NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF EASTER ISLAND

Information on the occurrence and breeding status of sea-birds at Easter Island has long been scanty and incomplete. In order to obtain accurate information and in particular to investigate reports of a supposed breeding site of a brown-plumaged petrel, we spent three weeks on the island, including 12 days camping out on the uninhabited, waterless islet of Motu-Nui.
The petrel proved to be the Christmas Island Shearwater Puffinus nativitatis , whose breeding range is thus extended by nearly 2,000 miles. Ten other species of sea-birds were definitely identified and specimens, photographs and breeding records were obtained for most of them. It is shown that the bird species frequenting Easter Island are, like the human inhabitants, predominantly of Polynesian origin—in fact the American continents are not represented at all.
The paper opens with a brief outline of present-day conditions on the main island, and concludes with an account of the bird-cult rituals which are known to have been a feature of life in Easter Island for centuries.     

THE BIRDS OF BLYTHSWOOD AND SOME NOTES ON BIRDS OF THE DISTRICT

Wintle, C. C. &; Taylor, P. B. 1993. Sequential polyandry, behaviour and moult in captive Striped Crakes Aenigmatolimnas marginalis. Ostrich 64:115-122.

Captive Striped Crakes showed sequential polyandry, the female laying for a second male when the clutch of her first mate was about to hatch. Where aviary space permitted each male set up a breeding territory and each female defended a larger area encompassing the territories of one or two males. Non-territorial subordinate males and females did not breed. The female initiated breeding by attracting the male and soliciting copulation, and the male incubated the eggs and cared for the young. Incubation took 17–18 days, the chicks left the nest at 4–5 days of age and were fully grown and capable of flight at 46–53 days. Breeding occurred from September to March and males normally reared two broods per season. Territoriality was evident only during the breeding season. Juvenile plumage was a duller version of the sexually dimorphic adult plumage; post-juvenile moult bean at 13–15 weeks and was complete at 21 weeks. Remex moult was simultaneous and a complete moult regular1 occurred twice a year in adults, in December and April (males) and September and March/April (females).     

SOME NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF THE KAOKOVELD

Whitfield, A. K. &; Blaber, S. J. M. 1978. Feeding ecology of piscivorous birds at Lake St Lucia, Part 1: Diving birds. Ostrich 49:185-198.

The diets of three species of diving piscivorous birds at Lake St Lucia, Natal, South Africa during 1975 and 1976 are described and related to availability and abundance of different prey species. Mugilidae and Clarias gariepinus were the chief prey of the Fish Eagle Haliaeetus vocifer, while Johnius belengcrii and Sarotherodon mossambicus were, respectively, the main food items of Caspian Terns Hydroprogne tschegruva, and Pied Kingfishers Ceryle rudis. The methods of prey capture used by the three species of birds are described.

Predation on particular species of fish was related primarily to their swimming depth, abundance, size and distribution in littoral areas. Fishing habits, densities and foraging periodicity of the birds are discussed with regard to physical parameters such as thermals, wind speeds and water turbidity. The timing of breeding seasons at Lake St Lucia is related to fish densities, lake levels, turbidity of the water and air temperatures.     

NOTES ON THE FOOD OF SOME RHODESIAN BIRDS

Borrett, R. P. 1973. Notes on the food of some Rhodesian birds. Ostrich 44: 145 148. 26 stomach contents of Rhodesian specimens of the following bird species were analysed: Accipiter minullus, Vanellus coronatus, Glaucidium perlatum, Cursvrius temminckii, Caprimulgus fosxii, Apus coffer, Merops superciliosus persicus, Mirafra africana, Anthus trivialis, A. similis, Macronyx capensis, Salpornis spilonota, Lanius collurio, and Lamprotornis mevesii, the biggest series being that of A. similis. Points of interest are noted as appropriate.     

NOTES ON SOME BIRDS FROM THE HIGHLANDS OF BASUTOLAND

Dean, W. R. J. &; MacDonald, I. A. W. 1981. A review of African birds feeding in association with mammals. Ostrich 52:135–155.

Feeding associations between African birds and mammals are defined. 96 species of birds show, or possibly show, some form of feeding associations with mammals. Five major categories of feeding association are identified, which differ in relative importance in the various habitat types of Africa. In the most widespread and common feeding association the bird obtains cryptic prey items flushed by the mammal, The opportunistic nature of most bird/mammal feeding associations is stressed. Hypothetical courses In the evolution of the more complex feeding associations are discussed. The possible significance of bird/mammal feeding associations in their biology and conservation is outlined. The lack of quantitative information on these feeding associations limits the conclusions that can be drawn, although their significance for the obligate ectoparasite gleaners, Buphagus species, appears to be clear.