Garnett, S.T., P. Sutton, K. Lowe & S. Gray. 1991. Land bird movements across north-east Bass Strait, Autumn 1988. Corella15: 1-7. (Garden of St Erth, Blackwood, Vic. 3458, Australia).

Observations and banding of land birds were undertaken at Deal Island and Wilson's Promontory lightstations in north-east Bass Strait between February and May 1988. Data on the timing and route of migration of several species are presented, as well as evidence for pre-migratory fattening in Flame Robins and Grey Fantails. The movement of several species not previously thought to cross Bass Strait is also documented.

McKilligan, N.G. 1991. The breeding biology of the Intermediate Egret. Part 2: Parental behaviour and nesting investment by the male and female. Corella15: 8-12. (Sch. Appl. Sci., Univ. Coll. South. Qld., P.O. Darling Heights, Toowoomba, Qld. 4350, Australia).

Data are from four nests observed prior to incubation and a different two from incubation through chick independence. The breeding male Intermediate Egret is estimated to spend 22 per cent more time at the nest than the female, due to him spending twice as long there during pre-incubation, on average. The sexes made the same number of feeding visits, but the two males regurgitated 15.2 and 8.0 per cent more food boluses than their females. The male's high level of pre-incubation nest attendance, while sometimes less than 100 per cent, is seen as a necessary defence against cuckoldry and nest stick theft. The single chick was brooded and guarded longer than the brood of two. At both nests feeding sessions became significantly shorter after the chicks converted fully to direct feeding.

Dann, P. 1991. Breeding territories, nesting and the timing of breeding of the Double-banded Plover Charadrius bicinctus. Corella15: 13-18. (Penguin Reserve Com. Manage., P.O. Box 403, Cowes, Philip Island, Vic. 3922, Australia).

The breeding of Double-banded Plovers Charadrius bicinctus was examined at the Cass River Delta and Kaitorete Spit in Canterbury, New Zealand. Breeding territories were mapped and the mean distance between nests was similar at both localities. Of the nests found, 80 per cent were on vegetated shingle. Laying began in mid-August and reached a peak in early October. The nest site, nest materials, and size and colouration of the eggs are described. The median clutch size was three and the average clutch size was 2.81 The adaptive significance of some of these aspects of the breeding is discussed, and compared with Charadrius species that breed in Australia.

Read, J.L. 1991. Consumption of seeds by Red-browed Firetails Neochmia temporalis at feeders: dehusking rates and seed choice. Corella15: 19-23. (Environ. Dept., Olympic Dam Operations, P.O. Box 1, Olympic Dam, SA 5725, Australia.)

Red-browed Firetails Neochmia temporalis dehusked seeds before swallowing them. Smaller seeds were dehusked at a faster speed than larger seeds, but despite this, intermediate-sized seeds, between 1.5 mm and 2.0 mm in width, provided the best energy returns. When given a choice at feeders, Red-browed Firetails consumed seeds of intermediate dimensions more frequently than larger or smaller seeds. This suggests these finches prefer seeds that offer higher energy returns.

Reilly, P. 1991. Nest building by Logrunner. Corella15: 23. (19 Lialeeta Ave., Fairhaven, Vic. 3221, Australia).
 
 

Taplin, A. 1991. A little used source of data on migrant birds. Corella15: 24-26. (GPO Box 2516, Brisbane, Qld. 4001, Australia. Window collisions.
 
 

Disney, H.J. De S. 1991. Bird in the Hand: Notes on sexing and plumages of the Welcome Swallow Hirundo neoxena. Corella 15: 29-31. (Australian Mus., 6 College St,., Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia).
 
 

Smith, G.C. 1991. The Roseate Tern Sterna dougallii gracilis breeding on the northern Great Barrier Reef Queensland. Corella15: 33-36 (Australian Environ. Stud., Griffith Univ., Nathan, Qld. 4111, Australia).

In the tropical environment on the northern Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Roseate Terns Sterna dougallii laid eggs from November to January. The average clutch size was 1.6. This did not vary significantly in the three breeding seasons from 1983 to 1986. Adults fed their young predominantly silver, schooling bait-fish from 25 mm to 125 mm in length. Feeding rates increased in two breeding seasons to compensate for smaller prey sizes available in these seasons. Pre-fledging survival rates of chicks were extremely low in breeding seasons when feeding rates were high. Survival of chicks was generally low.

