Spix's Macaw Cyanopsitta spixii has always been a very poorly known species from the arid interior of north-east Brazil. Previous views that its habitat is buriti palm swamp appear mistaken, as the most recent field observations and the testimony of local people suggest that Tabebuia caraiba gallery woodland along seasonal creeks is a critical habitat component. Owing to widespread destruction of such woodland, during a survey in June/July 1990 only three good patches were found, all failing to regenerate; one held a single bird, and another held birds up to last year.

A Ararinha-azul Cyanopsitta spixii sempre foi uma espécie pouco conhecida no interior árido do nordeste do Brasil. Opiniōes anteriores que o seu habitat é buritizais parecem erradas porque as observações de campo mais recentes e o testimônio dos habitantes locais sugestem que matas de Tabebuia caraiba ao longo de riachos estacionais são um crítico componente do habitat. Devido à destruição extensa deste tipo de mata, durante um levantamento em junho/julho 1990 somente tres áreas boas foram achadas, todas sem regeneração; uma abrigava um único pássaro, e uma outra abrigava pássaros até o ano passado.

Populations of both Imperial and Red-necked Parrots on Dominica have declined during the present century with substantial contractions in range, particularly from the southern portion of the island. Parrot densities may be relatively low anyway due to the effects of centuries of hunting. However, declines have been accelerated by habitat destruction and loss of food plants and nesting sites as a result of both human encroachment on the forest and damage caused by Hurricanes David and Allen in 1979 and 1980 respectively. The hunting of birds for meat and for the live cage-bird trade were important threats in the past but conservation education programmes over the last 10 years, and enforcement of legislation prohibiting those activities, have greatly reduced these pressures. Ten years after the debilitating effects of the two hurricanes, the populations of both parrot species (but particularly Red-necks) are showing signs of recovery. Present estimates (May 1990) are of c.80 Imperial Parrots and c.300 Red-necked Parrots in the wild. The major threat to both parrot species is presently habitat destruction, with forested areas being cleared at an accelerating rate for the planting of tree crops, particularly bananas. This process has been aided by recent development programmes towards the building and improvement of feeder roads, making previously remote areas much more accessible. The need for the north-west portion of the Northern Forest Reserve (which includes the entire Morne Diablotin massif) to be declared a national park is ever more critical if the two parrot species are to survive in the long term.

The Red-tailed Newtonia Newtonia fanovanae, previously known from a single specimen from the eastern rainforest of central Madagascar, was rediscovered in October 1989 in the Marosohy Forest in the south-east of the island. In the study area, N. fanovanae occurs in the middle and upper section of the canopy of humid forest between 300 and 1,300 m. Ecological relationships with the other two sympatric Newtonia, amphichroa and brunneicauda, are discussed. The main morphological differences between fanovanae and the other two sympatric species are that the former has relatively long wings and short tarsi. The song of fanovanae is described and compared to other members of the genus. Our observations on the morphology, behaviour and vocalisations of N. fanovanae confirm its validity as a species.

Le Newtonie à queue rouge Newtonia fanovanae jusqu'à presént uniquement connu d'un seul spécimen provenant de la partie orientale de la forêt tropicale du Madagascar central, fût redécouvert en octobre 1989 dans la forêt de Marosohy au sud-est de l'île. N. fanovanae fût rencontré dans les parties moyennes et supérieures du feuillage de la forêt humide entre 300 et 1,300 m d'altitude. Les relations écologiques avec les deux espèces sympatriques de Newtonia, amphichroa et brunneicauda sont discutées. Les différences morphologiques principales entre fanovanae et les deux espéces sympatriques sont que celle-ci a des ailes relativement longues et des tarses courts. Le chant de fanovanae est decrit et comparé avec celui d'autres membres du genre. Nos observations sur la morphologie, le comportement et les vocalizations de N. fanovanae confirment sa validité comme bonne espéce.

The Red-tailed Newtonia Newtonia fanovanae, known from two sites in the eastern rainforests of Madagascar, was found in the Réserve Spéciale d'Ambatovaky in February 1990, when two observations of birds in mixed-species flocks were made in primary lowland forest at 650-700 m. Such habitat may be rare in reserves, recent fieldwork having concentrated on higher-altitude sites. Ambatovaky's faunal richness as a lowland site is emphasised. Some differences in descriptions of the Red-tailed Newtonia exist.

