PHIL HOCKEY was a leading international specialist on birds and Director of the Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology at the University of Cape Town. He was a recognized authority on the biology of southern African birds, with a special interest in coastal and migratory species. He wrote several books, among them Waders of Southern Africa and Beautiful Birds of Southern Africa, and was Editor-in-chief of the 7th edition of Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa.

Peter Ryan is Director of the FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology at the University of Cape Town. Seabirds are Peter's special area of interest. He is a keen bird photographer, has travelled widely in pursuit of birds and has authored several key books on the subject, with particular reference to the various subantarctic islands of the region.

Ian Sinclair is recognised as one of Africa's foremost fi eld birders and has led many expeditions to find and research birds. He is the most published author on the birds of Africa and its adjacent islands and has written over 20 bird books.

Warwick Tarboton is a recognised ornithologist who has produced a number of well-received books, and has been awarded the Gill Memorial Medal for services to ornithology.