BRUARY 1996 ios zwt 3 ISSN 0950-1746 OBC Council Mike Blair (Secretary) Richard Bosanquet (Membership Database) Steve Broyd (Sales Officer) Mike Crosby Richard Eden (co-opted) Nona Finch Nick Gardner (Promotions Officer) Graeme Green (UK Meetings Officer) Melanie Heath (Conservation Officer) Tim Inskipp {Forktail Editor/Checklist Coordinator) Frank Lambert (Assistant Forktail Editor) Adrian Long (Bulletin Editor) Peter Morris (Information Officer) Adrian Pitches (Publicity Officer) Colin Poole (Membership Development) Nick Pope (Membership Administration) Nigel Redman (Chairman) Steve Rowland (co-opted) Graham Spinks (Treasurer) Simon Stirrup (Print Officer) Dave Weaver (International Meetings Officer) Editorial Committee Mike Crosby, Guy Dutson, Rob Innes, Tim Inskipp ( Forktail Editor), Frank Lambert (Assistant ForktailEditor) , Adrian Long (Bulletin Editor), Colin Poole, Michael Rank, Nigel Redman, Craig Robson, Helen Taylor OBC Representatives Alan McBride and Richard Noske (Australia); Anisuzzaman Khan (Bangladesh); Filip Verbelen (Belgium); Tony Gaston (Canada); Yao-kuang Tan (China); Jiri MlikovskO (Czech Republic) ; Jesper Madsen and Anders Prieme (Denmark); Hannu Jannes (Finland) ; Jean-Claude Porchier (France); Axel Braunlich (Germany); Mike Chalmers and David Melville (Hong Kong); Asad Rahmani and Bikram Grewal (India); Rudyanto and Bas van Balen (Indonesia); Chris Murphy (Ireland); Carlo Violani (Italy); Akira Hibi (Japan); Jin- Young Park (Korea); Allen Jeyarajasingam and Mike Chong (Malaysia); Rajendra Suwal (Nepal); Jelle Scharringa (Netherlands); Oystein Storkersen (Norway) ; Ashiq Ahmad Khan (Pakistan); Bias R. Tabaranza, Jr. (Philippines); Lim Kim Seng (Singapore); Sareth Kotagama and Upali Ekanayake (Sri Lanka); Per Alstrom (Sweden); Beat Wartmann (Switzerland); Philip Round and Uthai Treesucon (Thailand); Robert Kennedy (USA); Jonathan Eames and Nguyen Cu (Vietnam). The Oriental Bird Club has been established for ornithologists throughout the world, both amateur and professional, who share a common interest in the region’s birds and wish to assist in their conservation. The Club aims to: • Encourage an interest in the birds of the Oriental Region and their conservation • Liaise with, and promote the work of, existing regional societies • Collate and publish material on Oriental birds Membership Member (individual): £12 p. a. Family member: £16 p. a. Reduced rate member: £8 p.a. For national residents in the Orient belonging to other Oriental ornithological or natural history societies Libraries and Academic Institutions: £20 p.a. Business Supporter: £36 p.a. Supporting (Sponsoring) member: £20 p.a. For further information please write to: The Oriental Bird Club c/o The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire, SG19 2DL, U.K. Cover picture: Bornean and Sumatran Ground-Cuckoos Carpococcyx radiants and C. viridis (see Collar and Long within). Painting by Craig Robson i f^"lHENATURAm FORKTAIL j Number 1 1, February 1996 CONTENTS I i Nuiuwy Muslim ! [ -2 MM 1996 j PURCHASED I _ tring LIBRARv ( J. HORNSKOV Recent observations of birds in the Philippine Archipelago . 1 T. D. EVANS and R. J. TIMMINS The status of the Green Peafowl Pavo muticus in Laos . 11 J. K. TIWARI, S. N. VARU and M. K. HIMMATSINHJI The occurrence of Grey Hypocolius Hypocolius ampelinus in Kutch, Gujarat, India . 33 J. C. EAMES The Bengal Florican Eupodotis bengalensis in Indochina . 39 R. M. THEWLIS, J. W. DUCKWORTH, G. Q. A. ANDERSON, M. DVORAK, T. D. EVANS, E. NEMETH, R. J. TIMMINS and R. J. WILKINSON Ornithological records from Laos, 1992-1993 . 47 P. K. McGOWAN, S. JAVED and A. R. RAHMANI Swamp Francolin Francolinus gularis survey technique: a case study from northern India . 101 O. F. JAKOBSEN and C. YDING ANDERSEN New distributional records and natural history notes on the Whiskered Pitta Pitta kochi of the Philippines . Ill T. BROOKS, G. DUTSON and P. M. MAGSALAY An annotated check-list of the forest birds of Rajah Sikatuna National Park, Bohol, Philippines . 121 N. J. COLLAR and A. LONG Taxonomy and names of Carpococcyx cuckoos from the Greater Sundas . 135 Short communications F. R. LAMBERT, J. C. EAMES and NGUYEN CU The habitat, status, vocalizations and breeding biology of Blue-rumped Pitta Pitta soror annamensis in central Vietnam . 151 P. D. ROUND On the seasonality and distribution of Gurney’s Pitta Pitta gumeyi . 155 W. DUCKWORTH Moustached Hawk-Cuckoo Cuculus vagans and Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus in Laos: two species new for Indochina . 159 C. ROBSON Russet Bush-Warbler Bradypterus seebohmi: a new species for Bhutan and the Indian subcontinent . 161 C. ROBSON and P. DAVIDSON Some recent records of Philippine birds . 162 LEI FU-MIN On the breeding ecology of the Little Owl Athene noctua in Shaanxi Province, China . 167 HAN LIANXIAN Notes on Slender-billed Scimitar-Babbler Xiphirhynchus supercilious in Yunnan, China . 168 A. GAMAUF and S. TEBBICH Re-discovery of the Isabela Oriole Oriolus isabellae . 170 M. VAN DER LINDE A further record of the Isabela Oriole Oriolus isabellae from Baggao, Cagayan Province, northern Philippines 171 1995 SHORT COMMUNICATIONS M. VAN DER LINDE A new breeding species for the Philippines: The Pied Harrier Circus melanoleucos . 172 P. C. RASMUSSEN Buff-throated Warbler Phylloscopus affinis restored to the avifauna of the Indian subcontinent . 173 Guidelines for contributors . 176 ISSN 0950-1746 © Oriental Bird Club 1994 Published for the Oriental Bird Club by Rubythroat Publications 6 Corinthian Close, Basingstoke Hampshire RG22 4TN U.K. Printed on recycled paper by GL Print, Aldermaston, U.K. 1995 FORKTAIL 11 (1995): 1 - 10 Recent observations of birds in the Philippine Archipelago JESPER HORNSKOV The observations presented relate to 48 species, including Bulwer’s Petrel Bulweria bulwerii and Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus, the records of which are the first for the Philippines. In addition many species are documented for the first time for individual islands, and data on voice, behaviour, and morphology of some species are offered, while taxonomic problems are discussed briefly. In the course of a birdwatching journey through the Philippines from mid- February to early July 1987, Stig Jensen and I made extensive notes on the birds we encountered. It was, however, not until the publication of The birds of the Philippines (Dickinson et al. 1991), which summarizes all published records of Philippine birds and presents some new research results, that it seemed practicable to write up our most interesting findings: it was evident from our field experience that duPont’s Philippine birds (1971) would not be a satisfactory baseline for an article. The observations laid out in this paper add to the knowledge of the distribution ofbirds in the Philippines as delineated by the checklist (Dickinson et al. 1 99 1 ). In addition, some information on vocalizations, behaviour, and ecology is included, particularly where this is thought to shed light on taxonomic problems, in the hope of stimulating further research. Spot-billed Duck Anas poecilorhyncha Luzon: five at Candaba Marsh, Pampanga Province, 19-20 February. Mindanao: 1 1 on a pond near Davao, 26 February. Dickinson et al. (1991) considered the species to be a vagrant to the Philippines, listing only a single record from Calayan. At Candaba Marsh direct comparison with Philippine Duck/3, luzonica was made, ruling out confusion with that species. Ruddy Kingfisher Halcyon coromanda Bohol: one at Bilar on 9 April, and one near T agbilaran on 1 9 May. It seems likely that one of the migrant forms, H. c. major or H. c. bangsi, is involved as breeders have been recorded only from Palawan ( H . c. linae), and from Tawi-Tawi and Sangka-Sangka ( H . c. claudiae). The previous, latest recorded spring date for the migrant forms is 17 May (Dickinson et al. 1991). These are the first published records for Bohol (Dickinson etal. 1 99 1 ). In addition we saw a specimen in a taxidermist’s home on Cebu, which had been obtained in south-east Bohol. Rufous-lored Kingfisher Todirhamphus winchelli Bongao: one at Bongao Peak on 23 March. Tawi-Tawi: one near Balimbing on 25 March. Both birds were seen in the boulder-strewn vicinity of high limestone cliffs. Dickinson etal. (1991) considered the species to be rare in forests (up to c. 2 J. HORNSKOV Forktail 1 1 750 m), and thought it ‘may now be endangered due to rapid disappearance of lowland forests’ . However, the type of habitat in which we found our birds was considered to not be under immediate threat by human activities. Plaintive Cuckoo Cacomantis merulinus Luzon: a juvenile at Bulusan Lake, Sorsogon, on 6 June was being hosted by a Grey-backed T ailorbird Orthotomus derbianus. Dickinson et al. (1991) knew of no Philippine records of eggs or nestlings. Germain’s Swiftlet Collocalia germani Bongao: ten near Sangka-Sangka bridge on 24 March. Dickinson et al. (1991) had no records of this species from the Sulus proper, the nearest known localities to Bongao being Cagayan Sulu, and north-east Borneo. Medway (1966), however, wrote of white Collocalia nests being found in the Sulu Archipelago and thought that the builder could be either C. germani (the form known from Cagayan Sulu, Palawan and Panay) or C. fuciphaga perplexa (of islands off eastern Borneo); Dickinson et al. (1991) considered that ‘the origin of this record must be Cagayan Sulu’. As swiftlets are notoriously difficult (but some species not impossible, given adequate experience and dedication) to identify in the field most workers may prefer to await specimen records before accepting the presence of this form in the Sulus. Asian Palm-Swift Cypsiurus balasiensis Dinagat: three near Panamaon on 27 May. Dickinson et al. (1991) had no records from Dinagat, but did list the species for nearby Mindanao and Samar. Zebra Dove Geopelia striata Bohol: 23 at Chocolate Hills on 8 April; five on 1 0 April and one on 20 May at Bilar; and two at Loboc on 2 1 May. Dinagat: two near Panamaon on 28 May. Palawan: one at Iwahig paddies on 20 April. The species is possibly introduced in the Philippines, and was not listed for any of the three above-mentioned islands by Dickinson et al. (1991). Cream-bellied Fruit-Dove Ptilinopus merrilli Luzon: one at Bulusan Lake, Sorsogon Province, on 6 June. This record constitutes a significant extension of the known range of this endemic which Dickinson etal. (1991) considered rare and local, and it may prove that an undescribed subspecies is involved. As we noted 1-5 birds almost daily at Mt Palanan, Isabela Province, on 20- 26 June, and 1-4 daily at Quezon National Park on 1-5 July, it may be that the species is better regarded merely as uncommon, not rare. Grey Imperial-Pigeon Ducula pickeringii Ursula: c. 20 on 5-7 May, with nine departing in the morning of 6 May. Any record of this rare and local small-island species is worthy of note. Pied Imperial-Pigeon Ducula bicolor Ursula: 9, 1 90 arrived to roost from c. 16h00 on 5 May, with departures commencing before first light on the following morning. Our count may serve future workers as a reference point. Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus Palawan: one at Iwahig paddies on 20 April. The only other Philippine record is from Luzon, where one was 1995 Recent observations of birds in the Philippines 3 collected at Apalit, Pampanga, on 23 November 1930 (Dickinson et al. 1 99 1 ). It has not been recorded from Borneo (Smythies 1 98 1 ) or Indonesia (Andrew 1992). While the species is notoriously difficult to flush and hence likely to be overlooked, its status as a rarity in Japan, Taiwan, southern China, and southern Indochina (Brazil 1991, Cheng 1987, King et al. 1975) indicates that it would be really no more than an accidental visitor to the Philippines. Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus Siasi: five on 22 March. Of the Sulus only Bongao and Sangka-Sangka were listed for this long-distance migrant by Dickinson et al. (1991). Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus Mindanao: one at Times Beach, Davao, on 25 February. This is apparently the first record for the Philippines (Dickinson etal. 1 99 1 ). As there are at least 1 3 records from northern Borneo (Smythies 1981), though none for Indonesia (Andrew 1992), it is hardly a very surprising addition to the national list. The similar Common Redshank T. totanus is an uncommon winter visitor to the Philippines, including Mindanao (Dickinson et al. 1991, pers. obs.), extending to Indonesia and, as a vagrant, Australia and New Guinea (Beehler et al. 1986; Hayman et al. 1986). The slightly drawn-out, whistled ‘tu-ef call, lack of white secondaries, and more elegant appearance (head smaller, bill longer) identified this red- legged Tringa as a Spotted Redshank, a species with which we are both thoroughly familiar. We failed to relocate the bird on a subsequent visit on 5 March. Long-toed Stint Calidris subminuta Palawan: four at Iwahig paddies on 8 May. The latest spring record for the Philippines given by Dickinson et al. (1991) is 26 April. Broad-billed Sandpiper Limicola falcinellus Mindanao: three at Times Beach, Davao, on 25 February. This record precedes the one given by Redman (1993), 14 March 1990, as the first for Mindanao; it was not listed for that island by Dickinson et al. (1991). Malaysian Plover Charadrius peronii Bongao: a pair was near Sangka- Sangka bridge on 24 March. Dinagat: one at Acoje on 29 May. Dickinson et al. (1991) list neither island for this widespread, resident species (which we also encountered on Palawan and Ursula). Pomarine Jaeger Stercorarius pomarinus Mindanao: five were seen at sea from a ferry between Zamboanga and Dipolog on 29 March. Three of these were associating with a flock of 57 Streaked Shearwaters Calonectris leucomelas. There are apparently only six previous records (involving a total of eight birds) from the Philippines (Dickinson et al. 1991). Gull-billed Tern Sterna nilotica Bongao: a minimum of three on 24 March. Although the species has been collected on nearby Simunul, there appear to be no previous records for Bongao. In Borneo ‘it is common in 4 J. HORNSKOV Forktail 1 1 suitable localities round the coast as a passage migrant and winter visitor, mostly between 6 September and 13 April’ (Smythies 1981). In marked contrast, all dated records (save one in August) from the Philippines have been in October (Dickinson etal. 1991), and, as our birds would be either the first southern autumn record of S. n. macrotarsa or the first northern spring record of S. n. affinis, firm evidence that either form winters in the country remains lacking. Black-naped Tern Sterna sumatrana Tawi-Tawi: along the coast near Balimbing we saw this species on 24, 27 and 28 March ( 1 5, 25, and 1 30 birds respectively). Dinagat: c. 40 at Panamaon on 27 May, and c. 40 at Acoje on 29 May. These are the first records for Tawi-Tawi and Dinagat (Dickinson et al. 1991). The paucity of previous records suggests that a range extension may have taken place. Sooty Tern Sterna fuscata Ursula: one flew north on 6 May. Dinagat: c. 20 in Panamaon Bay on 27 May, and four at Acoje on 29 May. Dickinson et al. (1991) do not record this species from either island. Brown Noddy Anous stolidus Dinagat: one seen from the inter-island ferry near Loreto on 28 May. A very local resident on isolated islets and reefs, the species is only a vagrant to the main islands, and had not previously been recorded for Dinagat (Dickinson et al. 1991). Oriental Honey-buzzard Pernis ptilorhyncus Luzon: what were almost certainly two different pairs were in display on 23 and 25 June at Mt Palanan, Isabela Province. A further five or six birds (one near Mt Palanan on 20 June; one at Angat Dam on 28 June; one on 1 July, and three on 4 July at Quezon National Park) were most likely also the resident subspecies philippensis rather than migratory orientalis. The sympatric occurrence of this species with Barred Honey-buzzard P. celebensis on several Philippine islands, including Luzon, remains puzzling, and the above records are included here to confirm the relative scarcity (Dickinson etal. 1 99 1 ) of the latter. Subsequent observations of Barred Honey-buzzard in Sulawesi (pers. obs.) confirmed that we saw none in the Philippines. If Barred Honey-buzzard really proves to occur at lower elevations than its congener, as suggested by Dickinson et al. ( 1 99 1 ), it must be a threatened bird in the Philippines. Chinese Goshawk Accipiter soloensis Bohol: five migrating on 9 April, and two seen on 1 1 April, at Bilar. Occurring during the main period of northward migration, these records, the first for Bohol (Dickinson et al. 1991), are no surprise. Rufous-bellied Eagle Hieraaetus kienerii Bohol: one juvenile at Bilar on 23 May. This appears to be the first record for Bohol; Dickinson et al. (1991) list the species for nearby Leyte and Mindanao, where this bird may have originated. 1995 Recent observations of birds in the Philippines 5 Changeable Hawk-Eagle Spizaetus cirrhatus Mindanao: one (a pale morph, and probably immature) on Mt Katanglad, Bukidnon Province, on 14 March. Dickinson etal. (1991) list Busuanga, Culion, Lubang, Mindanao, Mindoro and Palawan as the Philippine range, suggesting that the sole Mindanao specimen (taken 19 July 1889) should be re-examined as the locality represents an outlier in the distribution pattern. Our record serves to confirm the presence on Mindanao of Changeable Hawk-Eagle. Philippine Hawk-Eagle Spizaetus philippensis Bohol: one at Bilar on 22 May. While known from nearby Samar, Leyte, Negros, and Mindanao, there appear to be no previous records from Bohol (Dickinson et al. 1991). Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus Tawi-Tawi: one in the vicinity of Balimbing on 27 March of the distinctive subspecies emesti. There are no previous records of this subspecies from anywhere in the Sulus proper, and Dickinson et al. (1991) suggest that sight records from Cagayan Sulu and Mindanao may have been (but probably were not - E. C. Dickinson in litt. 1994) assigned to emesti in error. Grey Heron Ardea cinerea Palawan: sightings of singles, most likely involving the same individual, were made at Iwahig paddies on 26 April and 8-9 May. This is the first record for Palawan (Dickinson et al. 1991), and is considerably later than the previous latest spring date for the country, 23 March (Redman 1 993) . As the species is an occasional (but probably regular) winter visitor to Borneo (Smythies 1981), its occurrence in Palawan is not unexpected. Black Bittern Dupetorflavicollis Palawan: one in mangroves near St Paul’s National Park on 21 April. This constitutes the first record for Palawan. It is listed for most of the other main islands by Dickinson et al. (1991). The suggestion that northern birds may migrate (Payne 1 979) is supported by the presence in Sulawesi and nearby islands of the nominate subspecies from October to March (White and Bruce 1986). There was a typhoon-related influx in Hong Kong during late May and early June 1989 (Chalmers 1990). Our Palawan bird may thus have been a winter visitor or passage migrant rather than a breeding bird. Bulwer’s Petrel Bulweria bulwerii At sea: one on 5 May between Rio Tuba, Palawan, and Ursula. The species is not listed by Dickinson etal. (1991) and this record appears to be the first for the Philippines. This species is regular off Japan’s southern islands from May to October (Brazil 1991) and occurs, sometimes in good numbers, off northern Borneo (Smythies 1981), returning in April (Shuntov 1974) to its East China Sea breeding grounds (off Fujian province, China). Its wintering grounds are undetermined but probably include the Indian Ocean (Marchant and Higgins 1990), which would explain its occurrence off Borneo. This species was a predictable addition to the Philippine list. 6 J. HORNSKOV Forktail 1 1 The bird was seen from a moving pumpboat, making swift gliding progress very low over the surface of the sea, and soon being lost from view. However, all similar species could be ruled out by the combination of size (estimated to be somewhat smaller than Common Tern Sterna hirundo ), wedge-shaped tail, overall sooty-brown colour (similar to the colour of the upperparts of Sooty Shearwater Puffinus griseus) , relieved only by a pale inner-wing panel. It had a short bill, and a stout body. The noddies Anous stolidus andH. minutus are larger and tern-shaped with long bills and no pale wingbar, and they have a tern-like flight. Tristram’s Storm-Petrel Oceanodroma tristrami is almost as large as Bulwer’s Petrel, and shows a pale upperwing bar, but it has a deeply forked tail. The congeneric Jouanin’s Petrel B. fallax, which has been recorded off south-west Sumatra (van Marie and Voous 1 988) but apparently no nearer to the Philippines, is larger than Bulwer’s Petrel and lacks the pale wingbar. Wedge-tailed Shearwater Puffinus pacificus At sea: one flew south on 7 May between Ursula and Rio T uba, Palawan; four on 1 1 May between Cuyo and San Jose, Panay; four on 24 May between Ubay, Bohol and Maasin, Leyte (with 18 Streaked Shearwaters Calonectris leucomelas being noted on the same crossing). Dickinson et al. (1991) list the species only for Luzon, Mindanao, Catanduanes, Leyte and Samar, with records from 1 0 April to 8 August; they consider it to be a vagrant (beached by typhoons) but to be more common offshore, with peak passage in May. Our records indicate that the species could turn up anywhere in the archipelago. Azure-breasted Pitta Pitta steerii Bohol: a minimum of 1 8 individuals was noted at Bilar on 9-1 1 April, and 20-23 May, with up to five seen in a day, and six singing around one clearing on 23 May. The song is typical of pittas, a loud ‘kWEIOo’ repeated at 2V2 sec intervals. The alarm call is a 4-6 note, frog-like rattle ‘kva-kva-kva-kva-kva’. We were alerted to the presence at Bilar of this magnificent bird by Mr Liao, a Cebu city taxidermist, to whom we were introduced by Ms Perla Magsalay. Mr Liao kept a mounted specimen prominently displayed in his home, and gave a perfect rendition of the alarm call (which we later heard within half an hour of entering the forest at Bilar), but he was apparently unfamiliar with its song. Wattled Broadbill Eurylaimus steerii Bohol: up to ten daily 9-1 1 April, and 20-23 May at Bilar. The song, delivered from a well-concealed canopy perch, is typical of its genus: an insect-like ‘tik, tik, t-rrrrrrr’ given twice in quick succession within 2 or 2° sec. Dickinson et al. (1991) considered this attractive endemic to be an uncommon and local inhabitant of forest understorey. Our observations suggest that it may be locally quite common. Golden-bellied Gerygone Gerygone sulphurea Palawan: two at St Paul’s Subterranean National Park on 21 April. There are apparently no previous records from Palawan (Dickinson et al. 1991), the nearest known localities being northern Borneo and the Sulus. 1995 Recent observations of birds in the Philippines 7 Philippine Leafbird Chloropsis flavipennis Mindanao : one at Bay View Hills, Bislig on 1 1 March. This record is included here as information on the distribution ofthis unobtrusive species is very fragmentary (E. C. Dickinson inlitt. 1992). Scarlet Minivet Pericrocotus flammeus Bohol: four on 9 April, and one on 1 1 April at Bilar. There are no previous records from Bohol (Dickinson et al. 1991). The subspecies likely to be involved is P. f. leytensis of nearby Leyte and Samar. Eyebrowed Thrush Turdus obscurus Siquijor: several birds at Bandila-an Peak (c. 650 m) on 7 April. Neither Dickinson et al. (1991), nor Evans etal. (1993), list the species for Siquijor, but its occasional occurrence on the island is to be expected as it reaches Mindanao and Sulawesi in the non¬ breeding season (White and Bruce 1986, Dickinson et al. 1991). We recorded up to 75 daily on Mt Katanglad, Mindanao, on 13-17 March. Ashy-breasted Flycatcher Muscicapa randi Luzon: one juvenile at Mt Palanan, Isabela Province on 23 June. This rare endemic form, related to Asian Brown Flycatcher Al dauurica of mainland Asia and to Sumba Brown Flycatcher Af. segregata, was described as recently as 1970, and there was no previous breeding evidence from Luzon (Dickinson et al. 1991). Blue-breasted Flycatcher Cyomis herioti Luzon: a female of this rarely- encountered species was observed flycatching from lower branches in logged-over forest at Mt Palanan on 24 June. Although within the known range of the nominate race (Dickinson et al. 1991), this bird differed markedly from the description given by duPont (1971); details are included here in order to alert future observers. Our bird had a pale rufous supra-loral mark extending across the forehead; a pale ‘lower eyelid’ (= broken eye-ring) ; faint pale grey supercilium on an otherwise dark grey head; olivish mantle; dull, dark brown wings and tail; pale rufous throat; olivish brown breast- band, darker in colour than throat and belly; and an off-white belly. duPont (1971) described the female as having ‘top of head and hind neck gray- brown; back brown; wings and tail rufous; lores dark brown; throat and breast pale rufous; belly and under tail coverts white’. Thus our bird differed in mantle colour (olivish, not brown) ; wing and tail colour (dull, dark brown rather than rufous); and by having a breast-band (olivish-brown in colour). The female of the congeneric Mangrove Blue-Flycatcher C. mfigastra has the upperparts dull blue (duPont 1971, Smythies 1981) and would be unlikely to occur away from die lowlands. White-browed Jungle-Flycatcher Rhinomyias insignis, a Luzon montane endemic, is unknown from the Sierra Madre range (Dickinson et al. 1991), is large (wing 95 mm contra 79 mm in Blue-breasted Flycatcher), and has ‘superciliary stripe, chin, and central throat white; sides of throat dark reddish brown. . . .flanks burnt orange’ (duPont 1 97 1 ), i.e. quite different from the bird we saw. 8 ]. HORNSKOV Forktail 1 1 Yellow- wattled Bulbul Pycnonotus urostictus Negros: four on 1 April, and three on 2 and 3 April at the Valencia geothermal site near Dumaguete. A single 1870s record from Negros was considered dubious by later workers (Dickinson et al. 1991). Our records confirm the species’s presence on the island. As Rabor collected fairly extensively around Dumaguete (E. C. Dickinson in litt. 1 992) without finding this vocal and quite conspicuous bird I am tempted to speculate that its occurrence on Negros may be seasonal or erratic. This would seem to be supported by the failure of Brooks etal. to find the species during surveys over some five weeks (which included a day, 26 Aug, in the geothermal area) on the island in 1991 (Brooks et al. 1992; G. Dutson in litt. 1 994) . The song of this species is a distinctive, short ‘pu-i-(u)ii’. Long-tailed Bush-Warbler Bradypterus caudatus Mindanao: one to two almost daily at Baracatan, Mt Apo, 24 February-2 March; 1 4 on Mt Pasian, Davao Oriental Province, on 8 March; and one to 1 6 daily on Mt Katanglad 13-17 March. Luzon: at least four around Banaue on 12-1 3 June, and a total of 30 in the Mt Polis pass area on 12, 15, and 1 7 June. This skulking species, like many of its congeners, has a very distinctive song: /pf the first part thin, piercing, and metallic, like an insect, the second part fuller, and not piercing; it proved to be much commoner than was suggested by reports of earlier visitors (D. Gibbs in litt. 1986, G. Speight in litt. , Tim Fisher verbally), who must have been unfamiliar with its vocalizations. The species may well be awaiting discovery away from Mts Apo, Katanglad, Pasian, and Malindang, the only Mindanao localities given by Dickinson et al. (1991). Philippine Tailorbird Orthotomus castaneiceps Dinagat: six (an adult with juveniles) at Panamaon on 27 May, and seven there on 28 May; 6-1 1 daily at Acoje 29 May - 1 June. It seems worth drawing attention to the song of O. c. frontalis on Dinagat: it is consistently a drawn-out but near-perfect imitation of the song of Wattled Broadbill, lacking only the hard ‘drive’ of that species: ‘de, de, drer-r-r-rw’, often given in forced series of five or more, reminiscent of a ping-pong ball bouncing to rest on a hard surface. Black-headed Tailorbird Orthotomus nigriceps Bohol: a minimum of ten birds was noted at Bilar on 10-11 April, and 20-23 May. Dinagat: a total of c. 1 5 birds was noted at Panamaon and Acoje 28 May - 1 June. Dickinson et al. (1991) followed Mayr (1947) in treating the Yellow-breasted Tailorbird O. samarensis (of Bohol, Leyte and Samar) and the Black-headed Tailorbird O. nigiiceps (of Mindanao, Dinagat and Siargao) as two species within a superspecies. However, their songs are identical: a distinctive, initially metallic and sharp, but quickly decelerating to end in a long series of evenly spaced whistles, indicating that it may be better to regard the two species as conspecific. For the sake of completeness it may be added that the call is an equally distinctive ‘key-e ei’, recalling the song of Long-tailed Bush-Warbler Bradypterus caudatus. 1995 Recent observations of birds in the Philippines 9 Striated Grassbird Megalurus palustris Palawan: two at Iwahig paddies on 9 May. Dickinson et al. (1991) do not list Palawan or any of its outlying islands within the range of the species. This record predates the 8 March 1991 sighting by N. Redman (1993) given as the first for Palawan. The species has recently become established in northern Borneo (Redman 1 993) and it is conceivable that these birds originated in Palawan. Pygmy Babbler Stachyris platem Mindanao: one on Mt Katanglad on 15 March. The species is apparently previously unrecorded from this major and comparatively well-visited locality, although it is already known from Bukidnon Province, and from nearby Mt Piapayungon, Lanao del Sur Province (Dickinson et al. 1991). Negros Striped-Babbler Stachyris nigrorum Negros: one near Mambucal, Mt Canlaon, on 1 5 May. This record was incorrectly cited as concerning ‘some birds’ by Brooks et al. (1992). Previously known only from Cuernos de Negros and surrounding mountains (Dickinson et al. 1991), where we had noted 2-8 daily on 1-3 April at the geothermal site near Dumaguete. There the birds favoured the lower storey but, on one evening, were seen to ascend to c. 20 m in the canopy to catch the last sunlight of the day, and once were noted associating with Elegant Tit Parus elegans. The song is a very distinctive, loud, pure whistle: ‘plea-he plea-hii plea-he plea-hii’ . This is clearly different from the ‘single burst of song’ heard by Brooks et al ., transcribed as ‘tu-tu, tutu soo’ (Brooks et al. 1992). Olive-backed F lowerpecker Prionochilus olivaceus Luzon: one at Bulusan lake, Sorsogon Province, on 6 June, showed the characters ofP. o. samarensis. Dickinson etal. (1991) included Sorsogon in tbe range of P. o. parsoni (of the rest of Luzon) without recognizing that the East Visayan race might occur in Luzon south of the central Luzon form (E. C. Dickinson in litt. 1992). Apo S unbird zLr/zopjggu boltoni Mindanao: one on 8 March, and two on 9 March on Mt Pasian, Davao Oriental Province. This constitutes a significant extension of the known range of this montane, Mindanao endemic which Dickinson et al. (1991) record from Mts Apo, McKinley, Katanglad, Matutum and Malindang. I am very grateful to my companion Stig Jensen whose enthusiasm and travel craft did much to ensure an enjoyable trip. We both remain grateful to the large number of Filipinos who helped us in countless ways; to Tim Fisher and Perla Magsalay for the very substantial assistance and hospitality offered; and to Ron Krupa, whose unrivalled experience in Philippine conservation enabled him to help us in many practical ways. Particular thanks are also due to Edward Dickinson whose generous urgings were the necessary catalyst to the writing of this article, and who kindly commented on a first draft. 10 J. HORNSKOV Forktail 1 1 REFERENCES Andrew, P. (1992) The birds of Indonesia: a checklist. Jakarta: Indonesian Ornithological Society. Beehler,B. M., Pratt, K. P. and Zimmermann, D. A. (1986) Birds of New Guinea. Princeton: Princeton University Press. Brazil, M. A. (1991) The birds of Japan. London: Christopher Helm. Brooks, T. M., Evans, T. D., Dutson, G. C. L., Timmins, R. J., Asane, D. L. and Toledo, A. G. (1992) The conservation status of the birds of Negros, Philippines. Bird Conservation International 2: 273- 302. Chalmers, M. L. (1990) Records Committee Report 1989 . Hong Kong Bird Report 1989: 16-31. Cheng Tso-hsin (1987)/! synopsis of the avifauna of China. Beijing: Science Press. Dickinson, E. C., Kennedy R. S. and Parkes, K. C. (1991) The birds of the Philippines. Tring: British Ornithologists’ Union (Checklist no. 12). duPont, J. (1971) Philippine birds. Delaware: Delaware Museum of Natural History. Evans, T. D., Magsalay, P., Dutson, G. C. L. and Brooks, T. M. (1993) The conservation status of the forest birds ofSiquijor, Philippines. Forktail 8: 89-93. Hayman, P., Marchant, J. and Prater, T. (1986) Shorebirds: an identification guide to the waders of the world. London: Christopher Helm. King, B. F., Dickinson, E. C. and Woodcock, M. W. (1975) A field guide to the birds of South-East Asia. London: Collins. Marchant, S. M. and Higgins, P. J., eds. (1990) Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic birds, 1 . Melbourne: Oxford University Press. van Marie, J. G. and Voous, K. H. (1988) The birds of Sumatra. Tring: British Ornithologists’ Union (Checklist no. 10). Mayr, E. (1947) Notes on tailorbirds ( Orthotomus ) from the Philippine islands.^. Washington Acad. Sci. 37: 140-141. Medway, Lord (1966) Field characters as a guide to the specific relations of swiftlets. Proc. Linn. Soc. London 177: 151-172. Payne, R. B. (1979) Family Ardeidae. Pp. 193-244 in E. Mayr and G. W. Cottrell, eds. Check-list of birds of the world, 1. Second edition. Cambridge, Mass.: Museum of Comparative Zoology. Redman, N. (1993) Two new species of birds for the Philippines and other notable records. Forktail 8: 119-123. Shuntov, V. P. (1972, transl. 1974) Seabirds and the biological structure of the ocean. Springfield: U.S. National Technical Service. Smythies, B.E. (1981) The birds of Borneo. Third edition. The Sabah Society with the Malayan Nature Society. White, C. M. N. and Bruce, M. D. (1 986) The birds of Wallacea ( Sulawesi , the Moluccas & Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia). Tring: British Ornithologists’ Union (Checklist no. 7). Jesper Homskov, Building no. 7, apartment 1-502, Yin Jia Zhuang Xiao Qu, Xining 810001 , Qinghai Province, People ’s Republic of China. 1995 FORKTAIL 1 1 (1995): 11 -32 11 The status of the Green Peafowl Pavo muticus in Laos TOM D. EVANS and ROBERT J. TIMMINS The Green Peafowl Paw muticus was once widespread in Laos. Recent surveys involving field searches and interviews indicate that there has been a widespread and serious decline. Only remnant populations remain. The largest populations are thought to occur in southern Laos, mainly in the basin of the Xe Kong (Se Kong) and possibly also in Phou Xiang Thong National Biodiversity Conservation Area on the east bank of the Mekong. Hunting is thought to be the chief reason for the decline, compounded by habitat loss and the human colonisation of most areas of suitable peafowl habitat. Local populations continue to die out and without energetic protection the species will probably become extinct in Laos in the foreseeable future. Action to stop illegal hunting and collecting of eggs and chicks is urgently required. This action should concentrate first on known populations within and near existing and proposed protected areas in Chasmpasak, Sedone, Attopu (Attopeu) , Salavan (Saravane) and Vientiane Provinces. The governmental body responsible for management of the protected areas network may require additional external funding and technical support to achieve this. Additional populations could probably be located by further surveys. The trade in peafowl feathers should be investigated further . INTRODUCTION Visually, the Green Peafowl Pavo muticus must number amongst the most impressive birds in South-East Asia. It was formerly found from south¬ eastern Assam, through Myanmar (Burma) , southern China and Indochina, to Java, though it was absent from Sumatra (Delacour 1951). Collar et al. ( 1 994) reviewed the available data on numbers and threats and listed Green Peafowl as having a high risk of global extinction in the medium-term future, mainly as a result of habitat loss and excessive hunting. Green Peafowl are probably extinct in Malaysia, Bangladesh and north¬ east India (Collar et al. 1 994) . In Thailand there is a population of about 300 in Hwai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary and unconfirmed reports from three other sites (Collar et al. 1994). In Java, van Balen et al. ( 1 995) reported at least 915-1,149 birds, including two populations of 200 or more, and stated that significant unsurveyed populations may also exist on the island. Information from the remaining five range states, Viet Nam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar and China (in the southern state of Yunnan) is much less detailed. In Viet Nam there were records of small remnant populations at three sites in central Viet Nam and at least 1 7 calling birds at Nam Cat Tien National Park in the south (Robson et al. 1993a, b). From Cambodia and Myanmar there is no recent information other than a report from a single site in Cambodia in 1 994 and reports that it was locally common in the early 1980s in Myanmar (Collar etal. 1 994) . In Yunnan the range has contracted and the population declined so that it is now restricted to about ten sites (Collar et al. 1994). 12 T. D. EVANS and R. J. TIMMINS Forktail 1 1 There is no widely available review on the status of the Lao population, but some data were reviewed in Salter (1993) and it was reported from at least five protected areas since 1989 in Collar et al. (1994). All the data available to Salter and Collar et al. are included in the current paper. This paper details information on Green Peafowl collected in Laos up to August 1995. The historical status is briefly reviewed, then data on more recent surveys, involving interviews and field observation, are reviewed on a site-by-site basis. Needs and possibilities for conservation action are discussed. Abbreviations The following non-standard abbreviations are used throughout the text: CPAWM (Centre for Protected Areas and Watershed Management, Department of Forestry, Vientiane)] IUCN (The World Conservation Union); NBCA (National Biodiversity Conservation Area, a large, legally gazetted reserve) and PPA (Proposed Protected Area, under official consideration by CPAWM) and WCS (The Wildlife Conservation Society, New York) Note on place names In this paper place names follow the maps of the most recent series of the Lao Service Geographique d’Etat, which use French transliterations of the original Lao pronunciations. Although this system is not perfectly suited to English-speakers, the maps are perhaps the most commonly used and certainly the most comprehensive source of names for those conducting fieldwork in Laos and so form an appropriate standard. Protected area names follow Berkmuller etal. (1993) and Berkmiiller etal. (1995), even where they include place names spelt differently from those on the standard maps. Where place-names given in the Times Atlas of the World ( 1990 edition) differ, these are given in parentheses at the first mention. Commonly used elements of Lao place names are Ban (village), Xe or Nam (both meaning river), Phou (Mount or Mountain) and Dong (an area of dense forest). HISTORICAL STATUS AND HABITAT The Green Peafowl was once widespread and very common in Laos. For example, Engelbach (1932), speaking of southernmost Laos, said simply ‘common everywhere, especially abundant in some of the valleys of Tahoi’. Delacour ( 1 929), describing an expedition covering Cambodia, central Laos and the full length of Viet Nam, stated simply ‘Common everywhere’. David- Beaulieu (1949), having spent several years in Savannakhet Province, central 1995 The status of the Green Peafowl in Laos 13 Laos, reported it ‘Extremely common throughout the province, but particularly along the Se [River] Bang Hieng, where, morning or evening, and even during the day, one might encounter them at any moment, on sandbanks or riverbanks’. In northern Laos, Delacour and Jabouille (1931) stated that it ‘abounds everywhere’, although David-Beaulieu (1944) was more cautious, stating that in the province of Tranninh, now known as Xieng Kouang, ‘ [it] is found only in lower areas, and even there is not very common’. He listed six areas where one could regularly see them, the highest (Muong Suoi) being at 1,200 m the others below 600 m. There was no report on the avifauna of Laos between 1949, when David-Beaulieu left, and the late 1980s. Delacour (1951) described the habitat needs thus: ‘[the Green Peafowl] requires open spaces, such as river banks, clearings and park-like country with long grass, patches of jungles and trees in which they can rest and hide. They shun deep, unbroken forest and large open plains, being absent from the great cultivated deltas of the Irrawaddy, the Menan, the Mekong and the Red River. They also do not ascend mountain slopes above 4,000 feet [c. 1,200 m], although numerous just below that altitude’. METHODS OF RECENT SURVEYS Surveys fell into three broad categories - general interviews during reserve feasibility studies, detailed interviews by ornithological fieldworkers and direct searches for peafowl in suitable habitat.. The authors of this paper participated in the latter two categories of survey. General information was gathered over wide areas during interviews conducted by the Lao government’s Centre for Protected Areas and W atershed Management (CPAWM) from 1988-1994, during the planning of the country’s protected areas system in association with staff of the World Conservation Union (IUCN). Interviews were conducted mostly in and around areas under consideration for protected area status. Villages were not randomly selected, but a mixture of readily accessible and remote villages, both large and small, was covered. It is likely that the remotest sites were somewhat under-represented. Semi-structured interviews (pro-formas are given in Berkmiiller et al. 1993) were conducted with the chiefs of each selected village and as many other local residents as the chief wished to invite. Interviewees were asked for simple socio-economic data and reports of current or former presence of threatened wildlife (from a list the interviewers read out) within half a day’s walk of the village. This list included Green Peafowl. The completed interview forms, about 300 in total, are held on file at CPAWM Head Office in Vientiane. Most of the interview data are summarized in Salter (1993). 14 T. D. EVANS and R. J. TIMMINS Forktail 1 1 The first field-surveys of birds in Laos since 1949 began in 1992, since which time work has been conducted in eight very large protected areas (National Biodiversity Conservation Areas, NBCAs), one Proposed Protected Area (PPA), two other extensive areas with no proposed protection and one small nature reserve. Early priorities for surveys were identified by CPAWM as those reserves or proposed reserves where management implementation was planned to start soon. These priority sites were surveyed in 1 992-94. In 1995 some areas not considered high priorities by CPAWM were also surveyed to investigate their conservation value. Ornithological fieldwork was conducted by an independent survey team in 1 992-93 and by staff of the Wildlife Conservation Society, New York, thereafter, accompanied at all times by Lao-speaking counterparts from CPAWM. Broad faunal inventories were requested by CPAWM, concentrating on globally threatened species and the threats to them. Thus the Green Peafowl, though not the sole object of survey, was a high-priority species which received particular attention. The first stage was to review interview data collected by CPAWM. Field- survey areas within the NBCAs were planned to cover most major habitats and altitudes, partly on the basis of likely presence of threatened species (due to remoteness, reports in earlier interviews or presence of localized habitats such as wetlands) and partly on the basis of access practicalities. Interviews were conducted in these survey areas whether or not they had been carried out in the past. The objective was to find local people, invariably adult males, with particular knowledge of wildlife, who could help fieldworkers to find localized or secretive species and provide information on low-density species which were unlikely to be observed directly during field surveys. Therefore a standardized questionnaire was not used. Interviewees were specifically asked about the current or former presence of Green Peafowl (‘ nok nyoung ’ in the Lao language). Further information was then sought on locations, numbers, seasonality and the possibility of observing the birds, or alternatively how long it was since peafowl were last seen in the area. Where local reports indicated peafowl were still present, guides were hired to lead observers to areas where they might be seen. Periods of from one night to two weeks were spent birdwatching in these sites, on foot or in small canoes. The duration depended on initial success, further discussions with the guides and the likelihood of recording other threatened species there. Effort was concentrated in the mornings and evenings when peafowl activity and calling were likely to be highest. Direct sightings, calls and shed feathers were sought as evidence. No dust-baths were found and no footprints were found except at sites where calls or sightings were also recorded. Fieldwork methods in the many areas visited where no peafowl had been reported were essentially similar, involving long periods of searching for wildlife along forest trails and stream sides or by boat on forest rivers, and offered good chances for detecting peafowl, had they been present. 1995 The status of the Green Peafowl in Laos 15 Co-ordinated counts of calling birds were attempted at Phou Khao Khouay NBCA. Three groups of one or two observers were stationed at 50- 100 m spacing in an area where a few peafowl were known to roost. They were in position from approximately 05h00-08h00 and 17h30-19hl5, covering the periods of dawn and dusk. Observers recorded the exact time each brief burst of calls was uttered and its approximate direction (using the eight points of a compass) . A minimum estimate of the number of calling birds was then reached by plotting the data on a sketch map and treating birds heard simultaneously by different observers as identical unless the recorded directions made this impossible. Repeated calls heard by an observer from the same direction were treated as the same bird, unless it was clear that two birds were involved. Records after 07h00 were disregarded to reduce the effect of birds calling from more than one area in the course of the morning count. A more elaborate method was not attempted since numbers were so low. RESULTS: HABITAT USE The habitat of areas with recent sightings and reports matches that described by Delacour (1951) and quoted above. There was no suggestion that hill evergreen or semi-evergreen forest was used (forest types follow Round 1 988), except for one unsubstantiated report from the headwaters of the Xe Pian in Bolovens Southwest PPA. This may have referred to a large block of semi-evergreen or hill evergreen forest, though the precise site was not clearly described and was not visited. At c. 800 m, this area was also the highest that reports came from. Other sites where recent or current presence was reported were at 70-550 m altitude. The Phou Khao Khouay NBCA population occupied a gently-curving convex sandstone outcrop at 400-500 m. There were large areas ofbare rock, with stunted dry dipterocarp forest on pockets of shallow sandy soil and somewhat taller dry dipterocarp forest along drainage lines. There was no flowing water in the dry season, and very little standing water other than puddles from recent rain showers. Much of Phou Xiang Thong NBCA is also deciduous forest types with scattered pools on gently sloping rocky outcrops (K. Berkmiiller in litt. 1994). Peafowl there may occupy similar habitat to those in Phou Khao Khouay NBCA. Quan Moor in Dong Hua Sao NBCA was a large grassy glade in flat mixed deciduous forest at c. 200 m. Reports and records from Xe Pian NBCA and Dong Lao Louang, Phou Louang, Phou Katoung and Phou Theung PPAs also appear to be associated with mixed deciduous forest below 300 m, either as extensive stands or as gallery forest along rivers in areas of dry dipterocarp forest. 16 T. D. EVANS and R. J. TIMMINS Forktail 1 1 The two areas reliably reported in Nakai-Nam Theun NBCA, the one in Khammouane Limestone NBCA, some in Xe Bang Nouan NBCA and the one in the northern sector of Xe Pian NBCA were flat or gently-rolling alluvial areas quite near villages. The habitat in each was a mosaic of wet rice paddies, short-cycle shifting cultivation of rice on dry ground, bamboo- dominated scrub and degraded forest, small pools and streams or rivers. These populations are all thought to be extinct (see Discussion). RESULTS: SEASONALITY February-April was widely reported by interviewees to be the time when peafowl call and display in Laos, with a peak in March. This represents the latter part of the long dry season. The monsoonal rains start in mid-May and are heavy from June-September before gradually ceasing in October. There were reports of eggs taken from the wild in April 1 994 at Phou Khao Khouay NBCA and a chick held captive in April 1995 in Bolovens Southwest PPA, indicating that breeding was occurring in this month. RESULTS: DISTRIBUTION AND STATUS Results are presented separately for those sites where evidence of significant peafowl populations was found and those where, at best, only a handful of individuals is thought to remain. Data are reviewed separately for the three biogeographical regions of Laos, North, Central and South recommended by Delacour and Jabouille (1931) and followed by King et al. (1975). The boundaries of these regions and the approximate boundaries of the survey areas are marked on Figures 1 and 2. ‘Sites’ are mostly quite restricted areas at least 10 km from another place where peafowl were reported, separated by areas of dense forest or dense human population. Some of those in southern Laos are apparently more extensive areas and may represent either extensive populations or a number of separate ‘sites’ which could not be distinguished due to inadequate information. Information on the location and size of populations is followed by notes on human activities that may affect the birds. In the absence of other comments, all sites discussed may be assumed to experience frequent visits by men hunting opportunistically with guns and snares. Areas of NBCAs and PPAs are not presented here since they bear limited relationship to the extent of habitat suitable for Green Peafowl (for example, Xe Bang Nouan NBCA is less than one third the size of Nakai-Nam Theun NBCA, but supports comparable areas of scrub and deciduous forest types) or the number of peafowl thought to be present. Areas of the NBCAs can be found in Berkmiiller et al. (1993). 1995 The status of the Green Peafowl in Laos 17 Table 1 Sites where peafowl populations of more than a few birds are thought to exist Numbers of interviews are given in the order peafowl reportedly absent/extinct/present. The absent category may include some sites where the species is extinct, since the distinction was not always made in interviews. A dash indicates no information available - if negative information was gathered it is presented. A Numerical data not available in the same form as at other sites. * Pooled here because CPAWM results for the two cannot be separated. Area Co-ordinates CPAWM interviews Other interviews Records Status North Laos 2. Nam Ma NBCA 20”32'-20“53'N 9/0/2 - - Probably 1 01 °1 0'-1 01 °28'E present 9. Phou Khao Khouay NBCA 18°14,-18°34’N 6/0/5 2/0/0 Observed at Present 1 02°44'-1 03°29’E one site 11. Nam Kading NBCA 1 8°1 0-1 8°30'N 1/0/1 10/0/1 None Probably 1 04°08'-1 03°30’E present Central Laos None South Laos 18. Phou Xiang Thong NBCA 15°19'-15°52'N 0/2/6 - - Probably 105°25 -105°47’E present 20. PhouTheung PPA 1 5°25'-1 5°58’N 4/0/3 - - Probably 106°29'-106°55'E present 21. Phou Katoung PPA 14052-15°19'N 8/0/8 - - Probably 1 06°45'-1 07°1 5'E present at more than one site 22. Dong Amphan NBCA 14°38'-15°12’N 1/1/1 reported to - Probably 1 07°1 2'-1 07°48’E Baird (1995)A present 23. Nam Kong PPA 1 4°1 8'-1 4°52’N 5/0/5 - - Probably 1 06°33'-1 07°32’E present 24. Dong HuaSao NBCA 1 4°50'-1 5°1 1 'N 5/4/2 5/0/1 Seen at one Present 1 05°55'-1 06°1 8'E site 26. Dong Lao Louang PPA/ 1 4°42'-1 5°06’N 2/2/15 3/0/3 Captive chicks Probably 27. Phou Louang PPA * 106°1 1 -106°31 'E seen from one present at site in Phou 2-3 sites, Louang PPA including both PPAs 28. Xe Pian NBCA 14°02'-14°47'N 5/2/6 0/3/4 None in three Present in one 1 05°54'-1 06°29’E sectors, sector, confirmed in probably two, one extinct in one, probably absent in one Sites where peafowl populations of more than a few birds are believed to occur Data are summarized in Table 1 . All sites are discussed in more detail below. Where the only evidence comes from CPAWM interviews there is less confidence that peafowl still occur (see Discussion, below, for a justification of this) and presence should be considered unconfirmed. The sites below include three in North Laos, but none shows evidence of large numbers. Except for Phou Xiang Thong NBCA, which lies on the east bank of the Mekong in Sedone Province, South Laos, the remainder of the sites all lie 18 T. D. EVANS and R. J. TIMMINS Forktail 1 1 relatively close together in and around the catchment of the Xe Kong (Se Kong) river, the largest single tributary of the Mekong, in the provinces on Champasak, Attopu (Attopeu) and Salavan (Saravane) in South Laos. The Xe Pian NBCA population probably extends into Cambodia. 2. Nam Ma NBCA, North Laos Two villages reported peafowl during CPAWM interviews in 1991. There is no other information. 9. Phou Khao Khouay NBCA, North Laos All CPAWM reports appear to stem from a single site. In early 1994, a number of brief visits was made by CPAWM staff and one of the authors to this area, on the southern edge of the reserve near the village of Ban Nakhay. The birds are reported to occur at 2-6 separate roosting areas across a gently sloping outcrop of sandstone rock a few kilometres long and about 2 km across. Peafowl at one of the roosting areas (locally called Dan Houay Sai Khao) have been counted, on 22 March 1994 and 1 May 1995. Coordinated recording of calls suggested at least six calling birds (presumably all males) were present on the first visit and two on the second. The latter visit fell after the peak February- April calling period. Faunal surveys in 1994/1995 revealed no peafowl in the Nam Leuk area in the centre of the reserve, despite the presence of suitable habitat (J. W. Duckworth, in litt. 1995). The Ban Nakhay population is under severe pressure. There are several villages within 4 km of the outcrop. Six birds were reportedly shot in 1993 and one of the six roosting areas may no longer be occupied (Dobias 1 994) . The villagers also collect peafowl eggs (ten in 1993) to incubate under domestic chickens, then sell the chicks to traders in Vientiane (Dobias 1 994) . 11. Nam Kading NBCA, North Laos No peafowl were located during 24 man weeks of surveys along the main river valleys in December 1994-January 1995 andMarch-May 1995. Further, none was reported by most local residents. However, peafowl were reported from one remote ridge-top area by a guide of the Hmong ethnic minority, a man who had demonstrated a great knowledge of the area’s other wildlife. The reported site (which some local informant said had no peafowl) was near the upper Houei Ba Song, a left bank tributary of the Nam Kading (Nam Ca Dhin), 1 5 km upstream of the Nam Mouan confluence (W. Robichaud, verbally 1995). 18. Phou Xiang Thong NBCA, South Laos There were reports during CPAWM interviews from villages all along the eastern border of this reserve, suggesting that significant populations may remain. 20. Phou Theung PPA, South Laos Several villages reported peafowl in one limited, south-central part of this area during CPAWM surveys. 1995 The status of the Green Peafowl in Laos 19 Table 2 Sites where there is evidence that peafowl are extinct, absent or extremely rare Numbers of interviews are given in the order peafowl reportedly absent/extinct/present. The absent category may include some sites where the species is extinct, since the distinction was not always made in interviews. A dash indicates no information available - if negative information was gathered it is presented. * These positive reports identified locations where presence was discounted by fieldwork and further questioning A. Numerical data not available in the same form as at other sites. Area Co-ordinates CPAWM interviews Other interviews Records Status North Laos 1. Phou Dene Dinh NBCA 21 °40'-22°1 8'N 1 02°00'-1 0°40’E 6/0/0 2/0/0 None Probably absent 3. Phou Louey NBCA 19°50'-20°29’N 1 03°00'-1 03°23'E 23/0/0 — — Probably absent 4. Nam Et NBCA 20°09'-20°50'N 1 03°21 -1 03°53’E 6/0/0 — — Probably absent 5. Nam Xam NBCA 20°02'-20°14'N 104°18'-104°53’E 13/0/0 — — Probably absent 6. Nam Poui NBCA 1 8°1 2'-1 8°46’N 1 01 °05'-1 01 °30’E 0/2/1 ~ Probably very rare 7. PakSa 18°27'-18°50’N 1 01 °30'-1 01 °50’E 2/7/0 — — Probably very rare or extinct 8. Houei Nhang Nature Reserve 18°05'N 102°41’E 2/0/0 1/0/0 None Extinct or absent 1 0. Paxane (Pak Sane) marshes 18°25' N 103°46' E 2/0/0 Probably extinct or absent 12. Nam Mouan Valley 1 8°32'-1 8°52’N 1 04°1 4'-1 04°20’E — 7/0/0 None Probably very rare or extinct Central Laos 13. Khammouane Limestone NBCA 1 7°26'-1 8°05’N 1 04°25‘-1 05°1 0’E 1/12/1* 0/1/0 _ Probably very rare or extinct 14. Nakai-Nam Theun NBCA rare or extinct 17“34'-18°23’N 1 05°02'-1 05°46’E 15/8/12* 10/11/2* None Probably very 15. Phou Xang He NBCA 1 6°42'-1 7°04’N 105o19'-106°06’E 0/8/3 1/3/0 None Probably very rare or extinct 16. Nong Louang wetlands 16°13’N105°21’E 1/2/0 None reported to Claridge (1 993) A Probably very rare or extinct South Laos 17. Xe Bang Nouan NBCA 1 5°44'-1 6°01 'N 1 05°33'-1 06°1 8'E 5/2/10* 11/0/2* None Probably very rare or extinct 19. Ban Thateng area 15°23’N 106°25’E 1/2/0 — Probably very rare or extinct 25. Xe Namnoy headwaters 1 4°50'-1 5°1 0’N 1 06°30'-1 06°45’E 9/0/2 5/5/0 None Probably very rare or extinct 21. Phou Katoung PPA, South Laos Several villages from all around this area reported peafowl within it during CPAWM interviews, possibly in several different river catchments. 22. Dong Amphan NBCA, South Laos One village of the three interviewed by CPAWM reported the presence of peafowl. They were also reported to Baird (1995) who visited ten villages along the Xe Kaman (Se Kamane) river in December 1994 -January 1995. 20 T. D. EVANS and R. J. TIMMINS Forktail 1 1 It is not known whether the reported birds are within the current NBCA boundaries. 23. Nam Kong PPA, South Laos Five villages reported peafowl during CPAWM interviews, but the informants did not give information on how many sites might be involved. 24. Dong Hua Sao NBCA, South Laos The reserve was surveyed for four person-months in May-July 1993 (Timmins etal. 1993a). Reports had been received by CPAWM in early 1993 ofpeafowl near the southern boundary. Similar reports were given to the survey team, who eventually sighted Green Peafowl twice (possibly the same bird) at a wide grassy clearing called Quan Moor. Local people said that they did not hunt the birds, because they were beautiful, and that as a result Quan Moor hosted a communal display of up to 70 birds in March. This remains to be confirmed. 26. Xe Khampho PPA, South Laos There were reports from many villages around this area in CPAWM interviews in 1993-1994. During field-surveys in 1995 in Ban Houayko (known in the area as Ban Don Kong) and Ban Hinlat along the Xe Pian river (Evans et al. 1995), there were interview reports of peafowl occurring near Ban Makka at the southern foot of the Phoupiang Bolaven (Plateau des Bolovens). It is one of an isolated enclave of villages in an extensive area of mixed deciduous and semi-evergreen forest at 100-300 m. 27. Phou Luang PPA, South Laos There were reports from many villages around this area in CPAWM interviews in 1993-1994. During field-surveys in 1995, large numbers of peafowl (possibly in excess of 100) were reported from the extensive belt of mixed deciduous forest in this area by the chief of the village of Ban Hinlat (Evans etal. 1995). There were also possible reports stemming from people in Ban Houaychot, of peafowl in another area, the headwaters of the Xe Pian, in a remote area at about 800 m, (I. Baird, cited in Evans etal. 1995). People in Houaychot did not report peafowl during previous CPAWM interviews. The informant in Ban Hinlat said that the birds were often hunted. Captive chicks were seen (I. Baird and T. Roberts in litt. 1995). Parts of the area are, however, relatively distant from villages, and difficult to reach because there are no roads or navigable rivers. They may thus experience low hunting pressure. 28. Xe Pian NBCA, South Laos A large proportion of the reserve in the main sector is dense semi-evergreen forest unsuitable for peafowl. The extensive mixed deciduous and dry dipterocarp forest and scrub in the northern, southern and eastern sectors are apparently more suitable (Timmins et al. 1 993b) . The reserve was surveyed for a total of about sixteen person-months, covering all four sectors, from November 1992-May 1993 (Timmins etal. 1993b). The eastern sector was visited again for a week in May 1 995 (Evans et al. 1 995). 1995 The status of the Green Peafowl in Laos 21 Although there was a previous report to CPAWM staff, all informants interviewed by ornithological fieldworkers in 1 992- 1 993 agreed that peafowl have been hunted out in the heavily populated northern sector, around the large village of Ban Phapho. In the southern sector, known locally as Dong Kalo, none was heard during 15 person-days of survey work. Local people from Dong Kalo reported peafowl to CPAWM and in 1993 offered to show observers peafowl in the nearby Phou Mailai hills, but this was not possible for security reasons. In the eastern sector of the reserve, the plains of the Xe Kong river and its tributaries, peafowl were reported to be quite common during interviews by CPAWM and the ornithological teams. In 1995 soldiers manning border posts along the Xe Kong river reported that peafowl were still common both in the reserve and in the extensive uninhabited deciduous forests on the Cambodian side of the river (Evans et al. 1995). At least two different individual peafowl were heard calling by the team on a total of four occasions around the Xe Pian-Xe Khampho confluence in March 1 993 . A shed feather was found in 1995 at another place, Keng Louang, over 30 km upstream along the Xe Pian. Since only two birds were heard during two weeks of surveywork(c. 10 person-weeks) at the expected peak calling period in 1993 the population is suspected to be either localized or at low density. Sites where Green Peafowl are thought to be absent, extremely rare or extinct Data are summarized in Table 2. Further details are given below for those sites where they are available. 1. Phou Dene Dinh NBCA, North Laos CPAWM intwerviews have been conducted. Two person-weeks of field surveys were conducted at this site in May-June 1995. There is no suggestion that Green Peafowl occur (W. Robichaud per J. W. Duckworth in litt. 1995). 6. Nam Poui NBCA, North Laos During CPAWM interviews a few peafowl have been reported to persist in valleys outside the reserve, but there is reportedly none within it (R. Dobias verbally 1993). 8. Houei Nhang Nature Reserve, North Laos This reserve was intensively surveyed by a team of 6 observers for six weeks in October-November 1992 and on many subsequent occasions and it is certain that no peafowl are present (Cambridge Survey Team 1992). This small reserve experiences extremely heavy hunting pressure, from local residents and visitors from Vientiane (Cambridge Survey Team 1992). 12. Nam Mouan Valley, North Laos No CPAWM interviews have been conducted in this area. Field surveys and interviews were conducted along the main river valley for one person-week 22 T. D. EVANS and R. J. TIMMINS Forktail 1 1 in March 1995. It became clear that the area was heavily populated and lacked any extensive natural forest. Seven villages reported that peafowl were not present in their area. It is conceivable that peafowl remain in the headwaters of the catchment. 13. Khammouane Limestone NBC A, Central Laos There were reports from a single village at the south end of the reserve among 14 villages interviewed by CPAWM in 1991. This village, Ban Nakayak (locally known as Ban Kok Savang), was revisited in 1994 and several informants stated that no peafowl had been seen for 3-5 years. Two other nearby villages gave similar information. This population is probably extinct. 14. Nakai-Nam Theun NBCA, Central Laos During interviews conducted by CPAWM in 1988-94, reports came from three sites, two about 35 km apart in the western Nakai plateau sector and one 30 km east in the T asaeng Theung sector (a T asaeng is an administrative unit of, at most, two or three dozen villages). An eight person-month ornithological survey was conducted in January-April 1994 (Timmins and Evans 1994). On this survey there were fewer positive reports and more negative ones (as more interviews were conducted in 1995), with several people saying that peafowl had become extinct near their villages in the past ten years. Two convincing reports on the Nakai Plateau were followed up in April by camping at the stated site for 1 -2 nights, guided by the informant. No peafowl were found and further information suggested that both populations were now extinct or almost so. At one of them, locally known as Nong Nyian, near the abandoned village of Ban Bo-Tai, a new village, known locally as Ban Soupen, had grown up nearby since the informant had last visited six years ago. People in Ban Soupen said the peafowl had all been shot. At the other, the mouth of Houei Luuk, upstream of Ban Khonken, bamboo scrub had come under fresh cultivation a year earlier and the farmer said the birds had not been heard since. Tasaeng Theung (which is essentially the headwaters of the Nam Noy) is dominated by members of the Lao Theung ethnic group. Initial confusion over the names of Green Peafowl and Crested Argus in local dialects led us to seek very detailed information, and to request to look at feathers. Our conclusion after six days of interviews and seeing several feathers was that all or almost all of the reports of ‘peafowl’ actually referred to Crested Argus Rheinardia ocellata. That species is quite common on the hills around the head of the valley. One informant, at the village of Ban Buk, described ‘peafowl’ which lived near rivers and sometimes came into paddies, though he had last caught them 8 years ago. The habitat described was suggestive of Green Peafowl. Crested Argus, being notoriously secretive, would be most unlikely to visit open areas. However, when he showed us a feather from the 1995 The status of the Green Peafowl in Laos 23 bird, it was that of male Crested Argus . It is conceivable that Green Peafowl remain in Tasaeng Theung, but the balance of evidence is that they do not, or are extremely rare. The three sites were all in inhabited and actively cultivated areas where hunting pressure can be expected to be high. Some other parts of the Nakai Plateau are thought to experience lower levels of human pressure but peafowl were not reported from them. 15. Phou Xang He NBC A, Central Laos There were reports to CPAWM interviewers in 1 992 . A significant proportion of the reserve was surveyed, for three person-months in April 1993 (Duckworth et al. 1993b) . Though a few individual Green Peafowl might persist in more remote areas not surveyed, no peafowl were found, nor were reports received. Several interviewees said they had been extinct for many years. 17. Xe Bang Nouan NBCA, South Laos Six person-weeks were spent surveying the reserve in May-July 1994. Though significant populations were suggested by CPAWM interview results, the field survey found that the population was in fact extremely small, if not extinct. The most recent seemingly reliable report was of a single bird from 1992, at a site that certainly no longer supported them by 1994. The whole reserve was found to be exposed to high levels of hunting, fishing and other extractive uses. 25. Xe Namnoy headwaters, South Laos Though CPAWM interviewers received reports in 1993-1994, it is possible these refer to areas in the lowlands to the south, east or west, in the NBCAs and PPAs of the Xe Kong basin. No reports were received during 3 person- months of fieldwork in March- April 1995, nor were there any field sightings. The area, though relatively populated, has villages almost throughout and there are no particularly remote areas where peafowl might be expected to survive. DISCUSSION Validity of the interview data Interview results have to be treated with considerable caution due to possibilities of misinterpretation by either party and the risk that respondents may not be telling the truth for various reasons or simply not know the correct answer. These problems are believed to be relatively small for the Green Peafowl because it is a familiar species whose Lao name is the same over virtually all of the surveyed areas, it is readily observed at certain times of the year by people farming and hunting in an area and there was no suggestion that respondents were shy or suspicious of the interview teams, or that they 24 T. D. EVANS and R. J. TIMMINS Forktail 1 1 were worried to report hunting of this legally protected species. Reports from different respondents around an area were generally consistent: for instance, specific sites with peafowl were frequently known to many or most interviewees in a number of nearby villages. Thus it is felt unlikely that significant populations have been wholly missed in areas where both interviews have been conducted. In one area, the Tasaeng Theung sector of Nakai-Nam Theun NBCA, there was doubt over the identification of reports, due mainly to local dialect differences rather than an inability of interviewees to separate the two species . The confusion species. Crested Argus, is not thought to occur at any of the other sites where peafowl are reported, so the possibility for confusion at these sites is much less. Data from interviews and fieldwork during ornithological surveys indicate that the CPAWM interview results give a somewhat over-optimistic picture in areas that are subsequently re-surveyed, for example, Phou Khao Khouay, Nakai-Nam Theun, Phou Xang He, Khammouane Limestone and Xe Bang Nouan NBCAs and parts of Xe Pian NBCA. This may be because reports refer to groups which became extinct in the interim (e.g. in at least one part of Nakai-Nam Theun NBCA and in Xe Bang Nouan, Phou Khao Khouay and Khammouane Limestone NBCAs), because several reports from well- separated villages may refer to the same small group, because respondents misunderstood the questions posed (e.g. they reported the former presence of peafowl but this was not realized by the interviewer) or, in the Nakai-Nam Theun NBCA case discussed above, due to nomenclatural confusion with Crested Argus. Thus presence at sites where CPAWM interviews provide the only evidence should be considered probable rather than confirmed, and the overall status of the peafowl may be somewhat worse than suggested by the data available. Completeness of coverage Direct searches for this often secretive species have only been attempted over a small percentage of the country, and it is difficult to infer the nationwide status of the peafowl from these searches alone. However, the interview data are much more extensive. The 1 7 NBCAs cover over 10% of the nation’s land surface (Berkmiiller etal. 1 993, 1995). The areas immediately around them (which were also effectively covered by interview surveys) and the other proposed or formerly proposed protected areas also surveyed add considerably more land area to this total. It should be noted, however, that not all sectors of some of these areas were covered. It is likely that additional peafowl populations remain to be discovered elsewhere in Laos. Nonetheless, the sites surveyed include the great majority of those with large areas of natural habitat, relatively low human population densities and relatively low hunting 1995 The status of the Green Peafowl in Laos 25 pressure (Berkmiiller et al. 1993, 1995). In view of the evidence for a great decline and the probability that hunting is the key factor (see below), the surveyed sites would thus be expected to hold the bulk of remaining peafowl numbers. Most of the areas of suitable habitat not surveyed, both lowland and highland, are heavily populated and heavily cultivated and seem unlikely to support more than small peafowl numbers. Evidence for a decline Three lines of evidence suggest that there has been a great decline in the population of Green Peafowl in Laos. Firstly comparison of historical accounts with recent survey results indicates that populations are very much smaller, fewer and harder to locate than in the period before 1949. For instance, there are no reliable current reports from anywhere in Central Laos, and only three of twelve sites surveyed in North Laos appear to have even modest numbers of peafowl. A number of extensive areas in South Laos (e.g. Xe Bang Nouane NBCA) that once supported peafowl no longer do so. Secondly, there is no evidence that any peafowl occur within a few kilometres of any existing village in Laos except for the birds in Phou Khao Khouay NBCA. This was not formerly the case, judging from historical accounts (see Historical Status and Distribution, above) and the reports of interviewees. Although there are a number of reports of populations being present in the past 20-30 years in areas near villages with a mosaic of scrub and cultivation (see Habitat above), none appears to be occupied any longer and the remaining significant populations appear to be in extensive areas of deciduous forest-types away from villages. Considering the low population density, surprisingly few areas in Laos are more than a few kilometres from a village, due to the highly dispersed, overwhelmingly rural nature of the population. Thus an absence from the vicinity of villages implies absence from the great majority of the country. Thirdly, many respondents in recent interviews have reported that Green Peafowl have become extinct in the area within half a day’s walk of their villages in living memory, sometimes as long ago as 30 years, others in the past five years (Tables 1 and 2) . This is clear evidence for a decline, in these areas at least. Extinctions were reported in 77 of the 362 interviews (21%). A few of these represent two villages interviewed at different times. However, the true figure is probably much higher, since in many cases the distinction between extinct and absent was not made by the interviewer or respondent, or was not recorded on the answer sheet. 26 T. D. EVANS and R. J. TIMMINS Forktail 1 1 Reasons for the decline Forest loss has been extensive in Laos, and may have reduced the area available for Green Peafowl to inhabit. It may also have improved feeding opportunities where birds were able to roam into cultivated areas with quantities of spilled grain or where open habitats replaced dense, closed forest. In either case, habitat loss or fragmentation cannot alone account for the present scarcity of the peafowl or the speed of the decline, since large areas of apparently suitable habitat clearly remain. The authors have a strong suspicion that the cause is human activity within the remaining habitat, in particular hunting with snares or guns. Many interviewees stated that the peafowl were shot whenever possible, because they taste good and provide lots of meat. In support of this, David-Beaulieu ( 1 949) praised the quality of meat from the young peafowl. Hunting of virtually any animal, mainly for food, is ubiquitous in rural Laos and most people have access to guns, or can use snares. The authors and their co-workers on recent surveys have found that populations of all large mammals and large birds are very low except in the remotest areas, at least in South and Central Laos and the southern third of North Laos. Peafowl are particularly vulnerable in places where they occupy riversides and scrub around cultivation, and are easily shot at their roosts which they draw attention to by calling loudly. J. Eames ( inlitt . 1995) points out that the Green Peafowl’s preference for alluvial valleys and need for daily access to water overlaps, to the bird’s detriment, with the preferences of the low-altitude rice-farming cultures which now dominate Indochina. Eggs are reportedly taken to hatch under domestic chickens so that the peafowl chicks can be fattened for meat or sold as cage birds. This may be a contributory factor in the decline and is probably a serious threat to remaining small populations. The trade in the males’ spectacular train feathers, which are used as ornaments or as parts of more elaborate craftwork, may have had an impact, especially once populations had already been reduced by hunting. We observed one skin, with its train, prepared for sale as a trophy. It had been confiscated by CPAWM staff from a village near the Phou Khao Khouay NBCA population. Bundles of peafowl feathers can freely be bought in Vientiane and in towns on the Thai side of the Mekong, for example Nong Khai (personal observations on many occasions) and Muang Amphoe, Mukdahan Province (Srikosamatara etal. 1 992, Srikosamatara and Suteethom 1993). However, following examination of specimens in the British Museum (Natural History) we have concluded that the train feathers of Green and Blue Peafowl Pavo cristatus are almost impossible to distinguish, other than the marginal feathers, which are asymmetrical, usually lack ocelli and which appear to differ in colour between the species. Thus it has not been possible to identify the feathers on sale. Many or most conceivably stem from captive 1995 The status of the Green Peafowl in Laos 27 populations of Green or Blue Peafowl or from the large wild population of Blue Peafowl in the Indian subcontinent, though this has been difficult to determine since, in Vientiane at least, traders seem unwilling or unable to answer casual enquiries about the origins of the feathers. Feathers from captive birds have the advantage that they can be gathered in better condition and in larger numbers. Both Blue and Green Peafowl are quite numerous in collections in Laos and Thailand, and breed well (Nattakit Krathintong, Project Manager, Vientiane Zoological Gardens Inc., verbally 1995). Status and global importance of the Lao population The results clearly indicate that the Green Peafowl is now extinct over large parts of Laos where it was probably common 50-100 years ago and that local populations have continued to die out even during the past few years. There is no indication that the decline is likely to stop. There is little information on the numerical strengths of the remaining populations, but on current evidence none is suspected to exceed 1 00-200 birds and the largest populations may in reality be markedly smaller than that. The largest single report was in the order of 1 00 birds at Bolovens Southwest PPA, but this was simply a guess by a local hunter. The bulk of the Lao population appears to be in the south, particularly in mixed deciduous forests in the catchment of the Xe Kong river. Known populations appear to be widely dispersed, though least so in the catchment of the Xe Kong river. Many may be too small to be genetically viable in the long term. The Lao population is potentially significant to the future survival of the species. It appears to be at least as numerically important as that of Thailand, though possibly not as large as that reported from Java (see Introduction, above). Further surveys will enable more precise statements to be made. However, the number of reports received of populations disappearing within the past ten years suggests that within a few more years many of those which exist today will also have vanished or shrunk markedly, unless practical conservation action is taken. CONSERVATION OF THE GREEN PEAFOWL IN LAOS Development of the institutional capacity of the Lao government to manage its protected areas is being supported by bilateral aid from Sweden through the Lao-Swedish Forest Resources Conservation Project, with the assistance of IUCN. WCS have also initiated a long-term programme of field surveys and training of Lao conservation staff. If these inputs continue, extensive, long-term conservation measures are likely to become possible for the Lao government to undertake. 28 T. D. EVANS and R. J. TIMMINS Forktail 1 1 At certain NBCAs general management implementation is underway, though low staffing levels and uncertain funding are very restrictive. These sites include three, Xe Pian, Dong Hua Sao and Phou Khao Khouay, where peafowl occur. Protection of peafowl needs to receive a higher priority at these sites. For most threatened species the emphasis is to be on general reduction of hunting, disturbance and habitat destruction in the large NBCAs over a period of years, in parallel with the establishment of sustainable patterns of resource use by local residents (Berkmiiller et al. 1 993) . Because peafowl are very localized, declining rapidly, especially targeted by hunters and easily hunted, the remaining populations need more specific protective measures implemented with greater urgency. The Green Peafowl is one of the few species in Laos for which a highly focused conservation programme is currently appropriate. Many other NBCAs and PPAs are currently given a low priority for survey and general management implementation (Berkmiiller etal. 1993) due to the constraints of funding and manpower under which CPAWM operates. The speed with which peafowl groups are becoming extinct in Laos urges much more rapid action at some of these sites (Phou Xiang Thong NBCA and Bolovens Southwest PPA being good examples), aimed specifically at peafowl. By the time general management implementation starts there may otherwise be no peafowl left to protect. Green Peafowl are already protected from hunting at all times under Lao law (Salter 1993). A number of possible courses of action, which could run concurrently, are outlined below. 1 Site-specific protective measures a) A pilot scheme by CPAWM staff is underway at Phou Khao Khouay NBCA, publicizing the fact that it is illegal to kill the birds or steal their eggs, and holding village meetings and consultations with village leaders to explain the significance of the few remaining peafowl. If this seems successful the same procedure should be followed as soon as possible in Dong Hua Sao and Xe Pian NBCAs, since although these are not known to be the largest populations, management staff are already available and established in these areas. Follow-up measures should be developed, depending on this initial work. b) If further large populations are confirmed by future fieldwork at other sites priorities should be re-assessed and they should probably receive protective measures as quickly as possible. 1995 The status of the Green Peafowl in Laos 29 c) The possibility of enabling tourists to view peafowl, especially the easily- accessible ones at Phou Khao Khouay NBCA, 90 minutes drive from the centre of the capital, is being examined by CPAWM. This might provide a small income to local people to compensate for the small financial benefits they forego by not killing the birds. There is no established ecotourism in Laos, and a limited presence of tourists in general, though this seems likely to change as official restrictions on travel outside the capital are reduced. d) It is likely that carefully planned external assistance, both with funds and technical support, will be necessary to enable protected areas staff to achieve lasting improved protection of peafowl. Current management capacity is very limited and there is little scope for single-species projects within existing manpower and financial constraints. 2 Expansion of the protected areas system a) Many peafowl are thought to be outside existing protected areas, especially in the catchment of the Xe Kong valley. NBCA status would not be conferred on an area simply for the presence of one species, but some of these sites are thought to support assemblages of many threatened species. Establishment of protected areas may improve the conservation status of the peafowl within them. b) It may be appropriate to establish a protected area in north-eastern Cambodia, where peafowl are reported to occur, to form a trans-frontier reserve linked with Xe Pian NBCA. Further investigations are required. 3 Further field survey work a) The sites where active measures are undertaken should be more thoroughly surveyed and the populations counted. This will provide a baseline to monitor the success of protection. b) Wildlife surveyors in Laos should make it a high priority to assess the sizes of other reported peafowl populations as soon as possible. Phou Xiang Thong NBCA, Bolovens Southwest PPA and the other sites in the Xe Kong valley listed in this paper are of the highest priority for survey in this regard. c) The possibility of as yet unreported populations should be investigated in regions with low population density and extensive lowland forest. Two possible areas are the east part of Savannakhet Province and neighbouring Xepon (Sepone) Province in Central Laos (area A on Figure 2) and the 30 T. D. EVANS and R. J. TIMMINS Forktail 1 1 south part of Champasak Province west of the Mekong in South Laos (area B on Figure 2). d) There is limited survey expertise within CPAWM at present and it would be appropriate for outside teams to assist by conducting surveys in consultation with that body. It is essential that any survey conducted should be planned so as to offer useful training to CPAWM counterparts in the gathering and interpretation of data during the course of fieldwork. 4 Investigation of the impact of trade a) Steps should be taken to determine whether Green Peafowl feathers or whole birds are being traded in significant quantities. The trade in birds or their feathers would contravene the terms of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) if it were proven to occur into, for example, Thailand or Viet Nam (both parties to the convention). Laos is not yet a party to CITES, but should also attempt to investigate and, if appropriate, control the cross-border trade. b) A method is needed to distinguish Green and Blue Peafowl train feathers. The survey of Dong Hua Sao was funded by a grant from the British Embassy in Bangkok. The Phou Xang He survey was carried out under contract to the Lao/Swedish Forest Resources Conservation Project. The surveys of Nakai-Nam Theun (1994), Xe Bang Nouan and Phou Khao Khouay were funded through the Wildlife Conservation Society. Nam Kading was surveyed under contract to Norplan and to Electrowatt Engineering Services, Xe Namnoy was surveyed under contract to Electrowatt Engineering Services and the Nakai Plateau (1995) under contract to TEAM Consulting Engineers Ltd. The Xe Pian and Houei Nhang surveys were funded by a variety of bodies with major donations from: The British Ornithologists’ Union, BP (UK) Ltd. (through International Council for Bird Preservation/Fauna and Flora Preservation Society), the People’s Trust for Endangered Species, The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, The World Pheasant Association and Mr. and Mrs. J. Evans. The visit to Phou Dene Dinh was funded by a grant from the Hanus Trust to the Cedar Grove Ornithological Research Station. In Laos we have been helped enormously over the past three years by Venevongphet, Bouaphanh Phanthavong, Somphong Souliyavong, Boonhom Sounthala, Boonhong Moonsoophom, Sukotha Vannalat, Sisomphane Chai Noi, Klaus Berkmiiller, Rick Salter, Bob Dobias, Thanongsy, Stuart Chape and other members of the CPAWM and IUCN staff. Guy Anderson, Bill Bleisch, Kate Cozza, Will Duckworth, Michael Dvorak, Inthavong, Michael Leven, Keith Metzner, Erwin Nemeth, Pa Dith, Alan and Dae Rabinowitz, William Robichaud, George Schaller, Richard Thewlis, Rob Tizard and Roger Wilkinson all took part in some of the field surveys. We have received a great deal of hospitality' and information from inhabitants of the villages where our field surveys have been based. Guy Anderson assisted in the preparation of the figures. Peter Colston and Robin Prys-Jones kindly allowed us access to the collections of the British Museum (Natural History). The Department of Zoology, Cambridge the Edward Grey Institute, Oxford and Tim Inskipp allowed access to their libraries. Valuable comments on drafts of this paper were received from Laura Watson, Philip McGowan, Jonathan Eames and Tim Inskipp. 1995 The status of the Green Peafowl in Laos 31 REFERENCES Baird, I. (1995) Investigations of the Xe Kaman and Xe Xou Rivers , with special reference to the freshwater fish and river ecology; and a review of the potential social and environmental impacts of large dam projects being considered for these two rivers inAttapeu province, Southern Lao PDR. Vientiane, Lao PDR: Report to the Protected Areas Division of the Department of Forestry, Vientiane. van Balen S., Prawiradilaga, D. M. and Indrawan, M. (1995) The distribution and status of Green Peafowl Pavo muticus in Java. Biol. Conserv. 7 1 : 289-297. Berkmtiller, K., Evans, T., Timmins, R. and Vene Vongphet (1995) Recent advances in nature conservation in the Lao PDR. Oryx 29: 253-260. 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(1929) On the birds collected during the fourth expedition to French Indochina. Ibis 12(5): 193-220,403-429. Delacour, J. (1951) The pheasants of the world. London: Country Life. Delacour, J. and Jabouille P. (1931) Recherches omithologiques dans les provinces du Tranninh (Laos), de Thua-Thien et de Kontoum (Annam) et quelques autres regions de Plndochine franfaise. Archives d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris: Societe National d’Acclimatation de France. Dobias, R. (1994) Trip report, 17-18 February. Vientiane, Lao PDR: Unpublished internal report. National Office ofNature Conservation and Watershed Management. Duckworth, J. W., Timmins, R. J. and Cozza, K. (1993) A wildlife and habitat survey ofPhou Xang He Proposed Protected Area. Vientiane, Lao PDR: Forest Resources Conservation Programme, Lao / Swedish Forestry Cooperation Programme. Engelbach, J. (1932) Les oiseaux de Laos meridional. L’Oiseau R.f. O. 2: 439-498. Evans, T. D., Tizard, R. J. , Duckworth, J. W. and Bleisch, W. V. (1995) Results of a wildlife survey in the area affected by the Xe Nam Noy - Xe Pian Hydroelectric project, Lao PDR. Vientiane, Lao PDR: Unpublished report to ElectroWatt Incorporated. King, B. F., Dickinson, E. C. and Woodcock, M. (1975) A field-guide to the birds of South-East Asia. London: Collins. Robson, C. R., Eames, J. C., Nguyen Cu and Truong Van La (1993a) Further recent records of birds from Viet Nam. Forktail 8: 25-52. Robson, C. R., Eames, J. C., Nguyen Cu and Truong Van La (1993b) Birds recorded during the third BirdLife/Forest Birds Working Group expedition in Viet Nam. Forktail 9: 89-1 19. Round, P. D. (1988) Resident forest birds in Thailand, their status and conservation. ICBP Monograph Number 2, Cambridge, U.K.: ICBP. Salter, R. E. (1993) Wildlife in Lao PDR. A status report. Vientiane, Lao PDR: Forest Resources Conservation Programme, Lao/Swedish Forestry Cooperation Programme. Srikosamatara, S, Sirihodej, B. and Suteethorn, V. ( 1 992) Wildlife trade in Lao PDR and between Lao PDR and Thailand. Nat. Hist. Bull. Siam Soc. 40: 1-47. Srikosamatara, S. and Suteethorn, V. (1993) A quick look at wildlife conservation along the Thai-Lao border. Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand: Unpublished report to the New York Zoological Society. 32 T. D. EVANS and R. J. TIMMINS Forktail 1 1 Timmins, R. J., Evans, T. D. and Duckworth, J. W. (1993a) A wildlife and habitat survey of Dong Hua Sao Proposed Protected Area. Vientiane, Lao PDR: Forest Resources Conservation Programme, Lao/ Swedish Forestry Cooperation Programme. Timmins, R. J., Evans, T. D. and Duckworth, J. W. (1993b) A wildlife and habitat survey ofXe Piane National Biodiversity Conservation Area. Vientiane, Lao PDR: Forest Resources Conservation Programme, Lao/Swedish Forestry Cooperation Programme. Timmins, R. J. and Evans, T. D. (1994) Wildlife and habitat survey of the Nam Theun National Biodiversity Conservation Area. Draft. Vientiane, Lao PDR: The Wildlife Conservation Society. Tom D. Evans, l la Yeoman Lane, Maidstone, Kent, MEM 4BX, U.K. Robert J. Timmins, 25 Cradley Road, Cradley Heath, Warley, West Midlands, U.K. 1995 FORKTAIL 1 1 (1995): 33 - 38 33 The occurrence of Grey Hypocolius Hypocolius ampelinus in Kutch, Gujarat, India J. K. TIWARI, S. N. VARU and M. IC. HIMMAT S INHJI Previous records of Grey Hypocolius Hypocolius ampelinus in the Indian subcontinent are given, and details of recent records from Kutch, Gujarat, India are detailed, with information on arrival and departure dates, behaviour, food and biometrics of trapped birds. The earliest record of the occurrence of the Grey Hypocolius Hypocolius ampelinus in the Indian subcontinent was one collected on 6 March 1 875 in Larkana district, Pakistan (Blanford 1875). It was next recorded by Duke on 26 April 1877 fromKalat in Baluchistan, Pakistan. There were apparently no further records until 14 November 1930 when Dr Salim All collected a specimen from Kihim, Colaba district, Maharashtra, India (Ali 1931). There was another gap of nearly 30 years before two were collected on 22 and 23 March 1 960 at Kuar Bet, north of Pachham Island, on the edge of the Great Rann of Kutch (Shekar 1960). Based on these records, Ali and Ripley (1987) described the species as a rare vagrant to the subcontinent. Roberts (1992) referred to Ali and Ripley’s comments on status, but noted that recent sightings in Pakistan may indicate that it is an irregular but not uncommon visitor to the remote desert tracts in more southern latitudes of Baluchistan. He referred to a pair seen in 1 942 by A. F. P. Christison at Dalbandin in the Chagai; more recently, he and R. Passburg had seen small parties of this species in the Hab valley region (west of Karachi) between 3 February and 6 March 1984, including a flock of 16 birds on 17 February. In the same locality Asad Ali and R. Passburg saw Hypocolius in some numbers in 1986 and 1989. Roberts saw 25 to 30 birds going to roost in pairs at Zangi Nawar lake in the Chagai desert on 1 May 1985; they behaved excitedly and called continuously. J.K.T. studied the Grey Hypocolius for five seasons at Fulay village, Kutch (Fig. 1), whilst working on first the Bird Migration Study Project (1990- 1991) and subsequently the Grassland Ecology Project (1992 onwards). Situated between the villages of Chhari and Fulay, in the vicinity of the latter village, is a 5 km2 patch of thin scrub jungle, most of which lies in a dry riverbed starting from near the former village. This was the main study area of the various activities of the Grey Hypocolius. S.N.V. (accompanied by some members of the Pelican Nature Club) was the first person to see this species in Kutch. This was a female in a Salvadorapersica bush near Chhari- 34 J. K. TIWARI ei al. Forktail 11 Figure 1 . The location of Fulay village, Kutch and inset Grey Hypocolius. Dhand on 23 January 1 990. On the same afternoon they came across a female drinking water at the village tank of Fulay . Thereafter, Hypocolius were seen, usually in small numbers (2 to 6), but sometimes in larger numbers, in the scrub and near the village up until 1994. The trees preferred by the birds were babool Acacia nilotica and piloo Salvadora persica. Apart from keeping a watch from time to time on the Hypocolius in the study area, two surveys were carried out to look for the species in the Banni grassland; however, J.K.T. failed to find it there. It appears that it may be 1995 Grey Hypocolius in India 35 more worthwhile to search for it in the areas to the east and for some distance west of the Chhari-Fulay habitat. J.K.T. toured the Mandvi sub-district of Kutch on 6 February 1994, where he unexpectedly came across a female Hypocolius in the environs of the Lyja creek. She was feeding on the berries of a Salvadora persica growing at the foot of the coastal sand dunes. This locality is situated about 1 5 km west of the minor port of Mandvi and about 70 km SSW of Fulay-Chhari. Arrival and departure The month of arrival varies considerably, although local movements in Kutch might take place after arrival which would confuse the picture. Thus the incoming and outgoing birds may stay on in some places other than the study area of Fulay, depending on food availability and other factors. Information on the movements of this species elsewhere in India and Pakistan are required to elucidate the situation. The details of dates and the numbers of birds seen are given in T able 1 . The first two birds were recorded in January 1990 and the earliest birds to arrive were in November 1993. The maximum count was 150 birds in 1993. Food and feeding habits Throughout the period they were watched the Hypocolius were seen to feed on the ripe berries of Salvadora persica. Flocks or individual birds fed in the outer and middle canopies, hanging on to thin branches and twigs and picking the berries. Feeding was observed on many occasions in association with White-eared Bulbuls Pycnonotus leucotis and Rosy Starlings Stumus roseus. General behaviour and calls If the birds were approached too closely while feeding they became alarmed and suddenly flew off, emitting single ‘que-ee’ calls. They flew high, circled around and either settled again 1 5-25 m away or disappeared altogether. On settling down on the top of or on the side of a tree they do not remain long, soon diving into the canopy. The birds were gregarious, and when in flocks or loose groups they produced pleasant ‘piew-piew’ notes which perhaps are short-distance contact notes. There were two types of calls: one, already described, was uttered during feeding and when the birds were going to roost. The other sounds like ‘qu-e-ee’ and is uttered when the birds take flight. This could be an alarm call or a flight contact call. When caught in mist-nets, they emit harsh ‘quee, quee, quee’ distress calls. If any other members of the group are nearby they immediately fly close to the net, sometimes getting entangled themselves. These calls were tape-recorded and subsequently replayed to attract and net more Hypocolius. 36 J. K. TIWARI et al. Forktail 1 1 Locality Date Time Numbers Activity Fulay 23 January 1990 lOhOO 1,1 Feeding on Salvadora 24 February 1991 1 1 hOO 1 a 25 February 1991 16h00 1 a 5 March 1991 08h30 2,4 a 24 March 1991 16h00 1,1 a 3 January 1992 16h00 1 a 13 February 1993 18h40 1,2 a 6 March 1993 09h40 30 6 March 1993 18h35 30 + 14 Roosting 2 April 1993 16h00 4 Sighted by Muhammad (BNHS local assistant) 9 November 1993 16h00 12 12 December 1993 09h15 45 in 2 flocks Seen with S.N.V. 13 December 1993 09h00 50 in 2 flocks 20 December 1993 09h00 150 in 3 flocks 26 December 1993 17h20 1, 1 imm. , 2 27 January 1994 09h50 1,1 Lyja Creek 6 February 1994 17h45 1 Fulay 10 February 1994 09h40 1 “ 19 March 1994 08h00 6 “ 22 March 1994 18h35 16 in 2 flocks a 7 April 1994 17h30 1 Seen with Nigel Lindsey Table 1 Sightings of Grey Hypocolius in Kutch, 1990-1994 Interactions with other species While foraging for food and whilst feeding the Hypocolius chased away White-eared Bulbuls and Rosy Starlings. Once a male was seen chasing away a Bay-backed Shrike Lanius vittatus. Behaviour while resting and roosting The Hypocolius in the riverbed fed exclusively on the berries of Salvadora persica - Shekar (1960) examined the crop contents of a female collected at Kuar Bet on 22 March 1960 and found about 20 berries of this species. The birds utilize the middle canopy of thorny Acacia nilotica trees for resting during the heat of the day from 1 lhOO to about 1 5h00, often resting alone. They go to roost in groups or flocks (maximum of 44 birds) after sunset at 18h30-19h00. 