The Magenta petrel, Pterodroma magentae, is a distinct species, closely allied to the Pterodroma macroptera group of gadfly petrels, which agrees in size and appearance with the Chatham Island taiko, apparently last recorded alive at its breeding places between twenty-five and fifty years ago. A large collection of bones of this and other petrels from the Chatham Islands in the British Museum (Natural History) appears to include several other species also new to the group. It is suggested that some of these may still survive there.
It is shown that for the 1961-62 season, the number of adults at the breeding colony on Somes Island, Wellington Harbour, began to increase in July 1961, and that nest building commenced about the same time. Pair-forming behaviour is described and some evidence is produced which indicates that established pairs probably re-form before winter, and some pairs do not effectively part at all after breeding. The male builds the nest practically alone, most activity occurring in the late afternoon. The nest is made of whatever material is handy and plentiful, and preferred nest sites include bare rock or soil, and amongst long grass and rushes. No strange gulls or other vertebrates are tolerated near the nest. Maximum and minimum nesting densities were respectively 109 and 65 nests/acre; average nesting density was 84 nests/acre. Laying started 18th October and continued for 99 days until 24th January. Peak laying occurred in the second week of November. The laying of two- and three-egg clutches was spread over two to eight, and four to nine days respectively. The average clutch size was 2.3 eggs, and the number of one- and two-egg clutches increased the season progressed. Weights, measurements and colours of eggs have been described and renesting occurrences summarised.
The following notes include the re-identification as an Indian Waterhen (Gallinula chloropus indica) of a specimen in Canterbury Museum believed to be of New Zealand origin (formerly identified as an Australian Black-tailed Waterhen, Tribonyx ventralis), together with new records based on specimens sent in to the Museum of the Fan-tailed Cuckoo (Cacomantis pyrrhophanus) (first New Zealand record) and Fork-tailed Swift (Apus pacificus).