References 
Albrecht, J S M 1986. Notes on the Birds of Eregli, Black Sea 
Coastlands, Turkey 1976-1978. Sandgrouse 8:74-92. 
BussE, P 1974. Biometrical Methods. Notatki Om. 15:114-126 
Cramp, S (ed.) 1985. The Birds of the Western Palearctic Vol. 4.* Oxfoid 
Flint, P R & Stewart, P F 1983. The Birds of Cyprus. London. 
Porter, R F 1983. The Autumn Migration of Passerines Near- 
Passerines at the Bosphorus, Turkey. Sandgrouse 5:45-74. 
Vincent Van Den Berk, Noordereind 3 A, 
NL-4012 BT Kerk Avezaath, The Netherlands 
News and Information 
Compiled by Simon Albrecht 
The aim of this section is to inform readers about events in the OSME region. It is not in- 
tended as a definitive report or write up of the projects concerned. Most of the projects are 
sponsored; such support is appreciated hut is not generally given acknowledgment here. 
Yemen Arab republic 
Information supplied by Mike Rands 
There have been a number of conser- 
vation developments in the Yemen 
Arab Republic (North Yemen) follow- 
ing the OSME Expedition there in 1985 
and a number of subsequent visits by 
OSME members. 
Species conservation Full legal protec- 
tion has now been given to the 24 spe- 
cies recommended for protection in 
the Expedition report. This includes 
the 13 species endemic to the 
southwest corner of the Arabian Pen- 
insula, as well as endemgered migrant 
species like Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita 
and Slender-billed Curlew Numenius 
tenuirostris. The birds are now pro- 
tected from direct threats like persecu- 
tion; but not indirect threats like loss of 
habitat. Nevertheless, the legislation is 
a considerable achievement and we 
congratulate the North Yemen gov- 
ernment. 
Habitat conservation and site protection 
The OSME Expedition report recom- 
mended the habitats and localities of 
table 1 as a preliminary list for a Pro- 
tected Areas Network which would 
allow the wildlife and human interest 
in the areas to develop in sympathy 
with each other. 
The land ownership system in Yemen 
makes it very difficult to create a net- 
work of protected areas. Local opposi- 
tion is such that any imposition of 
protection would be completely inef- 
fective. There have, however, been 
some attempts to create some protected 
areas, and OSME and lUCN have pro- 
posed Jebal Bura. The Yemeni govern- 
ment has expressed interest, but as yet 
has been unable to do very much. Aid 
agencies, too, have expressed interest 
in habitat protection in the context of 
sustainable development; but there is 
still a long way to go before any habi- 
17 
