Abstract. - This review by N. J. Collar (Birdlife International) addresses some key concerns in modern (ca. 1960s onwards) ornithological taxonomic research that are also applicable to other groups of animals and plants. The most interesting issue raised is that of specimen collecting versus conservation, referring primarily to the famous (or infamous?) African species, the Bulo Burti Bush-shrike (Laniarius liberatus), which was described by Smith et al. (1991) without specimen evidence.

Only moulted feathers, blood samples and DNA were retained as type material while the sole living specimen was released. Collar defends this action, and suggests that the negative reactions it invoked reflect a broader concern of professional museum workers regarding the role of conservation and amateur field workers. In this session, I will provide more details about the discovery of the Bulo Burti Bush-shrike, and highlight interesting/pertinent points from Collar's (1999) paper for discussion, especially his standpoint on the bird's release and the ensuing controversy.

References:
Collar, N. J., 1999. "New species, high standards and the case of Laniarius liberatus. Ibis, 141: 358-367.
Smith, E. F. G., P. Arctander, J. Fjeldså and O. G. Amir, 1991. A new species of shrike (Laniidae: Laniarius) from Somalia, verified by DNA sequence data from the only know individual. Ibis, 133: 227-235.