approach should find uncritical acceptance within the pages of 
Sandgrouse. 
Richard Hoath 
The American University in Cairo, Egypt 
OSME would agree that the manner in which these records for Egypt were 
discovered is regrettable: the birds in question were shot by local hunters and 
then came to the notice of ornithologists who identified and described them. 
However, by publishing them in Sandgrouse the records have been brought 
to the attention of the ornithological community instead of being lost forever. 
Each year millions of birds are killed in Egypt by this type of uncontrolled 
hunting. We suggest that Mr Hoath write to the Egyptian authorities to 
express his indignation and ask them to control hunting in order to protect 
these and other birds. The validity of records such as these is left to the appro- 
priate rarities committees. 
Have you got spare time which you would like to 
spend doing something useful? Do you feel OSME 
could be more active and effective? Do you have lots 
of ideas which you have long wanted to put into 
practice? Do you have a good sense of humour and a 
commitment to OSME? Are you happy to work on 
your own initiative? Or are you just keen on the 
Middle East and its birds? - read on! 
Arising from OSME's recent Development 
Workshops, a range of new and exciting posts have 
been identified for which volunteers are invited. 
25 
