Maddock, M. 1989. Colour and first age of breeding in Cattle Egrets as determined from wing-tagged birds. Corella13: 1-8. (Shortland Wetlands Ctr., Box 130, Wallsend, NSW 2287, Australia).

In a study of marked Cattle Egrets Ardeola ibis returning to breeding colonies at the Shortland Wetlands Centre and Seaham Swamp Nature Reserve, New South Wales, first-year birds were classified into four colour categories 'white'. 'pale‚, Œfull pale' and Œfull coloured', with individuals of each category successfully nesting and raising chicks. Colour did not appear to be a factor affecting capability of breeding as breeding success of these birds was found to be compatible with whole colony results at Shortland and Gatton, Queensland in previous seasons. All second-year birds were found to be full coloured. The majority of returning first-year birds did not nest. Colour and sex appeared to be independent. First-year birds comprized an estimated 13 per cent of birds in the Seaham breeding colony and 57 per cent of foraging flocks in the vicinity of the breeding site

Clancy, G.P. 1989. A survey of breeding Ospreys Pandion haliaetus in north-eastern coastal New South Wales 1980 to 1982. Corella13: 9-14. (56 Armidale Rd., Coutts Crossing, NSW 2460, Australia).

Ospreys were surveyed on 560 km of coast in northern New South Wales during 1980 to 1982. Fifteen nests were found with fourteen pairs attempting to breed (one nest per 37 km of coastline). At least thirteen young fledged, four from three pairs in 1980 and eight from five pairs in 1981 (1 6 young per successful nest). The diet was mainly fish, but included cuttlefish. crustaceans, a reptile and a mammal. The breeding cycle (nest building to fledging) occupied the months June to October. Nests were placed in tall dead trees, usually within one kilometre of a major water body, in eucalypt open forest/woodland, swamp forest and grassland (pastures). Details of breeding activity nests, clutch size, sexual dimorphism, diet and threats to breeding success are presented.

Tidemann, S.C. 1989. Acquisition of nuptial plumage in White-winged Fairy-wrens Malurus leucopterus.Corella 13: 15-17. (Conserv. Comm. NT, PO Box 496, Palmerston, NT 0831, Australia).

Mooney, N.J. 1989. Co-operative hunting in the Brown Falcon Falco berigora. Corella 13: 18-21. (Dept. Lands, Parks Wildl., G.P.O. Box 44A, Hobart, Tas. 7001, Australia).

Larkins, D. 1989. Heat regulation in the Great-billed Heron Ardea sumatrana. Corella 13: 21-23. (225 Kissing Point Rd., Turramurra, NSW 2074, Australia).

The Great-billed Heron Ardea sumatrana may suffer heat stress while feeding. This may result in a conflict between the needs to feed and to regulate temperature. [for corrigendum see Vol. 13 p. 164]

Maddock, M. 1989. Identification of nestling Egrets (Egretta sp. and Ardeola ibis). Corella13: 24-26. (Shortland Wetlands Ctr., Box 130, Wallsend, NSW 2287, Australia). [for corrigendum see Vol. 13 p. 164]

Dann, P. & J.M. Cullen. 1989. The maximum swimming speed and theoretical foraging range of breeding Little Penguins Eudyptula minor at Phillip Island, Victoria. Corella 13: 34-37. (Penguin Reserve Comm. Manage., P.O. Box 403, Cowes, Phillip Island, Vic. 3922, Australia).

Maximum swimming speed of Little Penguins varied from 4.0-8.5 km/h. Estimates indicate that penguins travelling in search of food at the most efficient level of energy consumption would not travel much faster than 2.6 km/h. The potential feeding range is probably about 20 km, when adults are feeding chicks and are absent during daylight.

Woehler, E.J. 1989. Resightings and recoveries of banded seabirds at Heard Island, 1985-1988. Corella 13: 38-40. (Australian Antarctic Div., Channel Hwy., Kingston, Tas. 7050, Australia).
 
 

King, B.R., J. Hicks & A. Oldroyd. 1989. Seabird Islands No. 190: Cholmondeley Island, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland. Corella13: 41-42. (Qld. Mus., Flinders St., Townsville, Qld. 4810, Australia).
 
 

King, B.R., C.J. Limpus, J. Hicks & A. Oldroyd. 1989. Seabird Islands No. 191:Wallace Island, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland. Corella13: 43-44. (Qld. Mus., Flinders St., Townsville, Qld. 4810, Australia).
 
