bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF THE ISLANDS OF THE BERLENGAS (PORTUGAL), THE DESERTAS AND BAIXO (MADEIRA) AND THE SALVAGES.
Authors: Lockley. R. M. 
Published: April 2008

Summary.The birds seen on the Berlengas, the Desertas, Baixo Island, and the Salvages in June and July 1939 are listed and field notes are given on certain species.In Puffinis kuhlii borealis incubation was by both sexes. Where it is unmolested by man, as at Grande Salvage, this bird is partly diurnal in visiting the land; where molested, as on the Berlingas' and Desertas, it is nocturnal.In Bulweria bulwerii incubation is by both sexes, probably in shifts of two or more days.At Grande Salvage there appears to be a division of the year into specific breeding seasons by which the maximum use is made of the ground–burrows by two if not three species of petrels. This probable breeding competition is discussed, and other examples suggested from the literature of petrels breeding on small tropical and sub–tropical islands.
SOME OBSERVATIONS ON THE OLIVACEOUS WARBLER HIPPOLAIS PALLIDA IN EGYPT.
Authors: Simmons. K. E. L. 
Published: April 2008

Summary.Preliminary obsenations on Olivaceous Warblers Hippolais pallida were made at Fayid, Egypt, in the summers of 1949–50. General notes are given on habitat, possible competitors, song and field‐characters. Males arrive before females and establish territories, where the females later locate them. One male built an incomplete nest while still unmated. It is probable that the male initially treats a female as an intruder in the territory. Some notes are given on pair‐relationship; male song declines on pair‐formation. The male builds while the female incubates, leaving the nest to feed. The incubation period is 11 days± 1 day (once), the nestling period 15 days± 1 day (once). Average clutch‐size is apparently smaller in Egypt than in the Balkans, Spain and Tunisia, but exact figures are lacking. Both sexes care for the young. After the breeding season birds remain in a limited area, moult and show no aggression to intruders, leaving for the south in August and September.
THE BEHAVIOUR AND BREEDING BIOLOGY OF THE SHETLAND WREN.
Authors: Armstrong. Edward A. 
Published: April 2008

Summary.The behaviour of T. t. zetlandicus is shown to differ in several respects from that of T. t. troglodytes and, less markedly, from the behaviour of some other insular races. Attention is called to a type of behaviour which it is suggested should be called “ transference activity”. It is argued that there is a close connection between the availability of food for the nestlings and the character of the pair‐bond, and that modifications in the integrative pattern of adaptations are of importance in speciation.
AN INVESTIGATION OF HOMING ABILITY IN TWO SPECIES OF GULLS.
Authors: Matthews. G. V. T. 
Published: April 2008

Summary.

In the most extensive, compact series of homing experiments to date, 249 Lesser Black‐backed Gulls (a migratory species) and 91 Herring Gulls (a restricted nomad) were used, together with 20 other seabirds.
Lesser Black‐backed Gulls on release showed a significant homeward orientation which was absent when the sun was obscured by clouds.
Some direct evidence and an analysis of the homing success indicated that a large proportion of the gulls were homing by an inefficient method, probably random exploration for known visual landmarks.
A minority were, however, homing by a method not dependent on the distance or area of release. Some form of sun navigation is suggested by the orientation behaviour.
The species were not suitable for detailed investigation of individual variation in navigational ability.
The poorer overall performance of the Herring Gulls could be explained by then being a much smaller proportion of able navigators among them.
Masking the earth's magnetic field by airborne magnets did not affect homing ability.
BIRD‐INSECT NESTING ASSOCIATIONS IN AUSTRALIA.
Authors: Chisholm. A. H. 
Published: April 2008

Summary.Australian records, beginning in 1866, of birds associating with aggressive insects for nesting purposes are assembled. Five species of the genus Gerygone are known to associate with wasps, more or less consistently, in tropical areas, and another species is reported as associating with wasps in the tropics and ants in temperate areas. Such birds deliberately seek the society of the insects, by which they are recognized and tolerated.If protection is the motive, it would seem to be aimed against reptiles rather than against other birds or mammals. Other possible reasons for the practice ate suggested.Australian records of insects frequenting birds' nests also are summarized; these include parasites such as the blood‐sucking larvae of a fly, together with moth, beetle and fly larvae that serve a beneficial purpose as scavengers, and, in addition, wasps and beetles parasitic on the other insects. On the question of how the insects find the nests at appropriate times, it is suggested that some are guided by odour and others by some undetermined influence.
AN ORNITHOLOGICAL JOURNEY IN MOROCCO IN 1951.
Authors: Bannerman David , Priestley. Jane 
Published: April 2008