1995 Grey Hypocolius in India 37 Locality Kirthar hill range, Larkana, Sind, Pakistan Date 6 March 1875 Numbers 1 Reference Blanford (1875) S. Kalat, Baluchistan, Pakistan 26 April 1877 1 Kihim, Kolaba, Maharashtra, India 14 November 1930 1 Ali (1931) Dalbandin, Chagai, Pakistan September 1942 1 pair Roberts (1992) KunverBet, Kutch 22 + 23 March 1960 1,1 Shekar (1960) Hab valley, west of Karachi, Pakistan 3 February - 6 March 1984 up to 16 Roberts (1992) Zangi Nawar Lake, Chagai, Pakistan 1 May 1985 25-30 Roberts (1992) Hab valley, west of Karachi, Pakistan 1986 + 1989 ? Roberts (1992) Table 2 Records of Grey Hypocolius from the Indian subcontinent (up to 1989) Locality Kihim, Kolaba, Date Sex Wing (mm) Bill (mm) Tarsus (mm) Tail (mm) Weight (gm) Maharashtra 14 November 1930 98 15.0 22.0 - - Kunvar Bet, 22 March 1960 96 14.0 23.0 96 - Kutch 23 March 1960 99 14.5 25.0 105 - Fulay, Kutch u 9 March 1993 96 18.0 21.5 94 55.0 10 March 1993 98 20.0 25.0 104 52.5 u 10 March 1993 96 19.0 24.0 94 44.0 u 12 March 1993 98 19.5 24.0 101 52.5 ll 14 December 1993 100 19.0 27.0 102 55.0 (( 16 December 1993 100 19.0 27.0 96 - Table 3 Biometrics of Grey Hypocolius ringed/collected in India Survey On 1 0 March 1 993, a survey of the area north and north-east of Fulay-Chhari was undertaken in the Banni grassland on foot and on cycles, covering an area of about 50 km2. Part of this area is covered by many trees of Acacia nilotica and a few of Salvador a per sica. The areas in the vicinity of the settlements of cattle owners, namely Chhachhlo, Bhagadio, Nana Sarada, Mota Sarada, Abda Jhil and Mithdi were covered; however, no Hypocolius were seen. J.K.T. carried out a second survey of the Banni on 16 February 1994, but again no Hypocolius were located. This confirmed M.K.H.’s theory that this species does not inhabit the Banni, except rarely on passage, because it 38 J. K. TIWARI ct al. Forktail 1 1 prefers to live in a special biotope, situated on sandy soils and in dry streams or riverbeds. It requires an ample supply of food, the presence of suitable trees with thorny canopies and, apparently, a readily available supply of drinking water. The Banni grassland is an alluvial plain and, although there are Acacia trees near the settlements, Salvadora does not grow there to the same extent as it does further inland in Kutch; the plain also lacks watercourses or other readily available sources of water. CONCLUSIONS It appears that the Grey Hypocolius may be a regular winter visitor/passage migrant in some parts of Kutch. This area, excluding a large part of the great expanse of the Rann, lies between 22°47’N to 24°00’N and 68°25’E to 7 1°1 1 ’E in the north-western corner of India, directly south of the Sind province of Pakistan. A regular stream of migratory birds passes through this area in autumn and spring. The Great Rann of Kutch does not seem to act as a barrier as some ringing recoveries in Sind have demonstrated. Further information and surveys in other parts of the district, and in other areas of India and Pakistan, are required to clarify the status of this species in the subcontinent. The scrub jungle which the Hypocolius inhabits is under constant threat of destruction at the hands of the cattle-grazers of the area, who are clearing it to cultivate the land on which it stands. Apart from this about 300 camels belonging to these people frequently browse on the leaves of Acacia nilotica and the shoots, leaves and clusters of berries of Salvadora. Apart from providing suitable habitat for the Grey Hypocolius, it is an important nesting and roosting biotope for a number of uncommon species. REFERENCES Ali, S. (1931) The occurrence of the Grey Hypocolius ( Hypocolius ampelinus ) in north Konkan. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 34: 1061. Ali, S. and Ripley, S. D. (1 987) Compact handbook of the birds of India and Pakistan. New Delhi: Oxford University Press. Blanford, W. T. (1875) Hypocolius ampelinus in Sind. Stray Feathers 3: 358-361 . Roberts, T. J. (1992) The birds of Pakistan, 2. Passeriformes. Karachi: Oxford University Press. Shekar, P. B. (1960) Further additions to the birds of Kutch. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 57: 224-225. J. K. Tiwari, Moti-virani, Tal-Nakhtrana, Kutch, Gujarat, India 370665. S. N. Varu, Junavas, Temple Street, Madhapar, Kutch, Gujarat, India. M. K. Himmatsinhji, Jubilee Grounds, Bhuj, Kutch, Gujarat, India. 1995 FORKTAIL 11 (1995): 39-46 39 The Bengal Florican Eupodotis bengalensis in Indochina J. C. EAMES This paper summarizes and reviews our knowledge of the Bengal Florican Eupodotis bengalensis in Indochina, and documents recent sightings in Vietnam. The paper discusses possible patterns of migration and dispersion and how movements may be linked to breeding. Finally the conservation outlook in Vietnam is assessed. The Bengal Florican Eupodotis bengalensis , together with its diminutive cousin the Lesser Florican E. indica are two small, strongly sexually dimorphic species of bustard endemic to the Indomalayan (Oriental) Realm. Both species are in decline and are now seriously at risk of extinction as a result of the loss of their grassland habitats (Collar and Andrew 1988). The nominate form of the Bengal Florican is confined to the Indian sub¬ continent, where it is believed to be a resident in the remaining grasslands of the Nepal terai, whilst in India it survives and breeds in many disjunct pockets of habitat in Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh (Narayan and Rosalind 1 990) . In addition, a second little-known subspecies E. b. blandini is known from Cambodia and Vietnam, where it appears to be a partial migrant. This short paper summarizes our current knowledge of this enigmatic Indochinese subspecies and provides some recent information on its occurrence and habitat in south Vietnam. THE QUEST For many years Jean Delacour and his colleagues had been aware of reports of bustards in Soai Rieng (Svay Rieng) Province, Cambodia, but believed them to be mistaken. However, on 6 January 1 927 Delacour, P. Jabouille and W. P. Lowe stopped at Soai Rieng where the local Resident [Senior Administrator] M. J. Blandin informed them of the seasonal occurrence of bustards in the province. On 1 2 January, Blandin presented them with a live female Bengal Florican (Delacour 1929a). The quest for the Bengal Florican in Indochina began in earnest at the end of June 1928 following Blandin’s telegram to Jabouille informing him that the annual passage of floricans had begun. A native collector was immediately despatched with instructions to collect as many males in breeding plumage as possible (Delacour 1929a, Jabouille 1929). After seven or eight days of fruitless searching, Blandin and the collector drove 80 km north of Soai Rieng 40 J. C. EAMES Forktail 1 1 Number Sex Date Wing Tarsus Bill Tail 1 M 05-07-28 320 136 60 155 2 M 06-07-28 315 138 60 160 3 M 06-07/28 320 130 60 165 4 M 07-07-28 315 131 55 168 5 M 07-07-28 320 130 58 137 6 M 07-07-28 322 132 58 148 7 F 08-07-28 325 134 57 157 8 M 08-07-28 319 129 60 163 9 F 04-01-28 325 143 60 160 Table 1 Biometrics of nine E. b. blandini (after Jabouille 1929) to the village of Su Vu where, within a few days, they obtained eight specimens. Two further localities were visited but no additional Bengal Floricans were seen or obtained (Delacour 1 929a, Jabouille 1929). DESCRIPTION The type specimen of E. b. blandini was collected at Su Vu at sea-level on 7 July 1 928. Seven other specimens were also collected at this site. The type is a male with a wing length of 322 mm; tail 1 48 mm; tarsus 1 32 mm; bill from gape to tip 58 mm and exposed culmen 4 1 mm. The collector stated that the iris was dark blue (Delacour 1 929a), which differs from Delacour’s additional claim that the iris was brown, bill horny blackish-brown and legs and feet yellowish-brown (Delacour 1929b). Delacour described the new taxon following the examination of nine specimens, which he found to closely resemble E. b. bengalensis , but which differed in the rather richer colour of their plumage, in the shorter black ornamental feathers of the male and the comparatively shorter wings and the broader flatter bill [seven males: wings 315-322 mm, bill 55-60 mm; two females: wings 325 mm, bill 57-60 mm]. Table 1 provides biometrics of these nine specimens. Delacour named the new sub-species blandini in honour of M. A. Blandin (Delacour 1929b). DISTRIBUTION In Indochina, the Bengal Florican was first recorded 60 miles (80 km) north of Soai Rieng in south-east Cambodia, and subsequently in the adjacent province of Tay Ninh in Vietnam (Delacour 1929a and 1929b, Jabouille 1929, Delacour and Jabouille 1931). The species was later observed by Dr. P. Engelbach near Sisophon in north-west Cambodia, who also reported that the species had been seen and several recovered in the province of Kampot in southern Cambodia (Engelbach 1940a and 1940b). 1995 The Bengal Florican in Indochina 41 Delacour and M. Berlioz subsequently discovered two mounted specimens (male and female) in the Paris Museum, dated 1880 and labelled ‘M. Pierre, Tonkin’. Delacour stated that Pierre (Director of the Saigon Botanical gardens) never visited Tonkin and that the birds were probably obtained from the Saigon Zoological [Botanical] Gardens, where they were sent from Soai Rieng (Delacour 1929a, Delacour and Jabouille 1931). The only recent reports from Cambodia are of one collected by Francis Stewart in May 1 959 in Kompong Thom and the species was noted in 1960 in Battambang near Sisophon by Ho Tong Lip (Thomas 1964). The Bengal Florican was not included in a review of birds which might have once occurred in Thailand (Lekagul and Round 1991), although it may have once inhabited the former grasslands of the flood-plain of the Chao Praya Figure 1. Male Bengal Florican. Figure 2. Places mentioned in the text. 42 J. C. EAMES Forktail 1 1 River. In 1978 birds of unknown origin were reported from Bangkok bird- market (Inskipp and Inskipp 1983). Although previously reported from T ay Ninh Province in Vietnam (Delacour and Jabouille 1931), it was only in February and March 1990 that Bengal Floricans were first observed in Tam Nong District in nearby Dong Thap Province by researchers working for the International Crane Foundation. Two adult males and a third bird described as a female (but with white wings and therefore an immature male), were observed at one locality and a third male at a nearby second location. The birds were seen on a number of occasions at these sites (Archibald 1990). Between 18 and 21 February 1993 two males were recorded in the same area (Huong Norton-Payson verbally) . On 9 February 1 994, Jeb Barzen and I observed a female and Nguyen Cu, Bjorn Erik Larsen and I saw and photographed a male in the same vicinity on 1 0 and again on 1 4 February (Fig. 1 ) . These birds were seen at the same location as the 1993 sightings. The localities at which E. bengalensis has been seen and collected are indicated in Figure 2. HABITAT At Su Vu, Bengal Floricans were found in grassland about 1 m tall . The ground was described as very dry but also seasonally covered with water (Jabouille 1929). In the 1 920s the Province ofSoaiRieng had great open plains, dry from the autumn to the spring, suggesting extensive areas of habitat suitable for Bengal Floricans (Delacour 1929a). In north-west Cambodia, Engelbach flushed a male on 29 January 1939 whilst crossing the vast uncultivated plains which extended from the east of Sisophon to the Thai border. Whilst offering little in the way of further habitat description, he described the area as very appropriate for this species (Engelbach 1940a and 1940b). In February 1994, in Dong Thap Province, Vietnam, Bengal Floricans were found in an habitat fragment (4 km2) supporting a mosaic of riparian grassland vegetation (Figures 3 and 4). Grasses and sedges recorded in a Figures 3 and 4. Riparian grassland habitat of the Bengal Florican. 1995 The Bengal Florican in Indochina 43 brief search of the area included Cynodon dactylon, Cyperus halpan, Eleocharis dulcis, Fuirena umbellata , Oryza rufipogon and (probably) Saccharum sp. V egetation composition varied and included areas supporting extensive beds of Eleocharis dulcis. Vegetation structure included areas of short grassland c. 300 mm tall and with grasses up to 2 metres tall in wetter areas. The area was mostly dry but did include some small water bodies not exceeding 50 m2. MOVEMENTS According to Blandin, Bengal Florican passage around Soai Rieng began at the end of June and he believed the birds moved north to breed at the onset of the rains. In the Su Vu area, local people reported that the Bengal Floricans were only visitors and left the area at the beginning of the rains and did not remain to breed (Delacour 1929a, Jabouille 1929). It was suggested by Delacour that they went to nest in the semi-deserted and uninhabited part of Cambodia between the River Mekong and the western slope of the Annamitic chain (Delacour 1929a). In Dong Thap Province, Vietnam a local farmer recently reported that Bengal Floricans spent the dry season in the area and that he once found a nest containing two white eggs which he believed to belong to the species. [The same farmer also, however, reported seeing a flock of 20 Bengal Floricans (Archibald 1990)]. However, Baker (1921) records the egg colour of the nominate form as olive-green not white. On 4 January 1 994 I visited a site in Dong Thap Province from which Bengal Floricans had been reported in 1993. The entire area was still inundated with water and no Bengal Floricans were noted. DISCUSSION As a result of civil strife, most of the entire range of E. b. blandinihas been off- limits to ornithologists for the last forty years . W e have no recent information at all about the present distribution of this species in Cambodia and it is currently only known from one site in Vietnam. Historical data on the dispersion and seasonal migration of E. b. Mandini are scant but it seems possible that the movements and breeding of this bird are linked to the arrival of the south-west monsoon and subsequent inundation of some grassland areas. By June the south-west monsoon has begun in southern Indochina and as areas become inundated one could expect Bengal Floricans to move north to drier (higher) areas not yet affected by the rain and imminent rise in water levels . This would account for a northward movement around Soai Rieng in June, the absence of Bengal Floricans in Dong Thap in 44 J. C. EAMES Forktail 1 1 January, and their reappearance by February once water levels had subsided. If the movements of E. b. blandini are determined in this way then the question arises of when and where does the species breed? In the Indian sub¬ continent the nominate sub-species begins its breeding cycle before the on¬ set of the rains, when the sparse grassland vegetation affords suitable habitat for the males to establish territories within which to display. Pre-monsoon showers afford the females opportunity to select nesting sites and most chicks hatch before the monsoon arrives and the males then disperse (Narayan and Rosalind 1990). In southern Vietnam and Cambodia, the south-west monsoon usually begins in April or May. The records of Bengal Floricans in Dong Thap Province in February could then refer to birds preparing to breed there. The Bengal Florican is known to lay a second brood (Baker 1921) and it is possible that after breeding in Dong Thap floricans could move north to attempt a second brood in the drier grasslands of Cambodia not yet rejuvenated by the summer rains. However, it is also documented that Bengal Floricans are seldom found in wet-land (Baker 1921) and it is believed doubtful that they can nest successfully in flood-prone grasslands (such as those in Dong Thap Province) (Narayan and Rosalind 1990). The possibility therefore also exists that the birds in Dong Thap Province are non¬ breeding visitors. The plain truth is, however, that we just do not know. CONSERVATION OUTLOOK The current extent of suitable Bengal Florican habitat in Indochina is likely to have been affected and reduced by human activities. Although the human population of Cambodia is small (6.8 million in 1989), in neighbouring Vietnam it is very high and was recently estimated to be 66.8 million (Collins et al. 1991). Both Cambodia and Vietnam support agricultural economies based on the intensive cultivation of wet rice and consequently both countries have high rural population densities in areas favourable to this agricultural activity. For example, in the lower Red River Delta of north Vietnam human population density is extreme with around 1,200 persons per km2 (Fforde 1989). In Vietnam, most suitable Bengal Florican habitat in the Plain of Reeds in Dong Thap Province has already been converted to wet-rice cultivation and it seems certain that large areas of the former grasslands in south-east Cambodia have met a similar fate since Delacour and his colleagues visited the area sixty-five years ago. The early settlement and cultivation of the grasslands of central Thailand along the Chao Praya River would also account for the absence of any documentation of the species’ former occurrence in that country. 1995 The Bengal Florican in Indochina 45 In border districts of Dong Thap Province, Vietnam there are now many Vietnamese who have left Cambodia as a result of continuing civil strife. The locality at which Bengal Floricans were observed in February 1994 has new settlers living along its perimeter and the grassland is already under conversion to paddy. Drainage canals have been dug across the area and marker flags have been posted to indicate land-claims by homesteaders. Indeed, wet rice is already being cultivated along the southern periphery of the area. This site is subject to disturbance by fisherman, who use a variety of means including electro-shocking. It seems unlikely that Bengal Floricans will survive at this site beyond 1994. The Government of Vietnam has a programme to settle and cultivate remaining areas in what was the Plain of Reeds. Much of this area has a low agricultural potential for rice cultivation, because of the underlying acid sulphate soils. The cultivation of these soils requires the application of high levels of fertilizer and rice yields remain consistently low. The consequences of excavating drainage canals in this area can be seen in Figure 4. Exposure of the sub-soil to air results in rapid oxidation of the iron compounds therein, whilst subsequent leaching into the ditch-water produces sulphuric acid, which rapidly kills freshwater life. Although Bengal Floricans have been seen recently in the nearby Tram Chim Nature Reserve, it seems very unlikely that, if indeed the species does breed in Vietnam, the available habitat in this protected area could support more than 1-5 pairs given that territory size in India ranges from 2-4 ha (Narayan 1990). The vegetation at this second site also superficially appeared more homogeneous, both in structure and floral composition and lacked the variation of open areas and edge habitats than at the site at which I observed Bengal Floricans in February 1994. It is perhaps noteworthy however, that Eastern Grass Owl Tyto longimembris was recorded at both sites. This is a widespread but little-known grassland dependent species for which Dong Thap Province is also the only currently known site for this species in Indochina. Like the florican, this species may also be an indicator of prime grassland habitats. Although the outlook for the Bengal Florican in Dong Thap Province appears bleak, it is encouraging that floricans have at least been discovered at a new site in Vietnam and the possibility must exist that other small populations may exist elsewhere in Dong Thap, Long An and Tay Ninh Provinces in Vietnam. An extensive survey of grassland areas in Cambodia and Vietnam is now urgently required with a view to identifying areas suitable for protected area establishment. Before any effective conservation prescription for this species can be proposed we must discover the nature of the seasonal movements and how they relate to breeding. The conservation of such a species with a 46 J. C. EAMES Forktail 1 1 dispersed distribution poses a major challenge. However, with the increasing relaxation of travel restrictions in both Cambodia and Vietnam at least the possibility for conducting surveys has now become a real possibility and should be seized! I would like to thank my field companions Jeb Barzen, Huynh Duy Tu Thieng, Bjorn Erik Larsen and Nguyen Cu. Thanks also to Robert Clay and Tim Inskipp, for providing me with key references and to Huong Norton-Payson for being Huong Norton-Payson. Figure 1 was carefully created by Monica MacKinnon during breaks from computer games. Thanks to Frank Lambert for commenting on an earlier draft of this paper. Fieldwork was undertaken over a public holiday whilst I was an employee of BirdLife International on secondment to WWF - The World Wide Fund For Nature Vietnam Programme. REFERENCES Archibald, G. (1990) Observation of the Bengal Florican in Vietnam. Unpublished. Baker, E.C.S.(1921) The gamebirds of India, Burmah andCeylon,2. Bombay : Bombay Natural History Society. Collar, N. J. and Andrew, P. (1988) Birds to watch: die ICBP world checklist of threatened birds. Cambridge, United Kingdom: International Council for Bird Preservation. Collins, N. M., Sayer, J. A. and Whitmore, T. C., eds. (1991) The conservation atlas of tropical forests: Asia and the Pacific. London: Macmillan Press Ltd. Delacour, J. (1 929a) On the birds collected during the fourth expedition to French Indo-China. Ibis (12)5: 193-220. Delacour,J. (1929b) (Three new subspecies from southern Indochina.) Bull. Brit. Om. Club49: 49-50. Delacour, J. and Jabouille, P. (1931) Les oiseaux de Plndochine frangaise. Paris: Exposition Coloniale Internationale. Engelbach, P. (1940a) Notes sur quelques oiseaux du Cambodge. Comptes rendus du Sciences du Conseil du Recherches Scientifiques de Plndochine: 35-40. Engelbach, P. (1940b) Notes sur quelques oiseaux du Cambodge. L’Oiseau 10: 86-88. Fforde, A. (1989) The agrarian question in north Vietnam 1974-1979. Armonk, New York: M. E. Sharpe Inc. Inskipp, C. and Inskipp, T. P. (1983) Report on a survey of Bengal Floricans Houbaropsisbengalensis in Nepal and India, 1982. Cambridge, U.K.: International Council for Bird Preservation (Study report no. 2). Jabouille, P. (1929) Note sur les outardes de la region de Soai-Rieng (Cambodge). L’Oiseau 10: 151- 152. Lekagul, Boonsongand Round, P. D. (1991) A guide to the birds of Thailand. Bangkok: SahaKamBhaet. Narayan, G. (1990) General ecology and behaviour of Bengal Florican. Pp. 17-34 in Anon. Status and ecology of the Lesser and Bengal Floricans with reports onjerdon ’s Courser and Mountain Quail. Bombay: Bombay Natural History Society. Narayan, G. and Rosalind, L. (1990) An introduction to the Bengal Florican. Pp. 9-16 in Anon. Status and ecology of the Lesser and Bengal Floricans with reports on Jerdon’s Courser and Mountain Quail. Bombay: Bombay Natural History Society. Thomas, W. W. (1964) A preliminary list of the birds of Cambodia. Unpublished. Jonathan C. Eames, BirdLife International Vietnam Programme, do WWF Vietnam Programme, Ministry of Forestry, 123 Lo Due, Hanoi, Vietnam 1995 FORKTAIL 1 1 (1995): 47 - 100 47 Ornithological records from Laos, 1992-1993 R. M. THEWLIS, J. W. DUCKWORTH, G. Q. A. ANDERSON, M. DVORAK, T. D. EVANS, E. NEMETH, R. J. TIMMINS and R. J. WILKINSON From October 1 992 to July 1993 birds were surveyed at one small nature reserve in North Laos ( sensu King et al. 1975) and three large protected areas of forest in South and Central Laos. Status and distributional data are presented for 437 species, including eight Globally Threatened and 2 1 Globally Near-threatened species ( sensu Collar et al. 1994), namely Siamese Fireback Lophura diardi, Green Peafowl Pavo muticus , White-winged Duck Cairina scutulata, Red-collared Woodpecker Picus rabieri, Brown Hornbill Anorrhinus tickelli, Sarus Crane Grus antigone , Masked Finfoot Heliopais personata, Grey-headed Lapwing Vanellus cinereus, Jerdon’s Baza Avicedajerdoni, Lesser Fish-Eagle Ichthyophaga humilis, Grey-headed Fish-eagle I. ichthyaetus, White-rumped Vulture Gyps bengalensis, Long-billed Vulture G. indicus. Red-headed Vulture Sarcogyps calvus , Rufous-winged Buzzard Butastur liventer, White-rumped Falcon Polihierax insignis, Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster, Schrenck’s Bittern Ixobrychus eurhylhmus. White-shouldered Ibis Pseudibis davisoni, Giant Ibis P. gigantea, Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilosjavanicus, Blue-rumped Pitta Pitta soror. Bar-bellied Pitta P. elliotii, Yellow-breasted Magpie Cissa hypoleuca, Brown-rumped Minivet Pericrocotus cantonensis, Green Cochoa Cochoa viridis , Red¬ tailed Laughingthrush Garrulax milnei, Grey-faced Tit-Babbler Macronous kelleyi, Rufous-throated Fulvetta Alcippe rufogularis and, provisionally, Black-bellied Tern Sterna acuticauda and Asian Golden Weaver Ploceus hypoxanthus. A further 24 species regarded as being At Risk in Thailand by T reesucon and Round (1990) were recorded. The observations of Giant Ibis Pseudibis gigantea were the first any where since 1962. NON-STANDARD ABBREVIATIONS AND CONVENTIONS USED NR, Nature Reserve; IUCN, The World Conservation Union; NBCA, National Biodiversity Conservation Area. Lao words incorporated into place names: Houay= stream, Xe = river, Nam = river, Phou = mountain, Sayphou = ridge, Ban = village, Pak = river mouth, Nong = lake or pool. The division of Laos into North, Central and South used by Delacour and Jabouille (1931) and King et al. (1975) is followed throughout this paper. Central Laos is defined to the north by a line running east-northeast to a point a little north of Ban Nape. The river Xe Banghiang forms the southern boundary. The term Indochina is used here, following King et al. (1975), to refer collectively to the three countries of Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia. The taxonomy and nomenclature of Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993) are followed throughout. 48 R. M. THEWLIS et al. Forktail 1 1 The vegetation classification follows that of Round (1988), who details the characteristics of the forest types. For discussions of abundance, the terms ‘common’, ‘frequent’ and ’occasional’ are defined in Appendix 1. - IS°\ v. Phou Khao Khouay i Y , Nam Neum Reservoir' - ^ J‘ Baa Pabumkadmt; \ , ' Houay Nhang Nature Reserve^ Pakxan / Thai^ou'* PhaSom* / \=£^' , , Tb«i« £-\ > X KEY hist iM Province? ' - PhqjlCa4l> J - Luane Namtlta • - Bokcc 4 - Oudomsai 5 - Sayaboury 6 - Luang Prabang " - Uouaphsm 8 - Xieng Khouang 9 - Vientiane Ihovmce 0 Site* with prt 1 950 record? • Site* visited 1991-93 Lint separating Provinces hioceoeraphnaJ Regions - Line separanng North, Central and South as used by King et al (1975). — - - Line separating tht three sub-units of Central Indochina r 10a). North Indochina (10b) and Annum (Sb) following MacKinnon and MacKinnoa (1986) SCALE Km 0 100 11 Bonkhamsat i: KJiammouanc 1 ^ - Savannakhet 14 - Sara vane 15 - Sekong 16 - Champasak IT - Altopeu Figure 1. Laos, showing locations mentioned in the text and biogeographical regions. 1995 Ornithological records from Laos 1 992-1993 49 INTRODUCTION The Lao People’s Democratic Republic (hereafter called Laos) has a lower human population density (18.9 people/km2) than the neighbouring countries of Thailand (1 13.7 people/km2) and Vietnam (214.4 people/km2; Europa 1995). It also has a large area of natural forest cover remaining: 47.2% of the country retains at least 20% canopy cover (Lao-Swedish Forestry Co¬ operation Programme 1992). This suggests that it is very likely to be a country of major importance for wildlife conservation, although very few observations of wildlife have been made and published since 1950. Between October 1992 and July 1993, birds were surveyed at four existing or proposed protected areas in Laos as part of a broad-based assessment of conservation management priorities at each site (Duckworth et al. 1992, 1993, Timmins et al. 1993 a, b). Incidental observations at other sites extended to September 1993. Fieldwork was unstructured because the main objective was to find as many species at each study site as possible. Particular effort was devoted to searching for globally threatened species of birds. These surveys operated with the close cooperation of, and support from, the then Protected Areas and Wildlife Division of the National Office for Nature Conservation and Watershed Management of the Department of Forestry. Of 626 species of birds previously recorded from Laos, 437 (70%) were found, with provisional records of a further eight. This is a high proportion considering that neither mountainous areas of the North nor the Annamites were visited. While partly due to the 99 species of Palaearctic migrants detected, it reflects the importance of the areas surveyed. Six species found had not previously been recorded from North Laos, 19 from Central Laos and 24 from South Laos. Additionally, 1 1 species were new to the country as a whole; two of these 1 1 were new to Indochina . Eight Globally Threatened, 21 Globally Near-threatened species and 24 species regarded as At Risk in Thailand were recorded. These totals do not include provisional records except where stated. This paper documents new information concerning the distribution and status of birds in Laos. Further information on the status and conservation of threatened birds in Laos is given by Thewlis et al. (in prep.). Mammal records from these surveys are discussed in Duckworth (1994 a,b) and Duckworth et al. (1994, in press). STUDY SITES All sites mentioned in the text are listed in Appendix 3. Place names used in the literature are followed throughout this text: some are not in current use and Appendix 3 should be referred to for names in current use. Fig. 1 . shows the location most of the places mentioned in the text. 50 R. M. THEWLIS el al. Forktail 1 1 Main localities visited Xe Pian National Biodiversity Conservation Area, Champasak and Attapu Provinces, South Laos (14°00' -14°50’N 105°53'-106t,30’E): 28 November 1992 - 14 March 1993; 6-15 May 1993. See Timmins et al. (1993b). The Xe Pian NBCA (Fig. 2) includes about 1,500 km2 of semi-evergreen forest, mostly little-degraded and on rolling hills at 150-350 m. This is supplemented by two regions of different habitat, Dong Kalo to the south and the Xe Khong plains to the east, totalling an additional 900 sq. km, which support a mosaic of semi-evergreen, mixed deciduous and dry dipterocarp forests and contain many small wetlands. The highest point is 844 m. Much of the southern boundary runs along the international frontier with Cambodia where similar forest is apparently found (satellite imagery held at the National Office of Forest Inventory and Planning, Vientiane) . The northern fringe of the protected area consists of a heavily exploited mosaic of mixed deciduous forest and wetlands, some seasonal and some permanent, and abuts agricultural land. The Xe Khong plains were visited during 28 February to 1 3 March and Dong Kalo from 30 January to 3 February. Most records from the main semi-evergreen forest and the northern fringe come from late November to the end of January, but these sectors were also visited in early May. Engelbach (1927a,b, 1929, 1932) detailed observations over six years in South Laos: this includes records from the Pakxe area gathered in the company of the sixth Indochinese expedition (Delacour 1932). None of Engelbach’s records seems to relate to the area now enclosed by Xe Pian NBCA. Many of his records come from the plains adjacent to the Xe Khong river, but they relate to the Xe Khong in its more northerly reaches, to the east and north-east of the Bolovens Plateau, and not to the region downstream known here as the Xe Khong plains. Dong Hua Sao National Biodiversity Conservation Area, Champasak and Attapu Provinces, South Laos (14°50’ - 15°1 l’N, 105°55' - 106°17’E): 12 May - 26 July 1993. See Timmins et al. (1993a). Dong Hua Sao NBCA (Fig. 4) covers about 900 km2 of the southern Bolovens Plateau, the intervening slope and adjacent lowlands. Most (70%) of the area lies below 250 m, but the sheer escarpment and plateau rise to over 1 ,200 m. The slope forest is largely primary, but the plateau is rapidly being cleared for coffee plantations and most lowland forests have been heavily degraded by logging. The area is surrounded by cultivation except to the east, where a large tract of forest probably links Dong Hua Sao NBCA with Xe Pian NBCA. Lowland and slope semi-evergreen forest covers over half the area, although there is also extensive mixed deciduous forest in the lowlands. The majority of forest on the plateau is hill evergreen forest. The Bolovens Plateau was visited during 30 May to 22 June and observations were made in the lowlands during most of May and July. Engelbach (1927a, 1 929, 1932) 1995 Ornithological records from Laos 1992-1993 51 Ban 14°45rN 1 0o°30‘E 14°45'N_ Phou Ulay A (844 m) V/ Ban Naseripban / 14° 1 5 N Ban Samkhung Phou Mailai a 4 (270 .n) 4 Khinak 1 4U00'N - Bun Thakho •jKhonphapheng Falls *N$an CAMBODIA 1 0o°30’F Ban Phalay Ban Taong KEY : Villages: I . Ban Phapbo 2. 3. Ban Nongptng 4 5 Ban Tauang 6. Ban Mesane or Ban Houei Mesang 7 Ban Nongkhe 8. Ban Pakbo 9. Ban Xot 10. Houei Saoe 15. Nong Kasai II. Houei Kua 16. Nong Loum 12. Houei Tapkua 13. Houei Kaliang 14. Xe Pian-Xe Khanipho Confluence Key to parts of the Protected Area: A Xe Pian main semi-evergreen forest block B Xe Kong plains C Dong Kalo ^ Area of highest steep mils D Ban Phapho wetlands - - Protected Area boundary — ■ — < — 4 International boundary ===== Major road (unsurf accd) Surveyed Areas All names follow those on 1 : 100 000 topographic maps except H. Meuy, here called H. Saoe. SCALE: Figure 2. Xe Pian National Biodiversity Conservation Area. 52 R. M. THEWLIS et al. Forktail 1 1 Figure 3. Phou Xang He National Biodiversity Conservation Area. collected birds in the northern half of the Bolovens Plateau (outside the area of Dong Hua Sao NBCA) and the sixth Indochinese expedition (Delacour 1932) spent three months based on the plateau. Phou Xang He National Biodiversity Conservation Area, Savannakhet Province, Central Laos ( 1 6°42'- 1 7°04’N 1 05u 1 9’- 1 06°06’E) : 20 March - 2 1 April 1993. See Duckworth et al. (1993). Phou Xang He NBCA lies about 85 km east of the town of Savannakhet. The 1,140 km2 area (Fig. 3) consists of two largely forested hill ranges, mostly at 200-700 m altitude, orientated north-west to south-east. The two ranges are divided by a flat corridor, 6-10 km wide, containing many villages and forest fragments. The protected area is surrounded by largely deforested plains. The eponymous massif Phou Xang He is a large sandstone formation dominated by semi-evergreen and mixed deciduous forest enduring marked drought conditions during the dry season. On the opposite side of the corridor, Phou Hinho is a steep igneous formation with narrow ridges and valleys, supporting a distinctive form of semi-evergreen forest with a very low proportion of deciduous trees, occurring below 1,000 m. South of the protected area is a tract of flat, mainly lateritic land dominated by dry dipterocarp forest. The survey concentrated most effort on the lowland 1995 Ornithological records from Laos 1 992- 1 993 53 Figure 4. Dong Hua Sao National Biodiversity Conservation Area. corridor as this was under the greatest immediate threat. Although there are various historical references from Central Laos, only David-Beaulieu (1949- 1950), who accumulated observations over four years in Savannakhet province, is relevant to the Phou Xang He NBCA region. HouayNhang Nature Reserve, Vientiane Prefecture, North Laos (18°04’N 1 02°4 1 ’E) : 1 6 October- 1 6 November 1 992; sporadic visits between January and September 1993. See Duckworth et al. (1992). Houay Nhang Nature Reserve covers 808 ha at 200 m altitude and is situated 1 4 km north of Vientiane. The reserve comprises degraded lowland semi-evergreen forest, areas resembling dry dipterocarp forest, regenerating scrub and rice paddies. Several streams, ponds and other features including seasonal habitations are present. Details of the habitat, climate and topography are given in Salter and Venevongphet (1988) and brief notes on the birds were presented by Robichaud (1992). Bangs and VanTyne (1931) list some significant records from Ban Thenkhen, which is close to Houay Nhang, but the Vientiane area was surprisingly poorly documented in the past. 54 R. M. THEWLIS et al. Forktail 1 1 Other localities visited and dates Incidental observations were made at the following sites: 1 : Vientiane, including Don Chuan Sandbank (Garden Island), North Laos, numerous dates October 1992 - September 1993. 2: Savannakhet town, Central Laos, occasional dates November 1 992 - July 1993. 3: Ban Thadua, Vientiane Municipality, North Laos, numerous dates October 1992 - September 1993. 4: VangVieng, Vientiane Province, North Laos, 28-29 August 1993 (limestone outcrops amid cultivation). 5: Nam Ngum Reservoir, Vientiane Province, North Laos, 15 November 1992. 6: Attapu town, South Laos, 26 January 1993. 7: Khong-Phapheng Falls and Ban Thakho, Champasak Province, South Laos, 4-8 February 1993 (a 5 km stretch of the Mekong with waterfalls is collectively referred to as ‘Khone Falls’. We visited specifically the Khong- Phapheng Falls and areas of degraded forest nearby). 8: Xe Khong river, Attapu Province, South Laos, 13 March 1993. Records come from between the inflow of the Xe Pian river and the town of Senamsai, a distance of 40-50 km. Some of the stretch is within the Xe Pian NBCA; records are not duplicated in the columns for the NBCA. 9: Pakxe, Champasak Province, South Laos (including some records from Pakxe fish farm, on the outskirts of the town); numerous dates November 1992 -July 1993. 10: Pha Som/Naliang limestone outcrop (18°00’N 104°19’30”E),Khammouane Province, Central Laos, various dates November 1992 - July 1993. 1 1 : Lao Pako, a small resort in degraded forest, scrub and cultivation at 200 m beside the Nam Ngum river, Vientiane Province, North Laos, 17-19 April 1993. 12:Phou Khao Khouay NBCA, Vientiane Province, North Laos, 1 1 April 1993, between the area headquarters and the waterfall at Tat Leuk. 13:Tha Ngon Reservoir, just north of Houay Nhang, Vientiane Province North Laos, occasional dates between October 1992 and January 1993. 14: Degraded forest on the southern slope of Phou Bachiang 5 km east of the centre of Pakxe, Champasak Province, South Laos, 22 November 1992. 15: Ban Samkhang, Champasak Province, South Laos, 3-4 February 1993. 1 6 : Muang Khong town and nearby scrub and cultivation, Champasak Province, South Laos, 29 January and 8 February 1993. 17: Ban Thong Song, Route 13, Savannakhet Province, Central Laos, 23 March 1993. 18:Nong Puh area, South Laos (10 km east of Khong-Phapheng Falls), 5 February 1993. 1995 Ornithological records from Laos 1 992-1993 55 RECORDS OF PARTICULAR SIGNIFICANCE Records of all bird species found are detailed by site in Appendix 1 ; the more interesting of these records are discussed in the species accounts below. A summary is given for all records of Globally Threatened or Near-Threatened species and those At Risk in Thailand (sensu Collar etal. 1994 andTreesucon and Round 1990 respectively), to allow a baseline to be constructed for species known to be under pressure elsewhere. It is anticipated that following future work, some species listed as At Risk in Thailand are likely to prove common and widespread in Laos. For species not in these two sources, the only records discussed are geographical or altitudinal range extensions or clarifications of seasonal status. Thus, if a study site is not mentioned in a species entry, this does not imply that the species was not recorded there; at this point Appendix 1 should be referred to. Mlikovsky and Inskipp (in prep.) review the status of all species in Indochina; this work greatly facilitated the setting into context of the present records. Delacour and Jabouille (1931, 1 940) discussed all species occurring in Laos with comments on their status; the former work incorporated previous published observations and, apparently, many others which were not otherwise published. King et al. (1975) presented the only recent breakdown of species occurrence by region within Laos: all cases where records from 1992-1993 extended or clarified the known geographical range as shown in this source are discussed, even where it turned out that earlier records had been overlooked in its compilation. Bar-backed Partridge Arborophila brunneopectus At Risk in Thailand Local in semi-evergreen and hill evergreen forest of Phou Xang He NBCA and Dong Hua Sao NBCA. Previous observers found it frequently throughout Laos (Engelbach 1932, Delacour and Jabouille 1940, David-Beaulieu 1949- 1950). Silver Pheasant Lophura nycthemera At Risk in Thailand A few were recorded above 900 m in primary hill evergreen forest on the Bolovens Plateau (Dong Hua Sao NBCA). Engelbach (1932) found it very common in hill forest on the plateau; the race L. n. engelbachivjas, described as endemic to the Bolovens Plateau (Delacour 1977). The validity of the subspecies L. n. engelbachi was questioned by McGowan and Panchen (1994). Siamese Fireback Lophura diardi Globally Threatened Fairly common at Xe Pian NBCA in primary semi-evergreen forest and scarcer in degraded forest at the edge of the NBCA. One was seen on Route 1 8 on 26 January near the crossing of the Xe Pian river, along the current NBCA boundary. Although recorded at Phou Xang He NBCA (two on Phou Xang He, 29 March; a pair in the corridor in a forest patch on 1 April; a male with two females there on 1 1 April; and heard near Ban Nalay on 20 April), its status 56 R. M. THEWLIS et al. Forktail 1 1 could not be assessed due to the paucity of suitable paths from which to see pheasants; this may also account for the absence of confirmed records at Dong Hua Sao NBCA. Hundreds of birds are snared annually in Xe Pian NBCA and probably at the other sites. Grey Peacock-Pheasant Polyplectron bicalcaratum At Risk in Thailand Probably common in semi-evergreen forest throughout Xe Pian NBCA (although heard frequently only at Houay Tapkua, this may have been a seasonal effect) where many hunters’ plucking piles were found. The species was heard in Phou Xang He NBCA, but no feathers were found nor were birds seen. Neither King et al. (1975) nor Delacour (1977) list it for South Laos. P. b. bicalcaratum ranges from Chittagong and Tenasserim through Thailand to North Laos and southern Yunnan, whereas P. b. ghigii is found in Annam (Delacour and Jabouille 1931); from comparison with skins at the British Museum (Tring), birds in Xe Pian NBCA fitted the latter well. At Ban Nape (Central Laos) and Chapa (Tonkin) birds intermediate between the two subspecies were found (Delacour 1929). Green Peafowl Pavo muticus Globally Threatened Singles were heard at two localities near the confluence of the Xe Khampho and Xe Pian rivers (Xe Pian NBCA) around dawn and dusk on several days in March. Displaying was said by villagers to occur near the confluence of the Xe Khong and Xe Pian rivers. No evidence was found at Dong Kalo (Xe Pian NBCA) although villagers reported that they inhabit the Phou Mailai area. There were two sightings (possibly of the same bird) at Quan Moor (Dong Hua Sao NBCA) at 250 m on 28 June and 3 July, a locality reported to hold up to 70 birds in March. Green Peafowl once occurred throughout Indochina (Delacour and Jabouille 1940); hunting has greatly reduced this species which was once considered to be as common as Red Junglefowl G alius gallus (Delacour and Jabouille 1925). The species is considered in more detail by Evans and Timmins ( Forktail , this issue). White-winged Duck Cairina scutulata Globally Threatened One flew along Houay Kua (Xe Pian NBCA) on 27 December. They are reported by locals in the area. The status, natural history and conservation of this species in Laos is considered by Evans and Tizard (in prep.). Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata One market specimen was noted at Vientiane in 1991 (Srikosamatara etal. 1992). This species has not previously been recorded in Laos (Mlikovsky and Inskipp in prep.) and is treated here so that details of all species not listed for Laos by King et al. (1975) are included. White-bellied Woodpecker Dryocopus javensis At Risk in Thailand Frequent on the Xe Khong plains and Dong Kalo, mostly in mixed deciduous forest, and occasional in mixed deciduous forest in the northern fringe (all Xe Pian NBCA). 1995 Ornithological records from Laos 1 992-1993 57 Red-collared Woodpecker Picus rabieri Globally Threatened Common in all primary semi-evergreen forest, frequent in degraded semi-evergreen forest but scarce in other habitats (including heavily logged forest) up to 450 m at Xe Pian NBC A, Dong Hua Sao NBCA and Phou Xang He NBC A. The species occurs throughout Laos (Delacour and Jabouille 1940) including Pakxe (Engelbach 1932). Black-headed Woodpecker Picus erythropygius At Risk in Thailand Common at Dong Kalo and the Xe Khong plains (Xe Pian NBCA) and at Phou Xang He NBCA in dry dipterocarp forest with fewer in mixed deciduous forest. Its abundance in the dry dipterocarp forest, the least threatened of woody habitats, suggests that the species is unlikely to be threatened by habitat destruction in the near future. Pale-headed Woodpecker Gecinulus grantia At Risk in Thailand Locally common in primary and degraded semi-evergreen forest on flat and steep terrain at all altitudes surveyed in Xe Pian NBCA and Phou Xang He NBCA. At these sites it seemed associated with large stands of a bamboo which grew only under the forest canopy. In Dong Hua Sao NBCA, two on 5 June and one on 1 1 June were in primary hill evergreen forest at 1,100 m away from any large bamboos. Treesucon and Round (1990) regarded it as being At Risk in Thailand due to its very restricted range there (it is largely replaced by Bamboo Woodpecker G. viridis), whereas east of the Mekong (and north into China and west to Nepal) the species is widespread (King et al. 1975), as it is in Laos (Delacour and Jabouille 1940). Red-vented Barbet Megalaima lagrandieri Common in primary and degraded forest in Dong Hua Sao NBCA on the Bolovens Plateau (1,000 m) and in Phou Xang He NBCA at all altitudes surveyed (200-500 m). At Xe Pian NBCA one fed in a fruiting tree with Lineated Barbets M. lineata beside the Xe Khampho river ( 1 00 m) on 5 March, but in view of the observer effort in Xe Pian NBCA, the species is clearly exceptional there between November and May. King et al.( 1975) excluded Central Laos from the species’s range, although Delacour (1929) had found it to be abundant near Ban Nape. It was previously found to be common in well-wooded areas of the Bolovens Plateau (Engelbach 1932). This species was previously listed as Globally Near-threatened (Collar and Andrew 1988). Great Hornbill B uceros bicomis At Risk in Thailand Up to four birds were seen from the steep slopes of the Houay Tapkua valley (Xe Pian NBCA) on 14, 15 and 19 February. This small number of records contrasts with a former assessment as common in well-wooded areas of southern Laos, particularly in hills and mountains (Engelbach 1932). Brown Hornbill Anorrhinus tickelli Globally Near-Threatened Only found at Phou Xang He NBCA (400 m) where up to three birds occasionally associated with flocks of the much commoner Oriental Pied-Hornbill 58 R. M. THEWLIS el al. Forktail 1 1 Anthracoceros albirostris; the lack of records elsewhere is surprising as they were recorded throughout Laos (Delacour and Jabouille 1940) and were considered to be common on the Bolovens Plateau (Engelbach 1932). Wreathed HoRNBiLLHceros undulatus At Risk in Thailand Small numbers, rarely including flocks of up to 2 1 were seen almost daily in Xe Pian NBCA and rather less frequently in Dong Hua Sao NBCA, where it was particularly scarce on the plateau with only one sighting of three birds on 7 June. Parties often flew over agricultural land and deciduous habitats to the north of Xe Pian NBCA in December and January and may have been travelling to and from Dong Hua Sao NBCA. Two were seen in Phou Xang He NBCA on 1 5 April, and unidentified large hornbills wrere heard there on a few other occasions. Historically it was the rarest hornbill in Savannakhet, with only one seen in two years (David-Beaulieu 1949-1950), paralleling our observations at Phou Xang He NBCA. Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis Common in all study sites visited during October-April, but unrecorded from Dong Hua Sao NBCA which was visited in May-July. Many birds were seen by paddies and streams in Vientiane (including the city centre) from mid August and through September, after none had been seen between early July and mid August. This pattern of records strongly suggests that birds are mainly or entirely non-breeding migrants to the areas visited, contra King et al. (1975) who indicated that the species is resident throughout Laos. Past resident observers in the South and Centre (Engelbach 1927a, 1932, David-Beaulieu 1949-1950) made no mention of seasonality, but the species was a breeding resident in Tranninh (David-Beaulieu 1 944) . It is primarily a winter migrant to Thailand, breeding but locally (Lekagul and Round 1991) and it is likely that the same is true in much of Laos. Blue-eared Kingfisher/I/c^o meninting Frequent at all three study sites in South and Central Laos. The only previous Lao record is of two near Ban Namkeung-Kao in North Laos (Delacour and Greenway 1940). Black-backed Kingfisher Ceyx erithacus Locally common in lowlands at Dong Hua Sao NBCA, singles on 26 March and 17 April on Phou Hinho (Phou Xang He NBCA) and singles at Xe Pian NBCA on 1 0 December and 8 May. All previous Lao records relate to the North (Bangs and Van Tyne 1931, David-Beaulieu 1944). Banded Kingfisher Lacedo pulchella Common at Phou Xang He NBCA in semi-evergreen forest; only previously recorded in Laos in the North and South (Bangs and Van Tyne 1931, Engelbach 1932, David-Beaulieu 1 944) . Ruddy Kingfisher Halcyon coromanda At Risk in Thailand Two singles along forest streams in Phou Xang He NBCA on 1 0 April (Ban Lavay) and 17 April (Phou Hinho). The only previous Lao record is of a single from Tranninh (North Laos) on 17 April 1938 (David-Beaulieu 1944). Both 1995 Ornithological records from Laos 1 992-1993 59 resident and migrant populations occur in Thailand (Lekagul and Round 1991). The three Lao records, all being in April, may relate to migrants. Black-capped Kingfisher Halcyon pileata King etal. (1975) were unsure of the seasonal status of this species in South Laos; our observations suggest that it is only a winter migrant to this region as, although common in wetlands and along rivers at Xe Pian NBCA during November to March, it was not recorded there in May, nor at Dong Hua Sao NBCA in May-July. Moustached Hawk-Cuckoo Cuculus vagans Singles in bamboo at Houay Kua on 1 0 December and in degraded forest at Ban Nongping (both Xe Pian NBCA) on 23 January. These are the first records for Indochina; no records were traced by Mlikovsky and Inskipp (in prep.). See Duckworth ( Forktail this issue) for further details. Hodgson’s Hawk-Cuckoo Cuculus fugax One adult on the Xe Khong plains (Xe Pian NBCA) on 6 March. This is the first record for Laos; no records were traced by Mlikovsky and Inskipp (in prep.) and it was recently recorded in Central Annam for the first time by Robson et al. (1993a). Violet Cuckoo Chrysococcyx xanthorhynchus Three singles at Houay Nhang NR on 27 October, 9 and 1 2 November. Historical records in Laos came only from the South (King et al. 1975). The only previous record with details is of a male near Pakxe in February 1 932 (Engelbach 1 932) . Alexandrine Parakeet Psittacula eupatria At Risk in Thailand Recorded only at Xe Pian NBCA and Ban Thakho where scattered pairs occupied open forest areas. It is a popular cagebird and nest robbery is exterminating the Thai population (Round 1988); other parakeet species were taken from the nest at Xe Pian NBCA (pers. obs., Cox et al. 1991). Swiftlet Collocalia sp. Singles at Houay Nhang NR on 18 and 26 October, on the Xe Khong plains (Xe Pian NBCA) on 10 March and around Houay Namphak (Dong Hua Sao NBCA) from 12 to 24 May. On 19 March, between Savannakhet and Pakxan, many flocks of 15-20 were seen in rural areas. At Vangviang about 40 were seen in late August; the latter three areas contain suitable breeding habitat, the former two do not. King et al. (1975) treated all swiftlets from Laos under C. brevirostris and listed these only for the North. Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993) list C. brevirostris and C. rogersi from Laos, but not C. gemtani. Two historical primary references to swiftlets in Laos were traced by Mlikovsky and Inskipp (in prep.). Bangs and van Tyne (1931) collected one male C. francica gennani (= C. gemtani ) from the Nam Ou near Ban Thenkhen (North Laos) in June 1929, and David-Beaulieu (1944) recorded this form as a regular double passage migrant through Tranninh; six males were collected. C. rogersi was described (as C. brevirostris rogersi ) from a Thai specimen; it was recorded as breeding in the Southern Shan states (Myanmar), north-west Tonkin, North Laos, and northern and western Thailand, wherever limestone crags occurred, 60 R. M. THEWLIS et al. Forktail 1 1 and wintering in peninsular Thailand and Malaysia (Deignan 1955). Unfortunately, neither the collector, the site nor the museum specimen numbers are given for the northern Lao record of C. rogersi, but it is presumably referable either to specimens not described in previous publications, or to a re-identification of those of Bangs and Van Tyne or David-Beaulieu, or both. Brown-backed Needlet ail Hirundapus giganteus Commonly recorded at all study sites in all visits. Delacour and Jabouille ( 1 940) and King et al. (1975) described this species as found in north-east Laos, but did not list it from elsewhere. The lack of historical records is probably due to identification difficulties: neither Engelbach (1932) nor David-Beaulieu (1949-1950) identified any needletails to species as they could not secure any specimens. It is clearly common throughout South and Central Laos and probably present throughout the year. It seems to have been under-recorded elsewhere in Indochina as the first records from North Annam came in 1 988 and from Central Annam in 1991 (Robson et al. 1993b). Mountain Scops-Owl Otus spilocephalus Heard nightly at Phou Xang He NBC A between 26 March and 1 8 April. This species has not previously been recorded from Central Laos, according to Mlikovsky and Inskipp (in prep.). Tawny/Buffy Fish-Owl Ketupa flavipes Globally Near-Threatened/K ketupu Singles seen at Houay Saoe (1,3 and 4 December), Dong Kalo (31 January) and the Xe Khong plains (3 and 6 March), all in Xe Pian NBCA. These birds were along seasonal streams in semi-evergreen forest and mixed deciduous/dry dipterocarp forest mosaic, except the Xe Khong plains individual which was at a small pool in dry dipterocarp forest. The Xe Khong plains bird was believed, on grounds of size, most likely to be Tawny. Tawny Fish-Owl is known in Laos only as a very rare bird in Tranninh (David- Beaulieu 1 944) . Buffy Fish-Owl is known in Laos only from the South where one was collected at Ban Thateng in 1931 (Engelbach 1932). Spotted Wood-Owl Strix seloputo Calls heard near the confluence of the Xe Khong and Xe Pian rivers (Xe Pian NBCA) on 3 March fitted the description in Lekagul and Round (1991) of the call of this species, which is not yet recorded from Laos (Mlikovsky and Inskipp in prep.). Brown Wood-Owl Strix leptogrammica Single records in Xe Pian NBCA (two on 19 December; semi-evergreen forest, 200 m) and Dong Hua Sao NBCA (8 July; mixed deciduous forest, 250 m) and one seen in Salavan market (South Laos; R. Dobias verbally 1994). Previously known in Laos only from Phongsali and Tranninh, North Laos (Delacour 1926, Delacour and Jabouille 1927, Bangs and Van Tyne 1931, David-Beaulieu 1944). Collared Owlet Glaucidium brodiei Described as occurring usually above 600 m in Thailand (Lekagul and Round 1991) yet recorded commonly at 150 m at both Xe Pian NBCA and Phou Xang He NBCA. It has been recorded at sea level in Vietnam (C. Robson in lift. 1994). 1995 Ornithological records from Laos 1992-1993 61 Hodgson’s Frogmouth Batrachostomus hodgsoni A call tape-recorded from 1,100 m on the Bolovens Plateau (Dong Hua Sao NBCA) is likely to be of Hodgson’s Frogmouth (P. D. Round verbally 1993). The species was found on the Bolovens Plateau in February 1932 (Dickinson 1970) and also recorded from Ban Namkeung-Kao, North Laos (Delacour and Greenway 1940). Blyth’s Frogmouth Batrachostomus affinis At Risk in Thailand Three types of call heard consistently in the lowlands at Xe Pian NBCA were tape- recorded, one of which was also heard in the lowlands of Dong Hua Sao NBCA, at Houay Nhang NR on 15 April and at Lao Pako in mid-April. These resemble ‘Javan Frogmouth’ in Thailand (P. D. Round verbally 1993), referred by Sibley and Monroe (1990) to Blyth’s Frogmouth. No records of this form were traced from Laos by Mlikovsky and Inskipp (in prep.). Yellow-footed Green-Pigeon Treron phoenicoptera At Risk in Thailand Eight in dry dipterocarp forest at Nong Puh near Ban Senhom (within Dong Kalo) on 5 February. In Xe Pian NBCA, common (up to five birds per day) on the Xe Khong plains and present at Dong Kalo in mixed deciduous forest; birds were sometimes seen in adjacent dry dipterocarp forest. Green Imperial-Pigeon Ducula aenea At Risk in Thailand Occasionally seen in degraded and riverside semi-evergreen forest at Xe Pian NBCA, but rather infrequently recorded there, deep in continuous semi-evergreen forest; present in the lowlands but not the higher areas at Dong Hua Sao NBCA. The species was previously recorded widely and commonly throughout Laos (e.g. Engelbach 1932, Delacour and Jabouille 1940) Sarus Crane Grus antigone Globally Near-Threatened Two adults and a juvenile on the Xe Khong plains (Xe Pian NBCA) on 5 March. Small numbers were previously recorded in Xe Pian NBCA by Cox etal. (1991) and Salter (1993). This subspecies, G. a. sharpii, is already extinct in some countries, including Thailand (Scott and Poole 1989, Lekagul and Round 1991). Masked Finfoot Heliopais personata Globally Threatened Two singles on the Xe Pian river (Xe Pian NBCA) in early March 1993. Mlikovsky and Inskipp (in prep.) traced no previous Lao records. Common Coot Fulica atra One at Nong Kasay (Xe Pian NBCA) on 2 and 5 January; the only previous Lao record is of one at Muang Soui, North Laos (David-Beaulieu 1944). Eurasian Woodcock Scolopax rusticola Three singles in Xe Pian NBCA: 27 November (deep in semi-evergreen forest); 1 and 10 March (by the Xe Khampho river) . The species was previously known in Laos from the North and Central regions (Delacour and Jabouille 1927, Delacour and Greenway 1940, David-Beaulieu 1944, 1949-1950). 62 R. M. THEWLIS et al. Forktail 1 1 Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus Singles near Ban Phapho on 30 and 3 1 December, then two on 2 January near Ban Phalay (Xe Pian NBCA). The only previous Lao record was from the North, of one in Tranninh (David- Beaulieu 1944). Bronze-winged Jacana Metopidius indicus Counts of 1 00 at Nong Loum and 60 at Nong Kasay supplemented smaller numbers elsewhere in Xe Pian NBCA during January. The species was previously known in Laos only from the Central region (Robinson and Kloss 1931, David-Beaulieu 1949-1950), although Perennou and Mundkur (1991) recorded them at unspecified localities in the country. Sand Plover Charadrius sp. A single was seen on the Mekong at Vientiane on 29 April. Neither Mongolian C. moiigolus nor Greater C. leschenaultii are mapped as occurring near the Mekong in Thailand (Lekagul and Round 1991). Historically, both species were rare on the Mekong at Savannakhet (Central Laos) and 1-4 Mongolians were seen (one taken) at Xieng- Khouang (North Laos) on 24 September 1938 (David-Beaulieu 1 944, 1 949- 1950). Grey-headed Lapwing Vanellus cinereus Globally Near-Threatened Common in suitable habitat in the northern zone of Xe Pian NBCA where flocks of up to 24 were recorded from November to January; five flew over Houay Nhang NR on 31 October; up to four were seen at Tha Ngon Reservoir from October to December, and a single flew east along the Mekong at Ban Thadua on 20 March. Small Pratincole Glareola lactea At Risk in Thailand Along the Xe Khong river, 145 birds were seen in 50 km on 1 3 March. More were probably present as those on shingle banks were quite unobtrusive. All further records were on the Mekong: at the Khong-Phapheng Falls (150, 7 February); at Vientiane (seven, 25 November; small numbers, April); and at Savannakhet (eight, 24 March). It was previously recorded throughout Laos (King et al. 1975), including the Mekong at Savannakhet (David-Beaulieu 1944) and the Xe Khong (Engelbach 1932), while Lekagul and Round (1991) mapped the species for the Thai bank of the Mekong opposite Vientiane. River Tern Sterna aurantia At Risk in Thailand Three pairs and one individual were seen along 50 km of the Xe Khong river on 1 3 March. It was previously much more numerous, being common on large rivers almost throughout Laos (Engelbach 1932, Delacour and Greenway 1940, David- Beaulieu 1949-1950). Black-bellied Tern Sterna acuticauda Globally Threatened A tern probably of this species was seen briefly at Kong Phapeng Falls on 6 February. It was previously common over much of Laos, especially in the South (Delacour and Jabouille 1931, Engelbach 1932, David-Beaulieu 1949-1950). 1995 Ornithological records from Laos 1992-1993 63 Jerdon s Baza Aviceda jerdoni Globally Near-Threatened A single at Houay Nhang NR on 1 November; the only previous Lao record was of one on the Bolovens Plateau (Engelbach 1932). Black-eared Kite Milvus hneatus Singles presumed to be of this species passed south over Houay Nhang NR on 1 8 and 1 9 October. Black Kite M. migrans was classified by Treesucon and Round (1990) as At Risk in Thailand and could occur in Laos, but was never historically confirmed. Black-eared Kite occurred in winter and was quite frequent on plains in South Laos and regular in Tranninh and Savannakhet (Engelbach 1932, David-Beaulieu 1944, 1949-1950) and even occurred around towns (David- Beaulieu 1944). These past assessments contrast with our two records of single birds and suggest that the species is now much rarer than formerly. Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus Three singles over the Mekong: from Ban Samkhang on 3 February, Muang Khong on 29 January and Khong Phapeng Falls on 6 February. It was previously described as very common on the Mekong, Xe Khong, Xe Don and Xe Banghiang rivers in Central and South Laos (Engelbach 1927a, Delacour 1929, David-Beaulieu 1949-1950). This suggests that the species has declined greatly, as it has elsewhere in South- East Asia (van Balen et al. 1993 and references therein). Lesser Fish-Eagle Ichthyophaga humilis Globally Near-Threatened Several sightings of 1-3 at the confluence of the Xe Pian and Xe Khampho rivers in March. Two on 13 and one on 14 February on the upper reaches of the Houay T auang in semi-evergreen forest (Xe Pian NBC A) . Lesser and Grey¬ headed Fish-Eagles are now extremely rare in South-East Asia and almost extinct in Thailand (Lekagul and Round 1991). Grey-headed Fish-Eagle Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus Globally Near- Threatened One to three almost daily on 2-6 March in the Xe Khong plains area, sometimes in the air with Lesser Fish-Eagle. White-rumped Vulture Gyps bengalensis Globally Near-Threatened Up to at least eleven in Xe Pian NBCA, including birds in mixed flocks of vultures totalling 40-60 at buffalo carcasses on the Xe Khong plains in March. None was seen over Dong Kalo, a similar habitat to the Xe Khong plains, although only four days’ fieldwork was achieved here. Occasional birds (on 16 December and 1 1 January) were seen over the main block of semi-evergreen forest, but they probably concentrated over more open habitats. This species, almost extinct in Thailand (Lekagul and Round 1991), was common historically throughout Laos (Engelbach 1927a, 1932, David-Beaulieu 1944, 1949-1950). Long-billed Vulture Gyps indicus Globally Near-Threatened Up to at least ten (probably less numerous in the northern zone than the other two vulture species) in Xe Pian NBCA, where commonest on the Xe Khong plains. None was seen over Dong Kalo. Occasional birds (one on 1 1 and two 64 R. M. THEWLIS ei al. Forktail 1 1 on 12 January) were seen over the main block of semi-evergreen forest, but birds clearly concentrated over more open habitats. Four over Attapu town on 26 January. The species, possibly extinct in Thailand (Lekagul and Round 1991), was common historically throughout Laos, although generally described as the least numerous of the vultures (Engelbach 1927a, 1932, David-Beaulieu 1944, 1949-1950). Red-headed Vulture Sarcogyps calvus Globally Near-Threatened Up to about ten in the northern zone and Xe Ivhong plains of Xe Pian NBCA, and one (on 1 1 January) over the main block of semi-evergreen forest. One was over Attapu town on 26 January. The species is almost extinct in Thailand (Lekagul and Round 1991) and was common historically throughout Laos (Engelbach 1927a, 1932, David-Beaulieu 1944, 1949-1950). Short-toed Snake-Eagle Circaetus gallicus One north of Muang Khong over Route 13 on 8 February. Mlikovsky and Inskipp (in prep.) traced no previous Lao records. Rufous-winged Buzzard Butastur liventer Globally Near-Threatened Fairly common in dry dipterocarp forest on the Xe Khong plains and Dong Kalo (Xe Pian NBCA) and in similar forest in and around Phou Xang He NBCA. Birds were seen less frequently in mixed deciduous forest and a mosaic of other habitats in the northern fringe of Xe Pian NBCA. Two were seen in scrub by Route 1 3, south of Ban Paknamkading (North Laos) on 20 November. Historically it was fairly common in dry dipterocarp forest in Savannakhet province and around Pakxe (Engelbach 1932, David-Beaulieu 1949-1950), though it was not previously recorded from the North. Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus One flew north-west over Ban Phalay (Xe Pian NBCA) on 5 January. Mlikovsky and Inskipp (in prep.) traced no previous records from Indochina. It is a very scarce migrant to Thailand (Lekagul and Round 1991). See Duckworth (. Forktail this issue) for further details. Rufous-bellied Eagle Hieraaetus kienerii Single adults over Nong Loum on 2 and 4 January and over Ban Kiatngong on 3 January (all Xe Pian NBCA) . Juveniles were seen on the Xe Khong plains (Xe Pian NBCA) on 1 2 March and at QuanMoor (DongHua SaoNBCA) on 3 July. Mlikovsky and Inskipp (in prep.) traced no previous Lao records. White-rumped Falcon Polihierax insignis Globally Near-Threatened Recorded only in Xe Pian NBCA, in Dong Kalo around Ban Phonvisai and Houay Kaliang, and once on the Xe Khong plains (5 March), mostly in dry dipterocarp forest. The peak daily count was two. It was considered a ‘scarce or endangered lowland forest specialist’ in Thailand by CCB (1992). Historically it was very common in dry dipterocarp forest in Savannakhet, widespread although localized in the Salavan area and not known from North Laos (Engelbach 1932, Delacour and Jabouille 1940, David-Beaulieu 1949-1950). 1995 Ornithological records from Laos 1 992- 1993 65 Lesser/Common Kestrel Falco naumanni Globally Threatened//7. tinnunculus Single unidentified kestrels were seen over Houay Nhang NR on 19 October and near Don Chuan Sandbank (Vientiane) on 26 November. Lesser Kestrel was common in Tranninh (North Laos; David-Beaulieu 1 944) . Common Kestrel was very common in winter in Tranninh (Delacour and Jabouille 1927, David-Beaulieu 1944) and occurred on passage in Central Laos (David-Beaulieu 1949-1950). Common Kestrel was recorded recently in North Annam for the first time by Robson et al. ( 1 993a), whereas Lesser Kestrel is not known from Vietnam (Mlikovsky and Inskipp in prep.). Oriental Hobby Falco severus One at Ban Phapho (Xe Pian NBCA) on 3 1 December and singles on 3 July at Quan Moor and on 8 July at Ban Houeiton (Dong Hua Sao NBCA). The species was previously known in Laos only from one specimen and a handful of sightings in North Laos (David-Beaulieu 1944). Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster Globally Near-Threatened At Dong Hua Sao NBCA one was seen on 20 and 26 May feeding at Nong Hia (a deep water pool) and also flying over forest 3 km to the south on 26 May. None was seen during intensive fieldwork in nearby Xe Pian NBCA and although Bung-Gnai Kiatngong (Xe Pian NBCA) reputedly supports the species (Scott 1 989), this appears to stem from unsubstantiated local reports (R. E. Salter verbally 1993). It was formerly common in much of Laos (e.g. Engelbach 1932, David-Beaulieu 1944, 1949-1950). Grey Heron Ardea cinerea At Risk in Thailand Frequent on wetlands at Xe Pian NBCA. Grey Heron was also seen at Tha Ngon wetlands (five on 30 October) and two at a reservoir near Phou Xang He NBCA on 20 March. Purple Heron Ardea purpurea At Risk in Thailand Frequent on wetlands at Xe Pian NBCA. Two were on lowland wetlands at Dong Hua Sao NBCA on 18, 25 and 28 May. One flew north over the corridor of Phou Xang He NBCA on 8 April and a single was at Don Chuan Sandbank, Vientiane, on 4 May. Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis A roost of over 1,000 egrets (including 520 Cattle Egrets) was found at Bung-Gnai Kiatngong (Xe Pian NBCA) in December. The roost was not present in early January (although the species still abounded in the area) . The species was not recorded at Xe Pian NBCA in May or at Dong Hua Sao NBCA in May-July. King et al. (1975) implied that it is resident throughout Laos; this assessment is not supported by these observations. Historically, it was particularly common in South Laos, with good numbers in May as well as December on the lower Xe Don (Engelbach 1927a). Chinese Pond-Heron Ardeola bacchus Pond-Herons were very common (with a peak count of over 1 ,000 at Bung-Gnai Kiatngong marsh in January) at Xe Pian NBCA from November to March. By March some were assuming 66 R. M. THEWLIS et al. Forktail 1 1 breeding plumage and became identifiable to species. No Javan Pond- Herons A. speciosa, which could also occur (although as yet unrecorded), were found. They were still common in Phou Xang He NBCA in March and April, but at Dong Hua Sao NBCA (May - July) birds were merely occasional. They were rare at Xe Pian NBCA in May. Birds are hence presumed to be largely or entirely non-breeding migrants to South Laos. King etal. (1975) were uncertain of its seasonal status in the South although Engelbach (1932) had already found that it was almost absent after a heavy May passage until late September. Malayan Night-Heron Gorsachius melanolophus At Risk in Thailand Common in degraded lowlands (250 m) around middle Houay Namphak (Dong Hua Sao NBCA) during 12-24 May with eight individuals heard calling and several seen. One provisional record over Houay Saoe (Xe Pian NBCA) on 27 November. It was found in wooded regions throughout Laos (Delacour and Jabouille 1931, 1940), but Mlikovsky and Inskipp (in prep.) traced no primary records to detail this. Schrenck’s Bittern Ixobrychus eurhythmus Globally Near-Threatened Single adult males at Houay Nhang NR at a pool in dry paddy within forest (25 October) and at Xe Pian NBCA on lotus ponds near Ban Phalay (11 January). The only previous Lao record is of one male in April at Xieng- Khouang (North Laos; David-Beaulieu 1944). Great Bittern Botaurus stellaris Singles at Bung Gnai-Kiatngong wetlands (Xe Pian NBCA) on 24 November and 29 December. The sole previous record in Laos was from Ban Latsen (Tranninh, North Laos) on 2 February 1940 (David-Beaulieu 1944). White-shouldered Ibis Pseudibis davisom Globally Threatened A single on the Xe Khong plains on 5, 6 and 1 2 March. The only other recent records anywhere in the world come from one site in southern Vietnam and from several in Kalimantan (Holmes 1991, Robson et al. 1993b). Scott’s (1989) listing of ibises from Bung-Gnai Kiatngong (Xe Pian NBCA) was probably based on local reports (R. E. Salter verbally 1993). In Laos it was formerly much more common and occurred throughout; in the Southern and Central regions it was frequent on the middle and lower Xe Banghiang, the Xe Don, the Xe Khong, the Mekong and the Xe Pian rivers (Engelbach 1932, Delacour and Jabouille 1931, David-Beaulieu 1949-1950). Giant Ibis Pseudibis gigantea Globally Threatened Two singles in Xe Pian NBCA: at a pool on the seasonally dry Houay Kaliang river (3 February) and by the Xe Pian river (13 March). The two sites are 50 km apart. These are the first records for over 40 years from anywhere in the species’s restricted world range (Collar et al. 1994). It may formerly have been more common and widespread in Laos, although it was never as common as White¬ shouldered Ibis (Engelbach 1951). Further details of recent and historical records are given in Thewlis (in prep. a). 1995 Ornithological records from Laos 1 992- 1993 67 Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus At Risk in Thailand Birds were seen soaring over Xe Pian NBCA frequently, usually singly; feeding concentrations (all at dried or drying pools in wooded areas) included three near Ban Phapho on 1 7 December and three at saltlicks near Houay Kua on 27 December (both Xe Pian NBCA) and five west of Ban Xot (Dong Kalo) on 5 February. One was seen from a bus from Route 13 between Ban Thangbeng and Ban Nasenphan on 28 January in open dry dipterocarp woodland just west of Xe Pian NBCA. A breeding colony in forest east of Ban Pakbo (Xe Pian NBCA) has been reported (Salter 1993). Two were seen in the lowlands of Dong Hua Sao NBCA on 14 and 25 May. Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilosjavanicus Globally Threatened Only recorded from Xe Pian NBCA: four singles (one feeding, three soaring) in the northern fringe area on 1, 4, 6 and 12 January; two singles at Dong Kalo on 31 January and 1 February; and up to five together on the Xe Khong plains with daily records of smaller numbers there during 3-13 March. Xe Pian NBCA clearly has moderate numbers of this ‘excellent indicator of the health of local wetlands’ (Scott 1989). Blue-rumped Pitta Pitta soror Globally Near-Threatened Common in primary and moderately degraded semi-evergreen forest at Xe Pian NBCA, but much scarcer in deciduous forests there. One was recorded in the lowlands of Dong Hua Sao NBCA near the Houay Namphak on 16 May (there were few suitable paths for observing pittas in this area). It was not found at Phou Xang He NBCA (where there were also few suitable paths). Although King etal. (1975) considered that the species was possibly absent from Central Laos, Delacour (1929) had already noted it in this region, at Ban Nape. Engelbach (1932) did not find it above 800 m in South Laos, below which it was frequent on the north-east slopes of the Bolovens Plateau. All our observations were between 1 50 and 500 m, which contrasts with its assessment as a mountain species by King et al. (1975) and Lekagul and Round (1991; usually above 900 m), but accord with its status in Vietnam where it is common down to 50 m (Robson et al. 1989). Bar-bellied Pitta Pitta elliotii Globally Near-Threatened The abundance of this pitta in semi-evergreen forest at Xe Pian NBCA mirrored that of Blue- rumped Pitta, although it was recorded more commonly than that species in deciduous forests. At Phou Xang He NBCA, it was recorded mainly by call and was common in the same habitats as at Xe Pian NBCA. At Dong Hua Sao NBCA it was common in lowland semi-evergreen forest (including logged areas), and the lower hill slopes up to at least 400 m, but was not found on the plateau. The populations at all three sites were probably large; status assessment was facilitated by its distinctive call. One at Lao Pako near the lower Nam Ngum river from 17 to 19 April was in heavily degraded forest dominated by bamboo. The previous Lao records were only from the South: it was recorded by Engelbach ( 1 932; a skin from Attapu and three birds from 68 R. M. THEWLIS el al. Forktail 1 1 the more gentle slopes of the Bolovens Plateau) and Oustalet (1899-1 903; a single from an uncertain location probably in South Laos). Dusky Broadbill Corydon sumatranus A group of about six was observed nest-building on Phou Xang He in semi-evergreen forest on 29-31 March. King etal. (1975) recorded the species in Laos only from the South, following Delacour and Jabouille (1940), but Bangs and Van Tyne (1931) recorded one at Ban Thangon (North Laos) in July 1929. Black-and-red Broadbill Cymbirhynchus macrorhynchos At Risk in Thailand Commonly recorded in Xe Pian NBCA and Dong Hua Sao NBCA, usually in lowland semi-evergreen forest or mixed deciduous forest, degraded or otherwise, and often but not always close to water. One was seen visiting a nest beside a pool at 1 50 m in Dong Hua Sao NBCA on 25-26 May. No previous Lao record was traced by Mlikovsky and Inskipp (in prep.). Banded Broadbill Eurylaimus javanicus Ubiquitous in primary and degraded semi-evergreen forest at Phou Xang He NBCA with many heard (and sometimes seen) daily. One was heard at Phou Khao Khouay NBCA on 1 5 April. King et al. (1975) recorded the species in Laos only from the South, following Delacour and Jabouille (1940). Bangs and Van Tyne (1931) however recorded one at Ban Thangon (North Laos) in July 1929. Yellow-breasted Magpie Cissa hypoleuca Globally Near-Threatened Common in primary semi-evergreen forest in flattish areas with extensive bamboo at Xe Pian NBCA; scarcer in more degraded areas of the same habitat. A call believed to be diagnostic of the species was heard once at Dong Hua Sao NBCA on 20 May (in lowland semi-evergreen forest similar to that in which it was recorded in Xe Pian NBCA). This apparent restriction contrasts with the situation in Thailand, where the species has a wide altitudinal range (Round 1 988), and in Vietnam, where it occurs commonly on hill slopes as well as in the lowlands (Robson et al. 1989). Engelbach (1932) captured one at the foot of the Bolovens Plateau and this is the only previous Lao record. Maroon Oriole Oriolus traillii One was seen at 1 50 m on 1 9 and 20 January' near Ban Taong (Xe Pian NBCA) and there were occasional singles down to 200 m at Dong Hua Sao NBCA between 12 and 24 May. In Thailand it usually occurs above 800 m (Lekagul and Round 1991) while King et al. (1975) listed the species’ usual altitudinal range in South-East Asia as 600- 2, 1 00 m; however in Vietnam it was recorded as low as 1 00 m (Robson et al. 1993a). In South Laos it was previously found to be frequent above 800 m (Engelbach 1932), as it was at Dong Hua Sao NBCA in 1993. Brown-rumped Mini vet Pericrocotus cantonemis Globally Near-Threatened Small numbers at Xe Pian NBCA in semi-evergreen forest and mixed deciduous forest and Phou Xang He NBCA in secondary growth and mixed deciduous forest. Previous Lao records came only from the South: from the 1995 Ornithological records from Laos 1 992-1993 69 Muang Taoy region, the upper Xe Rhong, Champasak and the north-east slopes of the Bolovens (Engelbach 1932). Even males of this species are easily confused with Ashy Minivet P. divaricatus unless the rump or flank colour is clearly seen (see King et al. 1 975; contra Lekagul and Round 1991) and thus many birds seen in 1992 and 1993 remained unidentified. Dozens of skins ofboth species were examined at the British Museum (Tring). Male Brown-rumped has a blackish-grey crown which is only slightly less black than that of Ashy (the difference is difficult to detect in the field). On Brown-rumped the white of the forehead extends a little way above and behind the eye, but it does not extend beyond the eye of Ashy Minivet. This extension is sometimes not, however, particularly obvious, contra King et al. (1975). The upperparts of Brown-rumped are tinged with brown and the underparts have a rich brownish wash, especially on the flanks, which contrast with the cleaner grey on the upperparts and cleaner white on the underparts of Ashy. Brown-rumped has often been considered conspecific with Rosy Minivet P. roseus (e.g. King et al. 1975, Lekagul and Round 1991) which was recorded twice at Houay Nhang on 1 2 October and 14 November, and once at Xe Pian NBCA on 18 February. White-browed F ant ail Rhipidura aureola Fairly common in dry dipterocarp forest at Dong Kalo and on the Xe Khong plains (Xe Pian NBCA) . The only previous account from Laos was that birds were common in dry dipterocarp forest in Savannakhet province (Central Laos) and occurred less frequently in denser forest types there (David-Beaulieu 1 949- 1 950). The lack of records from Phou Xang He NBCA is thus surprising. Crow-billed Drongo Dicrurus annectans Unrecorded except at Phou Xang He NBCA during April when up to four were seen daily between 9 and 22 April. It is only a passage migrant to most of Thailand (Lekagul and Round 1991); this seems true also for Central Laos. King et al. (1975) list it in Laos only as a migrant to the South (which we did not visit during the main passage periods), where it has been recorded at Salavan and from dense forests of the Xe Don plains (Engelbach 1932). Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo Dicrurus remifer Common at all altitudes down to 150 m at all four study sites. In Thailand it is usually above 800 m (Lekagul and Round 1991), although in Vietnam it occurs down to the lowlands (Robson et al. 1993a). Blue Whistling-Thrush Myiophonus caeruleus Common at Xe Pian NBCA, where there were only yellow-billed birds at Houay Saoe, Houay Kua (both visited in December) and the Xe Rhampho river (March). Both black- and yellow-billed birds occurred at Houay Tapkua and Dong Kalo (both February). Occasional at Phou Xang He NBCA where yellow-billed birds were noted and Dong Hua Sao NBCA where bill colours were not recorded. 70 R. M. THEWLIS et al. Forktail 1 1 Siberian T hrush Zoothera sibirica One flushed from a stream at Phou Hinho (Phou Xang He NBCA) on 1 5 April; previous Lao records relate only to the North where it sometimes occurred in small flocks (Bangs and Van Tyne 1931, David-Beaulieu 1 944) . It was recently recorded for the first time from Central Annam (Robson et al. 1993a). Eurasian Blackbird Turdus merula One on sand banks of the Xe Khampho river on 6 March. It was previously recorded in Laos from the North (eastern part) and Centre (Delacour and Jabouille 1927, David-Beaulieu 1944, 1949- 1950) and there is only one Thai record (Lekagul and Round 1991). In Vietnam, it has been recorded from several localities in Central Annam (Delacour and Jabouille 1931, Robson et al. 1993b). King et al. (1975) list none from Cambodia or Malaysia, and Mlikovsky and Inskipp (in prep.) trace no records from Cambodia. The Xe Pian NBCA record appears to be the most southerly in Indochina and possibly South-East Asia to date. Dark-sided Flycatcher Muscicapa sibirica One at Ban Nalay (Phou Xang He NBCA) on 21 April. King et al. (1975) listed it in Laos only from the North (following Bangs and Van Tyne 1931, David-Beaulieu 1 944), although it was found in small numbers on passage in Savannakhet (Central Laos) and in winter in the South near Salavan and the Muang T aoy region (Engelbach 1932, David-Beaulieu 1949-1950). White-gorgeted/Rufous-browed F i .YC atc h e r Ficedula monileger/F. solitaris Common in hill evergreen forest on the Bolovens Plateau (Dong Hua Sao NBCA) . Birds were rather variable and showed a wide variation in plumage between individuals, including a surprising mix of characters of the two species. Many birds exhibited buff rather than silky white supercilia and too small a dark margin to the gorget for F. monileger. These characters fit F. tv. monileger, but the range of this subspecies is the eastern Himalayas. White- gorgeted Flycatcher was recorded from the high Bolovens (but probably not in Dong Hua Sao NBCA) by Engelbach (1932) and ten specimens of F. tv. leucops collected there were examined at the British Museum (Tring) and showed none of the variability we observed. White-gorgeted was also recorded previously in Tranninh, Lo-Tiao and Phongsali (North Laos) and east of Ban Nape (Centre) (Delacour and Jabouille 1927, Delacour 1929, Bangs and Van Tyne 1931, Delacour and Greenway 1 940, David-Beaulieu 1944). No records of Rufous-browed Flycatcher were traced from Laos by Mlikovsky and Inskipp (in prep.). Little Pied Flycatcher Ficedula westetrrvanni Birds at Houay Nhang NR (a male and female on 6, 7, 11, 12 November and 1 0 January) and Xe Pian NBCA on 1 6 and 23 December at 200-300 m were significantly lower than the altitudinal limits in King et al. (1975: 900 m) and Lekagul and Round (1991: 700 m). It may disperse locally to lower altitudes during the non¬ breeding season. 1995 Ornithological records from Laos 1992-1993 71 Blue-and-white Flycatcher Cyanoptila cyanomelana As well as one at the Xe Khong plains (Xe Pian NBCA) on 7 March, the species was fairly common at Phou Xang He NBCA during 24 March to 18 April. The only prior Lao record concerns one on Phou Kobo (North Laos; David-Beaulieu 1944). White-tailed Flycatcher Cyomis concretus One male was along a stream at Phou Hinho (Phou Xang He NBCA) on 24 March. Although recorded in Laos only from the North by King etal. (1975), two had been recorded at Ban Nape and one at Nam Theun (both Central Laos) by Delacour (1929). Hainan Blue-Flycatcher Cyomis hainanus Although common at all sites from October to March, none was recorded at Dong Hua Sao NBCA in May - July or at Xe Pian NBCA in May, suggesting that it is merely a non-breeding migrant to these parts of southern Laos. It was a double passage migrant in Tranninh (David-Beaulieu 1944); unfortunately, Engelbach (1932) did not discuss seasonality in the South. The species was regarded as resident in Laos (King et al. 1975) and in adjacent parts of Thailand (Lekagul and Round 1991). Blue-throated Flycatcher Cyomis mbeculoides A single of the resident form C. r. klossi on 1 9 June at 800 m (Dong Hua Sao NBCA) and one, which resembled C. r. glaucicomans , on 3 1 March at 300 m on Phou Xang He (Phou Xang He NBCA). The species was recorded in Laos only for the South by King et al. (1975) which relates to one from Tiacam on the Bolovens Plateau (Delacour 1929). There is one specimen of C. r. klossiai the British Museum (Tring) of an adult male in fresh plumage, wing 7 1 mm, from Ban Thateng, Bolovens Plateau, collected by Jean Delacour on 9 December 1931 (P. R. Colston, verbally 1995). Pygmy Blue Flycatcher M uscicapella hodgsoni Five singles in June around 1,100 m near the Upper Houay Namphak in primary forest and near Ban Nongluang in a degraded forest fragment (Dong Hua Sao NBCA) are the first records for Laos, as none was traced by Mlikovsky and Inskipp (in prep.) . Grey-headed Canary-Flycatcher Culicicapa ceylonensis Although common in Xe Pian NBCA during December to February, this species was not recorded from Xe Pian NBCA or lowland Dong Hua Sao NBCA in May- July. However, it was common on the Bolovens Plateau (Dong Hua Sao NBCA) during this period (the breeding season) . Birds became less common at Phou Xang He NBCA between mid-March and mid- April. Several singles were seen in Vientiane gardens between 2 November and 22 January, although not in other months. It seems that this species does not breed in the studied areas of lowland Laos, although it does so at higher altitudes, and in winter is one of the commonest lowland forest birds. The species is only a non-breeding migrant to east Thailand (Lekagul and Round 1991); King et al. (1975) were ambiguous about the species’s seasonal status in Laos. It was 72 R. M. THEWLIS et al. Forktail 1 1 described as sedentary and very common in Tranninh (David-Beaulieu 1 944) . It was common around Ban Nape (Central Laos; Delacour 1 929) and in the North (Bangs and Van Tyne 1931, Delacour and Greenway 1 940) and one of the commonest birds in South Laos at all altitudes (Engelbach 1927a, 1932), although no reference was made to its seasonality by these latter authors. Orange-flanked Bush-Robin Tarsiger cyanurus One adult male in forest near Ban Tauang (Xe PianNBCA) at 150 m on 24 January. It usually occurs in Thailand above 1,200 m (Lekagul and Round 1991) and was not listed for South Laos by King et al. (1975), although it winters commonly in North Laos and is known from the Centre (Delacour 1 929, Delacour and Greenway 1940, David-Beaulieu 1944). White-tailed Robin Cinclidium leucurum One at 200 m at Houay Saoe (Xe Pian NBCA) on 1 December. It usually occurs above 1 ,000 m in Thailand (Lekagul and Round 1991) and above 1 , 1 00 m in South-East Asia (King et al. 1975). White-crowned Forktail Enicurus leschenaulti Common at Phou Xang He NBCA on streams on Phou Hinho; King et al. (1975) do not list the species for Central Laos, although it had been recorded at Ban Nape by Delacour (1929). Green Cochoa Cochoa viridis Globally Near-Threatened Frequently heard and occasionally seen in hill evergreen forest (including some isolated fragments) on the Bolovens Plateau (Dong Hua Sao NBCA). It was previously recorded from the Bolovens Plateau (Delacour 1932, Engelbach 1932) as well as the North (Bangs and Van Tyne 1931, David-Beaulieu 1944). Common Stonechat Saxicola torquata Birds of the resident race S', t. przewalskii abounded on the Bolovens Plateau (Dong Hua Sao NBCA), as recognised by Engelbach (1932). S. t. przewalskii was listed in Laos only for BanNonghet (North Laos) by Delacour and Jabouille (1940) and King etal. (1975) stated that the species was only a migrant to Central and South Laos. The migrant race S. t. stejnegeri commonly recorded in 1992-1993, occurs across all of Laos (Delacour and Jabouille 1940). Golden-crested Myna Ampeliceps coronatus At Risk in Thailand This quiet, canopy-haunting species was frequent to occasional at Xe Pian NBCA, Phou Xang He NBCA and Dong Hua Sao NBCA and was most often seen in degraded or forest edge habitats but could have been frequently overlooked. Past records, from throughout Laos, also refer to its scarcity and local distribution (Engelbach 1927a, 1932, David-Beaulieu 1944, 1949-1950). Hill Myna Gracula religiosa At Risk in Thailand Common in all habitats with large trees, including degraded dry forest close to villages at Xe Pian NBCA, Phou Xang He NBCA and below 400 m at Dong Hua Sao NBCA, 1995 Ornithological records from Laos 1992-1993 73 with small numbers also seen at Ivhonphapheng Falls and Ban Samkhang. Flocks sometimes exceeded 20. Villagers were seen with young very freshly taken from the nest in Phou Xang He NBCA; it is very popular in the cage- bird trade in Thailand (Round 1988), as it is in Laos. Black-throated Tit Aegithalos concinnus At Risk in Thailand Common on the Bolovens Plateau (Dong Hua Sao NBCA) especially in disturbed areas and forest edge. Engelbach (1932) also found it frequently elsewhere on this plateau. Two individuals had white throats flecked with black: from examination of skins in the British Museum (Tring) this is a character of immature birds. Plain Martin Riparia paludicola At Risk in Thailand Two near Ban Phapho on 3 1 December with a feeding party of hirundines. Historically the species was much more common and recorded widely throughout the country (Engelbach 1932, Delacour and Greenway 1940, David-Beaulieu 1949-1950). Wire-tailed Swallo w Hirundo smithii At Risk in Thailand Two at Khong- Phapheng Falls on 4-7 February seemed to be prospecting rocks for nesting sites. The only other records were of a single at nearby Ban Thakho on 4 February and a flock of about 20 on the Xe Khong river on 1 3 March. This species was apparently commoner in the past; in the early 1930s several thousands flocked on riverside rocks in Savannakhet and it abounded on the Mekong and Xe Khong and middle and lower stretches of the Xe Banghiang rivers (Engelbach 1932, David-Beaulieu 1949-1950). Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica Fairly common over cultivation at Xe Pian NBCA and HouayNhang NR between November and January, but not recorded from Phou Xang He NBCA and Dong Hua Sao NBCA; many birds had probably departed from Laos prior to fieldwork at these two sites (mid March to late July). Previously, it was recorded from Attapu (January), Nam Mo (February), Ban Thateng (Bolovens Plateau; December) and near Champasak in January (Oustalet 1899-1903, Engelbach 1932). Striated Swallow Hirundo striolata Common, usually in flocks of under a dozen, from April to July at Phou Xang He NBCA and Dong Hua Sao NBCA around rocky outcrops and over adjacent cultivation. They were not recorded at the other study sites, perhaps because these areas lacked rocky outcrops. A used nest presumably of this species was found at V angviang in a limestone cavern. Previous Lao records come from the North (Tranninh, where a common resident: Xieng-Khouang, Nam-Kheung, Phongsali and the Nam Ou) and South, from the lower Xe Don river where it was observed in all seasons (Delacour and Jabouille 1925, 1927, Bangs and Van Tyne 1931, Engelbach 1932, David-Beaulieu 1944). Resident birds of this or the preceding species were observed around Savannakhet (David-Beaulieu 1949-1950). 74 R. M. THEWLIS ei al. Forktail 1 1 Two forms of Red-rumped and Striated Swallows, which were considered conspecific by Lekagul and Round (1991) and by King et al. (1975), were recognisable in the field . Many skins of each examined at the British Museum (T ring) confirmed that the two species were involved; the relevant races were H. d. japonica (all likely migrant races of this species are very similar), H. s. stanfordi and possibly H. s. mayri (these latter two resembled each other) . All striolata and some daurica had dark chestnut rumps, whereas most daurica had fawn rumps. Throat streaking was denser and slightly thicker on striolata compared with daurica, giving the former a darker throat. Breast and belly streaking was bolder in striolata, giving it an overall darker tone. It also was less apt to have a buff wash on the underparts, although some were as buffy as daurica. The rufous nape patch was more developed in daurica, at least as spurs from the ear-coverts to the nape-sides. Some striolata had a chestnut nape-band too, but it wTas always weak and broken. MacKinnon and Phillipps (1993) claimed that H. striolata lacks any chestnut on the nape; this is as incorrect for the Greater Sundas as it is for Indochina. In the field, H. striolata looked darker, duller, bigger, heavier and more menacing than did H. daurica. Separation of the two species is likely to be easier in Indochina than in some other areas of sympatry, because H. s. stanfordi is a particularly large race (Delacour 1951). Nepal House-Martin Delichon nipalensis Hundreds fed over forest and scrub from the foothills up to the plateau at Dong Hua Sao NBCA from May to July. In South-East Asia it is known from parts of Myanmar and north-west Tonkin, with one record of about 30 from north-east Thailand (King et al. 1975, Tye and Tye 1986). Mlikovsky and Inskipp (in prep.) traced no previous Lao records, but presumably the species breeds commonly on the Bolovens Plateau. Golden-headed Cisticola Cisticola exilis At least six by the Mekong in Vientiane between 12 January and 1 3 March. This is the first record in Laos (it is not listed by Mlikovsky and Inskipp in prep.), although it is known from the Thai bank of this stretch of the Mekong (Lekagul and Round 1991). It seems that the species has extended its range in Indochina as a result of deforestation (Robson et al. 1993b). Pallas’s Grasshopper-Warbler Locustella certhiola One on 3 and 4 January in a small marsh near Ban Phalay (Xe Pian NBCA). The very similar Middendorffs Grasshopper-Warbler L. ochotensis, which may occur in Indochina (King etal. 1975), was not eliminated. King et al. (1975) list it in Laos as a migrant only to the North and it has only recently been recorded in mainland Vietnam (Robson et al. 1 993a). Black-browed Reed- Warbler Acrocephalus bistrigiceps Locally common in wetlands at Xe Pian NBCA and Dong Hua Sao NBCA. King et al. (1975) listed it for Laos only as a migrant to the North and Centre. 1995 Ornithological records from Laos 1992-1993 75 Great/Clamorous Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus/A. stentoreus Singles in wetlands at Xe Pian NBCA on 4, 5 and 12 January, Xe Khong plains on 1 March, and Dong Hua Sao NBCA on 22 May. Neither species has been previously recorded in South Laos; King et al. (1975) stated that Great Reed-Warbler is a common migrant to Central and North Laos and they excluded Clamorous Reed-Warbler from Laos. Birds of one of these two species were common during the rainy season in Savannakhet and Great Reed-Warbler was a rare passage visitor to Tranninh (David-Beaulieu 1 944, 1948, 1949-1950). The form orientalis was not recorded from Laos by Delacour andjabouille (1940). Clamorous Reed-Warbler (A. s. brunnescens ) was recorded from the North, in Tranninh, as a rare passage migrant by David-Beaulieu (1940 and 1948). In the 1948 paper, David-Beaulieu re-identified all his previous (1940) records of A. s. brunnescens as A. a. orientalis and also announced the presence of A. s. brunnescens in Tranninh for the first time. A. s. brunnescens was listed for Tranninh by Delacour and Jabouille (1940) presumably on the authority of David-Beaulieu (1940). Great Reed Warbler was recently recorded for the first time in South Annam (Robson et al. 1993b). Yellow-streaked Warbler Phylloscopus armandii One in dry paddyfield scrub at Houay Nhang NR on 4 November; the three previous Lao records were in April (all North Laos; Bangs and Van Tyne 1931, David-Beaulieu 1944). Arctic Warbler Phylloscopus borealis Two at Houay Nhang NR on 19 January contrasted with frequent records of the species there in October; the species declined noticeably in abundance during the survey period of mid October to mid November. Its presence so far north (18°N) in January is surprising as records in Xe Pian NBCA were only occasional and in Thailand the species winters south of 15°N (Lekagul and Round 1991). Red-tailed Laughingthrush Garrulax milnei Globally Near-Threatened Common in hill evergreen forest at Dong Hua Sao NBCA above 1,100 m, but not found in non-forest habitats. By contrast it inhabits scrub in Thailand (Round 1988). Engelbach (1932) found it common on the Bolovens Plateau above 800 m. This population is a separate endemic subspecies, G. m. vitryri, from those in Myanmar and North Laos (Delacour 1932, Deignan 1964). Abbott’s Babbler Malacocincla abbotti Common in degraded forest at Phou Xang He NBCA, occasional in the northern fringe of Xe Pian NBCA and the lowlands of Dong Hua Sao NBCA, with a few records from the primary semi¬ evergreen forest of Xe Pian NBCA. The only previous Lao record is from the North: one was taken at Muang Huong (on the border of Vientiane and Tranninh provinces) in December 1942 (David-Beaulieu 1944). 