Malimbus 26 (1-2) September/september 2004
Abstracts prepared for Recent Ornithological Literature (ROL)
King, T., S. Tyler, & M. Dallimer. 2004. Timing of moult and new species records of birds in the Lesio-Louna Reserve, Republic of Congo. Malimbus: 26: 1-10. (Proj. Protection Gorilles, BP 13977, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo. <ppg"at"uuplus.com>.)— Significant differences (assuming homogeneity between species) of moult timing between wet and dry seasons and between forest and savanna species, based on primary feather moult scores on 170 mistnetted birds (of which 36 exhibited moult) of 42 species, captured during 7 months spread over 2002. 9 new species recorded for the Reserve.
Payne, R.B., & C.R. Barlow. 2004. Songs of Mali Firefinch Lagonosticta virata and their mimicry by Barka Indigobird Vidua larvaticola in West Africa. Malimbus: 26: 11-18. (Mus. Zool. & Dept. Ecol. Evol. Biol., Univ. Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA, <rbpayne"at"umich.edu>.)—Songs of both species were tape recorded in the field in Mali during two months in 1999 and 2000, and in captivity in the Gambia on wild-caught birds, probably from SE Senegal. Song mimicry was determined by visual comparisons of audiospectrograms. Though this mimicry suggests host parasitism of Lagonosticta virata by Vidua larvaticola, this has yet to be proven.
Lachenaud, O. 2004. Notes on the Western Wattled Cuckoo-shrike Lobotos lobatus. Malimbus: 26: 19-23. (34 Ave. des Amandiers, 86180 Buxerolles, France <lachenaud.ipfo"at"wanadoo.fr>.)—On ecology, behaviour, plumage and conservation from two days’ observation in Ivory Coast in 1999 (French, Engl. summ.)
Thompson, H.S. 2004. Behaviour of the White-necked Picathartes Picathartes gymnocephalus, at nest sites prior to breeding. Malimbus 26:24-30. (BirdLife International, Africa Partnership Secretariat, P.O. Box 3502-00100, Nairobi, Kenya <hazell.thompson"at"birdlife.or.ke>.)—Based on 87 hours of observation from hides near the nesting sites in Sierra Leone in 1992 and 1993, describes quantitatively activity at nest (main component nest repair), group behaviour (especially bowing displays) and roosting behaviour (not, as previously suggested, in a separate nest.)
Maisels, F., & A. Moungazi. 2004. Nest of the Nkulengu Rail Himantornis haematopus in Gabon. Malimbus 26: 31. (Inst. Cell, Anim. & Popul. Biol., Edinburgh Univ., UK, <fmaisels"at"wcs.org>.)—The second published description, 1993.
Dowsett-Lemaire, F. 2004. On sexual dimorphism and vocal behaviour in the Mount Kupe Bush Shrike Malaconotus kupeensis. Malimbus 26: 32-34. (Le Pouget, 30440 Sumène, France <dowsett"at"aol.com>.)—New data on field identification and vocalisations from a week’s observations in Mar 2000.
Donald, P.F., et al. 2004. Status of the Cape Verde Cane Warbler Acrocephalus brevipennis on São Nicolau, with notes on song, breeding behaviour and threats. Malimbus 26: 34-37. (RSPB, The Lodge, Sandy, Beds. SG19 2DL, UK.)—Surveys of known sites in 2001 and 2003 showed a total of up to 10 singing males.
Lachenaud, O. 2004. [The distribution of the Mosque Swallow Hirundo senegalensis in Ivory Coast.] Malimbus 26: 38-39. (1070 Ave. des Fès, 34090 Montpellier, France <lachenaud.ipfo"at"wanadoo.fr>.)—Observations from 1997 to 2002 showed a much wider distribution than previously thought (French.)
Salewski, V. 2004. Zebra Waxbill Amandava subflava, new for Mauritania. Malimbus 26: 40. (Swiss Ornithol. Inst., 6204 Sempach, Switzerland <volker.salewski"at"web.de>.)—In the extreme SW (Diawling Natl. Pk.), May and Oct 2003.
Ixa, M., & N. Robin. 2004. [Cases of predation by Brown-necked Ravens Corvus ruficollis.] Malimbus 26: 41. (BP 270, Agadez, Niger <tidenexp"at"intent.ne>.)—Apparent killing of a gazelle fawn and an observed attack on a hare in Niger (French.)