Publications Archive - Page 93 of 278

Food plants of the bellbird, tui, and New Zealand pigeon

Notornis, 39 (4), 261-262

A.R. Baker (1992)

Article Type: Short Note

Some thoughts on Caspian terns in New Zealand

Notornis, 39 (2), 87-93

R.B. Sibson (1992)

Article Type: Paper

Early European naturalists and explorers, who of necessity spent much of their time near the coast, do not seem to have logged or noticed Caspian terns. This notable species was not officially listed in New Zealand till about 1860. It was regarded as rather scarce throughout the 19th century and even well into the 20th century. Two possible explanations for this apparent scarcity are offered: (a) that, as it laid large palatable eggs in places that were usually accessible, it had become scarce after 800 years of hungry human (Polynesian) predation, and (b) that, like some other waterfowl, e.g. pukeko, white-faced heron, royal spoonbill, it is a comparative newcomer to New Zealand and has enjoyed a ‘boom period’ in the middle of the 20th century.

Letter to editor

Notornis, 39 (2), 150-150

J.T. Darby (1992)

Article Type: Letter

Diving petrels on Green Island, Mercury group, in November 1990

Notornis, 39 (1), 55-57

A.C. Thoresen; P. Thomson (1992)

Article Type: Short Note

OSNZ News Volume 62

OSNZ News, 62 (),

(1992)

Article Type: Magazine

Notice – Records wanted of vagrant birds in Seychelles

Notornis, 39 (2), 112-112

A. Skerrett (1992)

Article Type: Article

Trends in the numbers and distribution of coastal birds in Wellington Harbour

Notornis, 39 (4), 263-289

H.A. Robertson (1992)

Article Type: Paper

The Wellington branch of the Ornithological Society of New Zealand counted coastal birds along the shores of Wellington Harbour every month for two years in 1975-77 and again in 1986-88. Between the two surveys, giant petrels and black-backed gulls, which feed on offal, showed significant population declines; however, most other key species increased, particularly little shags, little black shags and mallards, presumably as the health of the harbour improved as discharges from abattoirs and sewer outfalls were reduced. The distribution of some species changed markedly between the surveys, away from Ngauranga and Pencarrow Head to Moa Point and Owhiro Bay, where raw sewage continued to be discharged into the sea.

Egg predation by black-backed gull

Notornis, 39 (2), 93-93

G.J.H. Moon (1992)

Article Type: Short Note

The Auckland Island rail

Notornis, 38 (3), 199-209

G. Elliott; K. Walker; R. Buckingham (1991)

Article Type: Paper

During a trip to Adams Island in the Aucklands group in November- December 1989, 5 Auckland Island rails (Rallus pectoralis muelleri) were caught and 43 heard calling. Several hundred rails are probably on Adams Island, where they are widespread in vegetation that provides good cover near ground level. They were not found on other islands in the Aucklands group, though they may occur on Disappointment Island, which was not visited. The calls of Auckland Island rails are recognisably similar to those of the same species in Australia but easily distinguished from those of other Auckland Island bird species. During November and December rails readily responded to tape recordings of their own calls, and they called, both spontaneously and in response to tapes, throughout the daylight hours. Two nests were found, one active with two eggs and one old. Chicks were heard at two places. Auckland Island rails probably lay in October and November, and their nests are built in thick vegetation dominated by tussocks and sedges. Auckland Island rails seem consistently smaller than Lewin’s rail (R. pectoralis) from south-eastern Australia, and their subspecific status is appropriate.