Dyer, P.K. (1999). Wedge-tailed Shearwaters at Raine Island, Great Barrier Reef: population estimate and breeding status. Corella23: 1--6. (Univ. Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Qld. 4556, Australia).

The breeding activities of Wedge-tailed Shearwaters at Raine Island, in the far northern section of the Great Barrier Reef, have not been quantified to date. In December 1995, 58 per cent of burrows inspected with a 'burrowscope' were occupied, 52 per cent with incubation or a chick, so approximately half of the estimated 3 661 burrows were likely to be active, breeding burrows. There appeared to be a locational preference for nesting on the western end of the island. Breeding rates on Raine Island were similar to those of the principal Great Barrier Reef Wedge-tailed Shearwater colonies of the Capricorn Group of islands.

Rohweder, D.A. (1999). Assessment of three methods used to attach radio-transmitters to migratory Waders in northern New South Wales. Corella 23: 7--10. (Sch. Resour. Manage., Southern Cross Univ., P.O. Box 157, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia).

Thirty-two single-stage transmitters were attached to ten species of waders as part of a study on nocturnal habitat use. Three variations of a method used previously to attach transmitters to waders were compared. The aim of the comparison was to see if less disruptive variations of the standard attachment technique could provide similar retention times. The three variations were: 1) transmitter attached directly to the bird's lower back; 2) transmitter with gauze attached to a patch of trimmed feathers on the bird's lower back; and 3) transmitters were attached directly to a patch of trimmed feathers on the bird's lower back.

Retention time ranged from 11 to 55 days. The longest mean retention time was recorded for variation three (31 days), followed by variation two (30 days) and variation one (19 days). Despite the large difference between the averages there was no significant difference in retention time between the three variations. A significant difference in retention time was recorded between different weight classes. Birds weighing over 300 grams retained transmitters for a significantly longer period of time than birds weighing less than 150 grams. The results suggest that the capture and attachment of transmitters can have a short-term effect on bird behaviour.

Bayley, K. (1999). Observations of behaviour of Sulphur-crested Cockatoos Cacatua galerita in suburban Sydney. Corella23: 11--15. (Dept. Biol. Sci., Macquarie Univ., NSW 2109, Australia).

A population of Sulphur-crested Cockatoo Cacatua galerita at Ashfield, New South Wales, was observed over a four year period. The birds were intentionally habituated to human observers and contact with humans was positively reinforced. The habituation process allowed behaviour patterns to be observed at distances of 0.5-3 m which is closer than other studies on free-ranging(Sulphur r-crested Cockatoos. Five previously undescribed behaviour patterns were noted -- pair beak-clacking, posing, male/male beak-clacking, male/male allopreening and chorusing. The courtship display differed strikingly from previous descriptions. Other observed behaviour patterns were similar to previous descriptions for Cacatua species.

McLean, J.A.. (1999). Seabird Islands No. 242: Low Wooded Island, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland. Corella 23: 16--17. (Box 203, Cooktown, Qld. 4871, Australia).
 
 

Lane, S.G. (1999). Food of Satin Bowerbirds. Corella23: 17. (66 Fairview Rd., Moonee, via Coffs harbour, NSW 2450, Australia).
 
 

McLean, J.A. (1998). Seabird Islands No. 243: Hope Islands, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland. Corella 23: 18--20. (Box 203, Cooktown, Qld. 4871, Australia
 
 

Baker, J. & J. Clarke. (1999). Radio-tagging and the Eastern Bristlebird: methodology and effects. Corella23: 25--32. (Dept. Biol. Sci., Univ. Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia).

Eastern Bristlebirds Dasyornis brachypterus were captured at Jervis Bay by two people using up to 168 m of mist-net, open for 145 hours over 29 days. Twenty-two birds were radio-tagged and useful data were obtained for 19 birds at 3 sites in Booderee National Park and for one bird in NSW Jervis Bay National Park. The radio-tags weighed 1.6 g which averaged 3.8 per cent of the birds' weights. The routine time taken from trapping to the release of a radio-tagged bird averaged 45 minutes. The radio-tags were attached to the inter-scapular using Supa Glue Gel. The radio-tags remained attached for a median time of 5.5 days (range 1-41 days). The effect of tagging on the birds was noticeable during processing but appeared to diminish to a negligible level within the first day. A review of 23 studies across 31 avian taxa weighing 7-180 g, carrying radio-tags 0.4-6.9 g which were 1.6-16 per cent of their weight, suggested that for small to medium-sized birds, small radio-tags glued to the inter-scapular have minimal effect and the acclimation period is less than a day.

