Birds of 11 species were observed feeding on fruits of Miconia rubiginosa (Bonpl.)DL between February and March 1985 in Itirapina cerrado, State of São Paulo, Brazil. The feeding strategies of birds with regards to fruit use, and the role of the fruits as food resources for the birds in cerrado are analyzed.

This study on the biology and reproductive behavior of Sporophila lineola (Linnaeus, 1758) was carried in a Citrus reticulata Blanco plantation near Campinas, Brazil. A blind was used for observations near the four nests. These were built on the branches of C. reticulata, and were made of grass roots. The clutch varies from two to three eggs. Both male and female or only female, feed the nestings with insects such as dragonfly and caterpillar, carried across their bill.

Use of nest-boxes for management of cavity nesting birds in anthropic areas can give good results. In November 1987, data collection begun in UNICAMP, Campinas (São Paulo), with the objective of favouring establishment and increase in urban bird communities. The House Wren (Troglodytes aedon Viellot. 1807) and House Sparrow (Passer domesticus Linnaeus, 1758) used the nest boxes for reproduction. Nests were collected and analysed (weight, used materials, incubation chamber materials, nest form). House Sparrow used thin materials, like straw, paper and plastic, while house wren used heavy materials, like sticks, wire and tabs of soff drink cans. The nest-boxes offered favorable conditions to bird reproduction and protection in disturbed areas, and showed signs of leading to increase in diversity of species, that might use this nest-boxes for reproduction in the future.

São relatadas observações relativas à divisão de trabalho em cuidados à prole em Sicalis flaveola brasiliensis (Gmelin) e S. f. pelzelni (Sclater), em condições de cativeiro.

Observations relating to the division of labour for young care in Sicalis flaveola brasiliensis (Gmelin) and S. f. pelzelni (Sclater), in captivity, are presented.

Relatam-se experiências feitas com exemplares de Sicalis flaveola brasiliensis, reintroduzidos, a partir de aves criadas em cativeiro e também recentemente capturadas, para repovoar a fazenda Jatibaia, em Campinas, Estado de São Paulo.

Experiments made with Sicalis flaveola brasiliensis are related. Specimens both bred in captivity and recently captured were realeased to recolonize the farm Jatibaia, at Campinas, state of São Paulo, Brazil.

Sixpairs of Volatina jacarina have been studied under captivity condition. Territorial defense was displayed by male as well as by female, through agonistic displays joined to characteristic vocalization. Several vocalizations have been identified and described. Courtship behaviour have also been observed. Male and female contributed both to the building of the nest, which is of the cup type, but the male alone was responsible for the chosen place. The average number of eggs by clutch was 2.3 (n = 2.8). Incubation have been depending on the sole female and the average incubation period was 10.6 days (n = 10). Both male and female fed the young with small arthropods and seeds. Nestlings remained in the nest for nine days (n = 9). A gular sac was present in the adults while they fed their young. Independence of the young was adquired in about one month. An internuptial plumage appeared during the non-reproductive period.

This study is based on observations of behaviour of the bird species which visit and feed on 2 species of Cecropia catkins in three localities of the Atlantic forest, SP. A total of 31 species was observed visiting Cecropia; out of these, 17 were seen feeding on the catkins. Two species of the family Psittacidae were observed as seed predators. Seed germination tests of the seeds obtained from the birds' feces eating C. adenopus catkins proved that they function as dispersal agents.