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The breeding cycle begins in late September, when the mature males come ashore after their winter at sea to occupy their nesting sites, and ends in early April, when the breeders return to sea following their annual moult. This cycle of nesting and moult is outlined and the main patterns in a complex sign-language of display and posturing are described.

This paper lists the waders recorded in Fiji, summarises information on them collected by the writer during nearly three years residence in Fiji, 1969 to 1971, and compares wader counts made at Parengarenga Harbour, New Zealand, and at Rewa sandbank, Fiji, in January–February, 1971.

A survey of the land birds in three areas of the Fiji group, viz. the Nausori Highlands of Viti Levu, Taveuni and Kadavu Islands, was made in August/September 1970 by members of the society. All existing species and subspecies previously recorded from these areas, with the exception of a few ground-dwelling species, were observed and their present status assessed. Notes are made on the several species which have been exterminated or seriously depleted since the introduction of predators; but none of the existing avifauna appears to be endangered at the present time. One species new to Fiji is recorded; a megapode whose existence is only suspected from early native lore was probably sighted; and a probable new subspecies observed. Sea-birds and migratory waders are listed.

The crested grebe is one of New Zealand’s rarer breeding birds; it is now confined to the South Island. In Canterbury about 50 pairs were by 1969-70 present as regular breeding birds on 23 lakes; the nesting birds are largely clustered in five groups of lakes: the Lake Sumner group with four pairs; the Lake Pearson group with seven pairs; the Lake Coleridge group with 13 pairs; the Lake Heron group with 12 pairs; and the Lake Alexandrina group with 14 pairs. There has been a decrease of 35–40 per cent from some 80 plus pairs nesting on Canterbury lakes 20–30 years ago. Most of the breeding pairs are found in lakes above 2,000 feet altitude (up to over 2,600 feet), and with two or three exceptions (small lakes at high altitudes) these lakes do not freeze over in winter and the grebes are resident all year round.

Observations and motion pictures were made on New Zealand dabchicks in August and September 1969. Feeding, agonistic, courtship, and mating behaviour is described and compared with that of other grebes. The two principal courtship ceremonies are the Patter Ceremony and the Diving Ceremony. The former was observed frequently and is common after territorial encounters. The latter may be the ceremony of pair formation and like the former may be important in strengthening the pair bond. These ceremonies differ considerably from those of other grebes studied, but presumably resemble those of the related hoary-headed grebe Podiceps poliocephalus of Australia.