The three bones of of bones three The
coast of Rota, CNMI, where the species now is absent (Becker (Becker absent is now species the where CNMI, Rota, of coast
cronesia. However, the only evidence of such is a report of the Common Moorhen, Moorhen, of only such the is evidence of However, a Common cronesia. the report
hs sgiiatpeErpa lse fbrs lomgt ae curd n Mi in occurred have might also birds of losses pre-European significant Thus,
experienced numerous extinctions in prehistoric times as well (Steadman 1989). 1989). (Steadman well as times prehistoric in extinctions numerous experienced
Gallinula Gallinula chloropus,
Reichel Reichel
lynesian birds have been lost because of human impact during the past century century past the during impact human of because lost been have birds lynesian
(Engbring (Engbring
Micronesica Micronesica
ay niiul ouain ad nie pce o Mcoein n Po and Micronesian of species entire and populations individual Many
confined thus far to Rota, is much more limited than in Polynesia. Polynesia. in than limited more much is Rota, to far thus confined
is true throughout Micronesia, where the prehistoric record of birds, birds, of record prehistoric the where Micronesia, throughout true is
in the Mariana Islands during the past few millennia. Probably the same same the Probably few past millennia. the during Islands Mariana the in
preliminary results from Rota indicate that great great losses occurred of that birds indicate Rota from results preliminary
needed to refine certain identifications and describe new species, the the species, new describe and identifications certain refine to needed
rot, Psittacidae new sp.; large parrotfinch, parrotfinch, large sp.; new Psittacidae rot,
named cave on Rota yielded a single bone of the Common Moorhen, Moorhen, Common the of bone single a yielded Rota on cave named
Anatidae new sp.; giant ground-dove, ground-dove, giant sp.; new Anatidae Gallinula Gallinula chloropus,
from the Mariana Islands but still occur elsewhere in Micronesia. Four Four Micronesia. in elsewhere occur still but Islands Mariana the from
species are extinct and undescribed (a small, perhaps flightless duck, duck, flightless perhaps small, (a undescribed and extinct are species
cronesian Pigeon, Pigeon, cronesian
unknown on Rota but have been recorded on Guam. Three species species Three Guam. on recorded been have but Rota on unknown
in the 19th or 20th century. Two others (White-browed Crake, Crake, (White-browed others Two century. 20th or 19th the in
(Blue-gray (Blue-gray Noddy,
limnas limnas cinereus;
laperouse; laperouse;
species are extinct or extirpated on Rota. Three of these (Audubon's (Audubon's these of Three Rota. on extirpated or extinct are species
Shearwater, Shearwater,
excavations in 1990 at a late Holocene bone deposit in Payapai Cave, Cave, Payapai in deposit bone Holocene late a 1990 at in excavations
Rota, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Twelve of Twelve these Islands. Mariana of Northern the Commonwealth Rota,
Abstract-Twenty-one Abstract-Twenty-one
ilgclSre, e Yr tt Msu, h tt Euain eatet Albany Department, Education State The Museum, State York New Survey, Biological
& &
Extinct Extinct and Extirpated Birds from Rota, Mariana Islands
25(1): 71-84 25(1):
& &
Glass 1991 ). Recent studies have shown that the Polynesian islands islands Polynesian the that shown have studies 1991 Recent Glass ).
Pratt 1985, King 1985, Pratt et al. 1987, Collar Collar 1987, al. et Pratt 1985, King 1985, Pratt
Island Swiftlet, Swiftlet, Island
Puffinus lherminieri; lherminieri; Puffinus
G. G. chloropus
, ,
from the Unginao-Uyulan archaeological site northern archaeological on the the Unginao-Uyulan from
1992 1992
Guam flycatcher, flycatcher, Guam
Ducula Ducula oceanica)
Procelsterna Procelsterna cerulea;
also extirpated on Rota. Although more bones are are bones more Although Rota. on extirpated also
species of birds were recovered from preliminary preliminary from were species recovered of birds
DAVID DAVID
Collocalia Collocalia vanikorensis)
from Unginao-Uyulan were bracketed by strata strata by bracketed were Unginao-Uyulan from
Introduction Introduction
York 12230. 12230. York
W. W.
Micronesian Megapode, Megapode, Micronesian
Myiagra Myiagra
STEADMAN STEADMAN
have not been recorded previously previously recorded been not have
Gallicolumba Gallicolumba
swamphen?, swamphen?,
Erythrura Erythrura
cf.freycineti) cf.freycineti)
are known from Rota Rota from known are
Porphyrio? Porphyrio?
