11 
they take between 50 and 60 different kinds. It becaaie apparent 
that trapping during the spring forms an integral part of the 
cultural life of the island and to totally ban this activity may be 
counter-productive in terms of the good will lost. Some mutilation 
of birds was observed, mostly by removing flight feathers to provide 
playthings for children, but otherwise birds were seen to be 
expertly handled. It has been suggested by Peter Symens of the 
Saudi Arabian Taif Wildlife Research Centre that ringing be 
established during passage periods. Locals could be paid a sfnall 
bounty for each bird presented for ringing. The islanders were 
found to have a deep knowledge and appreciation of birds and it is 
felt that this would be a viable proposition. Such a scheme would 
contribute to research and conservation whilst minimising cultural 
interference, this is a particularly important consideration in the 
management of wildlife which forms part of the economic welfare of 
local people. 
This work was undertaken as part of a contract commissioned by the 
NCWCD whose authorisation and financial assistance we gratefully 
acknowledge . 
References 
Jennings, M. C. (1988). A Note on the Birds of the Farasan Islands, 
Red Sea, Saudi Arabia. Fauna of Saudi Arabia 9: A57-467. 
Hollom, P. A. D., Porter, R. F., Christensen, S., Willis, I. (1988). 
The Birds of the Middle East and North Africa . Calton. 
Flat 2, 7 St Stephens Gardens, Twickenham, Middlesex TWl 2LT, Great 
Britain. 
A NEST OF THE YEMEN WARBLER Christian Brauning 
On 29 Marcn 1988 during a birdwatching trip in the Yemen Arab 
Republic I visited Wadi Maytara about one kilometre south of Ibb in 
the hope of finding the Yemen Warbler Parisoma buryl . There, in a 
plantation with some rows of large trunked trees, I saw one Yemen 
Warbler fly Into an acacia and perch on a branch. The bill of the 
bird was full of food. After a short period, it flew into a 
blackberry bush growing at the foot of the tree. When I approached 
the bush, the male and the female were flitting through the dense 
branches of the tree giving a loud warning call. The sale even 
began to sing. I carefully inspected the bush and found a nest 
positioned about one metre above the ground. It held three 
nestlings about three or four days old. According to the paper by 
D. J. Brooks ( Sandgrouse 9: 90-93), this Is the first nest of the 
Yemen Warbler to be found in tlie Yemen Arab Republic. 
Alte Rathausstrasse 6, D 3014 Laat/.en 1, West Germany. 
