Birds imported into the United States 1972 are tabulated by species. Total numbers for the period 1968-1972 are given for the more commonly imported taxa. The number of birds imported in 1972 (640,995) decreased by about one third from that of 1971, largely as a result of a ban declared on the importation of birds in August 1972 due to the outbreak of exotic Newcastle disease. Much of the decrease in numbers was a result of a large decrease in the numbers of parrots imported. In 1972 parrots accounted for under 9% of all birds imported, compared with nearly 25% of all imports the previous year. In 1972, 624 species were imported of which 105 had not been reported in the previous 4 years; since 1968, approximately 1,540 species have been imported. Birds were imported from 53 countries; 10 countries provided nearly 95% of the individual birds. The proportion of presumably wild-caught birds increased to about 86% compared with about 77% in 1971.

Information on reptiles and amphibians imported into the United States is available only for 1970 and 1971. Turtles were the most commonly imported reptiles, frogs and toads the most commonly imported amphibians.

February issue includes Appendix entitled Directory of United States Government periodicals and subscription publications; September issue includes List of depository libraries; June and December issues include semiannual index

A bibliography comprising annotated citations of 2037 scientific and technical publications from ten series issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Includes a six-page introduction containing a history of the Service and a description of the research and development series.