new sp.; large par large sp.; new
new sp.). An un An sp.). new
are previously are previously
& &
Megapodius Megapodius
& &
Andrew 1988, 1988, Andrew
Butler 1988). 1988). Butler
sp.; sp.; Mi
Polio
, , New New
be
Gal
Ober
100 yr yr 100
Porzana Porzana
Engbring Engbring
± ±
& &
vanikorensis vanikorensis
Aerodramus Aerodramus
C. C.
rather rather than
mesh. mesh.
for for
Glass Glass except (1991) for
& &
/16" /16"
1
50 yr yr 50 BP and 1,920
and and
Poliolimnas Poliolimnas
± ±
¼", ¼",
Aerodramus Aerodramus
and and
Methods Methods
& &
Results Results G. G. R. Gray versus 1840
Area Area
1, visited visited 1, on January 31 is a 1990, shallow (up
G. owstoni, owstoni, G.
rather rather than
Micronesica Micronesica ), 1992 25(1
for for
Cave Cave
Study Study
Collocalia Collocalia
STRATIGRAPHY STRATIGRAPHY AND CHRONOLOGY
Rallus Rallus
Poiia. Poiia.
Collocalia Collocalia
exception exception was Payapai Cave (sometimes called Alaguan
An An
to to Rota, where rails are unknown historically (see Witteman et
I I use
Glass ( 1991 ). ). The current Glass 1991 ( status of extant species on Rota was
& &
rather rather than
Caves Caves 1-3 are near Rota's southernmost point, just inland from the main
Unless Unless stated otherwise, the modem distribution and status of Micronesian
Most Most of Rota's many caves were damaged heavily during the World War II
To To develop a prehistoric record of Micronesian birds, I surveyed caves for
P. cinereus; cinereus; P.
road road through Puntan
sediment sediment was sieved through screens of½",
modem modem skeletons from USNM, American Natural Museum of History, York New
sonian sonian Institution (USNM). Identifications were based upon comparisons with
State State Museum, and University of Washington Burke Museum. All excavated
Gallirallus Gallirallus
the the Department of Paleobiology, National Museum of Natural History, Smith
holser holser see Peters The 1906; bones 1940:220). from Rota have been catalogued in
for for
cause cause of simple priority (
three three generic names: following Olson (1973) and Steadman (1987), I recognize
Nomenclature Nomenclature is that of Pratt et al. and (1987) Reichel
taken taken from Engbring et 1986), al. supplemented ( by my observations in 1990.
and and Reichel
( 1985), Pratt Pratt 1985), ( et al. (1987), Glass 1988), Engbring et ), ( Reichel 1990), al. ( (1991
birds birds were taken from Baker (1951), Engbring & Pratt (1985), Pyle
25 25 m wide. Aside from Payapai Cave, I located three smaller, unnamed caves
that that yielded much less significant vertebrate faunas.
on on Rota. Payapai Cave is located in a coralline limestone (uplifted cliff marine
is is much larger than most caves on Rota, with an entrance about 25 m high and
terrace) terrace) about m 150 from the island's southern shore, at 14°8'N, 145°13'E. It
scientific scientific value.
siliferous siliferous sediments were either removed, mixed, or crushed, eliminating their
Cave), Cave), which contained by far the largest prehistoric bone deposit that I found
fortified fortified as gun implacements and human shelters. As a result, potentially fos
Japanese Japanese occupation of the island. The caves, most of which face the sea, were
cavation. cavation.
document document the numerous new records of birds uncovered during the initial ex
lirallus owstoni) owstoni) lirallus
paleoecology paleoecology of Rota's prehistoric birds await further field work. Here I will
al. al. 1991). Additional details of the osteology, systematics, biogeography, and
to to provide biogeographic justification for translocation of the Guam Rail (
paper paper summarizes the results of my preliminary survey, which was done in part
BP, BP, respectively.
