Editor's note:  Due to the time elapsed since publication, and the likelihood of change, the address of the author  has been omitted from these abstracts.
 

Martin, P.R., B.G. Thomson & S.J. Witts. 1979.  Niche separation in three species of Waterbirds.  Corella 3: 1-6.

This study examines niche separation in three species of water birds, Dusky Moorhen Gallinula tenebrosa, Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio and Eurasian Coot Fulica atra and was carried out on Sullivan's Creek in the Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory.  Behavioural observations were carried out over two days; twelve hours from 06:00 to 18:00 hours on both days.  Subsequent measurements of water depth, vegetation and other environmental and behavioural aspects in regard to feeding and breeding were noted and are presented in this report.  All three species under study had different living requirements within the study area.  Moorhens fed in shallow water; coot, primarily a diving species, feed in deeper water whilst swamphens are a grazing species.  Breeding requirements for both swamphens and moorhens are discussed and future development and changes in species composition in the creek are considered.

Lane, S.G.  1979.  Summary of the breeding seabirds on New South Wales coastal islands.  Corella 3: 7-10.

This summary follows on from the Seabird Island Series covering the seabird breeding islands of the New South Wales coast.  Estimates of the number of breeding pairs are given for the State, the recorded nesting islands are listed, and, where appropriate, brief comments are included.

Clancy, G.P.  1979.  Observations of the Lewin‚s Rail on the central coast of New South Wales.  Corella 3: 11-12.

Hyem, E.L.  1979.  Observations on Owls in the Upper Manning District, N.S.W.  Corella 3: 17-25.

Observations extending over many years on the habitat, calls, behaviour and breeding habits of the five species of owls occurring in the Upper Manning River district of New South Wales, mostly within a radius d 20 kilometres east and south of "Mernot" (31º45' S., 151º37' E.) (Map Figure 1). are recorded with particular reference to two little known species. the Sooty Owl Tyto tenebricosa and Masked Owl T. novaehollandiae.

Disney, H.J.de S.  1979.  Temporary preservation of specimens.  Corella 3: 26-28.

Methods are given on how to preserve birds found dead so that they may be sent to the State museum and provide useful scientific information.

Lane, S.G.  1979.  A visit to the islands of Wilsons Promontory, Victoria.  Corella 3: 29-30.

During November 1978, six islands off the south-western end of Wilsons Promontory were visited.  The visits were made to check breeding seabirds and were carried out in collaboration with the Fisheries and Wildlife Division and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (Vic.).  I gratefully acknowledge their co-operation.

Milledge, D.  1979.  Notes on three species of Hawks breeding on Middle Brother Mountain N.S.W.  Corella 3: 32.

The Camden Haven Wildlife Refuge Study, started in July 1977, is currently investigating the effects of local forest management on the vertebrate fauna of the Kendall State Forestry Management Area on the mid-north coast of N.S.W.  Middle Brother Mountain, elevation 556 m. contains Middle Brother State Forest within the Management Area and overlooks the estuary of the Camden Haven River.  The Camden Haven Wildlife Refuge is bounded by the river on its northern boundary and by the State Forest along its southern limits.  The vegetation of this area is predominantly tall wet sclerophyll forest of the moist Blackbutt Eucalyptus pilularis type and although much is under intensive forest management, it supports a rich avifauna.

Wyndham, E.  1979.  Notes on an Eastern-Crimson Rosella hybrid.  Corella 3: 32-33.

Hulsman, K.  1979.  Seabird Islands No. 66: One Tree Island, Queensland.  Corella 3: 37-40.

Holmes, N.G.  1979.  Seabird Islands No. 67: Statis Rock, Sugarloaf Bay, New South Wales.  Corella 3: 41.

Warham, J  1979.  Seabird Islands No. 68: Cat Island, Tasmania. Corella 3: 42-45.

Brothers, N.P. & D.R. Milledge.  1979.  Seabird Islands No. 69: Goose Island, Tasmania.  Corella 3: 46-47.

Napier, J.R.  1979.  Seabird Islands No. 70: Bird Island, Georges Rocks, Tasmania.  Corella 3: 48-49.

Napier, J.R.  1979. Seabird Islands No. 71: Georges Island, Georges Rocks, Tasmania.  Corella 3: 50-51.

McManus, T.J.  1979.  Seabird Islands No. 72: St Helens Island, Tasmania.  Corella 3: 52-54.

Brothers, N.P.  1979.  Seabird Islands No. 73: Tasman Island, Tasmania.  Corella 3: 55-57.

Brothers, N.P.  1979.  Seabird Islands No. 74: Pedra Branca, Tasmania.  Corella 3: 58-60.

White, G.  1979.  Seabird Islands No. 75: Louisa Island, Tasmania.  Corella 3: 61-62.

White, G.  1979.  Seabird Islands No. 76: De Witt Island, Tasmania.  Corella 3: 63-65.

White, G.  1979.  Seabird Islands No. 77: Flat Witch Island, Tasmania.  Corella 3: 66-67.

