Publications Archive

Contributors: Stanley Cramp (chief editor), K.E.L. Simmons; I.J. Ferguson-Lees; R. Gillmor; P.A.D. Hollom; R. Hudson; E.M. Nicholson; M.A. Ogilvie; P.J.S. Olney; K.H. Voous; J. Wattel. Volume 1: Ostrich to Ducks. 722 pp. 108 col. pl. Oxford University Press 1977.

A small proportion of southern great skua (Stercorarius skua lonnbergi) nests at Marion Island (46° 54′ S, 37° 45′ E) are attended by three adults – a trio. The contents of the trio-attended nests and the growth of the three trio-attended chicks were studied in comparison with the contents of 16 nests and the growth of 23 chicks, attended by two adults. Eggs at two of the trio nests were laid exceptionally late in the season. No other difference in nest contents was found. Trio-attended chicks grew faster and probably attained independence with more substantial body reserves than chicks attended by two adults.

The feeding behaviour of the Auckland Island banded dotterel (Charadrius bicinctus exilis Falla 1978) was studied at Enderby Island for 12 days in April 1980. Up to 155 dotterels were at Derry Castle Reef, foraging along the rocky shore, frequenting several habitats from the maritime zone to the sublittoral fringe at low tide. The midlittoral zone was the source of the greatest biomass of food and may be even more important in the future as the maritime sward regenerates to taller denser vegetation. Only 15-20% of daylight time was spent foraging, with peaks at early morning, noon and evening. Amphipods up to 2 cm long were staple diet. They were obtained mainly by pecking in algae (seaweed) and in rock pools. The other prey was large also, comprising polychaetes, oligochaetes, isopods, crabs, insects and spiders. Probably most or all of the population winters at Derry Castle Reef.

G.S. Tuck & H. Heinzel. 1978. 292 pages; 48 plates in colour, 313 maps, 138 line drawings. Collins, London.

Fantail (Rhipidura fuliginosa) breeding was studied on Cuvier Island during the summers of 1972 and 1973. Data are presented on nest sites, nest building, and breeding success on the island. A summary of the information available in the Ornithological Society of New Zealand nest record cards for fantails suggests that clutch size increases through the season but that numbers of fledglings do not.