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Some anatomical notes on the wrybill

Notornis, 19 (1), 26-32

P.J.K. Burton (1972)

Article Type: Paper

Head and neck anatomy in the wrybill (Anarhynchus frontalis) are described from a spirit specimen and a skeleton. In most respects, the wrybill closely resembles plovers of the genus Charadrius. Careful examination has failed to reveal any asymmetry other than that of the bill. Apart from the bill shape, and a gape situated unusually far forward, the main peculiarity of the wrybill is a bony bridge between the two ventral bars of the upper jaw, mentioned by Lowe (1931). The significance of this structure in relation to bill asymmetry is discussed. An analysis of the stomach contents of the spirit specimen is given.

Notes and news

Notornis, 19 (4), 388-390

E.W. Dawson (1972)

Article Type: Article

Notes & news

Notornis, 19 (2), 195-196

E.W. Dawson (1972)

Article Type: Article

History of the distribution of the crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus) in the North Island and Nelson-Marlborough

Notornis, 19 (1), 74-82

K.E. Westerskov (1972)

Article Type: Paper

The crested grebe Podiceps cristatus australis is a rare bird in New Zealand, now confined to the South Island. It was formerly present on a few of the large North Island lakes; there is a subfossil record from a Maori midden, carbondated to A.D. 945, and more recent observations – from the period 1870–1900 of breeding populations on Lakes Waikareiti and Waikaremoana. In Nelson-Marlborough crested grebes were formerly found on Lakes Rotoroa and Rotoiti; they were possibly first seen in New Zealand and identified on Lake Rotoroa in 1846 by Heaphy, and certainly observed and correctly identified at these lakes by Haast in 1860. They have disappeared as breeding birds from the lakes some time during the last 15–20 years. There is a sub-fossil grebe from Lake Grassmere, Marlborough, possibly from a Maori midden. Today there are no longer crested grebes in the North Island or in Nelson-Marlborough, northern South Island.

Moult of the banded dotterel (Charadrius bicinctus) in winter quarters

Notornis, 19 (1), 33-35

D.G. Thomas (1972)

Article Type: Paper

The banded dotterel (Charadrius bicinctus) is a short-distance migrant, breeding in New Zealand and wintering in some numbers in Australia. This study was done to check the hypothesis that the flight feathers are renewed before autumn migration and to determine the timing of the body moult. It is concluded that the flight feathers are renewed on or near the breeding grounds coinciding with the pre-basic body moult which is complete. The pre-alternate moult occurs on the wintering grounds and is incomplete, involving the body feathers only. A comparative table is given showing sequence of plumages.

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