 

King, B.R., & C.J. Limpus. 1989. Seabird Islands No. 192: Saunders Island, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland. Corella13: 45-46. (Qld. Mus., Flinders St., Townsville, Qld. 4810, Australia).
 
 

King, B.R. 1989. Seabird Islands No. 193: Magra Island, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland. Corella 13: 47-48. (Qld. Mus., Flinders St., Townsville, Qld. 4810, Australia).
 
 

Walker, T.A., M.E. Jones & F. Savage. 1989. Seabird Islands No. 194: Bachi Cay, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland. Corella 13: 49-50. (Dept. Environ Conserv., P.O. Box 5391 Townsville Mail Ctr., Qld. 4810, Australia).
 
 

Walker, T.A., M.E. Jones & F. Savage. 1989. Seabird Islands No. 195: Thomas Cay, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland. Corella 13: 51-52. (Dept. Environ Conserv., P.O. Box 5391 Townsville Mail Ctr., Qld. 4810, Australia).
 
 

Walker, T.A. & K Hulsman. 1989. Seabird Islands No. 196: Erskine Island, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland. Corella13: 53-56 Dept. Environ Conserv., P.O. Box 5391 Townsville Mail Ctr., Qld. 4810, Australia).
 
 

Burbidge, A.A. & P.J. Fuller. 1989. Numbers of breeding seabirds on Pelsaert Island, Houtman Abrolhos, Western Australia.Corella13: 57-61. (Dept. Conserv. Land Manage., P.O. Box 51, Wanneroo, WA 6065, Australia).

In December 1986, we visited Pelsaert Island, Houtman Abrolhos, Western Australia. and estimated 49,000 occupied breeding burrows of the Wedge-tailed Shearwater Puffinus pacificus, 76,000 current nests of the Common Noddy Anous stolidus and 30,000 current nests of the Lesser Noddy A. tenuirostris. It was not possible to count the Sooty Tern Sterna fuscata colony because breeding was too far advanced. It occupied nearly 12 ha and probably included at least as many nests as the Common Noddy colony.

Stokes, T. & K. Dunn. 1989. Movement of Least Frigatebirds from the Pacific to the Indian Ocean. Corella 13: 62. (Australian Natl. Pks Wildl, Serv., G.P.O. Box 636, Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia).
 
 

Liddy, J. 1989. Brown Honeyeaters Lichmera indistincta at a banding station in south-eastern Queensland. Corella13: 65-72. (5 Ben St., Chermside, Qld. 4032, Australia).

Brown Honeyeaters Lichmera indistincta were studied at a banding station near Beerburrum, south-eastern Queensland, between 1971 and 1987. This species was most plentiful between May and September and major influxes of juveniles occurred in the spring of some years Comparatively few birds were retrapped in later years and the two oldest birds known were last retrapped just over nine years after banding. Three birds were recovered away from the banding site, all within a 33 km radius. Adult Brown Honeyeaters can be reliably sexed by measurements and weight, males being larger than females. Adults can also be sexed by the colour of the crown grey in males and olive-brown in females. Seasonal changes in the colours of the oral flange of adult males are summarized. The pattern of post-nuptial moult follows the typical sequences for most Australian passerines.

Woinarski, J.C.Z. 1989. Some life history comparisons of small leaf-gleaning bird species of south-eastern Australia. Corella 13: 73-80. (Conserv. Comm. NT, P.O. Box 496, Palmerston, NT 0831, Australia).

Breeding biology, longevity and dispersal are compared for six species of thornbills Acanthiza, three gerygones Gerygone, two pardalotes Pardalotus and the Weebill Smicrornis from south·eastern Australia. The pardalotes and two thornbills (Buff-rumped and Chestnut rumped) lay relatively large clutches and have the highest nesting success. Incubation and fledging periods are longest for the pardalotes. The breeding season of the Weebill and both pardalotes are much more extensive than those of thornbills or gerygones. There is a pronounced peak in the breeding period for all gerygones (between October and December) and for all thornbills (between August and October). Both pardalotes and two gerygones show seasonal dispersal which is extensive relative to the marked sedentary nature typical of thornbills. Longevity in thornbills may be greater than that for pardalotes. These differences in life history are related to both food availability and nest-site selection.

