The Grey-necked Picathartes Picathartes oreas was found in various forested areas of south-eastern Nigeria in February 1987, an event followed in September-October that year by the discovery of 91 breeding sites, reflecting a total population in the order of 500–1,000 birds. Since then a further three breeding sites have been added. Forest destruction was a major threat to this population, but killing of birds was also a problem. Conservation education, the guarding of some sites, and the development of a national park in the area, were recommended protective measures, and now good progress is being made in their implementation. More extensive surveys are needed. The Ibadan Malimbe Malimbus ibadanensis, endemic to south-west Nigeria, had not been seen since 1980; in October- November 1987 a survey produced observations of at least three in secondary woodland at a research farm, and subsequently the species was found nearby. A more concerted survey to clarify the species's status and ecology is needed, followed by protective recommendations and appropriate remedial action.

The conservation of the Seychelles Paradise Flycatcher on La Digue is reviewed and compared with an earlier investigation (1978). The status of the bird and its habitat on the western plateau, which holds nearly 80% of the world population, was investigated, as was the Special Reserve, notably the validity of the present boundary and the need for management initiatives. The population on the western plateau has changed little in 10 years, with one pair less but more individuals, and there has been a small (<5%) decline in preferred breeding habitat. The number of pairs using the reserve was unchanged from 1978. The carrying capacity is small (c.6 pairs). Only one significant trend was isolated in an investigation of 10 habitat variables, suggesting that more birds occurred where trees were larger. The reserve boundary should be redrawn to include a significant part of the main freshwater marsh: earlier study showed that highest densities were found in woodland close to wetland, and conservation of the marsh is vital. The reserve requires a non-interventionist woodland policy, creation of ponds to extend wetland, improved boundary marking, provision of interpretation facilities and development of educational use. Away from the reserve, statutory zonation of land on the plateau for woodland and sustainable timber production is needed as part of an overall land-use policy.

The Grand Comoro Scops Owl Otus pauliani, confined to forest on Mount Karthala on Grand Comoro, Indian Ocean, is a distinct species based on the evidence of its plumage and voice. In November 1989 studies of territorial calling birds at night revealed its presence between 1,000 and 1,900 m on the north, west and south flanks of the volcano, on which there exists some 10,000 ha of suitable habitat. As territory sizes may be only 5 ha, the population could well be over 1,000 pairs but, although this is encouraging, there remains a long-term threat from forest loss through habitat fragmentation (fires, logging) and the spread of the Indian Myna Acridotheres tristis.

Despite serious and widespread hurricane damage to the natural forests of Jamaica (43% of trees either toppled or with crowns broken in the John Crow Mountains, for instance), the populations of the endemic Ring-tailed Pigeon Columba caribaea, Crested Quail-dove Geotrygon versicolor, Black-billed Parrot Amazona agilis, Yellow-billed Parrot A. collaria, Blue Mountain Vireo Vireo osburni and Jamaican Blackbird Nesopsar nigerrimus appear to have survived Hurricane Gilbert well. However, the expected reduction in food supplies, notably for the frugivores, caused by the severe damage to many trees, coupled with continuing and in some cases increasing human destruction and disturbance of the forests, puts the longer-term survival of these species in some doubt. The establishment of functioning protected areas encompassing the key forest regions for these birds; upgrading and more rigorous enforcement of the legislation governing conservation and management of wildlife and the natural forests; and the control and improvement of agricultural practices around forest areas, would greatly help to ensure the preservation of the forest avifauna and are recommended.

An assessment of trade in parrots throughout Venezuela, 1988–1989, reveals alarmingly high internal and international levels. The national trade has main outlets in major cities, but is now compounded by the use of feathers for Indian artifacts sold to tourists. International trade involves illegal export chiefly from the Orinoco Delta, the majority of such birds (65,000–75,000) destined for Guyana. The large macaws suffer badly from both types of trade, but owing to its restricted range the endemic Amazona barbadensis is perhaps the most critically threatened species. Other species are assessed and, along with key sites, identified in priority order for remedial action, which should include more detailed field studies, rigorous trade data analysis, exchange of trade data with major neighbours, census and monitoring technique improvements, educational campaigns, and strict breeding facility control.

A population of feral domestic cats Felis catus has existed at subantarctic Marion Island since 1951. From 1977 to 1990 an ongoing programme has utilized an introduced disease, shooting and gin-trapping in an endeavour to control cat numbers, with the eventual aim of their eradication. Burrowing petrels (Procellariidae) form the majority of the cats' diet. The breeding success of the winter-breeding Great-winged Petrel Pterodroma macroptera has varied between nil and 20.5% in the period from 1979 to 1984, due primarily to cat predation of chicks causing up to 100% mortality. In 1990, by which time cat numbers had been greatly reduced from their 1970s' peak, Great-winged Petrels had a breeding success of 59.6%, with chick mortality being zero. No signs of cat predation were observed. This finding provides good reason to continue the control programme until cats are finally eradicated from Marion Island.

The Seychelles Warbler was once a highly threatened single-island endemic species with a population of 26 individuals confined to Cousin Island in the inner Seychelles. Following long-term management of Cousin, the population steadily recovered to around 300- 360 birds. Given the vulnerability of one small island in the Indian Ocean, the possibility of establishing the species on additional islands had been proposed as a priority conservation measure. This paper describes the successful translocation of 29 Seychelles Warblers from Cousin to Aride, summarizes the ecological studies carried out prior to, during and after the translocation and documents the subsequent establishment of the new population. It is considered that the Seychelles Warbler will soon no longer be a globally threatened species.