"This is the first comprehensive book about the birds of this fascinating group of volcanic islands in the southwest Pacific, the former French and British condominium of the New Hebrides. It contains a checklist and detailed notes on identification, behaviour, habitat, breeding and distribution for the 121 species known to have occurred there but it is much more than a guide book. An important educational section, included with the intention of stimulating further local research, is a discussion on the avifauna and conservation, classification of birds, notes on the text and hints for bird waters. The educational aspect is underlined in the lengthy introduction by Dr. Marcus Chambers, environmental adviser to the government of Vanuatu from 1986-89, which covers the geography, geology, climate, flora and fauna, agriculture and forestry resources and wildlife conservation."--Book Jacket.