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From December 1973 to March 1975, the food of feral cats (Felis catus) was studied at Macquarie Island; during the 1974-75 and 1975-76 summers, the food of Great Skuas (Stercorarius skua lonnbergi) was also partly studied. Data were obtained on the numbers, species and locations of remains of burrow-nesting petrels left by these two predators. Seven species of burrow-nesting petrels were identified from the remains found. These results when considered with previous records of burrownesting petrels at Macquarie Island indicate their status, relative abundance and distribution.

Eleven bird species were recorded in an apple orchard at the Levin Horticultural Research Centre (HRC). Observations showed that only blackbirds and starlings damaged growing apples. Other species which fed on fallen or previously damaged fruit were goldfinch, greenfinch, house sparrow and silvereye. Birds inhabiting the orchard, but not feeding on apples, were chaffinch, fantail, hedge sparrow, song thrush and white-backed magpie.

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