A rich fossil fauna accumulated by laughing owls (Sceloglaux albfacies) during the Holocene, is described from GDlOl Cave, on the Gouland Downs, northwest Nelson, South Island, New Zealand. Twenty-eight species of bird, a tuatara, 3 frogs, at least 4 geckos, 1 skink, 2 bats, and 2 fish contribute to the species diversity. The fauna includes the first inland fossil record of New Zealand dotterel (Charadrius obscurus). The taphonomy of the deposit and the diet of the owl are discussed.
Conspicuousness of terrestrial birds from a distribution study using 100 ha squares based on the New Zealand map grid was investigated. Logistic regression was used to determine the amount of time observers should spend in each square to have a 50% chance of detecting any given bird species if it was present. The analysis was conducted for 3 habitats. For 14 species of native and introduced birds, the length of time necessary to determine presence was 1 – 631 min. To ensure that most species are accounted for in future distribution studies using similar grids, it is recommended that observers spend 1 h in each square.
The population status of the Chatham Island tomtit (Petroica macrocephala chathamensis ) was determined for each island of the Chathams group, east of New Zealand. Also, the breeding biology of the population on Rangatira (South East Island), which is free of introduced mammalian pests, was determined from observations made during 8 breeding seasons, 1981/82 to 1988/89. The total population of the Chatham Island tomtit is estimated to be