24 Bull. B.O.C. 2003 123(1)Andr?s M. Cuervo et al.
New birds for Guyana
from Mts Roraima and Ayanganna
by Michael J. Braun, Mark B. Robbins, Christopher M.
Milensky, Brian J. O?Shea, Brian R. Barber, Wiltshire Hinds
& Waldyke S. Prince
Received 22 October 2001
Mount Roraima, the legendary mountain at the juncture of Guyana, Venezuela and
Brazil, has figured prominently in the history of ornithology in South America.
Revered by indigenous people as the ?mother of waters?, this mountain was the
destination of numerous exploratory expeditions, especially in the late 19th and early
20th centuries. Most of the early expeditions to Mt Roraima were undertaken to
explore the boundaries and/or biodiversity of Guyana, during the time that it was a
British colony. Extensive collections were returned to European, Venezuelan and
American museums by intrepid field scientists such as the Schomburgks, Whitely,
McConnell, Quelch, Tate, Carter, the Phelps and others (Mayr & Phelps 1967). This
material formed the basis for the description of numerous taxa of the endemic highland
avifauna of the Pantepui region.
Ironically, many of these highland birds are not actually known to occur within
the boundaries of Guyana (Phelps 1938, Snyder 1966, Braun et al. 2000), even
though they have appeared in several previous accounts of its avifauna (e.g., Cabanis
1848, Chubb 1916, 1921). Because it is much easier to approach Mt Roraima through
the savannas on the southwestern slopes than the extensive, continuous forest on the
northeastern slopes, all biological expeditions prior to 1971 actually surveyed portions
of the mountain that lie in Venezuelan territory. Phelps (1938) highlighted this fact
and Snyder (1966) listed 33 bird species that had been collected on or near Mt
Roraima, but were not known from Guyana. This gap in knowledge is significant,
because several of these birds are restricted to the eastern tepuis and a large proportion
of their global ranges may lie within Guyana.
Addresses: Andr?s M. Cuervo, Instituto de Biolog?a, Universidad de Antioquia, Apartado A?reo 1226,
Medell?n, Colombia, E-mail: acmaya@hotmail.com; F. Gary Stiles, Instituto de Ciencias Naturales,
Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Apartado A?reo 7495, Bogot?, Colombia, E-mail:
fstiles@ciencias.unal.edu.co; Carlos Daniel Cadena, Department of Biology, University of Missouri-
St. Louis, 8001 Natural Bridge Road, St. Louis MO 63121, USA, E-mail: cdc0b1@admiral.umsl.edu;
Juan L?zaro Toro, Subdirecci?n Territorial, CORANTIOQUIA, Apartado A?reo 95400, Medell?n,
Colombia, E-mail: jtoro@corantioquia.gov.co; Gustavo A. Londo?o, Avenida 5A # 51-07, Cali,
Colombia, E-mail: galembo76@yahoo.com.
? British Ornithologists? Club 2003
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25 Bull. B.O.C. 2003 123(1)Michael J. Braun et al.
From mid-March to mid-April 2001, we conducted an inventory of the avifauna
of the north slope of Mt Roraima to document the presence of the Roraiman avifauna
in Guyana. WSP accompanied an entomological expedition to Mt Ayanganna in
September 1998, making incidental observations of highland birds. Here we document
species encountered on these expeditions that are new to Guyana and/or Mt Roraima.
Background information
The Pantepui region of eastern Guyana, southern Venezuela and northern Brazil is
characterized by tall sandstone table mountains, or tepuis, that rise dramatically out
of savanna- or forest-covered plains to heights of 1,500-3,000 m. Formed by millions
of years of erosion of an ancient uplifted plateau, the tepuis are surrounded by steep,
forested talus slopes, often culminating in dramatic pink or red cliffs of 500 m or
more. The slopes and summits of the tepuis support a distinctive highland flora and
fauna. Because of their isolation from each other and from other highland areas, the
tepuis have a high degree of avian endemism at the species and subspecies level.
