In Brazil Scarlet Ibis Eudocimus ruber occurs mainly in the north, southeast and south. During the 1900s, there was a significant reduction in the number of records in the latter two regions of the country, but this began to change in the early 1980s, when numbers of Scarlet Ibis gradually started to increase over the years. We contextualise the history of the species in south and south-east Brazil, and discuss the causes for its apparent disappearance and reappearance in these regions. We believe that anthropogenic factors, coupled with the species' ecology, were responsible for the reduction and subsequent resurgence of Scarlet Ibis.

White-sand vegetation (WSV) enclaves occur throughout Amazonia. WSV, known in Brazil as campina or campinarana, possesses peculiar floral and faunal communities, different from those in adjacent forests but with biogeographic affinities to those in similar ecosystems far distant. Recent ornithological studies of these ‘islands’ have yielded new taxa for science and enabled a better understanding of the zoogeography of many poorly known species in Amazonia. Here we report the results of an ornithological survey of a campinarana enclave in north-west Rondônia, southern Amazonian Brazil. The area was inventoried three times in 2010–12, totalling 899 net / hours and 110 hours of observations. A total of 171 bird species was identified, belonging to 44 families. Among them, at least nine species are closely associated with WSV: Green-tailed Goldenthroat Polytmus theresiae, White-fringed Antwren Formicivora grisea, Natterer's Slaty Antshrike Thamnophilus stictocephalus, Black Manakin Xenopipo atronitens, Plain-crested Elaenia Elaenia cristata, Pale-bellied Mourner Rhytipterna immunda, Campina Flycatcher Cnemotriccus fuscatus duidae, Plush-crested Jay Cyanocorax chrysops diesingii and Red-shouldered Tanager Tachyphonus phoenicius. Approximately 8% of the species recorded are migratory, most of them austral migrants. In addition, body mass and morphometrics of 136 individuals from 55 species are presented. Our results augment ornithological knowledge in Rondônia, aid our understanding of regional zoogeography, and serve as an alert to the need to preserve a region that has suffered severe anthropogenic impacts for >100 years.

The first records of Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Calidris acuminata for Mozambique and continental Africa (1–2 adults, 4 February–16 April 2018), and additional records of Pectoral Sandpiper C. melanotos in Mozambique (1–2 birds, 20 February–31 March 2018) are reported, all at Macaneta, Maputo province. Identification features of these two species attaining breeding plumage are detailed and patterns of occurrence in Africa are discussed.

The rugged peaks of the Sierra del Carmen, Coahuila, visible from the Chisos Mountains in Texas, have tempted birdwatchers for decades, yet few have accessed the range, and its avifauna is poorly known. Based primarily on our own observations, supplemented by the literature, museum holdings and eBird records, we present an updated list of the region's avifauna. This list comprises 301 species, 137 of which breed in the region. As in previous surveys, we found bird species characteristic of both the intermontane West and tropical mountains to the south. We confirm that the Sierra del Carmen is slightly less speciose than sky islands of the Sierra Madre Occidental. Nevertheless, it is the northernmost outpost or migratory stopover of several regionally and globally rare species, and could serve as a stepping stone for species moving north with climate change. Although not a centre of endemism, the Sierra del Carmen is a vital and unique region for avian diversity.

Vol. 5 of The Ibis (1863) contained four loose inserts advertising specimens for sale by the natural history dealer Samuel Stevens. One of these represents the remaining stock of birds obtained by Alfred Russel Wallace during his expedition to the Malay Archipelago in 1854–62. A total of 246 specimens from eight regions were listed, with prices ranging from three to 20 shillings, plus ten specimens priced at more than £1. The most expensive items were a pair of Standardwing Bird-of-paradise Semioptera wallacii, and a fine example of the Twelve-wired Bird-of-paradise Seleucidis melanoleucus. Only one copy of this insert is known to survive, because they appear to have been removed when the volumes were bound and preserved. All 246 specimens are listed according to the original print version, with the addition of current scientific and vernacular names.

Recent phylogenetic analyses showing that Australian Magpie and Black Butcherbird are sister taxa and together comprise the sister group of other Australo-Papuan butcherbirds have justified an expanded Cracticus. This treatment reflects earlier arguments that Australian Magpie's distinctive traits are simply adaptations to terrestrialism and not a sound basis for recognition of a monotypic Gymnorhina. Acknowledging the expediency of a broad Cracticus, we reviewed data from anatomy, plumage, nidification and voice to reassess the optimal number of genera for the group, in particular whether Melloria is warranted for Black Butcherbird. Australian Magpie has multiple unique traits, including many without obvious adaptive significance for terrestrial foraging or open habitat. It shares with Black Butcherbird glossy black plumage, long tarsus and deep temporal fossa, and short currawong-like calls. Black Butcherbird's rounded wing is possibly adaptive for closed-forest habitats. We recommend use of Gymnorhina, Melloria and Cracticus to represent this evolutionary diversity within the butcherbird-magpie clade.

The melanistic variety of Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa was described from a small population in western France around the 1850s. In this region, the Red-legged Partridge population as a whole was hunted, but melanistic individuals were targeted for both private and museum bird collections, and by 1865 the variety was extinct in western France. An extensive search for extant specimens documented 13 melanistic birds in six museums, and their details are presented here. Remarkably, some of these specimens were collected in areas elsewhere in France or even in other countries. After 1915, the allele for melanism appears to have been lost within the Red-legged Partridge population as a whole, and we discuss possible reasons for this.

‘…, nous sommes persuadé que cette perdrix qui tend à demeurer en Anjou [now Maine-et-Loire] se multipliera dans quelques années, au grand contentement des amateurs de la chasse et de l'ornithologie.’ […, we are persuaded that this partridge which tends to remain in Anjou will multiply in a few years, to the great satisfaction of the amateurs of hunting and ornithology.] (de Soland 1861: 146).