Woehler, E.J., W.C. Wakefield & M. Wakefield. 1991. Preliminary investigations into the morphology of the Crested Tern Sterna bergii in south-east Tasmania. Corella15: 37-40. (37 Parliament St., Sandy Bay, Tas. 7005, Australia).

Hierarchical cluster analysis of morphological data (total head length, exposed culmen and tarsus) from 56 Crested Terns Sterna bergii from south-east Tasmania enabled the identification of an individual's sex. Both total head length and exposed culmen can be used to differentiate the sexes as there is no overlap present. Tarsal lengths, due to a large degree of overlap, are of limited use. Comparison with unpublished morphological data from Western Australia indicates that a geographic variation exists between populations in Australia. Future studies should collect morphological data in order to describe the extent of this variation.

Smith, G.C. 1991. Kleptoparasitic Silver Gulls Larus novaehollandiae on the northern Great barrier Reef Queensland. Corella 15: 41-44 (Australian Environ. Stud., Griffith Univ., Nathan, Qld. 4111, Australia).

Low frequencies of prey stealing behaviour were exhibited by Silver Gulls in Black-naped Tern and Crested Tern colonies on a tropical sand cay on the northern Great Barrier Reef, Queensland. Egg predation by Silver Gulls in Black-naped Tern colonies was lower at this site compared with a southern Great Barrier Reef locality. Chick mortality attributed to gulls in Black-naped Tern colonies was similar between sites. Fledging success was higher at the northern site compared with the southern for both tern species. Lower levels of kleptoparasitism at the northern site were probably a consequence of the low population density of Silver Gulls in the area. An increase in gull numbers could present a more serious threat, as it has done on the southern Great Barrier Reef.

Skira, I. 1991. The Short-tailed Shearwater: a review of its biology. Corella15:45-52. (Dept. Pks. Wildl. Heritage, 134 Macquarie St., Hobart, Tas. 7000, Australia).

The life history of the Short-tailed Shearwater Puffinus tenuirostris has been well documented since it first came to the attention of naturalists. Approximately 23 million birds breed in about 250 colonies in southeastern Australia from September to April. The Short-tailed Shearwater commences to breed when 4 to 15 years. During their completed lifetimes 27 per cent of all individuals produce no young and 19 per cent only one chick. Mortality is age-related with the median survival time for breeding being 9.3 years after first breeding. Many areas remain open for study, with a particular need for interdisciplinary research that includes oceanography.

King, B.R. & C.J. Limpus. 1991. Seabird Islands No. 207: Piper Islands, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland. Corella15: 53-54. (Qld. Mus., Flinders St., Townsville, Qld. 4810, Australia).
 
 

King, B.R. 1991. Seabird Islands No. 208: Chapman Island, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland. Corella 15: 55-56. (Qld. Mus., Flinders St., Townsville, Qld. 4810, Australia).
 
 

King, B.R. & C.J. Limpus. 1991. Seabird Islands No. 209: Sherrard Island, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland. Corella15: 57-58. (Qld. Mus., Flinders St., Townsville, Qld. 4810, Australia).
 
 

King, B.R., C.J. Limpus & T.A. Walker. 1991. Seabird Islands No. 210: Fife Island, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland. Corella15: 59-61. (Qld. Mus., Flinders St., Townsville, Qld. 4810, Australia).
 
 

Lawler, W. & S.V. Briggs. 1991. Breeding of Maned Duck and other waterbirds on ephemeral wetlands in north-western New South Wales. Corella15: 65-76. (Div. Wildl. Ecol., CSIRO, P.O. Box 84, Lyneham, ACT 2602, Australia).

Ephemeral wetlands on Nocoleche Nature Reserve in north-western New South Wales flooded and dried three times between October 1985 and October 1988. Forty-nine species of waterbirds used the wetlands, Maned Ducks and Grey Teal bred in each of these flooding events, and laid at all times of the year except late summer. Other waterbirds, including Black Swans, Pacific Black Ducks, Australasian Shovelers, Pink-eared Ducks, White-faced Herons and grebes, bred during one or two of the flooding events. Some Maned Ducks bred in spring on permanent water. The Paroo River flooded four times during the study, but its overflow areas were not filled long enough to allow most waterbirds to breed.

