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The New Zealand musk duck (Biziura delautouri Forbes, 1892)

Notornis, 49 (1), 19-28

T.H. Worthy (2002)

Article Type: Paper

The occurrence of musk ducks (Biziura) as fossils in New Zealand is reviewed and updated. Twenty-four bones from at least 7 individuals, and 67 elements from a single skeleton are known. Morphological differences between the fossils and the extant Australian B. lobata support continued distinction of the New Zealand form as the separate species B. delautouri.

Seasonal trends and nightly variation in colony attendance of grey-faced petrels (Pterodroma macroptera gouldi)

Notornis, 49 (3), 153-157

E.L. Ross; D.H. Brunton (2002)

Article Type: Paper

The night-time activity of grey-faced petrels (Pterodroma macroptera gouldi) was measured at a colony on Tiritiri Matangi Island between 27 April and 10 December 1998. Considerable seasonal variation was observed (0 to >120 birds/night). A decline in numbers of birds at the colony in early June was likely resulted from the departure of both breeding (pre-laying stage) and non-breeding birds. Another decline at the end of September was most likely a consequence of the departure of non-breeding birds only. In general, as the season progressed there were fewer petrels per night, and they arrived later. The number of birds returning to the colony increased with increasing wind speeds and birds arrived earlier when winds were stronger. High wind speeds facilitate movement between breeding and foraging grounds for this pelagic species. A sampling period of 1 h from the arrival of the 1st bird provides sufficient information to discern definite patterns in numbers throughout the year.

Atlas update

Southern Bird, 10 (Jun), 10-11

C.J.R. Robertson (2002)

Article Type: article

Observations of the eastern rosella (Platycercus eximius) in the Wellington region

Notornis, 49 (2), 91-94, 132

J.A. Woon; R.G. Powlesland; C. Edkins (2002)

Article Type: Paper

Observations of eastern rosellas (Platycercus eximius) in the Wellington region were recorded during February 1994 to January 1997 by members of the Ornithological Society of New Zealand. Sixty-one percent of the 1227 sightings were made in 3 localities, Paraparaumu-Waikanae, Upper Hutt, and central Wellington. Most rosella sightings were in pastoral farmland (47%) and urban habitats, including parks, and golf courses (41%). Of the 400 sightings for which flock size was given, the mean was 3.6 rosellas, and flock size did not change significantly with season. Rosellas were seen feeding (n = 54) on buds and shoots (19%), flowers (5%), fruit (15%), and seeds (61%), with feeding on introduced plants making up 80% of the feeding observations.

Atlas update

Southern Bird, 9 (Mar), 8-9

C.J.R. Robertson (2002)

Article Type: article

Relationships, adaptations, and habits of the extinct duck ‘Euryanas‘ finschi

Notornis, 49 (1), 1-17

T.H. Worthy; S.L. Olson (2002)

Article Type: Paper

The relationships, adaptations, and habits of the extinct, endemic Finsch’s duck (Anas finschi Van Beneden, 1875) from New Zealand were determined from skeletal comparisons. Finsch’s duck, usually placed in the monotypic genus Euryanas Oliver (1930), was found to be most similar to the Australian wood duck (Chenonetta jubata). Because the differences are mainly those associated with loss of flight, Euryanas is synonymised with Chenonetta, and the species should now be known as Chenonetta finschi.

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