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Habitats and feeding of the Auckland Island Banded Dotterel (Charadrius bicinctus exilis Falla 1978) in autumn

Notornis, 27 (4), 309-324

Pierce, R. J. (1980)

Article Type: Paper

The feeding behaviour of the Auckland Island Banded Dotterel (Charadrius bicinctus exilis Falla 1978) was studied at Enderby Island for 12 days in April 1980. Up to 155 dotterels were at Derry Castle Reef, foraging along the rocky shore, frequenting several habitats from the maritime zone to the sublittoral fringe at low tide. The midlittoral zone was the source of the greatest biomass of food and may be even more important in the future as the maritime sward regenerates to taller denser vegetation. Only 15-20% of daylight time was spent foraging, with peaks at early morning, noon and evening. Amphipods up to 2 cm long were staple diet. They were obtained mainly by pecking in algae (seaweed) and in rock pools. The other prey was large also, comprising polychaetes, oligochaetes, isopods, crabs, insects and spiders. Probably most or all of the population winters at Derry Castle Reef.


The morphology, moult and taxonomic status of the Black-fronted Tern

Notornis, 27 (1), 45-67

Lalas, C. Heather, B. D. (1980)

Article Type: Paper

The plumage stages and moult of the Black-fronted Tern (Sterna albostriata) of New Zealand are described, largely from field observations, and measurements are given. The Black-fronted Tern is compared with the Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybrida) with the conclusion that they are not closely related. The characters of S. albostriata are those of Sterna rather than Chlidonias. The possibility of relationship with the Antarctic Tern (S. vittata) and the Kerguelen Tern (S. virgata) is revived and discussed.





Breeding and development of the New Zealand fantail Rhipidura fuliginosa

Notornis, 27 (2), 105-113

McLean, I. G., Jenkin, P. F. (1980)

Article Type: Paper

Fantail (Rhipidura fuliginosa) breeding was studied on Cuvier Island during the summers of 1972 and 1973. Data are presented on nest sites, nest building, and breeding success on the island. A summary of the information available in the Ornithological Society of New Zealand nest record cards for fantails suggests that clutch size increases through the season but that numbers of fledglings do not.






The birds of Savai’i, Western Samoa

Notornis, 27 (2), 151-159

Reed, S. (1980)

Article Type: Paper

A group of 17 members of the Ornithological Society of New Zealand visited Savai’i from 19 August to 6 September 1979. Five mist nets were erected in the vicinity of the Palauli and Asau camps. The total catch was 31 birds of 10 species. These were measured, photographed and colour banded, notes being made on moult before release.



Les oiseaux de Chine, de Mongolie, et de Coree

Notornis, 27 (2), 201-202

B. D. Heather (reviewer) (1980)

Article Type: Book Review

R. D. Etchecopar and Francois Hue. 1978. Volume I. Non passereaux. 586 .pp. 22 col. pl. by Paul Barruel and Francis Berille. Many line drawings and 275 maps. Papeete, Tahiti: les Editions du Pacifique. French text, English species names and index.