Pepper-Edwards, D.L. & E. Notley. 1991. Plumage changes of a captive Black-breasted Buzzard Hamirostra melanosternon. Corella15: 77-78. (Taronga Zoo, P.O. Box 20, Mosman, NSW 2088, Australia).
 
 

Maddock, M. 1991. Observations on the biology of the White-faced Heron Ardea novaehollandiae. Corella15: 79-86. (Shortland Wetlands Ctr., Box 130, Wallsend, NSW 2287, Australia).

The White-faced Heron Ardea novaehollandiae is not an uncommon species in the Hunter Valley, NSW, occurring individually or in small groups (two to five), with larger flocks in wet pasture after rain or flood. Its morphology is described and compared with those of egrets, and variations in the grey plumage pattern reported. Nests observed have been solitary, even when in same area as an egret colony, and very high in trees. Breeding behaviour for four pairs observed is described. Courting behaviour was conducted in general area of nest-site location. Pursuit flights, and typical heron-type 'back-bite', 'twig-shake' and 'wing-preen' (Hancock and Kushlan 1984) have been observed. Incubation time is estimated as 24-26 days. Young were observed to be left unattended at nine days, to clamber at 20 days and to fledge at 43. Breeding success at five nests for which outcomes were determined was 1.40 per nesting attempt. Both parents undertook incubation and care of young. Five cases of breeding commencement in spring (October, November), one summer (December), and one winter (July) were recorded. Incidents of agonistic interaction with a Noisy Miner, a Laughing Kookaburra and another White-faced Heron are reported.

Poiani, A. 1991. Laughing Kookaburra robs Bell Miner nest. Corella15: 87. (Dept. Zool., La Trobe Univ., Bundoora, Vic. 3083, Australia).
 
 

Wood, K.A. 1991. Gulls and Terns (Laridae) off Wollongong. New South Wales: seasonal abundance, scavenging behaviour and depth zonation. Corella15: 93-102. (7 Eastern Ave., Mangerton, NSW 2500, Australia).

During 23 monthly pelagic cruises off Wollongong, Silver Gulls Larus novaehollandiae comprised about 90 per cent of 11 483 larids counted and were the most dominant scavengers. Gulls were mainly inshore whereas terns were mostly offshore and pelagic. Five tern species were seen irregularly. Crested Terns were consistently more pelagic than neritic while not breeding and consistently more neritic than pelagic while breeding. Numbers of Silver Gulls increased markedly in winter (before breeding) when zonal distribution changed to partly neritic, partly pelagic. At peak abundance in June 1985, their rates of encounter in pelagic and neritic zones were equal. It is suggested that the Silver Gulls in the pelagic zone were mainly adults, scavenging for nutritious food before breeding.

Dyer, .K. 1991. Covering entrances of Wedge-tailed Shearwater burrows.Corella15: 103-107. (Dept. Geogr. Sci., Univ. Qld., Qld. 4072, Australia).

An investigation into the association between covered burrow entrances and the breeding status of occupants of burrows was prompted when Wedge-tailed Shearwaters were seen covering the entrances to their burrows. The results showed that neither covered nor cleared entrances should be used as indicators for occupied breeding burrows. Burrows with covered entrances may contain incubating birds, and those with cleared entrances may only be used at night by immature birds. The incidence of burrows with covered entrances was related to habitat type which influenced the availability of litter and debris.

Lane, S.G. 1991. Breeding of the Short-tailed Shearwater on Muttonbird Island, New South Wales. Corella 15: 107. (Lot 6, Fairview Rd., Moonee, via Coffs Harbour, NSW 2450, Australia).
 
 

Lane, S.G. 1991. Some problems during the exodus of young Shearwaters from Muttonbird Island, New South Wales. Corella 15: 108. (Lot 6, Fairview Rd., Moonee, via Coffs Harbour, NSW 2450, Australia).
 
 

Elvish, R. & T. A. Walker. 1991. Seabird Islands No. 211: Bramble Cay, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland. Corella15: 109-111. (P.O. Box 185, St Lucia, Qld. 4067, Australia).
 
 

Walker, T. A. & A. Oldroyd. 1991. Seabird Islands No. 212: South Barnard Islands, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland. Corella 15: 112-114. (P.O. Box 691, Townsville, Qld. 4810, Australia).
 
