 is in fact that placed as Fig. 2 and Fig. 4 is that presently placed as Fig. 3. The captions and text were correct.
The Editor apologises for any confusion that this may have caused. On p. 58 reference was made to Table 1, but this
was accidentally omitted. The table appears below.

TABLE 1
Location and measurements of Buff-fronted Owl Aegolius harrisii specimens from Colombia.

Aegolius harrisii RC? WC qa) Tar L BM Oss ; Gonad (mm)
(mm) (mm) (mm) (mm) (g) (length x width)
160 74.9 ABs. 4

143 (PX 24.6 —

143.7 W382. DST k 6.8 xX 5.4

162 82 24.1 : 7.0% 35"

149.8 72.6 24.8 i5¢

IAvH 10636
ICN-MHN29869
LEP 068
LEP‘099

Ringed 1802°

NONMWNMN WY
DR ke We
U2 ON W Lo

Ny

® Measured from base at skull, > undeveloped follicles, ° Ringed on the right leg, ¢ largest follicle 2 mm. Sites:

SC = San Cayetano, ML = Miralejos, ET = El Tambo, PNNT = Parque Nacional Natural Tama. Measurements:
TC = Total culmen (including cere), WC = Wing chord, TL = Tail length, Tar L = Tarsus length, BM = Body mass,
Oss = Ossification (C = complete). Sex: M = male, F = female.

Niels Krabbe et al. 93 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

A new species of Scytalopus tapaculo from the
upper Magdalena Valley, Colombia

by Niels Krabbe, Paul Salaman, Alex Cortés,
Alonso Quevedo, Luis Alfonso Ortega &
Carlos Daniel Cadena

Received 19 Fuly 2004; revision received 28 April 2005

Ridgely & Gaulin’s (1980) paper on the birds of Finca Merenberg, Cordillera
Central, dpto. Huila, Colombia, mentions that the authors regularly heard a
Scytalopus tapaculo, and that they did not know to what species it pertained. In
October 1986, Bret Whitney tape-recorded a Scytalopus at Finca Merenberg he too
was unable to identify. He sent a copy of the recording to NK, who was unaware of
any Scytalopus with a similar song. Yet, S. atratus confusus, a taxon that ranges at
similar elevations in Colombia was a possibility, as its vocalisations were then
unknown. Due to mounting political instability it became dangerous to work in the
region, thus very few ornithologists visited Finca Merenberg in the 1990s. In 2002,
however, Andrés Cuervo finally obtained recordings of confusus in dpto. Antioquia
and sent copies to NK, who found the vocalisations very different from those of the
Finca Merenberg birds, making it highly probable that the latter represented an
undescribed taxon. By then, political tension had lessened, enabling us to visit
Finca Merenberg in February 2003, with the purpose of obtaining specimens and
tape-recordings of the tapaculo. Three specimens were taken, all males, whose
vocalisations were also tape-recorded. Additional recordings of 5—6 individuals
were obtained at Finca Merenberg and a nearby site.

The Finca Merenberg tapaculo is morphologically very similar to several other
Scytalopus. Its main characteristic is its distinct song, as is true of several
congenerics (Krabbe & Schulenberg 1997). DNA sequences generated from tissue
samples were compared with those of a variety of Scytalopus, revealing that the
bird must have been isolated for a substantial period. The vocal and genetic
distinctiveness of this tapaculo convince us that it represents a new (biological)
species, which we name:

Scytalopus rodriguezi sp. nov.
Upper Magdalena Tapaculo
Tapaculo del Alto Magdalena

Holotype Adult male, no. ICN-34844 of the ornithological collection of the
Instituto de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Colombia (ICN), Bogota,
Colombia (Fig. 1). Collected and prepared by NK (original no. NK3-24.2.03), on
24 February 2003, in Finca Merenberg Natural Reserve, San Agustin municipality,
dpto. Huila, Colombia (02°12’N, 76°06’W). This locality is at 2,200 m on the east

Niels Krabbe et al. Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

Niels Krabbe et al. 95 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

slope of the Cordillera Central, in lower montane humid forest. The specimen was
tape-recorded in dense understorey of heavily disturbed primary forest and through
playback lured into a mist-net placed nearby. Sound-recordings are deposited at the
Brisa hiprary Sound Archive (cat: nos. 131212, 131213 and 131217);
(uncatalogued) tissue samples in DMSO buffer are held at Banco de Tejidos,
Instituto Alexander von Humboldt. For measurements see Table 1.

Diagnosis Song and call distinctive (see Vocalisations), but plumage typical of
genus. The lack of distinguishing plumage features in many species of Scytalopus
is depicted in Fig. 2. Medium-sized Scytalopus with a body mass of 21.9 g
(21.4—-22.7 g: see Table 1). Much like sympatric S. spillmanni but body mass
smaller, plumage overall slightly darker, especially on lower belly and flanks,
wings and tarsi shorter, and tarsi and toes darker. Also much like allopatric S.
chocoensis and S. robbinsi, but body mass averages slightly larger, plumage slightly
darker, especially on throat and belly, wings and tail longer, tarsi and toes darker,
and bill slenderer. Decidedly smaller than allopatric S. micropterus in all
measurements, with a distinctly slenderer bill. Smaller and less glossy than the
possibly sympatric S. atratus confusus; also longer tailed, without a white crown
spot, and lacks clearly demarcated white tips to belly feathers. Body mass much
larger than near-sympatric S. canus opacus, wing-length the same but bill longer,
tail averages slightly longer, and dark bars on flanks broader and less straight. Much
like allopatric S. stilesi, a recently described species from further north in the
Central Andes of Colombia (Cuervo et al. 2005), but tarsi shorter, wings shorter, tail
longer, and brown flanks slightly paler. Body mass larger than the widespread and
possibly sympatric S. /atrans, plumage distinctly paler, bill and tail longer, and
brown on rump and flanks much more extensive.

Description of holotype Capitalised colour nomenclature and numbers from Smithe
(1975). Adult male (body mass 22.7 g) with unossified skull, no Bursa Fabricii and
no fat; each testis 4 x 8 mm. Upperparts, wings, tail (of 12 rectrices) and head- and
neck-sides Blackish Neutral Gray (82), with rump evenly barred Brussels Brown
(121B); barring indistinct on upper rump. Uppertail-coverts indistinctly barred and
tips of tertials indistinctly tipped dark Prout’s Brown (121A); tertials very faintly
washed Vandyke Brown (121). Underparts Dark Neutral Gray (83), with belly

Captions to plates on oppostite page:
Figure 1. Holotype of Scytalopus rodriguezi (Paul Salaman)

Figure 2. Eight Ecuadorian taxa of Scytalopus tapaculos, illustrating the lack of plumage characteristics
as distinguishing features in the genus. From left to right: S$. canus opacus, S. latrans subcinereus, S.
latrans latrans, S. vicinior, S. spillmanni, S. parkeri, S. robbinsi and S. chocoensis. Specimens in
Zoological Museum, Univ. of Copenhagen, all collected within the same decade (Niels Krabbe)

Figure 3. Type series of S. rodriguezi. From top to bottom: paratype (ICN 35234), paratype (ICN 34845),
and holotype (ICN 34844). Apart from the pale tips to the belly feathers of ICN 34845, they have nearly
identical underparts (Paul Salaman)

Niels Krabbe et al.

Taxon Body mass Wing(flat) Tail Tarsus Bill (tip to
(g) (mm) (mm) (mm) operculum
fore-edge) (mm)
S. rodriguezi 21.6 (21.4-21.9) 57.3 (57.0-58.0) 45.0 (44.0-47.0) 21.8 (21.5-22.0) 7.4 (7.3-7.5)
n=3 n=3 n=3 n=3 n=3
S. stilesi 23.0 (21.5-24.5) 63.8 (63.0-64.5) 42.7 (42.0-43.3) 23.0 (22.9-23.0) 7.8 (7.5-8.1)
n=2 n=2 n=2 n=2 n=2
S. micropterus 29.7 (27.0-32.5) 61.4 (59.9-64.0) 53.5 (48.0-59.0) 24.9 (24.3-25.4) 7.8 (7.5-8.2)
n=9 n=15 n=12 n=6 n=4
S. spillmanni 25.2 (21.0-30.0) 61.9 (56.0-67.0) 45.3 (39.0-54.0) 24.5 (22.2-26.0) 7.0 (6.1-7.6)
n=36 n=38 n=35 n=18 n=14
S. canus opacus 16.2 (13.9-17.9) 57.2 (52.0-63.0) 42.8 (35.4-46.7) 22.5 (20.8-24.2) 5.5 (5.0-6.1)
n=23 n=22 n=19 n=27 n=19
S. atratus confusus 1 male in ICN 58.7 (58.1-61.5) 43.8 (4244.8) 23.6 (22.6-24.4) 1 male in ICN
25.0 g n=7 n=6 n=6 8.2 mm
S. robbinsi 19.6 (18.1-21.0) 53.9 (52.0-55.0) 36.0 (34.0-39.2) 22.2 (22.2-22.3) 6.9 (6.6-7.2)
n=8 n=8 n=8 n=4 n=5
S. chocoensis 21.0 (19.0-22.5) 55.3 (52.0-60.0) 38.7 (33.8-40.7) 22.2 (21.2-25.0) ‘7.7 (7.58.1)
n=17 n=20 n=19 n=8 n=7
S. latrans 18.2 (16.8-20.9) 57.5 (53.0-63.0) 39.8 (36.0-45.0) 22.6 (20.5—24.0) 6.4 (5.6—7.0)
n=15 n=20 n=18 n=12 n=10

TABLE 1
Morphometrics of males of selected species of Scytalopus: mean and range (in parentheses).
Measurements of S. rodriguezi and S. atratus confusus are from Colombia, the rest from Ecuador.
See Appendix for list of specimens examined.

Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

feathers indistinctly tipped pale grey; flanks, lower belly and undertail-coverts have
fairly straight and c.l-mm wide Cinnamon (123A) and blackish bars. Axillaries
Cinnamon. Irides dark brown, bill black, and feet dusky brown on outer and rear of
inner surface, horn brown on rest of inner surface, with paler claws. Stomach
contents consisted of the remains of small arthropods.

Description of paratypes Two additional specimens were taken at the type locality,
but slightly higher, at 2,235 m (Fig. 3). Both were singing males that were tape-
recorded before being lured into mist-nets using playback. One (ICN 35234)
weighed 21.6 g, both testes 4 x 8 mm; the other (ICN 348425) weighed 21.4 g, both
testes 2.5 x 3 mm. They are almost identical to the holotype in coloration and soft
parts, differing only by a slightly more pronounced wash of Vandyke Brown on the
tertials; ICN 34845 also has slightly paler and better-defined tips to the belly
feathers.

Systematic relationships The taxonomic affinities of S. rodriguezi were assessed by
CDC through analyses of mtDNA sequences as part of a broader, ongoing attempt
to reconstruct a phylogeny of Scytalopus, which will be published elsewhere
(Cadena et al. in prep.). Cuervo et al. (2005) presented preliminary results based on
analyses of 315 base pairs (bp) from the cytochrome-b (cyt-b) gene for multiple

Niels Krabbe et al. 97 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

Scytalopus taxa, including all but two of the known species in Colombia and
Ecuador. The dataset discussed by Cuervo ef al. (2005) has since been expanded to
include more taxa (mostly from south-east Brazil) and 650 additional bp of
sequence from the second subunit of the NADH dehydrogenase gene (ND2).
Analyses of this more comprehensive dataset confirm the relationships described
by Cuervo ef al. (2005), with high bootstrap support (98% under maximum
likelihood and 100% under parsimony) and high Bayesian posterior probability
(1.00) for a clade formed by S. rodriguezi, S. robbinsi, S. stilesi and an unnamed
species from the Pacific slope of the Colombian Cordillera Occidental (see Cuervo
et al. 2003). All analyses consistently indicated a basal position for S. rodriguezi
within this assemblage, but support for the grouping of S. stilesi, S. robbinsi and
Scytalopus sp. nov. was not strong. The clade formed by these three species
received 68% and 54% bootstrap support in maximum likelihood and unweighted
parsimony analyses, respectively, and a Bayesian posterior probability of 0.62.

The lowest level of genetic divergence (uncorrected p distance in cyt-b)
observed between S. rodriguezi and another tapaculo was with Scytalopus sp. nov.,
at 5.0%. Divergence from the other two species in its clade was higher: 6.0% from
S. robbinsi and 6.7% from S. stilesi. Using two available estimates of passerine cyt-
b subsitution rates to assess the time of separation of S. rodriguezi leads to quite
different temporal scenarios. Assuming the rate of 1.6—2.0 % divergence per million
years (Tarr & Fleischer 1993, Fleischer et a/. 1998), the data suggest that S.
rodriguezi last shared an ancestor with its closest relatives in the Pliocene, at least
2.5 million years ago. In contrast, assuming a rate of 5.6% divergence per million
years (Warren ef a/. 2003) would place its divergence in the mid Pleistocene, at c.1
million years before present. In either case, the sequence data indicate that S.
rodriguezi is a relatively old taxon (Johns & Avise 1998, Johnson & Cicero 2004)
that probably became isolated from its closest relatives before the onset of the large-
amplitude climatic oscillations that commenced 0.8 million years ago in the
Colombian Andes (Hooghiemstra & Ran 1994).

Voice Songs of eight different individuals were recorded at two localities (Finca
Merenberg and Serrania de las Minas). Recordings are deposited in the British
Library Sound Archive (cat. nos. 131209-131218). Most are of birds engaged in
aggressive territorial defence in response to playback. Only one bird sang in each
territory, although the presence of another individual, presumably the mate, was
confirmed visually in at least one case.

Song, among the simplest of any Scytalopus, consists of a single note repeated
at a pace of 4—5 per second, and is given in a single phrase, or, more commonly, in
bouts of 2—5 or more phrases. During each phrase the volume most often increases
gradually and the pitch rises slightly over the first 4-6 seconds, and then both
remain constant (Fig. 4). Occasionally the volume fades on the last 1—2 notes, but
phrase endings are usually rather abrupt. The lengths of phrases and pauses between
them are irregular; phrases vary from 2 to over 60 seconds, and pauses at 2—21

Niels Krabbe et al. 98 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

Relative amplitude
Ls]

i=)

Time (sec) 110

Figure 4. Relative volume of song of paratype ICN 34845 of S. rodriguezi during a bout of five songs
(recordist Niels Krabbe). Sonogram prepared using CoolEditPro (Syntrillium Software).

seconds. Each phrase is usually initiated with a slightly lower pitched, prolonged
note (Fig. 5a).

Song in response to playback is remarkably similar to that under natural
conditions, showing little or no change in quality, pace, pitch and phrase length, and
differs only in the briefer pauses, increased volume and, sometimes, in a more
accentuated introductory note. Both the fastest and slowest songs recorded (5.3 and
4.0 notes/s) were given under natural conditions.

In six of eight songs recorded from different individuals, song notes are
up/down-strokes. In two they are only down-strokes. The up-stroke and peak is a
fundamental note loudest around 3 kHz (Fig. 5a,c). The long down-stroke creates a
first overtone at 2.5—3.5 kHz, which in seven birds is somewhat louder than the
fundamental, but in one bird is weaker (Fig. 5b). The pitch and pace recall those in

Frequency (kHz)

Time (sec)

Figure 5. Songs of males of S. rodriguezi. A: paratype (ICN 34845), including the introductory note of
the song. B: Paratype (ICN 35234). C: Holotype. Sonograms produced using 1024 frequency bands and
CoolEditPro (Syntrilltum Software).

Niels Krabbe et al. 99 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

songs of S. robbinsi (Fig. 6a) and S. chocoensis (Fig. 6b), whereas songs of S. canus
opacus (Fig. 6c), S. spillmanni (Fig. 6d) and S. stilesi (Fig. 6e) are considerably
faster. Other taxa from the Colombian Andes such as S. vicinior (Fig. 6f), S. atratus
confusus (Fig. 6g), S. micropterus (Fig. 6h) and S. /atrans latrans (Fig. 61), differ
from S. rodriguezi in the quality of their song notes, in most cases distinctly so.

Calls, given by both sexes, were single, 0.1-second-long, rising cui notes at
3.0—3.3 kHz terminated with a more or less accentuated, complicated brzk sound
with many overtones (Fig. 7a—b). Except being higher pitched, calls are very similar
to those of S. robbinsi (Fig. 7c—e), but distinctly differ from those of S. stilesi (Fig.
7f-h).

Cc E
PGF AT AE SE WF oe ge RT SF |

ere ray

iad bie tdi bide

Frequency (kHz)

G

EPP Ppp fof

7 : ; i

Time (sec)

Figure 6. Songs of Scytalopus tapaculos (recorded by Niels Krabbe unless stated otherwise). A: S.
robbinsi, Buenaventura, prov. El Oro, Ecuador, 15 April 1991. B: S. chocoensis, El Placer, prov.
Esmeraldas, Ecuador, 25 October 1983. C: S. canus opacus, PN Puracé, dpto. Huila, Colombia, 17
October 1986 (recorded by Bret M. Whitney). D: S. spillmanni, Alto Gallinazo, dpto. Antioquia,
Colombia, 12 June 1994. E: S. stilesi, Otan Quimbaya, dpto. Risaralda, Colombia, 2 November 1996
(recorded by L. Renjifo). F: S. vicinior, Mindo, prov. Pichincha, Ecuador, 2 December 1990. G: S.
atratus confusus, Mampuestos, dpto. Antioquia, Colombia, 30 March 2002 (recorded by A. Cuervo). H:
S. micropterus, PN Cueva de los Guacharos, dpto. Huila, Colombia, 21 October 1986 (recorded by Bret
M. Whitney). I: S. /atrans latrans, Alto Gallinazo, dpto. Antioquia, Colombia, 12 June 1994. Sonograms
produced using 1024 frequency bands and CoolEditPro (Syntrillium Software).

Niels Krabbe et al. 100 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

Frequency (kHz)

Time (sec)

Figure 7. Calls of Scytalopus tapaculos (all recorded by Niels Krabbe unless stated otherwise). A-B: S.
rodriguezi recorded at the type locality, A on 23 February 2003, B on 24 February 2003. C-E: S. robbinsi
recorded at Buenaventura, prov. El Oro, Ecuador, C on 16 April 1991, D on 16 November 1991 and E
on 26 September 1990. F—H: S. stilesi. F: Carolina, dpto. Antioquia, Colombia, April 1995 (recorded by
T. Cuadros). G: Otun Quimbaya, dpto. Risaralda, Colombia, February 1999 (recorded by C. Daniel
Cadena). H: Amalfi, dpto. Antioquia, Colombia, 9 January 2002 (recorded by A. Cuervo). Sonograms
produced using 512 frequency bands and CoolEditPro (Syntrillium Software).

Distribution Scytalopus rodriguezi is currently known from two areas on the east
slope of the Cordillera Central, at the head of the Magdalena Valley, at 2,000—2,300
m (Fig. 8), namely Reserva Natural Merenberg (the type locality), where recorded
at 2,150—2,300 m, and Serrania de las Minas (02°05’N, 76°02’W; 2,000—2,300 m),
a ridge 15 km south-southeast of Finca Merenberg. Although known only from these
localities, we presume the species occurs in valleys on both sides of the Serrania de
las Minas, and possibly over a slightly broader latitudinal range in dpto. Huila.
However, both north and south of its presumed range, elevations of 2,000—2,300 m
are extensively deforested (ESDI 2004). A raster and vector analysis of an image
(NASA 2004) including the presumed range for S. rodriguezi (see below) and within
these elevational ranges, concurs in a range of 433 km’. However, only 169.4 km*
or 39% is forested (ESDI 2004). Much of the 169.4 km? of remaining forest is
heavily fragmented and therefore considered suboptimal for S. rodriguezi
populations.

Elevational and latitudinal replacements of morphologically very similar but
vocally distinctive forms are prominent in Scytalopus, and the sutures between them
are often remarkably narrow (Fjeldsa & Krabbe 1990, Krabbe & Schulenberg
1997). Exceptions include S. Jatrans, which often overlaps entirely with other
species, and to some degree S. atratus, which shows partial elevational overlap with
S. micropterus in much of its range (Krabbe & Schulenberg 1997). It is probable

Niels Krabbe et al. 101 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

that, as in many parts of Ecuador, most slopes of the Cordillera Central of Colombia
are inhabited by S. /atrans and 3-4 species of Scytalopus that replace each other
altitudinally. From the uppermost elevation to the lowest these are: canus opacus;
spillmanni; micropterus, rodriguezi or stilesi (depending on latitude); and (with
some elevational overlap) atratus confusus.

Other Scytalopus encountered in the type locality of S. rodriguezi and immediate
environs include S. spil/manni, heard by NK at the upper limits of the Merenberg
reserve (2,300 m), where it replaces rodriguezi sharply, and which presumably
occurs up to near treeline, where it is in turn replaced by S. canus opacus (pers. obs.
and tape-recordings by B. M. Whitney & P. Coopmans). No Scytalopus occurs
lower down, as these areas are too deforested and dry for the genus. Further north
on the east slope of the Central Cordillera S. rodriguezi is replaced by another
recently discovered species of Scytalopus (Cuervo et al. 2005), but the zone of
replacement is undetermined. We fear that rodriguezi is truly limited to a tiny area
at the head of the Magdalena Valley (Fig. 9). To the east, on the western slope of the
Eastern Cordillera and apparently also to the south on the east slope of the

~ Pte

Weeokn 20 4p

27 Sees nasa

60 80 100 je La Unién iw %
sie Ce el ee as : Dan te Lee aes

Figure 8. Map of southern Colombia, showing the distribution of S. rodriguezi. Crosses mark the two
sites where the species has been found.

Niels Krabbe et al. 102 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

BB Forest
_ Non-forest

Elevation range
between 2,000-2,300 m

Above 2,300 m

Finca
Merenberg

Figure 9. Present-day forest cover within the projected Area of Occupancy of Scytalopus rodriguezi.
Except for those areas encircled in black, only elevations between 2,000 and 2,300 m are shown. Crosses
mark the two sites where the species has been found. Map based on ESDI (2004) and NASA (2004).

Cordillera Central S. rodriguezi is replaced by S. micropterus, a form that occurs
from 1,200 to 2,500 m (being commonest at 1,700—2,100 m), on the Amazonian
slope from central Colombia to northernmost Peru (Krabbe & Schulenberg 1997).
In southern Colombia micropterus ‘spills over’ the Eastern Andes to the head of
Magdalena Valley, at Cueva de los Guacharos, where common at 2,000 m (own
tape-recordings), and it apparently also occurs on the east slope of the Central
Andes in Huila, where specimens (in the United States National Museum [USNM],
Washington DC, and Natural History Museum, Tring [NHM]) that agree with
micropterus in their long tails, large bills and general plumage pattern were
collected at La Candela (2,135 m) and nearby La Palma (1,675 m). It is unknown
where rodriguezi and micropterus replace each other latitudinally, but that will
undoubtedly mark the northern limit of the range of micropterus in the Central
Andes of Colombia.

In addition, two other species of Scytalopus occur in central Colombia. One is
the widespread S. latrans, which is often found in heavily disturbed or secondary

Niels Krabbe et al. 103 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

habitats, and which occupies a broad altitudinal range. It co-exists with a congener
in many parts of its range (Krabbe & Schulenberg 1997). Strangely, we did not
record this taxon at Finca Merenberg, nor can we find records of it from the east
slope of the Central Andes south of Antioquia. The nearest records we have located
from the Central Andes are on the west slope in Cauca (Chapman 1917), at Valle de
las Papas and Almaguer. We strongly doubt that such a large gap in its distribution
is genuine.

The other taxon, S. atratus confusus, occurs on both slopes of the Cauca and
Magdalena valleys, at c.915—1,980 m, 1.e. lower than S. rodriguezi. At the head of
the Magdalena Valley it has so far only been recorded south of Merenberg,
specimen records being from Isnos (1,600 m), La Candela (1,980 m), La Palma
(1,675 m) and below Andalucia (915 m) (Chapman 1917, Zimmer 1939; elevational
data taken directly from labels of specimens with a white crown spot held in the
Academy of Natural Sciences Philadelphia [ANSP], American Museum of Natural
History, New York [AMNH], Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, and
USNM). Like S. /atrans, the lack of records from further north on the east slope of
the Central Cordillera probably owes to under-sampling.

Etymology We take pleasure in naming the new species for José Vicente Rodriguez
Mahecha, in recognition of his dedication and contribution to ornithology and
conservation in Colombia. He has collected over 8,000 bird specimens that are now
housed in the Instituto Alexander von Humboldt and ICN collections in Colombia,
and is one of Colombia’s leading conservationists. The English and Spanish names
refer to the upper Magdalena Valley of Colombia to which the species is endemic.

Ecology and behaviour

Scytalopus rodriguezi inhabits dense understorey of humid forest at elevations of
2,000—2,300 m on the east slope of the southern Central Cordillera, Colombia.
Annual precipitation approaches 2 m and the driest months are December—January
(Ridgely & Gaulin 1980). The Finca Merenberg reserve comprises 15 forest
remnants, each c.| ha in size, separated and surrounded by pasture (Fig. 10). Large
trees are 20-30 m tall and include Morus insignis (Moraceae), Brunellia
occidentalis (Brunelliaceae), Quercus humboldtii (Fagaceae), Cecropia sp.
(Cecropiaceae), Hedyosmum recemosum (Chloranthaceae), Billia columbiana
(Hippocastanaceae), Oreopanax floribundun (Araliaceae), Blakea aff. pyxidanthus
(Melastomataceae), Allophyllus mollis (Sapindaceae), Ladenbergia macrophylla
(Rubiaceae), and Clusia sp. (Clusiaceae). Midstorey vegetation includes Miconia
cordifolia (Melastomataceae), Palicourea angustifolia, P. albiflora (Rubiaceae),
Geonoma lindeniana (Arecaceae), Renealmia policarpa (Zingiberaceae) and
Solanum venosum (Solanaceae). Due to roaming cattle the understorey is heavily
trampled and tree recruitment is poor (Fig. 11). Dense understorey of weeds and
climbing plants is primarily found at forest edge and frequently includes Cyathea

Niels Krabbe et al. 104 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

Figure 10. Humid montane forest at Finca Merenberg showing typical landscape of fragmented forest
(Paul Salaman)

mm ; 338; Z oS

Figure 11 (left). Trampled undergrowth at Finca Merenberg (Paul Salaman)

Figure 12 (right). Climbing plants and weeds at forest edge at Finca Merenberg; note felled trees within
the reserve (Paul Salaman)

sp. (Cyatheaceae) and Chusquea aff. scandens (Poaceae). For further details see
Ridgely & Gaulin (1980).

The montane cloud forest of the Serrania de las Minas is much less disturbed
than forest at Finca Merenberg, having only been subject to selective logging and is
merely fragmented by the road that cuts through part of it. Trees include the
dominant Quercus humboldtii associated with smaller trees such as Ocotea cuneata,
Nectandra macrophylla, Aniba perutilis (all Lauraceae), Viburnum cornifolium
(Caprifoliaceae), Cedrella montana (Meliaceae), Cinchona pubescens (Rubiaceae),
Ficus greiffiana (Moraceae), Billia columbiana and Myrcia fallax (Myrtaceae).
Understorey is well developed with high tree recruitment and dominant plants
include Weinmannia sp. (Cunoniaceae), Cavendishia strobilifera (Ericaceae) and
Chusquea aff. scandens.

The behaviour of S. rodriguezi does not appear appreciably different from that
of most congeners (Krabbe & Schulenberg 1997, 2003). Accordingly, the new

Niels Krabbe et al. 105 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

Scytalopus is frequently heard and rarely seen. Individuals usually move
inconspicuously within 50 cm of or on the ground in the densest understorey.
Judging from stomach contents of the three specimens, the diet of S. rodriguezi
consists exclusively of small insects, principally Coleoptera. No fruits, seeds or
other vegetable matter were found. All three specimens had medium-sized testes
and none was moulting, suggesting that breeding does not occur in January and
February, at least.

The vocal habits of the species make it reasonably straightforward to assess
population densities. Along a c.1 km transect at Finca Merenberg, we registered at
least five territorial males and confirmed the presence of a mate in two territories.
We roughly estimated that the species occupies 1—3 ha of suitable habitat, but that
suitable habitat is not uniformly distributed. Within the 150 ha of forest in
Merenberg reserve, we estimated only c.20 pairs or territorial males.

Conservation

Scytalopus rodriguezi is currently known from Merenberg reserve, the first
protected area to be established in Colombia. Upon the reserve’s establishment in
1950, by the Buch family, it comprised c.150 ha of forest and c.150 ha of cattle
pasture. Unfortunately, the 150 ha of forest are dwindling (Fig. 12), partly owing to
the creation of more pasture by the owners (second-generation Buch), partially to
selective forest clearance of hundreds of mature oak and other hardwoods, which
has drastically changed the forest physiognomy. In view of the deterioration in the
site’s conservation, we are most concerned about the uncertain future of Merenberg
reserve. International and local non-governmental involvement and support in
conservation efforts are acutely required. For example, the area deserves Important
Bird Area status. Merenberg is accessible by road from Popayan and Neiva, so there
is potential for ecotourism, although this is difficult at present given Colombia’s
ongoing military conflict. We very much hope that the discovery of this new species
endemic to the region will lead to increased efforts to protect Merenberg.

The Area of Occupancy of S. rodriguezi is <3 km? at two sites. We estimate the
Extent of Occurrence to be 169.4 km’, calculated from the area of extant forest
within the species’ projected range (see Distribution) and 20 pairs per 150 ha, as
seen in the fragmented forest of Merenberg reserve (see Ecology and behaviour),
giving a total population of 2,200 territorial males or possible pairs in remaining
forest. We speculate that the effects of fragmentation and continued deforestation in
recent years, particularly in the Serrania de las Minas, have significantly reduced the
species’ total population. Only 150 ha of forest are protected at present, or just 0.3%
of the species’ postulated range. Based on remaining forest cover (Fig. 9), the
species’ stronghold is undoubtedly Serrania de las Minas, but this area is
unprotected.

Since the species’ discovery, an important conservation initiative has been
underway at Serrania de las Minas. Together with the national parks authority
(Unidad Administrativa Especial Sistema de Parques Nacionales Naturales,

Niels Krabbe et al. 106 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

Direccion Territorial Surandina), Fundacion ProAves and local communities hope
to establish a conservation area across the Serrania de las Minas in the near future,
protecting c.10,000 ha of premontane and montane forest, largely oak-dominated,
and thereby ensuring the survival of an additional population of S. rodriguezi.

Scytalopus rodriguezi presently faces a risk of extinction and is therefore
recommended for IUCN Red List status as Endangered, Bla+b (ii, iii, iv, v) because
its presumed Area of Occupancy is less than 170 km? and its known population is
small (<5,000 individuals).

Further studies to determine the distribution and population size of S. rodriguezi
are a high priority, and would greatly assist the development of a specific
management plan for Merenberg and, especially, Serrania de las Minas. Research
and conservation initiatives in the region should also focus on several other globally
threatened or range-restricted birds, e.g. Pyrrhura melanura chapmani, Atlapetes
fuscoolivaceus and Leptotila conoveri. Further ornithological surveys are needed of
remaining montane forest tracts at the head of the Magdalena Valley in order to
assess the true distributions of these forms and the threats to their habitats.

Acknowledgements

Many thanks to Corporacién AutOnoma Regional del Alto Magdalena and Corporacion Autonoma
Regional del Cauca (CRC), for assisting our field work and for providing necessary permissions. We are
grateful to staff at the Ministerio del Medio Ambiente (Unidad Administrativa Especial del Sistema de
Parques Nacionales Naturales) and Puracé NP, especially the logistical support of Alvaro Gomez Ceron.
We also thank Gary Stiles and Gonzalo Andrade (ICN) for access to specimens in their care; T. S.
Schulenberg for providing label data of specimens held in AMNH, ANSP, FMNH and USNM; M. Adams
for providing specimen label data of a specimen in NHM;; and A. Cuervo, T. Cuadros, L. Renjifo and B.
M. Whitney for use of their recordings. Roberto Jaramillo kindly assisted in preparing the maps and in
the raster analysis. A. Cuervo commented on the distribution of S. a. confusus in Colombia. The Endemic
Bird Areas expedition to Merenberg was made possible by generous financial support of Fundacion
ProAves (www.proaves.org) and CRC, and the molecular work through support from persons and
institutions that permitted laboratory access (M. Linares, Instituto de Genética, Universidad de los Andes;
J. D. Palacio, Instituto Alexander von Humboldt; and R. E. Ricklefs, University of Missouri—St Louis)
and that provided tissues for analysis (J. Fjeldsa, Zoological Museum, University of Copenhagen; P.
Sweet, AMNH; J. D. Palacio, Instituto Alexander von Humboldt; J. Klicka, Marjorie Barrick Museum; F.
G. Stiles, Instituto de Ciencias Naturales; and D. Willard, FMNH). MtDNA-sequence data for Brazilian
Scytalopus included in the phylogenetic analyses were generated by S. Bonatto and his students. We thank
J. Fjeldsa and T. S. Schulenberg for comments on an early draft of this paper.

References:

Chapman, F. M. 1917. The distribution of bird-life in Colombia. Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist. 36.

Cuervo, A. M., Cadena, C. D., Krabbe, N. & Renjifo, L. M. 2005. Scytalopus stilesi, a new species of
tapaculo (Rhinocryptidae) from the Cordillera Central of Colombia. Auk 122: 445-463.

Cuervo, A. M., Stiles, F. G., Cadena, C. D., Toro, J. L. & Londofio, G. A. 2003. New and noteworthy
bird records from the northern sector of the Western Andes of Colombia. Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl. 120:
7-24.

ESDI (Earth Science Data Interface). 2004. Landsat TM image August 7, 1989. Global Land Cover
Facility, Maryland Univ.

Fjeldsa, J. & Krabbe, N. 1990. Birds of the high Andes. Zool. Mus., Univ. of Copenhagen & Apollo
Books, Svendborg

Niels Krabbe et al. 107 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

Fleischer, R. C., McIntosh, C. E. & Tarr, C. L. 1998. Evolution on a volcanic conveyor belt: using phy-
logeographic reconstructions and K-Ar-based ages of the Hawaiian islands to estimate molecular
evolutionary rates. Mol. Ecol. 7: 533-545.

Hooghiemstra, H. & Ran, E. T. H. 1994. Late Pliocene—Pleistocene, high-resolution pollen sequence of
Colombia: an overview of climatic change. Quarternary Intern. 21: 63-80.

Johns, G. C. & Avise, J. C. 1998. A comparative summary of genetic distances in the vertebrates from
the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. Mol. Biol. & Evol. 15: 1481-1490.

Johnson, N. K. & Cicero, C. 2004. New mitochondrial DNA data affirm the importance of Pleistocene
speciation in North American birds. Evolution 58: 1122—1130.

Krabbe, N. & Schulenberg, T. S. 1997. Species limits and natural history of Scytalopus tapaculos
(Rhinocryptidae), with descriptions of the Ecuadorian taxa, including three new species. Pp. 47-88
in Remsen, J. V. (ed.) Studies in Neotropical ornithology honoring Ted Parker. Orn. Monogr. 48.

Krabbe, N. K. & Schulenberg, T. S. (2003) Rhinocryptidae (tapaculos). Pp. 748-787 in del Hoyo, J,
Elliott, A. & Christie, D. A. (eds.) Handbook of the birds of the world, vol. 8. Lynx Edicions,
Barcelona.

NASA. 2004. Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission. The National Map Seamless Data Distribution
System, 90 meter resolution, unfinished digital elevation model, contours generated with 100 meter
interval.

Ridgely, R. S. & Gaulin, S. J. C. 1980. The birds of Finca Merenberg, Huila Department, Colombia.
Condor 82: 379-391.

Smithe, F. B. 1975. Naturalist’s color guide. American Museum of Natural History, New York.

Tarr, C. L. & Fleischer, R. C. 1993. Mitochondrial-DNA variation and evolutionary relationships in the
Amakihi complex. Auk 110: 825-831.

Warren, B. H., Bermingham, E., Bowie, R. C. K., Prys-Jones, R. P. & Thébaud, C. 2003. Molecular
phylogeography reveals island colonization history and diversification of western Indian Ocean
sunbirds (Nectarinia: Nectariniidae). Mol. Phyl. & Evol. 29: 67-85.

Zimmer, J. T. 1939. Studies of Peruvian birds. No. 32. The genus Scytalopus. Amer. Mus. Novit. 1044:
1-18.

Addresses: Niels Krabbe, Zoological Museum, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15,
Copenhagen @, 2100 Denmark, e-mail: NKKrabbe@zmuc.ku.dk*. Paul Salaman, Conservation
International, Carrera 13 # 71-41, Bogota, Colombia, e-mail: psalaman@proaves.org*. Alex Cortés,
Alonso Quevedo & Luis Alfonso Ortega, Fundacion ProAves, Calle 8, #3-12, Bogota, Colombia.
Carlos Daniel Cadena, Department of Biology and International Center for Tropical Ecology,
University of Missouri—St Louis, 8001 Natural Bridge Road, St Louis, MO 63121, USA.
(*Authors for correspondence.)

APPENDIX

Male Scytalopus specimens examined. Museums as follows: Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia
(ANSP), American Museum of Natural History (AMNH), Field Museum of Natural History (FMNH),
Instituto de Ciencias Naturales, Bogota (ICN), Museo Ecuatoriano de Ciencias Naturales (MECN), and
Zoological Museum, University of Copenhagen (ZMUC).

Scytalopus rodriguezi: Colombia: 3 Huila (type series in ICN).

Scytalopus stilesi: Colombia: 2 Antioquia (ICN).

Scytalopus robbinsi: Ecuador: 2 Azuay (ZMUC, ANSP), 6 El Oro (ZMUC, ANSP, MECN).
Scytalopus chocoensis: Ecuador: 17 Esmeraldas (ZMUC, ANSP, MECN).

Scytalopus sp. nov. 1: Colombia: | Risaralda (ICN).

Scytalopus spillmanni: Ecuador: 3 Carchi (ZMUC), 8 Imbabura (ZMUC), 12 Pichincha (ZMUC,
ANSP, MECN), 3 Sucumbios (ZMUC), 9 Napo (ZMUC, MECN), 2 Tungurahua (ZMUC), | Azuay
(ZMUC); Colombia: 3 Antioquia (ICN).

Niels Krabbe et al. 108 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

Scytalopus micropterus: Ecuador: 8 Napo (ZMUC, ANSP, MECN), 1 Zamora-Chinchipe (ANSP).
Scytalopus atratus confusus: Colombia: 5 Huila (FMNH, AMNH, ANSP), 2 Valle del Cauca (AMNH).
Scytalopus canus opacus: Ecuador: 11 Carchi (ZMUC, ANSP), 8 Napo (ZMUC, ANSP), 2 Azuay
(ZMUC, MECN), 9 Zamora-Chinchipe (ZMUC, ANSP, MECN).

Scytalopus latrans latrans: Ecuador: 3 Carchi (ZMUC, MECN, ANSP), 2 Sucumbios (ZMUC,
MECN), 2 Imbabura (ZMUC), 5 Pichincha (ZMUC, MECN), 4 Cotopaxi (ZMUC), 1 Cafiar (ZMUC),
3 Napo (ZMUC, MECN).

© British Ornithologists’ Club 2005

Clytoctantes (atrogularis?) in Amazonas, Brazil,
and its relationship to Neoctantes niger
(Thamnophilidae)

by Bret M. Whitney

Received 4 Fanuary 2005

The Rondonia Bushbird Clytoctantes atrogularis ranks among the most poorly
known of all Thamnophilidae, having remained something of a mystery since its
discovery in 1986. It is known from a single, adult female specimen, and two
sightings of presumed adult males, all from Cachoeira Nazaré, Rondonia, Brazil
(Lanyon et al. 1990). On 20 July 2004, I located a pair of Clytoctantes bushbirds,
presumably C. atrogularis, on the left bank of the upper rio Sucunduri, Amazonas,
Brazil (06°53’S, 59°04’ W), c.460 km north-east of Cachoeira Nazaré. This locality
was several km above the point where highway BR-230 (the Transamazonica)
crosses the Sucunduri. As I walked through a belt of dense secondary growth
running between tall, undisturbed terra firme forest and a manioc plantation shortly
before dusk, I was alerted by a vocalisation strongly reminiscent of a frequently
delivered call of Neoctantes niger (Black Bushbird). I tape-recorded the
vocalisation on a Sony TCM-5000 recorder, using a Sennheiser ME-67 cardioid
microphone. Before playing the recording, I moved closer and found a pair of
Clytoctantes bushbirds foraging in dense, low vegetation. They were undisturbed
by my close presence, but the tangled vegetation and waning light hampered
observation. The female (chestnut bird) was seen well. It closely matched the
description of the holotype (Lanyon et al. 1990) and my own notes on that
specimen taken on a visit to the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de Sao Paulo
(MZUSP), where it is housed, except that the black of the throat appeared to extend
further on to the side of the face near the eye, and the outer remiges on the folded
wing seemed contrastingly darker than on the holotype. The male looked entirely
black but was not seen sufficiently well to allow further description.

During c.3 minutes of observation, the birds stayed within about 5 m of each
other, with the female following the male a few seconds after the latter made short

Bret M. Whitney 109 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

flights between foraging stations. The male foraged from c.20 cm above ground to
as high as about 2.5 m, hammering loudly (sounding like a small woodpecker) on
the rachis of a large (>2 m long), dead Heliconia sp. leaf for several seconds, and
at the broken tip of a dead branch c.2 cm in diameter; unfortunately, the bird was
never clearly visible because of intervening vegetation. Both the male and female
performed a short, stiff, lateral jerk of the tail, which was then held at the canted
position for c.0.5 second before being twitched again in a short, slightly upward or
downward direction, back toward the other side of the body, ranging through an arc
of c.60° in the course of several seconds.

The birds showed little interest in playback of the recording of their own
vocalisation. This call was a fairly loud, multi-syllabic, tremulous whistle becoming
slightly protracted and fainter at the end, the whole lasting a little less than 2
seconds (Fig. la). It was given two or three times when the birds were initially
startled by my sudden appearance but not subsequently, after they had become
aware of my actions; it is best classified as an alarm call. No other vocalisation was
heard. A vocalisation of Clytoctantes atrogularis was described by D. F. Stotz in
Lanyon ef al. (1990) as ‘a very loud, trilled whistle, ‘tree-tree-tree,’ at irregular
intervals.’ | suppose that the alarm call I recorded could be so transcribed.

Bushbird relationships

Lanyon et al. (1990) remarked on the close relationship between C. atrogularis, C.
alixii (Recurve-billed Bushbird) and Neoctantes niger. Their analysis was limited
to external morphological similarities that they judged to be homologous,
particularly the shared bill shape in which the mandible is strongly recurved, with
the subterminal tomial notch displaced above the basal portion of the commisure.
They also provided a map of the general distributions of these species. There appear
to have been no more recent records of either species of Clytoctantes; the
distribution of Neoctantes niger was updated by Zimmer & Isler (2004), the main
change being addition of some records from south-west Amazonia and one from the
west bank of the middle rio Madeira. Although the two genera are allopatric as far
as is known, I would not be surprised to learn that they are at least narrowly
sympatric (but perhaps not syntopic) in the poorly studied Madeira—Tapajos
interfluvium.

Zimmer & Isler (2004) considered ‘relationships uncertain’ (presumably with
other species-groups) for the two species of Clytoctantes and Neoctantes. | concur
with Lanyon et a/. (1990) that all these species and the two genera are quite closely
related. In addition to the shared morphological characters documented by those
authors, Clytoctantes atrogularis and Neoctantes exhibit remarkable similarities in
their alarm calls (Fig. 1), which they typically give 1—3 times in the presence of a
potential threat (such as approach of a person). This vocalisation possesses a nearly
symmetrical, very rapidly repeated oscillation through a wide frequency band (c. 1
kHz [n=6] for N. niger and 1.7 kHz [n=1] for C. atrogularis), and is further

Bret M. Whitney 110 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

characterised by multiple, short bursts that increase in duration toward the end of
the vocalisation while losing amplitude, the whole lasting 1.5—2.0 seconds.
Structure and auditory quality of this call are unique in the Thamnophilidae. The
alarm call of Clytoctantes alixii has not been recorded, but will almost certainly
prove to be very similar.

The loudsong of both species of Clytoctantes is unknown, but it is likely, I
predict, to be reminiscent of the loudsong of Neoctantes niger, which is a
monotonous, steadily paced series of short, clear, whistled notes centred between
c.1.5 and 1.8 kHz (Fig. 1c; also see Isler & Whitney 2002, disc 1: 46). Although
Neoctantes niger is monotypic (Zimmer & Isler 2004), it displays some
geographically structured variation in its loudsong, with birds north of the rio

Frequency (kHz)

Figure 1. Some vocalisations of Clytoctantes and Neoctantes bushbirds. (A) C. atrogularis alarm call
(Brazil: Amazonas; rio Sucunduri); (B) N. niger alarm call (Peru: Loreto; Quebrada Sucusari, right bank
lower rio Napo); (C) N. niger loudsong (Peru: Loreto; Quebrada Sucusari, right bank lower rio Napo);
(D) N. niger loudsong (Peru: Loreto; lower rio Javari). Original recordings (all by BMW) made on Sony
TCM-5000 recorders with Sennheiser ME-80 (C) and ME-67 (A, B, D) shotgun microphones on Maxell
Type II 60-minute tape. Spectrograms generated with Canary 1.2.4 of the Bioacoustics Research
program of the Cornell Lab. of Ornithology, Ithaca, New York, using default settings and 92% overlap.
All recordings are archived at the antbird research archive of Morton & Phyllis Isler, Alexandria,
Virginia.

Bret M. Whitney 111 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

Maranon/rio Solim6es singing significantly slower than birds south of the river
(noticeable in the field without resort to spectrographic analysis), and duration of
individual notes appears to average somewhat longer (compare Fig. Ic and d; most
individuals may not be this different, although some are even more different). In the
case of N. niger, birds recorded immediately after tape playback appear to deliver
the loudsong at a slightly faster pace (shorter inter-note intervals; pers. obs.); thus,
measurements of loudsong characteristics should be made from natural
(unsolicited) songs or from steadily paced, middle sections of songs given several
minutes after playback, when birds have resumed a natural rhythm. The structure of
notes may also differ slightly; further study of geographic variation in Neoctantes
niger 1s 1n progress.

As has been described for Clytoctantes alixii (summarised by Zimmer & Isler
2004) and C. atrogularis (Lanyon et al. 1990; this report), Neoctantes niger forages
by gleaning, hammering and probing, mostly in soft, often decaying stems, vines
and thin trunks. Subsurface foraging manoeuvres were described by Zimmer &
Isler (2004) as “using the bill to hammer repeatedly at a branch, woody vine, palm
rachis, or rotten log until a hole is opened; then uses the uniquely shaped bill as a
wedge to pry loose strips of live bark or stem fibres, or to flake off dead bark,
afterwards picking repeatedly at small subsurface prey’. This is a good general
description, although prying loose of live bark and stem fibres by N. niger must be
a rare behaviour, as I have never observed it during numerous encounters with the
species. I believe one of the most common subsurface techniques is hammering into
a soft, usually dead stem, followed by forceful, side-to-side motion of the head as
the bill is wedged forward, opening a slit to expose the hollow centre of the
substrate, from which small arthropods are extracted as they become exposed. Such
slits (Fig. 2) may exceed 30 cm in length. Neoctantes niger shares the distinctive,
sideways-twitching tail motion described above for C. atrogularis, and does it
frequently while foraging. Although this shared tail motion has not been described
previously for either genus, it is unique in the Thamnophilidae except, perhaps, for

Figure 2. Dead stem opened by a male Neoctantes niger in search of endophytic arthropods,
photographed immediately after the bird had left the area; left bank of the lower rio Javari, Loreto, Peru,
August 2004 (Bret M. Whitney)

Bret M. Whitney 112 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

the similar but slighter tail motions of some Myrmotherula antwrens (e.g., Ihering’s
Antwren M. iheringi and Rio Suno Antwren M. sunensis: pers. obs.).

Morphological, vocal and behavioural homologies provide a convincing body
of evidence that, in the context of the Thamnophilidae as a whole, Neoctantes and
Clytoctantes are sister taxa. An argument could be made for subsuming
Clytoctantes in Neoctantes but, absent evidence from molecular analysis that
Neoctantes niger falls between the two species of Clytoctantes, which seems quite
unlikely, I recommend that the two genera be maintained based on the
morphological distinctions identified by Lanyon et al. (1990), at least.
Relationships of the bushbirds to other genera in Thamnophilidae are obscure and
will probably be elucidated only by well-corroborated phylogenetic analysis of the
entire family.

Conservation

Assuming that the birds I found on the rio Sucunduri of southern Amazonas are the
same as C. atrogularis from Rond6nia, it is now apparent that the distribution of C.
atrogularis covers a significant area of south-central Amazonian Brazil. It occurs in
man-made second-growth and probably evolved in successional forest habitats. It
is to be expected throughout the area between the two known localities and should
be sought throughout Amazonia in terra firme forest edge, regrowth and naturally
successional forest habitats. Its centre of distribution is probably the upper rio
Madeira/Tapajos interfluvium.

Until information to the contrary becomes available, observers should listen for
Neoctantes-like songs and perhaps attempt to elicit response from a bushbird with
tape-playback of Neoctantes; I will send a copy of the alarm call of Clytoctantes
recorded on the rio Sucunduri by e-mail attachment (360 kb) on request (if the
recording is then copied for others, please forward this information to me).

Fortunately, the dam project designed to flood the Cachoeira Nazaré area was
abandoned (contra Zimmer & Isler 2004), and there is apparently no active plan to
complete it, although other dam-building projects in Rond6nia are apparently
moving forward (Fearnside in press). It is greatly encouraging that the state
government of Amazonas, Brazil, as part of its Programa Zona Franca Verde, has
just signed into law (17 February 2005) the creation of a mosaic of nine
conservation areas covering 3,070,058 ha of mostly forested land in the south of the
state. More than half of this area is in the heretofore greatly neglected
Madeira/Tapajos interfluvium. Most of the new reserves will be open to sustainable
use of some sort, but the Parque Estadual do Sucunduri, at more than one million
ha, and Parque Estadual do Aripuana (nearly 370,000 ha) should remain in a
completely natural state, protecting some of the most biologically important lands
on Earth (see www.sds.am.gov.br/noticia.php?xcod=943). Brazil’s federal
government will purportedly soon announce the creation of further large
conservation units in the region.

Bret M. Whitney 113 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

BirdLife International (2004) currently lists the conservation status of
Clytoctantes atrogularis as Critical. For the present, however, I suggest that the
species be reverted to its prior conservation status of Data Deficient (Stattersfield
et al. 1998). Despite ongoing deforestation in the southern part of the range,
C. atrogularis may actually benefit somewhat from the opening of forested areas.

Acknowledgements
I am grateful to M. Cohn-Haft, M. L. Isler, D. F. Lane, J. V. Remsen, D. F. Stotz and K. J. Zimmer for
helpful comments on the manuscript. Mort Isler kindly examined spectrograms of loudsongs of several
individuals of Neoctantes niger from most areas of its range, which permitted me to make a more
accurate statement about the extent of geographic variation in this vocalisation.

References:

BirdLife International. 2004. Threatened birds of the world 2004. CD-ROM. BirdLife International,
Cambridge, UK.

Fearnside, P. M. in press. Brazil’s Samuel Dam: lessons for hydroelectric development policy and the
environment in Amazonia. Environ. Management.

Isler, P. R. & Whitney, B. M. 2002. Songs of the antbirds. 3 CDs. Cornell Lab. of Orn., Ithaca, NY.

Lanyon, S. M., Stotz, D. F. & Willard, D. E. 1990. Clytoctantes atrogularis, a new species of antbird
from western Brazil. Wilson Bull. 102: 571-580.

Stattersfield, A. J., Crosby, M. J., Long, A. J. & Wege, D. C. 1998. Endemic Bird Areas of the world:
priorities for biodiversity conservation. BirdLife International, Cambridge, UK.

Zimmer, K. J. & Isler, M. L. 2003. Family Thamnophilidae (typical antbirds). Pp. 448-681 in del Hoyo,
J., Elliott, A. & Christie, D. A. (eds.) Handbook of the birds of the world, vol. 8. Lynx Edicions,
Barcelona.

Address: Museum of Natural Science, 119 Foster Hall, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA,
USA.

© British Ornithologists’ Club 2005

The nest, eggs and incubation behaviour of
Sickle-winged Guan Chamaepetes goudotii
fagani in western Ecuador

by Harold F Greeney

Received 21 April 2004

Sickle-winged Guan Chamaepetes goudotii ranges from Colombia to Peru and
northern Bolivia (del Hoyo et al. 1994). In Ecuador there are two subspecies,
tschudii in the east and fagani in the west (Delacour & Amadon 1973, Ridgely &
Greenfield 2001). Ridgely & Greenfield (2001), however, noted the possibility that
fagani deserves species rank.

Though Delacour & Amadon (1973) described Sickle-winged Guan as feeding
“much on the ground’ and commonly descending from trees, my own experience in

Harold F. Greeney 114 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

both eastern and western Ecuador, and those of other authors, is that it is primarily
arboreal, often being seen foraging in small groups at dusk and dawn (Hilty &
Brown 1986, Ridgely & Greenfield 2001). However, I have seen the species
descend to the ground to drink from standing water along roadsides in the early
morning and late evening.

In Colombia, Hilty & Brown (1986) reported birds in breeding condition and
females with single, dependent young in June. Sclater & Salvin (1879) described
the egg as white and finely pitted, but nothing has been reported on the incubation
behaviour or, apparently, the nest. Here I describe the nest, eggs and incubation
rhythms, from dawn to dusk, at a nest of C. goudotii fagani in western Ecuador over
the course of four days.

Methods

All observations were made on 20—23 August 2003 at the Mindo Biological Station
(00°04’S, 78°43’W) in the Mindo Valley of north-west Ecuador. The station is at
1,600 m with the area immediately around the station and nest site consisting of
heavily disturbed forest and pasture in a small, 30-ha valley surrounded by primary
cloud forest. Terrain is typically rugged for this elevation in the Andes, with
vegetation characterised by high epiphyte density and a canopy height of 25—35 m.

The nest was found incidentally during casually walked transects to observe
birds, whilst visiting the biological station on 19-24 August 2003. Eggs were
measured using metallic field callipers sensitive to the nearest 0.1 mm.

Results

On 20 August 2003, at 0645 h, an adult Sickle-winged Guan was flushed from its
nest, which contained two dull white eggs. The eggs were heavily stained with dark
red-brown smears of what was possibly blood and fluid from the female. They
measured 74.4 mm by 50.0 mm and 70.2 mm by 51.2 mm respectively. The nest
was situated 2.3 m above ground, atop a clump of large bromeliads (Guzmania sp.).
The eggs were in the bottom of a shallow depression formed by the leaves of 2-3
bromeliads, measuring c.20—25 cm in diameter and lined with dead leaves and
small sticks. It is difficult to be sure if these materials collected there naturally or
were brought by the adults. The supporting tree was c.30 cm in diameter at breast
height and c.15 m high. A 3-m-wide road passed immediately adjacent to the nest
on one side, and terrain on the other sloped into dense, tangled second growth.
Adults flushed from the nest when observers were c.6-10 m away and flew
immediately into the dense vegetation, hopping from perch to perch making the
high-pitched alarm call (keeeeeee-uk!) described by Hilty & Brown (1986). After a
few minutes they would quietly leave the area.

On 20 August a video camera was placed on a tripod 4 m from the nest.
Unfortunately, the nest location was such that tapes could not be changed without
flushing the adult from the nest. The nest was filmed from 0915 h to 1715 h on 20

Harold F- Greeney 115 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

August and from 0545 h to 1815 h on the three subsequent days. I was unable to
determine if both sexes incubated. Generally, the adult on the nest sat very still,
occasionally peering about with jerky movements of the head. Periodically it would
stand and lower its head into the nest, gently drawing its head backwards, which
was likely a turning of the eggs. During these brief periods while it was standing,
the adult would also occasionally peck sharply into the nest or arrange a stick
briefly. On several occasions, while its head was out of sight in the nest, the adults’
whole body was seen to vibrate. I interpret this behaviour as the ‘tremble thrusting’
or ‘rapid probing’ described by previous authors (Dobbs ef a/. 2003, Haftorn 1994,
Greeney 2004), which is likely a method of parasite removal or possibly egg
turning.

On 20 August, after being flushed while the camera was set up at 0915 h, an
adult did not return to the nest until 1415 h. This adult remained on the nest for three
hours until the camera was taken down. During the subsequent three days of
filming, I could discern no apparent pattern in the rhythm of adult attendance. The
first break off the nest (off-bout hereafter) occurred around 0600 h, and the final
sitting on the nest (on-bout hereafter) for the night was initiated between 1710 h and
1810 h. Only four complete on-bouts and four complete off-bouts were recorded.
Complete on-bouts averaged (+SD) 86.1 + 73.4 minutes and complete off-bouts
averaged 87.5 + 121.0 minutes. Otherwise, including on and off-bouts interrupted
or initiated by tape changes, on-bouts averages per day ranged from 79.6 + 47.3
minutes on 21 August to 133.3 + 34.9 minutes on 22 August. Average off-bouts for
the day ranged from 78.5 + 81.1 minutes on 22 August to 107.6 + 110.9 minutes on
21 August. Total coverage of the eggs from 0600 h to 1800 h was 34.1%, 40.2%,
56.4% and 49.9% for each of the days. The longest off-bout was on 20 August for
310 minutes, but each day included a period of at least 189 minutes.

Discussion

Whilst the changing of cassettes (three times per day) flushed the incubating adult,
and this effected the observed numbers, the overall pattern of incubation was so
arhythmic that it is hard to ascertain the effect, if any, on natural incubation
rhythms. It is more likely that the eggs had been recently laid and regular rhythms
had not yet commenced. The eggs observed here are of similar size to those
measured by Sclater & Salvin (1879) from central Colombia, presumably of the
subspecies goudotii following distributions given by Delacour & Amadon (1973).
Notwithstanding having worked at an east Ecuadorian Andes site for over four
years, I have not yet encountered a nest of the Sickle-winged Guan (tschudii),
despite the species’ abundance there. This suggests that the nest studied here may
be abnormally low or may reflect natural history differences between the two
subspecies. I encourage others to report observations that would further elucidate
reasons for this possible difference.

Harold F- Greeney 116 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Don Miguel Falaero and Dofia Esperanza Falaero for generously allowing access to their
private reserve. For continued support of studies in the area and for logistical assistance and company I
thank Mariella Tenorio and Tom Quesenbury and the staff of El Monte Lodge. D. M. Brooks provided
useful comments on an earlier version of this manuscript. The study was coordinated and supported by
Lori & Juan Miguel Espinoza of the Andean Studies Program, and by Peter Wetherwax and Tom Walla.
Ruth Anne & John V. Moore generously support my studies through donations to the Population Biology
Foundation. The PBNHS continues to aid and inspire all of my natural history work. This is publication
no. 29 of the Yanayacu Natural History Research Group.

References:

Delacour, J. & Amadon, D. 1973. Curassows and related birds. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., New York.

del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. & Sargatal, J. (eds.). 1994. Handbook of the birds of the world, vol. 2. Lynx
Edicions, Barcelona.

Dobbs, R. C., Martin, P. R., Batista, C., Montag, H. & Greeney, H. F. 2003. Notes on egg-laying, incu-
bation, and nestling care in the Scaled Antpitta Grallaria guatimalensis. Cotinga 19: 65—70.

Greeney, H. F. 2004. Breeding behavior of the Bicolored Antvireo (Dysithamnus occidentalis). Orn.
Neotrop. 15: 349-356.

Haftorn, S. 1994. The act of tremble-thrusting in tit nests, performance and possible functions. Fauna
Norv. Ser. C, Cinclus 17: 55—74.

Hilty, S. L. & Brown, W. L. 1986. A guide to the birds of Colombia. Princeton Univ. Press.

Ridgely, R. S. & Greenfield, P. J. 2001. The birds of Ecuador. Cornell Univ. Press, Ithaca, NY.

Sclater, P. L. & Salvin, O. 1879. On the birds collected by the late Mr. T. K. Salmon in the state of
Antioquia, United States of Colombia. Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1879: 486-550.

Address: Yanayacu Biological Station & Center for Creative Studies, Cosanga, Napo Province, Ecuador,
c/o 721 Foch y Amazonas, Quito, Ecuador, e-mail: revmmoss@yahoo.com

© British Ornithologists’ Club 2005

The types of nightjars (Caprimulgidae)
described by Sir Andrew Smith in the
Illustrations of the zoology of South Africa

by Nigel Cleere

Received 23 April 2004

Some of the earliest and most important explorations of the avifauna of southern
Africa were undertaken by Dr (later Sir) Andrew Smith’s expeditions between 1828
and 1829, 1832 and between 1834 and 1836 (Kirby 1965). Most of the new birds
discovered during the latter expedition were described in a report to subscribers,
although no nightjars were included (Smith 1836), and many of Smith’s specimens
were later sold at auction in London (Salvin 1880). Unfortunately, records of the
dispersal of Smith’s specimens were destroyed during the Second World War (Kirby
1965).

Nigel Cleere 117 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

Smith (1845) described three new species of nightjar, Caprimulgus natalensis,
Caprimulgus rufigena and Caprimulgus lentiginosus (now = Caprimulgus tristig-
ma lentiginosus). They featured on plates 99-102 with accompanying text, in part
22 of the ///ustrations of the zoology of South Africa, which appeared in March
1845 (Waterhouse 1880, Barnard 1950). In this work, Smith added footnotes to his
descriptions, stating how many specimens he had in his possession and the locali-
ties or regions in which they had been collected.

Many of Smith’s specimens, including a type of C. natalensis, were apparently
sold to the British Museum (Sharpe 1906). However, the museum’s registers list
single types of C. natalensis, C. rufigena and C. lentiginosus as having been pre-
sented to the museum by Smith and their registration numbers suggest that they
were received in 1848. The destination of Smith’s remaining nightjar types does not
appear to have been documented at the time of their dispersal. Salvin (1880) noted
that some of Smith’s South African specimens were prepared by the Verreaux broth-
ers and were identifiable by their somewhat flattened posture and by a numbered
brown paper label attached to one of the legs. However, Sharpe (1906) stated that
Smith’s collections were mounted and prepared by Jules & Alexis Verreaux.

Published type catalogues (Stone 1899, Warren 1966, van den Hoek Ostende et
al. 1997) reveal that the locations of Smith’s nightjar types are uncertain, and thus
I now examine the issue in more detail.

Materials and methods

I visited most of the major natural history museums in Europe and North America
and carefully examined all specimens of Caprimulgus natalensis, Caprimulgus
rufigena and Caprimulgus lentiginosus. | compared their data with the literature,
museum registers and archive material where available. In the text, the following
acronyms are used: The Natural History Museum (formerly The British Museum of
Natural History), Tring, UK (BMNH); The Academy of Natural Sciences,
Philadelphia, USA (ANSP) and the National Museum of Natural History, Leiden,
Holland (RMNH).

Caprimulgus natalensis
In Smith (1845), a male was illustrated on plate 99 and a description was provided
in the accompanying text. Smith also noted the colours of the female as being sim-
ilar to those of the male but not so deep or so bright. In a footnote, Smith revealed
that the two specimens that he had in his possession were the only birds that he had
seen and that they had been shot at dusk in the vicinity of Port Natal (now Durban).
Smith visited Port Natal in 1832 (Clancey 1964, Kirby 1965).

Hartert (1892) listed two specimens, g and h, Port Natal, Sir A. Smith, as types
of the species, but both are given as males. In Warren (1966), one syntype is listed

Nigel Cleere 118 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

as BMNH 1848.3.31.1 (relaxed mount), an adult male near Port Natal collected and
presented by A. Smith, and the other syntype is recorded as being in the same col-
lection. This second specimen is BMNH 1846.10.24.6 (relaxed mount), an unsexed
adult (= female based on Cleere 1998), collected at Port Natal and purchased from
Argent, who was a dealer based in London (Sharpe 1906). Attached to the legs of
this second specimen are two labels. One is a small British Museum metal tag, num-
bered 46.10.24.6, and the other is a small, brown paper label with the number 63a.

Stone (1899) listed as a cotype (a term no longer recognised by the International
Commission of Zoological Nomenclature 1999) ANSP 21.884, a female from Port
Natal that was presented to the Academy by Dr T. B. Wilson and was formerly in
the Rivoli (Massena) collection, which was purchased in 1846. It had been marked
“Type de Smith’ by J. Verreaux and was numbered Verreaux 2826. Finally, van den
Hoek Ostende et al. (1997) listed RMNH 88383, an adult male collected Port Natal,
South Africa by J. A. Wahlberg, as the holotype.

Caprimulgus rufigena

In Smith (1845), a male was illustrated on plate 100 and a description was provid-
ed in the accompanying text. Smith also stated that the colours of the female were
unknown. In a footnote, he noted that he had procured six males during his resi-
dence in South Africa, but no females, and that the species was chiefly found in the
eastern districts of the colony.

Hartert (1892) listed two adult males, specimens z and a, that had been collect-
ed at Cape of Good Hope by Sir A. Smith, but failed to record either as types. In
Warren (1966), one syntype is listed as BMNH 1838.3.13.3, adult male (relaxed
mount), Cape of Good Hope, collected and presented by A. Smith. She also noted
that four of the six syntypes were in the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia.
The registration number is an error, the number actually being 1848.3.13.3.

Stone (1899) listed four cotypes (see above) as ANSP 21.830, male, Cape of
Good Hope; ANSP 21.831, female, Cape of Good Hope; ANSP 21.834, juvenile
male, Cape of Good Hope; and ANSP 21.835, male, Cape of Good Hope. All were
presented to the Academy by Dr T. B. Wilson and were formerly in the Rivoli
(Massena) collection. They were all marked ‘Type de Smith’ by J. Verreaux.

Caprimulgus lentiginosus
In Smith (1845), a female was illustrated on plate 101 of ///ustrations of the zoolo-
gy of South Africa and a description was provided in the accompanying text. Smith
also stated that the colours of the male were unknown. In his footnote, he confirmed
that only two individuals were in his possession and that they had been procured in
Great Namaqualand. Smith travelled to Great Namaqualand in 1828 (Kirby 1965).
Hartert (1892) listed specimen c, an adult female collected in South Africa by
Sir A. Smith as a type of the species. In Warren (1966), one syntype is listed as

Nigel Cleere 119 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

BMNH 1848.3.31.2, adult female, Great Namaqualand 1834—1836, collected and
presented by A. Smith. She also noted that the other syntype was in the Academy
of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia. The date given by Warren is obviously an error
and should be 1828.

Stone (1899) listed as a cotype (see above) ANSP 21.839, a female from Cape
of Good Hope that was presented to the Academy by Dr T. B. Wilson and was for-
merly in the Rivoli (Massena) collection. It had been marked ‘Type de Smith’ by J.
Verreaux and was numbered Verreaux 2889.

Discussion

It is clear from the above data that some of the specimens do not agree well with
the descriptions given by Smith (1845), that there are more specimens of C. natal-
ensis published as types than Smith actually collected. Determination of Smith’s
nightjar types is further hampered by the lack of adequate data accompanying some
of the specimens.

It seems reasonable to assume that, where appropriate, specimens collected by
Smith and presented by him to The Natural History Museum are genuine types, and
a single specimen of each nightjar has been registered as such (Warren 1966). These
specimens were erroneously listed as having been purchased and their registration
numbers were given as 1848.3.21.1—3 instead of 1848.3.31.1—-3 (Sharpe 1906).
Most of Smith’s nightjar types, however, were reported to be in The Academy of
Natural Sciences, Philadelphia (Stone 1899). They had been marked ‘Type de
Smith’ by Jules Verreaux and were in the Rivoli (Massena) collection when it was
purchased by Dr T. B. Wilson in 1846 and presented to the Academy. It is known
that when some of the early French collectors annotated their specimens with the
word type, they simply meant that it was typical of the species, but ‘Type de Smith’
may suggest an actual type. In the catalogue of the Rivoli collection, none of
Smith’s new nightjars is listed by name, although the section on Caprimulgus fin-
ishes with ‘Plus 45 individus formant 19 espéces indéterminées ou inédites de
diverses localités’ (Verreaux 1846). Verreaux was in South Africa at the same time
as Smith and, indeed, assumed from him responsibility of the collections in the
South African Museum in Cape Town.

Although Smith described C. natalensis from two specimens, a male and
female, there are four listed in published type catalogues (Stone 1899, Warren 1966,
van den Hoek Ostende et al. 1997). Of the two ‘types’ deposited in The Natural
History Museum, BMNH 1848.3.31.1 was collected and presented by Smith and
therefore appears to be the male syntype. The second specimen, BMNH
1846.10.24.6 is of less certain provenance and it remains unknown as to how the
London dealer Argent came by this specimen or why the museum considered it a
type. It is unsexed but appears to be a female. If this specimen is not the female syn-

Nigel Cleere 120 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

type, then perhaps the validity of ANSP 21.884 in The Academy of Natural
Sciences, Philadelphia, is supported. The specimen deposited in the National
Museum of Natural History, Leiden, RMNH 88383, is clearly not the holotype and
no reason is given as to why it is considered a type. This specimen came from the
Swedish collector J. A. Wahlberg who visited Natal in 1839 (Clancey 1964), and
the inclusion of this specimen in a type catalogue is therefore erroneous. A final
point of interest may concern a mounted specimen held in the collection of the
Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris, received from J. Verreaux, possibly
in 1837. It is a female with an old catalogue number, 5261, that was collected at
Port Natal (Cap. B. Esperance), but it is not marked as a type and it is impossible
to confirm its origin.

Smith based his description of C. rufigena on six males collected in South
Africa, although precise localities were not given. As mentioned above, the male
specimen BMNH 1848.3.13.3, collected by Smith and presented by him to The
Natural History Museum, would appear to one of the types. There is a second spec-
imen in the museum that was collected and presented by Smith, but which was not
recognised as a type by either Hartert (1892) or Warren (1966). This specimen is
BMNH 1863.3.10.11, an adult male collected at the Cape of Good Hope. One of the
labels attached to this specimen is cardboard, elongated and octagonal, and is sim-
ilar to a label attached to the type of C. lentiginosus (see below). On one side, it has
the number 1, Caprimulgus, male, and is hand-coloured blue at one end. It seems
likely that this specimen is also one of Smith’s six types. Examination of the four
‘types’ in The Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, reveals that original
labels are no longer attached to the specimens and only two males, ANSP 21830
and ANSP 21835, are noted as originating from Verreaux and have his number
2810. The status of the remaining two ‘types’ is questionable. ANSP 21834 is an
immature male and ANSP 21831 is labelled as a female, but may be an immature
male, and both therefore differ from the description given by Smith. Two other
specimens, ANSP 21832 and ANSP 21897, arrived with the Rivoli (Massena) col-
lection, but neither are types.

Smith described C. lentiginosus from two females collected in Great
Namaqualand. As mentioned above, the female specimen BMNH 1848.3.31.2, col-
lected by Smith and presented by him to The Natural History Museum, would
appear to one of the types. In addition to two modern British museum labels
attached to this specimen, there is an elongated, octagonal, cardboard label, which
is similar to that attached to the specimen of C. rufigena BMNH 1863.3.10.11 (see
above). The second ‘type’, ANSP 21.839, is more problematic. It was originally in
the Rivoli (Massena) collection and was marked by Verreaux as ‘Type de Smith’,
but it is labelled as having been collected at the Cape of Good Hope rather than
Great Namaqualand.

Nigel Cleere 121 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

I have been unable to locate any other ‘Smith’ nightjar specimens and suggest
that a more accurate treatment of his nightjar types could be listed below (see
appendix). It may also be of interest to confirm that I have not found any of Smith’s
specimens of Caprimulgus europaeus or C. pectoralis (Smith 1837, 1845, Kirby
1939, 1940).

Acknowledgements

For all their assistance, I thank Robert Prys-Jones, Michael Walters and Mark Adams (The Natural
History Museum, Tring); René Dekker (Nationaal Natuurhistorisch Museum, Leiden, Netherlands); Eric
Pasquet (Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris); and Leo Joseph and Nathan Rice (Academy of
Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, USA). For assisting my literature searches, I thank Alison Harding and
Effie Warr at The Natural History Museum, Tring, all of the staff at The Natural History Museum, South
Kensington, and Linda Birch at the Alexander Library, Edward Grey Institute, Oxford.

References:

Barnard, K. H. 1950. The dates of issue of the “Illustrations of the zoology of South Africa” and the
“Marine investigations in South Africa”. J. Soc. Bibl. Nat. Hist. 2 (6): 187-189.

Clancey, P. A. 1964. The birds of Natal and Zululand. Oliver & Boyd, Edinburgh.

Cleere, N. 1998. Nightjars. A guide to nightjars and related nightbirds. Pica Press, Robertsbridge.

Hartert, E. 1892. Catalogue of the birds in the British Museum, vol. 16. British Museum, London.

International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature. 1999. International code of zoological nomen-
clature. Fourth edn. The International Trust for Zoological Nomenclature, The Natural History

~ Museum, London.

Kirby, P. R. (ed.) 1939. The diary of Dr Andrew Smith, director of the “Expedition for exploring Central
Africa” 1834-1836, vol. 1. The Van Riebeeck Society, Cape Town.

Kirby, P. R. (ed.) 1940. The diary of Dr Andrew Smith, director of the “Expedition for exploring Central
Africa” 1834-1836, vol. 2. The Van Riebeeck Society, Cape Town.

Kirby, P. R. 1965. Sir Andrew Smith, M.D., K.C.B. His life, letters and works. A. A. Balkema, Cape
Town.

Salvin, O. (ed.) 1880. Sir Andrew Smith's miscellaneous ornithological papers. The Willughby Society,
London.

Sharpe, R. B. 1906. The history of the collections contained in the natural history departments of the
British Museum, vol. 2. Trustees of the British Museum, London.

Smith, A. 1836. Report of the expedition for exploring central Africa from the Cape of Good Hope. June
23, 1834, under the superintendence of Dr. A. Smith, vols. 1-8. Cape Town.

Smith, A. 1837. A catalogue of the South African Museum now exhibiting in the Egyptian Hall,
Piccadilly. Smith, Elder & Co., London.

Smith, A. 1845. J//ustrations of the zoology of South Africa; consisting chiefly of figures and descrip-
tions of the objects of natural history collected during an expedition into the interior of South Africa
in the years 1834, 1835 and 1836; fitted out by ‘The Cape of Good Hope Association for exploring
central Africa, vol. 2. Smith, Elder & Co., London.

Stone, W. 1899. A study of the type specimens of birds in the collection of the Academy of Natural
Sciences of Philadelphia, with a brief history of the collection. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia
51: 5-62.

van den Hoek Ostende, L. W., Dekker, R. W. R. J. & Keijl, G. O. 1997. Type-specimens of birds in the
National Museum of Natural History, Leiden. Part 1. Non-passerines. NNM Tech. Bull. 1: 1-248.

Verreaux, J. P. 1846. Catalogue de la magnifique collection d’oiseaux de M. le Prince d’Essling, Duc de
Rivoli. Schneider & Langrand, Paris.

Nigel Cleere 122 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

Warren, R. L. M. 1966. Type-specimens of birds in the British Museum (Natural History), vol. 1.
Trustees of the British Museum (Nat. Hist.), London.

Waterhouse, F. H. 1880. On the dates of publication of the parts of Sir Andrew Smith’s ‘Illustrations of
the zoology of South Africa’. Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1880: 489-491.

Address: The Bird Group, Dept. of Zoology, The Natural History Museum, Akeman Street, Tring, Herts.
HP23 6AP, UK, e-mail: cleere@churr.freeserve.co.uk

APPENDIX
Accepted types
BMNH1848.3.31.1 Caprimulgus natalensis male Port Natal 1832 leg. Smith
BMNH1948.3.31.2 Caprimulgus lentiginosus female Great Namaqualand 1828 leg Smith
BMNH1848.3.13.3 Caprimulgus rufigena male Cape of Good Hope leg. Smith
BMNH1863.3.10.11 = Caprimulgus rufigena male Cape of Good Hope leg. Smith
Doubtful types
BMNH1846.10.24.6 = Caprimulgus natalensis female Port Natal Argent
ANSP21.884 Caprimulgus natalensis female Port Natal Verreaux 2826
ANSP21.830 Caprimulgus rufigena male Cape of Good Hope Verreaux 2810
ANSP21.835 Caprimulgus rufigena male Cape of Good Hope Verreaux 2810
ANSP21.839 Caprimulgus lentiginosus female Cape of Good Hope Verreaux
Rejected types
RMNH88383 Caprimulgus natalensis male Port Natal leg. Wahlberg
ANSP21.831 Caprimulgus rufigena female? Cape of Good Hope Verreaux
ANSP21.834 Caprimulgus rufigena imm. male Cape of Good Hope Verreaux

© British Ornithologists’ Club 2005

The voice and bill length of Karamoja Apalis
Apalis Raramojae are atypical of the genus

by Philip Shaw, Elias Mungaya, Njano Mbiliny &
Maneno Mbilinyi

Received 5 May 2004

Karamoja Apalis Apalis karamojae is a globally threatened (Vulnerable), restricted-
range warbler (BirdLife International 2000, Stattersfield et al. 1998), discovered in
Karamoja District, Uganda, in 1919, and in Tabora Region, Tanzania, in 1961
(Collar & Stuart 1985). The latter population has been recognised subspecifically,
as A. k. stronachi (Stuart & Collar 1985).

