We carried out a Principal Component Analysis on 196 Iberian and Common Chiffchaffs of both sexes (live and collection specimens), characterized by seven variables derived from wing, tarsus and bill measures. This method, complemented by colour comparison of the taxa, led us to the following conclusions. (1) Phyllopneuste brehmii, Homeyer, 1871, is a junior synonym of Sylvia collybita, Vieillot, 1817. The correct name for the Iberian Chiffchaff is Phylloscopus ibericus (Ticehurst 1937). (2) P. ibericus is itself represented by two subspecies: the southern form P. i. ibericus (Ticehurst 1937), and the northern form, for which we propose the name P. i. biscayensis ssp. nov. (3) The Common and Iberian Chiffchaffs are very distinct in the contact zone. But an overall geographical variation following Bergmann's and Allen's rules within both taxa generates an ecomorphological convergence, i.e. P. i. ibericus and the populations of P. c. collybita from northern central Europe have similar sizes. This may explain why previous authors were unable to diagnose the two taxa on morphological criteria alone.

This treatise investigates the poorly studied bird fauna of Mitidja Plain (Northern Algeria), with particular notes on the occurrence and expansion of new and alien species. Direct observations, supported by ornithological surveys carried out by Progressive Frequential Sampling (PFS), a version of a point count method, have allowed us to identify 125 bird species. These represent 31% of all species known from Algeria. The species recorded belong to 14 orders, 39 families and 37 genera. According to their biogeographic origins, 36 are Mediterranean, 32 Palearctic, 24 Holarctic, 17 European and 16 of European-Turkestani origin. The Mitidja Plain holds 60 resident-breeder species (48% of all registered species) and is a transit zone for many migratory species (summer and winter migrants constituting 20% and 14% of the total, respectively) and occasional visitors (RA = 12%). Among recently expanding species (introduced or local), the Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto and Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus, sampled by the spot-mapping method, experienced a very rapid population growth. The first observations of the former were made in 1996 in Algiers. Its numbers experienced a steep increase after 2002, starting from 5.75 pairs/10 ha to reach up to 31.5 pairs/10 ha in 2006. The same applies for the Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri, surveyed by direct-count at roosting sites. This species has been able to increase and reproduce since its first introduction into the wild in 1996. The increase in study species populations, especially the Rose-ringed Parakeet, may derive from good weather conditions that favoured the species through providing better feeding conditions, thus high reproduction outcomes.

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Background: Investigating population ecology of urban bird species, particularly the invasive and expending species, is the key for the success of urban management and planning strategies. Methods:Populations of two Columbidae species, the Woodpigeon (Columba palumbus) and the Eurasian Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto), were monitored from 1992 to 2010 in the Algiers Sahel, the Mitidja Plain and surrounding areas (Northern Algeria). Monitoring of species densities was performed by the mapping-plot method. The foraging flight routes of Woodpigeon and the distribution of Eurasian Collared Dove were assessed by systematic observations. Results:The number of counted birds was statistically constant at first years of the survey, and then increased significantly, beginning from low numbers, their densities accelerated sharply between 2001 and 2006, then reached to an equilibrium state. The significant increase in Woodpigeon's population could be explained by the reduced hunting pressure and by species adaptation to new food resources provided by nearby agriculture. Indeed, monitoring of flight directions of the species revealed the use of agricultural landscapes and habitats, which is a good indicator explaining adaptation and trophic niche of the species. The occurrence of the Eurasian Collared Dove in Algiers began in 2000. Its density experienced a rapid increase with similar trend pattern as that of Woodpigeon. Its distributional range is confined mainly in suburban environments of the Mitidja Plain. Conclusion:The modifications of habitats, urbanization increase and the lessening of hunting in the Mitidja Plain facilitated the rapid expansion of the Eurasian Collared Dove and Woodpigeon as well contributed to the increase in their numbers over time.