The origins of this endemic avifauna have been the subject of several studies that
have been influential in our understanding of processes that generate tropical
biodiversity (Chapman 1931, Mayr & Phelps 1967, Cook 1974).
The Pantepui is divided biogeographically into eastern and western subregions
by the R?o Caron? in southeastern Bol?var, Venezuela (Mayr & Phelps 1967). Many
of the eastern tepuis are arrayed along the borders of Guyana with Venezuela and
Brazil. While the western and southern bases of these tepuis lie in savanna, the north
and east slopes are covered in dense continuous forest due to higher rainfall caused
by prevailing, moisture-laden, northeasterly winds. In Guyana, the eastern tepuis
are known as the Pacaraima Mountains. At 2,810 m, Mt Roraima is the tallest of the
eastern tepuis. Ayanganna lies 90 km east of Mt Roraima, fully within Guyanese
territory and surrounded by forest. It is the easternmost tepui over 2,000m.
Although the eastern subregion occupies a much smaller geographic area than
the western subregion, avian diversity is greater with several endemic species in the
eastern tepuis. This may be due to the higher average elevation of the eastern tepuis
and their proximity to one another (Mayr & Phelps 1967, Cook 1974, Willard et al.
1991). From a plumage standpoint, the eastern tepui endemics include the most
distinctive and highly differentiated tepui birds, such as Red-banded Fruiteater
Pipreola whitelyi, Rose-collared Piha Lipaugus streptophorus, Ruddy Tody-
Flycatcher Todirostrum russatum and Olive-backed Tanager Mitrospingus oleagineus.
Although the area in which they occur is largely pristine, all of these birds are of
conservation concern due to their small global ranges (Stattersfield et al. 1998).
Expansion of mining and logging in this region may soon threaten their habitat.
Study sites and methods
We visited Mt Roraima in March and April 2001, near the end of the local dry
season. From Kamarang, we ascended the Mazaruni, Kako and Waruma rivers by
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26 Bull. B.O.C. 2003 123(1)Michael J. Braun et al.
boat to the highest navigable point (5?29?N, 60?47?W). We then reopened a 26 km
trail cut by previous expeditions to the foot of Roraima (Warren 1973). We camped
at 800 m (5?17?N, 60?45?W) from 18-27 March and at 1,300 m (5?16?N, 60?44?W)
from 28 March-12 April. The 800 m camp was in tall, humid, closed canopy forest
that was transitional between the lowland and montane forests of the area. The 1,300
m camp was in epiphyte-laden cloud forest of lower stature and more open canopy.
From this camp, we could reach a ridge top with stunted forest at 1,500 m, but a
sheer cliff blocked our upward progress beyond that.
At each camp we opened additional trails and surveyed the avifauna with tape
recorders, mist nets, and shotguns. We logged c. 60 observer-days at the 800 m
camp and c. 90 at 1,300 m. We set c. 30 mist nets at each camp, logging c. 2,200 mist
net hrs at 800 m and 3,700 hrs at 1,300 m. We made notes on the habitat, behaviour,
breeding condition and feeding ecology of most species encountered. A representative
series of specimens for many species, including the first anatomical and genetic
samples for several species, are deposited at the US National Museum of Natural
History (USNM), University of Kansas Natural History Museum (KUNHM), and
the University of Guyana. Tape recordings are deposited at the Macaulay Library of
Natural Sounds (MLNS) of the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology. All work was
conducted under research permits issued by the Environmental Protection Agency
of Guyana.
WSP accompanied an entomological expedition to Mt Ayanganna (5?24?N,
60?00?W) in September 1998 and photographed mist-netted birds (photos on file at
USNM).