72 72 bone bone deposits on the island of Rota from 27 January to 6 February This 1990. radiocarbon radiocarbon dated (on wood charcoal) at 1,350
itnt taa eintd s aesI I, n II Fgr 2) (Figure III and II, I, Layers as designated strata distinct
thick in TPl, 8-13 cm thick in TP2) is a light grayish brown sandy, slightly slightly sandy, brown grayish light a is TP2) in thick cm 8-13 TPl, in thick
The stratigraphic sequences ofTPl and TP2 are similar, each consisting of three three of consisting each similar, are TP2 and ofTPl sequences stratigraphic The
up to 25 cm in depth. depth. in cm 25 to up Figure 1) in the very very the 1) in Figure
0.5 X 1.0 m test pit in each revealed poorly stratified, dark, organic sediment sediment organic dark, stratified, poorly revealed each in pit test m 1.0 X 0.5
visited on 2 February 1990, are also shallow (up to 2 m inside the dripline). A A dripline). the inside m 2 to (up shallow also 1990, are February 2 on visited
dark, organic sediment reached bedrock at depths of 38-45 cm. Caves 2 and 3, 3, and 2 Caves cm. 38-45 of depths at bedrock reached sediment organic dark,
to 4 m inside the dripline) shelter where a 0.5 X 1.0 m test pit in poorly stratified, stratified, poorly 1.0 in pit test m X where a 0.5 shelter dripline) the 4 inside m to
On 3-6 February 1991, I excavated two small, adjoining test pits (TPl, TP2, TP2, (TPl, pits test adjoining small, two 1991, I excavated February 3-6 On
Figure I. Plan view of the two test pits (TPl, TP2) excavated along the north wall, wall, north the along excavated TP2) (TPl, pits test two the of view Plan I. Figure
l esrmns r n meters in are measurements All
Payapai Cave, Rota. See Figure 2 for stratigraphic profile of west wall ofTPI. ofTPI. west wall profile of stratigraphic for 2 See Figure Rota. Cave, Payapai
N N
~ ~
0 0
1-
2-
~ ~
-
dry, dry,
' '
' '
" "
' '
TP1 TP1
powdery sediment about 30 m within Payapai Cave. Cave. Payapai within m 30 about sediment powdery
Steadman: Steadman: Extinct Birds Rota from
. .
......
\ \
. .
" "
0.85 0.85
TP2 TP2
. .
1.60 1.60
Layer I ( 4-12 cm cm ( I 4-12 Layer 73 73
of of
). ).
(1 (1
12 12
7 7
.
2
/C
Aplonis Aplonis
13
Gallinula Gallinula
sp. sp. (2); un
Bu.Jo marinus marinus Bu.Jo
Bufo Bufo marinus
Rattus Rattus
Aplonis Aplonis opaca
smaller smaller
a a extinct species
2 2
P. tokudae, tokudae, P.
sp. sp. Common (10); Moorhen,
species species
a a lost from Rota, probably in the
which which still survives on Rota (Wiles et al.
FAUNA FAUNA
All measurements measurements All are in meters.
. .
Rattus Rattus
70 70 yr BP (Beta-36074; corrected for C
sp. sp. Although the specimens likely represent the
sp. ( 1 ); Micronesian ); Micronesian Starling, 1 sp. (
± ±
Micronesica 25(1 ), I 992 992 ), I 25(1 Micronesica
Pteropus Pteropus
P. P. mariannus,
Pteropus Pteropus
1 ). ). Cave 2: gecko, ); Gekkonidae 1 Micronesian Starling, 1 sp. (
Emballonura Emballonura semicaudata,
Charcoal Charcoal was extremely scarce in Layers I and III, and in both cases
for description description for of Layers 1-111
( (
%a}. %a}.
(2). Cave 3: fish, Osteichthyes sp. ( 1 ); introduced introduced ); marine toad, 1 Osteichthyes fish, ( sp. Cave 3: (2).
