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The relative abundance of possum faecal pellets in two neighbouring blocks of lowland rimu-rata forest was measured. On the commercially-trapped and poisoned block, 12.9% of sample plots contained pellets, compared with 26.3% on the other block free of hunters for 14 years. On the commercially exploited block there was a mean 0.215 pellets/m² compared with 0.347/m² on the untrapped block, which was probably carrying its full capacity of 9.0-12.3 possums/ha.

The gizzard contents of 57 pipits and 64 skylarks collected from December 1973 to April 1976 at Huiarua Station, Tokomaru Bay are described.

Mainland robins forage less and spend less time in interspecific interactions than do Outer Chetwode Island birds, but devote more time than the latter to vocalising, body maintenance and partner-interactions. Outer Chetwode Island males forage for a similar proportion of time throughout the day, but mainland birds forage less, and spend more time on vocalising and partner-interactions, in early and mid-morning than at other times.

Circumstances that give rise to samples of dead animals from natural populations are considered and five important particular situations are emphasized. In two of these situations it is possible to estimate the absolute mortality rates of animals in the natural populations concerned. In the other three situations the populations comprise two or more different types of animal and only the relative mortality rates of these can be estimated.

Population studies of grass grub and black beetle have revealed simple patterns of population determination. Populations fluctuate in response to variations in soil moisture and temperature. The upper limit to population growth is set by density dependent factors (larval mortality of grass grub and variation in natality of black beetle). Parasites and predators appear to be generally unimportant, but disease organisms may be potentially useful in the management of grass grub and black beetle populations.

The application of two type of model to aphid populations is discussed, with particular reference to the lime aphid (Eucallipterus tiliae L.). The role of detatailed simulaulation models is briefly reviewed and it is shown that a model of the lime aphid developed in Britain can represent the differing populatation behaviour of the same species in New Zealand. A much simpler, general herbivore/plant model is then applied to the lime aphid in Britain and gives as good a agreement with observed data as did the detailed simulalation model.

A method of graphical analysis which accounts for cause/effect lag between biological populations and environmental factors is presented. The method involves analysis of ellipsoid curves generated by delayed population responses to cyclic environmental variables. Six ellipse types are distinguished which determine the type of relationship involved and provide a key to equations for calculating the lag interval.

First paragraphs:
Near where I live in Northern Ireland there is a large circular "temple" built on the very edge of a cliff in classical style of the late eighteenth century by Frederick Augustus Hervey, Earl of Bristol and Bishop of Derry. Around the lower edge of the domed roof is a Latin inscription which can be roughly translated: "It is a pleasure to stand upon the shore and to see ships tossed upon the sea".

In a rock shelter on Tawhiti Rahi, one of the Poor Knights Islands, northern New Zealand, shells of Placostylus hongii (some of which are broken and charred) occur in a hearth earth and on the floor in association with adze-worked wood. This provides conclusive evidence that the flax snail was eaten by the prehistoric Maori. While some may have been eaten raw, it seems most Placostylus were cooked on the embers of a fire, then the shell broken open and the meat extracted.

"These two islands [Dent and Jacquemart] are the largest off Campbell Island. Possibly a landing could be made on Dent, but it would be quite impossible on Jacquemart." (Bailey and Sorensen, 1962, p. 28).