76 R. M. THEWLIS et al. Forktail 1 1 Scaly-crowned Babbler Malacopteron cinereum Common in all semi¬ evergreen forest areas at Phou Xang He NBCA. The species was recorded for Laos only in the South (Oustalet 1 899- 1 903, Engelbach 1 932) where it was still common in 1 992- 1993. Flocks, particularly in Xe Pian NBCA, were often followed by one or two Asian Paradise-flycatchers Terpsiphone paradisi. Coral-billed Scimitar-Babbler Pomatorhinusferruginosus Several groups of a distinctive scimitar-babbler were seen, and tape-recorded, in the understorey of hill evergreen forest at approximately 1,100 m on the Bolovens Plateau (Dong Hua Sao NBCA). The stout short red bill, long black face mask and other features fit Coral-billed, whose nearest known populations are in T ranninh, North Laos (David-Beaulieu 1 944) and at Nam Theun, Central Laos (Evans and Timmins in prep.). However that species should show a bright buffy breast and belly, whereas the birds in Dong Hua Sao NBCA were almost entirely white below with limited buff on flanks. Skins at the British Museum (Tring) had variable underparts: although all had a strong wash on the breast and belly, none was as pale underneath as the Dong Hua Sao NBCA birds. Furthermore, all the skins examined (about 25), possessed a marked black border to the crown; such a feature was not noted on the birds in Dong Hua Sao NBCA and certainly was not well marked if it was ever present. Grey-throated Babbler Stachyris nigriceps At Phou Xang He NBCA this species was common on Phou Hinho. Although not listed for Central Laos by King et al. (1975), Delacour (1929) collected eight specimens from Ban Nape and Nam Theun. Grey-faced Tit-Babbler Macronous kelleyi Globally Near-Threatened Very common in the main semi-evergreen forest block and in riverine semi¬ evergreen forest at Dong Kalo (Xe Pian NBCA) and in primary semi¬ evergreen forest at Dong Hua Sao NBCA. Less common in Phou Xang He NBCA. It was scarcer in heavily degraded areas; all records came from below 400 m. The only previous Lao record is from dense lowland forest near Pakxe (Engelbach 1932) and those from Phou Xang He NBCA are thus the first published for Central Laos. Rufous-throated Fulvetta Alcippe nifogularis Globally Near-Threatened Locally common in semi-evergreen forest at Phou Xang He NBCA, but seemed to be intolerant of degradation and fragmentation at this site. It was previously known from many areas in Central and North Laos, in some of which it was very common (Baker 1920, Delacour and Jabouille 1927, Delacour 1929, Bangs and Van Tyne 1931, David-Beaulieu 1944). Mountain Fulvetta Alcippe peracensis Two forms of Mountain Fulvetta were seen, referred to here as form A and form B. Form A was abundant in Xe Pian NBCA, Dong Hua Sao NBCA and Phou Xang He NBCA. At Xe Pian NBCA it was common in little-degraded semi-evergreen forest but was found only once in degraded semi-evergreen forest (below 200 m) . Although 1995 Ornithological records from Laos 1992-1993 77 not found during 1 5 days at 300-500 m in the Houay Tapkua valley, form A was seen at 200 m just east of these hills. Thus, in Xe Pian NBCA it appeared to avoid degraded areas, non-evergreen forest and altitudes over 200 m. In Dong Hua Sao NBCA, by contrast, form A was common in both pristine and heavily-degraded forest, and even overgrown coffee plantations, up to 400 m, but not above. In Phou Xang He NBCA form A was common in semi¬ evergreen forest and also in forest isolates in the largely degraded corridor. Form A birds possessed a grey face (which fell short of the rear end of the blackface-stripe) and crown which were less pure grey than those of form B. The flanks were strongly suffused brownish with a paler wash extending across the breast, belly and throat. The pale eyering was less prominent than in form B. The bill was brownish. These birds fit A. p. grotei. This form (as A. nipalensis major ) was rare below 500 m on the flanks of the Bolovens Plateau and near Pakxe (Engelbach 1 932); Mountain Fulvettas suspected to be of this race were rare in Savannakhet province, being found only around the Xe Pon area (David-Beaulieu 1949-1950). The second form, form B, was very common at 900-1,200 m in both primary and degraded extensive hill evergreen forest at Dong Hua Sao NBCA; it even occurred in moderately fragmented patches. Similar birds were also seen at least twice in semi-evergreen forest at only 200 m on Phou Hinho (Phou Xang He NBCA), in areas similar to those where form A was common. Form B birds had cleaner looking plumage than did form A, with a pure grey face (extending to the end of the black stripe), usually without a hint of duskiness. The eyering was whiter and thicker and the underparts were cleaner and brighter than in form A. The bill was grey. The contrasts between the head and the rest of the upperparts, and between the upperparts and underparts, were notable in comparison with form A, although some birds on the Bolovens Plateau appeared less clean. Form B corresponded closely with the descriptions in King et al. (1975) and Lekagul and Round (1991) of Mountain Fulvetta and represent A. p. annamensis. Engelbach (1932) found this form (as A. nipalensis peracensis) to be extremely common above 700 m on the Bolovens Plateau, but it was not previously recorded from Central Laos. A. peracensis is common throughout its restricted world range in Malaysia (above 300 m), south-east Thailand from the foothills to 1,200 m, East Tonkin, Cochinchina, Annam, South and Central Laos (King et al. 1975, Lekagul and Round 1991, Robson et al. 1993b). A. p. grotei occurs in east Tonkin, Cochinchina, north and central Annam and the adjacent regions of southern Laos, withH. p. annamensis on the Bolovens Plateau and in South Annam and adjacent regions of Cochinchina (Deignan 1964, Robson et al. 1993b). The species was considered to be Rare in Thailand by Round (1988), but was not listed as At Risk in Thailand by Treesucon and Round (1990). Robson et al. (1993) observed these two forms in Vietnam and 78 R. M. THEWLIS et al. Forktail 1 1 indicated that there were morphological and altitudinal differences and that they may prove to be separate species. Plain-throated SuNBiRoHnt/zrepres tnalacensis A male in a Vientiane garden on 25 April. Only previously recorded in Laos from near Pakxe by Engelbach (1932); the lack of records from the study sites is most surprising, especially as many degraded areas (where the species may be expected) were visited. Purple Sunbird Nectarinia asiatica Although unrecorded at Houay Nhang NR during intensive fieldwork in mid-October to mid-November (despite careful searching), several were found there in January and April. King et al. (1975) listed it in Laos only as a resident in the South and Centre; it was previously recorded at Houay Nhang NR in March 1992 by Robichaud (1992). Little SpiDERHUNTERHrac/mor/zera longirostra At Phou Xang He NBCA, Little Spiderhunters were fairly common in forest and occasional in scrub. King et al. (1975) questioned the species’s status in Central Laos and Delacour and Jabouille ( 1 940) list it in Laos only in the North and South. It was found commonly on the Bolovens Plateau at Ban Thateng (Engelbach 1932) and known from several localities in the North (Delacour and Greenway 1940, David-Beaulieu 1944). Citrine Wagtail Morac///a citreola Two singles (female, 1 7 December; male 1 3 January) on Mekong sand banks at Vientiane are the first seen in Laos; no records were traced by Mlikovsky and Inskipp (in prep.). Many birds other than adult males could easily have been overlooked. Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus Several thousand Red-throated Pipits and Yellow W agtails Motacilla flava roosted at Bung-Gnai Kiatngong marsh and in harvested paddyfields on the northern fringe of Xe Pian NBCA in December and January. The latest record was of one on 23 April at Don Chuan, Vientiane. Although not found at Houay Nhang NR, a few were seen by the Mekong in Vientiane in November and April. Although recorded throughout Indochina by Delacour and Jabouille (1940), the few specific references for Laos come only from Tranninh, where it was mainly a double passage migrant, occurring until May, with overwintering birds being fairly rare (David-Beaulieu 1944). Baya Weaver Ploceus philippinus An active colony of about 20 nests was found on 29 August, 5 km south of Vang Vieng. A few used nests were observed in coconut palms Cocos nucifera at Ban Phalay Thong whilst others which had been collected were on display in houses at Ban Nongkhe (Xe Pian NBCA). Although listed by King etal. (1975) as a common resident in Laos except possibly the South, Mlikovsky and Inskipp (in prep.) traced only the reference to it in David-Beaulieu (1949-1950), of confirmed records in Pakxan (North Laos) and of weavers of either this species or Streaked Weaver P. manyar in Savannakhet province (Central Laos). 1995 Ornithological records from Laos 1992-1993 79 [Aslan Golden Weaver Ploceus hypoxanthus Globally Near-Threatened At least 1 0 birds probably of this species roosted with 40 unidentified weavers and 100 Scaly-breasted Munias Lonchura punctulata in dense emergent vegetation at a small seasonal pool on the Xe Khong plains during March. Up to three were seen by another pool 2 km distant during 8-12 March. All weavers were in non-breeding plumage and the identification was based solely on bill structure; there remain no certain Lao records of the species (Mlikovsky and Inskipp in prep.), although the present record was inadvertently published without a caveat by Anderson (1993)]. Chestnut- eared Bunting Emberiza fucata Two on 30-31 December with about 50 Yellow-breasted Buntings E. aureola in harvested paddyfields at Ban Phapho (XePianNBCA). Previous Lao records relate only to the North (Delacour and Jabouille 1927, David-Beaulieu 1944). Many organizations (listed in Thewlis in prep, b) supported the Xe Pian and Houay Nhang surveys with donations of equipment or finance, particularly BirdLife International and the Fauna and Flora Preservation Society, the Panton Trust, Mr and Mrs J. Evans and the Peoples’ Trust for Endangered Species. The survey of Dong Hua Sao was funded by a grant from the British Embassy in Bangkok. The Phou Xang He survey was carried out under contract to the Lao-Swedish Forestry Co-operation Programme. We are also extremely grateful to many people for practical advice and assistance, including Klaus and Unchae Berkmiiller, Bob Dobias, Boonhong Mounsouphom, Peter Colston, Jonathan Eames, Mike Evans, Robert Prys-Jones, Philip Round, Craig Robson, Richard Salter, Uthai Treesucon, Bouaphanh Phanthavong, Sompoad Srikosamatara, Padith Vanalatsmy, Sivannavong Sawathvong, Venevongphet and all the staff of the National Office for Nature Conservation and Watershed Management. Tim Inskipp provided an invaluable draft of the Bibliography and checklist of Indochinese birds, access to the more elusive references and frequent advice. Katherine Cozza, Somphong Souliyavong and Boonhom Sounthala were valued field companions; Somphong Souliyavong and Boonhom Sounthala were instrumental in enabling the fieldwork to proceed and to them we are especially grateful . REFERENCES Anderson, G. (1993) Around the Orient: Laos expedition finds Giant Ibis. Oriental Bird Club Bull. 17: 12-13. Baker, E. C. S. (1920) Description of new genera, species and subspecies from a collection of birds collected by Mr E. G. Herbert in Siam. Bull. Brit. Om. Club 41 : 10-11. van Balen, B., Suwelo, I. S., Hadi, D. S., Soepomo, D., Arlon, R. M. and Mutiarina (1993) The decline of the Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus on Java. Forktail 8: 83-88. Bangs, O. and Van Tyne, J. (1931) Birds of the Kelley-Roosevelts expedition to French Indochina. Publ. Field Mus. Nat. Hist. (Zool. Ser.) 18: 33-1 19. CCB (1992) Rapid assessment of forest, wildlife and river ecology in the area affected by the Kaeng Sua Taen Dam. Bangkok: Center for Conservation Biology (unpublished). Collar, N. J. and Andrew, P. (1988) Birds to watch: The ICBP world checklist of threatened birds. Cambridge, U.K.: ICBP (Tech. Publ. 8). Collar, N. J., Crosby, M. J. and Stattersfield, A. J. (1994) Birds to watch 2: the world list of threatened birds. Cambridge, U.K.: BirdLife International (Conservation Series No. 4). Cox, R., Sivannavong Sawathvong and Khampaey Louanglath (1991) Survey for Kouprey in southern Laos. Unpublished report to the Kouprey Conservation T rust. 80 R. M. THEWLIS et al. Forktail 1 1 David-Beaulieu, A. ( 1 940) Deuxieme liste complementaire des oiseaux du Tranninh. L ’Oiseau R.f. O. 10:78-85. David-Beaulieu, A. (1944) Les oiseaux du Tranninh. Hanoi: Universite Indochinoise. David-Beaulieu, A. (1948) Notes sur quelques oiseaux nouveaux pour le Tranninh et meme pour l’lndochine.L’Oiseaj/R./O. 18: 133-140. David-Beaulieu, A. (1949-1950) Les oiseaux de la Province de Savannakhet (Bas-Laos). L’Oiseau R.f. 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Hindhead, Surrey, U.K.: Spur Publications in conjunction with the World Pheasant Association. Delacour, J. and Greenway, J. C. (1940) Liste des oiseaux receuilles dans la Province du Haut-Mekong et le royaume de Luang-Prabang. L’Oiseau R.f.O. 10: 25-59. Delacour, J. and Jabouille, P. (1925) On the birds ofQuangTri, Central Annam; with notes on others from other parts of French Indo-China. Ibis (12) 1: 209-260. Delacour, J. and Jabouille, P. (1927) Recherches omithologiques dans les Provinces du Tranninh (Laos), de Thua-Thien el de Kontoum (Annam) et quelques autres regions de V Indochine fratifaise. Archives d’HistoireNaturelle. Paris: SocieteNationale d’Acclimatation de France. Delacour, J. and Jabouille, P. (1931) Les oiseaux de /’Indochine franpaise Vols I-IV, Paris: Exposition Coloniale Internationale. Delacour, J. and Jabouille, P. (1940) Liste des oiseaux de l’lndo-chine franpaise, complete etmise a jour. L’Oiseau et R.f. O. 10:89-220. Dickinson, E. C. (1970) Birds ofthe Legendre Indochina expedition 1931-1 932. Amer. Mus. Novitates 2423: 1-17. Duckworth, J. W. (1994a) Field observations of Large-spotted Civet Viverra megaspila in Laos with notes on the identification of the species. Small Carnivore Conservation 11: 1-3. Duckworth, J.W. (1994b) Field sightings of the Pygmy Loris, Nyclicebus pygmaeus, in Laos. Folia Primatol. 63: 99-101 . Duckworth, J. W., Evans, T., Somphong Souliyavong, Boonhong Mounsouphom, Anderson, G., Cozza, K., Thewlis, R. M. and Boonhom Sounthala (1992) A preliminary survey of the birds and mammals of HoueiNhang forest reserve, Vientiane Province, Laos. Vientiane: unpublished report to the Lao-Swedish Forestry Co-operation Programme. Duckworth, J. W., Timmins, R. J. and Cozza, K. (1 993) A wildlife and habitat survey of Phou Xang He proposed protected area. Vientiane: unpublished report to the Lao-Swedish Forestry Co-operation Programme. Duckworth, J. W., Timmins, R. J., Thewlis, R. M., Evans, T. D. and Anderson, G. Q. A. (1994) Field observations of mammals in Laos, 1992-1993. Nat. Hist. Bull. Siam Soc. 42: 177-205. Duckworth, J. W., Timmins, R. J., Thewlis, R. M., Nemeth, E., Evans, T. D., Dvorak, M., Cozza, K. E. A. and Anderson, G. Q. A. (in press) The status and conservation of the gibbon Hylobates (Nomascus) gabriellae in southern Laos. Trap. Biodiversity. Engelbach, P. (1927a) Une collection d’oiseaux du Bas Laos. Bull. Soc. Zool. France 52: 239-250. Engelbach, P. (1927b) Pterocyanea scuturata et Carpococcyx renauldi au Laos. Rev. from. Orn. 1 1 : 27. 1995 Ornithological records from Laos 1992-1993 81 Engelbach, P. (1929) Observations d’oiseaux sur le Mekong. L’Oiseau et R.f.O. 10: 672. Engelbach, P. (1932) Les Oiseaux du Laos meridional. L’Oiseau et R.f.O. 2: 439-498. Engelbach, P. (1951) Les grands echassiers de l’lndochine et leur identification sur le terrain. Terre et Vie 98: 32-46. Europa Publications (1995) The Far East and Australasia 1995. London: Europa Publications Ltd. Evans, T. D. and Timmins, R. J. (in prep.) Ornithological records from Central Laos in 1994. Evans, T. D. and Timmins, R. J. ( 1 996) The status of the Green Peafowl Pavo muticus in Laos. Forktail 11-32. Evans, T. D. andTizard, R. J. (in prep.) Recent observations of die White-winged Duck Cairina scutulata in Laos. Holmes, D. A. (1991) Note on the status of the White-shouldered Ibis in Kalimantan. Kukila 5: 145- 147. King, B. F., Dickinson, E. C. and Woodcock, M. (1975) A field guide to the birds of South-East Asia. London: Collins. Lao-Swedish Forestry Co-operation Programme (1992) Forest cover and land-use in Lao PDR: final report of the nationwide reconnaissance survey . Vientiane: unpublished Forest Inventory Report No. 5 to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. Lekagul, B. and Round, P. D. (1991) A guide to the birds of Thailand. Bangkok: Saha Karn Bhaet. MacKinnon, .), and MacKinnon, K. (1986) Review of the protected area system in the Indo-Malayan Realm. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, U.K.: IUCN. MacKinnon, J. and Phillipps, K. (1993) A field guide to the birds of Borneo, Sumatra, Java and Bali. Oxford, U.K.: Oxford University Press. McGowan, P. J. K. and Panchen, A. L. ( 1 994) Plumage variation and geographical distribution in the Kalij and Silver Pheasant. Bull. Brit. Om. Club 114: 113-123. Mlikovsky, J. and Inskipp, T. P. (in prep.) Ornithological bibliography and checklist of Indochinese birds. Oustalet, E. (1899-1903) Les oiseaux du Cambodge, duLaos, de I’Annam et du Tonkin. Nouv. Arch. Mus. Hist. Nat. Paris (4)1: 221-296; (4)5: 1-94. Perennou, C. and Mundkur, T. (.1991) Asian waterfowl census 1991. Mid-winter waterfowl counts, January 1991. Slimbridge: IWRB. Robichaud, W. (1992) Report on bird surveys, Houei Nhang forest reserve. Vientiane, Lao PDR: unpublished report. Robinson, H. C. and Kloss, C. B. (1931) Some birds from Siam and Laos (Middle Mekong). Ibis (13) 1: 319-341. Robson, C. R., Eames,J. C., Wolstencroft, J. A., Nguyen Cu and Truong Van La (1989) Recent records of birds from Viet Nam. Forktail 5:71-97. Robson, C. R., Eames, J. C., Nguyen Cu and Truong Van La (1993a) Further recent records of birds from Viet Nam. Forktail 8: 25-52. Robson, C. R., Eames, J. C., Nguyen Cu and Truong Van La (1993b) Birds recorded during the third BirdLife/Forest Birds Working Group expedition in Viet Nam. Forktail 9: 89-119. Round, P. D. (1988) Resident forest birds in Thailand. Cambridge, U.K.: ICBP (monograph 2). Salter, R. E. (1993) Wildlife in Lao PDR. A status report. Vientiane: IUCN. Salter, R. E. and Venevongphet (1988) Houei Nhang forest reserve management plan 1988-90. Vientiane: Internal Report of Forest Resorces Conservation Project, IUCN for the Lao-Swedish Forestry Co-operation Programme. Scott, D. A. (ed.) (1989) A directory of Asian wetlands. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, U.K.: IUCN. Scott, D. A. and Poole, C. M. (1989) A status overview of Asian wetlands. Kuala Lumpur: Asian Wetland Bureau. Sibley, C. G. and Monroe, B. L. (1990) Distribution and taxonomy of birds of the world. New Haven, USA: Yale University Press. Sibley, C. G. and Monroe, B. L. (1993) Supplement to the distribution and taxonomy of birds of the world. New Haven, USA: Yale University Press. 82 R. M. THEWLIS cl al. Forktail 1 1 Srikosamatara, S., Sirihodej, B., and Suteethorn, V. (1992) Wildlife trade in Lao PDRand between Lao PDR and Thailand. Nat. Hist. Bull. Siam Soc. 40: 1-47. Thewlis, R. M. (in prep, a) Rediscovery of the Giant Ibis. Thewlis, R. M. (ed.) (in prep, b) Wildlife surveys in Laos 1992/93. Unpublished report. Thewlis, R. M., Evans, T. D., Duckworth, J. W. and Timmins, R. J. (in prep, b) The status of threatened birds in Laos: a preliminary assessment based on recent surveys. Timmins, R. J., Evans, T. D. and Duckworth, J. W. (1993a) A wildlife and habitat survey of Dong Hua Sao proposed protected area, Champasak, Laos. Vientiane: unpublished report to the Lao-Swedish Forestry Co-operation Programme. Timmins, R., Evans, T. and Duckworth, W. (1993b) A wildlife and habitat survey of Xe Plane proposed protected area, Champasak, Laos. Vientiane: draft report to the Lao-Swedish Forestry Co-operation Programme. Treesucon, U. and Round, P. D. (1990) Report on threatened birds in Thailand. TigerPaper 17: 1-9. Tye, A. andTye, H. (1986) Nepal House Martin Delichon nipalensis new to Thailand. Forktail 1 : 83-85. R. M. Thewlis, 52 Long Reach Road, Chesterton, Cambridge, CB4 1 UJ, U. K. J. W. Duckworth, East Redham Farm, Pilning, Bristol, BS18 3EJ, U.K. T. D. Evans, 1 1 Yeoman Lane, Bearsted, Maidstone, Kent MEM 4BX, U.K. G. Q. A. Anderson, Horsewells, Drumoak, Banchory, Kincardineshire AB3 1 3ER, U.K. R. J. Timmins, 25 Cradley Road, Cradley Heath, Warley, West Midlands B64 6AG, U.K. E. Nemeth, Laudongasse 57/21, 1 080- Wien, Austria M. Dvorak, Anschutzgasse 30/3, A-l 1 50, Wien, Austria R. J. Wikinson, 27 Blackbrook Park Avenue, Fareham, Hampshire P015 5JW, U.K. 1995 Ornithological records from Laos 1992-1993 83 APPENDIX 1 SYSTEMATIC LIST OF BIRDS RECORDED IN LAOS, 1 992-1993 WITH ABUNDANCE ASSESSMENTS Localities HN : Houay Nhang Nature Reserve, North Laos: XP: Xe Pian NBCA, South Laos; MB = main block of semi-evergreen forest; NZ = northern fringe; DK = Dong Kalo; XKP = Xe Khong plains PXH: Phou Xang He NBCA, Central Laos; Hin = Phou Hinho; Xhe = Phou Xang He; MDF = mixed deciduous forest in the lowlands; DDF = dry dipterocarp forest; Oth = scrub, cultivation etc. DHS: Dong Hua Sao NBCA, South Laos; SEF = lowland semi-evergreen forest; MDF = lowland mixed deciduous forest; Deg = other lowland areas including cultivation and scrub; EF = evergreen forest on the Bolovens Plateau; Oth = other plateau habitats, largely degraded but including pine forests. OTHER: For these localities, abundance estimates are not appropriate since inadequate lengths of time were spent there. Numbers relate to the following sites (detailed in the text): 1 : Vientiane, North Laos, 2: Savannakhet town, Central Laos, 3: Ban Thadua, North Laos, 4: Vangviang, North Laos, 5: Nam Ngum Reservoir, North Laos, 6: Attapu town, South Laos, 7 : Khonphapheng Falls and Ban Thakho, South Laos, 8: Xe Khong river, South Laos, 9: Pakxe, South Laos, 1 0: Pha Som / Naliang Limestone outcrop, Central Laos, 1 1 : Lao Pako, North Laos, 12: Phou Khao Khouay NBCA, North Laos, 13: Thangon Reservoir, North Laos 14: Phou Bachiang, South Laos, 15: Ban Samkhang, South Laos, 16: Muang Khong, South Laos 1 7 : Ban Thong Song, Central Laos, 18: Nong Puh area, South Laos (approximately 1 0 km east of Khonphapheng Falls) Abundance codes C: Common = Bird recorded daily, F: Frequent = Bird recorded on more than half of days in the field O: Occasional = Bird recorded on fewer than half of days in the field , P: Present, though abundance not assessed. ?: Status unresolved, L (prefix): Localized distribution f Records at Xe Khong Plains which came predominantly from dry dipterocarp forest. A (XP, HN only): seen only on supplementary visits outside the main survey period m (suffix, Phou Xang He column of Phou Xang He NBCA only) : records came overwhelmingly from the mixed deciduous forest on the Phou Xang He massif. The coding for Dong Hua Sao NBCA is more complex as a result of the great variety of habitat, both lowland and on the Bolovens Plateau. The following detail is given: 1 , Ban Nabon and Ban Sungsup area; 2, drier semi-evergreen forest around Ban Houeiton; 3, lowland coffee plantations; 4, slope forests; 5, south-east of Phou Tabeng; 6, pine forests; 7, seen in lowlands only close to slopes, often flying slopewards in the evening; 8, only recorded in the Ban Nongkhe area; ab, unrecorded; o, predominantly seen in open degraded areas; f, predominantly seen in forest fragments. Codes 1-4 are divisions of semi-evergreen forest; 5,6,o and f relate to montane areas; 7 and 8 are for single species. In the SEF column, for species where only one code is given, there were no data to suggest that the species varied in abundance between the three divisions of logged flatland semi- evergreen forest, slope semi-evergreen forest (which was largely undisturbed), or coffee plantations. Where the abundance code is preceded by a number, the species was only found in that division; where the abundance code is followed by a number with another abundance code, the species seemed to be at similar abundance throughout, except in the flagged division, where its status was as indicated by the second code. Under plateau EF, 5 is used in the same fashion as 1-4 in semi-evergreen forest. Under plateau Oth, all species which were seen in pine forests are indicated by a 6; where the 6 precedes the code, the species was unrecorded elsewhere in plateau degraded habitats. Species notes * 1 : a distinctive form which did not seem to be one of the species included in this table *2: All Rock Pigeons recorded were associated with villages and urban areas. *3: Western Marsh-Harrier Circus aeruginosus was not always eliminated *4: unidentified birds of the genus are not listed for divisions where birds were identified to species *5: probably mostly or entirely Chinese Pond Heron *6: most birds at PXH resembled L. c. lucionensis , which was observed only rarely at other sites *7: Slender-billed Oriole Oriolus tenuirostris was not always eliminated *8: both species were probably present at many sites *9: black-headed race * 1 0: white-headed race *11: probably mainly birds of subspecies Phylloscopus trochi/oides plumbeitarsus [ ] : species identification is provisional; 84 R. M. THEWLIS et al Forktail 1 1 1995 Ornithological records from Laos 1 992-1993 85 OTHER 7, 15 7,11 12,14 r- 00 8,18 6,7,9,11,13 CN 1,4,8,9,12, 13,15,16 t"- r" 7, 13,15,18 1,7, 9,1 1,13 CO r" Dong Hua Sao NBCA Oth o Ch O vO cT ?lateat Ch CJ U cj u o o o Ch u o o Ch Deg o U Ch J Ch LC O Ch CJ T3 C MDF U U-. CJ o Ch CJ o 5 Ch J Ch CJ X CJ O o SEF Ih J o o Ch u Ch j F, 1 ab| cj CJ o u 'J o u CO Ch CJ J 00 U o Ch Phou Xang He NBCA Oth Ch u c. c- O Ch O U J Ch O Ch Ch U DDF cj Ch u Ch MDF| Jh U cj U J o Ch Ch u U o Ch Uh o XHe| Ch o 6 Ch u cj cj cj Ch cj Ch O a u CJ Ch Ch 1 1 Cc u I 'o cq d CQ § o X H < £ o -s* ,ro «>0 t O T -J J 5 § o X z % o 6 WREATHED HORN BILL /Iccrot undulatus EURASIAN HOOPOE Upupa epops ORANGE-BREASTED TROGON Harpactes oreskios RED-HEADED TROGON H. erythrocephalus INDIAN ROLLER Coracias benghalettsis *2 c Q 2 T §> Sj § g 3 § -a a "i _LJ X X w X to E 0 z 2 z o i s o u BLUE-EARED KINGFISHER/!, meninting 2 Cj <3 'c hj £ X w X to E o z 2 Q w X u < CQ 2 cj 3 CQ BANDED KINGFISHER Lacedo pulchella STO RK- B I LLE DKJNGFISHER Pelargopsis capensis RUDDY KING FISHER Halcyon coromanda WHITE-THROATED KINGFISHER//, smymensis BLACIC-CAPPED KINGFISHER/-/, pileata .•-o “5 c e o C£ CJ X C/3 Ch 0 z 5 Q w E o C a s o D > DC CJ H < CJ CJ CJ CQ Q CJ Q cd < CJ CQ CJ X J CQ "a ’c o >-0 | CC CJ h < CJ CJ CJ CQ g s 0 CJ X - 3 BLUE-THROATED / BLUE-TAILED BEE-EATER M. viridis / M. philippinus CHESTNUT-HEADED BEE-EATERM. leschenaulri CHESTNUT-WINGED CUCKOO Clamatorcoromandus LARGE HAWK-CUCKOO Cuculus sparverioides MOUSTACHED HAWK-CUCKOO C. vagans HODGSON’S HAWK-CUCKOO C.fugax INDIAN CUCKOO C. micropierus 86 R. M. THEWLIS et al Forktail 1 1 1995 Ornithological records from Laos 1992-1993 87 TEMMINCK’S STINT Calidris temminckii 88 R. M. THEWLIS et al Forktail 1 1 OTHER | rn CN cn o 00 00 fO d CO GO d O J ft. 2 w Q O o y E u < ft. LITTLE RINGED PLOVER Charadrius dubius KENTISH PLOVER C. alexandrinus d o J ft. Q 2 < 00 RIVER LAPWING Kane//us duvaucelii GREY-HEADED LAPWING K ciiwreitt RED-WATTLED LAPWING V. indicus ORIENTAL PRATINCOLE Glareola maldivcmwi SMALL PRATINCOLE G. lactea BROWN-HEADED GULL La no' brunnicephalus .a | 5 <3 5 uj H o: w > 2 [BLACK-BELLIED TERN .S', acucicauda] OSPREY Pandion haliaetus "1 .kj “§ .kj < < CO CO 2 O § w BLACK BAZA A. leuphotes ORIENTAL HONEY-BUZZARD Pends pnlorhyncus BLACK- WINGED KITE Elanus caeruleus [BLACK-EARED KITE Mifous /meatus] *§ to .2 UJ h 2 >■ z § X 2 IB LESSER FISH-EAGLE lchthyophaga humilis GREY-HEADED FISH-EAGLE /. ichthyaetus WHITE-RUMPED VULTURE Gyps bengalensis LONG-BILLED VULTURE G. indicus RED HEADED VULTURE Sarcogyps calvus SHORT-TOED SNAKE-EAGLE Circaetus galliais -2 -5: kj •2 £ .0 W d 0 < uu h 2 uj £ uj co a UJ h CO S u ♦ - a o PURPLE HERON A purpurea GREAT EGRET Casmerodius albus INTERMEDIATE EGRET Mesophoyx intermedia CATTLE EGRET Bubulcus ibis to tj •o a -c. _2 -5 X Z o 05 UJ X Q Z o 0, w in w Z X V in + a _2 -s x z o 05 tu X D z o cu STRIATED HERON Butorides striatus BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON Nycticorax nycticorax MALAYAN NIGHT-HERON Gorsachius melanolophus YELLOW BITTERN Ixobrychus sinensis SCHRENCK’S BITTERN/, eurhythmus CINNAMON BITTERN I. cinnamomeus *4* * d in -5 e -c> w E 00 BLACK BITTERN Dupetor flavicollis GREAT BITTERN Botaurus Stella ris WHITE-SHOULDERED IBIS Pseudibis davisoni GIANT IBIS P. gigantea 1 t-i §■ .2 o o G o h c/5 Q 2 u w z > d o o £ LESSER ADJUTANT Leptoptilos javanicus EARED PITTA Pitta phayrei BLUE-RUMPED PITTA P. soror RUSTY-NAPED PITTA P. oatesi 90 R. M. THEWLIS et al Forktail 1 1 1995 Ornithological records from Laos 1 992-1993 91 OTHER sO ^ !Q in in in I 7,11,14,15 | || 7,11,16 | j} - C" oT aC ^ in — - oT in f - r-T ^ 1,2, 7, 9,1 1, 12,13,14, 15,16 Dong Hua Sao NBCA | Lowland Plateau ■5 o sO u P,6 PL <*H u CL t*H CJ P< W u CU CJ P- X cj O CL CJ Ch M 5: t X S) D ps$ h 6 z J h* c f) 5 PJ D X CQ ORANGE-HEADED THRUSH Zoothera cilrina SIBERIAN THRUSH Z. sibirica SCALY THRUSH Z. dauma a 2 '1 2 N X C/D D Pi X h Q pj Q 00 < Q <3 ‘O £ g 1 cj 3 CQ Z < CO S g EYEBROWED THRUSH T. oteurus LESSER SH ORTWIN G Brachypteryx leucophrys CJ u .C rS CS | Cj 3 X Pi w X u h < u 5 tt. Q w Q 2 < Q ASIAN BROWN FLYCATCHER M. dauurica YELLOW-RUMPED FLY CATCHER Ficedula zatuhopygia RED-BREASTED FLYCATCHER F. parc;a WHITE-GORGETED/RUFOUS-BROWED FLYCATCHER F. monileger/F. solitaris SNOWY-BROWED FLYCATCHER F. hyperythra LITTLE PIED FLYCATCHER/7, wesiennanni 92 R. M. THEWLIS etal Forktai] 1 1 1995 Ornithological records from Laos 1992-1993 93 OTHER 1 - - 1,7,9,12, * 13,15 I vO 00 1 imi 4 (nest only) 1 1 Um in in nT t>’ - P- II 1 H‘l I in Os' - - - 7,14,15 1 - - - | 0I‘I Dong Hua Sao NBCA 1 Lowland Plateau •5 O vO <-T x VO u vO u o U O U Uh u vO U vO u vO U t+H u vO o U LC X x u X O' CJ u c o o X u o o u &D h O O 00 o 1 X X CQ X X CQ o X h < O X X h X X 2 H 00 X •§, -2 X X CQ X X CQ Q 3 2 X < 5 fe :§j 2 .X 3 £ X X CQ X X CQ 0 X h < O X X X X X X X 3 3- 1 5- X X CQ X X CQ Q w X > s a ASHY BULBUL Hetnixos flavala MOUNTAIN BULBUL Hypsipetes mcclellandii BLACK BULBUL H. leucocephalus*9 BLACK BULBUL//, leucocephalus * 1 0 ZITTING CISTICOLA Cisticola juncidis GOLDEN-HEADED CISTICOLA C. exihs BROWN PRINIA Prinia polyckroa HILL PRINIA P. atrogu laris to 9J 90 to cC < z 2 Cl. h Z w u W U- X X GREY-BREASTED PRINIA P. hodgsonii YELLOW-BELLIED PRINIA P. flaviventris PLAIN PRINIA P. inornate ORIENTAIVJAPANESE WHITE-EYE Zosterops palpcbrosus/Z. japonicus ASIAN STUBTAIL Urosphetia squameiceps 94 R. M. THEWLIS et al Forktail 1 1 1995 Ornithological records from Laos 1992-1993 95 96 R. M. THEWLIS el al Forktail 1 1 OTHER | NO 1/^ 91 ‘6‘9‘SVZT 2 ~ oT 00 ox ■ct T o ox rf m o o^ in 00 — on 1,12,13,15, 18 ■ct in 2 m ox IN nj Dong Hua Sao NBCA 3 cz V 03 cl T3 C s d ■s o u vO U o u U O o U O U IL UJ Uh hJ u CL CL u cc D Q c- u c- u. Q s cl u U J w on ft. u o o Phou Xang He NBCA e o u J E u o u X IL X U- Q Q IL 0. Q s CL o o 1* n: X o o £ CL o U. Xe Plan NBCA 1 1 o u o o u u 2^ o o 3 _2 | 5 ui 0 2 h 2 3 CD Q w h in < CD is o d UJ > '& c- 0- CL a- CL o O o Uh u o u hJ U •J IL o 2 o CQ £ IL u o S 2 I 2 o CL u o o IL u o o Species .2 .2 E 2 tj Q oc s Z D on w J s 3 e- CD <3 "S 1 1 §■ -2 CD § ca 2 3 in C/3 b a D o 0 a | § X q DC 5 2 3 m Q 3 H < O ca X h 2 U 5 CQ a ? a .c. | CQ on Z o on £ 2 u s J -5 2 CD o 5 6 w b Z D UJ Q 2 o Co 2 £ o DC DC < CL on Q 3 u < DC 2 3 c- 2 o g; £ § 2 < CL on W £ h 2 < § «o Z 2 1 *2 3 Q 3 < h 0 < £ s g a ;2 <3 .2 2 o ? 3 < H O < & w H X £ _g a g 3 < H a < is u 2 2 H U a B 4 < 3 < H O < is if o 3 3 W > a r-j 3 3 J < b 0 < & >- s 0 "2 tj -« .u h 2 2 on q DC < X u 2 c H 2 2 a j Uj 2 >< Q Q < c- o ■# Q -s: h 2 2 Q w X u < CQ w > 2 o 1 CD X H E E D w H < O DC X h Q S 5 | CD CD O G, DC W > < w 6 < >" < CQ CO a d & CL DC w > < w Z w Q U O a z < < 2 .5 c «o g CD J < 2 3 7, D w 3 3 3 ac w H X if 2 tJ 2 -4 < % Q LU i— on < S CQ J < u on 2 <3 'O •3 O 3 rD *2 a z h Z D CQ Q S < w h D UJ I U 1995 Ornithological records from Laos 1992-1993 97 APPENDIX 2 LIST OF SPECIES IDENTIFICATIONS MODIFIED TO PROVISIONAL OR RETRACTED ALTOGETHER COMPARED WITH PRESENTATION IN PREVIOUS INTERNAL REPORTS (Duckworth etal. 1992, 1993, Salter 1993, Timmins 1993a,b). 2.1: species modified from Timmins et al. (1993a): Provisional hawk-eagle Spizaetus sp. record is retracted. Provisional Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus modified to Great/Clamorous Reed Warbler A arundinaceus/ A. stentoreus. 2.2: species modified from Timmins et al. (1993b): Fulvous-breasted W oodpecker Dendrocopos macei modifed to Dendrocopos sp . Changeable Hawk-Eagle Spizaetus cirrhatus modified to a provisional record. Javan Frogmouth Batrachostomus javensis modified to provisional Blyth’s Frogmouth B. affinis. (Note that the report followed the species limits of Lekagul and Round 1991). Provisional Indian Nightjar Caprimulgus asiaticus record is retracted. Provisional Brown/Buffy Fish-Owl K. zeylonensis/K. ketupu modified to Tawny/Buffy Fish-Owl K.flavipes/K. ketupu. Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler Locustella certhiola modified to Pallas’s/Middendorff s Grasshopper Warbler Locustella certhiola/L. ochotensis. Provisional Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus modified to Great/Clamorous Reed Warbler A arundinaceus! A. stentoreus. Provisional Spot-throated Babbler Pellomeum albiventre record is retracted. 2.3: species modified from Duckworth et al. (1992): Black Kite Milvus rnigrans modifed to provisional Black-eared Kite M. lineatus. (Note that the report followed the species limits of Lekagul and Round 1991). Provisional Japanese SparrowhawkAczpzrer^/amrecord retracted. Dark-sided/Grey-streaked Flycatcher Muscicapa sibirica/M. griseisticta record is retracted. Provisional Japanese White-eye Zosteropsjaponicus modified to Oriental/Japanese White-eye Z. palpebrosus/Z. japonicus. Provisional Asian House-Martin Delichon dasypus modifed to Asian/Northern House-Martin D. dasypus/D. urbica. 2.4: species modified from Duckworth et al. (1993): Provisional frogmouth Batrachostomus sp. record is retracted. 2.5: species modified from Salter (1 993). Changeable Hawk-Eagle Spizaetus cirrhatus modified to a provisional record Provisional Javan Frogmouth Batrachostomus javensis modified to provisional Blyth’s Frogmouth B. affinis. Rufous-fronted Babbler Stachyris rufifrons was inadvertently listed as the first record for Laos, although the record probably refers to the taxon listed by Salter ( 1 993), following King et al. ( 1 975), as Buff-chested Babbler. The record is modified to Buff-chested/Rufous-capped Babbler Stachyris ambigua/S. ruficeps. 98 R. M. THEWLIS et al. Forktail 1 1 APPENDIX 3 GAZETTEER OF LOCALITIES IN LAOS MENTIONED IN THE TEXT Besides geographical co-ordinates, localities are listed according to two biogeographical region classifications; firstly the division of Laos into North (N), Central (C) and South (S) proposed by Delacour and Jabouille (1931) and employed by King et al. ( 1 97 5) . Secondly, the classification of MacKinnon and MacKinnon ( 1 986) who divided Laos into the three sub-units of Central Indochina (10a), North Indochina (10b) and Annam (5b) is also given in the table. Co-ordinates, altitudes, and place name spellings have been standardized to follow the Republique Democratique Populaire Lao Service Geographique D ’ Etat 1 : 1 00,000 map series, except for the Bolovens Plateau, the Mekong and Annamitic chain (which are called Phouphiang Bolaven, Nam Khong and Sayphou Louang, respectively, on the Lao Service Geographique D’Etat 1 : 100,000 map series). In some historical sources (e.g. Engelbach 1932), references are made to an area called ‘Bassac’ which is a former name for Champasak. Co-ordinates are given as points for small sites and a range for rivers and specific areas. Alternative spellings given in parentheses after site names relate to the following texts indicated by superscript numbers: The Times atlas of the world (\9 85) 7th Edition1; Nelles 1 : 1,500,000 map ofVietnam, Laos and Kampuchea2; Bangs and Van Tyne ( 1 9 3 1 ) 3 ; David-Beaulieu (1944)4; David-Beaulieu (1949-1950)5; Delacour (1929)6; Delacour (1932)7; Delacour and Greenway ( 1 940)8; Delacour and Jabouille ( 1927)°; Delacour and Jabouille ( 1 93 1 ) l0; Dickinson (1970)“; Engelbach (1927a)12; Engelbach (1932)13; Oustalet (1899-1 903)"; Robinson and Kloss ( 1 93 1 ) l5. Tranninh (as referred to by David-Beaulieu 1944) refers to almost (but not precisely) the same area as the modern province of Xieng Khouang. Localities which lie within NBCAs are not detailed, since their positions are covered by the co-ordinates given for those NBCAs. The name Lao Pako is a local name and not used on most maps. Co-ordinates are rounded to the nearest whole minute. ‘Not named’ means a locality is marked on the map but it is not named. All Provinces and NBCAs visited are shown on Fig. 1 . Locality with geographical co-ordinates, following Lao Service Geographique D' Etat 1 : 1 00,000 map series Regions and Protected Areas: Phou Khao Khouay NBCA 18°15'-18°30’N 102°35'-103o30’E Houay Nhang Nature Reserve 18°06’N 102°40’E Nam Ngum reservoir 18025'-18037’N 102°30'-102°54’E Tranninh lOW^^’N 102°15'-103°55’E Phou Xang He NBCA 16°42'-17°04’N 105o19'-106°06’E Xe Pian NBCA 14°00'-14°50’N 105°53'-106°30’E Dong Hua Sao NBCA 14°50'-15°1 l’N 105°55'-106°17’E Phouphiang Boloven 1 4°42'- 1 5°30’N 1 06° 1 5'- 1 06°50’E Xe Pon 1 6°20'- 1 6°4 l’N 1 06° 1 3'- 1 06°47’E MuangTaoy 15°30'-16°03’N 106°20'-107°15’E Alternative names in references (Not marked *>2) (Not marked 1>2) (Not marked 1>2) (Not named 1>2) (Not marked 1)2) (Not marked 1>2) (Not marked 1>2) (Plateau des Bolovens 1 ,10,1 1 ’ 1 2’13; Bolovens Plateau 2) (Se Pone 1 ; Muang Xepon 2; Tchepone5) (Not marked 1,2;Taho 12,13) Biogeographic Subunits (King et al. 1975, then Mackinnon and Mackinnon 1986) Altitude/m N, 10a 200-1,666 N, 10a 80 N, 10a 220 N, 10b and 5b 300-2,819 C, 10a 200-818 S, 10a 150-844 S, 10a 150-1,336 S, 10a 150-1,716 C, 10a and 5b 170-500 S, 10a and 5b 450-1,300 1995 Ornithological records from Laos 1 992-1993 99 Dong Kalo 1 4°04'-14°20’N 1 05°56'- 1 06° 1 1’ E (Not marked 1>2) S, 10a 60-356 Xe Khong plains 14027'-14042’H: 106°16’-106°35,E Rivers: (Not marked 1>2) S, 10a 70-120 Nam Mo 1 9°02'- 1 9°20’N 1 03°49'- 1 04°07’E (Not marked Not named 2) N, 5b 350-600 Nam Ngum 18°00,-19°35,N 102°30'-103°15’E (Nam Ngum li2) N, 10a and 10b 220-1,100 Nam Ou 20o05'-22°03’N 102o00'-102o13’E (Nam Ou1; Nam Hou 2,1°) N, 10b 320-800 Nam Theun 17°43,-18°15*N 104°38,-105°16,E (Nam Theun 6; Nam Teun 10) C, 10a 380-550 Xe Banghiang (Se Bang Hieng lj2; border between 130-220 16o03'-16°54’N 105°15'-106°27’E Se Bang Hien 10; Se-Bang-Hieng 5) C and S, 10a and 5b Xe Khampho 14°02'-14°31 ’N 106°13'-106°21 ’E (Se Khampho Not named2) S, 10a 60-120 Xe Pian 14°27'-1 5°06’N 106°20'-106o32’E (Not marked 1 ; Not named2) S, 10a 70-900 Xe Khong 14o27'-16°01’N 1 06°20'- 1 07°0 1 ’E0 (Se Kong1 ; Kong 2; Se Kong 10; Sekong 12,13) S, 10a 70-36 Xe Don 1 5°07'- 1 5°48’N 1 05°48'- 1 06°36’E Villages, Towns and precise localities: (Se Done Xe Don 2; Sedone 12»13) S, 10a 100-180 Vientiane 17°58’N 102°37’E (Vientiane L253>4j8,9. Viangchan 2; Vien Tiane 10; Vien Chan 15) N, 10a 165 BanPhonsavan 19°27’N 103°1 3’E (Xieng Khouang 1 >4, 8, 10,11. Xiangkhoang 2; Xieng Kouang 3; Xieng- Khouang 6>9) N, 10b 1,150 Vangviang 18°55’N 102°27’E (Vang Vieng 1>9; Muang Vangvieng 2) N, 10a and 10b 200 BanThadua 17°53’N 102°44’E (Not marked lj2) N, 10a 165 Ban Latsen 19°20’N 103°08’E (Not marked 1,2;Latsen4) N, 10b 1,100 MuangSoui 19°32’N 1 02°52’E (Muong Soui 1 ,4; Muong Souy 2) N, 10b 1,200 Lo-Tiao (Not named; locality untraced) approx. 20°25’N 100°30’E (Not marked 1 ,2,4; Lo-Tiao 8) N, 10b 1,000 Phongsali 21°41’N 102°06’E (Phong Saly 1>3; Phongsali 2; Phong-Saly 8) 1,500 Phou Kobo 19°16’N 103°25’E (Not marked *; Not named 2; Phou Kobo 4; Phu Kobo 8) N, 10b 1,800-2,166 BanNonghet 19°10’N 103°59'E (Nong Het 1 ,4; Nong Het 2; Nonghet 8,1°; Nong-Het 9) N, 10b 1,450 Ban Namkeung-Kao 20°24’N 100°15’E (Not marked !’2; Nam Khueng 8) N, 10b 360 Ban Thenkhen 20°28’N 102°32’E (Not marked 1)2) N, 10b 660 Lao Pako (Not named) 18°09’N 102°51’E (Not marked 1>2) N, 10a 170 100 R. M. THEWLIS ei al. Forktail 1 1 Thangon wetlands and reservoir 18°07’N 102°39’E (Not marked 1)2) N, 10a 160 Ban Thangon 18°08’N 102°37’E (Not marked 1,2j Tha Ngon 3) N, 10a 180 Ban Paknamkading 18°19’N 103°59’E (Not marked 1>2) N, 10a 150 Pakxan 18°23’N 103°39’E (Pak Sane 1,1 °» Muang Pakxan 2) N, 10a 160 Pha Som/Naliang Limestone outcrop 18°00’N 104°19’E (Not marked 1>2) N, 10a 180-430 Savannakhet 16°34’N105°45’E (Savannakhet Savannakhet2) C, 10a 150 Ban Nape 18°18’N 105°04’E (Nape Ban Nape 2; Nape 3,6»11; Na Pe 10) C, 5b 560 Ban Thong Song, Savannakhet Prov. Locality untraced (Not marked 1>2) C, 10a 150 Champasak 14°54’N105°53’E (Not marked Champasak2; S, 10a 100 Salavan 15°45’N106°25’E (Saravane 1 ,5,6, 1 °> 1 1 , 1 2, 1 3. Saravan 2) S, 10a 186 Pakxe 15°07’N 105°48’E (Pakse Pakxe 2; Pakse 7,10,12,13^ S, 10a 100 Phou Bachiang 15°07’N 105°52’E (Not marked 1>2) S, 10a 200-250 (peak 904) Ban Thateng 15°26’N 106°23’E (Ban Thateng *; Not marked 2; Tha Teng 10; Tha-teng 12; Thateng 13) S, 10a 842 Senamsai (Not marked) 14°41’N 106°38’E (Not marked 1)2) S, 10a 80 Muang Khong 14°07’N, 105°51’E (Khong hio.i 3. Muang Khong2) S, 10a 80 Attapu 14°08’N 106°50’E (Attopeu l»l°j 12,13. Attapu 2; Attapeu 6) S, 10a 110 Khonphapheng Falls 13°57’N 105°59’E (Not marked 1,2j Chutes de Khone i2>13) S, 10a 70 Ban Thangbeng (Not marked) 14°47’N 106°58’E (Not marked 1>2) S, 10a 100 Ban Nasenphan (Not marked) 14°13’N 105°5’E (Not marked 1>2) S, 10a 80 Ban Samkhang 14°08’N105°52’E (Not marked h2) S, 10a 80 Ban Senhom 14°31’N 106°19’E (Not marked *’2) S, 10a 70 Ban Thakho (Not marked) 13°58’N 105°59’E (Not marked 1>2) S, 10a 70 1995 FORKTAIL 11 (1995): 101 - 110 101 Swamp Francolin Francolinus gularis survey technique: a case study from northern India PHILIP J. K. McGOWAN, SALIM JAVED and ASAD R. RAHMANI The Swamp Francolin Francolinus gularis is considered shy and elusive as it is difficult to detect in tall wet grassland habitat. Between 21 March and 6 April 1993 surveys were conducted in and around Dudwa National Park in Uttar Pradesh, northern India. In addition to a wide ranging survey of the type previously used in searches for the species, dawn/duskcall counts were carried out at a single site. More birds were seen and heard at around dawn and dusk than during brief visits to areas of suitable habitat at other times of day. Whilst brief visits allow more sites to be covered, it is probable that some populations of Swamp Francolin will not be detected. We recommend a dawn and dusk visit to single sites during the calling period as the most efficient survey technique for this species. INTRODUCTION The Swamp Francolin Francolinus gularis inhabits the tall wet grasslands of the terai of South Asia, which stretches from western Uttar Pradesh in India eastwards along the Indo-Nepal border to Bangladesh and Assam in north -east India. This belt of low-lying land contains both wet and dry grasslands interspersed with moist deciduous forest, typically of sal Shorea robusta trees. Increasing human pressures on this land at the base of the Himalaya is resulting in the conversion of much of the grassland to agricultural land. The loss of this unique habitat is causing problems for the species which are restricted to the terai grasslands, such as the Swamp Francolin and the Swamp Deer Cervus duvaucelii duvaucelii, which may now number fewer than 100 individuals in Dudwa. This is a marked decline from around 5,000 in 1972. The survival of the Swamp Francolin has been a cause for concern since the onset of draining of the damp areas in which it lives (Ali and Ripley 1983), such that the species is considered threatened (Collar etal. 1994) . Furthermore, application of the Mace and Lande (1991) threat category criteria suggests that it is vulnerable to extinction (McGowan etal. 1995). This concern arises from the nature of disturbance that the species’s habitat is currently subject to. Widespread drainage throughout the terai is making many areas unsuitable for the wet grasslands in which the francolin lives. The drained areas are then used for several purposes, such as the planting of agricultural crops, as pasture land for grazing cattle, and for road and house building. The usual reaction to this form of habitat degradation and loss is to create protected areas in which all forms of human activities are banned, or a management 102 P. J. K. McGOWAN et a!. Forktail 1 1 Figure 1. Map of Dudwa National Park showing major grasslands. Inset maps show the location of Dudwa in Uttar Pradesh and the position of Uttar Pradesh in India. regime is practised. In order to prescribe sensible management practices, however, sound information is needed on the way in which the target species uses the variety of vegetation types which are available to it. Because the Swamp Francolin inhabits a vegetation type that is likely to have been subject to natural disturbance, such as periodic burning and grazing by large mammals, the survival of the species may well depend upon some form of management of its open grassland habitat, as is the case with the Cheer Pheasant Catreuszuallichii in mid-altitude grasslands in the Himalaya (Garson etal. 1992). Therefore, if the Swamp Francolin is to survive the current threats to its habitat, it is probable that its habitat will need to be managed to some degree. If such management is to be effective, it must be based upon reliable information about the species’s use of available habitats and its response to habitat alteration such as planting of sugar cane crops. Providing such information is especially difficult in the case of the Swamp Francolin in its dense habitat of tall thick grassland, where sightings of birds are few. Consequently, we aimed to assess the practicality of conducting a detailed study on habitat use in the Swamp Francolin. Specifically, we wished to consider the detectability of the Swamp Francolin and its amenability to broad-scale surveys by comparing the rate at which we detected the species at dawn and dusk with the rate of detection during brief visits at other times of the day. These brief visits are typical of broad-ranging surveys which are concerned with covering large areas in a relatively short time (Javed and Rahmani 1991, Kaul and Kalsi 1990). 1995 Swamp Francolin survey technique 103 STUDY AREAS AND METHODS Study areas Fieldwork was conducted between 2 1 March and 6 April 1 993 in the districts of Lakhimpur-Kheri and East Baraich in north-eastern Uttar Pradesh, north India, towards the western edge of the terai. The terai is dominated by forests comprised mainly of Sal Shorea robusta trees interspersed with grasslands which are often extensive. In many areas the grasslands remain at least damp throughout the year and these marshy patches contain tall, dense stands of distinctive grasses, such as Sclerostachya fusca, Saccharum spontaneum and Arundo donax and are called taals. Three protected areas were visited. Most of our time was spent in and around Dudwa National Park (28°24'-28°40’N 80°34'-80o49’E), but Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary (28°27’N 80°22’E) was visited on 31 March/ 1 April, and Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary (28°15’N 81°16’E) on 3/4 April. Information on the vegetation of these areas can be found in Anon. (1990) and Rahmani er a/. (1991). Single visit survey Nineteen sites were visited under conditions similar to those used in previous wide-ranging Swamp Francolin surveys, namely for short periods of time at various times of day. In Dudwa, the following areas were surveyed for Swamp Francolins: Madhraya Phanta including Mothna Taal, Chapra Taal, Navalkhad (NeoraNalla), BhaadiTaal, BankeyTaal, KakrahaTaal, Chedia T aal, Parbatia Phanta/ Andhra Nalla, Base Camp, Churella T aal and grasslands adjacent to Salukapur Rest House and Sathiana Rest House. Outside the Park, Ajitnagar Taal, Ghola Taal, Gajrolla Taal and Tiger Haven were surveyed . Elsewhere, Jhaadi Taal and the U1 River bridge in Kishanpur, and Madhera Taal at the Girja barrage in Katerniaghat were visited (see Fig. 1). Repeated sampling survey For detailed survey work we chose a site which would allow repeat visits at dawn and dusk. Such a site had to be accessible in the dark so that we could arrive before sunrise and depart after sundown. Given that Dudwa lies within a Project Tiger area, it was also thought that we should choose an area in which walking in the dark would not prove dangerous. Ghola Taal, just outside the western edge of Dudwa National Park satisfied these criteria. Sampling stations along the south and south-eastern edges of the taal could easily be reached in 20 minutes from Sathiana Rest House. Ghola Taal is an expanse of open water surrounded by Saccharum spontaneum, Typha spp., Phragmites karka, Cyperus rotundus grassland which 104 P. J. K. McGOWAN ei al. Forktail 1 1 is grazed fairly lightly for the most part. Further from the taal, bordering the grassland, are crop fields, the majority of which were sown with sugar cane during our visit, or were being harvested. Other crops grown include pulses and wheat. The distribution of crops among the fields along the southern and south-eastern edges of the taal was mapped and the size of each field measured. To investigate the utility of dawn and dusk choruses as a means of surveying areas for the Swamp Francolin, stations were manned from 50 minutes before sunrise to one hour after, and from 80 minutes before sundown to forty minutes after (cf Garson 1983). Information recorded at each encounter included bearing from observation station, estimated distance and habitat type. The number of call bouts heard was tallied for successive 5 minute periods to assess whether there was a time when the rate of calling reached a peak and, if so, if this was at a predictable time in the morning or evening. Sightings were also noted and one observer recorded the number of calls given in each bout heard from each location. RESULTS Call types Two types of call were heard (Fig. 2). A series of single notes (Fig. 2 top) and a call desribed as chuckeroo, chuckeroo, chuckeroo (Tickell, in Ali and Ripley 1983) (Fig. 2 bottom) . Both call types were often heard in the same bout, the single notes emitted before the chuckeroo calls. 100 300 500 700 900 1100 1500 1500 1700 1900 ms Hz 9775 8000 6225 4450 2675 900 Figure 2. Sonograms of Swamp Francolin calls heard at Ghola Taal outside Dudwa National Park, northern India. Note that the frequency (vertical axis) and timescale (horizontal axis) are different for the two sonograms. 1995 Swamp Francolin survey technique 105 Marsh/ River name Date Time Duration of visit (mins) No. calling birds in each encounter No. birds seen at each encounter Chapra Taal 21/3 0810-1100 170 1 _ Madhraya 21/3 1610-1730 40 1,1,1 2,4 (incl. MothnaTaal) Navalkhad 22/3 0700-0800 60 - — (Neora Nalla) Chapra Taal 22/3 1720-1820 60 - - Parbatia Phanta 23/3 0750-1010 140 1,1 2 KakrahaTaal 23/3 1010-1055 45 - Bankey Taal 23/3 1130-1210 40 - - Gajrolla Taal 24/3 1028-1146 78 1 - Ghola Taal 24/3 1642-1830 108 1,1 - Sathiana 25/3 (from base @061 7) 1 - Ghola Taal 25/3 0850-0935 45 1,1,1 - Ajitnagar Taal 25/3 1622-1700 38 - 2 Ghola Taal 27/3 0735-1015 160 1,1, 1,1,1 2,2,2 Bhaadi Taal 28/3 1535-1640 105 - - Bankey Taal 29/3 0650-0825 95 - - KakrahaTaal 29/3 1635-1700 25 - - Base Camp 29/3 1738-1800 22 1,1,1 - Parbatia Phanta 29/3 1810-1830 20 1,1, 1,1 - Salukapur 30/3 0630-0710 40 1 - Chedla Taal 30/3 0810-0825 15 1,1,1, - KakrahaTaal 30/3 0830-1015 105 1,1 - Chapra Taal 30/3 1745-1830 45 - - Jhaadi Taal 31/3 1740-1845 105 - - Ul River 1/4 0655-0730 35 - - Jhaadi Taal 1/4 1125-1205 40 1 - Ul River 1/4 1720-1840 80 - - Tiger Haven 2/4 1710-1830 80 1,1, 1,1,1 1,2 Churella Taal 3/4 0950-1010 20 - - Girja Barrage 3/4 1740-1900 80 - - (incl. MadheraTaal) Girja Barrage 4/4 0615-0845 150 - 2 (incl. MadheraTaal) Totals 2046 37 21 Table 1. Dates and times of visits to waterbodies during the short visit survey for Swamp Francolins undertaken in Lakhimpur-Kheri and East Baraich Districts in north-central Uttar Pradesh, north India. The number of birds recorded during each visit is also given. Short visit survey The date, time and number of Swamp Francolins encountered at each site visited during the “usual” survey is given in Table 1 . It should be noted that the short duration of some visits is a typical consequence of broad-ranging surveys attempting to cover several sites in a short period of time. From our data it is not possible to determine how reliable this method is for detecting presence, and hence implying absence, of Swamp Francolin at any given site. 106 P. J. K. McGOWAN et al. Forktail 1 1 It is worth noting, however, that birds were not always detected at sites where they were known to be present. For example, no calls were heard or birds seen at Chapra T aal on the evening of 22 March or 30 March, but a single call was heard during the morning of 21 March. Detection of birds was similarly unpredictable at Kakraha Taal. Dawn! dusk survey Five dawn and five dusk counts were conducted at Ghola Taal between 23 March and 6 April. Sunrise varied from 06h05 on 28 March, to 05h58 on 6 April and sunset from 18hl6 on 23 March to 18h24 on 5 April. The number of birds heard calling and of those seen is given in T able 2. We have assumed that each calling location represents a pair of Swamp Francolin, given that the species is believed to be monogamous and is mostly seen in pairs (see Tables 1 and 2; Javed and Rahmani unpublished data) . Based on this assumption we provide an estimate of the minimum number of individuals present in the portion of Ghola Taal that we surveyed. Because most of the birds that we saw called before, during or after the sighting, the minimum number of birds is typically estimated to be twice the number of calling locations recorded. The single exception is the morning of 2 April when one bird was seen flying and no calls were heard from either the place from where it flew or where it landed. A pair was seen at exactly the same point on the morning of 28 March. Birds were heard nearly four times more often and seen nearly twice as often during the dawn/dusk survey than during the short visit survey (Table 3) . As the short visit survey includes some sites where birds were not recorded at all, however, the lower encounter rates recorded during this survey may be biased by the absence of birds from some sites. The rate at which birds were heard at Ghola Taal during the short visit survey is slightly higher than for all sites, but is still very low in comparison with the dawn/dusk survey at that site. In contrast, birds were seen much more often at Ghola than elsewhere, and were recorded slightly more frequently during this survey than during the dawn/dusk survey at Ghola. However, it should be noted that all sightings at Ghola during the short visit survey were made on one morning, 27 March, and, that as numbers are so small, this has had a strong influence on this result . Pattern of calling at Ghola Taal The mean number of calls given in each 5 minute period during the dawn and dusk counts is given in relation to sunrise and sunset respectively in Fig. 3. The most striking result is that there are many more call bouts heard in the morning than in the evening. In the morning some calls were heard as much as 50 minutes before sunrise and birds were often still calling sporadically when the sampling period ended 1995 Swamp Francolin survey technique 107 Date No. calling locations No. birds seen in each encounter Minimum no. birds' Dawn counts 28 March 8 2,2 16 31 March 7 2 14 2 April 8 2, 1,1,1 17 5 April 9 2 18 6 April 9 1 18 Dusk counts 23 March 5 10 26 March 8 (1.1) 16 27 March 6 12 4 April 7 - 14 5 April 3 2 6 Table 2. Results of dawn/dusk counts of Swamp Francolins at GholaTaal, near Dudwa National Park, Lakhimpur-Kheri, Districts in north-central Uttar Pradesh, north India. The number of birds recorded during each visit is also given. ' assuming calling locations represent pairs (see text) . ( ) denotes individual birds flying from and to same spots, and, therefore, probably a pair. Sunrise varied from 06h05 on 28 March, to 05h58 on 6 April and sunset from 1 8h 1 6 on 23 March to 1 8h24 on 5 April. Encounter rate Type of survey Total duration No. birds heard No. birds seen (mins) per hour per hour Short visit survey 2046 1.09 0.62 Short visit survey (GholaTaal only) 313 1.9 1. 15 Dawn/dusk survey 1050 4.00 1.03 Table 3. The rates at which Swamp Francolins were heard and seen during both short visit and dawn/ dusk surveys. more than one hour after sunrise. There are however, two clear peaks of calling activity, the first 15 minutes before and the second 15 minutes after sunrise. The evening calling period appears less predictable, although there also seems to be more calling 15 minutes either side of sunset. DISCUSSION During all fieldwork Swamp Francolins were heard more frequently than they were seen. Consequently, more individuals are likely to be heard at a single site than seen, at this time of year, suggesting that observers should be familiar with the calls of the species before beginning a survey. Which of the two types of survey that we conducted should be used in any situation will depend upon the specific objectives of the fieldwork and any constraints of time. 108 P. J. K. McGOWAN et al. Forktail 1 1 Single visit surveys are likely to prove useful when several sites within a large area are to be visited in a short space of time. Our data suggest that the presence of Swamp Francolin in a site is likely to be revealed by such short surveys, but that occurrence at some sites will be missed. In contrast, listening for calls at dawn and dusk is much more likely to reveal the species’ presence, and that if a site is sampled for several days, then it is highly unlikely that there will be no calls in an area which contain Swamp Francolins. Sunrise Time of day (am) Sunset Time of day (pm) Figure 3. The pattern of calling of Swamp Francolins at Ghola Taal outside Dudwa National Park, Uttar Pradesh, northern India. The mean number of call bouts heard in each five minute period at dawn and dusk is given and mean sunrise and sunset times are marked. 1995 Swamp Francolin survey technique 109 There are two procedural differences between our two types of survey. The first is the duration of each visit and the second is the time of day at which the visit was made. In order to reduce the possibility that the species’s occurrence at a site will be missed when conducting a single visit survey, fieldwork should be conducted at dawn and dusk. Our data suggest that manning survey stations from half-an-hour before to half-an-hour after sunrise will reveal presence of the species at a site during the calling season. Consequently, a visit to a site at dusk and the following dawn may be sufficient to detect the species if it is present at the waterbody being surveyed. This should allow reasonable field effort at each site in a wide-ranging survey. The main finding of this study is the marked increase in Swamp Francolin activity at dawn and, to a lesser degree, dusk, when compared to other times of day, even early morning and late afternoon. Repeated visits to GholaTaal revealed between seven and nine calling locations on each of the five mornings. This may mean that there are nine pairs of francolin present and that at least 7 7 % of these are calling each morning. This compares with Cheer Pheasants at Wacchum in Uttar Pradesh, where 75% of Cheer Pheasant pairs are estimated to call on average before sunrise in June (Young et al. 1987). More information is needed on the distribution of calling Swamp Francolins on successive mornings (Bibby et al. 1992), however, before the number of calling birds on any one morning can be converted into a population density estimate. The high rate at which the Swamp Francolin is encountered at dawn and dusk offers the possibility for a limited study of some aspects of the species’s ecology and behaviour using non-invasive methods. For example, the use of available habitats by calling males can be assessed, which is especially important in non-protected areas such as Ghola Taal, where at least some birds call from sugar cane fields before they are harvested. This study should be able to supply the management recommendations required if the species is to survive in its man-affected habitat for the future. Such a study is now in progress. The work was carried out under the auspices of a British Council-Indian Universities Grant Commission link. We gladly acknowledge the support of these agencies and the help of the link co-ordinators, Dr P eter J. Garsonin the U.K. and Prof. Abbas H. Musavi in India. Additional support was provided by British Airways-Assisting Nature Conservation through the World Pheasant Association. Permission to work in Dudwa National Park was kindly granted by Mr M. C. Ghildiyal, Chief Wildlife Warden of Uttar Pradesh and Mr D. N. Suman, Director of Dudwa National Park. The assistance of the other park officials and staff is also acknowledged. Sarah Bush kindly produced the sonograms at The Open University and Tom Gardiner made the map, which is reproduced with permission from The World Pheasant Association and IU CN from Partridges, quails, francolins, snozvcocks andguineafowl: status survey and conservation action plan 1 995-1999. 110 P. J. K. McGOWAN etal. Forktail 1 1 REFERENCES Ali, S. and Ripley, S. D. (1983) Handbook of the birds of India and Pakistan. Compact edition. New Delhi: Oxford University Press. Anon. (1990) Status and ecology of the Lesser and Bengal Floricans. Pinal report. Bombay: Bombay Natural History Society. Bibby, C. J. , Burgess, N. D. and Hill, D. A. (1992) Bird census techniques. London: Academic Press. Collar, N. J., Crosby, M. J. and Stattersfield, A. J. (1988) Birds to watch 2. Cambridge: BirdLile International. Garson, P. J. (1983) The Cheer Pheasant Catreus wallichii in Himachal Pradesh, Western Himalayas: an update. J. World Pheasant Association 8: 29-39. Garson, P. J., Young, L. andKaul, R. (1992) Ecology and status of the Cheer Pheasant Catreus wallichii'. studies in the wild and progress of a reintroduction project. Biological Conservation 59: 25-35. Javed, S. and Rahmani, A. R. (1991) Swamp Francolin in the north Indian terai. World Pheasant Association News 34: 15-18. Kaul, R. andKalsi, R. (1990) Swamp Partridge - a pilot survey. World Pheasant Association News 30: 3-5. Mace, G. M. and Lande, R. (1991) Assessing extinction threats: toward a reevaluation of IUCN threatened species categories. Conservation Biology 5: 148-157. McGowan, P. J. K., Dowell, S. D., Carroll, J. P. and Aebischer,N. J. (1995) Partridges, quails, francolins, snowcocks and guineafowl: status survey and conservation action plan 1 995-1999. Gland: IUCN. Rahmani, A. R., Narayan, G., Rosalind, L., Sankaran, R. and Ganguli-Lachungpa, U. (1991) Status of the Bengal florican Houbaropsis bengalensis in India. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 88: 349-375. Young, L., Garson, P. J. and Kaul, R. (1987) Calling behaviour and social organization in the Cheer Pheasant: implications for survey technique. J. World Pheasant Association 12: 30-43. Philip J. K. McGowan, Biology Department, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, U. K. Salim Javed and Asad R. Rahmani, Centre for Wildlife and Ornithology , Aligarh Muslim University , Aligarh 202 002, Uttar Pradesh, India. 1995 FORKTAIL 1 1 (1995): 111 - 120 1 1 1 New distributional records and natural history notes on the Whiskered Pitta Pitta kochi of the Philippines O. F. JAKOBSEN and C. YDING ANDERSEN The few observations of the Whiskered Pitta Pitta kochi have made information about this endemic bird of the Philippines very limited. During a general avifaunal survey in the Sierra Madre Mountains and in the Mount Pulog National Park sightings were made of this species. A total of 43 birds was recorded, which outnumbers all previous observations. The pitta was recorded from several new habitats at 500 to 2,200 m. Four birds were captured, including one juvenile, and released after measurements and blood samples for DNA analysis had been taken. For the first time, the song has been tape-recorded and translated into a sonogram. It is compared to species with similar vocalizations. Details of a possible breeding season, food and feeding habitats are also reported. The northern part of the Sierra Madre Mountains still contains habitat to sustain a viable population and the mountains currently represent a stronghold of this species. The Whiskered Pitta Pitta kochi is endemic to the island of Luzon, and was first described by Briiggemann (1876). J. Whitehead, who discovered a number of endemic species to the Philippines during the end of the last century, stated that ‘the rediscovery of this fine pitta was one of the most interesting results of my journey to the highlands of Luzon’ (Whitehead 1899). As indicated by Whitehead, the Whiskered Pitta is a rare, local and seldom seen bird, and information about its distribution, habitat and biology is still very limited. Apart from a few observations almost a century ago, there are only scattered reports on the Whiskered Pitta (Dickinson etal. 1991). The first observations were confined to the montane and mossy forest of the Cordillera Central, near or on Mount Data in Benquet Province. Later, in 1959, observations were made in the Cordillera Central at Mount Sablan, Mountain Province (Rabor’s collection, University of the Philippines, Los Banos) and south-west of Mount Adams Peak, Ilocos Norte in 1993 (D. Allen in litt.). The Whiskered Pitta is also found in the Sierra Madre Mountains, where single birds have been recorded at Balian, Laguna Province in 1964 (McClure andLeelavit 1972), at Mount Cagua, Cagayan Province (Dickinson et al. 1991) and in Dalton Pass, Nueva Vizcaya in 1967 (McClure and Leelavit 1972). The two most recent observations are from Isabela Province on Mount Halmut at the base of Los Dos Cuernos (Anon. 1994) and at Minuma Creek in 1994 (C. Robson in. litt.). In addition, it has been observed at Mount Isarog in Camarines Sur Province (Goodman and Gonzales 1990). Two expeditions by the Danish Ornithological Society, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Philippines and ICBP conducted 112 O. F. JAKOBSEN and C. YDING ANDERSEN Forktail 1 1 general avifaunal surveys on Luzon from December 1990 to June 1991 and from February 1992 to May 1992. We report new information on plumage characteristics, voice, breeding season, food and feeding habitats. METHODS AND STUDY AREAS Field surveys were undertaken to produce avian inventories for the Sierra Madre Mountains and the Mount Pulog National Park. The Sierra Madre Mountains extend almost 500 km from the north-eastern tip of Luzon southward on the east side of the island forming the backbone of Luzon island. The highest mountain peaks reach from 1,200 to 1,800 m. Surveys were made in the northern part of the Sierra Madre Mountains in Isabela- and Cagayan Provinces. The Mount Pulog National Park is situated in Benguet Province in the Cordillera Central, which is 300 km long with the highest peaks from 2,000 to 2,900 m. The park surrounds the highest mountain on Luzon, Mount Pulog (2,930 m) and covers an area of 1 1,500 ha. Methods were adopted for surveying the general avian fauna. A combination of line transect surveys, systematic mist-netting, bio-acoustical surveys and general observations were used to compile data. Line transect survey routes were 2.0-2. 5 km long and usually followed existing narrow trails. Easily recognizable markers were placed every 250 m along the route. Three to four researchers compiled data along the transect Figure 1 . The habitat of the Whiskered Pitta. 1995 Records and notes on the Whiskered Pitta 113 route, each person walking alone with a speed of 250 m per 1 5 min. For each transect route at least 40 h of observations were performed. For each observation the following data were monitored: species name, number of birds, perpendicular distance from the bird to the trail, habitat and whether the bird was seen, heard or only observed flying. In addition, it was noted if the species participated in a mixed species feeding party. Mist-netting stations were composed of 1 5 to 20 nets ( 1 50-200 net-metres) . The nets were opened at 05h00 and closed at sunset. Each station was usually in operation for three to four consecutive days. Each bird caught was ringed and the following measurements were taken: length of bill, wing, tarsus and tail. A tiny blood-sample was taken, puncturing the wing-vein, before the birds were released. The blood samples are now included in the DNA collections of the Zoological Museum of Copenhagen. Close to the transect routes bio-acoustics were performed by regular 12-15 min tape recordings at sunrise, when the vocalization was at its maximum. LOCATIONS AND OBSERVATIONS The Whiskered Pitta was observed at five different locations, four of which were in the Sierra Madre Mountains and one in the Mount Pulog National Park. Mount Dipalayag (16°58’N 122°15’E) One newly fledged juvenile was mist-netted at 950 m and one adult plus one juvenile was observed at 1,000 m between the 18- 19 April 1991. In addition, at 650 m one or two adult birds were observed several times on both days collecting food and seen flying away, a behaviour suggesting that breeding took place. Los Dos Cuernos (17°33’N 121°59’E) All together 15 individuals were recorded between 28 April and 4 May 1 99 1 . Two adult birds were mist-netted at 1,150 m. One adult was observed singing at 950 m. The song was tape-recorded. Furthermore, 12 pittas were heard or identified from tape recordings made at 800-1,250 m. In just one day, seven of these individuals were seen, heard or the song tape-recorded. Minuma Creek (17°09’N 122°06’E) The area was visited 12-21 March 1992. One adult was observed three times at 500 m. Mount Cataceo ( 1 7°42’N 1 22°02’E) At least 22 individuals were recorded 7-19 May 1992. Between 1,200 and 1,500 m 13 Pittas were recorded in just one day, including 1 1 individuals at a single transect count (10 adults and 1 juvenile). At a transect count between 1,400 and 1,650 m four individuals were recorded. The Mount Pulog National Park (16°35’N 120°56’E) During a visit to the village of Akiki within the national park an adult Whiskered Pitta was shown 114 O. F. JAKOBSEN and C. YDING ANDERSEN Forktail 1 1 Plate 2 .Juvenile Whiskered Pitta Pitta kochi. to us on 17 December 1990 by a local boy. The bird had been captured in a ground based bird-trap at 2,200 m. The bird was purchased and released at the area of capture. HABITAT Whiskered Pitta was found in a number of different habitats as indicated by our records in the altitudinal range of 500-2,000 m. At Mount Dipalayag the pitta was observed in two different habitats. At 650 m the habitat included primary, evergreen, lowland forest with steep slopes and large areas with no understory and little herbaceous vegetation, a soft forest floor, with leaf-litter and some boulders. The area was also used by foraging wild pigs Sus barbatus, which turned over the soil. The observations at 950-1,000 m were made on a wide mountain ridge with steep slopes, in primary montane forest dominated by oak Quercus. This area was also used by wild pigs. The habitat at Los Dos Cuernos was mostly found on very steep slopes covered by degraded montane forest with a canopy cover of less than 70%. Young trees, ferns and tall (2-3 m) grasses formed a dense understory, leaving only small areas of soft, open forest floor with leaf-litter. This area was also used by wild pigs. 1995 Records and notes on the Whiskered Pitta 115 Figure 1. Sonogram of the song of the Whiskered Pitta Pitta kochi. 1 second Figure 2. Sonogram of the song of the Amethyst Brown Dove Phapitreron amethystina. At Minuma Creek the bird was seen in selectively logged lowland evergreen forest with a canopy cover of 70% and a general canopy height of less than 20 m. Mount Cetaceo held two habitats in which the pitta was recorded: 1 ) along the slopes of a ridge at an altitude of 1 ,400- 1 ,650 m in primary mossy forest with 10-12 m high canopy, and 2) in primary montane forest dominated by oak at 800- 1,400 m with a canopy cover of 7 5 % . Wild pigs were found in both areas. The bird at Mount Pulog came from a habitat of typical mossy forest. The average height of trees was 8 m (range 5-12 m) and the canopy cover 75%. Nearly all trees were broadleaved with a dominance of oak. In the understory ferns and rhododendron were common. However, the understory was open and the soil was disturbed by the activity of pigs. BEHAVIOUR The Whiskered Pitta is a terrestrial skulking species. It was always observed near the ground, singly and hopping around turning aside dry leaves with a sideways movement of the head . It was seen digging into the wet soil with the bill in search of food. The pitta was also observed jumping down from a trunk 1 16 O. F. JAKOBSEN and C. YDING ANDERSEN Forktail 1 1 Figure 3. The Whiskered Pitta from the Mount Pulog National Park of the Cordillera Central. or a rock 30-50 cm above the ground and snatching food items. Now and then, it cocked its head to one side to listen or look. When disturbed, it moved away very fast with long hops, or flew near the ground into cover of dense vegetation. It was never seen more than 1.5 m above the ground. One bird was examined for stomach contents, from which small beetles were the only items identified. The skin of this bird was given to the Philippine National Museum, Manila. Beetle remains were also observed in faeces from other individuals. In north-western Sierra Madre the breeding season apparently starts as early as the end of February, although the song activity was highest from the end of April to the middle of May, a period coinciding with the beginning of the rainy season. In four areas on the Los Dos Cuernos, two or more individuals within hearing distance were calling persistently from dawn to lOhOO. In one area at 900 m altitude along 200 m of logging road in degraded montane forest, six individuals were calling persistently until lOhOO. 1995 Records and notes on the Whiskered Pitta 117 SONG On 2 May 1991 at 08h00 at Los Dos Cuernos (900 m) the voice of the Whiskered Pitta was tape-recorded for the first time. One individual was observed singing at a distance of 8 m on a logging road in a degraded forest. It used stones from the fireplace of our previous camp as a song post. The voice was a rather monotonous series of single clear elements: ‘goow-goow-goow-goow-goow’. Each song bout usually consisted of five descending elements, but varied from two to six. The duration of each song was from 1 to almost 3 seconds. The interval between each song was 20 sec on average (range 5-30 sec) (sonogram, Fig. 1). The songs of at least 10 individuals were tape-recorded. The extension of each element was related to the number of elements included in each song. Few elements indicated an extended duration of each element. The dominant frequency in the first element of a five element song was 87 1 Hz. In the field, the song of the Whiskered Pitta may be confused with the Amethyst Brown- Dove Phapitreron amethystina, although the song of the dove is deeper - 46 1 Hz (see sonogram, Fig. 2), and usually consists of 3-4 elements each with a duration of approximately 2 sec. PLUMAGES The Whiskered Pitta is a large pitta . We were unable to establish any external sex differences. The two individuals mist-netted at Los Dos Cuernos were similar and were described as follows: forehead, lores and ear-coverts carob brown (name of colours according to Ridgway, 1912). The crown becomes gradually mars orange towards the nape, which was mars orange. The sub-moustachial stripe was wide and ivory yellow, extending from the lower mandible to below the ear-coverts and to the side of the neck. The narrow malar stripe was carob brown. The sides of the neck, the chin and the throat were vinaceous-brown. The breast was Olympic blue. The rest of the underparts including the undertail-coverts were scarlet red. The mantle was brownish-olive. The back and the rump were olive. Uppertail-coverts and both sides of the tail were Olympic blue. The wings were olive, except for the scapulars and the median wing-coverts, which were olive with a bluish wash. The greater wing-coverts were Olympic blue. A small white patch was present on the inner web of the third primary (one third from the tip) and on the inner and outer webs of the fourth primary. The bill was all black, the iris brick red, the eyering and the eyelid russian blue, the legs and the feet parula blue, and the claws whitish. The single individual from the Mount Pulog National Park differed from the birds of Los Dos Cuernos by having a more whitish sub-moustachial 118 O. F. JAKOBSEN and C. YDING ANDERSEN Forktail 1 1 stripe and orange-rufous ear-coverts and sides of neck. Starting from the base of the lower mandible approximately 40% was ivory yellow, while the rest of the bill was blackish (Fig. 3). At Mount Dipalayag one juvenile pitta was mist-netted. The feathers of the forehead were chestnut brown with light ochraceous-buff centres. Lores and ear-coverts were chestnut brown. The crown, the nape and the sides of the neck were mars brown with light ochraceous-buff centres to the feathers. The sub-moustachial stripes were ivory yellow with a chestnut brown line below. The chin was ivory yellow. The throat was covered with cinnamon-brown feathers showing ivory yellow centres. The breast was cinnamon-brown with ivory yellow centres to the feathers and with a few Colombia blue feathers. The rest of the underparts were cinnamon-brown with ivory yellow centres to the feathers and a few feathers with deep mouse grey concealed bases with narrow ivory yellow centres and scarlet-red or salmon-orange tips. The mantle, back, rump, uppertail-coverts, scapulars and wing-coverts were olive-brown. The primaries and secondaries were dark greyish olive. As in the adults, there was a small white patch near the tip of the wing. Both sides of the tail were Columbia blue. The bill was black with an ivory yellow tip (although not clear from Fig. 4) and starting from the base approximately 40% of the lower mandible was ivory yellow (Fig. 4) . The beak flanges were ivory yellow. The iris was dark hessian brown. The legs, the feet and the eyering were parula blue. The claws were whitish. Location Wing Bill Tarsus Tail Mount Pulog (1 ad.) 120 25 49 47 Los Dos Cuernos (1 ad.) 118 30 49 49 Los Dos Cuernos (1 ad.) 122 30 50.5 54 Mount Dipalayag (1 juv.) 126 28 50.5 54 Table 1 . Biometrics (mm) of Whiskered Pittas from three locations. DISCUSSION The number of Whiskered Pittas described in this paper outnumbers all previous observations together. This is largely due to the novel recording and description of the characteristic song of the Whiskered Pitta . The knowledge of the song has already proved to be a valuable tool in detection of this shy and difficult to observe bird. In addition, this paper describes new habitats used by this pitta, reflected in observations of this species in an altitudinal range of 500-2,200 m. The breeding-grounds in the north-western Sierra Madre are the higher parts of the lowland forest to the higher parts of the mossy forest - apparently from 500 m to at least 1,600 m. In addition, the Whiskered Pitta has recently been recorded at an altitude as low as 360 m in 1995 Records and notes on the Whiskered Pitta 119 one of our survey areas (Anon. 1994). Indeed, together with the new knowledge of the breeding season, food and feeding habitats, the present observations extend the previous knowledge of this species. We found differences in the plumage of birds from the Sierra Madre Mountains and the Cordillera Central. In addition, the previously described plumage of this species differs from our observations: the sub-moustachial stripe has been described as pale-reddish grey and the throat as reddish-grey or reddish (Brtiggemann 1876, Gould 1880), whereas we found that the sub-moustachial stripe was ivory yellow and the throat was vinaceous-brown. In addition, the sides of the body and the centre of the abdomen were described as olive-brown (Brtiggemann 1876, Gould 1880), whereas we found that the sides of the breast were Olympic blue and that the flanks were scarlet red. Briiggemann (1876) and Gould (1880) also described a white spot on the inner web of the second primary, whereas we only found a white spot on the third and fourth primaries. Taken together, the differences in coloration may indicate the presence of isolated populations, which, however, needs further investigation for confirmation. The four observation sites from the Sierra Madre Mountains are all on the western slopes. On the eastern side of the mountains, however, no surveys were performed above an altitude of 675 m, which may explain the lack of observations. The highest number of birds was found in montane forest between 900-1,500 m. In conclusion, the northern part of the Sierra Madre Mountains still contains enough habitat to sustain a viable population of the Whiskered Pitta. Hopefully, the conservation measures which have now been implemented in the Sierra Madre Mountains will enable the long term survival of this ‘magnificent bird of unrivalled beauty’ as Ogilvie-Grant (1895) described the Whiskered Pitta at the end of the last century. We are indebted to the Aage V. Jensen Foundation for financial support to carry out the Finn Salomonsen’s Memorial Expeditions to the Philippines. We thank BirdLife International, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Philippines, Dr. J. Fjeldsa, Zoological Museum of Copenhagen, Denmark, and the Danish Ornithological Society for help in planning and carrying out the expeditions. We would like to thank Dr. Poul Hansen, Zoological Museum of Aarhus, Denmark for preparing the sonograms. We also wish to thank B. O. Poulsen, M. HeegaardandM. K. Poulsen for help in preparing this manuscript. A special thanks goes to all the people, who helped us in various ways, accompanied us in the field and made this work possible. 120 O. F. JAKOBSEN and C. YDING ANDERSEN Forktail 1 1 REFERENCES Anon. (1994) From the field: Philippines. Oriental Bird Club Bull. 19: 66. Briiggemann, F. (1876). Beitragezur Ornithologie von Celebes und Sangir.XW;. Naturwiss. Ver. Bremen 5: 35-102. Dickinson, E. C., Kennedy, R. S. and Parkes, K. C. (1991) The birds of the Philippines. B.O.U. Check-list No. 12. Tring: British Ornithologists’ Union. Goodman, S. M. and Gonzales, P. C. (1990) The birds ofMt. Isarog National Park, southern Luzon, Philippines with particular reference to altitudinal distribution. Fieldiana Zool. (2) 60: 1-39. Gould, J. (1880) The birds of Asia, Part XXXII. McClure, H. and Leelavit, P. (1972) Birds banded in Asia during the MAPS Program, by locality, from 1963 throul971. U.S. Army Research and Development Group, Far East, Report No. FE-3 1 5-7, 478 pp. Ogilvie-Grant, W. R. ( 1 895) On the birds of the Philippine Islands, Part V. The highlands of the province of Lepan to north Luzon. Ibis 7(1): 433-472. Ridgway, R. (1912) Color standards and nomenclature. Washington D.C.: A. Hoen and Company. Whitehead, J. (1899) Field-notes on birds collected in the Philippine Islands in 1 893-6, Part II. Ibis 1 (5): 210-246. O. Frode Jakobsen andC. Yding Andersen, Danish Ornithological Society, Vesterbrogade 140, DK-1640 Copenhagen V, 1995 FORKTAIL 1 1 (1995): 121 - 134 121 An annotated check-list of the forest birds of Rajah Sikatuna National Park, Bohol, Philippines T. BROOKS, G. DUTSON, B. KING and P. M. MAGSALAY Rajah Sikutana National Park preserves most of the natural forest remaining on the island of Bohol, in the central Philippines . The park holds many species of forest birds, including at least 48 species endemic to the Philippines, and all four of Bohol’s endemic subspecies. An annotated list of the forest bird species known from the national park is given, including 10 species not previously known from Bohol. The national park is well-protected by the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), who have an active reforestation programme in the adjacent cleared areas. INTRODUCTION Bohol, an island of 4,1 17 km2 (Dickinson etal. 1991), lies between Cebu and Leyte in the central Philippines. It is low-lying with its highest point at only 878 m (Heaney 1986). The island has no pronounced dry season but is rainy from July to September due to typhoons, and from October to December due to north-eastern monsoons (DENR 1992). The driest month is April (DENR 1992). Much of the island consists of coralline limestone of geologically recent origin. During the lower sea levels of the mid- and late- Pleistocene (until 1 8,000 years ago), Bohol was joined to Leyte and Samar, and from there to Mindanao (Heaney 1986). As a result of this recent connection, Bohol is faunistically very similar to Samar and Leyte, with most bird species and subspecies shared between the three islands. This group, the Eastern Visayas, has two endemic bird species, Samar Hornbill Penelopides samarensis and Yellow-breasted Tailorbird Orthotomus samarensis , both of which are allospecies of forms found elsewhere in the Philippines. Bohol itself has four recognized endemic subspecies (Streaked Ground-Babbler Ptilocichla mindanensis fortichi , Black-crowned Babbler Stachyris nigrocapitata boholensis, Rufous-tailed Jungle-Flycatcher Rhinomyias ruficauda boholensis, and Metallic-winged Sunbird Aethopyga pulcherrima decorosa ), due to its historically isolated position, at the end of a peninsula with only a narrow connection to Leyte (Rand and Rabor 1960). This location, however, may have also left Bohol depauperate in comparison to Leyte and Samar, for several species such as Elegant Tit Parus elegans and Sulphur-billed Nuthatch Sitta oenochlamys are noticeably absent from the island. Bohol has received surprisingly little attention from ornithologists. A. H. 122 T. BROOKS et al. Forktail 1 1 Everett and his brother collected (in northern Bohol) in October-November 1877 (Tweeddale 1878), J. B. Steerein 1888 (Steere 1890), A. Celestino,M. Canton and R. C. McGregor, in the hills near Tagbilaran (9°38’N 123°51 ’E), Sevilla (9°43’N 124°02’E) and Guindulman (9°46’N 124°29’E), in June 1906 (McGregor 1907) and W. C. Forbes in 1921 (Bangs 1922). The only subsequent collections are those of D. S. Rabor, at 300-350 m at Sandayong (9°49’N 124°21’E) and 700-750 m at Cantaub (9°49’N 124°28’E), in the hills between Sierra Bullones (9°49’N 124°17’E) and Guindulman, in March-May 1955 (Rand and Rabor 1 960) and December 1958 (Dickinson etal. 1991), and a recent unpublished collection by P. Cua (Dickinson etal. 1991). A. Alcala also collected on the island (near Sierra Bullones) in May 1962 (K. Cebra in litt. 1995). Bohol has been very heavily deforested. Even as early as 1877, Everett ‘found a country with grass 1 2 feet high, and with no forest except on the tops of a few hills. Birds were scarce; and he had to return stricken with fever’ (Tweeddale 1878). The most recent surveys of land cover in the Philippines showed only 1 66 km2 of open dipterocarp forest remaining on Bohol, 4% of the island’s area (Forest Management Bureau 1988, Swedish Space Corporation 1988). Most of Bohol’s remaining natural forest lies within the Rajah Sikatuna National Park (henceforth RSNP), with only small patches of intermingled plantations and dipterocarp forest elsewhere on the island. RSNP covers Figure 1 . Bohol, showing remaining forest cover (Forest Management Bureau 1988, Swedish Space Corporation 1988, IUCN 1991) in black. 1995 Forest birds of Rajah Sikatuna National Park 123 9,023 ha in area and lies between 200 m and 800 m altitude (DENR 1992), although its most accessible trails lie between 200 m and 500 m. It is mainly comprised of primary but fairly broken dipterocarp forest on steep, limestone terrain, surrounded by agricultural land and deforested hills. Four springs lie within the national park (DENR 1992). RSNP is managed by the DENR who have a headquarters at the Logarita Forest Station (9°43’N 124°08’E) on the western edge of the park. The DENR is engaged in an active and successful programme of reforestation around the edges of the park, with large mahogany plantations dating back to the 1960s. The Logarita Forest Station is currently being expanded, and already includes a large bunkhouse and a swimming pool. An old scout camp lies in a large clearing just inside the forest. RSNP does have problems with the collection of firewood and rattans, the hunting and trapping of wildlife, and the clearance of the forest for kaingin (slash-and-burn agriculture) in the eastern portion of the reserve, but these threats are apparently being effectively controlled by the DENR. A total of 48 species of endemic Philippines has been recorded in RSNP, including both Eastern Visayas endemics. All four of Bohol’s endemic subspecies are found, and the presence of 12 species listed in Birds to watch 2 (Collar et al. 1994) highlights the park’s importance for conservation. The park also holds other interesting wildlife, including six species of large mammals: Philippine Tarsier Tarsius syrichta. Long-tailed Macaque Macaca fascicularis, Philippine Flying-Lemur Cynocephalus volans, Malay Civet Viverra tangalunga, Common Palm Civet Paradoxurus heunaphroditus and wild pigs Sus philippinensis (or possibly Sus cebifrons) . This diversity of easily-observed wildlife, along with the ease of access, from Cebu or Manila to T agbilaran by boat or aeroplane, and then 1 hour by bus from Tagbilaran to Bilar (9°43’N 124°07’E) and the proximity to Carmen (9°50’N 124°12’E) and the Chocolate Hills, has made RSNP a popular destination for birdwatchers in the last few years. This paper consolidates the many interesting records of birds from the park. T.B. andG.D. spent 23-27 July 1994 birdwatching in RSNP. B.K. has lead KingBird tours to RSNP in February-March in 1990 and annually since 1 992. P.M.M. is currently coordinating a project on the birds of Bohol by the Philippine Wetland and Wildlife Conservation Foundation Inc. (PWCF) and has visited RSNP on a number of occasions. We compiled records from RSNP from a number of trip reports (Allen 1994, Buck et al. 1990, Curio 1993, Gardner 1993, Greensmith 1990, Hornbuckle 1994, Jensen and Hornskov 1992, Redman and Mitchell 1993 and Sargeant 1992), with additional records from the notes of the following people, to whom we are most grateful: Des Allen (14-20 March 1994); Mike Archer; Desiderio Asane; Euan Brodie (spring 1991); Hugh Buck, Gavin Cooper and Tim Fisher (6-8 May 1 989); Eberhard Curio, B. Feil and A. Flasskamp (February 124 T. BROOKS et al. Forktail 1 1 1993) ; Ian Gardner (spring 1992 and spring 1993) and Neil Bostock [N.B.] (spring 1993); Alan Greensmith (23-27 March 1990); Morten Heegaard [M.H.] (1-4 July 1992); Jon Hornbuckle (25-30 January 1994); Jesper Hornskov and Stig Jensen (April and May 1987); John Howes (1987); Phil Hurrell; Ole Jacobsen (6-10 February 1988); Frank Lambert [F.L.] (January 1990); Adrian Long and Melanie Heath (January 1995); Torben Lund (20- 24 April 1 990); Ken Mitchell and Nigel Redman (December 1 993); Michael Mitchell; Pete Morris [P.M.] and Nina Higgins (27 January-February 1994) ; Craig Robson [C.R.] and Peter Davidson [P.D.] (10-14 April 1994); Paul Ryman; Dave Sargeant (17-19 January 1988); Rob Timmins (1 1-15 February 1992) and Keith Turner. ANNOTATED LIST The approximate abundance of each forest bird species in RSNP is noted as follows: (1) Very rare, with a few records only (2) Only recorded infrequently (3) Common, usually recorded daily Winter visitors are noted with ‘W’ and species endemic to the Philippines with ‘« The listing of species as ‘threatened’ or ‘near-threatened’ follows Birds to watch 2 (Collar et al. 1994). Nomenclature and systematic order follow Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993). Included in the list below are details of ten species which were not listed for Bohol by Dickinson et al. (1991). These are Chinese Goshawk Accipiter soloensis, Rufous-bellied Eagle Hieraaetus kienerii, Changeable Hawk-Eagle Spizaetus cirrhatus, Philippine Hawk-Eagle Spizaetus philippensis, Pink-bellied Imperial-Pigeon Ducula poliocephala, Mindanao Bleeding-heart Gallicolumba criniger , Philippine Eagle-Owl Bubo philippensis, Ruddy Kingfisher Halcyon coromanda , Ashy Minivet Pericrocotus divaricatus and Scarlet Minivet Pericrocotus flammeus. Rufous Night-Heron Nycticorax caledonicus (1) Gardner (1993) noted several birds in RSNP, but these are the only Bohol records since McGregor (1907) found the species ‘not uncommon’ and observed that: ‘The natives of Bohol are extremely afraid of a spirit which they call the “cuak cuak” and at night they carefully close doors and windows to shut it out. When the night herons fly over in the early evening uttering their weird call the natives say: “There is the ‘cuak cuak’, be careful”.’ • Philippine Serpent-Eagle Spilomis holospilus (3) Sibley and Monroe (1990) split this form from Crested Serpent-Eagle 5. cheela. 1995 Forest birds of Rajah Sikatuna National Park 125 Besra Accipiter virgatus (2) This species is likely to have been overlooked. Rand and Rabor (1960) collected two specimens, Sargeant (1992) saw one bird at Dimiao on the southern edge of RSNP in January 1988 and M.H. saw a single in RSNP on 2 July 1992. P. M. and K. Mitchell found a pair nesting at Logarita in February 1995 and, based on photos, retrospectively identified one seen at the same site in 1994. Crested Goshawk. Accipiter trivirgatus (1) Dickinson etal. (1991) list one historical specimen for Bohol without details. This is held by the Californian Academy of Sciences and was collected by A. Alcala on 8 May 1962 near Sierra Bullones (K. Cebra in litt. 1 995) . In RSNP, Jensen and Hornskov (1992) saw two on 20 May 1987 and one on 22 May 1987, and Redman and Mitchell (1993) saw one on 18 December 1993. Chinese Goshawk Accipiter solo ensis (W2) Birds seen in RSNP by Jensen and Hornskov (1992)- five migrating on 9 April 1987 and two on 1 1 April 1987 - are the first records for Bohol. There are several subsequent records from RSNP, although some of these may be the result of confusion with pale Besras . The species is a winter visitor throughout the Philippines (Dickinson et al. 1991) and is not unexpected on Bohol. Grey-faced Buzzard Butastur indicus (W1 ) Single birds were recorded in RSNP on 25 March by Greensmith (1990) and on 22 March 1994 (B.K.). There are no other records of this species from Bohol since 1888 (Steere 1890). Rufous-bellied Eagle Hieraaetus kienerii (1) One juvenile seen well and identified beyond doubt in RSNP on 23 May 1987 (Jensen and Hornskov 1992) is the first record for Bohol. Changeable Hawk-Eagle Spizaetus cirrhatus (1) Buck et al. (1990) observed this species, which has not previously been recorded on Bohol, in RSNP in May 1989. • Philippine Hawk- Eagle Spizaetus philippensis (1) Near-threatened A single in RSNP, seen and well-described by Jensen and Hornskov (1992) on 22 May 1987, is the first record for Bohol. Sargeant (1988) also saw the species in RSNP, on 18 January 1988. Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus (2) Slaty-legged Crake Rallina eurizonoides (1) First recorded on Bohol by Rand and Rabor ( 1 960) and subsequently found in RSNP in May 1989 (Buck etal. 1990), April 1990 (T.L.) andin December 1993 (Redman and Mitchell 1993). • Plain Bush-hen Amauromis olivacea (1) Single birds were recorded in RSNP in January 1 990 (F.L.) and 9 March 1 990 (B.K.). This taxon was split from Rufous-tailed Bush-hen A. moluccanus by Sibley and Monroe (1990). 126 T. BROOKS eial. Forktail 1 1 Pompadour Green-Pigeon Treron pompadora (2) Rand and Rabor (1960) only found this species at 700-750 m altitude (four specimens) in March-May 1955. It is recorded sporadically in RSNP, with large flocks sometimes seen in winter (Redman and Mitchell 1 993, and P.M. in 1 994), and occasional records from later in the year. Possibly the species breeds at higher altitudes in the spring, with flocks forming at fruiting trees in the lowlands in the winter. • White-eared Brown-Dove Phapitreron leucotis (3) • Amethyst Brown-Dove Phapitreron amethystina (2) Four specimens were collected by McGregor (1907) and 18 by Rand and Rabor (1960). Records from RSNP are as follows: one on 18 January 1988 (Sargeant 1988); two on 2 July and a single on 4 July 1992 (M.H.); singles on 20 and 21 December 1993 (Redman and Mitchell 1993); and several records (recorded on 3/5 days) from 10-14 April 1994 (P.D., C.R.). Sixteen of Rand and Rabor’s (1960) specimens were from 1,000-2,500 m (Dickinson et al. 1 99 1 ), so the scarcity of records from RSNP is perhaps unsurprising. C.R. saw birds carrying nesting material in April. • Yellow-breasted Fruit-Dove Ptilinopus occipitalis (2) This species seems to be scarce on Bohol. Rand and Rabor ( 1 960) collected six at 700-750 m and there have been a few records from RSNP, with a maximum of four birds on 1 1 March 1993 (B.K.). Black-chinned Fruit-Dove Ptilinopus leclancheri (2) P. leclancherrwas collected on Bohol by McGregor (1 907), atTagbilaran and at Sevilla, but not by Rand and Rabor (1960). A number of observers has recorded the species in small numbers in RSNP, and Greensmith (1990) found a nest containing a single egg in March 1990. P.M. found it to be common in February 1995, once he had learnt the call. • Pink-bellied Imperial-Pigeon Ducula poliocephala (1) A single, seen very well in RSNP by C.R. on 13 April 1994, is the first record for the island. Green Imperial-Pigeon Ducula aenea ( 1 ) Collected in very small numbers in the lowlands by McGregor (1907) and by Rand and Rabor (1960). Two were seen in RSNP on 18 December 1993 (Redman and Mitchell 1993). Philippine Cuckoo-Dove Macropygia tenuirostris (3) Split from Reddish Cuckoo-Dove M. phasianella by Sibley and Monroe (1990). Common Emerald-Dove Chalcophaps indica (3) • Mindanao Bleeding-heart Gallicolumba criniger (^Threatened Recent records from RSNP are the first records for Bohol of this species. Buck etal. ( 1 990) observed ‘a vigorously calling bird. . .in display posture atop 1995 Forest birds of Rajah Sikatuna National Park 127 a log’ in early May 1 989. One was seen on 25 February 1 992 (B.K.), Gardner (1993) recorded the species in spring 1993, andP.D. saw a bird on 12 April 1994. Bohol birds apparently belong to the Leyte race, G. c. leytensis (Buck et al. 1990). • Philippine Cockatoo Cacatua haematuropygia (1) Threatened This species still survives on Bohol, unlike on the adjacent islands of Cebu and Negros where it may be extinct (Brooks et al. 1992). In RSNP, Buck et al. (1990) recorded singles on 6 and 7 May 1989, F.L. saw two in January 1990, and Gardner (1993) recorded a single individual flying over the clearing at dusk, and five birds feeding in a corn field adjacent to the park. The PWCF is initiating a project to assess the status of Cacatua haematuropygia on Bohol. • Blue-crowned Racquet-tail Prioniturus discurus (3) Near-threatened • Colasisi Loriculus philippinensis (1) This conspicuous, but heavily-trapped, species must be either scarce or rapidly declining on Bohol. There is only a few records for RSNP. Jensen and Hornskov (1992) noted singles or pairs on four days in April 1987; Buck et al. (1990) recorded birds in May 1989; B.K. recorded one on 8 March 1990 and six on 21 March 1994; and Hornbuckle (1994) saw a single bird in January 1 994. G.D. observed two captive birds in a house within the park on 24 July 1994. Hodgson’s Hawk-Cuckoo Cuculusfugax (3) This species is frequently recorded in RSNP (with most records being of singing birds). Oriental Cuckoo Cuculus saturatus (W1 ) The only record from RSNP is of one seen on 20 May 1987 (with singles probably of this species also seen on 8, 9 and 1 0 April 1 987) by Jensen and Hornskov (1992). Plaintive Cuckoo Cacomantis merulinus (3) Although collected by Everett (Tweeddale 1878) and McGregor (1907), Rand and Rabor (1960) regarded this species as ‘of doubtful status’ on Bohol. It is, however, fairly commonly recorded (mostly aurally) in RSNP. Rusty-breasted Cuckoo Cacomantis sepulcralis (2) The first Bohol records of this species were two specimens collected at 700- 750 m altitude in 1955 (RandandRabor 1960). It has been recorded in small numbers (mostly aurally) at RSNP. This species was split from Brush Cuckoo C. variolosus by Sibley and Monroe (1990). Drongo Cuckoo Sumiculus lugubris (3) Rand and Rabor (1960) collected nine specimens of this species, the first records for Bohol; it is fairly commonly heard (but only occasionally seen) in RSNP. 128 T. BROOKS ei al. Forktail 1 1 • Philippine Coucal Centropus viridis (3) • Black-faced Coucal Centropus melanops (3) This species is common in RSNP. Birds are often seen in small flocks, and are frequently heard. We had a total of 58 records during 23-27 July 1994 (T.B., G.D.). • Philippine Scops-Owl Otus megalotis (3) Birds have been recorded in RSNP on a number of occasions, with most records being of birds calling near the clearing. • Philippine Eagle-Owl Bubo philippensis (1) Threatened The first records of this rare species for Bohol are of singles in RSNP. One was heard and seen perched by P.M. on 28 January 1994, and another was flushed in the forest in the daytime on 26 July 1994 (G.D.). • Philippine Hawk-Owl Ninox philippensis (3) The species was recorded for the first time on Bohol by Rand and Rabor (1960), and is heard fairly commonly in RSNP, often calling near the clearing. • Philippine Frogmouth Batrachostornus septimus (3) Although the first records of this species on Bohol were those of Rand and Rabor (1960), it has since been recorded, mainly aurally, in small numbers at RSNP. Greensmith (1990) recorded an adult with a tiny fledgling in March 1990. Great EARED-NiGHTjARFRro^ropoJwi macrotis (3) • Philippine Nightjar Caprimulgus manillensis (3) Sibley and Monroe (1993) split this form from the Sulawesi Nightjar C. celeb ensis. Lesser Treeswift Hemiprocne comata (2) • Grey Swiftlet Collocalia amelis (3) McGregor (1907) lists a specimen of ‘ Salangana whiteheadi' for Bohol, but this bird is taken to refer to C. amelis by Dickinson et al. (1991). Sibley and Monroe (1990) split the C. vanikorensis complex into several species including C. amelis. • Philippine Swiftlet Collocalia meamsi ( 1 ) Three birds (listed as C. inexpectata amelis ) were collected by Rand and Rabor (1960) from nests in caves at 700-750 m. The only claimed records from RSNP are from Jensen and Hornskov ( 1 992) who recorded it fairly commonly in April and May 1987. This species is largely an upland form (Dickinson et al. 1991). Glossy Swiftlet Collocalia esculenta (3) • Pygmy Swiftlet Collocalia troglodytes (3) 1995 Forest birds of Rajah Sikatuna National Park 129 • Philippine Trogon Harpactes ardens (3) Not uncommon in RSNP, but shy and much more often heard than seen. It is apparently trapped on Bohol (R. Rigor pers. comm. 1994). Ruddy Kingfisher Halcyon coromanda (W1 ) This species is a rare winter visitor to forest in the Philippines, and has not been previously recorded on Bohol. Records from RSNP are as follows: one in April 1987 (Jensen and Hornskov 1992); one in spring 1993 (Gardner 1993); and one on 26 January 1994 (Hornbuckle 1994). • Rufous-lored Kingfisher Todirhamphus winchelli (2) Threatened H. winchelli is a rare specialist of lowland limestone forests, mainly on small islands, throughout the southern Philippines. On Bohol, one specimen was collected by McGregor (1907) and four by Rand and Rabor (1960). Single birds have been recorded at RSNP by nine observers. • Samar Tarictic Hornbill Penelopides samarensis (3) Near-threatened This species, split from the Philippine P. panini superspecies by Sibley and Monroe (1990), is endemic to the Eastern Visayas. It is common in RSNP, and is conspicuous in its small, noisy flocks. Although the species is presumably fairly common in remnant forest patches on Samar and Leyte, the extent of deforestation across the small global range of this species would indicate that it should be considered Near-threatened. White-bellied Woodpecker Dryocopus javensis (3) • Philippine Pygmy Woodpecker Dendrocopos maculatus (1) McGregor (1907) collected a single male near T agbilaran, but mysteriously, the only subsequent records are of singles heard in RSNP on 3 July 1992 (M.H.) and 1 1 April 1994 (C.R.) and seen in March 1993 and March 1994 (two birds) (B.K.). Greater Flameback Chrysocolaptes lucidus (3) • Wattled Broadbill Eurylaimus steerii (2) Threatened Rand and Rabor (1960) collected a single specimen at about 700 m and inferred that ‘the species was very rare and was found only in original forest’. It is scarce, but is unobtrusive and certainly under-recorded. The species is recorded not infrequently in deep forest at RSNP. Birds on Bohol belong to the Eastern Visayas race E. s. samarensis, which is very different from the Mindanao races, and may be a good species (Lambert and Woodcock in prep.). Red-bellied Pitta Pitta erythrogaster (2) Hooded Pitta Pitta sordida (1) Although found to be ‘abundant’ on Bohol by McGregor (1907), the only subsequent records for the island are those of Jensen and Hornskov (1992) from Loboc, where one was heard on 27 May 1987, and of Buck et al. ( 1 990) from RSNP in May 1989. 