39 
peace-keeping duties) to collect vital ornithological data from the 
outstanding wetlands bordering the two countries. Any information, 
both positive and negative, from anywhere in the Middle East would 
be much appreciated. 
In L987-I988 three individuals were located and studied in Morocco. 
The Slender-billed Curlew seems to be tamer than other waders 
allowing approach to within 30 metres. The implications for their 
vulnerability to hunting are clear. An account of this work has 
been written up and will be puolished in ICBP Study Report N"" 29. \ 
paper reviewing the status of che Slender-billed Curlew since 1900 
is also in preparation and wil^ be submitted to a scientific journal 
shortly . 
If anyone is able to spend time surveying suitable wetlands for the 
species they should contact Adam Gretton (address below) and specify 
the countryC ies) they are visiting and the time of year. Any 
confirmed sightings, preferably together with descriptions and 
information on habitat and behaviour, should also be sent to Adam. 
Please write to Adam Gretton, ICBP, 32 Cambridge Road, Girton, 
Cambridge CB3 OfJ, Great Britain. Tel: 0223-277318. 
Turkey - Investigation Into the Shooting and Catching of Birds 
The report on Gernant I-lagnin's survey in 1987 is due to be published 
at the end of the year. We hope to give further details in the next 
bulletin. 
Turkey - Important Bird Areas: Two Publications 
In November 1988 ICBP is publishing its eagerly awaited book 
Important Bird Areas in Europe (ICBP Technical Publication N" 9, 
£19.50) which will provide data on the location, habitat, protection 
status and ornithological importance of some 2,200 sites from 
Greenland to Turkey. The study concentrated on globally threatened 
birds, species vulnerable and/or declining in Europe and migratory 
species that concentrate in large numbers on passage or in winter. 
It represents the first attempt to provide the basis for a planned 
and integrated network of sites for birds which will need to be 
protected if the avifauna is not to be irreversibly impoverished by 
the beginning of the 21st Century. 
In May 1989, at the European Continental Section of ICBP In Adana on 
the Turkish Mediterranean coast, Important Hird Areas In Turkey will 
be published in Turkish to be distributed by Dogal Hayati Koruna 
Dernegi ( DHKD - the Society for tne Protection of Wildlife). The 
publication will be the result of a three-year project by ICBP and 
DHKD to identify the most important hird areas In Turkey. The 
project which has involved a team of field workers has identified 
some 80 sites covering over 1.5 million hectares. Not surprisingly, 
the majority of these sites are wetlands (over 60) and miny of then 
are completely unprotected. 
