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Sexing black-backed gulls from external measurements

Notornis, 29 (1), 37-40

G. Nugent (1982)

Article Type: Paper

Six body measurements were taken from 283 adult and sub-adult black-backed gulls (Larus dominicanus) in Auckland, New Zealand. Sex was determined in 158 of these by dissection or chromosomal methods. Using measurements from these 158 birds a classification function was derived and used to assign sexes to the remaining 125 gulls. Discriminant analyses were then made on the measurements from all 283 birds to describe the sexual size dimorphism accurately and to derive a simple classification function for the routine sexing of birds in the field.

South Island kokako (Callaeas cinerea cinerea) in Nothofagus forest

Notornis, 28 (4), 256-259

M.N. Clout; J.R. Hay (1981)

Article Type: Paper

The location of a 1967 sighting of South Island kokako (Callaeas cinerea cinerea) in beech (Nothofagus) forest at Mount Aspiring National Park was searched, without success, in May 1981. Early literature on South Island kokako shows that they commonly inhabited beech forest and had ground-feeding and low-nesting habits which made them vulnerable to introduced mammalian predators. It is suggested that the dramatic irruptions of rodents and stoats (Mustela erminea) that occur after beech ‘mast’ years in the South Island may have contributed to the rapid decline of C. c. cinerea.

Recoveries of paradise shelducks banded in the Taihape, Nelson, Marlborough, Waitaki and Southland Districts

Notornis, 28 (1), 11-27

M. Williams (1981)

Article Type: Paper

From 1962 to 1974, 10,590 paradise shelducks (Tadorna variegata) were banded while flightless at moulting sites in the Taihape district of North Island and in the Nelson, Marlborough, Waitaki and Southland districts of South Island, and from 1970 to 1974, 2400 ducklings in the Southland district. The areas over which these birds dispersed after completing their moult or fledging were determined from the return of 1420 bands by hunters. Two-thirds of more of the birds shot after having been banded at moulting sites near Taihape, in Nelson, and near Manapouri in Southland were recovered within 40 km of their banding site, whereas birds from other moulting sites in South Island dispersed more widely. The dispersal characteristics of males and females banded at the same site were similar, except that two-thirds of the female Southland ducklings shot were recovered within 40 km of their natal site but only 40% of the males. The dispersal characteristics of paradise shelduck populations seem to reflect the topography of their habitats, those in irregular hill-country farmland being less dispersive than those inhabiting the flatter tussock grasslands.

Seabirds found dead in New Zealand in 1979

Notornis, 28 (1), 41-47

C.R. Veitch (1981)

Article Type: Paper

During 1979, 3,478 kilometres of coast were patrolled by 133 members of the Ornithological Society of New Zealand and their friends. 5,876 dead seabirds were found. There were no major wrecks, although high numbers of sooty shearwaters (Puffinus griseus) from the November/December 1978 wreck continued to be found. Unusual finds were three erect-crested penguins (Eudyptes sclateri), three sooty terns (Sterna fuscata), three white-tailed tropic Birds (Phaethon lepturus), and one wedge-tailed shearwater (Puffinus pacificus).

Birds of Africa

Notornis, 28 (2), 144

J. Fennell (1981)

Article Type: Book Review

The New Caledonian petrel

Notornis, 28 (3), 149-160

M.J. Imber; J.A.F. Jenkins (1981)

Article Type: Paper

When Pterodroma leucoptera was first recorded from New Zealand in 1942, the 10 beach-cast specimens were recognised as being distinct from Gould’s petrel (P. I. leucoptera), mainly because of their larger average dimensions. Their origin was unknown. Since then 10 more have been reported. Between 1971 and 1979, during studies of petrels in New Caledonia, R. de Naurois discovered populations of a form of Gould’s petrel breeding in the mountains and gave them the name P. I. caledonica, with a brief description. A New Caledonian specimen is identical with extant New Zealand specimens. Distinguishing features of the two subspecies are discussed: definite separation probably can be made in the hand only. Recent sightings of this species in the Tasman Sea are reported. Previous reports attributable to New Caledonian petrels are assembled: these show it to be an east-west migrant like several other petrels of this region. Gould’s petrel should be replaced by New Caledonian petrel in the New Zealand checklist.
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