bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
MIGRATION IN SPRING RECORDED BY RADAR AND FIELD OBSERVATIONS IN SWEDEN
Authors: Mascher Jan W. , Stolt Bengt‐Olov , Wallin Lars 
Published: April 2008

SUMMARY

In April 1960, the volume of migration over an inland area in Uppland, Middle‐Sweden, was simultaneously recorded by radar and field observations. From the data obtained frequency curves were plotted for each day and compared. Correlation between the radar and field observation curves (considering the total field material as well as the separate species) was poor, and it is concluded that most of the radar echoes must have originated from birds flying at heights invisible from the ground, while most of the visible migration was too low (mostly below 650 feet) to be caught by the radar.
The directions of movement were much the same on all days, heading mainly E.N.E.‐N.E., both on radar and in the field, but on the last day visible migration headed distinctly more to the north.
The mean speeds of the echoes varied between 43 and 70 m.p.h. (maximum 75 m.p.h.). Allowing for wind the still‐air flight speeds were 35–52 m.p.h. on all days except the last day, when few were above 45 m.p.h. This suggests that mainly the same groups of species were participating in the invisible movements recorded by radar every day.
The high‐flying visible migrants (650–1,650 feet) were mainly water‐birds, which presumably formed at least part of the radar migration. This assumption is well supported by the recorded still‐air speeds of the echoes.
On each day an appreciable return migration was noted in the field but scarcely at all by radar, the returning birds generally moving low against the wind. On a day of cold northerly wind later in the spring, however, a distinct return migration was seen on the radar during the first hours of darkness.
The commonest genera observed in field were Fringilla, Turdus, Corvus, Columba, Vanellus, Larus, and Numenius, in that order. On two days larger numbers of Lapwings and crows were recorded, but the total number of flocks recorded was unaltered. In such cases the increased numbers of birds will go unrecorded by radar.
THREE SIBLING SPECIES OF ALECTORIS PARTRIDGE
Authors: Watson George E. 
Published: April 2008

SUMMARYIn southeast Europe, two populations of Alectoris partridge meet. These differ sharply in several minor qualitative characters with no evidence of introgression. Morphological, ecological, and behavioural differences suggest that these are separate species, A. graeca and A. chukar.Clinal geographic variation of colour in the eastern Mediterranean within these two species appears to be correlated with climatic factors. The tendencies toward longer bills in southern mainland and island populations may constitute adaptations to drier and insular environments.Habitat preferences, diet, reproduction, and altitudinal distribution of these two forms are discussed and, where possible, contrasted.An additional, but less well documented example of sympatric Alectoris species is found in western China.Display in Alectoris partridge tends to emphasize the morphological patterns which are useful in taxonomy. Species characters may likewise function as warning stimuli and therefore tend to prevent mixed flocks.It is concluded that at least one of the two Balkan species has recently reached Thrace, and that at present altitudinal and possibly slight morphological and behavioural differences act as sufficient isolating mechanisms to prevent hybridization.
THE EGG‐ROLLING OF BLACK‐HEADED GULLS LARUS RIDIBUNDUS
Authors: Beer C. G. 
Published: April 2008

SUMMARY

Model eggs were placed at the edges of the nests of gulls, and the number of models that were rolled into the nests within a certain time was recorded, for all stages of the reproductive period. The results indicate that the readiness to perform egg‐rolling increases steadily as the date of laying draws closer, remains maximally high during the laying and incubation periods, and declines steadily after hatching. This pattern is similar to the distribution found for other responses with an incubation function.
A model egg was fixed at the edges of a number of nests of gulls in the incubation period. A gull could attempt to roll but the model would not move. Gulls with eggs in the nest and gulls with their eggs removed from the nest were tested in this way! The presence of the fixed model disrupted incubation behaviour to a certain extent, and the presence of the eggs resulted in the birds performing fewer rolling attempts, and a greater proportion of intention rolling movements, than when the nest was empty. Thus when the tendency to settle and sit and the tendency to roll an egg from outside the nest are both highly activated, they can interfere with each other.
There was no evidence that nest‐building movements appear as displacement activities when the egg‐rolling action is prevented from being carried through to completion, or when the tendency to stay sitting in the nest and the tendency to rise and roll an egg are in balanced conflict.
THE BREEDING OF SOME IRAQI BIRDS
Authors: Marchant S. 
Published: April 2008