Results and discussion
Brief accounts are given below for twenty-six species for which significant new
distributional information was gathered on these expeditions. Twenty-four species
are new to the Guyana list since the compilation of Snyder (1966). Eight of these
(Otus roraimae, Aeronautes montivagus, Campylopterus hyperythrus, Xenops
tenuirostris, Todirostrum russatum, Knipolegus poecilurus, Tangara xanthogastra
and Atlapetes personatus) appeared in the list of Braun et al. (2000); details for their
inclusion are provided here. Twenty-two of the new species for Guyana are
documented by physical evidence (specimen, photograph and/or tape recording).
We encountered four species (Aegolius harrisi, Cypseloides phelpsi, Aeronautes
montivagus, and Colibri delphinae) that were not listed for the highland avifauna of
Mt Roraima in the compilation of Willard et al. (1991). Omission of a fifth species,
Tangara punctata, appears to be an oversight, as the species was mentioned by both
Chapman (1931) and Chubb (1916). Mt Roraima is the best studied of all tepuis
ornithologically and these additions bring its list to 89 species, or 86% of the total
Pantepui highland avifauna treated by Willard et al. (1991).
Taxa marked with asterisks are new to Guyana since Snyder (1966). Letters in
parentheses following the scientific names denote the following: E- endemic species
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27 Bull. B.O.C. 2003 123(1)Michael J. Braun et al.
of the Pantepui; EE- endemic species restricted to the eastern tepuis; S- specimen;
T- tape recording.
*TEPUI SCREECH-OWL Otus roraimae (E, T)
One or more were heard daily in our 800 m camp on Roraima at dawn and dusk. The
species was also heard irregularly at 1,300 m. It was previously known in Guyana
from a tape recording made at the Waruma River landing in 1994 (MBR; MLNS
85789) and a specimen (KUNHM 89695) taken in the Acari Mts in 1998.
*BUFF-FRONTED OWL Aegolius harrisi (T)
A single bird sang briefly at 0330 h and 0515 h on 29 March above our tents at the
1,300 m camp on Mt Roraima. Either the same or another individual weakly
responded to pre-recorded tape on the early evening of 4 April near the same camp.
What was probably a different individual was tape-recorded by CMM on 8 April at
1,450 m. Although there are only two previous records for Pantepui (Cerro Neblina,
Willard et al. 1991; Auy?n-tepui, Barrowclough et al. 1997), this largely overlooked
species is now known from a number of localities in South America (Konig et al.
1999).
TEPUI SWIFT Cypseloides phelpsi (E, S)
During clear weather, this swift was seen daily in flocks of 10-300 individuals on
Mt Roraima. We recorded it from 500-1,500 m, usually flying high overhead at
elevations up to c. 2,300 m. Occasional groups came much lower over rivers, forest
clearings and savannas to feed. On 18 April, c. 30 individuals were seen at close
range (< 100 m) over a small savanna at 5?31?N, 60?44?W. At least four of these
birds appeared entirely dark in plumage (MBR, CMM). Although Black Swift C.
niger and White-chinnied Swift C. cryptus are known in Guyana (Snyder 1966,
Stiles & Negret 1994), we suspect that these all dark birds were juvenile C. phelpsi,
because they appeared indistinguishable from adjacent adults in size and shape, and
immature C. phelpsi are reported to lack the chestnut collar (Chantler & Driessens
2000). Three of four adults we collected were in breeding condition, which supports
Collins?s (1972) supposition that the species breeds at the onset of the rainy season.
The only previous specimens from Guyana were collected by Whitely in the Merume
Mts in the 1800s (Collins 1972).
*WHITE-TIPPED SWIFT Aeronautes montivagus
This species was observed on two occasions, in small groups of 3-4 birds, at eye
level at c. 1,500 m on Mt Roraima (MBR, BJO). There were prior Guyana sight
records from the Kanuku Mts (Parker et al. 1993) and Kaieteur Falls (D. W. Finch,
MBR, MJB and CMM, pers. obs.).
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28 Bull. B.O.C. 2003 123(1)Michael J. Braun et al.
