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The Farewell Spit gannetry – a new sea level colony

Notornis, 35 (4), 249-260

Hawkins, J.M. (1988)

Article Type: Paper

A new breeding colony of Australasian Gannets (Sula bassana serrator) is recorded from Farewell Spit, Nelson. From small beginnings in 1981 and a major roost of c. 300 in 1983, the colony has increased steadily from c. 75 breeding pairs in the 1983-84 season to c. 600 in 1987-88. Two birds breeding at the site had been banded as chicks at White Island, Bay of Plenty.

The Hakawai

Notornis, 35 (3), 215-216

R. Galbreath, C.M. Miskelly (1988)

Article Type: Short Note

Osteological differences between Sula and Morus, and a description of an extinct new species of Sula from Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands, Tasman Sea

Notornis, 35 (1), 35-57

van Tets, G.F., Meredith, C.W., Fullagar, P.J., Davidson, P.M. (1988)

Article Type: Paper

Osteological differences between boobies, Sula, and gannets, Morus, were found for every major element examined. These differences confirm that Sula and Morus are generically distinct. Sula tasmani n.sp. is described from bones found in aeolian coral sand dunes at Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands, Tasman Sea. Sula tasmani is larger than extant and known fossil species of Sula, the upper part of its massive bill being more concave laterally.

Breeding behaviour of the long-tailed cuckoo on Little Barrier Island

Notornis, 35 (2), 89-98

I.G. McLean (1988)

Article Type: Paper

Long-tailed cuckoos (Eudynamys taitensis) were studied on Little Barrier Island during three summers. The only species of host was the Whitehead (Mohoua albicilla). Rates of brood parasitism on the island were 18.1% overall, 35.7% at altitudes above 250 m, and 5.4% at altitudes below 250 m. The breeding season for cuckoos probably lasted for 4-6 weeks from mid-November, suggesting that early nests of the Whitehead escaped brood parasitism. The available information suggests that the major hosts of the cuckoo are the Whitehead, the Yellowhead, and possibly the Brown Creeper, although other hosts are used occasionally. As adult cuckoos call in small groups during the breeding season, I speculate that Long-tailed cuckoos may have a lek-type social organisation.

Effect of topography on seasonal distribution of forest birds in the Ohikanui, Lower Buller and Inangahua Valleys, North Westland

Notornis, 35 (3), 217-243

Wilson, P.R., Taylor, R.H., Thomas, B.W. (1988)

Article Type: Paper

Birds were counted in the montane Ohikanui Valley and nearby at the mouth of the Buller Gorge in all four seasons of the year. Counts from these areas are compared with those from three sites previously studied in the much larger and broader Inangahua Valley in the same region. The effect of topographic temperature inversion on the deep and glaciated Ohikanui Valley is reflected in the pattern of vegetation and also in the altitudinal and spatial distribution of the birds. Large differences between the seasonal patterns of occurrence of some species of birds in the Ohikanui and Inangahua Valleys are demonstrated. Reasons for these differences are examined, such as seasonal migration in and out of the Ohikanui Valley for species such as Tui (Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae), Bellbird (Anthornis melanura), and Silvereye (Zosterops lateralis) and altitudinal movement by species such as Rifleman (Acanthisitta chloris) and Grey Warbler (Gerygone igata).  The study emphasises the importance of warm, floristically rich, lowland forest for the winter maintenance of honeyeater populations which breed in the montane valleys.

A re-examination of the moa genus Megalapteryx

Notornis, 35 (2), 99-108

T.H. Worthy (1988)

Article Type: Paper

A re-examination of the moa genus Megalapteryx reveals that the two currently accepted species, M. didinus (Owen) and M. benhami Archey, do not differ in the shape of the bones. They represent small and large specimens in an unbroken size continuum. Specimens from northwest Nelson have a larger mean size than those in a sample from Takahe Valley, Fiordland. A series of 14C dates indicates that the largest ‘M. benhami‘ are all of Otiran derivation, whereas M. didinus bones are from Otiran and Holocene deposits. Therefore M. benhami is synonymised with the upland moa, M. didinus (Owen).

Vocalisations of Procellaria petrels

Notornis, 35 (3), 169-183

Warham, J. (1988)

Article Type: Paper

The vocal repertoires of Grey, White-chinned. Parkinson’s and Westland Petrels are compared with the aid of sonagrams. All species have some very loud calls built from short, staccato notes, often given at very high rates to produce rattles, cackles and brays. These appear to advertise the bird’s availability as a partner and/or possession of a territory, but some also seem to serve as threats. Other calls composed of longer notes are produced both when breathing in and when breathing out – as with Puffinus and Calonectris shearwaters. The recorded repertoire of the Grey Petrel is the smallest, that of the Westland Petrel the most extensive. There are indications that in some species there are sexual differences in their calls, but experimental verification is needed to confirm this.

Clutch overlap by a New Zealand pigeon

Notornis, 35 (1), 59-62

Clout, M.N., Gaze, P.D., Hay, J.R. (1988)

Article Type: Paper

The nesting behaviour of a New Zealand Pigeon (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae) fitted with a radio transmitter was closely monitored in lowland forest at Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve. The bird and its mate nested in January 1985, and a single chick fledged in early March. At least one week before this chick left the nest the radio-telemetered parent started incubation on a second nest c. 100 m away. This second nest, and a subsequent one in late March, failed because of disturbance by predators. Clutch overlap as a breeding tactic by New Zealand Pigeons is discussed in relation to possible constraints on reproduction.
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