Abstracts
from Volume 53 of Notornis
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Abstracts
from Volume 53 of Notornis |
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| Part 1 |
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| Photo Essay |
Saving kakapo: an illustrated history. Notornis 53(1): i-viii |
| Papers |
| Clout, M.N. 2006. A celebration of kakapo: progress
in the conservation of an enigmatic parrot. Notornis 53(1): 1-2.
The context of modern conservation management of kakapo is introduced
and a brief overview of the research presented in this special issue
of Notornis is provided. Powlesland, R.G.; Merton, D.V.; Cockrem, J.F. 2006. A parrot apart: The natural history of the kakapo (Strigops habroptilus), and the context of its conservation management. Notornis 53 (1): 3-26. Since the last review of kakapo biology, published 50 years ago, much
has been learnt as a result of the transfer of all known individuals
to offshore islands, and their intensive management to increase adult
survival and productivity. This review summarises information on a diversity
of topics, including taxonomy, plumage, moult, mass, anatomy, physiology,
reasons for decline in distribution, present numbers and status, sex
ratio, habitat, home range, foraging activities, diet, voice, breeding
biology, nesting success, sexual maturity, and adult survival. In addition,
those kakapo attributes that compromise its long-term survival in present-day
New Zealand are discussed, along with management practises developed
to overcome these problems. Eason, D.K.; Elliott, G.P.; Harper, G.A.; Moorhouse, R.J. 2006. Breeding biology of kakapo (Strigops habroptilus) on offshore island sanctuaries, 1990-2002. Notornis 53(1): 27-36. The breeding biology of kakapo (Strigops habroptilus) was investigated
on offshore island refuges between 1990 and 2002. Male kakapo typically
attended their display territories between October to April, with the
primary courtship display, “booming”, usually beginning in
January and ending in March. Mating was recorded from late December to
March, with the median mating date falling in late January. Eggs were
laid from early January to late March, with median dates of 24 January
on Little Barrier Island and 7 February on Codfish and Pearl Islands.
Females typically occupied a nest site eight days after their last mating
(n = 44) and laid their first egg two days later (n = 40). Subsequent
eggs were laid at three day intervals (n = 41). The mean and modal clutch
sizes were 2.53 and 3 respectively, (range = 1 - 4, n = 54). Mean mass
of fresh eggs was 40.53g (n = 122). Incubation began immediately after
the first egg had been laid and the average incubation period was 30
days (n = 28). Mean nestling and fledgling periods were 72.4 (n = 27)
and 246 days (n = 25) respectively. Male chicks began to grow more rapidly
than females approximately one third through the nestling period. The
mean fledging weights of 14 male and 14 female chicks were 1.93 and 1.72
kg respectively. Male kakapo are capable of mating at five years of age.
Three known-age females first nested at 9, 10 and 11 years of age, respectively.
Comparison with close relatives suggests that some aspects of kakapo
breeding biology are evolutionarily conservative. Atkinson, I.A.E.; Merton, D.V. 2006. Habitat and diet of kakapo (Strigops habroptilis) in the Esperance Valley, Fiordland, New Zealand. Notornis 53(1): 37-54. Vegetation in the Esperance Valley, Milford catchment, Fiordland, as
it was in February and March 1974, is described using quantitative data
for part of the valley that included home ranges of two male kakapo (Strigops
habroptilis). One home range, of only 1.8 ha, was sited at 700 - 730
m altitude and extended over a gently-sloping river terrace covered in
snow totara (Podocarpus nivalis) scrub with short silver beech (Nothofagus
menziesii) forest at its margins. The other home range was 4 ha in area,
sited on a very steep (42?) valley wall mantled with unconsolidated avalanche
debris at 800-860 m. altitude, faced NW and was covered by Blechnum
capense fern - shrubland and short silver beech forest communities. At that time,
this valley differed from most other parts of Fiordland: although possums
(Trichosurus vulpecula), stoats (Mustela erminea) and rats (Rattus spp.)
were present, ungulates were absent or very localised. Results gave no
indication that food was limiting kakapo numbers in the Esperance Valley
and we conclude that, because of the extreme vulnerability of females
and their eggs, nestlings and fledglings to introduced mammalian predators,
stoats were the most probable primary cause of kakapo decline in Fiordland. Butler, D.J. 2006. The habitat, food and feeding ecology of kakapo in Fiordland: A synopsis from the unpublished MSc thesis of Richard Gray. Notornis 53(1): 55-79. Gray studied the last natural mainland population of kakapo in Fiordland
in the 1970s. Between 1974 and 1977 all 15 male birds located occupied
home ranges high on the sides of valleys in areas of diverse vegetation
associated with the tree line or avalanche and alluvial fans. Track-and-bowl
systems were frequently positioned on the crests of ridges and knolls
on well-drained sunny slopes. Studies of feeding sign and of faecal content
using cuticle analysis provided detail of kakapo diet, confirming the
bird to be an herbivore. About 80 species of plants were eaten in Fiordland.