In Tanzania, the species’ main stronghold is thought to le in the Wembere
Steppe, an area of seasonally inundated grassland on the border between Tabora and
Singida regions (Collar & Stuart 1985). Since the early 1990s the species has also

Philip Shaw et al. 123 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

been recorded in Serengeti National Park and adjoining protected areas, over 100
km further north. In 1993, D. Moyer encountered several groups in the Serengeti,
and has suggested that its behaviour and voice more closely resemble those of a
prinia than an apalis (D. Moyer in /itt. 2004). The taxonomy of A. karamojae has
received scant attention, however, and most aspects of its behaviour and ecology,
including its voice and diet, are undescribed (Urban ef a/. 1997). A single nest with
eggs has recently been found, but has yet to be formally described (N. E. & L. M.
Baker in /itt. 2004). Here, we present the first description of the species’ voice, and
compare its biometrics with those of other apalises. We demonstrate that its song
and bill length differ markedly from those of its congeners, and suggest that its
inclusion in Apalis merits further investigation.

Methods

As part of a study of the status and habitat of Karamoja Apalis in Wembere Steppe,
18 individuals were ringed at four sites in July 2003: near Igunga (33°54’E, 04°18’S
and 33°46’E, 04°18’S), Itumba (33°53’E, 04°34’S) and Mwalala (33°56’E, 04°24’S)
(Shaw et al. 2004). Wing (flattened chord), tarsus (intertarsal joint to the last
complete scale before the toes diverge), tail (base to the longest rectrice) and bill
length (bill tip to the base of the skull) of 17 individuals were recorded. Weights
were taken using a 50-g Pesola balance, accurate to 0.5 g. Eight individuals were
tentatively sexed as male and four as female, based on the amount of grey on the
breast (Stuart & Collar 1985). Wing and tail lengths of Karamoja Apalis were
compared with those of males of 20 other apalis species, taken from Urban et al.
(1997). As tail length within the genus appears to be proportionately longer in forest
canopy-dwelling species, all other apalis species were first classified according to
the vegetation strata with which they are mainly associated, based on Urban ef al.
(1997), comments from F. Dowsett-Lemaire (in /itt. 2004) and personal
observations. Each was assigned to one of the following categories: forest-canopy
species (A. jacksoni, chariessa, nigriceps, chirindensis, porphyrolaema, chapini,
sharpii, rufogularis, cinerea, alticola); those occurring mainly in mid or lower
strata (A. thoracica, pulchra, ruwenzorii, binotata, personata); and those occurring
in a wide range of strata (A. ruddi, flavida, melanocephala, bamendae, goslingi).

Voice descriptions presented below are based on encounters with at least 73
adult Karamoja Apalis and 39 recorded song sequences, involving eight pairs. As
the majority of recorded sequences were prompted by playback, this small, non-
independent sample may not be representative of the study population as a whole,
but provides an indication of the character and variability of the species’ song. The
recorded sample did not appear to differ qualitatively from spontaneous song
sequences heard in the field. Recordings were made using a Sony Professional
Walkman cassette tape-recorder, with Sennheiser ME66 directional microphone.
Sonograms were produced using Avisoft-SASLab Pro Version 3.95c.

Philip Shaw et al. 124 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

Results

Voice
Song.—Karamoja Apalises typically sang from near the top of Acacia
drepanolobium trees, at a height of c.2-3 m. Pair members perched prominently,
usually less than | m apart, and were sometimes accompanied by 1—2 juveniles.
Song consisted of a series of musical, fluid phrases, each comprising 2—5
(commonly four) notes. Singing pairs were audible over distances of up to c.200 m.
The song is a rapid, well-synchronised, antiphonal duet (Fig. 1), each member
of the pair producing alternate notes. This was confirmed on several occasions
when members of a singing pair were widely separated or when individuals sang
alone leaving ‘gaps’ normally filled by their partner (Fig. 1b). One lone bird sang
at a rate of 1.3 notes second’, compared with a rate of 2.7-3.2 notes per second"!
for duetting pairs (n=5 spectrograms). Duets were occasionally preceded by 3+4 tui
notes given by one bird, which may have helped synchronise the pair. In two cases,
where colour-ringed pairs were closely observed, the song was initiated by the male
(see above).

(b)

Frequency (Hz)
Frequency (Hz)

Time (s)

Frequency (Hz)

Figure 1. Sonograms of Karamoja Apalis Apalis karamojae song types. Each note has been given an
arbitrary letter identifier. a) A typical duet, showing the contribution made by each pair member. Notes
‘A’ and ‘C’ are thought to have been produced by the male. b) Song produced by one individual, in the
temporary absence of its partner. c) Duet in which the note ‘B’ is substituted with ‘E’. d) A duet similar
in structure to ‘a’ (four-note phrases), but consisting of different notes. e) The same song type as in ‘d’,
but tailing off with a repetition of two notes.

Philip Shaw et al. 125 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

Sonograms produced from 11 song sequences contained a combined repertoire
of 12—13 mainly piping or whistling notes, some with a downward slur. Phrases
were usually repeated several times and varied markedly (Fig. 1). Examples
included: dway tow tee tow tee, wee way toi tuu, wee wee tee way, wee way wee tuu,
toi way wee tuu. Recorded songs lasted 6—71 seconds (median: 32 seconds, n=39),
each sequence consisting of up to five phrases (median: 3). In most cases, a phrase
was repeated for c.10—20 seconds before being replaced or alternated with another.
The number of different phrases given showed an approximately linear increase
with the length of the song sequence (Fig. 2), such that songs lasting longer than 30
seconds contained a mean 3.5 different phrases, compared with a mean 2.4 phrases
in shorter sequences. Usually, 1-2 phrases predominated. Sonograms of two songs
contained seven different phrases, two of which accounted for 84% of the song.

Contact/alarm calls.—Individuals occasionally gave an intense, rasping jirrrrr
Jirrrrrr (Fig. 3a) while being handled. At other times a soft, rapid we we we we...
or dwe dwe dwe dwe ...(5—6 notes second') was given when foraging birds were
approached closely, or immediately after their release (Fig. 3b). The same note,
given 2—3 times, appeared to be used as a contact call between foraging pair
members.

Begging call.—Several groups contained fledged offspring which begged
persistently, giving a rapid ‘chit-chit-chit ... chit-chit-chit-chit’ (3-4 notes second-')
(Fig. 3c). This was replaced with a brief, rasping call when adults approached with
food.

Biometrics

The wing, tail and tarsus measurements of 17 Karamoja Apalises examined in this
study were similar to those of four A. k. stronachi specimens studied by Stuart &
Collar (1985) (Table 1), who noted that whilst measurements of stronachi exceeded

6 >

5 e 8
44 i) co) ee @ of e
o
‘
=. 3 J e we eee ew @ e
2?)
= '
S 2 4 e e@scece ee

14 es 8

0 20. 20a 30. 40.050) . 60. . £0 ». SO

Duration (s)

Figure 2. The relationship between song duration and the number of different types of song phrase used
(n=39 recorded song sequences).

Philip Shaw et al. 126 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

(a) Wing beats (b)

= =

= 2 8

5 =

& Bucs

= o

£ Ss aa iT ; 2 ATR
o E dart a! 4 i :
2 ceeerer ae HE OS ee E ee eS oe eee
rate LARA APR A nnn alanaac

Ripe BOgiiiii cc, —
Time (s) 1 2 3
Time (s)

—
lo)
—

Frequency (Hz)

Time (s)

Figure 3. Sonograms of: a) intense alarm call by adult while being handled; b) contact or alarm call, here
given by two birds released in succession; c) begging notes of two juveniles.

those of the nominate, differences between the two races were not statistically
significant, perhaps due to the small sample size available. When measurements of
A. k. stronachi from the two studies were pooled, the Tanzanian race (n=21
individuals) was indeed found to be significantly larger than the nominate race
(n=3: Stuart & Collar 1985), in terms of wing length (Mann-Whitney U;, = 2.00,
p=0.007) and tail length (Mann-Whitney U,,, = 3.00, p=0.042), but not tarsus
length (Table 1).

Whilst tail lengths of canopy-dwelling Apalis species were, on average, 10%
longer than their wing lengths (mean ratio of tail : wing length = 1.10:1; n=10
species), the converse was true of species associated with lower vegetation layers
(mean ratio = 0.90:1, n=5) (Mann-Whitney U;,, = 45.00, p=0.014). Those

TABLE 1
Biometrics of Karamoja Apalis Apalis karamojae; mean (range, 7).

Race Wing Tail Tarsus Bill Weight Sources
(mm) (mm) (mm) (mm) (g)

A. k. karamojae 49.7 45.0 17.8 16.4 9.0 Stuart & Collar
(49-50,3) (43-47,2) (17.0-19.1,3) (15.8-16.8, 3) (1) (1985)

A. k. stronachi 53.3 48.3 18.5 16.2 Stuart & Collar
(52-55,4) (47-50,4) (17.8-19.1,4) (15.3-16.7, 4) - (1985)

A. k. stronachi 52.4 49.7 18.2 16.3 92 this study
(50-54, 17) (46-52, 17) (17.2-19.5, 17) (15.4-17.3, 17) (8.0-10.5, 16)

A. k. stronachi 52.5 49.4 18.2 16.3 9.2 Stuart & Collar

(pooled data) (50-55,21) (46-52, 21) (17.2-19.5,21) (15.3-17.3, 21) (8.0-10.5, 16) (1985), this study

Both races ay 49.0 18.2 16.3 9.2 Stuart & Collar

combined (49-55, 24) (43-52, 23) (17.0-19.5, 24) (15.3-17.3, 24) (8.0-10.5,17) (1985), this study

Philip Shaw et al. 127 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

(a) (b)
85 - Ln
a .
— 75 5 £4 16 | 0
= S > °
£ iS |
= ey < *, Nis
ca K © ai a A if D> 144 ;
5 ‘ a Es = aie o | o .
= 5654 et ae = .° °
a o ie) fea) } ° ¢ °
- =
a ° 12 7 °
45 if A ° > o |
o = °
46 48 50 52 54 56 58 60 15 17 19 21 23
Wing length (mm) Tarsus length (mm)

Figure 4. Biometrics of (unsexed) Karamoja Apalis Apalis karamojae (CJ) in comparison with those of
its congeners. Other symbols each represent the mean value for males of one species. a) Mean tail length
in relation to wing length. A: canopy-dwelling species; @: species occurring within a range of strata;
©: mid or lower strata species. A linear regression model has been fitted in which Y = 0.956(X) + 3.410.
b) Mean bill length in relation to tarsus length.@: species other than Karamoja Apalis.

associated with a wide range of strata had wings and tails of equal length, on
average (mean ratio = 1.00:1, n=5). These findings reflect differences in tail lengths
(but not wing lengths) of canopy-dwelling and lower strata species (Mann-Whitney
Us 19 = 41.00, p=0.050). The ratio of tail : wing length in Karamoja Apalis was
0.95:1 (n=17 birds), and thus close to that of apalises associated with mid or lower
vegetation layers, most of which fell below a regression line relating tail to wing
length within the genus as a whole (Fig. 4a).

Mean bill length of Karamoja Apalis (16.3 mm, n=17; Table 1) exceeded that of
other apalis species (means of 11.0—15.5 mm; n=20 species: Urban et al. 1997),
particularly in relation to tarsus length, the ratio of bill : tarsus length being 0.90 in
Karamoja Apalis and 0.62—0.80 in other species (Fig. 4b).

Discussion

Karamoja Apalis produces a distinctive, complex antiphonal duet. In contrast, most
apalises produce simple, repetitive songs, in which the same note is repeated
persistently, usually at c.2-6 notes second. Although almost all apalises duet, the
sexes typically produce very different-sounding notes. Male Yellow-breasted Apalis
A. flavida flavocincta, for example, give a ‘rolling clicking call’, sometimes
accompanied by a crescendo of squeaks from the female (Lewis 1982). Similarly,
male Chapin’s Apalis A. chapini strausae produce a monotonous fje-tje te-tje,
whilst the female’s contribution, which is not always given, is a weak pee-pee
(Dowsett & Dowsett-Lemaire 1980, Dowsett-Lemaire 1986). In some species, the
female is much less strident or less persistent than the male, e.g. Rwenzori Apalis
A. (pulchra) ruwenzorii and Kungwe Apalis A. rufogularis argentea (Dowsett-
Lemaire 1990, Dowsett-Lemaire & Dowsett 1990).

Philip Shaw et al. 128 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

In contrast, male and female Black-throated Apalis 4. jacksoni give similar or
identical notes, which, in most populations, are delivered at differing rates, so that
partners alternately fall into and out of synchrony (Dowsett-Lemaire 1990, Urban
et al. 1997). Pairs of White-winged Apalis 4. chariessa also produce very similar-
sounding notes, delivered as a well-synchronised, antiphonal duet. Of all the other
apalises, the song of White-winged perhaps most closely resembles that of
Karamoja, but is much simpler, consisting of the same two notes repeated: tee-lu
dee-lu tee-lu dee-lu (Dowsett-Lemaire 1989). Karamoja Apalis would therefore
appear to be the only species in its genus to produce a complex antiphonal duet,
consisting of repeated but varied song phrases, typically containing 4-5 different
notes. Furthermore, the delivery, by pairs or groups perched conspicuously on bush-
or treetop, seems more typical of some prinias (D. Moyer in Jitt.), particularly
White-chinned Prinia Schistolais leucopogon (pers. obs.).

Whilst the ratio of tail : wing length in Karamoja Apalis is close to that of Apalis
species associated with mid or lower vegetation layers, its bill is markedly longer
than that of its congeners, particularly in relation to tarsus size. This may represent
an adaptation for foraging amongst the long spines and pseudo-galls characteristic
of Acacia drepanolobium, with which the apalis is almost exclusively associated in
the Wembere Steppe (Shaw et al. 2004). The species also differs from its congeners
in terms of habitat. Of the 20 other apalis species recognised by Urban et al. (1997),
most occur largely or exclusively in rainforest. Only two, Bar-throated Apalis A.
thoracica and Yellow-breasted Apalis, are widespread in non-forest as well as forest
habitats, occupying woodland, thicket and scrub (Urban et al. 1997). Karamoja
Apalis is unique within the genus in being apparently confined to semi-arid scrub
(Urban et al. 1997, Shaw et al. 2004).

Given that the species differs markedly from its congeners in voice, bill length
and habitat, its inclusion within Apalis appears worthy of re-analysis. At least four
warbler species once placed in the genus have been re-assigned to different genera,
as their ecology and behaviour have become better known (Black-headed Rufous
Warbler Bathmocercus cerviniventris, Red-fronted Warbler Urohipis rufifrons,
Moreau’s Tailorbird Artisornis moreaui and White-tailed Warbler Poliolais lopesi:
Urban et al. 1997). A comparison between the nest structure and DNA of Karamoja
Apalis, and those of its congeners and members of similar genera (e.g. Prinia and
Schistolais), may resolve the species’ taxonomic position.

Acknowledgements

This study would not have been possible without support from the Rufford Foundation and the British
Ornithologists’ Union, for which we offer grateful thanks. We also thank the Tanzania Commission for
Science and Technology for permitting the study. Neil & Liz Baker played a crucial role, giving
generously of their time and hospitality. Richard Ranft and Nadine Svoboda of the Wildlife Section,
British Library Sound Archive, kindly loaned sound-recording equipment for the study. We thank
Francoise Dowsett-Lemaire for detailed comments on apalis duets and vegetation strata, and on a draft
of this paper. We also thank Paul Buckley, David Moyer, Des Thompson and Hugo Rainey for additional
comments or support, and Joseph Mackubi, and Martin & Juma Augustine Ngoy for their
companionship in the field. Hagai Zvulun provided help and advice on equipping the survey.

Philip Shaw et al. 129 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

References:

BirdLife International. 2000. Threatened birds of the world. BirdLife International, Cambridge, UK &
Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.

Collar, N. J. & Stuart, S. N. 1985. Threatened birds of Africa and related islands. International Council
for Bird Preservation, Cambridge, UK.

Dowsett-Lemaire, F. 1986. Vocal variations in the two forest apalises of eastern Africa, Apalis (porphy-
rolaema) chapini and A. melanocephala. Scopus 10: 92-98.

Dowsett-Lemaire, F. 1989. Ecological and biogeographical aspects of forest bird communities in
Malawi. Scopus 13: 1-80.

Dowsett-Lemaire, F. 1990. Eco-ethology, distribution and status of Nyungwe Forest birds (Rwanda).
Tauraco Res. Rep. 3: 31-85.

Dowsett-Lemaire, F. & Dowsett, R. J. 1980. The systematic status of some Zambian birds. Gerfaut 70:
151-199.

Dowsett-Lemaire, F. & Dowsett, R. J. 1990. Zoogeography and taxonomic relationships of the forest
birds of the Albertine Rift Afromontane region. Tauraco Res. Rep. 3: 87-109.

Lewis, A. D. 1982. Form and function of the duetting of the Yellow-breasted Apalis Apalis flavida.
Scopus 6: 95-100.

Shaw, P., Mungaya, E., Mbilinyi, N. & Mbilinyi, M. 2004. The status and habitat of Karamoja Apalis
Apalis karamojae in the Wembere Steppe, Sukumaland, Tanzania, 2003. Unpubl. report to Wildlife
Conservation Society of Tanzania, Dar es Salaam.

Stattersfield, A. J., Crosby, M. J., Long, A. J. & Wege, D. C. 1998. Endemic Bird Areas of the world:
priorities for biodiversity conservation. BirdLife International, Cambridge, UK.

Stuart, S. N. & Collar, N. J. 1985. Subspeciation in the Karamoja Apalis Apalis karamojae. Bull. Brit.
Orn. Cl. 105: 86-89.

Urban, E. K., Fry, C. H. & Keith, S. (eds.) 1997. The birds of Africa, vol. 5. Academic Press, London.

Addresses: Philip Shaw, Scottish Natural Heritage, Battleby, Redgorton, Perth PH! 3EW, UK, e-mail:
phil.shaw@snh.gov.uk. Elias Mungaya, Wildlife Conservation Society of Tanzania, P.O. Box
70919, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, e-mail: wcst@africaonline.co.tz. Njano Mbilinyi. Maneno
Mbilinyi, P.O. Box 9601, Moshi, Tanzania.

© British Ornithologists’ Club 2005

Observations on the breeding of Basileuterus
warblers in Ecuador

by Harold F Greeney, Paul R. Martin, Robert C. Dobbs,
Mitch Lysinger & Rudolphe A. Gelis

Received 13 May 2004

The genus Basileuterus contains 24 species ranging from Mexico and the south-
west USA to Bolivia, and reaches its greatest diversity in northern South America
(Curson et al. 1994). There are eight species in Ecuador (Ridgely & Greenfield
2001), four of which are sympatric in the part of eastern Ecuador studied here. Little
or nothing is known of the breeding habits of most of the genus, but described nests
all appear to be on or near the ground and are domed cups with a side entrance. Here

Harold F- Greeney et al. 130 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

TABLE |
Dry weight (grams) nest component data for Basileuterus warblers.

trifasciatus coronatus tristriatus

1° lining Soft orange tree fern fibres 0.0 0.0 1.69
Pale grass and plant fibres 0.29 6.73 0.0
Soft pale tree fern chips 6.21 0.0 0.0
Black rootlets 0.58 0.0 0.0
2° lining Coarse orange tree fern fibres 0.0 0.0 2.16
Moss 0.43 0.0 0.0
Pale grass and plant fibres 0.0 2.74 0.0
Black rootlets 0.0 0.10 0.0
3° lining Pale grass and plant fibres cae wE 6.96
Dome and body of nest Moss 3.69 7.40 6.87
Sticks and leaf petioles 1.29 2.14 0.78
Leaves 0.32 19.90 12.51
Black rootlets i= 0.84 4.03
Dark tree fern chips 0.0 0.04 0.0
Extra fine dirt and material 295 0.0 0.0
Totals 1735 ts 35.00

we summarise current knowledge on the breeding of, and present additional obser-
vations for, four of the eight species found in Ecuador.

Observations on Basileuterus nigrocristatus, B. coronatus and B. tristriatus
were made around Yanayacu Biological Station (00°35’S, 77°53°W) in Napo
province, eastern Ecuador at elevations ranging from 1,950 to 2,250 m. Cloud for-
est in the area is interspersed with cattle pastures and naturally occurring Chusquea
bamboo, but large tracts of intact forest remain.

Observations on B. trifasciata were made around the small town of Celica in
southern Ecuador’s Loja province. Most forest in this area has been cleared but
small tracts of disturbed forest remain as patches within cattle pasture. For a more
complete site description see Dobbs et al. (2001). Transcriptions and videos of this
species are deposited in the Yanayacu Video and Sound Library. |

ests were measured to the nearest 0.5 cm in most cases and to the nearest 0.1
cm for B. trifasciata. To ascertain the relative proportions of various materials used
in nest construction, nests were air dried for over three months. Following this they
were separated into their various components and weighed.

Species accounts

THREE-BANDED WARBLER Basileuterus trifasciata nitidior
This warbler is endemic to the Tumbesian region of north-west Peru and south-west
Ecuador (Fjeldsa & Krabbe 1990, Curson ef al. 1994), and in Ecuador is most com-

Harold F- Greeney et al. 131 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

mon in our study area near Celica (Ridgely & Greenfield 2001). Following recent
authors (e.g. Curson ef a/. 1994, Ridgley & Greenfield 2001), Three-banded
Warbler is considered to be represented by two subspecies, with nitidior in Ecuador.
Whilst Best (1992) reported singing birds and an active nest during the rainy sea-
son (January—March) in south-west Ecuador, the nest has never been formally
described and nothing is known of the species’ breeding biology.

The first nest was encountered on 13 February 2000 when an adult was flushed
from it and found to be incubating two eggs. On flushing, the bird performed a dis-
traction display by hopping on the ground with its wings held above its head. After
moving several metres in this fashion, it joined its mate, and both adults scolded the
observer from nearby underbrush. The two eggs were creamy pinkish white with
maroon-brown speckling heaviest at the larger end, and measured 17.68 mm by
13.39 mm and 17.70 mm by 13.95 mm respectively. On 23 February the nest was
found empty but seemingly intact.

On 2 March 2000 a second nest was found with a single egg identical to those
described above. On 3 March the nest was observed while the female laid the sec-
ond egg at 06.25 h. The female approached the nest chipping loudly while the male
sang c.3 m away. Incubation of the first egg had apparently not commenced, as it
was cold at the time of laying the second egg. No further observations were made
at this nest.

On 29 March 2001 a third nest was found containing two nestlings. On 31
March the nest was filmed from 07.00 h to 14.00 h. These videos were later tran-
scribed and we summarise the information here. The young had yellow gapes with
red mouth linings and begged horizontally from the nest opening. They often antic-
ipated the arrival of an adult by 1-2 seconds, particularly in late morning, and
begged irregularly in the absence of adults. In begging, nestlings emitted a thin,
high-pitched call. Adults did not enter the nest to feed the young, but perched just
below the entrance. They were always seen foraging together, and commonly fed
together in rapid succession. Thirty-seven percent of feedings were followed with-
in one minute by a feeding by the second adult. When feeding in succession adults
commonly fed different nestlings despite the fact that nestlings would rapidly swal-
low prey and resume begging. Adults spent only brief periods at the nest and no
rapid probing of the nest lining was seen as in other species at this site (e.g.
Grallaria guatamalensis: Dobbs et al. 2003).

During the seven hours of video observation, nestlings were fed 105 times
(range 8—20 feeds/h; mean 15 feeds/h). Adults most frequently arrived carrying a
single arthropod, the size of the bill or smaller. They fed only one nestling on 56 of
66 feeds where this behaviour was visible. Less frequently they arrived carrying
several prey items, which appeared to coincide with disturbances around the nest
during which adults continued to forage. While most food items could be identified
no more specifically than arthropods, twice adults were seen to feed a single katy-
did (Orthoptera, Tettigoniidae), once a walking stick (Phasmida), and once each a
lepidopteran larvae and an adult. If a nestling had difficulty in swallowing an item,

Harold F- Greeney et al. 132 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

adults would remove the prey and manipulate it before returning it to the same
nestling.

In seven hours, the adults removed eight faecal sacs. Before producing a faecal
sac, nestlings turned 180° and held their cloacas to the edge of the nest, where
adults took the faecal sac directly from the nestling. Occasionally the faecal sac
would fall, and the adult would retrieve it as it rolled down the front of the nest.

Of the three observed nests, two were on the ground nestled in low dirt banks
within disturbed habitats. The third, that videotaped, was beside a small boulder
roughly 2 m by 4.5 m by 1.5 m tall. This nest was c.65 cm above ground and con-
structed into the moss and ferns growing on the boulder. All nests were bulky
domed cups. The first two had no perceivable lip in front of the cup, whereas the
third had a 10 cm-wide lip extending 12.5 cm in front of the opening. The dimen-
sions of two nests were recorded. Respectively, the entire domed structures meas-
ured 12.5 cm and 11.2 cm tall, by 14.5 cm and 15.6 cm wide by 11.0 cm and 13.0
cm deep. The openings measured 3.3 cm and 3.2 cm deep, by 3.2 cm and 3.2 cm
tall by 5.6 cm and 6.4 cm wide. The chambers inside measured 8.0 cm and 7.5 cm
tall. The cup of one measured 5 cm by 5 cm and c.4 cm deep. That of the second
measured 5.8 cm by 6.2 cm and was 3.8 cm deep. In both nests the dome was of
small twigs, rootlets and moss woven together. The cup of one was lined solely with
very fine, pale dead grasses and the cup of the second was lined with these dead
grasses plus soft, pale tree fern chips and a few black rootlets. Closer inspection of
the second nest revealed a secondary lining of pure moss, but it was not well differ-
entiated from the components of the dome. This second nest, that beside the small
boulder, was collected after the young has fledged, and its components dried and
weighed. The entire nest weighed 17.35 g and the various component weights are
given in Table 1.

Additional observations for this species include adults with dependent fledg-
lings on 28 April 2000 and on 3 May 2001.

BLACK-CRESTED WARBLER Basileuterus nigrocristatus

This species 1s closely related to Citrine Warbler B. /uteoviridis and Pale-legged
Warbler B. signatus, but the taxonomic status of this group is unresolved (Curson
et al. 1994). Despite being distributed at 1,300—3,400 m, on both slopes of the
Andes, from northern Venezuela to central Peru (Hilty & Brown 1986), there is sur-
prisingly little morphological variation throughout Black-crested Warbler’s range,
and no subspecies or races have been described. Most published breeding data are
from Colombia: Sclater & Salvin (1879) provided a brief description of the nest and
egg; Hilty & Brown (1986) recorded birds in breeding condition in May—July and
three feathered nestlings in October; juveniles were reported in March, June, July,
October and January (Olivares 1969, Hilty & Brown 1986). Additionally, in
Ecuador, juveniles have been reported in February and May (Fjeldsa & Krabbe
1990, Curson et al. 1994) and breeding-condition birds and a nest with eggs in
October (Guerrero 1996). Guerrero (1996) described the nest as spherical with a

Harold F- Greeney et al. 133 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

side entrance, suspended in vegetation 80 cm above ground, and constructed of
thick plant fibres.

Our first nest found was found in mid-November 1996. It was spherical,
c.15 cm in diameter, with a side entrance and constructed predominantly of dried
grasses. It was located beside the trail in the Cordillera de Guacamayos, 5 km south-
east of Yanayacu Biological Station, at 2,250 m. Supported by living plants, it was
c.50 cm above ground. The nest contained a single egg with red-brown spotting.
Approximately one month earlier the same nest contained two nestlings (J. Nilsson
pers. comm.). It appears, therefore, that the same pair was attempting a second
brood. No further data were obtained from this nest.

Subsequently, on 20 May 2001, a second nest was encountered adjacent to a
trail on the privately owned preserve of Cabafias San Isidro at 2,200 m. It was sus-
pended within Chusquea sp. bamboo (Poaceae), c.1 m above ground. At 11.15 h on
20 May an adult was flushed from the nest and two white eggs with heavy dark red
spotting were discovered. The markings were heaviest at the larger end and formed
a distinct ring. They measured 20.8 mm by 14.3 mm and 20.5 mm by 14.3 mm
respectively. The nest appeared to be constructed entirely of interwoven, dead bam-
boo leaves and was domed, with a side entrance facing the trail (roughly north-
east). The cup measured 5 cm in diameter by 3 cm deep. Outside, the nest measured
15 cm tall by 15 cm wide with a 5—10-cm lip of bamboo leaves leading to the
entrance. The nest was visited again on 2 June and was found torn apart. While we
could not collect the nest, our initial observations appeared correct in that the nest
was almost entirely of bamboo leaves with perhaps a few black rootlets for struc-
tural support.

RUSSET-CROWNED WARBLER Basileuterus coronatus
Eight subspecies of this species are currently recognised, grouped into white-bel-
lied and yellow-bellied forms (Curson et al. 1994). B. c. orientalis is an intermedi-
ate form and is found in our study area (Ridgely & Greenfield 2001). Curson et al.
(1994) described the nest as ‘on a bank on the ground and...probably domed’ but
no published description appears to be available. Breeding-condition birds have
been reported in February—October in Colombia, and dependent young or juveniles
in Colombia in May—October and in Peru in February—August (Hilty & Brown
1986).

A nest of the species was found on 21 September 2001, near a stream adjacent
to the Yanayacu Biological Station, 5 km west of Cosanga, at 2,150 m. At 08.15 h
on the date of discovery, an adult was flushed from the nest and found to have been
incubating two eggs, which were pale pinkish buff with red-brown speckling con-
centrated at the larger end. They measured 21.3 mm by 15.0 mm and 21.4 mm by
15.2 mm respectively. On 30 September the nest was found empty but intact.

The nest was 8 m from a small stream in partially disturbed forest with an intact
canopy dominated by Vismia sp. (Clusiaceae), Bunchosia sp. (Malphigiaceae),
Nectandra spp. (Lauraceae) and Solanum sp. (Solanaceae). The understorey was

Harold F: Greeney et al. 134 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

fairly dense and dominated by Chusquea sp. (Poaceae) and various Piperaceae,
Solanaceae, Gesneriaceae and Urticaceae. The nest was a moss, stick and leaf ball
bound with fine black rootlets and nestled 5 cm above ground into the base of a tree
root mass. This root mass formed a bank rising c.50 cm to the main trunk. The ball
measured 14.5 cm wide by 20 cm tall with a 7-cm lip of leaves (predominantly
Chusquea sp.), twigs and moss, extending out from a small side entrance, 7 cm
wide by 4.5 cm tall, and opened into a chamber measuring 6 cm wide by 7.5 cm
tall. The cup was lined with pale grass, pale plant fibres and c.40 pale tree fern
scales. It measured 5 cm wide by 4 cm deep. On closer inspection, the cup was
noted as being formed of two distinct layers: the first (described above) was held
within a thinner cup of pale fibres interlaced with black rootlets. The entire dry
weight of the nest was 39.35 g and nest composition is given in Table 1.

THREE-STRIPED WARBLER Basileuterus tristriatus

This warbler occurs from Costa Rica to central Bolivia and was considered to com-
prise 13 subspecies by Curson et al. (1994). Three subspecies occur in Ecuador and
that in our region, baezae, is restricted to eastern Ecuador (Ridgely & Greenfield
2001). Nests are reportedly on the ground but have not been well described (Curson
et al. 1994). From Colombia, Hilty & Brown (1986) reported nests with eggs in
April—June, fledglings or juveniles in January—July and September—November, and
breeding-condition adults in May—July.

The only nest of this species was located at the edge of a cattle pasture along the
Baeza—Cosanga road at 1,950 m. It was on the ground against a 60-cm-high bank
and nestled within ferns growing from the bank. The dome was constructed of
moss, leaves and a few sticks bound together with a large number of fine black
rootlets. The cup comprised three distinct layers: the inner was entirely soft orange-
brown tree fern fibres, the middle was constructed of coarse fibres similar to those
of the primary lining, and the outer was of pale fibres and a few pieces of skele-
tonised leaves. The entire dry weight of the nest was 35 g and the various compo-
nent weights are given in Table 1. The nest was found during construction on 12
May 2001, was noted to contain two white eggs with dark reddish splotching on 27
May 2001, and was found empty and collected in late June.

Each of the four species studied here belongs to a different ‘group’ of warblers
within the genus Basileuterus, following Curson et al. (1994). The details of nest
architecture and nest component data presented here follow the established trend
for Basileuterus to construct bulky domed nests (Curson ef al. 1994). It is interest-
ing to note, however, that between these species, detailed architecture ranges con-
siderably. From the relatively simple nest, constructed of mostly or entirely a sin-
gle material and with no apparent differentiated lining, constructed by Black-crest-
ed Warbler, we see a trend of increasing complexity to the nest of Three-striped
Warbler which had three distinct cup linings and at least seven types of materials.

Harold F- Greeney et al. 135 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

Further natural history observations and detailed taxonomic work are needed to fur-
ther explore these findings.

As mentioned by Curson ef al. (1994), habitat conservation is a priority for
overall preservation of most species. The detailed nest component data presented
here reveal that, whilst like many Basi/euterus, these species breed in relatively dis-
turbed habitat, all except Black-crested Warbler included materials gathered from
plant species occurring within mature cloud forest (eg. tree fern scales). This obser-
vation points to a need for further detailed natural history studies of these and other
taxa to fully elucidate species’ habitat requirements, which may be critical for
development of appropriate conservation tactics.

Acknowledgements
As always, thanks to Carmen Bustamante for access to the Cabanas San Isidro private reserve. We thank
Jonas Nilsson for help in the field and for contributing unpublished observations. J. Curson helped to
improve an earlier version of this manuscript. For financial support we thank Ruth Ann & John V. Moore
for a donation via the Population Biology Foundation. To the PBNHS we owe an immense debt of grat-
itude for their unflagging support and generation of ideas and motivation. This is publication no. 14 of
the Yanayacu Natural History Research Group.

References:

Best, B. J. 1992. The threatened forests of south-west Ecuador. Biosphere Publications, Leeds.

Curson, J., Quinn, D. & Beadle, D. 1994. Warblers of the Americas: an identification guide. Houghton
Mifflin, New York.

Dobbs, R. C., Martin, P. R. & Kuehn, M. J. 2001. On the nest, eggs, nestlings and parental care in the
Scaled Antpitta (Grallaria guatemalensis). Orn. Neotrop. 12: 225-233.

Dobbs, R. C., Martin, P. R., Batista, C., Montag, H. & Greeney, H. F. 2003. Notes on egg laying, incu-
bation and nestling care in Scaled Antpitta Grallaria guatimalensis. Cotinga 19: 65-70.

Fjeldsa, J. & Krabbe, N. 1990. Birds of the high Andes. Zool. Mus., Univ. of Copenhagen & Apollo
Books, Svendborg.

Guerrero, F. T. 1996. Aves del bosque de Mazan. Empresa Publica Municipal de Teléfonos, Agua Potable
y Alcantarillado, Cuenca.

Hilty, S. L. & Brown, W. L. 1986. A guide to the birds of Colombia. Princeton Univ. Press.

Olivares, A. 1969. Aves de Cundinamarca. Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogota.

Ridgely, R. S. & Greenfield, P. J. 2001. The birds of Ecuador. Cornell Univ. Press, Ithaca, NY.

Sclater, P. L. & Salvin, O. 1879. On the birds collected by T. K. Salmon in the state of Antioquia, United
States of Colombia. Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1879: 486-550.

Addresses: Harold F. Greeney, Paul R. Martin, Robert C. Dobbs & Rudolphe A. Gelis, Yanayacu
Biological Station and Center for Creative Studies, Cosanga, Ecuador, c/o Foch 721 y Amazonas,
Quito, Ecuador, e-mail: revmmoss@yahoomail.com. Mitch Lysinger, Cabanas San Isidro, Cosanga,
Ecuador, c/o Carrion N21-01 y Juan Leon Mera, Quito, Ecuador.

© British Omithologists’ Club 2005

A.-A. Weller 136 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

A hummingbird species new to Peru:
range extension for the Greenish Puffleg
Haplophaedia aureliae

by A.-A. Weller

Received 28 Fune 2004

Pufflegs of the genus Haplophaedia inhabit the foothills and main cordilleras of the
northern and central Andes from extreme eastern Panama and northern central
Colombia to north-west Bolivia (e.g. Wetmore 1968, Fjeldsa & Krabbe 1990,
Schuchmann 1999). Presently, three species are recognised, H. aureliae, H.
assimilis and H. lugens (Schuchmann et al. 2000). The latter taxon is endemic to
the western Andean slope from south-west Colombia and north-west Ecuador, and
is characterised by a blackish-green plumage. H. aureliae occurs from eastern
Panama (Darien highlands) to southern Ecuador, mainly along the east slope of
Andes. From north-east Peru to western Bolivia, it is replaced by H. assimilis.
These taxa can be discriminated by the reflectance of greenish plumage (duller in
assimilis) and the coloration of the typically enlarged tibial tufts (mostly whitish in
aureliae, buff to cinnamon in assimilis: Schuchmann et al. 2000).

A recent study of Andean hummingbirds in the collection of the Louisiana
State University Museum of Zoology, Baton Rouge (LSUMZ), yielded two
previously overlooked specimens of H. aureliae from the north-east Andes of Peru.
Following the taxonomic concept applied by Schuchmann ef al. (2000), they
represent the first species records for Peru.

Material and methods

During biogeographic and taxonomic studies of Haplophaedia, a total 94
specimens of H. aureliae and 29 H. assimilis were examined for distribution and
geographic variation in accordance to methods in Schuchmann et a/. (2000). Where
possible, four standard measurements were obtained using a digital calliper
(accuracy 0.1 mm): bill length (from tip to nasal operculum), wing length
(unflattened chord), and tail length (rectrices 1, 5). Coordinates and altitudes of
localities, if not given on specimen labels, were determined through reference to
ornithological gazetteers (Stephens & Traylor 1983, Paynter 1993, 1997) and
additional literature (Fitzpatrick & O’Neill 1979).

Results and discussion
The known ranges of the six subspecies of Greenish Puffleg can be summarised as
follows (from north to south, after Schuchmann et al. 2000; Fig. 1):

H. a. galindoi Wetmore, 1967: Cerros Mali and Tacarcuna, extreme east Panama
(Darién) and extreme north-west Colombia (Choco);

A.-A. Weller 137 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

1 N jon
\ JK
150 km
10
Panama | ye
MEE > 3,000 m a ee
MN > 1,000 m J), A
~~ > 500m a oa

A H.a. galindoi
+ Ha. floccus
| VH.a. caucensis ;
| @ #H.a. aureliae |
A © #H.a. russata , a
r AH. a. cutucuensis ‘.
| 4 cilibay et,
2-
| a.
| ‘:
or
| ' Ecuador / bo
Py i Jebeler’ ap
2-
| Peru te
| oe |
| ~ te ‘

Figure 1. Distribution of subspecies of Greenish Puffleg Haplophaedia aureliae, based on examined
specimens. Arrows indicate localities within Peruvian territory (LSUMZ 81858, 87525).

A.-A. Weller 138 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

TABLE 1
Comparison of biometrics (mean + s.d. [number of specimens], range) for measurements (mm) of both
sexes of Haplophaedia aureliae cutucuensis (southern Ecuador) with LSUMZ specimens from north-
east Peru (including data from Schuchmann ef a/. 2000).

Sex/specimen Bill length Wing length Rectrix | Rectrix 5
length length
Male 21.5+0.7 (8) 60.8+1.0 (6) 35 94128) 40.1+0.5 (7)
20.5—22.6 59.8-62.1 33.8-37.7 39.4 40.9
Female 20.9—22.0 (2) 54.6-54.9 (2) 33.0—34.5 (2) 33.2-34.9 (2)
LSUMZ 81858, M 19.8 60.6 35.6 37.0
LSUMZ 87525, F (?) 212 56.4 _ AS

H. a. floccus Nelson, 1912: Cerro Pirre, east Panama (Darién);

H. a. caucensis Simon, 1911: Cordillera Occidental to western slope of the
Cordillera Central, Colombia;

H. a. aureliae Bourcier & Mulsant, 1846: the northern and eastern Cordillera
Central and western slope of the Cordillera Oriental, Colombia;

H. a. russata Gould, 1871: northern Andes of Ecuador;

H. a. cutucuensis Schuchmann, Weller & Heynen, 2000: Cordillera de Cutuct and
Cordillera del Condor, southern Ecuador.

Until recently, specimens of this genus from Peru had usually been assigned to
H. aureliae, as the forms affinis and assimilis were previously merged within this
taxon (e.g. Simon 1921, Peters 1945, Zimmer 1951, Fjeldsa & Krabbe 1990,
Schuchmann 1999). Under the new taxonomy presented by Schuchmann et al.
(2000), H. assimilis (including the subspecies affinis) was afforded species rank.
Consequently, all Peruvian genus records refer to this taxon. Thus, it is unsurprising
that the LSUMZ specimens had not been previously mentioned in the literature.

Both specimens (LSUMZ 81858, 87525) were obtained during LSUMZ bird
surveys undertaken in the 1970s to the Andes of northern and north-east Peru (e.g.
Fitzpatrick et al. 1977, O’Neill & Graves 1977, Fitzpatrick & O’Neill 1979). These
expeditions produced not only valuable distributional and life history data for many
poorly known Andean birds, but also yielded several new taxa to science, including
the spectacular Royal Sunangel Heliangelus regalis (Fitzpatrick et al. 1979).

The first specimen of H. aureliae (81858) taken in Peru was collected by J. P.
O’Neill on 26 June 1976 ‘10 km (by road) below (NE) Abra Patricia on road to
Rioja’, dpto. San Martin, at 6,200 ft (= c.2,000 m). Fitzpatrick & O’Neill (1979)
gave the coordinates for Abra Patricia as 05°46’S, 77°42’W. More than two years
later, on 13 August 1978, a second specimen (87525) was collected by T. S.
Schulenberg along the ‘trail 20 km E La Peca’, dpto. Amazonas, at a similar altitude
(6,250 ft) to the preceding locality. Further north than Abra Patricia, La Peca (= La
Peca Nueva, trail at c.05°34’S/78°22’ W; cf. Stephens & Traylor 1983) is located in

A.-A. Weller 139 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

the semi-isolated Cordillera de Colan east of the Utcubamba Valley. Habitat at both
collecting sites is described as stunted cloud forest (Fitzpatrick & O’Neill 1979),
which is preferred by members of Haplophaedia (Schuchmann 1999).

According to traditional species limits in Haplophaedia, both LSUMZ
specimens are labelled as H. aureliae (one as H. a. affinis). This identification is
supported by plumage characteristics, namely the strongly bronzish to copperish
upperparts (e.g. tail-coverts), bronze-green underparts with conspicuous whitish
fringes, and white leg puffs. The San Martin bird was sexed as a male, due to the
cinnamon patch on the outer side of the tibial tufts and by morphometrics (Table 1).
The second specimen, from dpto. Amazonas, was unsexed. Despite its plumage
being partially damaged (tail, belly), it is probably a female, based on the entirely
whitish leg puffs, broad subterminal throat bars, and bill and wing length (Table 1).
The heavily scaled underparts of both specimens are typical of the southernmost
subspecies, cutucuensis, but also of northern floccus (Schuchmann et al. 2000),
indicating a kind of ‘leapfrog pattern’ (Remsen 1984). Although most mensural data
fall within the range of cutucuensis (see Table 1), intraspecific variation was found
to be generally low in H. aureliae (Schuchmann ef al. 2000). Together, external
characteristics suggest that these birds are cutucuensis rather than a
morphologically distinctive and undescribed population of H. aureliae.

The LSUMZ records extend the currently known range of H. aureliae south-
east by c.200 km across the arid central Maranon Valley, which is presumed to be
a dispersal barrier for several Andean bird taxa, including hummingbirds such as
metaltails Metallura (Heindl & Schuchmann 1998) and pufflegs Eriocnemis
(Schuchmann ef a/. 2001). Abra Patricia is also close to the northernmost collecting
site of H. assimilis affinis. The latter taxon occurs north at least to the Ray-Urmana
range (06°28’S, 77°21’W: Schuchmann ef a/. 2000), with the distance between
these localities being just c.70 km.

The range extension for aureliae reported herein is paralleled by new sight
records in the north of the species’ range (Serrania de Jungurudo, Panama: Angehr
et al. 2004), suggesting that currently available, fairly scattered locality data for
Haplophaedia (see Schuchmann ef al. 2000) reflect insufficient sampling rather
than real distributional patterns. Future ornithological work in thus far unexplored
areas, including north-east Peru, may result in improved distributional information
for the genus.

Acknowledgements

I am grateful to staff of the following natural history museums and institutions for permitting access to
their collections and/or specimen loans: American Museum of Natural History, New York (AMNH);
Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia (ANSP); Natural History Museum, Tring (BMNH);
Museum of Natural Science, Zoology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge (LSUMZ); National
Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC (NMNH). The project was partly
supported financially by the German Science Council (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, DFG, Schu
766/5-1), a Chapman Collection Study Grant (AMNH) and a Jessup Award (ANSP). Thanks are due to
K.-L. Schuchmann, A. Koenig Zoological Research Institute and Museum of Zoology, Bonn, for critical
hints on the manuscript.

A.-A. Weller 140 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

References:

Angehr, G. R., Christian, D. G. & Aparicio, K. M. 2004. A survey of the Serrania de Jungurudo, an iso-
lated ornate range in eastern Panama. Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl. 124: 51-62.

Fitzpatrick, J. W., Terborgh, J. W. & Willard, D. E. 1977. A new species of wood-wren from Peru. Auk
94: 195-201.

Fitzpatrick, J. W., Willard, D. E. & Terborgh, J. W. 1979. A new species of hummingbird from Peru.
Wilson Bull. 91: 177-186.

Fitzpatrick, J. W. & O’Neill, J. P. 1979. A new tody-tyrant from northern Peru. Auk 96: 443-447.

Fyeldsa, J. & Krabbe, N. 1990. Birds of the high Andes. Zool. Mus., Univ. of Copenhagen & Apollo
Books, Svendborg.

Heindl, M. & Schuchmann, K.-L. 1998. Biogeography, geographic variation and taxonomy of the
Andean hummingbird genus Metallura GOULD, 1847. J. Orn. 139: 425-473.

O’Neill, J. P. & Graves, G. R. 1977. A new genus and species of owl (Aves: Strigidae) from Peru. Auk
94: 409-416.

Paynter, R. A. 1993. Ornithological gazetteer of Ecuador. Second edn. Mus. Comp. Zool., Cambridge,
MA.

Paynter, R. A. 1997. Ornithological gazetteer of Colombia. Second edn. Mus. Comp. Zool., Cambridge,
MA.

Peters, J. L. 1945. Check-list of birds of the world, vol. 5. Harvard Univ. Press, Cambridge, MA.

Schuchmann, K.-L. 1999. Family Trochilidae (hummingbirds). Pp. 468—680 in del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A.
& Sargatal, J. (eds.) Handbook of the birds of the world, vol. 5. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.

Schuchmann, K.-L., Weller, A.-A. & Heynen, I. 2000. Biogeography and taxonomy of the Andean hum-
mingbird genus Haplophaedia Simon (Aves: Trochilidae), with the description of a new subspecies
from Ecuador. Orn. Anz. 39: 17-42.

Simon, E. 1921. Histoire naturelle des Trochilidae. Bertrand, Paris.

Stephens, L. & Traylor, M. A. 1983. Ornithological gazetteer of Peru. Mus. Comp. Zool., Cambridge,
MA. :

Wetmore, A. 1968. The birds of the Republic of Panama. Part 2. Columbidae (Pigeons) to Picidae
(Woodpeckers). Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington DC.

Address: A. Koenig Research Institute and Museum of Zoology—Leibniz Institute for Terrestrial
Biodiversity, Section of Ornithology, Research Group: Biology and Phylogeny of Tropical
Birds, Adenauerallee 160, 53113 Bonn, Germany, e-mail: a.weller@uni-bonn.de

© British Ornithologists’ Club 2005

Notes on some seabirds of Pernambuco state,
north-east Brazil

by Caio Fosé Carlos, Carmem Elisa Fedrizzi &
Severino Mendes de Azevedo-fumior
Received 30 Fune 2004

Located in north-east Brazil, the state of Pernambuco (PE) has a coastline of
187 km (roughly between 07° and 09°S) dominated by sandy beaches fringed by the
introduced coconut palm Cocos nucifera, with extensive mangroves of Rhizophora
mangle, Laguncularia racemosa and Avicennia spp. only at river estuaries

Caio José Carlos et al. 141 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

(CONDEPE 1982, FIDEN 1987). The coastal climate is hot with a mean annual
temperature of 25.5°C, and mean annual rainfall of 152.3 mm (INMET 2003).

The coast is important for various birds, mainly migrant shorebirds and terns
that use the region as wintering and stopover areas (Azevedo-Junior & Larrazabal
2002, Fedrizzi 2003). However, except for a few studies in the Fernando de
Noronha archipelago (currently part of PE) (e.g. Nacinovic & Teixeira 1987) and in
the north of the state (Azevedo-Junior 1998), very little research has focused on the
seabirds that occur in PE.

Here we review the distribution and present new data for some seabirds of PE,
based on the literature, specimens in the ornithological collection of the
Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE) and our own field work. For
simplicity, we list geographical coordinates, some of them taken from Paynter &
Traylor (1991), for each locality only on its first mention in the text. English names
and taxonomic sequence follow del Hoyo et al. (1992, 1996), except for Atlantic
Yellow-nosed Albatross Thalassarche chlororhynchos, where we follow Robertson
& Nunn (1998). Biometrics (mm) of specimens are: exposed culmen (ec), total
culmen (tc), wing length (wl), tarsus (tr), tail (ta) and total length (tl).

Species accounts

MAGELLANIC PENGUIN Spheniscus magellanicus

A common visitor to southern Brazil (Rio Grande do Sul) during the austral winter,
which occasionally reaches north to Rio de Janeiro, with vagrants recorded north to
Bahia (Sick 1997) and Alagoas (F. J. M. Pinto in Teixeira et al. 1988). The Jornal
do Comercio, a local newspaper, noted an immature found alive at Itamaraca Island
(c.07°45’S, 34°51°W) on 13 August 1999, which appears to be the northernmost
record for this species in the Atlantic.

ATLANTIC YELLOW-NOSED ALBATROSS T7halassarche chlororhynchos

T. chlororhynchos is a globally threatened species (Endangered) which breeds on
Gough and Tristan da Cunha (BirdLife International 2000), and is one of the
commonest albatrosses off the Brazilian coast (Grantsau 1995). Coelho (1978)
mentioned a record for PE, but did not provide the source, date or locality. It was
based on a specimen (UFPE 799; juvenile; ec 117.75, te 132.46, wl 495, tr 79.31,
ta 170, tl 800) found alive at Maria Farinha beach (c.07°40’S, 34°50’W),
municipality of Paulista, on 19 May 1978. Additionally, another juvenile found in
PE (locality and date unknown) was sent to Recife Zoo, and is currently on display
at the Natural History Museum of the Environmental Education Centre there.

ANTARCTIC PRION Pachyptila desolata

Although treated as a subspecies of Broad-billed Prion Pachyptila vittata (e.g.
Harrison 1985), many recent authors (e.g. del Hoyo et al. 1992) consider it a
species. Coelho (1978) reported its presence in PE, but did not mention a source,
locality or date. The record was based on a specimen (UFPE 358; male; ec 26.92,

Caio José Carlos et al. 142 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

te 34.50, wl 195, tr 30.94, ta 95, tl 285; collected by A. Cruz) found at Tamandaré
beach (c.8°36’S, 35°07’ W), municipality of Rio Formoso, on 25 July 1978. Further
records from Guadalupe Environmental Protection Area (c.08°48’S, 35°07’ W), in
the municipalities of Tamandaré and Barreiros (Neves et al. 2000) were, in fact,
based on the same UFPE specimen.

CORY’S SHEARWATER Calonectris (diomedea) borealis

This Palearctic migrant occurs off Brazil en route to and from wintering areas off
southern South America (Vooren & Fernandes 1989, Sick 1997). Azevedo-Junior
(1991) reported two dead birds at Boa Viagem beach (c.08°07’S, 34°53’ W), Recife,
one of which (UFPE 3406; female; ec 45.35, tc 60.07, wl 370, tr 48.65, ta 141, tl
498; collected by S. M. de Azevedo-Junior, 2 September 1990) is currently held in
UFPE. In addition, UFPE obtained one (3404; female; ec 56.40, tc 68.33, wl 350,
tr 54.10, tl 140; collected by S. M. de Azevedo-Junior) from Tamandaré beach on
21 January 1991, and another (3405; male; ec 46.63, tc 61.85, wl 360, tr 54.29, ta
131, tl 470; collected by S. M. de Azevedo-Junior) from Coroa do Aviao (07°40’S,
34°50’W), municipality of Igarassu in July 1991.

MANX SHEARWATER Puffinus puffinus

Manx Shearwater occurs off the Brazilian coast en route to and from the wintering
grounds off southern South America (Sick 1997). There is only one published
record from PE, of one flying over the Coroa do Aviao on 3 May 1992 (Azevedo-
Junior 1998). At the same locality, one (UFPE 3985; male; ec 34.2, wl 260, tr 42.2,
ta 81; collected by S. M. Azevedo-Junior) was mist-netted on 16 November 2003.

GREATER SHEARWATER Puffinus gravis

Coelho (1978) mentioned this shearwater for PE, without source, locality or date.
The record was based on a specimen (UFPE 841; male; ec 44.19, te 56.19, wl 312,
tr 56.11, ta 110, tl 505; collected by A. G. M Coelho) found at Ponta de Pedras
beach (c.07°41’S, 34°53’W), municipality of Goiana on 20 July 1978. Azevedo-
Junior (1991) reported 12 specimens found dead at Boa Viagem beach, of which
two (3400; male; ec 45.94, te 53.29, wl 315, tr 59.21, ta 120; and 3402; unsexed;
ec 43.63, te 50.16, wl 320, tr 54.24, ta 105; both collected by S. M. Azevedo-Junior,
in May 1990) are in UFPE. In addition, UFPE has one (949; unsexed; ec 49.11, tc
57.67, wl 350, tr 57.58, ta 100; collected by A. G. M Coelho) from Olinda
(c.08°01’S, 34°51’ W) in June 1980.

MASKED BOOBY Sula dactylatra

In Brazil, this booby breeds on offshore islands such as the Abrolhos, Fernando de
Noronha and Atol das Rocas (Sick 1997). Azevedo-Junior (1994) reported a
specimen, originally banded (V-18954) on 17 December 1992 in the Biological
Reserve of Atol das Rocas (c.03°45—03°56’S, 33°37’ W), found alive at Gaibu beach
(c.08°05’S, 34°51’W), municipality of Cabo de Santo Agostinho, on 12 August
1993. UFPE also obtained one (3684; juvenile; tc 96.43, wl 440, tr 44.14, ta 150, tl

Caio José Carlos et al. 143 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

750; collected by S. M. Azevedo-Junior) from Boa Viagem beach on 16 April 2001.
According to del Hoyo ef a/. (1992), young disperse extensively, but most adults
are present year-round in the vicinity of colonies, presumably explaining the
apparently accidental occurrence of juveniles in PE.

BROWN BOOBY Sula leucogaster

Previous PE records involved two observed off a reef at Recife in March 1943
(Lamm 1948), and a record reported by Coelho (1978) without precise locality or
date. According to Coelho (in /itt. 2003), this was based on some individuals he
observed at Olinda, but he could not recall the date. Adults tend to stay around
colonies, while young and non-breeders disperse widely (del Hoyo et al. 1992). The
age of those individuals recorded in PE could not be determined, but they were
probably juveniles on dispersal.

MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD Fregata magnificens

Lamm (1948) and Coelho (1978) mentioned the species’ occurrence in PE, but did
not provide localities or dates. According to Coelho (in /itt. 2003) his record was
based on some individuals he observed at Olinda on 7 July 1977. Azevedo-Junior
(1998) reported a juvenile flying over Coroa do Aviao on 20 December 1988. Two
juveniles were seen at the same locality on 27 February and 22 September 2003
(CJC & CEF). In addition, three were seen over Itamaraca Island on 23 August
2003 (CJC & CEF).

SOUTH POLAR SKUA Catharacta maccormicki

This transequatorial migrant breeds on the Antarctic continent and peninsula, and
moves north in the non-breeding period as far as Alaska and Greenland (del Hoyo
et al. 1996). Coelho (1977) reported one, originally banded (567.61211) at Ross
Island (Antarctica) that escaped from Baltimore Zoo (USA) on 3 December 1969,
and was caught by fishermen on 4 December 1970, 15 miles off Recife. Lara-
Resende & Leal (1982) noted one, probably recovered in PE, but did not provide a
precise locality, date or band number. UFPE obtained a dark morph (3137; male; ec
44.81, tc 53.40, wl 400, tr 59.84, ta 155, tl 600) caught by fishermen at Porto de
Galinhas beach (c.08°24’S, 35°04’ W), municipality of Ipojuca on 14 April 2000.

POMARINE SKUA Stercorarius pomarinus

A Holarctic migrant that winters at sea, mainly between the Tropic of Cancer and
the equator, and off Australia (del Hoyo et al. 1996, Wiley & Lee 2000). In Brazil,
it is known from Sao Paulo, Rio Grande do Sul, and from one record near the mouth
of the rio Tapajos, Para (Olmos 2000). On 22 May 2003, a dark morph was
observed pursuing Common Sterna hirundo and Cayenne Terns Thalasseus
sandvicensis eurygnathus near Coroa do Aviao (CJC & CEF), the first record in
north-east Brazil. According to Wiley & Lee (2000), return migration commences
in mid April and extends to early June.

Caio José Carlos et al. 144 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

SANDWICH TERN Thalasseus sandvicensis acuflavidus

The first record from PE was reported by Lamm (1948), and consisted of a few
individuals in a mixed flock with Common Terns Sterna hirundo near Recife on 8
October 1944 for several days. Thereafter there were no state records until up to
four were seen at Coroa do Avido on 22-24 May, 19 July, 24 August and 22
September 2003, in mixed flocks with Cayenne T. s. eurygnathus and Common
Terns (CJC & CEF). According to Voous (1977), misidentification involving the
similar Cayenne Tern is common, as the two may flock together, at least in north-
east Brazil (Teixeira et al. 1988, Sick 1997). However, Sandwich Tern is smaller
and has an obvious black bill (from the base) with a small yellow tip, whilst
Cayenne Tern may have a black bill but always has some yellow at the base and/or
along the gonys (e.g. Junge & Voous 1955).

ROSEATE TERN Sterna dougallii

This tern breeds in North America, the Azores and north-west Europe. Wintering
Roseate Terns in South America are primarily of North American origin (del Hoyo
et al. 1996), but birds from the Azores have been caught in Bahia (Hays et al. 1997,
1999). Lara-Resende & Leal (1982) reported a specimen banded in North America
that was recovered in PE, but did not provide a precise locality, date or band
number. A juvenile was mist-netted at Coroa do Aviao on 24 October 2003
(SMAZ). Measurements were: ec 28.9, wl 246, tr 12.5 and ta 110. It was moulting
the fourth primary.

LEAST TERN Sterna antillarum

Breeds in eastern North America, Honduras and the Caribbean to north Venezuela,
and winters in north Brazil (del Hoyo et al. 1996), but has been recorded south to
Rio de Janeiro (Sick 1997). A juvenile (UFPE 3986; ec 25, wl 158, tr 16 and ta 64;
weight 40 g; collected by S. M. Azevedo-Junior) was mist-netted at Coroa do Aviao
on 26 October 2003.

YELLOW-BILLED TERN Sterna superciliaris

Restricted to South America, where it inhabits rivers, lakes and estuaries (Harrison
1985, del Hoyo et al. 1996). One was mist-netted at Coroa do Aviao in October
1992 (Azevedo-Junior 1998). At the same locality, an adult was observed foraging
with a flock of Common Terns S. hirundo, and roosting on a sandbar with various
shorebirds, on 21 June 2003 (CEF).

Concluding remarks

Besides such residents as boobies, frigatebirds and terns, the seabird community in
PE (including the Fernando de Noronha archipelago), as well as elsewhere in north-
east Brazil, includes (1) boreal migrants (e.g. Cory’s Sheawater), en route to and
from their wintering areas in southern South America; and (2) Southern Ocean birds
(e.g. Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross), undertaking northward movements along

Caio José Carlos et al. 145 Bulk B.OvG: 2005-1252)

the Brazilian coast in the austral winter. Pelagic taxa are more common in
April-May, when some may be found dead on beaches (Lamm 1948, Azevedo-
Junior 1991, this work). According to Olmos et al. (1995), strong winds associated
with cold fronts originating in Antarctica may be important in explaining this
phenomenon of seasonal mass mortality on the north-east Brazilian coast.

Another point to stress is that there are few studies of seabird distribution off
north-east Brazil. Antas (1991) noted that ornithologists interested in seabirds are
mainly resident in southern Brazil, and the lack of seabird studies in PE may
explain the relative lack of records of common taxa such as Manx Shearwater and
Sandwich Tern. Continuous surveys will probably reveal that both Northern
Hemisphere and Southern Ocean breeders are more common in the region than
previously supposed.

The occurrence of seabirds in a region dominated by sandy beaches and where
the sea is oligotrophic is apparently linked to the high supply of nutrients from
mainland ecosystems such as estuaries and associated mangroves, e.g. the mouth of
the rio Sao Francisco, in Alagoas (Sousa 1993), and Mangue Seco, in Bahia (Hays
et al. 1999). Furthermore, some near-shore shelf breaks are also important in
recycling nutrients (Olmos 2001).

The Canal de Santa Cruz estuarine complex (including Itamaraca Island and
Coroa do Aviao islet), with its five river estuaries and c.32 km* of mangrove
swamps (Barros et al. 2000) may be another relatively productive area, and it is
unsurprising that most seabird records from PE are from this region, although it
should be noted the area is near a large urban centre (Recife) and field surveys have
been concentrated there. Thus far, 47 waterbird taxa have been recorded in this
complex (Azevedo-Junior 1998, Fedrizzi 2003, this work), and it was recently
listed as important for Brazilian seabird conservation (MMA 2002). Despite its
biological importance, the region suffers from uncontrolled tourism, and urban and
industrial pollution. Urgent efforts must be made to ensure effective conservation
for the Canal de Santa Cruz environment and its birds.

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Jeremiah Trimble and Drs Yoshika Oniki and Edwin Willis for reviewing the
manuscript. Branyl Com. & Ind. Téxtil Ltd. partially supported studies by CJC in 2003. CEF and CJC
respectively received a doctoral and master’s scholarship from the Fundacao de Aperfeig¢oamento de
Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES).

References:

Antas, P. de T. Z. 1991. Status and conservation of seabirds in Brazilian waters. Pp. 140—158 in Croxall,
J. P. (ed.) Seabird status and conservation: a supplement. International Council for Bird
Preservation, Cambridge, UK.

Azevedo-Junior, S. M. 1991. Mortandades de aves oceanicas no Nordeste brasileiro—maio e junho de
1990. In I Congresso Brasileiro de Ornitologia. Resumos. MCT-CNPq/Museu Paraense Emilio
Goeldi, Belém.

Azevedo-Junior, S. M. 1994. Primeiro registro das aves oceanicas Sula dactylatra, Sterna fuscata e
Anous stolidus na costa de Pernambuco, Brasil. In JV Congresso Brasileiro de Ornitologia.
Resumos. Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife.

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Azevedo-Junior, S. M. 1998. As aves do Canal de Santa Cruz, Pernambuco, Brasil. Cad. Omega Univ.
Fed. Rural de Pernambuco, Ser. Biol. 5: 35—50.

Azevedo-Junior, S. M. & Larrazabal, M. E. 2002. Migracdo de aves em Pernambuco. Pp. 623-630 in
Silva, J. M. C. & Tabarelli, M. (eds.) Diagnostico da biodiversidade de Pernambuco, vol. 2. Ed.
Massangana, Recife.

Barros, H. M., Eskinazi-Lega, E., Macedo, S. J. & Lima, T. 2000. Gerenciamento participativo de
estudrios e manguezais. Ed. Universitaria, Recife.

BirdLife International. 2000. Threatened birds of the world. BirdLife International, Cambridge, UK &
Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.

Coelho, A. G. M. 1977. On the South Polar Skua Catharacta skua maccormicki recaptured in
Pernambuco, Brazil. Not. Biol. 2: 1.

Coelho, A. G. M. 1978. Lista de algumas espécies de aves do nordeste do Brasil. Not. Biol., n.s. 1: 1-7.

CONDEPE (Conselho de Desenvolvimento de Pernambuco). 1982. Estudo para controle ambiental nas
areas estuarinas de Pernambuco, Canal de Santa Cruz. CONDEPE, Recife.

Fedrizzi, C. E. 2003 Abundancia sazonal e biologia de aves costeiras na Coroa do Avido, Pernambuco,
Brasil. M.Sc. dissertation. Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife.

FIDEN (Fundagao de Desenvolvimento da Regiao Metropolitana do Recife). 1987. Prote¢do das areas
estuarinas. FIDEN, Recife.

Grantsau, R. 1995. Os albatrozes (Diomedeidae, Procellariiformes) do Atlantico e suas ocorréncias na
costa brasileira e uma chave de identificacao. Bol. CEO 12: 20-31.

Harrison, P. 1985. Seabirds: an identification guide. Croom Helm, Beckenham.

Hays, H., DiCostanzo, J., Cormons, G., Antas, P. de T .Z., Nascimento, J. L. X., Nascimento I. L. S. &
Bremer, R. E. 1997. Recoveries of Roseate and Common Terns in South America. J. Field Orn. 68:
79-90.

Hays, H., Lima, P. C., Monteiro, L., DiCostanzo, J., Cormons, G., Nisbet, L €. 1, Salvwasee
Spendelow, J. A., Burger, J., Pierce, J. & Gochfeld, M. 1999. A nonbreeding concentration of
Roseate and Common Terns in Bahia, Brazil. J. Field Orn. 70: 455-464.

del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. & Sargatal, J. (eds.) 1992. Handbook of the birds of the world, vol. 1. Lynx
Edicions, Barcelona.

del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. & Sargatal, J. (eds.) 1996. Handbook of the birds of the world, vol. 3. Lynx
Edicions, Barcelona.

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Recife (1962-1990). INMET, Brasilia.

Junge, G. C. A. & Voous, K. H. 1955. The distribution and the relationship of Sterna eurygnatha
Saunders. Ardea 43: 226-247.

Lamm, D. W. 1948. Notes on the birds of Pernambuco and Paraiba, Brazil. Auk 65: 261-283.

Lara-Resende, S. M. & Leal, R. P. 1982. Recuperacao de anilhas estrangeiras no Brasil. Brasil Florestal
52: 27-53.

MMA (Ministério do Meio Ambiente). 2002. Avaliagdo e identificagdo de areas e acodes prioritarias
para a conservacao, utilizacao sustentavel e repartigdo dos beneficios da biodiversidade nos biomas
brasileiros. MMA, Brasilia.

Nacinovic, J. B. & Teixeira, D. M. 1987. As aves de Fernando de Noronha: uma lista sistematica anota-
da. Rev. Brasil. Biol. 49: 709-729.

Neves, R. M. L., Telino-Junior, W. R., Rodrigues, R. C. & Botelho, M. N. 2000. Caracterizagao e avali-
acao da populacao avifaunistica da Area de Protegao Ambiental de Guadalupe. Prodetur/PE &
CPRH, Recife.

Olmos, F., Martuscelli, P., Silva e Silva, R. & Neves, T. 1995. The seabirds of Sao Paulo, southeastern
Brazil. Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl. 115: 117-128.

Olmos, F. 2000. Revisdo dos registros de Stercorarius pomarinus no Brasil, com notas sobre registros de
S. longicaudus e S. parasiticus (Charadriiformes: Stercorariidae). Nattereria 1: 29-33.

Olmos, F. 2002. Non-breeding seabirds in Brazil: a review of band recoveries. Ararajuba 10: 31-42.

Paynter, R. A. & Traylor, M. A. 1991. Ornithological gazetteer of Brazil. Mus. Comp. Zool., Cambridge,
MA.

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Robertson, C. J. R. & Nunn, G. B. 1998. Towards a new taxonomy for albatrosses. Pp. 13-19 in
Robertson, C. J. R. & Gales, R. (eds.) A/batross biology and conservation. Chipping Norton, Beatty
Press.

Sick, H. 1997. Ornitologia brasileira. Ed. Nova Fronteira, Rio de Janeiro.

Sousa, M. C. 1993. Sobre aves marinhas no litoral do estado de Sergipe e Alagoas. /n I/J Congresso
Brasileiro de Ornitologia. Resumos. Universidade Catélica de Pelotas/Sociedade Brasileira de
Ornitologia, Pelotas.

Teixeira, D. M., Nacinovic, J. B. & Luigi, G. 1988. Notes on some birds of northeastern Brazil. Bul.
Brit. Orn. Cl. 108: 75-79.

Wiley, R. H. & Lee, D. S. 2000. Pomarine Jaeger (Stercorarius pomarinus). In Poole, A. & Gill, F. (eds.)
The birds of North America, no. 483. The Birds of North America, Philadelphia, PA.

Vooren, C. M. & Fernandes, A. C. 1989. Guia de albatrozes e petréis do sul do Brasil. Ed. Sagra, Porto
Alegre.

Voous, K. H. 1977. Natterer’s specimens of Sterna cantiaca from Brazil. Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl. 97: 42-44.

Addresses: Caio José Carlos (corresponding author) & Carmem Elisa Fedrizzi, Laboratorio de
Elasmobranquios e Aves Marinhas, Departamento de Oceanografia, Fundacgao Univ. Fed. do Rio
Grande, CP 474, Rio Grande, RS, CEP 96201-900, Brazil, e-mails: cajoca@uol.com.br and
cefedrizzi@uol.com.br. Severino Mendes de Azevedo-Junior, Departamento de Zoologia,
Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Avenida Professor Moraes Rego 1235, Cidade
Universitaria, Recife, PE, CEP 50670-420, Brazil, e-mail: smaj@ufpe.br

© British Ornithologists’ Club 2005

On the type locality of the Cordilleran Buzzard

Buteo poecilochrous

by F Cabot & T: de Vries
Received 21 Fuly 2004

In describing the type locality of Buteo poecilochrous, Gumey (1870) mentioned
that the bird came from Yauayacu in Ecuador and that the specimen was sent, in
1877, from Ecuador to Messrs. Salvin & Godman in London by a certain Mr
Buckley.

Hellmayr & Conover (1949) claimed that Yauayacu is in fact a transcription
error, and the real name of the site in Ecuador is Yanayacu. Vaurie (1962)
questioned this conclusion and stated that the type locality of B. poecilochrous
corresponds to a place named Sarayacu. Vaurie (1962) based this on the fact that
Buckley’s collectors established camp in this place (also currently known as
Pacayacu on some maps), on the eastern slope of the Andes (01°34’S, 77°30’ W) at
1,500 m, south of Canelos on the rio Bobonaza. Vaurie (1962) also claimed that
Yanayacu is in truth on the rio Corrientes in Peru (03°02’S, 75°15’ W).

Nevertheless, the same author also believed that Sarayacu is too low for the
Puna Buzzard to be found, since this species is typical of the high Andes, and it was
possibly captured at higher altitude. Chapman (1926) also suggested this and stated

J. Cabot & T. de Vries 148 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

(p.728) that the 10,000 skins of 800 species could not all have been collected
around Sarayacu, and that some came from higher up, around the headwaters of the
rio Pastaza and the montane spurs between this river and its tributary, the rio
Bobonaza.

Chapman (1929) subsequently explained that the collection was labelled by
Buckley’s agent, Gerard, after it reached London. Most specimens are credited as
being from Sarayacu. Vaurie (1962) concluded that ‘there is a great deal of room
for error and the type specimen was probably not captured at this locality’.

We agree with Hellmayr & Conver (1949) that the locality “Yauayacu’ is a
transcription error of the Quechua word yanayacu, which means ‘black water’
(yana = black, yacu = water). Such-named localities are common in all of the
countries in which the Quechua culture was present, especially in Peru. Our reasons
for believing this are as follows: no place in Ecuador called Yauayacu has ever been
located; a place called Yanayacu undetected by Vaurie (1962) exists in Ecuador
above the headwaters of the rios Pastaza and Bobonaza (01°25’S, 78°39’ W) and
between the volcanoes of Carihuarazo, Tunguragua, Chimborazo and Culicasanza;
this locality is less than 90 km from Buckley’s base camp and has all the ecological
requirements of altitude (3,000 m +) and open rocky paramo that correspond to the
habitat of the species (Solis & Black 1985, Ortiz-Crespo 1986, Fjeldsa & Krabbe
1990, Cabot 1991). Sarayacu lies at low altitude in the eastern Andes where the
predominant habitat is humid tropical forests, occupied by species other than Buteo.
Thus, we agree with Hellmayr and Conover (1949) that the type locality of Buteo
poecilochrous is Yanayacu.

References:

Cabot, J. 1991. Distribution and habitat selection of Buteo polyosoma and B. poecilochrous in Bolivia
and neighbouring countries. Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl. 114: 199-209.

Chapman, F. M. 1926. The distribution of bird-life in Ecuador. Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist. 55.

Fjeldsa, J. & Krabbe, N. 1990. Birds of the high Andes. Zool. Mus., Univ. of Copenhagen & Apollo
Books, Svendborg.

Gurney, J. H. 1879. Note upon three American raptorial birds apparently new to science. Jbis 3: 171-178.

Hellmayr, C. E. & Conover, B. 1949. Catalogue of birds of the Americas. Field Mus. Nat. Hist., Zool.
Ser 13.1).

Ortiz-Crespo, F. I. 1986. Notes on the status of diurnal raptor populations in Ecuador. Bird of Prey Bull.
3: 71-79.

Solis, C. & Black, J. 1985. Anidacién de Buteo poecilochrous en Antisana. Rev. Geogr. Quito 21:
132-142.

Vaurie, C. 1962. A systematic study of the Red-backed Hawks of South America. Condor 64: 277-290.

Addresses: J. Cabot, Estacion Biologica de Dofana, Avenida Maria Luisa s/n. 41013, Seville, Spain, e-
mail: cabot@ebd.csic.es. T. de Vries, Dpto. Biologia, Pontificia Universidad Catdlica del Ecuador,

Apartado 17-01-2184, Quito, Ecuador, e-mail: tdevries@puce.edu.ec

© British Ornithologists’ Club 2005

William S. Clark 149 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis is monotypic
by William S. Clark

Received 29 Fuly 2004

Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis breeds in steppe habitats more or less continuously
from Mongolia and central China west to eastern Europe, and is generally
considered to comprise two subspecies. Western orientalis, reportedly differs from
eastern nipalensis in its smaller size, paler coloration and lower frequency of pale
nape patches on adults (Vaurie 1965, Dementiev & Gladkov 1966, Meyburg 1994,
Ferguson-Lees & Christie 2001).

Hodgson (1833) described A. nipalensis as a new species. Cabanis (1854), in a
footnote, described another new species of eagle as Aguila orientalis, based on
specimens taken in European Russia. He stated in a terse, incomplete plumage
description only that they are larger than Greater Spotted Eagles A. clanga and have
rather distinct pale bands in the tail; one specimen had several pale nape feathers,
which he attributed to a retained juvenile nape patch, such as shown by juvenile
Lesser Spotted Eagle A. pomarina.

