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.
 

Bell, H.L. & S. Ferrier.  1985.  The reliability of estimates of density from transect counts.  Corella 9: 3-13.

Densities were estimated from transect counts for seven species at Wollomombi, New South Wales.  These estimates are compared with accurate densities derived from intensive studies of colour-banded birds.  Also estimates of density of the Golden-headed Cisticola Cisticola exilis, at Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, are compared with seasonal changes in behaviour of that species.  Three methods of analysis were applied to the transect data: the Fixed-strip Transect, Variable-strip Transect and the Line Transect Methods.  While all methods tended to underestimate density the Variable-strip and Line Transect Methods performed much better than the Fixed-strip Transect Method, because they attempted to overcome problems associated with varying detectability.  However, the bias of estimates was not constant and differed greatly between species and between seasons. These results demonstrate the need for caution in using transect methods to compare densities where the detectability of birds may differ.  It is concluded that no one method of censusing is appropriate to all species under all conditions and that combinations of different methods are required for accurate estimates.

Mason, P.  1985.  The impact of urban development on bird communities of three Victorian towns - Lilydale, Coldstream and Mt Evelyn.  Corella 9: 14-21

During 1982 an avifauna census was conducted in the outer Melbourne areas of Lilydale, Coldstream and Mt Evelyn, Victoria.  Data were collected along foot transects at nine different sites.  The sites were chosen to give a range of residential ages, from predeveloped (before housing development had started) through to some of the oldest residential areas in Lilydale which were in excess of 50 years of age.  The objective was to examine how the bird populations may change over time in response to changing habitat.  Introduced species such as Blackbird Turdus merula, Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris, and House Sparrow Passer domesticus appeared to be the most adaptable species as regards habitat use.  Population density in developed areas was at times in excess of five times that of undeveloped sites, but the greatest species diversity was found in the undeveloped sites.  Except for one site there appeared to be a steady increase in numbers of individuals, numbers of species, biomass, and population density with increasing age of residential areas.  Comparisons were made between this and a similar study in Wagga Wagga, N.S.W. (Jones 1981).

McFarland, D.C.  1985.  Diurnal and seasonal changes in aggression in a Honeyeater community.  Corella 9: 22-25.

Aggression within a honeyeater community was examined on both diurnal and seasonal scales over a period of one year.  Aggression was more common in the morning and afternoon than at midday.  Honeyeaters were most abundant during the flowering of two banksias.  Most aggressive interactions were recorded during these months. It is suggested that the level of aggression may be influenced seasonally, by honeyeater abundance, and diurnally, by changes in nectar availability.

Stokes, T. & C. Corben.  1985.  A survey of pelagic birds in the Western Coral Sea and Great Barrier Reef.  Corella9: 25-29.

Joseph, L.  1985.  Sexual dimorphism in the Blue Bonnet.Corella9: 30-31.

A plumage character traditionally regarded as a subspecific character of the so called Red-vented Blue Bonnet Northiella haematogaster haematorrhous actually occurs most prominently in males of eastern populations of N. haematogaster, i.e. generally, those east of 147ºE.  It is readily observable in the field.

Bell, H.L.  1985.  Distribution and habits of Kites, Milvus migrans, Haliastur sphenurus and H. indus in Papua New Guinea.  Corella 9: 37-44.

Brahminy Kites Haliastur indus are present in the highlands as well as in both northern and southern lowlands.  Whistling Kites H. sphenurus are absent from the highlands whilst Black Kites· Milvus migrans are inexplicably absent from the southern lowlands.  Black Kites have increased in abundance, perhaps replacing Whistling Kites, and have colonized towns, where they feed on the carcasses of the introduced toad Bufo marinus.  Whistling Kites in Papua New Guinea possibly frequent aquatic habitats more than they do in Australia.  Brahminy Kites occur regularly over rainforest canopies far from open spaces, where they hunt for prey, including birds.  This is contrary to their behaviour in other parts of their global distribution.

McFarland, D.C.  1985.  Influence of colour and sugar concentration on the foraging behaviour of Red Wattlebirds Anthochaera carunculata.  Corella 9: 45-48.

The foraging behaviour of a group of semi-wild Red Wattlebirds Anthochaera  carunculata was examined using a series of experiments.  It was found that the birds (a) had no colour preference for those colours offered; (b) could discriminate between different sugar concentrations, and (c) rapidly modified their feeding techniques to exploit new food sources.  It could not be determined whether the birds used visual cues or cross sampling to locate higher concentration solutions.  Weaker solutions were still consumed, partly because some birds were excluded from the richer solutions.

Czechura, G.V.  1985.  The Raptors of the Blackall-Conondale Ranges and adjoining lowlands, south-eastern Queensland.  Corella9: 49-54.

Twenty-eight species of raptor have been recorded from eight major vegetation types represented in the Blackall-Conondale Ranges and adjacent lowlands.  Included within these twenty-eight species are nineteen residents.

These raptors may be grouped according to broad vegetation preferences.  Three species favour dense forests. six species open forests, six species open (largely disturbed) habitats, one species freshwater and three are independent of major habitat types.  A feature of the raptor fauna is the use by many species of ecotones and corridors to enter largely unsuitable habitats.

Cam, G.R.  1985.  A universal Raptor trap. Corella9: 55-58.
 