? ? t t
Figure Figure 2. Stratigraphic profile of west wall of TPI, Payapai Cave, Rota. See text
Payapai Payapai Cave yielded bones of fish, reptiles, mammals and, primarily, birds
Bones Bones of the following species were recovered from unnamed caves 1-3.
From From the base of Layer II in TP2, 12 grams of wood charcoal yielded a
? ?
t t
0 0
1989), I 1989), have not confirmed this by direct comparison. Thus I cannot rule out
that that some the bones of all or may not be from
Marianas Marianas Fruit Bat,
fruit fruit bat or fox, flying
late 1960s (Lemke 1986). The The second (Lemke most late abundant 1986). 1960s mammal an undetermined is
sp.; sp.; and a small skink, Scincidae sp.). The most common mammal is the sheath
tailed tailed bat,
picbirds, picbirds, terns, or herons, all of which occur commonly in the bone deposit. The
bones bones of reptiles represent at least two species of lizards (a gecko, Gekkonidae
most most likely deposited in the cave by piscivorous birds, such as shearwaters, tro
(Table 1 ). The fish bones bones The ). consist fish only (Table specimens a few of from 1 very small species,
( 1 ); gecko, Gekkonidae sp. ( 1 ); introduced ); introduced gecko, ); Gekkonidae 1 undetermined 1 sp. ( ( rat,
determined determined fruit bat,
opaca opaca
(9); introduced introduced (9); undetermined rat,
ch/oropus ch/oropus
Cave Cave fish, 1: Osteichthyes sp. (2 bones); introduced marine toad,
-27.3 -27.3
2 2
Layer Layer III.
may may have been intrusive from Layer II. The only other potentially datable organic
remains remains were bones and small fragments of plants in Layer I, and bones only in
single single radiocarbon date of 930
and and gypsum clasts are more angular in Layer III than in Layer I.
pebbles pebbles and no cobbles. Layer III (18-50+ cm thick in TPl, 4-24 cm thick in
TP2) is a yellowish orange orange TP2) a sandy, yellowish slightly is very pebbly, very cobbly silt. The calcite
.6 .6
pebbly, pebbly, slightly cobbly silt. Layer II (2-35 cm thick in TPl, 6-20 cm thick in
TP2) TP2) is a very dense concentration of wood charcoal, ash, and silt, with few
.4 .4 74 74
(Common Moorhen), was recovered elsewhere (Cave 1). The 13 species of birds birds of species 13 1). The (Cave elsewhere recovered was Moorhen), (Common
no longer on Rota fall into four categories, as follows. follows. as categories, four into fall Rota on longer no
occur on Rota. One bone of an additional extirpated species, species, extirpated additional an of bone One Rota. on occur et al. 1979, Engbring et al. 1986, Lemke 1986, E. Taisacan, pers. comm.). comm.). pers. Taisacan, E. 1986, Lemke 1986, al. et Engbring 1979, al. et
formerly by Island Swiftlets Swiftlets Island by formerly
ballonura semicaudata), semicaudata), ballonura Aplonis opaca, opaca, Aplonis
the deposit (including bones of juveniles), particularly on the surface and in Layer Layer in and surface the on particularly of juveniles), bones (including deposit the
I. I. and Pacific Reef-Heron Reef-Heron Pacific and
Tropicbird Tropicbird
roof. Other species that currently nest or roost in the cave are the White-tailed White-tailed the are cave the in roost or nest currently that species Other roof. common species throughout the deposit is the extant Micronesian Starling, Starling, Micronesian extant the is deposit the throughout species common
species (Table 2), of which five are seabirds and 16 are landbirds. By far the most most the By far landbirds. 16 are and seabirds five are which of 2), (Table species
as AD 1602 (Driver 1989:12). 1989:12). (Driver 1602 AD as
dant on Rota today. Rats (species undetermined) were common on Rota as early early as Rota on common were undetermined) (species Rats today. Rota on dant
