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New information on the distribution of three species of Southern Ocean gadfly petrels (Pterodroma spp.)

Notornis, 43 (2), 71-78

S.N.G. Howell; D.G. Ainley; S. Webb; D.B. Hardesty; L.B. Spear (1996)

Article Type: Paper

We present new distributional data from the eastern South Pacific Ocean for the white-headed petrel (Pterodroma lessonii), Kerguelen petrel (P. brevirostris), and birds showing characters of the endangered Magenta petrel (P. magentae). Extrapolation of density for white-headed petrels suggests a pelagic population of 18,770 birds for the 10° x 5° block of subtropical surface waters between 27-37°S and 80-85°W (August 1995). Two Kerguelen petrels were noted off Chile at around 40°30’S 74°50’W (August 1995). Three sightings of apparent Magenta petrels between 28°44’S 72°40’W (March 1992) and 36°24’S 78°02’W (August 1995) are reported to alert observers to the potential occurrence of this species off South America.

The extraordinary bill dimorphism of the huia (Heteraclocha acutirostris): sexual selection or intersexual competition?

Notornis, 43 (1), 19-34

R.J. Moorhouse (1996)

Article Type: Paper

Morphological comparison of the extinct huia (Heteralocha acutirostris) with its closest known relatives suggests that the pronounced sexual bill dimorphism of the former evolved through selection on female, rather than male bill form. Because sexual selection acts predominantly on males, it cannot readily explain such dimorphism in a non-polyandrous species. Greater female divergence in foraging-related anatomy in a species in which males are the larger (and therefore presumably socially dominant) sex is, however, consistent with the hypothesis that sexual dimorphism can be an adaptation to reduce intersexual competition for food. Determining which sex changed most is a more rigorous means of establishing the evolutionary significance of sexually dimorphic traits than interpretation of current function.

Geographical variation in the bone length of laughing owls (Sceloglaux albifacies)

Notornis, 43 (2), 85-90

B.J. Gill (1996)

Article Type: Paper

Measurements of the lengths of fossil bones show that North Island laughing owls were appreciably smaller than South Island ones. Humeri and tarsometatarsi from the North Island were on average significantly shorter than those from the South Island. The regressions of humerus length and tarsometatarsus length on latitude were significant, and length and latitude were positively correlated. The North Island samples were too small to establish whether variation was clinal, and in the meantime the continued recognition of North and South Island subspecies seems warranted.

Kiore (Rattus exulans) predation on the eggs of the little shearwater (Puffinus assimilis haurakiensis)

Notornis, 43 (3), 147-153

A.M. Booth; E.O. Minot; R.A. Fordham; J.G. Innes (1996)

Article Type: Paper

Evidence of predation by kiore (Rattus exulans) on little shearwater (Puffinus assimilis haurakiensis) eggs was obtained on Lady Alice Island, Hen and Chickens Group, during the 1994 breeding season. A time-lapse video camera filmed a kiore removing a little shearwater egg from a nesting chamber. This egg was later recovered, showing signs of damage typical of rat predation. A kiore was also filmed breaking open and eating a punctured hen egg that had been placed in a shearwater burrow. Sixteen (55%) of the 29 nests monitored failed during incubation, and predation by kiore was the probable cause of failure for up to 75% of these nests.

New Zealand white-capped mollymawks (Diomedea cauta steadi) breeding with black-browed mollymawks (D. melanophrys melanophrys) at Antipodes Islands, New Zealand

Notornis, 43 (1), 1-6

G. Clark; C.J.R. Robertson (1996)

Article Type: Paper

Records of all mollymawk sightings on Bollons Island, Antipodes Islands, are reviewed. Data are provided to confirm the breeding record for black-browed mollymawk Diomedea melanophrys melanophrys and add a new breeding record for the NZ white-capped (shy) mollymawk Diomedea cauta steadi.
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