Birds were counted in four forest areas every second month of a year to determine broad habitat preferences of the different species and the factors affecting the numbers counted. Most species showed marked seasonal changes in conspicuousness. The differences between the numbers of birds counted by different observers were generally small compared with the differences between areas and seasons. Many species were more abundant in the valley-bottom forest than in the two hill-country forests; only a few species preferred high-altitude forest. The preferred habitat of some species changed with season. The implications of these findings for bird conservation in Westland forests are discussed.
Results are given of a monthly survey of birdlife in the subalpine Lake Harris basin, north-west Otago Alps. Fluctuations over a year, from May 1976 to April 1977, were tallied by species and by numbers of individuals. Comments are made on effects of climatic conditions and resources available to birds at such altitudes in the Southern Alps along the Main Divide. Arising from observations made so far, it is suggested that the rock wren (Xenicus gilviventris) may hibernate during harsh winter months.
During 1976, 2,826 kilometres of coast were patrolled by 151 members of the Ornithological Society of New Zealand and their friends. 5,990 dead seabirds were found. There were no major wrecks. A number of minor wrecks involving blue penguins (Eudyptula minor), white-headed petrels (Pterodroma lessoni), sooty shearwaters (Puffinus griseus) and fairy prions (Pachyptila turtur) are recorded. White-faced storm petrels (Pelagodroma marina) were found in higher numbers than ever before particularly on Canterbury South beaches. Patrols of Mason’s Bay, Stewart Island, were the major factor contributing to the highest ever total of mottled petrels (Pterodroma inexpectata). The grey ternlet (Procelsterna cerulea) found is a second record and the black-fronted tern (Chlidonias hybrida) a new record for beach patrolling. The Christmas Island shearwater (Puffinus nativitatis) found is a new record for the New Zealand region.
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.
Four new species, black shag, feral pigeon, shining cuckoo and long-tailed cuckoo, and one new breeding species, chaffinch, were recorded from the Snares in the summer of 1976-77. A total of 57 species (23 breeding species) have now been recorded from the Snares. The origins of the new recorded species are discussed. Several interesting band recoveries are presented.