Purchase, D.  1985.  Bird-banding and the migration of Yellow-faced and White-naped Honeyeaters through the Australian Capital Territory.  Corella 9: 59-62.

Between April 1961 and June 1983, 21 540 Yellow-faced Honeyeaters Lichenostomus chrysops and 7057 White-naped Honeyeaters Melithreptus lunatus were banded at thirty-four places in the Australian Capital Territory.  The bands were provided by the Australian Bird-Banding Scheme, CSlRO Division of Wildlife and Rangelands Research.

Noske, R.A.  1985.  Left-footedness and tool-using in the Varied Sittella Daphoenositta chrysoptera and Crested Shrike-tit Falcunculus frontatus.  Corella 9: 63-64.
 

Lane, S.G.  1985.  Notes on the birds recorded during a visit to the islands of the Sir Joseph Banks Group, South Australia.Corella9: 64-65.
 

Boles, W.E.  1985.  Bird in the Hand: Jacky Winter Microeca leucophaea. Corella 9: 66.
 

King, B.R. & C.J. Limpus 1985.  Seabird Islands No. 150: Bird Islands, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland.  Corella9:  73-74.
 

King, B.R. & R.C. Buckley  1985.  Seabird Islands No. 151: Quoin Island, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland.  Corella9:  75-77.
 

King, B.R., R.C. Buckley & C.J. Limpus  1985.  Seabird Islands No. 152: Pelican Island, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland. Corella9:  78-80.
 

King, B.R.  1985.  Seabird Islands No. 153: Stainer Island, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland.  Corella 9:  81-82.
 

King, B.R. & R.C. Buckley  1985.  Seabird Islands No. 154: Davie Cay, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland.  Corella9:  83-84.
 

King, B.R. & R.C. Buckley  1985.  Seabird Islands No. 155: Tydeman Cay, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland.  Corella9:  85-86.
 

King, B.R.  1985.  Seabird Islands No. 156: Sandbank No. 1, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland.  Corella 9:  87-88.
 

King, B.R.  1985.  Seabird Islands No. 157: Stapleton Island, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland.  Corella 9:  89-90.
 

King, B.R., M. Godwin & G. Rees 1985.  Seabird Islands No. 158: Combe Island, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland.  Corella9:  91-93.
 

King, B.R.  1985.  Seabird Islands No. 159: Michaelmas Cay, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland.  Corella 9:  94-96.
 

Ford, H.A., L. Bridges & S. Noske.  1985.  Density of birds in Eucalypt Woodland near Armidale, north-eastern New South Wales. Corella9: 78-107.

Birds were counted along four 8-9 ha transects 50 m wide throughout 1981.  Densities averaged 8.3-11.1 birds/ha, with numbers tending to be highest in winter and lowest in spring.  About 50% of individuals belonged to species that are insectivorous, 35% were honeyeaters (eating nectar and insects) and about 13% were of graminivorous species.  Frugivores and vertebrate-feeders were scarce.  A total of 67 species were seen of which 40 were resident in one or more sites and 11 were breeding summer visitors.  Numbers of several species, especially pardalotes and honeyeaters, increased in early autumn and declined in late winter.  Home ranges of seven species were mapped and these more accurate estimates of density were compared with those from the transect censuses.  On average, density was underestimated by the transect censuses by 15%, and by up to 50% for individual species.  Estimates of density at one site were about 50% of those made nearby in 1978 and 1979.  A severe drought had probably contributed to this decline.

Results are compared with those from three other locations in south-eastern Australia.  Although they span nearly 8º of latitude the composition of the avifauna and its seasonality are very similar in all four locations.

Bell, H.L.  1985.  Seasonal changes in abundance and pond preferences of Waterbirds at Moitaka sewerage works, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.  Corella 9: 108-113.

Data are given on abundance of the more common waterbirds at Moitaka sewerage works, Port Moresby.  Egrets and Pied Herons showed few seasonal fluctuations whereas Australasian Grebes, Black-winged Stilts and Masked Lapwings increased after the breeding-season.  Terns were annual passage migrants. Jacanas occurred only when the south-east trade winds accumulated scum into firm mats.  Species favouring anaerobic ponds were: terns and Pied Herons, because dead fish and cockroaches were present; Jacanas, which walked on the floating faeces; and Masked Lapwings, which foraged along the shallow shore-lines.  Grebes only frequented aerobic ponds, and Stilts preferred them where the shoreline was sufficiently shallow.  Egrets showed no preferences.

Debus, S.J.S.  1985.  Seasonal changes in Raptor numbers at Armidale, New South Wales.  Corella 9: 114-120.
 

Wooller, R.D., I.J. Skira & D.L. Serventy.  1985.  Band wear on Short-tailed Shearwaters Puffinus tenuirostris. Corella9: 121-122.
 

Davey, C.C. & P.J. Fullagar.  1985.  Nasal saddles for Pacific Black Duck Anas superciliosa and Austral Teal. Corella9: 123-124.
 

Liddy, J.  1985.  A note on the associations of birds and Lantana near Beerburrum, south-eastern Queensland.  Corella9: 125-126.
 

Klapste, J. & P. Klapste.  1985.  Weights and measurements - Brown Goshawk Accipiter fasciatus, In Data Exchange, Corella9: 126.