Publications Archive

Further observations were made on the spotless crake during 1971. Three occupied nests were found containing 3, 3 and 5 eggs respectively. The incubation period at 2 nests was ascertained at 20–21 days. Observations, including the eating of the eggshell by the adult and feeding of the chick are described.

The seasonal patterns of the abundance of petrels and other birds at sea in the western Bay of Plenty, as observed in 1968 and 1969, are described and correlated with the existing data on breeding places and seasons. Inferences on seasonal migrations and on the feeding range of several species are drawn, and flocking and feeding behaviour are described.

The laughing owl (Sceloglaux albifacies), one of the two owls native to New Zealand, was once widely-distributed but is now close to extinction – if not already so. It began to disappear in the North Island in the early 19th century or before, and rapidly became scarce in the South Island after about 1880. It has not been “officially” seen since 1914, though persistent reports of its continued presence in parts of the South Island are still received. The species’ appearance, calls, behaviour, food habits and breeding biology are described and speculations made about the reasons for its disappearance.

The presence of the Australian white-browed wood swallow in N.Z. is described together with the possible sighting of a masked wood swallow. Both are new records for New Zealand.

The range of the Kerguelen petrel (Pterodroma brevirostris) is outlined and extensions into the South Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, based on observations from the ships Eltanin and Eastwind, are documented, suggesting a nearly circumpolar movement. “At sea” characters of flight pattern, plumage appearance and foot colour are noted.