Publications Archive

The previous sparse literature on Tongan seabirds is reviewed and is expanded by records made on 60 voyages through the area here described as Tongan waters. Of the 37 species thought to occur, 5 are passage migrants; breeding has been confirmed in 8 species and could occur in a further 8. Eight species are thought to be visiting and the status of another 8 requires confirmation.

Sylviornis neocaledoniae n.g., nsp. (Aves, Ratite eteint de la Nouvelle-Caledonie, by Poplin, Francois 1980. C.R. Acad. Sc. Paris Vol. 290, Serie D, pp. 691-694.

Birds were counted in four forest areas and an area of cutover forest in early summer. Marked differences in species composition and numbers counted were found. The role of soil fertility and vegetation in determining differences is discussed. Some observations on seasonal movements are given and a comparison is made with counts made at Reefton. The implications of these findings for reserves in Westland forests is discussed.

1979. pp. 247, 48 colour plates. Reviewers, D. H. Brathwaite & J. Warham

Fossil Counterparts of Giant Penguins from the North Pacific, by Storrs L. Olson & Yoshikazu Hasegawa. 1979. Science 206, 9 November.

Monthly bird counts were carried out at Lake Wainono, South Canterbury, from August 1968 to April 1978. Highest numbers of birds were at the lake from January to April because of a post-breeding increase in numbers of 18 common species. Six species reached peak numbers during the winter and only five during spring and early summer. Since 1968 White-faced Herons (Ardea novaehollandiae) have declined in numbers, whereas Paradise Shelducks (Tadorna variegata), Spur-winged Plovers (Vanellus miles novaehollandiae) and Black-backed Gulls (Larus dominicanus) have increased in numbers.

Subfossil remains of a large flightless coot were first discovered on Chatham Island (Fulica chathamensis), and subsequently in the South Island by (Fulica prisca). Further discoveries have considerably enlarged the geographic range on the New Zealand mainland. However, general agreement on the number of forms admitted and their generic and specific status has yet to be reached.