Publications Archive

The daily routine and hunting methods of a female peregrine (Falco peregrinus) resident in Suva, Viti Levu island, Fiji, are described, and her food examined. The falcon was capable of hunting in very poor light conditions, and specialised in birds weighing roughly 100–300 g., although larger and smaller prey were available. Food consisted mainly of pigeons, waders and sea-birds, unlike that of rainforest-dwelling peregrines at a nearby eyrie, which fed on flying fox bats. The Suva falcon showed a tendency to kill birds which were unusual or uncommon on her hunting range, including two species of rail previously thought to be extinct or near extinct on Viti Levu.

The status of 18 species of birds on Great Barrier Island is examined following a field survey in March 1975 and a review of published and unpublished records. Little black shag (Phalacrocorax sulcirostris), paradise duck (Tadorna variegata) and welcome swallow (Hirundo tahitica) appear new to the island, whereas white-faced heron (Ardea novaehollandiae), pukeko (Porphyrio porphyrio) and Indian myna (Acridotheres tristis) have increased over the last 10-15 years. The brown teal (Anas aucklandica) apparently remains widely distributed in suitable habitats, but the distribution and status of kokako (Callaeas cinerea) is uncertain. The island supports other rare fauna and more thorough biological surveys are required.

The food of 204 paradise shelducks from the high-country of Canterbury was examined. Types of food and their percentage occurrence are listed. Plant material, particularly that obtained by grazing, made up most of the bulk of the food eaten throughout the year. Animal material, mainly of aquatic origin, was of only minor importance, with much of it apparently being ingested accidentally with plant material. Seasonal changes in the diet between 24 May 1972 and 5 May 1973 are discussed.

From January to July 1973, and again from January until September 1974, the author worked in Western Samoa and bird observations were occasionally made. Ashmole (1963) listed 31 species of breeding land birds. Another species must be added since the mynah (Acridotheres tristis) is now well established in the Apia area. A total of 29 species were observed and, of 13 of these, observations give information on breeding (nests found, nest building behaviour, adult with food or dependent juvenile). Of the Samoan triller (Lalage sharpei) a nest was found for the first time and some information on its ecology is given. Of a few common species, numerous observations show that they probably breed all year round: the banded rail (Rallus philippensis), the white-rumped swiftlet (Collocalia spodiopygia) and the Polynesian triller (Lalage maculosa). Two introduced species have a seasonal breeding season: the red-vented bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer) and the mynah (Acridotheres tristis). For the other species for which observations on the breeding period were made the information available does not indicate whether breeding is seasonal or not: the Samoan fantail (Rhipidura nebulosa), the scarlet robin (Petroica multicolor), the wattled honeyeater (Foulehaio carunculata), and both starlings (Aplonis tabuensis and A. atrifuscus).

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.