bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
OBSERVATIONS ON THE BEHAVIOUR OF THE HAMERKOP SCOPUS UMBRETTA IN UGANDA
Authors: Kahl M. P. 
Published: April 2008

SummaryHamerkops were studied in Uganda, mainly in the vicinity of Kampala, during January‐August 1964. Behavioural observations were made of nest‐building pairs, as well as of non‐breeding birds.Locomotion and feeding behaviour are described. Diving take‐offs and landings, essential for entering or leaving a completed nest, are sometimes seen in other situations as well. Birds sometimes forage while on the wing, in addition to the more usual method while wading.The most frequently seen comfort movements and maintenance activities are described. Hamerkops do not excrete onto their legs when over‐heated as do the storks. The resting posture of sitting completely down on horizontal branches, which is common among Hamerkops, apparently is not known in any of the herons or storks.Primarily hostile (Upright and Forward Threat) and primarily sexual (“Yip‐purr”, Nodding and False Mounting) social displays are described. During False Mounting, birds mount their partners repeatedly without making any attempt at copulation; reverse mountings, in which the other partner assumes the top position, are frequent.The large, hollow nest and its construction are briefly described. During the 6–7 week building period at one nest, at least 8000 loads of material were added to the structure. Both members have an equal role in nest‐building, and generally work independently of each other. They showed no stick‐exchange displays as do herons and storks.When all known aspects of the Hamerkop's behaviour are considered, there appears to be little similarity with either the herons or the storks. In fact, present behavioural evidence does not seem to indicate a particularly close relationship with any other birds so far studied.
LONG‐DISTANCE VAGRANCY IN THE PETRELS
Authors: Bourne W. R. P. 
Published: April 2008

SummaryThe records of long‐distance vagrancy in the Procellariiformes are listed and re‐examined. Some are clearly valid, more are obviously doubtful, many are difficult to confirm. Some records from the last century have failed to be repeated in this, but others have been repeated, sometimes more frequently. Some of them suggest hitherto unrecognized migrations or post‐juvenile or post‐breeding dispersal. Otherwise in general it appears that the more migratory albatrosses and much less often perhaps the southern fulmars may cross the equator into the opposite hemisphere, shearwaters and storm‐petrels may go astray on migration into the wrong ocean, and the gadfly petrels of the genus Pterodroma, though rarely recorded anywhere near land away from the breeding stations, are occasionally capable of prodigious feats of wandering across several oceans and continents. These last records are hard to explain, though some at least must be genuine; the best explanation appears to be that the birds are first displaced from their range by storms, and then have vast powers of endurance so that they are able to wander even further afield in attempting to return to it. They then often come to grief in circumstances where it may be very hard indeed to prove the manner of the appearance beyond all reasonable doubt, and there will always be a large element of uncertainty about many older records, including a number on current national lists, although many cannot be ignored entirely.
SOME ECOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF THE FEEDING BEHAVIOUR OF THE OYSTERCATCHER HAEMATOPUS OSTRALEGUS ON THE EDIBLE MUSSEL MYTILUS EDULIS
Authors: Norton‐Griffiths M. 
Published: April 2008

SummaryOystercatchers have two methods of opening mussels, both neatly adapted to the structure of the prey. To open mussels exposed by the tide, the bird hammers a hole along the ventral margin of the shell, whereas to open mussels under water, the bird drives its bill into the gape of the valves to cut through the posterior adductor muscle. Large and strong‐shelled mussels can be opened by stabbing but not by hammering.Feeding methods of Oystercatchers vary from mussel‐bed to mussel‐bed. These variations in behaviour are attributable to differences in the strength of the shells of the prey and to the firmness of their attachment to the substrate.Diversity of ecological conditions on the mussel‐beds causes an apparent size selection of prey by Oystercatchera.
ORIGIN OF THE AVIFAUNA OF URBAN AND SUBURBAN SINGAPORE
Authors: Ward Peter 
Published: April 2008

SummaryA list of the commoner garden and town birds of the tropical city of Singapore is given. None of them are birds of the rain forest which formerly covered the island. The majority are coastal species the natural habitats of which were mangrove and the thin fringe of savanna along parts of the east coast of the Malayan Peninsula. The reasons for this are discussed.The number of garden species is comparatively small and many niches appear to be vacant. These are expected to be filled mainly by open country species moving down the peninsula from Burma and Thailand along the corridors being opened up by deforestation. This process has already begun, though few species have yet reached as far south as Singapore.The garden avifauna is unstable and numerous changes in status have occurred in the last few decades; many more are predicted.
CLUTCH‐SIZE, INCUBATION AND HATCHING SUCCESS IN THE HOUSE SPARROW AND TREE SPARROW PASSER SPP. AT OXFORD
Authors: Seel D. C. 
Published: April 2008