Brothers, N.P.  1979.  Seabird Islands No. 78: Mewstone, Tasmania.  Corella 3: 68-69.

White, G.  1979.  Seabird Islands No. 79: Flat Island, Tasmania.  Corella 3: 70-72.

Norman, F.I.  1979.  Results from banding Eurasian Coots in Victoria, 1953-1977.  Corella 3: 73-76.

Results obtained during banding of Eurasian Coot Fulica atra in Victoria (3,177), South Australia (413) and New South Wales (32) between 1953 and 1977 are summarised, as are details of subsequent recoveries.  Coots on the lake system of the Serendip Wildlife Research Station, Victoria (where trapping was more regular) were also counted between September 1969 and October 1977.  Trap totals were higher in October, and between March and June.  Only 65 coots banded in Victoria have been recovered, 45 at the original banding site.  The average distance travelled by the other 20 birds was 295 km (± SD 230) and only four coot moved more than 500 km.  Distant recoveries were usually on or near coastal wetlands.  Recoveries (2% of banded birds) were usually made within a year of banding and, though 50% were found dead, few (5.6%) were reported as shot.  Mean weights of birds caught at Serendip increased between June and November.  Counts made there were variable (maximum in May), but the numbers were not related to water-level or recent rainfall.  Presumably coot, which use some wetlands as non-breeding habitat, disperse there in response to local conditions elsewhere.

Stokes, T.  1979.  Roosting and awakening of some inland Australian birds.  Corella 3: 77-81.

A five-day study of the time of roosting and awakening of 13 species of birds was made near Booligal, N.S.W. in May 1975.  It is probable that the time of roosting and awakening varies as a function of light intensity, and evidence was found of an anticipatory period between wakening and leaving the roost in the Black-faced Woodswallow.  In general smaller birds, insectivores and partly or solitary roosting species left the roost earlier at dawn and entered the roost later at dusk than larger birds, graminivores and social or partly-social roosting species.

Boles, W.E.  1979.  An age character in Australian Fruit-Doves.  Corella 3: 82-83.

Many members of the fruit-dove genus Ptilinopus, of which there are 47 species (Goodwin 1967), have an emarginated outer primary, while in others the tip of the primary tapers to a point.  The shape of this primary has been used as a taxonomic character in subdividing the genus.

Brothers, N.P.  Breeding seabirds of Eddystone Rock, Tasmania. Corella 3: 83.

Dann. P.  1979.  Food robbing of Bar-tailed Godwits by Silver Gulls in Westernport Bay, Victoria.  Corella 3: 84-85.

Food robbing by Silver Gulls on feeding Bar-tailed Godwits was studied in Westernport Bay, Victoria.  The foraging success of the godwits was reduced by 36% when gulls were attempting to steal their prey.  This reduction in foraging efficiency of the godwits appears to affect their feeding dispersion.

Boles, W.E.  1979.  The juvenile plumage of the Shining Flycatcher.  Corella 3: 86.

Alley, T.H. 1979.  Diet differences in adult and nestling Australian magpie.  Corella 3: 86.

Abbott, I.  1979.  The distribution and abundance of Seabirds at sea and on islands near the Mid- and North-Western coasts of Australia. Corella 3: 93-102.

During a 47-day voyage along the mid- and north-western coasts of Australia I landed on five mainland sites and 22 islands, and spent 55 hours counting seabirds at sea.  An annotated list of the 24 species of seabirds seen is provided.  Previously unrecorded nesting sites of the Wedge-tailed Shearwater and Caspian, Bridled and Crested Terns were found.  The distribution and relative abundance at sea of the four most frequently met species (Wilson's Storm-Petrel, Brown Booby, Silver Gull, Crested Tern) are mapped.  Explanations of these distributions and abundances are considered in terms of distance from land, state of the sea, and surface temperature of the sea.

Gibson, J.D.  1979.  Growth in the population of the Silver Gull on the Five Islands Group, New South Wales.  Corella 3: 103-104.

One of the most spectacular population increases of an Australian seabird has been that of the Silver Gull Larus novaehollandiae breeding on the Five Islands off Port Kembla, N.S.W.  From a small and presumably stable breeding population of about 1000 pairs prior to 1940, it has expanded to over 50 000 breeding pairs in 1978, thus becoming the most obvious bird of coastal, urban and suburban Wollongong, with increasing abundance also notable in its metropolitan foraging range.  This paper records some quantitative data on the population growth and suggests the principal factor responsible.

Morris, A.K.  1979.  The declining status of the Little Tern in New South Wales.  Corella 3: 105-107.

Results from a survey of the breeding status of Little Tern Sterna albifrons in New South Wales between 1976 and 1978 are summarised as are details of Historical data and Conservation measures.  The approximate average breeding population of Little Terns has declined from 340 pairs per season in the mid-l 950‚s to 49 pairs in 1976-77, 87 pairs in 1977-78 and 32 pairs in 1978-79.  A breeding summary is presented with the location of known nest colonies in New South Wales giving Site Number. Site Location and Historical details in geographical order from North to South.