Publications Archive

by Arbocco, G., L. Capocaccia, L., Violani, C.

1979. Ann. Mus. Civ. St. Nat. Genova 82: 184-265

“The birds around us. New Zealand birds, their habits and habitats” by Geoff Moon. William Heinemann (NZ) Ltd. pp. 1-206.  

During 1970, 2,152 kilometres of coast were patrolled by 82 persons. 4,613 dead seabirds, including high numbers of Lesser Broad-billed Prions (Pachyptila salvini), were found. During 1971, 2,470 kilometres of beach were patrolled by 148 persons. 6,244 dead seabirds, including high numbers of Fairy Prions (P. turtur),were found. During 1972, 2,748 kilometres of beach were patrolled by 117 persons. 4,046 dead seabirds were found but there were no major wrecks. During the three years there were new beach patrol records of Soft-plumaged Petrel (Pterodroma mollis), Fulmar Prion (Pachyptila crassirostris) , Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster), Lesser Frigate Bird (Fregata ariel) and Antarctic Skua (Stercorarius skua maccormicki). The single specimen of Manx Shearwater (Puffinus puffinus) is a new record for New Zealand.

The Pukeko, or Purple swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio melanotus), has monomorphic plumage, which makes sexing of the living bird difficult. A method of sexing using body measurements has been proposed (Williams & Miers 1958), but it uses measurements and cut-off values which are not fully reliable. While cut-off values may vary geographically, the reliability of the different measurements should not. This paper uses multivariate techniques to investigate the reliability of combinations of measurements for sexing swamphens and outlines the problems with the existing method.

Further to the record of a Dunlin (Calidris alpina) at Tapora, Kaipara Harbour (Brown 1974, Notornis 22: 241), birds seen at Taramaire and Miranda in the Firth of Thames provide more records of this species in New Zealand.

Dr. Christopher McGowan. Journal of Morphology. Vol. 160. No. 1 . April 1979.

Beside a Hawkes Ray farm lake in December 1977 I observed a spotless crake (Porzana tabuen plumbea) in response to a playing taped crake calls. Immediately two fernbirds (Bowdleria punctata) appeared. They duetted together and went through their whole repertoire, their bodies vibrating as they gave the “ticking” call.