INVESTIGATION ON THE CAPE GANNET

Most Cape Parrot, Poicephalus robustus, nests have been recorded in snags (standing dead trees) making monitoring of nest contents and nest activities difficult and dangerous. Here the breeding activity of a Cape Parrot pair in the cavity of a live Henkell's Yellowwood (Podocarpus henkellii) is presented. Four eggs were laid in early-August and three chicks successfully raised. Incubation period was estimated at 30–32 days. Two nestlings fledged successfully and one (the youngest) was removed because it was injured in the nest and would not have survived. Fledging period was estimated at 80 days.     

NOTES ON SOME MARSH BIRDS OF CAPE SAN ANTONIO,ARGENTINA*

During an 11-month study of the Black-headed Duck in eastern Argentina, observations were made on the marsh birds of Cape San Antonio, Province of Buenos Aires. These observations supplement the distributional and life history obtained by Gibson (1879–1920), Wetmore (1926) and others. The deep, fresh-water marshes characteristically are dominated by one of three plants: tules, cutgrass or cat-tails. There were surprisingly few marshes with mixtures of these plants and few marshes which showed a gradual transition from marsh to uplands. Marsh birds showed considerable adaptation in chronology of nesting and nest-site selection for the seasonal water cycle of wet springs and dry periods in the late summer and fall. Some marsh birds were involved in nesting over a longer period than is usual in Northern Hemisphere marshes. As seems characteristic of all marsh birds, cover-water edges were usual sites for nests. There were only a few species with restricted nest-site selection, and competition between closely related species was noted only among the three species of coots. A list of the marsh birds of the area is given, and comments are presented on the ecology and behaviour of selected species.     

NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF THE CAPE L'AGULHAS REGION

Gargett, V. 1982. Synchronous hatching and the Cain and Abel struggle in the Black Eagle. Ostrich 53:147-150.

An experiment was conducted to cause two Black Eagle Aquila verrreauxii chicks to hatch synchronously. There was ample food on the nest and the female offered it to both chicks, but the smaller chick, from the smaller second-laid egg, died. The greater reach of the chick from the first-laid egg enabled it to obtain more of the food offered, so that it gained weight. Its greater mass then enabled it to prevent its sibling from taking food. Both chicks showed aggression, but that of the heavier chick was more effective.     

SYSTEMATIC NOTES ON BIRDS OF THE CAPE PROVINCE

Hofshi, H., Gersani, M. &; Katzir, G. 1987. Urban nesting of Tristram's Grackles Onychognathus tristramii in Israel. Ostrich 58: 156–159.

Urban nesting of Tristram's Grackles Onychognathus tristramii is described. Nesting in the town of Arad, Israel, was first observed in the summer of 1983. Breeding behaviour was recorded during two seasons, in six nests. The behaviour of Tristram's Grackles resembled that of related Onychognathus species. The birds were monogamous. Breeding was from March to the end of June, and nests were built in holes and crevices in unoccupied buildings, 6–20 m above the ground. The nest was deep, cup shaped and built predominantly of green Tamarix branches. Three to four eggs were laid. Only the female incubated, while the male guarded. Both parents fed the young on insects fruit and human food remains. The nestlings remained in the nest for approximately 30 days. Parents continued to feed the fledglings for a week after they had left the nest. The fledglings formed juvenile flocks, two weeks after they had left the nest. The adults might then raise a second brood. The process of urbanization of the grackles is discussed.     

NOTES ON THE PEARL-BREASTED SWALLOW HIRUNDO DIMIDIATA IN THE SOUTH-WESTERN CAPE

Earlé R. A. &; Herholdt, J. J. 1988. Breeding and moult of the Anteating Chat Myrmecocichla formicivora. Ostrich 59: 155–161.

The general breeding biology and moult of the Anteating Chat Myrmecocichla formicivora was studied in open grassveld over a two-year period. During the winter (July), groups were significantly smaller than during summer (December) (1,81 ± 0,50 versus 2,85 ± 1,35 birds per group). There was a large turnover of individuals in the study area but the total population stayed the same. The breeding season in the study area lasted from September to February but analysis of nest record cards from a larger area gave a breeding season of August-April. Two types of nests were used: 90,6% were burrows in sand banks or other excavations, but 9,4%were in the mud pellet nests of Greater Striped Swallows Hirundo cucullata (n = 53). Consecutive breeding attempts were never made in the same burrow. Clutches consisted of three, four or five eggs ([Xbar] = 3,73 ± 0,67). Incubation lasted 14–14,5-15 days. The nestling period lasted 15–18 days. Fledgling/egg breeding success was 41,8% with 48,2% of all eggs not reaching the hatching stage. Juveniles showed an unequal sex ratio of 0,57 ♂ ♂: 1,0 ♀ ♀ but adults had a nearly equal ratio (0,9 ♂ ♂: 1,0 ♀ ♀). There was a significant positive correlation between the primary moult score and the week of the seven months in which moult was recorded. Juveniles underwent a complete body moult and partial primary moult 3–4 months after fledging.     

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.     

SOME NOTES ON THE SPOTTED FOREST THRUSH

Brown, C. J., Riekert, B. R. &; Morsbach R. J. 1987. The breeding biology of the African Scops owl. Ostrich 58: 58–64.

The incubation and nestling periods of two pairs of African Scops Owls Otus senegalensis breeding in nesting boxes in the Daan Viljoen Game Park near Windhoek were studied. The incubation and nesting periods were about 22 ± 2 days and 25–28 days respectively. Incubation and brooding was by the female. The male provided all the food during the incubation period, but by the end of the nestling period 30% of food was brought by the female. The growth of the nestlings, parental behaviour and foraging methods are describe2 Of 100 food items brought to the nests, 93% (by number) consisted of arthropods, 6% reptiles and 1% small mammals.     

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.     

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