Royal Decree 439/1990, of 30 March, regulating the National Catalogue of Endangered Species, approved under the development of Law 4/1989, of March 28, of Conservation of Natural Spaces and of Flora and Fauna In its Articles 4 and 5, in the case of wild animals, the inclusion or exclusion of a species, subspecies, or population in that catalogue, as well as the change of category within it, shall be carried out by means of a ministerial order, after the National Commission for the Protection of Nature.

In turn, Royal Decree 2488/1994 of 23 December, determining the functions of the National Commission for the Protection of Nature, in its Article 2, (d) 1, provides that this body shall exercise the function, inter alia, to propose the cataloging, uncataloging or change of category of species, subspecies or populations included in the National Catalogue of Threatened Species.

According to the above, the National Commission, in session held on 8 February 2001, agreed to report favourably and propose the inclusion in the National Catalogue of Threatened Species, in the category of "Vulnerable", to the Pyrenean Urogallo, for having suffered its population a remarkable regression, as well as to change to a category of greater protection to the Alcaudon Chico, for estimating that the regressive process that is also suffering this species, advises to amend its current status as a "Special Interest" figure to that of "Endangered".

This is why, on the proposal of the National Commission for the Protection of Nature, pursuant to Article 5 of Royal Decree 439/1990 of 30 March, which regulates the National Catalogue of Species Threatened, I have:

First. -Includes the subspecies Urogallo pirenaico (Tetrao urogallus aquitanicus) in the National Catalogue of Threatened Species, in the category of "Vulnerable".

Second. -Changes of category, within the National Catalogue of Threatened Species, the species Alcaudon Chico (Lanius minor). It is included in the "Endangered" category and is excluded from the "Special Interest" category.

Third. This Order shall enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the "Official Gazette of the State".

Madrid, 28 May 2000.

MATAS I PALOU