SUMMARYDiamond, J. M. 1975. Preliminary results of an ornithological exploration of the islands of Vitiaz and Dampier Straits, Papua New Guinea. Emu 76: 1–7.The avifaunas of all major islands and many small islands in Vitiaz and Dampier Straits, Papua New Guinea, were surveyed in 1972. Marsh and waterbirds found at Lake Buan and the crater lakes of Umboi includedEgretta intermedia, Dendocygna arcuata, Dendrocygna guttataandHimantopus himantopus.Bismarck endemic species of restricted distribution occurring in the mountains of Umboi wereHenicophaps foersteri, Ducula melanochroa, Zoothera talaseae, Rhipidura dahliandZosterops hypoxantha.Other records of interest are the first record ofAnas acutafor the New Guinean region;Accipiter luteoschistaceus, Accipter meyerianusandPhylloscopus trivirgatuson Umboi;Falco berigoraandNumenius madagascariensison Long;Turdus poliocephalusin the mountains of Tolokiwa; andErythrura trichroain the mountains of four islands.Pachycephala pectoralisandPachycephala melanura dahliwere taken in the same net-line on Tolokiwa, confirming that they are separate species. Black myzomelid populations of the Bismarcks, such aspammelaena, appear to be related to the myzomelid superspecies of the Solomon Islands, not toMyzomela nigrita.