Publications Archive

Comfort movements of the parrot Nestor notabilis in captivity are described and their occurrences in sequence statistically analysed. Some movements were found to be significantly associated.

South Island robins (Petroica australis australis) have frontal spots of white feathers which can be moved independently of other contour plumage to produce sudden visual contrasts. There are differences in the degree to which either the spot or the crown feathers are displayed. Display of the spot is most often interspecific or given by a lone bird, whereas raising the crown feathers usually occurs in intraspecific contexts. Details of each display are described. Crown elevation seems to function as an advertisement of aggressive levels to other robins, and, therefore, its function seems to me more specific than described for other passerines. Display of the spot is seen in response to several threatening or alarming situations, showing some of the characteristics of display of the crown or crest in other passerines. Its function in advertisement of escape or submissive motivation is clear in most intraspecific contexts, but outwardly, display of the spot in interspecific context shows strong aggressive elements. Display of the frontal spot is discussed in relation to function and evolution in other Petroica species.

During the period 25 April to 5 July 1974 observations were made of the numbers and direction of Westland black petrels overflying the coastal road at points between Perpendicular Point (3 km north of Punakaiki) and Barrytown (16 km south of Punakaiki), north Westland, to determine the area used for breeding. Intensive searches of known breeding areas and areas to which birds were seen flying were then made and the distribution and numbers of burrows mapped.

Observations on Sterna vittata and S. virgata breeding and foraging at Marion Island are reported. The breeding season of S. vittata corresponds with the period of least strong wind. The breeding periodicity of S. virgata is apparently less affected by seasonal wind variation, since the bird obtains much of its prey on land.

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.