*RUFOUS-BREASTED SABREWING Campylopterus hyperythrus (EE, S, T)
This eastern tepui endemic was mist-netted and photographed on Mt Ayanganna by
WSP in September 1998. It was fairly common on Mt Roraima from c. 1,000 m
upwards, becoming common to abundant at 1,300 m and above. The birds used all
levels of the forest from undergrowth to canopy, and were especially abundant at
flowering trees, with up to 20 individuals noted at one tree. Undoubtedly, the ?green
and orange humming-bird? filmed by the 1971 expedition to Mt Roraima (Warren
1973, p.63) was also this species.
*SPARKLING VIOLETEAR Colibri coruscans
Two individuals seen at a flowering tree on 9 April by MBR and BJO in broken
ridgetop forest at 1,500 m on Roraima constitute our only record. This species is
likely more common in the stunted vegetation along the talus slopes at the base of
the rock cliffs.
BROWN VIOLETEAR Colibri delphinae (S, T)
This species was commonly seen visiting midlevel and canopy flowers and making
aerial sallies for insects above 1,000 m on Roraima. Its omission from the Roraima
list of Willard et al. (1991) appears to be an oversight, as it was mentioned for
Roraima by both Chapman (1931) and Chubb (1916). However, the fact that no
specimens were taken on Roraima and only three on Mt Duida by major expeditions
in 1927 and 1928 (Chapman 1931) suggests that this species may be more common
on the humid northern and eastern slopes of Roraima, where we encountered it in
relatively large numbers.
*RED-RUMPED WOODPECKER Veniliornis kirkii (S, T)
The species was uncommon from 1,200 m upwards on Roraima, with 1-2 individuals
recorded almost daily. Recently fledged young were seen with adults on 30 March
(MBR). The species was primarily encountered in the forest canopy and subcanopy,
occasionally joining mixed-species flocks.
*WHITE-THROATED FOLIAGE-GLEANER Automolus roraimae (E, S, T)
This endemic was scarce at 800 m but became uncommon above 1,200 m on Mt
Roraima. It was found mostly in relatively dense undergrowth but was seen
occasionally in the moss-laden subcanopy with mixed-species flocks. Although the
species vocalized infrequently, gonads, enlarged and with convoluted oviducts,
indicate that breeding had occurred just prior to our visit.
*SLENDER-BILLED XENOPS Xenops tenuirostris (S)
A specimen (USNM 626868) collected from a canopy mixed flock at 1100 m on Mt
Roraima on 10 April by MJB was our only record. The bird appeared smaller than
Plain Xenops X. minutus and moved faster, more like a nuthatch. It responded strongly
to squeaking and an imitation of a pygmy owl Glaucidium sp. This is the first
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29 Bull. B.O.C. 2003 123(1)Michael J. Braun et al.
specimen record for Guyana, but there have been two prior sight records (Parker et
al. 1993, Anonymous 1999).
*STREAK-BACKED ANTSHRIKE Thamnophilus insignis (E, S, T)
This species was uncommon from 1,100 m upward on Mt Roraima. It was usually
encountered in pairs in the understory, ascending occasionally to the subcanopy.
The species was heard vocalizing only occasionally during our stay.
*SCALED ANTPITTA Grallaria guatimalensis (S, T)
Birds were heard infrequently at our 800 m camp on Mt Roraima but above 1,200
m, this species was quite common and sang persistently. As many as 8-10 could be
heard per day in the area of our 1,300 m camp, singing from perches ranging from
near ground level to >10 m high. We recorded three distinct vocalizations. The most
frequent was a long series of low hooting notes with three longer, more emphatic
notes in the middle. This song has been recorded throughout much of the range of
the species without marked variation (e.g., Krabbe & Coopmans 2000). An
uncommon variant of this song was higher-pitched and somewhat Otus-like. The
third vocalization, given frequently at dawn, was a shorter, simpler, also Otus-like
series. A very similar alternate vocalization appears to be given by the Moustached
Antpitta G. alleni (L. Renjifo and MJB, unpublished data) and may perhaps be
expected from other members of the guatimalensis complex.