skeletons of the Pacific rat, rat, Pacific the of skeletons
its current scarcity. The few bones of of bones few The scarcity. current its
Rota to Guam for human consumption (Wiles & Payne 1986), contributing to to contributing 1986), Payne & (Wiles consumption human for Guam to Rota
to 1981, 400 to 1,900 individuals of of 1,900 individuals to 400 1981, to
on Guam, the only island where it ever was recorded (Wiles 1987). From 1975 1975 From 1987). (Wiles recorded was ever it where island only the Guam, on
ubr rpeet dniid bones identified represent Numbers
Surface Surface
Totals Totals
Rattus Rattus
Pteropus Pteropus
Emballonura Emballonura
Scincidae sp. sp. Scincidae
eknde sp Gekkonidae
Osteichthyes sp. sp. Osteichthyes
Species Species
As indicated by both bones and guano, Payapai Cave also had been occupied occupied been had also Cave Payapai guano, and bones both by indicated As
Table Table
Unknown rat rat Unknown
semicaudata semicaudata
Sheath-tailed Bat Bat Sheath-tailed Unknown fruit bat bat fruit Unknown
skink skink
Unknown small small Unknown
Unknown gecko gecko Unknown
Unknown small fish fish small Unknown
Twelve of the 21 species of birds recorded from Payapai Cave no longer longer no Cave Payapai from recorded birds of species 21 the of Twelve
The 316 identifiable bird bones recovered from Payapai Cave represent 21 21 represent Cave Payapai from recovered bones bird identifiable 316 The
sp. sp.
= =
I. I.
sp. sp.
surface of cave floor cave of surface
Vertebrates other than birds recovered from preliminary excavations at Payapai Cave, Cave, Payapai at excavations preliminary from recovered birds than other Vertebrates
Phaethon lepturus, lepturus, Phaethon
Rota, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, February 1990. 1990. February Islands, Mariana Northern the of Commonwealth Rota,
. .
which still nests on small ledges in well lighted parts of the cave's cave's the of parts lighted well in ledges small on nests still which
Status Surface Surface Status
X? X?
X? X?
X? X?
X? X?
X X
E E
Egretta sacra, sacra, Egretta
both of which died out on Rota in recent decades (Pratt (Pratt decades recent in Rota on out died which of both
; ;
I, II I,
(Collocalia vanikorensis) vanikorensis) (Collocalia
R. exulans, exulans, R.
Steadman: Extinct Birds from Rota Rota Birds from Extinct Steadman:
. .
, ,
E E
III, Mixed Mixed III,
White Tern or Common Fairy-Tern Fairy-Tern Common or Tern White
= =
2 2
2 2
xiptd n Rota on extirpated
P. mariannus mariannus P.
each of which also is well represented in in represented well is also which of each
or the black rat, rat, black the or
= =
Rattus Rattus
stratigraphic layers (see text for details). details). for text (see layers stratigraphic
30 30
11 11
4 4
3 3
4 4
7 7
sp. have not been compared to to compared been not have sp.
Level Level
were exported each year from from year each exported were
. .
and Sheath-tailed Bats Bats Sheath-tailed and
II III Mixed Total Total Mixed III II
X X
6 6
3 10 10 3
= =
R. rattus, rattus, R.
tl ocr o Rt. Levels Rota. on occurs still
72 72
25 25
34 34
Galli Galli ch/oropus nu/a
3 3
which is abun is which
35 35
11 11
17 17
Gygis alba, alba, Gygis
3 3
3 3
(Em
145 145
43 43
19 19
63 63
10 10
6 6
4 4
75 75 : :
2 2
3 3
2 2
4 4
10 10
16 16
10 10
16 16
59 59
46 46
Total Total
1# 1#
4 4
3 3
16 16 122
5 5
Mixed Mixed
8 8
2 2
8 8
72 72
13 13 2 16
28 28 4
III III
5 5
2 2
II II
Level Level
2 2 2 8
7 7
3 3
29 29
8 8 6
4 4
41 41 12
Micronesica 25( I), I), 1992 25( Micronesica
E E
X X
X X
E E
X X
E E
X X
E E
E E
X X E E
X X
X X
E E
X X
Status Status Surface I
Commonwealth Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, February 1990.
new new sp. E
sp. sp. E
Species Species of birds recovered from preliminary excavations at Payapai Cave, Rota,
. .