SummaryBased on about 425 nest records, made personally, and 150 supplied by previous observers, the breeding of 36 species of birds in Iraq is described. For 26 species the data are scanty, being less than 20 records each; but more material is available for the rest, which allows the discussion to be divided into sections for nest‐site, nest, eggs, clutch‐size, incubation and nestling period, breeding success and breeding period. Three‐quarters of the species discussed breed in Europe and about a third of these reach Britain. Wherever possible a comparison is made between breeding biology in Iraq and Europe or elsewhere. The most complete comparisons are for Streptopelia decaocto and Pica pica. For S. decaocto the results are discussed in the light of the expansion across Europe, the greater breeding success, longer breeding period and different habitat probably being the main factors in this spread. The performance of P. pica in Europe and Iraq is closely similar. Other species for which some interesting comparisons can be made are Pterocles alchata, Hirundo rustica, Hippolais pallida and Prinia gracilis,Knowledge of the breeding of water birds in Iraq is poor, but evidence is given to show that some species (e.g. Himantopus himantopus) may be required to be opportunists in their breeding, due to the variable and fluctuating water conditions which now exist in central Iraq.The general breeding season in central Iraq is discussed. For most species it is shown to be from March to June, usually being advanced by one to two months over that of the same species in Europe, but otherwise not differing in the number of broods or in behaviour. This is correlated with the shorter and earlier spring period of growth in Iraq. Certain species which are seed‐eaters (e.g. Columbidae) nest later and for a longer period, as in Europe, while the specialized Pterocles are adapted to breed in the heat of the summer. There is evidence that breeding at Mosul and northern Iraq generally starts about one or two weeks later than near Baghdad.
THE INCIDENCE AND ORIGIN OF SPOTTED PATTERNS IN THE ESTRILDIDAE
Authors: Harrison C. J. O. 
Published: April 2008

Summary.The plumage of the Estrildidae was examined in order to determine the incidence and origin of the spotted patterns.In the Australian grassfinches a series of feathers showing the derivation of spotted patterns from transverse barring was found in two species. In most species such patterns consisted of single broad spots, but in two species paired spots were present.The mannikins show three types of spotted pattern. One is derived from transverse barring, another from a rachial streak, and the third from a combination of both bars and streaks. The last one is not a true spotted pattern, the effect being due to overlapping feathers.The waxbills show spotted patterns derived from transverse barring, the development of which exactly parallels that shown by the grassfinches, but differs in that almost all patterns show paired spots.The spotted patterns appear to have been derived from a basic barred pattern in most cases, and to represent an increasing complexity of pattern rather than a gradual loss.It is considered that similar patterns in widely separated species are due to parallel evolution of patterns and not to phylogenetically close relationship.Where various species show different successive stages in the evolution of a pattern, this does not indicate that one is ancestral to another. Since the species concerned have a common family relationship, the potential for such a pattern may be present throughout the family.Since the patterns have a function in specific recognition, it is suggested that similar patterns are likely to recur in widely separated localities and that the patterns of sympatric species are likely to differ. If similar patterns are present in one area they will probably indicate close relationship.The inference of this in relation to plumage pattern problems in some other orders is briefly discussed.
THE EXTINCT AVIFAUNA OF ST. HELENA ISLAND
Authors: Ashmole X. P. 
Published: April 2008