*TEPUI ANTPITTA Myrmothera simplex (E, S, T)
This endemic was recorded as low as 700 m but was most common above 1,200 m
on Mt Roraima. The species sang frequently in the morning and evening; both its
song and low, chuckling alarm calls were similar to those of its lowland congener,
the Thrush-like Antpitta M. campanisona. Birds stayed within 1-2 m of the ground
and responded vigorously to playback often by running rather than hopping in short
spurts of 2-3 m. A nest with eggs, discovered at 700 m on 24 March by BRB and
MBR, will be described elsewhere.
*SLATE-CROWNED ANTPITTA Grallaricula nana (S, T)
Although seen infrequently, this species was captured almost daily in mist nets at
1,300 m on Mt Roraima. It was never heard singing but individuals flushed along
the trail gave single-noted calls.
*CHAPMAN?S TYRANNULET Phylloscartes chapmani (E, S, T)
This little-known flycatcher was common in the forest mid-story and subcanopy
from 900 to 1,500 m on Mt Roraima. It was mostly seen in pairs or family groups,
often with mixed flocks. On several occasions, birds were seen quickly raising one
wing to a fully open, vertical position where it was held for perhaps a second before
closing. This distinctive behaviour occurs in several other tyrannid genera.
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30 Bull. B.O.C. 2003 123(1)Michael J. Braun et al.
*BLACK-FRONTED TYRANNULET Phylloscartes nigrifrons (E, S, T)
This endemic was considerably less common on Mt Roraima than its congener, P.
chapmani. Although the first specimen was taken from a midstory mixed-species
flock at 800 m, we found it mostly above 1,000 m, where it was uncommon inhabitant
of the canopy and subcanopy.
*RUDDY TODY-FLYCATCHER Todirostrum russatum (EE, S, T)
This eastern tepui endemic was mist-netted and photographed by WSP on Mt
Ayanganna in September 1998. It was fairly common in the forest undergrowth on
Mt Roraima from 1,200 m upward. The species was typically found in pairs, often
giving a short series of ticking notes.
*RUFOUS-TAILED TYRANT Knipolegus poecilurus (S)
This species was uncommon around tree falls and in stunted ridge crest forest from
1,300 m upward on Mt Roraima. The only previous records from Guyana are from
the Acari Mts in the extreme south in 1998 (USNM and KUNHM, unpublished
data).
*TEPUI WREN Troglodytes rufulus (E, S, T)
With the single exception of a pair at c. 1,400 m, all other individuals encountered
were in stunted vegetation along a knife-like ridge at 1,500 m on Mt Roraima.
Presumably, it is more common in the more extensive, stunted vegetation along the
talus slopes at the base of the rock cliff. Pairs were encountered in dense undergrowth,
creeping through tangles, on the ground, or over rocks and logs. The song, which is
simple, high-pitched, and thrush-like, seems atypical for a Troglodytes.
*YELLOW-LEGGED THRUSH Platycichla flavipes (T)
We had only one definite record of this forest thrush on Mt Roraima. A bird was
tape-recorded at the same site at 1,000 m on 5, 6 and 10 April (CMM, MJB). The
singing bird was seen in the subcanopy by BJO on 6 April and diagnostic field
marks were noted (all dark plumage and irides, yellow bill, feet and eyering). None
were mist-netted, although we were within the elevational range given for the bird
in the tepuis by Meyer de Schauensee & Phelps (1978).
*GREATER FLOWER-PIERCER Diglossa major (EE, S, T)
This gigantic flower-piercer was fairly common in the cloud forest canopy and
subcanopy from 1,200 m upward on Roraima. Presumed pairs and single birds were
observed in mixed-species flocks and visiting flowering and fruiting trees. On several
occasions individuals were seen making aerial sallies for insects above the canopy
flowering trees and once in a mid-level forest light gap. The spectacular size of this
Diglossa, 1.5 to 3 times as large as any of its congeners (Isler & Isler 1987), and the
fact that it has a small and isolated range in the eastern tepuis, suggests that it is an
example of insular gigantism. The Tepui Wren, and tepui subspecies of Great
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31 Bull. B.O.C. 2003 123(1)Michael J. Braun et al.