Hartert (1913) found that Aguila orientalis Cabanis, 1854, as well as A. moglnik
(Gmelin 1770), A. pallasi (Brehm et al. 1856) and A. glitschii (Severtzow 1875),
were all referable to the western form of Steppe Eagle, which he called A.
nipalensis orientalis. He considered this form as impossible to reliably separate
from the eastern form, but nevertheless treated orientalis subspecifically and
presented mensural data to demonstrate that orientalis by sex averaged smaller. He
felt that eastern adult specimens were darker than western ones because they were
in fresher (hence darker) plumage. Hartert & Steinbacher (1936-38) stated that
eastern Steppe Eagles are, on average, larger than western birds, albeit with much
overlap, but found no other differences. They also considered orientalis a *form’
and clearly did not advocate recognition of two subspecies, as they listed no
trinomials, a fact apparently overlooked by subsequent authorities.

I found that all adult individuals of Steppe Eagle, in collections and in
photographs, from throughout the species’ range vary little in their dark coloration
and all have pale nape patches, as shown in Clark (1999). Clinal size variation is
the only difference between eastern and western Steppe Eagles (Hartert 1913,
Dementiev & Gladkov 1966, Ferguson-Lees & Christie 2001). Thus, I recommend
that Steppe Eagle be considered monotypic, following the rationale of Amadon
(1953) and Temple (1982) that clinal variations are insufficient for recognising
subspecies.

Methods

] examined more than 300 specimens of Steppe Eagles in many museums, including
more than 100 adults, as background for my papers on the species’ taxonomic status

William S. Clark 150 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

Figure 1. Adult Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis nape patches. Nape patches of adults vary (left to right)
from small to medium to large to (top) very large, including the rear crown (William S. Clark)

Figure 2. Adult Steppe Eagles Aquila nipalensis, west to east. Underparts of adults vary from medium
brown to dark brown. Collecting locations of these adults (left to right) are Romania, Ethiopia, Eritrea,
Somalia, Israel (Palestine), Iran, Russia, Burma, Central Asia and Mongolia (William S. Clark)

(Clark 1992) and description of its age classes (Clark 1996). I have studied and
photographed more than 100 adult Steppe Eagles throughout the range, in China,
India, Israel, Kenya, Oman and South Africa. More recently, I examined three adult
specimens in the US National Museum, in Washington DC (USNM), two from
India (presumably nipalensis) and one from Kenya (presumably orientalis); five

William S. Clark 15] Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

adults in the bird collection of the National Museums of Kenya, in Nairobi (NMK),
taken in Kenya (presumably orientalis); and ten adults of both taxa, from all parts
of the range, in the American Museum of Natural History, New York (AMNH). |
scored the colour of the underparts of each as dark brown, medium dark brown or
medium brown, and judged their nape patches as absent, small (2-3 cm), medium,
large or very large (if extending onto the crown). Adult Steppe Eagles have all
secondaries with broad dark subterminal bands and dark undertail-coverts, as
described and depicted in Clark (1996, 1999).

Results

All adult Steppe Eagles studied in the field, in photographs or the museum had pale
nape patches, varying from small to very large and covering the entire nape and
hindcrown (Fig. 1). Some small nape patches were not uniformly pale, being
formed by pale tips to as few as ten central nape feathers. The size of the pale nape
patches of the ten adults in AMNH varied: two had small patches, three medium
patches, three large patches, and two had patches that were large but also extended
onto the rear crown (Fig. 1). The sizes of the nape patches in the five adults in NMVK
were: two small, two medium and one very large; and the three adults in USNM had
small (two) and large (one) patches.

The underparts of five of the ten adults in AMNH (Fig. 2) were judged dark
brown, three medium dark brown, and two medium brown; they are arranged in
Fig. 2 by collection location from west to east. There was no pattern of darker adults
from either east or west, but there were more ‘paler’ medium brown adults from
eastern locales. The adults in NMK and USNM were also dark brown, with slight
variation but no clear geographic difference in overall coloration.

Discussion

One of the problems of validating racial differences in Steppe Eagle has been that
most authorities considered them as races of Tawny Eagle A. rapax. Clark (1992)
presented rationale for considering Steppe and Tawny Eagles as separate species.

Apparently all authorities (e.g. Vaurie 1965, Dementiev & Gladkov 1966,
Ferguson-Lees & Christie 2001) ignored the contrary findings of Hartert &
Steinbacher (1936-38) and followed Hartert (1913) in validating the subspecies and
accepting published characters distinguishing the alleged races of Steppe Eagle,
without examining specimens of adults to verify the validity of such purported
characters. As Glutz von Blotzheim ef a/. (1971) covered just Europe, where only
the western form occurs, they did not address the validity of Steppe Eagle races, but
nevertheless stated that orientalis is found in Europe.

Previous to Clark (1996), adult plumage was not clearly defined. Steppe Eagles
in fourth plumage (i.e. that prior to adult plumage) are recognisably different from
earlier immatures and somewhat resemble adults, but are noticeably paler, usually
do not possess pale nape patches, have pale areas in the undertail-coverts and retain

William S. Clark 152 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

a few immature secondaries that lack broad dark subterminal bands (Clark 1996,
1999). It is possible that some earlier researchers confused such birds with adults,
resulting in the theory that not all adults have pale nape patches. It is also possible
that some specimens on which Cabanis based his description of A. orientalis were
actually fourth-plumage eagles and not adult, although he mentioned that one adult
had some pale nape feathers. Ellis (2003) reported fourth-plumage Steppe Eagles
breeding in Mongolia, providing confirmation of breeding by paler eagles.
Immature Steppe Eagles in their first three plumages also display colour differences
on their underparts, but these are governed by individual variation and show no
geographic pattern.

Alleged racial differences depicted in Sinclair et al. (1993) are incorrect. I have
never seen an adult Steppe Eagle with grey-colored upperparts, as shown for both
races on p.94 of the latter guide. Size differences shown in that guide are inter-
sexual and not the product of geographic origin. In any case, it is unlikely that
eastern Steppe Eagles winter in Africa.

Temple (1972) argued that the geographic separation of races which possess
merely clinal variation in characters or size is necessarily arbitrary, and that such
characters are insufficient justification for recognising subspecies; he
recommended that the western taiga race of Merlin, Falco columbarius bendirei, be
considered a synonym of the eastern taiga race, F c. columbarius, as the only
difference is a cline in overall coloration, with eastern birds being darker. Similarly,
Amadon (1953) wrote ‘I am in sympathy with the present trend to suppress naming
of continental races based on gradual clines’. Thus, I recommend that Steppe Eagle
be considered monotypic, as the only geographic variation is a clinal difference in
size, with eastern birds being marginally larger.

Acknowledgements
I thank Fridtjof Ziesemer and Walther Thiede for translating parts of German articles to English and for
providing interpretations of the authors’ nuances. I also thank the curators of the National Museum of
Natural History, the National Museums of Kenya Bird Department and the American Museum of Natural
History for permission to examine specimens. Richard Banks, David Ellis and Fridtjof Ziesemer
provided helpful comments on earlier drafts.

References:

Amadon, D. 1953. Avian systematics and evolution in the Gulf of Guinea. Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist.
100: 393-452.

Cabanis, J. 1854. [Footnote]. J. Orn. 2: 369.

Clark, W. S. 1992. The taxonomy of Steppe and Tawny Eagles, with criteria for separation of museum
specimens and live eagles. Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl. 112: 150-157.

Clark, W. S. 1996. Ageing Steppe Eagles. Birding World 9: 269-274.

Clark, W. S. 1999. A field guide to the raptors of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. Oxford
Univ. Press.

Dementiev, G. D. & Gladkov, N. A. 1966. Birds of the Soviet Union, vol. 1. Nat. Tech. Info. Serv.,
Washington DC.

Ellis, D. H. 2003. Subadult and pale Steppe Eagles breeding in Mongolia. J. Raptor Res. 37: 75—77.

Ferguson-Lees, J. & Christie, D. A. 2001. Raptors of the world. Christopher Helm, London.

William S. Clark 153 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

Glutz von Blotzheim, U. N., Bauer, K. M. & Bezzel, E. (eds.) 1971. Handbuch der Vogel Mitteleuropas,
vol. 4. Akademische Verlagsgesellschaft, Frankfurt am Main.

Hartert, E. 1913. Die Vogel der paldarktischen Fauna, Bd. 2. Friedlander und Sohn, Berlin.

Hartert, E. & Steinbacher, F. 1936-38. Die Végel der paldarktischen Fauna. Friedlander und Sohn,
Berlin.

Hodgson, B. H. 1833. [Species description]. Asiatic Researches 18 (2): 13.

Meyburg, B.-U. 1994. Steppe Eagle. P. 194 in del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. & Sargatal, J. (eds.) Handbook of
the birds of the world, vol. 2. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.

Sinclair, I., Hockey, P. & Tarboton, W. 1993. //lustrated guide to the birds of southern Africa. New
Holland, London.

Temple. S. 1972. Systematics and evolution of North American Merlins. Auk 89: 325-338.

Vaurie, C. 1965. The birds of the Palearctic fauna. Non-Passeriformes. H. F. & G. Witherby, London.

Address: P.O. Box 531467, Harlingen, Texas 78553, USA.

© Bnitish Ornithologists’ Club 2005

A replacement name for Xiphorhynchus fuscus
brevirostris (Pinto 1938)

by N.W. Longmore & Luis Fabio Silveira

Received 2 August 2004

Based on the suggestions of Garcia-Moreno & Cardoso da Silva (1997), Lesser
Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes fuscus (Vieillot 1818) is now placed in the genus
Xiphorhynchus Swainson 1827. This revision received support from Irestedt ef al.
(2004) and Aleixo (2004), and was also followed by Dickinson (2003) and Marantz
et al. (2003). Recent examination of the latter works has identified a duplication of
names within the genus Xiphorhynchus (Dendrocolaptidae), as the trinomial
brevirostris is now used for two taxa due to the amalgamation of selected taxa,
formerly ranked in two genera, into a single genus.

When Garcia-Moreno & Cardoso da Silva’s revision is accepted, use of the
trinomial Xiphorhynchus fuscus brevirostris (Pinto 1938: 384) becomes erroneous,
as the name is preoccupied by X. chunchotambo brevirostris (Zimmer 1934: 18), a
subspecies of Tschudi’s Woodcreeper, and as such it is unavailable. The change
from X. ocellatus brevirostris, Ocellated Woodcreeper, for Zimmer’s taxon, follows
the revision proposed by Aleixo (2002) and supported by Marantz et al. (2003).

Under all recent placements Pinto’s name is unavailable for this taxon following
the code of the ICZN (1999). Lepidocolaptes fuscus brevirostris Pinto therefore
must either be replaced by using a pre-existing name or by providing a new name
(ICZN articles 23.1 and 60.3). A lengthy literature review indicates that Pinto’s
name Lepidocolaptes fuscus brevirostris has no available junior synonyms, as it has
been a stable taxon. If Xiphorhynchus fuscus were to revert to the genus
Lepidocolaptes then the trinomial would not require such action and it could

N. W. Longmore & Luis Fabio Silveira 154 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

continue with its former arrangement. In the current circumstances, Pinto’s original
name of brevirostris has been replaced for purposes of homonymy (ICZN article
57.3), but as it stands is available as a junior subjective homonym (article 59.2).

For Pinto’s original taxon, we therefore propose the nomen novum of
Xiphorhynchus fuscus pintoi. This has been done to stabilise the nomenclature by
replacing the existing name, which has now been shown to be unavailable.
Xiphorhynchus is a masculine genus (ICZN article 30.1.3) and the trinomial has
been chosen to celebrate the family name of that famous Brazilian ornithologist,
Olivério Mario de Oliveira Pinto (1896-1981), who first recognised and named the
taxon. Pinto’s original type materials retain their standing as types for
Lepidocolaptes fuscus brevirostris Pinto, and also for the allocated replacement
name of Xiphorhynchus fuscus pintoi.

Acknowledgements

We gratefully acknowledge the assistance of Drs Walter E. Boles, Clemency T. Fisher, Leo Joseph, Jan
J. Mason and Curtis A. Marantz, all of whom read the original manuscript and suggested the inevitable
changes.

References:

Aleixo, A. 2002. Molecular systematics and the role of the “varzea’—“terra-firme” ecotone in the diver-
sification of Xiphorhynchus woodcreepers (Aves: Dendrocolaptidae). Auk 119: 621-640.

Aleixo, A. 2004. Historical diversification of a terra-firme forest bird superspecies: a phylogeographic
perspective of the role of different hypotheses of Amazonian diversification. Evolution 58:
1303-1317.

Dickinson, E. C. (ed.) 2003. The Howard & Moore complete checklist of the birds of the world.
Christopher Helm, London.

Garcia-Moreno, J. & Cardoso da Silva, J. M. 1997. An interplay between forest and non-forest South
American avifaunas suggested by a phylogeny of Lepidocolaptes woodcreepers
(Dendrocolaptinae). Stud. Neotrop. Fauna & Environ. 32: 164-173.

International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN). 1999. International code of zoological
nomenclature. Fourth edn. The International Trust for Zoological Nomenclature, The Natural
History Museum, London.

Irestedt, M., Fjeldsa, J. & Ericson, P. G. P. 2004. Phylogenetic relationships of woodcreepers (Aves:
Dendrocolaptinae)—incongruence between molecular and morphological data. J. Avian Biol. 35:
280-288.

Marantz, C. A., Aleixo, A., Bevier, L. R. & Patten, M. A. 2003. Family Dendrocolaptidae (woodcreep-
ers). Pp. 358-447 in del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. & Christie, D. A. (eds.) Handbook of the birds of the
world, vol. 8. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.

Pinto, O. M. de O. 1938. Catalogo das aves do Brasil e lista dos exemplares que as representam no
Museu Paulista. Rev. Mus. Paulista 22: 1-566.

Zimmer, J. T. 1934. Studies of Peruvian birds XV. Notes on the genus Xiphorhynchus. Amer. Mus. Novit.
756.

99 66

Addresses: N. W. Longmore, Department of Sciences (Birds), Museum Victoria, GPO Box 666E,
Melbourne, Victoria 3001, Australia, e-mail: wlong@museum.vic.gov.au. Luis Fabio Silveira,
Departamento de Zoologia, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Caixa Postal 11461, CEP 05422-970, Sao
Paulo, SP, Brazil.

© British Ornithologists’ Club 2005

Storrs L. Olson 155 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

First occurrence of Gygis microrhyncha in the
Hawaiian Islands

by Storrs L. Olson

Received 10 August 2004

Systematics of the white-terns, or fairy-terns (cf. Pratt et a/. 1987), of the genus
Gygis is more complex than indicated by their usual treatment as consisting of but
a single species. There are at least two and perhaps three species-level taxa within
the genus, as outlined in Wingate & Watson (1974) and American Ornithologists’
Union (1998), although treated therein as subspecies groups. Pratt et al. (1987)
recognised two species, G. microrhyncha, now mainly confined to the main islands
of the Marquesas, and G. alba for all other populations. This is misleading, because
the greatest differences are between the widespread Indo-Pacific species that takes
the specific name G. candida vs. G. alba of the South Atlantic and G microrhyncha.
The last two are similar in all of the characters that differentiate them from G.
candida, except that G. microrhyncha is much smaller with a more slender bill.
Given the size differences, their vast geographical separation, and the long period
of time that they have likely been separated, it seems prudent to recognise G. alba
and G. microrhyncha as separate species.

Specimens of Gygis microrhyncha or hybrids with G. candida are also known
from the Line and Phoenix groups (specimens in the United States National Museum)
which, with a fossil and archaeological record showing a former much wider
distribution of G. microrhyncha, indicate that G. candida has been hybridising with
and then swamping and replacing G. microrhyncha (Holyoak & Thibault 1984, Olson
ms), resulting in the current relictual distribution of the latter in the Marquesas.

In the Hawaiian group, Gygis candida occurs throughout the small islands of the
Northwest chain and on Kaula Rock off Nithau. In the main Hawaiian Islands,
Gygis is known only from a small colony in Honolulu, Oahu. The first breeding pair
was observed in 1961 (Berger 1981) and the colony has since increased to c.250
breeding pairs (VanderWerf 2003). From this colony, I have examined an adult
(BPBM 159032; for all acronyms see the Acknowledgements) and a juvenile
(BPBM 183583), obtained in 1982 and 1994, respectively. The deep base of the bill
(bluish in life), reduced loral feathering, longer and more deeply notched tail, and
pigmented rachides of the remiges and rectrices identify these birds as G. candida.
Following independent assessment of geographic variation in G. candida (Olson
ms), | agree with Holyoak & Thibault (1976) that none of the previously described
subspecies of G. candida is valid except for the birds of Henderson and Ducie
islands in the Pitcairn group, which they named G. alba (=candida) leucopes. Thus
the resident Hawaiian populations would be referable to G. candida candida.

There is, however, an overlooked specimen of Gygis from Oahu that long
antedates the establishment of the Honolulu colony. This specimen (BBM 4889), a

Storrs L. Olson 156 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

TABLE 1
Range and mean of measurements (mm) of Gygis and ratio of longest to inner rectrices (indicating the
degree of forking): G. microrhyncha (n=29) from Ua Pou, Hiva Oa, Tahuata, and Fatu Hiva,
Marquesas Islands (AMNH). G. candida (n=23) from Necker, Nihoa, Laysan, Gardner Pinnacles,
French Frigate Shoal (USNM). For all acronyms see the Acknowledgements.

Taxon Wing chord Longest rectrix Inner rectrix LR/IR
(LR) (IR)

G. microrhyncha 212 83 64 1.30

Oahu BBM 4889

G. microrhyncha 208-227 (217) 73-87 (79) 59-68 (64) =: 1.14-1.38 (1.22)

Marquesas

G. candida 225-245 (234) 103-120 (113) 63-74 (70) 1.54-1.84 (1.61)

NW Hawaiian Is.

female, was taken on nearly the opposite side of the island at Kahuku, on the
northern point of Oahu. It was found ‘dead in dooryard after westerly blow’ on 21
April 1924 by H. K. Schofield. The specimen appears to be typical of G.
microrhyncha in its small size (Table 1), slender bill with extended loral feathering,
short, shallow-notched tail, and lack of any pigment in the rachides of the tail or
wing (except a trace in the outermost primary).

The weather conditions noted at the time the bird was found suggest that it was
a storm-driven vagrant. But it would have had to stray far from home long before it
could have been blown to Oahu by westerly winds, Oahu being nearly 2,000 km
north of the northern Line Islands. There is apparently little information on how far
any of the Gygis terns normally range at sea away from their breeding grounds
(Niethammer & Patrick 1998). This constitutes the first record of Gygis
microrhyncha for the Hawaiian Islands and is thus a new species for the United
States, regardless of whether G. microrhyncha is merged with G. alba or not.

Acknowledgements
I thank Carla Kishinami for lending specimens from the Bernice P. Bishop Museum (BBM, BPBM),
Honolulu. Specimens in the collections of the American Museum of Natural History, New York
(AMNH), and the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC
(USNM), were also consulted. I thank the late John Farrand for assistance with measurement data
assembled many years ago. H. D. Pratt commented on the manuscript.

References:

American Ornithologists’ Union. 1998. Check-list of North American birds. Seventh edn. American
Ornithologists’ Union, Washington DC.

Berger, A. J. 1981. Hawaiian birdlife. Second edn. Univ. of Hawaii Press, Honolulu.

Holyoak, D. T. & Thibault, J.-C. 1976. La variation geographique de Gygis alba. Alauda 44: 457-473.

Holyoak, D. T. & Thibault, J.-C. 1984. Contribution a l’étude des oiseaux de Polynésie orientale. Mem.
Mus. Natl. d’Hist. Nat. 127: 1-209.

Niethammer, K. R. & Patrick, L. B. 1998. White Tern Gygis alba. In Poole, A. F. & Gill, F. B. (eds.) The
birds of North America, 371. The Birds of North America Inc., Philadelphia, PA & American
Ornithologists' Union, Washington DC.

Storrs L. Olson 157 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

Pratt, H. D., Bruner, P. L. & Berrett, D. G. 1987. The birds of Hawaii and the tropical Pacific. Princeton
Univ. Press.

VanderWerf, E. 2003. Distribution, abundance, and breeding biology of White Terns on Oahu. Wilson
Bull. 115: 258-262.

Wingate, D. B. & Watson, G. E. 1974. First North Atlantic record of the White Tern. Auk 91: 614-617.

Address: Division of Birds, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington
DC 20560, USA.

© British Ornithologists’ Club 2005

Previously overlooked museum specimens of
White-winged Potoo Nyctibius leucopterus
Wied 1821

by Nigel Cleere

Received 27 December 2004

The enigmatic White-winged Potoo Nyctibius leucopterus is one of the smallest and
least known of the seven species of potoos (Cleere 1998, Cohn-Haft 1999, Holyoak
2001). It is poorly represented in natural history museum collections, which until
recently were thought to contain just two specimens. One is the female holotype,
collected in Bahia, Brazil (Wied 1821), the other an unsexed adult (female?) with
no supporting data but also thought to have been collected in Brazil. Both are in
North American institutions, the holotype in the American Museum of Natural
History, New York (AMNH 5867), and the data-less specimen in the Academy of
Natural Sciences of Philadelphia (ANSP 22022), both of which I have examined
(Figs. 1-2). In addition, four other specimens have been attributed to this species.
Lafresnaye (1863) included two specimens in his collection catalogue, an adult
male (no. 839) and an adult female (no. 840). The male, now in the Museum of
Comparative Zoology, Harvard (MCZ 76549), is actually a Common Potoo
Nyctibius griseus (pers. obs.), whilst the whereabouts of the female are unknown.
Greenway (1978) listed AMNH 5868, a male collected in Bahia in 1817 for Prince
Wied-Neuwied, as a syntype, but it too is a N. griseus (Chapman 1926, Schulenberg
et al. 1984, Cohn-Haft 1993). Another specimen, the victim of a road-traffic
incident in coastal northern Bahia (Grantsau et al. 1999), was re-identified as N.
griseus by Whitney et al. (2003).

Following its description (Wied 1821), White-winged Potoo remained unknown
for over 150 years. It was eventually rediscovered near Manaus in Amazonas,
northern Brazil, in August 1989, although a roosting bird had previously been
observed at the same site in October 1985 (Cohn-Haft 1993). During the pioneering
work undertaken by Cohn-Haft, recordings of the bird’s vocalisations were
obtained, widely circulated and subsequently published by others (e.g. Ranft &

Nigel Cleere 158 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

Nigel Cleere 159 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

TABLE |
Biometrics of the four historical museum specimens of White-winged Potoo Nyctibius leucopterus.

Specimen Sex Wing (mm) Tail (mm)
AMNH 5867 female 207 140
ANSP 22022 unsexed 202 132
RBINS 6903 female 222 142
SMF 29869 male 215 136

Cleere 1998). Since its rediscovery, White-winged Potoo has proved to be widely
distributed in Amazonia, in northern Peru, central French Guiana, central and south-
west Guyana, and at several sites in Brazil (Peres & Whittaker 1991, Parker et al.
1993, Borges et al. 2001, Alvarez Alonso & Whitney 2003, Claessens et al. 2005).
At least ten individuals have been collected and deposited in museum collections in
North and South America. Based on the consistently small size of these specimens
relative to the two historical specimens (Cohn-Haft unpubl. data; NC pers. obs.),
Cohn-Haft (1993, 1999) suggested that Amazonian birds represent a distinct
population and is currently describing them as a new taxon (M. Cohn-Haft pers.
comm.). Meanwhile, the Bahian population was only recently rediscovered
(Whitney eft a/. 2003) and continues to lack any modern specimens.

In light of the above, it is important to place on record the existence of two other
specimens that date well before the modern records and appear to have gone largely
unnoticed in the literature. The first is an adult female (Fig. 3) held in the Royal
Belgium Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels, Belgium (RBINS 6903), collected
in Brazil and received from the Verreaux brothers, dealers who were trading in the
mid 1800s. The second is an adult male (Fig. 4) collected in America (=Bahia?),
deposited in the Forschungsinstitut Senckenberg, Frankfurt, Germany (SMF 29869)
that was formerly in the Berlepsch collection (no. 7949). Von Berlepsch, who
presumably added Bahia to his label on the basis that it was from the same region
as the type, had obtained the specimen from T. C. Eyton, who listed it as species no.
207 in his catalogue (Eyton 1856).

All four historical specimens are similar in size (see Table 1) and plumage (pers.
obs.). If birds from Amazonia are smaller and represent a distinct population (Cohn-
Haft 1993, 1999), then it appears reasonable to infer that the two ‘new’ specimens

Captions to plates on opposite page

Figure 1. The adult female holotype of White-winged Potoo Nyctibius leucopterus (AMNH 5867) from
Bahia, Brazil (Nigel Cleere)

Figure. 2. Unsexed adult (perhaps female) White-winged Potoo Nyctibius leucopterus (ANSP 22022)
(Nigel Cleere)

Figure 3. Adult female White-winged Potoo Nyctibius leucopterus (RBINS 6903) from Brazil (Nigel
Cleere)

Figure 4. Adult male White-winged Potoo Nyctibius leucopterus (SMF 29869) from Bahia?, Brazil
(Nigel Cleere)

Nigel Cleere 160 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

represent the third and fourth examples of a non-Amazonian population, which to
date is known only from lowland Atlantic Forest in the Brazilian state of Bahia.

Acknowledgements

For permitting access to specimens in their care, I express my thanks to Joel Cracraft & Paul Sweet
(AMNH), Leo Joseph & Nathan Rice (ANSP), Douglas Causey (MCZ), Gerald Mayr (SMF) and
Georges Lenglet (RBINS). I am also grateful to Robert Prys-Jones and Paul Salaman, of the Natural
History Museum/Project Biomap, for the opportunity to visit the museums mentioned herein. I also thank
Mario Cohn-Haft, Bret Whitney and Guy Kirwan for greatly improving the manuscript.

References:

Alvarez Alonso, J. & Whitney, B. M. 2003. New distributional records of birds from white-sand forests
of the northern Peruvian Amazon, with implications for biogeography of northern South America.
Condor 105: 552-566.

Borges, S. H., Cohn-Haft, M., Carvalhaes, A. M. P., Henriques, L., Pacheco, J. F. & Whittaker, A. 2001.
Birds of Jau National Park, Brazilian Amazon: species checklist, biogeography and conservation.
Orn. Neotrop. 12: 109-140.

Chapman, F. M. 1926. The distribution of bird-life in Ecuador. Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist. 55: 1-784.

Claessens, O., Pelletier, V. & Ingels, J. 2005. First records of White-winged Potoo Nyctibius leucopterus
for French Guiana. Alauda 73: 61-68.

Cleere, N. 1998. Nightjars. A guide to nightjars and related nightbirds. Pica Press, Robertsbridge.

Cohn-Haft, M. 1993. Rediscovery of the White-winged Potoo (Nyctibius leucopterus). Auk 110:
391-394.

Cohn-Haft, M. 1999. Family Nyctibiidae (potoos). Pp. 288-301 in del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. & Sargatal, J.
(eds.) Handbook of the birds of the world, vol. 5. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.

Eyton, T. C. 1856. A catalogue of the species of birds. Wellington, Salop.

Grantsau, R., Lima, P. C., Santos, S. S. & Lima, R. C. F. 1999. Nyctibius leucopterus, Wied 1821,
redescoberta na Bahia de 177 anos. Atualidades Orn. 89: 6.

Greenway, J. C. 1978. Type specimens of birds in the American Museum of Natural History. Pt. 2. Bull.
Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist. 161 (1).

Holyoak, D. T. 2001. Nightjars and their allies. Oxford Univ. Press.

Parker, T. A., Foster, R. B., Emmons, L. H., Freed, P., Forsyth, A. B., Hoffmann, B. & Gill, B. D. 1993.
A biological assessment of the Kanuku Mountain range of southwestern Guyana. Conservation
International, Washington DC.

Lafresnaye, F. 1863. Catalogue des oiseaux de la collection de...M. le Bon de Lafresnaye de Falaise.
Falaise.

Peres, C. A. & Whittaker, A. 1991. Annotated checklist of the bird species of the upper Rio Urucu,
Amazonas, Brazil. Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl. 111: 156-171.

Ranft, R. & Cleere, N. 1998. A sound guide to nightjars and related nightbirds. Pica Press,
Robertsbridge.

Schulenberg, T. S., Allen, S. E., Stotz, D. F. & Wiedenfeld, D. A. 1984. Distributional records from the
Cordillera Yanachaga, central Peru. Gerfaut 74: 57—70.

Whitney, B. M., Pacheco, J. F., Silveira, L. F. & Laps, R. R. 2003. Rediscovery of Nyctibius leucopterus
(White-winged Potoo) in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil. Ararajuba 11: 1+.

Wied, M. 1821. Reise nach Brasilien in den Jahren 1815 bis 1817, vol. 2. H. L. Bronner, Frankfurt.

Address: The Bird Group, The Natural History Museum, Akeman Street, Tring, Herts HP23 6AP, UK, e-
mail: cleere@churr.freeserve.co.uk

© British Ornithologists’ Club 2005

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Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club
ISSN 0007-1595

Edited by Guy M. Kirwan
Volume 125, Number 2, pages 81-160

CONTENTS

Club Announcements... 2.6. se ce in en win wre 81
COPrigeinds oe eins bw ne ee eee eek are pw ee be eo eee 92
KRABBE, N., SALAMAN, P., CORTES, A., QUEVEDO, A., ORTEGA, L. A. & CADENA, C. D.

A new species of Scytalopus tapaculo from the upper Magdalena Valley, Colombia ......... 93
WHITNEY, B. M. Clytoctantes (atrogularis?) in Amazonas, Brazil, and its relationship to
_ Neocitanies niger (Thammophilidac) .......... 0-2-1420 2s eens ee 108
GREENEY, H. F. The nest, eggs and incubation behaviour of Sickle-winged Guan Chamaepetes

goudotii fagani in western Ecuador ........ 65 eee e cee ee ees oo ee 113
CLEERE, N. The types of nightjars (Caprimulgidae) described by Sir Andrew Smith in the

Iilustrations of the zoology of South Africa... 6.55 oscun seu satan ss re 116
SHAW, P., MUNGAYA, E., MBILINYI, N. & MBILINYI, M. The voice and bill length of

Karamoja Apalis Apalis karamojae are atypical of the genus ...................000000:- 122
GREENEY, H. F., MARTIN, P. R., DOBBS, R. C., LYSINGER, M. & GELIS, R. A. Observations

on the breeding of Basileuterus warblers im Ecuador ................-<:. ss 129
WELLER, A.-A. A hummingbird species new to Peru: range extension for the Greenish Puffleg

Haplophaedia aureliae ... 2.0. c ee ee ee ee ee da vee ei eens tt oo eee 136
CARLOS, C. J., FEDRIZZI, C. E. & AZEVEDO-JUNIOR, S. M. DE. Notes on some seabirds of

Pernambuco state, north-east Brazil ..... 2... 0 ee es cc eee seen eee ee 140
CABOT, J. & DE VRIES, T. On the type locality of the Cordilleran Buzzard Buteo poecilochrous 147
CLARK, W. 8S. Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis is monotypic... ......7........-....58 === 149
LONGMORE, N. W. & SILVEIRA, L. F. A replacement name for Xiphorhynchus fuscus

brevirosiris (Pinto 1938)... <2... 5. 6. ces ous be we we © ee ee 153
OLSON, S. L. First occurrence of Gygis microrhyncha in the Hawaiian Islands ............... 155

CLEERE, N. Previously overlooked museum specimens of White-winged Potoo Nyctibius
leweopterus Wied 1821 . 2... ie cee cone bb eae eens sane eee eee 157

Authors are invited to submit papers on topics relating to the broad themes of taxonomy and distribution of
birds. Descriptions of new species of birds are especially welcome and will be given priority to ensure rapid
publication, subject to successful passage through the normal peer review procedure, and they may be
accompanied by colour photographs or paintings. On submission, manuscripts, double-spaced and with
wide margins, should be sent to the Editor, Guy Kirwan, preferably by e-mail, to GMKirwan@aol.com.
Alternatively, two copies of manuscripts, typed on one side of the paper, may be submitted to the Editor, 74
Waddington Street, Norwich NR2 4JS, UK. Where appropriate half-tone photographs may be included and,
where essential to illustrate important points, the Editor will consider the inclusion of colour figures (if pos-
sible, authors should obtain funding to support the inclusion of such colour illustrations). As far as possible,
review, return of manuscripts for revision and subsequent stages of the publication process will be undertak-
en electronically.
For instructions on style, see the inside rear cover of Bulletin 125 (1) or the BOC website

www.boc-online.org

Published by the ony fe ON ol
Typeset by Alcedo Publishing of Pennsylvania, USA, and printed by Crowes of Norwich, UK

7

Le
sititish fo
Ornithologists’

ae

Volume 125 No. 3
September 2005

MEETINGS are normally held in the Sherfield Building of Imperial College, South Kensington, London
SW7. The nearest Tube station is at South Kensington; a map of the area will be sent to members, on request.
(Limited car parking facilities can be reserved [at a special reduced charge of £5.00], on prior application to
the Hon. Secretary.)

The cash bar is open from 6.15 pm, and a buffet supper, of two courses followed by coffee, is served at
7.00 pm. (A vegetarian menu can'be arranged if ordered at the time of booking.) Informal talks are given
on completion, commencing at about 8.00 pm.

Dinner charges are £20.00 as from 1 January 2005.

FORTHCOMING MEETINGS
See also BOC website: http://www.boc-online.org

27 September 2005—Dr Colin Ryall—An assessment of the worldwide spread of the House Crow: present
and future

After completing a research fellowship in microbial ecology at the Institute of Dermatology, Colin took up
a series of posts in Africa. In 1984, whilst working in Mombasa and carrying out bird research in his spare
time, he first encountered the House Crow Corvus splendens and has been hooked ever since. Colin is cur-
rently a Senior Lecturer in Environmental Management at Kingston University and has published c.50
papers, 13 of them on C. splendens. Over the past century or so, C. splendens, a native of the Indian region,
has spread to all continents except Antarctica, frequently with adverse consequences. This talk will review
this invasion and the species’ present status, and discuss future potential impacts.

Applications to Hon. Secretary (address below) by 13 September please.

1 November 2005—Dr Russell Wynn—Chasing migrant seabirds from Europe to Africa, from ship to shore
and back again

Applications to Hon. Secretary (address below) by 18 October please.

6 December 2005—Dr Julian Hume—7he parrots of the Mascarenes

The Mascarenes (Réunion, Mauritius and Rodrigues) are isolated volcanic islands in the south-west Indian
Ocean; due to numerous sea-level changes, bird colonists were able to island-hop to the Mascarenes within
the last 5—7 million years from South-east Asia. Using this route, at least 34 parrot colonising events took
place, with Mauritius and Réunion harbouring three or four sympatric species and Rodrigues two. However,
due primarily to man’s interference, all of the Mascarene parrots are now extinct bar the Echo Parakeet
Psittacula echo of Mauritius, and sadly, this species too, is in grave danger of extinction. From an artistic
background, Julian Hume returned to academia and studied the vertebrate paleontology of the Mascarenes
for a Ph.D., publishing a number of relevant papers as a result. Present projects include a book on the eco-
logical history of the Mascarenes and he was recently awarded a large research grant by the Linnean Society
to study the palaeontological history of Aldabra, in the Indian Ocean.

Applications to Hon. Secretary (address below) by 22 November please.

Future meetings in 2006—provisional dates for meetings in 2006 have been set for the following
Tuesdays:

24 January, 14 March, 25 April (and AGM), 6 June, 7 November and 5 December. Speakers to be
announced.

Overseas Members visiting Britain are especially welcome at these meetings, and the Hon. Secretary would
be very pleased to hear from anyone who can offer to talk to the Club, in 2006, giving as much advance
notice as possible—please contact: S. A. H. (Tony) Statham, Ashlyns Lodge, Chesham Road, Berkhamsted,
Herts. HP4 2ST, UK (or e-mail: boc.sec@bou.org.uk).

Registered Charity No. 279583
©British Ornithologists’ Club 2005

Club Announcements

Bulletin of the
BRITISH ORNITHC CLUB

Vol. 125 No. 3 Published 5 September 2005

B.O.C. 2005 125(3)

CLUB ANNOUNCEMENTS

Members attention is drawn to the inside back cover whereon revised arrangements for membership
correspondence, subscriptions and applications can be found. All membership matters should now be
addressed to the BOC Office, P.O. Box 417, Peterborough PE7 3FX, UK. E-mail:
boc.office@bou.org.uk

Correspondence on all general Club matters should continue to be addressed to: The Hon. Secretary,
S. A. H. (Tony) Statham, Ashlyns Lodge, Chesham Road, Berkhamsted, Herts. HP4 2ST, UK. E-mail:
boc.sec@bou.org.uk

The 928th meeting of the Club was held on Tuesday 25 January 2005, in the Sherfield Building Annexe,
Imperial College, London. 19 members and 6 guests were present.

Members attending were: Dr C. F. MANN (Chairman), Sir D. BANNERMAN, Miss H. BAKER, I.
R. BISHOP, D. R. CALDER, Cdr. M. B. CASEMENT, Prof. R. A. CHEKE, Dr G. CHILTON (Speaker),
F. M. GAUNTLETT, D. GRIFFIN, K. M. IDDI, R. H. KETTLE, S. W. LOWE, D. J. MONTIER, P. J.
SELLAR, T. R. SMEETON, S. A. H. STATHAM, C. W. R. STOREY and R. P. WEBSTER.

Guests attending were: Lady (P.) BANNERMAN, Ms G. BONHAM, Mrs C. R. CASEMENT, Mrs
M. H. G. GAUNTLETT, Mrs M. MONTIER and Dr J. NICHOLSON.

After dinner, Dr Glen Chilton gave an entertaining talk on Lessons learned from the songs of North
American sparrows and warblers. The following is a brief synopsis.

Birdsong has been studied systematically for more than 200 years. Today’s ornithologists are only
now substantiating the astute guesses of much earlier investigators. Although it is dangerous to make
sweeping generalisations about the behaviour of 4,000 songbird species, some general rules are
apparent. Individuals of both sexes learn species-specific songs, but in most cases only the male sings.
Performance is the result of higher testosterone levels in males, and captive females treated with
testosterone are able to produce a good rendition. The song of a male conveys many messages, including
individual identity, place of origin and level of motivation. Males of some species possess just a single
song type, but others are capable of performing repertoires of hundreds of song types. The advantage of
having a large vocal repertoire is not always clear. Although the vocalisations of non-songbirds are
innate, songs must be learned from older members of the species. In many cases, there is a narrow
window of opportunity for learning early in life. Learning errors and improvisations are sometimes
passed along from one generation to the next. Combined with a degree of fidelity to the place of birth,
regional specialisations occur, and these ‘song dialects’ have been the focus of much study. The songs
of some species have been particularly well studied, including those of Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs in
Europe and White-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys in North America. In both species singing
is simple enough to be tractable, but sufficiently complex to be interesting.

The 931st meeting of the Club was held on Tuesday 7 June 2005, in the Sherfield Building Annexe,
Imperial College, London. 20 members and 5 guests were present.

Members attending were: Cdr. M. B. CASEMENT (Chairman), Miss H. BAKER, I. R. BISHOP,
Mrs D. M. BRADLEY, Ms D. V. BREESE, Prof. R. A. CHEKE, Dr J. H. COOPER (Speaker), F. M.
GAUNTLETT, D. GRIFFIN, R. R. LANGLEY, Dr C. F. MANN, Mrs A. M. MOORE, D. J. MONTIER,
Mrs M. N. MULLER, Dr R. P. PRYS-JONES, P. J. SELLAR, Dr S. SOMADIKARTA, S. A. H.
STATHAM, C. W. R. STOREY and Cdr. F. S. WARD

Club Announcements 162 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

Guests attending were: Ms G. BONHAM, Mrs M. H. G. GAUNTLETT, Mrs M. MONTIER, C.
MULLER and E. SALHOLM.

After dinner Dr Joanne Cooper gave a most interesting and original talk entitled 4 Tomb Wader
exposed—xX-raying the birds of the gods. The following is a brief synopsis.

The Natural History Museum holds a substantial collection of ancient Egyptian animal mummies,
including some 60 birds, in various states of preservation. Though very few of the birds are now accom-
panied by good provenance, the majority are believed to have been part of a donation made by the
archaeologist William Flinders-Petrie in the late 1880s. Initial investigations of the bird collections seem
to have been undertaken in the early 1900s, consisting of unwrapping specimens to establish the identi-
ty of their contents. Happily, further specimens were left intact and their contents simply guessed from
the shape of the wrapped mummy. In 2000, new examinations of the bird mummies were undertaken by
myself, funded by a grant from the Friends of the Natural History Museum. The entire collection was
scrutinised externally, and all specimens in suitable condition were X-rayed using the NHM’s own facil-
ities. As in previous research, the initial concern was to identify the preserved birds. The majority of the
collection comprises various raptors, small falcons being the most common. A limited selection of other
species are also present, including Sacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus and a rare example of a mum-
mified Spur-winged Plover Vanellus spinosus. However, studying the X-rays has also provided consid-
erable information on the preparation of specimens. Many show broken limbs and some have severely
damaged necks—possibly from having been sacrificed. Additionally, a number are mutilated in some
way, for example lacking feet. By contrast, other specimens have been wrapped with extra parts; the
most extreme case includes remains of perhaps four other birds in addition to the main, largely intact,
bird. Investigation of the collection continues, and the complete results will be published in due course.

A memorial in Queensland to the ornithologist John Gilbert

John Gilbert (1812-45) was a taxidermist at the Zoological Society of London, under John Gould. In
1838, Gould travelled to Australia to investigate the vertebrate fauna, particularly birds, at that time
almost unknown. Gilbert assisted, and they collected first in Tasmania. In 1839 Gilbert went to Western
Australia, where he took many novelties, including Noisy Scrub-bird Atrichornis clamosus, Malleefow1
Leipoa ocellata and Gilbert’s Whistler Pachycephala inornata. The Cobourg Peninsula, in northernmost
Northern Territory, also yielded new species, e.g. Yellow White-eye Zosterops lutea and Dusky
Honeyeater Lichenostomus unicolor.

In 1844 Gilbert worked north from Sydney to the recently settled Darling Downs, now in southern
Queensland, where two significant events occurred: Gilbert’s discovery of Paradise Parrot Psephotus
pulcherrimus, a beautiful bird now sadly almost certainly extinct, and his fateful meeting with the
explorer-naturalist Ludwig Leichhardt, who was planning an expedition across Australia. The entire
route, from Darling Downs to the British outpost of Port Essington, was then unknown territory. Gilbert
joined the Leichhardt Expedition, consisting of ten men and their animals, which left on 1 October 1844.
Farmers, who settled along the route of the expedition, later opened up much of eastern and northern
Australia. Gilbert discovered further bird species, notably White-browed Robin Poecilodryas supercil-
iosa, but was killed by an Aboriginal spear during an attack in the Cape York area. The site of Gilbert’s
grave is unconfirmed, although investigations continue.

As part of a ‘Ludwig Leichhardt Expedition Exposition’ in September 2004, a memorial to John
Gilbert has been constructed at ‘Gilbert’s Lookout’, a hill on the outskirts of Taroom. Gilbert wrote in
his expedition diary about the wonderful view from here, over the valley named Dawson. The memori-
al, which has a directional marker and is flanked by two information plaques, was unveiled following a
church service attended by over 400 people. Research on birds recorded by Gilbert during the expedi-
tion continues, and his material is being compared with species found on modern surveys by Bruce
Lawrie, providing valuable information on how the avifauna has changed since the 19th century, and
implications for future conservation.

Dr Clemency Fisher, Curator of Birds & Mammals,
Dept. Science, National Museums Liverpool, UK.

Club Announcements 163 Bull. B.O.C. 2004 125(2)

The Gilbert Memorial in Taroom, southern Queensland, shortly after it was unveiled on 26 September
2004. From left to right: Bernd Marx, Curator of the Leichhardt Museum, Trebatsch, Germany; Adam
Clark, President of the Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland (Upper Dawson Branch); Clemency
Fisher, Curator of Birds & Mammals, National Museums Liverpool; Pamela Pearse, descendant of John
Gilbert’s sister; Leo Joseph, Chair of Ornithology at the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia;
Henry Nix, Emeritus Professor at the National University, Canberra (© Ian Flinders)

Many of Gilbert’s specimens are now in the Natural History Museum (Tring), Naturalis Leiden, the
Melbourne Museum and the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia, as well as other museums.
The best, which mostly remain as Gilbert originally prepared them and with his labels still attached, are
in the Liverpool Museum, National Museums Liverpool, UK (Keith Sweeney, © National Museums
Liverpool)

‘ee

Frank D. Steinheimer 164 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(3)

The nomenclature of Eduard Riippell’s birds
from north-east Africa

by Frank D. Steinheimer
Received 4 Fuly 2004

Although explored by the Egyptians, Romans and Portuguese, Abyssinia was sci-
entifically more or less unknown at the dawn of the 19th century. Early travellers
were more fascinated by the region’s culture than its natural history, with some
exceptions (cf. Foster 1949). A collection-based survey combined with first-hand
field notes on the avifauna of what was then named Abyssinia was not undertaken
until the German Wilhelm Peter Eduard Simon Ruppell (1794-1884) left Frankfurt
am Main for Arabia and North Africa in 1822. When he returned to Frankfurt in
1834, Ruppell had amassed a very large collection of vertebrates from the
Abyssinian region, which formed the basis for his well-known contribution to the
ornithology of Abyssinia (Cretzschmar 1826-30, Carus 1872, Hartert 1891, Sharpe
1906, Mertens 1949, Steinbacher 1949, Stresemann 1951, Gebhardt 1964, Mearns
& Mearns 1998, Schmidt & Hackethal 2000, Steinheimer 2003, Walters 2003).

History of Riippell’s explorations in north-east Africa

The first birds from north-east Africa were reported by a Swede named Pehr
Forsskal (1736-63; Fors[s]kal & Niebuhr 1775, Sclater 1929). However, any infor-
mation on Abyssinia available at the end of the 18th century derived principally
from a book, Travels to discover the source of the Nile, by the Scot James Bruce of
Kinnaird (1730-94), who travelled Abyssinia in 1768-73 (Bruce 1790). The
ornithological exploration of north-east Africa only commenced in 1805, when the
Englishman Henry Salt (1780-1827) reached the Abyssinian highlands during
expeditions in 1805—06 and 1809-10 (Salt 1814, Largen 1988). Salt’s ornithologi-
cal collections were subsequently obtained and studied by Lord Stanley
(1775-1851), later to become the 13th Earl of Derby, who named several new
species of Abyssinian birds (Stanley 1814). Thereafter, John Latham (1740-1837)
continued investigating Salt’s material (Latham 1821-24). Next to explore Nubia
and Abyssinia were the Prussians Wilhelm Friedrich Hemprich (1796-1825) and
Christian Gottfried Ehrenberg (1795-1876) in 1820—26, who enriched the collec-
tion of Berlin Museum by 4,671 specimens of 429 bird species (Humboldt 1826,
Hemprich & Ehrenberg 1828, Stresemann 1954, Gebhardt 1964, Klausewitz 2002,
2003). Unfortunately, due to Hemprich’s early death, the published ornithological
results were rather incomplete (Hemprich & Ehrenberg 1828, 1829, 1833,
Stresemann 1954). Simultaneously, Frédéric Cailliaud (1787-1869) explored the
province of Sennar, although his travels are better known to entomologists, malla-
cologists and botanists, rather than to ornithologists, due to his focus (Cailliaud
1826-27).

Frank D. Steinheimer 165 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(3)

Riippell visited Arabia and North Africa four times, first in 1817, when his pro-
fessional connections as a volunteer for a trading company, based in the Italian city
of Livorno, enabled him to explore Egypt. Riippell was at that time mainly interest-
ed in archaeology (no bird specimens were collected), but he did join the naturalist
Henry Salt for a spell. During this first encounter with Africa, Ruippell made the
decision to return and explore north-east Africa scientifically. During the second
trip, the first bird collecting trip, in 1822-27, he travelled the Sinai Peninsula,
Egypt, Nubia, Kordofan, around the Nile estuary and along the coast of the Red Sea
south to Massawa. The third journey, in 1831—34, brought him back to the Sinai
Peninsula, Egypt, and along the coast of the Red Sea to Massawa, but Riippell also
advanced into the highlands of Ethiopia as far south as Lake Tana. A fourth voyage
to Egypt in 1849—SO procured only a few bird specimens. Of importance to the his-
tory and especially the type status of some of Rtippell’s specimens is that, whilst he
twice collected birds in the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt and along the coast of the Red
Sea to Massawa, he only once collected in Nubia and the Kordofan (second trip,
first collecting expedition) and the Ethiopian highlands (third trip, second collect-
ing expedition). Specimens from the Red Sea, for instance, cannot certainly be
linked to one or the other trip if these data are missing, as Ruppell obtained birds
on the coast of the Red Sea during both the second trip (in 1822, 1826-27) and on
the third visit (183 1—32) (Ruppell 1834). Obviously, not all the specimens were col-
lected by Ruppell himself, but by the local hunters he employed and Ruppell’s own
servants. On his first collecting expedition Ruppell was accompanied by the young
surgeon Michael Hey (in Ruppell’s service from 1822, born in Rudesheim, died at
Cairo in 1832), the Dutch hunter Franz Lamprecht (from 1823; the hunter Leonhard
Geis was sent home prior to the start of the expedition in 1822), by a Matthias
Lindemann and by the Prussian soldier Friedrich Dienst (worked for Ruppell in
1826). In 1825, two former members of Ehrenberg & Hemprich’s expeditions
joined Ruppell’s party: the Italian painter Finzi (with Ruppell in 1825-26) and the
Moravian hunter and taxidermist Martin Bretzka (from 1825; fl. 1820-42). Hey and
Bretzka returned to and stayed in the region, Bretzka also collecting birds. When
Rippell revisited Africa during his second collecting expedition, i.e. his third
African trip, in late-December 1830, he had a new personal servant with him:
Theodor Erckel. Baron Friedrich Heinrich von Kittlitz (1799-1874), who hoped to
join Riippell’s expedition, was forced to return to Europe in spring 1831 due to ill-
ness (Niethammer 1971). Ruppell filled the vacancy with Matthias Lindemann
again.

Those birds in Riippell’s collection from north-east Africa obtained post-1833
in the province of Shoa were collected by Bretzka. Ruppell acquired and subse-
quently donated Bretzka’s birds to the Senckenberg Museum at Frankfurt in 1841
(Ruppell 1845, Hartert 1891). Others of Bretzka’s bird specimens were sold to the
British Museum,’ London (BMNH archives: DF200/145/10).

' Zoology Department, British Museum; later British Museum of Natural History, today’s Natural
History Museum, London/Tring (BMNH).

Frank D. Steinheimer 166 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(3)

However, not all birds assigned to Ruppell were collected by him or for him.
Some have totally different origins: Steinheimer (2002) referred to a specimen of
Pteroptochos megapodius from Chile, which, although the label bears the name
Ruppell, was collected by Friedrich Heinrich von Kittlitz in spring 1827 during the
circumnavigation of the Russian ship Senjawin. Others are from Africa, but from
localities that Ruppell and his collectors never visited. A male Foudia madagas-
cariensis (ZMB 7272) in the collection of the Berlin Museum, which must be from
Madagascar, carries a label bearing “Abyssinia Rtippell’, although it could not have
been collected by Ruippell. The same is true of a Coracopsis nigra (ZMB 26623),
also from Madagascar. It seems probable that Rtippell did not only acquire
Abyssinian birds, but purchased additional species in local markets along the Red
Sea coast.

Riippell also worked on birds in other collections, naming new taxa on the basis
of other people’s material. For his Systematische Uebersicht der Vogel Nord-Ost-
Afrika’ (Ruppell 1845) he consulted specimens procured on Sir William
Cornwallis Harris’ (1807-48) trip to Abyssinia in 1842,” and raptors from the col-
lection made by Paul Wilhelm von Wirttemberg (1797—1860) on his voyage to
Sennar in 1839-40. These specimens are now at BMNH and the Staatliches
Museum fur Naturkunde, Stuttgart (Horsfield & Moore 1854, Sharpe 1906,
Roselaar 2003).

Whilst Bruce (1790) and Salt (1814) depicted Abyssinia as being out of reach
for any traveller due to warfare and frequent humiliations, Ruppell (1838/1840)
encouraged Europeans to explore the region scientifically. Apparently the religious
fanaticism had declined over the years. Consequently Riippell was followed in his
Abyssinian and north-east African explorations by Johan Hedenborg (1787-1865)
in 1835 and 1837-39 (Sundevall 1850, Loénnberg 1926, Horn et al. 1990), Paul
Wilhelm von Wirttemberg (1797-1860) in 1839-40 (Gebhardt 1964), Pierre Victor
Adolphe Ferret (1814-82) and Joseph Germain Galinier (1814-88) in 1839-43
(Ferret et al. 1847-50, Guérin-Méneville 1843), Charlemagne Théophile Lefebvre
(1811-60) in 1839-43 and 1847-54 (Lefebvre 1845-51, Didot & Hoefer 1859),
Richard Vierthaler (1820-52) in 1847-52 (Vierthaler 1852, Gebhardt 1964), Alfred
Edmund Brehm (1829-84) in 1847-51 and 1862 (A. E. Brehm 1855b, 1863), John
Petherick (1813-82) in 1848-59 (Petherick 1861, Petherick & Petherick 1869),
Theodor von Heuglin (1824—76) between 1852 and 1875 (Heuglin 1856, 1869a,b,
1871, 1873), Adalbert Johann Baptist Freiherr von Barnim (1841—60) and Carl
Eduard Wilhelm Robert Hartmann (1832-93) in 1859-60 (Schweinfurth 1862,
Hartmann 1863, 1864, Gebhardt 1970), William Jesse (f7. 1860s—1874) and William
Thomas Blanford (1833-1905) in 1868 (Blanford 1868, Jesse 1869, Finsch 1870,
Godwin-Austen 1905, Sharpe 1906), Emin Pasha alias Eduard Schnitz(l)er

2 BMNH obtained 54 of Harris’ Shoa specimens from the East India Company Museum in 1845. Harris
gave a vivid narrative account of his travels, but focused more on big game, native people, battles and
regional Christians than the Abyssinian avifauna (Harris 1844).

Frank D. Steinheimer 167 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(3)

(1840-92) from c.1875 until 1892 (Gebhardt 1964), Orazio Antinori (1811-82) in
1859-61 and 1878-82 (Antinori 1864, Hartmann 1865, Violani & Barbagli 2003),
Vincenzo Ragazzi (1856—1929) in 1884-86 (Violani & Barbagli 2003), Vittorio
Bottego (1860—97) in 1895-97 (Violani & Barbagli 2003), Carlo Freiherr von
Erlanger (1872-1904) in 1899-1901 (Erlanger 1904b), Gustav Schrader
(1852-1942) in 1899-1903, Oscar Neumann (1867—1946) in 1900—01 (Neumann
1902, 1903, 1904, 1905, 1906, 1928) and Otto Graf von Zedlitz & Triitzschler
(1873-1927) in 1908—09 (Zedlitz 1910), to name but a few.°

Rippell’s and Cretzschmar’s ornithological publications

Ruppell published two major works on the ornithology of Abyssinia, Neue
Wirbelthiere zu der Fauna von Abyssinien gehorig—Vogel (Rippell 1835, 1836,
1837a, 1840), and Systematische Uebersicht der Vogel Nord-Ost-Afrikas (Riippell
1845), as well as several papers mainly in the journal Museum Senckenbergianum
(Ruppell 1837b—d, 1839, 1842a,b). Whilst Ruppell was occupied on his second
voyage, his colleague and head curator of the Senckenberg Museum, Philipp Jakob
Cretzschmar (1786-1845), produced the work Atlas zu der Reise im nordlichen
Afrika von Eduard Ruppell—Vogel (Cretzschmar 1826, 1827, 1828, 1829, 1830),
describing 30 bird species new to science. I follow Steinbacher (1949) and Sawyer
(1952) for publishing years of the original descriptions, which differ slightly to
Zimmer (1926), Peters et al. (1934-87) and Dickinson (2003). At the Senckenberg
Museum of Frankfurt I have personally checked the wrappers of Cretzschmar’s
work, issues five, seven, eight and fourteen (1827, 1828, 1828, 1829) as well as fol-
lowing wrappers of Ruppell: 1835: nos. 1+ of the bird descriptions: pls. 1 (Buceros
cristatus) to 6 (Perdix Erckelii); 1836: nos. 5—8 of the bird descriptions: pls. 7 (Otis
melanogaster) to 12 (Oriolus moloxita and Prionops cristatus); and 1840: main
chapters and introduction, nos. 23—29 of the bird descriptions: pls. 31 (Cinnyris affi-
nis, C. gularis and C. Tacazze) to 42 (Curruca cinnamomea and Curruca lugens).*
No discrepancies to Steinbacher (1949) and Sawyer (1952) have been unveiled.
Some of Ruppell’s bird specimens were immediately disposed of after their
arrival in Frankfurt, and specimens are found today in many institutions such as the
Forschungsinstitut und Naturmuseum Senckenberg, Frankfurt (SMF), The Natural

3 | have only listed those explorers who collected birds. Many other scientists of the 19th century not
listed above went along the Nile, to Sudan and Eritrea.

+ Plates 31-42 from the 1840 issue consistently lack the note ‘Auf Stein gez. v. F. C. Vogel / Gedruckt
bei P. C. Stern’, shown similarly on all plates of the 1835—1837 issues, except for plates 16, 17 and 20.
> However, Steinbacher (1949) later included some errors on publication dates in the type list: Motacilla
longicauda Rippell, 1840 instead of 1837; Lxos leucopygius Riippell, 1840, instead of 1837; Hirundo
pristoptera Ruppell, 1836 instead of 1840; Corvus affinis Rippell, 1835, instead of 1836; Oriolus
moloxita Rippell, 1835, instead of 1836; Cinnyris gularis Riippell, 1837, instead of 1840; Cinnyris
affinis Riippell, 1837, instead of 1840; Emberiza septemstriata Ruppell, 1840, instead of 1837; and
Euplectes abyssinicus Riippell, 1835, instead of 1840.

Frank D. Steinheimer 168 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(3)

History Museum, Tring (BMNH), Museum fir Naturkunde, Berlin (ZMB),
Naturalis—Nationaal Natuurhistorisch Museum, Leiden (RMNH), Museo
Regionale di Scienze Naturali, Torino (MRSN) and Naturhistorisches Museum,
Vienna (NMW). Whilst most museums just acquired Ruippell’s avian specimens
without working on the material, Coenraad Jacob Temminck (1778-1858), then the
director of Leiden Museum, used Ruppell’s birds and manuscript names in his own
forthcoming publications entitled Planches coloriées (Temminck & Laugier
1820-39), thus securing priority of authorship for several new taxa discovered by
Riippell.°

This paper discusses these and other nomenclatural issues concerning bird
species collected by Ruppell and described by him and by Cretzschmar (see
Appendix for a complete list of nomenclaturally valid bird names of Ruppell and
Cretzschmar according to the current paper).

Nomenclature

Several points made below draw upon rules or articles laid down in The interna-
tional code of zoological nomenclature (ICZN 1999) (hereafter ‘the Code’). The
first edition of the code appeared in 1961 (ICZN 1961), and it is important to note
that although various initiatives leading towards an international code were made
during the second half of the 19th century (cf. e.g. Hartert 1891: XVI-XVIII) no
Code was formally agreed. It remains necessary when reviewing old decisions
against the new Code to realise that no such guidance was available when
Cretzschmar and Ruppell were working.

Ardea Goliath Cretzschmar, 1829: 39, pl. 26’ nomen protectum
= Ardea goliat Temminck, 1829b: livr. 80, pl. 474 nomen oblitum®
= Ardea goliath Cretzschmar, 1829

Dickinson (2001) listed the dates of each of the 102 issues of Temminck &
Laugier’s (1820-39) Planches coloriées. Steinbacher (1949) did likewise for
Cretzschmar’s Atlas zu der Reise im nordlichen Afrika (1826-30). Comparing the
two, one can restart the debate on the first authorship between Temminck, Ruppell

° Temminck used Riippell specimens for the following original descriptions: Vultur aegypius Temminck,
1826; Falco concolor Temminck, 1825; Larus leucophthalmus Temminck, 1825; Caprimulgus
isabellinus Temminck, 1825; Caprimulgus eximius Temminck, 1826; Alauda bifasciata Temminck,
1826; Alauda isabellina Temminck, 1823; Alauda bilopha Temminck, 1823; Saxicola monacha
Temminck, 1825; Saxicola melanura Temminck, 1824; Saxicola deserti Temminck, 1825; Saxicola
isabellina Temminck, 1829a (see below).

7 Sharpe (1898: 66), followed by Sclater (1924: 24) and Steinbacher (1949: 103), cited the wrong plate
number, 36, most likely a typographic error for 26 (A. Peterson in Jitt. July 2004).

8° The specimen upon which Temminck based his description was not collected by Riippell. Temminck,
however, did include a cross-reference to Cretzschmar’s description.

Frank D. Steinheimer 169 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(3)

and Cretzschmar. However, only three cases might demand nomenclatural changes:
Ardea goliat Temminck, 1829b, versus Ardea goliath Cretzschmar, 1829, Saxicola
isabellina Cretzschmar, 1830, and Malurus clamans Cretzschmar, 1826 (see
below).

The original description of Temminck’s Ardea goliat is found in the livraison 80
and can thus be dated 5 September 1829 (Dickinson 2001). Some 19th-century
authors referred to Temminck’s authorship of the taxon (goliath ‘Temm.’: Hartlaub
1852: 40; Layard 1867: 305; Layard & Sharpe 1875-84: 707). Cretzschmar’s
description, which used the same name, was also published in 1829, but cannot be
fixed to an accurate date. In such cases, ICZN (1999 article 21.3.2) requires adopt-
ing the publication date 31 December, in this case 31 December 1829. Nevertheless,
most early authors cited Cretzschmar as author (7.a. Hemprich & Ehrenberg 1833:
m, Heuglin 1873: 1048, Bocage 1877-81: 437, Sjostedt 1895: 15, Sharpe 1898: 66).

It also does not assist matters that Temminck (1829b) already referred to
Cretzschmar’s description and plate when writing ‘Une figure de cette espéce, prise
d’un individu revétu de la livrée intermédiaire entre le jeune age et l’état adulte,
sera publiée dans |’Atlas du Voyage de M. Ruppel [sic]. Temminck could just have
heard about Cretzschmar’s project (E. Dickinson pers. comm. 2004). However, the
senior synonym’ Ardea goliat Temminck, 1829b, has not been used as a valid name
since 1899 (Reichenow 1900-01: 376, Neumann 1904: 339, Erlanger 1905: 106,
Stark & Sclater 1906: 55, Reichenow 1911: 252, Hartert 1920: 1234, Berlioz &
Berlioz 1923: 9, Roberts 1924: 137, Friedmann 1930: 18, Archer & Godman 1937:
45, Lippens 1938: 19, Malbrant & Maclatchy 1949: 94, Steinbacher 1949: 103; see
below), fulfilling article 23.9.1 of the Code (ICZN 1999). In contrast, the junior
synonym Ardea goliath Cretzschmar, 1829, has been in prevailing usage as the
taxon’s presumed valid name in more than 25 works published by more than ten
authors in 1954-2004 (Cave & Macdonald 1955: 56, Smithers et al. 1957: 25,
MacDonald & Hall 1957: 5, Mackworth-Praed & Grant 1957: 40, Schouteden
1961: 13, 1962a: 11, 1962b: 12, 1963: 18 [select], Clancey 1964: 30, Vaurie 1965:
75, McLachlan & Liversidge 1970: 28, Wolters 1976: 92, Cramp et al. 1977: 318,
Payne 1979: 202, Brown et al. 1982: 167, Rosa Pinto 1983: 28, Soothill & Soothill
1989: 20, Sibley & Monroe 1990: 304, Martinez-Vilalta & Motis 1992: 407,
Dickinson 2003: 87),'° therefore fulfilling article 23.9.2 of the Code (ICZN 1999).

? Fixed as such by the Code (ICZN 1999 article 21.3.2).

10 Only those references are given above that cite Cretzschmar as author. The Zoological Records for
1978-2003 show 38 entries for Ardea goliath (Cretzschmar’s spelling) and none for Ardea goliat
(Temminck’s spelling): Mahdy, O. A. & Shaheed, I. B. (2001) Histopathological study on the effect of
Renicola heroni on the kidneys of giant heron Ardea goliath. Helminthologia (Bratislava) 38: 81-83;
Kasoma, P. M. B. (2000) Diurnal activity patterns of three heron species in Queen Elizabeth National
Park, Uganda. Ostrich 71: 127-130; Salewski, V. & Grafe, T. U. (1999) New tape recordings of three
West African birds. Malimbus 21: 117-121; Kaiser, M. & Richter, R. (1998) Hand rearing of the Goliath
Heron Ardea goliath in Berlin-Friedrichsfelde Zoo. Milu 9: 384-393; Grummt, W. (1996) Further
successful breeding of the Goliath Heron (Ardea goliath) in Berlin-Friedrichsfelde Zoo. Milu 8:

Frank D. Steinheimer 170 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(3)

Herewith this paper states explicitly, in the interest of nomenclatural stability,
that the younger name Ardea goliath Cretzschmar, 1829 (nomen protectum), is
valid; the action has been taken in accordance with the conditions of articles
23.9.1.1 and 23.9.1.2 (ICZN 1999). The older name Ardea goliat Temminck, 1829b
(nomen oblitum), is henceforth invalid. The Frankfurt Museum holds the lectotype
(SMF 12598) and two paralectotypes (SMF 18811, 18812) of Ardea Goliath
Cretzschmar, 1829.

Ibis comata ‘(Hemprich)’ Ruppell, 1837a: 49 nomen nudum
= Geronticus comatus ‘Licht.’ Gray, 1844: 90 nomen nudum
= Geronticus comatus ‘Ehrenberg’ Ruppell, 1845: 122, pl. 45

706-713; Kopi, G. (1996) A mixed heronry at Willem Pretorius Game Reserve, Free State Province.
Mirafra 13: 63-67; Kasoma, P. M. B. (1995) Kleptoparasitic attacks on three heron species (Ardeidae)
in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda. Af: J. Ecol. 33: 291-293; Madge, S. (1995) A record of
Goliath Heron in Assam. Bull. Oriental Bird Cl. 21: 47; Grummt, W. (1993) Erfolgreiche Brut des
Riesenreihers (Ardea goliath) im Tierpark Berlin-Friedrichsfelde. Zool. Garten 63: 303-313; Falzone,
C. K. (1989) Breeding Goliath Heron, Ardea goliath at the Dallas Zoo. Aazpa Regional Conf. Proc.
1989: 741-746; Abbott, T. (1994) A Goliath Heron at Ndumo. Albatross 317: 32-33; Tyler, D. &
Hahndick, Q. (1993) Goliath Heron in battle. Promerops 209: 10; Schels, C. (1993) The second breeding
record of the Goliath Heron Ardea goliath in Somalia. Scopus 17: 59-60; Mahdy, O. A. (1993) On three
trematod species infesting the giant heron (Ardea goliath) in Giza, Egypt. J. Egypt. Vet. Med. Assoc. 53:
305-312; Harris D., Harris, J. & Harris, C. (1993) More Goliath Herons at Chelmsford Dam
(Newcastle). Albatross (Durban) 316: 5; Euston-Brown, M. (1993) Orange River birds. Promerops 209:
11; Davis, S. & Cowgill, R. (1993) Goliath Heron in Natal. Albatross 315: 15; Brooke, R. K. (1993) An
inland breeding record of the Goliath Heron in Natal. Albatross 314: 27; Pauw, R. (1991) Goliath Heron.
Promerops 199: 16; Blerk, E. van & McFarlane, J. (1990) Goliath Heron in the Little Karoo. Promerops
192: 9; Lamont, G. & Myburgh, N. (1990) Records from the Brandvlei-Calvinia area. Promerops 194:
7-9; Saikia, P. & Bhattacharjee, P. C. (1990) The present status of waders and other water birds of
Brahmaputra Valley, Assam (India). Sti/t 17: 65—70; Ralph, I. (1990) Goliath Heron eating a large barbel.
WBC News 150: 8-9; Gold, B. E. (1989) Diet. WBC News 147: 6; Dean, W. R. J. (1988) Breeding of the
Goliath Heron at Barberspan, Transvaal. Ostrich 59: 75-76; Hustler, K. & Games, I. (1987) Goliath
Herons feeding at night. Honeyguide 33: 58; Kinzelbach, R. K. (1986) New records of Goliath Heron,
Yellow-billed Stork, Blyth’s Reed Warbler and Clamorous Reed Warbler in the Middle East. Orn. Soc.
Middle East Bull. 17: 13-17; Geldenhuys, J. N. (1984) Status of the Fish Eagle and Goliath Heron in the
Orange Free State, South Africa. Pp. 577-587 in Ledger, J. (ed.) Proc. Fifth Pan-Afr. Orn.-Congr.
Southern African Orn. Soc., Johannesburg; Ferguson, D. A. (1984) Ornithological observation in the
Hurghada area April 22—May 5, 1982. Courser 1: 8-16; Fraser, W. (1984) Strange death of heron.
Bokmakierie 36: 23; Bijlsma, R. G. & Roder, F. E. de (1982) Goliath Herons in Egypt in 1981. Dutch
Birding 4: 82-84; Skead, D. M. (1981) Goliath Heron chokes on carp. Bokmakierie 33: 51; Guggisberg,
C. A. W. (1981) [Africa’s heron.]. Artis 26: 212-214; Mock, D. W. & Mock, K. C. (1980) Feeding
behavior and ecology of the Goliath Heron. Auk 97: 433-448; El-Naffar, M. K., Khalifa, R. M. & Sakla,
A. A. (1980) Parasitofauna of the Egyptian aquatic birds. 2. Trematode parasites of the giant heron
(Ardea goliath) in Assiut Governorate. J. Egypt. Soc. Parasitology 10: 107-116; Whitfield, A. K. &
Blaber, S. J. M. (1979) Feeding ecology of piscivorous birds at Lake St Lucia, part 2: wading birds.
Ostrich 50: 1-9; Stein, H. (1978) [Goliath Heron in the Netherlands]. Vogeljaar 26: 208; Hagen, H.
(1978) Leukismus bei einem Nacktkehlfrankolin (Francolinus ater) und einem Goliathreiher (Ardea
goliath). Orn. Mitt. 30: 40-44.

Frank D. Steinheimer 171 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(3)

= Ibis comata Hemprich & Ehrenberg MS (fide Ruippell, 1837a, 1845)
= Ibis Hemprichii Ehrenberg, 1833: pl. 18
= Geronticus eremita (Linnaeus, 1758)

This name had long been attributed to Ehrenberg’s authorship (Sharpe 1898: 16),
probably on the grounds that birds of this species in the Berlin Museum had been
labelled with the MS name Jbis comata. However, Ehrenberg (1833: pl. 18),'' when
publishing on the Bald Ibis, finally named the taxon /bis Hemprichii in honour of
his early-deceased friend Wilhelm Friedrich Hemprich. Riippell (1837a: 49) listed
‘[bis comata (Hemprich)’ without any proper description, thus introducing a nomen
nudum. Gray (1844: 90) followed in the use of the nomen nudum in his List of the
specimens of birds in the collection of the British Museum—Part 3 Gallinae,
Grallae, and Anseres. However, one year later, Riippell (1845: 122, pl. 45) validat-
ed the name by publishing it in combination with a coloured plate and reference to
Ehrenberg.

The birds seen by both Ehrenberg and Rippell, belonged to the eastern popula-
tion of the Bald Ibis, which is on the verge of extinction (BirdLife International
2000). The birds wintered in eastern Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea and southern Arabia
(Steinbacher 1979).

Falco (Nisus) polyzonus Ruppell, 1836: 36(—37), pl. 15, fig. 1 & 2 nomen oblitum,
nec Nisus polyzonus Lesson, 1830: 58

= Melierax polyzonus ‘Rupp.’ apud Ruppell, 1845: 12

= Nisus polyzonus Ferret & Galinier, 1850: 179 (fide Sharpe 1874: no substitute
name)

= Melierax metabates Heuglin, 1861b: 72

= Melierax metabates metabates Heuglin, 1861b nomen protectum

Some of the confusion surrounding this name results from Riippell’s inconsistency
in his introduction of subgeneric names (Ruppell 1835, 1836, 1837a, 1840). Whilst
Ruppell (1836) placed the subgenus name in parentheses when describing Falco
(Aquila) albicans, he subsequently (Ruppell 1836) reversed the hierarchy in
Prionops (Lanius) cristatus (cf. Mayr & Greenway 1960: 311). Furthermore,
Stresemann & Amadon (1979: 322) treated Falco (Nisus) polzyonus Ruppell, 1836:
36 as preoccupied by Nisus polyzonus Lesson, 1830: 58,'* whilst Falco (Aquila)

'l A set of plates 11-20, now in private hands, originally came in a wrapper dated 1829 (R. J. Dowsett
& E. C. Dickinson pers. comm. 2003).

!2 Stresemann & Amadon (1979: 322) consequently used the younger synonym, which is Melierax
metabates Heuglin, 1861b: 72, for their contribution to Peters’ checklist (Mayr & Cottrell 1979).
Mathews (1911: 14) dated the first livraison (pp. 1-80) of Lesson’s (1830-31) Traité d’Ornithologie as
published in February 1830.

Frank D. Steinheimer 172 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(3)

albicans Ruppell, 1836: 34 was treated as preoccupied by Falco albicans Gmelin,
1788: 276 (see below)."°

Inter alia, Ruppell 1845: 12, Heuglin 1869b: 61, Sharpe 1874: 88, Finsch &
Hartlaub 1870: 90, Blanford 1870: 291, Bocage 1877: 12, Cabanis 1882: 229,
Rochebrune 1884: 38, Gurney 1884: 26, and Gurney 1894: 20 correctly referred to
this taxon as Melierax polyzonus (Ruppell, 1836). Thus, according to article 51.3.3
of the Code (ICZN 1999) Falco polyzonus Rippell, 1836, has never been a primary
homonym.

Ferret & Galinier (1850: 179), though, in believing Riippell’s polyzonus to be
congeneric with what was seen as Nisus (=Accipiter, fide Sharpe 1874: 130), pro-
duced a secondary homonym of Nisus polyzonus Lesson, 1830: 58 from Cape
Province [=Accipiter tachiro tachiro (Daudin, 1800)] when referring to birds from
Abyssinia as Nisus polyzonus (Ruppell, 1836), without substituting the name of
Ruppell’s taxon. [fin a case of secondary homonym the junior species-group name
has not been replaced |...], and the relevant taxa are no longer considered con-
generic, the junior name is not to be rejected, even if one species-group name was
originally proposed in the current genus of the other (ICZN 1999; article 59.2).
However, prevailing usage is followed in this case. The following authors (selec-
tion) used Melierax metabates Heuglin, 1861b: 72, Hartlaub 1861: 100, Heuglin
1869b: 63, Reichenow 1900-01: 544, Erlanger 1904a: 163, Neumann 1904: 360,
Hilgert 1908: 368, Hartert 1914: 1164, Gyldenstolpe 1924: 285, Friedmann 1930:
84, Friedmann & Loveridge 1937: 48, Archer & Godman 1937: 254, Moltoni 1943:
136, Steinbacher 1949: 104, Bannerman 1953: 300, Cave & Macdonald 1955: 107,
Smithers et al. 1957: 42, Mackworth-Praed & Grant 1957: 211, Smith 1957: 20,
Toschi 1959: 328, Mackworth-Praed & Grant 1962: 189, Balsac & Mayaud 1962:
43, Williams 1963: 49, Vaurie 1965: 170, Moreau 1966: 74, 243, Schtiz 1968: 10,
Wolters 1976: 83, Konig & Ertel 1979: 143, Weick 1980: 90, Cramp ef al. 1980:
144, Curry-Lindahl 1981: 301, 361, Harrison 1982: 91, Brown et al. 1982: 368,
Rosa Pinto 1983: 108, Sauer 1985: 52, Nikolaus 1987: 50, Lewis & Pomeroy 1989:
101, Tarboton 1989: 208, Serle & Morel 1990: 42, Sibley & Monroe 1990: 275,
Short et al. 1990: 77, Morel & Morel 1990: 48, Gore 1990: 48, Thiollay 1994: 143,
Williams & Arlott 1996: 47, Zimmerman et al. 1996: 346, Clements 2000: 39,
Ferguson-Lees & Christie 2001: 510, Borrow & Demey 2001: 379, Stevenson &
Fanshawe 2002: 60, and Dickinson 2003: 104.

These references meet the condition of article 23.9.1 and 23.9.2 ICZN 1999).
Herewith it is stated that the younger synonym Melierax metabates Heuglin, 1861b,
is valid (nomen protectum), while the older synonym, Falco polyzonus Ruppell,
1836, becomes a nomen oblitum.

'3 Stresemann & Amadon (1979: 380) replaced Riippell’s name by Aquila rapax belisarius (Levaillant,
1850) without giving any further details.