SummaryClutch‐size, incubation and hatching success were studied in P. domesticus and P. montanus in 1961 and 1963–64 at Oxford. The most frequent clutch‐size was four eggs in P. domesticus and five eggs in P. montanus. With one exception, colonies of P. domesticus showed no significant annual or local variations in its mean clutch‐size; in P. montanus, however, there were significant annual variations in the mean clutch‐size. Both species showed a seasonal increase followed by a decrease in their mean clutch‐sizes.Partial incubation occurred during the laying period of the clutch; sufficient incubation for continuous development of the embryo was apparently achieved when the last egg had been laid in clutches of two and three eggs in P. domesticus and in clutches of four eggs in P. montanus, but when the penultimate egg had been laid in larger clutches of both species. On average, hatching in P. domesticus occurred more or less synchronously in all eggs in clutches of two and three eggs, and in all eggs except the last one laid in larger clutches; the last egg in the larger clutches hatched up to a day after the others. It is suggested that this pattern of hatching was brought about by the pattern of incubation during the laying period.P. domesticus had a lower hatching success than P. montanus, probably because fewer of its eggs were fertile.
BIRD MIGRATION AT ELAT, ISRAEL
Authors: Safriel U. 
Published: April 2008

SummarySeveral years' observations at the head of the Gulf of Aqaba are summarized. Migrants occur the whole year round, but most numerously in March‐April and September. Only a few of the 185 species recorded pass the winter at Elat. About 25 species are recorded more in autumn, whereas about 50 species are commoner in spring. The causes of these disparities are discussed. Thousands of soaring raptors pass through, mainly in spring. In spring only, thousands of Lesser Black‐backed Gulls stream through Elat, and many rest there for a short period. Mass migration of storks occurs too, more conspicuously in spring than autumn. An attempt is made to construct the routes of these birds between Eurasia and Africa, by analysing published sight records of raptors and storks and ringing recoveries of gulls. It is suggested that many of these birds move in autumn on a wide front, which may include Arabia, but that the core of the spring passage is shifted westward and part of it is channelled through the Rift Valley north of the northern end of the Red Sea and in the areas between the rift and the Mediterranean (Fig. 4). Supporting evidence is still needed from Arabia and the coasts of the Red Sea, especially from its southern end, where birds may be concentrated at the straits of Bab‐el‐Mandeb, as they are over the Bosphorus. Pelicans and a few other species perform very late southerly movements. These movements involve small numbers of birds, which may belong to late‐breeding populations.About 45 other species of water and shore birds have been recorded, many of which occur in winter. With the expansion of areas of artificial water, some of them have become very common.About 75 passerines, near‐passerines and other migrants pass through. The numbers involved suggest that the movement is on a broad front. Out of about 50 species whose passage is adequately recorded for seasonal comparison, 30 are more common in spring. Most of these are also commoner in other eastern Mediterranean countries and in Iraq in spring, md are presumed to perform a continuous overhead flight in autumn. Cases of “loop‐migration” among these species are rare.
PATTERNS OF GROWTH IN BIRDS
Authors: Ricklefs Robert E. 
Published: April 2008

SummaryParameters used to characterize the course of growth are described, and calculated growth parameters are presented for 105 species of birds of many taxonomic groups from a wide range of geographical localities.Growth parameters are found to exhibit as much as 20% variation within a species with respect to geographic locality and time of the nesting season. There is also considerable local variation, irrespective of season and locality, which is related to nutrition and perhaps to an inherited variability. The application of curve‐fitting as a method of analysing intraspecific variation is discussed briefly, and the importance of comparative growth studies is emphasized.Growth patterns are correlated with other parameters of the life‐history to evaluate the extent of diversity in the course of growth. Low rates of growth and prolonged growth periods occur primarily in species large for their families and in oceanic species. In most others, high rates of growth are maintained for longer periods of time. The shape of the growth curve is not related to the mode of development (i.e. whether precocial or altricial).Overall relative, or weight‐specific growth rates, as measured by the constants of fitted growth equations, are most highly correlated with the adult body size of the species, changing as the ‐0–278 power of adult body weight. Smaller variations in the rate of growth appear to be correlated with differences in nesting success; open‐nesting passerines grow faster than hole‐nesting species of a similar size. Growth rate is further correlated with brood size. Oceanic species with single egg clutches and tropical land‐birds with small clutches have low growth rates.The asymptote of the growth curve of the young (in relation to the adult weight) is related to the foraging behaviour of the adults. Aerial feeders generally have high asymptotes while those of ground feeding species are usually below adult weight. These differences are related to the need in the former for well‐developed flight at the time of fledging.The diversity of growth patterns is related to evolutionary trends which are the result of (1) selective forces acting at stages of the life‐history cycle other than development, (2) factors which affect the survival of offspring during the growth period, and (3) adjustments made to balance the energy budget of the family group. The last trend is discussed in detail in relation to the correlations found in the analysis. Two hypotheses are presented. Firstly, in species which cannot gather enough food to support even one young at a normal growth rate, the pace of development is reduced to decrease the energetic requirements of the young. Secondly, in species with small clutches, where adjustments to feeding capacities are not readily made by changing brood size, growth rate may be adjusted to accomplish this. The lack of critical energetic data to test these hypotheses is emphasized as a major deficiency in our understanding of the breeding biology of birds.
THE AUTUMN MIGRATION OF SOARING BIRDS AT THE BOSPHORUS
Authors: Porter Richard , Willis Ian 
Published: April 2008