SUMMARYIn this paper the bird bones collected in three separate localities on St. Helena during the British Ornithologists' Union Centenary Expedition to Ascension Island are catalogued and described. At Prosperous Bay there are deposits which appear to be only a few hundred years old, containing many intact bird bones, referable to Puffinus assimilis/lherminieri, Pelagodroma marina, Sula sula, Fregata ariel, and a new rail Aphanocrex podarces. In Dry Gut, north of Bencoolen, are apparently older deposits with bones of a medium‐sized Pterodroma sp. and a humerus of Upupa epops. On Sugar Loaf Hill are extensive deposits which may be very old, containing fragmentary bones of a large Puffinus sp., of Puffinus assimilis/lherminieri, Pelagodroma marina, and at least one species of columbid.There is now evidence that thirteen species of oceanic birds have bred on St. Helena at some time (plus one—Sula leucogaster—whose status is still uncertain). Of these, only six species are now known to breed on the island, though two more may do so.The only surviving native land‐bird is Charadrius sanctae‐helenae, but at least three additional species were present in the past.
THE BLACK NODDY ANOUS TENUIROSTRIS ON ASCENSION ISLAND. PART 2. BEHAVIOUR.
Authors: Cullen J. M. , Ashmole N. P. 
Published: April 2008

SUMMARYAt a breeding colony on Ascension, many Black Noddies remained throughout the year. The main part of the paper describes their behaviour, with special reference to daily rhythm, sunning, absence of “panics”, nesting (with possible value of the birds' own guano for cement), fighting, and courtship (with details of ground and aerial displays), copulation (apparently rare) and the behaviour of parents and young.On Ascension the birds nest on small cliff‐ledges, elsewhere they also use trees, both kinds of sites being relatively inaccessible to ground predators, unlike the majority of terns, which nest on the ground. As with the Kittiwake, another cliff‐nesting species which has diverged from ground‐nesting stock, a number of the Black Noddy's peculiarities can be related directly or indirectly to its nesting site. Indeed the occurrence in just these two species of two features absent in their ground‐nesting relatives indicates that there are some cliff‐nesting adaptations which had previously been overlooked. The Black Noddy's adaptation in this respect can be summarised as follows: Cryptic adaptations lost. Cryptic plumage of nestling and juvenile. Dispersal of egg‐shells and droppings. Adaptations acquired, and their consequences. Shortage of nest‐sites, focussing territory on nest, with consequent increasing, though not exclusive, importance of Bridling as “song”. Allopreening between mates. More elaborate nest‐building, with gathering of material (if available), which is cemented together with guano; side‐stepping and depressing tail when shaping nest. Young intolerant of others; crouch if threatened instead of running; peck at feet of intruders, or beak‐hide to appease attacks, precocious development of adult (threat?) plumage.The Brown Noddy is the closest relative of the Black, and what little is known of its breeding biology suggests it is less specialised for nesting above the ground, and that its ability to nest on the ground as well as in bushes and trees allows it to breed in localities where the Black Noddy could not.
THE BIRDS OF ENDAU MOUNTAIN IN THE KITUI DISTRICT OF KENYA
Authors: Tennent J. R. M. 
Published: April 2008

SummaryThe results of an expedition to Endau, an isolated mountain in eastern Kenya which retains a cap of mist‐forest, are described. The avifauna of the forest was found to be remarkably poor despite apparently favourable conditions, and a number of forest species found in similar isolated residual hilltop forests were absent. Notably no representative of the genus Turdus was found. Possible explanations of these anomalies are discussed.
NOTES ON THE MOTTLED PETREL PTERODROMA INEXPECTATA AND OTHER PETRELS
Authors: Richdale L. E. 
Published: April 2008

SummaryField work by the author on petrels began in 1936 and finished in 1957, many of the results of which have already been published. The Mottled Petrel was not studied in detail, as were the other species concerned, and this paper brings together those observations which were made on the Mottled Petrel and compares them with the other species studied. In the main the timing of the breeding season and the breeding behaviour of the Mottled Petrel appear to be much the same as for the Sooty Shearwater.
THE NUMBERS AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE AFRICAN FISH EAGLE HALIAËTUS VOCIFER ON THE EASTERN SHORES OF LAKE ALBERT
Authors: Green J. 
Published: April 2008

SummaryThe numbers of Haliaëtus ‐vocifer on the eastern shores of Lake Albert were counted during September and October 1962. It is estimated that 167 eagles occupied 209 kilometres of shoreline. The local distribution of the eagle is governed by three main factors: the availability of perches, the shallowness of the water, and the proximity of a native fishing village. The amount of fish taken by these eagles is estimated to be under 0·4% of the weight taken by the native fisheries operating from the eastern shores of the lake.
DO BIRDS TRANSMIT FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE?
Authors: Murton R. K. 
Published: April 2008