Summary.Only one other ornithologist has investigated the bird‐life immediately south of the Great Atlas Range, when Col. Meinertzhagen journeyed from Taroudant to Ksar es Souk in the autumn. We were the first ornithologists to cross the desert between Ksar es Souk and the Grand Erg Occidental by way of Boudenib and Colomb Béchar and to have undertaken the desert journey from Ouarzazate to the Algerian frontier in the early months of the year and list the birds encountered en route. Pterocles coronatus was added to the list of Moroccan buds and significant extensions of range were recorded for the following species: Eremophila bilopha, Oenanthe leucopyga, Oe. moesta, Diplootocus mussieri, Phoenicurus ochrurus, Ammomanes cinctura (arenicolor), Hirundo daurica (rufula), Riparia paludicola and Argja fulva.An account is given of three days' intense migration witnessed at Tangier when during a levante Black Kites and Montagu's Harriers were seen coming to shore from the Atlantic, the Harriers in an exhausted condition.Of interest was the early date, 12 February, when Swallows were passing north in hundreds along the western seaboard.The season in Morocco in January, February and March was a late one and migration across the desert and over the Atlas had barely commenced. The main route of migrants coming north, in so far as we saw it, followed the coast line, but that some migrants cross the Great Atlas range up to 6500 ft. was proved by Chaworth‐Musters in the spring of 1937.We were struck by the paucity of vultures throughout Morocco.
ON THE BIOLOGY OF THE LARGE BIRDS OF PREY OF THE EMBU DISTRICT, KENYA COLONY.
Authors: Brown Leslie H. 
Published: April 2008

SUMMARY.

The species of eagles occurring in Embu district are detailed, with general notes on the methods and scope of the study.
The vegetation and climate of Embu district are described, and their effect upon eagles is discussed.
Population and inter‐relations. The actual population of eagles and of the Secretary Bird in an area of approximately 146 sq. miles is given and their remarkable local concentrations are described. The inter‐relations of the various species are discussed from the points of view of territorial agressiveness and competition for prey.
Detailed accounts are given of the breeding biology of Sagittarius serpentarius, Aquila verreauxi, A. wahlbergi, Hieraaëtus spilogaster, Polmaëtus bellicosus, Stephano‐aëtus coronatus and Circaëtus cinereus, and some information for Terathopius ecaudatus, Circaëtus pectoralis, and Aquila rapax, Hieraaëtus ayresi, Lophaëtus occipitalis, and Cuncuma vocifer. The headings for each species include: “Nests and nest‐building”, “Incubation period”, “Fledging period” (with special attention to food), and “Post‐fledging period”.
The following special aspects of breeding behaviour are described and discussed: (1) Display, (2) Use of green branches, (3) Breeding seasons, (4) Breeding success, (5) Breeding frequency.
SOME ASPECTS OF THE AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOUR OF THREE CLOSELY RELATED PLOVERS (CHARADRIUS).
Authors: Simmons K. E. L. 
Published: April 2008

SUMMARY.Some aspects of the aggressive behaviour of the Little Ringed, Kentish and Ringed Plovers are described and compared, including fighting, chasing, threat‐display, butterfly display‐flight and displacement‐activities. The Little Ringed has a special flight‐threat‐display. The pre‐coitional display of the Ringed and Little Ringed is outlined because of its identity with their most intense threat‐display and possible connection with intra‐generic competition. It is suggested that the intra‐generic territorial adjustments that exist may have reproductive as well as ecological significance. Finally the distraction‐displays and other predator‐reactions are very briefly compared in general terms.
VISIBLE MIGRATION WITHIN FENNO‐SCANDIA*
Authors: Svärdson Gunnar 
Published: April 2008

SUMMARY.