Lane, S.G. (1999). Recovery of Curlew Sandpiper from China. Corella23: 32. (66 Fairview Rd., Moonee, via Coffs harbour, NSW 2450, Australia).
 
 

Ross, G.A., K. Egan & D. Pridel. (1999). Hybridization between Little Tern Sterna albifrons and Fairy Tern Sterna nereis in Botany Bay, New South Wales. Corella23: 33--36. (NSW Natl. Pks. Serv., P.O. Box 375 Kurnell, NSW 2231, Australia).

The Little Tern Sterna albifrons and Fairy Tern S. nereis are largely allopatric breeders, but the incidence of breeding sympatry and hybridization appears to be increasing as the breeding range of the Fairy Tern expands northward. During the summer of 1996-97, a mixed pair comprising a female Little Tern and a male Fairy Tern nested on Towra Spit Island, Botany Bay. Species identification was confirmed by both plumage characteristics and morphometric measurements. The mixed pair successfully hatched two young from a clutch of three eggs. Hybridization may ultimately threaten the continued survival of one or both species.

Kentish, B. (1999). Breeding of Australian White Ibis, Straw-necked Ibis and Silver Gulls on Winter Swamp, Ballarat from 1990-1997. Corella23: 37--42. (Ctr. Environ. Manage., Univ. Ballarat, P.O. Box 663, Ballarat, Vic. 3353, Australia).

Breeding populations of Silver Gull Larus novaehollandiae, Australian White Ibis Threskiornis molucca and Straw-necked Ibis Threskiornis spinicollis were studied, from 1990 to 1997, on Winter Swamp, Ballarat, Victoria. Silver Gulls and Australian White Ibis bred from early July to early February but there were differences amongst years. Factors affecting the variation in the starting date and length of breeding season are discussed.

Australian White Ibis had a mean clutch size of 2.25 (S.D. = 0.14) and a mode of three. There was a 6.8 times increase in the number of Australian White Ibis pulli banded each year from 1990 to 1996. Breeding effort of the population, measured by the number of ibis pulli banded per month, was influenced by the depth of water in the swamp during the previous month (r² = 0.23, F_1,18 = 5.00, P = 0.040).

Silver Gull mean clutch size was 1.92 (S.D, = 0.10) and the mode, two eggs. Between 1991 and 1995 there was a 15 fold increase in the number of gull pulli banded. There was a weak relationship between the number of gull pulli banded and evaporation during the previous month (r² = 0.11, F_1,36 2, = 4.33, P = 0.044)

Crouther, M.M. & K.W. Crouther. (1999). Quail that go bump in the night. Corella 23: 43--47. (P.O., Dalrymple Heights, Eungella, Qld. 4757, Australia).

Annual irruptions of quail and button-quail, mostly Red-backed Button-quail, have been observed at Eungella township, elevation 725 metres in the Clarke Range near Mackay, Queensland. The birds appear at night, usually after about 2200 hours, but they seem to move only on certain nights in thick fog with a little light rain. Over an eight year period, 200 individual birds of six species have been hand captured when attracted to lights. They were measured and banded, and released alive. Summarized morphometric data are presented. The paper covers observations of this phenomenon and discusses the possibility of a migration pattern. Some comparisons are made with reported similar occurrences overseas.

Gosper, C.R. (1999). Plant food resources of birds in coastal dune communities in New South Wales. Corella 23: 53--62. (Australian Flora & Fauna Ctr., Dept. Biol. Sci., Univ. Wollongong, Northfields Ave., Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia).

The plant food resources of birds, namely nectar, flower parts, leaves, exudates, seeds, elaiosomes and fruits, were recorded in coastal dune communities at several locations along the New South Wales coastline. This paper lists all the observed plant food types (73 in total) used by 53 bird species, from 58 plant species. Notes are included on the more unusual and interesting food items and foraging techniques. The majority of observations add to the current range of specifically known bird foods. Of particular interest was the diversity of the diet of many species, particularly in the previously unknown use of nectar and fleshy fruit resources.

Rowley, I. (1999). Cooperative breeding by Black-faced Woodswallows Artamuscinereus.Corella23: 63--66. (53 Swan St., Guildford, WA 6055, Australia).

From 1973 to 1976, I studied Black-faced Woodswallows Artamus cinereus in the wheatbelt of Western Australia, where the species is resident all the year round. By 1975 all the birds in one group were individually colour-banded and their contributions at four nests were recorded during 68 hours of hide-watches. All birds, presumably of both sexes, took part in incubating the eggs, and in brooding and feeding the nestlings.