130 T. BROOKS et al. Forktail 1 1 • Azure-breasted Pitta Pitta steerii (3) Threatened P. steerii, like Todirhamphus winchelli , Eurylaimus steerii and Ptilocichla mindanensis, is restricted to lowland forest, mainly on limestone, in the southern Philippines. It is quite common in RSNP; we had a total of 14 sightings of the species in 4 days of observation (T.B., G.D.). We heard two birds calling at dusk on 23 July, fitting with Lambert’s (1993) observation that the species is regularly heard calling at RSNP in late May and June. P.M. heard many calling after rain in both January 1994 and February 1995. Bar-bellied Cuckoo-shrike Coracina striata (3) • Black-bibbed Cicadabird Coracina mindanensis (1) Threatened Listed for Bohol by Parkes (1971), but rarely recorded in RSNP. N.B. saw one on 6 March and three on 9 March 1993, B.K. recorded two birds on 22 March 1994, and P.M. saw three or four birds in a flock with C. striata, Dryocopus javensis and Oriolus steerii, by the clearing in January 1994. This species was split from the C. morio complex by Sibley and Monroe (1990). Ashy Minivet Pericrocotus divaricatus (Ml) Two on 25 February 1992 (B.K.) are the first records for Bohol. Scarlet Minivet Pericrocotus flammeus (1) Records from RSNP are as follows: four on 9 April and a single on 1 1 April (Jensen and Hornskov 1992); Bucket al. (1990) in May 1989; Curio (1993) in February 1993; two on 22 March 1994 (B.K.); and one on 14 April 1994 (C.R.). These observations represent the first records of the species for Bohol. • Yellow- wattled Bulbul Pycnonotus urostictus (3) • Philippine Bulbul Hypsipetes philippinus (3) Spangled Drongo Dicrurus hottentottus (3) Black-naped Oriole Oriolus chinensis (3) • Philippine Oriole Oriolus steerii (2) The first record of this species for Bohol was a bird collected at 700 m by Rand and Rabor (1960). There have been nine subsequent records from RSNP. • Philippine Fairy-bluebird Irena cyanogaster (2) Rand and Rabor (1960) recorded this species on Bohol for the first time, collecting one specimen at about 300 m and 17 specimens at 700-750 m. It is not uncommon in RSNP. • Stripe-headed Rhabdornis Rhabdomis rnystacalis (2) McGregor (1907) found this species in ‘some abundance at Sevilla and Guindulman’, but Rand and Rabor (1960) collected only three birds. The species is rare in RSNP, with records as follows: one on 9 April, eight on 1 1 April and four on 20 May 1987 (Jensen and Hornskov 1987); Buck et al. ( 1 990) in May 1 989; seen on four days in December 1 993 with a maximum 1995 Forest birds of Rajah Sikatuna National Park 131 day total of five birds (Redman and Mitchell 1993); a group of six in a flock in January 1994 (P.M.); and one flock in July 1994 (T.B.). • Streaked Ground-Babbler Ptilocichla mindanensis (2) Near-threatened Rand and Rabor (1960) collected 1 1 specimens at 700-750 m. The species is not uncommon in RSNP, but is difficult to see. • Black-crowned Babbler Stachyris nigrocapitata (2) • Brown Tit-Babbler Macronous striaticeps (3) Arctic Warbler Phylloscopus borealis (W2) • Philippine Lf.af-Warblf.r Phylloscopus olwaceus (3) • Rufous-fronted Tailorbird Orthotomus frontalis (3) The species was collected by Everett (Tweeddale 1878), and described as ‘very abundant in all parts of the island visited’ by McGregor (1907), although Rand and Rabor (1960) collected only four specimens. It is fairly common in RSNP with birds heard daily, but is shy, arboreal and very difficult to see. Sibley and Monroe (1990) split O. frontalis from Philippine Tailorbird O. castaneiceps. • Yellow-breasted Tailorbird Orthotomus samarensis (3) Near-threatened McGregor ( 1 907) collected a single specimen of ‘the rare Samar tailor-bird’ at Sevilla, and Rand and Rabor (1960) found this Eastern Visayas endemic to be ‘a very rare bird and encountered only in the dense undergrowth of original forest’ (five specimens collected). It is regularly recorded in RSNP but, like O. frontalis , is very shy and difficult to observe. The small amount of forest remaining within the limited range of this species indicates that it is correctly listed as Near-threatened. Rufous-tailed Jungle-Flycatcher Rhinomyias ruficauda (2) Unobtrusive and uncommon in RSNP. Grey-streaked Flycatcher Muscicapa griseisticta (W2) • Blue Fantail Rhipidura superciliaris (3) Black-naped Monarch Hypothymis azurea (3) • Yellow-bellied Whistler Pachycephala philippinensis (3) Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus ( W3 ) Asian Glossy Starling Aplonis panayensis (3) • Coleto Sarcops calvus (3) Purple-throated Sunbird Nectarinia sperata (2) • Metallic- winged Sunbird Aethopyga pulcherrima (2) This species was collected by McGregor ( 1 907) at Sevilla and Guindulman, and by Rand and Rabor (1960) at 700-750 m (10 individuals), and thus seems to be largely a bird of hill forest on Bohol, as elsewhere in its range 132 T. BROOKS eta!. Forktail 1 1 (Dickinson et al. 1991). It has been recorded in RSNP in small numbers in May 1989 by Buck etal. (1990); B.K. in February 1992, March 1993, March 1 994 and March 1 995; in January 1 994 by Hornbuckle ( 1 994); and in April 1994 by C.R. • Olive-backed Flowerpecker Prionochilus olivaceus (1) A single female was collected at Sevilla by McGregor (1907), but the only subsequent records for Bohol are of singles seen in RSNP on 25 February 1 993 (B.K.), 1 February 1994 (P.M.) andinjanuary 1995 (A. LongandM. Heath). • Bicolored Flowerpecker Dicaeum bicolor (2) • Red-keeled Flowerpecker Dicaeum australe (3) Orange-bellied Flowerpecker Dicaeum trigonostigma (3) • Buzzing Flowerpecker Dicaeum hypoleucurn (2) • Pygmy Flowerpecker Dicaeum pygmaeum (2) Everett’s White-eye Zosterops everetti (3) OTHER FOREST BIRD SPECIES Nine species of forest bird species recorded from Bohol have yet to be recorded in RSNP. These are listed and discussed below. Malayan Night-Heron Gorsachius melanolophus This species is known from Bohol from a single specimen only (Dickinson et al. 1991) and is presumably a very low-density resident on the island. Barred Honeybuzzard Pemis celebensis Known from Bohol only from a single specimen, collected at about 300 m by Rand and Rabor (1960), and from one unsubstantiated record, from Dimiao on the southern edge of RSNP, in January 1988 (Sargeant 1992). • Philippine Falconet Microhierax erythrogenys A single bird was collected by McGregor (1907) at Guindulman, but the species has not since been recorded on Bohol. This is a most conspicuous species and the lack of recent records may indicate that it is now extinct on Bohol. Tabon Scrubfowl Megapodius cumingii Near-threatened Reported for Bohol by Meyer de Schauensee & duPont ( 1 962) but there are no other records. The species is declining throughout its range (Collar et al. 1994). Blue-naped Parrot Tanygnathus lucionensis T hreatened This species is now very rare throughout its range as a result of heavy trapping, and may be extinct on Bohol. McGregor (1907) noted that ‘the “pi- coy” occurs in all the forested areas but is not abundant’, and there are no subsequent records. 1995 Forest birds of Rajah Sikatuna National Park 133 • Silvery Kingfisher Alcedo argentatus Threatened Rand and Rabor ( 1960) collected three specimens from along forest streams between 200 and 750 m, but this scarce southern Philippine endemic has not been recorded on Bohol since. • Rufous Hornbill Buceros hydrocorax Near-threatened There are no recent records of this species from Bohol, although McGregor (1907) found it abundant at Sevilla and Guindulman, and Rand and Rabor ( 1 960) collected 1 2 specimens. Only one of Rand and Rabor’s specimens was from below 700 m, and so the species may be rare in the lowlands but, nevertheless, its absence from RSNP is curious. It is reported to occur in RSNP by DENR (1992). Mangrove Blue-Flycatcher Cyomis rufigastra Found to be ‘abundant’ by McGregor ( 1 907) and two collected by Rand and Rabor (1960) at 300-350 m altitude. The lack of records of this species from RSNP is surprising. Little SpiderhunterN rachnothera longirostra Four specimens were collected by McGregor ( 1 907) at Sevilla, and three by Rand and Rabor ( 1 960) at several sites, and the lack of records of this species from RSNP is therefore rather puzzling. Our thanks go to Des Allen, Eberhard Curio, Peter Davidson, Alan Greensmith, Morten Heegaard, Jon Hornbuckle, Jesper Hornskov, Frank Lambert, Pete Morris, Nigel Redman, Craig Robson, and Dave Sargeant for taking the time to comment on the manuscript. On Cebu, thanks to the other members of the PWCF, especially Rogelio Rigor and Raul Valmoria. T.B. thanks Professor S. L. Pimm for obtaining a grant for his trip to the Philippines, and T.B. and G.D. thank Tim Fisher and his family in Manila for their hospitality. Above all, our thanks go to the DENR staff at Logarita Forest Station for being so friendly, generous and helpful. REFERENCES Allen, D. (1994) Birds seen on a visit to the Philippines Feb-Mar 1994. Unpublished report. Bangs, O. (1922) Notes on Philippine birds collected by Governor W. Cameron Forbes. Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool. 65: 77-84. Brooks, T. M., Evans, T. D., Dutson, G. C. L., Anderson, G. Q. A. , Asane, D. C., Timmins, R. J. and Toledo, A. G. ( 1 992) The conservation status of the birds of Negros, Philippines. Bird Conserv. Intern. 2:273-302. Buck, H. A., Cooper, G. C. H. and Fisher, T. H. (1990) Notes on a visit to Bohol, Philippines. Unpublished report. Collar, N. J., Crosby, M. J. and Stattersfield, A. J. (1994) Birds to watch 2. Cambridge, U.K.: BirdLife International (Conservation Series no. 4). Curio, E. (1993) Report on bird species recorded during a (preliminary) Philippines Conservation Expedition, 3 July-26 August 1993. Unpublished. Department of the Environment and Natural Resources [= DENR] (1992) Profile of national parks in the Philippines. Manila: Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau. Dickinson, E. C., Kennedy, R. S. and Parkes, K. C. (1991) The birds of the Philippines. Tring: British Ornithologists’ Union (Check-list no. 12). 134 T. BROOKS et al. Forktail 1 1 Forest Management Bureau (1 988) Natural forest resources of the Philippines. Phiiippine-German Forest Resources Inventory Project. Manila: Forest Management Bureau, Department of the Environment and Natural Resources. Gardner, I. (1993) Philippines. Unpublished. Greensmith, A. (1990) The Philippines, 4 March to 9 April 1990. Unpublished. Heaney, L. R. (1986) Biogeography of mammals in S.E. Asia: estimates of rates of colonization, extinction and speciation. Biol. J. Linnean Soc. 28: 1 27-165. Hornbuckle, J. (1994) Birdwatchingin the Philippines. Unpublished. IUCN (1991) The conservation atlas of tropical forests. Asia and the Pacific. London: Macmillan. Jensen, S. and Hornskov, J. (1992) The Philippines Feb. 17 - July 5 1987. Unpublished. Lambert, F. R. (1993) Some key sites and significant records of birds in the Philippines and Sabah. Bird Conserv. Intern. 3: 281-297. Lambert, F. R. and Woodcock, M. (in prep.) Pittas and broadbills of the world. Mountford: Pica Press. McGregor, R. C. (1907) The birds of Bohol. Philippine J. Sci. 2: 315-335. Meyer de Schauensee, R. and duPont, J. E. (1962) Birds from the Philippine islands. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia 1 14: 149-173. Parkes, K. C. (1971) Taxonomic and distributional notes on Philippine birds. Nernouria 4: 1-67. Rand, A. L. and Rabor, D. S. (1960) Birds of the Philippine islands: Siquijor, Mount Malindang, Bohol and Samar. Fieldiana, Zool. 35: 221-441. Redman, N. and Mitchell, K. (1993) The Philippines. Unpublished. Sargeant, D. (1 992) The Philippines. Unpublished. Sibley, C. G. and Monroe, B. L., Jr. (1990) Distribution and taxonomy of birds of the world. New Haven: Yale University Press. Sibley, C. G. and Monroe, B. L., Jr. (1993) A supplement to distribution and taxonomy of birds of the world. New Haven: Yale University Press. Swedish Space Corporation (1 988) Mapping the natural conditions of the Philippines. Final report. Solna, Sweden: Swedish Space Corporation. Steere, J. B. (1890) A list of the birds and mammals collected by the Steere Expedition to the Philippines, with localities, and with brief preliminary descriptions of supposed new species. Ann Arbor, USA: Courier Printers. Tweeddale, Lord (1878) Contributions to the ornithology of the Philippines. No. X. On the collection made by Mr A. H. Everett in the island of Bohol. Proc. Zool. Soc. London : 708-712. Thomas Brooks, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, M3 13 Walters Life Science Building, University of Tennessee, Knoxville TN 37996-0810, U.S.A. Guy Dutson, The Vet Surgery, Moon Lane, Modbury, Ivybridge, Devon PL21 0QW, U.K. Ben King, KingBird Tours, Inc., P. O. Box 196, Planetarium Stadium, New York, NY 100024, U.S.A. Perla M. Magsalay, Philippine Wetland and Wildlife Conservation Foundation, Inc., do Cebu Zoo, Capitol Hills, Cebu City 6000, 1995 FORKTAIL 11 (1995): 135- 150 135 Taxonomy and names of Carpococcyx cuckoos from the Greater Sundas NIGEL. J. COLLAR and ADRIAN. J. LONG The ground-dwelling forest cuckoo known as Carpococcyx radiceus has since 1923 been regarded as polytypic, with forms on Borneo (nominate race) and Sumatra (race viridis ) . Comparison of six available skins of viridis with 1 0 of the form from Borneo showS that Sumatran birds are 20% smaller, oil green rather than purplish-blue on the wings and tail, buff rather than off-white below, lack the hood of Bornean birds, and appear to have a different periorbital colour pattern (green in Bornean birds, green, pink and blue in Sumatran). Immatures also appear to differ, Bornean being unmarked whitish-buff below, purplish-blue above, Sumatran strongly barred brown and black both above and below. The two forms are thus better regarded as distinct species, to be known as Bornean and Sumatran Ground- cuckoo; the proper scientific name of the former is Carpococcyx radiatus. The Sumatran species, known only from the Barisan Range, has not been seen since 1916, and urgently needs to be searched for. INTRODUCTION The Sunda Ground-cuckoo Carpococcyx “ radiceus ”, known from the islands of Borneo and Sumatra, has been treated as a threatened species for some years (Collar and Andrew 1988, Collar etal. 1994); we maintain below that its specific name should be radiatus , and refer to it hereafter by that name. While documenting specimens of this bird at the Natuurhistorisch Museum (RMNH), Leiden, the Netherlands, in preparation for its full review in BirdLife’s planned Threatetted birds of Asia, one of us (NJC) was surprised at the degree of difference between three specimens from Sumatra (race viridis ) and other material from Borneo (nominate radiatus ), but had no time on that occasion to take measurements or draw up descriptions. It happened that, from a personal long-standing interest, AJL had already compiled a substantial body of information on the species, and consultation between us quickly revealed that specimens of birds from Sumatra are in fact very rare in collections, the only other material apparently being a fourth mounted specimen in RMNH, three specimens in Museo Civico di Storia Naturale “Giacomo Doria”, Genoa (MSNG), Italy, and one in the Zoological Reference Collection of the National University of Singapore (ZRCNUS). It seemed to us that this paucity of Sumatran material might have resulted in long-term neglect of its true taxonomic status. We duly assembled the three skins (one of which is juvenile) from Leiden and the three (one of which is also juvenile) from Genoa at the Natural History Museum (BMNH), Tring, U.K., for comparison with the series of 1 0 specimens (nine adult, one subadult) of nominate radiatus held there. We also sought to trace every relevant reference in the literature as well as every unpublished record from 136 N. J COLLAR and A.J LONG Forktail 1 1 fieldworkers, not only to help clarify the taxonomic status of viridis but also to establish the conservation status of both forms. A full review of the better known radiatus is scheduled (Long and Collar in prep.). THE HISTORY AND DIAGNOSIS OF CARPOCOCCYX VIRIDIS The name viridis was proposed by Salvadori (1879) on the basis of the three skins in MSNG mentioned above, collected by the explorer Oduardo Beccari. Salvadori wrote, first quoting from Beccari’s [“(Eh)”] notes (our translation): “Eyes blood red; naked skin around the eyes of various colours: green, blue and pale vinous-red; bill near the base blue, upper mandible blackish above, shading into greenish below and towards the tip, lower mandible greenish; feet greenish. - Lives on the ground in gallinaceous manner and was caught in a snare”. (B.) Two of the three specimens are not adult, and are in moult. They have the head, nape, interscapular region, wings and tail a dark shiny green, darker on the head; nowhere do they show the iridescent violet mentioned in the description of typical birds from Borneo. Moreover, they have notably smaller dimensions than those of birds from Borneo. It would be important to compare directly material from Sumatra and Borneo, and if, as is probable, they are recognised as specifically distinct, I propose to call the species from Sumatra Carpococcyx viridis. The juvenile specimen is blackish-brown throughout, with chestnut- brown barring; head a darker blackish; flight and tail feathers greenish- black, edged with reddish-chestnut. I do not think the plumage of the young bird has previously been described. As it happened, Schlegel (1864) had already had the chance to compare one bird each from the two islands, but only published their differences in size, perhaps assuming some sexual dimorphism (for some reason he decided that his specimen from Borneo, which was the type, was male, not female as reported in Temminck’s original description). However, he evidently developed his thoughts on this, since Blasius ( 1 884) published part of a letter from Jentink, written on behalf of Schlegel sometime after 1873 and before 1879, in which Schlegel was reported to have concluded - presumably from knowledge of further Bornean specimens - that the birds from Sumatra represented a variety which he treated under the name “N. [=Neomorphus] radiatus var. sumatranus ” (a point confirmed by Finsch 1898). It was in fact this latter author (Finsch 1898) who had the first real opportunity to compare several specimens of birds from both islands and reach a judgement. In a paper so neglected that it does not feature in the bibliographies of major syntheses like Smythies (1981) or van Marie and 1995 T axonomy and names of Carpococcyx cuckoos 137 Voous (1988) (if it did, there would doubtless be no need for our present paper), Finsch decided that viridis “is indeed an excellent species”, and furnished redescriptions and measurements of both forms that support his view and considerably extend the information contained in Salvadori’s more speculative and rudimentary account (which did not take note of several differences, most notably the extent of the hood in radiatus). However, the evidence provided by Salvadon (1879) and Finsch (1898) was either missed or dismissed by Robinson and Kloss (1923, 1924), who, having earlier readily accepted the separateness of viridis (Robinson and Kloss 1918), combined viridis as a subspecies of radiatus, despite having had access to material of both forms for simultaneous comparison. Since their work, all subsequent authors have accepted subspecific rank for viridis, clearly assuming that such an arrangement was appropriate (as so many did with the merging of Javan and Sumatran Cochoas Cochoa azurea and C. beccarii : see Collar and Andrew 1 987) and in most cases lacking access to the evidence that points to the contrary. THE EVIDENCE FROM MUSEUM MATERIAL T o our knowledge, the number of preserved specimens of Carpococcyx viridis is eight (see T able 1 ) . There are two additional possible skins. Blasius (1884) judged that a specimen of a young bird in Gottingen represented a female C. viridis, although it is not clear that he could even have been certain it was a Sundaic ground-cuckoo; we have not attempted to trace this skin. Also, a bird dissected by Beddard (1901), which had lived in London Zoo for 18 years, was reported as coming from Sumatra (Sclater 1882). It appears that the skin of this specimen was not preserved (S . T onge in litt. 1995), but in any case it seems likely that there was some confusion over its origins (perhaps it was just the ship that came from Sumatra), since Sclater would be expected to have commented on the bird’s distinctiveness, given that viridis had only three years before been described as a separate species and that this would presumably have been the first specimen, alive or dead, in Britain. We compared the first six of the birds in T able 1 with the 1 0 specimens of C. radiatus held in BMNH. The mounted specimen (bird 7 in Table 1) was compared by R. W. R. J. Dekker {in litt. 1995) with our photographs of the other non-juvenile material, and no difference was detected. The Singapore specimen (bird 8 in Table 1), measured and photographed by Mrs Yang Chang Man (in litt. 1995), conforms entirely with specimens 1 , 2, 4 and 5 in Table 1. The following descriptions synthesise our notes on the sixteen specimens we personally reviewed, supplemented by data on immature nominate radiatus in Bogor (MZB) and New York (AMNH) supplied by S. van Balen and M. LeCroy respectively. 138 N. J COLLAR and A.J LONG Forktail 1 1 specimen/museum collector label sex/age bill wing tail tarsus 1. MSNG (CE9144) 0. Beccari “juvenile”' 38.3 196 239 68.5 2. MSNG (CE9145) 0. Beccari unsexed 38.3 225 261 69.4 3. MSNG (CE9146) 0. Beccari juvenile* 31.6 191 210 65.5 4. RMNH (4) E. Jacobson male 42.8 209 267 69.6 5. RMNH (3) E. Jacobson imm. female2 38.5 181 285 64.8 6. RMNH (2) van Hasselt juvenile* 39.5 194 250 68.9 7. RMNH (I)3 S. Muller adult female 42.4 201 266 73.3 8. ZRCNUS (3.7668)4 E. Jacobson male 44 210 245 70 Table 1 . Measurements of Carpococcyx viridis. The two immature/juvenile birds described in the text and analysed separately in Table 2 are marked with an asterisk (*) . 1 It is not clear why this bird should have been considered juvenile; Salvadori (1879) regarded it as subadult. The plumage is similar to that of other birds labelled as adults. 2This bird is listed as an immature male in Robinson and Kloss (1924). Measurements of this mount) were provided by R. W. R. J. Dekker (in litt. 1995). Numbers in parentheses after RMNH refer to the catalogued order of these specimens (no other registration numbers exist for them). 4This bird is mentioned in Robinson and Kloss (1924), and was traced with the help of D. R. Wells (in litt. 1995) to ZRCNUS. Measurements, date of collection and a set of colour photographs were supplied by Mrs Yang Chang Man. Carpococcyx ( radiatus) radiatus Adult only Crown to nape purplish-black; bare periorbital skin (colour discussed in separate section below) from base of bill extending round and well behind eye; chin and throat matt black extending into purplish-black of the crown behind bare periorbital skin, thus forming distinctive dark hood. Mantle and upper back dull oil green with purplish iridescence, shading to dull coppery purplish-blue on the wing-coverts and flight feathers. Lower back dull chestnut with indistinct dark green barring (visible in Plates 1 and 4). Tail (above) an iridescent purplish-blue, (below) glossy grey-black. Breast and sides of neck pale grey shading on hindneck into dull green of mantle. Lower breast and rest of underparts dull whitish with some buffy tinging (shading into dull chestnut on upper flanks; see also Plate 2), all barred with greenish-grey (dull brown in some specimens); bar widths narrower in ventral region, broader and hence denser on flanks. Lesser underwing-coverts dull chestnut with vague barring. Bare part coloration: the label of one specimen (BMNH 88.12.10.816) reports “legs, cere and bill green, eyes bright brown”; that of another, collected by A. R. Wallace (BMNH 73.5. 12. 1791), likewise indicates “iris brown, bill, orbits and feet green”. Periorbital colour is discussed separately below; but the foregoing information on the colour of this feature, eyes and legs is confirmed by notes on the original labels of seven of 1 1 specimens in MZB (an eighth noting eye colour as grey), the other three being unannotated (S. van Balen in litt. 1995). Photographs of a live bird (Plates 1-3) also generally confirm these colours, although the iris is brown centrally and grey at the outer edge. 1995 T axonomy and names of Carpococcyx cuckoos 139 Immature (two females, MZB 17981 and 27716) Upperparts as adult, except for dark greenish-brown crown (one bird showing slight purple gloss), clearly darker than mantle; rusty brown fringes to lower back feathers and greater wing-coverts. Breast (one bird) unmarked rusty brown, belly slightly lighter with some barring on flanks and breast, throat greyish-buff with some bluish-grey feathers emerging; (other bird) as adult, but with less extensive grey, a buff throat with some rusty feathers, and buff tinges towards the vent. A male (AMNH 628443; Plates 11-12), judged by M. LeCroy to be moulting into adult plumage, has forehead blackish, back of head and nape deep iridescent blue with flashes of oil green, back oil green (centres of feathers deep turquoise), lower back brown and downy, upper tail blackish with purple iridescence. The flight feathers and wing-coverts are purple (distally) and green narrowly bordered tan. Lores, throat, neck and sides of neck are light tan, the upper breast darker (brownish), gradually fading into a lighter, huffier belly with scattered barred feathers, flanks rufous and barred, undertail-coverts rufous with some barring. Another specimen (AMNH 628444) is very similar except that the lower breast and belly, flanks and undertail-coverts are barred as in the adult, while the throat and neck are a darker tan (almost as dark as the upper breast). A bird in BMNH (89. 1.17.12), judged immature by Shelley (in Sclater and Shelley 189 1), is very close to adult plumage, but has a slight buff tinging to the off-white of its barred underparts, and the chin and throat are part black and part whitish- buff, giving an irregular blotchy effect. Carpococcyx (radiatus) viridis Adult (specimens 1, 2, 4 and 5 in Table 1; Plates 4-8) Forecrown blackish shading through blackish-green on middle crown to bottle green on hind- crown; bare periorbital skin (colour discussed below) from base of lower mandible extending behind and around eye. Chin matt black extending as a thin line below eye bordering bare skin. Mantle and upper back dull oil green (slightly paler than the bottle green of the nape) extending onto wing-coverts and into secondaries; primaries glossy greenish-black, showing cobalt in some light. Lower back dull chestnut with broad greenish-brown bars. Tail dull oil green, similar in shade to mantle but glossier, and thus looking grey- black in some lights. Throat and upper breast dull pale greyish-green shading on side of neck into green of mantle. Rest of underparts pale cinnamon-buff becoming more rufous on flanks, rather finely barred with brownish-green on lower breast and with brown on belly and flanks. Bare part coloration, apart from periorbital skin and what was reported by Beccari (above), is noted on the two Jacobson specimens from 1916: iris raspberry red (RMNH 4), dark reddish-brown (ZRCNUS); upper mandible dark green (RMNH 4) or greenish-black (ZRCNUS), edged with light 140 N. J COLLAR and A.J LONG Forktail 1 1 Measurements (in mm) Bill length Wing Tail Tarsus Carpococcyx viridis (ad) 40.72 ±2.63 203.7 ±14.85 260.5 ±16.59 69.26 ±2.74 Carpococcyx viridis (juv) 35.0 186 247 65.1 Carpococcyx radiatus 50.8 ±2.22 255 ±12.96 305 ±11.02 84.0 ±2.34 Table 2. Average measurements of 10 specimens of Carpococcyx (r.) radiatus, four apparently adult C. (r.) viridis (birds 1, 2, 4 and 5 in Table 1), and two juvenile C. (r.) viridis (birds 3 and 6 in Table 1; where individual measurements for these six last are given), with standard deviation. green, lower mandible pale green or greenish (RMNH 4, ZRCNUS); legs light green (RMNH), grey-green (ZRCNUS), nails pale greenish-grey (RMNH, ZRCNUS). Immature (specimens 3 and 6 in T able 1 ; Plates 9- 1 0) Overall rich chestnut with indistinct brown barring on both upper- and underparts, although on area of chin and upper breast the effect is more mottled than barred owing to individual feathers with dark bases and paler edges. Some feathers of wing- coverts show dull oil green suffusion. Tail almost devoid of dark barring; in the RMNH specimen it is chestnut with traces of green suffusion, while in the MSNG bird it is dull iridescent green with chestnut tinging. Flight feathers similar to tail but more obviously suffused green with chestnut edges. The chestnut on the underparts shades into rufous buff on the belly and vent. The area of bare skin round the eye is much reduced. Distinguishing features It was immediately apparent from our inspection of the above material that radiatus and viridis represent levels of divergence not normally embraced by trinomial combination. Bornean birds are larger than those from Sumatra (20-25% so, according to the figures in Table 2); our measurements of Bornean birds conform very well with the smaller samples of different birds given by Finsch (1901), Mayr (1938), Voous (1963) and Davison (1979). Bornean birds are also generally more brightly and contrastingly patterned, their chief colours being black, grey, purplish-blue and off-white, as against the dull merging greens and buff of Sumatran birds. The bare skin around the eye is apparently more extensive in Bornean birds, and may be different- coloured (see next section). In plumage radiatus and viridis differ most markedly in head pattern, with radiatus possessing a distinctive all-dark hood sharply defined between throat and breast, while viridis lacks the hooded appearance owing (first) to the black being confined to the chin, where in any case it offers a less obvious contrast with the grey-green of throat (Plates 6 and 7), and (second) to the dark forecrown shading into green on the centre- and hind-crown (Plate 4) . The upperparts of radiatus are generally bluish-purple with some green on the back and green tinging of flight feathers, whereas viridis is dull oil green 1995 Taxonomy and names of Carpococcyx cuckoos 141 Specimen Date Locality Altitude 1. MSNG (CE9144) 18.7.1878 Mt Singalan a Bella Vista [=Gunung Singgalan], 0°24'S 100°21’E 2. MSNG (CE9145) 1878 Sumatra 3. MSNG (CE9146) 1878 Sumatra 4. RMNH 10.8.1916 Air Njuruk (Pasemah), Palembang, Dempu, 4°0’S 1 03°1 0’E 1,400 m 5. RMNH 28.9.1915 Muara Sako (Korintji), 2°5’S 1 01 °1 6’E 300 m 6. RMNH 1880 Padang Highlands, 0°27’S 100°25’E 7. RMNH mounted3 undated [1833-1835] Sumatra 8. ZRCNUS (3.7668)4 26.6.1916 Rimbo Pengadang, Lebong Bencoolen [=Bengkulu], 3°18’S 102°25’E 1,000 m Table 3. Museum specimens of Carpococcyx viridis, with their date, locality and altitude information. Collectors are given in Table 1. Co-ordinates are from Van Marie and Voous (1981) and the Birdlife Biodiversity project database. (Plates 4 and 8). On the underparts radiatus is pale grey on the breast where viridis is dull pale green, while from the lower breast backwards the base colour of radiatus is off-white where that of viridis is pale cinnamon-buff (Plate 5). The barring on these base colours is slightly broader and more obvious in radiatus , usually with a more clear-cut break at the grey of the upper breast (the white line marking this break can appear conspicuous); in viridis the bars become denser and finer on the lower breast, resulting in a less obvious transition to the dull pale green on the upper breast. Furthermore in radiatus the area of the upper flanks (hidden by the folded wing) and the adjacent feathering of the lesser coverts is a strong, mostly unbarred cinnamon- chestnut, in marked contrast to the off-white of the normally visible underparts; in viridis there is no such patch of richer chestnut on either the upper flanks or the lesser underwing-coverts. Young radiatus superficially resemble adult viridis, lacking black on the throat and having buffy undersides. However, at first they evidently lack barring on their underparts - a point also made by Smythies (1981), illustrated in MacKinnon and Phillipps (1993) and depicted in Plates 11-12 - and always possess purplish-blue flight and tail feathers - a point also made in Sclater and Shelley (1891)- whereas young viridis apparently always show ventral barring and possess at first brown and then green flight and tail feathers. A note on periorbital skin colour The variability Beccari (1878) reported in the colours of the bare periorbital skin of Sumatran birds might yet prove a further diagnostic feature. From context it is impossible to be sure if Beccari meant that the colours occurred 142 N. J COLLAR and A.J LONG Forktail 1 1 as simultaneous constants in each bird, or in single succession in each bird, or as single constants in different birds. However, Robinson and Kloss ( 1 924) reported the “orbital skin at the lores and above the eye verditer green, behind the eye pale lilac, cheek pale indigo blue”, clearly taking this from the labels of the two 1916 specimens in Table 1 , whose inscriptions are identical except for using “indigo” (RMNH) and “blue” (ZRCNUS) for cheek colour. Even in the skins themselves there is blue before and red behind the eye (see Plates 6 and 7). The accounts of Bornean birds in this regard are confusing, but apart from one mention -Ussher’s- of two colours being simultaneously present (and even this is a tinge of one over the other) they indicate only a single colour at a time. This is most often “sea” or “olive” green (e.g. Sharpe 1876-1879, Biittikofer 1899; also the Wallace and seven MZB specimens mentioned in our description above) . Minor exceptions are Ussher (in Sharpe 1876-1979), who referred to “cobalt, shaded with light green” skin and Grabowsky (in Blasius 1884), who reported it pale grey, although Blasius himself detected green on all bare parts of the same specimen (perhaps he had misread a manuscript “grim” as “grau”) . Most puzzlingly, the original collector, Diard, reported the colour around the eye as red, and thus it was depicted in T emminck’s ( 1 832) original plate; and Nieuwenhuis, having earlier reported green periorbital skin, later obtained two birds in which the colour was judged (by Finsch 1901) to have been reddish or red in life (although their RMNH labels say nothing on this point). Noting these conflicting reports, Blasius (1884) speculated whether perhaps the colour changes were the product of particular food, or of physical or psychological condition. Recent observers have all reported green periorbital skin in radiatus. Davison (1979) trapped two birds, one male and one unsexed, in which “the bill, bare facial skin, legs, toes and claws were pale hoary green”; M. I. Evans (in litt. 1995) glimpsed green around the eye in a bird he fleetingly saw; and J. R. Howes (in litt. 1995) discovered and photographed a captive bird whose skin colour remained green both when tranquil and when in aggressive posture (Plates 1-2), as evidently was the case with Davison’s birds (it is, however, noteworthy that the area of bare skin below the eye is slightly tinged blue) . It would appear, then, that a possible explanation for skin colour variation in radiatus is sexual condition or diet, although plain error cannot be ruled out. On balance, it seems likely that there is a real difference in periorbital skin colour between radiatus and viridis, the former normally being green and the latter green, blue and pink. However, this is clearly an area for further investigation in the field. 1995 Taxonomy and names of Carpococcyx cuckoos 143 NOMENCLATURE AND NAMES Temminck (1832) published the first description of a ground-cuckoo from the Sunda islands. Opposite the plate above his text the name “ Calobates radiceus ” appears, but the subsequent index (Temminck 1 838) identified the bird as “ Calobates radiatus”. The Latin radiatus means “barred”, clearly referring to the pattern on the underparts of the bird, while radiceus has no contextual meaning (it might be translated as “pertaining to the roots”) and was evidently an error for radiatus , probably caused by the convergent French name appearing above it: “Calobate radieux”. Almost all nineteenth century authors recognised the index name as valid, and indeed radiatus was commonly used for a century after its first appearance. However, after Peters (1940) drew attention to the fact that the original spelling had been radiceus , the modern but evidently mistaken tendency among authors has been to accept this name. Mees (1964) argued for the correction of Temminck’s 1824 name Columba (= Reinwardtoena ) reinwardtsi to reinzuardtii in part because a later index (1839) gave the latter spelling, confirming other evidence that the former was a misprint. On the same principle, given the evident error in the 1832 name and the clear intention of the author to correct it, we submit that radiatus represents a justified emendation as expounded in Article 33 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, and should formally hereafter stand as the correct name. Carpococcyx was once thought to be related to Neotropical ground-cuckoos - Schlegel (1864) actually used the genus Neomorphus, while Smythies (1981) followed Delacour (1947) in placing it in the Neomorphinae - but any similarities must now be reckoned the product of convergence; in one recent list (Sibley and Monroe 1 990), Carpococcyx is placed between the malkohas Phaenicophaeus and the couas Coua, at considerable phylogenetic distance from the New World species. To emphasise this different lineage, a new generic English name for Carpococcyx might help. Various observers over time have referred to the pheasant-like behaviour of these birds (see Long and Collar in prep.), so that there might have been some logic in reviving Chasen’s (1935) “Pheasant Cuckoo”, were it not for this name now being taken by the Neotropical Dromococcyx phasianellus. Another previously coined name, Sclater (1882) and Beddard’s (1901) “fruit-cuckoo”, is interesting, but clear evidence of Carpococcyx exploiting fruit (a rare circumstance in cuckoos, chiefly shown by the Couinae, Channel-billed Cuckoo Scythrops novaehollandiae and Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopacea : Payne 1985) is needed before the term could be considered. We therefore suggest continuing with “ground-cuckoo” at least for the moment, with “Bornean” being the epithet for radiatus and “Sumatran” for viridis. 144 N. J COLLAR and A.J LONG Forktail 1 1 Figure 1. The location of past records of Carpococcyx viridis in Sumatra. The numbers refer to the specimens in Tables 1 and 3, the locality names being: 1 , Gunung Singgalang; 4, AirNjuruk; 5, Muara Sako, Gunung Kerinci; 6, Padang highlands; 8, Rimbo Pengadang. 1995 Taxonomy and names of Carpococcyx cuckoos 145 CONSERVATION We plot the distribution of Carpococcyx viridis in Figure 1 . Although it is conceivable that the species has been missed elsewhere in Sumatra, this seems somewhat improbable, and the limited evidence clearly points to it being confined to hilly areas; indeed, Beccari (1878) described it as such. Jacobson’s three specimens (specimens 4, 5 and 8 in Table 3) were labelled with their altitudes (300, 1,000 and 1,400 m); and the only two others with specific localities were also from upland areas. This stands in marked contrast to the bird’s congener on Borneo, which is widely known from lowland areas close to sea-level, although it also penetrates hill regions (Long and Collar in prep.). Confinement to the Barisan Range locates viridis within the centre of avian endemism labelled the “Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia Endemic Bird Area” (ICBP 1992). Altogether 36 restricted-range bird species share this EBA, 1 6 of them being found exclusively within it, and 1 2 being exclusively Sumatran (Stattersfield et al. in prep.) . However, at least one-third of the area of montane forest on Sumatra has already been lost, and two-thirds to four- fifths of the lowland forest; moreover, forest loss is probably proceeding faster on this island than anywhere else in Indonesia (Stattersfield et al. in prep.). Carpococcyx viridis itself has not to our knowledge been recorded since 1916, and must now be one of the longest missing elements of the Sumatran and indeed Oriental avifauna. Given the highly unobtrusive nature of its Bornean congener (see Long and Collar in prep.), it seems unlikely that the species’s situation is as bad as this statistic might indicate, especially considering the relative ornithological neglect of Sumatra which (until recently) allowed smaller birds like Schneider’s Pitta Pitta schneideri and Sumatran Cochoa to go unrecorded for many decades. Nevertheless, it is time this bird was rediscovered and learnt about. The Barisan Range is a major repository of biological value, and we strongly recommend new initiatives to catalogue and study the avifauna of the region, with particular reference to its endemic and threatened birds and to the adequacy of the long¬ term conservation provided for them by existing protected areas. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We express our warmest thanks to Rene Dekker for lending the three specimens from RMNH, measuring and describing to us the fourth (mounted) specimen there, and confirming our Dutch translations; to Lilia Capocaccia and Giuliano Doria for consenting, as a most generous exception to common protocol on type material, to lend the three specimens from MSNG; to Carlo Violani for arranging this latter loan, personally bringing the material to BMNH, confirming our Italian translations, advising us on the matter of type specimens and designated names, and approving the paper in draft; and to Bas van Balen, Mary LeCroy and Y ang Chang Man for providing descriptions and photographs 10 Plate 4. Dorsal view of two adult Carpococcyx viridis (left) and two C. radiatus (right). Photo: authors. Plate 5. Ventral view of specimens in Plate 1 . Photo: authors. 147 Plate 7. Heads and upper bodies of Carpococcyx viridis (above) and C. radiatus (below) (different specimens from those in Plate 6). Photo: authors. Plate 6. Heads ol Carpococcyx viridis (above) and C. radiatus (below). Photo: authors. Plate 8. Primaries and tails of Carpococcyx viridis (lower) and C. radiatus f _ T'll _ _ _ _ _ _ 148 N. J COLLAR and A.J LONG Forktail 1 1 of birds in MZB, AMNH and ZRCNUS respectively. Michael Walters of BMNH kindly acted on our behalf in receiving the RMNH material; we express our thanks to him, Robert Prys-Jones and Effie Warr for their help while working in the BMNH collection. Tim Inskipp was invaluable when AJL was assembling literature on Sundaic Carpococcyx, and also provided information on designated names. Jonathan Eames, Mike Evans, John Howes and Dennis Yong kindly made relevant information available to us, and we are most grateful to John Howes for the use of his photographs. NJC’s part in this paper is a contribution from the BirdLife Asian Red Data Book programme, funded by the Japanese Environment Agency through the Wild Bird Society of Japan. REFERENCES Beccari, O. (1878) Lettera a Giacomo Doria. Ann. Mns. Civ. Stor. Nat. Genova 13: 451-455. Beddard, F. E. (1901) On the anatomy of the Radiated Fruit-cuckoo (Carpococcyx radiatus) . Ibis (8)1: 200-214. Blasius, W. ( 1 884) Vogel von Borneo, im Siidosten der Insel gesammelt von Herrn F. J. Grabowsky. Verhandl. K.K. Zool.-Bot. Ges. Wien33: 1-90. Biittikofer, J. ( 1 899) Zoological results of the Dutch Scientific Expedition to central Borneo. The birds. Notes Leyden Mus. 21: 145-289. Chasen, F. N. (1935) A handlist of Malaysian birds. Bull. Raffles Mus. 11: 1-389. Collar, N. J. and Andrew, P. (1987) Red data birds: the cochoas. World Birdwatch 9(4): 5. Collar, N. J. and Andrew, P. (1988) Birds to watch: the ICBP world list of threatened birds. Cambridge, U.K.: International Council for Bird Preservation (Techn. Publ. 8). Collar, N. J., Crosby, M. J. and Stattersfield, A.J. (1994) Birds to watch 2: the world list of threatened birds. Cambridge, U.K.: BirdLife International (BirdLife Conservation Series 4). Davison, G. W. H. ( 1 979) A survey of terrestrial birds in the Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak. Sarawak Mus. J. 27: 283-293. Delacour, J. (1947) Birds of Malaysia. New York: Macmillan Company. Finsch, O. (1898) On the specific distinction of the ground-cuckoos of Borneo and Sumatra. Notes Leyden Mus. 20: 97-100. Finsch, O. ( 1 90 1 ) Ueber eine dritte Sendung Vogelbalge aus Central-Borneo (Mahakkam) , gesammelt von Herrn Dr. A. W. Nieuwenhuis. Notes Leyden Mus. 22: 163-178. ICBP (1992) Putting biodiversity on the map. Cambridge, U.K.: International Council for Bird Preservation. Long, A. J. and Collar, N. J. (in prep.) The distribution, natural history and conservation status of the Bornean Ground-cuckoo Carpococcyx radiatus. van Marie, J. G. and Voous, K. H. (1988) The birds of Sumatra: an annotated check-list. Tring: British Ornithologists’ Union (B.O.U. Check-listno. 10). Mayr, E. (1938) Notes on a collection ofbirds from south Borneo. Bull. Raffles Mus. 14: 5-46. Mees, G. F. (1964) Notes on two small collections ofbirds from New Guinea. Zool. Verhandel. no. 66. Payne, R. B. (1985) Cuckoo. Pp. 123-1 26 in B. Campbell and E. Lack, eds. A dictionary of birds. Calton, U.K.: T. and A. D. Poyser for the British Ornithologists’ Union. Peters, J. L. (1940) Check-list of birds of the world, 4. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press. Robinson, H. C. and Kloss, C. B. (1918) Results of an expedition to Korinchi Peak, Sumatra. Birds. J. Fed. Malay Stales Mus. 8: 81-284. Robinson, H. C. and Kloss, C. B. (1923) Results of an expedition to Korinchi Peak, Sumatra. [Addendum:] A nominal list of the birds of Sumatra. J. Fed. Malay States Mus. 8: 319-362. Robinson, H. C. and Kloss, C. B. (1924) On a large collection of birds chiefly from West Sumatra made by Mr E. Jacobson. J. Fed. Malay States Mus. 11: 189-347. Salvadori, T. ( 1 879) Catalogo di una collezione di uccelli fatta nella parte occidentale di Sumatra dal Prof. Odoardo Beccari. Ann. Mus. Civ. Stor. Nat. Genova 14: 169-253. 1995 Taxonomy and names of Carpococcyx cuckoos 149 Schlegel, H . ( 1 864) Museum d’Histoire N aturelle des Pays-Bas: revue methodique et critique des collections, 1: Cuculi. Leide: E. J. Brill. Sclater, P.L. (as Secretary) (1882) [Report on the additions to the Society’s Menagerie.] Proc. Zool. Soc. London : 358. Sclater, P. L. and Shelley, G. E. ( 1 89 1 ) Catalogue of the birds in the British Museum, 1 9 . London: by order of the Trustees. Sharpe, R. B. (1876-1879) Contributions to the ornithology of Borneo. Ibis (3)6: 29-52; (4)1: 1-25; (4)2: 414-419; (4)3: 233-272. Smythies, B. E. (1981) The birds of Borneo. Third edition. Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Society; and Kuala Lumpur: Malayan Nature Society. Stattersfield, A. J., Crosby, M. J., Long, A. J. and Wege, D. C. (in prep.) Global directory of endemic bird areas. Cambridge, U.K.: BirdLife International (BirdLife Conservation Series). Temminck, C. J. (1832) Nouveau recueil de planches coloriees d’oiseaux. III. Paris: G. F. Levrault. Temminck, C. J. (1838) Nouveau recueil de planches coloriees d’oiseaux. Table methodique. Paris: G. F. Levrault. Voous, K. H . ( 1 963) Birds collected by Carl Lumholtz in eastern and central Borneo. Nytt. Mag. Zool. 11: 127-180. N. J. Collar and A. J. Long, BirdLife International, Wellbrook Court, Girton Road, Cambridge CB3 ON A, U.K. 150 Plate 9. Dorsal view of two immature Carpococcyx viridis. Photo: authors. Plate 10. Ventral view of specimens in Plate 9. Photo: authors. Plate 1 1. Ventral view of upper body of an immature Carpococcyx radiants. Photo: M. LeCroy. Plate 12. Ventral view of lower body of the specimen in Plate 1 1 . Photo: M. LeCroy. 1995 SHORT COMMUNICATIONS 151 The habitat, status, vocalizations and breeding biology of Blue-rumped Pitta Pitta soror annamensis in central Vietnam FRANK R. LAMBERT, JONATHAN C. EAMES and NGUYEN CU The Blue-rumped Pitta Pitta soror is a poorly-known Indochinese endemic that also occurs on Hainan. Within this rather limited range, six subspecies are described (Lambert and Woodcock in press). Size and the colour of the crown and nape are the main features used to separate these. During six weeks fieldwork as part of a BirdLife International/IU CN Species Survival Commission survey for Vietnamese Lophura hatinhensis and Imperial Pheasants L. imperialis in 1 994 (Lambert et al. 1 994, Eames et al. in press) and follow-up work by BirdLife International in 1 995, new data were collected on P. s. annamensis , the subspecies occurring in central Annam and southern Laos. Fieldwork was conducted in June and July 1 994 and in June 1995. The observations documented below refer to birds observed in the lowlands of Ha Tinh and Quang Binh provinces, Vietnam. HABITAT and STATUS Observations in the Annamese lowlands indicate that Blue-rumped Pittas are tolerant of a wide range of habitat types. Two nests were found in 1994 in dark, damp flat areas of primary riverine forest with a dense understorey dominated by saplings of broad-leaved trees. In the Vu Quang Nature Reserve, Ha Tinh Province (18°20’N 105°20’E), this species was regularly observed in this habitat. In contrast, adults with dependent young were also observed on very steep, dry slopes dominated by fan palms Licuala in the understorey, and amongst tangles of vines in dark areas of primary and secondary forest on jagged limestone outcrops in Phong Nha Historical and Cultural Reserve, Quang Binh Province (17°25’N 106°15’E). In all of these areas, Blue-rumped Pitta was found to occur sympatrically with Bar-bellied Pitta Pitta elliotii. The incidence of calling and of observations suggested that both these species were common in forested habitats. However, few Blue-rumped Pittas were observed in the bamboo-dominated secondary forests around Ho Ke Go lake, Ha Tinh Province (18°06’N 105°56’E), and in this area Blue-rumped Pittas were observed most commonly on the slopes and valleys on which more closed-canopy forest was present: in 1 99 5, a third nest was discovered in KyAnh District (byJ.C.E. andN.C.) on an east-west ridge at 350 m in logged forest. 152 SHORT COMMUNICATIONS Forktail 1 1 VOCALIZATIONS Several calls of Blue-rumped Pitta have been described, all of which are reported to be given infrequently. In Tonkin, the commonly heard call is reported to be a single full note ‘waeoe’ or ‘weeya’, with only a slight inflection. This call is generally repeated at intervals of at least seven seconds. Other calls described are a sharp, breathless ‘tew’, similar to the first syllable of the call of Rusty-naped Pitta P. oatesi, and a longer, falling-tone, mellow ‘tiu’ (Lekaguland Round 1991). Calls most frequently heard in the Annamese lowlands of Vietnam were quiet, rather frog-like notes: ‘ppew’, repeated at short intervals. The alarm note has been described as a short and rather qiuet ‘cho’, usually repeated after a pause of more than six seconds. In Vietnam, a different alarm note was heard: when an adult male with dependent spotted young was approached by an observer, in Vu Quang Nature Reserve, the adult repeatedly gave a single, sharp, explosive note, ‘hwip’ or ‘hwit’, from a perch on a horizontal vine some 30 cm off the ground. This bird was very confiding, and responded immediately to playback of its own alarm call. BREEDING BIOLOGY No nests of this species have previously been described. During the surveys in the Vu Quang Nature Reserve, nests were found on 4 and 6 June. A recently fledged juvenile was observed in central Annam on 6 July 1994, whilst older fledglings were observed at various sites and on various dates from 1 3 June to mid-July. The recently fledged juvenile observed was at the base of a jagged limestone outcrop in Phong Nha, raising the possibility that this species could sometimes build its nest in crevices in limestone. The nest found at Vu Quang on 4 June contained three eggs, but was predated on 8 June, when the nest was found to be partly destroyed and two eggs had disappeared (the remaining egg was cold) . The nest discovered on 6 June contained three recently hatched young. Only females were seen incubating the eggs and young of these nests. The two nests were situated within 1 00 m of each other, in primary forest: one on the flat floodplain of a large river at 30 m altitude, the other in a flat area of forest adjacent to a stream at c. 50 m altitude (the two areas separated by a cliff). The latter nest was situated about 2.4 m off the ground in an unusual narrow fold in the trunk of a large tree, formed at the point where two buttresses intersected. The base of the nest was built primarily of twigs, many of which were branched; they were up to 1 5-20 cm long and mostly 4-6 mm wide, though one twig was 8 mm wide. Mixed in with the twigs were a few rootlets and dead leaves. The roof and sides of the nest were of dead leaves, the majority being 1995 SHORT COMMUNICATIONS 153 from broad-leaved trees, but mixed in were 1-2 pale, long strips of palm leaf. The rear and sides of the nest cavity were lined with leaves, whilst the nest cup was made with black rootlets of 1-2 cm in diameter. The total height of the nest was about 22 cm, with an entrance hole 8 cm high and 6 cm wide. The second nest, containing three pulli that were incubated by a female (Figure 1 ) , was situated in a 4 . 5 m tall understorey tree with spiny, holly-like leaves and trunk diameter of c. 8 cm at breast height. The nest was at the base of the tree’s canopy, where it was placed on a fork at 2 . 3 m off the ground and within 30 cm of an intact but disused wasps’ nest that hung from the same tree. The nest base was made of large twigs, the biggest measuring 74 cm long and 1 cm wide. These long twigs extended forward from the base to form a platform in front of the nest hole, on which the adults could land. The nest was 22 cm high and 20 cm wide externally, with the platform extending some 1 5 cm out from the entrance. The entrance was 8.5 cm wide and 9. 5 cm high, and the distance from the entrance hole to the rear of the nest cavity was 1 5 cm. The nest sides and roof were constructed of the dry leaves of broad-leaved trees, with only one skeletonised. The nest cavity contained a nest cup made of fine flexible twigs and rootlets up to 16 cm in length. The nest found by J.C.E. andN.C. on23June 1995 was situated 1.3moff the ground in a 4.5 m-tall rattan palm, and contained three chicks. It was situated amongst the branching fronds of the rattan (probably Calamus ) , and was an almost spherical dome made with dry dicotyledonous and dry rattan leaves and twigs. The nest was some 24 cm wide, 25 cm high and 30 cm deep. The entrance was 9 cm wide and 8 cm high, whilst the chamber was 17 cm deep and 13 cm wide. A 7 cm-wide platform jutted out 6 cm in front of the nest entrance. On 24 June 1995, this nest was under observation by J.C.E. andN.C. from 07h00-l lh37. During this period no feeding visits were observed, but at 08hl5 one of the parents sprang up onto the platform, where it remained absolutely motionless, not even blinking, and both observers were able to approach the nest to within 2 m. The bird appeared to be in a trance-like state and had not moved when the observations finished at 1 1 h37 . The pulli from this nest were estimated to be 2-3 days old and weighed 11,17 and 17 g, suggesting asynchronous hatching. The eggs were pinky-white with large chocolate-brown speckles and blotches that were concentrated at the broadest end and smaller spots near the narrow end. One egg measured was 2.9 cm long and 2.2 cm wide. 154 SHORT COMMUNICATIONS Forktail 1 1 Blue-rumped Pitta Pitta soror annamensis 1995 SHORT COMMUNICATIONS 155 REFERENCES Eames, J. C., Lambert, F. R. and Nguyen Cu (in press) A report on a survey of the Annamese lowlands, Vietnam, and its implications for the conservation of Vietnamese and Imperial Pheasants. Bird Conservation International. Lambert, F. R. and Woodcock, M. (in press) The pittas and broadbills of the world. Alountford, U.K.: Pica Press. Lambert, F. R., Eames, J. C. and Nguyen Cu (1994) Surveys for pheasants in the Annamese lowlands of Vietnam. Cambridge: IUCN. Lekagul, Boonsong and Round, P.D.(1991)H guide to the birds of Thailand. Bangkok: Saha Karn Bhaet. Rozendaal, F. (1993) New subspecies of Blue-rumped Pitta from southern Indochina. Dutch Birding 1 5 : 17-22. On the seasonality and distribution of Gurney’s Pitta Pitta gurneyi PHILIP D. ROUND Since its rediscovery in 1 986, almost nothing further has been published on the biology or conservation status of Gurney’s Pitta Pitta gurneyi. Fieldwork carried out during 1987-1988 (Gretton et al. 1993) was restricted to the months March-August: there is an almost complete lack of information for other times of year. This paper discusses the seasonal distribution of records based on data acquired during March 1990 to February 1993 at Khao Pra-Bang Khram Non-Hunting Area (Khao Nor Chuchi), Krabi and Trang provinces, peninsular Thailand. The synthesis in Collar et al. (1986) implied that while Gurney’s Pitta was probably present year-round in southern Thailand, with specimen records from all months except November and June, and a sight record involving a nesting pair in June, it was perhaps a seasonal non-breeding visitor to southern Myanmar (Burma) . This was based on an examination of Burmese specimen records, which came from the months of December through June, combined with Davison’s assertion (Hume and Davison 1878) that, in south Tenasserim, the species normally began to appear around 10 February; remained scarce until mid-April; became more numerous until the end of May and then disappeared with the onset of the monsoon. Some birds apparently stayed on into July. Thus for the months August to November inclusive, Gurney’s Pitta was apparently absent from southern Myanmar and Davison speculated that Burmese birds went to breed ‘probably to Siam or into the higher portions of the hills dividing Siam from Tenasserim’. 156 SHORT COMMUNICATIONS Forktail 1 1 Year 1990-1991 1991-1992 1992-1993 Total Month seen heard seen heard seen heard March - - 16 5 16 13 50 April 2 - 15 8 27 11 63 May 19 5 7 12 21 17 81 June 10 10 - 3 5 8 36 July 4 10 - 1 1 3 19 August 1 - 1 1 1 1 5 September - - - - - 3 3 October - - - - - - - November - 1 - - - - 1 December 4 4 2 1 2 13 Janiuary 4 4 3 2 4 3 20 February 3 2 20 2 6 - 33 Note: observations of birds at a nest were only scored once, at time of discovery. Subsequent sightings of birds at the nest were discounted so as to avoid bias. Table 1 . Seasonal distribution of records of Gurney’s Pittas at Khao Nor Chuchi, March 1 990-February 1993 Coverage has been maintained year-round at Khao Nor Chuchi since March 1990 and all encounters with Gurney’s Pitta (sightings and birds heard) logged (Table 1). Four further active nests were found during this period, all in June. The seasonal pattern of registrations at Khao Nor Chuchi closely approximates to that shown for Myanmar: the frequency of encounters increased during December through February, peaked during the months March to May (when 60% of registrations occurred) and then declined thereafter. There was an almost complete dearth of records during August to November, only 2.7% of sightings falling within this period (Table 1). In other words, the period when Davison considered that birds were absent from Myanmar is when they also appeared to be largely absent from the Khao Nor Chuchi study area too, and coincides with the nesting and post-nesting period. Grettonef a/. (1993) recorded a similar decline in detectability (based on calls) after the end of May. To a slight extent differences in observer coverage have contributed to this seasonal variation in the frequency of sightings, since Khao Nor Chuchi received many more visiting birdwatchers, whose records contributed to these totals, during December to May than at other times. Nonetheless, the overall pattern remains clear. If we are to accept that Gurney’s Pitta is migratory, then it would have to be migratory throughout its entire Thai-Burmese range with the non¬ breeding quarters where the birds spend the period August to November being unknown. However, the continued presence of birds at Khao Nor Chuchi during this period, as indicated by a low frequency of encounters, combined with a nest record from Thung Song, Nakhon Si Thammarat 1995 SHORT COMMUNICATIONS 157 province, peninsular Thailand during October (Herbert 1924) would seem to exclude this possibility. Why should Gurney’s Pitta need to migrate at all, since it inhabits the interior of forest and moist, shady, well-watered secondary growth, usually in close proximity to permanent water in small streams? No other Sundaic forest bird species shows a similar migratory pattern. Hooded Pitta P. sordida and Blue-winged Pitta P. moluccensis , both of which are migrants, instead are absent from Myanmar and Thailand during the dry season (November to April) but return to breed in the wet season, during May to October (Smythies 1 986, Lekagul and Round 1991). It was suggested in Collar et al. (1986) that perhaps the extremely high rainfall in southern T enasserim (now Mon State) and across the Thai border in Ranong (where over 800 mm of rain per month has been recorded during July-September), forced Gurney’s Pitta to move elsewhere to nest, but this argument is unconvincing. A much more likely explanation is that Gurney’s Pitta is resident both in southern Myanmar and in Thailand, and that any apparent seasonal difference in numbers is due solely to changing detectability. At Khao Nor Chuchi, the onset of nesting coincides with a reduction in the frequency of vocalizing. Once nesting has commenced, the birds scarcely call at all unless alarmed and can be exceedingly difficult to detect: once the young have left the nest, we lose track of both adults and young completely. It thus seems more than likely that, in spite of his considerable, and perhaps unparalleled, field experience Davison may have overlooked Gurney’s Pitta due to its reduced detectability during the nesting period. In Collar etal. (1986) mention is also made of four Gurney’s Pittas, including a nestling, said to have been taken on the mountain of Khao Phanom Bencha, Krabi at elevations of 600- 1 ,060 m, by collectors for Meyer de Schauensee, and which constitute the only apparent records of Gurney’s Pittas away from the lowlands or foothills. As mentioned by Round and Treesucon (1986), these records are highly doubtful and can almost certainly be discounted. Although, admittedly, there has been little, if any, further ornithological exploration of mountain slope habitats in peninsular Thailand since 1986, there are still no records of Gurney’s Pittas higher than 1 40 m a.s.l. Besides, Gurney’s Pitta, Meyer de Schauensee (1946) also listed Malayan Peacock- Pheasant Polyplectron malacense , Gould’s Frogmouth Batrachostomus stellatus, Striped Wren-Babbler Kenopia striata , Chestnut-rumped Babbler Stachyris maculata and Black-throated Babbler S’, nigricollis from the same mountain at elevations of 3,000-3,500 feet (914-1,067 m). All of these species are recognized today as being mainly or entirely restricted to forests of the lowlands throughout the Malay peninsula (Wells 1985 and in litt., Round 1988). Deignan (1955) has already commented on the dubious provenance of some of Meyer de Schauensee’s specimens, and reported on bird specimens collected by ‘a party of Asiatic collectors without supervision’ from Khao 158 SHORT COMMUNICATIONS Forktail 1 1 Luang, Prachuap Khiri Khan province at c. 1 1°40’N. Among these was a Mangrove Whistler Pachycephala grisola reported as having been taken at an elevation of 3,400 feet! Deignan, therefore, concluded that the collectors had falsified their data. It seems virtually certain, therefore, that Meyer de Schauensee’s unsupervised collectors did likewise at Khao Phanom Bencha, simply pretending that certain specimens had been collected from the upper elevations of the mountain in order to avoid the exertion and discomfort of a wet-season ascent. This paper thus provides some bad news, as well as some (qualified) good news. The bad news is that the fate of Gurney’s Pitta continues to be entirely dependent on the fate of remaining lowland forest fragments within its range. The good news is that there may be reason to suppose that Gurney’s Pitta nests in south Tenasserim (Mon State), as well as in Thailand, and efforts to survey remaining forests there should be accorded priority as part of any integrated package aimed at its conservation. Even if Gurney’s Pitta should be proved to nest in south Tenasserim (Mon State), it will almost certainly be similarly at risk there, since Thai logging companies have been ravaging Burmese forests over the past few years. There are anecdotal reports of huge areas in Pakchan having been clear-cut since 1988. In addition, Myanmar lacks the kind of protected area infrastructure which exists in Thailand. I am grateful to the many observers who contributed details of their pitta sightings, and particularly to my co-workers UthaiTreesucon, Yothin Meekeow and John Parr. I thank Adam Gretton and Dr David Wells for their comments on this manuscript. These observations were compiled during the course of work carried out under the Khao Nor Chuchi Lowland Forest Project, funded by BirdLife International, together with Children’s Rainforest Network. REFERENCES Collar, N. j., Round, P. D. and Wells, D. R. (1986) The past and future of Gurney’s Pitta. Forktail 1 : 29-51. Deignan, H. G. (1955) Remarks on Picus vittatus and some of its allies. Ibis 97: 18-24. Gretton, A., Kohler, M., Lansdown, R. V., Pankhurst, T. J., Parr, J. and Robson, C. (1993) The status of Gurney’s Pitta Pitta gumeyi, 1987-1989. Bird Conservation International 3: 351-367. Herbert, E. G. (1924) Nests and eggs ofbirds in central Siam. J. Nat. Hist. Soc. Siam 6: 293-31 1. Hume, A. O. and Davison, W. (1878) Arevised list ofthe birds of Tenasserim. Stray Feathers 6: 7-254. Lekagul, Boonsongand Round, P. D. (1991) A guide to the birds of Thailand. Bangkok: Saha Karn Bhaet. Meyer de Schauensee, R. (1946) On Siamese birds. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia 98: 1-82. Round, P. D. (1988) Resident forest birds in Thailand: their status and conservation. Cambridge: International Council for Bird Preservation (Monograph no. 2). Round, P. D. and Treesucon, Uthai (1986) The rediscovery of Gurney’s Pitta. Forktail 2: 53-56. Smythies, B. E. (1986) The birds of Burma. Third edition. Liss: Nimrod Press. Wells, D. R. (1985) The forest avifauna of West Malesia and its conservation. Pp. 213-232 in A. W. Diamond and T. E. Lovejoy, eds. Conservation of tropica! forest birds. Cambridge: International Council for Bird Preservation (Techn. Publication no. 4). Philip D. Round , Center for Conservation Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Rama 6 Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand. 1995 SHORT COMMUNICATIONS 159 Moustached Hawk-Cuckoo Cuculus vagans and Booted Eagle Hieraeetus pennatus in Laos! two species new for Indochina WILLIAM DUCKWORTH During a four-month wildlife survey of the Xe Piane proposed protected area in southern Laos (Thewlis et al. 1996), I found two bird species new to Indochina (Laos, Cambodia and Viet Nam) . Xe Piane is a large area (2,400 km2) of mainly undegraded semi-evergreen forest on gently-rolling terrain. Moustached Hawk-Cuckoo Cuculus vagans On 10 December 1992 I was sitting quietly in an extensive area of bamboo- dominated forest (14°32’N 106T4’E. 150 m a.s.l.) when an evident cuckoo Cuculus crash-landed in a clump at eye level only 10 m away. Although in quite dense bamboo, the head and foreparts were completely unobscured. The distinctive face pattern was immediately striking: the crown was dark, contrasting with the pale cheeks, into which intruded a bold dark moustachial stripe and a dark crescent to the rear of the ear-coverts (vaguely reminiscent of a Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus). The white underparts were thickly streaked black on the breast. Also noticeable were a bright yellow eyering, yellow legs and the dark grey-brown upperparts, reminiscent of a female Eurasian Sparrowhawk/Lqpherra'sws. After two minutes concentrating on what was visible, I shifted slightly to get a better angle on the bird, but it flew off out of sight. The species is generally rather elusive and is not considered common anywhere within its known range - Java, Borneo, the Malay peninsula and south-east Thailand (King et al. 1975). A record in south-west Laos is not unexpected as the country is so poorly known. It is impossible to guess at the status of the species there, but in neighbouring Thailand it is thought to be an ‘uncommon resident’ (Lekagul and Round 1991). Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus Around noon on 5 January 1993 I detected a distant medium-large raptor flying south-west at a height of perhaps 60 m over rice paddies near the vilage of Ban Phalay-bok (14°40’N 106°07’E). It passed lazily almost overhead in a blue sky with very strong sunlight. On first sighting it, I considered Eastern Marsh-Harrier Circus spilonotus and Black Kite Milvus migrans , but was rapidly strongly reminded of African Hawk-Eagle H. spilogaster. The proportions were rather average and the silhouette lacked striking features; among raptors of this size, the wings were relatively narrow for the length and 160 SHORT COMMUNICATIONS Forktail 1 1 rather parallel-sided, and the tail was fairly long. The plumage was, however, distinct and somewhat recalled Egyptian Vulture Neophron per cnopterus. The entire underparts and underwing-coverts were pale whitish (lacking heavy markings), contrasting with the flight-feathers. The latter were mostly dark, but several inner primaries presented a very striking pale wedge, which in the harsh light appeared almost white. The underside of the tail also appeared pale. A pale-phase Booted Eagle is distinctive among the numerous raptors known or likely to occur in Laos. Rufous-bellied Eagle H. kienerii is a congener of similar size, shape and flight actions. However, it shows much more extensive pale, of a different pattern, on the primaries and the rest of the flight-feathers never appear blackish (Clark and Schmitt 1993). The bold underside pattern in flight is sufficient to eliminate all other species; White- bellied Fish-Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster is the only species at all similar. Booted Eagle is a long-distance migrant with a wide breeding range from Spain to China and wintering chiefly in Africa and India (Cramp and Simmons 1980). In South-East Asia it is known from Peninsular Malaysia and Myanmar (King et al. 1975) and there are several recent passage or wintering records from Thailand (Lekagul and Round 1991). Wintering birds are typically known from a handful of records from each country across their range (Cramp and Simmons 1980). Thus, it was to be expected in Indochina. Bouaphanh Phantavong, Venevongphet, Klaus Berkmuller and others at the Protected Areas and Wildlife Division of the National Office for Nature Conservation and Watershed Management in Vientiane gave valuable advice and practical assistance. The survey was financed by numerous sources as listed in Thewlis etal. (in prep.), primarily B.P. (UK) Ltd (through the International Council for Bird Preservation and the Fauna and Flora Preservation Society) , the Panton T rust, Mr and Mrs J. Evans and the People’s Trust for Endangered Species. REFERENCES Clark, W. S. and Schmitt, N. J. (1993) Field identification of the Rufous-bellied Eagle Hieraaetus kienerii. Forktail 8: 7-9. Cramp, S. and Simmons, K. E. L. (1980) Birds of the Western Palearctic, 2. Oxford: Oxford University Press. King, B. F., Dickinson, E. C. and Woodcock, M. W. (1975) A field guide to the birds of South-East Asia. London: Collins. Lekagul, Boonsongand Round, P. D. (1991 ) A guide to the birds of Thailand. Bangkok: Saha Karn Bhaet. Thewlis, R. C. M., Duckworth, J. W., Anderson, G. Q. A., Dvorak, M., Evans, T. D., Nemeth, E., Timmins, R. J. and Wilkinson, R. J. (1996) Ornithological records from Laos, 1992-1993. Forktail 1 1 . J. W. Duckworth , East Redhani Farm, Pilning, Bristol, BS1 8 3EJ, U.K. 1995 Russet Bush-Warbler Bradypterus seebohmi^ a new species for Bhutan and the Indian subcontinent 161 CRAIG ROBSON Whilst listening to some tape-recordings of birds made by Scott Connop in Bhutan I heard, in the background of one of the recordings, a Russet Bush- W arbler Bradypterus seebohmi singing. The song was familiar to me and I have tape-recorded the species in China, Thailand and Vietnam. The recording was made at Damji (2,200 m elevation) in Jigme Dorji National Park, south¬ west Gasa on 23 May 1994. The song of this species consists of a repetitive series of buzzing prinia-like ‘zreee-uf or ‘zree-ut’ notes. Each sequence may contain up to 20 individual notes, each of about 300-320 msec duration, and usually given at a rate of one note per 0.5-0. 9 sec (Round 1992). This record appears to be the first for Bhutan and the Indian subcontinent. However, Dumeticola mandelli, described by Brooks (1875) from Sikkim, and subsequently synonymized with Tnbura (= Bradypterus) l. luteoventris by Baker (1930), seems more likely to refer to B. seebohmi. It was described as having an ash-grey breast, often marked with a few distinct spots, and with a larger bill than in luteoventris , the lower mandible dusky not yellow. Unfortunately, the type specimen cannot now be traced. It should be noted that the song of Russet Bush-Warbler was mistakenly attributed to Brown Bush-Warbler B. luteoventris by King et al. (1975), causing some confusion in the subsequent literature. The song of Brown Bush-Warbler, in south-west China at least, is a long, continuous, reeling ‘tic-tic-tic-tic-tic-tic’ etc. REFERENCES Baker, E. C. S. (1930) Fauna of British India. Birds. Second edition. Vol. 7. London: Taylor and Francis. Brooks, W. E. (1875) Notes on a new Dumeticola, and on Tribura luteoventris, Hodgson, and Dumeticola affinis, Hodgson. Stray Feathers 3: 284-287. King, B. F., Dickinson, E. C. and Woodcock, M. W. (197 5) Afield guide to the birds of South-East Asia. London: Collins. Round, P. D. ( 1 992) The identification and status of the Russet Bush-Warbler in China and continental southeast Asia. Hong Kong Bird Report 1991: 188-194. Craig Robson, 63 Stafford Street, Norwich NR2 3BD, U.K. 162 SHORT COMMUNICATIONS Forktail 1 1 Some recent records of Philippine birds CRAIG ROBSON and PETER DAVIDSON Details are given of the most interesting observations made during a visit to the Philippines from 5 March to 19 May 1994. The visit coincided with the breeding season of many species, enabling us to gather new data on breeding biology. RECORDS OF PARTICULAR INTEREST Rufous-lored Kingfisher Todirhamphus winchelli A single, calling male was observed at Tabunan, Cebu on 9 April (P.D.). This appears to be the only recent record from Cebu. Negros Bleeding-heart Gallicolumba keayi A single bird was seen well at 1,005 m on Mount Canlaon, above Mambucal, Negros on 1 1 March (C.R.). It was on a small rock in the middle of a well-used trail, but soon flew downhill into cover. It was in fairly open and severely degraded forest, with a lot of dead branches lying on the ground, and with few large trees. The elevation is at the upper limit for the species (Brooks et al. 1992). Far Eastern Curlew Numenius madagascariensis At least 20 individuals flying north (or north-east) along the coast at Garcellano beach, Puerto Princessa, Palawan on 28 March. Not listed for Palawan by Dickinson et al. (1991) and presumably the first record for the island. Common Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus On 30 March 20-30 birds were noted close in-shore at Bacolod Port, Negros. Not listed for Negros by Dickinson et al. (1991) and presumably the first record for the island. Roseate Tern Sterna dougallii Several birds, including adults in breeding plumage, were seen off Tagbilaran Port, Bohol on 15 April. Not listed for Bohol by Dickinson et al. (1991) and presumably the first record for the island. Little T ern Sterna albifrons T wo birds were seen off T agbilaran Port, Bohol on 1 5 April. Not listed for Bohol by Dickinson et al. (1991) and presumably the first record for the island. Asian Brown Flycatcher Muscicapa dauurica A single was seen well on Mount Canlaon, Negros on 3 1 March. Not listed for Negros by Dickinson et al. (1991) and presumably the first record for the island. Dark-sided Flycatcher Muscicapa sibirica One was seen at Sitio Siete, South Cotabato, Mindanao on 24 March. Not listed for Mindanao by Dickinson et al. (1991) and presumably the first record for the island. 1995 SHORT COMMUNICATIONS 163 Lanceolated Warbler Locustella lanceolata Two or three birds were seen and heard at Balinsasayao, south Negros on 6 April. Not listed for Negros by Dickinson et al. (1991) and presumably the first record for the island. Streaked Ground-Babbler Ptilocichla mindanensis Recorded as high as 1,260 m elevation, at Baracatan, Davao del Sur, Mindanao on 30 April. Dickinson et al. (1991) recorded it up to 1,000 m only. Brown Tit-Babbler Macronous striaticeps Recorded as high as 1,770 m elevation on Mount Katanglad, Bukidnon, Mindanao on 1 7 April. Dickinson et al. (1991) recorded it up to 1,200 m only. BREEDING RECORDS * = no information on breeding behaviour recorded by Dickinson et al. (1991) Philippine Woodpecker Dendrocopos maculatus Two occupied nest-holes were noted on Mount Canlaon, Negros, on 31 March and 1 April. ^Common Flameback Dinopium javanense A female was heard calling from an occupied nest-hole in Saint Paul Subterranean National Park, Palawan on 20 March. The nest was in a dead tree about 9 m above the ground. Philippine Trogon Harpactes ardens A pair was excavating a nest-hole in Rajah Sikatuna National Park on 1 1 April. The nest was in a dead tree about 6 m above the ground. * Whiskered Treeswift Hemiprocne comata Two nests with adult birds sitting on them were found at Minuma, Isabela, Luzon on 12 and 13 May. The nests consisted of tiny platforms attached to the upper surface of bare, more-or-less horizontal, tree branches, 7.5-9 m above the ground. White-eared Brown-Dove Phapitreron leucotis A nest-building pair was noted in Quezon National Park, Luzon on 12 March. Philippine Falconet Microhierax erythrogenys An occupied nest-hole was found at Minuma, Isabela, Luzon on 13 May. ^Philippine Fairy-bluebird Irena cyanogaster A female (accompanied by a male) was seen nest-building at Angat Dam, Bulacan, Luzon on 1 5 March. The nest was situated against a tree trunk at the base of a branch, hidden amongst leaves and twigs, about 9 m above the ground. A male carrying nest material was noted at Minuma, Isabela, Luzon on 12 May. * Scarlet Minivet Pericrocotus flammeus A pair was seen attending a nest with young at Sitio Siete, South Cotabato, Mindanao on 23 April. The nest conformed with the description given in Ali and Ripley (1987) and was situated about 1 2 m above the ground. On 26 April a bird carrying food was noted at another location in the same area. Hair-crested Drongo Dicrurus hottentottus An adult was noted nest¬ building at Sitio Siete, South Cotabato, Mindanao on 25 April. The nest 164 SHORT COMMUNICATIONS Forktail 1 1 conformed with the description given in Ali and Ripley (1987) and was situated about 10-11 m above the ground. Black-naped Monarch Hypothymis azurea A nest with an incubating adult was seen in Saint Paul Subterranean National Park, Palawan on 20 March. A pair attending a nest with two young was seen at Callao Caves, Cagayan, Luzon on 9 May. Both nests were of the usual type for the species. Island Thrush Turdus poliocephalus A pair (and particularly the female) were noted attending a completed, but apparently empty, nest at Baracatan, Davao del Sur, Mindanao on 1 May. The nest was constructed mainly of green moss and lined with strips of dead leaves; it was situated amongst epiphytes and plants covering the trunk of a large tree, and about 4.5-6 m above the ground. Apo Myna Basilomis miranda A pair was seen attending a nest-hole at Baracatan, Davao del Sur, Mindanao on 1 May. The hole was in a dead tree about 15 m above the ground. Philippine Bulbul 1 xos philippinus A nest containing two well-grown young was noted at Minuma, Isabela, Luzon on 1 2 May. The nest was a small, deep cup-shaped structure, constructed externally of dead grass leaves, and was situated in tall grass by a track, 1.5 m above the ground. Striated Grassbird A nest containing four young was found at Candaba Marsh, Rizal, Luzon on 6 March. Streaked Ground-Babbler Ptilocichla mindanensis A nest containing one egg was found by P.D. in Rajah Sikatuna National Park, Bohol on 1 1 April (and subsequently examined on other days until 14 April). The nest was a small, semi-domed, cup-shaped structure with a diameter of 70 x 50 mm and was 30 mm deep. It was constructed of dead leaves, loosely lined with roots and small plant twigs, and was wedged among the leaf stalk bases of a small, spiny palm, 33 cm above the ground. The single egg appeared to constitute the full clutch in this case, as it was being incubated on all of the four days in which the nest was examined. The egg was long-oval in shape, smooth and slightly glossy, and white tinged bluish; it was marked overall with medium¬ sized mid-brown blotches and lines, particularly around the broader end, where they formed a cap, and with underlying shell markings in the form of light, purple-tinged brown smears. The dimensions of the egg were 23.6 x 16.3 mm. This is the first documented nest of this species. Black-crowned Babbler Stachyris nigrocapitata A pair was observed nest¬ building in Rajah Sikatuna National Park, Bohol on 14 April. The nest was being constructed of fine black plant fibres, bits of moss and white cotton¬ like gossamer. It was taking on the shape of a cradle, roughly 80 mm in diameter and 60 mm in height and was slung from the fork of a sapling, sheltered by the large leaf of a nearby palm-like plant, 1.25 m above the ground . Two individuals from different pairs were seen carrying nest material elsewhere in the park on 1 1 and 12 April. A birds was also seen collecting nest material in Quezon National Park, Quezon, Luzon on 1 2 March. Dickinson 1995 SHORT COMMUNICATIONS 165 etal. ( 1 99 1 ) do not mention any nests having been found for the species, and appear to have overlooked Rand and Rabor’s (1960) description of a nest, found on Bohol, containing pale greenish-blue eggs. White-bellied Munia Lonchura leucogastra Nest-building about 12 m above the ground was noted at Balinsasayao, south Negros on 7 April. A nest containing three eggs was found in Rajah Sikatuna National Park on 1 4 April. An occupied, but empty, nest was seen on Mount Katanglad, Bukidnon, Mindanao on 19 April and, finally, nest-building was noted at Minuma, Isabela, Luzon on 12 May. All the nests were of the usual type for the species. Black-headed Munia Lonchura malacca Nest-building was noted on Mount Katanglad, Bukidnon, Mindanao on 21 April, and at Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, Mindanao on 23 April. A nest containing four eggs and one tiny chick was found at Baracatan, Davao del Sur, Mindanao on 2 May, and an occupied nest was seen at Callao Caves, Cagayan, Luzon on 10 May. All the nests were of the usual type for the species. Species observed collecting! carrying nest material: Amethyst Brown-Dove Phapitreron amethystina Rajah Sikatuna National Park, Bohol on 14 April (carrying a large twig). Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach Near Balinsasayao, south Negros on 7 April. Yellow-bellied Whistler Pachycephala philippinensis Minuma, Isabela, Luzon on 13 May (female). *Black-and-cinnamon Fantail Rhipidura nigrocinnamomea Baracatan, Davao del Sur, Mindanao on 30 April (collecting and transporting what appeared to be thin, fibrous strips of lichen). Coleto Sarcops calvus Quezon National Park, Quezon, Luzon on 1 1 March. Mountain White-eye Zosterops montanus Mount Katanglad, Bukidnon, Mindanao on 17 April (bits of seeding grass-heads). Baracatan, Davao del Sur, Mindanao on 1 May (pieces of light grey-green lichen). *Whiskered Flowerpecker Dicaeum proprium Baracatan, Davao del Sur, Mindanao on 30 April to 2 May (carrying what appeared to be thin twiglets to the top of a 20 m tree). Species observed carrying food: Blue Rock-Thrush Monticola solitarius Near Tabunan, Cebu on 9 April. *Rufous-headed Tailorbird Orthotomus heterolaemus Mount Katanglad, Bukidnon, Mindanao on 17 April (two different areas). Philippine Leaf- Warbler Phylloscopus olivaceus Sitio Siete, South Cotabato, Mindanao on 23 April. 166 SHORT COMMUNICATIONS Forktail 1 1 Fledged young observed: *GREATSLATY'WooDFECKERMulleripicuspulverulentus Saint Paul Subterranean National Park, Palawan on 20 March. Philippine Coucal Centropus viridis Balinsasayao, south Negros on 7 April. Philippine Hawk-Owl Ninox philippensis Mount Makiling, Laguna, Luzon on 7 March. Philippine Serpent-Eagle Spilomis holospilus Mount Canlaon, Negros on 1 April. Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach Mount Katanglad, Bukidnon, Mindanao on 16 April. *Celestial Monarch Hypothymis coelestis Minuma, Isabela, Luzon on 1 1 May (pair with single fledgling). Black-naped Monarch Hypothymis azurea Minuma, Isabela, Luzon on 1 5 May. *Island Flycatcher Eumyias panayensis Sitio Siete, South Cotabato, Mindanao on 26 April (spotted juveniles). White-browed Shama Copsychus luzoniensis Minuma, Isabela, Luzon on 1 5 May (spotted juveniles). Sulphur-billed Nuthatch Sitta oenochlamys Baracatan, Davao del Sur, Mindanao on 30 April. Elegant Tit Parus elegans Valencias Geothermal Site, south Negros on 3 April. Sitio Siete, South Cotabato, Mindanao on 23 April. Minuma, Isabela, Luzon on 12, 13 and 14 May (all different). Philippine Bulbul Ixos philippinus Minuma, Isabela, Luzon on 1 1 May. Yellowish Bulbul Ixos everetti PICOP logging concession, km 36, Surigao del Sur/Davao Oriental, Mindanao on 4 May. ^Palawan Flowerpecker Prionochilus plateni Saint Paul Subterranean National Park, Palawan on 20 March. *Flame-crowned Flowerecker Dicaeum anthonyi Sitio Siete, South Cotabato, Mindanao on 26 April. Bicolored Flowerpecker Dicaeum bicolor Sitio Siete, South Cotabato, Mindanao on 25 April. Callao Caves, Cagayan, Luzon on 9 May. Red-striped Flowerpecker Dicaeum australe Near Sitio Siete, South Cotabato, Mindanao on 23 April. Callao Caves, Cagayan, Luzon on 9 May. Orange-bellied Flowerpecker Dicaeum trigonostigma Sitio Siete, South Cotabato, Mindanao on 23 April. Other breeding records: Philippine Tailorbird Orthotomus castaneiceps Noted carrying nest material or food at Balinsasayao, south Negros on 6 April. 1995 SHORT COMMUNICATIONS 167 * Mountain Leaf- Warbler Phylloscopus trivirgatus An adult was seen performing a distraction display at Baracatan, Davao del Sur, Mindanao on 2 May. REFERENCES Ali, S. and Ripley, S. D. (1987) Compact handbook of the birds of India and Pakistan. New Delhi: Bombay Natural History Society. Brooks, T. M., Evans, T. D., Dutson, G. C. L., Anderson, G. Q. A., Asane, D. C., Timmins, R. J. and Toledo, A. G. (1992) The conservation status of the birds of Negros, Philippines. Bird Conservation International 2: 273-302. Dickinson, E. C., Kennedy, R. S. and Parkes, K. C. (1991) The birds of the Philippines, an annotated check¬ list. Tring: British Ornithologists’ Union (Check-list no. 12). Rand, A. L. and Rabor, D. S. ( 1 960) Birds of the Philippine islands: Siquijor, Mount Malindang, Bohol and Samar. Fieldiana, Zool. 35: 225-441. Craig Robson, 63 Stafford Street, Norwich NR2 3BD, U.K. Peter Davidson, 24 Christchurch Road, Norwich NR2 2AE, U.K. On the breeding ecology of the Little Owl Athene noctua in Shaanxi Province, China. LEI FU-MIN Apart form the work of Yin (1964), little has been published about the breeding ecology of the Little Ow \ Athene noctua in China. The following note summarizes the results of a study of Little Owls A. n. plumipes conducted between March and July 1 992 in central Shaanxi Province (34°4’N 1 07°6’E) . The study site was in an area with well-forested ravines, typically 1-10 km long and 20-100 m wide, that were dominated by a few tree species: Platycladus orientalis, Populus canadensis, Prunus armeniaca, Juglans regia and Ziziphus jujuba. Forty-three bird species were found in an area of 75 ha, of which Great Tit Pams major, Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus and Red-billed Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax were commonly encountered. Eight pairs of Little Owls were found in the study area, with an average distance of 189 m between nests (and a minimum of less than 100 m). Nests of the Little Owl were found in steep ravines in holes or crevices 1 . 5- 4 m deep, which were usually partially plugged by large lumps of earth. The eggs were laid on loose soil where the ambient temperature was 18-20°C. The clutch size was 5-6, with one to two eggs being laid every one or two days. 168 SHORT COMMUNICATIONS Forktail 1 1 The eggs were white, weighed an average of 1 5.5 + 0.24 g, and measured 34.5 ± 0.68 x 29.1 +0.25 mm (n = 6). The female alone incubated the eggs, and hatching occurred after 39 days. During incubation, females rarely left the nest. Hatching success was high with 92 .7 % of eggs in five clutches hatching, but only 58.3% of juveniles survived to fledge. Both adults defended the nestlings by chasing away potential predators such as Blue Magpie Urocissa erythrorhyncha and Black-naped Oriole Oriolus chinensis. At 12 days old, nestlings began to crawl around and feed themselves, and by 32 days the nestlings were able to fly short distances from the nest, but generally stayed at or within 100 m of the nest site until September. Thirty- two pellets collected from near the nest contained 58 food items. Two species of rodent (Greater Long-tailed Hamster Cricetulus triton and Reed Vole Microtus fords ) accounted for 34% of items, whilst six types of insect (including scarabs, click beetles and wasps) accounted for 60.4%, whilst small birds accounted for only 1.7% of prey identified. REFERENCES Yin Xiang-chu ( 1 964) [Daytime activity of the Ural Owl Sirix uralensis and Little Ow\ Athene noctua .] Chinese J. Zool. 6(4): 172. (In Chinese.) Lei Fu-min, Institute of Zoology, Academia Sinica, PO Box 1000080, Beijing, China. Notes on the Slender-billed Scimitar- Babbler Xiphirhynchus superciliavis in Yunnan, China HAN LIANXIAN The Slender-billed Scimitar-Babbler Xzp/zzr/zj>m:/iw.sswpercz7z'am is distributed in the eastern Himalayas, southern Assam (India), western and north¬ eastern Myanmar, northern Vietnam, and Y unnan province in China (Sibley and Monroe 1990). Rothschild (1926) was the first to record the species in Yunnan, but he did not document the exact site, indicating only that his specimen was collected from the divide between the Salween and ‘Shweli’ (Longchuan Jiang) rivers in western Yunnan. There have been no further reports of the species from Yunnan. In November 1990, during avian surveys conducted in the Dulong river area (in the western extremity of the Gaoligongshan region) in western 1995 SHORT COMMUNICATIONS 169 Yunnan, I captured three Slender-billed Scimitar-Babblers (one adult and two young) in a mist net. Subsequently, I made some field observations, and also examined specimens recently collected in Yunnan by Mr Wei Tianhao of the Kunming Institute of Ecology and by Mr Zhou Yunsheng of the Gaoligongshan Nature Reserve management bureau. Some notes on this species in Yunnan are presented below. Habits The species is found in forest, shrubberies, bamboo and shrubland/grassland dominated slopes near cultivated land, at elevations of 1,800-2,100 m. The specimens I collected were in shrublands at 2, 1 00 m. They are usually found singly or in pairs, although it is also found in larger foraging groups after breeding. The only vocalization noted is a three-syllabled, deep ‘do go go, do go go’. Measurements The subspecies found in Yunnan is X. s. forresti. Weight(g) Length (mm) Wing Tail Bill Tarsus Adult 25 225 72.0 81.0 46.8 32.0 Young - - 53.0 28.0 21.0 24.9 Young - - 53.0 28.0 20.3 24.2 Distribution within Yunnan Specimens are known only from three localities: Muliwa in the Dulong Jiang area of Gongshan county in north-western Yunnan; Lengshuihe in Datang township, Tengchong county, western Yunnan; and Shuitang township in Xinping county in central Yunnan. I also saw the species in Heinitang village, Guyong township (Tengchong county). The total number of individuals observed was 1 1, suggesting that the species is rare in Yunnan. Thanks to Mr Wei Tianhao and Mr Zhou Yunsheng for providing data, and to Dr R. Harris for help with the English. REFERENCES Rothschild, Lord (1926) On the avifauna of Yunnan, with critical notes. Nov. Zool. 33: 189-343. Sibley, C. G. and Monroe, B. L., Jr. (1990) Distribution and taxonomy of birds of the world. New Haven: Yale University Press. Han Lianxian, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, P. R. China 650223. 170 SHORT COMMUNICATIONS Forktail 1 1 Re-discovery of the Isabela Oriole Oriolus isabellae ANITA GAMAUF and SABINE TEBBICH The forest-living, monotypic species Isabela Oriole Oriolus isabellae is endemic to the Bataan peninsula and Isabela Province, the Philippines. The last record of the species given by Dickinson et al. (1991) was from the Sierra Madre in 1 96 1 . There is now virtually no forest left at that site and the species may be close to extinction (Danielsenera/. 1994). It has declined to Critically Endangered status and now has a patchy distribution and a highly fragmented range (Collar et al. 1994). On 4 December 1993 we observed an individual of this species halfway between Baguio village and Don Mariano Perez, about 15 km south of Diffun, Quirino Province, and near the border with Nueva Vizcaya, on the west-central ridge (foothills) of the Sierra Madre. It was at 440 m at the edge of a remnant area (1 km2) of secondary forest (canopy cover 50-70%), near a two-year old kaingin planted with bananas. The bird was in a mixed flock, near a fruiting tree, comprising two or three Coppersmith Barbets Megalaima haemacephala, one Bar-bellied Cuckoo-shrike Coracina striata , at least five Yellow-vented Bulbuls Pycnonotus goiavier, four Balicassiaos Dicrurus balicassius, two or three Philippine Fairy-bluebirds Irena cyanogaster and some Elegant Tits Parus elegans. From a distance of 5-6 m the following features could be discerned: a relatively small and slender bird characterized by bright yellow underparts, olive-yellow upperparts, olive-brown wings and tail, reddish-brown eyes, a slender/dainty greyish bill and dark grey legs . The rather similar White-lored Oriole O. albiloris was eliminated from consideration because that species has white lores and chin, blackish subterminal spots on a shorter tail, and a shorter, thicker bill. The future prospects of the Isabela Oriole in the Quirino study area are extremely poor because of its isolation from the more extensive forests of the central Sierra Madre, and its occupancy of a small, fragmented area of less than 100 km2. REFERENCES Collar, N. J., Crosby. M. J. and Stattersfield, A. ]. (1994) Birds to watch 2. The world list of threatened birds. Cambridge, U.K. : BirdLife International (Conservation Series No. 4) . 1995 SHORT COMMUNICATIONS 171 Danielsen, F., Balete, D. S., Christensen, T. D., Heegard, M. Jakobsen, O. F., Jensen, A., Lund, T. and Poulsen, M. K. (1 994) Conservation of biological diversity in the Sierra Madre mountains of Isabela and southern Cagayan Province, the Philippines. Manila: Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Cambridge, U.K.: BirdLife International and Copenhagen: Danish Ornithological Society. Dickinson, E. C., Kennedy, R. S. and Parkes, K. C. (1991) The birds of the Philippines: an annotated checklist. Tring: British Ornithologists’ Union (Check-listNo. 