The adáaptation of migration patterns to the climate of Fenno‐Scandia is outlined. It is suggested that food supply is the ultimate factor for all the manifold types of migration.
Falling temperature is the proximate factor, releasing emigration in autumn or summer, and it causes Rückzug (reversed migration) in spring. A rise in temperature releases the spring movement or stimulates further fight, if the birds have reached temperate regions.
The annual and diurnal migration rhythms of some migrants are described. Most early migrants have a two‐peak rhythm, which gradually changes to a single diurnal one in autumn. The second day‐time peak in summer is probably transformed to a nocturnal one in autumn in some species.
Topography has a strong modifying iduence on the routes of diurnal migrants but much less—or none at all—on the fight of nocturnal travellers.
Wind is the disastrous factor in migration. Its detrimental effect is minimized by the tendency to follow topographical lines and head the wind, at least when it is strong.
AN OUTLINE OF THE ECOLOGY AND BREEDING SEASONS OF BIRDS OF THE LOWLAND FOREST REGION OF BRITISH GUIANA
Authors: Davos T. A. W. 
Published: April 2008

SUMMARY.

A brief outline of the topography of British Guiana is given.
The climate of the lowland forest region, which has two wet and two dry seasons, is described. The forest trees flower mainly in the long, and fruit in the short, dry season.
The natural vegetation of the coastland and of the lowland forest region is briefly described.
It is shown that man has effect on bird life only as the agent responsible for forest clearings, and the secondary forest that results from them and from forest fires.
The long‐established and comparatively large clearing at Mazaruni Station is described.
The bird communities of the evergreen forest and of forest clearings, and more briefly those of river, scrub and savanna habitats, are described.
It is shown that the principal breeding season falls in the first half of the year, especially in and at the close of the short dry season. A weak second peak of activity occurs in September. The forest birds are more strictly seasonal than those of clearings. Instances of restricted and special nesting seasons are given.
The breeding seasons of the lowland forest region of British Guiana and of other tropical regions are compared.
WINTER DISTRIBUTION OF THE GREY PHALAROPE PHALAROPUS FULICARIUS
Authors: Stanford W. P. 
Published: April 2008

Summary.1. Recent published and unpublished observations of Phalaropus fulicarius confirm the existence of a large wintering area off North‐west Africa, from Cape Blanco to Sierra Leone.2. Published observations in the South Atlantic off South Africa indicate the presence of wintering birds. Some birds have been recorded well inland (probably. vagrants).3. Phalaropes off North‐west Africa seem most concentrated where the plankton is densest. Probably the same holds good for the south, though no great numbers have been seen here yet.4. The parallel of the Humboldt Current off South America lends support to the belief in a wintering area off the Cape.
REVISION OF CINNYRIS SOVIMANGA: WITH DESCRIPTION OF A NEW RACE
Authors: Williams J. G. 
Published: April 2008

Summary.

The following five races of C. sovimanga are recognized:

C. s. sovimanga (Gmelin), Madagascar (except south‐east) and Gloriosa Island; C. s. apolis Hartert, south‐eastern Madagascar; C. s. aldabrensis Ridgway, Aldabra Island, Aldabra Archipelago; C. s. abbotti Ridgway, Assumption Island, Aldabra Archipelago; and C. s. buchenorum nem‐ race, Cosmoledo Islands, Aldabra Archipelago.

Attention is drawn to birds from Astove Island, Aldabra Archipelago—none of which are available for study—which may prove to be an undescribed race linking C. sovimanga and C. comorensis.
THE DISPERSAL FROM NEW ZEAL‐ AND AUSTRALIA OF SOME INTRODUCED EUROPEAN PASSERINES.
Authors: Williams. G. R. 
Published: April 2008

Summary.

Of the numerous European passerines (of British origin) liberated in New Zealand and Australia, mainly between the years 1860–1870, 13 are now established in New Zealand proper (North, South and Stewart Islands) and 8 in Australia (including Tasmania).
Within 30 to 40 years of their liberation many of these established species began to appear on the small islands in Australasian seas that (with one exception) lie between 200 and 550 miles from the main land masses.
Although it is known that in a few cases introductions were made by man, it seems likely that in most cases the birds were self‐introduced.
The number of European species breeding on any one island varies from 1 in the case of Macquarie Island, which has the severest climate and the smallest variety of habitat types, to 10–r perhaps 11–n Chatham Island.
Dispersal seems to have been brought about by the birds being carried by the strong winds of these latitudes, and New Zealand appears to have been the main centre for this dispersal.
It is suggested that the chances of establishment on any one island have been governed by the potential frequency of arrival and the number of empty ecological niches in the new habitat. With such a poor native passerine avifauna as exists in the Kew Zealand region, empty ecological niches are apparently many.
There is no evidence that competition between indigenous and foreign passerines has occurred within New Zealand itself or on the offshore islands.
The Starling has the most widespread distribution—having appeared on all 9 islands and being known to breed on at least 7. The least “ successful” species appear to be the Dunnock, Skylark and Yellowhammer.
A REVIEW OF THE BOUBOU SHRIKE LANIARIUS FERRUGINEUS
Authors: Hall. B. P. 
Published: April 2008