Ground-Dove Ground-Dove
Ground-Dove Ground-Dove
Megapode Megapode
Table Table 2
Bridled Bridled White-Eye
conspicillatus conspicillatus
Porphyrio? Porphyrio?
Micronesian Micronesian Starling
Island Island Swiftlet
Extinct Extinct Parrot
Micronesian Micronesian Pigeon
Mariana Mariana Fruit-Dove
Extinct Extinct Giant
White-throated White-throated
xanthonura xanthonura Swamphen? Swamphen?
White-browed White-browed Crake
Micronesian Micronesian
Rota Rota Duck
Pacific Reef-Heron Reef-Heron Pacific
Common Common Fairy-Tern Blue-gray Noddy Noddy Blue-gray
White-tailed White-tailed
Tropicbird Tropicbird
Red-tailed Red-tailed
Tropicbird Tropicbird
Shearwater Shearwater
Audubon's Audubon's
Zosterops Zosterops
Col/oca/ia vanikorensis vanikorensis Col/oca/ia
Ap/onis opaca opaca Ap/onis
*Psittacidae *Psittacidae new sp. E
Ducula oceanica oceanica Ducula
Pti/inopus roseicapilla roseicapilla Pti/inopus
*Gallicolumba *Gallicolumba
Gal/icolumba Gal/icolumba
cf. cf.
Poliolimnas cinereus cinereus Poliolimnas
Landbirds Landbirds
Megapodius /aperouse /aperouse Megapodius *Anatidae *Anatidae new sp.
Gygisa/ba Gygisa/ba Egretta sacra sacra Egretta
Procelsterna ceru/ea ceru/ea Procelsterna
Phaethon /epturus /epturus Phaethon
Phaethon rubricauda rubricauda Phaethon
Puffinus /herminieri /herminieri Puffinus
Seabirds Seabirds 76 76
Rota. Rota.
crake and moorhen prefer freshwater wetlands, which no longer are present on on present are longer no which wetlands, freshwater prefer moorhen and crake
ian, and Pagan, surviving on all except Pagan (Stinson et al. 1991 1991 the Both al. ). et (Stinson Pagan except all on surviving Pagan, and ian,
only on Guam (Baker 1951), the crake probably was gone from Guam by the the by Guam from gone was probably crake 1951), the (Baker Guam on only
chloropus; chloropus;
lands: White-browed Crake, Crake, White-browed lands: Aguijan, and Saipan. Saipan. and Aguijan,
Within the Marianas, swiftlets survive in small to moderate numbers on Guam, Guam, on numbers moderate to small in survive swiftlets Marianas, the Within
on Guam, Rota, and perhaps Tinian. The swiftlet was last observed on Rota in in Rota on observed last was swiftlet The Tinian. perhaps and Rota, Guam, on
1950s or early 1960s. The moorhen has been recorded from Guam, Saipan, Tin Saipan, Guam, from recorded been has moorhen 1960s. The 1950s early or
Megapodes once occurred throughout the Marianas. They have been extirpated extirpated been have They Marianas. the throughout occurred once Megapodes
are known to transport megapode eggs between islands (Engbring et al. 1986). 1986). al. et (Engbring islands eggs between megapode transport to known are
have been seen on Rota in 1985 (Wiles et al. 1987), although indigenous people people indigenous 1987), although al. 1985 et (Wiles in Rota on seen been have
in 1888 (Oustalet 1896:27; Baker 1951:111). A single juvenile megapode may may megapode juvenile single A 1951:111). 1896:27; Baker (Oustalet 1888 in
1976, at Payapai Cave and other localities (Pratt et al. 1979, 1979, 1986). et al. Engbring al. et (Pratt localities other 1976, Cave and Payapai at
taken in July 1888 by 1888 July in taken
& & Glass 1991:4). No populations of of populations No 1991:4). Glass
Marianas. The megapode apparently died out on Rota early this century (Pratt (Pratt century this early Rota on out died apparently megapode The Marianas.