SummaryThe migration of soaring birds was observed at Küçük Çamlica at the southern end of the Bosphorus between 14 July and 8 November 1966. Simultaneous watches were also carried out at other points on the Bosphorus on a number of dates. The largest movements of birds of prey occurred on days of light northeasterly winds, the largest movements of storks on days of light winds with a southerly component. On most days the stream of migrants appeared to be concentrated over the southern end of the Bosphorus. Migration frequently occurred right throughout the day, though the peak period was usually not spread over more than three hours. Figures are given for the daily times of migration of the commonest soaring birds. Daily counts of soaring birds (storks, raptors and Cranes) migrating over the Bosphorus at Küçük Çamlica are given. The main species found migrating were (with total number recorded in brackets) White Stork Ciconia ciconia (207,145), Black Stork C. nigra (6,194), Honey Buzzard Pernis upivorus (8,997), Buzzard Buteo buteo (12,949), “Spotted” Eagle Aquila clanga/pomarina (4,309) and sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus/brevipes (5,224). The autumn migration of 1966 is discussed in detail in a systematic list. Buzzards B. buteo were recorded in large numbers for the first time at the Bosphorus, and were the commonest bird of prey. Cranes Grus grus were also recorded for the first time. Comparison is made between our results and those of previous workers, though differences of coverage rule out any firm conclusions.
BEHAVIOUR OF THE BLUE‐CROWNED HANGING PARROT LORICULUS GALGULUS WITH COMPARATIVE NOTES ON THE VERNAL HANGING PARROT L. VERNALIS
Authors: Buckley Francine G. 
Published: April 2008

SummaryThe maintenance activities of Loriculus galgulus and L. vernalis are described and discussed, and compared with the behaviour of the parrots of the genus Agapornis. Maintenance activities reveal some adaptations to the genus‐typical habit of resting and sleeping upside‐down. A peculiar defaecation posture ensures that the plumage of hanging birds is not soiled. L. galgulus holds food either in the foot or in the bill, but L. vernalis seems not to use the foot in feeding:there is much regurgitation and remastication of food.Scratching is indirect, as in the Agapornis species, though the foot is brought directly to the bill to be preened. Loriculus is more ready to bathe in standing water than is Agapornis, actually entering the water, and not merely splashing from the edge. There is some evidence that L. galgulus rain‐bathes hanging upside down, as does A. cana.Agonistic behaviour is highly ritualized in Loriculus:some actions are identical with those of the more primitive species of Agapornis. Threat displays are described: the so‐called Super Threat Display combines all agonistic actions in one. There are three appeasement displays.Group upside‐down pseudo‐sleeping as a response to the appearance of potential predators is frequent in both species: it is not certain if this is a displacement reaction or a normal escape reaction to the safety of an inaccessible refuge.Little is known about reproductive behaviour in captivity and even less about behaviour in the wild. Pair formation appears to occur late in the period of attaining maturity, and to be initiated and maintained by courtship feeding: homosexual pairing is not unusual n flocks of captive birds. Of the courtship displays, one‐Strutting‐seems to be common to several Loriculus species.Cutting of nest material is an activity of both male and female Loriculus. A maturing or learning process is seen in the cutting of little “bits” by inexperienced and immature birds, and by the cutting of straight or arcuate strips by those more experienced. In Loriculus galgulus, females were seen to tuck strips of nesting material in the throat and breast feathers, though they have been reported to tuck material into the rump feathers also: L. oernalis females tucked arcuate strips among the rump feathers only. Both male and female L. galgulus and L. vernalis investi‐ gated nest boxes, but none actually nested.This study in general reinforces the ideas about the relationship of the genera Loriculus and Agapornis but more data on other Loriculus species are needed. At this stage of investigation it appears that both L. galgulus and L. oernalis are behaviourally closest to the more primitive species of Agapornis, namely, cana, tarantu and pullaria.
ORNITHOLOGICAL TRANSECTS IN THE NORTH ATLANTIC
Authors: Sage Bryan L. 
Published: April 2008