 

Walker T.A.. 1991. Seabird Islands No. 213: Easy Rock, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland. Corella 15: 115-116. (P.O. Box 691, Townsville, Qld. 4810, Australia).
 
 

Lane, S.G. & H Heatwole. 1991. Seabird Islands No. 214: Distant Cay, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland. Corella15: 117-118. (. (Lot 6, Fairview Rd., Moonee, via Coffs Harbour, NSW 2450, Australia).
 
 

Shaughnessy, P.D. & N.G. Cheshire. 1991. Totally White Southern Giant-Petrel from Tasmanian waters. Corella15: 120. (CSIRO Div. Wildl. Ecol., P.O. Box 84, Lyneham, ACT 2602, Australia).
 
 

Heatwole, H., M. Betts, J. Webb & P. Crosthwaite. 1991. Birds of the Northern Prince Charles Mountains Antarctica. Corella15: 120-122. (Dept. Zool., Univ. New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia).
 
 

Russell, E., I. Rowley, R. Brown & M. Brown. 1991. Acquisition of nuptial plumage in the Red-winged Fairy-wren Malurus elegans. Corella15: 125-133. (CSIRO Div. Wildl. Ecol., LMB 4, P.O. Midland, WA 6056, Australia).

Changes with age and season in the plumage of male Red-winged Fairywrens Malurus elegans were recorded as part of a study based on more than 600 colour-banded individuals whose age and social history were known. The chestnut lores of juvenile males showed traces of black as early as 39 days after hatching. The earliest record of completely black lores was at 117 days. All young males showed traces of black in the lores by their first April. More than 80 per cent of males did not acquire full nuptial plumage (= Full Plumage, FP) in the breeding season until they were two years old; at one year old, most were half blue or less. Males moulted into their brilliant FP progressively earlier as they became older; a few remained blue all the year. Males in FP in April-July were probably at least four years old. Some juveniles moulted their primaries in the autumn of their first year, but most did not. Information on the timing of changes in plumage suggests criteria for ageing this species at different times of the year.

Reilly, P. 1991. The effect of wildfire on bush bird populations in six Victoria coastal habitats. Corella15: 134-142. (19 Lialeeta Ave., Fairhaven, Vic. 3221, Australia).

In an area severely burned by wildfire on 16 February 1983, a study was carried out at six different sites at six-monthly intervals from autumn 1984 (14 months post-fire) to spring 1987 (56 months post-fire) to record the time taken for birds to re-establish populations. At 26 months post-fire, 84 per cent of the eventual total of 69 species had been recorded. No specific bird lists were available for the six sites, nor were there unburnt areas to act as controls. Comparison of population re-establishment is made between three sites: two in this present study that most resembled a third in a more intensive study carried out in the same district. The danger of fire is most acute for ground-dwelling species restricted in habitat and distribution, such as Rufous Bristlebirds and Southern Emu-wrens. Their numbers declined and their populations were slow to become re-established.

McFarland, D.C. 1991. Flush behaviour, catchability and morphometrics of the Ground Parrot Pezoporus wallicus in south-eastern Queensland. Corella15: 143-149. (Qld. Natl. Pks. Serv., P.O. Box 42, Kenmore, Qld. 4069, Australia).

The flush behaviour of the Ground Parrot is described, and the success rates of several netting methods are compared. While netting at nests was the most successful, dusk and group netting yielded the highest capture rates among methods that can be used year round. Of the 115 parrots banded, 35 were chicks (9% retrap rate) and 80 were free-flying birds (28% retrap rate). All recaptures were in the same areas as originally banded, indicating a highly sedentary nature of young birds (<3 months old) and subadults/adults (>7 months). Immigration and emigration of young birds (3-7 months) occurred in the autumn. Annual survivorship of birds banded as free-flying individuals was 60 per cent. Four age classes were recognized (chick, juvenile, subadult and adult). Ageing was based on a combination of plumage characters and iris colour. Ground Parrots may be sexed by culmen length but more data are needed. The species exhibits four of the five morphological features correlated with a granivorous existence.

Dunn, A.M. 1991. Unusual behaviour of a female Zebra Finch: possible egg dumping. Corella 15: 150-152. (Zool. Dept., La Trobe Univ., Bundoora, Vic. 3083, Australia.