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A ruff in Southland

Notornis, 32 (4), 329-330

C.M. Miskelly; W.J. Cooper (1985)

Article Type: Short Note

The mineral content of the faeces of pukeko, Porphyrio p. melanotus

Notornis, 32 (1), 74-79

R.A. Fordham (1985)

Article Type: Paper

In coastal Manawatu pasture, faecal pellets of the pukeko (Porphyrio p. melanotus) vary in weight through the year and on average disintegrate in about 16 days (range 7-29). The seasonal concentrations of 11 minerals in the faeces are discussed briefly in relation to soil type and the topdressing regime. The addition of faecal minerals to the pasture is estimated per hectare through the year and per bird for autumn. The amounts deposited fall with increasing distance from the edge next to swamp and are largest in autumn when the population is highest.

Breeding of greenfinches in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand

Notornis, 32 (2), 85-93

B.W.H. MacMillan (1985)

Article Type: Paper

Information on the breeding of greenfinches (Carduelis chloris) was collected over three breeding seasons (1979-1981) in Hawke’s Bay from 104 nests, 78 clutches and 31 broods. The laying season lasted from mid-October to early February. The average clutch size was 4.60 eggs (n= 55 clutches). Sixty percent of completed clutches consisted of 5 eggs and 35% of 4 eggs. Twenty-seven percent of 297 eggs in 78 clutches resulted in young that flew. Predators removed 40 % of eggs and 31% of young. Comparisons were made with 191 greenfinch nest record cards collected over 47 years by the Ornithological Society of New Zealand and with data from Britain. Clutch sizes and brood sizes of greenfinches in New Zealand were significantly smaller than in Britain.

The birds of Waimea Inlet

Notornis, 32 (4), 271-309

K.L. Owen; M.G. Sell (1985)

Article Type: Paper

Monthly bird counts were made at low tide in 14 tidal zones at Waimea Inlet, Nelson, from August 1976 to July 1978. Other records, extending from 1955 to 1984, are included. Seventy-five species were recorded: 52 estuarine species on the tidal flats and saltmarsh and 23 non-estuarine species on the inlet and its immediate shoreline. For the estuarine species, the frequency of sightings, use of tidal zones, numbers of birds, seasonal changes in numbers, distribution, breeding status, and habits are given. The numbers of birds at the inlet were highest from March to June in 1977 and 1978, owing to a winter increase in numbers of the South Island pied oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus), southern black-backed gull (Larus dominicanus) and red-billed gull (L. novaehollandiae). Of the Northern Hemisphere migratory waders in summer, the most common were the bar-tailed godwit (Limosa Iapponica) and the knot (Calidris canutus). The use of each tidal zone varied considerably month by month, some zones being notable for a high number of species, others for the particular species they attracted, often regularly. The information collected demonstrates the importance of the inlet to a wide variety of bird species.

The relationships of the extinct Chatham Island eagle

Notornis, 31 (4), 273-277

S.L. Olson (1984)

Article Type: Paper

The extinct subfossil eagle of the Chatham Islands is referable to the genus Haliaeetus rather than to Ichthyophaga wherein originally described. Haliaeetus australis, as it should now be known, is more similar to northern species of the genus, particularly H. pelagicus, than to the geographically closer species H. leucogaster, and its ancestors probably colonised the Chatham Islands from the Northern Hemisphere rather than from Australasia.
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