Abstract.A new genus of Aeshnidae, Huncoaeshna n. gen., based on Huncoaeshna corrugata n. gen., n. sp., is erected from Laguna del Hunco (Ypresian) in Patagonia Argentina. The specimen presents a special kind of preservation with the middle part of the wing wrinkled. The presence of only two fossil specimens of Aeshnidae in South America is surely due to the lack of paleontomologists and collections of fossil insects in the subcontinent.Résumé. Un nouveau genre et espèce d'aeschne (Aeshnidae : Odonata) de l'Eocène inférieur de la Laguna del Hunco, Patagonie, Argentine. Un nouveau genre d'Aeshnidae, Huncoaeshna n. gen., basé sur Huncoaeshna corrugata n. gen., n. sp., est décrit de la Laguna del Hunco (Yprésien), Patagonie, Argentine. Le spécimen présente un type particulier de conservation avec la partie médiane de l'aile détruite. La présence de seulement deux fossiles d'Aeshnidae en Amérique du Sud est certainement due au manque de paléoentomologistes et de collectes d'insectes fossiles dans ce continent.

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A total of 6 000-7 000 House Swifts Apus nipalensis nipalensis were censused breeding in the provinces of Lam Dong, Binh Thuan, Khanh Hoa as well as in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam in 1994 and 1995. By their dimensions and mass they agree well with topotypical specimens from Nepal. Most nests are established in old houses of French architecture, and some in cliffs in the wild. The breeding season lasts 164-168 days, and two broods are usually produced. Gonads and salivary glands follow a yearly cycle according to the bird’s breeding cycle. The average size of the first clutch was about 2.4 eggs in 1994 and 1995, and that of the second clutch about half of this value in 1995. In 1994, the breeding success for the first clutch was 1.55 young per nest, and only 1.03 in 1995. That year, it was just 0.62 young for the second clutch. Vietnamese House Swifts moult almost all the year round, except in January. Its food consists in flying insects, above all Hymenoptera, Isoptera, Coleoptera, Hemiptera and Diptera. The food delivered to chicks differs somewhat from that of adults. The food spectrum of the House Swift in Vietnam is similar to that of the White-nest Swiftlet Aerodramus fuciphagus germani, but is narrower in terms of diversity, and larger in terms of prey mass. As both species lived alongside since time immemorial, they manage to limit competition between them, but things may change in the future if flying insects become less abundant, for instance following a widespread use of pesticides.

Les divers milieux fréquentés par la Cigogne blanche (Ciconia ciconia) de janvier à août 1995 et le Héron garde-boeufs (Bubulcus ibis) de novembre 1994 à octobre 1995 dans la vallée du Sébaou ont été caractérisés par des indices de fréquentation. L’activité de chasse et d’alimentation de ces deux espèces a été suivie par observation directe de mars à juillet 1995, et leurs proies ont été classées en catégories selon les habitats occupés. Une approche quantitative du régime et de l’activité alimentaire (nombre de pas) de ces deux espèces a été également abordée en fonction des saisons et des milieux trophiques fréquentés. Pour ces deux espèces et en une même localité, les indices de fréquentation des milieux varient d’une saison à l’autre en fonction des disponibilités alimentaires, qui sont elles-mêmes fonction du cycle biologique des proies. L’attractivité des champs labourés est toujours très forte. Dans les deux cas, les insectes dominent largement en effectifs toutes les autres classes animales consommées. Du point de vue biomasse, ils n’occupent qu’une petite partie du poids ingéré. Les vertébrés, bien que faiblement représentés en nombre, représentent à eux seuls la quasi-totalité de la biomasse ingérée. Les variations temporelles des différents paramètres de l’effort de capture montrent que ses proportions sont les plus élevées pendant le mois d’avril, période de nidification et d’élevage des jeunes, donc de forte activité. Ces valeurs baissent quand les jeunes prennent leur indépendance. L’activité alimentaire, exprimée en nombre de pas, est également maximum durant le mois d’avril, puis baisse. L’efficacité de chasse exprimée par le pourcentage d’échecs est maximale en été. Les variations des différents paramètres de l’effort de capture en fonction des biotopes montrent que ses proportions sont les plus élevées dans les labours, et les plus basses dans les terrains fauchés et les milieux humides. L’activité alimentaire est maximum dans les friches. L’efficacité de chasse exprimée est maximum dans les labours et minimum dans les milieux humides.