10 
Namaqua Dove Qena capensis Several individuals, including at 
least one pair, were observed around the date palm plantation in a 
settled part of Segid. This species is currently showing range 
expansion and suitable habitat conditions exist for breeding. 
White-browed Coucal Centropus superciliosus A pair were seen in 
the Acac ia/ Commiphora/ Salvadora szrub in the north-eastern portion 
of Farasan Kebir. They are known to occupy similar habitat and 
breed on the nearby mainland, however there is little freshwater 
here and this is thought to be a preferred habitat feature (Hollom 
et al . 1988) . 
Little Owl Athene noctua One individual was seen emerging from 
a hole in a tree on Farasan Kebir. 
House Sparrow Passer domesticus A female was seen in the port 
area of Farasan Kebir and a male in a village some distance away. 
When this species is present breeding is thought likely to occur. 
Jennings lists only 11 other land birds breeding here and remarks 
that he considers this a low number. The fact that a further 
possible five were added through our observations emphasises the 
paucity of data which exist concerning this area. 
Several of the mainland birds which have a predominantly 
Afrotropical distribution have been observed on the islands. As 
well as White-browed Coucal we noted Bruce 's Green Pigeon Treron 
waalia, and Abyssinian Roller Coracias abyssinica has been noted 
previously (Jennings 1988) . This might suggest that such species 
are still in contact with "parent" populations. Bruce' s Green 
Pigeons are absent from Arabian breeding areas during the winter and 
observations from the Farasans (especially in spring) would indicate 
a migration to Africa. There is also the possibility that breeding 
may occur. 
Recommendations for the management of a national park or nature 
reserve of some kind will include the initiation of detailed 
research which will help to quantify the importance of the islands. 
On the island of Qummah a large scale bird trapping operation was 
found to be in progress. This activity provides an example of how 
research may be dovetailed with conservation in a proposal for 
management. The island lacks any tall or dense vegetation, all of 
the trees having been incorporated in bird traps. Piles of sticks 
and branches are covered with old fishing nets to form something 
similar to a Heligoland trap. Some are substantial constructions 
and measure ten metres in length and four metres in height. The 
Island is permanently settled and a large portion of the subsistence 
economy is based upon wild animals; fish, supplemented with turtle 
and bird eggs, forms a large part of the diet. The only source of 
animal fat for cooking is derived from migrant passerines. Shrikes 
Lanius sp . , because of their large size, are the most popular and 
the most frequently caught birds but the islanders estimated that 
