On the latter, the suggestion is that up to 8 million birds are killed by liming and 
netting each year - in an island only 226 x 96 km! 
The Check List itself is impressive, with in-depth accounts, particularly those 
covering resident species. There are, however, gaps to be filled in the Cyprus 
Check List and an equally well researched list of omitted species, in Appendix 1, 
provides an interesting read. For one, it highlights the complacency we all have 
occasionally in recording species that are a little too familiar. For example: Blue 
Tit Varus caeruleus, one record - the observer did not realise the species was a 
rarity and thus took no description. 
Ringing and recoveries are well presented but it is perhaps the remainder of the 
book that will particularly interest visiting birdwatchers. Sites of ornithological 
interest in Appendix 4 covers most areas, where to go, what to do and how to do 
it, with some beautifully drawn maps. This is followed by the Cyprus bird 
protection laws and protected species list, useful for both casual and investigative 
observers. The migration table in the final appendix provides the reader at a 
glance with which species are likely to be seen month by month. 
The inclusion of colour and black-and-white plates to illustrate the wide variety 
of birds and habitats provides a nice finish to an excellent book. This is the 
authoritative guide to the island's avifauna. Any present or future visitor to 
Cyprus should get their copy now. 
Mark Andrews 
The Birds of Africa Vol IV, Broadbills to chats. (1992) By S 
Keith, E K Urban and C H Fry. Academic Press, London. £85. 
This is the latest volume in what is righ tly described as the most authoritative and 
comprehensive work on the birds of Africa and is the first of four volumes dealing 
with the Passerines. It covers broadbills, pittas, larks, swallows and martins, 
wagtails, pipits, longclaws, cuckoo-shrikes, bulbuls, greenbuls, and thrushes, 
chats and their allies. 
As in the previous three volumes, each species account contains information on 
range and status, detailed description, field characters, voice, general habits, 
food, breeding habits (if applicable) and references. Clear maps show breeding 
and wintering ranges within Africa and locations of extra-limital records. 
Additionally, there are brief introductory paragraphs giving a general overview 
at the start of each new family and genus. 
Speciesentries are usually at least one page, with up to five pages for well-studied 
species such as Common Bulbul Vyaumotus barbatus. I checked the species 
accounts for several species 1 know well from Djibouti and found them all to be 
accurateand comprehensive. The33-pagebibliography and up-to-date inclusion 
of recent records clearly demonstrates the efforts put. in by the editors. 
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