12). Anita Gamauf and Sabine Tebbich, Konrad Lorenz-Institut fur Vergleichende Verhaltensforschung, Savoy enstrajie la, A- 1 160 Wien, Austria. A further record of the Isabela Oriole Oriolus isabellae from Baggao, Cagayan Province, northern Philippines MARC VAN DER LINDE On 8 September 1 994 at Mansarong, Baggao, Cagayan Province I observed a large mixed flock of birds, comprising about a dozen species, including some orioles. They were feeding in some fruiting trees along a logging road. An oriole landed on a branch about 6 m away. In full sunlight I could clearly see that the lores and chin were yellow, thus eliminating White-lored Oriole. A second bird, farther away, also showed yellow lores and chin and I concluded that both birds were Isabela Orioles. Mansarong is a small settlement at the edge of the forest, where small-scale agriculture is practised. The vegetation structure is quite diverse, with patches of remaining forest, agricultural fields, scrubland and gardens. The bird composition is made up of forest species (e.g. Philippine Bulbul Ixos philippinus and cuckoo-shrikes Coracina ), as well as those of more open habitats (e.g. Yellow-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus goiavier and Black-naped Oriole Oriolus chinensis). The Sierra Madre mountain range, which is still covered with forest, stretches from north to south along the Pacific coast of Luzon. It covers about 50% of the northern provinces of Cagayan and Isabela. It is an important stronghold for many rare species, including the Isabela Oriole. Marc van der Linde, Oude Rijnsburgerweg 38, 2342 BC Oegstgeest, The Netherlands. 172 SHORT COMMUNICATIONS Forktail 1 1 A new breeding species for the Philippines: the Pied Harrier Circus melanoleucos MARC VAN DER LINDE T wo harrier species, the Eastern Marsh Harrier Circus spilonotus and the Pied Harrier Circus melanoleucos, are found in the Philippines during the winter as migrants (Dickinson et al. 1991). Summer records suggest breeding, but formal evidence of breeding has not been available (Dickinson 1986, Dickinson et al. 1991, Danielsen et al. 1994). It has been reported by Aetas (a local tribe living in the Sierra Madre) to be a rare breeding bird in cultivated areas in the Dinapique Valley, Palanan, Isabela (Danielsen et al. 1994). During my stay in the Philippines at Isabela State University (ISU) at Cabagan, I was told of juvenile raptors that had been taken from the nest. I visited the ‘owner’ at the beginning of July to see which raptor species he had taken. In a 1 m3 cage was an immature harrier. The bird escaped shortly after my visit, before I could take any photographs. It appeared that it was the only survivor out of three young, and that the nest was located at the Cabagan campus of Isabela State University (ISU), Northern Luzon. The man described the plumage of one of the parents as black and white and that of the other as brownish. This description fits the Pied Harrier, but also the Eastern Marsh Harrier (MacKinnon and Phillipps 1993). I made my first observations of the species shortly after my arrival at the Cabagan campus, on 26 June, 1992. A pair of Pied Harriers was gliding over the wet rice fields along the entrance way. There was already a record from earlier that year, made by a group of Danish ornithologists (A. Jensen unpublished). The pair remained here until at least January 1993. A pair of Pied Harriers (possibly the same) was still present when I visited the site for a second time, from 1 5 July to 1 November, 1 994. A juvenile was seen at the end of October, together with the adult pair, but this juvenile may have been a migrant. Pied Harriers, like harriers in general, prefer open habitats such as (grassy) marshes, reed beds, and rice fields (MacKinnon and Phillipps 1993). Open habitats like grassland and wet rice fields are the dominating habitats on the ISU campus and the surrounding areas. The nest was found in the newly established forest plantation at the east side of the campus. 1995 SHORT COMMUNICATIONS 173 Once, the Philippines were mainly covered with tropical rainforest. Now only a small fraction of the forest remains because of activities such as logging and kaingin (a form of slash and burn agriculture) . Grasslands and rice fields are now very extensive, offering a suitable habitat. The Pied Harrier seems to have taken advantage of this change by extending its breeding range southward, enriching the fauna of the Philippines. Which species will do the same in the future? REFERENCES Danielsen, F., Balete, D. S., Christensen, T. D., Heegaard, M. Jakobsen, O. F., Jensen, A., Lund, T. and Poulsen, M. K. (1994) Conservation of biological diversity in the Sierra Madre Mountains of Isabela and southern Cagayan Province , the Philippines. Manila : DENR-BirdLife International and Copenhagen: DOF. Dickinson, E.C. (1986) Does the Pied Harrier Circus melanoleucus breed in the Philippines? Forktail 1 : 85-86. Dickinson, E.C., Kennedy, R.S. and Parkes, K.C. (1991) The birds of the Philippines. An annotated checklist. Tring: British Ornithologists Union. MacKinnon, J. and Phillipps, K. (1993) A field guide to the birds of Borneo, Sumatra, Java and Bali. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Marc van der Linde, Oude Rijnsburgerweg 38, 2342 BC Oegstgeest, The Netherlands. Buff-throated Warbler Phylloscopus affinis restored to the avifauna of the Indian subcontinent PAMELA C. RASMUSSEN For many years the Buff-throated Warbler Phylloscopus subaffinis was considered a member of the avifauna of the Indian subcontinent on the basis of specimens collected in winter in Nepal and described as a new subspecies, P. s. arcanus (Ripley 1950). These specimens were treated subsequently by several authors as intergrades between subaffinis and Tickell’s Leaf-Warbler P. affinis (Watson et al. 1986, Williamson 1967). Recently, however, Alstrom etal. (1993) found these to be misidentified Aberrant Bush- Warblers Cettia f flavolivacea and, as no specimens from the region were then known, this meant the removal of P. subaffinis from the Indian subcontinent list. In addition, Alstrom and Olsson (1992) presented strong evidence that P. subaffinis is best treated as specifically distinct from Tickell’s Leaf-Warbler. 174 SHORT COMMUNICATIONS Forktail 1 1 Culmen x s.d. n X Wing s.d. n X Tail s.d n Wing/tail ratio x s.d. n P. affinis males 13.0 0.55 12 58.7 1.52 12 45.1 1.72 12 1.30 0.03 12 females 13.0 0.69 5 57.1 2.26 8 44.0 1.83 7 1.30 0.04 7 UMMZ 187549 12.2 — - 51.0 — - 44.7 — - 1.14 — P. subaffinis males 12.6 0.37 4 52.1 1.66 8 44.6 1.66 7 1.17 0.03 7 females 12.5 0.42 6 50.5 1.98 8 44.6 1.75 7 1.13 0.01 7 Culmen measured from skull; wing maximum flattened length T able 1 . Summary statistics for measurements useful in identification of Phylloscopus subaffinis and P. affinis I recently located a specimen from India in the collections of the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology (UMMZ 187549) that has proven to be typical P. subaffinis. The specimen, a female collected by Walter N. Koelz on 3 January 1953 at Mawphlang (25°26’N 91°42’E), about 20 km south-west of Shillong, Khasi Hills, Meghalaya, was originally correctly identified by Koelz (R. B. Payne verbally 1995) and catalogued as P. subaffinis, but has not previously been reported in the literature. I compared the Khasi Hills specimen with the USNM series of both P. affinis (n = 25) and P. subaffinis (n = 25), and found it to be a typical P. subaffinis, based on criteria given by Alstrom and Olsson (1992, 1994). The colouration of the underparts is a nearly uniform yellow-buff, slightly paler in the centre of the belly, matching in tone P. subaffinis from China, and not matched by any P. affinis (although some P. affinis have the breast buff- tinged). The supercilium is buffy, only slightly more yellow in tone titan the underparts, and is evenly coloured throughout its length. Unlike most P. affinis and like P. subaffinis, there is no hint of a dark line above the supercilium, and the degree of contrast between the ear-coverts and supercilium is slightly less than that of typical P. affinis, thus matching P. subaffinis. The lower mandible is almost entirely dark except for the extreme base, as in P. subaffinis, and unlike the mostly pale lower mandibles of P. affinis. No consistent interspecific differences were apparent in leg colour of the study skins examined. Wing length, and especially wing/tail ratio, of UMMZ 187549 correspond only to those of P. subaffinis (Table 1). In the USNM series there was no difference between the two species in bill length. Thus, all external morphological characters known to differ consistently between the two species indicate that the Khasi Hills specimen is a typical P. subaffinis. There is no reason to doubt the correctness of the locality on the original specimen label, as there seems to be no history of locality discrepancies in the extensive Koelz collections. The specimen collected in January in the Khasi 1995 SHORT COMMUNICATIONS 175 Hills was presumably a wintering bird. Considering the known range of P. subaffinis, which breeds in the mountains of southern China and winters from northern Myanmar (Burma) through Indochina (Watson et al. 1986), this species seems highly likely to occur at least as a vagrant and possibly as a regular passage migrant or winterer in north-eastern India. I thank R. Prys-Jones (BMNH); R. B. Payne, R. W. Storer and J. Hinshaw (UMMZ); G. R. Graves (USNM); and C. Robson for information and/or loan of specimens under their care, and P. Alstrom, M. R. Browning and M. D. Gottfried for improving the manuscript. REFERENCES Alstrom, P. and Olsson, U. (1992) On the taxonomic status of Phylloscopus affinis and Phylloscopus subaffinis. Bull. Brit. Om. Club 112: 11 1-125. Alstrom, P. and Olsson, U. ( 1 994) Identification of Tickell’s and Buff-throated Warblers. Dutch Birding 16: 89-94. Alstrom, P., Ripley, S. D. and Rasmussen, P. C. (1993) Re-evaluation of the taxonomic status of Phylloscopus subaffinis arcanus. Bull. Brit. Om. Club 113: 207-209. Ripley, S. D. (1950) New birds from Nepal and the Indian region. Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington 63: 101- 108. Ticehurst, C.B. (1938) A systematic review of the genus Phylloscopus. London: Trustees of the British Museum. Watson, G. E., Traylor, M. A., Jr. and Mayr, E. (1986) Family Sylviidae, Old World warblers. Pp. 3- 294 in E. Mayr and G. W. Cottrell, eds. Check-list of birds of the world, 1 1 . Cambridge, Massachusetts: Museum of Comparative Zoology. ’Williamson, K. (1967) Identification for ringers: the genus Phylloscopus. Revised edition. Tring: British Trust for Ornithology (Field Guide no. 8). Pamela C. Rasmussen, NHB 336 MRC 114, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20560, USA. 176 Forktail 1 Guidelines for contributors Forktail publishes original papers in the English language (also, in certain cases, English translations of papers in Oriental languages) treating any aspect of the ornithology (e.g. distribution, biology, conservation, identification) of the Oriental region, i.e. the region bounded by the Indus River to the west, Lydekker’s Line to the east (i.e. the eastern boundary of Wallacea), the Chang Jiang (Yangtze Kiang) basin to the north and the Chagos Archipelago, Lesser Sundas, Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands to the south; the Japanese Nansei Shoto (islands south-west of Kyushu) are included, and indeed material concerning any part of China or Pakistan may be published. Submissions are considered on the understanding that they are being offered solely for publication by the Oriental Bird Club, which will retain copyright. Referees are used where appropriate; all submissions are reviewed by the Forktail Editorial Committee, and those accepted are normally published in order of receipt. (Some further indication of the type of material appropriate for the journal is provided in the inaugural editorial, ‘The scope of Forktail ’, Forktail 1 : 3-5.) Submissions should be in one of the following ways: a) in duplicate, typewritten on one side of the paper only, and double-spaced; or b) a single double-spaced typescript, accompanied by a word- processed version on disk, preferably IBM compatible and in WordPerfect 5.1. Macintosh and other word-processing packages are acceptable, but in such cases two files should be sent, one in the original word-processed format and one converted into an ASCII text file. The approximate position of figures and tables should be indicated in the margin of the typescript. 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For localities k too small to be in the Times atlas a source of the spelling adopted should preferably be indicated and the precise geographical coordinates provided (these should be double-checked where possible). It is L appreciated that authors will not always have access to the above sources; in such cases the editor will seek to introduce conformity. English and scientific names of birds should preferably follow those provided by Sibley and Monroe (1990) Distribution and taxonomy of birds of the world. On first mention of a bird both English and scientific I name should be given, thereafter only one, preferably the English. Scientific trinomials need be used only I1 if subspecific nomenclature is relevant to the topic under discussion. These recommendations also apply for any other animal or plant species mentioned. Underlining (= italics) is used for all words of foreign languages, including generic and specific scientific names. Metric units and their international symbols should be used; if it is necessary to cite other systems of measurement, these can be added in parentheses. T emperatures should be given in the Centigrade (Celsius) scale. Numbers one to ten are written in full except when linked with a measurement abbreviation or higher number, thus ‘five birds’ but ‘5 km’ and ‘5-12 birds’; numerals are used for all numbers above ten, four-figure numbers and above using the comma thus: ‘1,234’, ‘12,345’. Details of experimental technique, extensive tabulations of results, etc., are best presented as appendices. Authors of papers containing statistical analysis should observe the provisions of the relevant section of ‘Notice to contributors’ in a recent Ibis. Dates should be written 1 January 1985, times of day as 08h30, 17h55 (24-hour clock;), etc. When citing a conversation (‘verbally’) or letter (fin lilt.’), the contact’s name and initials should be included, preferably with the year of communication. A full-length paper must include a summary not exceeding 5% of the total length. 1997 FORKTAIL 1 1 errata The status of the Green Peafowl Pavo muticus in Laos. Update and erratum to Evans and Timmins (1996). T. D. EVANS AND R. J. TIMMINS Evans and Timmins (1996) reviewed the status ofthe Green Peafowl Pavo muticus in Laos. Unfortunately, due to a publisher s error the locality maps (Figures 1 and 2) were omitted. These Figures are presented below. The opportunity is also taken to provide new information gathered during January-September 1996 and to update the conclusions of Evans and Timmins (1996). New results No evidence of presence was found in 1996 during surveys in Hin Namno NBCA, the Dakchung Plateau (near Xe Sap PPA) or the proposed northern extension of Nakai-Nam Theun NBCA. The reported presence of the species in Nam Kading NBCA in 1995 is now thought to be unlikely. Significant positive records during 1996 came from two sites, detailed below. Phou Xiang Thong National Biodiversity Conservation Area (NBCA): thirteen calling males recorded during March 1996 in rocky savannas with strips of mixed deciduous or semi-evergreen forest, with one concentration of seven and records of 1-2 at four other locations. Unconfirmed reports were received from four other locations. Dong Khanthung Proposed Protected Area (PPA) (14°06’-14o26’N 105T3’- 105°40’E): one at a pool south-east of Ban Khiam on 2 May 1996, and reports were received of presence in many parts of the area. New information also came from one site where presence had previously been confirmed. Dong Hua Sao NBCA: none was recorded in 1996 at Quan Mou (formerly and erroneously called Quan Moor), the colony site confirmed in 1 993, despite two days searching during the main calling season. A new farming settlement of nine families was found at the site in 1 996, inhabitants stating that peafowl had been heard in 1995 but not in 1996 and that at least one bird had been shot in 1995. The Quan Mou colony is presumed extinct. Another bird was reportedly shot at Ban Laogna, 10 km to the south-west, in 1995. Reports were received of presence at another site, Nong Boua-ton, some 10 km to the south. It was not possible to visit this site. Discussion These records, together with those gathered up to 1995, indicate that there are now surviving colonies in Phou Khao Khouay NBCA, Phou Xiang Thong NBCA, Xe Pian NBCA, Dong Khanthung PPA and Bolovens Southwest (formerly Phou Louang) PPA, with unconfirmed reports from several other sites, mainly in Champassak and Attopu Provinces, including Phou Theung, 1997 FORKTAIL 1 1 errata IV OTHER | o in Dong Hua Sao NBCA bateau o a a CJ in a C J2 CO It Q [MDFj 6 J a a 00 O rj* Phou Xang He NBCA X 5 a DDF| [MDFl o It X X C X a a Xe Pian NBCA c. X X o H — u u. Q u N z O o a £ Z X 0 < o < O < a Species COMMON/ORIENTAL CUCKOO C. canorus/C. saturatus GREATER PAINTED-SNIPE Rosiratula benghalensis BLUE PITTA Pitta cyanea BLUE- AND- WHITE FLYCATCHER Cyanoptila cyanomelana MANCHURIAN BUSH- WARBLER Cettia canturians PURPLE SUNBIRD Nectarinia asiatica X G bfi E ^ C/3 W 03 > 4_, O w O £ M 2 03 ^ a a? 03 03 £ xi c a (N p £ *2 o x ►_ * X w '•£ w ? c/3 G v_x CJ .S 2 x 2 O E 03 w u o X a 3 O X a Q o >» 2. X 3* _, ■5 B p o £ g <3 ^ §>.2 E ■§- "s "2 G a ^ c 1 " a 5 •*> J 05 1 O 5 -a - 3 3 t II C/3 w E X 00 s «o >SJ 2 «3 OJ 1 * o' «.!§ zJ & oi £,«'■« ■ i: -o ^ R 00 R 00 O - - d 3i'C p S Q3 u £ f. N X le O o x K c (X w u z S w t. § w ^3 - R R R C3 ^ «o 2 R A, £ ^ l g < Cj p. O U X 3 X r • 1 o c/> « A) w 2£ x *-< x X .g oj k| x 5 1 3 2 ^ x p O *5 3 ^ O x (N X + <% O m rH m f— * in w—t cn X 00 *— < •— < in X i" •— i a a a a a a a a a a a Any figure, diagram, line-drawing or map should preferably be in black ink on strong white or translucent paper; it should be called a Figure, numbered appropriately, and fully captioned. Maps must be marked with a scale and north arrow. Lettering on figures should be very neat, although the publishers will re-draw figures and typeset lettering. Good photographs are also considered. Captions for figures and photographs should be typed on a separate sheet. Authors of papers are encouraged to offer their work to one or more ornithologist or biologist for critical assessment prior to submission to Forktail. Such help as is received should naturally be mentioned in an acknowledgement section before the full references are presented. References in the text should follow the form ‘(Campbell and Lack 1985)’ and ‘King et al. (1975) suggest. . . ’ . More than one within the same parentheses should be chronologically listed, alphabetically if of the same year. Publications by the same authors in the same year may be distinguished by ‘a’, ‘b’, etc., after die date. Full references must be listed alphabetically at the end in the form: Campbell, B. and Lack, E. eds. (1985) A dictionary of birds. Calton (Staffordshire, U.K.): T. and A. D. Poyser. King, B. F., Dickinson, E. C. and Woodcock, M. W. (1975 ) A field guide to the birds of South-East Asia. London: Collins. Kuroda, Nh., ed. (1984) Ketteiban seibutsu daizukan; chomi [Illustrations of animals and plants: birds ] . Tokyo: Sekai Bunkasha. (In Japanese.) Roslyakov, G. E. (1985) [‘Information on the distribution and number of Aix galericulata and Mergus squamatus over Khabarovsk Territory.’] Pp. 101-102 in N. M. Litvinenko, ed. Rare and endangered birds of the Far East. Vladivostok: Far East Science Center, Academy of Sciences of the USSR. (In Russian.) Sien Yao-hua, Kuan Kuan-Hsun and Zheng Zuo-xin (1964) [‘An avifaunal survey of the Chinghai province.’] Acta Zool. Sinica 16: 690-709. (In Chinese.) Smythies, B. E. (1 98 1 ) The birds of Borneo. Third edition. Kota Kinabalu and Kuala Lumpur: The Sabah Society and the Malayan Nature Society. Somadikarta, S. (1986) Collocalia linchi Horsfield & Moore - a revision. Bull. Brit. Om. Club 106: 32- 40. White, C. M. N. and Bruce, M. D. (1986) The birds of Wallacea (Sulawesi, the Moluccas and Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia): an annotated check-list. London: British Ornithologists’ Union (Check-list no. 7). 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Y 1997 No. 12 THE NATURAL 1 HISTORY MUSEUM -5 NOV 1997 F PHASED TR ^G LIBRARY OBC Council in 1996 Mike Blair (Secretary) David Blakesley (Assistant Forktail Editor) Richard Bosanquet (Membership Database) Seb Buckton (Information Officer) Mike Crosby Richard Eden (Promotions Officer) Nona Finch Melanie Heath (Conservation Officer) Tim Inskipp ( Forktail Editor) Peter Morris (Meetings Officer) Adrian Pitches (Publicity Officer) Colin Poole (Chairman) Nick Pope Nigel Redman Steve Rowland (Membership Development) Graeme Spinks (Treasurer) Simon Stirrup (Print Officer) Brian Sykes (Representatives Coordinator and acting Sales Officer) Richard Thomas (co-opted) Editorial Committee David Blakesley (Assistant Forktail Editor), Mike Crosby, Guy Dutson, Rob Innes, Tim Inskipp {Forktail Editor), Adrian Long, Colin Poole, Michael Rank, Nigel Redman, Craig Robson, Helen Taylor, Richard Thomas (Bulletin Editor) OBC Representatives Alan McBride and Richard Noske (Australia); Anisuzzaman Khan (Bangladesh); Filip Verbelen (Belgium); Tony Gaston (Canada); Yao-kuang Tan (China); Jiri Mlikovsky (Czech Republic); Morten Strange and Anders Prieme (Denmark); Hannu Jannes (Fin¬ land); Jean-Claude Porchier (France); Axel Braunlich (Germany); Geoff Carey and C. Y. Lam (Hong Kong); Asad Rahmani and Bikram Grewal (India); Rudyanto and Bas van Balen (Indonesia); Chris Murphy (Ireland); Carlo Violani (Italy); Akira Hibi (Japan); Jin- Young Park (Korea); Allen Jeyarajasingam and Mike Chong (Malaysia); Rajendra Suwal (Nepal); Jelle Scharringa (Netherlands); Oystein Storkersen (Norway); Ashiq Ahmad Khan and Aleem Ahmad Khan (Pakistan); Bias R. Tabaranza, Jr. (Philippines); Lim Kim Seng (Singapore); Sareth Kotagama and Upali Ekanayake (Sri Lanka); Per Alstrom (Sweden); Beat Wartmann (Switzerland); Philip Round and Uthai Treesucon (Thailand); Robert Kennedy (USA); Jonathan Eames and Nguyen Cu (Vietnam). The Oriental Bird Club has been established for ornithologists throughout the world, both amateur and professional, who share a common interest in the region’s birds and wish to assist in their conservation. The Club aims to: • Encourage an interest in the birds of the Oriental Region and their conservation • Liaise with, and promote the work of, existing regional societies • Collate and publish material on Oriental birds Membership Member (individual): £15 p. a. Family member £20 p.a. Reduced rate member: £10 p.a. For national residents in the Orient belonging to other Oriental ornithological or natural history societies Libraries and Academic Institutions: £25 p.a. Business Supporter: £45 p.a. Supporting (Sponsoring) member £25 p.a. For further information please write to: The Oriental Bird Club c/o The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire, SG19 2DL, U.K. Cover picture: Dusky Munia Lonchura fuscans , painting by Michael O’Clery Forktail 12 FORKTAIL Number 12, August 1997 CONTENTS C. MISHRA Pheasants and other birds of Majhatal Harsang Wildlife Sanctuary, Himachal Pradesh India . j B. PANDAV Birds of Bhitarkanika mangroves, eastern India . 9 D. MOHAN Birds of New Forest, Dehra Dun, India . 21 D. ALLEN, J. ANDERTON and K. KAZMIERCZAK Report on an ornithological visit to Buxa Tiger Reserve, West Bengal, India, 17 February to 6 March 1992 . 31 R. B. TYMSTRA, S. CONNOP and C. TSERING Some bird observations from central Bhutan, May 1994 . 49 A. R. RAHMANI Status and distribution of White-browed Bushchat Saxicola macrorhyncha in India . 61 J. K. TIWARI and A. R. RAHMANI Notes on the current status and ecology of the White-naped Tit Pams nuchalis in Kutch, Gujarat, India . 79 A. J. URFI The significance of Delhi Zoo for wild waterbirds, with special reference to Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala . 87 P. DAVIDAR, T. R. K. YOGANAND, T. GANESH and N. JOSHI An assessment of common and rare forest bird species of the Andaman islands . 99 V. GOKULA and L. VIJAYAN Birds of Dr J. Jayalalitha (Mudumalai) Wildlife Sanctuary, India . 107 J. W. DUCKWORTH, R. J. WILKINSON, R. J. TIZARD, R. N. KELSH and M. I. EVANS Bird records from Similajau National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia . 117 Short notes K. M. N. HUDA Some observations on the nesting activities of Chestnut-headed Merops leschenaulti and Green Bee-eaters M. orientalis in Chittagong, Bangladesh . 155 V. SANTHARAM Birds feeding on flowers . 157 D. ALLEN Unusual feeding behaviour of Black-faced Spoonbills Platalea minor . 161 J. EAMES Some additions to the list of birds of Vietnam . 163 E. MEY Records of Blunt-winged Warbler Acrocephalus concinens in north Vietnam . 166 E. R. MEEK Corn Crake Crex crex: a new species for Vietnam and South-East Asia . 168 Guidelines for contributors . 170 ISSN 0950-1746 © Oriental Bird Club 1997 Published for the Oriental Bird Club by T Rubythroat Publications Parr House, 63 Hatch Lane Old Basing, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG23 7EB Printed on recycled paper by GL Print, Aldermaston, U.K. 1996 FORKTAIL 12 (1996): 1 - 8 l Pheasants and other birds of Majhatal Harsang Wildlife Sanctuary, Himachal Pradesh, India CHARUDUTT MISHRA The birds seen between November 1 992 and May 1 993 in Majhatal Harsang Wildlife Sanctuary, Indian Himalaya, are documented. A total of 106 species was identified, which included nine Phasianidae. Majhatal Harsang Wildlife Sanctuary (MHWS) (76°55' to 77°5’E and 3 1 ° 1 5' to 3 1 ° 1 8’N) is located in the middle Himalaya in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. The area has a subtropical monsoonal climate, with altitude ranging from about 575 m to 1,985 m. Chir Pine Pinus roxburghii and Ban Oak Quercus leucotrichophora forests, and subtropical Euphorbia scrub are the major vegetation types (Champion and Seth 1968). The fauna of MHWS includes Leopard Panthera pardus, which is the top mammalian predator. Other predators are Jungle Cat Felis chaus , Asiatic Black Bear Ursus thibetanus, and Yellow-throated Marten Martes flavigula. Lammergeier Gypaetus barbatus is a potential avian predator. The area has four species of wild ungulates; Indian Muntjac Muntiacus muntjac, Common Goral Naemorhedus goral, Wild Pig Sus scrofa and Sambar Cervus unicolor. Seventeen villages populated by about 750 inhabitants are located inside MHWS. Cultivation and livestock rearing are the main occupation of these people. Information on the avifauna of the area was collected during a six-month study on Goral, between November 1992 and May 1993 (Mishra 1993). The study period encompassed winter, followed by spring and the early part of summer. The presence of nine species of the family Phasianidae was confirmed, and a total of 106 species of birds was identified. Most observations of birds were confined to altitudes between 1,400m and 1,900m. Twice I conducted surveys at a lower altitude (575m). Since I did not record each sighting individually, only a subjective abundance index (common or uncommon) was assigned to each species. However, in the case of Phasianidae, I recorded the group size and the habitat type for each sighting. The habitat types were categorized largely based on the vegetation structure. These were : 1. Terraced Fields (TF) - These were confined to the vicinity of villages. Villagers largely cultivate maize, wheat, and mustard, and some paddy in the low-lying areas. 2 C. MISHRA Forktail 12 2. Closed forest with high understorey (CFHU) - These were represented by mixed forests at lower altitudes and some oak-dominated forests at higher altitudes (above 1,400m). The understorey had dense shrub cover. 3 . Closed forest with low understorey (CFLU) - These were oak-dominated forests at higher altitudes. The understorey had little shrub cover. 4. Dense nullah (DN) - The nullahs (wide gullies) in the vicinity of villages had extensive shrub cover. The trees were relatively few. 5. Open forest (OF) - This included open pine and oak-pine forests and the treeless rocky meadows. These were rich in grass cover, and had low tree and shrub cover. 6. Scrub (Scr) - This included largely treeless areas with extensive shrub cover dominated by Euphorbia, Dodonea viscosa, and Woodfordia fruticosa. 7. Dense pine forest (DPF) - This included young, unthinned plantations of pine, with high tree density but low shrub cover. Phasianidae Black Francolin Francolinus francolinus The modal group size for Black Francolin was 1 (range 1-2) and the mean 1.304 ± 0.098 (n = 23). The sightings were largely restricted to terraced fields (87%) (Table 1). Chukar Alectoris chukar The modal group size for Chukar was 2 (range 2-6) and the mean 3.400 + 0.748 (n = 5). Chukar was twice seen in terraced fields and twice in scrub (Table 1). Indian Peafowl Pavo cristatus There was only one sighting of two Peafowl at an altitude of about 750 m. These were seen in a terraced field. Kalij Pheasant Lophura leucomelanos The modal group size for Kalij was 1 (range 1-5), and the mean 1.322 + 0.217 (n = 37). Maximum sightings of Kalij were in closed forest with high undergrowth (35%), followed by dense nullah (22%), and terraced fields (19%) (Table 1). The crop of a female kalij, shot by a villager in his terraced fields, consisted entirely of flowers and leaves of Berberis asiatica. Ali and Ripley (1987) list the food of Kalij as grains, seeds, shoots, insects and their larvae, and small reptiles. Koklass Pheasant Pucrasia macrolopha There was only one sighting of a male Koklass Pheasant at an altitude of about 1800 m. The bird was seen on the ground in open forest within 2-3 m of a group of feeding goral. Cheer Pheasant Catreus wallichii The modal group size for Cheer Pheasant was 1 (range 1-5), and the mean 2.333 + 0.714 (n = 6). Three of the six sightings were in open forest. There were two sightings in dense nullah, and one in dense pine forest. My assistant once saw a group of five roosting on a Primus pudduni tree in a dense nullah, 4-5 m above the ground. 1996 Pheasants and other birds of Majhatal Harsang Wildlife Sanctuary 3 SPECIES (total sightings) TF SIGHTINGS IN DIFFERENT HABITATS CFHU CFLU DN OF Scr DPF Black Francolin (23) 20 1 0 1 1 0 0 Chukar (5) 2 1 0 0 0 2 0 Indian Peafowl (1) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 Kalij Pheasant (37) 7 13 0 8 3 1 5 Koklass Pheasant (1) 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Cheer Pheasant (6) 0 0 0 2 3 0 1 Jungle Bush Quail (1) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 TF: terraced field; CFHU: closed forest with high undergrowth; CFLU: closed forest with low undergrowth; DN: dense nullah; OF: open forest; Scr: Scrub; DPF: dense pine forest (see text for details) Table 1 . Sightings of Phasianidae in Majhatal Harsang Wildlife Sanctuary, Himachal Pradesh, India Jungle Bush Quail Perdicula asiatica A group of eight was seen once in a terraced field. Grey Francolin Francolinus pondicerianus and Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus were confirmed from their calls; they seemed to be restricted to the lower reaches of the sanctuary (below 1,400 m). Interestingly, up to five species of Phasianidae were seen in terraced fields, which is the maximum for any habitat type. Although this is probably due to biases in sampling, (e.g. greater sampling of terraced fields, since I was staying in a village), the combination of terraced fields and dense nullahs seems to be much used by Phasianidae in the study area. I am indebted to the Director, Wildlife Institute of India, for funding the Goral research. The Himachal Pradesh Forest Department is thanked for their support in field-work. Hira Singh’s enthusiasm made the field-work enjoyable. Dr. A. J. T. Johnsingh is thanked for his comments on this paper. Charudutt Mishra, Wildlife Institute of India, P. O, .Box# 18, GPO, Dehradun- 248001, India REFERENCES Ali, S. and Ripley, S. D. (1987) Compact handbook of the birds of India and Pakistan. New Delhi: Oxford University Press. Champion, H. G. and Seth, S. K. (1968) A revised survey of the forest types of India. Delhi: Manager of Publications. Mishra, C. (1993) Habitat use by goral ( Nemorhaedus goral bedfordi) in Majhatal Harsang Wildlife 4 C. MISHRA Forktail 12 Sanctuary, Himachal Pradesh, India. M.S. thesis submitted to Saurashtra University, Rajkot, India List of birds sighted in Majhatal Harsang Wildlife Sanctuary, Himachal Pradesh, India. Chukar Alectoris chukar Grey Francoun Francolinus pondicerianus Black Francoun Francolinus francolinus Jungle Bush Quail Perdicula asiatica Koklass Pheasant Pucrasia macrolopha Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus Kauj Pheasant Lophura leucomelanos Cheer Pheasant Catreus wallichii Indian Peafowl Pavo cristaius Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker Dendrocopos canicapillus Brown-fronted Woodpecker Dendrocopos auriceps Lesser Yellownape Pic us chlorolophus Scaly-belued Woodpecker Picus squamatus Grey-headed Woodpecker Picus canus Great Barbet Megalaima virens Blue-throated Barbet Megalaima asiatica Common Hoopoe Upupa epops White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smymensis Green Bee-eater Merops orientalis Common Hawk Cuckoo Hierococcyx varius Indian Cuckoo Cuculus micropterus Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus Drongo Cuckoo Sumiculus lugubris Slaty-headed Parakeet Psittacula hirnalayana Plum-headed Parakeet Psittacula cyanocephala Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba Eurasian Eagle Owl Bubo bubo Collared Owlet Glaucidium brodiei Asian Barred Owlet Glaucidium cuculoides Rock Pigeon Columba livia Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto Yellow-footed Green Pigeon Treron phoenicoptera Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caertdeus Black Kite Milvus migrans Lammergeier Gypaetus barbatus Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus White-rumped Vulture Gyps bengalensis Himalayan Griffon Gyps himalayensis Red-headed Vulture Sarcogyps calvus Short-toed Snake Eagle Circaetus gallicus C u c u, s u u c c u u c u u u c c (largely seen at lower altitudes) c, s u (seen only near village ponds) u, s (a flock seen only once in spring, over terraced fields) c, s c, s c, s c, s c (commonly seen in the forest feeding on fruits of Comus oblonga and Pruntts puddutn. Seen during the monsoon of 1994 c u, s c (commonly heard almost throughout the day in pine forest) c c (commonly seen in the villages, but rarely in the forest) c, s c c, s u (seen during monsoon on a subsequent short visit in 1994) u (seen in paddy fields at lower altitudes) c c, s c c, s c c u u 1996 Pheasants and other birds of Majhatal Harsang Wildlife Sanctuary 5 Crested Serpent Eagle Spilomis cheela C Changeable Hawk Eagle Spizaetus cirrhatus U Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus C Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach C, S Black-headed Jay Garrulus lanceolatus C Red-billed Blue Magpie Urocissa eryihrorhyncha C Rufous Treepie Dendrocitta vagabunda C Grey T reepie Dendrocitta formosae C House Crow Corvus splendens C Large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos C Scarlet Minivet Pericrocotus jlammeus C Yellow-bellied Fantail Rhipidura hypoxantha U White-throated Fantail Rhipidura albicollis C Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus C, S Asian Paradise-flycatcher Terpsiphone paradisi U, S Blue Whistling Thrush Myophonus caeruleus C Scaly Thrush Zoothera dauma U Dark-throated Thrush Turdus ruficollis U Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher Ficedula strophiata U Verditer Flycatcher Eumyias thalassina U, S Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher Culicicapa ceylonensis C Orange-flanked Bush Robin Tarsiger cyanurus U Oriental Magpie Robin Copsychus saularis C Indian robin Saxicoloides fulicata C Blue-capped Redstart Phoenicurus caeruleocephalus U White-capped Water Redstart Chaimarromis leucocephalus U Plumbeous Water Redstart Rhyacomis fuliginosus U Spotted Forktail Enicurus maculatus U Common Stonechat Saxicola torquata U, S Pied Bushchat Saxicola caprata C Grey Bushchat Saxicola ferrea C Brahminy Starling Stumus pagodarum C Common Myna Acridotheres tristis C White-tailed Nuthatch Sitta himalayensis U Wallcreeper Tichodroma muraria U Great Tit Parus major C Black-lored Tit Pams xanthogenys C Black-throated Tit Aegithalos concinnus C Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii C, S Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica C, S Himalayan Bulbul Pycnonotus leucogenys C Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer C (a Kestrel was once seen attacking and pinning down a Black Francolin in a terraced field) (commonly seen in oak forest) (commonly seen in villages, causes damage to maize crops) (commonly seen in villages, causes crop damage) (commonly seen in villages, causes crop damage) (commonly seen inside villages, especially near cattle-sheds) (seen on the ground and lower branches inside oak forest) (seen near perennial streams at lower altitudes) (seen on rocky outcrops of the River Sutlej which forms the northern boundary of MHWS at 575 m) (seen at lower altitudes over perennial streams and water channels of paddy fields) 6 C. MISHRA Forktail 12 Black Bulbul Hypsipetes leucocephalus C, S Striated Prinia Pritiia criniger c Oriental White-eye Zosterops palpebrosus u,s Common Tailorbird Orthotomus sutorius u Grey-hooded Warbler Seicercus xanthoschisios u Streaked Laughingthrush Garrulax lineatus c (commonly seen in terraced fields) Variegated Laughingthrush Garrulax variegatus c (commonly seen in dense nullahs) Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler Pomatorhinus erythrogenys u White-browed Shrike Babbler Pteruthius flaviscapis u (seen in oak forest) Rufous Sibia Heterophasia capisiraia u Fire-breasted Flowerpecker Dicaeum igtiipectus u Purple Sunbird Nectarinia asiatica u, s Eurasian T ree Sparrow Passer montanus u, s (seen in terraced fields) Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea u (seen only near village ponds) Rufous-breasted Accentor Prunella sirophiaia u Fire-fronted Serin Serinus pusillus u, s (a big flock (>30) seen only once in spring in terraced fields) Yellow-breasted Greenfinch Carduelis spinoides u Rosefinch Carpodacus sp. u Rock Bunting Emberiza cia c White-capped Bunting Emberiza steward u C = common U = uncommon S = seen only in spring and summer 1996 FORKTAIL 12 (1996): 9 - 20 7 Birds of Bhitarkanika mangroves, eastern India BIVASH PANDAV A survey of the birds of the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary was conducted from November 1 992 to April 1993 and from July to October 1993. A total of 174 bird species was recorded, including three which had not previously been recorded in the state of Orissa. Three species recorded during the survey are restricted to mangrove forests in India. A total of 82 species showed some evidence of breeding, including the rare Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus and Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus. A large colony of breeding herons, egrets and storks was located in the Sanctuary during the survey. INTRODUCTION The avifauna of mangrove forest is diverse. Many large resident birds of Asia such as storks, herons, egrets and raptors inhabit mangrove areas. The structural diversity of the habitat enables a variety of passerines and non¬ passerines, which are uncommon in other wetland areas, to use mangrove swamps (Samant 1985). Little information is available on the avifauna of Indian mangroves. Mukherjee (1969) studied the feeding habits of a few selected water birds in the mangrove forests of the Sunderbans. A recent study on the mangroves of Ratnagiri on the west coast of India listed 121 species (Samant 1985). Prasad (1992) identified the Krishna mangroves on the east coast as a suitable habitat for local and migrant waterfowl. The presence of Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber and Lesser Flamingo P. minor during winter in its backwaters and the large, inaccessible heronry make the Krishna mangroves an excellent waterfowl habitat. Bhitarkanika mangroves, located on the east coast of India (20°04'~ 20°08’N and 86°45'-87°50’E) represent one of the finest remaining patches of mangrove forests in India. The area was declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1975 to protect the endangered Estuarine Crocodile Crocodylus porosus. The sanctuary encompasses an area of 175 km2, with a coastline of 35 km on its eastern side (known as Gahirmatha coast), and is surrounded by the Brahmani and Baitarani rivers, and their tributaries, on the remaining three sides. The sanctuary now harbours the largest population of Estuarine Crocodiles in India, and is globally unique in that 10% of the adult crocodiles exceed 6 m in length (Scott 1989, Kar and Bustard 1990). Besides, the sanctuary also has the distinction of having the world’s largest known Olive Ridley Lepidochelys olivacea rookery at Gahirmatha, located on its eastern boundary (Dash and Kar 1990). 8 B. PANDAV Forktail 12 The area is heavily influenced by alluvial silt brought down by the rivers and deposited in deltaic areas, due to regular tidal inundation. The vegetation is characterized by vast stretches of Phoenix paludosa. Pure formations of tree species such as Heritiera fames, Excoecaria agallocha, Avicennia officinalis and A. marina occur in the sanctuary. Other dominant tree species are Sonneratia apetala, Amoora cucullata, Cynometra iripa , Rhizophora mucronata and R. apiculata. The climate of the area is tropical, characterized by distinct winter (November-February), summer (March- June) and monsoon (July-October) seasons. In winter the temperature drops to 1 0°C and in summer the maximum temperature reaches 40°C. The average annual rainfall is about 1,200 mm. Little previous work has been carried out on the avifauna of this sanctuary. Dani and Kar (in press) have given a brief outline of the birds of Bhitarkanika. The present study gives more detailed information on the birds observed over a period of 10 months. METHODS OF STUDY After an initial reconnaissance survey, the major bird habitats of the sanctuary were identified, e.g. mangrove forest, open wetlands adjoining the mangrove forest, intertidal zones, tidal mudflats and the sand bars in the rivers surrounding the sanctuary. Birds were observed in these localities from November 1992 to April 1993 and from July to October 1993. Areas within the sanctuary known for high concentrations of waterfowl were visited at least four times in winter. Birds were observed from 07h00 to 16h00 using a spotting scope and binoculars. The survey in the mangrove forest and the adjoining open wetlands was done on foot. In the intertidal zones and the rivers, birds were observed from a motor boat. The breeding colony of birds located in the Bhitarkanika forest block of the sanctuary was surveyed during July to October 1993. All of the nest-bearing trees in the heronry were marked, and bird species nesting in each tree were counted. The nests of different species of birds were identified, either by direct observation of the adult birds and chicks, or by looking at the structure of the nest. Different types of nesting materials used by different birds facilitated the identification of the nests in the absence of the adult birds or chicks. RESULTS A total of 174 species was recorded during this study. Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the few protected areas in India which has six species of kingfishers: Common Alcedo atthis, Brown-winged Halcyon amauroptera, 1996 Birds of Bhitarkanika mangroves, eastern India 9 White-throated H. smymensis, Black-capped H. pileata, Collared Kingfisher Todiramphus chloris and Pied Ceryle rudis are sympatric here. Species restricted to mangroves in India Three bird species recorded during the study are mainly restricted to mangrove forests in India: Brown-winged and Collared Kingfishers and Mangrove Whistler Pachycephala grisola. In the Indian subcontinent the Mangrove Whistler is otherwise found only in the Sunderbans of West Bengal and Bangladesh, and in a narrow zone fringing the shore in the Andaman and Nicobar islands (Ali and Ripley 1987). Winter visitors Fifty-seven species of winter visitors were recorded, with the highest numbers between November and February, including nearly 3,000 Black¬ tailed Godwits Limosa limosa. Northern Pintail Anas acuta was the most abundant of the migratory ducks and large concentrations of these birds were seen in the open wetlands adjoining the mangrove forest. Wintering waders were observed in the vast stretches of intertidal zones along the Gahirmatha coast, in the sanctuary. Breeding behaviour In total, 82 species showed evidence of breeding in the sanctuary, including the Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus, for which breeding records in India are very scanty (Rahmani 1989). This is the first breeding record for Orissa. A large breeding colony of Asian Openbills Anastomus oscitans, Intermediate Egrets Mesophoyx intermedia , Little Egrets Egretta garzetta, Grey Herons Ardea cinerea , Purple Herons Ardea purpurea , Black- crowned Night Herons Nycticorax nycticorax, Little Cormorants Phalacrocorax niger, Darters Anhinga melanogaster and Black-headed Ibises Threskiomis melanocephalus was located on Bhitarkanika Island in the sanctuary. A survey of the heronry revealed 9,910 nests in 5,500 trees. The nesting population consisted of 60% Asian Openbills and the next most important were Intermediate Egrets. The birds used trees such as Heritiera fames, Excoecaria agallocha and Cynometra iripa for nesting. Nesting started by early June, with the birds leaving the heronry by the first week of December. Darters, Grey Herons and Purple Herons started breeding early and young were seen during August. Asian Openbills and Black-headed Ibises were amongst the late breeders with young seen during September. Lesser Adjutants Leptoptilos javanicus were observed nesting in January. Immature Lesser Adjutants were seen foraging in the wetlands and along the creeks in March. 10 B. PANDAV Forktail 12 New sight records for Orissa Three species recorded during the survey are not listed in the checklist of birds of Orissa, prepared by the State Forest Department (Dani 1 992), and hence are considered as new sight records for Orissa. These are Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus, Pintail Snipe Gallinago stenura and Chestnut-capped Babbler Timalia pileata. The Eurasian Oystercatcher is a common winter visitor to the west coast of India, but is uncommon on the east coast (Ali and Ripley 1 987) . A group of 1 9 Eurasian Oystercatchers was seen in the intertidal zones of the Gahirmatha coast during December and January. Pintail Snipe, a winter visitor to India, occurs in north-east India, but is more common in southern India and in the Andaman and Nicobar islands (Ali and Ripley 1 987) . In Bhitarkanika this snipe was seen along the marshy edges of the pools and on wet litters in winter. The southernmost limit of the distribution of the Chestnut-capped Babbler in India was Calcutta (Ali and Ripley 1987). Small parties of 8-10 birds were observed in the Phoenix paludosa bushes of the mangrove forest. Change in land use pattern - a threat to the birds of Bhitarkanika The wetlands adjoining the mangrove forests of Bhitarkanika harbour a sizable population of migratory waterfowl in winter. However, many of these wetlands do not come under the jurisdiction of Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary and lack protected area status. With the recent change in land use pattern (evident after 1993) all along the Orissa coast, the coastal wetlands and the agricultural fields adjoining these wetlands are increasingly being converted into brackish water prawn culture ponds. Conversion of the coastal wetlands around Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary has resulted in a loss of wintering ground for the migratory waterfowl. The Asian Openbill, which constitutes a significant percentage of breeding birds in the heronry, feeds exclusively on molluscs Pila globosa, obtained from the agricultural fields surrounding the sanctuary. With the conversion of these agricultural fields to prawn culture ponds, the Asian Openbills are facing a loss in their feeding grounds. This, in the near future, may affect the breeding behaviour of these birds in the heronry and may be detrimental for the survival of Asian Openbills in the long run. 1996 Birds of Bhitarkanika mangroves, eastern India 1 1 BIRD SPECIES RECORDED IN BHITARKANIKA In the list the following codes are used: R = Resident MM = Monsoon migrant V = Vagrant B = Confirmed breeding WM = Winter migrant LM = Local migrant ? = Status unknown PB = Probably breeding Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus R. B. Abundant. Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus WM. Common. Flocks consisting of around 200 birds were seen in the sandy beds of the river and nearby agricultural fields in winter. Lesser Whistling-duck Dendrocygna javanica LM. B. Common. Pairs were seen nesting during August and October. One floating nest was located on dry grass in a pool in August 1993. Adults with chicks were seen in November 1992. Ruddy Shelduck Tadoma ferruginea WM. Common. Comb Duck Sarkidiomis melanotos WM. Rare. Cotton Pygmy-goose Nettapus coromandelianus LM. B. Adults with chicks were seen in October 1993. Gadwall Anas strepera WM. Common. Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope WM. Common. Northern Shoveler Aims clypeata WM. Common. Northern Pintail Anas acuta WM. Common. Garganey Anas querquedula WM. Common. Common Teal Anas crecca WM. Common. Common Pochard Aythya ferina WM. Common. Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker Dendrocopos macei R. B. Common. Rufous Woodpecker Celeus brachyurus R. B. Common. Grey-headed Woodpecker Picus canus R. B. Common. Black-rumped Flameback Dinopium benghalense R. B. Common. Greater Flameback Chrysocolaptes lucidus R. B. Common. Coppersmith Barbet Megalaima haemacephala R. B. Common. Indian Grey Hornbill Ocyceros birostris R. B. Common . Common Hoopoe Upupa epops R. B. Common. Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis R. B. Common. Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis R. B. Common . Brown- winged Kingfisher Halcyon amauroptera R. B. Common. Occur along the creeks deep inside the mangrove forest. 12 B. PANDAV Forktail 12 White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smymensis R. B. Common. Mostly occur along the edges of the mangrove forest and near the villages surrounding the sanctuary. Black-capped Kingfisher Ha/cjYmpi/earaR. B. Common during November to April. Rarely seen during the monsoon months (July to October). Collared Kingfisher Todiramphus chloris R. B. Common. Breeds in the monsoon and is rarely seen in winter months (November to March). Pied Kingfisher Ceryle mdis R. B. Common. Rarely found in the mangrove forest. Mostly occurs along the rivers surrounding the sanctuary. Green B ee- eater Merops orientalis R. B. Common. Blue-tailed Bee-eater Merops philippinus R. PB. Common. Pied Cuckoo Clamator jacobinus MM. Common. Chestnut-winged Cuckoo Clamator coromandus V. Only one individual was seen, in March 1993. Common Hawk Cuckoo Hierococcyx varius R. B. Common. Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopacea R. B. Common. Green-billed Malkoha Phaenicophaeus tristis R. B. Common. Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis R. B. Common. Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri R. B. Common. Collared Scops Owl Otus bakkamoena R. PB. Rare. Spotted Owlet Athene brama R. B. Common. Grey Nightjar Caprimulgus indicus R. B. Common. Large-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus macrurus R. B. Common. Rock Pigeon Columba livia R. B. Common. Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis LM. Common during summer months. Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis R. B. Common. Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto R. B. Common. Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica R. B. Common. Orange-breasted Green Pigeon Treron bicincta R. B. Common. Slaty-breasted Rail Gallirallus striatus R. B. Common. White-breasted W atekhen Amauromis phoenicurus R. B. Common. These birds were observed foraging with chicks during September and October 1993. Purple Swamphen Porphyria porphyrio LM. Common. Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus LM. Common. Pintail Snipe Gallinago stenura WM. Common. Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa WM. Common. Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica WM. Rare. 1996 Birds of Bhitarkanika mangroves, eastern India 13 Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus WM. Common. Some birds remain throughout the year. Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata WM. Common. Common Redshank Tringa totanus WM. Common. Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia WM. Common. Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus WM. Common. Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola WM. Common. Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus WM. Common in intertidal zones. Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos R. Common. Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres WM. Common along the sea shore and in the intertidal zones. Little Stint Calidns minuta WM. Common. Temminck’s Stint Calidris temminckii WM. Common. Dunlin Calidris alpina WM. Common. Ruff Philomachus pugnax WM. Common. Bronze-winged Jacana Metopidius indicus R. B. Common. Great Thick-knee Esacus recurvirostris R. Rare. Seen on the sandy beaches along the Gahirmatha coast of the sanctuary. Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus'WM.. Common. Seen only in the intertidal zones along the Gahirmatha coast. Black- winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus R. PB. Common. Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta WM. Common. Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius WM. Common. Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus WM. Common. Lesser Sand Plover Charadrius mongolus WM. Common. Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultii WM. Common. Yellow- wattled Lapwing Vanellus malabaricus R. Rare. Grey-headed Lapwing Vanellus cinereus WM. Common. Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus R. B. Common. Oriental Pratincole Glareola maldivarum WM. Rare. Heuglin’s Gull/Yellow-legged Gull Larus heuglini/L. cachinnans WM. Common. Pallas’s Gull Lams ichthyaetus WM. Common. Brown-headed Gull Lams bmnnicephalus WM. Common. Black-headed Gull Lams ridibundus WM. Common. Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica WM. Common. River Tern Sterna aurantia R. B. Common. Lesser Crested Tern Sterna bengalensis R. Common along the Gahirmatha coast. 14 B. PANDAV Forktail 12 Common Tern Sterna hirundo WM. Common. Little Tern Sterna albifrons. R. Common. Black-bellied Tern Sterna acuticauda R. B. Common. Osprey Pandion haliaetus R. Common. Oriental Honey-buzzard Pemis ptilorhyncus R. ? Black Kite Milvus migrans R. B. Common. Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus R. B. Common. White-bellied Sea Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster R. B. Rare. One pair was seen rearing chicks during December and January. The nest was located on a Bombax ceiba tree. Two juveniles were seen flying and preying on fish in April 1993. White-rumped Vulture Gyps bengalensis R. B. Common. Both the vultures breed during December and January in the sanctuary. Long-billed Vulture Gyps indicus R. B. Common. Short-toed Snake Eagle Circaetus gallicus R. B. Common. Crested Serpent Eagle Spilomis cheela R. B. Common. Eurasian Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus WM. Common. Shikra Accipiter badius R. PB. Common. Tawny Eagle Aquila rapax R. ? Changeable Hawk Eagle Spizaetus cirrhatus R. ? Darter Anhinga melanogaster R. B. Common. 192 nests were counted during the survey of the heronry. Little Cormorant Phalacrocorax niger R. B. Common. Little Egret Egretta garzetta R. B. Common. Grey Weron Ardea cinerea R. B. Common. Around 200 nest in the heronry. Goliath Heron Ardea goliath WM. Rare. This species was seen only twice in the Bhitarkanika block of the Sanctuary in December 1993. However, none was seen during my subsequent visits in 1994 and 1995. Purple Heron Ardea purpurea R. B. Common. 310 nests were counted during the heronry survey. Great Egret Casmerodius albus R. B. Common. Intermediate Egret Mesophoyx intermedia R. B. Common. Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis R. B. Common. Indian Pond Heron Ardeola grayii R. B. Common. Little Heron Butorides striatus R. B. Common. Mostly seen along the creeks or on the mud-banks of the tidal rivers. Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax R. B. Common. Cinnamon Bittern Ixobrychus cinnamomeus R. Rare. Black Bittern Dupetor flavicollis R. Rare. 1996 Birds of Bhitarkanika mangroves, eastern India 15 Black-headed Ibis Threskiomis melanocephalus R. B. Common during the breeding season from July to December. Unlike other birds in the heronry, nests of Black-headed Ibis are clustered at one place. Nests are arranged in the form of a ladder, one above the other on a tree. Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia WM. Rare. A flock of 18 birds was seen wintering in the wetlands near Gupti village. Spot-billed Pelican Pelecanus philippensis MM. Rare. A flock of 24 was seen roosting in the heronry during July and October. Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala R. B. Painted Storks do not breed in the heronry with other birds. Nesting takes place between December and February. 28 nests were counted on the tall trees of Sonneratia apetala and Xylocarpus moluccensis along the Bhitarkanika river in the Bhitarkanika block of the Sanctuary in January 1993. The total population is estimated to be around 70. A major threat is the poaching of chicks, which locals collect from the nests for food. Asian Openbill Anastomus oscitans LM. B. Abundant, June to December. Around 7,800 nests were counted in the heronry. Few Openbills were seen during the rest of the year. Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia epis copus W M. Nearly 20 were seen wintering in the sanctuary from December to February. Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus WM. B. Two birds were seen wintering in the Sanctuary from October to March. A male stork was seen collecting nesting materials in October. Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javamcus R. B. The total population is estimated to be around 20. These birds breed during December to February in the sanctuary. Indian Pitta Pitta brachyura WM. Common. Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus Migrant. Common. Mangrove Whistler Pachycephala grisola R. B. Rare. Rufous Treepie Dendrocitta vagabunda R. B. Common . House Crow Corvus splendens R. B. Common. Large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos R. B. Common. Black-hooded Oriole Oriolus xanthomus R. B. Common. Black-winged Cuckooshrike Coracina melaschistos WM. Common. Black-headed Cuckooshrike Coracina melanoptera R. B. Common. Small Minivet Pericrocotus cinnamomeus R. PB. Common. White-throated Fantail Rhipidura albicollis R. B. Common. Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus R. B. Common. White-bellied Drongo Dicrurus caerulescens R. Rare. Black-naped Monarch Hypothymis azurea R. B. Common. 16 B. PANDAV Forktail 12 Asian Paradise-flycatcher Terpsiphone paradisi R. B. Common. Common Iora Aegithina tiphia R. B. Common. Orange-headed Thrush Zoothera citrina WM. Common. Tickell’s Thrush Turdus unicolor WM. Common. Red-throated Flycatcher Ficedula parva WM. Common. Verditer Flycatcher Eumyias thalassina WM. Common. Blue-throated Flycatcher Cyomis rubeculoides WM. Common. Oriental Magpie Robin Copsychus saularis R. B. Common. Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros WM. Rare. Chestnut-tailed Starling Stumus malabaricus R. B. Common. Asian Pied Starling Stumus contra R. B. Common. Common Myna Acridotheres tristis R. B. Common. Jungle Myna Acridotheres fuscus R. B. Common. Great Tit Pams major R. B. Common. Barn Swallow Himndo rustica WM. Common . Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica R. Common. Red-whiskered Bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus R. B. Common. Oriental White-eye Zosterops palpebrosus R. B. Common. Common Tailorbird Orthotomus sutorius R. B. Common. Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita WM. Common. Striped Tit Babbler Macronous gularis R. PB. Common. Chestnut-capped Babbler Timalia pileata WM. Common. Common Babbler Turdoides caudatus R. B. Common. Jungle Babbler Turdoides striatus R. B. Common. Ashy-crowned Sparrow Lark Eremopterix grisea R. B. Common. Generally seen on the outer fringes of the sanctuary in the paddy fields. Purple-rumped Sunbird Nectarinia zeylonica R. B. Common. Purple Sunbird Nectarinia asiatica R. B. Common. House Sparrow Passer domesticus R. B. Common. Forest Wagtail Dendronanthus indicus WM. Common. Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola WM. Rare. Paddyfield Pipit Anthus mfulus R. Common. Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni WM. Common. Baya Weaver Ploceus philippinus R. B. Common. Indian Silverbill Lonchura malabarica R. PB. Common. Black-headed Munia Lonchura malacca R. B. Common. 1996 Birds of Bhitarkanika mangroves, eastern India 17 I express my gratitude to Dr. Asad R. Rahmam of Aligarh Muslim University, Dr. Justus Joshua and Anand Pendharkar of the Wildlife Institute of India for their comments on an earlier draft of this paper. I am grateful to my field assistant Dhumala, who had rescued me many times from the waist- deep mud of the mangrove swamps of Bhitarkanika. I express my thanks to the officials of the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary for their kind co-operation. REFERENCES Ah, S. and Ripley, S. D. (1 987) Compact handbook of the birds of India and Pakistan. New Delhi: Oxford University Press. Dani, C. S. (1992) A checklist of birds of Orissa. Wildlife wing, Forest department, Government of Orissa. Dani, C. S. and Kar, S. K. (in press) Bhitarkanika - unique mangrove ecosystem. Indian Forester. Dash, M. C. and Kar, C. S. (1990) The turtle paradise - Gahirmatha. New Delhi: Interprint. Kar, S. K. and Bustard, H. R. (1990) Pilot restocking of salt water crocodiles ( Crocodylus porosus Schneider) in Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 87: 195-200. Mukherjee, A. K. (1969) Food habits of water birds of the Sunderbans, 24 Parganas district, West Bengal. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 66: 345-360. Prasad, S. N. (1992) An ecological reconnaissance of mangals in Krishna estuary : A plea for conservation. Pp. 215-227 in K. P. Singh and J. S. Singh, eds. Tropical ecosystem: ecology and management. New Delhi: Wiley Eastern Limited. Rahmani, A.R. (1989) Status of the Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus in the Indian subcontinent. Forktail 5: 99-1 10. Samant, J. S. (1985) Avifauna of the mangroves around Ratnagiri, Maharastra. Pp. 456-466 in L. J. Bhosale, ed. The mangroves. Proceedings of the National Symposium on biology, utilization and conservation of mangroves, November 1985. University of Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India. Scott, D. A. (1989) A directory of Asian wetlands. Gland: IUCN. Bivash Pandav, Wildlife Institute of India, Post Box #18, Dehradun - 248001, Uttar Pradesh, India. Postal address for communication: Bivash Pandav, House No. 25, Dhamiavihar, Jagamara, Bhubaneswar - 751030, Orissa, India. 18 Forktail 12 1996 FORKTAIL 12 (1996): 21 - 32 19 Birds of New Forest, Dehra Dun, India DHANANJAI MOHAN New Forest campus is situated in the Dehra Dun district of Uttar Pradesh province of India. The campus houses the internationally renowned Forest Research Institute and is regarded as one of the most beautiful campuses of India. It is located between 77°59' & 78°01’E and 30°20' & 30°21’N, and is 670 m above mean sea level. The campus, which receives over 200 cm of rainfall annually, is spread over an area of approximately 4.5 km2. The temperature fluctuates between -1 and 43°C from winter to summer. The campus is a mosaic of habitats varying from densely inhabited housing colonies to dense mixed moist deciduous natural forests. The northern boundary of the campus is a valley of a seasonal river called Tons which is connected to the Himalayan ranges. The river, which is a mere trickle in winter, has dry scrub jungle on its banks. The slopes leading to the valley are covered with mixed moist deciduous forests. The campus is dominated by a very large building some 75 years old which is surrounded by sprawling lawns. There are extensive old plantations of Chir Pine Pinus roxburghii. Teak Tectona grandis and many species of bamboo. Some mixed plantations, a large arboretum, experimental gardens (fairly open) and a botanical garden also occupy a sizeable area. The inhabited area has both widely spaced bungalows, surrounded by a lot of vegetation and densely crowded housing colonies. Such a variety of habitats as well as the influence of both the Himalayan and continental avifauna result in a very high diversity of birds in New Forest. New Forest has a long history of birdwatching, with Osmaston (1935) and Wright (1949, 1950) publishing extensive notes on the avifauna of the campus. The most important contributions were made by George (1957, 1 962), who listed 220 birds in the campus, with details of their habitat use and migration, after studying them for over a decade. I have been studying the birds of New Forest since 1983, adding another 41 species to the list (1993). Hooded Pitta Pitta sordida, which has only been recorded once from Western Himalayan foothills has been reported from the campus. Ten species of woodpeckers and 18 species of flycatchers are known from the campus. SYSTEMATIC LIST A total of 26 1 species belonging to 43 families has been recorded. Ill are migratory, 120 are residents and 30 are considered to be vagrants. A code following the scientific name gives the species’s status in New Forest. 20 D. MOHAN Forktail 12 B Buildings fi Bungalows H Lawn ¥ Moist deciduous ♦ Pine plantation Mixed plantation T Teak plantation B Bamboo plantation G Expt. and Botanical garden Figure 1. Map of New Forest, Dehra Dun The codes used are : R: resident, W: winter visitor, S: summer visitor, M: monsoon visitor, P: passage migrant (autumn and spring), V: presumed vagarant; B: breeding confirmed, and PB: probably breeding. The codes are followed by the abundance rating and the habitat preference of the species. A number of habitats has been identified in the campus: Tons river, irrigation canal, paddyfields. Tons valley forest (Moist deciduous), Champion block forest (Moist deciduous & plantations), Tons valley scrub jungle, experimental gardens, botanical gardens, arboretum, bungalows, lawns and fields, main building and housing colonies. The similar habitats have been combined together as follows: 1996 Birds of New Forest, Dehra Dun, India 21 Water bodies: Well-wooded areas: Open woods: Wooded areas: Open areas: includes Tons river, irrigation canal and its distributories and the paddyfields. includes densely forested areas, i.e. Tons valley forests, champion block forests & other old plantations of Pine & Teak. includes open areas with scattered tree growth viz.parts of experimental gardens, botanical gardens, arboretum and bungalows. includes both well wooded areas as well as open woods. includes lawns and fields, parts of experimental gardens & housing colonies and Tons valley scrub jungle. Black Francolin Francolinus francolinus R. PB. Occasional. Tons Valley scrub jungle. Grey Francolin Francolinus pondicerianus R. PB. Occasional. Tons Valley scrub jungle. Kalij Pheasant Lophura leucomelanos V. Sighted on 23 May 1 954 & 3 1 May 1957 in Tons valley forest. Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus R. B. Common. Well wooded areas. Common Teal Anas crecca P. Rare. Seen only in flight. Small Buttonquail Turmx sylvatica R. Rare. Tons valley scrub jungle. Eurasian Wryneck Jynx torquilla W. Very rare. Tons valley scrub jungle. Speckled Piculet Picumnus innominatus R. Very rare. Well wooded areas. Grey-capped Pygmy W oodpecker Dendrocopos canicapillusR. Rare. Wooded areas. Brown-fronted Woodpecker Dendrocopos auriceps R. Very rare. Wooded areas. Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker Dendrocopos macei R. Fairly common. Wooded areas. Lesser Yellownape Picus chlorolophus R. PB. Rare. Well wooded areas. Streak-throated Woodpecker Picus xanthopygaeus R. PB. Rare. Well wooded areas. Grey-headed Woodpecker Picus canus R. Rare. Well wooded areas. Black-rumped Flameback Dinopium benghalense R. B. Common. Greater Flameback Chrysocolaptes lucidus R. Very rare. Well wooded areas. Great Barbet Megalaima virens W. Occasional. Wooded areas. Brown-headed Barbet Megalaima zeylanica R. B. Common. Lineated Barbet Megalaima lineata R. PB. Rare. Wooded areas. 22 D. MOHAN Forktail 12 Blue-throated Barbet Megalaima asiatica W. Rare. Wooded areas. Coppersmith Barbet Megalaima haemacephala R. Occasionl. Indian Grey Hornbill Ocyceros birostris R. B. Common. Wooded areas. Common Hoopoe Upupa epops R. B. Fairly common. Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis R. PB. Occasional. Open areas. Dollarbird Eurystomus orientalis V. One in a clearing in the dense forest of Champion block in September 1988. Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis R. Rare. Tons river & canal. White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smymensis R. PB. Occasional. Crested Kingfisher Megaceryle lugubris V. One on Tons river on 28 October 1993. Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis M. Very rare. Tons river. Blue-bearded Bee-eater Nyctyomis athertoni R. PB. Rare. Wooded areas. Green Bee-eater Merops orientalis R. PB. Fairly common. Blue-tailed Bee-eater Merops philippinus S. Occasional. Open areas. Pied Cuckoo Clamator jacobinus M. B. Occasional. Common Hawk Cuckoo Hierococcyx varius S. B. Fairly common. Indian Cuckoo Cuculus micropterus S. B. Fairly common. Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus S. B. Occasional. Wooded areas. Banded Bay Cuckoo Cacomantis sonneratii S. B. Rare. Well wooded areas. Grey-bellied Cuckoo Cacomantis passerinus S. PB. Rare. Wooded areas. Drongo Cuckoo Sumiculus lugubris S. B. Rare. Well wooded areas. Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopacea S. B. Fairly common. Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis R. PB. Rare. Well wooded areas. Alexandrine Parakeet Psittacula eupatria R. B. Common. Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri R. B. Common. Slaty-headed Parakeet Psittacula himalayana W. Common. Plum-headed Parakeet Psittacula cyanocephala R. B. Common. Red-breasted Parakeet Psittacula alexandri W. Rare. Wooded areas. Himalayan Swiftlet Collocalia brevirostris W. Rare. Wooded areas. Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba S. Rare. Tons valley. House Swift Apus affinis R. B. Common. Crested Treeswift Hemiprocne coronata S. Very rare. Tons valley. Barn Owl Tyto alba R. PB. Very Rare. Main building. Oriental Scops Owl Otus sunia S. Very rare. Well wooded areas. Collared Scops Owl Otus bakkamoena R. B. Occasional. Wooded areas. Eurasian Eagle Owl Bubo bubo V. One in Tons valley scrub jungle in May 1986. 1996 Birds of New Forest, Dehra Dun, India 23 Collared Owlet Glaucidium brodieiV. One in December 1950 Asian Barred Owlet Glaucidium cuculoides R. Very rare. Arboretum. Jungle Owlet Glaucidium radiatum R. PB. Occasional. Woodeed areas. Spotted Owlet Athene brama R. B. Common. Brown Hawk Owl Ninox scutulata R. B. Occasional. Wooded areas. Large-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus macrurus R. B. Occasional. Tons valley forests. Savanna Nightjar Caprimulgus affinis R. Rare. Tons valley scrub jungle. Rock Pigeon Columba livia R. B. Common. Large buildings. Common Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus V. Three birds on 22 February 1989. Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis R. Occasional. Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis R. PB. Rare. Tons valley scrub jungle. Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis R. B. Common. Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto R. PB. Occasional. Inhabited areas. Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica R. B. Fairly common. Wooded area Yellow-footed Green Pigeon Treron phoenicoptera R. PB. Occasional. Wooded areas. Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon Treron sphenura V. Sighted on 2 October 1956 & 3 May 1991. White- breasted Waterhen Amauromis phoenicurus M. Very rare. Water bodies. Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus W. Occasional. Tons river. Eurasian Thick-knee Burhinus oedicnemus R. Rare. Tons valley scrub jungle; visits open fields in the night. Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius V. A pair on Tons river on 12 December 1986. Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus W. Rare. Open fields in Feb & March. Yellow- wattled Lapwing Vanellus malarbaricus R. Very Rare. Tons river. River Lapwing Vanellus duvaucelii R. Very rare. Tons river. Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus R. B. Fairly common. Open areas. Oriental Honey-buzzard Pemis ptilorhyncus W. Occasional. Open areas and forest edges. Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus R. Very rare. Tons valley. Black Kite Milvus migrans R. B. Common. Brahminy Kite Haliastur Indus M. Very Rare. Near irrigation canal. Lammergeier Gypaetus barbatus W. Very rare. Tons valley. 24 D. MOHAN Forktail 12 Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus R. Rare. White-rumped Vulture Gyps bengalensis R. B. Fairly common. Long-billed Vulture Gyps indicus R. PB. Fairly common. Eurasian Griffon Gyps fulvus V. Red-headed Vulture Sarcogyps calvus R. Very rare. Short-toed Snake Eagle Circaetus gallicus R. Very rare. Well wooded areas. Crested Serpent Eagle Spilomis cheela R. Rare. Wooded areas. Shikra Accipiter badius R. Rare. Open woods. Bbsra Accipiter virgatus V. Sighted on 9 February 1951 & 12 October 1953. White- eyed Buzzard Butastur teesa R. Very rare. Tons valley. Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus W. Rare. Open woods. Black Eagle Ictinaetus malayensis V. One in Tons valley on 18 October 1956. Changeable Hawk Eagle Spizaetus cirrhatus R. B. Rare. Forested areas. Seen nesting on a Pine(Pinus roxburghii) tree in March ’86. Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus W. Rare. Open areas. Laggar Falcon Falco juggerW . Very rare. Sighted on 2 October 1955 & 5 December 1988. Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus R. Very rare. Open areas. Little Egret Egretta garzetta R. Rare. Tons river. Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis R. PB. Occasional. Open areas & waterbodies. Indian Pond Heron Ardeola grayii R. PB. Occasional. Water bodies. Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax M. Rare. Paddyfields. Hooded Pitta Pitta sordida M. Very rare. Tons valley forests. Indian Pitta Pitta brachyura V. One in a bungalow on 1 1 May 1988. Golden-fronted Leafbird Chloropsis aurifrons. V. Two sightings of a pair of these birds on 24 January 1955 and 14 March 1957. Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus. W. Rare. Open areas. Bay-backed Shrike Lanius vittatus. R. PB. Rare. Open areas. Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach. R. B. Fairly common. Red-billed Blue Magpie Urocisssa erythrorhyncha. W. Very rare. Tons valley and arboretum. Rufous Treepie Dendrocitta vagabunda. R. B. Common. Grey Treepie Dendrocitta fomiosae. W. Fairly common. Wooded areas. House Crow Corvus splendens. R. PB. Occasional. Habitation. Large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos. R. B. Abundant. Eurasian Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus. S. B. Common. Black-hooded Oriole Oriolus xanthomus. R. PB. Occasional. Wooded areas. 1996 Birds of New Forest, Dehra Dun, India 25 Maroon Oriole Oriolus traillii. W. Rare. Well wooded areas. Large Cuckooshrike Coracina macei. R. PB. Occasional. Wooded areas. Black-winged Cuckooshrike Coracina melaschistos. S. Rare. Wooded areas. Black-headed Cuckooshrike Coracina melanoptera. R. Occasional. Open woods. Rosy Minivet Pericrocotus roseus. P. Very rare. Tons Valley forests. Small Minivet Pericrocotus cinnamomeus. R. PB. Open woods. Long-tailed Minivet Pericrocotus ethologus. W. Occasional. Open woods. Scarlet Minivet Pericrocotus flammeus. W. Fairly common. Open woods. Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike Hemipus picatus. R. PB. Occasional. Wooded areas. Yellow-bellied Fantail Rhipidura hypoxantha. W. Occasional. Wooded areas. White-throated Fantail Rhipidura albicollis. R. Occasional. White-browed Fantail Rhipidura aureola. R. Rare. Wooded areas. Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus. R. B. Common. Ashy Drongo Dicrurus leucophaeus. W. Fairly common. Wooded areas. White-bellied Drongo Dicrurus caerulescens. S. Very rare. Tons valley forests. Spangled Drongo Dicrurus hottentottus. R. B. Fairly common. Wooded areas. Black-naped Monarch Hypothymis azurea. W. Very rare. Tons valley forests. Asian Paradise-flycatcher Terpsiphone paradisi. S. B. Occasional. Open woods. Common Iora Aegithina tiphia. R. B. Rare . Tons valley forests. Common Woodshrike Tephrodornis pondicerianus. R. PB. Occasional. Wooded areas. Blue-capped Rock Thrush Monticola cinclorhynchus. P. Very rare. Well wooded areas. Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush Monticola rufiventris. V. Single sighting on 3 January 1952. Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius. W. Very rare. Main building and the Tons valley scrub jungle. Blue Whistling Thrush Myophonus caeruleus. W. Fairly common. Wooded areas. Orange-headed Thrush Zoothera citrina. S. PB. Fairly common. Well wooded areas. Scaly Thrush Zoothera daunia. W. Very rare. Well wooded areas. 26 D. MOHAN Forktail 12 Tickell’s Thrush Turdus unicolor. W. Very rare. Well wooded areas. Grey-winged Blackbird Turdus boulboul. W. Very rare. Well wooded areas. Dark-throated Thrush Turdus ruficollis. W. Fairly common. Open woods and fields. Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus. V. Single sighting on 30 January 1957. Dark-sided Flycatcher Muscicapa sibirica. W. Occasional. Open woods & forest clearings. Aslan Brown Flycatcher Muscicapa dauurica. W. Rare. Open woods. RuFOUS-GORGETEDFLYCATCHERFYcedw/a strophiata. W. Rare. Wooded areas. Red-throated Flycatcher Ficedula parva. W. Fairly common. Open woods. Snowy-browed Flycatcher Ficedula hyperythra. V. Single sighting in December 1984 in bamboo thickets of arboretum. Ultramarine Flycatcher Ficedula superciliaris. P. Rare. Open woods. Slaty-blue Flycatcher Ficedula tricolor. W. Occasional. Wooded areas. Verditer Flycatcher Eumyias thalassina. W. Fairly common. Small Niltava Niltava macgrigoriae. W. Very rare. Two sightings in the well-wooded areas in December 1991. Rufous-bellied Niltava Niltava sundara. W. Occasional. Wooded areas. Blue-throated Flycatcher Cyomis rubeculoides. S. B. Occasional. Tons valley forests. Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher Cyomis tickelliae. W. Very rare. Well wooded areas. Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher Culicicapa ceylonensis. W. Fairly common. White-tailed R\jbythro\t Luscinia pectoralis. W. Occasional. Well wooded areas. Bluethroat Luscinia svecica. W. Rare. Water bodies. Indian Blue Robin Luscinia brunnea. V. Single sighting of a pair on 23 September 1956 in dense thickets. Orange-flanked Bush Robin Tarsiger cyanurus. V. Single sighting in December, 1961. Oriental Magpie Robin Copsychus saularis. R. B. Common. Indian Robin Saxicoloides fulicata. R. PB. Occasional. Tons valley scrub jungle. Blue-capped Redstart Phoenicurus coeruleocephalus. W. Rare. Forest clearings. Black Redstart Phoenicums ochrurus. W. Occasional. Tons valley scrub jungle. White-capped Water Redstart Chaimarromis leucocephalus. W. Fairly common. Water bodies. 1996 Birds of New Forest, Dehra Dun, India 27 Plumbeous Water Redstart Rhyacomis fuliginosus. W. Occasional. Water bodies. Common Stonechat Saxicola torquata. R. Rare. Open areas. Pied Bushchat Saxicola caprata. R. B. Fairly common in summers in open areas, rare in winters. Grey Bushchat Saxicola ferrea. W. Fairly common. Open woods. Desert Wheatear Oenanthe deserti. V. Single sighting in December, 1986 in the Tons valley scrub jungle. Isabelline Wheatear Oenanthe isabellina. V. Single sighting in December 1987 in the Tons Valley scrub jungle. Brown Rock-chat Cercomela fusca. R. B. Occasional. Large buildings. Spot-winged Starling Saroglossa spiloptera. P. Fairly common on passage through the campus in April and July. Wooded areas. Chestnut-tailed Starling Stumus malabaricus. S. B. Occasional. Open areas and habitation. Brahminy Starling Stumus pagodarum. S. B. Fairly common. Common Starling Stumus vulgaris. V. Sighted on 1 May 1955. Asian Pied Starling Stumus contra. R. B. Common. Open areas & habitation. Common Myna Acridotheres tristis. R. B. Abundant. Bank Myna Acridotheres ginginianus. R. Rare. Open areas. Jungle Myna Acridotheres fuscus. R. B. Fairly common. Wooded areas. Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch Sitta castanea. R. Very rare. Tons valley forests. Velvet-fronted Nuthatch Sitta frontalis. V. Single sighting of three birds on 7 November 1991 in the Tons valley forests. Wallcreeper Tichodroma muraria. W. Very rare. Few sightings on the main building and the Tons river gorge. Bar-tailed Treecreeper Certhia himalayana. W. Occasional. Wooded areas. Spot-winged Tit Pams melanolophus. W. Very rare. Great Tit Pams major. R. B. Fairly common. Green-backed Tit Pams monticolus. W. Very rare. Plain Martin Riparia paludicola. R. B. Fairly common. Tons valley. Dusky Crag Martin Himndo concolor. R. B. Fairly common. Large buildings. Barn Swallow Himndo mstica. W. Occasional. Open areas. Wire-tailed Swallow Himndo smithii. R. B. Occasional. Open areas. Red-rumped Swallow Himndo daurica. R. B. Fairly common. Streak-throated Swallow Himndo fluvicola. R. B. Occasional. 28 D. MOHAN Forktail 12 Black-crested Bulbul Pycnonotus melanicterus V. A pair in the golf links in the winters of 1950-51. Himalayan Bulbul Pycnonotus leucogenys. R. B. Common. Wooded areas. Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer. R. B. Abundant. Black Bulbul Hypsipetes leucocephalus. W. Fairly common. Wooded areas. Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis. R. Rare. Tons valley scrub forests. Grey-breasted Prinia Prinia hodgsonii. R. B. Common. Jungle Prinia Prinia sylvatica. W. Rare. Open fields with tall grass. Ashy Prinia Prinia socialis. R. B. Occasional. Open woods & Tons valley scrub forests. Oriental White-eye Zosterops palpebrosus. R. B. Common. Chestnut-headed Tesia Tesia castaneocoronata. W. Very rare. Single sighting on 1 1 April 1992 in Tons valley forests. Grey-sided Bush Warbler Cettia brunnifrons. W. Rare. Well wooded areas. Blyth’s Reed Warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum. P. Common during the spring passage (April) in Tons valley forests. Common Tailorbird Orthotomus sutorius. R. B. Fairly common. Tickell’s Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus affinis. V. Sighted on 4 November 1956 in tall grass and bushes. Sulphur-bellied Warbler Phylloscopus griseolus. P. Rare. Wooded areas. Lemon-rumped Warbler Phylloscopus chloronotus. W. Fairly common. Wooded areas. Hume’s Warbler Phylloscopus humei. W. Occasional. Wooded areas. Greenish Warbler Phylloscopus trochiloides W. Occasional. Wooded areas. Western Crowned Warbler Phylloscopus occipitalis P. Occasional. Wooded areas. Grey-hooded Warbler Seicercus xanthoschistos. W. Common. GoLDEN-SPECTACLEDWARBLERSeicercwsfeur&n. W. Fairly common. Wooded areas. White-crested Laughingthrush Garrulax leucolophus. R. Flocks were occasionally seen in the Tons valley forest in the 1950s and 1960s. Last authentic record in 1977. Striated Laughingthrush Garrulax striatus. V. Three sightings of a pair from February to May, 1989 in Tons valley forests. Rufous-chinned Laughingthrush Garrulax rufogularis. R. Rare. Tons valley forests. Puff-throated Babbler Pellomeum ruficeps. R. B. Fairly common. Well wooded areas. Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler Pomatorhinus erythrogenys. R. B. Fairly common. Well wooded areas. 1996 Birds of New Forest, Dehra Dun, India 29 WRite-browed Scimit arBabbler Pomatorhinus schisticeps. R. PB. Very rare. Tons valley forests. Scaly-breasted Wren Babbler Pnoepyga albiventer. P. Rare. Well wooded areas. Black-chinned Babbler Stachyns pyrrhops. R. B. Fairly common. Wooded areas. Yellow-eyed Babbler Chrysomma sinense. R. B. Occasional. Common Babbler Turdoides caudatus. R. PB. Occasional. Open areas. Jungle Babbler Turdoides striatus. R. B. Abundant. Red-billed Leiothrix Leiothrix lutea. W. Very rare. Tons Valley forests. Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca. W. Rare. Open woods. Ashy-crowned Sparrow Lark Eremopterix grisea. V. Sighted on 19 June 1952 & 28 September 1952. Crested Lark Galenda cnstata. R. Rare. Tons valley & open fields. Oriental Skylark Alauda gulgula W. Rare. Open fields. Thick-billed Flo werpecker Dicaeu m agile. R. PB. Fairly common. Wooded areas. Pale-billed Flowerpecker Dicaeum erythrorynchos. R. PB. Rare. Open woods. Fire-breasted Flowerpecker Dicaeum ignipectus. W. Occasional. Purple Sunbird Nectarinia asiatica. R. B. Common Mrs Gould’s Sunbird Aethopyga gouldiae. V. Single sighting in December 1984 in the Tons valley forests. Crimson Sunbird Aethopyga siparaja. R. PB. Occasional. Open woods. House Sparrow Passer domesticus. R. B. Abundant. Habitation. Russet Sparrow Passer rutilans. W. Occasional. Tons valley scrub jungle. Chestnut-shouldered Petronia Petronia xanthocollis. S. PB. Occasional. Wooded areas. White-browed ST \gt ml Motacilla maderaspatensis. R. PB. Rare. Tons river. White Wagtail Motacilla alba. W. Common. Open fields. Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava. W. Occasional. Open fields. Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea. W. Fairly common. Open fields and water bodies. Paddyfield Pipit Anthus rufulus. R. PB. Occasional. Open fields & lawns. Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis. W. Fairly common. Open woods. Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni. W. Fairly common. Open fields. Baya Weaver Ploceus philippinus. S. B. Fairly common. Open woods. Red Avadavat Amandava amandava. V. Single sighting of a bird in December, 1988 flying across the Tons river bed. 30 D. MOHAN Forktail 12 Indian Silverbill Lonchura malabarica. R. Occasional. Open areas. Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata. R. B. Fairly common. Open woods and fields; common during monsoon. Yellow-breasted Greenfinch Carduelis spinoides. W. Occasional. Open fields and cultivation. European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis. W. Rare. Open areas. Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus. P. Rare in autumn but abundant in spring passage specially on wheat fields. Crested Bunting Melophus lathami. W. Very rare. Tons valley. Rock Bunting Emberiza cia. V. Sighting of two birds on 4 January 1954. W hite-capped Bunting Emberiza steward. W. Occasional in the Tons valley scrub jungle, rare in other open areas. Chestnut-eared Bunting Emberiza fucata. W. Rare. Tons valley. Black-headed Bunting Emberiza melanocephala. V. Two sightings of small flocks on 22 April 1946 and 2 May 1951 on open ground. REFERENCES Ali, S. and Ripley, S. D. (1983) Handbook of birds of India and Pakistan. Compact Edition. Oxford University Press. George, J. (1957) Birds of New Forest. Indian Forester 83: 674-737. George, J. (1962) Birds of New Forest: 1957-1962. Indian Forester 88: 442-442. Mohan, D. (1993) Birds of New Forest: new additions. Indian Forester 1 19: 498-503. Mohan, D. and Chellam, R. (1990) New call record of Greenbreasted Pitta Pitta sordida in Dehra Dun, Uttar Pradesh. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 87: 453. Osmaston, B. B. (1935) Birds of Dehra Dun and adjacent hills. I.M.A. Journal., Suppl. Wright, M. D. (1949) A bird count in Dehra Dun. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 48: 570-572. Wright, M. D. (1955) Notes on the birds of a selected area of Dehra Dun: June, 1946 to December, 1950. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 54: 627-662. Dhananjai Mohan, Indian Forest Service, 28, Trevor Road, New Forest, Dehra Dun, 248006, INDIA. 1996 FORKTAIL 12 (1996): 47 - 64 31 Report on an ornithological visit to Buxa Tiger Reserve, West Bengal, India, 17 February to 6 March 1992 DESMOND ALLEN, JOHN ANDERTON and KRYS KAZMIERCZAK A visit, in 1 992, to Buxa Tiger Reserve, in an ornithologically rich area in north-east India, produced a total ot 22 / species, including two globally threatened and five near-threatened. Previous significant records are discussed, and a complete annotated species list is given. The eastern Himalaya, stretching eastward from the Arun-Kosi valley of Nepal, is an important area of regional endemism, and has been designated by BirdLife International as Endemic Bird Area (EBA) D08. The larger eastern part of this EBA lies within Arunachal Pradesh and Myanmar and is not open for unrestricted scientific exploration. The more accessible areas, for instance eastern Nepal, have suffered serious loss of lower montane forest, resulting in the local extinction of many species (Inskipp 1989). It is a vast area and the distribution, status and movements of many rare and/or threatened species remain little known. West Bengal is the furthest east along the Himalaya that can be visited with relative ease and so, following a period of three months studying birds in Nepal, we looked for forested submontane/montane areas in this state. The Singgalilla Hills, Darjeeling district were too wet and cloudy in early February so we moved down to Buxa Tiger Reserve in Jalpaiguri District. BUXA TIGER RESERVE Buxa Tiger Reserve lies in the north-east corner of West Bengal between 26°30’N and 26°48’N and between 89°25’E and 89°55’E, enclosing 759 km2. It is bounded to the north by Bhutan, to the east by the river Sankosh and Assam, and to the west by the river Pana; the southern boundary follows what remains of the forest. It is dissected by braids of rivers which rise to the north and flow south (see Fig. 1). The altitude at the border of the reserve reaches 2,000 m, but the majority of the reserve lies at plains level, sloping from c. 160 m at the base of the foothills to c. 60 m towards Alipurduar. The forest is largely Sal Shorea robusta, with many huge emergents. It is divided into blocks, some of which appear to be almost virgin, though there are many teak plantations and also village settlements. The surrounding areas to the south and west have mostly been cleared for cultivation or tea gardens. The 32 D. ALLEN ei al. Forktail 12 Figure 1. Map of Buxa Tiger Reserve Tiger Panthera tigris population of the reserve was estimated to be 25-30 at that time, but it is considered to be an essential corridor for Tigers and Asian Elephants Elephas maximus moving between the forests of north-west Assam and southern Bhutan (Rodgers and Panwar 1988). Administratively the reserve has been under the jurisdiction of the Forest Department since 1 866; it has been part of Project Tiger since 1 983, and has 1996 Birds of Buxa Tiger Reserve, India 33 been managed by them since 1993. The area is divided into ‘ranges’ run by Range Officers, who supervise Beat Officers, who patrol subdivisions known as ‘beats’. The headquarters are in Jalpaiguri. We visited two ranges: Jainti and Buxa. JAINTI RANGE Jamti range is on the northern edge of the plains and extends south from the edge of the Buxa duars or foothills. The headquarters are at the small settlement of Jainti. Tigers were still present in this lowland forest area, which is probably typical of the reserve, both in its habitats and its avifauna. We surveyed a small part of this area on 17, 18 and 20 February. BUXA RANGE The northern edge of this range follows the Bhutanese border, enclosing what perhaps may now be a unique habitat range in this part of India: continuous forest from the plains to nearly 2,000 m at the border, and forest cover probably continues at least to Tale La (4,066 m) in Bhutan. While almost all of the north-eastern border of West Bengal runs along the bottom of the foothills, here it penetrates well up to the Bhutanese plateau. From the border ridge at 1,700-1,925 m the forest descends very steeply so there are few large trees here. In places, owing to periodic landslips, some steep slopes are dominated by bamboo. Continuing south, the topography becomes gentler, and small settlements of hill farmers are encroaching, usually where they are not visible from the main paths. Trees reach 20-25 m in places, but most of the valley bottoms and ridges have been cleared for agriculture or shifting cultivation, and many other areas of forest have had the understorey removed to encourage pasture for grazing animals. The main village of Buxa lies in the centre of the range at 870 m, by the ruins of a former British fort (Fig. 1). There are some small shops, a Forest Rest House and other accommodation. It is reached by about 1 j hours walk from Santarabari (230 m), where the range HQ is located, and where the road north from Jalpaiguri ends. The path is well used by locals and winds up through the scarp to the border at the Sinchu Pass and the Bhutanese village of Sinchula beyond. This path was particularly good for birds, with many interesting species being recorded between the viewpoint (1,500 m) and the pass (1,900 m). We surveyed the area as a team on 19, 21-25 February and D.A. stayed until 6 March. 34 D. ALLEN et al. Forktail 12 ORNITHOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE OF THE AREA There is little previously published information for the area, but Inglis et al. (1920) summarized the vertebrates recorded in Jalpaiguri District, and mentioned the Buxa Duars frequently. Inglis (1952-1969) provided details of a few extra species from the Buxa area. Stevens (1923-1925) visited Bhotan Ghat on the Raidak river in January 1922 and noted a number of species. There is a printed list of the ‘Avifauna - Buxa Tiger Reserve’ (Anon, undated), comprising 213 species, which we were kindly given by the Jainti Beat Officer. We found many apparently previously unrecorded species - mostly from the higher elevations. In nine days we recorded nearly 200 species of birds, and the final total was 227, of which 1 30 do not appear on the reserve list, and 50 of these latter species are not mentioned by Inglis et al. (1920), Stevens (1923-1925) or Inglis (1952-59). Seven additional species were recorded by R. Singh (pers. comm.), one by Law (1953) and one by Sanyal (1995) giving a total of 359 species for the area (Appendix). Species listed by Inglis et al. ( 1920) for Jalpaiguri District are included in the Appendix with indications of status where these were given. SELECTED SPECIES OF INTEREST Threat categories are from Collar et al. (1994). Chestnut-breasted Partridge Arborophila mandellii (VU) A group of partridges seen briefly on four occasions near the viewpoint, appeared to show a white crescent on the breast and were probably referrable to this species. Inglis et al. ( 1 920) noted that ‘specimens have been obtained in the Bhutan duars in April, probably in this district, though we have been unable to get it.’ Rufous-necked Hornbill Aceros nipalensis (VU) One pair was seen above the fort at c. 1 ,000 m. Inglis et al. ( 1 920) record a specimen which had been purchased live at Buxa by Mr J. R. Phillips in 1918. It was listed by Anon, (undated). Beautiful Nuthatch Sitta formosa (VU) Two (- four) birds were seen near the ridge at 1,400 m, feeding 3-6 m from the ground on large trees (15+ m), and loosely associated with White-browed Scimitar Babblers, Lesser Yellownapes and Lesser Racket-tailed Drongos. A soft contact call: ‘whuck’ or ‘whit’ was noted. Long-billed Wren Babbler Rimator malacoptilus (LR: nt) A pair was seen at c. 1,500 m (J.A.). Inglis et al. (1920) noted that ‘O’Donel met with a pair at about 4000 ft..’, and Inglis (1952-1969) added that this was ‘above Baksa Duar.’ 1996 Birds of Buxa Tiger Reserve, India 35 Black-headed Shrike Babbler Pteruthius rufiventer (LR: nt) Small numbers were seen regularly, usually with mixed babbler flocks. Yellow-throated FulvettaH/czppp cmerea (LR: nt) A small party was seen once at c. 1,500 m (J.A.). White-naped Yuhina Yuhina bakeri (LR: nt) Small flocks of 6-12 were seen regularly at 1,500-1,600 m. The call was a titter with a final jeer. Greater Rufous-headed Parrotbill Paradoxomis ruficeps (LR: nt) Flocks of 30+ were seen regularly in bamboo at 800- 1 ,200 m, usually in association with Coral-billed Scimitar-Babblers. Inglis (1952-1969) recorded a small party at Buxa on 3 December 1918. PREVIOUS SIGNIFICANT RECORDS Swamp Francolin Francolinus gularis (VU) Inglis et al. (1920) noted that it was getting scarce as suitable localities decrease’ in Jalpaiguri district, but Anon, (undated) listed it as still occurring in Buxa. Manipur Bush Quail Perdicula manipurensis (VU) ‘The type specimens were procured in Goalpara. Primrose has seen this bird not far from the Torsa, and Shebbeare also believes he has seen it. There is a ragged skin in the British Museum said to have been got in the Bhutan Duars. This is evidently the bird mentioned by Thornhill as shot by him at Alipurduar’ (Inglis et al. 1920). Spot-bellied Eagle Owl Bubo nipalensis (LR: nt) Inglis etal. (1920) stated ‘...not often seen.’ Listed by Anon, (undated). Bengal Florican Houbaropsis bengalensis (EN) Inglis et al. (1920) noted that ‘this fine bird is steadily decreasing owing to the indiscriminate shooting of hens and the increasing acreage under tea’. Anon, (undated) listed it as probably extinct in Buxa Tiger Reserve. Lesser Florican Sypheotides indica (CR) ‘Decidedly uncommon. Two were shot at Neora Nuddy tea garden not very far from Baradighi. O’Donel has recorded them from Hasimara. He has only seen them in April, May and June’ (Inglis et al. 1920). Black-necked Crane Grus nigricollis (VU) One seen on 2 December 1992 (Sanyal 1995). Wood Snipe Gallinago nemoricola (VU) Inglis et al. (1920) noted that it was a very irregular winter visitor but was ‘commoner before so much jungle was cleared for tea’. White-bellied Heron Ardea insignis (EN) Not specifically recorded from Buxa, but Inglis et al. (1920) noted that it was ‘Uncommon and keeping to the larger rivers and those running through the forest. O’Donel remarks that 36 D. ALLEN et al. Forktail 12 it disappears from the plains during the rains and that it generally feeds at dusk, but also occasionally does so at midday’. Spot-winged Starling Samglossa spiloptera (LR: nt) Inglis et al. (1920) found it to be ‘very common along the base of the hills, occasionally descending to the plains.’ Jerdon’s Babbler Chrysomma altirostre (VU) Inglis et al. (1920) noted that it was ‘recorded from Bhutan and Buxa duars’, but it was not recorded by O’Donel or Inglis (1952-1969). Finn’s Weaver Ploceus megarhynchus (VU) O’Donel (1916) found a breeding colony at Hasimara (west of Buxa on the river Torsa) in June 1912. Inglis et al. (1920) noted that O’Donel ‘never got the birds again’, but Inglis (1952-1969) secured specimens from the same locality on 15 February 1927. Anon, (undated) listed it as occurring in Buxa Tiger Reserve. THREATS TO THE AREA The Buxa range is an area noted for dacoits, and we were warned to be careful away from the main village. Unofficial settlement within the park is illegal, but enforcement of regulations is difficult. Encroachment by local people is carefully concealed from most vantage points so the forest appears continuous. The reserve is under considerable pressure, with a human population of c. 200,000 and about 12,500 livestock. There are plans for a large multi-purpose dam on the Sankosh river. We would like to thank the Range Officer of Buxa Range, Mr S. K. Barai, and the Range Officer and Beat Officers of Jainti Range for their co-operation and enthusiasm during our visit. We would also like to thank Mike Crosby and Tim Inskipp for their help and suggestions with the manuscript. REFERENCES Anon, (undated) Avifauna, Buxa Tiger Reserve. Abdulali, H. ( 1 968-) A catalogue of the birds in the collection of the Bombay Natural History Society. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 65-. Collar, N. J., Crosby, M. J. and Stattersfield, A. J. (1994) Birds to watch 2: the world list of threatened birds. Cambridge: BirdLife International, Conservation Series No. 4. Inglis, C. M. (1952-1969) Birds of the duars. J. Bengal Nat. Hist. Soc. 25: 121-127, 164-169, 196- 200; 26: 1-8,47-56,93-99, 149-156; 27: 9-12, 55-58, 83-95, 129-155; 28: 18-51, 102-115, 153- 161; 29: 16-25,88-94, 150-160; 30: 35-42, 81-97, 166-181; 31: 14-32, 49-60; 32: 1-9, 69-73; 33: 121-123, 181-184; 34: 1-4, 85-87; 35: 1-5, 49-63. Inglis, C. M., Travers, W. L., O’Donel, H. V. and Shebbeare, E. O. (1920). A tentative list of the vertebrates of Jalpaiguri district, Bengal. Birds. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 26: 988-999; 27: 151- 158. 1996 Birds of Buxa Tiger Reserve, India 37 Inskipp, C. (1989) Nepal’s forest birds: their status and conservation. Cambridge, U.K.: International Council for Bird Preservation (Monograph No. 4). Law. S. C. (1953) Occurrence of the Smew [Mergellus albellus (Linn.)] in West Bengal. J Bombay Nat Hist. Soc. 51: 508-509. O Donel,H. V. (1916) The Eastern Baya ( Ploceus megarhynchus ) nesting in the same tree as the Jungle Bee ( Apis indicus). J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 24: 821. Rodgers, W. A. and Panwar, H. S. (1988) Planning a wildlife protected area network in India. 2 volumes. Project FO: IND/82/003. Dehra Dun: FAO. Sanyal, P. (1995) Rare crane of India. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 91: 453. Stevens, H. (1923-1925) Notes on the birds of the Sikkim Himalayas. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 29: 503-518, 723-740, 1007-1030; 30: 54-71, 352-379, 664-685, 872-893. Desmond Allen, 1158 No Ga Ya Cho, Machida Shi, Tokyo 19500, Japan. John Anderton, 436 E. Nelson Ave., Alexandria, VA 22301, USA. 38 D. ALLEN et al. Forktail 12 Krys Kazmierczak, 9 Norwich Road, Northwood, Middx. HA 6 1ND, U.K. APPENDIX SYSTEMATIC LIST OF SPECIES RECORDED IN BUXA TIGER RESERVE This survey Anon. (undated) and others Inglis et al. (1920) Jainti and Buxa Buxa Jalpaiguri district Grey Francolin Francolinus pondicerianus A X Black Francolin Francolinus francolinus A U Swamp Francolin Francolinus gularis (VU) A Decreasing Common Quail Coturnix coturnix A X Rain Quail Coturnix coromandelica A X Blue-breasted Quail Coturnix chinensis X Manipur Bush Quail Perdicuta manipurensis (VU) X Rufous-throated Partridge Arborophila rufogularis A C, Buxa Chestnut-breasted Partridge Arborophila mandellii (VU) Himalayan Monal Lophophorus impejanus B? R, Buxa-Sinchula A, Bhutan Duars Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus JB A C Kalij Pheasant Lophura leucomelanos B X Grey Peacock Pheasant Polyplectron bicalcaratum St R, Buxa Blue Peafowl Pavo cristatus B A LC Fulvous Whistling Duck Dendrocygna bicolor R Lesser Whistling Duck Dendrocygna javanica A C Greylag Goose Anser anser Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus R U Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea C White-winged Duck Cairina scutulata (EN) Neora river (possible) Cotton Pygmy-Goose Nettapus coromandelianus A C Gadwall Anas strepera Falcated Duck Anas falcata R U Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope U Mallard Anas platyrhynchos U Northern Pintail Anas acuta A C Garganey Anas querquedula F Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata F Common Teal Anas crecca A C Red-crested Pocharo Rhodonessa rufina X Common Pochard Aythya ferina A F Ferruginous Pochard Aythya nyroca (VU) C Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula A F Smew Mergellus albellus L Common Merganser Mergus merganser A C. Sankosh Yellow-legged Buttonquail Turnix tanki x, Bhutan duars Barreo Buttonquail Turnix suscitator A X Eurasian Wryneck Jynx torquilla 1 (Rajabhatkhawa) F (Inglis) Speckled Piculet Picumnus innominatus B A C White-browed Piculet Sasia ochracea S,l (Rajabhatkhawa) C Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker Dendrocopos canicapillus JB St.l U Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker Dendrocopos macei Crimson-breasted Woodpecker Dendrocopos cathpharius B 1500m A C 1996 Birds of Buxa Tiger Reserve, India 39 Darjeeling Woodpecker Dendrocopos darjellensis Rufous Woodpecker Ceieus brachyurus Lesser Yellownape Picus chlorolophus Greater Yellownape Picus flavinucha Streak-throated Woodpecker Picus xanthopygaeus Grey-headed Woodpecker Picus canus Himalayan Flameback Dinopium shorii Black-rumped Flameback Dinopium benghalense Greater Flameback Chrysocolaptes lucid us Bay Woodpecker Blythipicus pyrrhotis Great Barbet Megalaima virens Lineated Barbet Megalaima lineata Golden-throated Barbet Megalaima franklinii Blue-throated Barbet Megalaima asiatica Blue-eared Barbet Megalaima australis Coppersmith Barbet Megalaima haemacephala Indian Grey Hornbill Ocyceros biroslris Oriental Pied Hornbill Anthracoceros albirostris Great Hornbill Buceros bicornis Rufous-necked Hornbill Aceros nipalensis (V U) Wreathed Hornbill Aceros undulatus Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops Red-headed Trogon Harpactes erythrocephalus Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis Dollarbird Eurystomus orientalis Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis Blue-eared Kingfisher Alcedo meninting Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher Ceyx erithacus Stork-billed Kingfisher Halcyon capensis White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis Crested Kingfisher Megaceryle lugubris Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis Blue-bearded Bee-eater Nyctyomis athertoni Green Bee-eater Merops orientalis Blue-tailed Bee-eater Merops philippinus Chestnut-headed Bee-eater Merops leschenaulti Pied Cuckoo Clamator jacobinus Chestnut-wingeo Cuckoo Clamator coromandus Large Hawk Cuckoo Hierococcyx sparverioides Common Hawk Cuckoo Hierococcyx varius Hodgson's Hawk Cuckoo Hierococcyx fugax Indian Cuckoo Cuculus micropterus Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus Oriental Cuckoo Cuculus saturatus Lesser Cuckoo Cuculus poliocephalus Banoed Bay Cuckoo Cacomantis sonneratii Grey-bellied Cuckoo Cacomantis passerinus Plaintive Cuckoo Cacomantis merulinus Asian Emerald Cuckoo Chrysococcyx maculatus Drongo Cuckoo Surniculus lugubris Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopacea Green-billed Malkoha Phaenicophaeus tristis B J A C This survey Anon. (undated) and others Inglis et at. (1920) Jainti and Buxa Buxa Jalpaiguri district JB Ab C B A U (Inglis) U, Hasimara, Haldibari J A C B A u 2 records (Inglis) J C B U (O'Donel) JB A, St C JB A, St C JB Rehti, 28 Feb 1930 JB A C JB 1 U J U U J C A, St C B A R, Buxa J A x, Buxa A C B X B A C S U A, Ab C A x, Rajabhatkhawa A X C B A C X C J C A, St C A C A C C 1 (Rajabhatkhawa) c Hasimara. 2 Mar 1939 A C B A C A X X Haldibari, 13 Sep 1930 R U (O'Donel) F (Inglis) Moraghat B A C (O'Donel) C B A, Ab C 40 D. ALLEN et al. Forktail 12 Sirkeer Malkoha Phaenicophaeus leschepaultii Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis Lesser Coucal Centropus bengalensis Vernal Hanging Parrot Loriculus vernalis Alexandrine Parakeet Psittacula eupatria Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri Plum-headed Parakeet Psittacula cyanocephala Blossom-headed Parakeet Psittacula roseata Red-breasted Parakeet Psittacula alexandri Himalayan Swiftlet Collocalia brevirostris White-throated Needletail Hirundapus caudacutus Asian Palm Swift Cypsiurus balasiensis Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba Fork-tailed Swift Apus pacificus House Swift Apus affinis Crested Treeswift Hemiprocne coronata Barn Owl Tyto alba Grass Owl Tyto capensis Mountain Scops Owl Otus spilocephalus Oriental Scops Owl Otus sunia Collared Scops Owl Otis bakkamoena Eurasian Eagle Owl Bubo bubo Spot-bellied Eagle Owl Bubo nipalensis (LR: nt) Brown Fish Owl Ketupa zeylonensis Collared Owlet Glaucidium brodiei Asian Barred Owlet Glaucidium cuculoides Jungle Owlet Glaucidium radiatum Spotted Owlet Athene brama Brown Hawk Owl Ninox scutulata Grey Nightjar Capri mu Igus indicus Large-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus macrurus Savannah Nightjar Caprimulgus affinis Rock Pigeon Columba livia Ashy Wood Pigeon Columba pulchricollis Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis Red Collared Dove Streptopelia tranquebarica Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto Barreo Cuckoo Dove Macropygia unchall Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica Orange-breasted Green Pigeon Treron bicincta Pompadour Green Pigeon Treron pompadora Thick-billed Green Pigeon Treron curvirostra Yellow-footed Green Pigeon Treron pboenicoptera Pin-tailed Green Pigeon Treron apicauda Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon Treron sphenura Green Imperial Pigeon Ducula aenea Mountain Imperial Pigeon Ducula badia Bengal Florican Houbaropsis bengalensis (EN) Lesser Florican Sypheotides indica (CR) Black-necked Crane Grus nigricollis (VU) Slaty-legged Crake Rallina eurizonoides This survey Anon. (undated) and others Jainti and Buxa Buxa JB B B A A A A, Ab A A B A Ab S A B JB B J B A A St A A B 1200m A J St JB J J A A A A J JB JB J A, St A A A A Sa x, Bhutan duars C Inglis et al. (1920) Jalpaiguri district C x, Bhutan duars F C F x C x C C U c c u u c X c c u c u X c c c c U, Bhutan duars x R C C C C C C F F F C C C C C, Buxa Decreasing U F 1996 Birds of Buxa Tiger Reserve, India 41 Slaty-breasted Rail Gallirallus striatus X White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus A c This survey Anon. (undated) and others Inglis et al. (1920) Jainti and Buxa Buxa Jalpaigurl district Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio A X Eurasian Woodcock Scolopax rusticola A u Solitary Snipe Gallinago solitaria X Wood Snipe Gallinago nemoricoia (VU) A U, Buxa Pintail Snipe Gallinago stenura A X Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago A X Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus u Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia X Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus A X Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola A X Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos A X Little Stint Calidris minuta X Temminck’s Stint Calidris temminckii X Greater Painted-snipe Rostratula benghalensis A X Pheasant-tailed Jacana Hydrophasianus chirurgus X Bronze-winged Jacana Metopidius indicus A c Eurasian Thick-knee Burhinus oedicnemus c Great Thick-knee Esacus recurvirostris X Ibisbill Ibidorhyncha struthersii A, St X Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva X Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola A X Long-billed Plover Charadrius placidus (LR: nt) X Little Ringeo Plover Charadrius dubius X Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus X River Lapwing Vanellus duvaucelii J A c Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus J c Small Pratincole Glareola laclea c Indian Skimmer Rynchops albicollis (VU) F, Sankosh River Tern Sterna aurantia A X Little Tern Sterna albifrons x, Sankosh Black-bellied Tern Sterna acuticauda (VU) X Osprey Pandion haliaetus St u Jerdon's Baza Aviceda jerdoni(LR: nt) X Black Baza Aviceda leuphotes A F Oriental Honey-buzzard Pernis ptilorhyncus C Black-shouldered Kite Eianus caeruleus A u Black Kite Milvus migrans JB A c Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus u Pallas's Fish Eagle Haliaeetus leucoryphus (VU) c Lesser Fish Eagle Ichthyaetus humilis (LR: nt) u Grey-headed Fish Eagle Ichthyaetus ichthyaetus (LR: nt) F White-rumped Vulture Gyps bengatensis (LR: nt) A C Long-billed Vulture Gyps indicus (LR: nt) A C Himalayan Griffon Gyps himalayensis C Cinereous Vulture Aegypius monachus (LR: nt) U Red-headed Vulture Sarcogyps calvus (LR: nt) C Cresteo Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela JB c Eurasian Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus u Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus c Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus (LR: nt) X 42 D. ALLEN et al. Forktail 12 Pied Harrier Circus melanoleucos Crested Goshawk Accipiter trivirgatus Shikra Accipiter badius Besra Accipiter virgatus Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus Common Buzzard Buteo buteo Black Eagle Ictinaetus malayensis Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis Booteo Eagle Hieraaetus perwatus Rufous-bellied Eagle Hieraaetus kienerii Changeable Hawk Eagle Spizaetus cirrhatus Mountain Hawk Eagle Spizaetus nipalensis Collared Falconet Microhierax caerulescens Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus Red-necked Falcon Falco chicquera (LR: nt) Oriental Hobby Falco severus Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis Darter Anhinga melanogaster (LR: nt) Little Cormorant Phalacrocorax niger Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo White-bellied Heron Ardea insignis (EN) Purple Heron Ardea purpurea Great Egret Casmerodius albus Intermediate Egret Mesophoyx intermedia Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis Indian Pond Heron Ardeola grayii Little Heron Butorides striatus Buck-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax Cinnamon Bittern Ixobrychus cinnamomeus Great Bittern Botaurus stellaris Dalmatian/Great White Pelican Pelecanus crispusl onocrotalus Buck Stork Ciconia nigra Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus (VU) Greater Adjutant Leptoptilos dubius (EN) Blue-naped Pitta Pitta nipalensis (LR: nt) Hooded Pitta Pitta sordida Indian Pitta Pitta brachyura Silver-breasted Broadbill Serilophus lunatus Long-tailed Broadbill Psarisomus dalhousiae Asian Fairy Bluebird Irena puella Golden-fronted Leafbird Chloropsis aurifrons Orange-bellied Leafbird Chloropsis hardwickii Rufous-tailed Shrike Lanius isabellinus Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus Bay-backed Shrike Lanius vittatus Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach Grey-backed Shrike Lanius tephronotus Common Green Magpie Cissa chinensis Rufous Treepie Dendrocitta vagabunda JB A This survey Anon. (undated) and others Jainti and Buxa Buxa B A B B B J A B A St A A A R A A R J A A A A A x A R A J A. St J A B I B B B A S, St C R Inglis et al. (1920) Jalpalguri district C C u x u u R F x F C F U U x X C F x F C C C x C x U R, Bhutan duars C x x C C U.Rajabhatkhawa C C C F U C Haldibari, 20 Mar 1928 C C c c 1996 Birds of Buxa Tiger Reserve, India 43 Grey Treepie Dendrocitta formosae House Crow Corvus splendens Large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos Ashy Woodswallow Artamus fuscus Eurasian Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus Slender-billed Oriole Oriolus tenuirostris Black-hooded Oriole Oriolus xanthornus Maroon Oriole Oriolus traillii Large Cuckooshrike Coracina macei Black-winged Cuckooshrike Coracina melaschistos Black-headed Cuckooshrike Coracina melanoptera Rosy Minivet Pericrocotus roseus Small Minivet Pericrocotus cinnamomeus Grey-chinned Minivet Pericrocotus Solaris Long-tailed Minivet Pericrocotus ethologus Short-billed Minivet Pericrocotus brevirostris Scarlet Minivet Pericrocotus llammeus Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike Hemipus picatus Yellow-bellied Fantail Rhipidura hypoxantha White-throated Fantail Rhipidura albicollis White-browed Fantail Rhipidura aureola Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus Ashy Drongo Dicrurus leucophaeus White-bellied Drongo Dicrurus caerulescens Crow-billec Drongo Dicrurus annectans Bronzed Drongo Dicrurus aeneus Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo Dicrurus remifer Spangled Drongo Dicrurus hottentottus Greater Racket-tailed Drongo Dicrurus paradiseus Black-naped Monarch Hypothymis azurea Asian Paradise-flycatcher Terpsiphone paradisi Common Iora Aegithina tiphia Large Woodshrike Tephrodornis gularis Common Woodshrike Tephrodornis pondicerianus Brown Dipper Cinclus pallasii Blue-capped Rock Thrush Monticola cinciorhynchus Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush Monticola rufiventris Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius Blue Whistling Thrush Myophonus caeruteus Pied Thrush Zoothera wardii (LR: nt) Orange-headed Thrush Zoothera citrina Plain-backed Thrush Zoothera mollissima Long-tailed Thrush Zoothera dixoni Scaly Thrush Zoothera dauma Long-billeo Thrush Zoothera monticola (LR: nt) Dark-sideo Thrush Zoothera marginata White-collared Blackbird Turdus albocinctus Grey-winged Blackbird Turdus boulboul Dark-throated Thrush Turdus ruficollis Dark-sided Flycatcher Muscicapa sibirica Asian Brown Flycatcher Muscicapa dauurica Slaty-backed Flycatcher Ficeduia hodgsonii B A C A C This survey Anon. (undated) and others Inglis et al. (1920) Jainti and Buxa Buxa Jaipaiguri district B AIC A C S R JB A, St C J A c JB c JB A, St F U A F C JB A U JB A ? B A F JB A C J C (Inglis) JB St C JB C C A C JB S C C JB C JB A F JB A C JB A C A C A C J A, 1 (Buxa) C JB A C (Inglis) C U 1 (Gorumara) JB St R J A C JB A C Bhutan duars F B 1500m B 1900m J A X A X F B 1700m JB C A C A F X B St 44 D. ALLEN ei al. Forktail 12 Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher Ficedula strophiata B x, Buxa Red-throated Flycatcher Ficedula parva JB St C This survey Anon. (undated) and others Inglis et al. (1920) Jainti and Buxa Buxa Jalpaiguri district White-gorgeteo Flycatcher Ficedula monileger B 700m + 1500m Snowy-browed Flycatcher Ficedula hyperythra Little Pied Flycatcher Ficedula westermanni JB A, St F Slaty-blue Flycatcher Ficedula tricolor B A C Sapphire Flycatcher Ficedula sapphira B 800m Verditer Flycatcher Eumyias thalassina J A X Large Niltava Niltava grandis JB below 800m Small Niltava Niltava macgrigoriae JB A C Rufous-bellied Niltava Niltava sundara B A F Pale-chinned Flycatcher Cyornis potiogenys J St F Pale Blue Flycatcher Cyornis unicolor J Blue-throated Flycatcher Cyornis rubeculoides B A F Pygmy Blue Flycatcher Muscicapella hodgsoni J 180m + 870m R, Buxa Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher Culicicapa ceylonensis JB A C Siberian Rubythroat Luscinia calliope U White-tailed Rubythroat Luscinia pectoralis B A C Bluethroat Luscinia sveclca A X Orange-flanked Bush Robin Tarsiger cyanurus Golden Bush Robin Tarsiger chrysaeus B B 1600m R, Buxa Oriental Magpie Robin Copsychus saularis JB A C White-rumped Shama Copsychus malabaricus B A, St C Buck Redstart Phoenicurus ocbruros S X FIodgson's Redstart Phoenicurus hodgsoni St U Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus Blue-fronted Redstart Phoenicurus frontalis B 1600m A U White-capped Water Redstart Chaimarrornis leucocephalus JB A C Plumbeous Water Redstart Rhyacornis fuliginosus JB A C White-bellied Redstart Hodgsonius phaenicuroides B White-tailed Robin Myiomela leucura B R, Jamguri Little Forktail Enicurus scouleri B X Black-backed Forktail Enicurus immaculatus J A C Slaty-backed Forktail Enicurus schistaceus B C White-crowned Forktail Enicurus leschenaulti U Spotted Forktail Enicurus maculatus B A X Hodgson's Bushchat Saxicola insignis (VU) X Common Stonechat Saxicola torquata A C White-tailed Stonechat Saxicola leucura C Pied Bushchat Saxicola caprata A X Grey Bushchat Saxicola terrea B A C Spot-winged Starling Saroglossa spiloptera (LR: nt) St C Chestnut-tailed Starling Sturnus malabaricus J A C Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris A U Asian Pied Starling Sturnus contra A F Common Myna Acridotheres tristis JB A C Bank Myna Acridotheres ginginianus A U Jungle Myna Acridotheres fuscus J A C Hill Myna Gracula religiosa JB A, St C Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch Sitta castanea JB A C White-tailed Nuthatch Sitta himalayensis B 1500+m Velvet-fronted Nuthatch Sitta frontalis B 1900m 1 (Sankosh) C 1996 Birds of Buxa Tiger Reserve, India 45 Beautiful Nuthatch Sitta formosa (VU) B Wallcreeper Tichodroma muraria J X This survey Anon. Inglis et al. (1920 (undated) and others Jainti and Buxa Buxa Jalpaiguri district Brown-throated Treecreeper Certhia discolor B Fire-capped Tit Cephalopyrus llammiceps B R Great Tit Parus major A C Green-backed Tit Parus monticolus JB A, St C, Buxa Yellow-cheeked Tit Parus spilonotus JB Sultan Tit Melanochlora sultanea JB A C Black-throated Tit Aegithalos concinnus B 1300-1 600m Sand Martin Riparia riparia 1 (Buxa) Plain Martin Riparia paludicola St C Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica A C Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii C Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica A C Asian House Martin Delichon dasypus B 1 (Rajabhatkhawa) Nepal House Martin Delichon nipalensis B Striated Bulbul Pycnonotus striatus C Black-crested Bulbul Pycnonotus melanicterus JB C Red-whiskered Bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus A C Himalayan Bulbul Pycnonotus leucogenys S ? Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cater JB A C White-throated Bulbul Alophoixus fiaveoius J A c Ashy Bulbul Hemixos flavala JB C, Buxa Mountain Bulbul Hypsipetes mcclellandii B 1500m Black Bulbul Hypsipetes leucocephalus JB C Bright-headed Cisticola Cisticola exilis C Grey-crowned Prinia Prinia cinereocapilla (LR: nt) Bhutan duars Rufescent Prinia Prinia rufescens B St Grey-breasted Prinia Prinia hodgsonii St C Jungle Prinia Prinia sylvatica A C Yellow-bellied Prinia Prinia flaviventris A C Ashy Prinia Prinia socialis A C Plain Prinia Prinia inornata X Oriental White-eye Zosterops palpebrosus J A c Chestnut-headed Tesia Tesia castaneocoronata B A. St C, Buxa Grey-bellied Tesia Tesia cyaniventer JB C Pale-footed Bush Warbler Cettia pallidipes S X Brownish-flanked Bush Warbler Cettia fortipes u Grey-sided Bush Warbler Cettia brunnifrons B 1800m Spotted Bush Warbler Bradypterus thoracicus A c Chinese Bush Warbler Bradypterus tacsanowskius x, Bhutan duars Brown Bush Warbler Bradypterus luteoventris X Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia x, Bhutan duars Blyth's Reed Warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum C Thick-billed Warbler Acrocephalus aedon J F Mountain Tailorbird Orthotomus cuculatus B R Common Tailorbird Orthotomus sutorius B A C Dark-necked Tailorbird Orthotomus atrogularls X Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita A X Dusky Warbler Phylloscopus tuscatus J St X Smoky Warbler Phylloscopus fuligiventer A X Buff-barred Warbler Phylloscopus pulcher B x, Buxa 46 D. ALLEN et al. Forktail 12 Ashy-throated Warbler Phylloscopus maculipennis Lemon-rumped Warbler Phylloscopus chloronotus Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus Greenish Warbler Phylloscopus trochiloides Western Crowned Warbler Phylloscopus occipitalis Eastern Crowned Warbler Phylloscopus coronatus Blyth's Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus reguloides Yellow-vented Warbler Phylloscopus cantator Golden-spectacled Warbler Seicercus burkii Grey-hooded Warbler Seicercus xanthoschistos White-spectacled Warbler Seicercus affinis Grey-cheeked Warbler Seicercus poliogenys Chestnut-crowned Warbler Seicercus castaniceps Black-faced Warbler Abroscopus schisticeps Striated Grassbird Megalurus palustris Rufous-rumped Grassbird Graminicola bengalensis White-crested Laughingthrush Garrulax leucolophus Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush Garrulax monileger Greater Necklaced Laughingthrush Garrulax pectoralis Striated Laughingthrush Garrulax striatus Rufous-necked Laughingthrush Garrulax ruficollis Rufous-chinned Laughingthrush Garrulax rufogularis Grey-sided Laughingthrush Garrulax caerulatus Streaked Laughingthrush Garrulax lineatus Blue-winged Laughingthrush Garrulax squamatus Black-faced Laughingthrush Garrulax affinis Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush Garrulax erythrocephalus Red-winged Liocichla Liocichla phoenicea Abbott's Babbler Malacocincla abbotti Puff-throated Babbler Pellorneum ruficeps Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler Pomatorhinus erythrogenys White-browed Scimitar Babbler Pomatorhinus schisticeps Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler Pomatorhinus ruficollis Coral-billeo Scimitar Babbler Pomatorhinus ferruginosus Long-billed Wren Babbler Rimator malacoptilus (LR: nt) Scaly-breasteo Wren Babbler Pnoepyga albiventer Pygmy Wren Babbler Pnoepyga pusilla Rufous-fronted Babbler Stachyris rufifrons Rufous-capped Babbler Stachyris ruficeps Golden Babbler Stachyris chrysaea Grey-throateo Babbler Stachyris nigriceps Striped Tit Babbler Macronous gu laris Chestnut-capped Babbler Timalia pileata Yellow-eyed Babbler Chrysomma sinense Jerdon's Babbler Chrysomma altirostre (V U) Striated Babbler Turdoides earlei Slender-billed Babbler Turdoides longirostris (LR: nt) Jungle Babbler Turdoides striatus Silver-eared Mesia Leiothrix argentauris Cutia Cutia nipalensis Black-headed Shrike Babbler Pteruthius rufiventer White-browed Shrike Babbler Pteruthius flaviscapis B 1600m JB 870m This survey Jainti and 8uxa I (Buxa) St Anon, (undated) and others Buxa B 600m St A, I, St I (Rajabhatkhawa) B JB JB JB B B 1200m B 1300 + 1500m B 870m B 1500m St A A, St I (Buxa) I (Rajabhatkhawa) St B A B A JB B A B Ab B B B 1200m B 1900m B 1200m A,Ab J B B A B A B B B above 1500m B B A, St B B 11 00-1 500m B J St A A Inglis et al. (1920) Jalpaiguri district x x, Buxa C x, Buxa U C F x F, Buxa C x, Buxa x, Buxa C, Buxa C x, Bhutan duars C C x, Buxa C C Buxa duars F C C B above 1000m, flocks of 5-15 seen early in period B B R 1996 Birds of Buxa Tiger Reserve, India 47 Black-eared Shrike Babbler Pteruthius melanotis B White-hooded Babbler Gampsorhynchus rufulus C This survey Anon. Inglis et al. (1920) (undated) and others Jainti and Buxa Buxa Jalpaiguri district Rusty-fronted Barwing Actinodura egertoni B A x, Buxa Hoary-throated Barwing Actinodura nipalensis B Blue-winged Minla Minla cyanouroptera JB x, Buxa Chestnut-tailed Minla Minla strigula B 1800+m Red-tailed Minla Minla ignotincta JB A, St R, Buxa Yellow-throated Fulvetta Alcippe cinerea (LR: nt) B Rufous-throated Fulvetta Alcippe rutogularis (LR: nt) Bhutan duars Rufous-winged Fulvetta Alcippe castaneceps B 1600+m Nepal Fulvetta Alcippe nipalensis B 1300+m Rufous-backed Sibia Heterophasia annectans B 800m Rufous Sibia Heterophasia capistrata JB A x, Buxa Long-tailed Sibia Heterophasia picaoides B A x, Buxa Striated Yuhina Yuhina castaniceps x, Bhutan duars White-naped Yuhina Yuhina bakeri B Whiskered Yuhina Yuhina flavicollis B A.Ab.St C Stripe-throated Yuhina Yuhina gularis B R Rufous-vented Yuhina Yuhina occipitalis B R Black-chinned Yuhina Yuhina nigrimenta B Ab C, Buxa White-bellied Yuhina Yuhina zantholeuca B C, Buxa Grey-headed Parrotbill Paradoxornis gularis B Black-breasted Parrotbill Paradoxornis flavirostris (V U) x, Bhutan Terai Greater Rufous-headed Parrotbill Paradoxornis ruficeps (LR: nt) B Ab R, Buxa Rufous-winged Lark Mirafra assamica A C Sand Lark Calandrella raytal U Oriental Skylark Alauda gulgula A C Yellow-vented Flowerpecker Dicaeum chrysorrheum 1 (nr Rajabhatkhawa) Pale-billed Flowerpecker Dicaeum erythrorynchos A X Plain Flowerpecker Dicaeum concolor B A C Fire-breasted Flowerpecker Dicaeum ignipectus B X Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker Dicaeum cruentatum A c Ruby-cheeked Sunbird Anthreptes singalensis X Purple Sunbird Nectarinia asiatica A c Mrs Gould’s Sunbird Aethopyga gouldiae A c Green-tailed Sunbird Aethopyga nipalensis B Black-throated Sunbird Aethopyga saturata B A X Crimson Sunbird Aethopyga sipara/a J A c Fire-tailed Sunbird Aethopyga ignicauda R Little Spiderhunter Arachnothera longirostra B R Streaked Spiderhunter Arachnothera magna JB A C House Sparrow Passer domesticus A c Russet Sparrow Passer rutilans X Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus A X Forest Wagtail Dendronanthus indicus R White Wagtail Motacilla alba c White-browed Wagtail Motacilla maderaspatensis u Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola c Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava A c Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea B A c 48 D. ALLEN et al. Forktail 12 Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris Blyth's Pipit Anthus godlewskii Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni Rufous-breasted Accentor Prunella strophiata Baya Weaver Ploceus philippinus Finn's Weaver Ploceus megarhynchus (VU) Red Avadavat Amandava amandava White-rumped Munia Lonchura striata Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata Black-headed Munia Lonchura malacca Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus Scarlet Finch Haematospiza sipahi Crested Bunting Melophus lathami Little Bunting Emberiza pusilla Yellow-breasted Bunting Emberiza aureola Chestnut Bunting Emberiza rutila A = Anon, (undated) L = Law (1953) St = Stevens (1923-1925) (C) = Critically endangered (LR: nt) = Low risk: Near-threatened C = common R = rare A This survey Anon. (undated) and others Jainti and Buxa Buxa B A B A A A A S A A A Ab = Abdulali (1968-) S = R. Singh (pers. comm.) (EN) = Endangered F = fairly common x = status n C Inglis et al. (1920) Jalpaiguri district C C Hasimara x U C F U R F F U I = Inglis (1952-1959) Sa = Sanyal (1995) (VU) = Vulnerable U = uncommon 1996 FORKTAIL 12 (1996): 65 - 76 49 Some bird observations from central Bhutan, May 1994 ROBERT TYMSTRA, SCOTT CONNOP, and CHADO TSHERING Results of a survey in western and central Bhutan in May 1 994 are presented. The survey focused on subtropical and temperate zone areas in Jigme Dorji National Park and the buffer zone of Black Mountain National Park and yielded 252 species of birds, including first published records for Bhutan of Common Coot Fulica atra. Russet Bush Warbler Bradypterus seebohmi , and Forest Wagtail Dendronamhm indicus. An avifaunal survey in parts of western and central Bhutan was conducted from 2 May to 26 May 1994. The project, designed to increase knowledge of the birdlife of some of Bhutan’s less-studied areas, was sponsored by the WWF Bhutan Programme. The ornithological survey team consisted of Scott and Joanne Connop, Dr. Murray Gell-Mann, Marsha Southwicke, Chado Tshering, and Robert Tymstra. In addition to documenting the birdlife, several hours of bird song recordings were made for future use in conservation and training in survey and recording techniques was provided to Bhutanese biologists. Our survey time was spent mainly in Jigme Dorji National Park and in the buffer zone bordering the Black Mountains National Park. We found a total of 252 species of birds, including several that were apparently new to the country, or had only been documented once or twice before. We concentrated our efforts on the subtropical and temperate broadleaf forests which Bhutan has in abundance; these forests are a stronghold for several bird species difficult to find elsewhere. Our expedition (see Figure 1 for locations) began in Thimphu (2400 m) from where we drove east towards Tongsa (2,100 m), stopping along the way at Dochhu La (3,215 m), Nobding (2,900 m), and Pele La (3,300 m). From Tongsa, we made a daytrip east to Yutong La (3,400 m), then drove south to Wangdinala (1,000 m) where we spent three days. We continued with a week-long trek along the Mangde Chhu (river) to Nobji (1,300 m) via Nimshong. We camped for three nights along a watercourse 5 km upstream of Nobji before retracing our steps to Wangdinala and Tongsa. We next camped for three days at Chendebji (2,400 m), then moved on to Phobjikha from where we trekked to Khebetang (2,800 m) for a four day stay. We travelled to Punakha via Pele La, then up the Mo Chhu for a three day stay at Rimchu (1,350 m), trekking upstream to below Gasa (2,200 m) via Damji before returning to Thimphu. The first trek followed a trail from Nimshong to beyond Nobji and covered an elevational range of 900-1,500 m, with a low point of 700 m while crossing the Mangde Chhu. There was 50 R. TYMSTRA et al. Forktail 12 much mature forest in this area with secondary forest and clearings near the villages. We found this region to be very rich in bird species, presumably because of the increased diversity of vegetation and the presence of ‘edge’ habitat where some species were more readily encountered than they would have been in mature forest. Beyond Nobji, we entered a narrow river canyon where the species diversity was lower, but certain key indicator species were found here that were scarce or absent along the trail to Nobji. Rufous¬ necked Hornbill A ceros nipalensis, Yellow-throated Fulvetta Alcippe cinerea, Spotted Wren Babbler Spelaeomisformosus, and White-naped Yuhina Yuhina bakeri are good examples. The presence of mammals such as Golden Langur Trachypithecus geei, Assamese Macaque Macaca assamensis, and Common Goral Naemorhedus goral underscored the importance of this less disturbed area. The weather was mostly sunny and warm during the beginning of our trek, but degenerated to rain as we arrived at Nobji and beyond. This river area seemed to have a wetter microclimate than areas east of Nobji. Our second trek began at the end of the Punakha road five km north of Rimchu at 1,500 m. The first segment wound through healthy subtropical forest along the Mo Chhu before climbing to 2,200 m at Damji. The forest from Damji to Gasa rises and falls between 2, 1 00 and 2,500 m with the quality of the temperate broadleaf forests improving as one approaches Gasa. The forest undergrowth just before Gasa contained a strong bamboo element with a number of bamboo specialists including Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler Xiphirhynchus superciliaris . Some of our discoveries in this area represented species that are difficult to identify or observe, including Russet Bush Warbler Bradypterus seebohmi. This species would have been missed if not for a recording made near Damji, reinforcing the value of tape-recorders as tools in detecting and documenting shy species. Rain occurred off and on during this time but the monsoon had not yet begun in earnest. The forest between Rimchu and the end of the road was in excellent condition and should be afforded some protection. The rest of our censusing involved areas closer to the main east-west highway, but despite our proximity to human habitation, the forests were still extensive and a number of significant birds were seen from the road. Ward’s Trogon Harpactes wardi was initially found beside the road near Tongsa. The trail connecting Pele La with the highway near Nobding displayed mature forest and contained a good assortment of species, including Brown Paradoxomis unicolor and Fulvous Parrotbills P. fulvifrons. Other surprises included several noteworthy sightings along the road north of Wangdinala. Kalij Pheasant Lophura leucomelanos, Yellow-vented Warblers Phylloscopus cantator, Hodgson’s Hawk Cuckoo Hierococcyx fugax, and Rufous-necked Hornbills were all visible from the road, as were Indian Muntjac Muntiacus muntjak and Golden Langurs. We observed many significant species outside of Bhutan’s parks and reserves and felt that any increase of protected areas would result in quality additions to their already extensive parks system. 1996 Some bird observations from central Bhutan, May 1994 51 Figure 1. Bhutan, showing locations mentioned in text. DESCRIPTION OF MAIN LOCALITIES VISITED: Dochhu La (27°29’N 89°45’E) consists of ‘mixed conifer’ forest dominated by fir Abies densa , Hemlock Tsuga dumosa, Spruce Picea moranda and, at slightly lower elevations, ‘temperate’ forest of Rhododendron spp., oak Quercus semicarpefolia and further down towards Thimphu dominated by Blue Pine Pinus wallichiana. Nobding-Pele La (Pele La: 27°32’N 90°12’E) area, is ‘temperate broadleaf and mixed conifer’ forest of Birch Betula utilis, Rhododendron spp., Cypress Cupressus comeyana, and Pinus wallichiana. Chendebji (27°29’N 90°18’E) is an upland ‘temperate’ and ‘mixed conifer’ forest of Abies densa , Tsuga dumosa , Larch Larix griffithii and Juniper Juniperus recurva and J. pseudosabina with Rhododendron forest and stunted bamboo undergrowth. The Phobjikha (27°31’N 90°13’E) and Khebetang (27°23’N 90°1 1 ’E) area is a ‘mixed conifer’ and ‘temperate broadleaf forest of Pinus wallichiana, Abies densa, Rhododendron spp., Tsuga dumosa, Prunus spp. with bamboo (Yushania microphylla) undergrowth. Khebetang is the construction site of a new nature study centre. Tongsa (27°30’N 90°3 1 ’E), Wangdinala (or Wangdigang, 27°1 3’N 90°37’E) and Nimshong (27°1 3’N 90°36’E) areas are ‘temperate broadleaf with Chir Pine Pinus roxburghii to ‘subtropical’ forests in the Wangdinala-Nimshong area where dominant tree species include Quercus griffithii, Schima wallichii, Castanopsis spp. and Sterculia villosa. 52 R. TYMSTRA et al. Forktail 12 Nobji (27°1 l’N 90°28’E) and upper Nobji areas contain a blend of forest types between ‘subtropical’ and ‘temperate’ characterized by Alders Alnus nepalensis, Castanopsis spp., Quercus griffithii, Calicarpa arborea, Schima wallichii, and Sterculia villosa. Rimchu (27°40’N 89°45’E) area is a ‘subtropical’ forest consisting of Alnus nepalensis , Pinus roxburghii, Castanopsis spp., Schima wallichii, Macaranga spp., Walnut Juglans regia, Morns laevigata, Toona ciliata, Betula alnoides, Michelia spp. and Syzygium cumini. Damji (27°48’N 89°44’E), and Gasa (27°56’N 89°44’E) areas are ‘temperate broadleaf forest of Alnus nepalensis, Quercus griffithii, Schima wallichii, Betula alnoides with lots of bamboo along the route to Gasa and Alnus nepalensis in the hot springs area. Annotated list of selected species: The following is an annotated list of some of the more significant species recorded along with IUCN Threat Category, if any (Collar etal. 1994). The complete list of 252 species observed follows in the Appendix. Japanese Quail Cotumix japonica. This species was rather common in the wheat fields of the Phobjikha valley at 2,800 m. Rufous-throated Partridge/1 rborophila rufogularis. Calls we heard frequently in the lower altitudes (1,100-1,600 m) of the subtropical valleys near Nobji and Rimchu, we believe to be of this species though this was not confirmed. The calls were much like those of A. torqueola but more prolonged. Satyr Tragopan Tragopan satyra. One was heard below Yutong La (2,600 m) on 4 May and a female was seen at Chendebji at 2,700 m on 15 May. Near-threatened. Grey Peacock Pheasant Polyplectron bicalcaratum. One heard near Nobji, 8 May at 1,100 m. Great Hornbill Buceros bicomis. Two in subtropical broadleaf forest near Nimshong on 12 May at 1,300 m. Rufous-necked Hornbill Aceros nipalensis. A flock of 1 3 birds was seen near Nimshong at 1,300 m on 12 May; four hornbills were observed above Wangdinala at 1,600 m on 6 May and a single bird was seen at the river camp upstream of Nobji. Vulnerable. Ward’s Trogon Harpactes wardi. A singing bird was recorded and seen on 4 May at 2,600 m seven km east of Tongsa. Another was heard on 26 May near Damji at 2,200 m. Vulnerable. Hodgson’s Hawk Cuckoo Hierococcyxfugax. Observed in small numbers in the Nobji and Gasa valleys on several occasions at altitudes from 1,000- 2,200 m. 1996 Some bird observations from central Bhutan, May 1994 53 Asian Emerald Cuckoo Chrysococcyx maculatus. Individuals recorded on 7 May at Wangdinala (1,000 m) and in the Nobji Valley on 10 May in subtropical broadleaf forest at an altitude of 1,300 m. Parakeet. Psittacula finschii/himalayana. A single bird of one or other of these species flew past near Damji at 2,200 m on 23 May. Its call was an upslurred ‘phweep.’ Tawny Fish Owl Ketupaflavipes. Eurasian Jays harassing this species led to its location high in a tree beside the Mo Chhu at Rimchu on 2 1 May at 1,300 m. Near-threatened. Common Coot Fulica atra. A single bird was seen swimming in a small pond near Punakha at 1,275 m on 20 May and is apparently the first published record for Bhutan. Pallas s Fish Eagle Haliaeetus leucoryphus. An adult was seen flying south along the Mo Chhu River at 1,300 m on 20 M.ay near Rimchu. Vulnerable. Crested Serpent Eagle Spilomis cheela. In addition to several sightings at lower altitudes, we observed a calling bird fly over near Dochhu La on 2 May at 3,000 m, a substantially higher altitude than normal for this species. Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus. One flying over Gasa Hot Springs at 2,100 m on 24 May. Rufous-bellied Eagle Hieraaetus kienerii. A single bird recorded at 1,500 m at Rephe above Wangdinala on 5 May. Long-tailed Broadbill Psansonius dalhousiae. Two heard on 13 May near Nobji and two more seen near Nimshong on 14 May at 1,300m. Ashy Woodsw allow Artamus fuscus. Three on 7 May at 1,300 m near Nimshong. One was seen entering a nest cavity in a dead tree. [Vivid Niltava Niltava vivida. One female on 23 May and another on 25 May south of Gasa at 2, 1 00 m were believed to be this species: it should be looked for.] White-tailed Robin Myiomela leucura. Several were seen in the broadleaf forest in the vicinity of Nobji and in the Gasa Valley from 1,300 to 2,300 m. Purple Cochoa Cochoa purpurea. A female seen briefly by one of our party on 19 May at 2,750 m at Khebetang. Near-threatened. Slaty-bellied Tesia Tesia olwea. Several along the trail from Nobji to Nimshong (1,200-1,300 m). This species was found to be rather common along the Mo Chhu River from 1 ,400 to 1,900 m, as well. Below Damji, we found T. olwea in the same habitat as T. cyaniventer where altitudes overlapped; the latter was found from 1,500 m up to 2,400 m. Russet Bush Warbler Bradypterus seebohmi. This bird’s call was recorded on 23 May at 2,200 m at Damji. The call, heard in the background of a tape made for another species, was identified by Craig Robson; it represents the first record for Bhutan. 54 R. TYMSTRA et al. Forktail 12 Yellow-vented Warbler Phylloscopus cantator. This species was found to be common in subtropical broadleaf forest from 1 ,000- 1 ,400 m in both the Nobji and lower Gasa valleys. Near- threatened. Rufous- vented Laughingthrush Garrulax gularis. A large laughingthrush with a yellow throat and dark mask, seen chasing a considerably smaller Streaked Laughingthrush, could only be this species. It was observed in thickets near Nimshong at 1,300 m on 7 May. This is probably the second record for Bhutan. Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler Xiphyrhynchus superciliaris. Two birds were seen in bamboo near Damji at 2,200 m on May 25. Near-threatened. Spotted Wren Babbler Spelaeomis fomiosus. Found to be rather common in dense vegetation near streams at Nobji and Rimchu at elevations ranging from 1,300 to 2,400 m. Near-threatened. Black-headed Shrike Babbler Pteruthius rufiventer. An individual was recorded on 25 May near Damji at 2,200 m. Near-threatened. Golden-breasted Fulvetta Alcippe chrysotis. Recorded in bamboo on 24, 25 May at 2,200 m near Gasa. Yellow-throated Fulvetta Alcippe cinerea. Two at 1,350 m in dense vegetation beside a stream near Nobji on 10 May. Near-threatened. White-naped Yuhina Yuhina bakeri. At least twelve birds were seen on 10 May at 1,250 m in streamside vegetation near Nobji. Greater Rufous-headed Parrotbill Paradoxomis ruficeps. One near Nimshong on 12 May at 1,300 m. Near-threatened. Fulvous Parrotbill Paradoxomis fulvifrons. One at 3,200 m on 16 May at Pele La. Forest Wagtail Dendronanthus indicus. Individuals were seen at Rimchu on 22 May at 1,400 m and near Gasa on 24 May at 2,250 m. These are apparently the first published records for Bhutan. Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava. A dark-capped male ( thunbergi? ) was observed on 24 May near a small stream at 2,250 m. There is only one previous published record for this species in Bhutan, a September record of M. f. taivana seen at 4,850 m in western Bhutan (Ali and Ripley 1987). Crimson-browed Finch Propyrrhula subhimachala. One at 3,200 m near Yutong La on 4 May. White-winged Grosbeak Mycerobas camipes. Several were observed at Pele La, Yutong La, and Khebetang in temperate mixed forests from 2,800 to 3,300 m. 1996 Some bird observations from central Bhutan, May 1994 55 APPENDIX BIRDS RECORDED IN MAY, 1994 Species Japanese Quail Coturnix japonica Hill Partridge Arborophila torqueola Rufous-throated Partridge Arborophila rufogularis Satyr Tragopan Tragopan satyrs Himalayan Monal Lophophorus impejanus Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus Kalij Pheasant Lophura leucomelanos Grey Peacock Pheasant Polyplectron bicalcaratum Speckled Piculet Picumnus irwominatus Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker Dendrocopos macei Rufous-bellied Woodpecker Dendrocopos hyperythrus Crimson-breasted Woodpecker Dendrocopos cathpharius Darjeeling Woodpecker Dendrocopos dar/ellensis Rufous Woodpecker Celeus brachyurus Lesser Yellownape Picus chlorolophus Greater Yellownape Picus flavinucha Grey-headed Woodpecker Picus can us Bay Woodpecker Blythipicus pyrrhotis Great Barbet Megalaima virens Golden-throated Barbet Megalaima franklinii Blue-throated Barbet Megalaima asiatica Great Hornbill Buceros bicornis Rufous-necked Hornbill Aceros nipalensis Common Hoopoe Upupa epops Red-headed Trogon Harpactes erythrocephalus Ward's Trogon Harpactes wardi Crested Kingfisher Megaceryle lugubris Blue-bearded Bee-eater Nyctyornis athertoni Chestnut-headed Bee-eater Merops leschenaulti Chestnut-winged Cuckoo Ciamator coromandus Large Hawk Cuckoo Hierococcyx sparverioides Hodgson's Hawk Cuckoo Hierococcyx fugax Indian Cuckoo Cuculus micropterus Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus Oriental Cuckoo Cuculus saturatus Lesser Cuckoo Cuculus poliocephalus Plaintive Cuckoo Cacomantis merulinus Asian Emerald Cuckoo Chrysococcyx maculatus Drongo Cuckoo Surniculus lugubris Parakeet Psittacula himalayanalfinschii Himalayan Swiftlet Collocalia brevirostris White-throated Neeoletail Hirundapus caudacutus Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba Fork-tailed Swift Apus pacificus House Swift Apus affinis Mountain Scops Owl Otus spilocephalus Tawny Fish Owl Ketupa flavipes Collared Owlet Glaucidium brodiei Asian Barred Owlet Glaucidium cuculoides Habitat Altitude Locations Abundance F 2800 14 f TX 2000-2900 u c SB 1100-1600 10,11,12,18 f TX 2400-2800 7,13,15 r TX 2800 15 r F,SB 1100-1300 10,11 r SB.TB.TX 1000-2900 3,9,10,18,19,20 f SB 1200 11 r SB 1200-1300 11,18 r TX 2600 7 r TB 2500 13 r TX 2800 4 r TX 2200-2800 15,20 f SB 1000-1300 9,10,18 f SB 1000-1300 9,11,18 f SB,T8 1300-2100 11,18,19 f SB 1300 r SB.TB 1300-2200 18,19,20 f SB.TB 1300-2600 5,7,9-12,18-20 c SB.TB 1000-2700 3,9-12,18 c SB 600-1300 9,10 c SB 1300 11 r SB 1000-1800 9-12 f SB.TB, F 1200-2800 6,8,14,17,18 f SB 1300 11 r TB 2200-2600 7,19 r R.SB.TX 1200-2800 13,17,18 f SB 1300 10 r SB,R 1250 17 r SB 1000 9 r SB.TB.TX 1000-3000 3-5,7,9-11,13,15,19,20 c SB.TB 1000-2200 9-11,18,20 f SB.TB.TX 1000-2800 3-5,7,9-12,18,20 c TB.TX 2200-2900 3-5,13,14,18-20 c SB.TB.TX 1000-2800 u c SB.TB.TX 1000-2800 9,13,15,18-20 f SB 1000-1300 9,11 r SB 1200-1300 9,12 r SB.TB 1000-2600 6,9-12,18,19 c TB 2200 19 r SB.TB.TX 1500-2800 15,18-20 c SB.TX 1000-2800 9,15 f TX 2600 16 r SB.TB 1300-2400 7,9,13,18-20 f SB.TB.TX 1000-2000 u c SB 1000-1300 9,10,11 f R .SB 1300 18 r SB.TB 1200-2200 10-12,19-20 f SB 1000-1300 9,10 f 56 R. TYMSTRA et al. Forktail 12 Species Grey Nightjar Caprimulgus indicus Rock Pigeon Columba livia Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensls Barred Cuckoo Dove Macropygia unchall Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon Treron spherwra Mountain Imperial Pigeon Ducula badia Common Coot Fulica atra Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos River Lapwing Vanellus duvaucelii Osprey Pandion haliaetus Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela Crested Goshawk Accipiter trivirgatus Besra Accipiter virgatus Pallas’s Fish Eagle Haliaeetus leucoryphus Black Eagle Ictinaetus malayensis Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus Rufous-bellied Eagle Hieraaetus kienerii Mountain Hawk Eagle Spizaetus nipalensis Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus Long-tailed Broadbill Psarisomus dalhousiae Orange-bellied Leafbird Chloropsis hardwickii Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach Grey-backed Shrike Lanius tephronotus Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius Yellow-billed Blue Magpie Urocissa flavirostris Common Green Magpie Cissa chinensis Grey Treepie Dendrocitta tormosae Buck-billed Magpie Pica pica Spotted Nutcracker Nucifraga caryocatactes Red-billed Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax Large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos Ashy Woodswallow Artamus fuscus Maroon Oriole Oriolus traillii Buck-winged Cuckooshrike Coracina melaschistos Grey-chinned Minivet Pericrocotus Solaris Long-tailed Minivet Pericrocotus etbologus Short-billed Minivet Pericrocotus brevirostris Scarlet Minivet Pericrocotus fiammeus Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike Hemipus picatus Yellow-bellieo Fantail Rhipidura hypoxantha White-throated Fantail Rhipidura albicollis Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus Ashy Drongo Dicrurus leucophaeus Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo Dicrurus remifer Spangled Drongo Dicrurus hottentottus Brown Dipper Cinclus pallasii Blue-capped Rock Thrush Monticola cinclorhynchus Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush Monticola rufiventris Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius Blue Whistling Thrush Myophonus caeruleus Plain-backed Thrush Zoothera mollissima White-collared Blackbird Turdus albocinctus Grey-winged Blackbird Turdus boulboul Habitat Altitude Locations Abundance SB.TB.TX 1000-2400 7,9,11,13,14,18,19 f F,TX 1100-2900 2,3,4,6.16 c SB.TB.F 1300-2900 u c SB 1000-1300 10-12,19 c SB 1300-2200 18,19 f SB,TB 600-2200 7,9-12,18,19 c SB.TB 1300-2900 5,11-13 f F 1275 17 r R 1100 16 r R 1100-1400 16,18 c R.SB 1300 18 r SB.TX 1000-3000 3,9,10,12,19,20 f SB 1350 18 r TB 2200-2900 15,19 r R,SB 1300 18 r SB,TB,TX 1100-2400 10,11,13,16,18-20 f TB 2100 20 r SB 1500 9 r SB.TX 1350,2900 3,12 r SB 1200-1300 10,17 r SB 1200-1300 10,11 r SB 1000-1500 9-12,18 c TB 2600 7 r TB,TX 2400-2900 2-5,7 c SB.TB 1300-2800 5,7,13-15,19 c SB.TB.TX 1300-3000 3,5,18,20 f TB,TX 2100-3000 3-5,7,13,15,19,20 c SB 1300 11 r SB 1000-1400 9-12,18 c TX 2400-2700 8,13 r TX 2500-3000 3-5,7,13,15 c F,TX 2250-2900 1,5,15 f F, SB.TX 1300-3200 3-5,7,10,11,13,15,19,20 c SB 1300 10 r SB.TB 1300-1400 10,11,18 f SB.TB 1000-2200 6,7,9,18-20 c SB 2000 19 r TX 2100-3000 5,7,13,15,19 f TB.TX 2200-2400 13,15,19 c SB 1000-1400 9-12,18 c SB 1300 11 r TB.TX 2400-3000 5,13,15 c SB.TB 1300-2800 10,11,13,15 f F 1200-1500 9-11 f SB.TB 1400-2600 3-5,7,8,13,14,18-20 c SB 1200-1300 10,11 r SB 1000-1700 9-11,18,19 c R 600-2800 7,11-13,15,18 c SB 1000-1300 9,10,18 f TB 1800-2500 7,8 f TX 2900 3 r SB.TB.TX 1000-3000 u c TX 2900 5 r TB.TX 2400-3000 3-5,13-15 c TX 2100-2600 7,19,20 f 1996 Some bird observations from central Bhutan, May 1994 57 Species Lesser Shortwing Brachypteryx leucophrys White-browed Shortwing Brachypteryx montana Dark-sided Flycatcher Muscicapa sibirica Ferruginous Flycatcher Muscicapa ferruginea Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher Ficedula strophiata Ultramarine Flycatcher Ficedula superciliaris Slaty-blue Flycatcher Ficedula tricolor Verditer Flycatcher Eumyias thalassina Large Niltava Niltava grandis Small Niltava Niltava macgrigoriae Rufojs-bellied Niltava Niltava sundara [Vivid Niltava Niltava vivida Pale Blue Flycatcher Cyornis unicolor Blue-throated Flycatcher Cyornis rubeculoides Pygmy Blue Flycatcher Muscicapella hodgsoni Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher Culicicapa ceylonensis Indian Blue Robin Luscinia brunnea Golden Bush Robin Tarsiger chrysaeus White-browed Bush Robin Tarsiger indicus Oriental Magpie Robin Copsychus saularis Blue-fronted Redstart Phoenicurus frontalis White-capped Water Redstart Chaimarrornis leucocephalus Plumbeous Water Redstart Rhyacornis fuliginosus White-tailed Robin Myiomela leucura Little Forktail Enicurus scouleri Slaty-backed Forktail Enicurus schistaceus Spotteo Forktail Enicurus maculatus Purple Cochoa Cochoa purpurea Grey Bushchat Saxicoia terrea Chestnut-tailed Starling Sturnus malabaricus Common Myna Acridotheres tristis Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch Sitta castanea White-tailed Nuthatch Sitta himalayensis Rusty-flanked Treecreeper Certhia nipalensis Brown-throated Treecreeper Certhia discolor Winter Wren Troglodytes troglodytes Coal Tit Parus ater Grey-crested Tit Parus dichrous Green-backed Tit Parus monticolus Yellow-cheeked Tit Parus spilonotus Yellow-browed Tit Sylviparus modestus Sultan Tit Melanochiora sultanea Black-throated Tit Aegithatos concinnus Rufous-fronted Tit Aegithatos iouschistos Asian House Martin Delichon dasypus Striated Bulbul Pycnonotus striatus Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cater Himalayan Bulbul Pycnonotus leucogenys White-throated Bulbul Alophoixus flaveolus Ashy Bulbul Hemixos flavata Mountain Bulbul Hypsipetes mcclellandii Black Bulbul Hypsipetes leucocephalus Striated Prinia Prinia criniger Hill Prinia Prinia atrogularis Rufescent Prinia Prinia rufescens Habitat Altitude Locations Abundance TB 2000-2200 18-20 f TB,TX 2200-3200 5,7,15,20 f TB.TX 2600-2900 3-5,7,13,15 c TB,TX 2200-2800 13,15,19 f TB 2200-2800 5,7.15 f TB,TX 2200-2800 3,13,15,19,20 c TB.TX 2000-3200 3,5,7,15,19 f SB.TB 1000-2600 u c TB 2200 20 r SB.TB 1000-2200 9-12,18,20 c TB 2000-2800 13,15,19,20 c TB 2100 19 r] TB,TX 2100-2400 3-5,7,18,19 c SB 800-1300 9-11 f SB.TB 1300-2800 11-13,15 f SB.TB 1300-2800 5,10,13,15,18-20 c TX 2400-2800 13,15 f TB.TX 2400-3000 3,5,7 f TX 2600-3100 5,7 r SB.F 1100-1350 10,11,16 f TX 2800 4 r R 1300-2700 6,7,12,13,18 c R 1300-2900 9,11,13,15,19 c SB.TB 1300-2300 9-11,19,20 f R 600-2400 7,9,10,12 f R 1300-1400 10,18 f R 1300-2800 9,11,13,15,19 f TB 2600 15 r SB, TB.TX 1300-2800 3,5,7,10,13,15,20 c F 2200 19 r F 1300-2400 2,10,11,18,19 c SB 1300-1500 11,18 r TB 2200-2800 13,15,19,20 c TB 2400 13 f TB.TX 2200-2800 4,19 r TB.TX 2500-2800 5,15,20 f TB.TX 2300-2800 15,19 f TB 2800 15 r SB, TB.TX 600-2800 u c SB 1300 11 r TX 2800 15 r SB 1300 11 r TB 2200-2400 13,19,20 f TB.TX 2400-2800 7,13,15 f SB.TX 1350-2800 10,12,13,15,19 c SB 1300-1800 9,10,18 r F 1100-2400 2,10,11,16 c SB 700-1100 9,10 f SB 1000-1300 9,10 f SB 1000-1300 9,10 f SB.TB 1300-2100 11,12,18,19 f SB.TB 1000-2800 9-14,18-20 c SB.TB 1000-2500 2,3,5,9,10,17,19 c SB 1000-1300 9-12 c SB 1200 10 r 58 R. TYMSTRA et al. Forktail 12 Species Oriental White-eye Zosterops palpebrosus Chestnut-headed Tesia Tesia castaneocoronata Slaty-bellied Tesia Tesia olivea Grey-bellied Tesia Tesia cyaniventer Brownish-flanked Bush Warbler Cettia fortipes Aberrant Bush Warbler Cettia flavolivacea Yellowish-bellied Bush Warbler Cettia acanthizoides Grey-sided Bush Warbler Cettia brunnifrons Russet Bush Warbler Bradypterus seebohmi Tickell's Leaf Warbler Pbytioscopus affinis Ashy-throated Warbler Phylloscopus maculipennis Lemon-rumped Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus chtoronotus Large-billed Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus magnirostris Blyth’s Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus reguloides Yellow-vented Warbler Phylloscopus cantator Golden-spectacled Warbler Seicercus burkii Grey-hoooeo Warbler Seicercus xanthoschistos White-spectacled Warbler Seicercus affinis Grey-cheeked Warbler Seicercus poliogenys Chestnut-crowned Warbler Seicercus castaniceps Rufous-faced Warbler Abroscopus albogularis White-throated Laughingthrush Garrulax albogularis White-crested Laughingthrush Garrulax leucolophus Striated Laughingthrush Garrulax striatus Rufous-necked Laughingthrush Garrulax ruficollis Rufous-vented Laughingthrush Garrulax gularis Rufous-chinned Laughingthrush Garrulax rufogularis Grey-sided Laughingthrush Garrulax caerulatus Streaked Laughingthrush Garrulax lineatus Blue-winged Laughingthrush Garrulax squamatus Scaly Laughingthrush Garrulax subunicolor Black-faced Laughingthrush Garrulax affinis Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush Garrulax erythrocephalus Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler Pomatorhinus erythrogenys White-browed Scimitar Babbler Pomatorhinus schisticeps Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler Pomatorhinus ruficollis Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler Xiphyrhynchus superciliaris Scaly-breasted Wren Babbler Pnoepyga albiventer Pygmy Wren Babbler Pnoepyga pusilla Spotted Wren Babbler Spelaeornis formosus Rufous-capped Babbler Stachyris ruficeps Golden Babbler Stachyris chrysaea Grey-throated Basbler Stachyris nigriceps Silver-eared Mesia Leiothrix argentauris Red-billed Leiothrix Leiothrix lutea Cutia Cutia nipalensis Black-headed Shrike Babbler Pteruthius rufiventer White-browed Shrike Babbler Pteruthius flaviscapis Rusty-fronted Barwing Actinodura egertoni Hoary-throated Barwing Actinodura nipalensis Blue-winged Minla Minla cyanouroptera Chestnut-tailed Minla Minla strigula Red-tailed Minla Minla ignotincta Golden-breasted Fulvetta Alcippe chrysotis Yellow-throated Fulvetta Alcippe cinerea Habitat Altitude Locations Abundance SB 1000-1300 9-11 f TB 2200-2800 4,5,13,15.19 c SB 1200-1900 11,12,18 c SB.TB 1500-2400 2.13,15,18-20 c SB.TB.TX 1300-3300 5,6,7,10,11,15,19.20 c TX 3200 5 r TB 2400-2800 13,15 r TX 2400-3000 3,4,5,7,15,19 c TB 2200 19 r TX 2800 15 r TB 2500-2900 5.7,15 f TB 2600-2800 7,15 f TB.TX 1750-3000 3-5,7,8,13,15,19,20 c TB.TX 1800-2900 3-5,7,13,15,19,20 c SB 1000-1400 9-12.18 c TB.TX 2200-2700 3-5,7,13,15,19,20 c SB.TB 1000-2100 9-12,18,19 c TX 2900 7 r TB 1500 18 r TB.TX 2100-2600 7,19,20 f SB 700-1100 10,11 r SB.TB.TX 1300-2500 5,7,10.13,15,19.20 c SB 1000-1300 9-12 c SB.TB.TX 1300-2800 3,9-13,15,18-20 c TB 2200 10,11 r SB 1300 10 r TB 2200 19 r TB 2100 20 r SB.TB 1300-2200 10,19 f SB 1300-1400 9.11 r TB.TX 2000-2800 3,5,7,19,20 f TX 2400-3200 3,5,13,15 c TB 2000-3200 5,7.13,15.18-20 c SB.TB 1000-2200 9-11,15,19 f SB 1000 9,10 f SB.TB 1300-2400 10,13,19,20 f TB 2200 19 r TB.TX 2200-2900 5,7,15,19 f SB.TB 1300-2400 10,13,19.20 f SB.TB 1300-2400 10-12,18,19 f SB.TB 1300-2700 3,7,10,19 f SB 1300-1350 10,12 f SB 1000-1300 9.10,11 f SB 1200-1300 10-12 f SB.TB.TX 1300-2800 10,13,15.19.20 c TB 2150-2400 3,7,20 f TB 2200 19 r SB.TB 1000-2100 9,20 f TB 2200 20 r TB 2100-2800 3,4,5,7,15,19 f TB 2200 19 r TB 2600-3000 5,7,15 f TB 2400-2900 5,13,15,19.20 f TB 2200 20 r SB 1350 12 r 1996 Some bird observations from central Bhutan, May 1994 59 Species Rufous-winged Fuivetta Alcippe castaneceps White-browed Fuivetta Alcippe vinipectus Nepal Fuivetta Alcippe nipalensis Rufous Sibia Heterophasia capistrata Striated Yuhina Yuhina castaniceps White-naped Yuhina Yuhina baker i Whiskered Yuhina Yuhina flavicollis Stripe-throated Yuhina Yuhina gularis Rufous-vented Yuhina Yuhina occipitalis Black-chinned Yuhina Yuhina nigrimenta White-bellied Yuhina Yuhina zanthoieuca Brown Parrotbill Paradoxornis unicolor Fulvous Parrotbill Paradoxornis tulvifrons Greater Rufous-headed Parrotbill Paradoxornis ruficeps Oriental Skylark Alauda gulgula Yellow-bellied Flowerpecker Dicaeum meianoxanthum Fire-breasted Flowerpecker Dicaeum ignipectus Mrs Gould's Sunbird Aethopyga goutdiae Green-tailed Sunbird Aethopyga nipalensis Black-throated Sunbird Aethopyga saturata Fire-tailed Sunbird Aethopyga ignicauda Streaked Spiderhunter Arachnothera magna Russet Sparrow Passer rutilans Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus Forest Wagtail Dendronanthus indicus White Wagtail Motacilla alba Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni Tibetan Siskin Carduelis thibetana Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus Crimson-browed Finch Propyrrhula subhimachala Scarlet Finch Haematospiza sipahi Red Crossbill Loxia curvirostra Brown Bullfinch Pyrrhuia nipalensis Spot-winged Grosbeak Mycerobas metanozanthos White-winged Grosbeak Mycerobas carnipes Crested Bunting Melophus lathami Habitat Altitude Locations Abundance TB.TX 2200-2800 13,15,20 f TB.TX 2400-3200 5,13,15 f SB.TB 1000-2200 9-12,18,19 c SB, TB.TX 1300-2800 u c SB 1000-1300 9,11-13 c SB 1350 12 r TB.TX 2200-2800 3,5,7,12,13,19,20 c TB.TX 2400-2800 3,5,7,15 c TX 2800-3000 5,8,15 f SB 1000-1350 9-12,18 c SB 1200 11 r TB 2200-3000 5,13,19 f TX 3200 5 r SB 1300 10 r F 2800 14,15 r TX 2700 5 r SB.TB 1300-2400 5,12,19,20 c TB 2200-2900 3-5,7,13,19,20 c TB 2200-3100 5,7,13,15,20 c SB 1000-1700 9-12,19 f TB 2800 15 r SB 1300-1350 11,12 f F 1300-2800 4,10,14,19 f F 1000-2800 u c SB.TB 1400-2250 18,20 r TX 2100-2400 2,6 f TB 2250 20 r TX,F 2800-2900 4,14,15 c TX 2900 3 r SB.TX 1300-2800 5,10,15 f TC 3200 7 r SB.TB 1500-2600 7,18 f TX 2800 15 r TX 2800-3000 4,5 r TC.TX 2800-3000 5,7,15 f TX 2800-3300 5,7,15 f 1000-2400 2,9,10 f Key: = Habitats: S = subtropical zone T = temperate zone: B = broadleaved forest X = mixed forest C = coniferous forest F = fields, grazing areas, and around human habitations R = rivers and edges u = ubiquitous in suitable habitats and altitude Abundance: c = common, seen in high numbers and/or on many occasions in suitable habitat f = fairly common, seen on more than one occasion or in fairly high numbers r = seen on one or two occasions only and/or one or two individuals u = ubiquitous in suitable altitude/habitat 60 R. TYMSTRA et al. Forktail 12 Locations visited Locations: Dates visited: (May) 1. Paro (2,250 m) 1,28 2. Thimphu (2,400 m) 1,2,26-28 3. Dochhu La (2,700-3.215 m) 2 4. Nobding (2,900 m) 2,3 5. Pele La (2,950-3,300 m) 3,16 6. Tongsa (2,100 m) 3-5,13,14 7. Tongsa-Yutong La (2,100-3,400 m) 4 8. east of Yutong La to Gyetsa (3,400-2,600 m) 4 9. Wangdinala/Wangdigang (1,000 m) 5-7 10. Nimshong (600-1,300 m) 7,8,12,13 11 Nobji (1,100-1,300 m) 8,9,11,12 12. Camp 5 km. upstream of Nobji (1,350 m) 9-11 13. Chendebji (2,400-2,600 m) 14-16 14. Phobjikha (2,780-2,870 m) 16,17 15. Khebetang (2.800-2,900 m) 17-20 16. Wangdiphodrang (1,100 m) 20 17. Punakha (1,275 m) 20 18. Rimchu (1,300-1,350 m) 20-22 19. Damji (2,200 m) 22,23,25,26 20. Gasa/Hot Springs (2,100-2,250 m) 23-25 Many thanks go to Mingma Norbu Sherpa, Mr. Sangay Thinley, Joint Secretary of the Forestry Services Division, and to the Royal Government of Bhutan for inviting us to undertake this expedition, to T. B. Mongar, Pema Namgyal, Phurba Sherpa, and the staff at World Wildlife Fund Bhutan, Brian Penniston, and Bruce Bunting. To the ground crew and cooks: Mr. Wangdi, Mr. Karma, Mr. Thinley, and Mr. Jamba. Also thanks to Craig Robson and Tim Inskipp for much help in discussing the data and reviewing this manuscript. REFERENCES Ali, S. and Ripley, S. D. (1987) Compact edition of the handbook of the birds of India and Pakistan. Delhi: Oxford University Press. Clements, F. A. (1992) Recent records of birds from Bhutan. Forktail 7: 57-73. Collar, N. J., Crosby, M. J. and Stattersfield, A. J. (1994). Birds to watch 2: the world list of threatened birds. Cambridge: Birdlife International. Inskipp, C. and Inskipp, T. P. (1993) Birds recorded during a visit to Bhutan in autumn 1991. Forktail 8: 97-1 12. Inskipp, C. and Inskipp, T. P. (1994) Birds recorded during a visit to Bhutan in spring 1 993. Forktail 9: 121-142. Rob Tymstra, 1209 Nottingham, Sarnia, Ontario, Canada N7S 5B1 Scott Connop, R.R.l, Camlachie, Ontario, Canada NON 1E0 Chado Tshering, Nature Conservation Section, Forestry Service Division, Thimphu, Bhutan 1996 FORKTAIL 12 (1996): 77 - 94 61 Status and distribution of Stoliczka’s Bushchat Saxicola macrorhyncha in India ASAD R. RAHMANI Stoliczka s Bushchat (or White-browed Bushchat) Saxicola macrorhyncha is a rare and local resident of the Indian subcontinent, which is listed as globally threatened. It is probably extinct in Pakistan, but in India there have been a few sightings during the last 20 years. In 1 993-1994, four surveys were conducted in Rajasthan and Gujarat, mainly in the Thar desert, during which 86 individuals were seen at 18 different sites. In some places it was fairly common. Some general observations on its behaviour were made and recommendations for further studies are given. INTRODUCTION About 1,300 species of birds are found in the Indian subcontinent, out of which 7 1 species have been listed as threatened in India (Collar et al. 1994) . Stoliczka’s Bushchat (or White-browed Bushchat) Saxicola macrorhyncha is one of them (Rahmani 1993). F. Stoliczka first described it in 1872, from specimens collected at Rapar and Bhuj in Kutch (Gujarat). Former distribution According to Ali and Ripley (1983a), Stoliczka’s Bushchat is a generally a rare and very local resident, but not uncommon in some areas. It has been recorded from Pakistan (east of the Indus river), Haryana (Hissar district), western Uttar Pradesh (Aligarh), eastern Rajasthan and Gujarat (Deesa, Kutch and Kathiawar) . There are specimens labelled Kandahar and Dubrai in southern Afghanistan collected by Swinhoe in April 1881, in the British Museum (Swinhoe 1882, Ticehurst 1926), but Paludan did not come across it in his field work (Paludan, 1959), and considered that there was only one reliable record from Afghanistan (Roberts 1992). Roberts (1992) did not see this species during his 28 years’ residence in southern Punjab, Pakistan, including many visits to Jhang district. Recent sightings During the last 20 years there have been only 15 sightings of this rare bird (Table 1). On 2 August, 1978, a male and several juveniles were seen near Khara village, between Phalodi and Pokharan in western Rajasthan (van den Berg et al. 1981), Ben King saw it in Desert National Park in Rajasthan 62 A. R. RAHMANI Forktail 12 1996 Status and distribution of Stoliczka’s Bushchat Saxicola macrorhyncha in India 63 Table 1. Recent (post 1975) sight records of Stoliczka’ s Bushchat Date Locality District and State Number of birds Observer(s) 2 August 1978 near Khara Jaisalmer (Rajasthan) 1 male and several juveniles van der Berg etal. (1981) 6 March 1985 Desert National Park Jaisalmer (Rajasthan) 1 female Steve Madge (Birdquest) Date Locality District and State Number of birds Observer(s) 13 February 1986 Ranthambore Sawai Madhopur (Rajasthan) 5 Nigel Lindsey 18 February 1987 Desert National Park Jaisalmer (Rajasthan) 1 female Steve Madge Date Locality District and State Number of birds Observer(s) 1987 Ranthambore Sawai Madhopur (Rajasthan) ? Anders Prieme & Nigel Lindsey 29 January 1988 Sonkhliya Ajmer (Rajasthan) 2 Steve Madge Date Locality District and State Number of birds Observer(s) 24 February 1988 Keoladeo National Park Bharatpur (Rajasthan) 1 Dave Holman 27-30 January 1990 Desert National Park (Sam) Jaisalmer (Rajasthan) 1 female Seb Buckton & Pete Morris Date Locality District arid State Number of birds Observer(s) 14-16 February 1992 Ranthambore Sawai Madhopur (Rajasthan) 1 female Anders Prieme, Morten Heegaard & R. Turin 10 December 1992 Mohangarh Jaisalmer (Rajasthan) 1 Vibhu Prakash (BNHS) Date Locality District and State Number of birds Observer(s) 11-18 December 1992 Desert National Park (Sudasarai) Jaisalmer (Rajasthan) 1 Vibhu Prakash 28 December 1992- 1 January 1993 Velavadar National Park Bhavnagar (Gujarat) 10 Vibhu Prakash Date Locality District and State Number of birds Observer(s) 16 February 1994 Ramgarh-Asatur Jaisalmer (Rajasthan) 2 Harkirat Sangha 16 February 1994 Desert National Park (Sam) Jaisalmer (Rajasthan) 1 Harkirat Sangha Date Locality District and State Number of birds Observer(s) 17 February 1994 near Sam Jaisalmer (Rajasthan) 1 Harkirat Sangha 64 A. R. RAHMANI Forktail 12 1996 Status and distribution of Stoliczka’s Bushchat Saxicola macrorhyncha in India 65 (Roberts 1 992) and Richard Grimmett saw ‘a male (and probably a female)’ in Sudasari bustard enclosure inside Desert National Park on 17 February 1982 (Roberts 1992) (see Table 1 for other records). Confusion with other species Stoliczka s Bushchat is similar to other Saxicola species found in the desert region. Roberts (1992) opined that it is very similar in general appearance to the Whinchat Saxicola rubetra , except for possessing a slightly heavier bill, and he claimed that juvenile males are probably inseparable in the field from female or subadult male White-tailed Stonechats Saxicola leucura, another chat of the Indus and Gangetic river systems. The tail pattern of males in flight is similar to some wheatears Oenanthe, commonly found in the deserts. As far as habits and habitats are concerned, Stoliczka’s Bushchat comes closest to the Common Stonechat Saxicola torquata. However, the male torquata is distinguished from male macrorhyncha by having a black chin and throat, and a black tail and by lacking a white supercilium. Moreover, torquata is slightly smaller than macrorhyncha , but the females and juveniles can be confused in the field. Ali and Ripley (1983a) have reported four subspecies of S’, torquata from the Indian subcontinent: indica, maura, stejnegeri and przevalskii. Only maura and indica have been recorded in the distributional range of S’. macrorhyncha. However, Abdulali (1988) reported that all of the skins in the collection of the Bombay Natural History Society appear to be indica, and that none of them appears to be maura. Ninety-two skins of S', torquata indica are present in the BNHS collection, with 56 males, including two spotted juveniles, 31 females and five unsexed (Abdulali 1988). In some female indica the chin is very light brown or beige, and the breast and flanks have a rufous wash. These individuals at first glance look like female or juvenile S’, macrorhyncha, but without the characteristic white supercilium. In a freshly moulted skin (Register No. 16406), collected in Ambernath, near Kalyan (Maharashtra) by Abdulali on 12 December 1949, the chin and breast are almost white, and there is a semblance of a white supercilium. Therefore, confusion between female Saxicola species would be quite likely in the field: either macrorhyncha has been overlooked as female torquata or a moulting female S’, torquata indica has been misidentified as S', macrorhyncha. In order to ascertain the present status and distribution of Stoliczka’s Bushchat, the Oriental Bird Club and Cygnus Wildlife Holidays funded a small project, under which the first survey was done. Later, three more surveys were done under different projects. 66 A. R. RAHMANI Forktail 12 METHODOLOGY Literature survey The existing literature on Stoliczka’s Bushchat was collected from the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), the Oriental Bird Club (OBC) and BirdLife International (Rahmani 1993). Richard Grimmett ofBirdLife International provided historical records from the Biodiversity Project Database and Nigel Redman of the OBC provided records up to 1992 (Appendix and Table 1). Dr. Philip McGowan and Tim Inskipp sent photographs of various Saxicola species, including 5. macrorhyncha, which greatly helped me during the third and fourth surveys. Specimens of various Saxicola species were studied in BNHS (there is no specimen of S'. macrorhyncha in India). Field Surveys This report is mainly based on four surveys conducted between February 1993 and May 1994. First Survey: The first survey was conducted from 2 February to 1 3 March 1993. The following areas were visited (names of the districts are given in brackets): Keoladeo National Park (Bharatpur); Taal Chaper (Churu); Diyatra, Bajju, Gajner (Bikaner); Bap, Phalodi, Khara (Jodhpur); Desert National Park, Nokh, Nachna, Mohangarh (Jaisalmer); Undu, Shiv, Dhorimanna (Barmer); Sonkhaliya (Ajmer); Banni, Rapar (Kutch); and Velavadar (Bhavnagar). Second Survey: The second survey was conducted between 15 July and 23 August 1993. The following areas were visited: Taal Chhaper (Churu); Diyatra, Bajju, Gajner (Bikaner); Bap, Phalodi, Kanasar (Jodhpur); Mohangarh, Nachna, Desert National Park (Jaisalmer); Shiv, Undu, Dhorimanna (Barmer); Sonkhaliya (Ajmer); Banni (Kutch) and Velavadar (Bhavnagar). Third Survey: The third survey of one month was done between 12 January to 12 February 1994. The following areas were visited: Diyatra, Bajju, Gajner (Bikaner); Bap, Phalodi, Khara, Savreej (Jodhpur); Mohangarh, Khinya, Dhanana, Desert National Park, Phalsund, Rasla, Sankara, Banniyana (Jaisalmer); Undu (Barmer), Sonkhaliya (Ajmer). Fourth Survey: A brief survey of one week was conducted in Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Barmer districts between 17 to 23 May 1994. No Stoliczka’s Bushchat was seen. The following areas were visited: Phalodi, Khara (Jodhpur); Desert National Park, Rasla (Jaisalmer); Shiv and Dhorimanna (Barmer). 1996 Status and distribution of Stoliczka’s Bushchat Saxicola macrorhyncha in India 67 Systematic search In all of the places visited, very thorough searches were done. Any small Saxicola-sized bird, perched on a bush or shrub was checked through binoculars or telescope. In summer, most of the field work was done in the morning and evening when the birds are most active . During winter surveys, searches were done during noon also. During the third and fourth surveys, 38 line transects of 1 .5 to 2 km were randomly conducted. These transects were done mainly to study the general bird life (Rahmani 1994), but Stoliczka s Bushchat was also studied. As Stoliczka’s Bushchat was practically unknown among ornithologists in India, and easily mistaken for other Saxicola species, a specially prepared questionnaire survey drew a blank, except for some unconfirmed sightings. The illustration of Stoliczka’s Bushchat in the Pictorial Guide (Ali and Ripley 1 983b) is not good and it would be difficult to identify the species using that alone. The illustration in The birds of Pakistan (Roberts 1992) is much better. Before the third survey, specimens of Saxicola species were thoroughly checked in the collection of the BNHS, and colour photographs of various Saxicola species from the British Museum were received. These greatly helped in field identification. Good colour photographs of Stoliczka’s Bushchat, taken by P. Morris, were published in Rahmani (1993). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Numbers of Stoliczka’s Bushchat During the first survey, four Stoliczka’s Bushchats were seen between Undu and Kanasar, at the border of Jaisalmer and Barmer. During the second survey, one was seen in the Desert National Park, on 25 July 1993, in a small vegetated patch in an extremely dry area, 15 km before Phulia on the Khuri-Phulia road. Another bird, perhaps this species, was seen in flight for a few seconds on the same day near Bhiyand village on the Shiv-Kanasar road in Barmer district. It disappeared in a roadside plantation and could not be located again. The third survey during January-February 1994 was most productive as a total of 81 individuals of this species was located in 16 different sites (Table 2). Once we had identified the species, studied its behaviour and habitat, it was not difficult to locate it. In Diyatra area of Bikaner district, where we studied this bird for two days, 25 individuals were seen in one day on a 40 km drive and in two line-transects done in the morning and evening. In Sam and Sudasari areas of the Desert National Park, 13 individuals were located in four days during six line-transects of 1.5 km each. Out of the total 38 line transects done in the Thar desert at different sites, the Bushchat was seen in 9 transects. 68 A. R. RAHMANI Forktail 12 Habitat The typical habitat of the species in the Thar desert is dry, sandy areas, with low herbs and shrubs of 50-70 cm, and very scattered bushes. The ground cover ranged between 25% and 50%, generally around 35%. The shrubs consisted of Crotolaria burhia, Aerva persica, A. pseudotomentosa, and Cassia italica. The dominant bush was Capparis decidua which was seen in all the sites. In a few areas, Calotropis procera and Leptadenia pyrotechnica were seen. Referring to Jhang district (Pakistan), Whistler (1922) wrote that its ‘favourite haunts are the wide plains of a hard, sandy soil, ...bare of grass for most part, but... studded with the small desert plants..., and diversified with small sand-dunes and broken ground’. Interestingly, he found that a few pairs also inhabited the somewhat different area of the Nurpur Canal escape, where the run off of canal-water had produced great reed-beds, surrounded by jungles of ‘pampas grass’. This is the typical habitat of White¬ tailed Stonechat, the female of which resembles female and juvenile Stoliczka’s Bushchat (Roberts, 1 992) . Interestingly, Roberts ( 1992, p. 1 32) found that one specimen in the British Museum (Tring) that Whistler had identified as 5. macrorhyncha was actually a female leucura. Except for Whistler, none of the earlier workers who have studied or collected Stoliczka’s Bushchat, has noted it as occurring in tall reed-beds. I also did not find it in the newly created reed-beds beside the Indira Gandhi Nahar Project (IGNP) and its tributaries. All recent sight records are from dry biotope, so it is reasonable to presume that Whistler’s description of its occurrence in reed-beds was based on misidentification. Curiously, in the same paper, Whistler (1922) mentioned that the future status and even existence of 5. macrorhyncha was ‘likely to be affected by the progress of the irrigation systems’. If it was found in the reed-beds of the Nurpur Canal escape, why should it not be able to adapt to habitat change by canal irrigation? Behaviour 1. Food and feeding behaviour Regarding the food of Stoliczka’s Bushchat, Hume (1878) wrote ‘I found nothing but insects recognizable in the stomachs of those I examined’. Ali and Ripley (1983a) and Roberts (1992), presumably based on Hume’s observations also say that the food is insect matter. I also found that it spent much time either picking up something from the ground, or making aerial sallies to catch small, flying insects. It was never seen to take any seeds or other vegetable matter. In July 1 993, a female Bushchat was seen picking up Camponotus ants, and after eating them, it used to fly back to a bush top. Thrice it sat on telegraph wires. According to T. J. Roberts (in litt. 1994) its 1996 Status and distribution of Stoliczka’s Bushchat Saxicola macrorhyncha in India 69 foraging behaviour is similar to that of 5. torquata. Chiefly two types of feeding behaviour were seen: picking from the ground and aerial sallies (sorties). One bird was watched for a total of 10 hours in two days. Many times it was seen hovering for 2-3 seconds to catch an insect. It was seen to fly up to 20 m to catch a flying insect. On average, 1 7 seconds lapsed between two aerial sallies. It always used to come back to a perch on a bush top, after catching an insect. Most of the time the insects were eaten on the spot or in the air. On both of the days, it was seen in the same area, going back again and again to its favourite perch on a Capparis bush. In January 1994, aerial sallies by Stoliczka’s Bushchats were seen mainly at noon and evening when innumerable small insects were seen flying. During winter mornings, it is very cold in the desert, so most flying insects are inactive, and the Bushchats were generally seen picking small beetles and ants from the ground. Beside Stoliczka’s Bushchat, the Desert Wheatear Oenanthe deserti was also seen catching insects in the air. While the Bushchat was seen hovering for 2-3 seconds only, the Desert Wheatear was seen flying and hovering for up to one minute, and audibly snapping insects in the air. 2. Foraging time I did not do any time-budget studies, but from our limited observations in January, it appears that the Bushchat is active almost throughout the day in winter. I saw many Bushchats actively foraging during mid-day on 1 8 January. Some individuals were still actively foraging 30 minutes after sunset. 3. General behaviour Ali and Ripley (1983a) have written that it is ‘at times fairly tame, at others excessively wild’. Most of the birds observed by us were very tame, but some were very wary and did not allow close approach. For example, the female Bushchat which we saw in a small patch of about 1 acre among extremely dry, gravel area near Phulia, was very bold and tame and allowed approach to 3-4 metres, while some individuals in the Sudasari area were very wild and we were able to watch them only from 50-100 m. A curious behaviour which does not appear to be related to aggression or territoriality, is the puffing up of the breast and swaying sideways. The whitish breast and white belly become conspicuous and the bird appears larger than normal. Such behaviour was seen in many individuals during January and February and was always noted on the ground while the birds were foraging, never while they were perched on bushes. Richard Grimmett (quoted in Roberts 1992) has also seen this behaviour in February in Jaisalmer. In some instances, the bird picked up something, moved and swayed again, and then picked up another item, repeating the performance two or three times, before flying to a perch. Most of my sightings of 70 A. R. RAHMANI Forktail 12 Bushchats were of solitary birds, the nearest other Bushchat being 200 to 400 m away. These Bushchats could see each other only when perched on a bush, not while foraging between bushes, whence this puffing up was done: so it does not appear to be in anyway related with aggression. If it is an adaptation to flush insects, it is not clear how puffing up and swaying sideways will help in locating prey, although Roberts (in litt. 1994) thinks that this behaviour is in some way advantageous. Further studies may reveal the significance of this behaviour. 4. Site fidelity Stoliczka’s Bushchat appears to be very parochial. One bird watched for three days was always seen in a small area of 0.5 acres. The bird had a favourite Capparis bush where it used to return every now and then. Even in this bush, there was one branch where it used to go and sit in the shade. The presence of faecal marking proved that the spot had been in use for many days or weeks (months?). For photographing, we brought our jeep (used as a hide) 5-6 m from the bush. The Bushchat was slightly disturbed so it started foraging nearby, but even in the presence of the jeep, it returned to its favourite bush three times in two hours. As soon as we removed our jeep, it returned to this bush and started foraging around it. In July 1993, near Phulia in the DNP, a female (or juvenile) was seen foraging in an area of approximately one acre. 5. Local Movement (Migration?) Stoliczka’s Bushchat is considered local and resident (Ali and Ripley 1983a), and Roberts (1992) suggested that it was sedentary. An interesting result which emerged from my four surveys in different months is that the species appears to undergo some local or, perhaps, some long distance movements. For instance, during January 1994, 1 saw 13 individuals in and around Sam and Sudasari enclosures of the Desert National Park. However, in the same areas during May (19-21), in three days of search, no Stoliczka’s Bushchat was seen, which indicates that most individuals had left for some other areas. However, on 25 July 1993, one bird was seen, about 40 km from Sudasari in the DNP, which suggests that some individuals remain in the Thar, unless it was an early returning bird. The literature survey revealed that earlier workers found it to be common in the winter months in certain areas and were not sure of its residential status. Hume (1877a) had requested ornithologists to look out for this species in the ‘next cold season’ and in his next paper on this species (Hume 1877b) he surmised that the bird must breed somewhere in Central Asia. Later, he (1878) wrote: ‘All my birds were killed at the end of January and during the first week of February, when the weather was singularly cold, and the generative organs were entirely undeveloped.... Also I may say that I am 1996 Status and distribution of Stoliczka’s Bushchat Saxicola macrorhyncha in India 71 now by no means sure from further enquiries that this is a migratory species. . . . One would naturally suppose it to be so, but natives. ...assured me that they breed in Jodhpur during the scanty rainy season’. Whistler ( 1 9 1 5) in Hissar district of Punjab (now in Haryana) found it to be not uncommon during the winter, being met with on various dates between 19 November and 10 March. However, in the Jhang district, Whistler (1922) was emphatic that it is strictly resident. He found pairs in April and July, and obtained young birds in the first or juvenile plumage in August and September. Ticehurst (1922, 1926) considered it to be resident and very local. Dharmakumarsinhji (1954) in Saurashtra described it as a winter migrant. Most of the records for which I know the months, were of individuals collected/seen in winter (T able 1 ), except for those from Dubrai and Kandahar in Afghanistan and Whistler’s records from Hissar. It is likely that during summer Stoliczka’s Bushchat moves from the Thar desert to more northern latitudes and returns with the rains to breed (?) because I have seen a female (or juvenile) near Khuri on 25 July, and van den Berg et al. (1981) saw an adult male with several juveniles on 2 August in the Khara area in Jodhpur district. Both these sites are located in the middle of the Thar desert. We can learn about the movement of the species only after a comprehensive study on marked birds. 6. Aggression towards other species One Stoliczka’s Bushchat was seen chasing a male Desert Wheatear. The Desert Warbler Sylvia nana was frequently associated with the Bushchat but no aggressive interaction was seen with this tiny bird. One of the reasons why the Bushchat does not tolerate the presence of the Desert Wheatear could be the competition for food: both the species were seen foraging on the same flying insects. However, Whistler (1922) found that the Bushchat is on ‘good terms with Desert Wheatear, neither shy nor pugnacious in its presence’. 7. Song Hume (1878) writes ‘I never heard it sing or attempt to sing but it has a little sharp chip chip note, which I now and then caught’. During January 1994, we found that, while perched on a bush, the male uttered a soft, low, musical note ‘twitch-chhe chee chee’, lasting up to one minute. While singing, the throat is inflated. This song is audible from 10-15 m only, so it does not appear to be display or territorial song, because its neighbours are unlikely to be able to hear it. Perhaps the female also sings this song though I am not sure. 8. Breeding Nothing is known about the nest, clutch size or breeding season of the Stoliczka’s Bushchat. During our brief study we were unable to find any nests, not did we see any territorial behaviour. 72 A. R. RAHMANI Forktail 12 CONSERVATION Since its discovery to science in 1872, Stoliczka’s Bushchat has been considered local and patchily distributed, but not uncommon in some areas. Its typical habitat was described as desert biotope but it was also found in semi-arid areas (e.g. Aligarh, Meerut in western Uttar Pradesh) and open scrub (Saurashtra, Kandahar?) . It appears that these areas were marginal for the species and that its main stronghold was the vast waterless, sandy plains of the Thar desert. Stoliczka’s Bushchat has disappeared from marginal areas in its distribution due to habitat alteration. More than 80 years ago, Whistler (1922) warned that the future of the species would be affected by the progress of the irrigation systems in India, and this prediction has come true. The case of Aligarh district is worth citing. Aligarh district, which used to be semi-arid with vast tracts of scrub-land and waste-land, has been almost totally converted into cropland, thanks to good irrigation facilities through a network of canals. In Pakistan, also, the same fate has befallen to this species. Roberts ( 1 992) thinks it is extinct in Pakistan mainly because it was unable to adapt to the spread of irrigation and cultivation. However, the reasons for the rarity of the species are not so simple. No individual of this species has recently been found in Kutch district, especially in the Banni grasslands. Cultivation has not spread in the Banni area, and suitable scrubland is still present in this vast, sprawling district. Mr. Himmatsinhji, a very experienced Kutch ornithologist has never seen this species during 50 years of active bird-watching. Dharmakumarsinhji (1954) wrote ‘rarely met with except in the drier portions of Saurashtra’. He does not mention where exactly it has been seen, or whether he himself had recorded it. Beside habitat alteration, there does not appear to be any other threat to Stoliczka’s Bushchat. It is neither trapped nor hunted and there does not appear to be any threat of hybridization with the congeneric S', torquata because the latter breeds no nearer than the Himalayas (Ali and Ripley 1983a). My recent surveys show that Stoliczka’s Bushchat may not be as threatened as was thought earlier because in certain areas (e.g. Diyatra, Desert N.P.) it was fairly common. However, I did not see any individuals near Jodhpur, where it was extremely abundant a hundred years ago. Perhaps we did not visit the exact locations where Hume had made a series of collections. In order to get an accurate picture of its distribution and status in India, a comprehensive project on this species is necessary. Without knowing its habitat requirements and local movements (if any), it will not be possible to develop a conservation strategy for Stoliczka’s Bushchat. 1996 Status and distribution of Stoliczka’s Bushchat Saxicola macrorhyncha in India 73 Stoliczka’s Bushchat (Photo: Asad Rahmani). FUTURE STUDIES A project of at least two years is necessary to study the biology, ecology and distribution of Stoliczka’s Bushchat. The following are the main aspects that should be studied: 1. A status survey in its distributional range in different seasons, with special emphasis on visiting areas in the same seasons when it has been earlier seen or collected. 2. A study of its local or migratory movements (?) by marking birds. 3. A study of its habitat requirements and the effect of canal irrigation systems. 4. A study of its general biology (food, territoriality, breeding season, clutch size, nesting success, predators, songs, etc). The first survey of the Thar Desert in February-March was funded by a donation of £500 by Cygnus Wildlife Holidays and the Oriental Bird Club, through Carol Inskipp. I am grateful to all of them. The second and third surveys of the Thar desert were funded by the World Wide Fund for Nature - India, through their Community Biodiversity Conservation Movement, and partly by the Grassland Ecology Project, jointly conducted by the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) and the Centre of Wildlife and Ornithology (CWO). The Grassland Ecology Project is funded by the US Fish and Wildlife Service vide Grant No. 14-16-0009-90-1253 14FT 566(16). I am also grateful to the Mr V. D. Sharma, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, and to Mr R. S. Bhandari, Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), of Rajasthan for giving me permission to visit Desert National Park and other areas. Special thanks to my friend Mr R. G. Soni, Chief Conservator of Forests, Bikaner, for stimulating discussion about the birdlife of the Thar. My sincere thanks to Richard Grimmett and Mike Crosby of BirdLife for providing me with historical records from their Biodiversity Project Database, and to Nigel Redman for providing recent records (from 1985 to 1992). I am also grateful to Mr. Himmatsinhji and Dr. T. J. Roberts for their stimulating letters and 74 A. R. RAHMANI Forktail 12 comments on the manuscript. Dr. Philip McGowan of Milton Keynes Open University very kindly photographed specimens of Saxicola species in the collection of The Natural History Museum. I am grateful to Philip and The Natural History Museum. Dr Unnithan helped me in studying Saxicola specimens in the BNHS collection. I also want to thank my colleagues Dr. Vibhu Prakash of BNHS, and Harkirat Sangha for providing me the recent sight records. I thank Carl D’Silva, Brij Bhushan Sharma, Yogesh Dubey, Rajat Bhargava and Manoj Kulshereshtha who accompanied me during the surveys. Thanks to Zafar-ul Islam for typing and formatting the manuscript. Lastly, I want to thank my driver and field companion Mehboob Alam for help during the surveys. REFERENCES Abdulali, H. (1988) A catalogue of birds in the collection of the Bombay Natural History Society- 33. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 85: 118-134. Ali, S. and Ripley, S. D. (1983a) Handbook of the birds of India and Pakistan. Compact Edition. Bombay: Oxford University Press. Ali, S. and Ripley, S. D. (1983b) A pictorial guide to the birds of the Indian subcontinent. Bombay: Oxford University Press. van den Berg, A. B., Bosman, C. A. W. and Rozendaal, F. G. (1981) Records of Stoliczka’s Whinchat in Rajasthan, India in August 1978. Dutch Birding 3: 20-21. Butler, E. A. (1877) The avifuana of Mt. Aboo and north Guzerat. Addenda. Stray Feathers 5: 207-236. Collar, N. J, Crosby, M. J. and Stattersfield, A. J. (1994) Birds to watch 2. Cambridge, U.K.: Birdlife International. Dharmakumarsinhji, R. S. (1954) Birds of Saurashtra. Bombay: The Times of India Press. Hume, A. O. (1877a) (Notes about Pratincola species in India). Stray Feathers 5: 130-132. Hume, A. O. (1877b) Notes on some of our Indian stonechats. Stray Feathers 5: 239-244. Hume, A. O. (1878) The birds of a drought. Stray Feathers 7: 52-68. Paludan, K. (1959) On the birds of Afghanistan. Vidensk Medd. Dansk Natur. 122: . Rahmani, A. R. (1993) Little-known Oriental bird: White-browed Bushchat. Oriental Bird Club Bulletin 17: 28-30. Rahmani, A. R. (1994) Wildlife situation in the Thar. Unpublished. New Delhi: World Wide Fund for Nature-India. Roberts, T. J. (1992) The birds of Pakistan, 2. Karachi: Oxford University Press. Sharpe, R. B. (1879) Catalogue of the birds in the collection of the British Museum, 4. Campephagidae, Muscicapidae. London: British Museum. Stoliczka, F. (1872) Notice of the mammals and birds inhabiting Kachh.J. Asiatic Soc. Bengal 41(2): 211-258. Swinhoe, C. (1882) On the birds of southern Afghanistan. Ibis (4)6: 95-126. Ticehurst, C. B. (1926) The birds of British Baluchistan. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 31: 687-713. Whistler, H. (1915) Some birds in Hissar district, Punjab. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 24: 190-191. Whistler, H. (1922) Birds of the Jhang district. Ibis 1 1(4): 259-309. Whistler, H. (1938) The ornithological survey of Jodhpur state. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 40: 213-235. AsadR. Rahmani, Centre of Wildlife and Ornithology , Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202 002, India. HISTORICAL RECORDS OF STOLICZKA’S BUSHCHAT 1996 Status and distribution of Stoliczka’s Bushchat Saxicola macrorhyncha in India 75 76 A. R. RAHMANI Forktail 12 1996 Status and distribution of Stoliczka’s Bushchat Saxicola macrorhyncha in India 77 , ° ;o o O) c: o O to - E N O) O T- T— C\J CD CD CD CO D -5 2 tc >, .E 2 CD CO CO CO II O m 78 Forktail 12 1996 FORKTAIL 12 (1996): 95 - 102 79 The current status and biology of the White-napedTit Parus nuchalis in Kutch, Gujarat, India J. K. TIWARI and ASAD R. RAHMANI The White-naped (White-winged Black) Tit Pams nuchalis is endemic to India and has a disjunct and restricted range (Ali and Ripley 1987). Hussain et al. (1992) have described its recent distribution but its ecology has not been studied. Its current status is of some concern due to its very limited geographic range, an apparent decrease in abundance and distribution, and substantial destruction or modification of native vegetation within its known range. It is treated as globally threatened by Collar et al. (1994) and categorized as Vulnerable. The species is now patchily distributed in Kutch, probably due to fragmentation of scrub forest by human interference. A special watch was kept for it during various surveys carried out in Kutch. S. N. Varu, N. N. Bapat and M. K. Himmatsinhji were approached for details of any recent sightings. The current status is described on the basis of 26 sightings between August 1991 and August 1994, mainly from Nakhtrana and Abdhasa talukas (= subdistricts), including some sightings made by other observers (Table 1). Roosting and feeding behaviour were studied in a tropical thorn forest near the village of Fulay-Chhari, at the edge of Banni in Kutch. Data on the roosting behaviour were collected for 24 days, and the nesting behaviour was studied for a total of 100 hours over a period of 10 days. Study area The village Fulay-Chhari lies on the southern edge of the famous grasslands of Banni (23°12’N 69°54’E) in Kutch district. The village is located about 80 km north-west of Bhuj (district headquarters). Small groves of Acacia nilotica are present around the village, which is inhabited by cattle graziers. The Banni is a vast alluvial plain of about 3,850 km2, covered in parts with Haloxylon salicomicum and Salsola bryosoma. Many portions of Banni subject to inundation are covered with coarse grasses and sedges. The White-naped Tit was found in small groves dominated by Acacia. A major part of Kutch still has tropical thorn forest, especially near Dhinodhar, Dayapar, Moti Virani, Piyoni, Matano Madh, Khadir, Ramvada and Barenda. Intense studies were carried out around Fulay-Chhari on the tit and other species, and short surveys were conducted elsewhere throughout Kutch. 80 J. K. TIWARI and A. R. RAHMANI Forktail 12 Figure 1. Distribution of White-naped Tit in Kutch district 1992-1994 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Current status of the species The White-naped Tit revealed its presence in an area by its musical calls. During the breeding season (June - August) they were very vocal. They were very shy, flying off when approached to a distance between 30 and 50 m. The preferred habitat of the species was scrub forest, consisting of Acacia leucophloea, A. nilotica, Prosopis cinerarea, Ziziphus jujuba, Capparis aphylla, Salvadora oleoides, S. persica and Grewia tenax. However, in drought years, they have been observed in green stream beds and in irrigated fields, where they may well come into contact with insecticides used for pest control. The species is found patchily distributed throughout most of Kutch, but nowhere is it common. It was always associated with dead and decaying trees, where it roosts and nests in holes made originally by Yellow-crowned Woodpeckers Dendrocopos mahrattensis. It is still found at a low density in all the suitable natural habitats, wherever appropriate snags in old or dying trees are available. There appears to be some local movement in search of food. They apparently disappeared from the study area for periods as long as three months, indicating that they wander extensively. 