Frank D. Steinheimer 173 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(3)

Falco (Aquila) albicans Riippell, 1836: 34(—35), pl. 13 nec Falco albicans
Gmelin, 1788: 276

= Falco belisarius Levaillant, 1850: pl. 2

= Aquila raptor A. E. Brehm, 1855a: 13

= Aquila rapax albicans Rippell apud Hartert, 1914

= Aquila rapax belisarius (Levaillant, 1850)

As shown above, Ruppell (1835, 1836, 1837a, 1840) inconsistently used subgener-
ic names. The rules of the Code (ICZN, 1999: article 51.3.3) are followed and
Riippell’s eagle species is treated within the genus given without parentheses, thus
calling the taxon by the correct binomial combination Falco albicans Ruppell,
1836. However, Gmelin (1788: 276) had already used the name albicans in combi-
nation with the genus Falco. His Falco albicans, however, was based on ‘Le Lanier
blane’ of Brisson (1760: 367) and the ‘White Lanner’ of Latham (1781: 87), both
copied from Aldrovandi’s Falco albus (1599: 380, 485).'* Falco albicans Gmelin,
1788, is now considered to refer to the white morph of Gyrfalcon F. rusticolus.
Consequently, Ruppell’s albicans is a younger primary homonym. Neither of the
two applications of the name Falco albicans was recognised in synonomy by Mayr
& Cottrell (1979). Whilst 19th and early-20th century authors frequently referred to
Aquila albicans Ruppell, 1836 (e.g. Salvadori 1888: 15, Neumann 1904: 362), most
mid-20th century ornithologists used Aquila rapax raptor A. E. Brehm, 1855a, for
the same taxon (Friedmann 1930: 58, Moltoni 1937a: 76, 1937b: 220, 1939: 9,
1943: 132, Friedmann 1948: 138, Smith 1957: 19, Toschi 1959: 326, Brown 1972:
189), whilst modern ornithology knows the bird as Aquila rapax belisarius
(Levaillant, 1850: pl. 2) (Vaurie 1965: 185, White 1965: 56, Stresemann & Amadon
1979: 380, Cramp et al. 1980: 216, Brown et al. 1982: 407, Thiollay 1994: 193,
Ferguson-Lees & Christie 2001: 733, Dickinson 2003: 112). The overall pattern of
the adult in Ruppell (1836: pl. 13, fig. 1) is very much like the specimen illustrated
in Levaillant (1850: pl. 2), except for the quality of the colour of the wings and tail,
which is grey-brown in Rippell, but hair brown to chestnut in Levaillant. Rtippell’s
description gives several details of plumage pattern (wing, tail and soft-part
colours) and proportions (proportion of wingtip to tail tip), which are well matched
by Levaillant’s illustration. However, individual variation (especially within the
two major colour morphs), as well as age- and sex-related plumage variations, are
frequent in this subspecies (Tarboton 1989), making subspecific determination

'4 Aldrovandi’s (1599) p. 380 gives a list of generic characters and an introduction to the birds of prey,
naming also already a Falco albus, but only pp. 485-486 contain the true species description. The plate
on p. 487 shows a ‘mythical’ white bird of prey, which probably had been illustrated on tales of others,
but which certainly refers to a Gyrfalcon. However, on pp. 471-472 (plate on p. 473) a description of
the spotted morph of Gyrfalcon, even named Gyrfalco, is given as well, which is probably based on a
specimen or good original drawing. The later edition of Aldrovandi (1610: 250, pl. 6) mentioned Falco
albus, too.

Frank D. Steinheimer 174 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(3)

problematic. A. E. Brehm (1855a: 14), for example, still listed Riippell’s taxon as a
valid species beside his ‘new’ taxon of Aquila raptor. Hartert (1914: 1095) consid-
ered albicans different from belisarius, not necessarily morphologically, but in
choice of habitat: the latter had been described from the Atlas Mountains, whilst the
former was found in subtropical areas of north-east Africa.

Francolinus Riippellii G. R. Gray, 1844: 33 [by indication: ICZN 1999; article
12.2; misidentification]

= Francolinus ruppelli Finsch, 1870: 292-293: 126 [junior homonym]

= Francolinus sharpii Ogilvie-Grant, 1892: 47(-48)

= Francolinus clappertoni sharpii Ogilvie-Grant, 1892

According to Hall (1963), Ruppell would have met nominate Francolinus
Clappertoni Children, 1826'° (locus typicus: Bornu fide Ogilvie-Grant 1892) while
travelling the Kordofan north of El Obeid. Later, when exploring the Dar Nuba
Mountains south of El Obeid, Ruppell crossed into the contact zone of gedgii
Ogilvie-Grant, 1891 (/ocus typicus: Plains near Mt. Elgon). On Ruppell’s route
from Massawa to the province of Simen and further south to Lake Tana, he had the
opportunity to collect sharpii Ogilvie-Grant, 1892 (locus typicus: Bogosland,
Abyssinia and Shoa: Begiuc region, see below). Ruppell’s collector Martin Bretzka
might also have obtained this subspecies in the province of Shoa. Slightly west of
Gondar this latter subspecies intergrades with kénigseggi Madarasz, 1914’° (locus
typicus: Dinder River fide Peters 1934). The type locality of koenigseggi is c.280
kilometres to the west of Gondar, and thus it is quite likely that Ruppell also met
koenigseggi. Peters (1934) considered koenigseggi a synonym of sharpii, but this
paper follows Hall (1963) in bringing koenigseggi out of synonymy and recognis-
ing it as a valid subspecies, distinguished by the whitish, not pale, horn margins
(Smithe 1975) and the shape of the V pattern of the breast feathers (which is less
pointed in sharpii and more pointed in koenigseggi than shown in Hall 1963: 118,
no. 11). No material of Francolinus c. testis Neumann 1928 (locus typicus: Upper
reaches of the Omo River) has been studied for this paper, but Hall (1963) put testis

!S The Code (ICZN 1999; article 28) demands that any species-group name is always to begin with a
lower case initial letter, regardless of how they were originally published. Therefore, from here on this
paper refers to this taxon as Francolinus clappertoni clappertoni Children, 1826. Apparently J. G.
Children and N. A. Vigors compiled the zoology appendix no. XXI in Denham ef al. 1826 (E. C.
Dickinson pers. comm. 2004 drew my attention to Vigors et al. 1827: ‘The remainder [of the specimens
surviving transport] have [sic] been rendered available to science by Mr Children and Mr Vigors, to
whom we are indebted for the Zoological Appendix now under consideration, in which thirty-nine
species of mammiferous quadrupeds, birds, and reptiles, are noticed.’ [contra Peters 1934 and Dickinson
2003]). The paper still uses the citation as in Peters (1934).

16 The Code (ICZN 1999: article 32.5.2.1) demands deletion of German ‘Umlauts’; from now on the
taxon is referred to as Francolinus clappertoni koenigseggi Madarasz, 1914.

Frank D. Steinheimer 175 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(3)

in synonymy of sharpii, Dickinson (2003) in synonymy of nigrosquamatus
Neumann, 1902.

We do know that Ruppell indeed collected Francolinus clappertoni clappertoni
Children, 1826, because one of Ruppell’s birds of this subspecies was illustrated in
Cretzschmar’s atlas (1827: pl. 9). Furthermore, two of Riippell’s specimens at
Frankfurt Museum (SMF 12712, SMF 23955) originate from the Kordofan and are
nominate c/appertoni, and are probably the birds Cretzschmar saw and illustrated
in his work.

However, Ruppell specimen BMNH 1843.2.8.30 (ex. coll. Leadbeater) is from
the population of F. c. sharpii Ogilvie-Grant, 1892, although certain characters are
shared with F. c. nigrosquamatus Neumann, 1902, and F- c. koenigseggi Madarasz,
1914. This BMNH specimen has the entire crown sepia (no. 119, Smithe 1975),
leaving only the nape natal brown. Fronto-dorsal and ventral feathers have a buff
(no. 124) to pale horn (no. 92) margin combined with dark sepia close to the feath-
er shafts (best seen on the mantle and the breast). The latter feature is actually
addressed in the Latin nigrosquamatus, meaning ‘blackish scaled’ (Neumann
1902), but is most apparent in Aoenigseggi. Feather shafts are the same dark colour
as the web, except for the paler shafts of the wing-coverts. The Rtippell BMNH
specimen differs from most specimens of F. c. sharpii in having laterally broad,
white feather margins. Caudal dorsal feathers also lack any dark sepia. Additionally,
primaries 2—3 (counted from the outside) show an inner web, which is vertically
striped cinnamon-drab to pale pinkish buff (219c and 121d). These features are also
known from nigrosquamatus (the type specimen of which does not possess this
character!). Most other subspecies show a horizontal pattern along the shafts;
though among sharpii and, rarely, koenigseggi both patterns or a mixture can occur.
The conclusion is that the BMNH specimen of Ruppell derives from Martin
Bretzka’s collecting along the shores of Lake Tana, where some integration of the
subspecies Francolinus c. sharpii Ogilvie-Grant, 1892, Francolinus c. nigrosqua-
matus Neumann, 1902, and Francolinus c. koenigseggi Madarasz, 1914, is assumed
to occur. Actually, F! c. testis Neumann, 1928, from the upper reaches of the Omo
River, might also refer to this interbreeding population."

Generally one can state that the subspecies complex of sharpii, koenigseggi and
nigrosquamatus exhibits clinal variation, from pale birds along the Red Sea coast
to darker birds from the montane valleys of southern Ethiopia, which is best seen
in crown colour.

G. R. Gray’® (1844) was the first to note differences between nominate
Francolinus clappertoni and Riuppell’s Abyssinian birds on the basis of specimen

!7 Two female specimens of Oscar Neumann from Lake Znai, now at the American Museum of Natural
History (AMNH 541340, 541341), show similar intermediate characters, as does a male specimen from
20 miles north of Lake Tana (alt. 7000 ft.), collected by R. E. Cheesman on 18 Oct. 1926 (AMNH
260562).

18 George Robert Gray (1808-72).

Frank D. Steinheimer 176 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(3)

BMNH 1843.2.8.30 (and a second bird, subsequently lost).!? He named the new,
apparently undescribed taxon Francolinus Riippellii G. R. Gray, 1844: 33,7° or
Ruppell’s Francolin, from Abyssinia. However, he failed to provide a proper
species description. Instead, Gray plainly referred to Cretzschmar’s plate, believing
naively that all Ruppell specimens of this francolin group would have looked the
same as those in front of him (indication; cf. ICZN 1999; article 12.2). But
Cretzschmar (1827: pl. 9; nec 1826 apud Ogilvie-Grant, 1892) had studied nomi-
nate specimens from the Kordofan’' before writing on the species, using for them
Children’s (1826) name clappertoni.”* Gray (1844), when separating Francolinus
rueppelli as a new species from Francolinus clappertoni Children, 1826, therefore
erroneously referred to ‘Perdix Clappertoni, Rupp. |sic: Cretzschmar] Atl. Zool. t.
9,’ whilst in fact Cretzschmar’s use of Francolinus clappertoni [sensu stricto| was
correctly labelled as Francolinus clappertoni Children, 1826. What Gray saw was
that the holotype of Children, housed in the BMNH,” differed considerably from
Riippell’s specimen(s) and his valid, if mistaken, name rueppelli,* which is a jun-
ior synonym of clappertoni, was in fact based on a mixed type series consisting of
Cretzschmar’s plate and the BMNH Rippell specimen(s) now being addressed by
Gray (1844). The name rueppelli Gray, 1844, renders any younger homonym
unavailable for the new taxon (ICZN 1999; article 49).*°

In fact, Riippell (1835: 11) mentioned that he had subsequently met this form of
Francolinus in a different habitat during his second collecting trip to Abyssinia.

'9 Specimen BMNH 1837.6.10.701 (Vell. Cat. XXXV. 123a), occurring in the same list associated with
Leiden Museum, has proved to derive from the Senckenberg Museum, as shown in a later publication
of G. R. Gray (1867: 51). This second specimen, last referred to by Ogilvie-Grant (1893: 165, sp. i), must
be considered subsequently lost.

0 According to the Code the correct spelling of the name would be rueppelli, genitive of ‘Riippellus’
nec ‘Ruppellius’ (ICZN 1999; article 31.1.2.) and dissolved German Umlaut ‘i’ to ‘ue’ (ICZN 1999;
article 32.5.2.1.). This paper refers to Gray’s name from now on as Francolinus rueppelli.

*1 Cretzschmar (1827) reported that Riippell had collected six specimens of the taxon during his travels
in the Kordofan region.

?2 Cretzschmar (1827) did not quote Children as author of Francolinus clappertoni, but referred to the
travels of Denham & Clapperton.

*3 GR. Gray (1846) illustrated the type specimen of Francolinus clappertoni clappertoni Children,
1826.

*4 Hugh Clapperton (1788-1827), the collector of Children’s type, had never entered the habitat of any
other population of the species than that of the nominate race (Denham et al. 1826).

*> Finsch (1870: 292-293) and Blanford (1870: 46, 425) both properly and correctly described the taxon
as Francolinus rueppelli, each producing a junior homonym of Gray’s name. The Code (ICZN 1999;
article 49) prevents the usage of rueppelli even though it was originally wrongly applied. Murs &
Prévost (1847: 147) already referred to the name Fr: ruppellii [sic] in a descriptive way, but did not take
any decision whether to except Gray’s name or not. The authors referred their specimen(s) to Rtippell
(i.e. Cretzschmar 1827: pl. 9), as nominate clappertoni, although these specimen(s) almost certainly
would have derived from a different subspecies. Original text as follows: Se trouve sur les collines, mais
dans des localités fort peu élevées au-dessus du plateau Rouge ou elle est assez commune; mais manque

Frank D. Steinheimer 177 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(3)

Gray’s Francolinus rueppelli, as shown above, derived from this second batch.
Because of the mistake made by Gray (1844) the historical synonymy is extremely
confused until 1893. Different authors used Francolinus rueppelli in various
spellings alternately for Francolinus c. clappertoni, F: c. sharpii or F- c. gedgii (i.a.
G. R. Gray 1846, vol. 3: Francolinus no. 12, Ruppell 1845: 106, Murs & Prévost
1847: 147, Bonaparte 1856: 882, Heuglin 1856: 303, Heuglin 186la: 197, A. E.
Brehm 1863: 223, Heuglin 1863: 164, Antinori 1864: 94, Hartmann 1865: 69, G. R.
Gray 1867: 51, Blanford 1868: 284, Finsch 1870: 292—293, Blanford 1870: 46, 425,
G. R. Gray 1870: 265, no. 9664, Heuglin 1873: 886—890, Ogilvie-Grant 1891: 126,
and Hartert 1891: 194, no. 2930). Reichenbach (1848-51: pl. 201, no. 1759), some-
times quoted in connection with Francolinus rueppelli, merely copied
Cretzschmar’s plate. Many authors have been confused on the taxonomy of the
group. Heuglin (1873: 886-890), for example, synonymised Cretzschmar’s use of
Perdix Clappertoni with the name Francolinus rueppelli, referring to Finsch,
Blanford and Brehm, but not to Gray, whom he cited for what is now considered
the nominate race, not appreciating that Cretzschmar had in fact a specimen from
the Kordofan in front of him when describing the bird. Unsurprisingly, confusion
over the different subspecies of Francolinus clappertoni from the Ethiopian high-
lands and Sudan border region reappears even today (Gajdacs & Keve 1968). Some
modern authors simply do not recognise any subspecies in the group (Clements
2000).*°

Ogilvie-Grant (1892: 47-48),”’ appreciating that Cretzschmar’s pl. 9 was what
Children described, consequently and correctly placed Francolinus rueppelli in
synonymy, giving the apparently still nameless taxon the new name Francolinus
sharpii on the basis of 12 specimens,”* including BMNH 1843.2.8.30.” The name
Francolinus sharpii thus appeared in the Catalogue of the birds in the British
Museum (Ogilvie-Grant 1893: 165) and has been in common use since (Neumann

Bornou, ou elle avait été trouvée par le capitaine Clapperton, a qui il l’a dédiée. Le savant M. G. R.
Gray a cru trouver une difference assez notable entre l’individu de Clapperton, décrit par Children, et
celui du naturaliste allemand, pour en faire un espécification distincte. Ainsi de celui de Denham et de
Clapperton il a fait Francolinus Clappertonii [sic], et de l’individu de M. Ruppell que nous figurons: Fr.
Ruppellii. Comme, la seule difference que nous apercevions entre la figure donnée par M. G. R. Gray et
la notre, reside dans une fine moustache noire a l’ouverture du bec, et que nous ne connaissons pas
l’oiseau d’apres lequel a été fait son dessin, nous nous sommes bornés a la dénomination de M. Ruppell,
sans rien préjuger de la question, dont un des éléments de solution nous manque. Publication has been
dated according to Sherborn & Woodward (1901).

© See Urban & Brown (1971: 38) for distribution and abundance of the subspecies F c. sharpii and
nigrosquamatus, and Cave & Macdonald (1955: 112—113) for the subspecies F: c. clappertoni, cavei,
gedgii, heuglini and koenigseggi.

?7 William Robert Ogilvie-Grant (1863-1924).

28 Warren (1966) still accounted for 12 specimens, but one apparently has gone missing since then.

29 Other specimens were from the collections of William Thomas Blanford, William Jesse and Sir
William Cornwallis Harris.

Frank D. Steinheimer 178 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(3)

1904: 355, Sclater 1924: 86, Peters 1934: 79, Cheesman & Sclater 1935: 188,
Moltoni 1937a: 76, Mackworth-Praed & Grant 1957: 247, Smith 1957: 20, Toschi
1959: 331, Hall 1963: 107-204, White 1965: 81, Urban & Brown 1971: 38, Wolters
1976: 105, Johnsgard 1988: 153, Howard & Moore 1991: 49, McGowan 1994: 498,
Madge & McGowan 2002: 212, Dickinson 2003: 52). This paper follows in apply-
ing Francolinus clappertoni sharpii Ogilvie-Grant, 1892, to birds from central and
northern Eritrea and northern and central Ethiopia south to the northern shores of
Lake Tana.

Although the BMNH Riuppell specimen is part of the original type series of
Francolinus sharpii Ogilvie-Grant, 1892, it shows some characters of closely relat-
ed subspecies (see above).*” Thus, a lectotype of Francolinus clappertoni sharpii
Ogilvie-Grant, 1892 is designated to prevent any further confusion due to the mixed
composition of the former series of syntypes. The specimen selected in Warren
(1966: 269; although accidentally given the wrong registration no. BMNH
1869.10.17.394) and Ogilvie-Grant (1893: 165 sp.b) is hereby designated as:*’

Lectotype of Francolinus clappertoni sharpii Ogilvie-Grant, 1892: BMNH
1869.10.16.394 [originally erroneously registered as 1869.10.17.394]. Male: loc.:
[?] Bedjuk [= Begiuc region, c.15°25’N, 38°40°E; Warren (1966): Bedyuk, Finsch
(1870): Bejook], Anseba-Valley, northern Ethiopia, 4200 ft.; date: 15 July 1867;
leg.: William Thomas Blanford No. 1239; pres. by the Governor of India (Warren
1966; cf. Blanford 1870 for more details on the trip).

3° Studied material: BMNH: 32 specimens of Francolinus c. clappertoni Children, 1826 (incl. holotype):
26 specimens of F. c. sharpii Ogilvie-Grant, 1892a (incl. lecto- and ten paralectotypes); 14 specimens of
F. c. gedgii Ogilvie-Grant, 1891 (incl. holotype); 18 specimens of F. c. heuglini Neumann, 1907; two
specimens of F. c. nigrosquamatus Neumann, 1902; two specimens of F. c. koenigseggi Madarasz, 1914;
five specimens F. c. cavei Macdonald, 1940 (incl. holotype). ZMB: six specimens of F c. sharpii,
holotype of F. c. tschadensis Reichenow, 1919 (see below for comments on this taxon). SMF: eight
specimens of F c. clappertoni (SMF 12712, 23938-23943, 23955), four specimens of F c. sharpii
Ogilvie-Grant, 1892a (SMF 11574-11576, 23948). AMNH: 16 specimens of F. c. clappertoni Children,
1826 (several of a pale rufescent brown colour; AMNH 541305 with aberrant pattern); 15 specimens of
F. c. sharpii Ogilvie-Grant, 1892a (18 specimens of mixed characters from southern Ethiopia were not
used); six specimens of F. c. heuglini Neumann, 1907; holotype of F. c. nigrosquamatus Neumann, 1902.
Not studied: types of F. c. testis Neumann, 1928 and F- c. heuglini Neumann, 1907. Following specimens
were consulted to establish a hybrid status of specimen BMNH 1843.2.8.30: nigrosquamatus BMNH
1912.10.15.1 [loc.: c.150 miles west of Lake Zwai, Caroho, Bunno, southern Abyssinia], BMNH
1912.10.15.4 [loc.: 180 miles west of Lake Zwai, Limmu, Urguessa River, southern Abyssinia];
koenigseggi BMNH 1915.12.24.209-212, 214 and 1901.12.4.1 [loc.: Roseires and Disa in the valley of
the Blue Nile]; sharpii BMNH 1927.11.5.14, 1880.1.1.1145, 1912.10.15.2—3 [loc.: Gondar, Shoa and
Hawash River]; outgroup sharpii BMNH 1889.5.13.369, 1891.5.1.10 [loc.: Bogos region along the
River Anseba]; ‘testis’? AMNH 541340-541341 [females, loc.: Lake Zwai, southern Ethiopia,], AMNH
260562 [male, loc.: 20 miles north of Gondar]; nigrosqgquamatus AMNH 541343 [holotype, female, loc.:
Ford between Alesa/Malo and Koscha on Middle Omo River, southern Ethiopia, 21Nov. 1901, leg. O.
Neumann].

>! The wording complies with the Declaration 60, Bull. Zool. Nomen. 2003: 263.

Frank D. Steinheimer 179 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(3)

Paralectotypes: consequently, the Ruppell specimen BMNH _ 1843.2.8.30
(Ogilvie-Grant 1893: 165 sp. k) is only a paralectotype (with lesser taxonomic
validity). Additional paralectotypes are BMNH _ 1889.5.13.363 (Ogilvie-Grant
1893: 165 sp. a), 1869.10.16.393 [originally 1869.10.17.393 on label] (sp. c),
1889.5.13.369 (sp. d), 1879.4.5.1609 (sp. e), 1879.4.5.1608 (sp. f), 1891.5.1.10
[originally 1891.5.1.11 on label] (sp. g), 1891.5.1.9 [originally 1891.5.1.10 on
label] (sp. h), 1880.1.1.1144 (sp. 1) and 1880.1.1.1145 (sp. m). The paralectotype
BMNH 1837.6.10.701 (Ogilvie-Grant 1893: 165, sp. 1), deriving from the collec-
tion of the Senckenberg Museum and collected by E. Riippell in Abyssinia, was not
found in 2002.

Francolinus clappertoni tschadensis Reichenow, 1919: 334

= Francolinus clappertoni clappertoni Children, 1826 apud Peters 1934: 79
= Francolinus clappertoni clappertoni xX icterorhynchus fide Neumann quot.
Peters 1934: 79

= Francolinus clappertoni ? tschadensis Reichenow, 1919

During my studies on North African francolins the type of Francolinus clappertoni
tschadensis Reichenow, 1919: 334, was also consulted, revealing some inconsisten-
cies in the literature. The holotype and unique specimen shows remarkable darker
feathers all over the ventral side, not featured in any of the nominate specimens at
BMNH (including the nominate’s type), SMF, ZMB and AMNH. Neumann (quot-
ed in Peters 1934) suggested a hybrid between F. clappertoni and dybowskii [i.e. F-
icterorhynchus apud McGowan 1994],*? and Hall (1963) suggested an aberrant
specimen. A more cautious view appears necessary, as little collecting has taken
place further north of Lake Chad, from where the specimen originates, leaving open
the possibility of a separate population isolated in semi-arid dry grasslands between
swamp on one side and deserts on the other (cf. also the distribution of F’ clapper-
toni in Bannerman 1953). None of the BMNH specimens derives from the north
and north-east shores of the lake. Furthermore, comparing the breast feather pattern,
it seems unlikely that the specimen is a hybrid of the two forms suggested. The
crown of Reichenow’s type is halfway dark sepia becoming hair brown towards the
nape. The mantle feathers have buff margins, which are consistently narrower than
2 mm (in nominate clappertoni often broader). Feathers on the breast and belly are
margined (2—3 mm) with orange-buff (nominate clappertoni broadly [often wider
than 3 mm] in pale buff). Towards the belly the centres of these feathers show heart-
shaped dark sepia. The same feathers in the nominate form posses an elongate
lanceolated wedge as pattern. The holotype, ZMB 50.133, was collected by

32, McGowan (1994) submerged dybowski as an example of clinal variation, thus making F
icterorhynchus monotypic.

Frank D. Steinheimer 180 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(3)

Haberer’’ in Noéem [or Ngeem], Tschad, on 20 November 1910, and was consid-
ered by him to be a female (despite a long spur).

“Weisser Papagei mit rothen Flugeln’ [White parrot with red wings] Ruppell,
1838: 399

= Psittacus levaillantii (Kuhl)? apud Rippell, 1837a: 63

= Pionus Vaillantii? Kuhl apud Ruppell, 1845: 94

= Poicephalus [robustus] ssp. [?]

For the sake of completeness I present some information on this dubious species, to
which Michael Walters (BMNH) first drew my attention. Rtippell always based his
descriptions and notes on real specimens, which he procured for all except one of
the new species he described. However, this one parrot he only observed, describ-
ing it as follows (Ruppell 1838: 399): Namentlich erwahne ich aber, als von uns
hier wahrgenommen, einen Schwarm weisser Papageien mit rothen Fligeln, die
wir sonst in keiner Gegend Abyssiniens wieder fanden, und deren Aufenthalt in
einer so hohen Gebirgsregion merkwurdig ist. Diese Thiere—hochst wahrschein-
lich der von Kuhl beschriebene Psittacus Levaillantii—schienen unsere feindlichen
Absichten errathen zu haben, und ermudeten, indem sie bald auf das eine, bald auf
das andere Ufer des nur einzelne von einander weit entfernte Furthen habenden
Stromes flogen, die Geduld meiner sie vergebens verfolgenden Jager. [Namely I
mention a flock of white parrots with red wings observed by us, but not seen in any
other region of Abyssinia; and its occurrence in the high mountains seemed odd.
These birds—most likely Psittacus Levaillantii described by Kuhl—probably
guessed our hostile intentions, and tired the hunters, which tried to follow them, by
flying from one shore of the river, with fords far apart, to the other]. This descrip-
tion was reviewed by Finsch (1868: 931), who wrote: Ein weisser Papagei mit
rothen Flugeln wurde fur Afrika, wie uberhaupt, unbedingt neu sein, denn an eine
Gleichartigkeit mit Ps. Levaillantii, Kuhl (robustus, Gmelin) ist nicht zu denken. [A
white parrot with red wings would definitely be for Africa, as for any region, new,
as for an equal identity to Ps. Levaillantii, Kuhl (robustus, Gmelin) is not to imag-
ine]. However, Finsch, like Riippell, correctly hesitated to name the bird.
Ruippell’s observation occurred on 29 June 1832 near Donkoski in the Selki
Mountains (c.4,000 m) in the province of Simen. One should probably not rule out the
existence of a more whitish subspecies of Poicephalus robustus, extending the greyish
white of the head and breast onto the belly and upperwing-coverts. The red of the
shoulders might have extended to the underwing-coverts as well (cf. Juniper & Parr
1998: 376-377). Riippell never exaggerated in any of his descriptions and observa-
tions, and was always absolutely exact in his notes, so that one may assume that he did

33 Karl Albert Haberer (1864-1941)

Frank D. Steinheimer 181 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(3)

see a small parrot, of which the identity must remain unknown. The form might have
been already very rare during Ruppell’s visit, and by now extinct, due to intensive
hunting and the grazing of domesticated animals. Still, it seems strange that no other
traveller, especially Theodor von Heuglin, met the ‘white parrot with red wings.’
Riippell’s (1845) reference to “Le Vaillant Taf. 130’ does not refer to Levaillant (1799,
1802, 1805, 1806, 1808), but to Kuhl’s (1820) table on p. 104: no. 130.

Buceros cristatus Riippell, 1835: 3, pl. 1 nec Buceros cristatus Vieillot, 1816
= Buceros coronatus Ruippell MS
= Bycanistes brevis omissus Peters, 1945 nomen novum

Peters (1945), recognising the preoccupation of Ruppell’s name by Buceros crista-
tus Vieillot, 1816,°* created a nomen novum for this taxon (footnote). The lectotype
(SMF 12621, collection date 1832 fide Steinbacher 1949) and the single paralecto-
type (SMF 16818, collection date 1833) of Ruppell’s name are also types of the
nomen novum of Peters. Five additional ‘Ruppell’ specimens are in the Frankfurt
(Hartert 1891: 141, sp. 2144a), Berlin (ZMB 9673) and Leiden museums (RMNH
cat. nos. 1-3). None of these latter birds can be considered as having type status, as
Riippell (1835) explicitly referred only to one collected pair. Frankfurt’s lectotype,
with its acquisition date of 1834, was certainly at Ruppell’s disposal when writing
the species account. The paralectotype even has an original field label attached stat-
ing »v. Ruppell / No. 354 / fomina / d. 15 Marz / 1833«. The additional specimens
were obtained from the province of Shoa and were collected by Martin Bretzka in
1833-42. Riippell wrote concerning these acquisitions in a letter to Maria Emma
Gray, the wife of John Edward Gray (1800-75), on 17 February 1842 (BMNH
archives: DF200/145/10): [...] there are for sale here a beautifull [sic] pair 7 & ¢
of my Buceros cristatus, a species, of which up to this day there was only in Europe
the single couple, I brought home from the south of Abyssinia. A servant of mine I
had left in that country sex [six] years ago, has just sent to me some [...] couples of
these beautifull |sic| birds. |...] One pair of the Buceros Temminck has paid for the
Leyden Museum with 126 florins or 275 francs.

Pogonias undatus Ruppell, 1837a: 52, pl. 20
= Lybius undatus undatus (Ruppell, 1837a) & Lybius undatus thiogaster Neumann,
1903

Ruppell (1837a) described the juveniles of his new taxon as having the nape, neck-
sides and throat black with whitish spots; the forehead, however, vivid vermilion-
red like in the adult. These characters, however, refer better to adults of the sub-

34 Vieillot (1816: 591): Le Calao a Casque concave, Buceros cristatus from Batavia [in error for
Sumatra], today’s Buceros bicornis Linnaeus, 1758.

Frank D. Steinheimer 182 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(3)

species L. u. thiogaster Neumann, 1903. Any bird of this species with fully devel-
oped red on the forehead is believed to be adult (Neumann 1903). Steinbacher
(1949) already designated a lectotype (SMF 12616) resembling L. u. undatus
(Ruppell, 1837a). Paralectotypes SMF 30317-30320 and RMNH cat. no. | are
nominate uwndatus; however, paralectotype BMNH 1837.6.10.706 is a bird with
intermediate characters of L. u. undatus (Ruppell, 1837a) and L. u. thiogaster
Neumann, 1903, and might be the specimen Ruippell described as ‘juvenile.’ So far,
no true L. u. thiogaster Neumann, 1903, of Ruppell’s collection has been discoy-
ered.

Alauda ruficeps Rippell, 1840: 102, pl. 38, fig. 1; nec Alauda ruficeps Bechstein,
LF9SV120
= Calandrella cinerea erlangeri (Neumann, 1906)

Riippell’s name ruficeps is pre-occupied by Bechstein’s ‘Feldlerche mit roth-
braunem Kopfe Alauda arvensis ruficeps’ [Skylark with a red-brown head]
(Bechstein 1795: 120, cf. Peters 1960; not mentioned in Mey 2003).

Saxicola isabellina Temminck, 1829a: livr. 79, pl. 472, fig. 1 [incl. females of
Oenanthe deserti deserti|

= Saxicola isabellina Cretzschmar, 1830: 52, pl. 34, fig. b

= Saxicola isabellina Rippell MS [in error incl. one female of Oenanthe deserti
deserti ante 1826|

= Saxicola olivastra Rippell MS [inter 1822-30, on labels of specimens at RMNH
and NMW]

= Saxicola saltator Ménétriés, 1832: 30°

= Saxicola isabellina Rippell, 1837a: 80, 1845: 58 [incl. Oenanthe bottae frenata
(Heuglin, 1869a)]

= Oenanthe isabellina (Temminck, 1829a)*°

Saxicola albogularis / albigularis Riippell MS [ante 1837]*’

= Saxicola isabellina (Ripp.) apud Riuppell, 1837a: 80, 1845: 58 [ex parte, incl.
Oenanthe isabellina|

= Saxicola frenata Heuglin, 1869a: 158 (—159)

= Oenanthe bottae frenata (Heuglin, 1869a)

35 The following characters, besides the general colour, mentioned by Ménétriés (1832), doubtlessly
refer to Oenanthe isabellina (Temminck, 1829a): la moitié supérieure de la queue est blanche, et le reste
d’un noir profound and les deux sexes sont semblables.

36 The older name for Oenanthe isabellina, Motacilla strapazina Pallas, 1811: 447, is preoccupied by
Motacilla strapazina Gmelin, 1788 (fide Seebohm 1881).

37 This MS name is quoted on old BMNH labels and in the BMNH Vellum Catalogue. The MS name
well describes the throat pattern of Oenanthe bottae frenata.

Frank D. Steinheimer 183 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(3)

Saxicola deserti Temminck, 1825: livr. 60, pl. 359, fig. 2

= Saxicola isabellina Rippell MS [ex parte in error for one female of Oenanthe
deserti deserti ante 1826]

= Saxicola pallida Riippell MS [pro parte females of Saxicola deserti Temminck,
1825]**

= Saxicola deserti Riippell MS [pro parte males of Saxicola deserti Temminck,
1825}

= Saxicola isabellina Temminck, 1829a: livr. 79, pl. 472, fig. 1 [pro parte:
females] nec Saxicola isabellina Cretzschmar, 1830: 52, pl. 34

= Saxicola deserti Rupp. Temm. apud Rippell, 1845: 58

= Oenanthe deserti deserti (Temminck, 1825)

Riippell collected inter alia the following three taxa of wheatears, Oenanthe deser-
ti deserti (TYemminck, 1825), Oenanthe isabellina (Yemminck, 1829a) and
Oenanthe bottae frenata (Heuglin, 1869a). He met the latter taxon only during his
second collecting trip, whilst the first two taxa were described from material taken
during his first collecting trip. Ruppell already labelled all specimens with MS
names in the field. He frequently sent back specimens from Africa addressed to
Cretzschmar at the museum of the Senckenberg Society. During Ruppell’s absence
and to Ruppell’s great mischief, Cretzschmar began to publish descriptions for
some of the new birds. Cretzschmar forwarded other specimens to Temminck at
Leiden, who first received Ruppell material in 1823 (see Temminck 1823: livr. 41:
Alauda isabellina and Alauda bilopha). Between them, Cretzschmar and Temminck
described 43 new bird taxa based on Ruppell’s collections, before Riippell even
returned from Africa.*° In so doing, they nearly always used the names proposed by
Ruppell without giving Ruppell the credit for them. Both, however, always referred

38 Two females of Oenanthe deserti deserti (Temminck, 1825) were labelled by Riippell as Saxicola
pallida: SMF 52635: loc. Nubia, leg. Dr Wilhelm Peter Eduard Simon Riippell; coll.
Riippell/Senckenberg Museum Frankfurt am Main. Label data: Saxicola pallida Rupp. / ? Riipp. Zool.
Atl. Vog. t. 34 / Nubien Geschenk von Dr Rupp. 1825 [SMF label]. SMF 52634: loc. Nubia, leg. Dr
Wilhelm Peter Eduard Simon Riippell; coll. Riippell/Senckenberg Museum Frankfurt am Main. Label
data: Saxicola pallida Riippell / Saxicola isabellina Tem. Tem[minck’s] pl{.] col. 472 / @ juv. / Nubien
Geschenk von Dr Riippell 1825 [SMF label].

39 Male specimens of Oenanthe deserti deserti (Temminck, 1825) at Frankfurt Museum were labelled
with Ruppell’s MS name Saxicola deserti (fide labels on specimens SMF 52636-—37). This name was
used by Temminck in the description of the taxon. One of the males is a syntype of Saxicola deserti
Temminck, 1825: SMF 52636: male, loc. Nubia, leg. Dr Wilhelm Peter Eduard Simon Rippell; coll.
Ruppell/Senckenberg Museum Frankfurt am Main. Label data: Saxicola deserti Rupp. / @ annotinus /
Nubien Gesch. von Dr Rupp. 1823 [SMF label]. The other male, SMF 52637: loc. Suez, leg. Dr Wilhelm
Peter Eduard Simon Riippell; coll. Riippell/Senckenberg Museum Frankfurt am Main. Label data:
Saxicola deserti Rupp. / wie hornotina [added:] Winterkleid / Suez Gesch. von Dr Rupp. 1831 [SMF
label]; has no type status.

4° Not all these names are valid according to modern taxonomy.

Frank D. Steinheimer 184 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(3)

to Ruppell in the main text as the collector of the specimens. These MS names also
show up in Ruppell’s letters, which he sent from Africa to various colleagues.
Already in 1825 Temminck named a new wheatear Saxicola deserti based on a
male collected by Ruppell, referring also to specimens at Frankfurt. A few years
later Temminck described a further wheatear labelled by Ruppell Saxicola isabelli-
na. Most of Ruppell’s bird specimens labelled Saxicola isabellina stayed at
Frankfurt. Only the smallest specimen of the series was forwarded to Temminck in
Leiden by Cretzschmar. This very specimen though was in fact a female Desert
Wheatear Oenanthe deserti deserti (Yemminck, 1825). At that time (1829a)
Temminck knew only the male of the species. Consequently, he described this bird,
as he did with other Ruppell material, under Ruppell’s MS name, in this case as
Saxicola isabellina Temminck, 1829a: livr. 79, pl. 472, fig. 1.*! Thus Temminck’s
description and plate of Isabelline Wheatear is actually based on a female Desert
Wheatear. However, Temminck also referred to further specimens at Frankfurt
Museum, making these specimens syntypes.** But the specimens at Frankfurt
Museum labelled Saxicola isabellina Riippell MS are in fact what modern taxono-
my regards as Oenanthe isabellina (Temminck, 1829a). To add to the confusion,
Temminck also received Riippell specimens labelled Saxicola olivastra, in 1823.”
Comments on the labels, which are said to be transcripts of Temminck’s originals,
reveal that Temminck did not work on them but kept these birds under Ruppell’s
MS name in his collection. Only a single specimen, RMNH 89369, was labelled by
Temminck as ‘S. isabellina Temm. Pl. col. 472.1 @ voy. Ritipp. Nubie,’ which is the
female Oenanthe deserti as explained above. Cretzschmar (1830: 52, pl. 34, fig. b)
followed Temminck’s path and also described Saxicola specimens from Dongola as
new for science. However, when using Ruppell’s MS name Saxicola isabellina,
Cretzschmar attributed this to the birds we still today refer to as Oenanthe isabelli-
na (Temminck, 1829a). For many years Oenanthe isabellina was attributed to
Cretzschmar, rather than to Temminck, mainly due to the incorrect belief that
Cretzschmar published his description in 1826, rather than 1830. Jnter alia, the fol-
lowing authors referred to Oenanthe isabellina Cretzschmar, 1826 [1830]: Ruppell
1845: 58 [partim], Horsfield & Moore 1854: 287, Antinori 1864: 39, Heuglin
1869a: 157-158, Seebohm 1881: 399, and Hartert 1910: 691. Riippell (1837a: 80)

4! Temminck (1829a: livr. 79): Les couleurs du plumage offrent peu de variété; un ton isabelle plus ou
moins pur forme la teinte des parties supérieures; un brun-isabelle couvre le méat auditif; la gorge, le
ventre, l’abdomen et la moitié de la queue sont blanchdtres; la poitrine et le milieu du cou d'une isabelle
trés-claire; les ailes, d’un brun terne, ont les couvertures lisérées de brun clair; la plus grande moitié
de toutes les pennes caudales d’un brun noiratre; le bec brun, et les pieds noirs. Longueur, cing pouces.
Du voyage de M. Ruppel en Nubie. Musées des Pays-Bas et de Francfort. Especially the description of
the tail as being more than half blackish brown clearly refers to Oenanthe deserti.

+? Temminck might have seen these Frankfurt specimens of Oenanthe isabellina on his visit to Frankfurt
in 1824 (Lynden-de Bruine 2001).

43 RMNH holds three specimens (RMNH 8924446) labelled by Temminck himself as ‘S. olivastra,
Rupp. Nubie per Riippell.’ These are true Oenanthe isabellina (Temminck, 1829a).

Frank D. Steinheimer 185 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(3)

correctly noted that Temminck’s isabellina cannot be synonymised with
Cretzschmar’s Saxicola isabellina; but falsely synonymised it with Saxicola palli-
da Cretzschmar 1830: 51, which is a younger synonym of Oenanthe monacha
(Temminck, 1825) (cf. Heuglin 1869a: 157, Seebohm 1881: 383, Steinbacher 1949:
111).*

It was Sclater (1930: 455)* who first cited Temminck as the original author for
Oenanthe isabellina sensu Cretzschmar, 1830, followed by, inter alia, Hartert &
Steinbacher 1935: 312, Friedmann 1937: 136, Vaurie 1959: 350, White 1962: 105,
Ripley 1964: 122, Wolters 1980: 422, Cramp et al. 1988: 756, Sibley & Monroe
1990: 542, and Dickinson 2003: 685.

As the mixed type series of Saxicola isabellina Temminck 1829a has caused
several problems and even errors in the taxonomy of the Isabelline Wheatear I here-
with designate, according to the Code (ICZN 1999, article 72.4 and 74.7.3, recom-
mendation 74A, 74B) and after some formal discussions with the chair of the
Standing Committee on Ornithological Nomenclature (Richard Schodde) and other
colleagues (René Dekker, Edward Dickinson, Markus Moser), the specimen SMF
12693, illustrated in Cretzschmar 1830: 52, pl. 34, fig. b and listed as ‘lectotypus’
of Cretzschmar’s Saxicola isabellina in Steinbacher (1949: 111)*° and Hartert
(1891: 5 sp. no. 40b) as:*”

Lectotype of Saxicola isabellina Temminck, 1829a: livr. 79, pl. 472, fig. 1: SMF
12693: adult male; loc. Nubia [restricted to the province ‘Dongola’ in Steinbacher
1949]; northern Sudan; date: [September 1823—June 1824]; leg. Dr Wilhelm Peter
Eduard Simon Ruppell; coll. Rippell/Senckenberg Museum Frankfurt am Main,
SMF acqu. 1824 (cf. Ruppell 1829, Mertens 1949 for more details concerning the
trip). Label data: Saxicola isabellina Rippell / ? adult / Nubien Geschenk von Dr
Ruppell 1824 [SMF label]. .

Known paralectotypes of Saxicola isabellina Temminck, 1829a:** SMF 46186:
adult female; loc. [province of Dongola], Nubia, northern Sudan; date: [February
1823—August 1823]; leg. Dr Wilhelm Peter Eduard Simon Riippell; coll.
Ruppell/Senckenberg Museum, Frankfurt am Main, SMF acqu. 1823 (cf. Hartert
1891: 111, no. 40a). Label data: Saxicola isabellina Ripp[.] 1826 [error for 1830]

4 Cretzschmar’s (1830: 51) description of the tail of Saxicola pallida as turning from isabelline to
reddish brown with the exception of the two central feathers, which are matt brown, unambiguously
refers to females and immatures of Oenanthe monacha.

45 A footnote in Sclater (1930) amended the publication date of Cretzschmar’s Saxicola isabellina
correctly to 1830. However, Sclater failed to recognise that Temminck’s description refers to a female
of Oenanthe deserti.

46 Steinbacher’s (1949: 111) lectotype designation only refers to Cretzschmar’s use of Saxicola
isabellina and has no nomenclatural relevance on the actual designation.

+” The wording complies with the Declaration 60, Bull. Zool. Nomen. 2003: 263; Recommendation 74G
is followed.

48 SMF 46185, listed in Hartert (1891: 5, no. 40), has no type status for Temminck’s name; it may,
however, qualify as a syntype of Saxicola saltator Ménétriés, 1832: 30.

Frank D. Steinheimer 186 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(3)

/ Rupp. Atlas ? V6g: taf. 24 [error for 34] / Nubien per Dr Rtippell 1823 [SMF
label] [=Oenanthe isabellina Temminck, 1829a]. NMW 59269: indet. sex; loc.
[province of Dongola], Nubia, northern Sudan; date: [February 1823—July 1825];
leg. Dr Wilhelm Peter Eduard Simon Riippell; coll. Naturhistorisches Museum
Wien, acqu. no. 1826.[1.10 (not in Pelzeln & Lorenz 1887: 197-198). Label data:
Saxicola valida Licht. / (S. olivastra Mus. Francof.) Vom Frankfurter Mus. in
Tausch / Nubien [NMW label] [=Oenanthe isabellina Temminck, 1829a]. RMNH
89369: adult female; loc. Nubia, northern Sudan; date: [1823-1825]; leg. Dr
Wilhelm Peter Eduard Simon Ruppell; ex.coll. Senckenberg Museum, Frankfurt am
Main, coll. Nationaal Natuurhistorisch Museum, Leiden, acqu. 1824-1829 (cf.
Dekker 2003: 43). Label data: S. isabellina Temm. pl. col. 472.1. @ voy. Riipp.
Nubie [=female of Oenanthe deserti deserti (Temminck, 1825)]. ?7BMNH
1842.8.16.10: indet. sex; loc. Abyssinia [Nubia in Cretzschmar 1830], date: [not
given], leg. Dr Wilhelm Peter Eduard Simon Riippell, ex. coll. Senckenberg
Museum, Frankfurt am Main, coll. The Natural History Museum, Tring, BMNH
acqu. 1836 (cf. Seebohm 1881: 401, sp. b). Label data: Abyssinia ex. Rupp.
[BMNH label] [=Oenanthe isabellina Temminck, 1829a]. ?>BMNH [no modern reg-
istration] / Vell. Cat. XV. 434a: indet. sex; loc. Abyssinia [Nubia in Cretzschmar
1830]; date: [not given]; leg. Dr Wilhelm Peter Eduard Simon Ruppell, ex. colls.
John Gould, Zool. Soc. Lond. & Senckenberg Museum, Frankfurt am Main, coll.
The Natural History Museum, Tring, BMNH acqu. <1837 (cf. Seebohm 1881: 401,
sp. a). Label data: loc. Abyssinia ex. coll. [not given] [BMNH skin label]
[=Oenanthe isabellina Temminck, 1829a]. [RMNH 89244, 89245, 89246 are not
part of the type series of Saxicola isabellina Temminck, 1829a].

Subsequently, in adding more details to Cretzschmar’s description of Oenanthe
isabellina, Ruppell (1837a: 80) included characters of both Oenanthe bottae frena-
ta (Heuglin, 1869a) and Oenanthe isabellina (Temminck, 1829a) (cf. Heuglin
1869a: 157-158, Seebohm 1881: 401), even though Riippell had previously distin-
guished O. b. frenata from O. isabellina as Saxicola albo-/albigularis, an unpub-
lished MS name (quot. BMNH registers).*”°° Whilst there is considerable evidence
that Riippell indeed collected O. b. frenata (Heuglin, 1869a),°' no name other than

4° Oenanthe bottae heuglini (Finsch & Hartlaub, 1870), a subspecies Riippell could also eventually have
met, is much darker on its back than the Saxicola isabellina shown on Cretzschmar’s plate, sufficiently
so that Riippell would have appreciated the difference. It may therefore be assumed that Ruppell did not
collect this subspecies.

°° Sibley & Monroe (1990) considered that Oenanthe bottae and Oenanthe isabellina might be
conspecific.

>! There are six specimens of Oenanthe bottae frenata (Heuglin, 1869a) at Frankfurt Museum
originating from Riippell’s collecting in the province of Simen, Abyssinia, which were acquired by the
museum in 1832 (SMF 46177-82). A seventh specimen, thought to be of the same provenance (Hartert
1891: 5, no. 44), is in fact from Theodor von Heuglin, and might qualify as a syntype of his name
Oenanthe bottae frenata (SMF 46183). Two further Riippell specimens of O. b. frenata are housed at
BMNH (BMNH 1837.6.10.724, BMNH 1843.2.8.5).

Frank D. Steinheimer 187 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(3)

O. isabellina is given for this taxon in Riippell (1837a, 1845). On their labels
Ruppell referred to these specimens as juveniles of O. isabellina. Therefore it is
concluded that Saxicola isabellina apud Riippell (1837a, 1845) must be recorded in
the synonymy of both adult O. isabellina (Temminck, 1829a) and adult and imma-
ture O. b. frenata (Heuglin, 1869a: 157). Other scientists were also puzzled by these
two different populations and merged the resident Abyssinian Red-breasted
Wheatear with migrant Isabelline Wheatear into O. isabellina (Horsfield & Moore
1854: 287). Following Ripley (1964: 121—132), O. isabellina (Temminck, 1829a)
is only a winter visitor to Nubia (i.e. Sudan), whilst O. b. frenata is resident in the
Ethiopian highlands (cf. Heuglin 1869a: 158 recorded a breeding bird in the high-
lands of Simen on 28 February 1853).

Saxicola monacha Ruppell MS [pro parte adult males]

= Saxicola monacha ‘Rupp.’ Temminck, 1825: pl. 359, fig. 1 [ex parte]

= Saxicola monacha (Rupp.) apud Ruppell, 1837a: 79 [pro parte adult males]

= Oenanthe monacha (Temminck, 1825) [ex parte adult male; and incl. Oenanthe
leucopyga leucopyga (Chr. L. Brehm, 1855)]

Saxicola leucura ‘(Lichtenstein)’ Riippell, 1837a: 79 [pro parte females, first-
winter plumage], nec Saxicola leucura Gmelin, 1789: 820

= Saxicola cachinans [sic] (Temm.) apud Ruppell, 1837a: 79 [alternatively
applied]

= Saxicola leucura Gmelin apud Ruppell, 1845: 58 [pro parte females, first-win-
ter plumage]

= Oenanthe leucopyga leucopyga (C. L. Brehm, 1855)] [ex parte females, first-
winter plumage]

Saxicola pallida Cretzschmar, 1830: 51, pl. 34, fig. a [pro parte females, first-
winter plumage]

= Saxicola isabellina Temminck pl. 472, fig. 1 apud Riippell, 1837a: 79 [in error]
= Saxicola pallida Rupp. apud Rippell, 1845: 58 [ex parte]

= Oenanthe monacha (Temminck, 1825) [ex parte females, first-winter plumage]

The BMNH 1881.5.1.935 specimen, which has been identified as Oenanthe leu-
copyga leucopyga (C. L. Brehm, 1855) in first-winter plumage, originates from the
collection of Leadbeater (via John Gould), and as such is probably also from
Ruppell’s collecting activities in North Africa (Nubia). However, Riippell obvious-
ly did not recognise the taxon as new and probably included this species under a
different and thus composite species name in his publications. The question thus
arising is in which of the “Saxicola’ species Ruippell (1837a, 1845) would have
included O. /. leucopyga (C. L. Brehm, 1855), which was at the time of Riippell’s
publications undescribed. We can assume that Riippell certainly met this common
bird during his collecting activities on the shores of the Nile around ‘New’ Dongola

Frank D. Steinheimer 188 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(3)

(northern Sudan). Keith et al. (1992) described the bird as being ‘generally abun-
dant in suitable habitat’.

There is now much evidence that Ruppell included the juvenile, first-winter and
female of O. 1. leucopyga (C. L. Brehm, 1855) under the name “Saxicola leucura
(Lichtenstein)’ and ‘Saxicola cachin|n|ans (Temm.)’ in his publication of 1837
(Ruppell 1837a: 79). Temminck (1820: 236—237) linked the name Saxicola cachin-
nans to Latham’s (1783: 49, pl. 38) White-tailed Thrush and Turdus leucurus,
which are the basis for the valid name of nominate Oenanthe leucura (Gmelin,
1789: 820), the Black Wheatear (cf. Hemprich & Ehrenberg 1833: dd). Black
Wheatears occur along the Mediterranean coast of southern Europe and north-west
Africa. Only very rarely have vagrants of the subspecies syenitica been recorded in
northern Egypt (Heuglin 1869a: 155—156). Lichtenstein’s (1823: 32) ‘“Saxicola leu-
cura n.—Turdus leucur. Lin. Gm.—Saxic. cachinnans Temm. from Egyptian Nubia,
described as ‘S. atra, cauda (Basi) alba Longot. 7”, tarsi 14’”. is difficult to iden-
tify on the basis of its description (it could be either O. 1. leucopyga [C. L. Brehm,
1855] or O. l. syenitica [Heuglin, 1869a]), but has been synonymised with O. /. leu-
copyga (C. L. Brehm, 1855) on the basis of its distribution and the identity of the
type material collected by Hemprich and Ehrenberg (thus Lichtenstein’s name is a
junior homonym; cf. Seebohm 1881: 374). Hartert (1891: 5) listed two of Ruppell’s
specimens from Egypt as O. /eucura, but mentioned characters that are not specif-
ic. In subsequently again publishing on O. /eucura, Hartert (1910: 698-699) did not
cite Egypt within its range.

Males of the African subspecies O. /. syenitica (Heuglin, 1869a) are not only
very similar to first-winters and females, but are especially similar to juvenile O. /.
leucopyga (C. L. Brehm, 1855). An exception is the colour of the head in females
and immature males, which is black in Oenanthe leucopyga, but dark umber in
Oenanthe leucura. Juveniles” of O. leucopyga are distinguished from O. leucura
by the dark umber-brown to blackish belly, which is pale hair brown in O. /eucura
(cf. juveniles ZMB 4854, ZMB 70.246). No specimen of O. leucura syenitica
(Heuglin, 1869a) from Riippell’s collection has been traced, so it is assumed that
Riippell never collected this taxon.

Furthermore, Riippell included adult males of O. 1. leucopyga (C. L. Brehm,
1855) alongside adult males of O. monacha (Temminck, 1825) under ‘Saxicola
monacha, (Ripp.)’ in his publication of 1837 (Riippell 1837a: 79). Already in the
field Riippell applied the MS name ‘Saxicola monacha’ to both adult males of O. /.
leucopyga (C. L. Brehm, 1855) and males of O. monacha (Temminck, 1825). Adult
males of O. monacha differ from male O. lJeucopyga in having a white, not black
belly (but both have prominent white undertail-coverts and vent). Loche (1867) was

>? Juveniles of Oenanthe leucopyga leucopyga (Brehm, 1855) are identified as such in having pale
feather tips on the head (and rarely the back). Tail feathers of immatures and juveniles are often smudged
with a large brown spot near the tip, similar to Oenanthe leucura.

Frank D. Steinheimer 189 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(3)

first to draw attention to the fact that Rtippell mixed O. /eucopyga with O. monacha
(Temminck, 1825).*°

Females and first-winters of Oenanthe monacha, which were described by
Cretzschmar (1830: 51, pl. 34, fig. a) as Saxicola pallida (cf. Hartert 1910: 701),
were still erroneously referred to ‘Saxicola pallida (Riipp.)’ in Riippell (1837a).
Additionally Riippell believed that Temminck’s (1829a) description of female
Oenanthe deserti deserti (Temminck, 1825) as Saxicola isabellina (see above)
would also be Saxicola pallida.

O. monacha (Temminck, 1825) and O. /. leucopyga (C. L. Brehm, 1855) occur
sympatrically in the Nile Delta. The main breeding habitat of O. monacha, though,
is east of the Nile to the west shore of the Red Sea, whilst O. Jeucopyga replaces O.
monacha from the Sudanese border south. O. deserti is a winter migrant to north-
east Africa from Asia (cf. Ripley 1964, Keith et al. 1992).

In summary, Ruppell’s use of Saxicola monacha must be synonymised with
males of O. /. leucopyga (C. L. Brehm, 1855) and O. monacha (Temminck, 1825),
whereas Ruppell’s Saxicola leucura with females and first-winters of O. l. leucopy-
ga (C. L. Brehm, 1855). Saxicola pallida apud Ruppell (1837a, 1845) are the first-
winter and female of O. monacha (Temminck, 1825), although once also confused
with females of O. deserti (Riippell 1837a: reference to Temminck 1829a).

List of synonymy for Riippell’s (1845) genus Saxicola™

Saxicola leucura, Gmelin, apud Riippell, 1845 = Oenanthe leucopyga leucopyga
(C. L. Brehm, 1855: 225): females, first-winters and juveniles.

Saxicola monacha, Rupp. Temm., apud Ruppell, 1845 = Oenanthe leucopyga leu-
copyga (C. L. Brehm, 1855: 225): adult male, and Oenanthe monacha (Temminck,
1825: pl. 359, fig. 1): adult male.

Saxicola lugubris, Rupp., apud Ruppell, 1845 = Oenanthe lugens lugubris
(Ruppell, 1837a: 77, pl. 28, fig.1): immature, female and male.

Saxicola melaena, Rupp., apud Ruppell, 1845 = Saxicola melas Ruppell, 1837a: pl.
28, fig. 2 = Myrmecocichla melaena (Rippell, 1837a: 77): adult and immature
(Keith et al. 1992: no immature known [in error]).

Saxicola albifrons, Ripp., apud Ruppell, 1845 = Myrmecocichla albifrons alb-
ifrons (Ruppell, 1837a: 78; Riippell, 1845: pl. 17): adult / immature (Riippell
1837a: females [in error]).

°3 Loche (1867), though, wrongly cited Riippell’s plate 34 (i.e. Cretzschmar 1830, pl. 34, fig. a), which
would demonstrate that females of Oenanthe monacha had been re-described under the name pallida,
but would not underline Loche’s case that O. monacha in Rtippell (1837) includes O. leucopyga.

°4 Names and citations follow Ripley (1964). Names and their synonyms from Riippell (1837a) are
added in all cases where these differ from Ruippell (1845).

Frank D. Steinheimer 190 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(3)

Saxicola lugens, Lichtenstein, apud Rippell, 1845 = Oenanthe lugens lugens
(Lichtenstein, 1823: 33): adult male (perhaps also females and other subspecies
included).

Saxicola albofasciata, Rupp., apud Ruppell, 1845 = Saxicola torquatus albofascia-
tus Ruppell, 1840: 115; Ruppell, 1845: 39, pl. 16: first-year male (cf. David &
Gosselin 2002b: 263).

Saxicola melanura, Rupp. Temm., apud Ruppell, 1845 = Cercomela melanura
lypura (Hemprich & Ehrenberg, 1833: ‘ee’): adult and (?) Cercomela melanura
melanura (Temminck, 1824a: pl. 257): adult.

Saxicola isabellina, Rupp., apud Ruppell, 1845 = Oenanthe isabellina (Temminck,
1829a: livr. 79, pl. 472, fig. 1): adult, and Oenanthe bottae frenata (Heuglin, 1869a:
157): adult, immature and (7?) juvenile.

Saxicola pallida, (Rupp.), apud Ruppell, 1837a = Oenanthe deserti deserti
(Temminck, 1825: pl. 359, fig. 2): female, and Oenanthe monacha (Temminck,
1825: pl. 359, fig. 1): female and immature.

Saxicola pallida, Ripp., apud Ruppell, 1845 = Oenanthe monacha (Temminck,
1825: pl. 359, fig. 1): female and immature.

Saxicola oenanthe, Bechstein, Buffon apud Ruppell, 1845 = Oenanthe oenanthe
oenanthe (Linnaeus, 1758: 186): non-breeding plumage.»

Saxicola aurita, (Yemminck) apud Ruppell, 1837a = Oenanthe hispanica
melanoleuca (Guldenstadt, 1775: 468; cf. Seebohm 1881): non-breeding plumage.
Saxicola stapazina, Gmel. et aurita Temm. apud Ruppell, 1845 = Oenanthe his-
panica melanoleuca (Gildenstadt, 1775: 468, quot. Seebohm 1881): non-breeding
plumage. [Ruppell also refers to Temminck 1824b: plate 281 (in error: i.e. 257) fig.
1, which is the adult male].

Saxicola deserti, Riipp. Temm., apud Rippell, 1845 = Oenanthe deserti deserti
(Temminck, 1825: pl. 359, fig. 2): non-breeding plumage.

Saxicola rubicola, Bechstein, Buffon apud Ruppell, 1845 = Saxicola torquatus
rubicolus (Linnaeus, 1766: 332): non-breeding plumage (cf. David & Gosselin
2002b: 263).*°

Saxicola rubetra, Bechstein, Buffon apud Rippell, 1845 = Saxicola rubetra
(Linnaeus, 1758: 186): non-breeding plumage.’

Saxicola rufocinerea, Ripp., apud Rippell, 1845 = Monticola rufocinereus
rufocinereus (Ruppell, 1837a: 76, pl. 27, figs. 1 & 2): adult male and female, immature.
Saxicola ? sordida, Ripp., apud Rippell, 1845 = Cercomela sordida sordida
(Ruppell, 1837a: 75, pl. 26, fig. 2): adult.

>> Riippell (1845) erroneously quoted ‘Bechstein, Buffon Taf. 554 Fig. 1 und 2’. However, Bechstein
(1800-02) translated only the parts on the amphibians and reptiles, whilst the work containing pl. 554 is
by Otto (1790: opposite p. 4), being a translation of Buffon (1778: 237-247).

>© Riippell (1845) referred to pl. 678, fig. 1 in Otto (1789: opposite p. 238), nec Bechstein (1800-02).
>7 Riippell (1845) referred to pl. 678, fig. 2 in Otto (1789: opposite p. 238), nec Bechstein (1800-02).

Frank D. Steinheimer 19] Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(3)

Saxicola albiscapulata, (Rupp.) apud Rippell, 1837a = Thamnobia? (Swainson)
albiscapulata, Ripp. apud Rippell, 1845 = Saxicola rufiventris Riippell MS (cf.
Salvadori 1914: 10) = Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris albiscapulata (Ruppell,
1837a: 74(—75), pl. 26, fig. 1.): adult male and female, immature.

Saxicola semirufa, (Rupp.) apud Ruppell, 1837a = Thamnobia? semirufa, Ripp.
apud Ruppell, 1845 = Thamnolaea semirufa (Ruppell, 1837a: 74, pl. 25, fig. 1 &
2): adult male and female, immature.

Saxicola cyanea, (Gmel.) Buffon, apud Riippell, 1837a = Monticola solitarius soli-
tarius (Linnaeus, 1758) or Monticola solitarius longirostris (Blyth, 1847).
Saxicola saxatilis, (Latham) Buffon, apud Ruppell, 1837a = Monticola saxatilis
(Linnaeus, 1766).

Malurus inquietus Cretzschmar, 1830: 55, pl. 36, fig. b
= Curruca Famula Hemprich & Ehrenberg, 1833: ‘bb’
= Scotocerca inquieta inquieta (Cretzschmar, 1830)

Although the publication date of Cretzschmar’s Malurus inquietus was given as
1827 in most recent checklists (cf. Watson et al. 1986: 126, Dickinson 2003: 556),
the issue containing the name was published in 1830. Sharpe (1883: 213) listed
Curruca famula Hemprich & Ehrenberg, 1828, as the assumed older synonym, but
the year 1828 is also incorrect. Curruca famula Hemprich & Ehrenberg had been
published on page ‘bb’ in the year 1833, after Cretzschmar’s 1830 description.

Malurus clamans Cretzschmar, 1826: 2 (—3), pl. 2, fig. a
= Malurus clamans Temminck, 1828: livr. 78, pl. 466, fig. 2
= Spiloptila clamans (Cretzschmar, 1826)

Watson et al. (1985: 154), followed inter alia by Dickinson (2003: 560), regarded
Temminck as the first author of this species, although Temminck (1828) wrote in
connection of the name clamans, reflecting the bird’s strong voice, that its name
had already been ‘imposé par M. Ruppel [sic].’ In fact, it was Cretzschmar in 1826,
who first named the taxon based on a MS name of Riippell: Das helltonende Rufen,
mit welchem dieser kleine Vogel seine Anwesenheit zu erkennen giebt [sic], hat
Ruppell zu der ihm ertheilten [sic] Benennung veranlasst [The high-pitched call,
with which the tiny bird indicates its presence, triggered Riippell’s naming of the
species] (Cretzschmar 1826: 3). This statement of Cretzschmar may also count as
evidence that Ruppell dispatched probably all specimens with MS names attached.
Ruppell was, at the time Cretzschmar’s description was published, still in Africa.

Cinnyris proteus Rippell, 1840: 91, footnote 1 [nomen oblitum: referred to ICZN]
= Nectarinia cruentata Ruppell, 1845: 26(—27), pl. 9 [nomen protectum: referred to
ICZN]

= Nectarinia senegalensis cruentata Ruppell, 1845

Frank D. Steinheimer £92 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(3)

Ruppell named the same taxon twice, in 1840 and in 1845. Riippell (1840) pro-
posed by indication a new species name proteus for the taxon, associating it with
an illustration (pl. 295, fig. 2) and a bibliographic reference (pp. 117-118) in
Levaillant’s (1808, nec 1800) Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux d’Afrique (ICZN
1999; article 12.2.1 and 12.2.7: indication). All birds in Levaillant’s work lacked
scientific binomials. Even though Ruppell (1840) believed his specimens to be sim-
ilar, he nevertheless also provided his own description of his specimens (first foot-
note, p. 91). Additionally, Rtippell made reference to Levaillant’s name Le Sucrier
Protté [nec Proté], though latinised by Ruppell as Cinnyris proteus, a valid given
name under the rules of the ICZN (1999). To further the confusion, Levaillant’s
bird, now considered a different subspecies to Ruppell’s bird, had already been
named by Linnaeus (1766: 186) as Certhia senegalensis. Ruppell’s second descrip-
tion, from 1845, contains passages already given in 1840, clearly indicating that it
is indeed the same taxon. Bonaparte (1850) was the first to synonymise Cinnyris
proteus with Nectarinia cruentata, not however acknowledging priority, as it was
before any international agreement on zoological nomenclature had taken place.

To my knowledge no one has ever used the senior synonym Cinnyris proteus
Ruppell, 1840, which would pre-date the commonly used Nectarinia cruentata
Riippell, 1845, except in synonymy (cf. i.a. Ruppell 1845: 26, Murs & Prévost
1847: 87, Ferret & Galinier 1850: 248, Bonaparte 1850: 406, A. E. Brehm 1863:
211, Heuglin 1864: 262, Blanford 1868: 284, Heuglin 1869b: 228, Finsch 1870:
229, Blanford 1870: 352, Salvadori 1873: 450, Shelley 1878: 259, Gadow 1884: 93,
Salvadori 1884: 125, Hartert 1891: 30, Shelley 1900: 100, Reichenow 1904 —05:
462, Neumann 1906: 252, Hilgert 1908: 146, Salvadori 1914: 11, Moltoni 1937b:
250, Moltoni 1939: 36, Steinbacher 1949: 116, Cave & Macdonald 1955: 353,
Smith 1957: 328, Toschi 1959: 399, Mackworth-Praed & Grant 1960: 795, Rand
1967: 234, Wolters 1979: 278, Nikolaus 1987: 250, Lewis & Pomeroy 1989: 495,
Howard & Moore 1991: 425, Clements 2000: 547, Fry et al. 2000: 194, Cheke &
Mann 2001: 236, Dickinson 2003: 707), meeting the condition of article 23.9.1.1
(ICZN 1999). However, although the condition given in article 23.9.1.2 (ICZN
1999) is assumed to be met, it has not been proved. The Zoological Records of
1954-2003 do not list any publication that cites the particular subspecies of Scarlet-
chested Sunbird. Only general checklists, Ethiopian / North Kenyan avifaunae and
the monograph of Cheke & Mann (2001) offer such detail.

Therefore, this case has been referred to the Commission (2 July 2004;
Steinheimer in press: case 3330) for a ruling under the plenary power (IZCN 1999;
article 23.9.3). While the case is under consideration, the junior synonym
Nectarinia cruentata Rippell, 1845, is to be maintained.

If the nomen protectum is accepted, then it is unnecessary to designate a lecto-
type for Cinnyris proteus Rippell, 1840, a name which is based on a mixed type
series consisting of Levaillant’s (1808) plate of N. senegalensis senegalensis
(Linnaeus, 1766) and specimens of N. senegalensis cruentata Ruppell, 1845.

Frank D. Steinheimer 193 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(3)

Serinus citrinelloides Riippell, 1840: 95, pl. 34, fig. |

= Fringilla chrysola Rippell MS [incl. Serinus canicollis flavivertex (Blanford,
1869: 330)]

= Serinus citrinelloides citrinelloides Ruppell, 1840 [incl. Serinus canicollis fla-
vivertex (Blanford, 1869: 330)]

The original description, and thus the syntypical series of Serinus citrinelloides
Riippell, 1840 includes two different taxa: a ‘male’ bird (juvenile male or female
fide Neumann 1905) of Serinus citrinelloides citrinelloides Rippell, 1840 (SMF
12653) and two females of S. canicollis flavivertex (Blanford, 1869) (SMF 66175,
BMNH 1837.6.10.727). Even Hartert (1891: 58, no. 861a and 56, no. 843) referred
to the female (SMF 66175) under the incorrect species. Neumann (1905: 354-355)
first drew attention to this, but his comments have been ignored and have not affect-
ed the nomenclature. Independent of Neumann the same conclusion has been
reached while working on BMNH Ruppell material. To prevent any further confu-
sion of the taxonomy of Ruppell’s type series, and according to Recommendations
74A to 74F and article 74 (ICZN 1999) the specimen SMF 12653 listed as no. 861
in Hartert (1891: 58) and as the ‘Typus’ in Steinbacher (1949: 118) is hereby des-
ignated as:°°

Lectotype of Serinus citrinelloides Ruppell, 1840: 95: SMF 12653, juv. male or
female, loc. Abyssinien [province Simen] (fide Ruippell 1840), date: [1832] (fide
Steinbacher 1949), leg. Dr Wilhelm Peter Eduard Simon Ruppell, coll.
Ruppell/Senckenberg Museum Frankfurt am Main.

Known paralectotypes: BMNH [?] 1837.6.10.727, female, loc. Abyssinia, date:
[not given], leg. Dr Wilhelm Peter Eduard Simon Rutppell, coll. BMNH, ex. coll.
Riippell/Senckenberg Museum Frankfurt am Main, BMNH acqu. 1834 [=female of
Serinus canicollis flavivertex (Blanford, 1869)]; SMF 66175, female, loc.
Abyssinien, date: [not given], leg. Dr Wilhelm Peter Eduard Simon Ruppell, coll.
Riippell/Senckenberg Museum Frankfurt am Main [=female of Serinus canicollis
flavivertex (Blanford, 1869)].

Plocepasser melanorhynchus Ruppell, 1845: 74
= Plocepasser melanorhynchus Bonaparte, 1850: 444
= Plocepasser mahali melanorhynchus Ruppell, 1845

Sclater (1930: 717) regarded Ruppell’s name as a nomen nudum, believing that the
name was only subsequently made available by Bonaparte’s (1850: 444) use of
Plocepasser melanorhynchus, when he described the taxon briefly as Simillimus
praecedenti [i.e. Plocepasser mahali\, sed minor et rectricibus minus marginatis.

°§ The wording complies with the Declaration 60, Bull. Zool. Nomen. 2003: 263; Recommendation 74G
is followed.

Frank D. Steinheimer 194 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(3)

According to Sclater (1930), Rtippell (1845: 78) had apparently named this
taxon only within a tabular overview. Riippell’s name was considered to be a nomen
nudum. Since then, Bonaparte has commonly been referred to as first author of
Plocepasser melanorhynchus (i.a. Benson 1947: 29, Mackworth-Praed & Grant
1960: 863, Moreau & Greenway 1962: 5, and Dickinson 2003: 715).

However, Ruppell gave a detailed description and binominal name to the taxon
nowadays assigned to Bonaparte’s authorship, and Riippell’s original description,
overlooked by these subsequent authors, is found on p. 74 (Riippell 1845): Ein dem
von Dr. A. Smith in Stidafrika entdeckten Plocepasser Mahali ungemein ahnnlich-
er Vogel fand sich in der mir gemachten Sendung von Schoa vor. Der ganze
Unterschied beschrankt sich darauf, dass bei jenem der etwas mehr robuste
Schnabel verwaschen braunroth, bei demjenigen aus Schoa aber schwarz ist; dass
ferner bei jenem der Bauch schmutzig isabell, bei diesem rein weiss ist; bei jenem
die dunkelbraunen Steuerfedern nicht allein am Ende, sondern auch seitlich weiss
gesaumt sind, wahrend der nordafrikanische Vogel nur das Ende der Steuerfedern
weiss gerandet hat. Vielleicht ist das Ganze nur climatische Varietat, die ich provi-
sorisch mit dem Namen Plocepasser melanorhynchus zu bezeichnen vorschlage [A
bird, which is very similar to Plocepasser Mahali discovered by Dr A. Smith in
South Africa, has been found in a consignment addressed to me from Shoa. The
entire difference is limited to a black beak of the specimen from Shoa, whereas the
former [1.e. Smith’s] bird has a stronger, but washed brownish-red bill; the former
bird has also a ‘dirty isabelline’, the latter a pure white belly; the former has its dark
brown tail-feathers also laterally margined white, whereas the North African bird
has white margins only at the tail tip. Perhaps the whole [phenomena] is just a ‘cli-
mate variety’, which I suggest to be provisionally named Plocepasser
melanorhynchus}.

A few pages later, as seen above, Rippell (1845: 78) referred to his newly intro-
duced name in a tabular list as well. Several subsequent authors accepted Ruppell’s
authorship for this new taxon (i.a. Gray 1849: Ord. II, Tribe IV, Textor, Bonaparte
1850: 444, Sharpe 1890: 246, Neumann 1905: 336, Steinbacher 1949: 117). As
Sclater (1930) did not explicitly give reasons for treating Ruppell’s name as nomen
nudum (cf. ICZN 1999: 111 nomen nudum) Rippell’s name is valid and therefore
this taxon should be cited as Plocepasser mahali melanorhynchus Ruppell, 1845:
74, even though Riippell originally might have established the name provisionally
only for a variety (cf. ICZN 1999 article 11.5.1 & 45.6.4). Article 23.9.1.1. UCZN
1999) prevents treatment of Bonaparte’s homonym as a nomen protectum because
Ruppell’s authorship of this taxon was cited as part of a valid name several times in
the 20th century (e.g. Neumann 1905: 336, Steinbacher 1949: 117). One lectotype
and one paralectotype of this taxon are at the Senckenberg Museum, Frankfurt
(Hartert 1891: 67, Steinbacher 1949: 117), whilst the paralectotype formerly housed
at the BMNH has not been traced.

Frank D. Steinheimer 195 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(3)

Ploceus larvatus Riippell, 1840: 91, pl. 32, fig. |

= Ploceus melanocephalus Rippell MS

= Ploceus flavoviridis Ruppell, 1845: 69 (—70), pl. 29: pro parte females
= Ploceus cucullatus abyssinicus (Gmelin, 1789)

Riippell described females of his own taxon, Ploceus larvatus Rippell, 1840, under
anew name Ploceus flavoviridis Ruppell, 1845 (pp. 69-70, cf. Steinbacher 1949).

Ploceus erythrocephalus Rippell, 1845: 71, nec Ploceus erythrocephalus
Swainson, 1838: 308

= Ploceus melanotis Lafresnaye, 1839: 20,” nec Ploceus melanotis Swainson,
1837: 307

= Ploceus leuconotus Miiller, 1851: 28

= Malimbus rubriceps leuconotus (Muller, 1851) apud Moreau & Greenway
1962: 60

= Anaplectes melanotis melanotis (Lafresnaye, 1840 [sic]) apud pee 2003
= Malimbus rubriceps leuconotus (Muller, 1851)

According to ICZN (1999) article 23.3.5 a junior homonym, in this case Ploceus
melanotis Lafresnaye, 1839, being preoccupied by Ploceus melanotis Swainson,
1837, may be replaced by the next oldest available name from among its synonyms.
However, the next oldest name, Ploceus erythrocephalus Ruppell, 1845, is ‘itself
invalid’ (junior homonym of Ploceus erythrocephalus Swainson, 1838) so that
Moreau & Greenway (1962) correctly used Ploceus leuconotus of Miller, 1851 for
Malimbus rubriceps leuconotus (Miller, 1851) (cf. ICZN 1999 article 60).
Dickinson (2003) used the primary homonym melanotis and thereby transgressed
the Code (ICZN 1999 article 52 and 53.3).