The kakapo bill is adapted to crushing and extracting nutrients and retaining
fibre which is expelled as distinctive ‘chews’. A preliminary
study of the nutrients in kakapo food suggested that the birds selected
the most nutritious plant parts and species. Wilson, D.J.; Grant, A.D.; Parker, N. 2006. Diet of kakapo in breeding and non-breeding years on Codfish Island (Whenua Hou) and Stewart Island. Notornis 53(1): 80-89. Results from an analysis of plant remains found in faecal droppings
of kakapo (Strigops habroptilus) collected from 1981 to 1998 on Codfish
Island (Whenua Hou) and Stewart Island, were analysed statistically to
identify patterns in the birds’ diet related to breeding. Females
were more likely to have eaten podocarp fruit or leaves of trees or shrubs;
males to have eaten fern and Lycopodium rhizomes, monocots (in breeding
years), and manuka fruit (in non-breeding years). Podocarp fruits were
much more prevalent in kakapo diets in breeding than in non-breeding
years. When podocarp fruits were available in breeding years, kakapo
were less likely to have eaten several other foods. Conversely, Blechnum
fern fronds appeared more frequently in the droppings of females in breeding
than in non-breeding years. As podocarp fruits increased in prevalence
in the diets of both males and females during the summers of breeding
years, the incidence of many other foods declined. The incidence of Hall’s
totara leaf in the diet of females increased during summer in non-breeding
years, but decreased in breeding years. Cottam, Y.; Merton, D.; Hendriks, W. 2006. Nutrient composition of the diet of parent-raised kakapo nestlings. Notornis 53(1): 90-99. The natural diet of the kakapo (Strigops habroptilus) is exclusively
herbivorous. The bird breeds synchronously with the heavy fruiting or “masting” of
certain plant species, including rimu (Dacrydium cupressinum), at intervals
of 2 – 5 years, and did so in 2002 on Codfish Island (Whenua Hou)
in southern New Zealand. Crop contents of kakapo chicks of 10 - 30 and
31 - 43 days of age, and samples of rimu fruit (entire fruit, red aril,
green aril and seed) were collected and chemically analysed for dry matter,
organic matter, crude protein, fatty acids, amino acids, fibre, simple
sugars and minerals. The crop content samples contained predominantly
carbohydrates (76 - 81 % by dry wt.), crude protein (7 - 13 %) and fatty
acids (6 - 7 %). Entire rimu fruit contained 7.2 % crude protein, 10.9
% fatty acids, and 78 % carbohydrate predominantly of cellulose, hemicellulose
and lignin. The red aril, green aril and seed nutrient composition were
similar with the exception of the seed fatty acid profile. There was
a large degree of similarity in the nutritional composition of the entire
rimu fruit and the crop contents, supporting field observations of the
time that female kakapo were feeding almost exclusively entire rimu fruit
to their chicks. The nutrient profiles provide the first detailed descriptions
of the diet of growing kakapo chicks which can guide the development
of supplements and artificial rearing diets for this species. The diet
of kakapo chicks up to 60 days of age appears to have a low concentration
of essential nutrients and high indigestible matter content when compared
with other species, consistent with specialised anatomical features and
foraging behaviour of this parrot. Raubenheimer, D.; Simpson, S.J. 2006. The challenge of supplementary feeding: can geometric analysis help save the kakapo? Notornis 53(1): 100-111. Foraging deficiencies and supplementary feeding play critical roles
in kakapo (Strigops habroptilus) breeding biology and conservation. We
present a framework for the analysis of complex nutritional data (called
the geometric framework – GF), which may contribute further understanding
of the relationships between natural foods, supplementary feeding and
kakapo reproduction. We outline the basic concepts of the approach, and
illustrate its application using data for the macronutrient and calcium
content of a natural food (green fruits of rimu Dacrydium cupressinum)
and a supplementary feed (“muesli”). We provide some pointers
for the broader application of GF to the problem of kakapo supplementary
feeding, and close with a brief review of a literature which suggests
that calcium might be a key limiting factor in kakapo reproduction. We
hypothesise that supplementary foods with low macronutrient:calcium ratios
are likely to be most effective in supporting increased reproduction. Farrimond, M.; Elliott, G.; Clout, M. 2006. Growth and fledging of kakapo.