1996 The current status and biology of the White-naped Tit 81 Locality Date Number Remarks Paya village Pakhda Hill, Moti-Virani 3 August 1991 27 September 1991 1 2 Acacia leucophloea scrub Sanarnath, near Jathavira 1 October 1991 1 Sukhpar road, near Moti-Virani 11 January 1992 2 Ramvada, near Naliya-Abdhasa 20 May 1992 1 Navin Bapat Pakhda Hill 2 July 1992 2 Feeding on insects on Paya village 28 August 1992 1 dung heap Acacia leucophloea scrub Piyoni temple 7 November 1992 2 Forest - N. Bapat Fulay village 3 December 1992 4 (. pers . comm.) Scrub Fulay village 17 January 1993 2 Scrub Jathavira 29 January 1993 1 Near a crop field Verad camp near Fulay 13 April 1993 1 Moti-Arat 19 April 1993 1 Pakhda Hill, Moti-Virani 29 June 1993 1 Bhujia Hill, near Bhuj 29 June 1993 1 Paya village 4 July 1993 2 Fulay village 7 July 1993 1 Paya village 20 August 1993 1 Fulay village 21 August 1993 5 2 adults and 3 fledglings Fulay village 28 September 1993 2 Jathavira village 17 November 1993 1 Fulay village 12 January 1994 1 Fulay village 6 April 1994 2 Fulay village 12 July 1994 1 Fulay village 29 August 1994 2 Near a nest Table 1. Recent records of White-naped Tit in Kutch Breeding behaviour Very little has hitherto been recorded concerning the breeding behaviour (Ali 1945) and the clutch size is still unknown. In June 1993 a pair was found near a tall Acacia nilotica tree. One, perhaps the male, was very vocal, perching on the highest branch and emitting a variety of vocalizations, from a sweet song to bold scolding notes. It was noted around the same tree for eight days but the nest was not located. Fourteen apparently suitable holes were located in about 2 km2 of scrub forest, five of which were occupied by Chestnut-shouldered Petronias Petronia xanthocollis and two by Brahminy Starlings Stumus pagodarum. The number of available nest holes has been considered a major factor limiting the population size of several secondary hole-nesting species (Nilsson and Martin 1993). Finally, on 24 July 1993 a nest of White-naped Tit was located in in old woodpecker’s nest hole in a 5 m tall Salvadora persica near Fulay village, Kutch (23°12’N 69°54’E). The nest, which faced south-west, was 2.5 m from the ground and the hole had a circumference of 35 mm. Breeding behaviour was studied over ten days for a total of 1 00 hours, and roosting 82 J. K. TIWARI and A. R. RAHMANI Forktail 12 behaviour was recorded on 24 days. The male advertises his presence from a prominent perch for several days and it seems likely that he chooses the nest site. Food was brought by both parents to the young a total of 470 times, at a rate of 4.68 times per hour. Caterpillars were the most frequent food, non-hairy ones constituting 56.6% of the total, and hairy ones 21 .3%. Other items brought were insect pupae, beetles and weevils (together comprising 13% of the total) and spiders (9.1%). Food was brought by both parents, commencing as early as 06h25 (before sunrise) and continuing as late as 20h00 (long after sunset). The parents called when approaching the nest, eliciting a response from the nestlings. The maximum interval between visits was 62 mins and the minimum interval was 3 secs. When both parents arrived simultaneously with food one would enter the nest and the other would pass the food from outside. Sometimes the bird holding food outside would adopt a strange posture, fanning its tail, drooping and shivering its wings, whilst holding its neck tucked in. The parents generally remained quiet when predators appeared near the nest. The parents frequently removed faecal sacs from the nest: 236 times (50% of the number of occasions when food was brought). The sacs were dropped 30-40 m from the nest. Four chicks were reared in the nest that was studied. The first chick left the nest at 1 Oh 1 5 on 3 August and the remaining three the following day. The fledglings moved to the middle canopy of a thorny Acacia nilotica and they remained in the vicinity of the nest site for about four or five days. About 40 days after leaving the nest the young birds were found without their parents in attendance. The first author found a nest at the same site in August 1 994. It was noted that only one of the pair was ringed. The nest was predated two days after it was found but, due to heavy rainfall, the cause of predation could not be determined. It is not known whether one of the adults from the previous year had died or whether this species regularly changes partners. Sexual dimorphism Ali (1945) considered that the sexes were alike, but Adam (1873) noted that the male’s white nuchal patch is larger and more semicircular than the female’s. The male and female were trapped near to the nest that was being watched, just prior to the chicks fledging, and both birds were colour tagged to facilitate individual identification. A prominent brood patch was found in one bird - presumably the female. This bird was smaller than the other and had a flatter head, lacking the short crest shown by the male when it was excited. It was noted that the underparts of both birds were suffused with yellow, a colour which had begun to appear about one month prior to nesting. Both birds were ringed and released immediately after they had been measured. They appeared slightly agitated for about 15 mins after release, but soon recommenced bringing food to the nest. 1996 The current status and biology of the White-naped Tit 83 Biometrics: Wing (mm) Bill (mm) Tarsus (mm) Tail (mm) Weight (gm) Male 67 12 20 53 Female 65 12 19 49 13 Roosting behaviour The birds normally retired to roost about sunset, but occasionally it would be as late as 20 mins afterwards. They selected natural hollows or fissures in dead Acacia nilotica trees. The height of the roosts varied from 4 to 8 m. Prior to retiring they were very vocal, emitting a variety of calls, including sweet, musical whistles and bold scolding notes. The individuals studied showed a strong fidelity to the roost sites, utilizing the same site on a number of consecutive days. At one site a Chestnut-shouldered Petronia had a nest in the same tree and used to chase the tits as they settled to roost; however, the tits continued to return to the site. One roost tree was cut down by local people and another was burnt when part of the scrub forest was cleared for cultivation - the base of the tree was set alight when the birds were occupying the roost. We were able to extinguish the blaze before it destroyed the tree. This highlights the need to conserve dead and decaying trees in scrub forests in the area. Even while nesting one parent would use the normal roost site and, when the young birds became too big, both parents would occupy their favoured roost site. Food and feeding behaviour The recorded food consists predominantly of insects and spiders. During the course of this study some individuals were noted feeding on the fruits of Salvador a oleoides , and on the nectar of Capparis aphylla. They usually fed in trees but they were noted to drop to the ground to catch insects (?) on a dungheap. On three occasions birds were noted drinking water from a small puddle. Predators and threat postures A John’s Earth Boa Eryxjohni was seen trying to enter the White-naped Tit’s nest. The snake was caught and released away from the nest site. Shikras Accipiter badius were noted several times near the nest site, and a White-eyed Buzzard Butastur teesa was seen once, but the birds were not seen to attempt to catch the tits. In the presence of a Shikra the tits became silent and hid in the bushes. Rats Rattus were seen a few times in the nest tree. The tits adopted a threat posture, waving their heads to and fro, fanning their tails and spreading their wings apparently to give the appearance of a coiled snake with its head erect and swaying. This display caused the rat to move away rapidly. 84 J. K. TIWARI and A. R. RAHMANI Forktail 12 Clockwise from top left: Scrub-forest habitat of White-naped Tit P. nuchalis ; Chick of P. nuchalis, August; P. nuchalis on nest with food; Male (right) and female P. nuchalis', Male (right) and female P. nuchalis; Yellow-crowned Woodpecker, Dendrocopus mahrattensis, on which P. nuchalis depends for nest sites (Photos: J. K. Tiwari) Conservation This study indicates that the long-term survival of the species in Kutch is dependent on the tropical thorn forest and the conservation of dead and decaying Acacia trees. The main causes of deforestation in Kutch are illegal charcoal-making, the chopping of green fuel wood for bakeries, clearance of the scrub for cultivation, the lopping of Acacia trees for fodder, and the cutting of twigs for use as disposable toothbrushes. We estimate that in Bhuj alone two or three Acacia nilotica trees are lost daily due to heavy lopping to produce toothbrushes. About 40 families in Bhuj survive by selling tender 1996 The current status and biology of the White-naped Tit 85 twigs from house to house, and it is estimated that 50% of the population of Kutch (1,200,000) use green twigs from this tree for tooth brushing. An estimated 100 trees are lost daily for this reason. This slow and steady use of Acacia trees is depleting the still abundant scrub cover of Kutch. Excellent scrub forest is present in patches in Narayan Sarovar Chinkara Sanctuary. There is a great danger that this reserved forest will disappear or become degraded, if proposed cement factories are established in the sanctuary. The Government of Gujarat has initiated steps to denotify the sanctuary and reduce its size from 765 km2 to 96 km2. There are also proposals to build 43 factories in the area to exploit the rich limestone resources underlying the thorn forests. If these are developed it is likely that most of the suitable habitat for the White-naped Tit in Kutch would be destroyed. There is an urgent need to conserve the tropical thorn forests and to find other areas where the White-naped Tit still occurs. We are grateful to M. K. S. Himmatsinhji, S. N. Varu, N. N. Bapat, Trilochan Chhaya, Ashwin Pomal and Vasant Giri Goswami of the Pelican Nature Club (Bhuj) and Abdul O. Langa (forest guard), Nakhatrana for their help in providing valuable information. Muhammad Saidad, local assistant of the Grassland Project, was helpful during our field work. The field work was carried out under Grassland Ecology Project funded by a PL-480 Grant No. 14- 16-0009-90-1253, 14 FT 56(16) by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and sponsored by the Ministry of Environment, Government of India. This project is run jointly by the Bombay Natural History Society and the Centre of Wildlife and Ornithology (CWO), Aligarh Muslim University. We are grateful to Prof. A. H. Musavi, the former Chairman of CWO, and to Dr Jay Samant, Director, BNHS for necessary support. We also acknowledge the help and support of Mr David Ferguson of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Lastly, we want to thank Yogesh Dubey and Mehboob Alam for their help in the field. REFERENCES Adam, R. M. (1873) Notes on the birds of Sambhar Lake and its vicinity. Stray Feathers 1: 361-404. Ali, S. (1945) The birds of Kutch. Bombay: Oxford University Press. Ali, S. and Ripley, S. D. (1987) Compact edition of the handbook of the birds of India and Pakistan. Second edition. New Delhi: Oxford University Press. Collar, N. J., Crosby, M. J. and Stattersfield, A. J. (1994) Birds to watch 2, the world list of threatened birds. Cambridge: BirdLife International. Hussain, S. A., Akhtar, S. A. and Tiwari, J. K. (1992) Status and distribution of White-winged Black Tit Pams nuchalis in Kutch, Gujarat, India. Bird Conservation International 2: 115-122. Nilsson, K. J. and Martin, T. (1993) Characteristics and utilization of old Black Woodpecker Dryocopus martius holes by hole-nesting species. Ibis 135: 410-416. J. K. Tiwari, P.O. Luni Junction, District Jodhpur, Rajasthan - 342802, India. A. R. Rahmani, Centre of Wildlife and Ornithology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh - 202002, India. 86 Forktail 12 1996 FORKTAIL 12 (1996): 103 - 1 14 87 The significance of Delhi Zoo for wild waterbirds, with special reference to the Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala ABDUL JAMIL URFI Delhi Zoo, situated close to the Yamuna river, is an important site for wild wetland birds in the Delhi region. In a field study during 1987-1992, eight species of wintering waterfowl and ten species of nesting large waterbirds were observed breeding in its premises. Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala is the most prominent colonial nester of the heronries in the zoo. Its breeding pattern was studied through four seasons. The ecological aspects of the zoo’s wild waterbirds are reviewed and from issues arising, ideas for a conservation monitoring programme are presented. INTRODUCTION Besides its numerous caged exhibits, an extra feature of the National Zoological Park (Delhi Zoo) in New Delhi, India is its wild waterbirds, which fly freely in and out of the premises. Numerous species of migratory waterfowl winter in its ponds and on some mesquite trees, planted on islands, several species of colonial waterbirds build nests. During the winter months, the most prominent nesters are the Painted Storks Mycteria leucocephala , which have been nesting here regularly since 1960 (Desai 1971a). Delhi Zoo, besides being a zoological park, is also an important site for the conservation of wetland birds in a semi-urban setting. The colonial waterbirds which breed here, i.e. Painted Stork, Black-headed Ibis Threskiomis melanocephalus and several species of egrets, herons and cormorants (Table 1), constitute a group of wetland birds important from a conservation point of view. Because of the ease with which these birds can be observed, this site offers a unique opportunity for studying their ecology and behaviour. This paper is primarily a review of observations made during 1987-1992 (Urfi 1992, 1993a and unpublished information) and other published work on the wild waterbirds of Delhi Zoo. Its objective is to evaluate the significance of the zoo as a repository of wetland birds diversity and discuss pertinent aspects of their ecology and conservation, with special reference to the Painted Stork. 88 A. J. URFI Forktail 12 Entrance Sunder Nagar Yamuna Connection 250 m Figure 1. Sketch map of Delhi Zoo showing the main network of interconnected canals. The three ponds having heronries are numbered 1, 2 and 3. Islands planted with mesquite trees are shown as black STUDY AREA AND METHODS Delhi Zoo is approximately 85 ha in area and is located between the two famous historical monuments, Humayun’s Tomb and the Old Fort, on the western bank of the Y amuna river. Its extensive network of ponds and canals (Figure 1) is fed by the Yamuna river which lies barely 1 km away. During the period 1987-1992 I visited the zoo twice a month, on average (mostly during August-May), and made observations on the wild waterbirds. On each visit the wintering waterfowl were counted in the ponds 1, 2 and 3; those on the ponds close to the zoo entrance and the interconnecting canals, were counted only once each year during 1987-1991. These counts were made on a day in January/February, generally in the afternoon, and the results were transmitted to the Asian Midwinter Waterfowl Census programme (IWRB, Reports of the Asian Midwinter Waterfowl Census , 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990). Some other observations on the zoo’s wild waterbirds were also made. From the viewpoint of nesting waterbirds three ponds, each having islands planted with mesquite trees Prosopis juliflora , are significant (Fig. 1). The first pond faces the old fort wall and the second one, which is close by and connected, is also known as the ‘pelican pond’. Both of them are 1996 The significance of Delhi Zoo for wild waterbirds 89 approximately 0.8 ha in area and have two islands each. The third pond, which is the smallest and lies in the interior of the zoo, has only one island. In all the ponds the mesquite trees grow quite densely and their canopies merge and appear to be continuous. During 1988-1989, some Painted Storks also built nests on other trees in the vicinity of the ponds. The ponds are also used for the exhibition of the zoo’s pinioned waterbirds: Great White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus, Greater Adjutant Leptoptilos dubius , White Stork Cicoma ciconia, Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus and Sarus Crane Grus antigone. Primarily for these captive birds, the zoo authorities dump fish (about 60-7 0 kg of dead fish per day for the three ponds combined) in the ponds. Some of this food is also consumed by the wild waterbirds. Through 1 988-1992, at bi-weekly intervals during the breeding season of Painted Stork (August to May) I made roost counts of adult birds at about 18h00, from a distance of 15-20 m, using binoculars and a hand digital counter. I counted the chicks in all the nests each month. Chicks (birds less than one month old) were identified by white-down, yellow-tipped black bill and their poor motor ability (Shah and Desai 1975). OBSERVATIONS AND DISCUSSION Records indicate that, besides other species, Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope , Common Pochard Aythyaferina, Red-crested Pochard Rhodonessa ruftna, Ferruginous Pochard Aythya nyroca , Gadwall Anas strepera and Garganey A querquedula used to winter in the zoo, and until the 1970s wild Greater Adjutants and Spot-billed Pelicans Pelecanus philippensis would sometimes also visit the zoo in small numbers (Bhatia and Desai 1971). On some occasions during 1988-1991, four to nine wild Great White Pelicans were observed. Since the arrival of the wild birds, some Great White Pelicans (pinioned exhibits) have bred - possibly the pinioned females were fertilized by wild males (Urfi 1992). (It is believed that a hindrance to breeding in captivity for such large birds is the inability of the pinioned males to gain a secure balance on the body of the female during copulation) . Since Great White Pelicans were seen later in the study period, and also more recently during 1994-1995, it seems that the zoo has become a regular breeding site for this species. Given that its nesting has not been reported from Delhi (Ganguli 1975) this should now be considered as a new breeding record for the region (Urfi 1996). There is a record of Ruddy Shelduck Tadoma ferruginea and Common Pochard having nested in Delhi zoo (Desai 1971b). In this study, Spot¬ billed Duck Anas poecilorhyncha, Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus and White-breasted Waterhen Amauromis phoenicurus were the only waterbirds observed to breed. During March and April Spot-billed Ducks were seen 90 A. J. URFI Forktail 12 Species Indian Cormorant Phalacrocorax fuscicollis Little Cormorant Phalacrocorax niger Indian Pond Heron Ardeola grayii Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis Intermediate Egret Mesophoyx intermedia Little Egret Egretta garzetta Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax Br Painted Stork Mycteria ieucocephaia Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea Northern Pintail Anas acuta Common Teal Anas crecca Spot-billed Duck Anas poecilorhyncha Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata Comb Duck Sarkidiornis melanotos Common Coot Fulica atra Status Br Br Br Br Br Br Br Br Br Win Win Win Br/Win Win Win Win Win Br = breeding; Win = wintering/roosting Table 1. Wintering waterfowl and heronry birds observed in Delhi zoo during 1987-1992 enacting their characteristic ‘head-bobbing’ courtship display. Their nests and also those of the rails, were seen in several places in the zoo. Wintering ducks during the study period Eight species of wintering waterfowl were observed in the zoo ponds (Table 1). The census figures for four species are shown in Figure 2. Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis , Ruddy Shelduck, Mallard Anas platyrhynchos and Common Coot Fulica atra were seen sporadically, and generally in small numbers (less than 5). The population of the resident species, the Spot-billed Duck, was observed to swell during the winter months. Northern Pintail Anas acuta , Northern Shoveler A. clypeata and Common Teal A. crecca start arriving by September and among the earliest arrivals are females, juveniles and males in eclipse plumage. Whereas for Northern Pintail, the numbers wintering in the ponds showed a decline through 1987 to 1991, no clear trend is apparent for the other species, in spite of considerable yearly variations in numbers. Relatively high numbers of Comb Duck Sarkidiornis melanotos and Common Teal were seen in 1989 and 1990, respectively. The waterfowl species given above are known to consume vegetable matter and invertebrates of wetlands and agricultural fields (Ali and Ripley 1987). In the zoo they are generally to be seen resting during the day. It appears that the concrete-lined ponds of the zoo, with hardly any rooted vegetation are perhaps less important for the birds as a feeding ground than as a refuge from human or raptorial disturbance ouside the zoo. 1996 The significance of Delhi Zoo for wild waterbirds 91 1500-1 1000- 500 Pintail 1500-1 10001 500- 750i 500- 250 Shoveler Common Teal 15 10 Comb Duck 0 □ 1987 ni988 ni989 □ 1990 >1991 M Figure 2. Midwinter counts (1987-1991) for four species of wintering waterfowl in Delhi Zoo. Heronries The birds nesting in Delhi zoo heronries are given in Table 1 . Although these birds have been nesting regularly in the zoo since 1960, Black-headed Ibises joined this list only in 1989. According to the zoo officials the Black-headed Ibis started breeding in the zoo thanks to their programme of releasing some captive-bred birds (Urfi 1992). Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo and Darter Anhinga melanogaster were observed to use the zoo only for roosting. 92 J. K. TIWARI and A. R. RAHMANI Forktail 12 Figure 3. Monthly numbers of adult Painted Storks and new chicks produced in Delhi Zoo during 1988-1992. The season 1989-1990 was a zero recruitment year for the population. For explanation see text. The different species nesting in the zoo heronries use the same mesquite trees. From published literature (Table 2), and from a year’s observations during the study period it is clear that there is considerable natural variation in the nesting season of the different birds. Observations indicate that there is also variation in the location of the nests on the mesquite trees by the different species. Painted Storks, being the largest birds, generally build nests on the topmost parts of the canopy, while Black-headed Ibises occupy the lower and middle parts. Cormorants, herons and egrets build nests in the inner parts of the trees. However, more field studies are required to establish this spatial and temporal variation in nesting. It will be useful to classify the Delhi zoo heronries according to a standard system, so that this heronry can be directly compared with others in the Indian subcontinent. Singh and Sodhi (1985) used a system which is based on five sets of characteristics as follows: 1996 The current status and biology of the White-naped Tit 93 Species Delhi zoo Nesting period Delhi zoo Roshanara Gardens (Bhatia & Desai (1988-1989 Urfi (Ganguli 1975) 1971) unpublished) Indian Cormorant Phatacrocorax fuscicollis June-August ? Little Cormorant Phatacrocorax niger June-August July-April Indian Pond Heron Ardeola grayii July-December ? Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis June-October May-October May-August Intermediate Egret Mesophoyx intermedia June-August ? May/June-August Little Egret Egretta garzetta May-August January-June June-August Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax July-December January-June June-September Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala August/September- March/April August-May Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus January-February; June-September Table 2. Temporal variations in the nesting period of colonial waterbirds in the Delhi region 1 location (whether inside or outside human habitation); 2 general plant type of the heronry (tree, reed or bush); 3 breeding species of birds (pure or mixed heronry); 4 physiognomy (whether the heronry is compact or loosely structured; and 5 whether the plants used are of one or more than one species. According to this system the Delhi zoo heronries are ‘Associated’, i.e. within human habitation; ‘Tree Heronry’ and ‘Mixed’, since several species of colonial waterbirds use this site. In 1990-1991 and 1991-1992 all of the Painted Storks nested only on mesquite. However, during 1988-1989, when many more birds nested (Table 3), nests were also built on other trees. Of 202 nests in that season, 138 nests (68%) were in mesquite trees, 41 (20%) were in Ficus religiosa, 11 (5%) were in Azadirachta indica, 7 (4%) were in Bombax ceiba and 5 (3%) were in Pongamia pinnata trees in the vicinity of the ponds. Taking these observations into account, the classification of the Delhi zoo heronries, with respect to the last two characteristics in Singh and Sodhi’s scheme, will vary considerably. Depending upon how many birds are nesting, the heronry can be classified as ‘Compact’ or ‘Loose’, and ‘Homogeneous’ or ‘Heterogeneous’ with respect to physiognomy and tree species, respectively. 94 J. K. TIWARI and A. R. RAHMANI Forktail 12 Year Maximum number of adults Number of nests Number of chicks’ 1988-1989 550 202 523 1989-19902 500 - - 1990-1991 325 81 166 1991-1992 366 87 175 1 Number of chicks per season is estimated as the sum of the monthly new chicks produced 2 Zero recruitment year (see text) Table 3. Breeding data of Painted Storks Mycteria leucocephala at Delhi zoo during 1988-1992 (from Urfi 1993a) For Painted Stork and a few other species the zoo has been their only recorded breeding site in the Delhi region (Ganguli 1975). Although, in recent surveys, some new and hitherto unreported heronries were discovered (Urfi and Sharma 1992) the zoo is certainly the largest and the most consistent heronry in the Delhi region (Urfi 1993b). Indeed for a large part of north-western India, this site is perhaps the only major breeding ground for colonial waterbirds, second to the famous heronries of the Keoladeo Ghana National Park at Bharatpur, about 170 km away. Painted Storks In the area around Delhi, the Painted Stork lives singly or in small flocks in the non-breeding season, and starts flocking to the zoo for breeding in late August. The seasonal changes in the size of the adult Painted Stork population at the zoo, and the monthly production of new chicks in the three breeding seasons during 1988-1992 are shown in Figure 3. During 1989 the birds began nesting as usual but stopped abruptly around 25 September. This may have resulted from disturbance due to an exceptionally large number of visitors to the zoo, who had come to Delhi that day for a political rally (Urfi 1990). Although the maximum yearly number of the incoming adult storks varied, ranging from 325 to 550 (Table 3), the following pattern is constant: after September the number of adults in the zoo declines, probably because competition for nesting sites or mates forces some birds to leave. Around January the number of adults increases again, due to a fresh influx, although this time the increase in number is not as much as initially. The pattern of recruitment of chicks corresponds to the pattern of adult movements in that there is a major bout of recruitment during October- November, just after the initial influx. During 1988-1989 there was a distinct second but smaller recruitment bout in May, corresponding to the second arrival of adults in January. It is unclear whether this represents a second breeding attempt by some individuals, or a prolonged breeding effort in that year. In 1990-1991, although the breeding season extended into May, there was not a definitive second peak. 1996 The current status and biology of the White-naped Tit 95 Figure 4. Sketch map to show the location of Delhi Zoo in relation to the river Yamuna. Sites where Painted Stork feeding parties were encountered are denoted by X. Shaded areas show the expanse of urbanization. The Painted Stork, which is largely piscivorous (Ali and Ripley 1987), is believed to breed at a time of year when food is plentiful in the wetlands (Desai et al. 1974, Kahl 1971) in accordance with the food availability¬ breeding time hypothesis (Perrins 1970). The major recruitment bout in October is, therefore, timed in relation to the spawning of fish during the monsoon rains in July-August. However, a correlation should be expected between monsoon performance each year and an index of Painted Stork breeding. Unfortunately, the data in this study are too meagre to test this hypothesis. Secondly, is the second recruitment bout as during 1988-1989 and to a lesser extent during 1990-1991, real? If so, what is its ecological basis? Finally, to what extent does the breeding time of other heronry birds relate to food availability in the environment? Since the ponds which the Painted Storks use are also used by the pinioned waterbirds, for which food is added, the question is: what is the significance of this food for the storks? It has been observed that when fish for the exhibits is dumped in the ponds each morning, several Painted Storks rush forward to grab this free and easy meal. However, the Painted Stork colony of about 100 nests would consume approximately 24 tonnes of fish in the breeding season. The concrete-lined zoo ponds and the dead fish which are dumped in them are unlikely to meet these demands. So, the majority of the food requirements of the breeding storks are presumably met by foraging in wetlands associated with the nearby Y amuna river (Figure 4) . During the breeding season, adult Painted Storks were observed flying directly from their nests out of the zoo, or climbing on thermals (Desai 1971a), which is strongly indicative of preparation for a long-distance food¬ finding mission. There is also another line of reasoning which suggests that the majority of the food for the breeding storks and their chicks is likely to be met by catching fish from the natural wetlands of the Y amuna outside the zoo. There is evidence (O’Connor 1984) that the food requirements of 96 J. K. TIWARI and A. R. RAHMANI Forktail 12 chicks, in many species, are different from those of adults. Because of their smaller gape size, Painted Stork chicks probably need to be fed by relatively small-sized fish and the appropriate size class is likely to be abundant in natural wetlands of the Yamuna where the fish have spawned after the monsoon rains. However, this hypothesis has to be tested in the field. Also, more field studies are required to locate the favourite feeding areas of Painted Storks on the Yamuna, across a much larger area than shown in Figure 4. CONSERVATION Since the wild waterbirds of Delhi zoo are dependent on the Yamuna river, any change in the quality of the river is bound to affect the zoo’s birds. On the other hand, events or habitat changes in the zoo will also affect the bird populations of Delhi’s wetlands. A case in point is the unusual human disturbance during 1989, making this year one of zero recruitment. A problem in recent years, which is now getting quite noticeable, is siltation of the ponds. Although this is bound to affect the zoo’s wild waterbirds, the time scale on which the changes will take place will be best understood by a population monitoring programme, which will also help to ring alarm bells and goad conservation bodies into action if the habitat quality deteriorates sharply. It has to be borne in mind that the conservation of the wetland habitats associated with the Yamuna in Delhi will depend on our ability to check the increasing levels of pollution in the river, and the growth of urbanization in the surrounding areas. Since the initiation of the ‘Asian Waterfowl Census’ in 1 987 by the IWRB, the importance of monitoring bird populations is being realized in India (Urfi 1995). However, there are not many bird population monitoring projects going on in India yet. In this regard, a long-term bird population monitoring programme at the Delhi zoo, and perhaps other Indian zoos which provide a habitat for wild waterbirds, is likely to prove worthwhile. One advantage of such sites is that being located in urban areas they are easily accessible to counters. A long-term monitoring programme of the zoo’s wild waterbird populations should be structured along the following lines: 1 an annual waterfowl count complemented by a parallel counting event at a constant site (such as Okhla barrage and environs) on the Yamuna river; 2 a monthly count of adults, juveniles, nests etc. for all the heronry birds; and 3 an annual sample of Painted Stork nests should be monitored for clutch size and breeding success parameters. Given that the wild waterbirds use Delhi zoo premises opportunistically, 1996 The current status and biology of the White-naped Tit 97 in a certain sense the zoo authorities may not consider their care and management as among their formal responsibilities. However, the crucial role which the Delhi zoo can play in the conservation of wetland birds requires a major shift in their attitude. I thank Professor T . R. Rao and Dr N. Iyer for comenting on earlier versions of the manuscript. This paper was written while I was a CSIR Pool Officer at the Department of Zoology, University of Delhi. REFERENCES Ali, S. and Ripley, S. D. (1987) Compact handbook of the birds of India and Pakistan. Bombay: Oxford University Press. Bhatia, C. L. and Desai, J. H. (1971) Migratory and other birds in Delhi Zoological Park. Indian Forester 97: 266-273. Desai, J. H. (1971a) Feeding ecology and nesting of Painted Stork Ibis leucocephalus at Delhi Zoo. International Zoo Yearbook 11: 208-215. Desai, ]. H. (1971b) Note on breeding of Ruddy Shelduck Tadoma ferruginea (Pallas) at Delhi Zoological Park. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 68: 243. Desai, J. H., Shah, R. V. and Menon, G. K. (1974) Diet and food requirements of Painted Storks at the breeding colony in the Delhi Zoological Park. Pavo 12: 13-23. Ganguli, U. (1975) A guide to the birds of the Delhi area. New Delhi: Indian Council of Agricultural Research. Kahl, M. P. (1971) The courtship of storks. Natural History 80: 36-45. O’Connor, R. J. (1984) The growth and development of birds. John Wiley and Sons. Perennou, C., Rose, P. and Poole, C. (1990) Asian waterfowl census 1990. Mid-winter waterfowl counts in southern and eastern Asia, January 1990. IWRB/AWB. Perrins, C. M. (1970) The timing of birds breeding seasons. Ibis 112: 242-255. Scott, D. A. and Rose, P. M. (1989) Asian waterfowl census 1989. Mid-winter waterfowl counts in southern and eastern Asia, January 1989. IWRB. Shah, R. V. and Desai, J. H. (1976) Growth and development of the Painted Stork, Ibis leucocephalus Pennant. II. Post hatching growth pattern and motor development. Pavo 13: 88-101. Singh, N. and Sodhi,N. S. (1986) Heronries and the breeding population density of the Cattle Egret, Bubulcus ibis coromandus (Boddaert) during 1985, in Tehsil Kharar of the Ropar district (Punjab). Pavo 23: 77-84. Urfi, A. J. (1990) Mysterious disappearance of Painted Storks from Delhi Zoo heronries and abrupt termination of their breeding. Newsletter for Birdwatchers 30(5 & 6): 3-5. Urfi, A. J. (1992) The significance of Delhi Zoo for waterbird conservation. International Zoo News 39: 13-16. Urfi, A. J. (1993a) Breeding patterns of Painted Storks (Mycteria leucocephala Pennant) at Delhi Zoo, India. Colonial Waterbirds 16: 95-97. Urfi, A. J. (1993b) Heronries in the Delhi region of India. Oriental Bird Club Bull. 17: 19-21. Urfi, A. J. (1995) India takes the birds under its wing. New Scientist 15 April 1995: 47-48. Urfi, A. J. (1996) On some new breeding records of waterbirds from the Delhi region. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 93: 94-95. Urfi, A. J. and Sharma, S. C. (1992) Bijana Peepul: a new breeding site for Painted Stork discovered in Delhi region. Newsletter for Birdwatchers 32(1 1 & 12): 10-1 1 . van der Ven, J. (1987) Asian waterfowl - 1987. Slimbridge: IWRB. van der Ven, J. (1988) Asian waterfowl - 1988. Slimbridge: IWRB. Dr Abdul Jamal Urfi, 270, Jamia Nagar, Okhla, New Delhi, 11025, India (permanent address); Sundarvan-Nature Discovery Centre, Centre for Environment Education, Thaltej, Tekra, Ahmedabad 380 054, India (current institutional address). 98 Forktail 12 1996 FORKTAIL 12 (1996): 135 - 142 99 An assessment of common and rare forest bird species of the Andaman islands PRIYA DAVIDAR, T. R. K. YOGANAND, T. GANESH and NIRAJ JOSHI A rapid assessment of forest birds was carried out in the Andaman islands in the Bay of Bengal. Forty- five islands were surveyed for 47 species of forest birds. The status of each species was determined by their distribution across the islands and their relative abundance. Four species were very rare, with infrequent sightings and found only on a few islands. Only one endemic species, the Andaman Treepie Dendrociua bayleyi was rare. In general the status of the forest birds was robust, but the rare species that were identified need to be monitored as an indicator of the status of the forest bird community and of the forests of the Andaman islands. INTRODUCTION Rare species are under greater threat than others, and the science of conservation biology has to a large extent focused on the conservation of rare species (Soule 1986, Gaston 1994). Rare species can be identified by small range sizes or low abundance or both (Gaston 1994), and can form the core for the protection of habitats and ecosystems. The Andaman and Nicobar islands, with a rich variety of tropical forest types and diverse flora and fauna, are under intense developmental pressures (Saldanha 1989, Whitaker 1985). Although a large number of sanctuaries and national parks has been notified (Pande et al. 1991), the protected area network might not be adequate to conserve all of the species and ecosystems (Davidar etal. 1995). This study was undertaken to assess the status of forest birds of the Andaman islands, in order to identify rare species and species vulnerable to extinction. These rare species can be used as monitors to assess the status of the forests and forest biodiversity in the Andaman islands over time, and to measure the impact of conservation programmes. The birds of the Andaman islands have received attention for over a century (see Ripley and Beehler 1 989) . The most recent and comprehensive record was by Abdulali (1965, 1981) andTikader (1984). The status of each species was approximated from collections and field observations, but little quantitative work has been undertaken. We surveyed 45 islands of the Andaman group for 47 species of forest birds in 1992, 1993 (February to May), and 1994 (February). The status of each species was determined by the number of islands on which it was distributed and its abundance. 100 P. DAVIDAR el al. Forktail 12 Study site The Andaman islands are part of the Andaman and Nicobar chain of islands that extend from south-western Myanmar to north-western Sumatra, lying between 6°45’N and 13°41’N (Srinivasan 1986). Commonly called the ‘Bay islands’, the Andamans and Nicobars are a submerged mountain chain which is part of the Arakan Yomas of Myanmar. These islands lie off the south-east coast of Asia about 571 km from the Malayan peninsula and 1,330 km from southern India. The northernmost islands are less than 300 km from Myanmar and the southernmost Great Nicobar island is about 189 km from Sumatra. These islands are considered truly oceanic as they were never connected to the continent during the Pleistocene glaciation (Ripley and Beehler 1989). The Andamans are composed of about 300 islands, of a total land area of over 5,000 km2. The major land mass is made up of North, Middle, Baratang and South Andaman islands, forming a super-island. Rutland, another large island lies within 1 km of the southern tip of South Andaman Island. Little Andaman (675 km2 in area) is located about 67 km from the South Andamans and is the southernmost island in the Andaman group. It is separated from the Nicobars, which lie further south, by the 140 km wide 10 degree channel. The climate is tropical and oceanic with rainfall from both the SW and NE monsoons. The average annual rainfall is 3,000 mm (State Statistical Bureau 1989). The dry season extends from January to May, with another short break in September-October. According to Ripley and Beehler’s (1989) analysis, 104 species of birds are known to breed in the Bay islands. Their affinities are predominantly with Myanmar and the Malay peninsula, with 8 1 of the species also breeding in south-western Myanmar and 75 in the Malay peninsula. There are also 13 endemic species and eighty-six endemic races. Of the 104 breeding bird species, 47 were identified as predominantly forest dwelling. Taxa that were excluded are nocturnal species such as owls and nightjars, swifts, swallows and kingfishers. A few other species were also excluded because of their particular ecology. The teals were excluded as they were dependent on freshwater bodies, which appeared seasonal in many places, the Narcondam Hornbill Aceros narcondami, as it occurred on only one island which was not surveyed, and a few others like the Red Collared Dove Streptopelia tranquebarica and the White-breasted Woodswallow Artamus leucorynchus, appeared to favour open areas. The Large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos was ubiquitous, even in towns and villages. The Pied Triller Lalage nigra was not recorded in the survey. 1996 An assessment of common and rare forest bird species of the Andaman islands 101 METHODS This survey covered the different large island masses and archipelagos in the Andaman group of islands. The islands surveyed ranged from Landfall off the northern part of the North Andaman island, to Twins and North Cinque off the southern tip of South Andaman island. Islands in the Labyrinth group, where the Marine National Park is located, the Ritchie’s archipelago, islands off Mayabundar, Ariel Bay, and on the west coast of North Andamans such as North Reef were surveyed. Different sites were surveyed on large islnds,such as the North Andaman, Baratang, South Andaman, Rutland and Little Andaman. On larger islands with a diversity of habitats, separate transects were walked on each habitat type, and the number of transects in each habitat type was related to the size of that particular habitat. Transects of 1 km length were walked in the mornings starting at 07h00. All birds seen or heard were recorded and identified using Ali and Ripley (1987) and King et al. (1975). Their distance along the transect line and approximate perpendicular distance to the transect line were noted. Transects were laid in different habitat types on each island or, in large islands and the number of transects was related to the proportion of each habitat type. The status of each species was assessed by its distribution and its relative abundance. The number of sites in which the bird was recorded, was used to assess its geographic range and the total number of sightings, its abundance. These parameters are commonly used to identify rarity (Gaston 1 994) . In this study the habitat-niche was not taken into account as many bird species were found to occupy more habitats on smaller islands (Yoganand unpublished). The bird species recorded on all the above-mentioned sites and islands were ranked in ascending order according to the number of islands on which each was recorded. These ranks were transformed into an index of 1-5. Birds recorded from 1-11 islands were assigned a rank 1 (< 1 1 islands form 25% of the total sampled), 1 2-20 a rank of 2, 2 1 -30 a rank of 3, 3 1 -40 a rank of 4, and finally 41-45 a rank of 5. The total number of sightings per species in the 1993 and 1994 surveys was ranked in ascending order. These were assessed in a total length of 70 km of transect in the North Andaman island, Baratang, Little Andaman and associated islands. The total number of birds recorded in these surveys was 5,028. The data from the survey of South Andamans and associated islands (12 islands) in 1 992 were not included. Each species was given a rank from 0 to 5, from the least abundant to the most abundant species. Species with less than 10 sightings were given a value of 0, 10-50 sightings a rank 1, 50-100 a rank 2, 100-150 a rank 3, 1 50-200 a rank of 4 and 200+ a rank 5. These ranks were 102 P. DAVIDAR et al. Forktail 12 Species Feeding type Number Rank Total of of islands (1-5) Individuals Rank Abundance (1-10) Coracina striata i 3 1 3 0 1 Oriolus xanthornus 0 4 1 5 0 1 Chrysococcyx xanthorhynchus 0 5 1 5 0 1 Terpsiphone paradisi i 5 1 6 0 1 Ducula bicolor f 5 1 12 1 2 Dendrocitta bayleyi * 0 9 1 36 1 2 Pycnonotus atriceps 0 10 1 45 1 2 Columba palumboides* f 11 1 30 1 2 Copsychus malabaricus 0 11 1 11 1 2 Aviceda leuphotes r 11 1 16 1 2 Cuculus micropterus 0 12 2 19 1 3 Eurystomus orientalis i 14 2 16 1 3 Acci piter virgatus r 14 2 16 1 3 Macropygia rufipennis * g 16 2 22 1 3 Spizaetus cirrhatus r 17 2 19 1 3 Spiiornis cheela r 19 2 23 1 3 Dryocopus hodgei* i 18 2 70 2 4 Pericrocotus flammeus 0 18 2 90 2 4 Eudynamys scolopacea f 23 3 35 1 4 Zoothera citrina 0 25 3 45 1 4 Dicrurus andamanensis' 0 18 2 119 3 5 Spiiornis elgini* r 25 3 62 2 5 Chalcophaps indica g 27 3 67 2 5 Coracina macei i 27 3 52 2 5 Dendrocopos macei i 29 3 62 2 5 Centropus andamanensis * 0 30 3 75 2 5 Psittacula eupatria f 30 3 100 2 5 Merops leschenaulti i 32 4 44 1 5 Psittacula alexandri f 23 3 127 3 6 Gracula religiosa f 27 3 111 3 6 Psittacula longicauda f 29 3 147 3 6 Treron pompadora f 29 3 121 3 6 Aplonis panayensis 0 27 3 313 4 7 Sturnus erythropygius* 0 33 4 150 3 7 Dicaeum concolor f 34 4 131 3 7 Hypothymis azurea i 37 4 143 3 7 Pachycephala grisola i 38 4 111 3 7 Loriculus vernalis f 39 4 141 3 7 Copsychus saularis 0 41 5 78 2 7 Ducula aenea f 31 4 377 5 9 Pericrocotus cinnamomeus 0 33 4 271 5 9 Dicrurus paradiseus 0 34 4 203 5 9 Irena puella f 36 4 201 5 9 Oriolus chinensis 0 39 4 290 5 9 Zosterops palpebrosus 0 39 4 208 5 9 Nectarinia jugularis n 44 5 279 5 10 Pycnonotus jocosus o 44 * endemic species o= omnivore g= granivorei= f= frugivore r= raptor n= 5 insectivore nectarivore 530 5 10 Table 1. Ranking the forest bird species of the Andaman islands by distribution and abundance in ascending order from rare to common species 1996 An assessment of common and rare forest bird species of the Andaman islands 103 Feeding Species Number of islands Abundances Categories 1-11 12-22 23-33 >33 <100 100-120 200+ Omnivore 18 5 3 5 5 10 2 6 Frugivore 12 2 1 6 3 3 7 2 Insectivore 9 2 2 3 2 7 2 0 Granivore 2 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 Raptor 5 1 3 1 0 5 0 0 Nectarivore 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 Total Species 47 10 10 16 11 27 11 9 Table 2. Distributional patterns and abundances of Andaman forest birds based on feeding categories added to give a composite rank from 1 to 1 0 listing the species from the most infrequent to the most common. Each species was assigned to a feeding category based on field observations and from literature (Ali and Ripley 1987). These categories are omnivore, frugivore, insectivore, granivore, raptor and nectarivore. There is some similarity between the omnivore and frugivore categories and doubtful species were assigned to either of these two categories based on field experience. RESULTS The results show that species are distributed evenly across the ranks, with roughly equal numbers being common or rare (Table 1). The ranks based on distribution and relative abundances are correlated (Kendall correlation coefficient Z=6.05, n=47, p<0.0001) implying that species with broad distributional range are also more abundant. However, there are some exceptions. Some species like the Chestnut-headed Bee-eater Merops leschenaulti and the Oriental Magpie Robin Copsychus saularis were widely distributed, but at low abundances, while others such as the Andaman Drongo Dicrurus andamanensis and the Asian Glossy Starling Aplonis panayensis were not widely distributed but occur in large numbers. Raptors were generally restricted in distribution whereas the Olive- backed Sunbird Nectarinia jugularis, a nectarivore was found on almost all of the islands sampled. Omnivores and insectivores were distributed evenly across all island categories, whereas frugivores had generally a broad distributional range (Table 1). Twenty-seven (57%) species had fewer than 100 records, whereas 9 had more than 200 records. These 9 were made up of omnivores, frugivores and a nectarivore. Granivores and raptors had fewer than 100 sightings. Seven of the 9 (78%) insectivore species had fewer than 100 sightings, and none over 200 sightings (Table 2). 104 P. DAVIDAR et al. Forktail 12 Seven out of 12 (58%) frugivores had abundances between 100-200 and only 2 over 200. Six out of the 18 (33%) species of omnivores were very abundant with over 200 sightings and 10 (55%) had less than 100 sightings (Table 2). Species such as the Bar-bellied Cuckooshrike Coracina striata , Violet Cuckoo Chrysococcyx xanthorhynchus , Black-hooded Oriole Oriolus xanthornus and Asian Paradise-flycatcher Terpsiphone paradisi were encountered infrequently and at low numbers, and are considered very rare. The Pied Imperial Pigeon Ducula bicolor was very patchily distributed, with flocks being encountered infrequently. However, the Andaman Treepie Dendrocitta bayleyi and Black-headed Bulbul Pycnonotus atriceps are not as rare as is suggested, as they are found only in large islands and even though fairly common are given just one point for each record on a large island. Very common species are Red-whiskered Bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus and Olive- backed Sunbird Nectarinia jugularis. Five of the species, the Andaman Serpent Eagle Spilomis elgini, Brown Coucal Centropus andamanensis, Andaman Drongo Dicrurus andamanensis, Andaman Woodpecker Dryocopus hodgei and Andaman Treepie Dendrocitta bayleyi are endemic to the Andamans. Three species, Andaman Wood Pigeon Columba palumboides, Andaman Cuckoo Dove Macropygia rufipennis, and White-headed Starling Stumus erythropygius are endemic to the Andaman and Nicobar islands (Ripley and Beehler 1989). Of these 8 species, Dendrocitta bayleyi and Columba palumboides had a rank 2 Macropygia rufipennis a rank 3 (Table 1). The rest were common. DISCUSSION Forest birds are the most important and conspicuous members of the Andaman avifauna. They are not only important in their own right, but can also serve as indicators of the status of the forest. The status of the birds in general was robust and there is no immediate cause of concern. The very rare species are not so because of any external threat, but probably because of their intrinsic ecological requirements and biology. They are also found predominantly on large islands and therefore are rare due to a limited distributional pattern (Davidar et al. 1995). These rare species, if monitored regularly over time can be used as indicators of the state of the forests. Other species can function as more efficient indicators, as they occur on a large number of islands but in low numbers. These species, such as the Oriental Magpie Robin Copysychus saularis, Andaman Serpent Eagle Spilomis elgini , Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker Dendrocopos macei, Chestnut-headed Bee-eater Merops leschenaulti, and others have a distributional rank of 3+, but an abundance of rank 1 . Raptors are effective indicator species as they are at the summit of the food chain, large-bodied and few in number. Any threat to the environment will result in a decline in raptor populations. 1996 An assessment of common and rare forest bird species of the Andaman islands 105 Frugivores dominate the ecological landscape in the Andamans. Many of the frugivores, usually fruit pigeons and parakeets, are encountered in flocks, which move over a broad area in search of fruiting trees. They easily traverse over water to visit fruiting trees on small islands and probably play a very important ecological function in the dispersal and propagation of the plant species. The status of the avifauna such as the Narcondam Hornbill Aceros narcondami, the Andaman Teal Anas gibberifrons, symbolic of these islands, needs special attention due to their unique ecological requirements and limited distributions; in addition to these, community level studies of rarity in broad categories, such as forest birds, are required. This study was funded by a grant from the Ministry of Environment, France. Dr J. M. Thiollay assisted with the survey. We thank the Forest Department of the Andaman and Nicobar islands for permission to carry out this study and for logistical support. We especially thank the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, the Chief Wildlife Warden, Shri Wahel, Shri Ajay Saxena DCF (Wildlife) and Shri Yadav ACF (Wildlife) and his staff at Wandoor for the help rendered, and many others who gave us timely assistance and support, without which this survey would not have been possible. REFERENCES Abdulali, H. (1965) The birds of the Andaman and Nicobar islands. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 61: 483-571. Abdulali, H. (1981) Additional notes on Andaman birds. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 78: 46-49. Ali, S. and Ripley, S. D. (1987) Compact edition of the handbook of the birds of India and Pakistan. New Delhi: Oxford University Press. Davidar, P., Soubadra Devy, M., Yoganand, T. R. K and Ganesh, T. (1995) Reserve size and implications for the conservation of biodiversity in the Andaman islands. In T. J. B. Boyle and B. Boontawee, eds, Measuring and monitoring biodiversity in tropical and temperate forests. CIFOR, Indonesia. Gaston, K. J. (1994) Rarity. London: Chapman and Hall. King, B., Dickinson, E. C. and Woodcock, M. (1975) Field guide to the birds of South-East Asia. London: Collins. Pande, P., Kothari, A. and Singh, S., eds (1991) Directory of national parks and sanctuaries in Andaman and Nicobar islands. New Delhi: IIPA. Ripley, S. D. and Beehler, B. M. (1989) Ornithogeographic affinities of the Andaman and Nicobar islands. J. Biogeogr. 16: 323-332. Saldanha, C. J. (1989) Andamans, Nicobars and Lakshadweep. New Delhi: Oxford and IBH. Soule, M. E. (1986) Patterns of diversity and rarity: their implications for conservation. Pp. 117-121 in M. E. Soule, ed. Conservation Biology: the science of scarcity and diversity . Associates, Sunderland, MA. Srinivasan, M. S. (1986) Geology of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. J. Andam. Sci. Assn. 2: 1-12. State Statistical Bureau, Andaman and Nicobar Administration (1989) Handbook on Andamans district. Port Blair: Govt. Press. Tikader, B. K. (1984) Birds of the Andaman and Nicobar islands. Calcutta: Zoological Survey of India. Whitaker, R. (1985) Endangered Andamans. New Delhi: Environmental Services group, WWF-India, and MAB India, Department of Environment. Priya Davidar, T. R. K. Yoganand, T. Ganesh and Niraj Joshi, Salim Ali School of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Pondicherry University, Kalapet, Pondicherry 605 014, India 106 Forktail 12 1996 FORKTAIL 12 (1996): 143 - 152 107 Birds of Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, India V. GOKULA and LALITHA VIJAYAN The Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, located between 1 1°30' and 1 1°39’N and 76°27’and 76°43’E, in the Nilgiris district of T amil Nadu in the Western Ghats (Fig. 1 ), is mainly known for its larger wild animals such as Asian Elephant Elephas maximus, Sloth Bear Melursus ursinus and Tiger Panthera tigris but also harbours a good number of bird species. The sanctuary encompasses an area of 321 km2 forming 14% of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (with a core area of 72 km2), the first biosphere reserve of India established with the view of integration of development with conservation of biodiversity. The sanctuary has an undulating terrain with low-lying areas and steep cliffs of about 1 ,250 m above MSL. It is drained mainly by the Moyar river with its several tributaries of smaller rivers and streams. The South-west and North¬ east monsoons provide about 600 to 2,000 mm rain, with an increasing gradient from east to west of the sanctuary, which is hence endowed with a high diversity of habitats, rich in variety of plants and animals. The broad vegetation types are scrub forest and dry and moist deciduous forests. The scrub, dry and moist habitats cover an area of about 44, 98 and 104 km2 respectively and about 16 km2 is revenue land. The scrub is dominated by Chloroxylon swietenia, Erythroxylon monogynum and Acacia sundra. The dry deciduous forests have more of Tectona grandis, Anogeissus latifolia and Terminalia tomentosa and the moist deciduous forests have besides some Syzygium cumini, Olea dioica and Persea macaranga. The sanctuary, although contiguous with other protected areas, namely Bandipur Tiger Reserve and Wynaad Wildlife Sanctuary, has pressures from human populations settled inside and outside. The Nilgiris have been undergoing drastic changes in the landscape with the replacement of forests and grasslands by monoculture plantations and agriculture. The other developmental processes such as hydro-electric projects with construction of dams, reservoirs, canals and tunnels (Prabhakar and Gadgil 1994) has also changed the ecological landscape of this area. The human settlement, with the immigration of people to support the above-mentioned practices, kept on increasing pressure on the forest around to meet their ecological needs and greed. The impact of such pressure, exerted directly or indirectly on the biota, especially birds, has not been assessed in this region. While conducting such a study on the plants and birds of different habitats of this sanctuary, a status report on the birds, which have not been well documented, is prepared and presented based on the observations made during May 1994 to August 1995. A total of 266 bird species was recorded, of which 213 were resident, 49 were migrants, three were local migrants and one was of unknown status (Appendix) . 108 V. GOKULA and L. VIJAYAN Forktail 12 Figure 1. Map of Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary There were rare sightings of four species from this sanctuary during winter. The species, with the number of birds and the month of sighting, are given below: the Long-eared Owl Asio otus (2 in January), Southern Grey Shrike Lanius meridionalis (3 in February), Common Stonechat Saxicola torquata (2 in January) and Singing Bushlark Mirafra cantillans (2 in January). The. Grey-headed Fish Eagle Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus, although rare, was sighted in almost all seasons in particular riverine patches, and two pairs were involved. The Savanna Nightjar Caprimulgus affinis was recorded thrice by call during winter. The number of species recorded was high in dry deciduous (142) and scrub forest (139), followed by moist deciduous forest (130), but this last figure may be because the birds were not so obvious in this habitat. However, the moist deciduous forest had a greater number of habitat- specific birds (56) than the scrub (40) and dry deciduous (10) habitats (Fig. 2). Forty-one species of birds were generalists present in all the habitats. The dry deciduous habitat harboured a smaller number of habitat- specialists because of the affinity with scrub and moist deciduous habitats and its homogeneous nature. Moreover, Tectona grandis and Anogeissus latifolia which dominated dry deciduous habitat produced a structurally less 1996 Birds of Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary 109 Figure 2. Number of bird species present in different forest types in Mudumalai WLS 100 80 60 40 20 ■ Carnivores □ Frugivores ■ Granivores □ Insectivores EH Nectarivores □ Omnivores hluLimL Scrub jungle Dry deciduous Moist deciduous Figure 3. Feeding-guild of birds in different habitats in Mudumalai WLS 110 V. GOKULA and L. VIJAYAN Forktail 12 complex ecosystem and therefore supported a smaller number of bird species. The scrub forest is unique in the sense that many bird species occurring in this type do not occur elsewhere, whereas moist deciduous forests share a number of species with evergreen forests elsewhere. Nine of the 15 species endemic to the Western Ghats (Ali and Ripley 1987) were observed in the moist deciduous forest. Only one of these was found in dry deciduous and scrub forest, while the rest of them were found in all habitats. Thirty-one near-threatened species occur in the Western Ghats (Collar et al. 1 994), of which 20 were observed in the sanctuary. Two of these were aquatic while 18 were terrestrial. Here also moist deciduous habitat is more important, since 12 of the 18 species were observed with seven species specific to this habitat. Although there were eight and seven species occurring in dry deciduous and scrub forest, only two and three were specific to those habitats respectively. The feeding-guild structure of the bird community showed a lot of insectivores in all the habitats (Fig. 3) but with most in the scrub forest. Frugivores and nectarivores were observed more in the moist deciduous forest. Granivores preferred scrub and dry deciduous forest with more open areas. Both the scrub and moist deciduous habitats have been subjected to severe reclamation in the form of plantation, urbanization etc.; still, they hold a considerable number of habitat specialists. The moist deciduous habitat thus needs special attention from the conservation point of view with respect to the habitat specialist, endemic and rare species. However, efforts are being made by the forest department to minimize the disturbances inside the protected areas. More observations on the species abundance and breeding requirements would bring out the impact of disturbances on the bird community of this area and also help to suggest some management measures for conservation. This study was facilitated by the project of SACON financed by the Biosphere Reserve Programme of the Ministry of Environment and Forest, Government of India. We are grateful to the forest officials of Tamil Nadu for their co-operation and encouragement from the Director and colleagues at SACON. We have greatly benefitted from the comments of Tim Inskipp on an earlier draft of this manuscript. REFERENCES Ali, S. and Ripley, S. D.(1987) Handbook of the birds of India and Pakistan. Compact edition, Oxford university press, New Delhi. Collar, N. J., Crosby, M. J. and Stattersfield, A. J. (1994) Birds to watch 2: the world list of threatened birds. Cambridge, U.K.: BirdLife International. Prabhakar, R. and Gadgil, M, (1994) Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve: Biodiversity and population growth, Pp. 33-37 in Anon., ed. Survey of the Environment. V. Gokula and Lalitha Vijayan, Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History, Kalampalayam, Coimbatore -641010, Tamil Nadu, India 1996 Birds of Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary 111 APPENDIX BIRDS OF MUDUMALAI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY In the Appendix the following codes are used 1 = Species endemic to Western Ghats and 2 = Globally Near-threatened HAB = Habitat: S = Scrub, D = Dry Deciduous, M = Moist deciduous, A = Aquatic. ST= Status: R = Resident, M = Migrant, ? = Not known, R? = Probably resident, M? = Probably migrant. FG = Feeding Guilds: G = Granivores, A = Aquatic vegetarians, F = Frugivores, P = Piscivores, C = Carnivores (animals and carrion), O = Omnivores, N = Nectarivores, R = Feeding on Rodents and small animals, I = Feeding on Invertebrates, M = Feeding on Molluscs SPECIES HAB ST FG Grey Francolin Francolinus pondicerianus S,D R G Jungle Bush Quail Perdicula asiatica S,D R G Painted Bush Quail Perdicula erythrorhyncha D R G Red Spurfowl Galloperdix spadicea M R G Grey Junglefowl Gallus sonneratii 2 S,D,M R G Indian Peafowl Pavo cristatus S,D,M R G Comb Duck Sarkidiomis melanotos A M AI Cotton Pygmy-goose Nettapus coromandelianus A M AI Common Teal Anas crecca A M AI Northern Pintail Anas acuta A M AI Speckled Piculet Picumnus innominatus M R I Yellow- crowned Woodpecker Dendrocopos mahrattensis S,D R I Rufous Woodpecker Celeus brachyurus M R I White-bellied Woodpecker Dryocopus javensis M R I Common Flameback Dinopium javanense M R I Black-rumped Flameback Dinopium benghalense D,M R I Greater Flameback Chrysocolaptes lucidus M R I White-naped Woodpecker Chrysocolaptes festivus S,D R I Heart-spotted Woodpecker Hemicircus canente M R I 112 V. GOKULA and L. VIJAYAN Forktail 12 SPECIES Brown-headed Barbet Megataima zeylanica White-cheeked Barbet Megalaima viridis Crimson-fronted Barbet Megalaima rubricapilla Coppersmith Barbet Megalaima haemacephala Malabar Grey Hornbill Ocyceros griseus 1,2 Indian Grey Hornbill Ocyceros birostris Malabar Pied Hornbill Anthracoceros coronatus 2 Great Hornbill Buceros bicomis Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis Blue-eared Kingfisher Alcedo meninting Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher Ceyx enthacus Stork-billed Kingfisher Pelargopsis capensis White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smymensis Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis Green Bee-eater Merops orierttalis Blue-tailed Bee-eater Merops philippinus Chestnut-headed Bee-eater Merops leschenaulti Pied Cuckoo Clamaior jacobinus Large Hawk Cuckoo Hierococcyx sparverioides Common Hawk Cuckoo Hierococcyx varius Indian Cuckoo Cuculus micropterus Banded Bay Cuckoo Cacomantis sonneratii Grey-belued Cuckoo Cacomantis passerinus Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopacea Blue-faced Malkoha Phaenicophaeus viridirostris Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis Lesser Coucal Centropus bengalensis Vernal Hanging Parrot Loriculus vemalis Alexandrine Parakeet Psittacula eupatria Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri Plum-headed Parakeet Psittacula cyanocephala Malabar Parakeet Psittacula columboides l Indian Swiftlet Collocalia unicolor Brown-backed Needletail Hirundapus giganteus Asian Palm Swift Cypsiurus balasiensis Little Swift Apus affinis Crested Treeswift Hemiprocne coronata Barn Owl Tyto alba Oriental Scops Owl Otus sunia Collared Scops Owl Otus bakkamoena Eurasian Eagle Owl Bubo bubo Spot-bellied Eagle Owl Bubo nipalensis 2 Brown Wood Owl Strix leptogrammica Jungle Owlet Glaucidium radiatum Spotted Owlet Athene brama Long-eared Owl Asia otus Grey Nightjar Caprimulgus indicus Indian Nightjar Caprimulgus asiaticus Savanna Nightjar Caprimulgus affinis Rock Pigeon Columba livia Nilgiri Wood Pigeon Columba elphinstonii 1,2 Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis HAB ST FG S,D,M R F M R F D,M R F S,D,M R F D,M R F D,M R F M R F M R F S,D,M R I S,D R I S,D R P M R P M R PI D M R P S,D R PI S,D R P S,D R I S M I M R I D,M M I S,D M I D,M R I S,D,M R I S R I S R I S D M R I D M R 1 S,D R I S R I S,D,M R F D,M R F S,D,M R F S,D,M R F M R F S,D R I M R l S,D R I S R I S R I S R R D,M R R M R R D,M R R M R R M R R D,M R R S,D R R M M R S,D,M R I S,D R I D,M R I S D R G M R F D R G 1996 Birds of Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary 113 SPECIES HAB ST FG Spotted Dove Strepiopelia chinensis S,D,M R G Red Collared Dove Sireptopelia tranquebarica S,D R G Eurasian Collared Dove Sireptopelia decaocto S,D R G Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica M R G Pompadour Green Pigeon Treron ponipadora M R F Yellow-footed Green Pigeon Treron phoenicoptera S,D,M R F White-breasted Waterhen Amauromis phoenicurus A R 1 Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus A R AI Common Coot Fulica atra A R AI Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse Pterocles exustus S R GI Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago A M I Common Redshank Tringa totanus A M I Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis A M I Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus A M I Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos A M I Bronze-winged Jacana Metopidius indicus A R AI Eurasian Thick-knee Burhinus oedicnemus S R I Yellow-wattled Lapwing Vanellus malabaricus S,D R I Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus S,D R I River Tern Sterna aurantia A R F Oriental Honey-buzzard Pemis ptilorhyncus D,M R NC Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus S,D,M R C Black Kite Milvus mi grans S,D R o Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus S,D R o Grey-headed Fish Eagle Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus 2 D M R p Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus S,D R c White-rumped Vulture Gyps bengalensis 2 S,D R c Long-billed Vulture Gyps indicus 2 D R c Red-headed Vulture Sarcogyps calvus2 S,D,M R c Short-toed Snake Eagle Circaetus gallicus D M R c Crested Serpent Eagle Spilomis cheela S,D M R c Eurasian Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus S,D,M M c Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus 2 S,D M c Crested Goshawk Accipiter trivirgatus M R c Shikra Accipiter badius S,D,M R c Besra Accipiter virgatus M R c Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus S,D M c White-eyed Buzzard Buteo teesa D R c Common Buzzard Buteo buteo M M c Black Eagle Ictinaetus malayensis D,M R c Tawny Eagle Aquila rapsx D R c Bonelu’s Eagle Hieraaetus fasciatus D R c Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus D M M c Rufous-bellied Eagle Hieraaetus kienerii M M c Changeable Hawk Eagle Spizaetus cirrhatus D M R c Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus S RM c Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis A R p Darter Anhinga melanogaster 2 A R p Little Cormorant Phalacrocorax niger A R p Indian Cormorant Phalacrocorax fuscicollis A R p Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo A R p Little Egret Egretta garzetta A R p Grey Heron Ardea cinerea A R PI Great Egret Casmerodius albus A R PI 114 V. GOKULA and L. VIJAYAN Forktail 12 SPECIES Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis Indian Pond Heron Ardeola grayii Black-crowned Night Heron Nyciicorax nycticorax Black Bittern Dupeior flavicollis Asian Openbill Anastomus oscitans 2 Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus Indian Pitta Pitta brachyura Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher Culicicapa ceylonensis Asian Fairy Bluebird Irena puella Blue-winged Leafbird Chloropsis cochinchinensis Golden-fronted Leafbird Chloropsis aurifrons Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus Bay-backed Shrike Lanius vittatus Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach Southern Grey Shrike Lanius meridionalis Rufous Treepie Dendrocitta vagabunda White-bellied Treepie Dendrocitta leucogastra 1,2 House Crow Corvus splendens Large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos Eurasian Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus Black-naped Oriole Oriolus chinensis Black-hooded Oriole Oriolus xanthomas Large Cuckooshrike Coracina macei Black-headed Cuckooshrike Coracina melanoptera Small Minivet Pericrocotus cinnamomeus White-bellied Minivet Pericrocotus erythropygius 2 Scarlet Minivet Pericrocotus flammeus Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike Hemipus picatus White-throated Fantail Rhipidura albicollis White-browed Fantail Rhipidura aureola Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus Ashy Drongo Dicrurus leucophaeus White-bellied Drongo Dicrurus caerulescens Bronzed Drongo Dicrurus aeneus Greater Racket-tailed Drongo Dicrurus paradiseus Black-naped Monarch Hypothymis azurea Asian Paradise-flycatcher Terpsiphone paradisi Common Iora Aegithina tiphia Large Woodshrike Tephrodomis gularis Common Woodshrike Tephrodomis pondicerianus Blue-capped Rock Thrush Monticola cinclorhynchus Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius Malabar Whistling Thrush Myophonus horsfieldii Orange-headed Thrush Zoothera citrina Eurasian Blackbird Turdus merula Asian Brown Flycatcher Muscicapa dauurica Black-and-orange Flycatcher Ficedula nigrorufa 1,2 Verditer Flycatcher Eumyias thalassina White-bellied Blue Flycatcher Cyomis pallipes 1,2 Blue-throated Flycatcher Cyomis rubeculoides Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher Cyomis tickelliae Bluethroat Luscinia svecica Oriental Magpie Robin Copsychus saularis White-rumped Shama Copsychus malabaricus HAB A A A A A A S,D,M D,M M D,M D,M S,D,M S,D S S,D S,D,M M S,D,M S,D,M S,D,M M D,M S,D,M S,D S,D D S,D,M D,M S S,D S,D M S,D,M M D,M S,D,M S,D,M S,D,M M S,D M D M S,D M S,D M M M M M S S,D,M M ST R R R R FG I PI PI PI R R R R M R M R R R R R LM R R R R R R? R R R R R R R R R R R R R R M M R M R R R M R M R M R R I F I I I I I I O O O O F F F F F I I I I 1 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I FI I I I I I I I I 1 1996 Birds of Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary 115 SPECIES HAB Indian Robin Saxicoloides fulicata S,D Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros S Common Stonechat Saxicola corquata S,D Pied Bushchat Saxicola caprata S Chestnut-tailed Starling Sturrius malabaricus D Brahminy Myna Sturrius pagodarum S,D Rosy Starling Sturrius roseus S Common Myna Acridotheres tristis S,D Jungle Myna Acridotheres fuscus S,D Hill Myna Gracula religiosa M Chestnut-belued Nuthatch Sitia castanea S,D Velvet-fronted Nuthatch Sitta frontalis M Great Tit Parus major S,D,M Blacr-lored Tit Purus xanthogenys M Dusky Crag Martin Hirundo concolor S Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica S Pacific Swallow Hirundo domicola S Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo srnithii S,D Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica S,D Red-whiskered Bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus S,D,M Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer S,D Yellow-throated Bulbul Pycnonotus xantholaemus 2 S Yellow-browed Bulbul Iole indica M Black Bulbul Hypsipetes leucocephalus M Bright-headed Cisticola Cisticola exilis S Grey-breasted Prinia Prinia hodgsonii S,D Jungle Prinia Prinia sylvatica S,D Ashy Prinia Prinia socialis S Plain Prinia Prinia inomata S,D Oriental White-eye Zosterops palpebrosus S,D,M Blyth’s Reed Warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum D,M Clamorous Reed Warbler Acrocephalus stentoreus S Booted Warbler Hippolais caligata S,D Common Tailorbird Orthotomus sutorius S Eurasian Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita S Tickell’s Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus affinis S Greenish Warbler Phylloscopus trochiloides D Large-billed Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus magnirostris D,M Tytler’s Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus tytleri 2 S Broad-tailed Grassbird Schoenicola platyura 1,2 S Wynaad Laughingthrush Garrulax delesserti 1,2 M Puff-throated Babbler Pellomeum ruficeps S,D,M Indian Scimitar Babbler Pellomeum horsfieldii S,D,M Dark-fronted Babbler Rhopocichla atriceps M Yellow-eyed Babbler Chrysomma sinense S,D Common Babbler Turdoides caudatus S Large Grey Babbler Turdoides malcolmi S Rufous Babbler Turdoides subrufus D,M Jungle Babbler Turdoides striatus D,M Yellow-billed Babbler Turdoides affinis S,D Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca S,D,M Orphean Warbler Sylvia hortensis S Singing Bushlark Mirafra cantillans S Indian Bushlark Mirafra erythropiera S ST R M R R R R M R R R R R R R R M R R R R R R R R R R R R R R M M M R M M M M M R R R R R R R R R R R M M R R FG I I I I F F F F F F I I I I I I I I I F F F F FI I I I I I I I I I I I I I 1 I I 1 I I I IF IF IF IF IF IF I I I I 116 V. GOKULA and L. VIJAYAN Forktail 12 SPECIES HAB ST FG Ashy-crowned Sparrow Lark Eremopterix grisea S R I Rufous-tailed Lark Ammomanes phoenicurus S R I Pale-billed Flowerpecker Dicaeum erythrorynchos D,M R NF Plain Flowerpecker Dicaeum concolor D,M R NF Purple-rumped Sunbird Nectarinia zeylonica S,D R N Crimson-backed Sunbird Nectarinia minima 1 M R N Purple Sunbird Nectarinia asiatica S,D R N Loten’s Sunbird Nectarinia lotenia M R N Little Spiderhunter Arachnothera longirostra M R NI House Sparrow Passer domesticus S,D R G Chestnut-shouldered Petronia Petronia xanthocollis S,D R G Forest Wagtail Dendronanthus indicus M M I White Wagtail Motacilla alba S,D,M M I White-browed Wagtail Motacilla maderaspatensis S,D R I Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola S M I Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea M M I Paddyfield Pipit Anthus rufulus S R I Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris S M 1 Long-billed Pipit Anthus similis D,M R I Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis D,M M 1 Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni M M I Streaked Weaver Ploceus manyar M R G Baya Weaver Ploceus philippinus S,D R G Red Av ada vat Amandava amandava M R G Indian Silverbill Lonchura malabarica S,D,M R G White-rumped Munla Lonchura striata S R G Black-throated Munia Lonchura kelaarti S,D,M R G Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata S R G Black-headed Munia Lonchura malacca S,D,M R G Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus S,D M G 1996 FORKTAIL 12 (1996): 159 - 196 117 Bird records from Similajau National Park, Sarawak J. W. DUCKWORTH, R. J. WILKINSON, R. J. TIZARD, R. N. KELSH, S. A. IRVIN, M. I. EVANS and T. D. ORRELL Similajau National Park is a 71 km2 coastal park in Sarawak, Borneo, consisting of mainly pristine lowland mixed dipterocarp forest, bounded north and south by rivers with small areas of mangroves at their mouths. Birds were surveyed in the park for six weeks in August - September 1986 and three weeks in September 1995. About 230 species were found, a total almost as high as for any surveyed site in Borneo, and reflects the joint presence of coastal and forest habitats, good habitat condition and the high survey effort. There was no evidence of major change in bird communities between the two years, although during the intervening nine-year period the park was opened for tourists and much of the surrounding Similajau Forest Reserve had been felled. The stationing of permanent park staff seeems to have deterred hunting. Over 70 (30%) of the species were recorded in only one of the two years; for most of these a contributory factor to this pattern could be suggested. It is likely that many further species remain to be found. Records of Grey-streaked Flycatcher Muscicapa griseisticta and Grey Imperial Pigeon Ducula pickeringii may be the first from Sarawak. Twenty species were considered Globally Threatened or Near-threatened by Collar et al. (1994). The only Globally Threatened species seen regularly in both years was Wrinkled Hornbill Aceros corrugatus; fireback sp. Lophura, Bornean Ground Cuckoo Carpococcyx radiatus, Grey Imperial Pigeon and Storm’s Stork Ciconia stormi were seen once each. Among Near-threatened species, populations of Red-crowned Barbet Megalaima rafflesii, Black HornbiUAnthracoceros malayanus, Black Magpie Platysmurus leucopterus, Bornean Brisdehead Pityriasis gymnocephala, Hook-billed Bulbul Setomis criniger and Grey-breasted Babbler Malacopteron albogulare are all large. Malaysian Plover Charadrius peronii had apparently left the area, probably because of the greatly increased disturbance in the park’s estuaries; Blue-rumped Parrot Psittinus cyanurus may also have declined. Various open-country species (none listed in Collar et al. 1994) had become more common. The park supports few endemics compared with other Bornean sites; this may be related to its very low altitude. Protection of the birds of the park is aided by the apparent historical absence of hunting and agriculture by local rural people. INTRODUCTION Similajau is a small (7 1 km2) National Park in Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo, located at 3°22'-31’N 1 13°10'-18’E, 30 km north of the town of Bintulu. It was surveyed for birds between 6 August and 15 September 1986 (Duckworth and Kelsh 1988). Since 1986, large areas of lowland forest have been cleared across Sarawak, increasing the importance of forest remaining in the state’s protected areas. Furthermore, although few birds found in 1986 had then been assessed as Globally Threatened with extinction (King 1978-1979), the most recent Bird Red Data book (Collar et al. 1994) considered as Globally Threatened or Globally Near-Threatened many species found in Similajau in 1986. This change reflects both the recent and extensive habitat destruction in the Sundaic subregion and a more comprehensive listing of birds under threat: Wells (1985) pointed out that the species then listed in the Red Data 118 J. W. DUCKWORTH el al. Forktail 12 Book were a selection of spectacular, rather than preferentially threatened, forest birds. A repeat visit was therefore made to Similajau National Park during 4-28 September 1995 with two aims: 1 . to update information on the status of Globally Threatened and Near- Threatened species; 2. to add to the 1986 inventory, which was clearly incomplete for various groups (nocturnal species, cuckoos, pigeons, ground-living birds and others). STUDY AREA Similajau National Park (N.P.) (Fig. 1) was gazetted in 1979, chiefly for the marine turtles breeding on its beaches. Of the three totally protected areas in coastal Sarawak, it is the only one with significant lengths of beach coastline (Kavanagh 1985). Behind the beach, a strip of forest at least 1.5 km wide is also in the protected area. The northern boundary is formed by the eponymous Sungei (= river) Similajau and the southern by the Sungei Likau. The national park is surrounded by the 1,203 km2 Similajau Forest Reserve which is currently being logged for commercial timber. However, at least along the Likau, a strip of riverine forest appears to have been left along the bank outside of the national park. Very little forest clearance has occurred within the national park, whose vegetation is almost entirely primary. The park was opened to visitors in 1986 and accommodation and facilities were offered at the park headquarters from the early 1990s. Most surveyed areas supported mixed dipterocarp forest (hereafter, MDF), approaching kerangas (forest on soil too poor to support a rice crop) over large areas. Small areas, both tidal and freshwater, resembled swamp forest. A coastal forest (distinct in its reduced stature and tree species composition) lined the beach, while the estuaries and lower saline reaches of major rivers supported small areas of mangroves and nipah palm. Small areas of secondary growth were present at both ends of the park in 1 986; by 1995, their area adjacent to the park had expanded considerably. Along the coast, long sand beaches are interspersed with low rocky promontories. In Kuala (= estuary) Likau, large areas of mud were exposed at low tide, but most of Kuala Similajau was sandy. Work concentrated in three areas: around the lower Likau (where the park headquarters (HQ) are now located) , at Ulu Likau (the upstream extent of the national park, 5 km by river from the estuary) and around the lower Sungei Similajau. Most observations were made within 2 km of the respective base (Fig. 1), but in 1995, the recently-developed trail network around the lower Likau allowed observations over a larger area, especially along the coast path north of Kuala Likau to the mouth of the Sungei Kabalak, which runs mostly at least 50 m (and often much more) within the forest. Observations were made up to 105 m altitude; the highest point of the park is at only 113 m. 1996 Bird records from Similajau National Park, Sarawak 1 19 Most records came from opportunistic forest birding. Active searching was mixed with prolonged watches at productive sites (fruiting and flowering trees, treefall sites, areas with sparse understorey and river-pools). Survey effort is presented in Table 1. In 1986, many incidental observations were made from boats along the Likau and Similajau and considerable time (about 20 days with 1 9 nets) was devoted to mist-netting. Little information on bird status additional to that from field observations was gathered by the latter method (see Duckworth and Kelsh 1988). 120 J. W. DUCKWORTH et al. Forktail 12 Effort in person-days (and in calendar days) Site 1986 1995 Total Lower Likau 50 (27) 77 (25) 127 (52) Ulu Likau 26(13) 5(3) 31 (16) Sungei Similajau 35(13) 3(2) 38(15) Total 111 (53) 85 (30) 196 (83) Table 1: Survey effort at Similajau N.P. in 1986 and 1995. RESULTS The status of all species recorded in the two years is presented in Table 2, using the sequence and nomenclature of Inskipp et al. (1996). No observer was fully familiar with the Bornean avifauna on either visit and calling levels were low in 1995 (see Discussion), so status assessments are based solely on the number of records, with no allowance made for ease of detection, etc. The home range of some birds (including White-bellied Woodpecker Dryocopus javensis, hornbills, Malaysian Plover Charadrius peronii, large raptors and waterbirds), is likely to exceed that of each surveyed area. It is thus difficult to establish how numerous such species are: the given status indicates the frequency of sighting, not the population size. Habitat is indicated for species which were rarer in MDF than in other habitats: mangroves, the coastal fringe, main rivers or secondary growth. Dates of first sighting are given for long-distance migrants in each year. Reassessment of records from 1986 resulted in amendments to Duckworth and Kelsh (1988), mostly confirmation of records previously considered provisional. For three species the 1986 sightings were considered inconclusive and the records are here retracted: Black Partridge Melanoperdix nigra. Short-toed Coucal Centropus rectunguis and Hose’s Broadbill Calyptomena hosii. These species may be present in Similajau N.P., as at least two were recorded at low altitudes around Gunung (= Mount) Dulit, which lies only 80 km away (Hose 1893, Smythies 1981). Bird communities of Similajau National Park Primary Forest Wells (1985) divided the terrestrial forest birds of Borneo into lowland and montane species, with some of the former subdivided into extreme lowland specialists and slope specialists. Of 45 extreme lowland specialists in Borneo, 30 (67%) were recorded from Similajau N.P. Some unrecorded species are easily overlooked (two gamebird species, two green pigeons, an owl, a frogmouth, a nightjar and two pittas) and Black Ibis Pseudibis papillosa was never recorded in this part of Sarawak (Smythies 1981). The lack of records of Wallace’s Hawk Eagle Spizaetus nanus, Grey-headed Fish Eagle 1996 Bird records from Similajau National Park, Sarawak 121 Table 2. Bird species recorded at Similajau National Park in 1986 and 1995. Abbreviations Threat codes (Collar etal. 1994): GT = Globally Threatened; GNT = Globally Near-threatened. Forest-use codes (Wells 1985); LS = Lowland forest specialist; XLS = Extreme lowland forest specialist; SLS = Slope lowland forest specialist; ELS = Lowland forest edge specialist; EXLS = Extreme lowland specialist of forest edge; MS = Montane forest specialist; SIFS = Small-island forest species; Man = Mangrove specialist. Status in Similajau: C = Common (detected on over two- thirds of days in the field, often in some numbers); F = Frequent (found on at least a third of days); 0 = Occasional (found on fewer than a third of days); P = Present (meaningful categorization into one of the foregoing not possible); days where observation was reduced (because of prolonged rain, shopping in Bintulu, etc.) were not considered as blank days during status assessment. [ ] = identification provisional; ? = status not resolved; * = recorded only some distance from Kuala Likau. Habitats in Similajau: coas = coastal; man = , mangroves; riv = large rivers; sec = secondary growth. Dates are the first dates for migrants; n/r = species was not recorded that year; n/d = species was recorded but arrival date could not be established meaning¬ fully. ** Middendorff’s Warbler not ruled out on 1986 sighting. * * * Clamorous Reed Warbler not ruled out. LO CD or CD CO CD -Q 03 . 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Q CD 2 £ 8 ^ ss Hi CD O CD a: ~ LU C5>P: S'! §§ Jg’a cf s ^5 w c Co 03 pS O =3 ,C35> C ^ CD ? 2 as _• 25 1 p ^ t Q- LU — LL. t? ^ CD Z5 CC CC <2 - UJ CC ^ Q < ^ Q q LU D_ d! g 9C0^> ^ cc cc CO I « C= CD ^ ^ 1 < 2 Of O CC “ O 2UJ UJ tij CO ^ LU > cdalmcccccLQ-oooh^ CO co c\3 C35 o CD _ =3 CT3 §3 ^ 05 5 ■ t ^ z co . =3 ' > -C; CO CO cc x x o < < O Q CD cc X CL ^ X LU ZD ZD ZD ~ C3 LU E Q < I— 5: ^ 2 £ ? 2. 5 ^ 3 < 1 P o CO O o 2 < < P H: Z CL LU — 1 LU CC LU Xj - CO>-LU>-CDCCO> 128 J. W. DUCKWORTH et al. Forktail 12 Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus, Bar-bellied Cuckooshrike Coracina striata and two blue flycatcher Cyomis species may reflect a genuine scarcity in, or absence from, Similajau N.P. which could not be predicted from the species’s ranges. Only seven (22%) of Wells’s (1985) 32 slope specialists were found, reflecting the flat topography and low altitude of Similajau. Surprisingly, two species classified as montane were located, Black Eagle Ictinaetus malayensis and Besra Accipiter virgatus. However, Black Eagle occurs over a range of altitudes in Borneo, although it is more frequent at higher altitudes (Mann in prep.); the assessment of this species as montane in Borneo was inappropriate. The presence of these slope and montane species is probably related to the proximity of Gunung Dulit (summit 1,400 m); submontane species occur down to sea level in hilly country (Fogden 1976). Wells (1985) listed a few forest-adapted small-island species: only one was recorded (Grey Imperial Pigeon Ducula pickeringii) , and it was seen only once. Many forest species were found only in one year (18 in 1986, 24 in 1995), demonstrating that further species await discovery in Similajau N.P.; at least 60 Bornean lowland forest birds remain unrecorded. Nocturnal birds remain particularly poorly known. Few calling birds were heard during considerable time spent in forest by night in 1995. September may be a poor month for calling by owls, cuckoos, nightjars and frogmouths; few were heard at Barito Ulu (Kalimantan) in September 1989 (Wilkinson et al. 1991b). Calling levels of diurnal birds also seemed low in Similajau in 1995 (see Discussion). Quantitative comparisons between different forest-types in the park cannot be made, as observers moved continuously through a complex mosaic of MDF, kerangas and swamp forest, with some parts at the northern end of the park affected by past human interference. Brunig (1974) also found that transitions between these three forest-types were gradual and difficult to define. Furthermore, the habitats are so close to each other that bird mobility would obscure differences in importance to birds. Mangroves At least 16, possibly up to 21, bird species in Borneo depend mainly, or wholly, on mangroves (Wells 1985). Similajau supports seven of the 1 6 (and four of the other five), a high total considering the small area of mangroves. Two species categorized as total specialists (Copper-throated Sunbird Nectarinia calcostetha and Mangrove Blue Flycatcher Cyomis mfigastra ) were found. However, re-examination of records of the flycatcher shows that in Borneo it also occurs in secondary forest, plantations and coastal scrub, and is not a total specialist of mangroves (Mann in prep.). Many species seen in the lower Likau mangroves are not typical of that habitat; the mangroves were of such limited extent that most species of MDF pass through them while moving between different patches of forest. 1996 Bird records from Similajau National Park, Sarawak 129 Scrub and open country About 35 landbird species found in Similajau N.P. were not classed by Wells ( 1 985) as dependent upon forest or mangroves. All eight species which were markedly more common in 1995 than in 1986, occur commonly in open, scrub, or edge habitats (Table 3) , reflecting ongoing forest clearance outside the reserve. Many other such species occur in Bintulu and are likely to colonize the park in the future. Coast Thirteen species of waders were recorded in low numbers. The only regular species were Common Sandpiper^crms hypoleucos and (in 1 986) Malaysian Plover. The largest flock was of 25 Common Redshanks Tringa totanus. The surveys were earlier than the main wader passage; however, relatively few would be expected as the coast is predominantly coarse sand (D. Parish verbally 1986). Sea Pelagic seabirds were represented by single Bridled Terns Sterna anaethetus offshore on 16 September 1986 and 17 September 1995, and by three single unidentified frigatebirds Fregata. Small numbers of terns (particularly, in 1986, Little Terns Sterna albifrons) were frequent, and concentrations of feeding terns were present close to the shore on 16 September 1986, 18 and 27 September 1995. On 13September 1995, 40 terns were found roosting on rocks out to sea in an area not visited subsequently. Some offshore movements of birds were observed: numerous Barn Swallows Hirundo rustica (over 100 south per hour on some days), occasional south-bound wader flocks (particularly in late September 1 995), and, on 1 3 August 1 986, 40 unidentified terns heading north. Globally Threatened and Globally Near-threatened species Twenty species considered by Collar et al. (1994) to be either Globally Threatened (Endangered or Vulnerable) or Globally Near-threatened were found in the two years combined, with provisional records of a further one species. All information gathered on these species is presented below. All 1995 records come from forest around the lower Sungei Likau unless otherwise stated. Provisional records are placed in square brackets. Fireback sp. Lophura Vulnerable (both potential species). A group of at least four Crestless Firebacks L. erythophthalma or Crested Firebacks L. igitita was flushed at the margin of mangroves and MDF on 14 September 1995. Single pheasants (Great Argus A rgusianus argus not excluded) were seen twice on the Batu Ancau trail on 8 September 1995. No pheasants were seen in 1986. 130 J. W. DUCKWORTH et al. Forktail 12 Malaysian Honeyguide Indicator archipelagicus Near-threatened. Singles heard at Ulu Likau on 29 August 1986 and 15 September 1995. Red-crowned Barbet Megalaima rafflesii Near-threatened. One to three most days in fruiting trees around HQ in September 1 995, with birds heard in forest every few days. One heard by the Sungei Similajau on 1 3 September 1995, but none at Ulu Likau in 1995. In 1986, the species was common at all three sites, with 2-3 dispersed birds frequently audible from a single point; over 20 were estimated around the Sungei Similajau. The difference in recorded status between the two years probably reflected calling activity, low levels of which in 1 995 seemed widespread among forest species. Black Hornbill Anthracoceros malayanus Near-threatened. In 1995 two pairs, sometimes aggregating, were seen regularly around HQ in primary forest and adjacent degraded areas, including around the park HQ. At least one other pair was in the surveyed area of the lower Likau; a flock of at least seven was seen on two days around Ulu Likau and a pair was found at Sungei Similajau. In 1 986, singles were seen around HQ on four occasions; both sexes were present. Up to three were seen about 2 km up the Sungei Likau on three dates and around Ulu Likau on 1 2 occasions. Groups of three and two were found around Sungei Similajau. These groups temporarily joined at least once, and individuals frequently left for periods of hours; up to two were also found towards the boundary on two dates. Although adjacent pairs aggregate not infrequently, larger groups, such as that at Ulu Likau in 1995, are more often of subadults (Kemp 1995). The species is an extreme lowland specialist (Wells 1985) with most records from below 200 m (Kemp 1995). Helmeted Hornbill Buceros vigil Near-threatened. Heard on 8 September 1995 by an observer previously familiar with the species. None was found in 1986. This species’s highly distinctive call, audible for up to 2 km, is frequently given by territory holders throughout the day (Kemp 1995), so the species is clearly unusual at Similajau N.P. It occurs primarily in foothills (Kemp 1995). Wrinkled Hornbill Aceros comigatus Vulnerable. Groups of up to three in the lower Likau forest on three dates in September 1995 were supplemented by nine flying north on 22 September low over the mangroves. Three were seen daily at Ulu Likau on 13-15 September 1995, but none was recorded at Sungei Similajau. In 1986, Wrinkled Hornbills were found on a total of 22 days and there were regular pairs around each of the three study sites; the members were often seen separately. The birds around Ulu Likau had tails stained much darker than those at the lower Likau. Three further birds were seen at Ulu 1996 Bird records from Similajau National Park, Sarawak 131 Likau on 25 August. Another pair was seen 700 m upstream along the Sungei Similajau on 15 September 1986. Thus, records were less frequent in 1995 than in 1986, but groups were larger. Birds range over large areas and may gather in large numbers at suitable fruiting trees (Kemp 1995). The differences in status between the two years are likely to be related to fruiting. The species prefers lowlands, especially swamp forest near the coast; most records are from below 30 m altitude (Kemp 1995). The frequency of records at Similajau in 1986 compares well with Bornean sites listed by Kemp and Kemp (1975), but density estimation is notoriously difficult (Kemp 1995). Bornean Ground Cuckoo Carpococcyx radiatus Vulnerable. One by the coast path on 22 September 1995. There were no records in 1986 and although this path was traversed frequently in 1995, this was the only record. A bird was collected near Bintulu last century (Sharpe 1877). The species is recorded so infrequently that it is difficult to put this record in context. Blue-rumped Parrot Psittinus cyanurus Near-threatened. A flock of five at Kuala Similajau on 13 September 1995. In 1986 there was a single from the lower Likau, up to 15 on six days at Ulu Likau, flocks of 20 and nine seen along the Likau, and two records (a single and two) at the Sungei Similajau. This considerable decline in records may reflect a real status change; indeed the species was probably under-recorded in 1 986, due to prior unfamiliarity with the call. Grey Imperial Pigeon Ducula pickeringii Vulnerable. One on 7 September 1995 roosted in the mangroves with two Green Imperial Pigeons D. aenea. It was probably present on 6 September, but from 8 September only two imperial pigeons were in the area. Numbers of this genus were higher in 1 986 and this species may have been overlooked. This little-known species, occurring primarily on islands, is widespread in Sabah, but Collar et al. (1994) traced no records from Sarawak. Malaysian Plover Charadrius peronii Near-threatened. In 1986, single pairs were resident in both Kuala Likau and Kuala Similajau; on 12 September an additional female was at the Similajau. None was found in 1995 despite frequent careful checking of the Likau and Kabalak estuaries and a visit to Kuala Similajau. Both estuaries formerly occupied are now used heavily by people, the former by park staff and tourists, the latter by loggers and others. This may render the entire park unsuitable for the species, which occurs mainly in muddy areas: birds in 1986 were frequently noted foraging on muddy and rocky substrates, but never on sand. The species is absent from some long stretches of the Sarawak coast which are predominantly sand (Smythies 1981). 132 J. W. DUCKWORTH et al. Forktail 12 Jerdon’s Baza Aviceda jerdoni Near-threatened. Singles on 1 September 1986 at Ulu Likau and 17 September 1995 in the Likau mangroves. Darter Anhinga melanogaster Near-threatened (refers to A. m. melanogaster treated as a separate species in Collar et al. 1994). Singles along the Likau on four dates in 1986. These sightings probably involved only one bird, making the significance of the probable absence from the Likau in 1995 difficult to assess. It is unlikely to have declined due to park-related disturbance as, for example, in September 1994 a Darter was observed on a pool of diameter 50 m within the Damai Beach resort complex on the Sarawak coast; although the pool was surrounded by natural vegetation and rarely visited by people, construction was occurring within 1 . 