Publications Archive

Observations made during visits to Rarotonga in July and August 1976 are detailed, with particular reference to land birds and petrels, a group not previously recorded. The outstanding feature of the land bird ecology is the apparent total restriction of the native species except long-tailed cuckoo to the central primitive forests and adjacent second growth. The native land bird fauna consists of only five species: long-tailed cuckoo, Pacific pigeon, Rarotonga fruit dove, Rarotonga flycatcher and the Rarotonga starling, of which the last three are endemic. The flycatcher and the starling are now very rare. The settled parts of Rarotonga contain virtually a single species, the introduced myna. Although its presence suggests a restriction on the spread of native birds into settled areas, similar conditions elsewhere might indicate that other factors may well have been responsible for such a habitat restriction. Early information on land birds and their status dating from Gill’s missionary times of the 1840s–1860s is noted. Observations of sea birds, especially the Herald petrel, a probable breeding species, are given.

A census of kingfishers was taken between the Waikato district and the Canterbury plains and linear density calculated by a new method. Kingfisher density declined progressively to the south, where birds were especially concentrated at lower elevations. They preferred open pasture habitat created by man. Contrary to established notions, the kingfisher may be at least partially migratory in New Zealand.

Several agonistic displays of Nestor notabilis (a parrot species endemic to New Zealand) are described.

This paper aims to bring together what is known of the silktail (Lamprolia) of Fiji, in order to provide a base line for future study and particularly in order to consider the status of the little-known L. v. kleinschmidti of Vanua Levu. The contribution of previous workers, especially Theodor Kleinschmidt, is examined which, together with recent work, strongly suggests that L. v. kleinschmidti is confined to the Natewa Peninsula of eastern Vanua Levu. What little is known of L. v. kleinschmidti in the field is presented, largely by comparison with the better-known L. v. victoriae of Taveuni. Based largely on field observations by 1973 and 1975 parties of OSNZ members and other available material, particular attention is given to population strength, feeding, display, breeding and voice. Discussion, largely speculative, considers the possible relationship of Lamprolia to the Paradisaeidae, and considers the implications of the distribution of the two forms. L. v. kleinschmidti seems more likely to be the relict population, from which L. v. victoriae has been recently derived.