Publications Archive

Observations on seabirds in Tongan waters during 18 voyages over a two year period are detailed. Of particular interest are records of the giant petrel, black-winged petrel, Herald petrel, and Audubon’s shearwater and illustrations are given of specimens of the two latter species.

A survey of the Wairarapa river system to discover the population and distribution of the black-fronted dotterel (Charadrius melanops) was carried out by Wellington and Wairarapa members of the OSNZ during November-December 1972. Further observations up to July 1973 are included. A total of 78 birds, mainly in pairs, was found. Their distribution is widespread, reflecting closely the distribution of their favoured habitat in the Wairarapa. Winter distribution is very similar, with many birds remaining in pairs but with some flocking in favoured feeding places. Their habitat, breeding and possible competition with banded dotterels (C. bicinctus) are briefly discussed in the hope of encouraging further study. Juvenile plumage is described. Known records of earlier sightings are given.

The first record of a gentoo penguin, a female found on St Kilda Beach, Otago, on 22 September 1970, is documented.

Kiwis fall into two distinct groups, striated (including the North Island, the South Island and the Stewart Island kiwis) and spotted (including the little spotted and the great spotted kiwis). Variation, both geographically and longitudinally, is evident. One major character, the tongue with its closely associated sensory tracts, is described and contrasted in three species of kiwi, the North Island kiwi (Apteryx australis mantelli), the great spotted kiwi (A. haasti) and the little spotted kiwi (A. oweni). It is concluded that the shape of the tongue has an important bearing on the type of food eaten and the terrain occupied by each of the species. The differences in the anatomy of the tongues indicate that the spotted kiwis are distinct from the striated kiwis and a different origin or a divergence of development resulting from early separation in the type of habitat occupied is suggested. The marked difference in the kind of plumage supports this hypothesis according to the contrasting habitats now occupied by the two groups of kiwis.

The derivation of the specific and subspecific names of the oystercatchers of the world is given as an appeal to the aesthetic sense of ornithologists.

This paper analyses the characters and the affinities of the seven species of “blue-eyed shags.” The subgenus Leucocarbo is proposed as a full-rank genus, and three subgenera are proposed in it: Leucocarbo s. str., for L. bougainvillii and L. magellanicus, Nesocarbo subgen. nov. for L. campbelli, and Euleucocarbo subgen nov. for the other four species.

The use of sound recording equipment, particularly tape recorders, microphones and parabolic reflectors is discussed with special reference to aspects of ornithological field work. Practical hints and advice are offered in this respect.

The mainland New Zealand species of oystercatchers have overlapping winter ranges, but their distribution within these ranges is very different. South Island pied oystercatchers (Haematopus ostraIegus finschi) are concentrated in large flocks on major harbours and estuaries. Variable oystercatchers (H. unicolor) have a scattered distribution with flocks never exceeding 150 birds. Black phase variable oystercatchers are numerically dominant to pied or intermediate phases throughout New Zealand, although the frequency of the former increases southwards. Intermediate-plumaged birds occur where black and pied phases are sympatric. The rare Chatham Islands oystercatcher (H. chathamensis) is restricted to those islands. In the breeding season, H. ostralegus finschi and H. unicolor are reproductively isolated by their mutually exclusive breeding dispersions. They are also largely separated in their winter ranges. Variable and Chatham Islands oystercatchers have probably maintained their present numbers over the past 100 years. The decline that occurred in the numbers of South Island pied oystercatchers over the period 1870 to 1940 was arrested by the prohibition of shorebird shooting in 1940, from which time a spectacular irruption has occurred. At the current rate of increase, the numbers of this species will probably come under density-dependent control in the next few decades. This density effect may be alleviated for some time if the species expands its recent tendency to remain inland at breeding localities throughout the year, and adopt a terrestrial mode of feeding.