6 km in several directions (R. A. Lewis verbally 1994), and, in Similajau, other large birds (hornbills, owls, etc.) have become confiding around the Likau. Storm’s Stork Ciconia storrni Endangered. One flew south about 200 m above Kuala Likau on 10 August 1986. Black Magpie Platysmurus leucopterus Near-threatened. Up to three groups, usually of 4-5 birds, on most days in 1995 in MDF and mangroves around the lower Likau. In 1986, up to six birds on eight dates around the lower Likau, two records at Ulu Likau and 1-2 around Sungei Similajau on six dates. Groups were often with Bornean Bristleheads. Bornean Bristlehead Pityriasis gymnocephala Near-threatened. One or two groups (of up to five) were seen in MDF and mangroves around the lower Likau on 1 1 days in 1995. In 1986, up to five birds were found around the lower Likau on nine days, and up to four were found at Ulu Likau on three days. The species was not recorded around the Sungei Similajau; for such a conspicuous species, this suggests that it was scarce or absent during the survey. It was difficult to establish the number of groups present at a study site; there was little consistency in counts of group size. Because groups foraged with the individuals spaced over a wide area and because non¬ calling birds were inconspicuous, it was difficult to count groups unless they flew across a river. Variation in group-size counts might also have arisen if several groups lived at each site or if they were of fluid composition. Individuals were seen frequently within the mid-storey but groups as a whole used mainly the canopy and even emergents. Nash and Nash (1986) noted a preference for the mid/upper canopy. Birds observed twice in secondary growth tended to use tall trees left from the primary forest. Birds were frequently observed foraging in MDF, and, in 1995, in the mangroves (however, a large number of forest species foraged at least briefly in the mangroves). A group observed throughout one day moved through the forest at about 100 m per hour. Birds foraged in a manner similar to the Helmet Vanga Euryceros prevosti oi Madagascar, with frequent clumsy sally- gleaning (see Evans et al. 1992). They also explored foliage in a heavy yet 1996 Bird records from Similajau National Park, Sarawak 133 acrobatic fashion, rather like large tits. Particularly large food items (cicadas, katydids, etc.) were eaten braced against a large branch. Bristleheads were frequently in mixed-species flocks, as noted by Witt and Sheldon (1994b). In 1986 they were twice seen with Checker-throated Woodpeckers Picus mentalis; in 1995 they accompanied Black Magpies many times, as in Sabah (Ahlquist et al. 1 984), and they were seen once each with Checker-throated and Olive-backed Woodpeckers Dinopium rafflesii. This Bornean endemic is an extreme lowland specialist (Wells 1985) and is rare or uncommon over most of Borneo (Witt and Sheldon 1994b). As such it will always be potentially threatened by habitat loss. The many previous records from coastal areas include Similajau in 1953, but an association with the coast may be an artifact of past collecting and surveying patterns; it seems to be difficult to find the species repeatedly at any given site, suggesting that birds may be present only intermittently (Witt and Sheldon 1994b). The number of records around the Likau in two periods separated by nine years is therefore perhaps surprising as Witt and Sheldon (1994b) considered that, while the bird occurred over a wide range of altitudes and forest-types, it was perhaps mainly found in tall forests on good soil. Further survey around Sungei Similajau, to assess whether the lack of records there reflects a real absence, is desirable before concluding that the poorer soils of this part of the park are responsible for the lack of Bristleheads. Hook-billed Bulbul Setomis criniger Near-threatened. In 1995, one in MDF around the lower Likau on 1 1 September and at least three (in ones and twos) on both 13 and 14 September at Sungei Similajau. In 1986, 1-2 were seen thrice around the lower Likau and twice at Ulu Likau. Birds were seen on seven days around the Sungei Similajau, in groups of 1-2, with a peak daily count of seven (and four were netted there). One on 7 August 1986 was carrying food. One on 14 September 1995 displayed to another by lowering its head and shivering its outstretched wings. The species is distributed patchily in Borneo, primarily in areas of nutrient-deficient soil and there are previous records from Similajau and Bintulu (Sheldon 1987). In both 1986 and 1995, it was clearly more common around Sungei Similajau than around Sungei Likau, and this may reflect the greater area of kerangas- type forest around the former. White-chested Babbler Trichastoma rostratum Near-threatened. One on 1 1 September and two on 19 September 1995 around the lower Likau. In 1986, four singles around the lower Likau and two records of 1-2 at Ulu Likau were probably this species. Ferruginous Babbler Trichastoma bicolor Near-threatened. In 1986, two were netted in secondary forest near HQ, 1-2 were seen five times at Ulu Likau (with two netted there) and one was seen at Sungei Similajau. None 134 J. W. DUCKWORTH et al. Forktail 12 was recorded in 1995. There is no obvious reason why the species would decline in Similajau between 1986 and 1995, and this pattern of records may have arisen by chance. Grey-breasted Babbler Malacopteron albogulare Near-threatened. In 1 995, 1-2 were recorded on three dates around the lower Likau. In 1986, a single was seen by Sungei Similajau, a group of four around the lower Likau (with one netted there) and two were netted at Ulu Likau. Birds were not found in mixed-species flocks, a difference from many other babblers also noted by Holmes and Wall (1989) and Dutson et al. (1991). All birds were in the understorey or lower mid-storey, as noted by Dutson et al. (1991). This species, as Hook-billed Bulbul, occurs mainly in forest over soils low in nutrients and there are previous records from Similajau and Bintulu (Sheldon 1987). Dutson et al. (1991) stated that the species was common in secondary forest in Similajau, but this was a misinterpretation of information received. Bornean Wren Babbler Ptilocichla leucogrammica Near-threatened. Singles in the lower Likau forest on 17 August 1986 and 19 September 1995 (heard only) and around Sungei Similajau on 1 3 September 1 986. It was surprising that this species was not seen in 1 995, as, with the creation of paths through the forest, other terrestrial birds were much easier to detect. [Brown-backed Flowerpecker Dicaeum everetti\ Near-threatened. Singles (provisionally identified) on 1 9 and 24 August 1 986 at Ulu Likau and on 28 September 1 995 around the HQ. On all occasions the thick bill was seen but the sightings were too brief for confirmed records. Other species of interest This section details all species which underwent a marked change in recorded status, which includes: 1 . species recorded in only one year, with four or more records (excluding species where it is likely that fewer than four individuals or flocks were involved); 2. species recorded in both years which changed from Common to Occasional or vice-versa; 3. commonly recorded species showing changed numbers recorded per day, or a change in the location of records. Hornbill records are discussed for all species because, elsewhere in South- East Asia, as a group they seem more sensitive to human pressure than are other large birds (Round 1984, Thewlis et al. in prep.). Further species are included which were unexpected based upon published information, primarily Smythies (1981). 1996 Bird records from Similajau National Park, Sarawak 135 All 1995 records come from forest around the lower Sungei Likau unless otherwise stated. Provisional records are placed in square brackets. Great Argus Argusianus argus One or two were heard on several dates around the lower Likau in 1995. In 1986, none was heard around the lower Likau, but 4-5 were present at Ulu Likau (and a display ground was found) and birds were heard on three dates around Sungei Similajau. Smythies (1981), writing in the 1960s, noted that Great Argus was decreasing in Borneo and Nash and Nash (1986) presented circumstantial evidence that the bird had been trapped out from Tanjung Puting, Kalimantan. However, at least in some areas of Sarawak, it seems very resilient to human pressure (E. L. Bennett verbally 1995), as it is in Brunei (Mann in prep.). Buff-rumped Woodpecker Meiglyptes tristis Up to four birds on six days in 1995 in mangroves and MDF around the lower Likau; two at Ulu Likau on 15 September 1995. Unrecorded in 1986. Grey-and-buff Woodpecker Hemicircus concretus Recorded twice each at Ulu Likau (groups of four) and Sungei Similajau (groups of two) in 1986, but unrecorded in 1995. Red-throated Barbet Megalaima mystacophanos Four records of 1-2 around the lower Likau and one from Ulu Likau in 1986, but unrecorded in 1995. Oriental Pied Hornbill Anthracoceros albirostns Two at the mouth of the Sungei Similajau on 13 September 1995, where in September 1986 a party of four was resident. Also in 1986, three singles in coastal vegetation around the HQ and one by the coast 1 km south of the Sungei Similajau. This is the rarest hornbill in Borneo, occurring mainly in coastal areas (Kemp and Kemp 1975), but it is of low global conservation concern as it persists well in cleared areas and has a wide world range. Pairs or groups of 4-6 are usual (Kemp 1 995); the difference in numbers at the Sungei Similajau between the two years is most likely to be due to breeding cycle differences. Rhinoceros Hornbill Buceros rhinoceros Groups of two, probably the same, around the lower Likau on 1 0 September and at Ulu Likau on 1 4 Septembei 1995. One around the lower Likau on 10 August 1986 and five records at Ulu Likau in that year, usually of single birds but once two were suspected. The species has distinctive calls and so was probably uncommon in the surveyed areas; it is usually common, widespread and frequently heard in suitable habitat (Kemp 1995). Although numbers may fluctuate, most birds live as resident territorial pairs and call throughout the day (Kemp 1995). Bushy-crested Hornbill Anorrhinus galentus Up to three around the lower Likau on six dates in 1995; possibly all records refer to one party. In 1986, a group of 4-5 birds roamed from 1 km south of the HQ to at least 600 m north of the Viewpoint on four dates; two were found thrice in fruit trees at 136 J. W. DUCKWORTH et al. Forktail 12 Ulu Likau; and a group offour was seen at Sungei Similajau on 1 3 September. Kemp and Kemp (1975) recorded this species once every 8.6 hours in their poorest study site in Sarawak; this is much more frequently than at Similajau. Furthermore, the species usually lives in groups of 8- 1 0, with five being the lowest mentioned by Kemp and Kemp (1975). It therefore appears that Similajau provides sub-optimal conditions for the species. White-crowned Hornbill Aceros comatus Two over the Likau 3.5 km upstream of the HQ on 29 August 1986; there were no records in 1995. This slope specialist (Wells 1985) usually occurs in groups of 4-5 (Leighton 1982) and the calls were known to some observers. Thus, even though it is easily overlooked if not calling (Kemp 1995), it is probably not common in Similajau. Harrisson (1966) recorded a flock near the Bintulu hills. Red-naped Trogon Harpactes kasumba At least one seen regularly in 1995 around the lower Likau, with two other groups of two on 10 September 1995. In 1986, the species was unrecorded, although a male of this species or Diard’s was seen near Sungei Similajau on 13 September. Diard’s Trogon Harpactes diardii Singles or pairs around the lower Likau on four dates in September 1995. A male was seen at Ulu Likau on 13 September 1995. The lack of records in 1986 is not easily explicable [Cinnamon-rumped Trogon Harpactes orrhophaeus ] Sightings of one on 23 August 1986 and 1-2 on three days in 1995 involved no adult males and the records are treated as provisional because of the difficulties of excluding Scarlet-rumped Trogons with brown rumps. Smythies (1981) assessed the species as a submontane, occurring at 1 ,000- 1 ,500 m; Wells (1985) however categorized the species as a lowland slope specialist and MacKinnon and Phillipps (1993) noted occasional lowland records. See also Mann (1988, 1991, in prep.). Blue-banded Kingfisher Alcedo euryzona Singles or pairs on four dates in September 1 995 on the lower Likau or on forest streams. A male at Ulu Likau on 14 September 1995. The lack of records in 1986 is not easily explicable. Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher Ceyx erithacus Up to three at all three study sites in 1986, although in 1995 none was recorded from Ulu Likau or Sungei Similajau. Birds were closest in plumage to the rufous-backed form Crufidorsu s’) and could be taken as such in the field, but most of the 1 1 caught in 1986 showed some characters of black-backed (‘ erithacus ’); some had extensive dark feathering on the back. Birds in Borneo often show mixed characters (Ripley and Beehler 1987). [Horsfield’s Bronze Cuckoo Chrysococcyx basalis] One in trees around HQ on 1 9 September 1995 was identified provisionally by its head pattern and call of descending whistles. It appeared to have a dark forehead and a pronounced supercilium which curved round the rear border of the ear coverts. 1996 Bird records from Similajau National Park, Sarawak 137 Swiftlet sp. Collocalia On most evenings in 1995, up to 20 (once 30, frequently only six or so) swiftlets fed around Kuala Likau. The only higher count was of about 50 feeding over the HQ and adjacent degraded forest one showery morning. Up to 20 were seen at Ulu Likau and 10 at Sungei Similajau. However, in 1986, up to 20 were at Ulu Likau, up to 50 at Kuala Similajau, and up to 200 fed low over Kuala Likau every evening. A major decline has probably occurred in the numbers congregating to feed over these two rivers. Silver-rumped Needletail Rhaphidura leucopygialis On most evenings in 1995, fewer than a dozen birds fed over Kuala Likau. Larger numbers (up to 30, once 50) fed over the forest and HQ by day. Up to ten were seen at Ulu Likau. In 1 986, 5- 1 0 were seen in the evenings at Ulu Likau and Kuala Similajau, with 35-50 feeding over Kuala Likau most evenings. As with swiftlets, evening numbers at this latter site have plummeted. Grey-rumped Treeswift Hemiprocne longipennis On most days in 1 995, 1 5- 30 Grey-rumped Treeswifts fed around the area cleared for the HQ; odd birds were noted on most days over the forest and the estuary of the Likau. One was seen at Ulu Likau on 14September 1995. In 1986, records showed a different pattern: most birds around the lower Likau (up to 14, usually 6- 10) were seen with the evening flocks of swiftlets over the estuary, with only small numbers seen by day. At Ulu Likau, 2-6 were seen most days, and up to 70 were seen beside the Sungei Similajau; these latter were beside another artificially cleared area (for the purposes of logging). Whiskered Treeswift Hemiprocne comata About five birds seemed to be resident in the cleared area around the HQ in 1995. In 1986, none was recorded around the HQ but 2-3 pairs were seen along the Likau, the Similajau and at Ulu Likau. Brown Wood Owl Strix leptogrammica In 1 995, up to three in the artificially lit areas around the HQ on most nights could be approached within 6 m and illuminated with a powerful (about 500,000 cp) spotlight without flying off. One was flushed from its daytime roost in coastal forest on 10 September 1 995 . In 1 986, groups of two were seen roosting by day at both coastal sites and one was heard at Ulu Likau on 22 August 1986. Green Imperial Pigeon Ducula aenea Up to two on most days in 1995 around the estuary and mangroves of the Sungei Likau. Fifteen by the lower Sungei Similajau on 14 September 1995 after two the previous day. By contrast in 1986, there was one record from Ulu Likau, up to eight birds almost daily around the lower Likau, and up to 36 roosting in riverside trees by the Sungei Similajau. It is not possible to decide whether the reduction in the number of records between the two years indicates a population decline, but Green Imperial Pigeon has declined greatly in Laos (Thewlis et al. in prep.) and Thailand (Boonsong and Round 1991). 138 J. W. DUCKWORTH et al. Forktail 12 Grey-tailed Tattler Heteroscelus brevipes Up to four on four dates from 1 7 September 1995 at the Viewpoint and at Kuala Kabalak. [Great Crested Tern Sterna bergii\ Seen on four days in 1995, maximum about 20 on 27 September. About 80 of this species or Lesser Crested on 16 September 1986 (all identifications provisional). Little Tern Sterna albifrons No terns of any species were observed in 1995 resting or feeding within the estuaries of the park, although up to seven Little Terns were seen foraging and resting in Kuala Likau and up to 13 in Kuala Similajau (with up to three recently-fledged juveniles) in 1986. Little Terns persisted in the area, however, in 1995: four were seen from HQ on 22 September 1 995, at least 40 small terns probably of this species were found perched on rocks out to sea on 13 September and nine, probably of this species, were seen fishing off Kuala Likau on 14 September. The species was described as occasional in Borneo by Smythies (1981). The first confirmed breeding for Borneo was reported by Mann (1989), from Brunei. Juveniles were flying in early September, a timing similar to that in Similajau in 1986. Besra Accipiter virgatus One hunting from posts around the HQ on 27 September 1 995 was viewed down to 30 feet by an observer familiar with the species; the bold mesial streak and barred lower breast and belly were seen clearly. This is a surprising record as the species is regarded as montane in Borneo (Francis 1984, Wells 1985), with a lower limit of 300 m (Smythies 1981). There was only one other, unidentified, accipiter seen during 1995. Black Eagle Ictinaetus malayensis Single adults on 25 August 1986 (Ulu Likau) and 14 September 1995 (Sungei Similajau). Although categorized by Wells (1985) as a montane species in Borneo, Harrisson (1963) and Smythies (1981) recorded it down to sea level. Rufous-bellied Eagle Hieraaetus kienerii Single adults on 25 August 1986 (Ulu Likau) and 20 September 1995 (near the HQ). Smythies (1981) considered this to be ‘a rare bird of uncertain status’ in Borneo. Black-thighed Falconet Microhierax fringillarius Up to four were seen daily around the HQ in 1995. In 1986, the sole record was of a pair in MDF near the HQ on 3 September. The species probably benefited locally from the extensive forest clearance, although birds in primary forest are easily overlooked as they perch mainly in emergent trees. Little Heron Butorides striatus Up to three on nine dates on and after 15 September 1995 at and around Kuala Likau. None was seen in the 1 1 days in 1995 prior to 15 September or in 1986, when observations ceased on 16 September. Most sightings were towards dusk. The relative status of migrant and resident birds in Borneo is poorly known (Smythies 1981). The dates of birds in Similajau N.P. strongly suggest that they were migrants. Although in Thailand, estuarine mangroves 1996 Bird records from Similajau National Park, Sarawak 139 are typically used by resident birds, with migrants occurring on forest streams (Boonsong and Round 1991), mangroves in Borneo appear to support both classes of birds (Mann in prep.). Crow-billed Drongo Dicrurus annectans One or two on eight days from 9 September 1995 onwards. The lack of records in 1986 may reflect the earlier cessation of observations in that year. Asian Paradise-flycatcher Terpsiphone paradisi In 1986 single birds were recorded twice each at Ulu Likau, the lower Likau and Sungei Similajau, but the species was not found in 1995. Grey-streaked Flycatcher Muscicapa griseisticta A bird at the lower Likau on 10 and 12 September 1995 was identified as this species rather than Asian Brown M. dauurica or Dark-sided Flycatchers M. sibirica by the following features, which were checked against museum skins and with Alstrom and Hirschfeld (1989): the noticeable braided streaks down the flanks; the upperparts the same tint of grey-brown as Asian Brown in the same season; the beak shorter than Asian Brown but longer than Dark¬ sided, with limited pale at the base of the lower mandible. The observer saw many of the two confusion species in Laos in the preceding spring, and saw several Asian Brown Flyctchers in Similajau (from 18 September) and in Thailand afterwards. Brown-streaked Flycatcher M. williamsoni was eliminated by upperpart colour: all skins at BM(NH) were markedly warmer brown above than were Asian Brown or Grey-sided Flycatcher. Smythies (1981) listed only three Bornean records, all from Sabah. Siberian Blue Robin Luscinia cyane Seven singles by the coast path on 27 September 1995 represent a remarkably concentrated arrival for a non- flocking species, but, given the effort searching for ground birds, it is unlikely that significant numbers were present on previous days. Oriental Magpie Robin Copsychus saularis At least 20 birds were defending territories in and around the cleared areas of the HQ in 1995. In 1986, the sole record was of a single in secondary growth near the HQ on 6 August. White- rumped Shama Copsychus malabaricus Shamas were common in both years, with several trapped in 1986. All were this species, rather than the northern White-crowned Shama C. stricklandii, which Hose (1893) recorded south to Bintulu. Smythies (1981) did not record C. stricklandii from so far south. Asian Glossy Starling Aplonis panayensis A flock of 30-40 daily in fruiting trees around HQ during 4-11 September 1995, with smaller numbers on five subsequent days and 1 9 on 28 September. The lack of records in 1986, when trees were in fruit in this same area, perhaps relates to the presence of thick surrounding forest then. Black-and-white Bulbul Pycnonotus melanoleucos Singles on 10 and 12 September 1995 contrasted with six records of 2-3 around the lower Likau, 140 J. W. DUCKWORTH ei al. Forktail 12 daily records of 1-3 at Ulu Likau from 22 August onwards, and up to three at Sungei Similajau on five dates in 1986. The difference in records is probably due to short-term nomadic behaviour: in 1986 the species was unrecorded prior to 20 August, but from then was recorded almost daily. Grey-bellied Bulbul Pycnonotus cyaniventris Small numbers (1-4) at Ulu Likau on six dates and at the lower Likau on two dates in 1986, but unrecorded in 1995. Yellow-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus goiavier At least four (usually in twos) around the park HQ throughout September 1 995, but unrecorded in 1 986. Yellow-bellied Prinia Prinia flaviventris Up to two birds daily around HQ in 1995; in 1986 there was only one record there. Birds were found easily in scrub around Sungei Similajau in both years. Oriental White-eye Zosterops palpebrosus Up to fifty on many mornings in 1 995, dispersing from a presumed roost in or near the mangroves. Very close views on several dates around the HQ allowed confident elimination of Everett’s White-eye Z. everetti. Apart from one flock (of 4-5) in coastal forest, white-eyes were not recorded in forest canopy in 1995, but in 1986 the only records were of 1-4 (not identified to species) seen five times within MDF. Smythies (1981) lists the species from few localities in Borneo, all well south of Similajau, but Mann (in prep.) included Brunei in the species’s range. Lanceolated Warbler Locustella lanceolata One on 12 September 1995 in the mangroves. Smythies (1981) listed only a few records from Borneo; Mann (in prep.) added only one record. Abbott’s Babbler Malacocincla abbotti Up to three birds on five dates in 1995 in the mangroves and nypah around the lower Likau. All records probably involved the same party. In 1986, two records of 1-2 in similar habitat around Sungei Similajau were provisionally identified as this species. Abbott’s Babbler is atypically scarce on Borneo. Most of the few records traced by Witt and Sheldon (1994a) were in scrub at low altitudes, particularly near the coast and in association with nypah and mangroves. The records from Similajau are thus in typical habitat. Rufous-fronted Babbler Stachyris rufifrons Two at Ulu Likau on 14 September 1995 and one in a mixed-species flock in forest around the lower Likau on 23 September. Five records of 1-3 in 1986 around the lower Likau. Regular occurrence is perhaps surprising as Smythies (1981) described the bird as a rare submontane species; Wells (1985), however, listed it as a lowland slope specialist. Striped Tit Babbler Macronous gularis Up to three around the HQ and in forest daily in 1 995, with calls believed to be from this species heard on many other days. In 1986 the species was recorded only around the Sungei Similajau, where it was seen twice. The change in number of records may be entirely due to observer ability. 1996 Bird records from Similajau National Park, Sarawak 141 Crimson-breasted Flowerpecker Prionochilus percussus Two males on three days in 1995 around the lower Likau, with several more records of birds of either this species or Yellow-rumped Flowerpecker P. xanthopygius. Two singles around the lower Likau and five singles at Ulu Likau in 1986. Most prior records from Borneo come from the south, with the closest coming from Kuching (Smythies 1981); however, the species occurs in Brunei (Mann in prep.) so it is not surprising to find the bird regularly in Similajau. Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus Large numbers (at least 50) were found around the HQ throughout September 1995. In 1986, there were four records of small numbers, most staying only briefly, although one remained for two days. DISCUSSION Differences between the two years Differences in birds recorded between the two years are presented together with possible explanations of these differences in Table 3. Birds may have appeared to change status for four reasons: 1 . A genuine long-term change in occurence; 2. Seasonal or other cyclical patterns; 3. Natural year-to-year variation; 4. Sampling effects. The first possibility is of most practical concern to conservation. In order to identify conservation gains and losses between the two years, it is therefore necessary to tease out its effects from factors 2-4. The 1995 visit was timed to coincide with the 1986 survey, to minimize seasonal changes. Nonetheless, some were apparent, and not only because the two visit periods were not entirely congruent. Observations ran during 6 August - 16 September 1986 and during 4-28 September 1995. The prolongation in 1 99 5 doubtless explains why more Palearctic migrants were recorded in 1995 than in 1986 (25 species compared with 17). As, even in 1995, observations finished while migration was just underway, no significance can be attatched to migrants recorded in one year but not the other. Irregular, sometimes long-distance, movements are undertaken, particularly by frugivores (Wells 1985). Timing can vary between years depending on fruiting patterns. Many surveys would be required to demonstrate that frugivorous species had changed in overall status. Birds show seasonal variations in detectability based upon their calling frequency. Vocal activity appeared to be much lower in 1995 than in 1986. Visual finding rates of birds such as Red-crowned and Blue-eared Barbets 142 J. W. DUCKWORTH et al. Forktail 12 Table 3. Bird species recorded at Similajau N.P. in only 1986 or only 1995, or showing a change in status between the two years. Species Changes confounding results R eal changes few records low calls mainly UL/SS migrant/nomad identification difficulties forest floor open / secondary species river quality human disturbance Species recorded in 1985 but not in 1986 Fireback sp. X X Buff-rumped Woodpecker Helmeted Hornbill X Xn Red-naped Trogon Diard’s Trogon Blue-banded Kingfisher X Chestnut-winged Cuckoo X Xm Banded Bay Cuckoo X X X X Plaintive Cuckoo X X X [Horsfield’s Bronze Cuckoo] X Xm/n X? Bornean Ground Cuckoo X X Frogmouth sp. X X X Little Green Pigeon X Xn X Grey Imperial Pigeon X Xn X Grey-tailed Tattler Xm Ruddy Turnstone X Xm Red-necked Phalarope X Xm [Lesser Crested Tern] X Xm X [Great Crested Tern] Xm X Osprey X Xm Besra X X Little Egret X Xm X Intermediate Egret X Xm X Chinese Pond Heron X Xm X Little Heron Xm? X Garnet Pitta X X Black-and-red Broadbill X Tiger Shrike X Xm X Brown Shrike X Xm X Mangrove Whistler X Lesser Cuckooshrike X Crow-billed Drongo Xm X Large Woodshrike X Grey-streaked Flycatcher X Xm X Mugimaki Flycatcher X Xm Siberian Blue Robin Xm X 1996 Bird records from Similajau National Park, Sarawak 143 Species Changes confounding results R eal changes tew records low calls mainly UL/SS migrant/nomad identification difficulties forest floor open / secondary species river quality human disturbance Asian Glossy Starling Xn X Yellow-vented Bulbul X Buff-vented Bulbul X Xn Lanceolated Warbler X Xm X Oriental Reed Warbler X Xm X Black-capped Babbler X X Yellow-vented Flowerpecker X X X Spectacled Spiderhunter X X Yellow-eared Spiderhunter X X Species recorded more frequently in 1995 than in 1986 Grey-rumped Treeswift X Whiskered Treeswift X Black-thighed Falconet X Oriental Magpie Robin X Yellow-bellied Prinia X Oriental White-eye X Striped Tit Babbler X X Eurasian Tree Sparrow Y Species recorded more frequently in 1986 than in 1995 Red-crowned Barbet X Blue-rumped Parrot (X) Swiftlet sp. X Silver-rumped Needletail X Green Imperial Pigeon (X) X? Little Tern X Black-and-white Bulbul Xn Species recorded in 1986 but not in 1995 Grey-and-buff Woodpecker X Great Slaty Woodpecker X Red-throated Barbet White-crowned Hornbill X Xn Banded Kingfisher X X X 144 J. W. DUCKWORTH el al. Forktail 12 Species Changes confounding results R eal changes few records low calls mainly UL/SS migrant/nomad identification difficulties forest floor open / secondary species river quality human disturbance Blue-throated Bee-eater X Xm X Oriental Bay Owl X X Large-tailed Nightjar X X X Terek Sandpiper X X Xm Sanderling X Xm Red-necked Stint X X Xm Little Ringed Plover X X Xm Malaysian Plover X Bat Hawk X Changeable Hawk Eagle X X X Darter X X X Storm’s Stork X X X Dusky Broadbill X X Golden-bellied Gerygone X X Dark-throated Oriole X (X) Xn Asian Paradise-flycatcher Maroon-breasted Philentoma X X Grey-bellied Bulbul (X) Xn Finsch’s Bulbul X Xn Ferruginous Babbler (X) Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker X X X Temminck's Sunbird X Red-throated Pipit X Xm X Changes: few records: low calls: mainly UL/SS: migrant/nomad: identification difficulties: forest floor: open / secondary species: river quality: human disturbance: X = the species was recorded fewer than four times. X = calls were heard surprisingly infrequently in 1995, or not at all. X = species was recorded at only Ulu Likau or Sungei Similajau; (X) = species was recorded mainly at one or both of these two sites. Xm = a regular long-distance migrant; Xn = a nomad or irregular short-distance migrant. X = significant numbers of the species may have been overlooked due to identification difficulties. X = species occurs mainly on the forest floor. X = species occurs mainly in open areas or in secondary growth. X = species feeds in or over rivers and may have been affected by changes in their water quality X = species may have been affected by changing levels of human activity in and around the park. 1996 Bird records from Similajau National Park, Sarawak 145 Megalaima australis , Green Broadbill Calyptomena viridis, Eurylaimus broadbills and Malaysian Eared Nightjar Eurostopodus temminckii were similar in the two years, yet all were heard much less frequently in 1 995 than in 1986. In 1995, calls were also heard surprisingly infrequently (or not at all) for green pigeons Treron, Oriental Bay Owl Phodilus badius, nightjars Capnmulgus , Banded Kingfisher Lacedo pulchella. Moustached Malacopteron magnirostre and Sooty-capped Babblers M. affine , Golden-bellied Gerygone Gerygone sulphurea and Mangrove Whistler Pachycephala grisola. At Semongoh, Kuching, high levels of singing were found in late September and October after a summer lull (Fogden 1972) and it may be that in 1995 the cycle of most birds was somewhat retarded. Random effects on birds recorded, both natural and artificial, cannot be eliminated from any survey. For this analysis, species recorded fewer than four times in one year and not at all in the other were taken to be recorded too infrequently for status trends to be assessed. This threshold is probably too low, as some species recorded in only one year for which it is difficult to suggest plausible reasons for increase or decrease in populations (e.g. Asian Paradise-flycatcher, Buff-rumped Woodpecker) were recorded four or more times in the other. Aside from low total number of records, the various factors discussed below (some due to chance, some reflecting real changes) may contribute to differences in the results of the two years. Changes confounding the results The observers in 1986 lacked prior experience of tropical forest birding and of the South-East Asian avifauna, but the observers in 1995 had between them amassed several years surveying birds in South-East Asia. Thus, detection and identification skills were much higher in 1995 than in 1986. This has been regarded as an important factor in Table 3 where a species difficult to identify may have been missed among another species, one difficult to find may have been overlooked, or where it is difficult to get views clear enough for identification of the birds, such as flowerpeckers flying overhead. In 1986 there were no existing paths around the lower Likau or the Similajau; at Ulu Likau there was the boundary trail. In 1995 there was an excellent path network around the lower Likau, including a boardwalk of several hundred metres through the mangroves (a habitat particularly difficult to survey in 1986). There were also some good paths at Ulu Likau. Observers therefore spent much more time looking for and at wildlife in 1 995 than in 1 986, when the physical needs of negotiating through the forest detracted severely from birding opportunity, and the noise of doing so probably flushed shy species. This effect was particularly prominent for forest floor birds (Table 4), both in terms of the range of species detected 146 J. W. DUCKWORTH et al. Forktail 12 Crested Partridge Records 1986 6 Records 1995 1 Partridge sp. 2 0 Pheasant sp. 0 3 Bornean Ground Cuckoo 0 1 Garnet Pitta 0 2 Rufous-tailed Shama 2 3 Black-capped Babbler 0 3 Bornean Wren Babbler 2 0 Striped Wren Babbler 5 9 Total species 5 7 Total contacts 17 29 The number of records represents the number of visual contacts; flocks constitute one record. Emerald Dove was also recorded in both years, but mostly in flight. Great Argus was heard but never seen, in both years. Siberian Blue Robin is excluded as it is unlikely that significant numbers arrived during the 1986 survey. Table 4 Records of ground-living birds in Similajau N.P. and their frequency of sightings. Coverage of Ulu Likau and Sungei Similajau was poorer in 1995 than in 1986, but effort was higher around the lower Likau in 1995 (Table l).Thus, patchily distributed species were less likely to be found in 1995 than in 1986. Nonetheless, the number of species found around the lower Likau in 1995 which in 1986 were found only around Ulu Likau or Sungei Similajau (Table 3) suggests that patchy distribution across the park is of less importance than was suggested by Duckworth and Kelsh (1988). Real changes likely to be reflected in the results In 1986, Similajau Forest Reserve was a large (1,203 km’) area of lowland evergreen forest completely surrounding the landward margins of the national park. By 1 995 it had been almost completely felled for timber and is scheduled to be replaced by oil-palm plantations (S. Aban verbally 1995). Forest birds from the felled areas are likely to have dispersed into adjacent remaining forest (including Similajau N.P.) in the short term (although population densities in remaining forest are unlikely to change much in the long term) and thus more birds of more species would be expected in 1995. Similajau is now less well connected to other forest areas and a gradual loss of species (particularly those at low densities) is likely for birds unwilling to disperse across plantations, scrub and open areas. This is unlikely to have had a major influence on the park’s birds by 1 995, but the number of submontane species in the park might show long-term decline as forest is no longer continuous with Mount Dulit. Open-country species are likely to increase. Clearance south of the Likau (and outside the park boundaries) for the park HQ has already benefited 1996 Bird records from Similajau National Park, Sarawak 147 numerous scrub species (Table 3). In fact, this is likely to be the major explanation for 10 of the 19 species showing an increase in records between the the two years; all 10 are widespread and thriving and increases in them are not gains for conservation. Hunting in the park was rife in 1986, but it was not shown to be affecting any bird species. Although Aken (1982) suspected that hunting was the main reason for the low numbers of hornbills recorded at Similajau N.P., densities in 1986 were lower than in some other areas of Sarawak with much higher levels of hunting (M. J. Lewis verbally 1986). On the basis of group size and distribution of records in 1 986, A. C. Kemp (in litt. 1 987) suspected that poor habitat was the main cause of the low numbers. This suspicion is strengthened by the observations in 1 995, which showed that hornbills were similar in status to 1 986; by contrast, records of quarry species of mammals were much more frequent in 1995 (Duckworth in prep.). With the implementation of management and tourism, hunting has effectively ceased in the lower Likau area. The behaviour in 1995 of primates, a popular target for hunters, suggested that hunting was infrequent (if it occurred at all) around Sungei Similajau and at Ulu Likau (Duckworth in prep.). In contrast to hunting, incidental human pressure has increased. Many tourists visit the park at weekends. Over festivals, hundreds may be around the lower Likau. These people might disturb wildlife, but most enter the forest only briefly if at all, preferring the beaches. No forest degradation appears to have resulted from tourists. At the northern end of the park, the Sungei Similajau is used for transporting logs, and boat traffic on the river is heavy. Many people live on the north bank of the river near its mouth (outside the park), but they seem to enter the park’s forest infrequently. It is therefore unlikely that human pressure is having a major effect on forest birds. However, the loss of Malaysian Plover and the change in behaviour of Little Terns probably stem directly from the heavy use made of the mouths of the two main rivers. The latter species is notoriously sensitive to human pressure in at least some other parts of its range (e.g. Lloyd et al. 1991). Water quality changed dramatically in the Likau and Similajau between the two years. In 1986 these were both clear-water rivers, turbid only after heavy rainstorms and regaining their clarity within a day or so. In 1995, after felling in the Similajau Forest Reserve, the rivers were permanently muddied with heavy loads of sediment. The increase of sediment in streams in a logged area in Sabah were discussed by Douglas et al. (1992). The decline in swiftlets and Silver-rumped Needletails between the two years might relate to the changed water quality and the Darter might also find the area less attractive with turbid rivers: the species was found to be restricted to areas of clear water in Cambodia (Mundkur et al. 1995). 148 J. W. DUCKWORTH et al. Forktail 12 Changes in the community Changes in the perceived bird community are shown in Table 3, with possible contributory factors. All eight species recorded in both years which were recorded markedly more often in 1995 than in 1986 occur in scrub, edge or open areas. Except perhaps for Striped Tit Babbler, these are likely to be real increases reflecting the extensive clearance around the park, including that for the park HQ and accommodation. Seven species found in both years were recorded less frequently in 1995 than in 1986. This includes two swift species that may be affected by changes in water quality. Little Tern appears to have ceased breeding in response to disturbance and to have changed its feeding sites with a reduction in water quality. There is no obvious explanation for the decline in Blue-rumped Parrots, but one of such a magnitude in such a conspicuous species is unlikely to be an artefact. Two other species may be nomadic and Red-crowned Barbet seemed to be calling much less frequently in 1995 than in 1986. Twenty-eight species were recorded in 1986 but not in 1995. Only seven of these (all resident) were found at least four times in 1986. Four were mainly or solely seen at Ulu Likau and Sungei Similajau, areas which were poorly surveyed in 1995. There is no clear explanation for Asian Paradise- flycatcher and Red-throated Barbet, so perhaps these are sampling errors, despite the fact that both were recorded six times in 1986. Malaysian Plover is probably a genuine loss due to disturbance. Even among the species recorded fewer than four times in 1 986, for many species a clear factor can be identified which may have reduced the chances of detection in 1995: 13 species were recorded mainly at Ulu Likau and/or Sungei Similajau; six are migrants; four are primarily detected by voice (and calling levels seemed lower in 1995 than in 1986); while Great Slaty W oodpecker Mulleripicus pulvemlentus and Temminck’s Sunbir d Aethopyga temminckii were both recorded only once each. Among these 28 species, only three are open-country or scrub birds, and none is a forest-floor bird. Forty-five species were recorded in 1 995 but not in 1 986. Only 1 1 of these 45 were found four or more times (a remarkably similar proportion to that shown by ‘lost’ species) . Of these 1 1 , only two (surprisingly) are open-country species; four or five are migrants; and two may have been overlooked in 1986 through identification difficulties. Four are resident forest birds: Buff- rumped Woodpecker, Blue-banded Kingfisher, Red-naped and Diard’s Trogons, recorded seven, five, seven and five times respectively. Three of the four were recorded at both Likau sites, suggesting that they have healthy populations. Although these birds may have been displaced by the felling of the Similajau Forest Reserve, they may merely represent chance vagaries of 1996 Bird records from Similajau National Park, Sarawak 149 recording, just as Asian Paradise-flycatcher and Red-throated Barbet were recorded in 1986 but not 1995. As with ‘lost’ species, for most species recorded only in 1995 and three or fewer times, factors probably contributing to the observed pattern can be identified: 19 are migrants or nomads; 1 1 are difficult to identify; four are forest-floor birds; ten are scrub or open habitat birds (compared with three ‘losses’); and only one was found only away from the lower Likau. Four resident species, each recorded 2-3 times, lack an obvious reason: Lesser Cuckooshrike Coracina fimbriata, Black-and-red Broadbill Cymbirhynchos macrorhynchos, Large Woodshrike Tephrodomis gularis and Mangrove Whistler. Globally Threatened and Near-threatened species In both years, 16 Globally Threatened or Near-threatened species were found in the park, with 12 common to both years. The Near-threatened Brown-backed Flowerpecker was also recorded provisionally in both years. Thus, there is no evidence of a disproportionate loss of species of elevated conservation interest. However, it may be of concern that two species in Collar et al. ( 1 994) showed a decline in records between the two years, while none of the eight species showing an increase was listed in that work. Future additions Many species were recorded in one year but not the other (73, from a total of 235 including provisional identifications), suggesting that many more remain to be found in Similajau. At least 60 landbirds not yet recorded from the park are likely to occur on the basis of habitat preferences and geographical and altitudinal ranges. Nocturnal species and Palearctic migrants have been particularly under-recorded. Surprisingly few species of flycatchers, babblers, pittas, woodpeckers and pigeons have been found. However, woodpeckers and babblers appear to show reduced sympatry in Sarawak, compared with elswhere in the Sundaic subregion, for unknown reasons (Wells 1985). CONCLUSIONS The foregoing analysis shows that for most species showing an apparent change in status between the two years, only rarely can the change in records be taken as a real change in the bird’s status. Distinguishing real changes in the bird community at the level of a single site such as Similajau N.P. is likely to be difficult, because species likely to show greatest change are those already on the edge of their ecological range, and thus probably only ever at low density in Similajau N.P. 150 J. W. DUCKWORTH et al. Forktail 12 The importance of Similajau With a total of about 230 species, Similajau compares well with other surveyed parts of Borneo (Table 5). Coverage varies between sites included in this comparison; only Barito, Danum and Sepilok include observations from more than one visit. Although further work at any of them would doubtless provide new species, various patterns are evident. The high total at Similajau is partly due to migrant species, but even when only resident species totals are compared, Similajau still has the third longest list. Barito Ulu, with the highest total, shows a much wider altitudinal range than does any other site in the comparison, while Barito and the other two sites with totals comparable to Similajau N.P. (Danum Valley and Tanjong Puting) are all much bigger than is Similajau. Similajau has many coastal species and when comparison is restricted to forest- dependent species, it appears that the narrow altitudinal range and perhaps small area may limit the species richness of Similajau N.P., as it drops to fourth place and is over 20 species poorer than are some sites. The site with the most similar habitat to Similajau is Tanjong Puting. The latter has more swamp forest than does Similajau and covers 3,000 km2 compared with the 71 km2 of Similajau. Both were surveyed with similar observer effort and both support similar numbers of resident and forest-dependent resident species Protection of species under elevated risk of extinction is an important aim for protected areas. Similajau supports five Globally Threatened and 15 Globally Near-threatened species; only Danum Valley and Tutoh support more Globally Threatened species (six each; T able 5) . While four other sites support more Globally Near-threatened species, even Danum Valley, with the most, has only four more than Similajau. Further Threatened and Near- threatened species probably remain to be found in Similajau N. P.: of the 20 recorded so far, eight are known from only 1-2 records. Borneo supports almost 40 endemic species, of which about one half depend on lowland forest (Wells 1985, modified to follow the taxonomy of Inskipp et al. 1996). Only four were found: Bornean Ground Cuckoo, Bornean Bristlehead, Bornean Wren Babbler and Yellow-rumped Flowerpecker. Dusky Munia Lonchura fuscans is also almost endemic to Borneo (it also occurs on Cagayan Sulu, Philippines), but occurs widely outside forests (Smythies 1981). Seven of the unrecorded forest endemics are slope specialists; it would not be surprising to find one or two of them in Similajau. Three lowland endemics would be major extensions of known range if they occurred in Similajau N.P. The only endemics which might reasonably be expected in the park are Blue-headed Pitta Pitta baudi and Black-throated Wren Babbler Napothera atrigularis ; Bornean Peacock Pheasant Polyplectron schleiermacheri might also occur and the status of White-crowned Shama in this part of Sarawak is not clear (see above). The 1996 Bird records from Similajau National Park, Sarawak Similajau Barito Danum Kutai Semengoh Sepilok T. Puting Tutoh Total species 229 233 233 142 147 138 207 191 Resident species 189 223 214 141 143 137 200 181 Forest-dependent residents 167 199 200 130 136 123 163 173 Globally Threatened species. 5 4 6 3 1 3 3 7 Globally Near -threatened 16 species. 15 18 20 9 7 9 17 Endemics 4 15 10 4 2 7 2 10 Altitudinal range (m) 0-110130-1,000150-250 0-40 0-150 0-140 0-5400-600 Forest-dependent species are as defined by Wells (1985). Site data are from: this study (Similajau), Wilkinson etal. (1991a; Barito Ulu); Lambert (1992; Danum); Pearson (1975; Kutai); Fogden (1976; Semengoh andTutoh); De Silva (1981; Sepilok); and Nash and Nash (1986; Tanjong Puting). Table 5: Bird communities at eight primarily lowland sites in Borneo. other four sites in T able 5 which have all land below 200 m also support few endemics. Further analysis is clearly necessary to establish whether extreme lowland sites truly support few endemics. Focus on individual species may obscure the overall problem of ‘bird communities facing wholesale collapse through the mass conversion of natural forest to other uses’ (Wells 1985). Lowland evergreen mixed dipterocarp forest has the most species-rich and the most threatened bird fauna in Malaysia, with the highest richness below the hill foot boundary (Wells 1985). Similajau N.P. supports such forest, although the park was gazetted primarily for its coastline. Beach habitats are not well represented in Bornean protected areas, either Malaysian or Indonesian. The coastal resident of most conservation importance (Malaysian Plover) appears to be extinct in Similajau (although specific management of human pressure could probably bring it back) and the sandy beaches appear to be important for few other resident bird species. Thus, for bird conservation purposes, protection of Similajau N.P. is particularly important for its forests. Protection of Similajau may not be important only for the birds of the national park itself. Wells (1985) suggested that for many primarily lowland species, populations on slopes may depend on regular upward dispersion from conspecifics in the lowlands. Thus, bird populations in Similajau N.P. may be important in maintaining populations on the nearby Mount Dulit. The felling of the Similajau Forest Reserve is likely to have prejudiced this function and it is likely to inhibit dispersal from the slopes and hills into the lowlands of the park. It is possible that peat forests and kerangas, which cover parts of the park, also need regular dispersal from forest on more productive soils (Wells 1985). 152 Forktail 12 In Sarawak, widespread shifting cultivation has degraded large areas of primary lowland forest. This appears never to have happened in Similajau N.P., and furthermore the absence of indigenous forest people means that culturally sensitive issues related to forest use are unlikely to impede the park’s protection and management. The value of the Danum Valley Conservation Area (Sabah) from both scientific and conservation perspectives is greatly enhanced by the near-absence of hunting and shifting cultivation (Marsh and Greer 1992). Thus Similajau is likely to be a particularly effective place to concentrate conservation activity. We are extremely grateful to the National Parks and Wildlife Office of the Sarawak Forest Department and the Section Forest Office, Bintulu, for their official support of the 1986 survey. Advice and encouragement was particularly appreciated from Francis Gombek, Paul Chai P. K., Penguang Manggil and Peter Wong. Advice was also gratefully received at various stages from Paul Andrew, Liz Bennett, Geoffrey Davison, Adam Gretton, Richard Grimmett, Derek Holmes, Carol and Tim Inskipp, Andrew Johns, Michael Kavanagh, Alan Kemp, Clive Mann, Duncan Parish, Crawford Prentice and David Wells. This survey was funded by numerous sources listed in Duckworth and Kelsh (1988), with major sponsorship from ICI (Malaysia), Fauna and Flora International, Castrol (Malaysia) and Malaysian Airline Systems. The dedication and hard work of Forest Department staff who came in the field was much appreciated: Stephen Antang, Sabri Bohari, Dambul Inggom, David Labang, Patrick Lasah Laing, Philip Chandang Moringai, Lair Bin Razak, Deru Sido, Suhim Sudin 1 aha and Josip Yakub Bin Zunaidi. Much valuable assistance was received in 1995 from Liz Bennett, Mike Meredith and Francis Gombek. The park staff, in particular Siali Aban, made our stay very pleasant and were very accommodating to our wishes. 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Inskipp, T., Lindsey, N. and Duckworth, W. (1996) An annotated checklist of the birds of the Oriental region. Sandy, U. K.: Oriental Bird Club. Kavanagh, M. (1985) Parks and sanctuaries planning in Sarawak. Pp. 86-95 in J.W. Thorsell, ed. Conserving Asia ’s natural heritage: the planning and management of protected areas in the lndomalaysian region. Cambridge, U.K.: IUCN. Kemp, A. C. and Kemp, M. I. (1975) Report on a study ofhornbills in Sarawak with comments on their conservation. Kuala Lumpur: World Wildlife Fund (project 2/74). Kemp, A. (1995) The Hombills. Oxford, U.K.: Oxford University Press. King, W. B. (1978-1979) Red Data Book, 2: Aves. Second edition. Morges, Switzerland: I.U.C.N. Lambert, F. R. (1992) The consquences of selective logging for Bornean lowland forest birds. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. B 335: 443-457. Leighton, M. (1982) Fruit resources and patterns of feeding, spacing and grouping among sympatric Bornean hombills. University of California, Davis, U.S.A.: Ph.D. thesis. Lloyd, C., Tasker, M. and Partridge, K. (1991) The status of seabirds in Britain and Ireland. London: Poyser. MacKinnon, J. and Phillipps, K. (1993 ) A field guide to the birds of Borneo, Sumatra, Java, and Bali. Oxford, U.K.: Oxford University Press. Mann, C. F. (1988) Bird report for Brunei Darussalam, July 1986 to June 1988. Brunei Mus. J. 6(4): 88-111. Mann, C. F. (1989) More notable bird observations from Brunei, Borneo. Forktail 5: 17-22. Mann, C. F. (1991) Bird report for Negara Brunei Darussalam, July 1988 - June 1990. Brunei Mus. J. 7(3): 86-111. Mann, C. F. (in prep.) Checklist of the birds of Borneo. BOU Checklist series. Marsh, C. W. and Greer, A. G. (1992) Forestland use in Sabah, Malaysia: an introduction to Danum Valley. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. B 335: 331-339. Mundkur, T., Carr, P., Sun Hean and Chhim Somean (1995) Surveys for large waterbirds in Cambodia, March-April 1994. Cambridge, U.K.: IUCN. Nash, S. V. and Nash, A. D. (1986) The ecology and natural history of birds in the Tanjung Puting National Park, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. Bogor: World Wildlife Fund (Project 1687). Pearson, D. L. (1975) A preliminary survey of the birds of the Kutai reserve, Kalimantan Timur, Indonesia. Treubia 28: 157-162. Ripley, S. D. and Beehler, B. M. (1987) Species status of the Malaysian three-toed kingfishers ( Ceyx ) - a re-assessment. Bull Brit. Om. Club 107: 145-151. Round, P. D. (1984) The status and conservation of the bird community in Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, north-west Thailand. Nat. Hist. Bull Siam Soc. 32: 21-46. 154 J. W. DUCKWORTH et al. Forktail 12 Sharpe, R. B. (1877) Contributions to the ornithology of Borneo, part II. Ibis (4)1: 1-25. Sheldon, F. H. (1987) Habitat preferences of the Hook-billed Bulbul Setomis criniger and the White- throated Babbler Malacopteron albogulare in Borneo. Forktail 3: 17-25. Smythies, B. E. (1981) The birds of Borneo. Third edition, revised by the Earl of Cranbrook. Kuala Lumpur: Sabah Society with the Malayan Nature Society. Thewlis, R. M., Timmins, R. J., Evans, T. D, and Duckworth, J. W. (in prep.) A preliminary assessment of the status and conservation needs of threatened birds in Laos. Wells, D. R. (1985) The forest avifauna of western Malesia and its conservation. Pp. 213-232 in A. W. Diamond and T. E. Lovejoy, eds. Conservation of tropical forest birds. Cambridge, U.K.: International Council for Bird Preservation (Tech. Publ. 4). Wilkinson, R. J., Dutson, G. C. L., Sheldon, B., Darjano and Yus Rusila Noor (1991a) The avifauna of the Barito Ulu region. Central Kalimantan. Kukila 5: 99-1 16. Wilkinson, R. J., Dutson, G. C. and Sheldon, B.C. (1991b) The avifauna of Barito Ulu, central Borneo. Cambridge, U.K.: International Council for Bird Preservation (study report 42). Witt, C. C. and Sheldon, F. H. (1994a) The status of Abbott’s Babbler in Borneo. Kukila 7: 47-53. Witt, C. C. and Sheldon, F. H. (1994b) A review of the status and distribution of the Bornean Bristlehead. Kukila 7: 54-67. J. W. Duckworth, East Redham Farm, Pilning, Bristol BS 12 3JG, U.K. R. J. Wilkinson, 27 Blackbrook Park Avenue, Fareham, Hants P015 5JN, U.K. R. J. Tizard, 1901 Nueces Drive, College Station, Texas 77840, U.S.A. R. N. Kelsh, 67 Wickham Way, Park Langley, Beckenham, Kent BR3 3 AH, U.K S. A. Irvin, 15 Mill Street, Mildenhall, Suffolk IP28 7 DP, U.K. M. I. Evans, Montrose, Llandeiniol, Llanrhystud, Ceredigion SY23 5 AN, U.K. 1996 SHORT COMMUNICATIONS 155 Some observations on the nesting activities of Chestnut-headed Bee-eaters Merops leschenaultii and Green Bee- eaters M. orientalis in Chittagong, Bangladesh K. M. NURUL HUD A During the winter of 1 99 1 , 1 observed the nesting activities of the two species of bee-eaters in a hillock at Chittagong city (22°03’N 9 1°08’E), Bangladesh. The city has many hillocks at elevations below 100 m. The Prabartak hill is one such, and is situated in front of the local medical college. Its elevation ranges from 80-100 m, and covers an area of about 1,000 m2. The top of the hill was flattened in the past to accommodate an orphanage, a students’ hostel and a school. The north and west facing slopes support some denuded remnants of former semi-evergreen forest, that existed all over the hilly areas of Chittagong nearly half a century ago. On the other sides, the hill has been subjected to excessive human activities, including the establishment of housing units and the removal of earth. These sides are exposed to severe erosion following monsoon rain. Thus steep slopes appeared with no visual barrier in front. These steep earth banks attracted numbers of breeding bee-eaters Merops. From the end of December 1990 until April 1991 I kept notes on the nesting activities of some birds on Prabartak hill. These included the Chestnut-headed Bee-eater Merops leschenaulti and Green Bee-eater M. orientalis. They utilized the earth banks for nesting purposes. A pair of Chestnut-headed Bee-eaters appeared near the earth bank on 2 January 1991. My attention was drawn when I saw them frantically digging in the earth bank. Whilst one bird was digging the other kept a constant vigil from a nearby perch. Upon sighting an intruder, the bird on watch uttered a specific call that alerted the digger, who would immediately leave the nesting tunnel and join the waiting partner in mobbing the predator, usually a House Crow Corvus splendens. The digging of the tunnel apparently continued for almost a month, because during this period the digging bird did not spend long enough in the tunnel for it to be incubating. At the end of this time the partners started to spend periods of 1 0- 1 5 minutes inside the tunnel, indicating that they were busy incubating. The longest single session of incubation was 25 minutes. 156 SHORT COMMUNICATIONS Forktail 12 It had not been possible to check the contents of the nest and establish the exact date of laying because the nest tunnel was high up in an inaccessible position. On 20 March one of the parents carried the first food item into the tunnel, indicating that the young were hatched. The other parent also carried food into the nest soon after the other bird emerged. In summary, it appears that in Bangladesh the Chestnut-headed Bee- eater starts nesting activities in January (mid winter), lays eggs in mid February (late winter), and the first nestlings hatch by mid March, indicating the incubation period of about a month. The feeding sorties continued until almost the end of April. The prey identified included small moths Lepidoptera and dragonflies Odonata. The adults arriving with food paused only very briefly at the entrance to the nest tunnel before slipping inside. After the young had flown I measured the nest tunnel; it was about 30 cm deep and 8 cm in diameter. By mid January, the Green Bee-eater started appearing on the steep slope of Prabartak hill, where the Chestnut-headed Bee-eater was already digging its nest. However, there were dozens of Green Bee-eaters and, by the end of January, 13 pairs had built nest tunnels within 5 m of the Chestnut¬ headed Bee-eaters nest. The digging of the nest tunnels, incubation period and care of the nestlings by the Green Bee-eaters appeared quite similar to those of the Chestnut-headed. The Green Bee-eaters fed their chicks almost entirely with dragonflies, supplemented with smaller insects occasionally. Before entering the nest tunnels they paused for a couple of seconds on a nearby perch, perhaps to check for imminent danger. Four species of bee-eaters Merops have been recorded in Bangladesh (Khan 1982). Khan (1987) noted that both the Chestnut-headed and Green Bee-eaters lay eggs during summer (April to July). The Chestnut¬ headed was stated to lay in holes made on hill slopes or river banks, while the Green occupied holes in the isles dividing paddyfields, or in the earth banks alongside highways. The above observations indicate that both species may start breeding in Bangladesh as early as January, and that they may both occupy an urban habitat. The observations also constitute the first detailed observations of the breeding of bee-eaters in Bangladesh. I am very grateful to Dr Reza Khan, Head of Zoo Section, Dubai Zoo, United Arab Emirates for kindly revising the original draft of this note. REFERENCES Khan, M. A. R. (1982) Wildlife of Bangladesh - a checklist. Dhaka University. Khan, M. A. R. (1987) Bangladesher bonnyaprani. Second volume. Dhaka: Bangla Academy. K. M. Nurul Huda, Department of Zoology, Chittagong University, Chittagong, Bangladesh. 1996 SHORT COMMUNICATIONS 157 Birds feeding on flowers in India V. SANTHARAM Between the months of November and January in 1991-1992 and 1992-1993, I saw birds feeding on the flowers of Clitoria tematea (Fabaceae), a common climber at the Peech-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary (Trichur District, Kerala). Four bird species: Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopacea, White-cheeked Barbet Megalaima viridis, Asian Fairy Bluebird Irena puella, and Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer were observed feeding on the flowers on at least 1 6 occasions. While some birds consumed the whole flowers, the others discarded the large (standard) petal. Up to three flowers were consumed in succession by the birds. Apart from the above-mentioned species, I have noticed Purple Sunbird Nectarinia asiatica, Vernal Hanging Parrot Loriculus vemalis and Golden-fronted Leafbird Chloropsis aurifrons consuming nectar (and also possibly eating pollen) from these flowers without damaging them. On 27 November 1992,1 saw a Red-vented Bulbul feed on a Clerodendron infortunatum (Verbenaceae) flower. Earlier, in January 1988 at the Mundanturai Tiger Reserve, Tamil Nadu, I had seen Plum-headed Parakeets Psittacula cyanocephala plucking Helicteres isora flowers which were then squeezed with the mandibles for nectar and discarded (Santharam 1996). References about flower-eating by birds are scanty in standard works on pollination biology (e.g. Faegri and Pijl 1978). Welty (1979) mentions that some birds eat flowers and flower buds. In Africa, the habit of flower-eating is more common and widespread than seems generally appreciated. There, bulbuls, starlings and weavers were noticed feeding on flowers (Pettet 1977, Oatley and Skead 1972). In the Neotropics and West Indies, there are very few reports of birds consuming flower parts (Skutch 1944, Feinsinger et al. 1 979, Janson etal. 1981, Riley and Smith 1986), and the bird species involved are Prong-billed Barbet Semnomisfrantzii , Emerald T oucanet Aulacorhynchus prasinus, saltators Saltator and parrots Psittacidae. In Sri Lanka, the Yellow- browed Bulbul Iole indica was seen feeding on flowers and flower buds of Apama siliquosa in the Makandawa Forest Reserve (Mahendra Shiriwardhane pers. comm.). Observations of birds feeding on flowers in India are scattered in the literature. In Table 1,1 present a summary of these reports, and Table 2 gives some details of the flower species. A total of 30 species of birds from 13 families has been reported feeding on flowers in India, including the present observations. The majority of the birds involved are basically frugivorous or granivorous species, and some are generalized feeders. However, most of these species are known to feed on nectar (Ali and Ripley 1983). Records of birds feeding on flowers at Peechi have been in the late wet season or the dry season. Riley and Smith (1986) have observed birds feeding on flowers both Bird family Bird species Plant species References Picidae Brown-capped Pygmy Woodpecker Dendrocopos nanus Madhuca indica Ali & Ripley 1983 Yellow-crowned Woodpecker Dendrocopos mahrattensis Firmiana colorata Ali & Ripley 1983 158 SHORT COMMUNICATIONS Forktail 12 o. CC CD o. CC od 03 CX TD ZD 03 CD 5 CD .03 _Q3 CO 03 5 03 .03 C: o .oo ■6 03 CD _3t: CD CD .£= O i CD 00 X3 03 .00 Cl C35 03 5 03 CO 6 o Q. CC .03 g -E X3 CQ cn CD o n= 03 i— CD c c^ TD CD ■O CO o 03 cx 03 CX <2 03 03 C3 03 §- o C3 CO I 03 # o 03 03 X3 iS 03 •c: cx 03 CD o XX I .33 X3 CD is cx e X3 .CD E S Cr 5! Accipitridae Black Kite Milvus migrans Tubobea Khacher 1 987 Irenidae Asian Fairy Bluebird Irena puella Clitorea ternatea This study Blue-winged Leafbird Chloropsis cochinchinensis Pithecolobium dulce Prasad & Kumar 1992 Corvidae White-bellied Treepie Dendrocitta leucogastra Bombaxceiba Nair 1 994 Black-naped Oriole Oriolus chinensis Erythrina Ali & Ripley 1983 1996 SHORT COMMUNICATIONS 159 CO 03 O c 03 L_ 03 *03 cc S CO 5 s o' >1 — CD CL C O E o cc o3 < CO co 03 CO 03 CD jg 2 .C3 cz o 2 a; CD CO CZ -S cz o E 03 CO E 03 -CD 2 o oo 03 C= 1 o £ C/D C/D 5 CO CO CD OD > TD o E o c75 CO =3 co O CD .O^ CO C3 H— . CD cz CD cz CD £ TD 03 CO TZ 03 CC 03 CO TZ > Q_ co £ 03 .CO L. CD E CO cz ■§ Ip cz e ■CD CZ 2 03 G CO CO CD CD OD CD O O E E o o i — 1 — CO CO CO .£0 Z3 cz CO Ci. 2 2 .CO 1 a: £Z 03 > CO 2 03 CL TD CD O V— _Q 2 2 CD CD CO oo S2 03 OD C\J CD. > OD jz 03 CD CD CO CL OD t — CD cz CC CO o CO o£5 ‘co l — CD C/D CO — 03 -CZ h- 1 < o CD ■2 CO co CO Co *2 CD < .CO 2 £ G co 2 co Z3 CO ZD ,co o 2 03 CL CO CD G CO 03 CO £ ’cz Q -2 03 ■§ k— 03 0£ O L. 03 CL "5 03 co TD -Q Q. CO 03 CO ZD 03 Cl 03 CO £ TD TZ O ZD 03 LL_ o O £ o TD 03 1— i _ CO -CZ CO k— Q. JZD — CO ID _o TD i O 03 CO ID cz -4— > CO 03 "o3 TZ O JZ >- l— m o CD CO TD 03 ’E CO TD ‘k_ CO 03 CO O CO 03 CO 1 CL 1 2 2 CD CD CO . OO co OD 03 1— CD. >, -CZ -2 co Q- £ cc 3 * < § 03 .CO 2 -2 co co Z3 .cz c: f co CD CO *§ CD & c2 o cc c o E E o o CD CO TD OD cz o Q. CO Scarlet Finch Haematospiza sipahi Flower buds Ali & Ripley 1 983 160 SHORT COMMUNICATIONS Forktail 12 Species Family Colour Comments Argyreia campanulata Convulvulaceae pale mauve Bauhinia Caesalpiniaceae ? Bombax ceiba Bombaceae red nectar Canna Cannaceae ? nectar Carica papaya Caricaceae yellowish-white nectar Clerodendron infortunatum Verbenaceae white nectar Clitoria ternatea Fabaceae blue nectar Cullenia exarillata Bombaceae brownish-white nectar, pollen Erythrina Fabaceae scarlet nectar Firmiana colorata Sterculiaceae scarlet tubular flower, nectar present Madhuca indica Sapotaceae cream corolla has sugar Magnolia Magnoliaceae white Palaquium ellipticum Sapotaceae white nectar Pithecolobium dulce Mimosaceae greenish-white Rhododendron Ericaceae ? nectar Rosa Rosaceae ? Tabernaemontana divaricata Apocynaceae white Tubobea Bignoniaceae ? Table 2. Plant species with flowers eaten by birds in India. in dry and wet seasons. All reports of flower-eating by birds in the neotropics are by frugivorous species. Further, they found Emerald T oucanets feeding on flowers when fruits were readily available. These reports indicate that eating flowers by birds is widespread but not very frequently reported. Flowers are perhaps consumed to access the nectar and pollen that are otherwise difficult to obtain by birds. Nectaries may be located along petals of some flowers, making them attractive to birds that seek nectar (T. Ganesh pers. comm.). Flowers in general probably supply a high energy mixture of lipids, proteins and carbohydrates, particularly if the entire flower is consumed (Riley and Smith 1986). The observations were made during the course of a study on the ecology of woodpeckers, supported by the Wildlife Conservation Society, New York, U.S.A. I thank T. Ganesh, colleague at the Pondicherry University, for his comments and observations and Ms Hema Somanathan and Aasheesh Pittie for helping me with literature. I also thank Dr Richard Noske and an anonymous referee for comments on an earlier draft of this paper. REFERENCES Ali, S. and Ripley, S. D. (1983) Handbook of the birds of India and Pakistan. Compact edition. Bombay: Oxford University Press. Bharos, A. M. K. (1992) Interesting feeding pattern of Yellowthroated Sparrow Petronia xanthocoUis (Burton). J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 89: 128. Desai, P. K. (1967) The common House Sparrow and Canna flowers. Peacock 4: 46-47. Faegri, K. and Pijl, V. (1978) The principles of pollination ecology’. Third edition. Oxford: Pergamon Press. Feinsinger, P., Linhart, Y. B., Swarm, L. A. and Wolfe, J. A. (1979) Aspects of the pollination biology' of three Erythrina species on Trinidad and Tobago. Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 66: 451-471. Hume, A. O. and Oates, E. W. ( 1 890) The nest and eggs of Indian birds, 3. Second edition. London: R. H. Porter. 1996 SHORT COMMUNICATIONS 161 Janson, C. H., Terborgh, J. and Emmons, L. H. (1981) Non flying mammals as pollinating agents in the Amazonian forest. Biotropica 13 Suppl.: 1-6. Johnson, J. M. (1989) Redvented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer (Linne) eating petals of Magnolia. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 86: 103. Jose, K. S. (1996) Feeding behaviour of Indian Koel ( Eudynamis scolopacea ) on male flowers of papaya plant. Newsletter for Birdwatchers 36: 59. Khacher, L. J. (1987) The Pariah Kite Milvus migrans (Boddaert) feeding on flowers. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 83 Suppl.: 201. Nair, M. V. (1994) Some random observations. Newsletter for Birdwatchers 34: 131. Oatley, T. B. and Skead, D. M. (1972) Nectar feeding in South African birds. Lammergeyer 15: 65-74. Pettet, A. (1977) Seasonal changes in nectar-feeding by birds at Zaria, Nigeria. Ibis 119: 291-308. Prasad, J. N. and Kumar, U. H. (1992) Flowers in the dietary of Jerdon’s Chloropsis. Newsletter for Birdwatchers 32(3-4): 10. Riley, C. M. and Smith, K. G. (1986) Flower-eating by Emerald Toucanets in Costa Rica. Condor 88: 396-397. Santharam, V. ( 1 996) Visitation patterns of birds and butterflies at a Helicteres isora Linn. (Sterculiaceae) clump. Current Science 70: 316-319. Siromoney, G. (1963) Bulbuls eating flowers. Newsletter for Birdwatchers 3(6): 12. Welty, J. C. (1979) The life of birds. Second edition. Philadelphia: Saunders College Publishing. V. Santharam, 68, I Floor, Santhome High Road, Madras - 600 028, India. Unusual feeding behaviour of Black-faced Spoonbills Platalea minor DESMOND ALLEN The Black-faced Spoonbill Platalea minor is regarded as a Critically Endangered species (Collar et al. 1 994) but, unfortunately, the details of its biology are still poorly known, and this poses problems for its conservation (Chong et al. 1996). Ten to twenty birds overwinter in north Kyushu, Japan, preferring narrow river mouths with tidal mudflats and stands of reeds, in this area, at least, they appear to feed more actively than the Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia, sometimes running after prey; they seem to have a more stabbing feeding action, and hold their bills slightly wider open, and they have been regularly observed to feed on fish of up to 20 cm length (Niall Moores pers. comm.). On 27 December 1 994, 1 observed a pair of Black-faced Spoonbills feeding co-operatively in the shallow water of the Hakata Bay mudflats, Kyushu, probably for fish. At about 17h00 on 27 December 1994 I was watching a single Eurasian Spoonbill feeding in shallow water in Hakata Bay. At about 17h30, as the light began to fade, ten Black-faced Spoonbills left a small shrubby island where they had been roosting; eight of them flew singly or in pairs along the bay and out of sight. Two all-white birds (i.e. in non-breeding 162 SHORT COMMUNICATIONS Forktail 12 plumage) alighted closer to me, at about 100 m distance and proceeded to feed in the 10-15 cm deep water. They stood facing each other about 1 m apart, with their bills immersed in the water at the same spot. They seemed to be searching for small prey. Periodically they quickly circled by running sideways, but keeping their bills in the centre, and continuing to face each other. They appeared to be feeding during this time, judging by their bill movements. On several occasions after this circling, one of them would dash off to one side for 1 -4 m, bill in the water, apparently chasing a prey item which had been disturbed by their activity but had escaped their circle. They also performed occasional mutual preening and bill-rubbing while standing opposite each other. However, the overall behaviour mentioned above did not appear to be a stereotyped mating ritual, as no movements appeared to be exaggerated beyond that expected purely for feeding. The birds flew off at about 1 8h00. Unfortunately, I was not aware of the sexual differences of this species at the time, and have not been able to determine the sex of the two individuals. The birds were observed with a Nikon Fieldscope ED78A with a 1 9X eyepiece, so that, although they began at dusk and continued into what for the naked eye was darkness, they were still clearly visible. Roseate Spoonbills Ajaia ajaja have been observed chasing after prey, but this behaviour is poorly documented. No behaviour of the kind observed above is described for Black-faced Spoonbills in Hancock et al. (1992), despite their extensive literature search. A winter study in Taiwan in 1993 (Yen 1994) revealed that they spent most of the daytime in the T sen-wen estuary roosting, and they were rarely seen foraging in the mudflats; however, the study was not continued after dark. More recent research in North Korea during the breeding season indicates that the male mainly feeds nocturnally (Chong etal. 1996) and collects food for the female, which alone incubates between 1 9h00 and 07h00. Perhaps this feeding technique is regularly employed after dusk for nocturnal prey items. Much surely remains to be learned about this species. I would like to thank Dr Frank Lambert and Tim Inskipp for helpful comments and suggestions, and Niall Moores for his help and information on Kyushu birds. REFERENCES Chong, J. R., Pak, U., Rim, C. Y. and Kim, T. S. (1996) [Breeding biology of Black-faced Spoonbill {Platalea minor).] Strix 14: 1-10 (In Japanese). Collar, N. J., Crosby, M. J. and Stattersfield, A. J. (1994) Birds to watch 2. Cambridge, U.K.: BirdLife International (Conservation Series No. 4). Hancock, J. A., Kushlan, J. A. and Kahl, M. P. (1992) Storks, ibises and spoonbills of the world. London: Academic Press. Yen Chong-wen (1994) [Winter behaviour of Black-faced Spoonbill ( Platalea minor ) inTaiwan.] Pp. ? in Lu Jian-jian, ed. Waterbird research in China. Shanghai: East China Normal University Press. (In Chinese.) Desmond Allen, 1158, No Ga Ya Cho, Machida Shi, Tokyo 195.00, Japan. E-mail: dw6d-alln@asahi-net.or.jp 1996 SHORT COMMUNICATIONS 163 Some additions to the list of birds of Vietnam JONATHAN C EAMES This short note documents records of 10 species of bird not listed for Vietnam by Delacour and Jabouille (1931), King et al. (1975), Vo Quy (1983) and Mlikovsky and Inskipp (in prep.), which I subsequendy recorded between 1993 and 1 996 and are therefore judged to be new for the country. Seven of the species listed (Eastern Curlew Numenius madagascariensis, Little Stint Calidris minuta, Pallas’s Gull Larus ichthyaetus, Lesser Frigatebird Fregata arid , Buff-throated Warbler Phylloscopus armandii, Sooty Babbler Stachyris herberti and Brambling Fringilla montijringilla) were included in a recent list of the birds of Vietnam on the strength of the records listed below (Vo Quy and Nguyen Cu 1995). The following records refer to observations made by myself in the company of others, and I would like to acknowledge the following individuals who are referred to by their initials in the text: Shanthini Dawson (SPD), Noritaka Ichida (NI), Le Trong Trai (LTT), Frank Lambert (FRL), Nguyen Cu (NC) and Anita Pedersen (AP) . To substantiate the authenticity of the records, additional data were obtained whenever feasible. Thus, sound recordings were made of two of the species ( Numenius madagascariensis and Stachyris herberti ), Phylloscopus armandii was trapped and photographed in the hand and a specimen of Stachyris herberti was obtained. For each record, date, locality (including province) and geographical coordinates are given. Those diagnostic features of plumage and call used to determine the specific identification are mentioned where relevant. Eastern Curlew Numenius madagascariensis A single individual was observed and its call recorded at Cam Ranh Bay, Khanh Hoa Province (1 1°51’N 109°07’E) on 18 February 1993 by NC and myself. The bird was roosting on a drained shrimp-pond together with three Eurasian Curlews N. arquata. It was identified at rest by the extensive pink on the basal half of the lower mandible and absence of a white rump . In flight the bird showed a uniformly dark grey-brown underwing and a brown rump . It gave a “clear” call in flight. Long-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus scolopaceus A single individual was recorded on Luu Island in Xuan Thuy Nature Reserve, Nam Ha Province (20°16’N 106°34’E) on 8 January 1996 by FRL and myself. The bird was found roosting amongst Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus, Common Redshank T. totanus and Nordmann’s Greenshank T. guttifer and was also observed feeding on the falling tide. Readily identified 164 SHORT COMMUNICATIONS Forktail 12 as an American dowitcher (either this species or Short-billed Dowitcher L. griseus) by a combination of its jizz, (recalling a snipe Gallinago rather than a godwit Limosa ) together with small body size and short stature, being smaller and shorter than the three aforementioned Tringa species. In flight it showed a white lower back and a uniformly dark upperwing, which contrasted with a narrow white trailing edge to the primaries and secondaries. Identified as L. scolopaceusl griseus in winter plumage by a combination of uniformly dark grey brown upperparts with narrow white (rather than chestnut) fringes to the wing-coverts and tertials. Identified as L. scolopaceus by the kick call heard once in flight and the tail pattern, where black predominated over white. Additional supporting features included fairly abrupt demarcation between grey breast and white belly, and dark grey throat with no speckling on the throat or breast. A dowitcher species, probably L. scolopaceus , and indeed possibly even the same individual, was recorded briefly again amongst roosting Spotted Redshanks on a saline marsh between the Van Uc and Thia Binh River Mouths, Haiphong Province (20°39’N 106°41’E) by JCE and NC on 5 February 1996. Little Stint Calidris minuta An adult in summer plumage was observed on Luu island, Xuan Thuy Nature Reserve, Nam Ha Province (20°16’N 106°34’E) on 23 April 1995 by SPD, NC and myself. It was extremely confiding, feeding no more than 5 m away along the high-tide line in the company of several Red-necked Stints Calidris ruficollis (showing summer, transitional and winter plumages), Sanderling C. alba , Spoon-billed Sandpiper C. pygmeus, and Broad-billed Sandpiper Limicola falcinellus. This bird was identified from summer plumage Red-necked Stint by the following combination of features: Although body-size was similar, the longer tarsus and longer stride, combined with a longer, finely-tipped bill, suggested a more slender and less compact appearance. The tertials and wing-coverts showed black centres and were broadly edged with chestnut. The throat was white with greyish markings across the chestnut breast. The legs were black rather than blackish. Pallas’s (Great Black-headed) Gull Larus ichthyaetus An adult in winter plumage was observed in flight at Xuan Thuy Nature Reserve, Nam Ha Province (20°16’N 106°34’E) on 24 October 1994 by SPD, NC and myself. It was identified by a combination of its large size, black mask through the eye and along the side of the head, white wing tips with a black sub-terminal band, large yellow bill with a black sub-terminal band and yellow legs and feet, which were clearly visible when it flew directly overhead. Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia A single individual was recorded roosting together with 12 Black-faced Spoonbills Platalea minor on 6 January and with 71 on 7 January 1996 on Luu Island, Xuan Thuy Nature Reserve, Nam Ha Province (20°16’N 1996 SHORT COMMUNICATIONS 165 106°34’E) by FRL and myself. The bird was identified at rest by its slightly larger size, white-feathered face with black loral line, small yellow nail to the otherwise black bill and yellow skin between the mandibles (black spotted with flesh in Black-faced Spoonbill). Lesser Frigatebird Fregata ariel A single adult female was observed at Dat Mui, Minh Hai Province (08°36’N 1 04°44’E), on 1 4 September 1 993 by NC and myself. Good views were obtained as the bird flew parallel with our boat at a distance of c. 200 m. It was identified by the diagnostic white spurs on the underwing and the inverted white V on the breast. The following day a distant frigatebird sp., possibly the same individual was observed at the same locality. Rosy Starling Stumus roseus An adult was found roosting with Crested Myna Acridotheres cristatellus in mangroves at the Thai Binh river mouth (20°37’N 106°35’E), Thai Binh Province on 8 April 1 996 by NI, LTT, NC, AP and myself. Being an adult, this individual did not present an identification problem. Yellow- streaked Warbler Phylloscopus armandii Two were observed and one trapped and photographed (Figure 1) by AP and myself on Mo Island off the Day River mouth, Nam Ha Province (19°57’N 106°N09’E) on 26 April 1994. Both birds were medium-sized Phylloscopus warblers, showing olive-brown upperparts, no wing-bars, a pronounced supercilium and eye-stripe, and buff under-tail coverts. This combination of features is only additionally shared by Radde’s Warbler P. schwarzi and Dusky Warbler P. fuscatus. However, in the field both individuals were heard to give the diagnostic bunting-like tsic call. The trapped individual showed yellow streaking on the otherwise off-white throat and breast, sullied yellow-buff flanks and belly with a cinnamon vent. Additionally, these birds appeared structurally less robust and with a finer bill than Radde’s Warbler. Dusky Warbler lacks the cinnamon vent and is never so buff below (Boonsong and Round 1991, Leader 1995). Sooty Babbler Stachyris herberti This species was discovered in Vietnam, and a specimen collected at Phong Nha Nature Reserve, Quang Binh Province (17°25’N 106°E) in July 1994. A full account of the discovery and notes on the biology of the species are published elsewhere (Eames et al. 1995). Brambling Fringilla montifringilla A flock of at least 40 feeding amongst conifers in Sa Pa, Lao Cai Province (22°20’N 103°50’E) on 25 December 1994 and 1 1 January 1995 by SPD, NC and myself. Heard flying over the forest canopy on Fan Si Pan on various dates between 29 December 1 994 and 4 January 1995. Unmistakable, this species shows a combination of black and orange plumage and a diagnostic white rump. 166 SHORT COMMUNICATIONS Forktail 12 Eurasian Siskin Carduelis spinus A flock of 8 seen together with Bramblings in Sa Pa, Lao Cai Province (22°20’N 103°50’E) on 25 December 1994. A small yellowish-green finch, separated from Black-headed Greenfinch C. ambigua by the combination of yellow rump, two yellow wing-bars and yellow sides to tail. Subsequently, R. Eve (in litt. to T. Inskipp) found and described a male Eurasian Siskin singing in Hanoi zoo on 14 May 1995. REFERENCES Boonsong Lekagul and Round, P. D. (1991) A guide to the birds of Thailand. Bangkok: Saha Kara Bhaet Co. Ltd. Delacour, J. and Jabouille, P. (1931) Les oiseaux de Tlndochine frangaise. Paris: Exposition Coloniale Internationale. Eames, J. C. (1995) Rediscovery of the Sooty Babbler Stachyris herberti in central Vietnam. Bird Conservation International 5: 129-135. King, B. F., Dickinson, E. C. and Woodcock, M. W. (1975) A field guide to the birds of South-East Asia. London: Collins. Leader, P. J. (1994) Field identification of Dusky, Radde’s and Yellow-streaked Warblers. Pp. 170- 180 in Carey, G.,ed. (1995 ) Hong Kong Bird Report 1994. Hong Kong: Hong Kong Birdwatching Society. Mlikovsky, J. and Inskipp, T. P. Ornithological bibliography and checklist of Indochina, 1758-1996. Unpublished manuscript. Vo Quy (1993) [A catalogue of the birds of Vietnam] . Pp. 12-43 in L. N. Medvedev, ed. [Fauna and ecology of the animals of Vietnam] Moscow: Nauka. (in Russian). Vo Quy and Nguyen Cu (1995) Danh Luc Chim Viet Nam. Hanoi: Nha Xuat Ban Nong Nghiep. Jonathan C Eames, 17 M 13 Lang Trung, Dong Da, Hanoi, Vietnam. Records of Blunt- winged Warbler Acrocephalus concinens in northern Vietnam E. MEY Between 6 April and 3 May 1 995, in the Cue Phuong National Park (north¬ west Bac Bo, or south Tonkin), around 100 km SSW of Hanoi, I trapped a total of 189 birds belonging to 54 species, which were thoroughly 1996 SHORT COMMUNICATIONS 167 examined for chewing lice (Phthiraptera: Ischnocera and Amblycera) infestation, then released. The detailed ecological and taxonomic results will be discussed elsewhere; a general report has already been published (Mey 1995). During this study five Blunt-winged Warblers Acrocephalus concinens were trapped in two nets c. 5 km apart, two of the birds on 1 1 April and three on 2 1 April. Both locations were in semi-open country with dense shrubby undergrowth. Three of the birds had flown along the edge of secondary woodland bordering forestry plantations, which were partly open and partly overgrown with Imperata cylindrica. Identification of the warblers was confirmed using wing formulae from King era/. (1975). One individual, which was recovered freshly dead on 1 1 April, is retained as a skin in the Museum of Natural History, Rudolstadt, Thuringia, Germany. Blunt-winged Warbler is described by Vo Quy and Nguyen Cu (1995) as a passage migrant of uncertain abundance and occurring only in Vung Nam bo, or Cochin China, based on ‘several birds, believed to be this species, were observed at close range in Nam Bai Cat Tien National Park, on 31 December [1989]’ (Robson etal. 1993). Vo Quy and Nguyen Cu (1995) do not list any records for the other six districts of Vietnam. However, Kinnear (1929) reported that three clutches of eggs, possibly from this species, were collected by H. Stevens in northern Tonkin in 1923-1924. Nearby, in Laos, Dickinson (1970) reported that A. David-Beaulieu collected a specimen at Savannakhet on 13 November 1944. It is also recorded as a winter visitor in southern and eastern Myanmar, and north-west and south-east Thailand (King etal. 1975). It maybe a more common passage migrant and/or winter visitor in eastern Indochina than has previously been ascertained. REFERENCES Dickinson, E. C. (1970) Notes upon a collection of birds from Indochina. Ibis 112: 481-487. King, B. F., Dickinson, E. C. and Woodcock, M. W. (1975) A field guide to the birds of South-East Asia. London: Collins. Kinnear, N. B. (1929) On the birds collected by Mr H. Stevens in northern Tonkin in 1923-1924, with notes by the collector. Ibis (12)5: 107-150, 292-344. Mey, E. (1995) fiber einen Forschungsaufenthalt im vietnamesischen Regenwald. Jb. Landkreis Saalfeld-Rudolstadt 1995: 156-160. Robson, C. R., Eames, J. C., Nguyen Cu and Truong Va La (1993) Further recent records of birds from Viet Nam. Forktail 8: 25-52. Vo Quy and Nguyen Cu (1995) Checklist of the birds of Vietnam. Hanoi: Nha Xuat Ban NongNghiep. Dr Eberhard Mey, Museum of Natural History Rudolstadt, Schlofibezirk 1, D- 07407 Rudolstadt (Thuringia), Germany. 168 SHORT COMMUNICATIONS Forktail 12 Corn Crake Crex crex in Vietnam: the first for South-East Asia ERIC R. MEEK During a visit to Vietnam in January 1996, 1 visited the small town of Phung Hiep in Soc Trang province in the Mekong delta. Phung Hiep lies about half way between the towns of Can Tho to the north and Soc trang to the south. We were advised to visit Phung Hiep because of its interest as a snake market but it soon became apparent that as well as snakes large numbers of birds were also on sale as food or, in some cases, as traditional medicines. The birds on sale were chiefly Rallidae, and their numbers are detailed in Table 1 . Almost all of the birds were still alive, although some had begun to succumb. In one wicker basket containing some 30 Slaty-breasted Rails Gallirallus striatus, I noticed a single example of a different species which I immediately, but somewhat incredulously, recognized as a Corn Crake Crex crex. I photographed the bird (below) and then went to fetch our interpreter so that I could make enquiries as to the bird’s origin. Through our interpreter I was able to discover that all of the birds on sale had been caught in Soc Trang, but whether this meant in the vicinity of the town of that name or within the province, was not clear. What was clear was that capture must have been very recent as few of the birds on sale could have survived more than one or two days in the conditions in which they were being kept. There are no previous records of Corn Crake in South-East Asia. Records from the Oriental region are few: one from Pakistan (Roberts 1991), two from Sri Lanka (Phillips 1978), one from a boat near Sri Lanka (Ali and Ripley 1987), two from Ladakh, India (Vaurie 1972, Williams and Delany 1 985), one collected in the Indian subcontinent in the 1 870s (Ali and Ripley 1987), and from extreme north-west China (Cheng 1987). There are also two records for Australia and one for New Zealand (Marchant and Higgins 1993), but the vast majority of Corn Crakes, even those from the eastern part of the range of the species at nearly 120°E in Siberia (Cramp 1980), apparently winter in south¬ east Africa. 1996 SHORT COMMUNICATIONS 169 Species Number Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis 10 Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis 25 Red Collared Dove Streptopelia tranquebarica 1 5 Slaty-breasted Rail Gallirallus striatus 50 Corn Crake Crex crex 1 Baillon's Crake Porzana pusilla 100 Ruddy-breasted Crake Porzana fusca 100 White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus 5 Watercock Gallicrex cinerea 1 50 Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio 1 Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 1 Pintail Snipe Gallianago stenura 1 Greater Painted-snipe Rostratula benghalensis 1 Table 1 . Estimated numbers of birds for sale in Phung Hiep market, Soc Trang province, Vietnam, 14 January 1996 The figures presented in Table 1 suggest that, if this rate of capture is repeated in many other localities, then considerable numbers of Rallidae must be involved. I did not record a market on this scale anywhere else during our three day tour of the delta, but on 13 January at Long Xuyen (An Giang province) there were c. 50 Slaty-breasted Rails on sale, together with several cages of Baya Weavers Ploceus philippinus, while on 14 January on a ferry crossing in Ving Long province, a bundle of 10 Watercocks and 10 Black¬ winged Stilts Himantopus himantopus were being offered round the boat. REFERENCES Ali, S. and Ripley, S. D. (1987) Compact handbook of the birds of India and Pakistan. New Delhi: Oxford University Press. Cheng Tso-hsin (1987) A synopsis of the avifauna of China. Beijing: Science Press. Cramp, S. ed. (1980) The birds of the Western Palearctic, 2. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Marchant, S. and Higgins, P. (1990) The handbook of Australian, New Zealand, and Antarctic birds, 2. Melbourne: Oxford University Press. Phillips, W.W. A. (1978) Annotated checklist of the birds of Ceylon (Sri Lanka). Colombo: The Wildlife & Nature Protection Society of Sri Lanka in association with the Ceylon Bird Club. Roberts, T. J. (1991) The birds of Pakistan, 1. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Vaurie, C. (1972) Tibet and its birds. London: H. F. & G. Witherby. Williams, C. and Delany, S. (1985) Migration through the north-west Himalaya - some results of the Southampton University Ladakh expedition. Bull. Oriental Bird Club 2: 10-14. Eric R. Meek, Smyril, Stenness, Orkney Islands KW16 3JX, U.K. 170 SHORT COMMUNICATIONS Forktail 12 Guidelines for contributors Forktail publishes original papers in the English language (also, in certain cases, English translations of papers in Oriental languages) treating any aspect of the ornithology (e.g. distribution, biology, conservation, identification) of the Oriental region, i.e. the region bounded by the Indus River to the west, Lydekker’s Line to the east (i.e. the eastern boundary of Wallacea), the Chang Jiang (Yangtze Kiang) basin to the north and the Chagos Archipelago, Lesser Sundas, Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands to the south; the Japanese Nansei Shoto (islands south-west of Kyushu) are included, and indeed material concerning any part of China or Pakistan may be published. Submissions are considered on the understanding that they are being offered solely for publication by the Oriental Bird Club, which will retain copyright. Referees are used where appropriate; all submissions are reviewed by the Forktail Editorial Committee, and those accepted are normally published in order of receipt. (Some further indication of the type of material appropriate for the journal is provided in the inaugural editorial, ‘The scope of Forktail’, Forktail 1; 3-5.) Submissions should be in one of the following ways: a) in duplicate, typewritten on one side of the paper only, and double-spaced; or b) a single double-spaced typescript, accompanied by a word- processed version on disk, preferably IBM compatible and in WordPerfect 5.1. Macintosh and other word-processing packages are acceptable, but in such cases two files should be sent, one in the original word-processed format and one converted into an ASCII text file. The approximate position of figures and tables should be indicated in the margin of the typescript. Papers should be concise and factual, take full account of previous relevant literature but avoid repetition of established information as much as possible; opinions expressed should be based on adequate evidence. Tides of papers must be accurate and concise, and (for the benefit of abstraction services) include any relevant scientific (taxonomic) name. Whenever possible, authors should consult an issue of Forktail for style and layout. Spelling follows The shorter Oxford English dictionary, except that external features of birds are spelt and hyphenated in accordance with the entry under ‘Topography’ in A dictionary of birds (1985). Spelling of place- names accords (unless another source is specified) with the most recent edition (currently seventh, 1985) of The Times atlas of the world ; we use ‘South-East Asia’ and ‘Viet Nam’. Localities with well- known other spellings or older names should have these placed in parentheses after their first mention. For localities too small to be in the Times atlas a source of the spelling adopted should preferably be indicated and the precise geographical coordinates provided (these should be double-checked where possible). It is appreciated that authors will not always have access to the above sources; in such cases the editor will seek to introduce conformity. English and scientific names of birds should follow those provided by Inskipp, T., Lindsey, N. and Duckworth, W. (1996) An annotated checklist of the birds of the Oriental region. On first mention of a bird both English and scientific name should be given, thereafter only one, preferably the English. Scientific trinomials need be used only if subspecific nomenclature is relevant to the topic under discussion. These recommendations also apply for any other animal or plant species mentioned. Underlining (= italics ) is used for all words of foreign languages, including generic and specific scientific names. Metric units and their international symbols should be used; if it is necessary to cite other systems of measurement, these can be added in parentheses. Temperatures should be given in the Centigrade (Celsius) scale. Numbers one to ten are written in full except when linked with a measurement abbreviation or higher number, thus ‘five birds’ but ‘5 km’ and ‘5-12 birds’; numerals are used for all numbers above ten, four-figure numbers and above using the comma thus: ‘1,234’, ‘12,345’. Details of experimental technique, extensive tabulations of results, etc., are best presented as appendices. Authors of papers containing statistical analysis should observe the provisions of the relevant section of ‘Notice to contributors’ in a recent Ibis. Dates should be written 1 January 1985, times of day as 08h30, 1 7h55 (24-hour clock;), etc. When citing a conversation (‘verbally’) or letter (‘in lilt. ’), the contact’s name and initials should be included, preferably with the year of communication. A full-length paper must include a summary not exceeding 5% of the total length. Any figure, diagram, line-drawing or map should preferably be in black ink on strong white or translucent paper; it should be called a Figure, numbered appropriately, and fully captioned. Maps must be marked with a scale and north arrow. Lettering on figures should be very neat, although the publishers will re-draw figures and typeset lettering. Good photographs are also considered. Captions for figures and photographs should be typed on a separate sheet. Authors of papers are encouraged to offer their work to one or more ornithologist or biologist for critical assessment prior to submission to Forktail. Such help as is received should naturally be mentioned in an acknowledgement section before the full references are presented. References in the text should follow the form ‘(Campbell and Lack 1985)’ and ‘King et al. (1975) suggest...’. More than one within die same parentheses should be chronologically listed, alphabetically if of the same year. Publications by the same authors in the same year may be distinguished by ‘a’, ‘b’, etc., after the date. Full references must be listed alphabetically at the end in the form: Campbell, B. and Lack, E. eds. (1985) Al dictionary of birds. Calton (Staffordshire, U.K.): T. and A. D. Poyser. King, B. F., Dickinson, E. C. and Woodcock, M. W. (1975) A field guide to the birds of South-East Asia. London: Collins. Kuroda, Nh., ed. (1984) Ketteiban seibutsu daizukan ; chorui [ Illustrations of animals and plants: birds], Tokyo: Sekai Bunkasha. (In Japanese.) Roslyakov, G. E. (1985) [‘Information on the distribution and number of Aix galericulata and Mergus squamatus over Khabarovsk Territory.’] Pp. 101-102 in N. M. Litvinenko, ed. Rare and endangered birds of the Far East. Vladivostok: Far East Science Center, Academy of Sciences of the USSR. (In Russian.) Sien Yao-hua, Kuan Kuan-Hsun and Zheng Zuo-xin (1964) [‘An avifaunal survey of the Chinghai province.’] Acta Zool. Sinica 16: 690-709. (In Chinese.) Smythies,B. E. (1981) The birds of Borneo. Third edition. Kota Kinabalu and Kuala Lumpur: The Sabah Society and the Malayan Nature Society. Somadikarta, S. (1986) Collocalia linchi Horsfield & Moore - a revision. Bull. Brit. Om. Club 106: 32- 40. White, C. M. N. and Bruce, M. D. (1986) The birds of Wallacea (Sulawesi, the Moluccas and Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia): an annotated check-list. London: British Ornithologists’ Union (Check-list no. 7). It will be noted from these examples that references to non-Roman scripts need to be transliterated and/or translated (or even, with more recondite sources, both); either the transliterated title may be left as it is, or a translation of it can be substituted in square brackets (but where an abstract provides its own English title, this may be cited in inverted commas within square brackets), and the language involved should follow the reference, in parentheses. The author’s name and postal address should appear in italics at the end of the article. Authors will receive proofs for checking, which they are required to return within one week of receipt (no more than four weeks can be allowed between posting out and taking return of proofs). All joint communications must indicate the name and full postal address of the author to whom proofs should be sent. Textual changes in proof cannot normally be countenanced. Reprints are available on request. 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