Notornis 53 (1): 112-115. Eason, D.K.; Moorhouse, R.J. 2006. Hand-rearing kakapo (Strigops habroptilus), 1997-2005. Notornis 53(1): 116-125. Sixteen of 26 hand-reared kakapo chicks (62%) have been successfully
returned to the wild. These chicks were initially kept in thermostatically-controlled
brooders, then in plastic tubs in an air-conditioned room, and finally
a pen in an unheated room prior to transfer to an outdoor pen and release
in the wild. Brooding temperature was progressively reduced to simulate
the progressively longer period kakapo chicks spend in the nest without
brooding. Humidity was maintained at 80% to simulate that measured in
kakapo nests. Some chicks fed a relatively high fat diet within their
first 20 days after hatching developed fatty liver disease; subsequently,
chicks less than 45 days of age were fed a lower fat diet and older chicks
gradually converted to a higher fat diet. Normal gut flora was successfully
established in chicks by adding small quantities of adult kakapo faeces
that had been screened for diseases and parasites. The growth rate of
hand-reared chicks was significantly slower than that of parent-reared
chicks during the first 40 days after hatching but there was no significant
difference in growth rate in older chicks. Half the disparity in the
growth rates of hand-reared and parent-reared chicks was due to the fact
that most hand-reared chicks were suffering from ill health or injury
before being taken into captivity. Two male chicks reared in isolation
from other kakapo display varying degrees of sexual attraction to humans.
The only sexually mature hand-reared female chick has mated and hatched
a chick in the wild. Hand-reared kakapo comprised 40% of all chicks fledged
since 1990 and presently comprise 20% of the total population of 86 birds. Bryant, D.M. 2006. Energetics of free-living kakapo (Strigops habroptilus). Notornis 53(1): 126-137. The doubly-labelled water technique was used to measure energy expenditure
in 20 free-living kakapo (Strigops habroptilus) on Codfish and Little
Barrier Islands. Daily energy expenditure (DEE) averaged 799 kj/d, equivalent
to 1.4 x BMR (basal metabolic rate), the lowest value recorded for any
adult wild bird. DEE was higher in males than females, and was greater
on Codfish Island than on Little Barrier Island. Supplementary food taken
from hoppers by kakapo supplied about half of their DEE; a few individuals
apparently obtained virtually all their energy needs from supplementary
food. Use of food from hoppers did not affect energy expenditure directly,
but apparently did so via long-term elevation of body mass. Supplementary
feeding, particularly of energy-dense items such as nuts and seeds, greatly
depressed body-water turnover rates. Some implications of the often high
level of supplementary food taken by kakapo are discussed. Adjusting
the supplementary feeding programme to meet more precisely the needs
of individual birds would probably improve the overall nutrition of the
surviving kakapo population. Elliott, G.P.; Eason, D.K.; Harper, G.A.; Jansen, P.W.; Moorhouse, R.J. 2006. Productivity of kakapo (Strigops habroptilus) on offshore island refuges. Notornis 53(1): 138-142. The reproduction of kakapo (Strigops habroptilus) on offshore island
refuges was monitored between 1990 and 2002. Productivity was primarily
determined by the proportion of females that nested each breeding year.
Within the same island, the proportion of females nesting each breeding
year ranged between 33 - 95% but, as a proportion of the total female
population, was just 5 - 42% between 1990 and 1999. The deliberate placement
of the entire adult female population on Codfish Island (Whenua Hou)
in anticipation of an exceptional fruit crop resulted in 95% of them
nesting in 2002, raising 24 fledglings and increasing the total population
by 39%. Although efforts to increase the frequency of kakapo breeding
by providing supplementary food have been unsuccessful, nesting and fledging
success increased significantly following the introduction of new, more
intensive, management methods in 1995. Hatching success has, however,
remained poor, with just 42% of eggs hatching. Comparison with related
parrot species suggests that the kakapo’s hatching success is unusually
low, perhaps because of inbreeding. Despite infrequent breeding and poor
hatching success, the kakapo population has increased by 69% from 51
birds in 1995 to 86 in 2002. The female population has increased from
21 birds in 1995 to 41 in 2002, 20 of which are presently less than 10
years old. Walsh, J.; Wilson, K-J.; Elliott, G. 2006. Seasonal changes in home range size and habitat selection by kakapo (Strigops habroptilus) on Maud Island. Notornis 53(1): 143-149. Seasonal changes in home range size and habitat selection of kakapo
(Strigops habroptilus) were investigated on Maud Island. Kakapo were
radio-tracked at night in each of the four seasons between December 2000
and October 2001. Home ranges were estimated for four adult males, three
juvenile males and two juvenile females in each season and for nine females
in summer, each based on 20 radio-fixes per season. Home range size varied
from 1.8 to 145.0 ha using the minimum convex polygon method. Home ranges
were smallest in winter. Habitat selection was determined by overlaying
the kakapo locations and home ranges on a vegetation map of the island.