Summary.1. An examination of the forms which have been ascribed to Laniarius ferrugineus shows that they are divisible into four groups, which are each considered worthy of specific status.2. Geographical variation in the four species is outlined briefly.3. The relationship between the species is discussed.
THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE SOUTHERN NIGERIAN AVIFAUNA TO THOSE OF UPPER AND LOWER GUINEA
Authors: Marchant. S. 
Published: April 2008

Summary.The composition of the forest avifauna of Southern Nigeria is analysed in the light of the most recent work in the region. It is found that east of the Niger the affinities are with Lower Guinea: at Lagos with Upper Guinea; in the Ondo‐Benin area not definitely with either. A discussion of the barriers between the two sub‐regions follows, and it is claimed that, whereas the Lagos‐Accra savanna gap and the Cameroon montane area can each account for about one quarter of the total change, factors within Nigeria were almost twice as important in causing differentiation. It is suggested that these factors were a combination of climatic conditions and northward position of the coastline in late or post‐Pliocene times, giving rise to a condition similar to that we find today between Lagos and Accra.
THE MAIN VICISSITUDES OF THE EUROPEAN AVIFAUNA SINCE THE PLIOCENE
Authors: Moreau R. E. 
Published: April 2008

Summary..1. Recent knowledge of the Pleistocene and subsequent ecological changes is summarized. Four glaciations are recognized, each with more than one maximum. The interglacials were all at least as warm as the present day.2. A map shows the vegetation belts of Europe and the probable limits of permanent sea‐ice at the height of the Last Glaciation, about 70,000 years ago. There is reason to believe that the main features of the vegetation‐map would apply also to the height of the other glaciations.3. The avian fossil data are discussed and for the most part of necessity rejected for the present purpose.4. The main inferences drawn of bird distribution at a glacial maximum are that (a) a rich avifauna occupied the treeless (grassy) loess‐tundra on the southern edge of the ice, (b) practically no arboreal birds could live north of the Pyrenees, the Alps and the Black Sea except in a strip across central Russia, (c) the birds of deciduous woodland were confined to part of the three Mediterranean peninsulas, (d) “Mediterranean” species were practically expelled from Europe.5. This implies that the populations of coniferous forest must have been reduced to about one‐third of their interglacial extent in Europe and those of deciduous woodlands to one‐tenth. Most of the sea‐bird species probably suffered less severe fluctuations in numbers, but underwent north‐and‐south changes in breeding range.6. The post‐glacial recovery of the climate has not been uninterrupted, so that in the last 80,000 years there have probably been only about 8000 during which there have been any arboreal birds north of Germany.7. The implications of the changes on the details of the migration system are discussed.
NOTES ON NORTHERN MIGRANTS OBSERVED INLAND IN BRITISH GUIANA
Authors: Davis. T. A. W. 
Published: April 2008

Summary.1. The scarcity of northern migrants in British Guiana and the South American tropics generally is commented on.2. 40 species of migrants, exclusing rare vagrants, from North America are known to occur in British Guiana; 24 of these have been recorded from the Bartica district. In each case nearly half are waders.3. The number of species found in the Bartica district of British Guiana is compared with the number recorded in a recent intensive study of an inland area near the Caribbean coast of northeastern Venezuela, where 12 of the 16 northern migrants noted were waders.4. A list of migrants from North America observed at the tropical research station of the New York Zoological Society at Kartabo (Bartica district) is criticized.5. Notes from the writer's own observations on inland occurrences in British Guiana of 19 migrants and one rare vagrant are given.6. Notes on two other species, the Swallow‐tailed Kite Elanoides forficatus (a resident race occurs), and the Black Swift Nephoecetes niger, whose winter range is unknown, are included.
THE COMMUNAL DISPLAY OF THE HOUSE‐SPARROW PASSER DOMESTICUS
Authors: Summers‐Smith D. 
Published: April 2008

