Publications Archive

This paper reports observations made over 4 months on two species of introduced congeneric mynahs in W. Viti Levu, Fiji. Habitat preferences of the two species were investigated and the relative use of foraging sites in one habitat – agricultural land – was observed. Differences in foraging behaviour, feeding associates and gregariousness are pointed out. It is concluded that the two species have a wide ecological overlap but do, in general, occupy different niches in man-modified habitats.

Nestling foods of starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) and mynas (Acridotheres tristis) from an orchard, in North Island, New Zealand, are compared to determine the extent of overlap in the use of food resources during the breeding season.

A field study of birds was made by some members of the Ornithological Society of New Zealand in two areas of the Fiji group, the Nausori Highlands of Viti Levu and the isolated island of Vatulele, in August–September 1972. A table shows numbers of each species recorded in a particular piece of cutover forest in the Highlands together with estimated density and habitat utilization. Land birds, seabirds and migratory waders were recorded at Vatulele Island and a list of species recorded, with relevant observations, is given. One species new to Fiji, the spine-tailed swift (Chaetura caudacuta), is recorded.

From 30 December 1972 to 24 January 1973 records were kept of Adelie penguin activity at Hallet Station, Antarctica. A total of 312 hours of observation time was spent observing 13 penguins of various ages, Quantitative evidence is presented on the amount of time spent by members of each age group at their respective activities.