For each season selection ratios were calculated for each vegetation
community. Pine plantation (Pinus radiata) was selected for in summer,
whereas the treeland community dominated by five- finger (Pseudopanax
arbereus) was selected for in the autumn. Dense pole stands of manuka
(Leptospemum scoparium) and pasture communities were avoided by kakapo. Cockrem, J.F. 2006. The timing of breeding in the kakapo (Strigops habroptilus). Notornis 53(1): 153-159. The kakapo (Strigops habroptilus) is a nocturnal, herbivorous parrot
that shows lek behaviour and does not breed every year. When breeding
does occur, egg-laying and incubation in mid-summer are followed by a
prolonged period of chick-rearing, with all parental care provided by
the female. Breeding years for kakapo are associated with mast seeding
years for a range of forest trees and plants, and the periodicity of
kakapo breeding is linked with the periodicity of years of large seed
and fruit production by their major plant foods. Kakapo are likely to
have an annual cycle of gonadal growth and regression driven by the annual
cycle of daylength, with breeding occurring in years when kakapo respond
to cues from a range of plant species that undergo masting. Kakapo breeding
is initiated in response to cues that appear in early summer, but in
some years there is insufficient food for the rearing of young in the
following autumn. Rimu (Dacrydium cupressinum) is an important food source
for chick rearing and is likely to provide an important cue for kakapo
in areas where rimu is present. Elliott, G.P. 2006. A simulation of the future of kakapo. Notornis 53(1): 164-172. The recent productivity and survival of the critically endangered kakapo
(Strigops habroptilus) is summarised and its population trajectory in
a variety of circumstances is modelled by simulation. Simulated kakapo
population growth rates decline with decreasing intensity of management
and unmanaged kakapo on Codfish Island increase only slowly and have
a significant risk of declining. Kakapo on islands where more than one
fruiting species triggers their breeding have much higher growth rates
than kakapo on islands where only rimu (Dacrydium cupressinum) triggers
their breeding. The models predict that kakapo will reach a predetermined
population milestone of 53 females in 2 - 6 years depending on the number
fruiting species that trigger breeding. At this milestone the intensity
of conservation management will be reduced. Conservation management will
be further reduced at a second predetermined milestone of 150 females
in 19- 37 years. Robertson, B.C. 2006. The role of genetics in kakapo recovery. Notornis 53(1): 173-183. A growing literature indicates that genetic factors have a significant
impact on the persistence of populations and hence play an important
role in species recovery. Here, I review the role of genetic research
in the recovery program of the critically endangered kakapo (Strigops
habroptilus). By using three examples of how genetics has guided kakapo
managers (molecular sexing, quantification of genetic diversity and confirmation
of paternity from known matings), I highlight the important contribution
genetics has made to kakapo recovery. I also explore three new avenues
of research (genetic diversity at genes for disease resistance, molecular
ageing, and genetic similarity and hatching success), all of which may
have important implications for future conservation management of kakapo.