Summary.The communal display of the House‐sparrow is described. The display may involve from two to ten or more males, but only one female. In both Hampshire and Holland the display is most frequent in April, uncommon at the beginning of May, rises to a secondary maximum at the end of May, does not occur in August and the first half of September, and reappears in the late autumn.The initiation of the display and the relationship of the birds taking part is discussed. In the instances observed only one bird of each sex was involved in the initial stages. In all cases where the participants have been identified the females have been paired birds. The males have included both paired and unpaired birds; the mate of the participating female has frequently taken a prominent role.It is suggested that the display arises when a male attempts to mount a female which is not ready for coition. A chase takes place, attracts other males and the communal display develops. The occurrence of the display is then related to the sexual relationship between paired birds. It is concluded that the communal display in the House‐sparrow is a true sexual display, which has developed in a social species into a communal display, whereby not only pairs of birds but the whole of the flock may be brought into breeding condition.
THE EXPLOITATION OF WILD BIRDS FOR THEIR EGGS
Authors: Cott Hugh B. 
Published: April 2008

Summary.Wild birds whose eggs ark used for food belong mainly to large species and to those nesting colonially; in general, the eggs of such birds are both accessible and palatable. Charadriiformes are the most important egg‐birds‐both as regards total annual crop and number of species utilized. Charadriiformes and Anseriformes together comprise 85 (or about 60 per cent) of the species which have more or less extensively been exploited during the present century. Procellariiformes and Sphenisciformes are also important.The various species are considered in relation to the estimated annual egg‐crop and the chief localities of exploitation: in terms of yield, Sterna fuscata takes pride of place, with an estimated crop in excess of 1,000,000 eggs; while species for which the cropping rate may lie between 1,000,000 and 100,000 eggs include Sphsniscus demersus, Pufinus temirostris, Gallus gallus, Gallinula chloropur, Vanellus vanellus, Larus argentatus, L. ridibundus, Sterna paradisaea, Anoiis stolidus, Uria lumvia and U. aalge.
A STUDY OF THE BLACKBIRD TURDUS MERUL A IN NEW ZEALAND.
Authors: Gurr. L. 
Published: April 2008

Summary

New Zealand Blackbirds tend to be bigger than British.
The ratio of males to females was 2: 1 and of first‐winter males to second‐winter or older males 4–6: 5‐4 in a normal winter population.
The moulting season at Dunedin was January to April inclusive, but some first‐year birds had a partial moult in August, September and early October.
Plumage of females is classified into five colour‐groups; most birds were “darkish brown”.
The black beaks of first‐winter males change to orange by the end of August; beak‐colour of second‐winter or older males is considered to be a variable genetical character.
Seasonal variation in size of gonads, and its relation to behaviour, are discussed.
Songs and calls are described and related to behaviour. The total song‐period in New Zealand is 10½ months.
Territory is established in the Dunedin area in April and averages 1^ to 2 acres.
Pair‐formation takes place before July and full song plays no part in this.
The roosting site for an individual was constant whether the site was in the territory or not. Roosting and awakening times averaged 20 minutes after sunset and 43‐5 minutes before sunrise.
Nesting begins in late August in New Zealand and ends in late December. Resumption of breeding after desertion is discussed.
The rhythm of activity at the nest during incubation and the relationship of the males to the nest and to the incubating female are described.
Fertile eggs lost approximately 0–1 gm. weight per day of incubation. Nestlings increased in weight, from hatching to maximum, by 13‐3, 11‐2 and 11‐8 times respectively, and decreased in weight before leaving the nest.
Fledging success was lower in the New Zealand nests studied than it is in Great Britain.
A SURVEY OF THE ORNITHOLOGY OF NORTHERN LIBYA.
Authors: Stanford J. K. 
Published: April 2008

SUMMARY

A summary of bird records in Cyrenaica, listed in systematic order, has been made from published literature, unpublished field notes of various observers, and personal observations. There are now satisfactory records of some 190 species.
In a collection of specimens made in March‐May 1952 the following species seem to be new records for Cyrenaica:–Ardeola ralloides, Falco biarmicus, Porzana parva, Tringa erythropus, Limicola falcinellus, Glareola pratincola, Pterocles coronatus, Otus scops, Caprimulgus europaeus, Ptyonoprogne rupestris, Oenanthe isabellina, Hippolais pallida, Scotocerca inquieta, Lanius minor, Emberiza hortulana.
Taxonomic notes on the collection have been made.