摘要:

SummaryThe breeding cycle and habits of the White-headed Petrel,Pterodroma lessoni, have been observed over parts of two nesting seasons at Macquarie Island. These birds are strictly nocturnal on land and are the commonest burrowing species on the island. Their numbers appear to be declining and factors responsible for this include predation by feral cats, competition with rabbits for burrows, and loss of soil cover through rabbit-induced erosion.The While-headed Petrels arrive at the island from the third week of August after an absence of about 11 weeks. There is a long re-occupation period. The same individuals may breed in the same nest during successive seasons. Egg-laying occurs between November 24 and December 16. incubation being undertaken by both sexes in turn and extending over eight to nine weeks.The chicks are unguarded when two to three days old and are fed rather irregularly by both parents. One chick flew when it was about 102 days old. The chicks threaten intruders by lunging and by spitting stomach oil but this ability declines with increasing age.Adults undergo a body moult while breeding, but wing moult is delayed until nesting is over.

ISSN:0158-4197    

DOI:10.1071/MU967001

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1967

数据来源: Taylor

ISSN:0158-4197    

DOI:10.1071/MU967022b

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1967

数据来源: Taylor

ISSN:0158-4197    

DOI:10.1071/MU967023

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1967

数据来源: Taylor

ISSN:0158-4197    

DOI:10.1071/MU967026b

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1967

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

SummaryFour Australian accounts of a diving type of display flight by the Spine-tailed SwiftHirundapus caudacutus, are compared with an apparently similar account from Mexico of the White-naped SwiftStreptoprovne semi-collaris.A brief discussion on the question of aerial copulation in swifts is included.

ISSN:0158-4197    

DOI:10.1071/MU967027

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1967

数据来源: Taylor

ISSN:0158-4197    

DOI:10.1071/MU967031

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1967

数据来源: Taylor

ISSN:0158-4197    

DOI:10.1071/MU967032

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1967

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

SummaryObservations of 30 species of seabirds made during three passages by H. M. SubmarinesTrumpandTabardin the South-west Pacific in the southern winter months of 1961 and 1962 are presented.Wandering Albatrosses occurred northwards to 26°53'S along the coast of East Australia and to 27°12'S some 221 miles W.N.W. of Norfolk Island. Yellow-nosed Albatrosses were distributed along the coast of N.S.W. to the vicinity of Cape Byron at 28°22'S and to 30°32'S, 80 miles N.E. of Lord Howe Island. Other southern breeding species encountered well to the north along the East Australian coast included the Giant Petrel and Prion spp. It is suggested that cool, upwelling water accounts for this more northerly, coastal distribution. Some evidence was found to suggest that Wedge-tailed Shearwaters were partly migratory especially to the S.W. of Fiji. The Muttering Shearwater was noted northwards to the southern limit of the Great Barrier Reef. Facts are presented which show that the Tahiti Petrel may well disperse westwards across the Coral Sea to the vicinity of the Great Barrier Reef. Fragmentary evidence infers that the White-bellied Storm-Petrel including some of the melanistic population of Lord Howe Island, winters in the Coral Sea. Three winter-breedingPterodromapetrels were observed while other petrels of this group which have been seen by members of the R.N.B.W.S. in summer in this region, were not seen.Boobies and frigate-birds appeared scarce even in those areas adjacent to islands having large, breeding populations. Likewise, Sooty Terns were not so common as they had been expected to be. Facets of the behaviour of Australian Gannets, a Brown Booby, frigate-birds and Sooty Terns are described, the last named being noted in association with cotaceans. Sooty Terns were also seen to touch the surface of the water while fishing in calm sea conditions.Observations of the oceanography of the region are discussed. Areas of upwelling near the Australian continent were encountered although they were not strong. There was some evidence that observations of the larger numbers of vertebrates occurred in these areas of upwelling water. Records of bird flocks, fish schools and cetacean groups are discussed in the light of the work of Murphy and Ikehara (1955) and Waldron (1964) in the Central Pacific. The Coral and Tasman Seas produced most of the sightings of birds while these seemed largely absent from the New Caledonia-Fiji-New Hebrides triangle.

ISSN:0158-4197    

DOI:10.1071/MU967033

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1967

数据来源: Taylor

ISSN:0158-4197    

DOI:10.1071/MU967056

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1967

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

SummaryA description is given of the Balimo Sub-district of Papua, along with an account of the birds observed during a five week stay in this locality. Among information gained were two extensions of range, the fourth record ofDendrocygna eytoniin New Guinea and the description of a possible Mallard/Black Duck hybrid taken at Balimo.As expected the bird life in the area is closely oriented to that of Northern Australia.

ISSN:0158-4197    

DOI:10.1071/MU967057

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1967

数据来源: Taylor