Le Newtonie à queue rouge Newtonia fanovanae, antérieurement connu de deux sites dans les forêts tropicales orientales du Madagascar, fût trouvé dans la Réserve Spéciale d'Ambatovaky en février 1990, où deux individus fûrent observés parmi des bandes plurispécifiques d'oiseaux à I'intérieur d'une excellente forêt de plainé à 650-700 m d'altitude. II se peut qu'un tel habitat soit rarement trouvé à I'intérieur de réserves, car les investigations de terrain fûrent récemment concentrées sur des sites en plus haut altitude. La richesse faunistique du site de plaine d'Ambatovaky est mise en évidence. II existe des différences de descriptions du Newtonie à queue rouge.

There are twenty-one endemic and near-endemic forest birds in the Upper Guinea forest of West Africa. Less than 80,000 km2 of their habitat remains and this is being rapidly degraded and fragmented. Eight threatened and two near-threatened birds were identified by Collar and Stuart (1985) in this region based on the scant information then available. More recent surveys confirm the threatened status of all these birds, but two species, Melaenornis annamarulae and Malimbus ballmanni, should now be considered Vulnerable having previously been placed in the Indeterminate category. Phyllastrephus leucolepis, described since the production of the Red Data Book, is only found in the forest of east Liberia and must be considered Endangered. Records suggest that all three species are restricted to the western part of the Upper Guinea forest. There are two forest areas which are of the highest priority for the conservation of these and the other endemic birds: (i) south-east Liberia/south-west Ivory Coast; (ii) south-east Sierra Leone/northwest Liberia. Ceratogymnasubcylindricus and Phyllastrephus baumanni are recommended for inclusion in the Near-threatened category.

Vingt-et-une espéces forestiéres d'oiseaux endémiques ou quasiment endémiques vivent dans la forêt de Haute-Guinée en Afrique de l'Ouest. A l'époque actuelle leur habitat, qui fût déjà réduit à moins de 80,000 km2, continue d'être rapidement dégradé et fragmenté. Collar et Stuart (1985) identifiérent huit especes menacées plus deux espéces probablement menacées pour la région, basé sur le peu d'information disponible à l'époque. Des investigations plus récentes confirment le statut de toutes ces espéces sauf deux, Melaenornis annamarulae et Malimbus ballmanni, qui fûrent insuffisamment connus, doivent maintenant être considérés vulnérables. Phyllastrephus leucolepis ne fût décrit pour la science qu'après la production du livre rouge et ne se trouve uniquement dans la forêt du Libéria oriental, et doît done être considéré comme en danger. Des observations suggérent que toutes ces espéces soient limitées à la partie occidentale de la forêt de HauteGuinée. Deux régions forestières se révèlent d'être de la plus haute priorité pour la sauvegarde de ces éspèces et des autres oiseaux endémiques: (i) le sud-est du Libéria/sud-ouest de la Côte-d'Ivoire et (ii) le sud-est du Sierra Léone/nord-ouest du Libéria. Nous recommandons d'inclure Ceratogymna subcylindricus et Phyllastrephus baumanni dans la catégorie probablement menacé.

A survey in December/January 1989/1990 revealed that an estimated 274 Rapa Fruit-doves Ptilinopus huttoni remain in Rapa's last (and fragmented) 292 ha of forest. This suggests no serious decline since 1974, but the forests continue to be degraded and cleared, and action to preserve key sites is urgently needed.

Un recensement en décembre/janvier 1989/1990 montra qu'un nombre estimé de 274 Ptilopes de Hutton Ptilinopus huttoni survivent dans les derniers 292 ha de forêt fragmen-tee sur l'île de Rapa. Ceci ne suggére aucun déclin important depuis 1974, mais les forêts continuent à être dégradées et coupées, ainsi il devient urgent d'entreprendre des actions pour le sauvegarde des sites clés.

The Grenada Dove Leptotila wellsi and the Grenada Hook-billed Kite Chondrohierax uncinatus miruts have each apparently declined since initial surveys in 1987. In a midwinter 1989/1990 census I estimated that there were 75-85 Grenada Doves, compared with 100 in 1987. The 1989/1990 numbers include two small populations not located in 1987. The main population may have declined by 40-50% since 1987. Half as many Hook-billed Kites were seen in 1989/1990 as in 1987 when I estimated the total population to be 15-30. Although seasonal factors may be responsible for some of the differences, destruction of habitat has led to real declines. Unless the prime habitat is protected, extinction of both birds is likely.