SummaryEvidence regarding the role of birds in the transmission of foot and mouth disease is briefly reviewed.Bird movements in Europe are briefly considered and while some autumn migrants and winter visitors to Britain could transmit disease to livestock on the east coast, it seems unlikely that summer migrants could be involved as vectors between France and the south coast.Outbreaks of “obscure” origin tend to be concentrated in the eight coastal counties, Lincolnshire to Dorset. There is a correlation between the autumn outbreaks on the east coast (Lincolnshire‐Essex) and a high incidence of disease in the Low Countries and Denmark; and a correlation between a high level of infection in summer in France and outbreaks on the south coast (Kent‐Dorset).Very few coastal outbreaks occurred in Britain at migration times during the war years of 1940–44 at a time when the level of Continental infection was apparently high.Outbreaks in Britain in 1951–52 showed a clockwise movement from the east to the south coast paralleling the swing in the peak of infection from the Low Countries to France. During this period British outbreaks showed a marked tendency to be clustered round various seaports.The relative importance and the volume of coastal infection has increased since the late 1930s and these facts cannot be reconciled with the bird transmission theory. The tendency for a later spread of the disease in Britain has lessened in recent years, presumably because control methods have improved.The pattern of spread of disease within the Continent is also shown to be inconsistent with a theory involving birds as vectors. In Sweden the disease pattern has changed since Bullough (1942) examined the problem and it is very unlikely that bird movements have altered to account for this.It is concluded on the evidence so far available that some explanation other than one incriminating birds is necessary to account for the incidence of foot and mouth outbreaks of “obscure” origin in the English coastal counties.
COLOUR PREFERENCE IN YOUNG ANATIDAE
Authors: Rear Janet 
Published: April 2008

SummaryThe young of 41 species of Anatidae, mainly from the Anserini, Tadornini, Anatini and Cairinini were tested for colour preference. For comparison, two species of gull, two of rails and three of pheasants were tested in the same experimental apparatus—a small closed box in which gelatine filter spots, red, orange, yellow, green, blue‐green and blue, could be placed before a source of indirect light.A preference for green was general throughout the ducks and geese, and some species and individuals also pecked selectively at yellow. The tribes and genera differed in the extent of their avoidance of other colours; geese of the genus Branta and the sheldgeese tended to ignore blue, while Anser geese, the Anatini and Cairinini markedly ignored red and orange.Members of the Phasianidae showed a similar preference for green. It was confirmed that gulls and the Moorhen, which normally peck at red on the adult's bill to obtain food, select red spots, as also does the Coot, although here the parent's bill is white.It is concluded that there are certain broad correlations between feeding habit and the birds' unlearned colour preference in the pecking response, but more importantly, that closely related species tend to show similar preferences even when their food is quite different.
A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF CAPTIVE BLUE WAXBILLS (ESTRILDIDAE)
Authors: Goodwin Derek 
Published: April 2008

SUMMARYThe behaviour and voice of the blue waxbills Uraeginthus ongolensis, U. bengalus and U. cyunocephalus studied in captivity are described and composed. Most of the calls are homologous and similar, if not identical, but the songs and alarm calls of the three differ in sound. Feeding, agonistic and reproductive behaviour are described. Cyanocephalus bows its head further forward in the Stem Display, this difference being correlated with its blue crown. Minor differences of behaviour and the apparently less competent sexual recognition of angolensis may be correlated with its lesser degree of sexual dichromatism. The parental behaviour is essentially the same in all three forms. After fledging, young are recognized individually and strange young are not fed, except (rarely) by individuals with no young of their own. In three cases of adoption the common factor was that the adopting individual was sexually attracted to one of the real parents of the young. The taxonomy of the three species is briefly discussed.
THE VALIDITY OF SOME GENERA OF LARKS (ALAUDIDAE)
Authors: Harrison C. J. O. 
Published: April 2008