Antshrike Taraba major duidae, Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis
macconnelli and Wedge-tailed Grass-Finch Emberizoides herbicola duidae are other
Pantepui endemics that may exhibit the same phenomenon.
*WHITE-WINGED TANAGER Piranga leucoptera (S)
Only two pairs of this tanager were encountered, both at 1,300 m in the forest canopy
on Mt Roraima. One pair was visiting a flowering tree. A male and a female specimen
(USNM 626850 and 626849) document these first records for Guyana.
*SPECKLED TANAGER Tangara guttata (S)
One specimen (USNM 626866), mist-netted in stunted ridgetop forest at 1,500 m
on Mt Roraima on 9 April, was our only record and the first for Guyana. This is
often a common species in the foothills of the Andes and Central America and it
may be more common in forest edge habitats (Meyer de Schauensee & Phelps 1978),
which were scarce on our route. However, there is some indication that it varies
widely in abundance in the Pantepui region. At collecting stations where it was
noted by Chapman (1931), 1, 1 and 38 individuals were taken at three stations on Mt
Roraima and 1 was taken on Mt Duida. Only one specimen and one sighting were
recorded on two expeditions to Cerro de la Neblina (Willard et al. 1991). Yet it is
reported to be common on Cerro Tamacuar? (Barrowclough et al. 1995) and Cerro
Guaiquinima (J. Perez-Eman, pers. comm.).
*YELLOW-BELLIED TANAGER Tangara xanthogastra (S)
This species was fairly common in pairs and small groups in the forest canopy on
Mt Roraima from 1,100 m upwards. The only previous Guyana record was a single
bird collected from a pair seen in 1996 in the Iwokrama Mts (Anonymous 1999).
*TEPUI BRUSH-FINCH Atlapetes personatus (E, S, T)
This highly polymorphic finch was mist-netted and photographed on Mt Ayanganna
by WSP in September 1998. It was uncommon in dense cloud forest undergrowth
from 1,200 m upwards on Mt Roraima. We usually found them in pairs that
infrequently sang duets.
*SLATY FINCH Haplospiza rustica
A subadult male of this rare finch was mist-netted and photographed on Mt Ayanganna
by WSP in September 1998. Single specimens from Chimanta-tepui and Neblina
are the only previously published Pantepui records (Willard et al. 1991).
With the data presented herein, only 11 of the 33 Roraiman species listed by Snyder
(1966) remain unrecorded or inadequately documented from Guyana (Braun et al.
2000). These are Band-tailed Pigeon Columba fasciata, Band-winged Nightjar
Caprimulgus longirostris, Roraiman Nightjar Caprimulgus whitelyi, Sharp-tailed
Streamcreeper Lochmias nematura, White-throated Tyrannulet Mecocerculus
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leucophrys, Green-backed Becard Pachyramphus viridis, Tawny-headed Swallow
Alopochelidon fucata, Lawrence?s Thrush Turdus lawrenci, Blue-hooded Euphonia
Euphonia musica, Paramo Seedeater Catemenia homochroa and Slate-colored
Seedeater Sporophila schistacea. Two other species not listed by Snyder belong in
the same category: Great Elaenia Elaenia dayi and Tepui Goldenthroat Polytmus
milleri (Meyer de Schauensee & Phelps 1978, Willard et al. 1991). With the possible
exception of Turdus lawrenci, a lowland species, it seems likely that all these birds
will ultimately be found in Guyana as the higher elevations and specialized
microhabitats of the Pacaraima Mts are fully explored.