Arnold, G.W. 1989. Changes with time of day in the species and numbers of birds seen in Wandoo woodland. Corella13: 81-85. (CSIRO Div. Wildl. Ecol., LMB No. 4, P.O. Midland, WA 6056, Australia).

Birds in four 2 ha portions of a 200 ha Wandoo Eucalyptus wandoo woodland were censused either in the first two hours or second two hours after sunrise. Many (39 percent) of the species were recorded in only one of the two time periods, while the numbers of half of the species also differed between the periods.

The birds in a separate four hectare portion of the woodland were censused nine times a day at hourly intervals from dawn on three days (13 January, 7 May and 10 September 1981) The species, number of species and number of individuals per species recorded, changed with the time of day. The number of species recorded was relatively constant (10) over the first four hours, then fluctuated. However, one census detected only 50 percent of the species found over nine censuses. Fifty percent of species were recorded at only one or two censuses.

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Reasons for these findings and their bearing on future bird census work are discussed.

Lawler, W.G. & S.V. Briggs. 1989. Eye colour in Grey Teal. Corella13: 86-87. (CSIRO P.O. Box 84, Lyneham, ACT 2602, Australia).
 
 

Lowe, K.W. 1989. Notes on the breeding of the Pacific Heron Ardea pacifica near Balranald, New South Wales. Corella 13: 8-89. (Australian Natl. Pks. Wildl. Serv., G.P.O. Box 8, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia).
 
 

Webb, G.A. 1989. A note on the diet of the Australian Owlet-Nightjar Aegotheles cristatus. Corella13: 90-91. (NSW Agric. Fish., P.O. Box K220, Haymarket, NSW 2000, Australia).

Lenz, M. 1989. Occupancy of land-based territories by Clamorous Reed-Warblers in Canberra during a drought year. Corella13: 91-92. (8 Suttor St., Ainslie, ACT 2602, Australia).
 
 

Wood, K.A. 1989. Seasonal abundance, marine habitats and behaviour of Skuas off central New South Wales. Corella13: 97-104. (7 Eastern Ave., Mangerton, NSW 2500, Australia).

Between April 1985 and March 1987, monthly cruises were made from Wollongong to approximately 66 km east. Using 20-minute censuses, the abundance of skuas was determined seasonally and in marine zones classified as inshore, offshore, neritic and pelagic. Regularly occurring species, listed in descending order of abundance had the following zonal and seasonal distributions: Pomarine Jaeger Stercorarius pomarinus, most abundant, mainly offshore, November to May; Arctic Jaeger S. parasiticus, inshore, October to May; Long·tailed Jaeger S. longicaudus, offshore and pelagic, October to March; Great Skua S. skua (least abundant), offshore, May to September, South Polar Skuas S. maccormicki were not seen. Arctic Jaegers repeatedly parasitised Silver Gulls Larus novaehollandiae. Characteristics of behaviour are compared.

Murray, D. 1989. The Gibson Code. Corella 13: 104. --- Score for plumage ageing in Albatross
 
 

Smith, G.C. & P. Ogilvie. 1989. Seabird Islands No. 197: Rocky Islets, Great Barrier Reef. Corella 13: 107-109. (Environ. Survey Res. Br., NSW Natl. Pks. Wildl. Serv., P.O. Box 1967, Hurstville, NSW 2220, Australia).
 
 

Walker, T.A.. 1989. Seabird Islands No. 198: Redbill Island, Great Barrier Reef. Corella 13: 110-111. (P.O. Box 691, Townsville, Qld. 4810, Australia).
 
 
 
 

Walker, T.A.. 1989. Seabird Islands No. 199: Holbourne Island, Great Barrier Reef. Corella 13: 112-114. (P.O. Box 691, Townsville, Qld. 4810, Australia).
 
 

Walker, T.A.. 1989. Seabird Islands No. 200: North Reef Island, Great Barrier Reef. Corella 13: 115-117. (P.O. Box 691, Townsville, Qld. 4810, Australia).
 
 

Walker, T.A. 1989. Seabird Islands No. 201: Lady Elliott Island, Great Barrier Reef. Corella 13: 118-121. (P.O. Box 691, Townsville, Qld. 4810, Australia).
 
 

Lane, S.G. 1989. A visit to Distant Cay, Swains Reef, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland. Corella 13: 122. (Lot 6, Fairview Rd., Moonee vis Coffs Harbour, NSW 2450, Australia).
 