Acknowledgements

| thank Mark Adams, Tom Baione, Ernst Bauernfeind, Paul Cooper, Mary DeJong, René Dekker, Alison
Harding, Ingeborg Kilias, Mary LeCroy, Gerald Mayr, Clive Mann, Robert Prys-Jones, Hans-Ulrich
Raake, Martina Rissberger, Michael Walters and Effie Warr for access to reference collections and liter-
ature, and Ernst Bauernfeind, Rem” Bruckert, René Dekker, Markus Moser and Richard Schodde for
assistance concerning questions of nomenclature. Ragnar Kinzelbach and Ernst Bauernfeind comment-
ed on an earlier draft. Many thanks go especially to Alan Peterson and Ed Dickinson who very thorough-
ly reviewed this paper.

>? Lafresnaye published the account Oiseau inédit du genre Tisserin on pp. 20-21 in the Jan. 1839 issue
of Rev. Zool. Soc. Cuvierienne Année 1839: 1-32. Moreau & Greenway 1962: 60, followed by
Dickinson 2003: 724, cited the year of publication as 1840, as given on the title page of the entire
volume.

Frank D. Steinheimer 196 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(3)

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Address: Bird Group, Department of Zoology, The Natural History Museum, Tring, UK & Museum fir
Naturkunde, Berlin, Germany; current address: Sylter Strasse 18, D-90425 Niirnberg, Germany, e-
mail franksteinheimer@yahoo.co.uk

APPENDIX

Tabular, alphabetic overview of Riippell’s and Cretzschmar’s bird names which are considered valid in
modern nomenclature (taxonomy of Peters et al. 1934-87; nomenclature alterated accordingly to
Steinbacher 1949, Sawyer 1952, David & Gosselin 2002a,b, and to the present paper [changes to Peters
et al. 1934-1987 in bold}).

Accipiter badius sphenurus (Ruppell, 1836)

Accipiter rufiventris perspicillaris (Ruppell, 1836)
Accipiter tachiro unduliventer (Rippell, 1836)

Alcippe abyssinica abyssinica (Riippell, 1840)*!
Alectoris melanocephala (Riippell, 1835)

Anas sparsa leucostigma Ruppell, 1845

Anthus novaeseelandiae cinnamomeus Riippell, 1840
Apalis rufifrons rufifrons (Rippell, 1840)?

Aplopelia larvata bronzina (Riippell, 1837)

Ardea goliath Cretzschmar, 1829
Bostrychia carunculata (Ruppell, 1837
Bradypterus cinnamomeus cinnamomeus (Ruppell, 1840)
Burhinus capensis affinis (Riippell, 1837)

Buteo rufinus rufinus (Cretzschmar, 1829)

Buteo (rufofuscus) augur (Ruppell, 1836)

Camaroptera brevicaudata brevicaudata (Cretzschmar, 1830
Caprimulgus poliocephalus poliocephalus Rippell, 1840°°
Caprimulgus tristigma tristigma Ruppell, 1840

Cecropis daurica melanocrissus Rippell, 1845°?

Centropus monachus monachus Ruppell, 1837

Cercomela sordida sordida (Ruppell, 1837)

1

yer

6! Dickinson (2003: 602) used the genus Pseudoalcippe for this African taxon.

62 Dickinson (2003: 742) separated the African pipits under Riippell’s cinnamomeus from the
novaeseelandiae species group.

63 Dickinson (2003: 562) used the genus Urorhipis for this taxon. Riippell (1840: 110) erroneously
referred to pl. 41, fig. 2 instead of fig. 1.

64 Dickinson (2003: 160) treated this taxon under the genus Columba.
6 Riippell (1837a: 49) erroneously referred to pl. 13 instead of 19.

66 Dickinson (2003: 131) synonymised the subspecies affinis with B. capensis maculosus (Temminck,
1824).

67 Dickinson (2003: 562) placed this subspecies in the species C. brachyura.
68 Dickinson (2003: 243) treated poliocephalus as monotypic.
6° See David & Gosselin (2002a: 34) for the spelling of melanocrissus.

Frank D. Steinheimer 209 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(3)

Cisticola galactotes lugubris (Riippell, 1840)
Cisticola robustus robustus (Riippell, 1845)’°
Cisticola ruficeps ruficeps (Cretzschmar, 1830)
Colius striatus leucotis Riippell, 1839

Columba albitorques Riippell, 1837

Coracina melanoptera melanoptera (Ruppell, 1839)
Corvus crassirostris Ruippell, 1836

Cossypha semirufa semirufa (Rippell, 1840)
Crinifer africanus zonurus (Riippell, 1835)7!
Crinifer leucogaster (Riippell, 1842)’
Crinifer personatus personatus (Rippell, 1842
Cyanochen cyanoptera (Riippell, 1845)”4
Dinemellia dinemelli dinemelli (Riippell, 1845)
Emberiza caesia Cretzschmar, 1827

Emberiza flaviventris flavigastra Cretzschmar, 18287
Emberiza tahapisi septemstriata Riippell, 18377°
Erythropygia leucophrys leucoptera (Ruppell, 1845
Euplectes capensis xanthomelas Ruppell, 1840
Francolinus africanus gutturalis (Riippell, 1835)’8
Francolinus erckelii erckelii (Riippell, 1835)’”
Glareola pratincola limbata Riippell, 1845°°
Indicator minor diadematus Ruppell, 1837

Jynx ruficollis aequatorialis Rippell, 1842
Lagonosticta larvata larvata (Rippell, 1840)
Lamprotornis purpuroptera purpuroptera Riippell, 1845°!
Laniarius barbarus erythrogaster (Cretzschmar, 1829)**
Lissotis melanogaster melanogaster (Riippell, 1835)*°
Lybius undatus undatus (Rippell, 1837)

Macronyx flavicollis Rippell, 1840

Melaenornis chocolatinus chocolatinus (Ruppell, 1840)
Melaenornis semipartitus semipartitus (Riippell, 1840)*4

ys

et

79 See Dickinson (2003: 551) for treating Cisticola as a masculine noun.
7! Dickinson (2003: 207) treated this taxon as monotypic.
? Dickinson (2003: 207) placed this species in the genus Corythaixoides.

® According to Dickinson (2003: 207) the gender of the genus Crinifer is masculine; Dickinson,
however, placed this species in the genus Corythaixoides.

4 According to David & Gosselin (2002b) the gender of the genus Cyanochen is female.
® Dickinson (2003: 779) erroneously used the male gender for this taxon; the genus Emberiza is female.

7© The species name septemstriata was first published on pl. 30, fig. 2, in 1837. The text appeared
subsequently in 1840 (cf. Sawyer 1952).

7” Dickinson (2003: 679) lumped Erythropygia with Cercotrichas.

78 Dickinson (2003: 51) placed the subspecies gutturalis in the species group of F. levaillantoides.

” Dickinson (2003: 53) treated this taxon as monotypic.

8° Dickinson (2003: 146) synonymised this subspecies with nominate G. pratincola.

81 See David & Gosselin (2002a: 39) for the spelling of purpuroptera.

82 Dickinson (2003: 460) upgraded erythrogaster to a monotypic species.

83 Pl. 7, illustrating ‘Otis melanogaster mas. (Riippell)’ was published subsequently to the text in 1836.
84 Dickinson (2003: 690) placed this taxon in its own genus Empidornis.

oe ee

Frank D. Steinheimer 210 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(3)

Monticola rufocinereus rufocinereus (Riippell, 1837)
Myrmecocichla albifrons albifrons (Rippell, 1837)
Myrmecocichla melaena (Riippell, 1837) ®°

Nectarinia senegalensis cruentata Riippell, 1845%°
Neotis ludwigii (Ruppell, 1837)

Neotis nuba (Cretzschmar, 1826)

Oenanthe lugens lugubris (Riippell, 1837)*”
Onychognathus albirostris (Ruppell, 1836)
Onychognathus tenuirostris tenuirostris (Ruppell, 1836)
Parisoma lugens lugens (Ruppell, 1840) :

Parus leucomelas leucomelas Riippell, 1840

Passer griseus swainsonii (Ruppell, 1840)

Phyllolais pulchella (Cretzschmar, 1830)

Phylloscopus umbrovirens umbrovirens (Ruppell, 1840)
Plocepasser mahali melanorhynchus Riippell, 1845
Plocepasser superciliosus (Cretzschmar, 1827)

Ploceus galbula Riippell, 1840

Ploceus intermedius intermedius Ruppell, 1845

Ploceus rubiginosus rubiginosus Ruppell, 1840
Poicephalus flavifrons flavifrons (Rippell, 1842)*°
Poicephalus meyeri meyeri (Cretzschmar, 1827)
Poicephalus rufiventris rufiventris (Ruppell, 1842)”
Prionops plumatus cristatus Rippell, 1836
Psalidoprocne pristoptera pristoptera (Ruppell
Pteropodocys maxima maxima (Rippell, 1839)
Rhinopomastus minor minor (Ruppell, 1845)
Saxicola torquatus albofasciatus Ruppell, 1840°*
Scotocerca inquieta inquieta (Cretzschmar, 1830)
Serinus atrogularis xanthopygius Rippell, 1840
Serinus citrinelloides citrinelloides Riippell, 1840
Serinus nigriceps Ruppell, 1840

Serinus striolatus striolatus (Ruppell, 1840)”°

92
4

8° On pl. 28, fig. 2 (Riippell 1837a) as Saxicola melas, syononym of Myrmecocichla melaena (Riippell,
1837: 77).

86 Dickinson (2003: 707) placed this taxon in the genus Chalcomitra.
87 Dickinson (2003: 685) separated this taxon from O. Jugens.
88 The year of publication is given in Watson et al. (1986: 267) as 1804, a typographic error for 1840.

8° The original description of Pionus flavifrons Riippell, 1842a, was published on p. 126 in Mus.
Senckenbergianum 3(2); later copied in Riippell (1845: 81-82). Dickinson (2003: 195) treated the
species as monotypic.

°° The original description of Pionus rufiventris Riippell, 1842a, was published on p. 125 in Mus.
Senckenbergianum 3(2); later copied in Rtippell (1845: 83).

*! See David & Gosselin (2002b) for the male gender of the genus Prionops.

% Steinbacher (1949: 114) gave the wrong date: p. 105 and pl. 39 were published in 1840.

°3 Dickinson (2003: 465) placed Pteropodocys in the genus Coracina.

°4 The original description of Saxicola torquatus albofasciatus Riippell, 1840, was published on p. 115,
in Neue Wirbelthiere zu der Fauna von Abyssinien gehdhrig; Ruppell (1845: 39, pl. 16) repeated the
description. See David & Gosselin (2002b: 263) for the spelling of the taxon.

°° The type genus was Pyrrhula (not Serinus as in Dickinson 2003: 748).

Frank D. Steinheimer 211 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(3)

Serinus tristriatus Ruppell, 1840

Spiloptila clamans (Cretzschmar, 1826) |

Spreo pulcher rufiventris (Ruppell, 1836)°

Spreo superbus (Riuppell, 1845)”

Stephanibyx melanopterus melanopterus (Cr retzschmar, 1829)”*
Streptopelia lugens lugens (Riippell, 1837)”

Streptopelia semitorquata semitorquata (Ruppell, 1837)
Sylvia hortensis crassirostris Cretzschmar, 1830
Tauraco leucotis leucotis (Ruppell, 1835)
Thalasseus bergii velox (Cretzschmar, 1827)
Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris albiscapulata (Rippell, 1837)
Thamnolaea semirufa (Riippell, 1837)
Thripias namaquus schoensis (Riippell, 1842)
Tockus flavirostris flavirostris (Ruppell, 1835)! Me

Trachyphonus margaritatus margaritatus (Cretzschmar, 1828)
Tricholaema melanocephala melanocephala (Cretzschmar, 1829)
Turdoides leucopygia leucopygia (Rippell, 1837)!
Turdoides leucopygia limbata (Rippell, 1845)
Turdoides plebejus leucocephala Cretzschmar, 1826
Turdoides plebejus plebejus (Cretzschmar, 1828)
Turdoides rubiginosa rubiginosa (Riuppell, 1845)
Turdoides squamiceps squamiceps (Cretzschmar, 1827)
Turdus litsipsirupa simensis (Riippell, 1837)

Tylibyx melanocephalus (Ruppell, 1845)!

100

101

102

104

106

© British Ornithologists’ Club 2005

% Dickinson (2003: 657) indicated that rufiventris is a synonym of Lamprotornis (Spreo) pulcher.
Ruppell (1836: 27, pl. 11, fig. 1) gave an alternative name, Lamprotornis chrysogaster abyssinica
Ruppell, 1836, which is a synonym of Spreo pulcher rufiventris (Ruppell, 1836).

7 Dickinson (2003: 657) placed this taxon in the genus Lamprotornis.

%8 In Dickinson (2003: 133) as Vanellus m. melanopterus.

% Dickinson (2003: 160) treated the species as monotypic.

100 Dickinson (2003: 161) treated the species as monotypic.

1! Tn Dickinson (2003: 150) as Sterna bergii velox.

102 The Code (ICZN 1999, article 27) explicitly states that no diacritic marks are to be used in scientific

names, thus the original schoénsis must become schoensis. Dickinson (2003: 317) placed the species in
the genus Dendropicos.

103 tn Dickinson (2003: 298) this taxon is monotypic.

” The gender of the genus 7richolaema is female according to David & Gosselin (2002b).

105 The gender of the genus Turdoides is female according to David & Gosselin (2002b). The species
was originally described as [vos leucopygius on pl. 30, fig. 1, in 1837. The text appeared subsequently
in 1840 (cf. Sawyer 1952).

° Dickinson (2003: 61 1) upgraded 7: leucocephala to species level.

°” The species name simensis was first published on pl. 29, fig. 1, in 1837. The text appeared
subsequently in 1840 (cf. Sawyer 1952). Dickinson (2003: 666) referred to this taxon as Psophocichla
litsipsirupa simensis.

- In Dickinson (2003: 134) as Vanellus melanocephalus.

Mark B. Robbins & Kevin J. Zimmer 212 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(3)

Taxonomy, vocalisations and natural history of
Philydor dimidiatum (Furnariidae), with
comments on the systematics of Syndactyla and
Simoxenops

by Mark B. Robbins & Kevin F. Zimmer

Received 26 August 2004

Because of the inherited nature of vocalisations within the suboscines (Lanyon
1978, Kroodsma 1984, 1989), vocalisations are often a strong indication of
relationships within this group. In the Neotropical family Furnartidae, vocalisations
in concert with morphological and behavioural aspects have been used to elucidate
relationships at the species and generic level (Parker et al. 1985, Whitney &
Pacheco 1994, Kratter & Parker 1997, Zimmer 1997, 2002, Remsen 2003). In fact,
Vaurie’s (1971, 1980) systematic revisions of this family, which did not include
vocal information, but were based primarily on plumage and external structural
characters, led to conclusions that have not been accepted by the Neotropical
ornithological community (Fitzpatrick 1982, Sibley & Monroe 1990, Ridgely &
Tudor 1994, Remsen 2003).

During a general avian inventory of San Luis National Park, in the cerrado of
northern Paraguay (Robbins et a/. 1999), just after dawn on 22 October 1996, MBR
tape-recorded (MLNS 107157 [all abbreviations are listed in _ the
Acknowledgements]) a furnariid that he presumed, based on voice, to be a
Syndactyla. Upon collecting the singing bird’s mate (Univ. of Kansas Natural
History Museum [KUNHM] 88363), MBR was surprised to discover that it was a
Philydor dimidiatum. In addition to its Syndactyla-like voice, the bird had a slightly
upturned mandible like other Syndactyla, and the plumage was reminiscent of
Syndactyla ruficollis, a species long allocated to Automolus until vocal data led to
its transfer to Syndactyla (Parker et al. 1985, Ridgely & Tudor 1994; see below).

Here we present vocal, plumage and morphological characters that lead us to
hypothesise that Philydor dimidiatum is indeed more closely related to other
Syndactyla than to taxa currently included in Philydor. Further, we comment on the
possible close relationship of dimidiatum to Simoxenops and on the relationship
between Simoxenops and Syndactyla. Based on limited sample sizes, it appears that
within at least the Paraguayan dimidiatum population, sexual dichromatism is
marked, an unusual trait in Furnariidae. Finally, we present information on habitat
preferences, foraging, breeding and singing behaviour of this poorly known
species.

Mark B. Robbins & Kevin J. Zimmer 213 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(3)

Methods

We assume that vocalisations of foliage-gleaners, like those of other suboscines, are
mostly or entirely inherited (Kroodsma 1984, 1989, Kroodsma & Konishi 1991),
and consequently provide potentially informative characters for systematic study
(Parker et al. 1995, Kratter & Parker 1997, Zimmer 1997, 2002, Remsen 2003). To
analyse vocalisations, we assembled recordings of all but one, Syndactyla guttulata,
of the currently recognised species of Philydor, Syndactyla and Simoxenops. Our
personal recordings provided sufficient material for most species in these groups,
but we supplemented these with material from other recordists, and, in two
instances, from commercial compilations of bird recordings (see below). We
excluded Philydor novaesi from consideration in our analysis, because certain
aspects of its vocal repertoire are anomalous relative to all other members of the
genus (KJZ unpubl.), and because our sample sizes were judged too small to
support meaningful conclusions. We made auditory comparisons of all recordings
and visual comparisons of spectrograms of each species for which representative
recording samples were available. Vocalisations selected for illustration as
spectrograms in this paper were deemed representative based on auditory
comparison of the entire inventory, and on visual comparison of spectrograms of a
smaller sample. Locations and recordists for all recordings examined are presented
in Appendix 1.

We encourage readers to compare our descriptions of vocalisations with various
commercially available sound compilations. The following collectively contain
examples of vocalisations of many of the species involved in this study, and also
will assist in interpreting the spectrograms: Syndactyla rufosuperciliata
(Schulenberg 2000b); S. subalaris (Moore et al. 1999, Schulenberg 2000b);
Simoxenops striatus (Schulenberg 2000a); S. ucayalae (Schulenberg et al. 2000);
Philydor rufum (Moore et al. 1999); P. fuscipenne (Jahn et al. 2002, Moore et al.
2002); P erythrocercum (Moore 1996, Schulenberg 2000a, Schulenberg ef al.
2000); P. pyrrhodes (Moore 1996, Schulenberg ef al. 2000); P erythropterum
(Moore 1996, 1997, Schulenberg et al. 2000); P. ruficaudatum (Schulenberg et al.
2000). Note that recordings from these sources are not included in our inventory,
although the recordings of Simoxenops striatus (T. A. Parker recording;
Schulenberg 2000a) and Philydor fuscipennis (M. Lysinger recordings; Moore et al.
2002) were consulted for want of other material.

For comparison, vocalisations were categorised as loudsongs or calls.
Loudsongs were consistently patterned multi-note vocalisations (Isler et al. 1997),
given seemingly in the context of territorial advertisement. Vocalisations
characterised as calls usually were structurally simple (typically involving well-
spaced repetition of identical notes or pairs of notes). These were given most
frequently in the context of contact notes between mates, or as aggression calls
during territorial conflicts with conspecifics, or in response to playback. Exceptions
are noted in the results below. Our recordings were made with Sony TC D5 Pro-I

Mark B. Robbins & Kevin J. Zimmer 214 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(3)

and Sony TCM-5000 recorders and Sennheiser ME-67, ME-80 and MKH-70
shotgun microphones. Spectrograms used in illustrations were made by P. R. Isler
on a Macintosh G4 computer using Canary version 1.2.1 (Bioacoustics Research
Program, Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, Ithaca, New York), Canvas graphics
software (version 5.0.3, Deneba Software, Miami, Florida) and a Hewlett Packard
Laserjet 6MP printer.

Dimidiatum specimens examined: Paraguay: two adult females and adult male,
San Luis National Park (KUNHM 88362-3, Museo Nacional de Historia Natural
del Paraguay, MNHNP); adult male, Apa Mts., Zanja Moroti (ZSM 32.814); adult
male, Apa Mts., San Luis de la Sierra (ZSM 32.815). Brazil: baeri from Goias
(FMNH 75118, LACMNH 39956-—7); adult female IBGE Reserve in Brasilia,
Distrito Federal (BMNH 1984.1.6); adult male and immature male, western Minas
Gerais, Agua Suja at Bagagem (ZSM 1911.83; holotypes); adult male, Patrocinio,
Minas Gerais (MNRJ 32973); adult male, Reserva Biolégica do IBGE, Distrito
Federal (MNRJ 33235); adult male, Nova Ponte, Minas Gerais (DZUFMG 707); an
unsexed individual and adult female, Campo Alegre (between Serro and Minas
Novas), Minas Gerais (DZUFMG 708-09); adult male Porto Camargo, Parana
(MZUSP 36872); adult female and immature male, Sangrador, Mato Grosso (NMW
16.359-60); immature male, rio Manso, Mato Grosso (NMW 19.353); adult male,
Fazenda Recreio, Coxim, Mato Grosso (MZUSP 17258); male?, Sant’Anna do
Parnaiba, Mato Grosso (MZUSP 12748).

Behavioural and habitat data are from field work conducted by MBR in
1996-97 (northern Paraguay), and by KJZ in 2002 and 2004 (Distrito Federal,
Brazil), supplemented by observations made by A. Whittaker in 1996 in Minas
Gerais, Brazil. All measurements used in behavioural data (distances, heights, etc.)
are estimates.

Results

Vocalisations

The loudsong of P. dimidiatum (Figs. la—d, 1g) is a slow rattle with a distinctly
nasal quality. It typically consists of a stuttering prelude or preamble of lower
amplitude notes that accelerates into a higher amplitude series of fairly evenly
paced and strident, nasal notes that may rise and fall somewhat in frequency (5-8
kHz) before accelerating toward the finale. The nasal notes can be distinguished in
the spectrograms (Figs. la—d) by their difference in width relative to the
introductory and terminal notes. The loudsongs vary greatly, both among
individuals and from one song to the next within the same individual. Songs may
vary greatly in overall length, and particularly in the presence or absence of a
preamble, its length, and the extent to which it stutters (versus being evenly paced).
These differences appear to be exacerbated by tape playback, and depending on the
degree of agitation, the differences within a single individual’s songs can be
marked. Some of the observed variation may be the result of sexual differences.
KJZ tape-recorded what appeared to be a mated pair in Brasilia National Park

Mark B. Robbins & Kevin J. Zimmer 215 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(3)

Frequency (kHz)

Time (seconds)

Figure 1. Vocalisations of Philydor dimidiatum. (a) natural song, from Brasilia National Park, Distrito
Federal, Brazil (21 August 2002; K. J. Zimmer). (b) different individual; short song, followed by rattle
call, Brasilia National Park, Distrito Federal, Brazil (20 August 2002; K. J. Zimmer). (c) responsorial
song of male-female duet, Brasilia National Park, Distrito Federal, Brazil (21 August 2002; K. J.
Zimmer). (d) initiating song of male-female duet, Brasilia National Park, Distrito Federal, Brazil (21
August 2002; K. J. Zimmer). (e) call notes, Brasilia National Park, Distrito Federal, Brazil (20 August
2002; K. J. Zimmer). (f) one rattle call, response to playback, Brasilia National Park, Distrito Federal,
Brazil (21 August, 2002; K. J. Zimmer). (g) natural song, San Luis National Park, Paraguay (22 October
1996; M. B. Robbins; MLNS 120469). (h) rattle call in response to playback, San Luis National Park,
Paraguay (27 October 1996; M. B. Robbins; MLNS 120470). (i) rattle call in response to playback, Patas
de Minas, Minas Gerais, Brazil (27 December 1996; A. Whittaker). All spectrograms by P. R. Isler.

Mark B. Robbins & Kevin J. Zimmer 216 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(3)

(Distrito Federal, Brazil) that sang repeated duets, in which one bird consistently
initiated the duet, and the other delivered its song in a responsorial fashion, usually
immediately after the termination of the initiating bird’s song. The song of the bird
that initiated the duets (Fig. 1d; the presumed male, although this could not be
verified) was usually preceded by a low-amplitude preamble and contained roughly
half the number of high-amplitude, nasal notes as the song of the responding bird
(Fig. lc), the song of which typically lacked any preamble. The few loudsongs
recorded in Paraguay (Fig. 1g) sound generally similar to those from central Brazil
in pattern, although distinctly less nasal in quality, as evidenced by the lack of
change in note-shape over the course of the song. The significance of this apparent
difference is difficult to assess given the small sample size of loudsongs from
Paraguay and individual variation as noted above.

Apart from loudsongs, two other types of vocalisations were recorded from P
dimidiatum. One was a single-noted or doubled TCHACK or TCHEK (6—7 kHz),
with a harsh, slightly nasal quality (Fig. le). These calls were given as contact notes
between members of pairs that were separated whilst foraging. They were also
given as aggression calls in response to playback. The other vocalisation type was
a somewhat harsh-sounding rattle, generally evenly paced and of fairly uniform
frequency (c.6 kHz), but varying greatly in length (1-10 seconds) (Figs. 1f, 1h, 11).
As noted with loudsongs, variation in the length of rattle calls appeared to be as
great within individuals as among individuals, and was particularly susceptible to
the influence of playback. Rattle calls were often given immediately before or after
loudsongs, but were also given as antagonistic calls in response to the vocalisations
of a neighbouring conspecific or to playback. Birds responding to playback
consistently gave longer rattles. Rattle calls from Paraguay (Fig. lh) sounded
similar to those from Brazil (Figs. 1b, 1f, 11).

Our inventory of recordings included vocalisations of three of the four currently
recognised species of Syndactyla (subalaris, ruficollis, rufosuperciliata).
Loudsongs of these three species (Figs. 2a, 2c, 2e) were remarkably similar in
pattern and quality, and consisted of a series of nasal, chattering notes (1.5—3.5
seconds in duration, delivered at c.6—8 kHz) that usually accelerated markedly
toward the end and often ended abruptly. The terminal, more closely spaced notes
were less nasal in quality compared to the introductory and middle notes of the
song, as evidenced by the difference in note-width. As with P. dimidiatum, songs of
the three Syndactyla species varied greatly in length, frequency shifts and pace
changes (acceleration or deceleration within the song), both among individuals in a
population and from one song to the next from the same individual, and were
influenced by playback and degree of agitation of the responding bird. Calls of the
three Syndactyla species (Figs. 2b, 2d, 2f) were also remarkably uniform between
species, consisting of a harsh, nasal TCHEK, TCHECH or TCHAK (6-8 kHz).

Loudsongs of Simoxenops ucayalae resembled those of P. dimidiatum and the
three Syndactyla species in being a long series of closely spaced, harsh notes, with
a distinctly nasal quality (Figs. 2g,h) They were lower in frequency (c.3-4 kHz)

— tM

Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(3)

eS. . ee ao oe Se

bh
tlt

Frequency (kHz)

Time (seconds)

Figure 2. Vocalisations of various species of Syndactyla and Simoxenops foliage-gleaners. (a) Syndactyla
subalaris: natural song, Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, Costa Rica (March 1994). (b) Syndactyla
subalaris: single-note call, Cerro de la Muerte, Costa Rica (March 1997). (c) Syndactyla ruficollis:
natural song, Abra Porculla, dpto. Piura, Peru (24 January 2001). (d) Syndactyla ruficollis: single-note
call, Abra Porculla, dpto. Piura, Peru (24 January 2001). (e) Syndactyla rufosuperciliata: natural song,
Serra do Caracga, Minas Gerais, Brazil (6 September 2001). (f) Syndactyla rufosuperciliata: single-note
call, Itatiaia National Park, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (21 October 1998). (g) Simoxenops ucayalae: natural
song, Serra dos Carajas, Para, Brazil (9 February 2003). (h) Simoxenops ucayalae: long song in response
to playback, Alta Floresta, Mato Grosso, Brazil (25 August 1991). (1) Simoxenops ucayalae: single-note
call, Alta Floresta, Mato Grosso, Brazil (25 August 1991). All recordings by K. J. Zimmer. All
spectrograms by P. R. Isler.

than the loudsongs of P. dimidiatum or Syndactyla, but varied similarly in overall
song-length (c.3—5 seconds), frequency shifts and in changes of pace (acceleration
and deceleration) between songs from the same individual. Like P. dimidiatum and
the Syndactyla species, this variation was subject to influence by playback and the
degree of agitation of the responding bird. In contrast to the three Syndactyla
species, the loudsongs of Simoxenops ucayalae typically accelerated more
markedly over the first part of the song and slowed at the end, but still ended
abruptly. In this respect, they were more similar to loudsongs of P. dimidiatum,
which often commenced with a preamble of closely spaced notes that then slowed
to the main series of more widely spaced nasal notes. Loudsongs of S. ucayalae
were also similar to those of P. dimidiatum in often beginning with a stuttering start

Mark B. Robbins & Kevin J. Zimmer 218 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(3)

of lower frequency and lower amplitude notes. Our inventory contained only a
single recording of Simoxenops striatus, and this precludes generalisations
concerning its vocalisations. However, loudsongs of the single striatus were similar
to those of ucayalae in pattern and quality. The call of S. ucayalae is a harsh, nasal
TCHAK (Fig. 21), similar to that of P dimidiatum and the three Syndactyla species
surveyed.

The eight species of Philydor analysed (excluding dimidiatum) can be divided
into three vocal groups based on differences in loudsongs. The first group consists
of P. lichtensteini and P. erythrocercum. Loudsongs of these species (Figs. 3a, 3d)
consist of a countable series of distinctly spaced, sharp or squeaky notes. The
second group includes P. atricapillus, P. erythropterum and P. pyrrhodes.
Loudsongs in this group (Figs. 3b, 3c, 3e) consist of a long series of uncountable,
closely spaced notes that form a trill. In general, these songs show relatively slight
changes in frequency from start to finish, although that of P pyrrhodes is
distinguished by a distinct change in amplitude commencing with the middle third
of the song (Fig. 3e). The third group includes P. rufum, P. ruficaudatum and P.
fuscipenne. Loudsongs of these species (Fig. 3f) are somewhat intermediate
(relative to the other two groups) with respect to the number of notes and the
spacing. They could be characterised as rattles that change in pace or frequency
(sometimes several times) over the course of the song, and that have a more
‘staccato’ or ‘ratchety’ quality. None of the eight species considered here has a
loudsong whose notes could be characterised as imparting (either individually or in
entirety) a ‘nasal’ quality. In marked contrast to P dimidiatum, the various
Syndactyla species and Simoxenops ucayalae, none of the eight species of Philydor
shows any tendency for marked intra-population variation in song characters, either
between or within individuals. Also in contrast to P. dimidiatum, Syndactyla and
Simoxenops ucayalae, Philydor species do not conspicuously alter the length or
other aspects of their loudsongs in response to playback. However, in response to
playback, P. pyrrhodes does regularly give a long, low-amplitude rattle call similar
to the loudsong but without shifts in amplitude, pace or frequency (KJZ unpubl.).

Calls of the eight Philydor species (excluding dimidiatum and novaesi) show no
unifying threads, and vary considerably from one species to the next. Calls from our
inventory are as follows: (a) erythrocercum—an explosive, somewhat squeaky
SQUEET! or an ascending, loud WHEEEK’;, (b) ruficaudatum—a thin, brittle rattle
tsissiitt with the quality of a waxwing (Bombycilla); (c) fuscipenne—a thin, sharp
cheet or steet, and a short, staccato chidideet; (d) rufum—a hard JIK!; (e)
atricapillus—a squealing, loud SKEW or SPREE, and a loud series of 3-4
ascending whistled TWEEEET notes; (f) lichtensteini—a thin, abbreviated fast
rattle skittt’r’r’r tt; (g) erythropterum—a shrill KREEEAH or KREEER; (h)
pyrrhodes—a hard chidit or chikit and, in response to playback, a prolonged, low-
amplitude rattle (sometimes lasting up to 30 seconds).

Mark B. Robbins & Kevin J. Zimmer 219 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(3)

Behaviour

In northern Paraguay and in Minas Gerais, Brazil (A. Whittaker, G. M. Kirwan
pers. comms.), presumed pairs were observed singing and foraging solitarily, once
in association with a mixed-species flock, at c.4-12 m above ground in the dense
vine tangle-dominated understorey of semi-humid forest. Birds were observed
hitching up vines and small saplings as they foraged. Whittaker observed a foliage-
gleaner capture a centipede and remove its exoskeleton before swallowing it.
Following playback, males responded by approaching and counter-singing from
perches within dense vegetation. When counter-singing, the head was held upward
at c.45° and the wings and tail vibrated.

At Brasilia (Distrito Federal, Brazil), pairs of P. dimidiatum occupied semi-
humid gallery forest. Members of presumed mated pairs foraged mostly in fairly
close association, maintaining contact through regular vocalisations. They foraged
1.5—12.0 m above ground, but primarily at 3—7 m, hitching through woody vine
tangles or along more open limbs. Foraging birds regularly flicked both wings
simultaneously, a movement that was usually accompanied by a simultaneous
shallow vertical flick of the tail. Arthropod prey was mostly gleaned from branch
or vine surfaces by reaching, followed by a quick stab of the bill. Acrobatic
manoeuvres, such as hanging, were occasionally employed, and birds regularly
used their bill to hammer at loose bark, stems or dead leaves, sometimes probing
into arboreal leaf litter suspended in vines. KJZ videotaped one individual that
seized a small dead twig with its bill, broke it off at the base, then used its foot to
secure the twig while repeatedly hammering and probing in the fractured end of the
twig with its bill, much in the manner of a Xenops. On one occasion, a pair of
dimidiatum foraged in loose association with a mixed-species flock of insectivores;
all other observations of the species from Brasilia were of solitary pairs or
individuals.

Morphology

The recent collection of two females from Paraguay reveals that sexual
dichromatism is marked in P. dimidiatum, at least in the Paraguayan population
(Fig. 4). The adult female specimens (KUNHM 88362-3) are distinct ventrally
from the adult male (deposited at MNHNP; MLNS 107158; presumed mate of
KUNHM 88362) taken at the same site and from two adult males taken within 75
km (ZSM 32.814, 32.815). The chin and centre of the throat of each of the two
females are pale buffy-white contrasting with the cinnamon-rufous throat-sides and
malar region. The centre of each breast and abdominal feather is ochraceous,
contrasting with the remainder of the feather, which is tinged cinnamon-rufous. The
ochraceous shafts are particularly conspicuous on the brownish-olive flank feathers
(Fig. 4). As stated earlier, this pattern gives the underparts an indistinctly
flammulated appearance, somewhat like those of Syndactyla ruficollis (see Ridgely
& Tudor 1994: pl. 9). Flammulations on the underparts are less conspicuous in
Paraguayan males, in which the ventral surface matches that of specimens from

Mark B. Robbins & Kevin J. Zimmer 220 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(3)

Frequency (kHz)

Time (seconds)

Figure 3. Vocalisations of various species of Philydor foliage-gleaners. (a) P. lichtensteini: song,
response to playback, Iguacu National Park, Parana, Brazil (12 October 1999). (b) Philydor atricapillus:
song, response to playback, Iguacu National Park, Parana, Brazil (23 September 2002). (c) Philydor
erythropterum: natural song, Manu Wildlife Center, dpto. Madre de Dios, Peru (5 August 2000). (d)
Philydor erythrocercum: song in response to playback, Caxiuana, Para, Brazil (3 August 2001). (e)
Philydor pyrrhodes: natural song, Tambopata Research Center, dpto. Madre de Dios, Peru (19 August
1994). (f) Philydor rufum: natural song, Itatiaia National Park, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (18 October 2000).
All recordings by K. J. Zimmer. All spectrograms by P. R. Isler.

throughout the known distribution of the species. The only other females are of an
apparent adult taken in Brasilia, Distrito Federal (BMNH 1984.1.6), an adult female
from Sangrador, Mato Grosso (NMW 16.359) and another, apparently adult, taken
at Campo Alegre, Minas Gerais (DZUFMG 709). At least one bird videotaped by
KJZ in Brasilia had vaguely flammulated underparts similar to those of the females
collected in Paraguay; the underparts of the other individual videotaped could not
be seen well enough to permit comparison of this feature.

Mark B. Robbins & Kevin J. Zimmer 221 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(3)

The following data from KUNHM, one MNRJ and the BMNH specimens are
the first published mass and soft-part coloration data for the species: both females
31 g, two males 29 g and the other (MNRJ 33235) 31 g; none exhibited fat nor any
moult. Irides brown (very dark chestnut in MNRJ 33235), maxilla dark brown,
mandible pale grey or horn (described as greenish horn for MNRJ 33235), with a
pinkish base, and tarsi olive or greenish. Based on vocalisations and gonad size, this
species was breeding at the San Luis site in late-October 1996, as were many other
avian species (Robbins ef a/. 1999). The male’s largest testis was 12 xX 6.5 mm and
both females had recently laid, as they had convoluted oviducts 4 mm in diameter.
One female had a completely ossified skull and the other’s was 50% ossified, but
neither had a bursa of Fabricius. Other specimen data are: one male from Brazil
(MNRJ 33235), taken in early November, had testes of 7 X 5 mm, and the female
taken in Minas Gerais, Brazil, had an oviduct of 5 X 3 mm in mid June. Pairs of
dimidiatum at Brasilia were vocal and territorial in August 2002, suggesting
breeding during that time. At the same spot in February 2004, they were silent and
unresponsive to playback, suggesting a lack of breeding activity. In Minas Gerais
the species appears to be most vocal (and responsive to playback) in September to
January, which would accord with the general breeding season for birds in this
region (G. M. Kirwan pers. comm.).

Discussion

Philydor dimidiatum is one of the most poorly known birds in the Western
Hemisphere; we located only 20 museum specimens and only 12 of those had
additional data beyond locality and collection date. Only five of the 20, all collected
relatively recently, were females. Presumably, the combination of small sample
sizes and the lack of modern data has led to some confusion concerning distribution
and plumage. As currently treated (Remsen 2003), P dimidiatum consists of two
subspecies: nominate dimidiatum and baeri. Peters (1951) outlined nominate
dimidiatum as restricted to southern Mato Grosso, with baeri in Minas Gerais and
Goias, Brazil, and in north-east Paraguay. However, Ridgely & Tudor (1994)
attributed Paraguayan birds to the nominate race. Direct comparison of the adult
male baeri holotype with the two adult male Paraguayan specimens at ZSM
demonstrated that the birds are virtually indistinguishable. When Hellmayr (1925)
described baeri he characterised it as being overall less rufescent, especially on the
dorsum, than nominate. Comparison of digital photos of the holotypes suggests that
the nominate form is indeed more rufescent, at least dorsally, than baeri, but
additional material from Mato Grosso is needed to confirm this.

What is clear from the recent collection of two females is that there is marked
sexual dichromatism in at least the Paraguayan population. Within the Furnariidae
very few species exhibit sexual dichromatism and all examples are subtle (Remsen
2003). Thus, the rather marked sexual differences in the amount of flammulation on
the underparts of this foliage-gleaner appear to represent the extreme example of

Mark B. Robbins & Kevin J. Zimmer 222 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(3)

sexual dichromatism in the family. Larger sample sizes are needed to ascertain
whether females are significantly smaller than males in wing and tail length.
Generic relationships of the many foliage-gleaners comprising the philydorine
assemblage have long been disputed. Vaurie (1980) recommended an expanded
concept of the genus Philydor that included, among many others, the currently
recognised genera Syndactyla and Simoxenops. Although Vaurie’s views failed to
gain wide acceptance, the generic placement of some foliage-gleaners has shifted
between Syndactyla and other genera, suggesting that characters used to separate
these genera are not well defined. The taxon Syndactyla mirandae was described
from Goias, Brazil, and for a time was treated as a subspecies of S. rufosuperciliata
before it was determined to be a synonym of P. dimidiatum (Remsen 2003). More
recently, Syndactyla ruficollis, although divergent in plumage characters from the
three recognised species of Syndactyla, was transferred to that genus from

Figure 4. Ventral view of male and female Philydor dimidiatum. Left to right: female, KUNHM 88362;
male, LACM 39956; female, KUNHM 88363; male, LACM 39957. See text for locality information.

Note more pronounced flammulations on females.

Mark B. Robbins & Kevin J. Zimmer 223 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(3)

Automolus, based largely on striking similarities in vocal characters (Parker et al.
1985, Ridgely & Tudor 1994).

Chapman (1928) erected the genus Anachilus (subsequently recognised as
preoccupied; Chapman 1937) in describing a distinctive new furnariid from the
upper rio Ucayalae, Peru. In erecting Anachilus (=Simoxenops) for ucayalae,
Chapman emphasised the large size, uniformly rufescent coloration and uniquely
shaped bill as distinguishing characters. It is unlikely that Chapman compared
ucayalae to P. dimidiatum, given the latter’s rarity in collections. The only other
member of the genus, Anachilus (Simoxenops) striatus, was described by Carriker
(1935). He provided no specific rationale for considering it to be congeneric with
ucayalae, commenting mainly that striatus was easily separated from ucayalae by
the presence of distinct streaking on the crown, nape, mantle and chest. He also
noted that the bill of striatus was shorter than that of wcayalae, and that the habits
of the bird were ‘much like those of Philydor’.

Like all Syndactyla, and both species of Simoxenops, P. dimidiatum has a
distinctly upturned mandible, or ‘ascending gonys’ (Vaurie 1980, Remsen 2003).
Within currently recognised Syndactyla, trans-Andean ruficollis is most similar in
plumage characters to P dimidiatum, both species being largely unstreaked
compared to other Syndactyla. If dimidiatum were to be transferred to Syndactyla,
then the plumage and morphological distinctions between Syndactyla and
Simoxenops become even less pronounced. From a plumage perspective, nominate
dimidiatum appears to be just a smaller version of Simoxenops ucayalae. Both
species are rufescent in overall coloration, lack streaking, and have a pale
supercilium and distinctly upturned mandible. Further blurring differences between
Simoxenops and Syndactyla is that Simoxenops striatus is roughly intermediate in
overall size and bill size between S. ucayalae and Syndactyla, and the plumage of
striatus is as similar to Syndactyla ruficollis as it is to Simoxenops ucayalae
(Remsen 2003, J. V. Remsen pers. comm.). Thus, if Syndactyla, P. dimidiatum and
Simoxenops are considered collectively, there is a gradient in plumage and structure
from the smaller billed, heavily streaked Syndactyla to the larger billed, unstreaked
Simoxenops ucayalae. The extreme bill size and shape of ucayalae, upon which
Simoxenops is largely based, is probably an evolutionary response to foraging
specialisation on Guadua bamboo (Remsen 2003), and is bridged by Simoxenops
striatus to Syndactyla, which shares a similarly shaped but smaller bill. P
dimidiatum, Simoxenops striatus and Syndactyla ruficollis similarly bridge the gap
in plumage characters between the unstreaked ucayalae and the heavily streaked
Syndactyla.

Vocal characters may provide the strongest argument for the relatedness of
dimidiatum to Syndactyla and Simoxenops, and for the separation of these species
from the currently recognised Philydor. Loudsongs of the three Syndactyla species
represented in our inventory were remarkably uniform in pattern and note quality.
Calls of these species were also strikingly similar to one another. Indeed, the
vocalisations of all three species are so similar that they are easily confused by the

Mark B. Robbins & Kevin J. Zimmer 224 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(3)

uninitiated listener. All are united by the harsh, nasal quality of their notes (both in
loudsongs and in calls), the accelerating pattern of the loudsong, the often stuttering
start to the loudsong, and the variation in loudsong length, changes of pace and
frequency shifts displayed by individuals, particularly in response to playback. In
describing vocalisations of the various members of the genus, Ridgely & Tudor
(1994) employed ‘a distinctive accelerating series of harsh nasal notes, stuttering at
first’ for subalaris, and ‘a series of harsh, nasal, ratchety notes which starts slowly
and then speed up’ for ruficollis. Although the fourth currently recognised species
in the genus, S. guttulata, was not represented in our sample, published descriptions
of its vocalisations are consistent with those of the other members of the genus.
Hilty (2003) described the song of guttulata as ‘a harsh, accelerating ‘cjak, cjak,
ezak, czak-zak-zak-zak-za-za-za’, sometimes followed by a few more notes’, and
the call as ‘a harsh, rough ‘chak’.’ Ridgely & Tudor (1994) likened the vocalisations
of guttulata to those of subalaris.

The vocalisations of P. dimidiatum are strikingly similar to those of the four
other Syndactvla They have the same harsh, nasal quality to the calls and to the
individual and collective notes of the loudsongs. The loudsongs typically
commence with a stuttering preamble, and they show much variation in length,
pace changes and frequency shifts from one song to the next in the same individual.
These vocal characters are shared by both Simoxenops. The vocal similarities
between Simoxenops and Syndactyla were first noted by Parker (1982), and have
been echoed by subsequent authors (Parker & Bates 1992, Ridgely & Tudor 1994,
Remsen 2003).

Conversely, the vocalisations (particularly the loudsongs) of P. dimidiatum are
not noticeably similar to those of any of the other recognised species of Philydor,
none of which shares the distinctive nasal quality that immediately distinguishes
dimidiatum, Syndactyla and Simoxenops. More important, perhaps, is that our
samples of other Philydor species (with the exception of P. pyrrhodes) showed no
evidence of the capacity for individual variation in songs and calls that typifies P
dimidiatum, a seemingly ubiquitous feature of vocalisations of the various species
of Syndactyla and Simoxenops. The other Philydor species respond to playback by
giving songs and calls indistinguishable from natural (unsolicited) vocalisations,
whereas dimidiatum, Syndactyla and Simoxenops display complex repertories that
involve numerous permutations of the natural vocalisations depending on their
overall degree of agitation. Also in contrast to Syndactyla and Simoxenops, the
genus Philydor does not display great uniformity in loudsongs, and almost none in
calls.

In all of its vocal characters and in its distinctly upturned mandible, P
dimidiatum is much more like all of the currently recognised species of Syndactyla
than any currently recognised species of Philydor. In plumage characters, it is
closest to Simoxenops ucayalae, but is also similar to Syndactyla ruficollis in
having some flammulation on the underparts but lacking true streaking. Moreover,
behaviourally, dimidiatum is also a closer fit with Syndactyla and Simoxenops in

Mark B. Robbins & Kevin J. Zimmer 225 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(3)

gleaning primarily from branch or vine surfaces, employing hammering or
chiseling motions of the bill, and in often foraging apart from mixed-species flocks.
The hammering or chiseling of substrates has been noted for S. guttulata, S.
rufosuperciliata (Remsen 2003) and S. ruficollis (KJZ unpubl.), and is a primary
search manoeuvre of both species of Simoxenops (Parker 1982, Remsen &
Robinson 1988, Parker & Bates 1992, Kratter & Parker 1997, Zimmer et al. 1997).
Conversely, this behaviour is rare (at best) or absent in Philydor, most species of
which are dead-leaf specialists (Remsen 2003). Although all Syndactyla species
regularly associate with mixed-species flocks, they are less habitual in their
attendance than are Philydor, most of which are inveterate members of such flocks,
and are rarely encountered away from them (pers. obs.; Remsen 2003).

Taxonomic recommendation

We recommend that ‘Philydor’ dimidiatum be placed in the genus Syndactyla; the
name would thus become Syndactyla dimidiatum (Pelzeln). Based on plumage,
structural and vocal characters we also recommend that Simoxenops be subsumed
in Syndactyla, which has priority. In a linear sequence dimidiatum should be placed
between S. ruficollis and Syndactyla |Simoxenops]| ucayalae. This change dictates
that two scientific names be modified if Simoxenops is subsumed within Syndactyla
and dimidiatum transferred to the latter: Philydor dimidiatum becomes Syndactyla
dimidiata, and Simoxenops striatus becomes Syndactyla striata, as both specific
names are variable adjectives in a new combination with a feminine genus (S. M.
S. Gregory in litt. 2004, N. David in litt. 2004). A molecular-based phylogeny is
required to confirm our hypotheses and to clarify relationships within the now more
inclusive Syndactyla.

As far as is known, only birds from the type locality possess a ‘russet’ dorsum;
over the rest of the range the dorsum is olive-brown, thus we find Ridgely &
Tudor’s recommendation of applying the English name Planalto Foliage-gleaner to
be more appropriate than Russet-backed Foliage-gleaner.

Acknowledgements

Special thanks to Phyllis Isler for lending her time and talent in producing the spectrograms used for this
paper. Andy Whittaker and Guy Kirwan kindly shared their observations and vocal material from Minas
Gerais. Greg Budney and Martha Fischer provided catalogue data for recordings deposited at the
Macaulay Library of Natural Sounds, Cornell University (MLNS). We thank Kimball Garrett (Los
Angeles County Museum; LACM) and John Bates (Field Museum of Natural History; FMNH) for
loaned specimen material in their care. Town Peterson measured and photographed the British Museum
of Natural History, Tring (BMNH) specimen, and Augusto Alves (Cole¢ao Ornitologica do
Departamento de Zoologia da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, DZUFMG) and Luis Fabio
Silveira (Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de Sao Paulo, MZUSP) sent digital photographs of
specimens held at these institutions. Guy Kirwan photographed those specimens held at Museo Nacional
do Rio de Janeiro (MNRJ). Rob Clay provided a detailed plumage description of the male Paraguayan
specimen at the Museo Nacional de Historia Natural del Paraguay (MNHNP). Arpai Nyari measured and
photographed specimens at Zoologische Staatssammlung (ZSM), Munich, and access there was granted
by Josef Reichholf. Ernest Bauenfeind kindly photographed and measured specimens in his care at

Mark B. Robbins & Kevin J. Zimmer 226 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(3)

Naturhistorisches Museum Wien (NMW). We particularly thank Van Remsen and Guy Kirwan for their
constructive comments on the manuscript. Normand David and Steven Gregory remarked on
nomenclatural matters.

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Chapman, F. M. 1935. Simoxenops proposed for Anachilus. Auk 54: 208.

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Addresses: Mark B. Robbins, Division of Birds, University of Kansas Natural History Museum, Dyche
Hall, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA, e-mail: mrobbins@ku.edu. Kevin J. Zimmer, 1665 Garcia Road,
Atascadero, CA 93422, USA.

APPENDIX

Recording locations and recordists. Numbers following each name represent the number of individual
birds recorded by the recordist at each site.

Philydor dimidiatum.—BRAZIL: Brasilia National Park, Distrito Federal (K. J. Zimmer, 5); Patas de
Minas, Minas Gerais (A. Whittaker, 1). PARAGUAY: San Luis National Park (M. B. Robbins, 2,
MLNS 120469-70).

Philydor ruficaudatum—— BRAZIL: Serra dos Carajas, Para (K. J. Zimmer, 4); Alta Floresta, Mato
Grosso (K. J. Zimmer, 2).

Philydor erythrocercum.—BRAZIL: Caxiuana Forest Reserve, Para (K. J. Zimmer, 3); Fazenda Rancho
Grande, Rondonia (K. J. Zimmer, 1); rio Cristalino, Alta Floresta region, Mato Grosso (K. J.
Zimmer, 3); rio Mapia, Borba region, Amazonas (K. J. Zimmer, 1); Serra dos Carajas, Para (K. J.
Zimmer, 2). ECUADOR: Tiputini Biodiversity Station, Napo (K. J. Zimmer, 1).

Philydor erythropterum.— BRAZIL: Fazenda Rancho Grande, Rond6nia (K. J. Zimmer, 3). ECUADOR:
Tiputini Biodiversity Station, Napo (K. J. Zimmer, 3). PERU: Manu Wildlife Center, dpto. Madre
de Dios (K. J. Zimmer, 1).

Philydor lichtensteini—BRAZIL: Iguacu National Park, Parana (K. J. Zimmer, 25); Volta Velha
Reserve, Santa Catarina (K. J. Zimmer, 3). PARAGUAY: dptos. Caazapa and Concepcion (M. B.
Robbins, 7; MLNS 120472-7).

Philydor atricapillus —BRAZIL: Garuva, Parana (K. J. Zimmer, 1); Iguacu National Park, Parana (K.
J. Zimmer, 6); Ubatuba region, SAo Paulo (K. J. Zimmer, 5); Volta Velha Reserve, Santa Catarina
(K. J. Zimmer, 2). PARAGUAY: dpto. Caazapa (M. B. Robbins; MLNS 120471).

Philydor rufum.— BRAZIL: Itatiaia National Park, Rio de Janeiro (K. J. Zimmer, 12); Augusto Ruschi
Reserve, Espirito Santo (K. J. Zimmer, 1). PERU: Manu Wildlife Center, dpto. Madre de Dios (K.
J. Zimmer, 1); Tambopata Research Center, dpto. Madre de Dios (K. J. Zimmer, 1).

Philydor pyrrhodes.—BRAZIL: rio Cristalino, Alta Floresta region, Mato Grosso (K. J. Zimmer, 1).
PERU: Tambopata Research Center, dpto. Madre de Dios (K. J. Zimmer, 1). VENEZUELA:
Yapacana National Park, Amazonas (K. J. Zimmer 1). GUYANA: (M. B. Robbins, 3; MLNS
120478-80).

Syndactyla subalaris —COSTA RICA: Cerro de la Muerte (K. J. Zimmer, 1); Monteverde Cloud Forest
Reserve (K. J. Zimmer, 10); Tapanti Faunal Reserve (K. J. Zimmer, 1). PANAMA: Chiriqui (M. B.

Mark B. Robbins & Kevin J. Zimmer 228 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(3)

Robbins, 2; MLNS 120481-2). PERU: Abra Patricia, dpto. San Martin (K. J. Zimmer, 1).
ECUADOR: prov. Morona-Santiago (M. B. Robbins, 2; MLNS 41285 & 41287).

Syndactyla rufosuperciliata——BRAZIL: Itatiaia National Park, Rio de Janeiro (K. J. Zimmer, 13);
Fazenda Pindobas IV, Espirito Santo (K. J. Zimmer, 2); Sao Francisco de Paula region, Rio Grande
do Sul (K. J. Zimmer, 10); Serra do Caraga, Minas Gerais (K. J. Zimmer, 3); Serra da Graciosa,
Parana (K. J. Zimmer, 1). PERU: Cosfiipata Road, dpto. Cusco (K. J. Zimmer, 2). PARAGUAY:
dpto. Caazapa (M. B. Robbins, MLNS 120483).

Syndactyla ruficollis——PERU: Abra Porculla, dpto. Piura (K. J. Zimmer, 6); Tumbes Reserved Zone,
dpto. Tumbes (K. J. Zimmer, 1); ECUADOR: prov. Loja (M. B. Robbins, 1; MLNS 57080).

Simoxenops ucayalae-——BRAZIL: Alta Floresta, Mato Grosso (K. J. Zimmer, 3); rio Cristalino, Alta
Floresta region, Mato Grosso (K. J. Zimmer, 4); Serra dos Carajas, Para (K. J. Zimmer, 4). PERU:
Tambopata Research Center, dpto. Madre de Dios (K. J. Zimmer, 2).

© British Ormithologists’ Club 2005

Some taxonomic comments on the genus
Polyplectron (Phasianidae)

by Fohn Penhallurick & Michael Walters

Received 10 August 2004

An instance of possible priority arises in relation to one of the subspecies of Grey
Peacock-pheasant Polyplectron bicalcaratum (Linnaeus, 1758), namely P. b. bakeri
Lowe, 1925. The type locality of Lowe’s name is ‘Bhutan Doars’, and the current
distribution of the race is north-east India, in Sikkim, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh
and Bhutan. Several earlier names appear to have been available for this race when
Lowe applied his name’, specifically:

Polyplectron cyclospilum G. R. Gray, 1867. List of the specimens of birds in the
British Museum, pt. 5, Gallinae, p. 23; and

Polyplectron enicospilum G. R. Gray, 1867. List of the specimens of birds in the
British Museum, pt. 5, Gallinae, p. 24.

However, it appears that Lowe’s separation racially of birds from north-east
India and Bhutan was invalid. MPW compared skins at The Natural History
Museum (NHM, Tring) of nominate bicalcaratum with the type of bakeri and could

' Anyone familiar with Polyplectron hardwickii J. E. Gray, 1830-32, Illustrations of Indian zoology,
chiefly selected from the collection of Maj.-Gen. Hardwicke, 1: pl. 37, whose type locality is given as
‘India’ might wonder whether this name does not also predate Lowe’s bakeri. However, examination of
the plate makes it clear that this is an instance of Polyplectron malacense (Scopoli, 1786). Ogilvie-Grant
(1893, Catalogue of the birds of the British Museum 22: 259) correctly gives the type locality of P
hardwickii and P. lineatum J. E. Gray, 1829, as ‘Malacca’ (the locality of the latter being given by Gray
as ‘China’).

John Penhallurick & Michael Walters 229 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(3)

find no difference, with the characters described by Lowe unobservable in the
bakeri skins. Both the ground colour and colour of the pale speckles in bakeri
appear identical to those in nominate specimens. MPW also examined the types of
G. R. Gray’s cyclospilum and enicospilum, the type locality of which was given by
G. R. Gray only as ‘N. E. India’, and found them to agree rather better with each
other than with the type of bakeri. The latter has rather smaller pale speckles and
some of the iridescent spots possess a short black ‘tail’ reaching into the white
fringe, but this appears to be mere individual variation’. Accordingly, it seems
justified to merge P. b. bakeri Lowe, 1925, with nominate bicalcaratum, and to treat
G. R. Gray’s 1867 names as synonyms of nominate bicalcaratum.

Given the level of individual variation within P. bicalcaratum, we checked
specimens of other races of the species. An examination by MPW of the type of
bailyi Lowe, 1925, whose range is given by Madge & McGowan (2002) as ‘E
Himalayas (probably NE India but locality of specimens uncertain)’, revealed none
of the differences listed by Lowe. Specimens in the NHM collection identified as
ghigii Delacour & Jabouille, 1924, whose distribution to quote Madge & McGowan
(2002) is ‘C Laos and N and C Vietnam’, were also examined. Again, no difference
could be found in either ground colour or that of the speckles. The distinction
Delacour & Jabouille (1924) make concerning the ocelli appears in some specimens
but not in others, thus suggesting again that these are matters of individual variation
alone, and leading us to propose that Polyplectron bicalcaratum (Linnaeus, 1758)
be treated as monotypic.

References:

Delacour, J. & Jabouille, P. 1924. [Twelve new species and subspecies from French Indochina]. Bull.
Brit. Orn. Cl. 45: 28-35.

Lowe, D. 1925. Some notes on the genus Polyplectron. Ibis (12) 1: 476-484.

Madge, S. & McGowan, P. 2002. Pheasants, partridges and grouse. Christopher Helm, London.

Addresses: John Penhallurick, 86 Bingley Crescent, Fraser, ACT 2615, Australia, e-mail:
jpenhall@bigpond.net.au. Michael Walters, Osprey’s Nest, 62 Mark Street, Portrush, Co. Antrim,
Northern Ireland.

© British Ornithologists’ Club 2005

> The copy of G. R. Gray (1867) at Tring is interleaved and annotated, probably by Sharpe, and these
annotations equate G. R. Gray’s cyclospilum, enicospilum and atelospilum with ‘thibetanum’,
presumably Polyplectron thibetanum Hume & Davison, 1878, Stray Feathers 6: 432, 521 (north and
central Tenasserim). Since the latter name is now synonymised with nominate bicalcaratum, this seems
further reason to synonymise bakeri with nominate bicalcaratum.

J. Cabot & C. Urdiales 230 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(3)

The subspecific status of Sardinian Warblers
Sylvia melanocephala in the Canary Islands
with the description of a new subspecies from
Western Sahara’

by Ff. Cabot & C. Urdiales

Received 29 October 2004; final revision received 13 Fune 2005

Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala is a circum-Mediterranean species with
three recognised subspecies (Shirihai et al. 2001): S. m. melanocephala (S. G.
Gmelin, 1789) in southern Europe, the Mediterranean, western Turkey, north-west
Africa and Libya, including those from the Canary Islands which were formerly
recognised as /eucogastra (Ledru, 1810); S. m. momus (Hemprich & Ehrenberg,
1833) in Syria, Israel and Sinai; with the extinct S. m. norrisae Nicoll, 1917,
restricted to the oasis of Fatyum in Egypt (Roselaar in Cramp 1992). Records from
the oases of the central and southern Sahara, and the Sahel, are of migrants or
wintering birds (Heim de Balsac 1932, 1951, Niethammer & Laene 1954).

Here we propose that the name /eucogastra be restored for those birds in the
Canaries, despite not being recognised by Shirihai et al. (2001), who included these
birds within the nominate. They display a series of characteristics that, in
combination, separate them from other recognised subspecies, although even within
the Canaries variation in plumage and coloration, linked to certain geographical
factors, 1s identifiable (Roselaar in Cramp 1992). Consequently, subspecific status
for Sardinian Warblers from the Canaries was questioned by Vaurie (1954, 1958),
although not by Williamson (1968) or Roselaar in Cramp (1992). Furthermore, we
describe a new subspecies from Western Sahara, based on five specimens whose
mensural data and plumage differ from all other currently recognised subspecies.
Finally, we discuss some taxonomic aspects of the subspecies found in the western
and eastern parts of the species’ range.

Methods

Our work is based on mensural data and an examination of plumage features in
museum specimens, namely: 29 and 55 S. m. melanocephala from Morocco and
Iberia, respectively; 32 S. m. leucogastra from the Canaries (Fuerteventura,
Lanzarote, Gran Canaria, Tenerife and La Palma); 36 S. m. momus from Israel,
Egypt, Libya, Jordan and Syria; and nine of the extinct norrisae from Faiyum,

' The new taxon described here is more or less endemic to the area commonly known as ‘Western
Sahara’; however, our use of this term does not imply any implicit recognition or not of the international
validity of the area’s boundaries.

J. Cabot & C. Urdiales 231 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(3)

Egypt. The plumage of all other Sardinian Warbler specimens (several hundred) in
the collection of the Natural History Museum (NHM), in Tring, was also examined.
The following measurements were taken: 1) bill-length to skull; 2) bill depth at the
base; 3) maximum wing-chord; 4) distance between the tips of p10 and the longest
primary-covert; 5) distance between the tip of p10 and the wingtip; 6) distance
between the tip of p7 and the wingtip; 7) tail-length; 8) the roundness of the tail
based on the distance between the tips of the outermost and central rectrices; 9)
tail-wing ratio; and 10) tarsus-length. Culmen-length, bill depth and tarsus-length
were measured with callipers to the nearest 0.01 mm. Wing-length was measured
straightened and flattened against a ruler to the nearest 0.5 mm; tail-length from the
base to the distal extreme; and the distances between feather tips were measured
against a ruler to the nearest 0.5 mm.

ANOVA and Statistical Discriminant Analysis were applied to birds grouped
according to subspecies to establish the potential existence of morphometric
differentials between these groups. The nominate subspecies was represented by
resident birds from Morocco and Iberia, although birds from these areas were
treated separately because they differ somewhat in plumage and measurements.
Morphological similarities between subspecies were calculated by means of the
Mahalanobis distance, a measure of the distance between the centroid of a cluster
of factors characterising each subspecies (as determined by measurements) within
a multi-dimensional space. The lower the distance between groups the greater
morphological similarity; larger distances indicate fewer morphological
similarities.

The new subspecies from Western Sahara is represented by four males (a
juvenile, 15 May 1955; a first-year, 26 November 1972; a second-year and adult,
17 April 1955) and a female (adult, 3 May 1955), all housed in the Estacion
Biologica de Dofana (EBD), in Seville.

Revalidation of S. m. leucogastra

Williamson (1968) and Roselaar in Cramp (1992) considered S. m. leucogastra
valid on the basis of its smaller size as compared to nominate populations, different
markings and coloration (e.g. less white on the inner webs of the outer tail-
feathers), rounder wing and different repertoire of rattling nasal calls. Nevertheless,
birds from the Canaries display varied plumages, measurements and structure that
are linked to geographical factors. Roselaar in Cramp (1992) and Shirihai et al.
(2001) concluded that such variation is due to ongoing differentiation processes
occurring within each subpopulation. One of the most significant is in the
coloration of birds from the western Canaries, which is darker compared to birds
from the eastern islands; clinal gradients even exist within islands (Roselaar in
Cramp 1992). Size differences between islands are more complex and a
representative study is much needed.

J. Cabot & C. Urdiales 232 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(3)

Morphometrics

Despite intra-group variation, birds from the Canaries represent a discrete
morphometric group (ANOVA; F (5.125); P<0.0001) separable from all other
subspecies (Statistical Discriminant Analysis; F (45.526); P<0.001). In general,
those from the Canaries have shorter, more rounded wings, and larger body
measurements—tarsus- and culmen-lengths and tail-wing ratio—than other
subspecies. Other than birds from the Sahara, they also have comparatively less-
rounded tails (Table 1). The Mahalanobis distances (Table 2) indicate that of all the
other subspecies, norrisae is mensurally closest to Jeucogastra. Most of the body
measurements are similar in both subspecies (Table 1) and thus, in terms of the
Mahalanobis distances, these two subspecies are close. Nevertheless, there are
differences between the two taxa in bill- and tail-lengths, which are greater in
leucogastra than in norrisae (Table 1). The similarity in morphological appearance
between norrisae and leucogastra was remarked by Roselaar in Cramp (1992) and
these subspecies, along with melanocephala from Iberia, are somewhat distant from
melanocephala from Morocco and birds from the Sahara. On the other hand,
momus is Clearly even more distant.

Plumage

At least two plumage types have been detected: pale and dark. Pale birds have very
white underparts and are found on Fuerteventura, Lanzarote and Gran Canaria (the
three eastern islands). They recall birds from North Africa (in Morocco, Algeria and
Tunisia) and are likewise pale on all of their underparts, lacking any beige or even
any slightly reddish tones, and have paler grey upperparts than European birds. The
darkest upperparts and underparts (these are slightly beige-coloured) are from
Tenerife and La Palma (in the western Canaries; note that none was examined from
El Hierro or La Gomera). These plumage types and their relationship to
geographical factors were described by Roselaar in Cramp (1992).

The considerable variation in some body measurements (see Table 1) and
relationship between plumage coloration and geographical factors corroborate the
existence of a population complex in the Canaries, as noted by Roselaar in Cramp
(1992). Within this complex two further trends exist, as documented for other pairs
or groups of taxa from the Canaries, namely Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus
canariensis and F: t. dacotiae, Stone Curlew Burhinus oedicnemus insularum and
B. o. distinctus, Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major canariensis and D.
m. thanneri, Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs ssp. and Blue Chaffinch Fringilla teydea,
Blue Tit Parus caeruleus ssp., etc., as a result of chronologically different
invasions. For Sardinian Warbler, the dark forms probably originate from African
populations that occupied the more humid western Canaries during periods of
wetter, warmer climate. Likewise, paler populations (closer to present-day North
African birds and clearly different from those in Europe) in the drier eastern islands
probably originate from more recent colonisation events during the present drier
climatic period.

J. Cabot & C. Urdiales 233 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(3)

Shirihai ef a/. (2001) recognised this process of differentiation between islands
and called for further studies. Nevertheless, they did not take into account the
features that separate all Canarian birds from other forms and proposed that they be
included within the nominate based on single birds from Lanzarote and southern
France with identical sequences in their mitochondrial cytochrome-b gene.
However, the very low mutation rate of this genetic marker—less than 2% per one
million years (Haring et al. 1999, Garcia-Moreno ef al. 1999)—means that it is
somewhat less than ideal for work at lower taxonomic levels. Thus, processes of
taxonomic differentiation could have taken place (e.g., only a few tens of thousands
of years ago during the most recent ice age) without any mutation or fixation in the
base sequence of cytochrome b. Other genetic markers with greater mutational rates
are more valid in such cases (Haring et a/. 1999). Furthermore, Shirihai et a/. (2001)
sequenced mtDNA from just one bird without specifying whether it was resident or
possibly a wintering or migrant individual.

We propose that the subspecific status of /eucogastra be provisionally restored
for all Canarian birds as per Roselaar in Cramp (1992) and Williamson (1968),
based on its characteristic plumage and morphometrics that separate it from all
other subspecies. Nonetheless, a definitive study of the relationship between
populations in the Canaries and North Africa (resident Moroccan, Algerian and
Tunisian birds) is still needed, including data on body weight and total length,
sonograms of songs and calls, and DNA analysis, all of which are beyond the scope
of the present contribution.

The appearance of Canarian specimens, apart from measurements, strongly
indicates that possibly three populations are involved: smaller dark birds from La
Palma (and perhaps elsewhere); larger, dark or intermediate birds on Tenerife; and
paler birds, apparently identical to the resident Moroccan population, on the three
drier easternmost islands (Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote). North
African birds and the latter population might easily be considered a separate
subspecies, but for now we propose to retain /eucogastra for all Canarian
populations and leave resident North African populations in nominate
melanocephala, with the exception of a new form from the Western Sahara that we
propose to name as follows.

Sylvia melanocephala valverdei subsp. nov.

Holotype EBD 19599A, adult female, collected at El Atum de Saquiat (27°10’N,
13°12’W), Western Sahara, on 3 May 1955, by J. A. Valverde.

Paratypes EBD 19594A, first-year male, collected at Tumbas de Edam (23°49’N,
15°52’W), 20 km from Villa Cisneros, Western Sahara, on 26 November 1972, by
J. A. Valverde. Weight 12.5 g and gonads undeveloped. Two other males (EBD
19595A, 19596A) are from Sebja Imlilik (23°14’N, 15°56’W), Western Sahara, and
were taken on 17 April 1955. Both have developed gonads, and the first is in

J. Cabot & C. Urdiales 234 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(3)

second-year plumage and the other adult. A juvenile (EBD 19598A), taken on 5
May 1955 is from El Atum de Saquiat (27°10’N, 13°12’W), Western Sahara. All
were collected by J. A. Valverde.

Description of holotype Crown and head-sides uniform brown suffused pale grey;
crown feathers with dark grey-brown bases; nape, neck-sides, mantle, back and
rump uniform sandy brown, somewhat paler on rump and uppertail-coverts, and
darker on ear-coverts; wing-coverts as back; underparts (chin, throat and foreneck)
off-white, breast and central belly pale cream, and breast-sides, flanks, thighs, vent
and undertail-coverts pale beige. Primaries and upper surface of secondaries grey-
brown with pale fringes and tips; alula similar, but with broader pale fringes.
Underside of secondaries, underwing-coverts and axillaries buff-brown, almost
imperceptibly tinged pink. Uppertail brown, the outermost rectrices having a pale
cream outer web and distal third of inner web, grading into brown of feather base;
second outermost rectrices brown with a pale cream distal spot c.5 mm in diameter
and third outermost similar but with a small spot c.2 mm in diameter at tip. Bare
parts (as noted by the collector): upper mandible dark brown; distal half of lower
mandible dark brown and basal half pale yellow; tarsus and toes yellow-brown.

Description of paratypes Crown, head-sides and ear-coverts matt black with some
(3-4) juvenile feathers on pileum; rest of upperparts greyish brown, slightly paler
on rump and uppertail-coverts; underparts largely white, becoming off-white on
breast and belly, and breast-sides and flanks pale grey. Flight-feathers brown, with
pale outer webs; alula dark brown with contrasting broader off-white outer webs;
underwing-coverts and axillaries pale grey, and underside to secondaries pinkish
cream. Uppertail darker with outer web and distal third of inner web of outermost
pair white; second outermost pair has distal two-thirds white, the rest dark; three
outermost rectrices have a small white mark at tip (all three are retained juvenile
feathers). Bare parts: upper mandible uniform dark brown; lower mandible brown
with base and cutting edges paler; legs and toes yellowish brown.

Diagnosis Both sexes have bill, wing and tail shorter, tail less rounded and tarsus
longer than nominate from North Africa and Iberia (Table 1). Similar in size to
melanocephala and leucogastra; momus is smaller and has a shorter tail.

Adult male has cap similar to nominate and /eucogastra, but matt black, not
glossy as in melanocephala. Upperparts pale greyish brown with olivaceous tone in
some. Overall, noticeably paler (Fig. 1) lacking dark lead grey tones of
melanocephala and leucogastra, or brown suffusion of most momus (also present
in some male norrisae). Primaries and secondaries blackish brown with greyish-
brown fringes; pattern on outer rectrices similar to that in melanocephala and
leucogastra; innermost rectrices blackish brown with pale greyish-brown fringes;
overall, rectrices and remiges blackish brown like momus/norrisae, not blackish
grey as melanocephala and leucogastra; inner webs of secondaries clearly greyish

J. Cabot & C. Urdiales

TABLE 1

Mean values of body measurements among studied groups of Sy/via melanocephala. Bill-length; bill depth

pl0—pe = distance between tip of p10 and longest primary-covert; p10-WT

height of bill at base; wing-length;

distance between tip of p10 and wingtip; p7—-WT

of p7 and wingtip; RD = distance from tip of central tail-feathers to tip of outermost tail-feathers; tail-wing = ratio tail-length/wing-length; and tarsus

distance between tip

length. Figures in brackets relate to number of individuals. (1) = Iberia; and (M) = Morocco.

Wing p10-pe p10-WT p7-WT Tail Roundness Tail/Wing Tarsus
KOPSD EN Xe BD WN X SD N

Bill depth

SD

X SD N X

X SD N

N

SD

SD

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235 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(3)

brown, not pale grey as melanocephala
and /eucogastra. Throat and breast pure
white, lacking the almost imperceptible
creamy tinge of momus (even rosy in
some momus and most norrisae); lacks
grey wash on throat and upper breast of
Iberian melanocephala, whilst
Moroccan melanocephala is noticeably
white like /eucogastra. Breast-sides and
flanks grey as most momus (lacking the
buff-pinkish cast of most norrisae and
some momus), albeit more intense and
extending nearer central breast than in
melanocephala and leucogastra; lower
breast and belly uniformly pure white
(the collector recalls a pinkish flush in
fresh plumage), lacking the buff tones of
momus (in Iberian melanocephala white
restricted to central lower breast and
belly) and lacking diffuse grey of
leucogastra; dark areas on flanks
smaller and paler than in melanocephala
and /eucogastra; greyish-white thighs,
not ash-grey of melanocephala and
leucogastra, and whiter than momus
becoming buff-coloured closest to tibia,
not dark brown as in melanocephala,
chestnut of /eucogastra or sandy in
momus/norrisae. Undertail-coverts pure
white, lacking pinkish tone of
momus/norrisae or grey of
melanocephala and leucogastra; tail-
feathers broader and more rounded than
in momus.

Adult female has crown and head-
sides sandy brown almost imperceptibly
washed grey, but no marked contrast
with rest of upperparts. Neck-sides,
nape, mantle, wing-coverts, back and
rump pale brown, not deep olivaceous
brown as in Iberian melanocephala
(greyer in the Maghreb) and
leucogastra, or sandy brown as in

J. Cabot & C. Urdiales 236 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(3)

momus (valverdei has palest upperparts of all subspecies and populations
examined); flight-feathers and rectrices as male; white throat as momus/norrisae,
leucogastra and melanocephala (Maghreb), but Iberian melanocephala off-white.
Underparts creamy white, more sandy on flanks, unlike buffish breast and flanks of
momus or off-white central underparts and greyish flanks of leucogastra and
melanocephala from the Maghreb. Iberian melanocephala has much darker

ar. \9
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Figure 1. Dorsal and ventral views of males of Sylvia melanocephala: (1) S. m. momus (grey form, NHM
1934.1.1.4810; Jericho, Palestine, November); (2) S. m. norrisae (rufous form, NHM 1935.1.15.18;
Egypt, March); (3) S. m. valverdei (EBD 1959.4A; adult, Dakhla, Western Sahara—under Moroccan
administration, November); (4) S. m. melanocephala (NHM 1965H.13.990; Essaouira, Morocco,
October); (5) S. m. leucogastra (NHM 1920.10.30.57; Lanzarote, Canaries, November); and (6) S. m.
melanocephala (NHM 1965M.19.003; Gibraltar, March).

J. Cabot & C. Urdiales 237 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(3)

TABLE 2
Mahalanobis distance values among studied groups of Sy/via melanocephala according to body meas-
urements. (I) = Iberia; and (M) = Morocco.

melanocephala — melanocephala valverdei —_ leucogastra—_norrisae ~— momus
(I) (M)
melanocephala (1) 0 1:95 3.22 5.28 9.60 13.99
melanocephala (M) 1.95 0.00 SDT 6.43 7.62 Ss
valverdei 522 SA 0.00 6.61 8.08 7.18
leucogastra 5.28 6.43 6.61 0.00 4.88 12.19
norrisae 9.60 7.62 8.08 4.88 0.00 52)
momus 13.99 O23 7.18 PEA, S21 0.00

underparts. Overall, distinctly more sandy brown and paler than female
melanocephala and leucogastra, and less rufous than momus.

