Preliminary study of the avifauna of the families Numididae and Phasianidae (Galliformes) of the Bombo-Lumene hunting area and reserve in Kinshasa (DR Congo)

The present study consisted of the identification of Numididae and Phasianidae birds of the Bombo-Lumene Hunting Estate and Reserve with a view to a domestication trial of one or two of their species. It focuses on direct field observations and trapping of birds. The following parameters were targeted in relation to domestication: weight, size, diet of these birds. A total of 468 bird specimens were observed (105) and captured (363) in various habitats. Of the individuals captured, 31 or 8.5% were Numididae and 332 or 91.4% were Phasianidae. The identification revealed five (5) species, three (3) genera, two (2) families and a single order. The species Francolinus afer, Numida meleagris and Francolinus coqui are the richest with respectively 364 individuals, 58 individuals and 42 individuals. On the other hand, the species Guttera pucherani and Francolinus streptophorus are the least rich with three individuals and one individual respectively. As millet farming has already been successfully experimented elsewhere and in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the results obtained from the targeted parameters indicate that among the species identified, only the species Guttera pucherani (Numididae) and Francolinus afer (Phasianidae) are eligible for a domestication trial in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

PREAMBLE

The celebration of Luther’s Reformation this year brings up once again the question of sola Scriptura, and in particular the problem of the role of tradition. We tend to think that tradition is the hunting estate of the Roman Catholic Church. However, Benjamin B. Warfield reminded us that outside the Reformed faith, with its coherent doctrine of revelation and inspiration, we fall into the snares of either mysticism or rationalism. We still face both today. The tradition of the Roman Church tends towards mysticism, saints, and the numinously miraculous, while the tradition of Enlightenment humanism is all around us in rationalism in its postmodern forms, self-evident scientific truths, and politically correct liberalism with its dogmas of tolerance and social constructionism.