One other LHI bird being the subject of some debate as to whether it still
exists or not is the White-chested White-eye. Islanders varied in their
beliefs about this species, some saying it has been extinct for some years
whilst one claimed it had been seen only a couple of months ago. Of course
we ( about ten experienced mainland birders) searched extensively over 5
days for this pesky bird without success and concluded that the "extinct"
advocates had to be right. Our hopes were not high.
Tony.
Subject: Lord Howe Island endemics.
Mike Carter wrote:
> Contra Hutton (1990) and early editions of Clements' Checklist, Lord
> Howe Island White-eye is NOT a full species. It is the subspecies or race
> tephropleurus of Silvereye, Zosterops lateralis. That is how Dick Schodde,
> normally a splitter, treated it in his book, and how the taxonomic
committee
> have advised it should be treated in the coming volume of HANZAB. And why
> should we take any notice of Clements' when he says its on 'Lord Howe
Island
> off NEW ZEALAND'?!
> So, sorry Michael, you should take it off your list. By all means,
count
> it as an endemic subspecies. Woodhen counts of course.
>
> Mike Carter
> 30 Canadian Bay Road
> Mt Eliza VIC 3930
> Ph: (03) 9787 7136
> Email:
>
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