As such, this review demonstrates that genetic research is an integral
part of kakapo recovery. Jansen, P.W. 2006. Kakapo recovery: The basis of decisions-making. Notornis
53(1): 184-190. |
| Short notes |
Farrimond, M.; Clout, M.N.;
Elliott, G.P. 2006. Home range size in kakapo (Strigops habroptilus)
on Codfish Island. Notornis 53(1): 150-152. Harper, G.A.; Elliott, G.P.; Eason, D.K.; Moorhouse, R.J. 2006. What
triggers breeding in kakapo (Strigops habroptilus)? Notornis 53(1): 160-163. Wood, J. 2006. Subfossil kakapo (Strigops habroptilus) remains from
near Gibraltar Rock, Cromwell Gorge, Central Otago, New Zealand. Notornis
53(1): 191-193. Tipa, R. 2006. Kakapo in Maori lore. Notornis 53(1): 193-194. Harper, G.A.; Joice, J. 2006. Agonistic display and social interaction
between female kakapo (Strigops habroptilus). Notornis 53(1): 195-197. |
| Part 2 |
| Papers |
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| Short notes |
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| Part 3 |
| Papers |
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| Short notes |
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| Part 4 |
| Papers |
Stahl, J.C.; Sagar, P.M. 2006. Behaviour and patterns of attendance of non-breeding birds at the breeding colony in a Buller’s albatross Thalassarche bulleri population at The Snares. Notornis 53(4): 327-338. Colony attendance and behaviour of non-breeding Buller’s albatrosses
Thalassarche bulleri were studied at 2 Snares Is colonies in
2000-2004. Non-breeders comprised 31-32% of birds ashore in Mar-May (incubation
to early chick-rearing), 44% in Jul (late chick-rearing), and 51% overall.
Among non-breeders, the proportion of adults that had been recorded breeding
in previous years decreased from 47% in Mar to 4% in Jul, with prebreeders
(known-age birds that had not been observed breeding) dominating the composition
overall (80%). The percentage of surviving birds seen ashore was 59% among
prebreeders aged 6 years (modal age of first return), 88% among experienced
prebreeders (birds that had been recorded ashore in >1 breeding season),
86% among remating (widowed or divorced) adults, and 63% among sabbatical
(birds that had been recorded breeding in previous years, but were not
breeding in the year of observation) adults. Colony attendance period
was shortest among inexperienced prebreeders (latest birds to arrive),
longest among 3rd year (i.e. known-age birds recorded ashore for the 3rd
year) prebreeders (early arrival, late departure), and intermediate among
last-time prebreeders and former breeders (early arrival, departure in
mid-season). Failed breeders attended for up to 3 months, but departed
after May irrespective of failure date. Birds stayed ashore for longer
and at sea for shorter periods as they gained experience; the percentage
of days ashore increased up to the 3rd prebreeding year, and was higher
in males than females. Movements between colonies and subcolonies were
most frequent during the first 3 prebreeding years. Prebreeders frequently
joined display groups during their first 2 years (34% of observations
in May), and associated with a nest site in May-Jul of their 3rd year.
Among remating adults, displaying was most frequent in females and early
in the season (Mar); their behaviour converged towards that of paired
adults by May. Attendance patterns and behaviour were broadly similar
to those of other albatrosses, except for earlier departure during the
last prebreeding year not previously reported in an annually breeding
species. Miskelly, C.M.; de Lange, P.J. 2006. Notes on the breeding ecology of the extinct Stewart Island snipe (Coenocorypha aucklandica iredalei). Notornis 53(4): 339-352. The little information that we have on the breeding ecology of the extinct
Stewart Is snipe (Coenocorypha aucklandica iredalei) is based
on books published by Herbert Guthrie-Smith and Major Robert Wilson following
visits to Big South Cape I in 1923 and 1931 respectively. Wilson was a
member of a party including Edgar Stead, who collected 4 clutches of eggs
now in Canterbury Museum. We summarise the published information on breeding
ecology of the Stewart Is snipe, and provide new information based on
previously unpublished photographs of nests, and notes made by members
of the 1923 and 1931 visits to Big South Cape I, including Edgar Stead’s
unpublished diary. Stewart Is snipe appear to have had a different chick-rearing
strategy from all other Coenocorypha snipe, with pairs jointly caring
for a single chick. Guthrie-Smith’s 1923 record of courtship-feeding
was the 1st reported instance for the entire family Scolopacidae. Miskelly, C.M.; Fraser, J.R. 2006. Campbell Island snipe (Coenocorypha undescribed sp.) recolonise subantarctic Campbell Island following rat eradication. Notornis 53(4): 353-359. The Campbell Is snipe (Coenocorypha undescribed sp.) was unknown
