The Woodhen: A Flightless Island Bird Defying Extinction.

Abstract

I BEGIN this review of Clifford Frith’s book on the Lord Howe Island Woodhen Gallirallus sylvestris with a ‘conflict of interest’ admission. Long ago, 1970–72 to be precise, while at the Australian Museum, I coordinated an environmental survey of Lord Howe Island. The survey was undertaken at the request of the Lord Howe Island Board for the museum to determine the status of the island’s flora and fauna. As the museum had a long association with Lord Howe Island commencing in 1869 when a team of scientists from the museum undertook a zoological survey of the island, the approach from the Board was well-received by museum staff many of whom participated in the survey. The survey was also joined by botanists from the Royal Botanic Gardens and zoologists from CSIRO.