 

Lintermans, M. 1989. The distribution and breeding of the Little Penguin on Bowen Island, Jervis Bay. Corella13: 123-125. (ACT Pks. Conserv. Serv., P.O. Box 158, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia).
 
 

Woehler, E.J., P. Park & L.B. Parr. 1989. Sexing adult Silver Gulls Larus novaehollandiae by external measurements with confirmation by dissection. Corella 13: 126-129. (Australian Antarctic Div., Channel Hwy., Kingston, Tas. 7050, Australia).

Body measurements of 88 breeding adult Silver Gulls Larus novaehollandiae from north-west Tasmania enabled sexing of 95 percent of individuals based on Total Head Length and 93 percent of individuals on Bill Depth at Gonys measurements. Other body measurements exhibited higher degrees of overlap between males and females and were considered unsuitable for sexing purposes.

Ogilvie, P.S. & I. Humphrey-Smith. 1989. A record of first-year dispersal for a Black Noddy Anous minutus.Corella 13: 129-130. (Qld. Natl. Pks. Wildl. Serv., P.O. Box 42, Kenmore, Qld. 4069, Australia).
 
 

Maddock, M. 1989. Development and evaluation of a technique for individually marking Egrets. Corella 13: 133-142. Shortland Wetlands Ctr., Box 130, Wallsend, NSW 2287, Australia).

A project studying the breeding biology, ecology and migration of egrets required a system of marking individual birds which could easily provide information on species, colony, season of banding and individual identification from observation made by non-expert field observers. Multiple Darvic or Celluloid leg bands proved slow and cumbersome to apply and observation of bands in the field was obscured when the birds stood in water, reeds or long grass. Bands often became obscured with caked mud and loss of bands created problems in identifying the birds. A system of patagial tagging has been developed which is simple and practical in the field and provides the required information from observations by non-experts in computer-compatible form. Pennant Flag Cloth or Fluorescent Banner Coth have been found suitable for tag manufacture. The details of the tags and their application are described. Extensive observation of tagged nestlings, fostered birds raised n captivity and adults in the field over four years reveal no evidence to date of physical problems to the birds Tagged birds have been seen alive at distances of up to 2 160 km in Tasmania, Victoria and New Zealand. No evidence has been found that the breeding success of the tagged birds is different from the success of birds not carrying tags.

Joseph, L.. 1989. Food-holding behaviour in some Australian Parrots. Corella13:143-144. (Dept. Zool., Univ. Qld., St. Lucia, Qld. 4067, Australia).
 
 

Jones, D.N. 1989. Modern Megapode research a post-Frith review. Corella13: 145-154. (Divn. Australian Environ. Stud., Griffith Univ., Nathan, Qld. 4111, Australia).

Modern studies on the megapodes commenced with H. J. Frith's studies or the Mallee Fowl Leipoa ocellata during the 1950's. Since this time much debate has centred on the evolution of the family, especially on taxonomic relationships and routes of dispersion. More recently major advances in the understanding of megapode incubation have been made, especially the functioning of mounds and the associated adaptations of eggs and chicks. Detailed studies of sexual interactions have revealed numerous types of mating systems within the group, leading to speculations as to their evolution. Many species are currently threatened, and many areas of ecology and behaviour remain to be studied.

Ambrose, S.J. & V. Fazio. 1989. Monitoring populations of waterbirds in New England, New South Wales: how important are small wetlands?Corella13: 155-160. (Dept. Zool., Australian Natl. Univ., GPO Box 4, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia).

A cumulative total of 47 waterbird species was observed at five small wetlands around Armidale, northern New South Wales in 1985-86. Numbers of waterbirds peaked in March each year with a maximum count of 3 074 in 1986, suggesting that these wetlands are important refuges at the end of summer. Monthly and bi-monthly surveys indicated similar fluctuations in population sizes. How ever, bi-monthly surveys decreased the detectability of vagrant species.

Longmore, N.W. & R.M. Scoullar. 1989. A display of the Spangled Drongo Dicrurus hottentottus. Corella13: 160-161. (Qld. Mus., P.O. Box 300, S. Brisbane, Qld. 4101, Australia)

Lane, S.G. 1989. Unusual iris colour in White-cheeked Honeyeater. Corella13:161. (Lot 6, Fairview Rd., Moonee, via Coffs Harbour, NSW 2450, Australia).