Juvenile is similar to adult female and is the palest of all forms. Upperparts
sandy brown; throat and central belly white; upper breast buff, darker brown on
sides; remiges and tail brown with pale buff fringes. The only available specimen
of S. m. norrisae has a paler, rufous-brown back, and white underparts with flanks
and breast suffused buff (Roselaar in Cramp 1992). S. m. momus is slightly more
rufous than valverdei. Closer in coloration to Canarian individuals. S. m.
melanocephala is darker grey olive-brown above with a greyish breast and darker
olive-grey sides; remiges and rectrices black.

Measurements

S. m. valverdei 1s separated morphometrically from all the other groups: ANOVA;
F (5.125); P< 0.0001; discriminant analysis F (45.526); P<0.0001. Individually, all
body measurements except tarsus (P<0.3) show significant values (P<0.01). The
Mahalanobis distances (Table 2) locate S. m. valverdei closer to S. m.
melanocephala from Iberia and Morocco and /eucogastra than to norrisae, and it is
clearly distant from momus. S. m. valverdei has a more square-ended tail and the
smallest distance of all subspecies between the tips of p10 and the longest primary-
covert. Structurally, valverdei has a proportionately longer tarsus than nominate
from Iberia and Morocco, which have broader bills, and longer bills and tails.
Valverdei is similar to norrisae, with a longer and more rounded tail, and slightly
shorter wings and bill. However, it contrasts with /Jeucogastra, which has a larger
and more robust bill and tarsus, and shorter more rounded wings. Overall, valverdei
is noticeably larger than momus (Table 1).

S. m. valverdei is a well-defined form with plumage structure and
morphometrics that differ from all other subspecies. The specimens of valverdei
studied by us are from the coastal region of Rio de Oro and Saquiat Al-Hamra, in
the north and south of Western Sahara, respectively; no cline is apparent.

J. Cabot & C. Urdiales 238 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(3)

Etymology We take pleasure in recognising the work of José Antonio Valverde who
discovered this form, collecting both the holotype and paratypes. The founder of the
Donana Biological Station and Donana Biological Reserve and its scientific
collection, Valverde produced many works of zoological interest, including one on
the birds of Western Sahara (former Spanish Sahara).

Distribution From southern Morocco (Tiznit) along the Anti-Atlas coastline as far
as Taghjicht and Jbel Guir, thence upstream along the Oued Draa to Guelta Zerga,
and on the Western Saharan coast in a 50 km-wide strip as far as the Tropic of
Cancer. Heim de Balsac & Heim de Balsac (1954) considered the species to be an
indicator of the modifying influence of the Atlantic on desert environments.
Valverde states that it may breed in stands of Zamarix in the Adrar, in Mauritania,
and those seen in parts of northern Mauritania and thought to be migrants may be
resident; the same author also believed that it might occur in neighbouring Algeria.
Heim de Balsac (1930) collected one (unsexed) bird in March at Chenachane
(26°0’N, 00°15’W), south-east Algeria, 900 km east of the paratype region. Owing
to its intermediate plumage between male and female and its smaller size than the
nominate, its identity was not ascertained. Valverde (1957) doubted that Sardinian
Warbler breeds in this part of Algeria given its arid nature and the lack of suitable
habitat. In Western Sahara, Sardinian Warbler occurs continuously from the north
as far south as Cap Bojador, at which point Rhus scrub formations disappear;
further south only scattered pockets of such habitat survive.

Habitat According to Valverde (1957), Sardinian Warbler occurs in three habitats
in Western Sahara: in Euphorbia and Opuntia inermis formations; clumps of
Tamarix and Nitraria mixed with Salicornia; and in ‘graras’ of the coastline around
Dora and Aium. ‘Graras’ are depressions where soils give rise to thickets of
vegetation growing in concentric circles—due to the moisture gradient of the
soils—in the following order (outermost first): Euphorbia, saltworts, Rhus and
grasses in the centre. Sardinian Warbler is the most constant and abundant species
in such habitat in Western Sahara (Valverde 1957).

Breeding Heim de Balsac & Heim de Balsac (1954) commented that breeding
activity peaks in April-May. Valverde (1957) mentioned that females were
incubating in mid April, that chicks fledge early June and that by mid June the
season is over.

Taxonomy of North African populations of
Sylvia melanocephala

Separation of Iberian and North African populations of S. m. melanocephala
The Iberian population is very uniform in size and plumage within each sex and age
category throughout its range. No clinal size variation was detected from north to

J. Cabot & C. Urdiales 239 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(3)

south Spain. Clear differences are visible between birds from southern Iberia and
northern Morocco. In terms of plumage coloration and biometrics, both populations
accord with birds from the rest of Iberia and North Africa, respectively.

The resident North African population is also very uniform. Males have purer
grey upperparts (paler than Iberian birds) and, above all, very white throat, breast,
belly and vent, with grey flanks (Fig. 1). Upperparts in females are clearly less
brown (being greyer), and, like males, also have predominantly very white
underparts, with grey flanks, that also differ from Iberian populations. Specimens
from Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco (as far as Essaouira) are similar to /eucogastra
from the eastern Canaries.

Momus/norrisae complex

Momus and norrisae show common, well-defined plumage and morphometric
features that separate them from all other recognised subspecies, suggesting that
they have attained allospecies status and that further study is necessary to clarify the
precise differences between them (Shirihai et a/. 2001). Plumage features indicate
that momus and norrisae are closely related and separate from other North African
forms. Momus displays obvious variation in coloration, although to what extent is
not known in detail. Birds with both grey and with sandy backs appear, although far
more males with grey backs are available in NHM (Fig. 1), agreeing with the
typical description of this subspecies, and fewer with warmer, sandy tones
(regardless of the state of wear). Roselaar in Cramp (1992) mentions that in momus
male upperparts are dark or medium grey in fresh plumage and in first-years the
upperparts are tinged grey-brown. Nevertheless, we have found both types of
coloration in fresh-plumaged males older than one year. Specimens of norrisae in
NHM, all males, have variable coloration, although birds with sandy backs, some
even with reddish tones (Fig. 1), outnumber those with grey backs. The type
specimen has a grey back. In direct comparison, the plumage of birds of both
subspecies, either within sandy/reddish-backed individuals or within greyish-
backed ones, is otherwise quite indistinguishable.

Morphometric analysis and the data in Table 1 show that momus is very
different from North African populations both in size and structure. Likewise, the
morphometric proximity (Table 2) of momus and norrisae compared to other
groups is also evident.

Like Shirihai et al. (2001), we believe that Sylvia melanocephala should be
considered a superspecies comprising two allospecies, S. melanocephala and S.
momus/norrisae, in line with the other examples given by the same authors in their
recent monograph of the genus Sylvia.

We conclude that both populations belong to a single form, momus, and that
norrisae is not ‘a highly characteristic’ form, as stated by Shirihai ef a/. (2001),
given that the only available (small) sample of males possesses similar colour
variation to momus. Slight morphometric differences between momus and norrisae
coincide with those found between valverdei/leucogastra and melanocephala and

J. Cabot & C. Urdiales 240 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(3)

are doubtless related to the more isolated and sedentary character of the populations
in the Canaries, coastal Sahara and Faiyum oasis. The consistency of norrisae as a
subspecies distinct from momus is much more questionable than that of Jeucogastra
with respect to melanocephala from Europe, North Africa and Anatolia.

Acknowledgements

We thank the following: Dr Ramon Soriguer of the Dofiana Biological Station; Guillermo Delgado for
his hospitality and inestimable help with field work during JC’s stay whilst collecting birds in Tenerife;
Mauricio Gonzalez, Marqués de Bonanza, and Dr Nigel Collar for their assistance; Josefina Barreiro,
ornithological curator at the Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Madrid; and Mark Adams and
Robert Pris-Jones, at the Natural History Museum, Tring. Financial assistance was received from the
Fundacion Gonzalez-Gordon, and Mike Lockwood was most helpful in correcting the English text.

References:

Cramp, S . (ed.) 1992. The birds of the Western Palearctic, vol. 6. Oxford Univ. Press.

Garcia-Moreno, J. Arctander, P. & Fjeldsa, J. 1999. A case of rapid diversification in the Neotropics:
phylogenetic relations among Cranioleuca spinetails (Aves, Furnariidae). Mol. Phyl. & Evol. 12:
273-281.

Haring, E., Riesing, M. J., Pinsker, W. & Gamauf, A. 1999. Evolution of pseudo-control region in the
mitochondrial genome of Palearctic buzzards (genus Buteo). J. Zool. Syst. Evol. Res. 37: 185-194.

Heim de Balsac, H. 1930. Premiéres données sur oiseaux de Sahara Occidental. Alauda 2: 451-464.

Heim de Balsac, H. 1932. Etudes ornithologiques en Afrique du Nord pendant la période hivernale.
Alauda 4: 89-102.

Heim de Balsac, H. 1951. Les migrations dans |’ouest africain. Alauda 19: 19-39.

Heim de Balsac, H. & Heim de Balsac, T. H. 1954. De l’oued Sous au fleuve Sénégal. Oiseaux repro-
ducteurs. Particularités écologiques. Distribution. Alauda_22: 145-205.

Niethammer, G. & Laene, J. 1954. Hivernage au Sahara. Alauda 22: 25-31.

Shirihai, H., Gargallo, G. & Helbig, A. J. 2001. Sylvia warblers: identification, taxonomy and phyloge-
ny of the genus Sylvia. Christopher Helm, London

Valverde, J. A. 1957. Aves del Sahara Espanol: estudio ecologico del desierto. Instituto de Estudios
africanos, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas, Madrid.

Vaurie, C. 1954. Systematic notes on Palearctic birds. No. 11 Sylviinae: the genus Sylvia. Amer. Mus.
Novit. 1692: 120-122.

Vaurie, C. 1959. The birds of the Palearctic fauna. Passeriformes. H. F. & G. Witherby, London.

Williamson, K. 1968. Identification for ringers. The genus Sylvia. British Trust for Ornithology, Tring.

Addresses: J. Cabot, Estacion Biologica de Dofiana, Avenida Maria Luisa s/n. 41013, Seville, Spain, e-
mail: cabot@ebd.csic.es. C. Urdiales, Centro Administrativo ‘E] Acebuche’, Parque Nacional de
Donana, 21760 Matalascafias (Huelva), Spain, e-mail: cua@auna.com

© British Ornithologists’ Club 2005

CORRIGENDA
In Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl. 125 (1), on p.73 the Y (vertical) axis label was
‘masked’ and the notations ‘CD’ and ‘RSS’ within the figure should read

‘CB’ and ‘RSA’ respectively. Y data positively correlated bill against wings
and tail, and X data positively correlated wing, bill and tail. In Figure 7, on
p.74, the X and Y data are the same as in Figure 6, and the Z data are
positively correlated with wing and tail and negatively correlated with bill.

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CLUB CORRESPONDENCE
Correspondence on all general Club matters should be addressed to: The Hon. Secretary, S.A.H. (Tony)
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inside front cover for details of Club meetings.

COMMITTEE
Cdr. M. B. Casement OBE RN (Chairman) (2005) I. R. Bishop OBE (2003)
Miss H. Baker (Vice-Chairman) (2005) C. W. R. Storey (2003)
S. A. H. Statham (Hon. Secretary) (2004) Dr J. P. Hume (2004)
D. J. Montier (Hon. Treasurer) (1997) P. J. Wilkinson (2005)

Dr J. H. Cooper (2005)

Ex-officio members

Hon. Editor: G. M. Kirwan (1 January 2004)

Chairman of BOU/BOC Joint Publications Committee (JPC): Revd. T. W. Gladwin
Hon. Website Manager: Dr P. G. W. Salaman (2001)

BOC Publications Officer: Prof. R. A. Cheke (2001)

Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club
ISSN 0007-1595
Edited by Guy M. Kirwan
Volume 125, Number 3, pages 161—240

CONTENTS

Club Announcements: . 2... ec ose ee cee ee we dn ee ee eae on Oe en 161
STEINHEIMER, F. D. The nomenclature of Eduard Riippell’s birds from north-east Africa ...... 164
ROBBINS, M. B. & ZIMMER, K. J. Taxonomy, vocalisations and natural history of Philydor

dimidiatum (Furnariidae), with comments on the systematics of Syndactyla and Simoxenops... 212
PENHALLURICK, J. & WALTERS, M. Some taxonomic comments on the genus Polyplectron

(Phasianidze) ... ere ee ce eed bse een wo oe eee 228
CABOT, J. & URDIALES, C. The subspecific status of Sardinian Warblers Sylvia melanocephala

in the Canary Islands with the description of a new subspecies from Western Sahara ........ 230
Cotripends 2.0 fees oe eee bhai we ee ee ee en eae © eens Seer 240

SMITHSONIAN | INSTIT!

wD niin

Authors are invited to submit papers on topics relating to the broad themes of taxonomy and distribution of
birds. Descriptions of new species of birds are especially welcome and will be given priority to ensure rapid
publication, subject to successful passage through the normal peer review procedure, and they may be
accompanied by colour photographs or paintings. On submission, manuscripts, double-spaced and with
wide margins, should be sent to the Editor, Guy Kirwan, preferably by e-mail, to GMKirwan@aol.com.
Alternatively, two copies of manuscripts, typed on one side of the paper, may be submitted to the Editor, 74
Waddington Street, Norwich NR2 4JS, UK. Where appropriate half-tone photographs may be included and,
where essential to illustrate important points, the Editor will consider the inclusion of colour figures (if pos-
sible, authors should obtain funding to support the inclusion of such colour illustrations).

As far as possible, review, return of manuscripts for revision and subsequent stages of the publication
process will be undertaken electronically.

For instructions on style, see the inside rear cover of Bulletin 125 (1) or the BOC website

www.boc-online.org

Printed on acid-free paper.
Published by the British Ornithologists’ Club
Typeset by Alcedo Publishing of Pennsylvania, USA, and printed by Crowes of Norwich, UK

Ornithologists’

2,

Volume 125 No. 4
December 2005

MEETINGS are normally held in the Sherfield Building of Imperial College, South Kensington, London
SW7. The nearest Tube station is at South Kensington; a map of the area will be sent to members, on request.
(Limited car parking facilities can be reserved [at a special reduced charge of £5.00], on prior application to
the Hon. Secretary.)

The cash bar is open from 6.15 pm, and a buffet supper, of two courses followed by coffee, is served at 7.00
pm. (A vegetarian menu can be arranged if. ordered at the time of booking.) Informal talks are given on com-
pletion, commencing at about 8.00 pm.

Dinner charges are £20.00 as from 1 January 2005.

FORTHCOMING MEETINGS
See also BOC website: http://www.boc-online.org

6 December 2005—Dr Julian Hume—The parrots of the Mascarenes

The Mascarenes (Réunion, Mauritius and Rodrigues) are isolated volcanic islands in the south-west Indian
Ocean; due to numerous sea-level changes, bird colonists were able to island-hop to the Mascarenes within
the last S—7 million years from South-east Asia. Using this route, at least 34 parrot colonising events took
place, with Mauritius and Réunion harbouring three or four sympatric species and Rodrigues two. However,
due primarily to man’s interference, all of the Mascarene parrots are now extinct bar the Echo Parakeet
Psittacula echo of Mauritius, and sadly, this species too, is in grave danger of extinction. From an artistic
background, Julian Hume returned to academia and studied the vertebrate paleontology of the Mascarenes
for a Ph.D., publishing a number of relevant papers as a result. Present projects include a book on the eco-
logical history of the Mascarenes and he was recently awarded a large research grant by the Linnean Society
to study the palaeontological history of Aldabra, in the Indian Ocean.

Applications to Hon. Secretary (address below) by 22 November please

24 January 2006—Field Marshal Sir John Chapple GCB, CBE, DL—Reminiscences of a nature
conservationist

Combining a distinguished military career with a life-long interest in natural history, Sir John will reminisce
about some of the numerous wild places he has visited, including Malaysia and Borneo. More recently, he
has been involved in conservation issues in Nepal where a captive breeding programme for local vultures is
being developed. He is a Trustee of the King Mahendra Trust, a charity committed to “ensuring a balance
between human needs and the environment to guarantee long-term sustainability’ (in Nepal). Sir John is
associated with numerous wildlife enterprises and as a past president of the Zoological Society of London,
a member of the Council for the World Wildlife Fund and President of the Army Ornithological Society, he
remains committed to many aspects of nature conservation.

Applications to Hon. Secretary (address below) by 10 January please

Future meetings in 2006—provisional dates for meetings in 2006 have been set for the following
Tuesdays:
14 March, 25 April (and AGM), 6 June, 7 November and 5 December. Speakers to be announced.

Overseas Members visiting Britain are especially welcome at these meetings, and the Hon. Secretary would
be very pleased to hear from anyone who can offer to talk to the Club, in 2006, giving as much advance
notice as possible—please contact: S. A. H. (Tony) Statham, Ashlyns Lodge, Chesham Road, Berkhamsted,
Herts. HP4 2ST, UK (or e-mail: boc.sec@bou.org.uk).

Registered Charity No. 279583
©British Ornithologists’ Club 2005

Club Announcements

Bulletin of t
BRITISH OR ISTS’ CLUB

Vol. 125 No. 4 | | Published 5 December 2005

Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

CLUB ANNOUNCEMENTS

R. S. R. (Richard) Fitter 1913-2005

The Club notes with sadness the death on 3 September 2005 of one of its longest-serving members (and
Honorary Life Member), the noted author and naturalist, Richard Fitter. He served on the committee in
1959-62, was Vice-Chairman in 1962-65 and Chairman in 1965-68. His series of identification guides
was among the first and best of their genre, and included the Collins pocket guide to British birds in
1952. Richard Fitter had a wide interest in natural history, received several awards and served on many
bodies including the World Wildlife Fund and British Trust for Ornithology.

Members are reminded that revised arrangements for membership correspondence, subscriptions and
applications can be found on the inside back cover of this issue. All membership issues should now be
addressed to the BOC Office, P. O. Box 417, Peterborough PE7 3FX, UK. E-mail:
boc.office @ bou.org.uk

Correspondence on all general Club matters should continue to be addressed to: The Hon. Secretary,
S. A. H. (Tony) Statham, Ashlyns Lodge, Chesham Road, Berkhamsted, Herts. HP4 2ST, UK. E-mail:
boc.sec @bou.org.uk

The 929th meeting of the Club was held on Tuesday 15 March 2005, in the Sherfield Building Annexe,
Imperial College, London. 26 members and 7 guests were present.

Members attending were: Dr C. F MANN (Chairman), Miss H. BAKER, I. R. BISHOP, Mrs D. M.
BRADLEY, D. R. CALDER, Cdr. M. B. CASEMENT, Ms K. COOK, Dr R. A. F COX, F M.
GAUNTLETT, Revd. T. W. GLADWIN, D.GRIFFIN, J. P. HUME, R. R. LANGLEY, D. J. MONTIER,
Mrs M. N. MULLER, R. C. PRICE, Dr R. P. PRYS-JONES, P. SELLAR, S. A. H. STATHAM, C. W. R.
STOREY, Dr D. H. THOMAS (Speaker), M. J. WALTON, Cdr. F. S. WARD, R. P. WEBSTER and P. J.
WILKINSON.

Guests attending were: Ms G BONHAM, Mrs J. CALDER, Mrs M. H. GAUNTLETT, Mrs J. M.
GLADWIN, Mrs M. MONTIER, C. MULLER and Mrs M. THOMAS.

After dinner, Dr David Thomas gave an interesting talk on The shady life of birds. In hot conditions
(where animals must offload heat) they use shade. The easy assumption is that this simply shields them
from the sun’s heat, but many birds use the shade more subtly than this. In several locations I have
noticed that ground-living birds of several species use the shade’s edge rather than its centre. This
appears to achieve two effects: it shields the birds from direct solar heat loading, and (more subtly) it
maximises their exposure to a clear sky, which is the best heat sink available to which the birds can lose
heat by radiation. I tested this hypothesis in northern Kenya, where a pair of Black-faced Sandgrouse
Pterocles decoratus shaded themselves under an Acacia reficiens shrub. Around midday, air tempera-
tures were 33°C where the birds had been, and the radiant temperatures of the shrub canopy, shaded soil
and soil in sun flecks were 25°C, 36°C and 39°C respectively. Assuming the birds’ radiant temperatures
were like that of shaded soil (c.35°C), only the shrub canopy would have provided a heat sink for radia-
tive heat loss, but the temperature difference driving this (10°C) was small and heat loss via this route
would have been correspondingly slow. However, the radiant temperature of the sky varied between
+13°C at 15° elevation above the horizon to —6 to —7°C at 60—90° elevation. Thus, the closer the birds

Club Announcements 242 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(2)

were to the edge of the shade, the lower the sky temperatures they experienced, and the larger the tem-
perature difference (up to 40°C) they experienced to drive radiative heat loss. Since evaporation of body
water is the only other significant route for losing body heat loads under such circumstances, maximis-
ing radiative heat loss has an obvious economic advantage, for negligible energy cost.

The 930th meeting of the Club was held on Tuesday 26 April 2005, in the Sherfield Building Annexe,
Imperial College, London following the Annual General Meeting. 24 members and 5 guests were
present.

Members attending were: Cdr. M. B. CASEMENT (Chairman), Miss H. BAKER (Vice-Chairman),
I. R. BISHOP, Prof. R. A. CHEKE, N. CLEERE, Ms K. COOK, Dr J. COOPER, J. EB] FISHERS EAA.
GAUNTLETT, D. GRIFFIN, C. A. R. HELM, J. P. HUME, K. N. IDDI, G M. KIRWAN, R. R. LAN-
GLEY, Dr C. F MANN, D. J. MONTIER, Mrs M. N. MULLER, A. J. PITTMAN, Dr D. E. POMEROY,
Dr R. P. PRYS-JONES, P. SELLAR, S. A. H. STATHAM and Cdr. F. S. WARD

Guests attending were: Ms G BONHAM, Mrs C. CASEMENT, Mrs B. FISHER, Mrs M. H.
GAUNTLETT and Mrs M. MONTIER.

After dinner, Members gave a series of short talks on subjects of topical interest; the following is a
brief synopsis of the main points presented.

Robert Pr#s-Jones presented a short paper on The ornithology of the other Captain Cook. Captain
Samuel Edward Cook (later Widdrington), 1787-1856, was an important figure in early Spanish
ornithology, whose major written contribution to the subject came in the form of a chapter in his 1834
book Sketches in Spain. By career a naval officer, he was memorably described by a contemporary writer
on travel in Spain, Richard Ford, as ‘a great geologist and stuffer of little birds and stalker of fat women’.
He is now much overlooked, being perhaps best remembered through the scientific name Cyanopica
(cyanus) cooki, the Iberian form of the Azure-winged Magpie described by Prince Bonaparte in 1850
from a specimen collected by Cook. This and a few other of his specimens are held in The Natural
History Museum bird collections in Tring, and the data associated with a couple of them present inter-
esting problems in interpretation. However, the whereabouts of most birds that he collected, including
some formerly in the museum of the Zoological Society of London prior to its break-up in the 1850s,
now appear unknown.

Derek Pomeroy spoke on Scavengers in Kampala. Seeing Rooks Corvus frugilegus nesting as close
as they can to the middle of main roads set me thinking about plasticity in birds behaviour and the case
of scavengers in Kampala. We know now that Marabous Leptoptilos crumeniferus first nested in
Kampala in 1969, with just a few pairs; now there are 600—700 nests p.a. There were about 200 Hooded
Vultures Necrosyrtes monachus in Kampala in the early 1970s, now there are over 400. Outside
Kampala, the majority of Marabou colonies are in urban areas. In Nairobi, however, it was not until the
1990s that Marabous started nesting in the city. As in Kampala they now nest along some of the busiest
roads; further, in Kampala, some nests are in trees as low as 5 m. A request for further information on
urban nesting by large scavengers in other African countries produced some suggestions. The increase
was generally thought associated with the rising tide of rubbish as the human population increases. But
we need to be wary of the future, in view of the now threatened adjutant storks, the Marabou’s closest
relatives.

Katrina Cook gave a presentation entitled A murrelet of mystery. The holotype of Kittlitz’s
Murrelet Brachyramphus brevirostris (Vigors, 1829) came to light recently in the collection of The
Natural History Museum, Tring. The label data provide hitherto unknown information about the correct
type locality of this specimen, collected by Beechey during the Blossom voyage, and previously erro-
neously recorded as San Blas. It also sheds light on the specimen’s use as reference by J. J. Audubon
who, probably along with Bonaparte, mistook this bird for a juvenile Ancient Murrelet
Synthliboramphus antiquus and published it as such in the Birds of America.

Jo Cooper told the audience about Rothschild’s 1905 Red List. At the 1905 International
Ornithological Congress, Lord Rothschild delivered a lecture entitled ‘On extinct and vanishing birds’.
Supported by displays of numerous specimens and spectacular life-size reconstruction paintings, this

Club Announcements 243 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

presentation provided the initial seed for his later landmark book, Extinct birds. For the paper,
Rothschild compiled lists of both extinct species and those he considered to be particularly threatened.
He classed 53 taxa as being “On the Verge of Extinction’ and 46 taxa as being “Threatened with
Extinction’. Species from the Hawaiian, New Zealand and Mascarene archipelagos were noticeably well
represented, reflecting Rothschild’s interests and the activities of his collectors. Comparison of
Rothschild’s lists with the online World Bird Database of BirdLife International
(http://www.birdlife.net/datazone/index.html) reveals how these species have fared during the past cen-
tury. Of Rothschild’s threatened taxa, 23% are now considered Extinct; 12% are Critically Endangered;
19% are Endangered; 28% are Vulnerable and 17% are Near-threatened or Least Concern. In conjunc-
tion with Rothschild’s commentary, the lists provide a snapshot of his concerns and attitudes. He was
well aware of many species’ spiralling decline and was explicit in acknowledging man’s role in their
demise, emphasising over-exploitation and introductions of alien predators. At this time, he was renting
Aldabra to protect its population of giant tortoises. Yet, in his discussion of endangered birds he offered
no hopes for their future, and no suggestion that any of these pending extinctions could be averted.

Kassim N. Iddi spoke on Taxonomic significance of vocalisations of sunbirds (Nectariniidae).
Traditional avian taxonomy has primarily been concerned with morphological characters, but these have
been inadequate for resolving relationships within, and differences between, genera and between sibling
and cryptic species. Descriptions of new species now often include data on morphology, DNA and vocal-
isations or on at least two of these characteristics. Some comparative studies involving DNA analysis
seemingly suggest strong congruence between acoustic and genetic divergence among species, e.g. in
taxa of Regulus, whereas case studies of various Old World warblers such as the Golden-spectacled
Warbler Seicercus burkii report high corroboration between bioacoustic divergence and molecular data.
Irwin et al. concluded that the sunbirds originated in Africa and thence radiated to Asia. However, recent
DNA studies have suggested that the lineage originated in Asia. I tested this hypothesis using vocalisa-
tions recorded from Asian species and comparing these with African recordings. Some taxonomists have
included the flowerpeckers within the Nectariniidae whilst others place them in the Dicaeidae, so their
affinities are also being analysed in terms of vocalisations. So far, sonograms of 148 species of sunbirds
and 34 of flowerpeckers including many different subspecies have been created. Some songs appear very
simple but others are very complex. Different parameters have been chosen to form a classification sys-
tem and, where possible, recordings have been further separated on the basis of information provided by
the recordists and from the vocalisations’ characteristics according to their behavioural context. Results
from both sonographic and the song tree analysis of 32 species of flowerpeckers strongly affirm flower-
peckers as close sister taxa and Prionochilus as a primitive outgroup, which is consistent with a view
based on morphotaxonomy that the Prionochilus flowerpeckers are the most primitive members of the
group.

Frank Ward, Hon. Secretary of The Royal Naval Bird Watching Society (RNBWS), gave a presen-
tation outlining the Society and its scientific aims. The RNBWS was established in 1946 to encourage
members serving in the RN, RM and WRNS in the study of birds at sea. There are c.250 members and
reports received by the Society cover most sea areas of the world. About seven-tenths of the globe is
covered with saltwater, providing an environment for nearly 300 species of seabirds. Many more land-
birds travel across this habitat during their annual migrations and, especially in adverse weather, take
refuge on board ships. Problems of identification, deduction of seasonal distribution and migration
routes, etc. are challenges that provide a fascinating hobby for the seafarer. Such observations can be of
unique importance to the ornithologist and conservationist. The scientific aims of the Society are to
record the occurrence of both seabirds and landbirds on the world’s oceans. Dr Russell Wynn acts as sci-
entific adviser in evaluating the data, which are made available to the scientific community. The Society
also continues to assist the OTEP and RSPB in seabird surveys around the world. Frank ended his pres-
entation by showing some examples of the Society’s website and database.

Ben Fisher entertained the meeting with a Weaver nest conundrum. He showed a nest supposed to
be of Ploceus ocularis given to him in the Okavango Delta (Botswana) and collected by local boatmen.
The short list of weavers in Botswana suggested that it could be nothing else but further reflection and
more experience of ocularis nests (three more shown for comparison), suggest that it is not an ocularis

Club Announcements 244 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

nest. The specimen in question is much smaller and finer, and particularly has an entrance tube of only
4 cm against a typical measurement of 6 cm. Several knowledgeable observers present agreed that the
nest was ‘wrong’. The fact that the nest was in a reedbed attached to a reed was also unusual, if not
unique, and further investigation is merited. Watch this space!

Guy Kirwan concluded with a talk on Cuba: challenges for the modern taxonomist, wherein he dis-
cussed some illustrated examples of problems facing those working with Cuban birds. Despite a rela-
tively long history of ornithological exploration the archipelago’s relatively small avifauna (just over
350 modern-day species) still tests the modern taxonomist. What are the correct generic allocations for
endemic species such as Blue-headed Quail-dove Starnoenas cyanocephala and Bare-legged Owl
Gymnoglaux lawrencei that are usually accorded their own genera? Is there more than one species of
Greater Antillean Oriole Icterus dominicensis or Cuban Bullfinch Melopyrrha nigra? Other endemic
forms are known from several races, but has there been a tendency to create more names than are gen-
uinely required for describing the geographical variation that we currently see in species such as
Gundlach’s Hawk Accipiter gundlachi and Crescent-eyed Pewee Contopus caribaeus? Finally, a rather
rich fossil avifauna is known from the islands. Among these forms is the poorwill Siphonorhis daiquiri
which plausibly persists in the poorly explored xerophytic habitats of extreme eastern Cuba.

The 932nd meeting of the Club was held on Tuesday 27 September 2005, in the Sherfield Building
Annexe, Imperial College, London. 20 members and 4 guests were present.

Members attending were: Cdr. M. B. CASEMENT (Chairman), Miss H. BAKER (Vice-Chairman),
Dr K. B. BRIGGS, D. R. CALDER, Prof. R. A. CHEKE, J. B. FISHER, F. M. GAUNTLETT, D. GRIF-
FIN, C. A. R. HELM, R. H. KETTLE, R..R. LANGLEY, Dr C. FE. MANN; D: Jn MONSIERS Drie
PRYS-JONES, R. J. PRYTHERCH, N. J. REDMAN, Dr C. RYALL (Speaker), P. J. SELLAR, S. A. H.
STATHAM and P. J. WILKINSON.

Guests attending were: Mrs J. CALDER, Mrs C. CASEMENT, Mrs M. H. GAUNTLETT and Mrs
M. MONTIER.

After dinner, Colin Ryall spoke on The worldwide spread of the House Crow. The five subspecies
of Corvus splendens have a native range extending from southern Iran, throughout the Indian
Subcontinent to Myanmar and south-west China. They have spread beyond their native range, colonis-
ing c.20 countries bordering the Red Sea, Indian Ocean and its islands, and beyond. In addition, lone
birds have reached 15 other locations in Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas. Deliberate releases
in Aden, Zanzibar and Klang initiated their spread from the mid 1800s, but subsequently it has primari-
ly been ship-assisted, with overland spread so far being less significant. A population established in the
Netherlands since 1994 is the first outside the tropics. They are typical crows in most respects, but are
unusual in their close association with humans, high urban population densities and tendency for oper-
ating in large groups. Refuse is their main food source, supplemented by carrion, stolen food and crops,
predation of small animals, etc. Foraging in large groups leads to them being widely regarded as a pest,
as they displace native avifauna and other animals, attack livestock, raid crops, cause a public nuisance
and health risk. Most control programmes have proved unsuccessful due to an eventual lack of
resources. House Crows may be beneficial in consuming agricultural insect pests, remove ticks from
livestock and consuming garbage. Given a lack of adequate evasive action, Corvus splendens is destined
to become a pan-global species resulting in loss of biodiversity and adverse socio-economic impacts on
poor communities. The species is poised to spread from Hong Kong into China, from Malaysia through
South-East Asia, from South Africa to West Africa and Madagascar, and from the Netherlands across
Europe. The author requested the audience look out for House Crows particularly in ports, coastal vil-
lages and towns, seafronts, peninsulas, refuse dumps, and to notify him via www.housecrow.com or
colin.ryall @ntlworld.com.

Club Announcements 245 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

Siegfried Eck 1942-2005

Dr Siegfried Eck was a well-known expert on Palearctic birds, maintaining an ongoing research interest
in speciation and transcontinental species groups. Born in Germany, on 25 May 1942, Eck worked at
Dresden’s Zoological Museum from 1967 until his death, acting as head of the bird collection from 1995.
Eck was able to acquire large numbers of bird specimens, mainly from smaller collections, making the
Dresden collection one of the most important and type-richest of its kind in Europe. Eck died on 11
September 2005 in Dresden, two years short of his retirement.

Eck was better acquainted than anyone with the intra- and interspecific variations in Palearctic birds,
enabling him to tackle the taxonomy of complex species groups such as the Paridae. In later years he
widened his scientific approach from morphology to bioacoustics and genetics, when, in cooperation
with the research team of Jochen Martens, he discovered the multi-specific nature of the Seicercus burkii
complex. However, his magnum opus, a complete taxonomy of the Paridae, on which he worked for
more than 30 years, remains uncompleted.

His work was honoured in 1988 when Eck was made a Corresponding Fellow of the American
Ornithologists’ Union. In 2002 the Johannes-Gutenberg-University of Mainz, Germany, awarded Eck an
honorary degree in zoology for his ‘outstanding scientific work on morphology and taxonomy of birds
and his exemplary care and increase of zoological collections.’ Eck’s colleagues always appreciated his
thorough, detailed and helpful reviews. He was just as much a sought-after guest at meetings of local
bird societies. We lose one of the last classic museum ornithologists, a co-worker and friend, whose deep
knowledge of avian morphology, taxonomy and nomenclature will be missed.

Christiane Quaisser & Frank D. Steinheimer

Joachim Steinbacher 1911-2005

Dr Joachim Steinbacher, who died on 31 July 2005 at the age of 93, was the former curator of
ornithology at the Senckenberg Museum and Research Institute in Frankfurt. Born in Hoxter, Germany,
his uncle Friedrich Steinbacher was once president of the German Ornithological Society, whilst his
cousin Georg Steinbacher authored a monograph on the foot morphology of zygodactyl birds.
Encouraged by such illustrious relatives, Steinbacher’s first foray into ornithology involved field surveys
for the ornithological station of Heligoland. In the early 1930s he attended university in G6ttingen and
Berlin, and studied phylogenetic relationships of jacamars and puffbirds for his Ph.D., supervised by
Erwin Stresemann. In Berlin, Steinbacher met some of the leading ornithologists of the day, Oskar
Heinroth, Konrad Lorenz and Ernst Hartert. Steinbacher wrote later that the years with Stresemann,
1933-37, were influential not only in fostering his career, but also in the formation of his character and
outlook on life.

In the 1940s he was employed by the public health office in Berlin and the Alexander Koenig
Museum in Bonn, and volunteered for the Zoological Institute of the University of Marburg. His most
productive period commenced in 1947 when he joined the Senckenberg Museum in Frankfurt. From
holding a temporary position there, he become head of the ornithological section in 1954 until his retire-
ment in 1976. He was responsible for the reorganisation of the entire ornithological collection and it is
due to his efforts that most of the nearly 90,000 avian skins are almost completely card-indexed. He
compiled several type lists and was the first person to work comprehensively on the collections of Baron
Friedrich Heinrich von Kittlitz (1799-1874) and Eduard Riippell (1794-1884). His scientific interests
were broad and he published many hundreds of papers as well as being editor and author of several
books, responsible perhaps most famously for the bird chapters in Grzimek’s animal encyclopedia and
the Threskiornithidae in Peters’ Check-list (second edition). His last book, published in 2001, was on
estrildid finches. From 1938 to 2005, he was the editor-in-chief (supported by his wife Elfriede, who
died in 1990), of the Gefiederte Welt, a leading German avicultural magazine. Steinbacher continued
travelling well into his eighties and maintained an active interest in avian science and ‘his’ museum, to
which he presented his extensive library in 1991.

Frank D. Steinheimer & Gerald Mayr

Club Announcements 246 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

CORRIGENDA

In Steinheimer (2005: Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl. 125 [3]), on p.165 (footnote 1) the correct name of the
predecessor of the Natural History Museum should be given as British Museum (Natural History). On
p.209 the name Emberiza flaviventris flavigaster Cretzschmar, 1828, as given in Dickinson (2003: 779),
is correct. The final component of the specific epithet, gaster, is originally a Greek noun, and as such
invariable (ICZN 1999, art. 31.2.1, 31.2.3 and 34.2.1; Robert Dowsett and Normand David in Iitt.
October 2005). Dickinson (2003: The Howard & Moore complete checklist of the birds of the world: pp.
91, 139) introduced two further names of Riippell to recent taxonomy, not cited in Peters’ Check-list or
my appendix, i.e. Phalacrocorax carbo lugubris Riippell 1845, and Gallinago nigripennis aequatorialis
Riippell, 1845.

Frank D. Steinheimer

REFEREES

I am grateful to the following, who have reviewed manuscripts submitted to the Bulletin during the last
year (those who refereed more than one manuscript are denoted by an asterisk in parentheses): Neil
Baker, Bruce Beehler, Walter Boles, Murray Bruce, Caio José Carlos, Terry Chesser, Rob Clay, Mario
Cohn-Haft, Nigel Collar, Charles Collins (*), John Collins, Andrés Cuervo (*), Ron Demey (*), Edward
C. Dickinson (*), Thomas Donegan, Guy Dutson, Siegfried Eck (+), Chris Feare, Jon Fjeldsa (*),
Rosendo Fraga, Anita Gamauf, Harold Greeney, Paul Greenfield, Steven Gregory, Andreas J. Helbig,
Johan Ingels, Morton L. & Phyllis R. Isler, Christine Jackson, Kevin Johnson, Niels Krabbe, Peter Lack,
Mary LeCroy, Manuel Marin, Gerald Mayr, Phil McGowan, Kees Moeliker, Fabio Olmos (*), Storrs
Olson, Fernando Pacheco (*), Alan Peterson (*), Doug Pratt, Christiane Quaisser, Pamela C. Rasmussen,
Van Remsen (*), Peter Ryan, Paul Salaman (*), Chris Sharpe, Douglas F. Stotz, David Thomas,
Friedhelm Weick, André Weller (*), Andrew Whittaker and Gary Wiles.—THE EDITOR

Henry A. McGhie 247 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

Specimens of extinct and endangered birds in
the collections of The Manchester Museum,
The University of Manchester, UK

by Henry A. McGhie

Received 7 September 2004

Listings of museum holdings are of particular importance in ensuring that collec-
tions are accessible to researchers (Adams ef al. 2003). Here, the holdings of extinct
and endangered birds in The Manchester Museum, UK, are detailed. Criteria for
inclusion were species listed by Adams et al. (2003), their list being derived from
information contained in BirdLife International (2000). This list contains all species
considered to have become extinct since 1500 or which are endangered or vulnera-
ble due to very small populations, or declining and with a very small range (see
Adams et al. 2003 for definitions). Species categorised as Vulnerable because of a
small range, but which are currently relatively numerous are excluded. Several
British museums have already published their holdings of extinct and endangered
birds (Howes 1969, Benson 1972, Fisher 1981, Knox & Walters 1994), but criteria
for inclusion have varied, thus these lists are not readily comparable. The
Manchester Museum is committed to ensuring that its collections are used for the
maximum possible benefit, both now and in the long term, and as such welcomes
enquiries of all kinds, from professionals and amateurs.

Collections

The museum’s collections were formed around those of the Manchester Natural
History Society (1821-68), which were transferred to Owens College (now The
University of Manchester) and housed in the present, purpose-built museum since
1888. The nucleus was added to piecemeal, most notably by the addition of the bird
skin collection of Henry Eeles Dresser (1838-1915), of c.12,000 skins. This collec-
tion consists almost entirely of Palearctic birds and formed the basis for Dresser’s
monumental History of the birds of Europe (1871-81, supplement 1895), begun
with R. B. Sharpe. Dresser’s skin collection was purchased by J. P. Thomasson, in
1899, for the peppercorn sum of £1,000 and donated to Owens College; Dresser’s
egg collection (c.4,000 lots) was purchased by the family of J. P. Thomasson and
donated to the museum for a similar sum, although it had been housed at the muse-
um since 1912. The museum also received a large donation of birds from the British
Museum (Natural History), in 1895, and a small but highly significant collection of
Hawaiian birds from the Royal Society and Joint Committee for the Zoology of the
Sandwich Islands, via Cambridge University Museum of Zoology, in 1900. The
total bird collections comprise 15,000 skins plus c.2,000 mounts, 500 lots of skele-
tal material and 12,000 sets of eggs, of over 3,000 species.

Henry A. McGhie 248 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

Species entries

Taxonomy follows Adams ef al. (2003), which in turn is based on that in BirdLife
International (2000). For each species, the number of specimens, together with
information on locality, provenance and the museum accession number is present-
ed. Previous collectors’ field numbers are included in brackets after the collector’s
name. Skins are of adults unless otherwise stated.

The following abbreviations are used:

BM(NH) British Museum (Natural History)

coll. collected by

D Henry Eeles Dresser (1838-1915)

ex unsexed specimen

leg. received from

purch. purchased from

MNHS Manchester Natural History Society (1821-68)

ni no information

RCZSI Royal Society and Joint Committee for the Zoology of
the Sandwich Islands

[ ] collection of

EXTINCT SPECIES
Haematopodidae
Canary Islands Oystercatcher Haematopus meadewaldoi
Skins: &%, Jandia, Fuerteventura, Canary Islands, 20/4/1888, [D, leg. R Gomez]
B.9162; 2, Jandia, Fuerteventura, Canary Islands, 6/5/1889, [D, leg. R Gomez]
B.9163.
NB these specimens are not listed in Vaurie (1965).

Alcidae

Great Auk Pinguinus impennis

Partial skeletons: 2 humeri, 2 tarsi, furcula, synsacrum, skull, leg. F Nicholson
1907, B.4757.

Raphidae

Dodo Raphus cucullatus

Partial skeletons: 14 bone fragments, leg. Boyd Dawkins (ex Richmond Mus.)
1904, B.4656; tarsometatarsus, leg. Boyd Dawkins (ex Richmond Mus.) 1919,
BB.3534.

Casts: 2 (casts of head, foot), taken from specimens in Oxford Univ. Mus. Nat.
Hist., leg. Boyd Dawkins 1919, BB.3532 BB.3530 respectively; 1 (tarsometatarsus
and 4 digits), leg. Boyd Dawkins (ex Richmond Mus.) 1919, BB.3531; casts of tibia
and tarsometatarsus, leg. Boyd Dawkins 1919, BB.3533 BB.3534.

Henry A. McGhie 249 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

Columbidae

Passenger Pigeon Ectopistes migratorius

Skins: “2%, Toronto, Canada, coll. J Morley /4/1875, [L E Mather] BB.6973
BB.6974: | ex (mounted), BB.3523.

Eggs: 2, ni, [Barber] BB.8063.12; | (cracked), ni, BB.5470.

Psittacidae
Carolina Parakeet Conuropsis carolinensis
Skins: | ex, Enterprise, Florida, coll. J Morley /2/1875, [L E Mather] BB.7113.

Paradise Parrot Psephotus pulcherrimus
Skins: 2 o’o* (study skin and ex mount), Gatton, leg. A W W B Brown 1889, B.455
B.456; 2 “co (mounted), ni, [MNHS?] BB.4706.

Pachycephalinae

South Island Piopio Turnagra capensis

Skins: 2 ex (mount and ex mount), South Island, New Zealand, leg. E Melland,
BB.1278 BB.1279.

Drepanidinae

‘Akialoa Akialoa obscura

Skins: &, Kau, Hawaii, Hawaiian Islands, coll. R C L Perkins /6/1895 (no. 522),
[RSZSI] B.7394.

Kauai “Akialoa Akialoa stejnegeri
Skins: ?, Kaholuamano, Kauai, Hawaiian Islands, coll. R C L Perkins /10/1895 (no.
666), [RSZSI] B.3314.

Kakawahie Paroreomyza flammea
Skins: ¢&, Molokai, Hawaiian Islands, coll. R C L Perkins /5/1893 (no. 185),
[RSZS]] B.3303.

Kona Grosbeak Psittirostra kona
Skins: 2, Kona, 4,000 feet, Hawaii, coll. R C L Perkins 2/8/1892 (no. 580), [RSZSI]
B.7400.

Greater ‘Amakihi Viridonia sagittirostris
Skins: 2, Hilo, 2,000 feet, Hawaii, coll. R C L Perkins /1/1896 (no. 536), [RSZSI]
B.3320.

Callaeidae
Huia Heteralocha acutirostris
Skins: &? (mounted), New Zealand, purch. J H Fleming 1898, B.2227 B.2228.

Henry A. McGhie 250 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

ENDANGERED SPECIES

Phalacrocoracidae
New Zealand King Shag Phalacrocorax carunculatus
Eggs: | (cracked), Cirhh, New Zealand, [D, purch. Stoate sale] BB.5660.4004.

Threskiornithidae

Northern Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita

Skins: 2 oo’, Birecik, Euphrates Valley, coll. C G Danford 20/2/1879, [D] B.9894
B.9895.

Eggs: 1, “Algier’, coll. Major Locke, [D] BB.5660.1888.

Black-faced Spoonbill Platalea minor
Partial skeletons: 1 ex (skull), BB.5294.

Anatidae
Hawaiian Goose Branta sandvicensis
Skins: | ex (mounted), ni, BB.4501; 2, Slimbridge, 21/5/1960, BB.8161.

Accipitridae
Spanish Imperial Eagle Aquila adalberti
Skins: 0’, near Madrid, Spain, coll. M de la Torre 1866-67, [D] B.10383; 2, Seville,
Spain, coll. Sanchez 24/10/1870, [D] B.10385; 0, Seville, Spain, coll. Sanchez
13/11/1870, [D] B.10384; 1 ex, Hivondrana, near Burgos, Spain, coll. Starkey
/6/1889, [D] B.10387; 1 ex, Seville, Spain, coll. A Ruiz, [D] B.10388.

Eggs: 2, Pinal de Anarcazar, coll. Lord Lilford 24/3/1873, [D] BB.5660.1596;
1, near Seville, Spain, coll. Lord Lilford 22/3/1874, [D] BB.5660.1594; 1, near
Seville, Spain, coll. Lord Lilford 24/3/1874, [D] BB.5660.1593; 1, Coto Donana,
coll. Lord Lilford /4/1874, [D] BB.5660.1595.

Scolopacidae

Eskimo Curlew Numenius borealis

Skins: 1 ex, Texas, coll. AL Heermann 1861, [D] B.9395; &, Toronto, Canada, coll.
J S Morley /6/1877, [L E Mather] BB.6972.

Slender-billed Curlew Numenius tenuirostris
Skins: 2 0", Malta market, coll. C A Wright 9/4/1864, [D] B.9379 B.9380 respec-
tively; 1 ex, Morocco, coll. Capt. S G Reid 23/12/1881, [D] B.9382; 1 ex (beak
damaged), “southern Europe’, [D, leg. Verreaux] B.9381.

Eggs: 1, Tara, Siberia, coll. V E Ushakov /5/1909, [D, leg. S A Buturlin]
BB.5660.2539 (NB this may well be the only extant egg of the species).

Henry A. McGhie 251 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

Recurvirostridae
Black Stlt Himantopus novaezelandiae
Eggs: 2, New Zealand, coll. 22/12/1884, [Holdsworth] BB.7283.209.

Psittacidae
Kakapo Strigops habroptilus
Skins: | ex (mounted), Lake Te Anau, South Island, New Zealand, leg. E Melland,
BB.1261; 1 (ex mount), ni, BB.4716; 1 ex, leg. A W W Brown, B.2555; 1 ex, ni,
B.935; 1 ex, ni, BB.4717.

Complete skeletons: 1 ex (mounted), sounds on west coast of New Zealand,
coll. 7/10/1882, leg. A W W Brown B.2237.

Eggs: 1, New Zealand, leg. E Melland 25/1/1898, BB.1326.

Trochilidae

Black-breasted Puffleg Eriocnemis nigrivestis

Skins: 2 oo’, north Ecuador, [BM(NH), leg. J Gould, one specimen BM(NH) acces-
sion no. 57.4.20.3] B.1606.

Picidae

Ivory-billed Woodpecker Campephilus principalis

Skins: &“2 (ex mounts), ‘Weekiva’, Florida, coll. J S Morley /8/1876, [L E Mather]
BB.8793.1 BB.8793.2 respectively.

Cotingidae
Kinglet Calyptura Calyptura cristata
Skins: 2 oo" (ex mounts), south-east Brazil, pre-1873, [MNHS] B.6327 B.6328.

Turdinae

Oloma’o Myadestes lanaiensis

Skins: &, Molokai, Hawaiian Islands, coll. R C L Perkins 9/9/1893, [RSZSI]
6.33515.

Drepanidinae

Maui Parrotbill Pseudonestor xanthophrys

Skins: 2, 5,000 feet, Haleakala, Maui, Hawaiian Islands, coll. R C L Perkins (no.
819), [RSZSI] B.7399.

Maui Nukupu’u Hemignathus lucidus affinis
Skins: &, Haleakala, 5,000 feet, Maui, Hawaiian Islands, coll. R C L Perkins
/5/1896 (no. 838), [RSZSI] B.3306.

Henry A. McGhie 252 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

Kauai Nukupu’u Hemignathus lucidus hanapepe
Skins: o*, Kaholuamano, Kauai, Hawaiian Islands, coll. R C L Perkins /10/1895 (no.
689), [RSZST] B.3306.

‘Akikiki Oreomystis bairdi
Skins: o, Kaholuamano, Kauai, Hawaiian Islands, coll. R C L Perkins /10/1895 (no.
765), [RSZST] B.3311.

Fringillidae

Azores Bullfinch Pyrrhula murina

Skins: “2, Sao Miguel, Azores, coll. F D Godman /4/1865, [D] BB.2859 BB.2860
(syntypes of P murina); | ex, Azores, leg. BM(NH), B.3052 (possible syntype of
P. murina).

Callaeidae

Kokako Callaeas cinerea

subspecies wilsoni (North Island Kokako)

Skins: 1 ex (ex mount), [North Island] New Zealand, pre-1873, [MNHS] B.8211.
subspecies cinerea (South Island Kokako)

Skins: 1 ex, Lake Teanau, South Island, New Zealand, leg. E Melland, BB.1262.

References:

Adams, M. P., Cooper, J. H. & Collar, N. J. 2003. Extinct and endangered (“E&E’) birds: a proposed list
for collection catalogues. Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl. 123A: 338-354.

Benson, C. W. 1972. Skins of extinct or near extinct birds in Cambridge. Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl. 92: 59-68.

BirdLife International. 2000. Threatened birds of the world. BirdLife International, Cambridge, UK &
Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.

Fisher, C. T. 1981. Specimens of extinct, endangered or rare birds in the Merseyside County Museums,
Liverpool. Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl. 101: 276-285.

Howes, C. A. 1969. A survey of near extinct and nearly extinct birds in the Royal Albert Memorial
Museum, Exeter. Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl. 89: 89-92.

Knox, A. G. & Walters, M. P. 1994. Extinct and endangered birds in the Natural History Museum. Brit.
Orn. Cl., Occ. Publ. 1, Tring.

Vaurie, C. 1965. The birds of the Palearctic fauna. Non-Passeriformes. H. F. & G. Witherby, London.

Address: Curator of Zoology, The Manchester Museum, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road,
Manchester M13 9PL, UK, e-mail: henry.mcghie @manchester.ac.uk

© British Ornithologists’ Club 2005

Niels Krabbe & Thomas S. Schulenberg 253 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

A mystery solved: the identity and distribution
of Kalinowski’s Tinamou
Nothoprocta Ralinowski1

by Niels Krabbe & Thomas S. Schulenberg

Received 16 September 2004

Kalinowski’s Tinamou Nothoprocta kalinowskii Berlepsch & Stolzmann 1901 is
believed to have an unparalleled geographical range and to be on the brink of
extinction (Collar et al. 1992, BirdLife International 2000). The type specimen was
collected in mountains near Licamachay, a location thought to be near Cuzco, in
interior south-central Peru (Stephens & Traylor 1983). Much later, two additional
specimens, both from dpto. La Libertad, in the western Andes of northern Peru also

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Figure 1. Distribution in Peru of Nothoprocta ornata, based on specimen records. Shown are the
locations of the two specimens of Nothoprocta kalinowskii at the northern end of the distribution of
Nothoprocta ornata branickii and of Licamachay, the type locality of kalinowskii near the southern end
of the distribution of branickii. The exact location of Licamachay is not known, but was estimated from
Kalinowski’s route in the spring of 1894 (inset map; see text).

Niels Krabbe & Thomas S. Schulenberg 254 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

were identified as kalinowskii (Meyer de Schauensee 1966, Vasconcelos 2002).
Thus, the reported distribution of kalinowskii is highly disjunct and quite unlike that
of any other Peruvian bird. And, if all three specimens of kalinowskii represent the
same taxon, it is difficult to imagine how kalinowskii could be a subspecies of the
widespread Ornate Tinamou Nothoprocta ornata, as suggested in some literature
(Hellmayr & Conover 1942, Blake 1977, Fjeldsa & Krabbe 1990), and yet occur in
two highly disjunct populations at opposite ends of the distribution of another
subspecies of ornata. Furthermore, the apparent extreme rarity of N. kalinowskii led
to its classification as ‘Endangered/Extinct’ by BirdLife International (Collar et al.
199D):

This confusing situation arose, at least in part, because few ornithologists ever
studied the type specimen; apparently, few ornithologists paid due attention to
details of the type description either. Recently one of us (NK) re-examined the type
of kalinowskii. This led to a re-evaluation of the status of this taxon. In brief, the
type of kalinowskii from Licamachay is a junior synonym of Nothoprocta ornata
branickii. The two specimens of ‘*kalinowskii’ from La Libertad, although redder
than other specimens, may represent nothing more than individual or perhaps clinal
variation. Our investigations reveal that the two isolated populations of
Nothoprocta kalinowskii are not the same, and that neither population represents a
distinct species.

N. kalinowskii was described by Berlepsch & Stolzmann (1901), on the basis of
a single specimen collected on | May 1894 at Licamachay by Jean Kalinowski.
Berlepsch and Stolzmann described the location only as ‘Peruvia centrali: circum
Licamachay, Kordiljery’. Just five years after describing kalinowskii, Berlepsch &
Stolzmann (1906) discussed the travels of Kalinowski thus: “In April 1894 he
travelled towards Cuzco, capital of the department, also visiting Licamachay and
Curahuasi (Apurimac Valley)’. This statement may have influenced Vaurie (1972)
and Stephens & Traylor (1983) to place Licamachay in dpto. Cuzco. No one has
been able to locate a place by that name in Cuzco, and searches for a bird
resembling the type of kalinowskii in the vicinity of Cuzco also have failed (B.
Walker in litt. 1999).

Based on a digitised database of specimens in the Warsaw Museum forwarded
in 1999 to TSS by Dr Mazgajski of the Polish Academy of Science, it was possible
for TSS to reconstruct the Peruvian itinerary of Kalinowski (Table 1). It is evident
that Licamachay was en route between Pauza, southern dpto. Ayacucho and the
town of Cuzco, dpto. Cuzco. The final day Kalinowski collected a specimen at
Pauza was on 11 April 1894. He was in Cuzco a month later, on 13 May. We are
aware of only three specimens collected by Kalinowski during the intervening
period. These three specimens collected en route were taken at Licamachay on |
May (the type of N. kalinowskii), at Casinchihua on 7 May (Pachyramphus validus)
and at Curahuasi on 10 May (Poospiza caesar). Casinchihua and Curahuasi are
known localities in the Apurimac Valley. Evidently, Kalinowski collected at
Licamachay before descending into the Apurimac Valley on his way to Cuzco. He

Niels Krabbe & Thomas S. Schulenberg 255 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

could not have travelled all the way from dpto. Ayacucho to Casinchihua in just six
days, so Licamachay must have been situated somewhere in dpto. Apurimac. This
places the type locality of kalinowskii very close to or within the range ascribed to
the central Peruvian race of Ornate Tinamou N. ornata branickii (see Fig. 1).

In September 2003, during a visit to the Museum and Institute of Zoology,
Polish Academy of Science (MIZPAS), in Warsaw, NK examined and
photographed the types of N. kalinowskii and N. ornata branickii. He noticed that
the diagnostic features separating them had been exaggerated in the type
description of kalinowskii. The principal stated differences from branickii are that
kalinowskii is paler and greyer, and has longer wings. A comparison of the type with
12 specimens of branickii from dptos. Apurimac, Ayacucho, Junin and Ancash
reveals that these differences represent no more than individual variation. Several
other specimens are equally as pale and grey as the type of kalinowskii. The length
of the flattened wing is 183 mm in the type of kalinowskii, 170 mm in the type of
branickii (both are males). In three other adult male branickii the length is 163-179
mm (in six adult females 166-192 mm). The most notable difference between the
types of kalinowskii and branickii is the finer barring on the secondaries of
kalinowskii, but the pattern and coloration of this tract vary considerably in
specimens of branickii at hand. The fine barring of the tertials spreads onto a
variable number of secondaries, and the pale bars on the remaining secondaries
vary from buff, wavy and narrower than the dark bars, to rufous, straight and the
same width as the dark bars, suggesting that the type of kalinowskii is merely an
extreme individual variant in this respect.

Blake (1977) noticed that three specimens in the American Museum of Natural
History, New York (AMNH), from dpto. Junin are somewhat redder on the belly
than three in the Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago (FMNH), from dptos.
Apurimac and Ayacucho. One specimen in the Natural History Museum, Tring
(BMNH), from Huancavelica has a similar reddish belly. However, the type of
branickii from dpto. Junin is nearly as extensively grey on the underparts as the
Apurimac and Ayacucho specimens, including the type of kalinowskii. Six recently
collected specimens in AMNH and the University of California, Museum of
Vertebrate Zoology, Berkeley (UCMVZ), of branickii from dpto. Ancash also do
not differ appreciably from the greyer specimens collected further south. Evidently
branickii is variable in the colour of the underparts.

How the specimen from dpto. La Libertad in north-west Peru was ever referred
to kalinowskii, and the resulting extraordinary distribution accepted without
question, is a mystery. This specimen never was compared directly with the type.
The first mention of it in the literature appears to be in Meyer de Schauensee
(1966), who reported the specimen as kalinowskii ‘fide [Maria] Koepcke’. It is of
unknown sex and was collected in the western Andes at Hacienda Tulpo, dpto. La
Libertad, in 1900, and is retained in AMNH. Published illustrations of Kalinowski’s
Tinamou (Fjeldsa & Krabbe 1990, del Hoyo et al. 1992) were based on this
specimen. Subsequently, Vasconcelos (2002) published a description and

Niels Krabbe & Thomas S. Schulenberg 256 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

Figure 1 (this page). Dorsal, ventral and wing
views of (anticlockwise from top): MIZPAS P
2306 type of kalinowskii, MIZPAS P 2309 type
of branickii, AMNH 814068 branickii from
Ancash, Peru, and AMNH 469176 kalinowskii
from Tulpo, La Libertad (Niels Krabbe)

Figure 2 (opposite page). Dorsal and ventral
views of the plumage of Nothoprocta ornata.
Top left to right 12 N. 0. branickii: FMNH 25119
female (Apurimac), FMNH 25295 male
(Apurimac), FMNH 18894 female (Ayacucho),
AMNH 165427 female (Junin), AMNH 165426
female (Junin), AMNH 165428 male (Junin),
UCMVZ 161354 female (Ancash), AMNH
814069 female (Ancash), AMNH 814070
unsexed (Ancash), AMNH 814068 male
(Ancash), UCMVZ 161356 immature male
(Ancash), UCMVZ 157675 immature male
(Ancash). Bottom left to right one N. o. rostrata
and seven N. o. ornata: ZMUC 20.12.1910.6
female (Tucuman), ZMUC 91643 female
(Cochabamba), ZMUC 91644 male
(Cochabamba), UCMVZ 125590 female (Puno),
UCMVZ 125591 male (Puno), UCMVZ 124272
male (Puno), UCMVZ 125592 immature male
(Puno), UCMVZ 125140 male (Puno) (Niels
Krabbe)

Niels Krabbe & Thomas S. Schulenberg 257 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

vor

Niels Krabbe & Thomas S. Schulenberg

258

TABLE 1

Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

Reconstruction of Kalinowski’s travels in Peru and Bolivia. Based on published literature and a
digitised database of the bird specimens in Warsaw Museum.

Date

24 Aug—25 Oct

26 Oct

29 Oct - 21 Nov
22 Nov—31 Dec

14-24 Jan

29 Jan

31 Jan—22 Mar
21 Apr

27 Apr

29 Apr

30 Apr

2 May-29 Jun
10 Jul

11 Jul

13 Jul-16 Sep

21 Sep

24 Sep

5-11 Oct

15 Dec

30 Dec-11 June

16 Jun—3 Oct

25 Oct-22 Dec
21 Mar
22 Jun—14 Dec

24 Dec
25-27 Dec
27 Dec

1 Jan—21 Jun

8 Jul—2 Sep

12 Nov—27 Jan
14 Feb-11 Apr
7 May

10 May

13 May

21 May

Year
1889
1889
1889
1889

1890
1890
1890
1890
1890
1890
1890
1890
1890
1890
1890

1890
1890
1890
1890
1890-1891

1891

1891
1892
1892

1892
1892
1892
1893

1893
1893-1894
1894
1894
1894
1894
1894

Department
Lima

Lima

Lima

Ica

Lima
Lima
Lima
Lima
Lima
Lima
Junin
Junin
Junin
Junin
Junin

Junin
Junin
Junin
Junin
Junin

Junin

Junin
Lima
Junin

Junin
Junin
Junin
Junin

Junin
Ayacucho
Ayacucho
Apurimac
Apurimac
Cuzco
Cuzco

Locality
Lima
Chorillos
Lima

Ica

Lima
Ancon
Lima
Bafios
Chicla
Bafios

San Blas
Junin
Palcamayo
Acobamba
Chanchamayo

Acobamba
Tarma

Junin

Tarma
Chanchamayo

Vitoc

Maraynioc
Lima
Maraynioc

Tapo
Tarma
Tapo
Maraynioc

Tarma
Cora Cora

Notes

Incl. Hacienda Ocucaje and
Hacienda Huamani

Incl. Magdalena and Magdalena Vieja

Incl. Lake Junin, Ingapirca, Jez. Junin

Incl. Hacienda La Merced and
Hacienda La Gloria

Incl. Ingapirca and Jez. Junin

Inc. Hacienda La Merced, Hacienda
La Gloria and Hacienda La Borgona
Incl. Hacienda La Garita del Sol and
Hacienda La Gloria

Incl. Pariayacu

Incl. Pariayacu, Chulumachay,
Tendalpata, Hacienda La Merced,
Hacienda Garita del Sol (Vitoc) and
Huacras

Incl. Hacienda Queta

Incl. Chulumachay, Tendalpata,
Pariayacu, Sarnapaycha, Hacienda La
Garita del Sol (Vitoc), Tambo de Aza,
San Emilio

Incl. Janja and Hacienda Queta

Pauza Mountains near Licamachay

Casinchihua

Curahuasi, Apurimac Valley

Cuzco
Cuzcohuata

Niels Krabbe & Thomas S. Schulenberg 259 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

31 May-21 Dec 1894 Cuzco Idma, Hacienda Incl. Puna de Idma
Santa Ana
24-27 Jun 1895 Cuzco Vilcabamba
6-28 Dec 1895 Puno Puno
5 Jan 1896 Cuzco Checcacupi
30 Janand8 Mar =: 1896 Cuzco Cuzco
22 Mar—28 Jun 1896 Puno Puno
2 Jul 1896 Puno Pujuni
2 Jul 1896 Puno Pichacani
4 Jul 1886 Puno Titiri
5 Jul 1896 Puno laguna de Pakara
5-6 Jul 1896 Puno Huacochujo
6-7 Jul 1896 Puno Pichacani
15-25 Jul 1896 Puno Titiri
25 Jul 1896 Puno Pujuni
17 Sep—7 Dec 1896 La Paz Chulumani Incl. Choquechaca and Tusiguaya
8 Dec 1896 La Paz La Florida
8 Dec 1896 La Paz Puente de Chupe
10 Dec 1896 La Paz Huacuyu
17 Jun 1897 Cuzco Chilichili
2 Jul 1897 Cuzco Iscaybamba
6 Jul-7 Dec 1897 Cuzco Marcapata Valley Incl. Huaynapata and Saniaca
10-17 Jan 1898 Cuzco Cuzco
4 Jul 1898 Cuzco rio Garrota
11 Jul—28 Dec 1898 Cuzco Marcapata Incl. Huaynapata, rio Cadena and Escopal
1902-1930 Cuzco Marcapata Incl. Hacienda Cadena, Cadena,

rio Cadena, Paucartambo

photograph of a rather similar specimen taken nearby as N. kalinowskii. It is a male
housed in the ornithology collection of the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais
(DZUFMG), in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, and was collected in 1970 at Sinsicap,
Otuzco, dpto. La Libertad. These two have slightly darker rufous bars than those
specimens of N. ornata branickii that exhibit broad rufous bars on their
secondaries. They are also a trifle more saturated reddish on the rest of the body.
The belly appears to vary in the same way as in specimens from further south. That
of the AMNH specimen is fairly reddish, whereas that of the DZUFMG specimen
(judged from the published photo) is more washed with grey. On the basis of just
two specimens and in view of the variability of other populations we consider the
difference to be no more than trivial variation, but admit that the collection of a
larger series might demonstrate the La Libertad population to be worthy of
recognition as a subspecies of Nothoprocta ornata.

Acknowledgements
We are indebted to Dr Mazgajski of the Polish Academy of Science, who kindly forwarded a digitised
database of the Peruvian specimens in the Warsaw Museum (MIZPAS); to Malgorzata Adamczewska,

Niels Krabbe & Thomas S. Schulenberg 260 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

who carefully checked specific birds in the MIZPAS collection and was of great assistance during NK’s
visit to the collection; to Béje Benzon’s Foundation, who generously funded NK’s visit to the Warsaw
museum; to the curators of various museums: Paul Sweet (AMNH), Katrina Cook (BMNH), Shannon
Hackett (FMNH), Becky Williams and Carla Cicero (MVZ), and C. Rahbek, Zoological Museum, Univ.
of Copenhagen (ZMUC), for the loan of specimens or taking and sending of specimen photos. We are
grateful to Laura Rico for preparing the map.

References:

Berlepsch, H. von & Stolzmann, J. 1901. Descriptions d’ oiseaux nouveaux du Pérou central recueillis
par le voyageur Polonais Jean Kalinowski. Ornis 11: 191-195.

BirdLife International. 2000. Threatened birds of the world. BirdLife International, Cambridge, UK &
Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.

Blake, E. R. 1977. Manual of Neotropical birds, vol. 1. Univ. of Chicago Press.

Collar, N. J., Gonzaga, L. P., Krabbe, N., Madrofio Nieto, A., Naranjo, L. G, Parker, T. A. & Wege, D.
C. 1992. Threatened birds of the Americas: the IUCN/ICBP Red Data Book. International Council
for Bird Preservation, Cambridge, UK.

Hellmayr, C. E. & Conover, H. B. 1942. Catalog of birds of the Americas, Part I, number 1. Field Mus.
Nat. Hist. Zool. Ser. 13.

del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., & Sargatal, J. (eds.) 1992. Handbook of the birds of the world, vol. 1. Lynx
Edicions, Barcelona.

Meyer de Schauensee, R. 1966. The species of birds of South America and their distribution. Livingston
Publ. Co., Narberth, PA.

Stephens, L. & Traylor, M. A. 1983. Ornithological gazetteer of Peru. Mus. Comp. Zool., Harvard Univ.,
Cambridge, MA.

Vasconcelos, M. F. 2002. A newly discovered specimen of Kalinowski’s Tinamou Nothoprocta kali-
nowskii from the Andean Pacific slope of Peru. Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl. 122: 216-218.

Vaurie, C. 1972. An ornithological gazetteer of Peru. Amer. Mus. Nov. 2491.

Addresses: Niels Krabbe, Zoological Museum, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15, 2100
Copenhagen @, Denmark. Thomas S. Schulenberg, Field Museum of Natural History, 1400 S. Lake
Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60605, USA.

APPENDIX

Specimens examined:

N. ornata rostrata: 1 female, Tucuman, Argentina (ZMUC)

N. ornata ornata: 1 female, 1 male, Cochabamba, Bolivia (ZMUC); 4 males, | female, Puno, Peru
(UCMVZ)

N. ornata branickii: 1 male, mountains near Licamachay [Apurimac] (type of kalinowskii in MIZPAS);
1 male, 1 female, Apurimac (FMNH); 1 female, Ayacucho (FMNH); | male, Huancavelica (BMNH,
photos); 1 male, Junin (type of branickii in MIZPAS); 1 male, 2 females, Junin (AMNH), 1 male, 1
female, 1 unsexed, Ancash (AMNH); 2 males, 1 female, Ancash (UCMVZ); 1 unsexed, La Libertad
(AMNH, photos of specimen referred to kalinowskii in the literature); 1 male, La Libertad (pub-
lished photo of specimen referred to kalinowskii in DZUFMG).

© British Ornithologists’ Club 2005

William G Hale et al. 261 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

The taxonomic status of the Redshank
Tringa totanus in Italy

by Wiliam G. Hale, Francesco Scarton & Roberto Valle

Received 24 September 2004

In a revision of the taxonomy of the Redshank Tringa totanus based on examination
of a large series of specimens, Hale (1971) suggested that current European
populations were the result of hybridisation between two previously separated
populations that had evolved in different glacial refuges. Cinnamon birds, from
eastern Russia, probably interbred with a dark brown population breeding in
Western Europe, giving rise to a hybrid zone in which different colour forms now
exist and different degrees of breeding plumage are assumed (many individuals
retain winter feathers).

Museum collections around the world possessed just 11 birds collected in Italy
or thereabouts during the breeding season, three of which were unsexed, making the
country among the least represented in terms of numbers in the taxonomic analysis.
In recent years three more specimens have become available, giving a total of 11
sexed birds. At the time, this was thought to reflect the very small numbers of
Redshank breeding in Italy, but subsequent work by Valle et al. (1995) revealed a
population of 1,076—1,169 breeding pairs, of which 90% were in the Lagoon of
Venice. A more recent census, performed in 2001, produced an estimated c.1,600
pairs (Scarton & Valle 2004). The Redshank population in the lagoon is one of the
most important in the Mediterranean Basin (Valle & Scarton 1996), and has been
studied from 1985 until the present (2004). Despite its importance, the
morphological characteristics of this population have not been studied previously.

Between 1993 and 2001 (none was measured in 1996) 153 different Redshanks
were trapped at the nest, ten individuals on two occasions in different years, and the
resultant mensural data are now available for taxonomic assessment. Here, these are
compared with similar field data from Redshanks trapped in the British Isles and
Denmark. Three dominant colour forms exist in Western Europe: a cinnamon form
typical of Iceland and the British Isles, wherein nearly all birds retain some winter
plumage, whilst in continental Europe grey and brown morphs co-exist (Harrison
1944).

Study area

The Lagoon of Venice covers c.55,000 ha and is connected to the Adriatic Sea via
three entrances; it is the largest lagoon in the Mediterranean and hosts significant
populations of breeding waterfowl] at national level (e.g. Redshank, Oystercatcher
Haematopus ostralegus, Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis, Common Tern S.
hirundo, Shelduck Tadorna tadorna and Pygmy Cormorant Phalacrocorax
pygmeus), and for the first three-named species at Mediterranean level (Valle &

William G. Hale et al. 262 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

Scarton 1999, Scarton & Valle 2000). The northern and, especially, the southern
parts of the lagoon possess hundreds of muddy, intertidal islets vegetated with
halophytes (mainly Puccinellia palustris, Limonium narbonense, Sarcocornia
fruticosa and Spartina maritima), which cover c.4,000 ha. A few of these islets
(10-15 p.a.) are used by colonies of one or, more frequently, several species of
Laridae (Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus, a mean 120 pairs in 1997-99;
Common Tern 940 pairs; Little Tern Sterna albifrons, 195 pairs; and Sandwich Tern
470 pairs: Valle & Scarton 1999). Here, Redshanks also nest in colonies (2—200
pairs), but many isolated pairs are scattered over other saltmarsh islets. The
breeding season extends from March to June, with peak laying in late May (Valle
& Scarton 1995). The species occurs in the lagoon year-round; in winter, January
counts gave a mean 353 birds in 1996-2000 (Baccetti et al. 2002), although the
majority of these are probably not Italian breeders.

Methods

Redshanks were caught using walk-in traps placed over the nests, and these were
constructed with nylon tops to prevent any damage to the birds (Thompson & Hale
1989). Birds were weighed, sexed, measured (both wings, tail, bill length, tarsus
length and tarsus width) and counts of breeding-plumage feathers in a square of 25
mm/’ on the mantle and breast, together with counts of the total number of breeding-
plumage feathers amongst the scapulars (both sides) and tertials (both sides). For
consistency, all these procedures were undertaken by one of us (WGH)
accompanied by an Italian ringer (responsible for the ringing), and all birds were
photographed dorsally and ventrally for future comparative purposes. Further
details of the methodology can be found in Hale (1971). Sexing was undertaken
mainly by examining the cloaca, which is enlarged in females at this season. This
is reliable where comparisons with paired histories of individuals are known (Hale
in prep.), but used exclusively, as here, occasional mis-sexing may occur.

Trapping normally took place at least four days after clutch completion and
incubation had begun, in late May-—early June at three colonies in the southern
lagoon; in particular, most birds were from one colony, located near an old ruin
(45°18’°N, 12°11°E; Fig. 1), which was used when handling the birds.

Comparisons were made with two other populations trapped and measured by
WGH: in the UK, 2,755 birds were measured in 1973-88, and 34 birds were
measured in Denmark in 1975. Parametric (t-test, ANOVA and Tukey HSD for
unequal sample size) or non-parametric (Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis) tests
were used, according to the model of data distribution, ANOVA was also used for
a few variables that were not normally distributed, given its robustness with respect
to the assumption of the underlying populations’ normality (Zar 1996). The
statistics package STATISTICA 5.0 was used; probability level was set to p=0.05.

William G Hale et al. 263 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

ee
:
\ 2»

yD

Figure 1. Study area, with saltmarshes in grey; location of Redshank Tringa totanus colonies indicated
with an asterisk.

Results

A total 163 birds were trapped, 55 males and 108 females. Of these, two males
(3.7% of the captured males) were trapped twice, after one and three years; eight

William G. Hale et al. 264 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

females (8%) were also recaptured, 1—7 years later. Table 1 shows the means of six
measurements taken in the field of three different populations of Redshanks, in
Venice, Britain and Denmark. Inter-sex differences in the three groups were highly
significant (ANOVA, p<0.001 for weight, wing, tail and bill length; p<0.01 for
tarsus length and tarsus width).

Measurements

Weight——In males no significant difference was found between those from the
Venetian lagoon and the British population, although both were very significantly
different from Danish birds (Table 1, Fig. 2). In females there was a highly
significant difference (p<0.0001) between all three populations (Fig. 2). Table 2
shows the mean weights of male and female Venetian Redshanks over eight years,

TABLE 1
Field measurements for three Redshank Tringa totanus breeding populations.
Means that are not statistically different share the same letter. ANOVA and
Tukey HSD test for unequal N, p<0.05.