SUMMARYAn analysis is presented of observations made in the North Atlantic from 14 August to 10 September 1966, and comparisons are made with previously published data relating to this area. The majority of the records were obtained during transects along latitudes 55° N. and 58° N., but other data were collected in Labrador and Newfoundland coastal waters. During the period spent at sea 30 species were recorded, including five passerine species that came aboard ship. Manx Shearwaters were seen in Newfoundland waters where there have been few previous records. The record of a Balearic Shearwater appears to be the most northerly to date. Some evidence of correlation was found between the numbers of Great Shearwaters seen and the surface water temperature, but there was little evidence of correlation in the case of the Fulmar. Other points of interest are the records of moult in the Great Shearwater, and the records of Grey Phalaropes and Sabine's Gulls. An analysis of the skua movements suggests that the Arctic Skuas seen originated from Scandinavia, the Great Skuas from Iceland and the Pomarine and Long‐tailed Skuas from the Canadian arctic.
THE INFLUENCE OF BROOD SIZE ON THE ENERGY METABOLISM AND WATER LOSS OF NESTLING GREAT TITS PARUS MAJOR MAJOR
Authors: Mertens J. A. L. 
Published: April 2008

SummaryAt normal outdoor temperatures there is a distinct influence of brood size on the heat production of ten‐day‐old Great Tits. One ten‐day‐old nestling proved unable to maintain its body temperature at 12°C. Two ten‐day‐old tits together in one nestbox at 12Á°C were able to elevate the air temperature sufficiently to maintain homoiothermia. The same of course holds for tits in larger broods.At an air temperature of 18°C, six or seven ten‐day‐old tits placed in a nestbox elevated the air temperature to a level at which they almost reached a state of hyperthermia: their metabolism was at the basal level. The basal metabolism of a ten‐day‐old tit was found to be slightly more than 0–1800 kcal/h. The metabolism intensity of 12 tits in a nestbox at 12°C was of the same order of magnitude.Tits in broods comprising more than 12 or 13 nestlings at normal outdoor temperatures probably develop hyperthermia, which is unfavourable both for their energy and for their water balance.
THE MIGRATION OF PASSERINE NIGHT MIGRANTS ACROSS THE ENGLISH CHANNEL STUDIED BY RADAR
Authors: Parslow J. L. F. 
Published: April 2008

SummaryAn account is given of the migration of British summer resident small passerine night migrants across the English Channel in spring and autumn, as detected by radar.The main times of passage of each species have been determined from the trapping records of Dungeness Bird Observatory.The tracks of the migrants are consistent with the view that they always head about NNW in spring and SSE in autumn but may be drifted by a cross‐wind.The wind‐direction and speed had a paramount influence on the volume of migration in both spring and autumn. Temperature had no effect in autumn, and though there was more migration with warmer than cold weather in spring, this need not have been due to the influence of temperature as such.Small reversed movements occurred, with southerly winds in autumn or, more doubtfully, with northerly winds in spring.
A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE EGG WHITE PROTEINS OF SOME SPECIES OF THE AVIAN ORDER GRUIFORMES
Authors: Hendrickson H. T. 
Published: April 2008

SummaryNo agreement has been reached on the classification of the avian order Gruiformes as defined by Peters (1934) and Wetmore (1960). Starch gel electrophoresis of egg white proteins was therefore carried out in an attempt to obtain additional taxonomic data. Individual and intrafamilial variability was observed to be small, and the protein patterns thus seem to provide a basis for classification above the familial level.These protein patterns, together with the historically conventional characters, suggest that a relationship exists between the Rallidae, Heliornithidae, Eurypygidae, Turnicidae, and Psophiidae; and that the Gruidae and Aramidae are not far removed from this assemblage. The Aramidae are thought to occupy a separate but intermediate position between the Gruidae and the rail‐like assemblage. The Otididae have a very different pattern which, together with the unusual combination of classical characters, suggests that the bustards should be removed from the order. The insufficient sampling from the Cariamidae and Rhynochetidae does little to clarify their systematic positions.
THE ENDEMIC BIRDS OF SEYCHELLES
Authors: Gaymer R. , Blackman R. A. A. , Dawson P. G. , Penny Malcolm , Penny C. Mary 
Published: April 2008

Summary.A brief description of the islands is followed by an account of the 13 surviving endemic land‐birds, based largely on the results of the Bristol Seychelles Expedition 1964–65.The whole of the Seychelles avifauna could possibly be derived from Madagascar, but anomalous distributions suggest that some species colonized the Seychelles from the northeast, either en route for Madagascar, or independently of the Madagascan colonists.The Seychelles birds show insular evolutionary characteristics in colour and size, and some are extremes of their taxa.Endemic and introduced birds are listed in the appendix, with a Summary of their present and former distributions. A list of vagrant land‐birds is included.