Acknowledgements
We are grateful for the advice, assistance and support of Vicki Funk, Carol Kelloff, Dyantie Naraine,
Romeo Williams, Claudius Perry, and the communities of Kamarang and Kako village, especially Kelly
and Derek Kramer, Wallen Williams, Ferriman Austin and Wesley Roland. Logistical and financial
support was provided by the Biological Diversity of the Guianas program (USNM) and the Center for
the Study of Biodiversity (UG). The Guyana Environmental Protection Agency kindly granted fieldwork
and export permits. Major funding for the Roraima expedition was provided by a grant from the National
Geographic Society to Robbins and Braun. Robbins? involvement was also supported through a grant
from the Blake Fund of the Nuttall Ornithological Club. Partial funding of Barber?s participation was
through the generosity of the Rudkin Award for Undergraduate Research at the University of Kansas
and the Burroughs Audubon Society. C. Feare, C. Sharpe, D. Ascanio and J.Perez-Eman provided helpful
comments on the manuscript. This is number 70 in the Smithsonian?s Biological Diversity of the Guianas
Program publication series.
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Papers 5. Conservation International, Washington, D.C.
Phelps, W. H., Sr. 1938. La procedencia geogr?fica de las aves coleccionadas en el Cerro Roraima. Bol.
Soc. Venezolana Cien. Nat. 36: 83-95.
Snyder, D. E. 1966. The birds of Guyana. Peabody Museum, Salem.
Stattersfield, A. J., Crosby, M. J., Long, A. J., & Wege, D. C. 1998. Endemic Bird Areas of the world.
Priorities for biodiversity conservation. BirdLife Conservation Series. No. 7.
Stiles, F. G. & Negret, A. J. 1994. The nonbreeding distribution of the Black Swift: a clue from Colombia
and unsolved problems. Condor 96:1091-1094.
Warren, A. 1973. Report of the British expedition to Mt Roraima in South America. Privately Printed.
152 pp.
Willard, D. E., Foster, M. S., Barrowclough, G. F., Dickerman, R. W., Cannell, P. F., Coats, S. L.,
Cracraft, J. L., & O?Neill, J. P. 1991. The birds of Cerro de la Neblina, Territorio Federal Amazonas,
Venezuela. Fieldiana: Zoology, N. S. 65: 1-80.
Addresses: Michael J. Braun, Dept. Of Systematic Biology and Laboratory of Analytical Biology, National
Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, 4210 Silver Hill Rd., Suitland, Maryland 20746,
USA; Mark B. Robbins, Division of Ornithology, University of Kansas Natural History Museum,
Lawrence, Kansas 66045, USA; Christopher M. Milensky, Division of Birds, Smithsonian Institution,
P.O. Box 37012, NHB E607, MRC-116, Washington, DC 20013-7012, USA; Brian J. O?Shea, 2242
N. Lincoln Park West, Apt. 3-E, Chicago, Illinois 60614; Brian R. Barber, Division of Ornithology,
University of Kansas Natural History Museum, Lawrence, Kansas 66045, USA; Wiltshire Hinds,
Center for the Study of Biodiversity, University of Guyana, Georgetown, Guyana, and Waldyke S.
Prince, Center for the Study of Biodiversity, University of Guyana, Georgetown, Guyana.
? British Ornithologists? Club 2003
Notes on some genera and subgenera of rails (Rallidae)
by John Penhallurick
Received 31 October 2001
For some years I have been compiling a database of the ?unabbreviated? first
occurrence of every generic, subgeneric, specific and subspecific name applied to
birds since Linnaeus (1758), but also including pre-Linnean names, and early
vernacular names where these served as the basis for later scientific names. I mention
?unabbreviated? because a major problem in many nineteenth-century works is the
use of abbreviations for both the names of authors and the titles of both monographs
and periodicals. For example, ?Bp. Consp. Vol. Zygod. p. 7 (1854)? or ?Forst. Descr.
Anim. p. 151. (1844)?. The former is: Bonaparte, 1854, ?Conspectus Volucrum
Zygodactylorum? in Ateneo Italiano, 2, p. 7; and the latter: J. R. Forster, 1844,
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