to science until its discovery on 19 ha Jacquemart I in 1997. Following
the successful eradication of Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus)
from 11,268 ha Campbell I in 2001, there was increasing evidence that
snipe had begun to recolonise the main island: footprints were found at
Monument Harbour in 2003, and a fully-feathered dependent chick was captured
nearby in Mar 2005. A survey of Campbell Is snipe recolonising Campbell
I was undertaken by the authors and a trained bird-locater dog during
7-15 Jan 2006. We confirmed the presence of snipe and their successful
breeding at 2 sites: the outlet to Six Foot Lake (head of Monument Harbour),
and near the mouth of Kirk Stream at the head of Six Foot Lake. We estimated
at least 22 adult snipe to be present. Twelve adult snipe were caught,
along with 5 dependent chicks with estimated ages ranging from 8 to 37
d. One snipe nest was found. Subsequent sightings in Feb 2006 revealed
at least 2 snipe to be present on the north-western shores of Perseverance
Harbour, c. 3 km north of where we recorded them. We document the successful
re-establishment of snipe on Campbell I within 5 years of rat eradication,
and recommend that their natural recolonisation be left to continue unaided. Miskelly, C.M.; Walker, K.J.; Elliott, G.P. 2006. Breeding ecology of three subantarctic snipes (genus Coenocorypha). Notornis 53(4): 361-374. Information on the breeding ecology of Auckland Is snipe (Coenocorypha
aucklandica aucklandica), Antipodes Is snipe (C. aucklandica
meinertzhagenae) , and Campbell Is snipe (Coenocorypha undescribed
sp.) is summarised. Auckland Is snipe laid between Sep and Jan (peak late
Nov), whereas Antipodes Is snipe laid from Aug to early Nov, with a 2nd
pulse of breeding from late Jan to Mar. The 5 breeding events recorded
for Campbell Is snipe were from clutches estimated to have been commenced
between 11 Nov and 8 Jan. All 3 taxa laid 2 large eggs (each 19-22% of
female body weight) in nests that were well concealed amid dense vegetation.
Chicks left the nest soon after hatching, with each chick cared for by
a single adult. Exceptions to this were adult Auckland Is snipe seen with
2 or 3 young chicks on 3 occasions. Chicks remained with adults until
down-free and capable of flight. The only notable differences from the
more thoroughly-studied Snares Is snipe (C.aucklandica huegeli)
and Chatham Is snipe (C. pusilla) were the earlier breeding by
Antipodes Is snipe, and its bimodal breeding season. Snipe were encountered
more frequently on the Auckland Is (0.6 person–h-1 of walking on
Adams I) than on Antipodes I (0.2 person–h-1) and this was also
reflected in the frequency with which breeding events were recorded. We
suggest that the impact of house mice (Mus musculus) on the invertebrate
food supply available for snipe is the most plausible explanation for
the much lower abundance of snipe on Antipodes I. Miskelly, C.M.; Bell, E.A.; Elliott, G.P.; Walker, K.J. 2006. ‘Hakawai’ aerial displaying by three populations of subantarctic snipe (genus Coenocorypha). Notornis 53(4): 375-381. The “hakawai” is a rarely-heard but dramatic nocturnal aerial
display performed by Coenocorypha snipe. Although much has been
written about the hakawai formerly heard on islands off Stewart Island
(performed by the extinct Stewart Is snipe C. aucklandica iredalei),
there are few documented reports from other populations. We describe hakawai
aerial displays heard on Adams I (Auckland Is snipe C. aucklandica
aucklandica), Antipodes I (Antipodes Is snipe C. aucklandica
meinertzhagenae), and Campbell I (Campbell Is snipe Coenocorypha
undescribed sp.) between 2001 and 2006. These include the 1st records
of hakawai on Adams I and Campbell I. Based on characteristic tail feather
damage believed to be caused by the display, Campbell Is snipe of both
sexes performed hakawai aerial displays more frequently than has been
recorded for all other Coenocorypha snipe populations. Male snipe
from all 6 populations assessed exhibited a higher frequency of tail feather
wear than females, and for the 3 populations with adequate data, males
also had lower wing-loadings, indicative of greater flying ability. However,
there was no apparent correlation between the frequency of “hakawai”
feather wear and wing-loadings when comparing between populations. |
| Short notes |
A 1952 record of snipe on Campbell Island. COLIN M. MISKELLY A high-altitude bar-tailed godwit (Limosa lapponica) on Mt Ruapehu, North Island, New Zealand. PHIL F. BATTLEY & CHRYS HORN No evidence for a reduction in egg size in introduced populations of European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) and song thrushes (Turdus philomelos) in New Zealand. JOHN E. C. FLUX DNA sexing of weka (Gallirallus australis). ARNJA R. DALE & BRUCE C. ROBERTSON |
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