SUMMARYThe larks (Alaudidae) tend to be taxonomically arranged in a large number of small genera. There appear to be few characters which will separate the genera Alauda, Galerida and Lullula, and in recent times additional species have been placed in the first two genera without a reappraisal of the characters by which each genus is defined. Ten species are involved and originally these belonged to eight different genera.In this group of ten species of eight genera as at present, six morphological generic characters are examined separately: the length of the tenth primary in relation to the roundness of the wing, the length of the hind claw, the profile of the crest, the conspicuousness of the superciliary stripe, the thickness and taper of the bill, and the length of tertiaries and secondaries.All ten species show these characters, and the variation in any single character is fairly evenly graded through the group without marked discontinuity. The succession of species within the gradation varies from one character to another. It is not possible to find any group of characters which will subdivide the group of species.Little is known of the behaviour of the ten species but examination of song‐flight suggests that such characters may also show a gradation without obvious subdivision.It is considered that the present data do not justify the retention of the present genera for these species, and that it would be preferable to group them under the earliest generic name, Alauda.The characters defining the Alauda group are listed and the relation of Chersophilus duponti to the group is discussed.
DISTRIBUTION, SYSTEMATICS, AND POLYMORPHISM OF THE AFRICAN WEAVER‐BIRD QUELEA QUELEA
Authors: Ward Peter 
Published: April 2008

SUMMARY Quelea quelea is distributed throughout Africa south of the Sahara in the Grass Steppe, Dry Savanna, and Montane Grassland biomes. It is most numerous where its staple food–the seeds of annual grasses–is most plentiful. In all parts of the range, the males in nuptial plumage are dimorphic. Everywhere the “black—faced” morph is commoner, but with up to 25% of “white‐faced”. Proportions of the morphs are given for samples from various parts of Africa.Only three races are accepted: quelea of western West Africa, aethiopica of the Sudan area, and lathami of southern Africa. In the Lake Chad basin there are hybrid swarms breeding (queleaj aethiopica), as there are in East Africa where aethiopica/lathami swarms occur.
THE DOMESTIC FOWL IN ANCIENT EGYPT
Authors: Coltherd J. B. 
Published: April 2008

SUMMARYThere is no recorded mention of the domestic fowl in Ancient Egypt before the Middle Kingdom (2134–1786 B.C.). Evidence for its existence there before this time is completely negative. The hieroglyph which is found in the earliest inscriptions, and certain peculiarities in the mention of the indeterminate birds, led some early writers to believe that the fowl had already been introduced into Ancient Egypt at the dawn of history, by invaders from Mesopotamia. The original of the hieroglyph however is almost certainly to be found in the Quail, and the wattled Sennar Guinea‐fowl may have been depicted on some of early representations.There is evidence from the Indus Valley Civilization of the presence of the fowl there 2500–1500 B.C. A widespread trade appears to have existed between India and Mesopotamia as early as the Agade period (c. 2340–2180 b.c.), and there is strong evidence to show that the fowl was known in Mesopotamia (c. 2200 b.c.), introduced by the sea‐borne trade through the Persian Gulf, or by the longer and more dangerous caravan routes through what is now Baluchistan and Afghanistan. From Mesopotamia it probably found its way to Egypt by the land trade routes. The graffito of a cock was found on a Middle Kingdom temple dating to c. 1840 B.C., and another during excavation work on the tomb of Tut'ankhamon, dating 400 years later; while there is other evidence that during the XVIIIth Dynasty the cock was known in Egypt, such as in the Annals of King Thutmose III, where we have a reference to birds which bear each day, and a silver bowl of the reign of King Seti II (XIXth Dynasty) has a cock depicted on it. After this there is a long gap with no information, which may be explained in great part by internal decline, during which time trade suffered severely. During the Saite XXVIth Dynasty, which saw the beginning of a new period of expansion and revival, records re‐appear. Not, however, till the Persian Conquest do we find numerous mentions of its presence throughout the Empire. Writers of much later days tended to attribute the origin of the domestic fowl to the Persians, in so far as it appears to have been they who were responsible for its widespread dispersal in trade, in great part due to their excellent road‐building policy. The domestic fowl, however, fairly certainly came to Mesopotamia, and thence to Egypt, from India.