Males Weight Wing Tail Bill Tarsus length Tarsus width
Fy 1445=29.9 F, 1450=24-5 Fy y419=12.2 Fy 1497=15.3 Fy 1451=203.9 F, 134g=19.3

Venetian Mean 128.98a 161.7a 64.84 ; 43.2a 54.2a 2a
Lagoon S.E. 1.01 0.48 0.29 0.26 0.27 0.01
n 55 a) 35) 59 $5 55
Ribble Marshes Mean 126.7a 164.8b 65a 41.1b 47.9b 2.42b
UK S- E: 0.2 0.11 0.10 0.08 0.06 0.003
n 1375 1380 1349 1357 1381 1328
Tipperne Mean =113.0b 160.8a 60.5b 41.9b 48.6b 2.26¢
Denmark SE? 5.4 0.56 1.03 0.46 0.56 0.03
n ily i) 17 17 LZ 1
Females Weight Wing Tail Bill Tarsus length Tarsus width
Fy 1479=22.1 Fy 1496=29.2 Fy 4473=9-17 Fy 1468736.85 Fy 1494=433.7 Fo4439=24.27
Venetian Mean 139.6a 165.4a 66.2a 43.9a 55.0a 2.38a
Lagoon S.E. 1.24 0.36 0.25 0.18 0.23 0.01
n 108 108 108 108 108 108
Ribble Marshes Mean 134.3b 167.9b 66a 42.1b 48.4b 2.46b
UK S. E. 0.2 0.11 0.12 0.06 0.06 0.003
n 1357 1374 1351.0 1346 1372 1317
Tipperne Mean 129c 163.4a 62.5b 43.4a 50.3¢ 24la
Denmark SE 4 0.86 0.91 0.42 0.49 0.02

n 17 IF 17 i 17 17

William G. Hale et al. 265 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

I GB DK

Figure 2. Weights of Redshanks (male above, female below) from the Lagoon of Venice (I), Britain (GB)
and Denmark (DK)

110

1993 1994 1995 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

Figure 3. Weights of Redshanks (males above, females below) breeding in the Lagoon of Venice; a single
male from 1994 is not included.

together with a total mean weight and ranges. These data show significant
differences between years only for females (Fig. 3; ANOVA test; for males, a single
bird from 1994 not included, F, ,,=2.16, p>0.05; for females, F, ,9)=3.95, p<0.001).
More extensive British data relating to the trapping of 2,755 birds over a period of
16 years (Hale in prep.) show very significant differences in weight between years,
and it is likely that similar differences might occur in the Venetian population, were
the data more extensive. Data from the Venetian lagoon indicate a mean difference
of some 10 g in males and 22 g in females between years, and there were ranges of
35 g in males and 70 g in females between the lightest and heaviest individuals (Fig.
4). Eight of the ten retrapped birds showed little weight variation between seasons,
but one had gained 17% over four seasons and another lost 22% over five seasons
(Table 3). Fig. 3 shows that males and females do not always gain weight at the
same rate in the same season, but this may be due to their feeding in different areas.
The mean for all years shows a difference of 10.8 g between the sexes (Table 1),
but this varied between 3.9 g in 1993 and 26.6 g in 1999 (Table 2).

William G. Hale et al. 266 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)
TABLE 2
Weights (mean and standard error, in g) of Venetian Redshanks Tringa totanus

in different years.

1993 1994 1995 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 Mean
(all years)
Males 131,4 146 124.5 131.7 128 128.3 its 1207 128.8
SE: 125 2.9 1.8 aT 1.8 1.9 1 0.9 1
n 13 1 8 11 2 15 2 3 55
Range 125-139 114-130 118-149 125-131 117-143 120-123 120-123 114-149
Females 135.3 139.8 138.1 144.3 138.3 154.9 132 140 139.6
Se 1.8 4.9 1.8 Dh pe) 6.5 La 3.8 1.2
n 25 13 22 10 13 11 9 5 108
Range 121-154 122-174 120-155 134-164 127-160 132-190 127-138 130° bias
28 + 28
34 1. 24 | females
20 + cam 20 |
0 16 s 16
" 42 "424
4 we
Oo me I Slee Ne bemeee Ree Nae RS er | | a8 Dis.s =» 8.
110 120 130 140 150 160 170 780 199 110 120 130 «©1400«6-:1)”~—=C«1602—:«Cé=*aTFD.:sCsd180—C—és«O1800
q g
2e — 25 -
24 - males 24 - females
20 + 20 +
_ 16+ _ 164
eS = qnbt
a i § —
4- a +
36 37 3B 39 40 41 42 435 44 45 46 47 4B 49 40 36 37 38 309 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 469 5C

Figure 4. Weight (above) and bill (below) measurements for male and female Redshanks Tringa totanus
breeding in the Lagoon of Venice.

Wing length—Mean wing length of Italian birds (Table 1, Fig. 5) is not
significantly different from that of Danish birds, but is significantly smaller than
that of Redshank from the British Isles (Table 1) in both males and females (Tukey
HSD test: p<0.0001).

Bill length —Bill length (Table 1, Fig. 4) is greatest in the Venetian population
and shortest in the British population, with significant difference between them
(Tukey HSD test: p<0.001) in both sexes. Danish males are not significantly

William G. Hale et al. 267 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

TABLE 3
Retrapped birds; comparison of measurements (mm) and feather counts.
Dk = Chocolate-brown birds; Lt = Pale grey birds; Br = Cinnamon birds;
F = Full breeding plumage; P = Partial breeding plumage.

3 ie:

+ - a v ) 3 = a

bo e h 50 a a = e a 5 pe

E s s = 2 8 & : g e 5 3 S

zZ a > > s a) BS & = a a D =

U21822 993. 127 39165 65 43.5 56 2.34 BT 18 9+9 6+6 DkP
Female 1995 121 165 68 42 53 2.3 30 18 8+8 5+5 DkFE
U29493. «1995s «152—Ss«166 68 44 58 2.36 25 23 8+8 443 LtP
Female 1997 148 169 67 42 53 2.35 25 26 8+8 5+4 LtP
U41102 1997 145 162 67 43 53 2.32 22 20 8+8 4+4 LtP
Female 1998 141 162 68 44.5 55 2.35 30 30 8+8 6+8 LtF
U29474 1995 142 169 68 44 55 2.39 18 14 4+4 3+4 BrP
Female 1999 166 167 66.5 46 55 25 16 12 2+2 6+8 BrP
U29464 1994 162 165 66 44 56 2.43 27 39 8+8 T+7 oe keP
Female 1999 136 165 66.5 44 55 2.43 25 28 9+9 6+6 LtP
U41260 1998 127 1685 66 43 52 2.36 30 18 8+8 4+4. DkF
Female 1999 134 166 65 44 52 2.35 15 30 9+9 5+5 DkP
U41262 1998 139 170 66 43 57.5 2.39 30 25 8+8 4+5 DkEF
Female ay 138» 171 66 43 56 2.35 20 9 5+5 2+2 DkP
U41109 1997 125 155 67 44 54 2.33 14 Op) 5+5 2+2 ItP
Male 2000 © 12323 157 64 45 55.5 2.34 5 7 ep 1+1 DkP
m2ig28, 1993. 122 163 65 42 53 NO) 33 25 9+9 4+4 DkF
Female 2000 124 ~»#165 62 43 53 231 20 22 8+8 4+4 DkP
U51943. 2000 120 ~« 161 61 42 54 2.27 18 26 6+6 34+3. DkP
Male 2001 123-161 63 42 52.5 2.3 15 8 5+5 0+1 DkP

different from British males, and there is no significant difference between Venetian
and Danish females.

Tail length—There is no significant difference in tail length (Table 1, Fig. 5)
between Italian and British Redshank, but Danish birds have a significantly shorter
tail (Table 1; Tukey HSD test: p<0.001) in both sexes.

Tarsus length—The largest and most significant difference occurs in tarsus
length (Table 1, Fig. 6), where the Venetian population is on average more than 6
mm longer in both sexes than British birds, and more than 4.5 mm longer than
Danish birds (Tukey HSD test: p< 0.01).

Tarsus width.—The British population has a significantly (Tukey HSD test: p<
0.01) broader, heavier tarsus than Venetian birds (Table 1, Fig. 6) in both sexes and
in this respect is similar to Icelandic Redshank. Danish males have a significantly

William G. Hale et al. 268 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

30 + 30 ~

Males females
26 + 35 +
’
| 20 + seal
{ z= 18+ = 415 28 : S
] = | |
j | | |
: sia a I l I i It , = = Ae _ BBE 8 8 es im
5 180 152 156 160 164 168 172 176 181
um nm
20 > 20 — females
18 + males 18 +
16 + 16 —
14+ 14 +
12+ 12 +
= ue + = ae
a atk
4- 4+ Il
2 | til | = te
a. ao iL. ee = is
58 59 60 61 62 83 64 65 66 67 G BS 7O Fi 72 73 T4 58 59 60 61 &2 63 64 65 66 67 6& 6S 76 71 72 73 74
P11 Im

Figure 5. Wing (above) and tail (below) measurements for male and female Redshanks Tringa totanus
breeding in the Lagoon of Venice.

A - 40 + famales
35 4 males 35 >
30 + 30 >
26 - 23 +
z 20 + = 20+
nae 45 +
10 + | 10 + zi
| Il |
¢ ——_ = I bg) L L . oo o i BB = & i ee
48 49 50 51 52 53 Si 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 5B 60 61
Ae 45 - females
40 4 males 40 +
oo a5 +
+ ag +
2. BS a:
* 20 + = 96 1
15 + 13 +
feat it 406 +
ei
— — O— -z-
Z 2.1 23 Z5 2.8 2 2.1 af Y
Ti mm

Figure 6. Tarsus length (above) and tarsus width (below) measurements for male and female Redshanks
Tringa totanus breeding in the Lagoon of Venice.

narrower tarsus than either of the other populations (Tukey HSD test: p< 0.01). In
females there is no significant difference in width between Venetian and Danish
birds, but there is a significant difference between both populations and British
Redshank (Tukey HSD test: p<0.01).

William G. Hale et al. 269 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

TABLE 4
Distribution of plumage types in live Venetian Redshanks Tringa totanus and
Italian museum specimens. BP = breeding plumage.

DARK BROWN PALE GREY CINNAMON
Full BP Partial BP Full BP Partial BP Full BP Partial BP

to
bo
Ww
—)
Ww

Museum skins
27% 45% 27%

i)
on
nr
(S)
BS
oo
S
oo

Lagoon of Venice 2
1993-2001 53% 36% 11%

Plumage variation

Of the 163 breeding Redshank trapped on the Venetian lagoon (including the ten
retraps) only 32 had full breeding plumage (Table 4). In all others (131) some
winter feathers were retained, and the extent of breeding plumage in Venetian
Redshanks was very similar to Danish birds. Of the six counts taken, there was no
significant difference between Italian and Danish males, but there was significant

Figure 7. The colour forms of Redshank Tringa totanus breeding in the Lagoon of Venice; left to right
i) chocolate-brown morph, ii) pale grey morph, and iii) cinnamon morph.

William G. Hale et al. 270 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

TABLE 5
Breeding plumage counts in three populations of Redshanks Tringa totanus.
Mantle Breast Scapulars Secondaries
(max. 30) (max. 30) (max. 16) (max. 16)
Lagoon of Males 18.63 18.72 13.19 6.13
Venice n=56
Sik. iS) 0.94 0.26 0.27
Females 19.6 18 13.34 7.17
n=108
SE. 0.78 0.69 0.22 0.21
Ribble Marshes Males 6.9 7.5 5.03 0.96
UK nl 353
SB: 0.18 0.18 0.06 0.03
Females 6.8 6.63 5.52 0.99
n=1.346
S.E. 0.17 0.16 0.06 0.03
Tipperne Males 17.6 18.4 12.5 6
Denmark n=17
Stee 2.43 1.64 0.57 0.47
Females 14.5 16.7 7.82 5.82
n=17
S.E. LOS 1.84 0.48 0.42

difference between these populations and British birds in all six counts (Tukey HSD
test: p<0.01). In females the breast count and that of the left secondaries showed a
significant difference (Tukey HSD test: p<0.01) between Danish and Italian birds
on the one hand and British birds on the other; counts of the mantle, right scapulars
and right secondaries showed significant differences between all three populations
(Tukey HSD test: p<0.01), and in the case of the left scapulars Italian birds were
significantly different (a larger count) from those of the other populations (Table 5).

Three colour forms could be recognised among trapped birds (153) in Venice
(Table 4, Fig. 7); a small proportion (18) resembled dark cinnamon-coloured birds
from the British Isles, whilst the majority (135) were chocolate-brown (87) and
grey-brown (58) birds—dark and light forms of the nominate race (Harrison 1944).

Ten retraps were made during the present work, seven of which had less
breeding plumage in years after the initial trapping, two had more breeding
plumage and one showed no change after two years. Whilst there is no difficulty
separating chocolate-brown from pale grey morphs in full breeding plumage, it is
more difficult when only a small amount of breeding plumage is present and, in
these circumstances, cinnamon-coloured birds are not easily separable from the
grey morph. In one case, a retrapped bird (U411099) was allocated to the grey-

William G Hale et al. 271 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

TABLE 6
Comparison of mensural data (mean and s.d., in mm) of southern breeding populations of Redshank
Tringa totanus.

Lagoon of Venice Italy Bulgaria/Greece Spain
live birds specimens
Males
Wing length 161.7 161.4 158.7 157.8
3.6 2.2 3.0 3.6
Tail length 64.8 61.6 64 63.4
2.2 1.5 1.6 2.6
Bill length 43.2 42.2 40.5 43
1.9 1.35 2S 2.4
Tarsus length 54.2 50.2 50.7 50.8
2 2.08 1.7 2.8
Tarsus width 23 2.19 2.14 243
0.1 0.09 0.05 0.1
n 55 5 6 10
Females
Wing length 165.4 160.8 161.3 159.1
0.36 3.54 2.2 1.8
Tail length 66.2 65.4 62.8 61.9
0.25 1.8 3.2 / af
Bill length 43.9 48.29 43.9 44.5
0.19 33 2.2 1.1
Tarsus length 54.9 49.01 51.9 Sit
0.23 1.4 + 2.5
Tarsus width 2.38 2.19 2.12 2.09
0.01 0.04 0.1 0.1
n 108 T 4 5

*= 6 for wing length

brown form on initial capture, but was clearly chocolate-brown, with significantly
more breeding plumage, three years later (Table 3). The other nine retraps exhibited
the same type of breeding plumage as when first trapped, suggesting the possibility
of moulting to a different form of breeding plumage, at least between the two forms
in question. Further work is needed to establish whether the explanation is really
the misidentification of the colour form due to the small amount of breeding
plumage, or the less likely scenario of a colour change.

Comparison with museum specimens

When working with specimens there is always the possibility that birds collected
during the breeding season may not necessarily be breeders. In the case of the 11
‘Italian’ skins examined by Hale (1971) none was labelled as certain breeders. The
present work, during which known breeders were examined, provides a basis on

William G. Hale et al. 272 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

which to check how representative of the Italian breeding population was the
museum sample (Table 6).

Based on the data in Table 6, there is no reason to consider the museum sample
to be of birds other than breeders, but the long series of known breeders shows that
there is probably a much higher proportion of chocolate-brown birds in the
breeding population (53%) and a smaller proportion of cinnamon birds (11%). The
Venetian breeding population is more like that of Spain in the distribution of the
different colour forms than suggested by the museum sample. The ratio of 87 : 58
(chocolate-brown : grey morph) is not different from the ratio of 11 : 5 in Spanish
skins (Yates corrected P’=0.17, p>0.05). Samples from Greece and Bulgaria were
too few to provide meaningful comparison. However, it is probable that all southern
European breeders have a similar distribution of colour morphs throughout the
Mediterranean, with the chocolate-brown form predominating.

Given drying in skins there is also a close similarity in measurements, except
tarsus length. As it is bone length that is being measured, a contraction of 3.9 mm
in males and 5.8 mm in females would not be expected (Table 6). Comparing the
live Venetian population with Italian skins, for males, wing, tail and bill lengths do
not show significant differences (Kruskall-Wallis test, P?=5.0, 2.7, 1.7, p>0.05 in all
cases); contrastingly, tarsus length and tarsus width show significant differences,
with Venetian birds having longer and thicker tarsi (Kruskall-Wallis test, P?=14.8
and 26.7 respectively; p<0.01 in both). Among females only tarsus width shows a
significant difference (Kruskall-Wallis test: P’°=10.1, p<0.05), with Venetian birds
having thicker tarsi, but this is probably accounted for in both sexes by drying in
skins. With the exception of tarsus length, exceptionally long in Venetian birds,
measurements and plumage characteristics of Venetian birds are similar to other
southern breeders.

Discussion

Immediately after egg laying Venetian Redshanks are heavier than other sampled
populations (British and Danish, Table 1), although Icelandic Redshanks are
heaviest (males c.140 g, females 167 g: Hale in Cramp & Simmons 1983). British
breeders, which are significantly longer winged (Table 1), are lighter at this time
(males 126.7 + 0.2 g, females 134.3 + 0.2 g). British birds are largely sedentary in
winter (Hale 1973) and these weights probably reflect late-winter/early-spring
feeding conditions; this might indicate much different feeding conditions for the
Italian population, either in the Mediterranean or in Africa. Thus far, no recoveries
away from the ringing site of the 153 individuals ringed during this work have been
reported.

Danish Redshanks, which have very similar wing length to Venetian birds
(Table 1), weigh significantly lighter in May, males having a mean weight of 113 +
1.3 g, and females 129 + 0.98 g. Whilst these weights may reflect longer migration
in Danish birds, other explanations are possible, e.g. little winter movement in a
proportion of the Danish population that experiences different (possibly poorer)

William G. Hale et al. 273 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

feeding conditions. Venetian Redshanks are undoubtedly heavy relative to wing
length, which is clearly shown in Fig. 2, where separate male and female
comparison is made between British, Danish and Italian birds. In both sexes there
is significant difference in weight between the three populations.

Weight in Redshanks varies during the year (Hale 1980), peaking in autumn,
decreasing in early winter and increasing again in late winter/early spring. Spring
weights are affected by winter feeding and individuals undertaking long migrations
use reserves and are therefore lighter in weight. Clearly, both feeding and migration
conditions vary annually, thus variation in weights might be expected between
years. However, no significant differences in weight were detected in either sex
over a 16-year period in the British study (Hale in prep.), making it likely that
breeding-season weight is a population characteristic uninfluenced by
environmental factors.

Wing length of Venetian birds is unusually short considering weight and in this
respect they resemble Scandinavian birds rather than the British/Icelandic complex
(Hale 1971), suggesting a closer relationship to the typical form than to T: t. robusta
or the British population. The uniquely long tarsus of Venetian birds is difficult to
explain. It is possibly associated with feeding conditions in the lagoon, where
fluctuations in tide height are much smaller than those experienced by birds outside
the Mediterranean. Under these conditions tides expose much smaller mudflats, so
that Venetian Redshanks may have to wade to obtain adequate food. In contrast,
British Redshanks obtain the majority of their food from exposed mud (in
estuarine-breeding populations) and from the ground surface (inland).

It has been suggested (Hale 1971) that the lack of breeding plumage is
characteristic of the western hybrid zone in the Redshank, and the findings of the
present study in this respect agree well with those from the study of specimens.
Also in agreement with previous work is the distribution of the colour forms (Fig.
7), three being recognisable: 1) chocolate-brown birds, 11) grey-brown birds, and 111)
cinnamon birds similar to those breeding in the British Isles; the former two groups
are the dark and light phases in continental birds recognised by Harrison (1944).
However, that these two forms co-exist lends support to the theory of a Western
European hybrid zone. Hale (1971) suggested that the hybrid zone spread north
during the 19th century and that birds typical of the hybrid zone replaced the
original form (chocolate-brown). Whilst prior to 1900 more than 90% of northern
Scandinavian birds were the chocolate-brown morph, post-1900 this had reduced to
60%. Interestingly, Ottvall (2002) found genetic differences between northern and
southern populations of Redshank in Scandinavia, which is consistent with the
morphological data, and the results also suggest that southern populations sampled
belong to a panmictic grouping. In Italy, in the present day, more than 50% of
breeders are the chocolate-brown form (Table 4), which seems to be disappearing
from Scandinavia.

Hale (in prep.) will show that in Redshanks breeding in northern England the
degree of breeding plumage, and consequently the number of retained winter

William G. Hale et al. 274 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

feathers, may vary in individuals between years. This is not age-related, as the
extent of breeding plumage may increase or decrease annually, as it does in
Venetian birds (Table 3). Nor is it related to early breeding, as suggested by
Whitfield (2003), but it is apparently related to distance migrated, with those
sedentary in winter showing little breeding plumage, whereas migrants attain more
breeding plumage the following season the further they travel.

The small amount of breeding plumage that some Venetian birds attain may
indicate that they winter in the Mediterranean, whereas those with very full
breeding plumage probably penetrate far south in Africa, e.g. Nigeria and
Cameroon (Hale 1973). Thus far, no recoveries have been reported for breeders
ringed in Venice, but the higher mean counts of breeding plumage in these birds
suggests that they undertake a longer migration, on average, than do British birds.

Linné (1766) originally described Tringa totanus as having a grey-brown body
and, as previously noted (Hale 1971), this cannot refer to chocolate-brown birds of
northern Scandinavia and the predominant morph in Venice. Since these are
apparently not the typical form it is unjustifiable to refer to them as T. ¢. totanus
unless, as suggested earlier as a possibility, an individual may adopt characteristics
of both morphs during its lifetime. As three morphs co-occur in the Venetian
population, at the southern fringe of an apparent hybrid zone, these birds are
probably more correctly referred to as T. t. totanus x ussuriensis.

Acknowledgement
We thank Giuseppe Tiloca for his assistance with ringing Redshanks and for his other help in the field.

References:

Baccetti, N., Dall’ Antonia, P., Magagnoli, P., Melega, L., Serra, L., Soldatini, C. & Zenatello, M. 2002.
Risultati dei censimenti degli uccelli acquatici svernanti in Italia: distribuzione, stima e trend delle
popolazioni nel 1991-2000. Biol. Conserv. della Fauna 111: 1-240.

Cramp, S. & Simmons, K. E. L. (eds.) 1983. The birds of the Western Palearctic, vol. 3. Oxford Univ.
Press.

Hale, W. G. 1971. A revision of the taxonomy of the Redshank Tringa totanus. Zool. J. Linn. Soc. 50:
199-268.

Hale, W. G 1973. The distribution of the Redshank Tringa totanus in the winter range. Zool. J. Linn.
Soc. 53: 177-236.

Hale, W. G. 1980. Waders. Collins, London.

Harrison, J. M. 1944. Some remarks upon the Western Palaearctic races of Tringa totanus (Linnaeus).
Ibis 133: 493-503. ‘

Linné, C. 1766 Systema naturae, vol. 1. Twelfth edn. Laurentii Salvii, Holmiae, Uppsala.

Ottvall, R. 2002. Genetic structure of Redshank populations breeding in Scandinavia. Wader Study
Group Bull. 99: 10.

Scarton, F. & Valle, R. 2000. Laridae e Sternidae nidificanti in laguna di Venezia: aggiornamento al
1999. Riv. Ital. Orn. 70: 143-148.

Scarton, F. & Valle R. 2004. Relationships between Redshank Tringa totanus breeding density and mor-
phological characteristics of salt marshes in the Venice lagoon (Italy). P. 87 in Proc. Intern. Wader
Study Group Ann. Conf., Papenburg, 4-7 November 2004.

Thompson, P. S. & Hale, W. G 1989. Breeding site fidelity and natal philopatry in the Redshank Tringa
totanus. Ibis 131: 214-234.

William G Hale et al. 275 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

Valle, R. & Scarton, F. 1995. La Pettegola nidificante nella laguna di Venezia: le ragioni di una scelta
coloniale. Avocetta 19: 36.

Valle, R. & Scarton, F. 1996. Status and distribution of Redshanks breeding along Mediterranean coasts.
Wader Study Group Bull. 81: 66-70.

Valle, R. & Scarton, F. 1999. The presence of conspicuous associates protects nesting Redshank Tringa
totanus from aerial predators. Ornis Fenn. 76: 145-148.

Valle, R., Scarton, F., Tinarelli, R., Grussu, M., Utmar, P. & Borella, S. 1995. Primo censimento della
popolazione di Pettegola (7ringa totanus) nidificante in Italia. Atti VII Convegno Ital. Orn., Urbino.
Suppl. Ric. Biol. Selv. 22: 601-605.

Whitfield, D. P. 2003. Does timing of breeding affect breeding plumage acquisition in shorebirds? Wader
Study Group Bull. 101-102: 77-80.

Zar, J. K. 1996. Biostatistical analysis. Third edn. Prentice Hall, New Jersey.

Addresses: William G Hale, School of Biological and Earth Sciences, Liverpool John Moores
University, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK, e-mail: W.GHale@btinternet.com. Francesco Scarton, Via
Franchetti 192, 31022 Preganziol (TV), Italy, e-mail: frscarto@tin.it. Roberto Valle, Via Monte
Grappa 66, 30175 Mestre (VE), Italy, e-mail: roberto.valle @ libero. it

© British Ornithologists’ Club 2005

Remarks on Sichuan Wood Owl Strix uralensis
davidi from observations in south-west China

by Wolfgang Scherzinger
Received 25 September 2004

Sichuan Wood Owl (Pere David’s Owl) Strix uralensis davidi was described, by
Sharpe (1875) as Syrnium davidi, from the type, a male, taken at Mupin, in Sichuan
province, China, and named for the French missionary, Armand David, who
discovered this ow] during his first collecting trip to western China, in 1866. (J.
Verreaux labelled the specimen Ptynx fulvescens, considering it to be an example of
the rufous subspecies of Ural Owl, known from Japan (now Strix uralensis
fuscescens), but in older literature it also acquired the synonym Syrnium rufescens.
This led to much confusion, as Strix fulvescens (previously Syrnium fulvescens
Sclater & Salvin) is a quite different owl species from Middle America, as Sharpe
(1875) had already noted.) Even now, our knowledge of Sichuan Wood Owl’s
distribution, ecology, reproduction, voice and behaviour is very poor. Consequently,
data on status, conservation and taxonomy are rather vague (Holt et al. 1999, K6nig
et al. 1999). Most descriptions of this owl and its taxonomy are traceable to
observations and specimens from the late-19th and early-20th centuries. Published
distribution maps are still, of necessity, rather vague, but this owl is known to
inhabit primeval forests in montane Sichuan and south-east Qinghai (Cheng Tso-
hsin 1987), and although not previously known from Gansu (Liu Naifa 1995), where
this owl was first detected in 1995 (Sun et al. 2001), recent records indicate that it
occurs in extensive woodland across southern Gansu, as far as the border with

Wolfgang Scherzinger 276 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

Sichuan (Y. H. Sun pers. comm.). Given that its range appears limited to high-
elevation coniferous forests in western China and eastern Tibet, this owl is
considered a relict of most recent glacial events (Voous 1962).

Sichuan Wood Owl has always been considered rare (Weigold in Stresemann
1923, Holt et al. 1999), and in China is listed in category II of the list of nationally
threatened species (Zheng Guangmei & Wang Qishan 1998). Its isolation and
apparent rarity might mean that it demands listing as globally threatened, as
Vulnerable (Collar et al. 1994), but subsequently BirdLife International (2000)
elected to treat davidi as a subspecies, consequently its global conservation status
has not been evaluated since. Availability of suitable habitat is strictly limited
through fragmentation of old-growth coniferous forests due to the natural
morphology of the mountains, as well as extensive clear-cutting and grazing over
much of montane Sichuan, especially the eastern Qinghai-Tibetan plateau, in the
1970s (Liu Naifa pers. comm.). Nowadays, the country is starting to maintain its
woodland areas and encourage reforestation (in response to increasing erosion and
flooding), and recently, China’s ministry for land use and environment decreed a
logging ban for nearly all montane forests, in some areas even for bamboo cutting,
especially in watersheds. Furthermore many reserves have been declared, some
with a status comparable to national parks (e.g. Jiuzhaigou Reserve), others as strict
reserves, accessible only by permit.

Study area _

Lianhuashan Nature Reserve (34°56’—58’N, 103°44’-48’E) is in Gansu province,
south of the capital Lanzhou, at the east edge of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. The
reserve is named after a conspicuous rock summit, at nearly 3,500 m, visited by
thousands of Buddhist pilgrims annually. Covering c.120 km’, the reserve includes
dry south-facing slopes with thickets of buckthorn, willow, wild rose, and scattered
firs, as well as alpine meadows and, on shaded slopes, moist coniferous forest, rich
in gaps dominated by fir and spruce, with bamboo, wild rose, birch, mountain ash,
many bushes and, at higher elevations, rhododendron. Of the total reserve area,
non-fragmented woodland covers c.47 km’, and the treeline is above 3,000 m. Due
to heavy logging in the 1970s, stands of old-growth forest persist only on very steep
slopes, exposed ridges, and within inaccessible canyons. Following designation as
a nature reserve in 1983, human utilisation has been restricted to yak grazing,
seasonal bamboo cutting and some logging. Bird species include Chinese Grouse
Bonasa sewerzowi, Blood Pheasant Jthaginis cruentus, Blue Eared Pheasant
Crossoptilon auritum, Ring-necked Pheasant Phasianus colchicus, Chestnut-
throated Partridge Tetraophasis obscurus, Black Woodpecker Dryocopus martius,
Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos, Lammergeier Gypaetus barbatus, Eagle Owl
Bubo bubo and Tengmalm’s Owl Aegolius funereus beickianus. Lianhuashan
Nature Reserve represents an impressive relict of natural woodland in montane
south-west China.

Wolfgang Scherzinger 277 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

Satellite data have permitted maps of the actual distribution of forest to be
drawn, which can be used to plan reforestation and the creation of corridors
between remnant forest patches (Klaus et al. 2001). Through a grant from the BP
Conservation Programme, suitable nest boxes for the owl were erected in the
reserve in 2002-03, providing nesting sites even in younger forest stands, and also
affording possibilities for observing the reproductive cycle.

In April-May 1995, May-June 1997 and June-July 1999 I made field
observations and tape-recordings of at least one pair of Sichuan Wood Owls in the
reserve. I also made simple tests of the responsiveness of these owls to my imitation
of the territorial song of Ural Owl from Europe, both to test the response of
previously silent owls and to determine the reaction of owls already engaged in
territorial display. Though preliminary, my observations provide new information
on the behaviour of this owl and, in particular, analysis of the vocalisation data
permits comparison with the vocal repertoire of other forms of Ural Owl with
which I am reasonably familiar.

Description

Field observations were mostly made in the twilight hours, but on 13 April 1995, I
discovered a male in daylight (Fig. 1). A detailed description was obtained from a
specimen taken in the reserve and retained in a small museum at the reserve
administration building. Although poorly mounted, it clearly has blackish-brown
scapulars with distinct white dots, a long tail with its central feathers a near-uniform
blackish brown and barely marked (Fig. 2a), rather coarse longitudinal underparts

Figure 1. Adult Sichuan Wood Ow] Strix uralensis davidi (Wolfgang Scherzinger)

Wolfgang Scherzinger Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

Figure 2a (top). Specimen of Sichuan Wood Owl Strix uralensis davidi from Lianhuashan reserve. The
overall dark coloration of the upperparts and scapulars, and the virtually unmarked central tail feathers,
are visible (Wolfgang Scherzinger)

Figure 2b (bottom). Specimen of Sichuan Wood Owl Strix uralensis davidi from Lianhuashan reserve.
Note the species-specific characters, such as the greyish facial disc, framed in dark brown with white
perimeter spots, and the yellowish bill (Wolfgang Scherzinger)

Wolfgang Scherzinger 279 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

streaking, a dark frame to the facial disc contrasting with a white-dotted perimeter
and whitish stripe either side of the brown forehead (Fig. 2b). The latter pattern is
atypical of most forms of Ural Owl Strix uralensis but occurs in Japanese S. u.
fuscescens (Miyazaki 1990) and in Tawny Owl S. aluco.

In body size and morphology, Sichuan Wood Owl strongly recalls Ural Owl S.
u. liturata, which also has coarse underparts streaking and almond-shaped blackish-
brown eyes set within a distinct facial disc. However, the Chinese form is overall
much darker, especially the blackish-brown scapulars. Furthermore, Sharpe (1875)
noted the fine concentric lines in the facial disc, which he considered analogous to
the pattern in Great Grey Owl S. nebulosa, and plain uppertail-coverts. Moreover,
specimens have fine scribble-like markings on the central rectrices, which are
uniformly dark, in contrast to the heavily barred outer feathers. Tail-feathers of
other Ural Owl subspecies are dark brown, with 5-7 pale bars. Published
illustrations are mostly based on specimens in Dresden and Berlin, sometimes
incorrectly (Eck & Busse 1973, K6nig et al. 1999, Holt et al. 1999, MacKinnon &
Phillipps 2000).

Observations and methods

All field records were made in the main valley of Lianhuashan reserve, which
stretches from a saddle at the base of Three Sisters peak in the west (at c.2,900 m,
with dense old-growth coniferous forest on a steep slope, and dry meadows with
scattered scrub and thorn bushes) to a swampy area beside a small creek in the east
(with dense conifers and wet meadows, surrounded by thickets of willow). The
eastern part also has steep slopes, with patchy bushes and young trees, interspersed
by rocky areas and screes (2,850—3,000 m). On calm evenings owls could be heard
over the full length of the valley, c.1.5 km. The entire area used by the pair
measures a minimum 200 ha. In summary, over the three years, I made 14 acoustic
and six visual records of the male, and three acoustic and four visual records of the
female, but no confirmation of nesting was possible. My experiments concerning
the responsiveness of Sichuan Wood Owl to a whistled imitation of the territorial
song of Ural Owl demonstrated the owls to be generally highly responsive to the
voice of the European bird, both when previously silent and when already engaged
in territorial activity.

Vocal comparison of Ural Owl and Sichuan Wood Owl

Descriptions of the vocalisations of Sichuan Wood Owl are mostly rather
unspecific, e.g. kollol-kollol (Weigold in Stresemann 1923), a barking kbau-kbau by
the male and hoarse kee-wi uttered by the female (K6nig ef al. 1999) or an
extended, tremulous howling (Hume & Boyer 1991), most of these authors
emphasising the broad vocal conformity with Ural Owl. Sibley (1996) noted the
similarity of the call notes with the Japanese subspecies Strix u. fuscescens, based
on an observation by B. F. King.

Wolfgang Scherzinger 280 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

Owls are suitable subjects for a taxonomic comparison of vocalisations, as they
represent innate signals (see Konig 1994). Here, I compare the voice of Sichuan
Wood Owl with the well-known repertoire of Ural Owl, as described by
Scherzinger (1980) from field observations in eastern Slovakia (S$. u. macroura),
from tape-recordings of captive owls of Swedish origin (S. u. liturata) and more
than 140 captive-bred owls released as part of a reintroduction project in the
Bavarian Forest National Park (Germany).

The territorial song of male Ural Owl comprises three syllables. The first has
two elements (buhuu, intonation at end) and is followed, after an interval of at least
1-2 seconds, by the second (of 3-4 elements, a short buhulo), and, shortly
afterwards, by the third (a near-barking buhu, with up to four elements in quick
succession: see Fig. 3). The sonogram of a typical, complete song of male Ural Owl
reveals the duration of the strophe as 2.3 seconds (first syllable 0.4 seconds, second
and third syllables 0.4 seconds each). The frequency of the softly ascending and
descending elements of the first syllable is 0.200—0.510 kHz and the second and
third at 0.220—0.600 kHz (with maximum amplitude 0.450 and 0.580 kHz: Table 1).

At first glance, strophic structure in the territorial song of Sichuan Wood Owl
closely resembles that of Ural Owl (Fig. 3). The male’s song comprises two
syllables (lasting 1.08 seconds on average; N=3), but the first syllable consists of a

TABLE 1
The vocal repertoire of adult Ural Owl Strix uralensis liturata comprises 13 different vocalisations, of
which most also occur in Sichuan Wood Owl S. u. davidi and are usually strikingly similar.

Vocalisation Strix u. liturata Strix u. davidi
begging by nestlings chjit, ki.szip ?
territorial song buhooge2.. buhulo..buhu uhoo.....buhubub
(typical = trisyllabic) (typical = disyllabic)
short-distance song—a first syllables of song first syllables of song
short-distance song—b repeats last song elements repeats last song elements
nest-site demonstration rising scale (up to eight syllables) rising scale (up to five syllables)
bu.bu.bu.bu.bu.bu.... bu.bu.bu.bu....
female contact kuwait, kwa high-pitched kuwdch
begging strident kuwdick
long-distance note barking gud, hwa, wu barking (wu)
alarm note kwack, chwa shrill kuwack
aggressive note crying korah crying korah
aggressive song serial korah
guo, chrooh guo
soft contact call growling ?
feeding note rattling tschrrt ?
fear twitter chirping twitter
mating twitter twitter
defence hissing

instrumental note bill-snapping (probably)

Wolfgang Scherzinger 281

Figure 3. Comparison of the territorial song of male Ural
Owl Strix uralensis liturata (left column) and Sichuan
Wood Owl S. u. davidi (right column), revealing the
striking similarities in frequency and rhythm, but also clear
differences in the structure of the first syllable (two short
elements in Ural Owl and one long element in Sichuan
Wood Owl) and in the duration of the pause following this.
Although quite variable, the pause in Ural Owl’s song lasts
3-4 times longer than that in Sichuan Wood Owl. (Ural
Owl recordings from captive-bred stock in Austria and
Germany.) Sonograms created by Kay Electric Sonagraph;
Sonagramm-Archiv der Osterr. Akademie der
Wissenschaften/Vienna. Sichuan Wood Owl recordings
from Lianhuashan reserve, China: a) two-syllable strophe,
final syllable with three elements; b) three-syllable strophe;
c) two-syllable song with two elements to final syllable; d)
two-syllable song with simple elements; and e) single
syllable, repeated in soft and dull series. Sonograms
created using Avisoft for PC, average intensity; H.-W. Helb
(Univ. Kaiserslautern).

Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

Wolfgang Scherzinger 282 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

single element (a softly ascending and descending uhoo; duration 0.26—0.31
seconds). After a pause of just 0.34 seconds the second syllable of three elements
follows (buhubub; duration 0.46—0.48 seconds). Frequency ranges at 0.207—0.390
kHz in the first and 0.213—0.370 kHz in the second syllable (centre of gravity 0.377
and ().363 kHz, respectively; i.e. somewhat lower than in Ural Owl). Spontaneous
song of the male usually was observed at the start of its daily activity, but mostly it
called in response to my imitation of its song (e.g. on 4 and 7 May 1997 and 1 July
1999); singing occurred whilst roosting in the canopy or exposed on treetops,
sometimes even in flight. In another type of territorial song, Sichuan Wood Owl

TABLE 2
Mean values for duration and frequency range of territorial song and nest-site demonstration in
Ural Owl Strix uralensis liturata and Sichuan Wood Owl S. u. davidi: dt = overall duration of strophe,
dt-1 = duration of syllable 1, dd-1 = duration of interval 1; df-1 = overall frequency of syllable 1,
f-la = max. frequency of syllable 1, f-1b = min. frequency of syllable 1,
f-1max. = frequency of maximum power in syllable 1.

oo ie pee = = =
o ”n 7) oO = oO ”n
S 2 2 ra) a) 5 a
= 3 @ = “a = Ss
7E = = = > = “aS > =
= = a a x = = a =
3 © ° ro) 5) oO 3 sar Vey
= = 2 ES s 5 = a +
duration in sec
dt-1 0.34 0.28 0.46 0.46 dt-1 0.09
dd-1 127 0.34 0.25 0.2 dd-1 0.2
dt-2 0.53 0.47 0.22 0.24
dd-2 0.29 dd-7 0.1
dt-3 0.18 dt-7 0.19
dt 2.24 1.08 0.92 1.41 0.42 dt 1.6 1.35
frequency in kHz
f-la 0.497 0.39 0.386 0.375 0.375 f-la 0.4
f-1b 0.177 0.207 0.2 0.183 0.194 f-1b 0.12
df-1 0.36 0.183 0.186 0.178 0.182 df-1 0.2
f-1max 0.42 0.377 0.37 0.37 0.356 f-1max 0.3
f-2a 0.56 0.37 0.284 0.343 f-3a 350
f-2b 0.2 0.213 0.186 0.185 f-3b 175
df-2 0.36 0.157 0.98 0.15
f-2max 0.493 0.363 0.246 0.343 f-3max 347
f-3a 0.26 f-7a 0.5
f-3b 0.17 f-7b 0.1
df-3 0.9 df-7 0.3

f-3max 0.26 f-7max 0.4

Wolfgang Scherzinger 283 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

Khz —

Figure 4. Nest-site demonstration in characteristic strophes of male Ural Owl Strix uralensis liturata
(left) and Sichuan Wood Owl Strix uralensis davidi (right). Sonograms created using Avisoft for PC
average intensity; H.-W. Helb (Univ. Kaiserslautern).

prolongs the first syllable (decreasing frequency; mean duration 0.46 seconds;
N=5), when—to the human ear—it recalls the bubo call of Eagle Owl. After a short
pause (0.22—0.28 seconds) the second syllable follows (1-2 elements, quickly
subsiding; 0.15—0.27 seconds). The entire strophe of this song-type is shorter,
lasting a mean 0.92 seconds, but frequencies are similar (see Table 2). A further
variant song can be distinguished, which is virtually identical but with a third
syllable like the second. The duration of the first syllable is 0.44—0.49 seconds, the
next 0.20—0.29 seconds, but the third is somewhat shorter, at 0.13—0.24 seconds.
The entire strophe lasts a mean 1.41 seconds (V=4), and frequencies are as in the
second song-type.

Apart from varying the intervals, the male varies the strophes quite diversely,
e.g. by repeating the first syllable alone (syllables soft and dull, at decreasing
frequency) or repeating the last elements of the song twice. I observed such
vocalisations in male Sichuan Wood Owl, especially in short-distance
communication with the female. Concerning duration, structure and frequency,
such softly ascending and extended syllables are like the first syllable of the second
song-type (duration 0.42 seconds, frequency 0.194—0.375 kHz, with a mean centre
of gravity at 0.356 kHz; N=8; Table 2). In certain situations, male Ural Owl also
repeats the soft, rumbling notes of the first syllable of the territorial song or, less
often, the second and/or third syllables separately (short-distance song in Table 1;
given, e.g., in duet with the female, when offering prey or in pre-copulatory
behaviour).

The close correspondence in vocalisations is also striking in the light rising
scale of single notes that functions as nest-site demonstration in Ural Ow] (Fig. 4).
Indicating a high level of arousal, the male connects up to eight dull syllables of
increasing length and intensity, with constant intervals (bu.bu.bu.bu; in a series of
eight syllables the length of the shortest syllable was 0.09 seconds, of the longest

Wolfgang Scherzinger 284 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

0.19 seconds; total strophe length 1.6 seconds). Because of this vocalisation’s scale-
like ascent, the frequency reaches 0.120—0.400 kHz in the first syllable, in the final
one 0.100—0.500 kHz (and maximum intensity increases from 0.300 to 0.400 kHz).
Male Sichuan Wood Owl also connects 4-5 syllables at regular intervals, the
intensity softly increasing (bu.bu.bu.bu; Fig. 4). In 11 sonograms the mean duration
of strophes is c.1.35 seconds (range 1.29—1.60 seconds), and the frequency ascends
from 0.175 kHz, at the beginning of the strophe, to 0.350 kHz in the final, more
vigorous syllable (maximum amplitude 0.340—0.350 kHz always occurs in the third
syllable).

Moreover, the similarity in female contact calls in both owls is striking (see
Table 1), at least to the human ear, as recordings of these calls are lacking. These
calls may vary in their usage, from hoarse begging (a harsh kuwdtt or high-pitched
kuwdch) and a long sequence of grumbling kwdch to shrill warnings in sharp
staccato (hard kwdick or strident kuwack). In both owls a shift from begging to alarm
or even aggression is observable. Furthermore, Sichuan Wood Owl utters a shrill
aggressive korah and guo, and probably a fierce barking, although I was unable to
tape-record the latter. Such notes form the characteristic far-carrying calls uttered at
the climax of territorial demarcation in Ural Owl.

Table 3 shows 13 different types of vocalisation known in Ural Owl, in
comparison to eight types in Sichuan Wood Owl known to date. Given the striking
similarity in their vocal repertoires, there seems little rationale from a vocal
standpoint to regard Sichuan Wood Ow] as anything other than a subspecies of Ural
Owl.

Taxonomic status

Due to their high degree of specialisation as predators, mostly active in darkness,
and with dull camouflaging colours, morphological variation is rather limited in
many Strigidae. Similarities in size, appearance and feathering should therefore not
be used alone to interpret phylogenetic relationships (K6nig 1991). Instead,
intraspecific comparisons should rely on as many characters as possible, including
vocalisations, which given their function as an isolating mechanism in owls can be
considered of great importance. Sichuan Wood Owl differs rather insignificantly
from Ural Owl in its vocalisations, and the immediate reaction to an imitation of
Ural Owl’s territorial song by a male Sichuan Wood Owl—as to a conspecific
rival—and to the imitation of nest-site demonstration by a begging female, suggests
that even the complete isolation of davidi has not led to their separation, at least in
vocalisations.

Based on Stresemann’s suggestion (1923) that a male Sichuan Wood Owl from
‘Hwanglungsze’ represented a heavily pigmented form of uralensis, this owl has
long been considered conspecific with Strix uralensis, and in Grossman & Hamlet
(1964) was even relegated to merely a ‘dark phase’ of S. uralensis. The Chinese
Red Data Book (Zheng Guangmei & Qishan Wang 1998), whilst acknowledging

Nn

Wolfgang Scherzinger 28 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

the disjunct populations of Strix uralensis, nonetheless treated Ural Owl and
Sichuan Wood Owl as conspecific. Both Holt et al. (1999) and Dickinson (2003)
recognised the need for additional taxonomic studies of davidi, with the former
electing to treat wralensis and davidi as members of a superspecies, and Dickinson
(2003) as a single species. In contrast, K6nig et al. (1999) accept Strix davidi as an
independent species, pointing to its differing characteristics from the nearest
subspecies of Ural Owl, S. u. fuscescens in Japan, especially the dark plumage and
concentric facial disc pattern, as well as its isolated range, and in this they seem to
have been followed by a number of other more recent authorities, e.g. Clements
(2003). As to whether davidi should be ranked a species seems to depend on which
characters are deemed to be most important, although a molecular analysis appears
sorely needed.

Acknowledgements

My field studies in Lianhuashan reserve were supported by the German Association for Research (DFG,
project KL 962/3-3) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China. I express much gratitude for
the hospitality afforded by staff at Lianhuashan, and to my friends, Prof. Dr Sun Yue Hua and Fang Yun,
of the Zoology Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, whose organisational talents made field
work possible. I also express my gratitude to Dr S. Klaus, Thuringian Institution for the Environment,
Jena, for providing tape-recording equipment, Dr H.-W. Helb, of the University of Kaiserslautern, who
produced the sonograms, and Mrs Doringer, of the Bavarian Forest National Park in Grafenau, who
adapted them, as well as my colleagues the late Dr S. Eck, of the Federal Museum for Zoology, Dresden,
and Dr H.-M. Berg, of the Museum of Natural History, Vienna, for providing historical literature. Two
anonymous referees made suggestions that helped improve the paper’s presentation. I am most deeply
indebted to Prof. J. Swenson, of the Agricultural University, As, Norway, and S. Scherzinger, of the
Vienna University of Technology, for revising the English language.

References:

BirdLife International. 2000. Threatened birds of the world. BirdLife International, Cambridge, UK &
Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.

Cheng Tso-hsin. 1987. A synopsis of the avifauna of China. Science Press, Beijing & Paul Parey,
Hamburg & Berlin.

Clements, J. F. 2003. Birds of the world: a checklist. Fifth edn. Ibis Publishing Co., Vista, CA.

Collar, N. J., Crosby, M. J. & Stattersfield, A. J. 1994. Birds to watch 2: the world list of threatened birds.
BirdLife International, Cambridge, UK.

Dickinson, E. C. (ed.) 2003. The Howard & Moore complete checklist of the birds of the world. Third
edn. Christopher Helm, London.

Eck, S. & Busse, H. 1973. Eulen: die rezenten und fossilen Formen - Aves Strigidae. Ziemsen,
Wittenberg-Lutherstadt.

Grossman, M. L. & Hamlet, J. 1964. Birds of prey of the world. Bonanza Books, New York.

Holt, D. W., Berkley, R., Deppe, C., Enriquez Rocha, P., Olsen, P. D., Petersen, J. L., Rangel Salazar, J.,
Segars, K. P. & Wood, K. L. 1999. Species accounts Strigidae (typical owls). Pp. 153-242 in del
Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. & Sargatal, J. (eds.) Handbook of the birds of the world, vol. 5. Lynx Edicions,
Barcelona.

Hume, R. & Boyer, T. 1991. Owls of the world. Dragon’s World, Limpsfield.

Klaus, S., Selsam, P., Sun, Y. H. & Fang, Y. 2001. Analyse von Satellitenbildern zum Schutz bedrohter
Arten. Fallbeispiel Chinahaselhuhn (Bonasa sewerzowi). Naturschutz u. Landschaftsplanung 33:
281-285.

Wolfgang Scherzinger 286 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

K6nig, C. 1991. Zur Taxonomie und Okologie der Sperlingskauze (Glaucidium ssp.) des Andenraumes.
Okol. Végel 13: 15-76.

Konig. C. 1994. LautauBerungen als interspezifische Isolationsmechanismen bei Eulen der Gattung Orus
(Aves: Strigidae) aus dem stidlichen Siidamerika. Stuttg. Beitr. Naturk.. Ser. A511.

Konig. C., Weick, F & Becking. J.-H. 1999. Owls: a guide to the owls of the world. Pica Press,
Robertsbridge.

Liu Naifa. 1995. Vertebrate fauna of Gansu. Univ. of Lanzhou.

MacKinnon, J. & Phillipps. K. 2000. A field guide to the birds of China. Oxford Univ. Press.

Scherzinger, W. 1980. Zur Ethologie der Fortpflanzung und Jugendentwicklung des Habichtskauzes
(Strix uralensis) mit Vergleichen zum Waldkauz (Strix aluco). Bonn. zool. Monogr. 15.

Scherzinger, W. 1999. Zur Verwendbarkeit phanotypischer Artmerkmale in der feinsystematischen
Gliederung der Eulen (Strigiformes). Egretta 42: 144-155.

Sharpe. R. B. 1875. Contributions to a history of the Accipitres. Notes on birds of prey in the museum
at the Jardin des Plantes and the collection of Mons. A. Bouvier. bis (3) 5: 253-261.

Sibley, C. G 1996. Sibley’s birds of the world. Version 2.0. Thayer Birding Software, Cincinnati.

Stresemann, E. 1923. Zoologische Ergebnisse der Walter St6tznerschen Expeditionen nach Szetschwan,
Osttibet und Tschili, 2 (12): Striges bis Ralli. Abh. Ber. Mus. Tierk. V6lkerk. Dresden 16: 58-70.

Sun, Y. H., Scherzinger, W., Liu, N. F., Klaus, S. & Fang. Y. 2001. New distribution areas of the Sichuan
Wood Owl in Gansu. Zool. Sinica 47: 473-475.

Voous, K. H. 1962. Die Vogelwelt Europas und ihre Verbreitung. Ein tiergeographischer Atlas iiber die.
Lebensweise aller in Europa briitenden Végel. Paul Parey, Hamburg & Berlin.

Wolters, H. 1975. Die Vogelarten der Erde, Bd. 1. Paul Parey, Hamburg & Berlin.

Zheng Guangmei & Qishan Wang. 1998. Aves. Pp. 297-298 in Wang, S. (ed.) China Red Data book of
endangered animals, vol. 1. Science Press, Beijing.

Address: Bavarian Forest National Park, GuntherstraBe 8, D-94568 St Oswald, Germany, e-mail:
drscherzinger @ gmx.de —

© British Ormithologists’ Club 2005

A new generic name for the Solitary Cacique
by Rosendo M. Fraga

Received 5 October 2004

The recent reconstruction of a molecular phylogeny of the Icteridae has changed our
view of the evolutionary tree of the caciques and oropendolas (Price & Lanyon 2002,
2004). In particular, the caciques, until now entirely classified within the genus
Cacicus, do not appear to represent a monophyletic grouping. Three separate lineages
within this genus have been identified, some more closely related to oropendolas.
The position of Solitary Cacique Cacicus solitarius in the phylogenetic tree is
entirely isolated from all other caciques, and closer to Psarocolius oropendolas.
This result has not changed with the incorporation of new data into the molecular
phylogeny (Price & Lanyon 2002, 2004), and therefore appears robust. According
to Hellmayr (1937), the type species of Cacicus Lacépéde is Red-rumped Cacique
Oriolus haemorrhous, described by Linnaeus in 1766. Red-rumped Caciques are

Rosendo M. Fraga 287 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

outwith the clade containing Solitary Cacique, and thus Cacicus is an unsuitable
generic name for Solitary Cacique.

Prior to the work of Blake (1968), Solitary Cacique was classified in the genus
Archiplanus Cabanis 1851. This genus was based on differences in bill shape
(Hellmayr 1937). However, the type species of Archiplanus is Golden-winged
Cacique Cassicus albirostris Vieillot 1816, based on Azara’s no.59, ‘yapu negro y
amarillo’ (Azara 1802). The current scientific name of Golden-winged Cacique is
Cacicus chrysopterus. In the phylogenetic tree, this species clusters within the main
cacique clade, distant from that containing Solitary Cacique (Price & Lanyon 2002,
2004). The generic name Archiplanus could be suitable for species in that clade, but
not for Solitary Cacique.

Phylogenetic data indicate that Solitary Cacique cannot be placed in Cacicus or
Archiplanus, and therefore no other generic name for the species appears available
(Hellmayr 1937). I propose here a new generic name and combination:

Genus Procacicus Fraga, with type species Cassicus solitarius Vieillot 1816,
type locality Paraguay, based on Azara’s no.58, ‘yapii negro’. The type locality
might be further restricted to Asuncion, Paraguay, Azara’s residence during most of
his life in South America. The new genus is currently monotypic. Etymologically,
the proposed name is a simple derivative of the current genus name; the Latin
particle ‘pro’ meaning ‘substitute’, as in “‘proconsul’. The new generic name is
masculine, agreeing in gender with the specific name.

References:

Azara, F. 1802. Apuntamientos para la historia natural de los pdxaros del Paraguay y Rio de la Plata.
Imp. Ibarra, Madrid.

Blake, E. R. 1968. Family Icteridae. Pp. 138-202 in Paynter, R. A. (ed.) Checklist of the birds of the
world, vol. 14. Mus. Comp. Zool., Harvard Univ., Cambridge, MA.

Hellmayr, C. E. 1937. Catalogue of the birds of the Americas and the adjacent islands, vol. 12. Field
Mus. Nat. Hist., Chicago.

Price, J. J. & Lanyon, S. M. 2002. A robust phylogeny of the oropendolas: polyphyly revealed by mito-
chondrial sequence data. Auk 119: 335-348.

Price, J. J. & Lanyon, S. M. 2004. Patterns of song evolution and sexual selection in the oropendolas and
caciques. Behav. Ecol. 15: 485-497.

Address: Tucuman 335, piso 11°C, (1049) Buenos Aires, Argentina, e-mail: chfraga@ yahoo.com

© British Ornithologists’ Club 2005

Caio José Carlos et al. 288 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

Records of Southern Giant Petrel Macronectes
giganteus solanderi and Northern Giant Petrel
M. halli off southern Brazil

by Cato Ffosé Carlos, fean-Francois Voisin &
Carolus Maria Vooren
Received 25 October 2004

We report records, and comment on the identification, of giant petrels,
Macronectes, from Rio Grande do Sul (RS), in southernmost Brazil, based on
previously unidentified specimens in the seabird collection of the Fundacao
Universidade Federal do Rio Grande (FURG; see Vooren & Fernandes 1989), Rio
Grande, RS, Brazil. All measurements are given in mm and colour names
(Capitalised) and codes follow Munsell Color (1971).

Southern Giant Petrel Macronectes giganteus breeds at 40—60°S on subantarctic
and Antarctic islands, the Antarctic Peninsula and continent, and at several
localities off Argentine coasts (Carboneras 1992). On dispersal, it moves north to
temperate and even subtropical waters, often following cold currents along the
coasts of South America, southern Africa and Australia (Punta & Saravia 1991,
Carboneras 1992). The species has long been considered monotypic (e.g. Murphy
1936, Bourne & Warham 1966, Carboneras 1992), but those populations breeding
on the Falklands and Gough (South Atlantic), as well as on the Argentine coast,
present several distinctive characters compared to birds breeding elsewhere, e.g.
generally darker plumage becoming less rapidly paler with age, smaller size and
differences in behaviour, being on the whole clearly more gregarious (Voisin 1982).
In addition, the green bill tip is more vivid, particularly in the Gough population.
Their reproductive schedule is also somewhat peculiar, although this may merely
reflect a response to different ecological conditions. Johnstone et al. (1976), as well
as Peters (1979), thought these birds to be of uncertain taxonomy, but Voisin &
Bester (1981) and Voisin (1982) considered them to represent a well-defined
subspecies, Macronectes giganteus solanderi Mathews, 1912, the South Atlantic
Giant Petrel. |

M. giganteus is a fairly common winter visitor along the Brazilian coast from
RS north to Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro (Sick 1997). Birds of the nominate
subspecies ringed in the South Orkneys, South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula
have been recovered in Brazil, and one from Macquarie (Australian Antarctic
Territory) was recovered in Uruguay (Olmos 2002). The subspecies solanderi has
also been mentioned from the southern Brazilian coast, based solely on
morphometrics of specimens taken off RS and Santa Catarina, but without details
of these specimens’ plumage pattern (Soto et al. 2003).

FURG houses a specimen (FURG 12; Fig. 1), referable to solanderi, found dead
on the beach at Sao José do Norte (c.32°01’S, 52°03’ W), southern RS, on 6 June

Caio José Carlos et al. 289 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

Figure 1. Southern Giant Petrel Macronectes giganteus solanderi (FURG 12) from Sao José do Norte,
Rio Grande do Sul, south Brazil (C. E. Fedrizzi)

1983. Its plumage presents the following pattern: head Dark-grey (IOYR 4/1) with
feathers of forehead, lores and nape tipped Light-grey (1OYR 7/1); throat and neck
Light-grey with the feather tips Dark-grey; remaining upperparts and uppertail
uniform Grey (1OYR 6/1); flanks Grey; breast, belly, undertail- and underwing-
coverts Grey; under surface of primaries Grey with very Dark-grey (10YR 3/1) tips,
and underside of rectrices Grey.

This specimen’s plumage places it in type II of Voisin (1982), i.e., entirely
brown or grey birds, the area around the base of the bill not distinctly paler
(immatures). Birds belonging to solanderi have little brown pigment in their
plumage, which is thus much greyer than that of the nominate. M. g. solanderi
commences breeding while still in very dark plumage. In the Falklands, 14% of
birds breed when still in type II plumage, an exceptional occurrence in the nominate
form. Also, in the Falklands, most birds belong to types IV and V, not types VI to
VIII (as in nominate birds from the Crozet archipelago in the south Indian Ocean).
Similar observations have been made at Gough and in colonies off the Argentine
coast (Voisin & Bester 1981, Voisin 1982, Punta & Saravia 1991; G Punta pers.
comm. 1996). However, it is impossible to know whether the FURG specimen had
already bred.

The measurements of the FURG specimen coincide with those of M. g.
solanderi from the Falklands, Gough and Argentina (Voisin & Bester 1981, Voisin
1982; G. Punta pers. comm. 1996; Table 1). The bird was originally sexed as a
female, but the mensural data suggest that it is probably male.

Caio José Carlos et al. 290 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)
TABLE 1
Measurements (mm) of males and females of Macronectes giganteus solanderi from the Falklands and
Gough (Voisin & Bester 1981, Voisin 1982), Chubut (Argentina; G. Punta pers. comm. 1996) and of
the specimen found on the coast of Rio Grande do Sul (RS; FURG 12), south Brazil. Data are: mean,

(+ standard deviation; range), and n = sample size.

Population Culmen Bill depth Tarsus Wing
Gough Males 95:2) 30 953 507.5
(2.3; 91.5-98.5) (1.8; 28.5-32) (2.02; 92-99) (485-535)
n=17 n=17 n=17 n=4
Females 83.3 243 88.3 478, 491
(2.9; 79-88) (0.69; 2728.5) (3.11; 85-95)
n=12 n=12 n=N2
Falklands Males 98.9 30.05 93.4 507.3
(2.8; 95-102) (1.68; 28.5-32.5) (1.38; 92-95) (6.18; 500-515)
n=4 n=4 n=4 n=4
Females 84.1 25.9 83.1 484
(3.05; 80-89) (1.06; 27.5-24.5) (2.59; 77-86) (9.45; 470-500)
n=9 n=8 n=10 n=10
Chubut Males 96.7 30.1 93.3 50722
(1.5; 95.1-99.3) (1.0; 29.0-30.8) (2.9: 89-95) (10.1; 493-518)
n=6 n= n=4 n=6
Females 83.3 26.1 86.6 474.1
(2,0; 81.8-88) (0.2; 25.8-26.5) (20.2; 83-89) (12.6; 446-490)
n=8 n=6 n=6 n=8
RS Male? 92.3 33.14 91.16 490

Furthermore, a few juvenile solanderi metal- and colour-ringed in early 2004 at
Patagonian colonies have recently been reported off Rio Grande do Sul (F. Quintana
et al. unpubl. data per F. Rabufetti in litt. 2004), suggesting that at least some
Argentine South Atlantic Giant Petrels occur regularly along the southern Brazilian
coast, where they mix with Antarctic birds.

Northern Giant Petrel M. halli breeds on subantarctic islands and South Georgia
(at 46-59°S), and disperses widely over the Southern Ocean (Shaughnessy & Voisin
1981, Carboneras 1992). In Brazil, the species is known from only three published
records: a juvenile found on 27 September 1994 at Ilha Comprida, Sao Paulo
(c.24°50’S, 47°45’ W; Martuscelli et al. 1995); a female found on 15 October 1999
at ‘Praia do Leste’, Iguape, Sao Paulo (24°13’S, 52°40’W); and an adult found on
2 October 2000 near Albardao lighthouse, southern RS (33°13’S, 52°40W) (Bugoni
et al. 2003).

The FURG has another three adult male specimens from southern RS: FURG
272 (culmen 113.19; bill depth 40.69; tarsus 88.63; wing 530), found near Sarita
lighthouse (c.32°00’S, 52°10’W) in April 1983; FURG 275 (culmen 106.55; bill

Caio José Carlos et al. 291 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

depth 41.23; tarsus 97.70; wing 505), from ‘Praia do Cassino’ (c.32°11°S, 52°10’ W)
on | December 1991; and FURG 216 (culmen 100.73; bill depth 42.16; tarsus
92.64; wing 531), without precise locality (between Cassino and Sarita) on 5
October 2000. The plumage of these specimens presents a well-marked contrast
between under- and upperparts. M. halli is fairly common off Uruguay, and seven
ringed birds from Kerguelen, Crozet and Macquarie have been recovered there
(Olmos 2002). Most giant petrels from south Brazil have been identified as M.
giganteus, probably because general references (e.g. Belton 1984) listed only M.
giganteus, and M. halli was first recorded only in the 1990s. Future surveys will
probably reveal that M. halli is more common in the region than previously
supposed.

Closing remarks

At sea, separation of M. giganteus and M. halli at species level is difficult, unless
they are observed in good conditions. The best discriminating criteria are bill colour
and plumage pattern (Voisin & Teixeira 1998). M. g. solanderi acquires a paler head
and neck at an older age and slower compared to the nominate subspecies (Voisin
1982), but the grey tone of its plumage cannot be appreciated at a distance, as is
also the case with its smaller size. Also, mensural data alone cannot be used to
determine specimens away from their breeding grounds, as there is much overlap
(Voisin & Teixeira 1998). Most giant petrels encountered in Brazil are juveniles or
immatures (e.g. Sick 1997, Voisin & Teixeira 1998), which can only be identified
on the basis of bill coloration. Beached carcasses may be very difficult to determine
as, frequently, bill colour has completely faded due to insolation.

Besides the specimens mentioned, FURG houses five more skins, of which one
(FURG 274; culmen 98.84; bill depth 38.48; tarsus 89.25; and wing 510) is
probably M. giganteus. It has a pale head and neck and its underparts are only
slightly paler than its upperparts. The remaining three are immatures (i.e. plumage
type II of Voisin 1982). Specimen FURG 276 was ringed in the Antarctic Peninsula
and is thus a M. g. giganteus, whereas the others (FURG 210, 211 and 273) have
completely lost their bill-tip coloration, and cannot be specifically determined.

Acknowledgements
We are very grateful to G Punta and F. Rabufetti for providing data, and C. E. Fedrizzi for the photo. F.
Jatene (library of Museu Goeldi) and L. Bugoni helped with some references. M. Imber and F. Olmos
kindly reviewed the typescript. CJC received a master’s scholarship of CAPES, Brazil.

References:

Belton, W. 1984. Birds of Rio Grande do Sul, part 1: Rheidae through Furnariidae. Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat.
Hist. 178: 369-636.

Bourne, W. R. P. & Warham, J. 1966. Geographical variation in Giant Petrels of the genus Macronectes.
Ardea 54: 45-67.

Bugoni, L., Neves, T. S., Adornes, A. C., Olmos, F. & Barquete, V. 2003. Northern giant petrels
Macronectes halli in Brazil. Atlantic Seabirds 5: 127-129.

Caio José Carlos et al. 292 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

Carboneras, C. 1992. Family Procellariidae (petrels and shearwaters). Pp. 216-257 in del Hoyo, J.,
Elliot, A. & Sargatal, J. (eds.) Handbook of the birds of the world, vol. 1. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.

Johnstone, G. W., Shaughnessy, P. D. & Conroy, J. H. W. 1976. Giant petrels in the South Atlantic: new
data from Gough Island. S. Afr. J. Antarctic Res. 6: 19-22.

Martuscelli, P, Olmos, KF & Silva e Silva, R. 1995. First record of the Northern Giant-Petrel
Macronectes halli for Brazilian waters. Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl. 115: 187-188.

Munsell Color. 1971. Munsell soil color charts. Munsell Color Co., Baltimore.

Murphy, R. C. 1936. Oceanic birds of South America, vol. 1. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., New York.

Olmos, F. 2002. Non-breeding seabirds in Brazil: a review of band recoveries. Ararajuba 10: 31-42.

Peters, J. L. 1979. Check-list of birds of the world, vol. 1. Second edn. Harvard Univ. Press, Cambridge,
MA.

Punta, G. & Saravia, M. 1991. A newly discovered colony of the Southern Giant Petrel in Isla Gran
Robredo, Chubut Province, Argentina. Marine Orn. 19: 131-133.

Shaughnessy, P. D. & Voisin, J.-F. 1981. Observations of giant petrels Macronectes spp. along Atlantic
coast of southern Africa. Pp. 199-213 in Cooper, J. (ed.) Proc. Symp. on the birds of sea and shore.
African Seabird Group, Cape Town.

Sick, H. 1997. Ornitologia brasileira. Ed. Nova Fronteira, Rio de Janeiro.

Soto, J. M. R., Colabuono, F. I. & Fillipini, A. 2003. Revisao dos registros de petréis-gigantes,
Macronectes spp. (Procellariiformes, Procellariidae), no Brasil, com a inclusao de M. giganteus
solanderi. In IX Congr. Brasileiro de Ornitologia. Univ. Fed. Feira de Santana/Soc. Brasil. Orn.,
Feira de Santana.

Voisin, J.-F. 1982. Observation on the Falkland Islands Giant Petrels Macronectes giganteus solanderi.
Gerfaut 72: 367-380.

Voisin, J.-F. 1988. Breeding biology of the Northern Giant Petrel Macronectes halli and the Southern
Giant Petrel Macronectes giganteus at Ile de la Possession, Iles Crozet, 1966-1980. Cormorant 16:
65-97.

Voisin, J.-F. & Bester, M. N. 1981. The specific status of giant petrels Macronectes at Gough Island. Pp.
215-222 in Cooper, J. (ed.) Proc. Symp. on the birds of sea and shore. African Seabird Group, Cape
Town.

Voisin, J.-F. & Teixeira, D. M. 1998. The identification of giant petrels (Aves, Procellariidae) in South
Atlantic. Bol. FBCN 25: 129-133.

Vooren, C. M. & Fernandes, A. C. 1989. Guia de albatrozes e petréis do sul do Brasil. Ed. Sagra, Porto
Alegre.

Addresses: Caio José Carlos and Carolus Maria Vooren, Laboratorio de Elasmobranquios e Aves
Marinhas, Dpto. de Oceanografia, Fundagao Universidade Federal do Rio Grande, CP 474, Rio
Grande, RS, CEP 96201-900, Brazil, e-mails (for CJC): cajoca@uol.com.br, (for CMV):
doccmv @furg.br. Jean-Francois Voisin, Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, Département
Ecologie et Gestion de la Biodiversité, UMS 0305, CP 51, 67 rue Cuvier, 75005 Paris, France, e-
mail: jfvoisin@mnhn.fr

© British Ornithologists’ Club 2005

Anthony S. Cheke 293 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

Naming segregates from the
Columba-Streptopelia pigeons following
DNA studies on phylogeny

by Anthony S. Cheke

Received 29 October 2004

In their pigeon phylogeny reconstructed through mtDNA analysis, Johnson ef al.
(2001) identified, within the monophyletic Old World Columba/Streptopelia
lineage, four clades: two match the classical taxonomy of Old World Columba and
most Streptopelia (clade A) respectively. The other two, sister to each other,
represent in one line (clade C) chinensis and senegalensis, conventionally placed
with little dispute in Streptopelia, and in the other (clade B) two species whose
generic attribution has recently fluctuated according to different authors: mayeri
(Columba, Nesoenas) and picturata (Streptopelia, Columba). Depending on which
analysis is performed, clades B and C are sister either to Clade A (‘classic’
Streptopelia) or to Old World Columba, i.e. the three-way split was perhaps c.7—8
million years ago (based on the molecular clock used by Johnson ef al. 2001), and
could not be adequately resolved by the data. New World Columba split off earlier,
leading Johnson ef al. (2001) to re-assign them to a separate genus Patagioenas
Reichenbach, 1853. K. P. Johnson (in litt. 2005) has emphasised that his paper
cannot be considered a definitive molecular phylogeny for _ the
Columba/Streptopelia, as an important tranche of African Columba was not
included, namely delegorguei, iriditorques, malherbii, larvata and simplex. The
two last-named species have often been placed in their own genus, Aplopelia,
which Goodwin (1983) considered close in morphology to picturata (Malagasy or
Madagascan Turtle Dove), and one might add also in voice (as described by
Goodwin 1983 and Sinclair et al. 1993 for larvata).

In their taxonomic discussion Johnson et al. (2001) opted for a conservative
interpretation, suggesting simply transferring mayeri (Mauritius Pink Pigeon) from
Columba/Nesoenas to Streptopelia. However, given that the age of initial
diversification within Old World Columba is similar to the split between clades B
and C, it might be appropriate to group the four species in B and C within one
genus. Alternatively, as the lines diverged rapidly, mayeri/picturata could be
assigned to one genus and senegalensis/chinensis another. A third option, that the
entire Columba/Streptopelia complex could, as sister to Patagioenas, be treated as
a single large genus Columba with three or four subgenera, is unwieldy and would
result in a far greater number of name changes.

The oldest valid name for any of the four species in clades B and C is
Stigmatopelia Sundevall, created for senegalensis in 1872 (Sundevall 1872,
Salvadori 1893). Sundevall also created Spilopelia for chinensis (whose races were
at that time treated as three species) on the same page of the same work, but

Anthony S. Cheke 294 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

Stigmatopelia has line precedence. In the two-genus option, mayeri and picturata
would come under Nesoenas Salvadori, 1893, which was created for mayeri and
has page precedence over the same author’s Homopelia for picturata (Salvadori
1893). Trocaza Bonaparte, 1854, might be considered the oldest available name on
the basis of Shelley’s (1883) re-designation of the genus to include only mayeri;
Shelley pointed out that the type species Columba trocaz does not exhibit the
diagnostic feature (first primary shorter than fifth), leaving only mayeri within the
definition. However, the fact remains, Bonaparte’s error notwithstanding, that
trocaz 1s the type species, making Trocaza a junior synonym of Columba, and in
any case nomenclaturally invalid.

In voice and plumage, as well as mtDNA, mayeri and picturata, are close (pers.
obs.). In addition to mtDNA, Johnson et al. (2001) discussed their striking vocal
resemblance. Picturata has been little studied behaviourally, but McKelvey (1976)
reported a mixed pair with mayeri, thereby suggesting a close affinity. The uniform
dark back, somewhat contrasting rump and tail, and paler head are shared
characters (see, e.g., Sinclair & Langrand 1998), albeit much more emphasised in
mayeri, which is a larger bird, approximately double the mass of picturata (Johnson
et al. 2001). They do not phenotypically resemble Spotted Dove S. chinensis or
Palm Dove S. senegalensis. These two, whilst not particularly similar to each other
in appearance, do share a character that differs from other Columba/Streptopelia
pigeons: distinctly bifurcated feathers in the display plumage on the neck
(Salvadori 1893). Goodwin (1983) considered chinensis and senegalensis to form
an isolated pair within Streptopelia as defined by him. He commented that, in
addition to sharing the bifurcated feathers, they both lacked an ‘excitement cry’,
and their song-calls (‘advertising coo’), although dissimilar to each other, are unlike
any other Streptopelia. Goodwin also noted that picturata (not then thought to be
related) had ‘more or less bifurcated’ neck feathers, i.e. a hint of the character fully
developed in S. chinensis and S. senegalensis. He considered picturata so
anomalous that he did not include it in his putative relationship tree for the genus,
and he was also uncertain where to place mayeri, including it within Columba in
the 1967 edition of his work, but restoring Nesoenas in 1983, following
McKelvey’s observations (1976) recording behaviour rather more like Streptopelia
than Columba. Gibbs et al. (2001), following Sibley & Monroe (1990), placed
picturata with mayeri in Columba.

Here I propose that in order to formally recognise the particularities of these
four species, mayeri and picturata be united in Nesoenas, with chinensis and
senegalensis in Stigmatopelia. Further studies may well be desirable to further
elucidate their relationships, and these would be best conducted in Mauritius, where
all four species are now present sympatrically—the two Nesoenas native (Mourer-
Chauviré et al. 1999), the two Stigmatopelia introduced, chinensis long ago
(c.1781: Cheke 1987) and senegalensis recently (1995: Jones 1996), but now well
established (pers. obs. 2003). Picturata was long thought to have been introduced
to the Mascarenes (Jones 1987, Johnson et al. 2001), although Cheke (1987)

Anthony S. Cheke 295 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

considered the matter open. However, subfossil material from all three islands now
demonstrates it to be native (Mourer-Chauviré et al. 1999), albeit perhaps subject
to supplementary introduction from Madagascar (Cheke 1987).

As Stigmatopelia has not appeared in recent synonymies it may be appropriate
to re-cite it, as follows:

Stigmatopelia Sundevall 1872.

Methodi naturalis avium disponendarum tentamen, p.100.

Type by subsequent designation, Salvadori, 1893, Cat. Birds. Brit. Mus., 21, p. 448.
Columba senegalensis Linnaeus, 1766.

Stigmatopelia senegalensis (Linnaeus, 1766).

Acknowledgements
I thank Kevin Johnson and Steven Gregory as referees for their helpful comments on the paper.

References:

Cheke, A. S. 1987. An ecological history of the Mascarene Islands, with particular reference to extinc-
tions and introductions of land vertebrates. Pp. S—89 in Diamond, A. W. (ed.) Studies of Mascarene
Island birds. Cambridge Univ. Press.

Gibbs, D., Barnes, E. & Cox, J. 2001. Pigeons and doves: a guide to the pigeons and doves of the world.
Pica Press, Robertsbridge.

Goodwin, D. 1983. Pigeon and doves of the world. Third edn. Brit. Mus. (Nat. Hist.), London & Cornell
Univ. Press, Ithaca, NY.

Johnson, K. P., Kort, S. de, Dinwoodey, K., Mateman, A. C., Cate, C. ten, Lessells, C. M. & Clayton, D.
H. 2001. A molecular phylogeny of the dove genera Streptopelia and Columba. Auk 118: 874-887.

Jones, C. G 1987. The larger land-birds of Mauritius. Pp. 208-300 in Diamond, A. W. (ed.) Studies of
Mascarene Island birds. Cambridge Univ. Press.

Jones, C. G 1996. Bird introductions to Mauritius: status and relationships with native birds. Pp.
113-123 in Holmes, J. S. & Simons, J. R. (eds.) The introduction and naturalization of birds. Her
Majesty’s Stationery Office, London.

McKelvey, S. D. 1976. A preliminary study of the Mauritian Pink Pigeon. Mauritius Inst. Bull. 8:
145-175.

