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Beach Patrols in New Zealand during 1961 covered a total distance of 857 miles and yielded 3138 birds (57 species), a record. Species are tabulated by month of occurrence and by the coastal zones in which they were found; unusual species include Eudyptes pachyrhynchus, Procellaria cinerea, P. westlandica, Pterodroma pycrofti, P. leucoptera, P. longirostris (first record), and Garrodia nereis. Major wrecks of Puffinus griseus in May and of Pachyptila vittata in July are described in detail and were probably associated with food shortage. The numbers of birds and the relative importance of different species varied from one part of the coast to another, probably in relation to wind direction and the distribution of birds at sea.

1. The hen laid her eggs during the height of a severe gale with some heavy rain.
2. The hunting away of other birds by the male appears to be connected with food supply in the vicinity of the nest.
3. The brooding period up to hatching is confirmed as 14 days.
4. The male was not definitely observed to feed the young on any occasion, either in the nest or subsequently.
5. The period in the nest is established as 21 or 22 days.
6. Every observation of feeding at the nest was of insect food only, and after leaving the nest, of berries, occasional insects, and nectar.
7. A young bird either leaving or fallen from the nest at 17 or 18 days was led back to the nest, probably by withholding food.
8. Attacks and threat display against the young at four weeks would appear to be to force them to regroup at a height for safety, and for ease in feeding.
9. At five weeks the young become practically self-supporting.

North Island wekas, once plentiful, became almost extinct approximately 40 years ago, leaving only a small residual population in the Gisborne – East Coast area and Northland (Waipu). Since then, they have multiplied rapidly in the vicinity of Gisborne and are now abundant in that part of the country. Over a period of 18 months 94 wekas were collected from the Gisborne district for study. Gizzard contents were examined and were found to consist of vegetable matter, seeds, insects and other small invertebrates and occasional1 birds’ eggs and frogs. Predominant items of diet were of plant origin – grass, fibrous material, small pieces of wood and clover leaves. A wide variety of seeds was found, most common being of the grass family, with clover and sedge next in order of importance, Insects predominated in the animal food taken, the most important being beetles, wetas and grasshoppers. Earthworms also were a major item of diet, while insect eggs and millipedes were frequently found.