Publications Archive

A diurnal rhythm of the numbers of Adelie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) leaving from the rookery was observed at Cape Bird, Ross Island, Antarctica. No diurnal rhythm in numbers of birds returning to the rookery was observed.

Several puzzling cases of foot-trembling are described in the black-fronted dotterel (Charadrius melanops) in the southern part of the North Island, preceded by an account of its normal habitat and feeding methods during the year. The significance of foot-trembling is discussed in the light of discussion in British Birds. Similar observations on any New Zealand birds are called for.

The disproportionately large kiwi egg and its formation were studied by following the increase in body mass of a hen through an egg cycle. Indirect calorimetry of the hen and bomb calorimetry of a kiwi egg were used with body mass data to estimate the rate of energy expenditure, the peak energy demand during egg production and the extent of fasting at laying time. The energy content of whole fresh egg was 11.55 Kj per g. The yolk, containing 91% of the energy of the kiwi egg, was completed during the first 74 days of the cycle, adding 174 to 203% to her standard metabolic budget.

The breeding cycle of the Westland black petrel (Procellaria westlandica) is outlined from observations made in the 1970 and 1971 breeding seasons and from the literature. Adults arrive at the colonies in late March to excavate and claim burrows, reform pairs and build nests. Egg laying commences in early May and seems to be preceded by a honeymoon period. Most eggs are laid in a short peak period of about three weeks in May. Hatching begins about the third week in July following an incubation period of about 57–65 days. Chicks are brooded for up to two weeks and then spend the rest of their 120+ day fledging period alone except during feeding visits by the parents. Very heavy egg and chick losses were sustained in the two seasons studied and the disappearance of big chicks in September each season suggests that the colonies may be “birded.” The long incubation and fledging periods relative to some other Procellariidae are interpreted as an adaptation to a sparse and variable food supply. Competition for food with summer breeding shearwaters such as P. parkinsoni seems the most plausible explanation for the winter breeding season of P. westlandica.

51 Australasian harriers were trapped in North Canterbury during the winters of 1974 and 1975. Data on wing, tail and tarsus length, and weight, are presented. Trends in colour barring of the wings and tail are correlated with age as expressed by iris colour. Some questions are raised from these data concerning possible morphological and behavioural changes in the New Zealand population. Moult sequences are briefly described together with some notes and figures on disease and injuries.

Twenty-four bird species were recorded in the beech forests of the Hope catchment during a survey of vegetation and associated animals. Vegetation descriptions were classified into associations, and some variation in bird frequency and species was observed between associations and at different altitudes.

Foods of the adult mynas from near Bhopal in central India are described from 43 birds collected during the breeding season. A comparison is made with adult and nestling myna foods in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand. The results show that mynas fed on both animal and vegetable foods.

Recent research has shown that there are 19 extant types of New Zealand birds collected on Captain James Cook’s three voyages of circumnavigation. Of these 9 are type paintings, the species concerned being Tadorna variegata, Anas superciliosa superciliosa, Aythya novaeseelandiae, Sterna striata, Chalcites lucidus lucidus, Xenicus longipes longipes, Anthus novaeseelandiae novaeseelandiae, Finschia novaseelandiae and Mohoua ocrocephala. The remaining 10 are type specimens, the species concerned being Stictocarbo punctatus punctatus, Falco novaeseelandiae, Nestor meridionalis meridionalis, Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae novaezelandiae, Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae novaeseelandiae, Callaeas cinerea cinerea and Turnagra capensis capensis. The type paintings are preserved in the Zoology Library of the British Museum (Natural History) and the type specimens in the Merseyside County Museum at Liverpool, the Naturhistoriska riksmuseet at Stockholm, and the Naturhistorisches Museum at Vienna.

A brief account is given of some aspects of the history of bird specimens collected on the voyages and the history of the New Zealand type specimens is more specifically traced. Appropriate references are made to J. R. Forster’s as yet unpublished journal kept by him on the Resolution on Cook’s second voyage, and other relevant literature is referred to.