Mourer-Chauviré, C., Bour, R., Ribes, S. & Moutou, F 1999. The avifauna of Réunion Island
(Mascarene Islands) at the time of the arrival of the first Europeans. Smiths. Contributions
Paleobiology 89: 1-38.

Salvadori, T. 1893. Catalogue of the Columbidae or pigeons in the collection of the British Museum.
Brit. Mus. (Nat. Hist.), London.

Shelley, G. E. 1883. On the Columbidae of the Ethiopian region. bis (5) 1: 258-331.

Sibley, C. G & Monroe, B. L. 1990. Distribution and taxonomy of the birds of the world. Yale Univ.
Press, New Haven & London, UK.

Sinclair, 1, Hockey, P. & Tarboton, W. 1993. Birds of southern Africa. New Holland, London &
Princeton Univ. Press.

Sinclair, I. & Langrand, O. 1998. Birds of the Indian Ocean islands. Struik, Cape Town.

Sundevall, C. J. 1872. Methodi naturalis avium disponendarum tentamen / Forsék till Fogelklassens
naturenliga Uppstdllning. Samson & Wallin, Stockholm.

Address: 139 Hurst Street, Oxford OX4 1HE, UK, e-mail: anthony @innerbookshop.com

© British Ornithologists’ Club 2005

R. J. Dowsett & Francoise Dowsett-Lemaire 296 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

On the apparent status of Mottled Swift Apus

(Tachymarpttis) aequatorialis and Alpine Swift
A. (T:) melba in Mali, West Africa

by R. 7. Dowsett & Francoise Dowsett-Lemaire
Received 30 November 2004

Moreau (1972) doubted that Alpine Swift Apus (Tachymarptis) melba breeds in
West Africa, but Thiollay (1974) reported thousands during mid June in Mali,
between the Plateau Dogon and Hombori (15°10’N, 02°00’ W), with signs that they
were breeding. This is the only such report for the entire subcontinent. On the other
hand, neither Thiollay nor Lamarche (1980) mentioned Mottled Swift A. (TZ)
aequatorialis, but in reporting some small groups of A. aequatorialis in February
and June-August at sites in northern Burkina Faso (c.14°N, 02°40’W), near the
frontier with Mali, Balanga & de Visscher (1993) suggested that a breeding area
might prove to be the Plateau Dogon in Mali. This was supported by the
observations of Spierenburg (2000) from Teli, Bandiagara (c.14°21’N, 03°37’ W),
in October. During a short visit to the Dogon and the Douentza area (15°00’N,
02°57’ W) in early March 2002 we did not see a single individual of either species.
Intrigued as to the status of A. melba as a breeder, and by the possibility of A.
aequatorialis nesting in Mali, we visited likely areas in 2004, in particular spending
three days in mid June around cliffs and large rocky mountains in the Sahel.

MOTTLED SWIFT Apus aequatorialis

During more than one month in the Sudanian woodlands of southern Mali in 2004
we Saw just one A. aequatorialis, near Madina Diassa (10°50’N, 07°44’W), on 23
May (possibly associated with a large rocky hill east of the Baoulé-sud, which was
not visited). However, the species was very common (often hundreds together) in
the Sahel from Douentza to Hombori, and north and east to the Mare de Gossi
(15°48’N, 01°19’W), on 14-19 June. Groups were present around all large cliffs
between Douentza and Hombori, and were feeding over or drinking at pools away
from cliffs, when they could be observed at very close range. The degree of vocal
activity and pairs chasing each other (often around rock faces) was indicative of
breeding. Many were examined closely when drinking, and these clearly belonged
to a pale race (either /owei or furensis), with an extensive white throat, trace of a
breast-band and greyish-white scalloped belly.

The two forms concerned are M. a. lowei (type locality, Mahera, Rokelle River,
Sierra Leone), which has an extensive and clearly defined white throat and central
belly, separated by a brown band (Bannerman 1920), and the not dissimilar A. a.
furensis (type locality, El Fasher, Sudan) (Lynes 1920). These races are noticeably
different from the dark population “‘bamendae’ of Cameroon, which lacks white on
the lower breast and belly (Serle 1949). Lowei and furensis differ in the colour of
their upperparts, furensis being ‘smoky-brown’ (Lynes 1920), lacking the
contrasting saddle effect of lowei (C. H. Fry in Fry et al. 1988). These are subtle

R. J. Dowsett & Francoise Dowsett-Lemaire 297 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

differences, and we cannot say to which race our observations refer—on
geographical grounds /owei would appear more likely. In Togo Walsh et al. (1990)
observed up to 50 in February—March: ‘the extent of white on belly and throat
suggested A .a. lowei but A. a. furensis cannot be excluded’. In Ghana numbers of
A. aequatorialis were present in the Accra area with migrant European Swift A.
apus and A. melba ahead of the Harmattan on 4 March, and ‘the Mottled Swifts
were noticeably paler and the mottling more distinct than the local resident race’
(Grimes 1974). As far as we know, no specimens have been examined of the
population breeding in southern Ghana, but birds watched very closely in mid May
at Tumu in northern Ghana resembled Jowei (Sutton 1970).

The calls of A. aequatorialis encountered in 2004 were a series of 8-10 high-
We were able to compare the voices of the two species in eastern Ghana in February
2005, as they were feeding in mixed flocks. The calls are indeed very similar,
produced in slightly slower series in A. aequatorialis. A recording of these
vocalisations of A. aequatorialis has not been published; Chappuis (2000) merely
re-used the tape of a brief dry call borrowed from Gibbon (1991). Although R. J.
Stjernstedt is mentioned by Fry et al. (1988) as having taped the species, this is
apparently not so (R. J. Stjernstedt in litt. 2004).

Breeding populations of A. aequatorialis in West Africa are not known with
certainty from elsewhere, although the species was stated to be ‘nesting’ at Mahera
in Sierra Leone (Lowe 1921), which is not one of the two better-known places of
this name, but clearly Mabala, on the Rokelle River (see Lowe 1932), c.08°34’N,
12°47’ W. Observed behaviour also suggests nesting at quarries on the Accra Plains,
Ghana, 05°54’N, 00°08’W (Grimes 1987) and Wase Rock, Nigeria, 09°04’N,
09°56’E (Dunger 1965).

ALPINE SWIFT Apus melba

In contrast, we could find none of the huge numbers of A. melba reported as
apparently breeding by Thiollay (1974) in the very same localities. With very few
exceptions, the numerous reports of A. melba that we have traced from West Africa
point to the species being no more than a non-breeding migrant from the Palearctic.
For example, in Nigeria extreme dates are 7 November—21 May (Elgood et al.
1994), in Céte d’Ivoire the species is present October—April (Thiollay 1985) and in
Liberia December—April (Gatter 1997). A Swiss-ringed bird was recovered in
eastern Ghana on 22 January (Schifferli & Jacquat 1973). We saw several hundred
in eastern Ghana in February 2005. The species is also especially numerous in Togo
in late January—early March, sometimes in thousands (Walsh et al. 1990), to 17
May (Cheke 1982, not “Cheke 1980’ as in Cheke & Walsh 1996). However, there
are also reports of a few ‘very grey birds’ seen in Togo as late as 3 June, and even
to 1 July (Cheke & Walsh 1984), which possibly refer to wandering non-breeders.

Discussion

We believe breeding by A. melba in West Africa is at most exceptional, the reports
of Thiollay (1974) being repeated by no other observer. On the other hand it is clear

R. J. Dowsett & Francoise Dowsett-Lemaire 298 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

there is a very substantial, hitherto unreported, breeding population of A.
aequatorialis in the rocky mountains of central Mali. Breeding elsewhere in the
area by A. aequatorialis also seems probable, given independent reports from
northernmost Burkina Faso by Balanca & de Visscher (1993) and B. Portier (Bull.
Afr. Bird Cl. 2003, 10: 56, and in Jitt.). Taken with our own observations and those
of Spierenburg (2000) from Mali, that all these observers have identified large
numbers of A. aequatorialis where Thiollay (1974) alone reported many A. melba,
means that the status of the latter species must be considered equivocal.

References:

Balanga, G. & de Visscher, M. N. 1993. Nouvelles données de distribution pour deux espéces d’ oiseaux
au Burkina Faso. Malimbus 15: 89-90.

Bannerman, D. A. 1920. [Seven new birds from West Africa.] Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl. 41: 2-7.

Chappuis, C. 2000. Oiseaux d’Afrique (African bird sounds), 2. West and Central Africa. 11 CDs.
Société d’Etudes Ornithologiques de France, Paris & The British Library, London.

Cheke, R. A. 1982. More bird records from the Republic of Togo. Malimbus 4: 55-63.

Cheke, R. A. & Walsh, J. F. 1984. Further bird records from the Republic of Togo. Malimbus 6: 15-22.

Cheke, R. A. & Walsh, J. F. 1996. The birds of Togo: an annotated check-list. British Ornithologists’
Union, Tring.

Dunger, G. T. 1965. Wase Rock—its history, geology, fauna and climbs. Nigerian Field 30: 148-184.

Elgood, J. H., Heigham, J. B., Moore, A. M., Nason, A. M., Sharland, R. E. & Skinner, N. J. 1994. The
birds of Nigeria: an annotated check-list. Second edn. British Ornithologists’ Union, Tring.

Fry, C. H., Keith, S. & Urban, E. K. (eds.) 1988. The birds of Africa, vol. 3. Academic Press, London.

Gatter, W. 1997. Birds of Liberia. Pica Press, Robertsbridge.

Gibbon, G. 1991. Southern African bird sounds. Six cassettes..Southern African Birding, Hillary.

Grimes, L. 1974. Weather conditions in temperate latitudes and the occurrence of Alpine and Mottled
Swifts at Accra, Ghana. Bull. Nigerian Orn. Soc. 10: 38-39.

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3: 265-282.

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Lynes, H. 1920. [New subspecies in Darfur.] Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl. 41: 34-35.

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227-265.

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robin-chat, scrub-warblers and apalis from West Africa. Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl. 69: 50-56.

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Nigerian Orn. Soc. 7: 76-93.

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Address: Le Pouget, 30440 Suméne, France, e-mail: Dowsett@aol.com

© British Ornithologists’ Club 2005

Gerald Mayr & Cécile Mourer-Chauviré 299 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

A specimen of Parvicuculus Harrison & Walker
1977 (Aves: Parvicuculidae) from the early
Eocene of France

by Gerald Mayr & Cecile Mourer-Chauviré

Received 24 November 2004

The fossil species Parvicuculus minor was described by Harrison & Walker (1977)
from the early Eocene London Clay deposits in England, and was hitherto known
only from an incomplete tarsometatarsus. As indicated by its name, Parvicuculus
was considered a member of the Cuculidae (cuckoos) by Harrison & Walker (1977).

Cuculiform affinities of Parvicuculus were, however, disputed by Olson & Feduccia
(1979), who instead assumed the taxon to be a member of the Eocene coraciiform
Primobucconidae (Houde & Olson 1989, Mayr et al. 2004), in particular they considered
a relationship to the alleged primobucconid ‘Neanis’ kistneri Feduccia 1973 to be possi-
ble. Harrison (1982) reevaluated the phylogenetic affinities of Parvicuculus and again
considered it a member of the Cuculiformes, albeit not within the Cuculidae but in the
new taxon Parvicuculidae. Assignment of Parvicuculus to the Cuculiformes was subse-
quently questioned by Martin & Mengel (1984) and Baird & Vickers-Rich (1997); the
taxon was placed in Aves incertae sedis by Mlikovsky (2002).

Here we report on a second specimen of Parvicuculus from the early Eocene of
Condé-en-Brie in France. The new specimen is an incomplete tarsometatarsus that
exhibits almost the same state of preservation as the holotype of Parvicuculus minor. It
is the second bird specimen described from Condé-en-Brie, in addition to a tarsometatar-
sus of the Primobucconidae (Mayr et al. 2004). The age of the French locality is the same
as that of Burnham-on-Crouch, the type locality of P. minor (Mammalian Paleogene 8-9,
i.e. c.52 million years ago; Mlikovsky 1996, Legendre & Lévéque 1997).

Material and methods

Osteological terminology follows Baumel & Witmer (1993), whilst measurements
are in mm and represent the maximum length of the bone along its longitudinal
axis. SEM photographs of sections of the French fossil were digitally composed to
show the complete bone. The fossil specimens are deposited in the Muséum nation-
al d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France (MNHN), and the National Museum of
Natural History, Washington, USA (USNM).

Systematic paleontology

Parvicuculidae Harrison 1982
Emended diagnosis
Small birds that are characterised by: (1) tarsometatarsus short and stout, (2) with
medially situated tuberositas musculi tibialis cranialis, (3) deep fossa infracotylaris

Gerald Mayr & Cécile Mourer-Chauviré 300 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

dorsalis, (4) well-developed crista medianoplantaris, (5) large foramen vasculare
distale, (6) foramen interosseus distalis, and (7) trochlea metatarsi IV with plantar-
ly projecting wing-like flange.

Remarks
Harrison (1982) also included Procuculus minutus Harrison & Walker 1977 in the
Parvicuculidae and partially based his diagnosis of the latter on this species.
However, as already noted by Olson & Feduccia (1979), there is no indication that
P. minutus is in any way closely related to the Parvicuculidae and we thus present
a diagnosis of the taxon based on the type genus Parvicuculus alone.

Of the above characters, (1)-(4) are here considered to be derived within
Neornithes, as they are absent in presumably basal representatives of this taxon,
such as palaeognathous birds and Galloanseres (e.g. Mayr & Clarke 2003).

Parvicuculus Harrison & Walker 1977
Parvicuculus cf. minor Harrison & Walker 1977

Referred specimen
MNHN-CB-17345 (left tarsometatarsus lacking the trochlea metatarsi II; Figs.
1A-C, 2A, B).

Locality and horizon
Condé-en-Brie, France (collection Louis); early Facet] MP 8-9 (Schmidt-Kittler
1987).

Measurements (with dimensions of the holotype P. minor, after Harrison &
Walker 1977)
Length, 10.5 [11.7]; mediolateral width of trochlea metatarsi III, 1.3 [1.5].

Description and comparison

The short and relatively stout bone is of similar proportions to the tarsometatarsus
of the extant Tawny Frogmouth Podargus strigoides (Podargidae, Fig. 2D), from
which it, however, differs in osteological details. On the proximal end, the eminen-
tia intercondylaris is very low, and the cotylae lateralis et medialis are sloping lat-
erally and medially respectively, thus giving the proximal end a rounded appear-
ance (Fig. 2A), which is further strengthened by the fact that this end is quite dam-
aged and abraded. Two foramina vascularia proximalia are present, situated in a
deep fossa infracotylaris dorsalis (Fig. 2A); the lateral foramen vasculare proximale
is smaller than the medial one. The tuberositas musculi tibialis cranialis is situated
at the medial margin of the bone. There is a well-developed crista medianoplantaris
and the fossa parahypotarsalis medialis is more marked than the fossa parahy-
potarsalis lateralis. The hypotarsus is broken. The foramen vasculare distale on the
distal end of the bone is very large, the osseous bridge separating it from the

Gerald Mayr & Cécile Mourer-Chauviré 301 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

A
Parvicuculus cf. minor USNM 496384

Figure 1. Parvicuculus cf. minor Harrison & Walker 1977, referred specimen MNHN-CB-17345 from
the early Eocene of Condé-en-Brie, France, in plantar (A), dorsolateral (B), and dorsal (C) views, in
comparison to the plantar (D) and dorsal (E) aspect of a tarsometatarsus from the early Eocene
Nanjemoy Formation, North America (specimen USNM 496384, reversed to facilitate comparisons;
from Olson 1999, with permission of the author). A and B are SEM photographs, C is a picture of the
sputtered specimen (which originally was white). Scale bars = 5 mm.

incisura intertrochlearis lateralis narrow. Contrary to the Primobucconidae (Mayr et
al. 2004) and modern rollers Coracias, there is a foramen interosseus distalis (Fig.
2B). The fossa metatarsi I is situated at the beginning of the distal third of the bone.
The trochlea metatarsi IV is much shorter than the trochlea metatarsi III, somewhat
laterally splayed, and bears an elongated, plantarly projecting wing-like flange. The
trochlea metatarsi III is approximately as long as it is wide, on the plantar surface
the lateral rim reaches slightly farther proximad than the medial one. The trochlea
metatarsi II is broken but the remaining parts indicate that it was more plantarly
deflected than the trochlea metatarsi IV.

Discussion

Although specimen MNHN-CB-17345 is slightly smaller than the holotype of
Parvicuculus minor, the size difference may be due to individual variation. We ten-
tatively assign it to P. minor Harrison & Walker 1977, as it does not exhibit signif-
icant morphological differences from that species.

As noted by Olson & Feduccia (1979) and Baird & Vickers-Rich (1997), the tar-
sometatarsus of Parvicuculus is very different from that of the Musophagidae and
Cuculidae. Harrison & Walker (1977) did not list any characters supporting their
classification, and Harrison (1982) also failed to present derived characters that
support this assignment. The tarsometatarsus of Parvicuculus differs from that of
the Primobucconidae sensu stricto (i.e. the genus Primobucco) and all other coraci-
iform birds in being proportionally more abbreviated and in the plesiomorphic

Gerald Mayr & Cécile Mourer-Chauviré 302 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

Figure 2. Parvicuculus cf. minor Harrison & Walker 1977, tarsometatarsus of specimen MNHN-CB-
17345 in dorsal (A) and distal (B) views, in comparison to the corresponding bone of (C), the holotype
of Parvicuculus minor (from Harrison 1982), and (D, E), modern Podargus strigoides (Podargidae).
Abbreviations: cme—cotyla medialis; cla—cotyla lateralis; eic—eminentia intercondylaris; fid—fora-
men interosseus distalis; fin—fossa infracotylaris dorsalis; fla—wing-like flange on trochlea metatarsi
IV; ttc—tuberositas musculi tibialis cranialis. Scale bars = 5 mm.

(Mayr & Clarke 2003) presence of a foramen interosseus distalis (the canal open-
ing into that foramen is plantarly open in the Primobucconidae: see Mayr et al.
2004). ‘Neanis’ kistneri is known from a flattened skeleton on a slab and its tar-
sometatarsus cannot be compared in detail with that of Parvicuculus. However, ‘N.’
kistneri clearly had a fully zygodactyl foot, 1.e. the fourth toe was permanently
retroverted (Feduccia 1973), for which the arrangement of the metatarsal trochleae
shows no indication in Parvicuculus.

There are several other early Eocene avian taxa with a greatly abbreviated and
stout tarsometatarsus bearing a superficial similarity to that of Parvicuculus, all of
which are, however, clearly distinguished in osteological details. Parvicuculus dif-
fers from Pumiliornis tessellatus Mayr 1999a (Aves incertae sedis, Mayr 1999a),
Paraprefica Mayr 1999b (Nyctibiidae, Mayr 1999b, 2001), and Palaeopsittacus
Harrison 1982 (Aves incertae sedis, Mayr 2003) in the presence of a well-devel-
oped crista medianoplantaris and the larger foramen vasculare distale. In addition,
the tarsometatarsus of Parvicuculus is stouter than that of Palaeopsittacus (ratio
max. length/min. mediolateral width of shaft is 5.7 mm in Parvicuculus vs 6.8 mm
in Palaeopsittacus), with a deeper furrow of the trochlea metatarsi III, but less stout
than that of Paraprefica (ratio max. length/min. mediolateral width of shaft is

Gerald Mayr & Cécile Mourer-Chauviré 303 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

5.7 mm in Parvicuculus vs 4.7 mm in Paraprefica). Detailed comparisons with
Fluvioviridavis Mayr & Daniels 2001 (Aves incertae sedis) are impossible, owing
to the poor preservation of the tarsometatarsus in the single known specimen of the
latter taxon (see Mayr & Daniels 2001).

The tarsometatarsus of Parvicuculus closely resembles, however, a complete
tarsometatarsus from the early Eocene of the North American Nanjemoy Formation
(specimen USNM 496384), that was assigned to the apodiform Aegialornithidae by
Olson (1999), but has not been compared with Parvicuculus. Differences from
Parvicuculus mainly concern the proportions of the bone, which is slightly stouter
in Parvicuculus, and the size of the foramen vasculare distale, which is larger in
Parvicuculus (Figs. 1D, E). As noted by Olson (1999), the Nanjemoy tarsometatar-
sus is more abbreviated than the corresponding bone of the Aegialornithidae (see
Mourer-Chauviré 1988: pl. 1), and we consider it likely that it belongs to a member
of the Parvicuculidae. It further differs from the tarsometatarsus of the
Aegialornithidae in that there are plantarly open furrows on the hypotarsus, instead
of a closed canal. Additional skeletal elements are required for a definitive phylo-
genetic placement of the Parvicuculidae, although tarsometatarsal morphology of
this taxon does not conflict with a position within or close to the Cypselomorphae
sensu Mayr (2002), i.e. a clade including Caprimulgidae (nightjars), Nyctibiidae
(potoos) and apodiform birds (swifts and hummingbirds). As exemplified by the
complete Nanjemoy specimen, the Parvicuculidae agree with modern
Steatornithidae (oilbird) in the shape of the trochlea metatarsi HI and the presence
of a plantarly open furrow on the hypotarsus. The Oilbird Steatornis caripensis also
has a greatly abbreviated tarsometatarsus which otherwise, however, strongly dif-
fers from that of Parvicuculus in many osteological details, including absence of a
crista medianoplantaris and the arrangement of the trochleae (Mayr 1999b: fig. 11).

Independent of its precise phylogenetic affinities, the specimen described in this
study is of interest, as it is not only one of the very few avian records from the early
Eocene of France, but also provides evidence for the existence of a previously
unrecognised distinctive group of birds that appears to have been widespread in the
early Eocene of the Northern Hemisphere.

Acknowledgements
We thank Pierre Louis for collecting the material and donating it to the Paris MNHN, Arlette Armand
(Centre des Sciences de la Terre, Université Claude-Bernard Lyon 1) for taking the SEM photographs,
Sven Trankner (Forschungsinstitut Senckenberg) for taking Fig. 1C, and Storrs Olson for his permission
to reproduce figures of specimen USNM 496384. We further thank an anonymous referee for comments
on the manuscript.

References:

Baird, R. F. & Vickers-Rich, P. 1997. Eutreptodactylus itaboraiensis gen. et sp. nov., an early cuckoo
(Aves: Cuculiformes) from the Late Paleocene of Brazil. Alcheringa 21: 123-127.

Baumel, J. J. & Witmer, L. M. 1993. Osteologia. Pp. 45-132 in Baumel, J. J., King, A. S., Breazile, J.
E., Evans, H. E. & Vanden Berge, J. C. (eds.) Handbook of avian anatomy: Nomina anatomica
avium. Publ. Nuttall Orn. Cl. 23. Cambridge, MA.

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Feduccia, A. 1973. A new Eocene zygodactyl bird. J. Paleontology 47: 501-503.

Harrison, C. J. O. 1982. Cuculiform, piciform and passeriform birds in the Lower Eocene of England.
Tert. Res. 4: 71-81.

Harrison, C. J. O. & Walker, C. A. 1977. Birds of the British Lower Eocene. Tert. Res. Spec. Pap. 3:
1-52.

Houde, P. & Olson, S. 1989. Small arboreal nonpasserine birds from the Early Tertiary of western North
America. Pp. 2030-2036 in Ouellet, H. (ed.) Acta XIX congressus internationalis ornithologici.
Univ. Ottawa Press.

Legendre, S. & Lévéque, F. 1997. Etalonnage de |’ échelle biochronologique mammalienne du Paléogéne
d’Europe occidentale: vers une intégration a l’échelle globale. Pp. 461-473 in Aguilar, J.-P.,
Legendre, S. & Michaux, J. (eds.) Actes du Congrés BiochroM’97. Mém. Trav. EPHE, Inst.
Montpellier 21.

Martin, L. D. & Mengel, R. M. 1984. A new cuckoo and a chachalaca from the Early Miocene of
Colorado. Carnegie Mus. Nat. Hist. Spec. Publ. 9: 171-177.

Mayr, G. 1999a. Pumiliornis tessellatus n. gen. n. sp., a new enigmatic bird from the Middle Eocene of
Grube Messel (Hessen, Germany). Cour. Forsch.-Inst. Senckenberg 216: 75-83.

Mayr, G. 1999b. Caprimulgiform birds from the Middle Eocene of Messel (Hessen, Germany). J. Vert.
Paleontology 19: 521-532.

Mayr, G. 2001. Comments on the osteology of Masillapodargus longipes Mayr 1999 and Paraprefica
major Mayr 1999, caprimulgiform birds from the Middle Eocene of Messel (Hessen, Germany). N.
Jb. Geol. Paldont., Mh. 2001: 65-76.

Mayr, G. 2002. Osteological evidence for paraphyly of the avian order Caprimulgiformes (nightjars and
allies). J. Orn. 143: 82-97.

Mayr, G. 2003. A postcranial skeleton of Palaeopsittacus Harrison, 1982 (Aves incertae sedis) from the
Middle Eocene of Messel (Germany). Oryctos 4: 75-82.

Mayr, G. & Clarke, J. 2003. The deep divergences of neornithine birds: a phylogenetic analysis of mor-
phological characters. Cladistics 19: 527-553. A

Mayr, G. & Daniels, M. 2001. A new short-legged landbird from the early Eocene of Wyoming and con-
temporaneous European sites. Acta Palaeontol. Pol. 46: 393-402.

Mayr, G, Mourer-Chauviré, C. & Weidig, I. 2004. Osteology and systematic position of the Eocene
Primobucconidae (Aves, Coraciiformes sensu stricto), with first records from Europe. J. Syst.
Palaeontol. 2: 1-12.

Mlikovsky, J. 1996. Tertiary avian localities of the United Kingdom. Pp. 759-771 in Mlikovsky, J. (ed.)
Tertiary avian localities of Europe. Acta Univ. Carolinae, Geol. 39.

Mlikovsky, J. 2002. Cenozoic birds of the world. Part 1: Europe. Ninox Press, Prague.

Mourer-Chauviré, C. 1988. Les Aegialornithidae (Aves: Apodiformes) des Phosphorites du Quercy.
Comparison avec la forme de Messel. Cour. Forsch.-Inst. Senckenberg 107: 369-381.

Olson, S. L. 1999. Early Eocene birds from eastern North America: A Faunule from the Nanjemoy
Formation of Virginia. Pp. 12-132 in Weems, R. E. & Grimsley, G J. (eds.) Early Eocene verte-
brates and plants from the Fisher/Sullivan site (Nanjemoy Formation), Stafford County, Virginia.
Virginia Div. Min. Res. Publ. 152.

Olson, S. L. & Feduccia, A. 1979. An Old-World occurrence of the Eocene avian family
Primobucconidae. Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash. 92: 494-497.

Schmidt-Kittler, N. 1987. European reference levels and correlation tables. Miinchner Geowiss. Abh., A,
Geol. Paldontol. 10: 13-19.

Addresses: Gerald Mayr, Forschungsinstitut Senckenberg, Division of Ornithology, Senckenberganlage
25, 60325 Frankfurt, Germany, e-mail: Gerald.Mayr@senckenberg.de. Cécile Mourer-Chauviré,
UMR 5125 Paléoenvironnements et Paléobiosphére, Centre des Sciences de la Terre, Université
Claude Bernard-Lyon 1, 27-43 Boulevard du 11 Novembre, 69622 Villeurbanne Cedex, France.

© British Ornithologists’ Club 2005

Francoise Dowsett-Lemaire et al. 305 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

Cisticola dorsti (Dorst’s Cisticola) and
C. ruficeps guinea are conspecific

by Francoise Dowsett-Lemaire, N. Borrow & R. 7. Dowsett
Received 3 December 2004

The specific distinction of Dorst’s Cisticola Cisticola dorsti was well demonstrated
by its describers, Chappuis & Erard (1991), from three specimens collected in
Cameroon and Chad, two of which had been tape-recorded (Chappuis 1974, under
the name C. mongaila). Dorst’s Cisticola was shown to be distinguishable vocally
and morphologically from the parapatric Red-pate Cisticola C. r ruficeps, with
which it had been confused in the past. The distinctive song of Dorst’s Cisticola was
also tape-recorded in north-western Nigeria around Gusau (Chappuis & Erard
1991) (a gazetteer of localities is given below). The authors did not, however,
examine in detail the relationship of Dorst’s to the Upper Guinea C. r. guinea,
something we have been able to do, in both field and museum. In particular the
voice of C. 7: guinea was undescribed until recently. Chappuis (in Chappuis & Erard
1991) had not heard the typical whistled song of C. r ruficeps west of Maiduguri
nor the dry trills of C. dorsti west of Gusau (both loci in Nigeria). In recent years,
however, several observers have identified Dorst’s Cisticola on the basis of its
distinctive voice: in The Gambia (locally common in savanna woodland: Barlow et
al. 1997), in northern Céte d’ Ivoire (e.g. Rheindt et al. 2002), in south-west Mali
and northern Ghana (FDL & RJD, see below) where it is also locally common.

This prompted one of us (NB) to re-examine the long series of C. r ruficeps and
C. r. guinea in the Natural History Museum (Tring), including topotypical material
of guinea from Ghana (type locality Kintampo, Ashanti). Our conclusions are that
C. (4) guinea is synonymous with C. dorsti, and is the earlier name. The
distribution of C. 7 ruficeps is centred on Sudan, extending east to Eritrea and west
to north-east Nigeria, northern Cameroon and southern Chad. This paper does not
deal with the other two races included in C. ruficeps (mongalla and scotoptera)
which are from areas to the east and south-east (Lynes 1930) and probably all
referable to C. ruficeps sensu Stricto.

The taxa concerned

Cisticola ruficeps ruficeps (Cretzschmar 1830), in Riippell, W. P. E. S. 1826-30.
Atlas zu der Reise im nordlichen Afrika: 54: pl. 36. Type locality: Kordofan, Sudan.
Cisticola (ruficeps) guinea Lynes 1930, Ibis (12) 6 (Suppl.): 542. Type locality:
Kintampo, Ashanti, Ghana.

Cisticola dorsti Chappuis & Erard 1991, Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl. 111: 60 (see also p.70).
Type locality: near Mokolo, Cameroon.

Francoise Dowsett-Lemaire et al. 306 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

Field investigations

We came across C. r. ruficeps in northern Cameroon: the species is common in low
thorn scrub of the Sahel zone between Maroua, Mora and Waza. Several birds
observed in the dry season on 20 March 1997 (FDL & RJD) were in non-breeding
dress (with heavily streaked back) but already in full song.

In March 1999 FDL & RJD spent a month in Bénoué and Faro National Parks
(NP), south of Garoua, and saw many Dorst’s Cisticolas at several localities: at
Buffle Noir, Sakjé, Grand Capitaine (Bénoué NP), Camp des Hippos and the
Faro/Déo confluence (Faro NP). Birds had a rufous cap, a pale eyebrow, a brown-
grey, mostly plain back, reddish wings and buffy flanks. They were often associated
with the larger Singing Cisticola C. cantans and smaller Short-winged Cisticola C.
brachypterus. There was little singing before 13 March when an unusually heavy
and early storm provoked a burst of vocal activity in all cisticolas throughout the
area for some ten days. The dry metallic trills characteristic of Dorst’s Cisticola
were heard almost daily on 14-24 March and were tape-recorded at Sakjé on the
14th. Playback of Chappuis’s tapes of Dorst’s Cisticola (in Chappuis 1974)
provoked strong reactions in the bird tape-recorded. The birds were usually found
feeding in dry grass, often unburnt patches, in the understorey of open scrubby or
low-canopy woodland dominated by medium-sized trees such as Burkea africana,
Faurea speciosa, Lophira lanceolata and Protea madiensis.

In February 2002 FDL & RJD encountered several Dorst’s Cisticolas in south-
west Mali (in the Monts Mandingues at Tambalé and Tombané, in the Haut Bafing
at Soukoutali and at the Bafing—Balé confluence, in the Baoulé Sud area near Ntjila
and near Madina Diassa) as well as just inside Guinea on the Balé. The habitat was
similar to that in Cameroon, i.e. grassy understorey of fairly open Sudanian
woodland. These birds were again often associated with C. cantans (the commonest
cisticola in the area), less frequently with C. brachypterus or Rufous Cisticola C.

Ee is Ne a Ss Be OPS
23 asda Vanen as
ee eth a Te
CRA IS PeS
BBB MSIE CMP SBA
COEUR ET eu IT

16W 14W 12W 10W 8W 6W 4W 2W 4E 8E 10E 12E 14E 16E

14N

12N

10N

Bg
Bee

8N

6N

Figure |. Distribution of confirmed records of Cisticola guinea in West Africa, with some (?) that require
confirmation.

Francoise Dowsett-Lemaire et al. 307 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

rufus. We identified them from their plumage (similar to that of Dorst’s Cisticola in
Cameroon, i.e. rufous cap, pale eyebrow, brown-grey back, reddish wings, warm
buffy flanks), and voice. Although they were not singing spontaneously (February
being 2—3 months before the start of the rains), one bird was brought into song
through playback of the Chappuis tape, and gave an identical dry metallic trill. One
bird mist-netted and photographed at Soukoutali on 11 February was in fresh
plumage (wing 47.5 mm, tail 50 mm) with a slightly mottled back—a feature not
obvious in field conditions where the back appears virtually plain.

On a second visit to south-west Mali, in May—June 2004, FDL & RJD
encountered the species only once, but did not revisit the Haut Bafing nor the
Mandingue Plateau. They found a singing bird in a patch of open woodland south
of Kalana, on 25 May. The fresh grass was still short in the early rains, but the bird
was right next to a pair of Red-winged Warblers Heliolais erythropterus—
indicative of high rank grass in full summer.

Further investigations in northern Ghana, in and around Mole NP, were
undertaken by the same observers at the peak of the rains, in August-September
2004. At that season all cisticolas were vocally very active and difficult to overlook.
Dorst’s was found at nearly all visited sites and could be qualified as locally
common, occurring in patches of suitable habitat with several pairs in relatively
close proximity. It was found at several places between Mole park headquarters and
Brugbani camp, east of Brugbani camp (towards Haraba-Haraba pool), along the
southern boundary road, near Mognori in the south-east and near Ducie in the west.
In the majority, the habitat was short, open woodland on water-logged clay, and
grass cover (mostly Andropogon sp.) was 1-2 m tall. In such wet places Dorst’s
frequently associated with Croaking Cisticola C. natalensis and C. brachypterus,
and Heliolais erythropterus and Moustached Warbler Melocichla mentalis. The
other characteristic habitat was short woodland on sand, with a subshrub cover
(Tiliaceae, a Triumfetta) (e.g. east of Brugbani camp); in this dry woodland the
common cisticola congenerics were C. cantans and C. rufus, and Brown-rumped
Bunting Emberiza affinis was also particularly conspicuous. Extensive tape-
recordings were made on 10 August near Ducie, including the usual song-type
(somewhat metallic or more liquid trills), the ‘combat’ song pie, pli-u pli-u pli-u pli-
u in reaction to playback, the high-pitched, slightly descending whistles pseee,
pseee, pseee often given in series (all in Chappuis 1974, 2000), and a series of dry
kif-kif-kif calls, occasionally associated with ‘combat’ songs. On a subsequent visit
to northern Ghana in February—March 2005 we also found Dorst’s Cisticola in
Gbele Resource Reserve and Bui National Park. This being the dry season, the birds
were rather silent, and the first song was heard on 23 March.

Present-day distribution of Dorst’s Cisticola

Based mostly on vocal evidence the presence of Dorst’s Cisticola is now well
established in the Sudanian (=Guinea) savanna belt from The Gambia to northern

Francoise Dowsett-Lemaire et al. 308 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

Cameroon and adjacent southern Chad (Fig. 1). The presence of C. ruficeps has
been claimed from as far west as Senegambia (Morel & Morel 1990) but there is as
yet no vocal evidence that C. ruficeps sensu Chappuis & Erard (1991) occurs in the
Sahel belt west of north-east Nigeria. Bates (1930) remarked that he had not found
it west of northern Nigeria, and during his subsequent expedition through the Sahel
of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, in 1931-32 (Bates 1933-34), he found nothing
that could have been attributed to C. ruficeps. Other West African reports, which
may or do refer to C. dorsti, and none of which can be accepted as C. ruficeps, are
mentioned below in a review of the known distribution of Dorst’s Cisticola.

Benin: C. ruficeps was recorded by Holyoak & Seddon (1990) from an unnamed
locality at 10°25’N, 02°44’E (a.e. Gamia).

[Burkina Faso: Dowsett (1993) listed it on the basis of a still unpublished and
undocumented record from Y. Thonnérieux (in MS), which cannot now be
accepted. |

Cameroon: C. ruficeps is confirmed to occur in the Sahel south to Garoua
(Chappuis & Erard 1991). C. dorsti ranges south from Mokolo (the type locality) to
Benoué NP (Buffle Noir, pers. obs.).

Chad: C. ruficeps is known from the Ndjamena area, south even to Moundou, and
C. dorsti further south still at Bekao and Baibokoum (Chappuis & Erard 1991).

Ghana: In addition to the type specimen of guinea (from Kintampo), there are
others from localities north to 10°34°N (Gambaga). Records attributed to C.
ruficeps from Mole NP (Grimes 1987) were confirmed as Dorst’s by FDL & RJD
in 2004. Mole is just 125 km north of Kintampo; the suitable woodland habitat
starts just north of Kintampo town, and in 2005 the species was also found in Gbele
Resource Reserve and Bui National Park (FDL & RJD pers. obs.).

Guinea: Found on the Guinea side of the border at the Bafing—Balé confluence in
February 2002 (FDL & RJD pers. obs.).

Céte d'Ivoire: It is known that C. dorsti is present in Comoé (Rheindt et al. 2002)
and Korhogo (unpublished tape-recording recently rediscovered by C. Chappuis in
litt.). Thiollay (1985) wrote of C. ruficeps: ‘Several mistnetted from Korhogo to
M’Bingue. Cited from Comoé’ (i.e. between c.09°22’ and 10°N). Doubtless all
references to ruficeps are in fact dorsti.

Mali: C. dorsti is known from a limited area of the south-west, from the Haut Bafing
and Mandingue Plateau to the Ouassoulou Balé plain (see above). C. ruficeps is
listed for the Koulikoro area by Robertson (2001: Important Bird Area 16), but we
have no details. FDL & RJD searched for C. ruficeps well into the Sahel, north and
east as far as Gao, but did not find any. Lamarche (1981) had reported C. ruficeps as
widespread south of 16°30’N (and also gave Tamesna as a locality, 18°25’N); the
specimens he mentioned as having collected were deposited at the Ecole Normale

Francoise Dowsett-Lemaire et al. 309 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

Supérieure, Bamako (B. Lamarche in Jitt. 2002), but staff of that institution are quite
unaware of any specimens at all having been left there (L. Granjon pers. comm.
2002). Duhart & Descamps (1963) reported a C. ruficeps collected at Kara
(14°10°N), but no specimen that could possibly be this species is held in the
collection of Cisticola spp. in the Paris museum (E. Pasquet in /itt. 2003).

Niger: Giraudoux ef al. (1988) reported observations of C. ruficeps at Dosso
(13°03’N) and K. D. Christensen (in /itt. 2004) saw one that he thought was this
species between Diffa and Nguigmi (c.13°30’N, 12°45’E). Further investigation
(including tape-recordings) is needed to confirm these identifications, which may
relate to C. ruficeps.

Nigeria: Although Elgood et al. (1994) recognised C. dorsti, their treatment of C.
ruficeps “from Sokoto to Maiduguri and south to Zaria, ... Kafanchan and the Jos
Plateau’ must surely include some records of C. dorsti. These authors have certainly
misinterpreted Chappuis & Erard (1991), who reported C. ruficeps only from
Maiduguri (not C. dorsti), and not south to the Jos Plateau (the other localities under
C. ruficeps relating to C. dorsti). They also overlooked a specimen record of guinea
even further south, at Takum (Lynes 1930). The record from Kafanchan is of nests
with eggs found by Serle (1940) and attributed by him to C. r guinea. Most
Nigerian records are thus probably referable to C. dorsti. There is vocal evidence in
support of this, not only from Gusau (Chappuis & Erard 1991) but also between
Kaduna and Jos—the song of C. dorsti can be heard in the background of the
recording of C. rufus published by Chappuis (2000). C. ruficeps is possibly at
Sokoto, where reported by Mundy & Cook (1972); singing birds were apparently
tape-recorded, but we have not been able to trace the recording.

Senegal and The Gambia: Barlow et al. (1997) have shown that C. dorsti is present
in Kiang West National Park (The Gambia), from where there are tape-recordings
confirmed by C. Chappuis (in Jitt.). Lynes (1930) identified specimens from
localities in The Gambia as guinea (confirmed by NB from material in Tring).
There are records attributed to C. ruficeps from Senegal between 12°29’N
(Kédougou) and 14°27’N (Kidira, in the Falémé) (Morel & Morel 1990) which may
well prove to be C. dorsti too.

[Sierra Leone: Dowsett (1993) listed C. ruficeps on the basis of a misreading of
Bannerman (1921), ‘C. rufopileata’ being C. anonymus. We know of no record that
could be either this species or C. dorsti.]

Togo: Specimens from Togo were ascribed to Cisticola ruficeps (Binaparba and
Niamtougou), based on the publications of De Roo et al. (1969, 1971), and several
other localities mentioned, north to Tantigou (10°51’N) (Cheke & Walsh 1996). M.
Louette and R. Demey (M. Louette in Jitt. 2003) have confirmed that the skin from
Binaparba is C. dorsti, that two alcohol specimens from that locality look similar
and the Niamtougou specimen in alcohol is probably dorsti too.

Francoise Dowsett-Lemaire et al. 310 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

Specimens of C. r. ruficeps and C. r. guinea

The collection at Tring holds 45 C. r ruficeps: five juveniles (from Sudan), 31 non-
breeders (26 from Sudan, four from Cameroon [Maroua/Mora], one from Nigeria)
and nine breeders (eight from Sudan, one from Nigeria in such bad condition that
its identity is open to question). There are also 40 C. r guinea: four juveniles (from
Ghana), 11 non-breeders (four each from The Gambia and Ghana, and three from
Nigeria) and 24 breeders (one from The Gambia, 15 from Ghana, three from
Nigeria and five from Chad: these last having been considered intermediate by
Lynes 1930). In breeding dress the crown colour of C. r guinea tends to be
somewhat duller and darker than the red crown of C. r ruficeps and shows a less
clear-cut division with the mantle (which is browner); the vent and underparts
appear buff rather than white. In most, the black-and-white pattern on the undertail-
feathers exhibits less contrast than in C. r ruficeps. These are all features of C.
dorsti sensu Chappuis & Erard (1991), which were well seen in the field by us in
Cameroon and Mali, in birds singing like Dorst’s. Non-breeding dress is somewhat
streaked but nowhere near that of non-breeding ruficeps, a difference that was also
striking to Lynes (1930). On the basis of log-transformed data of tail, wing, bill and
tarsus measurements, Chappuis & Erard (1991) kept C. r guinea within the
ruficeps concept and apart from their three dorsti specimens, but one of their dorsti
birds virtually overlaps with a specimen of C. ruficeps guinea (their Fig. 2); the
small sample of dorsti also makes the value of these measurements questionable.

Habitat and biomes of Dorst’s Cisticola and C. r. ruficeps

All accounts of Dorst’s Cisticola habitat refer to grassy understorey in open or
scrubby Sudanian woodland (dry or seasonally wet), including secondary situations
such as dense secondary shrub growth in cut-through savanna woodland (as in
Barlow et al. 1997). The distribution of Dorst’s Cisticola from Senegambia to Chad
fits that of a ‘Sudan-Guinea Savanna biome’ species as defined by Fishpool &
Evans (2001), this biome corresponding to the Sudanian region or phytochorion of
White (1983).

In contrast, C. ruficeps appears restricted to grassy thorn scrub in the Sahel, the
drier vegetation belt to the north of the Sudanian region (White 1983). C. ruficeps
and Dorst’s come closest to each other in northern Cameroon, with the former in
the Sahel plain around Mora, and Dorst’s in the adjacent Mandara (or Kapsiki) Mts
to the west. The type locality of Dorst’s (‘near Mokolo’) is said to be at an altitude
higher than the Sahel plain (Chappuis & Erard 1991) and bears low or open
Sudanian broadleaf woodland; Chappuis & Erard give no precise altitudes but
Mokolo town is at 850 m whereas the Mora-Waza plain is c.300-350 m. Dorst’s
Cisticola is most common in the Bénoué plain to the south, which is dominated by
Sudanian woodland and from which C. ruficeps appears absent (pers. obs.). Further
east, as in Sudan, C. ruficeps occurs in the Sahel zone, where ‘the hard and thorny

Francoise Dowsett-Lemaire et al. 311 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

type of vegetation is dominant’ (Lynes 1930). Thus these two cisticolas are well
segregated ecologically and biogeographically.

Winter plumage of Dorst’s Cisticola and its relatives

The winter dress of Dorst’s Cisticola was not described by Chappuis & Erard
(1991), as their three specimens were collected in the rainy season, in the months
of June and August. The winter dress of C. r ruficeps and Dorst’s Cisticola
observed in the same month, March, in northern Cameroon appears remarkably
different, the former being heavily streaked on the back whereas the latter appears
to have a plain back or only slightly mottled. Birds in southern Mali and northern
Ghana also showed a plain back, although in the one bird handled in Mali it
appeared to be slightly mottled. Similarly Lynes (1930) noted, concerning West
African C. 7. guinea, “not very different to ruficeps in the summer, but rather
markedly different in the winter dress’, the streaking on the back being ‘softer, of
smaller colour contrasts’.

Conclusions

On the basis of coloration of breeding and non-breeding birds, in particular the
distinctiveness of the winter dress of Dorst’s Cisticolas seen in the field and of C.
ruficeps guinea observed in the museum, on the vocal evidence showing Dorst’s
Cisticola to be widespread in West-Central Africa from The Gambia to Chad, and
on the remarkable concordance of the ‘vocal distribution’ of Dorst’s Cisticola with
that of the specimen distribution of C. ruficeps guinea, we conclude that Dorst’s
Cisticola C. dorsti is a synonym of and is antedated by C. (ruficeps) guinea. ‘Dans
le cas présent, on peut considérer que dorsti est synonyme de guinea’ (C. Erard in
litt. 2004). C. guinea and C. r. ruficeps are no more than parapatric (in northern
Cameroon, possibly in northern Nigeria), occupy different habitats and biomes, the
former being Sudanian and the latter Sahelian. We recommend retaining the
English name Dorst’s Cisticola for what must now become Cisticola guinea.

Gazetteer of cited localities

Bafing—Balé confluence, Mali 12°14°N, 10°20°W
Baibokoum, Chad 07°46’N, 15°43’E
Baoulé River, near Madina Diassa, Mali 10°48’N, 07°40’ W
Baoulé River, near Ntjila, Mali 11°17’N, 07°34" W
Bekao, Chad OT SIN, T5876
Binaparba, Togo 09°14’N, 00°46°E
Buffle Noir, Benoué NP, Cameroon 08°06’N, 13°50°E
Bui NP (Ntereso), Ghana 08°47°N, 02°35’ W
Campement des Hippos, Faro NP, Cameroon 08°23’N, 12°49°E
Comoé NP, Cote d’ Ivoire 09°25’N, 03°50’ W
Diffa, Niger Rs ae gl ls BP ede fa

Dosso, Niger 15° N, 03°12"E

Francoise Dowsett-Lemaire et al. 312

Ducie, Mole NP, Ghana

Faro/Déo confluence, Faro NP, Cameroon
Gambaga, Ghana

Gamia, Benin

Gao, Mali

Garoua, Cameroon

Gbele Reserve (Wahabu), Ghana
Grand Captaine, Benoué NP, Cameroon
Gusau, Nigeria

Jos Plateau, Nigeria

Kaduna, Nigeria

Kafanchan, Nigeria

Kalana, Ouassoulou Balé, Mali
Kara, Mali

Kédougou, Senegal

Kiang West NP, The Gambia
Kidira, Falémé, Senegal
Kintampo, Ashanti, Ghana
Kordofan, Sudan

Korhogo, Céte d’ Ivoire

Koulikoro, Mali

Maiduguri, Nigeria

Mandara (Kapsiki) Mts, Cameroon
Maroua, Cameroon

Mbingué, Cote d’ Ivoire

Mokolo, Cameroon

Mole NP, Ghana

Mora, Cameroon

Moundou, Chad

Ndjamena, Chad

Nguigmi, Niger

Niamtougou, Togo

Sakjé, Benoué NP, Cameroon
Sokoto, Nigeria

Soukoutali, Bafing River, Mali
Takum, Nigeria

Tambalé, Monts Mandingues, Mali
Tamesna, Mali

Tantigou, Togo

Tombané, Monts Mandingues, Mali
Waza NP, Cameroon

Zaria, Nigeria

Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

09°47°N, 01°57’°W
08°30’N, 12°43’E
10°31’N, 00°22’W
10°25’N, 02°44’°E
16°16’N, 00°03’ W
09°18°N, 13°24°E
10°24’N, 02°04’ W
08°34’N, 13°57’E
12°12’N, 06°40’°E
c.09°54’N, 08°53’E
10°32’N, 07°24’E
09°37’N, 08°18’E
10°47°N, 08°12’W
14°10°N, 05°01" W
12°29) N.S
13°20’N, 16°00’ W
14°27’°N, 12°12’W
08°04’N, 01°44"W
¢.13°20 N53026 2
09°22°.N, 05°3 AW
12°52’ NO7e33 ai
11°SOPNS 13208 E
c.10°30'N AS S30
10°36’N, 14°20°E
10°00’N, 05°54’ W
10°45’°N, 13°48°E
09°16’-09°22’N,
01°51’-01°57"W
11°03’N, 14°09°E
08°35’N, 16°O1’E
1207 Ne Is 02
14°15’N, 13°07°E
09°46’N, 01°06’E
08°10°N, 13°38’E
13°027 N05" 13
12°29’ N, LOC Dia
07°13°N, 10°00 8
12°33’N, 08°53’ W
18°25’N, 03°332W.
10°51°N, 00°12
12°16’N, 08°46’ W
c.11°25’N, 14°40°E
11°03’N, 07°42°E

Acknowledgements

NB thanks Robert Prfs-Jones and colleagues for access to the collection of the Natural History Museum,
Tring. We are grateful to Claude Chappuis and Christian Erard for their comments.

Francoise Dowsett-Lemaire et al. 313 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

References:

Bannerman, D. A. 1921. A systematic list of the birds of Sierra Leone. /bis (11) 3: 283-302.

Barlow, C., Wacher, T. & Disley, T. 1997. A field guide to birds of The Gambia and Senegal. Pica Press,
Robertsbridge.

Bates, G. L. 1930. Handbook of the birds of West Africa. John Bale, Sons & Danielsson, London.

Bates, G. L. 1933-34. Birds of the southern Sahara and adjoining countries in French West Africa. /bis (13)
3: 752-780; 4: 61-79, 213-239, 439-466, 685-717.

Chappuis, C. 1974. Illustration sonore de problémes bioacoustiques posés par les oiseaux de la zone
éthiopienne. Alauda 42: 467-500 and disc 2.

Chappuis, C. 2000. Oiseaux d'Afrique (African bird sounds), 2. West and Central Africa. 11 CDs. Société
d'Etudes Ornithologiques de France, Paris & The British Library, London.

Chappuis, C. & Erard, C. 1991. A new cisticola from west-central Africa. Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl. 111: 59-70.

Cheke, R. A. & Walsh, J. F. 1996. The birds of Togo: an annotated check-list. British Ornithologists’ Union,
Tring.

De Roo, A., de Vree, F. & Verheyen, W. 1969. Contribution a |’ ornithologie de la République du Togo. Rev.
Zool. Bot. Afr. 79: 309-322.

De Roo, A., Hulselmans, J. & Verheyen, W. 1971. Contribution a I’ ornithologie de la République du Togo.
3. Oiseaux récoltés par la deuxiéme Mission zoologique belge. Rev. Zool. Bot. Afr. 83: 84-94.

Dowsett, R. J. 1993. Afrotropical avifaunas: annotated country lists. Tauraco Res. Rep. 5: 1-322.

Duhart, F. & Descamps, M. 1963. Notes sur l’avifaune du Delta central Nigerien et régions avoisinantes.
L’Oiseau et RFO 33 (suppl.): 1-106.

Elgood, J. H., Heigham, J. B., Moore, A. M., Nason, A. M., Sharland, R. E. & Skinner, N. J. 1994. The
birds of Nigeria: an annotated check-list. Second edn. British Ornithologists’ Union, Tring.

Fishpool, L. D. C. & Evans, M. I. (eds.) 2001. Important Bird Areas in Africa and associated islands: pri-
ority sites for conservation. Pisces Publications, Newbury & BirdLife International, Cambridge, UK.

Giraudoux, P., Degauquier, R., Jones, P. J., Weigel, J. & Isenmann, P. 1988. Avifaune du Niger: état des
connaissances en 1986. Malimbus 10: 1-140.

Grimes, L.G 1987. The birds of Ghana: an annotated check-list. British Ornithologists’ Union, London.

Holyoak, D. T. & Seddon, M. B. 1990. Distributional notes on the birds of Benin. Malimbus 11: 128-134.

Lamarche, B. 1980-81. Liste commentée des oiseaux du Mali. Malimbus 2: 121-158; 3: 73-102.

Lynes, H. 1930. Review of the genus Cisticola. Ibis (12) 6 suppl.: 1-673.

Morel, G J. & Morel, M.-Y. 1990. Les oiseaux de Sénégambie. Notices et cartes de distribution. ORSTOM,
Paris.

Mundy, P. J. & Cook, A. W. 1972. The birds of Sokoto, Part 2. Bull. Nigerian Orn. Soc. 9: 60-76.

Rheindt, F. E., Grafe, T. U. & Linsenmair, K. E.. 2002. New bird records in Comoé National Park, Ivory
Coast. Malimbus 24: 38-40.

Robertson, P. 2001. Mali. Pp. 557-566 in Fishpool, L. D. C. & Evans, M. I. (eds.) Important Bird Areas in
Africa and associated islands: priority sites for conservation. Pisces Publications, Newbury &
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Serle, W. 1940. Field observations on some northern Nigerian birds. Part II. /bis (14) 4: 147.

Thiollay, J.-M. 1985. The birds of Ivory Coast: status and distribution. Malimbus 7: 1-59.

White, F. 1983. The vegetation of Africa. UNESCO, Paris.

Addresses: Francoise Dowsett-Lemaire & R. J. Dowsett, Le Pouget, F-30440 Suméne, France, e-mail:
Dowsett @aol.com. N. Borrow, Flat 5, 63-67 St George’s Drive, Pimlico, London SW1V 4DD, UK,

e-mail: n.borrow @btinternet.com

© British Ornithologists’ Club 2005

Marcelo Ferreira de Vasconcelos 314 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

A range extension for Dusky-tailed Flatbill
Ramphotrigon fuscicauda in eastern Amazonia

by Marcelo Ferreira de Vasconcelos
Received 23 December 2004

Dusky-tailed Flatbill Ramphotrigon fuscicauda is a rare and poorly known
Amazonian flycatcher (Parker 1984, Ridgely & Tudor 1994). Until recently, it was
believed to be restricted to western Amazonia and adjacent Andean foothills (Parker
1984), but subsequent records extended its range eastward (Parker et al. 1997,
Zimmer et al. 1997, Whittaker & Oren 1999, Aleixo et al. 2000).

In Brazil, there are only six known localities: Alta Floresta (09°41’S, 55°54’ W),
in northern Mato Grosso; Carajds (06°00’S, 51°20’W), Para; Alegria (08°57’S,
72°25°W), Acre; Quieto (09°00’S, 72°49’W), Acre; Pinkaiti (07°46’S, 51°58’ W),
Para; and Catuaba (10°04’S, 67°37’ W), Acre (Parker et al. 1997, Zimmer et al.
1997, Whittaker & Oren 1999, Aleixo et al. 2000, Guilherme et al. 2003). Here, I
report a range extension for this species in eastern Amazonia.

On 6 August 2004, I heard a typical whistled call of a Ramphotrigon flycatcher
in an upland forest (terra firme) fragment in Maraba municipality (05°39’S,
49°28’ W), south-east Para, Brazil. The bird was in a forest edge, close to a dirt road,
with many vines and tangles in the mid-storey. Bamboos were rare, with just
scattered individuals of Olyra sp. in the understorey. I tape-recorded the bird and in
response to playback it approached several times, being observed for c.20 minutes,
enabling me to confirm identification as Dusky-tailed Flatbill. The bird perched on
thin horizontal branches or vines, generally 3-4 m above ground. Following
playback, the individual vocalised a variant of the whistled call more frequently
and, after some minutes, gave a whistled song similar to that described by
Guilherme et al. (2003). No agitated behaviour, including wing or tail movements
was noted. The vocalisations were very similar to those presented by others (Parker
1984, Schulenberg et al. 2000, Guilherme et al. 2003). Copies of vocalisations have
been deposited at the Arquivo Sonoro Prof. Elias Coelho (ASEC), Departamento de
Zoologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. -

This is the easternmost record for Dusky-tailed Flatbill, the closest locality
being Carajas, c.200 km to the west (Paynter & Traylor 1991, Whittaker & Oren
1999). My record also emphasises that this flatbill is not restricted to bamboo-rich
understorey, but also occurs in vine-rich areas (without bamboo) in both the
understorey of terra firme forest and in vine-rich floodplain forests without bamboo
(Parker 1984, Terborgh et al. 1984, Whittaker & Oren 1999.). Given that the species
has been found from western Amazonia to the left bank of the rio Tocantins, it is
probable that it will be recorded elsewhere in Amazonian Brazil in suitable habitat
(see Aleixo et al. 2000).

Marcelo Ferreira de Vasconcelos 315 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

Acknowledgements

I thank Sete Solucdes e Tecnologia Ambiental for supporting my field work. Marcio de Souza Werneck
accompanied me in the field and Marcos Maldonado-Coelho helped to obtain references.

References:

Aleixo, A., Whitney, B. M. & Oren, D. C. 2000. Range extensions of birds in southeastern Amazonia.
Wilson Bull. 112: 137-142.

Guilherme, E., Nobre, H. R. & Gonzaga, L. P. 2003. The first record of the avian near-obligate bamboo
specialist Dusky-tailed Flatbill (Ramphotrigon fuscicauda) in the [sic] eastern Acre state, Brazil.
Lundiana 4: 157-159.

Parker, T. A. 1984. Notes on the behavior of Ramphotrigon flycatchers. Auk 101: 186-188.

Parker, T. A., Stotz, D. F. & Fitzpatrick, J. W. 1997. Notes on avian bamboo specialists in southwestern
Amazonian Brazil. Pp. 543-547 in Remsen, J. V. (ed.) Studies in Neotropical ornithology honoring
Ted Parker. Orn. Monogr. 48.

Paynter, R. A. & Traylor, M. A. 1991. Ornithological gazetteer of Brazil. Mus. Comp. Zool., Cambridge,
MA.

Ridgely, R. S. & Tudor, G. 1994. The birds of South America, vol. 2. Univ. Texas Press, Austin.

Schulenberg, T. S., Marantz, C. A. & English, P. H. 2000. Voices of Amazonian birds, vol. 3. Cornell Lab.
of Orn., Ithaca, NY.

Terborgh, J., Fitzpatrick, J. W. & Emmons, L. 1984. Annotated checklist of birds and mammal species
of Cocha Cashu Biological Station, Manu National Park, Peru. Fieldiana, Zool. 21: 1-29.

Whittaker, A. & Oren, D. C. 1999. Important ornithological records from the Rio Jurud, western
Amazonia, including twelve additions to the Brazilian avifauna. Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl. 119: 235-260.

Zimmer, K. J., Parker, T. A., Isler, M. L. & Isler, P. R. 1997. Survey of a southern Amazonian avifauna:
the Alta Floresta region, Mato Grosso, Brazil. Pp. 887-918 in Remsen, J. V. (ed.) Studies in
Neotropical ornithology honoring Ted Parker. Orn. Monogr. 48.

Address: Colecao Ornitol6gica, Departamento de Zoologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, CP
486, CEP 30123-970, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

© British Ornithologists’ Club 2005

The eggs of Corvus tristis and
Corvus moneduloides

by Michael Walters

Received 6 Ffanuary 2005

Corvus tristis

Goodwin (1976, 1986) described two eggs of this species, the only two he had seen,
and his comments were evidently followed in good faith by Madge & Burn (1994)
as a valid description of the species’ eggs. The eggs in question are in The Natural
History Museum (NHM, Tring), but their provenance is highly suspect. They were
purchased at Stevens’ Sale Rooms, in 1862, where they had been identified as being
of Manucodia atra (=M. nigra; Paradisaeidae), and were stated to have been taken
in Mysol (=Misool) in the western Papuan chain. They were registered

Michael Walters 316 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

1862.12.17.1, but are clearly not eggs of a Manucodia, rather a Corvus, albeit rather
atypical being pale greenish white, heavily spotted at the broad end and sparingly
elsewhere with brown. Realising that they were incorrectly identified, Ogilvie-
Grant (1912) reidentified them as Corvus fuscicapillus, but noted their doubtful
identity, calling them “Two eggs believed to be those of the Great-billed Crow’. In
the 1960s, Shane Parker when curating the NHM collection apparently altered the
identification to Corvus tristis, for unknown and unsubstantiated reasons. Neither
species of Corvus is known from Misool (Madge & Burn 1994). The identity is
therefore unproven and there is no valid description of the eggs of C. tristis.

Corvus moneduloides

Goodwin (1976) stated that this species ‘usually’ lays two eggs per clutch,
presumably because Shane Parker wrongly catalogued two eggs in NHM as a
clutch. He evidently overlooked that the catalogue of H. B. Tristram (an whose
collection they originally were) clearly states ‘From a nest of 4 eggs taken by E. L.
Layard ... The first nest known. The other two eggs [are] in Herr Nehrkorn’s
collection’. Goodwin (1986) modified this information to ‘usually 2 or 3 eggs per
clutch’. His source is unclear, but these data were also transcribed in good faith by
Madge & Burn (1994). Thus, whilst there is no reason to doubt the identity of what
are probably the only known eggs of the species, the published information on
clutch size appears incorrect.

References: Fs

Ogilvie-Grant, W. R. 1912. Catalogue of the collection of birds’ eggs in the British Museum, vol. 5.
Trustees of the Brit. Mus., London.

Goodwin, D. 1976. Crows of the world. Brit. Mus. (Nat. Hist.), London.

Goodwin, D. 1986. Crows of the world. Second edn. Brit. Mus. (Nat. Hist.), London.

Madge, S. & Burn, H. 1994. Crows and jays: a guide to the crows, jays and magpies of the world.
Christopher Helm, London.

Address: The Bird Group, The Natural History Museum, Akeman Street, Tring, Herts. HP23 6AP, UK.
Present address: Osprey’s Nest, 62 Mark Street, Portrush, Co. Antrim BT56 8BU, Northern Ireland,

e-mail: mpwalters62 @btinternet.com

© British Ornithologists’ Club 2005

Edward C. Dickinson 317 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

The correct authorship of the name Astur
Rieneri (Rufous-bellied Hawk Eagle)

by Edward C. Dickinson

Received 12 February 2005

For almost 40 years credit for naming this species, now usually placed in the genus
Hieraaetus, was accorded in publications on Indian birds to ‘de Sparre, 1835’
(Blyth 1852, Horsfield & Moore 1854, Hume 1869, 1873), but Sharpe (1874)
credited the name to Geoffroy St Hil[aire] in ‘Rev. Zool., 1845, pl. 35 (1835)’. Since
then some writers have followed the earlier authors and others Sharpe.

In Horsfield & Moore (1854) the name is credited to de Sparre, but confusingly
their first listed citation referred, using the name Spizaetus Kienerii, to ‘Mag. de
Zool. (1835) Ois. t. 35. Gervais’! This is the correct journal and plate, but reference
to the original text page for Plate 35 only identifies the author as ‘GS.’, and this is
also what is found in the Table Méthodique for the year 1835, i.e. the index to the
volume. The plate is also initialled similarly, although labelled Falco Kienerii. The
generic name Spizaetus was not associated with the species here. So, there is
nothing therein to firmly identify G S. with either de Sparre, or Gervais, whose
initials were F. L. P. However, the first page of the Table Méthodique (Fig. 1) is
instructive. ‘GS.’ appears twice and Gervais 1s listed as the author of four other
species (depicted in Plates 41-44). Despite the different attributions, Gervais was
cited as the author by Lesson (1843), Kaup (1848) and Schlegel (1862), as well as
elsewhere.

In part, Sharpe’s citation seems no more than a simple error, mistaking Rey.
Zool. for Mag. de Zool. Presumably Sharpe did not see the Table Méthodique and
deduced the authorship logically from the initials, although it is possible that Sharpe
was not the first to do so. However, reference to the same page in the Table
Méthodique, page iv, for the year 1835, shows that Melogale fusca (Plate 16 in
Classe 1: Mammifeéres) is credited to ‘Is[adore] Geoffroy’ and Hyena fusca (Plate
17 in Classe 1: Mammiféres) to “Geoffroy St-H.’. These two usages may be a well-
understood way to distinguish the young Isadore from his well-known father
Etienne, but a third abbreviated form is used on page v, “Geoff. St.H.’, which is
probably Etienne again. Whichever of this distinguished family of French
naturalists could have been involved, it seems most unlikely that ‘GS.’ would have
been used for one of them, and one may reasonably conclude that Sharpe erred in
his attribution.

Baker (1928) did not follow Sharpe’s opinion, reverting to de Sparre, probably
because Blanford & Oates (1895), whose Fauna of British India Baker was
updating, had not followed Sharpe. Peters (1931) cited the right publication and
gave the author as ‘GS. [= E. Geoffroy]’ bringing in the father of Isadore. But
Whistler & Kinnear (1936) used Sparre and Ali & Whistler (1943) de Sparre, as did

Edward C. Dickinson 318 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

TABLE METHODIQUE

DES ESPECES ET DES GENRES DECRITS OU INDIQUES *
DANS L ANNEE 1835.

1% Classe. — MAMMIFERES.

Notice. PI.

Mg1ocaLe fusca. Is, Grorrroy. XVI. 16

Hyena fasca. Geoffroy St-H. XVII, 19
ae Classe. — OISHAUX.

Asron Kienerii. G. S. XXXV. 35

Tmatia bypoleuca. Franklin. XXXIX et Xb. 39

— hyperythra. Franklin. id. 4o

— chatarea. Franklin. td. ®

— Horsfieldii. W. Jardine id. 2

— Malcolmi. Sykes. id. n

— Somervillei. Sykes. id. ry

Procvs fringilloides, De Laragsnave. XLVIIE 648

Faincitia Cube. Gerviis. XLIV. 44

Pica mystacalis. G.S. XXXIV. 34

PrcovapTEs zonatus. Lesson. XLVI ct XLVI. »

— scolopaceus. Spix. id. 46

— brunneicapillus. De Larresnave. id, 49

Oasysmya Ricordii 67. Gerviis, XLI et XLII. 41

SE ed caer id. id. 4a

— cinnamomea. Gervais. XLII. 43

Bucenos galeatus. Gmel. XXXVIII. 38

* Les noms des especes décrites sont en caracteres romains ; ceux des
espéces seulement indiquées sont en italique. Les genres nouveaux sont pre-
cédés d’un asterisque. Le chiffre romain indique le numero place en téte
de-chaque page de la notice ; le chiffre arabe , celui de la planche. — Le
nom de Pauteur qui a nomme l’espece est en petites capitales, seulement

quand il est |’auteur de la notice.

Figure 1. First page of the contents list for the 1835 volume of the Magasin de Zoologie, from a copy in
the NHM Library, reproduced with permission.

Edward C. Dickinson 319 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

Swann & Wetmore (1945). Since then, Smythies (1953), Ripley (1961, 1982) and
Wells (1999) followed Peters (1931). Stresemann & Amadon (1979) did not follow
Peters in plumping for Etienne Geoffroy St Hilaire and reverted to the non-specific
‘G. S. = Geoffroy St Hilaire’, and were followed by White & Bruce (1986). After a
fruitless search for evidence (none of the authors cited above seems to have
provided his rationale), Dickinson (2003) reverted to the identification used by
Peters (1931) on the grounds that Isadore (1805-61) was more probable than
Etienne (1772-1844).

Further evidence has finally been located. In 1839 an index (Table Méthodique)
was compiled for the Magasin de Zoologie for the years 1831—38. This journal is
most often bound by year (with the 1831—38 index no doubt usually bound in the
1838 volume), but was arranged in grouped pages by ‘Classe’ after the teaching of
Cuvier. In one of the sets held in the Natural History Museum, South Kensington
(Zoology Library; shelf mark ZS 940) the early parts are not bound by year, but
with a volume for one ‘Classe’ or more, and in this set the index is not bound in the
volume for Classe 2: Oiseaux, making it entirely understandable that the index has
been overlooked. However, the index was located in one of the other contemporary
volumes and therein Astur Kienerii is clearly linked to de Sparre.

Subsequently, I stumbled upon the footnote in Legge (1878), who made the
Same point as I have here concerning the usage of Geoffroy St Hilaire’s name and
also noted that ‘in the Roy. Soc. Catalogue, vol. V’ this is ‘referred to as written by
G. Sparre; and in all probability, this is the correct determination of the authorship’.

This rediscovered evidence, presumably originating from Guérin-Méneville, the
publisher, and thus authoritative, completes the case for accepting Comte L. E. G
de Sparre (c.1800—54 or later: see Wynne 1966) as the author. G S. had always
seemed unlikely to translate to either Gervais or Geoffroy St Hilaire due to the
evidence against this in the 1835 index.

Acknowledgements
Thanks go to Aasheesh Pittie for help with some of the references, to Laurel Peterson for assistance in
obtaining the Lesson reference, and to the librarians at the Natural History Museum, South Kensington
(NHM). I also acknowledge helpful comments by the referee, Murray Bruce.

References:

Ali, S. & Whistler, H. 1943. The birds of Mysore. Part IV. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 44: 9-26.

Baker, E. C. S. 1928. The fauna of British India. Birds, vol. 5. Taylor & Francis, London.

Blanford, W. T. & Oates, E. W. 1895. The fauna of British India, including Ceylon & Burma. Birds, vol.
3. Taylor & Francis, London.

Blyth, E. 1852. Catalogue of the birds in the museum [of the] Asiatic Society. Baptist Mission Press,
Calcutta.

Dickinson, E. C. (ed.) 2003. The Howard and Moore complete checklist of birds of the world. Third edn.
Christopher Helm, London.

Horsfield, T. & Moore, F. 1854. A catalogue of the birds in the museum of the Hon. East India Company,
vol. 1. W. H. Allen & Co., London.

Hume, A. O. 1869. My scrap book or rough notes on Indian oology and ornithology. Calcutta.

Edward C. Dickinson 320 Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4)

Hume, A. O. 1873. Spizaetus Kienerii, De Sparre. The Rufous-bellied Hawk Eagle. Stray Feathers 1:
310-313. .

Kaup, J. J. 1848. Zusatze zu den Falconidae. Jsis 10: col. 772.

Legge, V. 1878. A history of the birds of Ceylon. Part 1. London.

Lesson, R. P. 1843. Index ornithologique (suite). Echo Monde Savante 10 (1): cols. 13-15.

Peters, J. L. 1931. Check-list of birds of the world, vol. 1. Harvard Univ. Press, Cambridge, MA.

Ripley, S. D. 1961. A synopsis of the birds of India and Pakistan. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., Bombay.

Ripley, S. D. 1982. A synopsis of the birds of India and Pakistan. Second edn. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.,
Bombay.

Schlegel, H. 1862. Monographie 4. Astures. Pp. 1-57 in Mus. Hist. Nat. Pays-Bas, Rev. Méthod. Crit.
Coll., livr. 2. E. J. Brill, Leiden.

Sharpe, R. B. 1874. Catalogue of the birds in the British Museum, vol. 1. Trustees of the Brit. Mus.,
London.

Smythies, B. E. 1953. The birds of Burma. Oliver & Boyd, Edinburgh.

Stresemann, E. & Amadon, D. 1979. Order Falconiformes. Pp. 271-425 in Mayr, E. & Cottrell, G W,
(eds.) Check-list of birds of the world, vol. 1. Revised edn. Mus. Comp. Zool., Harvard Univ. Press,
Cambridge, MA.

Swann, H. K. & Wetmore, A. 1925. A monograph of the Accipitriformes. Part 2. Wheldon & Wesley,
London.

Wells, D. R. 1999. The birds of the Thai-Malay Peninsula, vol. 1. Academic Press, London.

Whistler, H. & Kinnear, N. B. 1936. The Vernay scientific survey of the Eastern Ghats XIII. J. Bombay
Nat. Hist. Soc. 38: 418-437.

White, C. M. N. & Bruce, M. D. 1986. The birds of Wallacea: an annotated check-list. British
Ornithologists’ Union, London.

Wynne, O. E. 1966. Biographical key—names of birds of the world. Privately published, Fordingbridge.

Address: Flat 3, Bolsover Court, 19 Bolsover Road, Eastbourne BN20 7JG, UK, e-mail:
edward @asiaorn.org =

© British Ornithologists’ Club 2005

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Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club
ISSN 0007-1595
Edited by Guy M. Kirwan
Volume 125, Number 4, pages 241-320

CONTENTS

Chub Ammoumcements i... i ee es seins ened Cee Mere eee mw owe oa eee ee 241
MCGHIE, H. Specimens of extinct and endangered birds in the collections of The Manchester

Museum, The University of Manchester, UK ..... 6.2 .000000s 00 eee s ee ele ele een 247
KRABBE, N. & SCHULENBERG, T. S. A mystery solved: the identity and distribution of

Kalinowski’s Tinamou Nothoprocta kalinowshii ©... .. 2.40.00 0s. 0s 1a sees ee 253
HALE, W. G., SCARTON, F. & VALLE, R. The taxonomic status of the Redshank Tringa totanus

WO MAY ii ac ce hee he ee na eae wb gala Sees} aglew elaark ng err 261
SCHERZINGER, W. Remarks on Sichuan Wood Owl Strix uralensis davidi from observations in

south-west China... 00.0005 oe cence see we neni se sees sees nbs oe 275
FRAGA, R. M. A new generic name for the Solitary Cacique .................. ee 286
CARLOS, C. J., VOISIN, J.-F. & VOOREN, C. M. Records of Southern Giant Petrel Macronectes

giganteus solanderi and Northern Giant Petrel M. halli off southern Brazil ................ 288
CHEKE, A. S. Naming segregates from the Columba-—Streptopelia pigeons following DNA studies

Oh PHylOReMy ee ce en ee eee Ce a ee aN wd be ce eed geod 2 oo eee 293
DOWSETT, R. J. & DOWSETT-LEMAIRE, F. On the apparent status of Mottled Swift Apus

(Tachymarptis) aequatorialis and Alpine Swift A. (T.) melba in Mali, West Africa .......... 296
MAYR, G. & MOURER-CHAUVIRE, C. A specimen of Parvicuculus Harrison & Walker 1977

(Aves: Parvicuculidae) from the early Eocene of France ........4.:.1......0 55 299
DOWSETT-LEMAIRE, F., BORROW, N. & DOWSETT, R. J. Cisticola dorsti (Dorst’s Cisticola)

and C. ruficeps guinea are conspecific . 0... sce ee es ee ee bee ee 305
VASCONCELOS, M. F. A range extension for Dusky-tailed Flatbill Ramphotrigon fuscicauda in

easterm AMAZONIA: 6. la ke Sele a caw eee oe woe De eo a eee oer 314
WALTERS, M. The eggs of Corvus tristis and Corvus moneduloides ............00. 0 cece ees 315

DICKINSON, E. C. The correct authorship of the name Astur kienerii (Rufous-bellied Hawk Eagle) 317

Authors are invited to submit papers on topics relating to the broad themes of taxonomy and distribution of
birds. Descriptions of new species of birds are especially welcome and will be given priority to ensure rapid
publication, subject to successful passage through the normal peer review procedure, and wherever possible
should be accompanied by colour photographs or paintings. On submission, manuscripts, double-spaced
and with wide margins, should be sent to the Editor, Guy Kirwan, preferably by e-mail, to
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mitted to the Editor, 74 Waddington Street, Norwich NR2 4JS, UK. Where appropriate half-tone photographs
may be included and, where essential to illustrate important points, the Editor will consider the inclusion of
colour figures (if possible, authors should obtain funding to support the inclusion of such colour illustra-
tions).

As far as possible, review, return of manuscripts for revision and subsequent stages of the publication
process will be undertaken electronically.

For instructions on style, see the inside rear cover of Bulletin 125 (1) or the BOC website

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