Lane, S.G. (1999). Notes on banding Wonga Pigeons Leucosarcia melanoleuca at Moonee, New South Wales. Corella 23: 67--68. (66 Fairview Rd., Moonee, NSW 2450, Australia).

The following is a summary of banding details collected on Wonga Pigeons Leucosarcia melanoleuca at Moonee, near Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, from 4 November 1991 to 31 December 1998. Fifty-nine birds were banded and 226 recaptures were made in just over seven years.

Matthew, J.S. (1999). A new method for ageing some species of Meliphagidae. Corella23: 69--71. (C/- CSIRO Div. Wildl. Ecol., P.O. Box 284, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia).

A new method for distinguishing certain species of honeyeaters and chats in first immature plumage is presented. This makes use of the difference between juveniles and adults in the shape of the longest feather of the alula. First immatures with the juvenile longest feather of the alula retained can be distinguished from adults on the basis of this difference in shape.

Chatto, R. (1999). Seabird Islands No. 224: Low Rock, South-west Gulf of Carpentaria, Northern Territory. Corella 23: 72-74. (Pks. Wildl. Comm. NT, P.O. Box 496, Palmerston, NT 0830, Australia).
 
 

Luck, G.W. (1999). Plumage and size variations in adult and juvenile Rufous Treecreepers Climacteris rufa. Corella 23: 77--82. (Ctr. Ecosystem Manage., Edith Cowan Univ., Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia).

Plumage descriptions and morphometric measurements were obtained from adult and juvenile Rufous Treecreepers of both sexes. Plumage characteristics differed between the sexes in adults and juveniles, and between adults and juveniles of the same sex. The main plumage differences between adults and juveniles were the overall darker coloration of the juvenile plumage and the variation in upper breast pattern. Males and females, and adults and juveniles (of the same sex) also exhibited significant size dimorphism in a number of morphometric characters.

McConnell, P.J. & N.G. Millikan. (1999). Vertebrates found in Cattle Egret chick regurgitates. Corella 23: 83--84. (Dept. Biol. Physical Sci., Univ. S. Qld., Toowoomba, Qld. 4350, Australia).

The vertebrate prey of the Cattle Egret Ardea ibis was determined from 850 boluses regurgitated by advanced chicks over 12 breeding seasons from 1981 to 1993, at three heronries in the Lockyer Valley, south-east Queensland. Vertebrates comprised one species of mammal, 16 species of reptile and nine species of amphibians and included the locally rare skinks Ctenotus eurydice and Eremiascincus richardsonii and Grey Snake Hemiaspisdamelii. In large numbers were the Cane Toad Bufo marinus, the native Eastern Dwarf Tree-frog Litoria fallax and skink Lampropholis delicata. Almost 50 per cent of the amphibian and reptilian species recorded for Lockyer Valley pastures and cultivation were discovered in the Cattle Egret regurgitates.

Hillimore, P.J. & H.F. Recher. (1999). Egret nests and cherry pickers: a cautionarytale. Corella 23: 85--86. (Ctr. Ecosystem Manage., Edith Cowan Univ., Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia).

From 1997 to 1998 the reproductive biology of a colony of Great Egrets Ardea alba at the Perth Zoo, Western Australia was studied. A cherry picker was used to provide elevation so that an accurate and rapid count of the number of active nests, eggs and chicks, nesting material and the size of nests and position in the trees could be made. The presence of the cherry picker near the Great Egret colony caused seven chicks to fall to the ground,with two of the seven chicks that fell surviving.

Although some mortality occurred, the information obtained using the cherry picker could not have been obtained from observations taken from the ground, due to the height of the nests in the trees. As the colony is the only remaining Great Egret colony in the Perth metropolitan region, an accurate count was necessary to establish a baseline against which long term fluctuations in numbers could be assessed. The cherry picker counts, although causing several deaths, have allowed the accuracy of previous and future ground counts to ~e estimated. Long-term monitoring of this colony can therefore be continued from the ground.

Leishman, A.J. (1999). Not this little Black Duck. Corella23: 87. (7 Belford St., Ingleburn NSW 2565, Australia).
 
 

Smith, V.W. (1999). Delayed reporting of a banding recovery. Corella23: 87. (1 Karrakatta Rd., Goode Beach, via Albany, WA 6330, Australia).
 
 

Hulsman, K., T.A. Walker & C.J. Limpus. (1999). Seabird Island No. 245: Wreck Island, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland. Corella23: 88--90. (Fac. Environ. Sci., Griffith Univ., Nathan, Qld. 4111, Australia).