Publications Archive

The history of the Maori names of the banded dotterel is discussed. Some of its call notes are described with the circumstances in which they are uttered. An account is given of some nesting and other behaviour including mating and of a black mutant.

Basic information on the distribution of members of the genus Haematopus is reviewed and the taxonomy of the group is discussed. The distinctions between species and subspecies are stressed and applied to the classification of oystercatchers; alternative taxonomic rank is suggested for some forms, but the ideas require testing in the field.

The distribution and abundance of the sea bird species seen during a cruise between New Zealand and the Bounty Islands in December 1970 are described. The field characters of white-capped mollymawk and Salvin’s mollymawk are discussed. Cape pigeons and Salvin’s mollymawks were very abundant around their breeding site on the Bounty Islands, but were scarce elsewhere white-capped mollymawks were numerous on the Pukaki Rise. White-chinned petrels were common towards the southern end of the study area (lat. 50° S). The white feathering at the base of the mandible could not be seen in these birds in the field. The Subtropical Convergence, which occurred about lat. 44° S, was a definite southern boundary of the distribution of Buller’s shearwater and the flesh-footed shearwater.

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.