Micronesian Megapode, Megapode, Micronesian
vanikorensis. vanikorensis.
All birds (E) 12. 12. (E) birds All
Seabirds (E (E Seabirds
for details). • • details). for
Levels
Numbers represent identified bones. E E bones. identified represent Numbers
Totals: Bones Bones Totals:
Myzomela rubrata rubrata Myzomela
Myiagra Myiagra
Erythrura Erythrura
Seabirds Seabirds
Micronesian Micronesian Guam Flycatcher Flycatcher Guam
Extinct Parrot-Finch Parrot-Finch Extinct
Bruner 1978), the only certain record being a specimen collected by Marche Marche by collected specimen a being record certain only 1978), the Bruner
Honeyeater Honeyeater
.Peiul nnw o Rt bt eoddesweei h Mraa Is Mariana the in elsewhere recorded but Rota on unknown Previously 2.
1. Known historically on Rota: Audubon's Shearwater, Shearwater, Audubon's Rota: on historically 1. Known
: :
%E %E
(E (E (E only) only) (E
Species Species
Surface Surface
Species Species
cf. cf.
+ +
new sp. sp. new
+ +
and Guam Flycatcher, Flycatcher, Guam and
freycineti freycineti
X) X)
= =
) 5 X)
= =
extinct species. species. extinct
The shearwater had been known on Rota only from a specimen specimen a from only Rota on known been had shearwater The
surface of cave floor. Mix Mix floor. cave of surface
; ;
Seabirds (E) 2; Landbirds (E (E Landbirds 2; (E) Seabirds
Status Surface Surface Status
A. A.
X X
E E
E E
Megapodius laperouse; laperouse; Megapodius
# #
Marche (Oustalet 1896:56; Baker 1951:68; 1951:68; Reichel 1896:56; Baker (Oustalet Marche
Steadman: Extinct Birds from Rota Rota from Birds Extinct Steadman:
= =
Poliolimnas cinereus; cinereus; Poliolimnas
specimen cemented on wall. Total species (all layers combined) layers (all species Total wall. on cemented specimen
Table 2. 2. Table
= =
Myiagra cf.freycineti. cf.freycineti. Myiagra
47 47
xiptd r xic o Rota on extinct or extirpated
0 0
0 4 4 0
4 4
P. lherminieri lherminieri P.
= =
ie layers mixed
+ +
Continued. Continued.
) 16 X)
36 36
66 21 146 36 316 316 36 146 21 66
II II
; ;
adid () 10 (E) Landbirds
. .
and Island Swiftlet, Swiftlet, Island and
Level Level
I, II, III III II, I,
Common Moorhen, Moorhen, Common
are known to survive in the the in survive to known are
60 60
10 10
II II
6 6
Recorded in the Marianas in Marianas the Recorded
= =
. .
stratigraphic layers (see text text (see layers stratigraphic
X X
62 50 57 57 50 62
III III 13 13
Puffinus lherminieri; lherminieri; Puffinus
8 4 4 8
2 2
= =
; ;
All birds (E (E birds All
tl cus n Rota on occurs still
Mixed Total Total Mixed
8 8
Collocalia Collocalia
Gallinula Gallinula
+ +
X) 21 X)
21 21
12 12
2 2
& &
77 77
; ;
: : . .
Por
in in the
except except
rather rather than
78-84 78-84 mm in
M. M. p/uto
swamphen?, swamphen?,
are are 14.3-15.0 mm
Proce/sterna Proce/sterna
Myiagra Myiagra
was was known only from
The The nearest population
Porphyrio Porphyrio porphyrio pe/ew
Myiagra Myiagra
M. freycineti, M. freycineti,
new new sp. from Payapai Cave indicate
became became extinct in about Clas 1985.
M. M. freycineti
new new sp.; large parrot, Psittacidae new
Procelsterna cerulea; cerulea; Procelsterna
James James 1991) and very juvenile volant
& &
from from Belau, Chuuk, or Guam. Like the
from from New Caledonia and 15.2-16.0 mm
Ducu/a Ducu/a oceanica.
new new sp.). Additional material is desired for
by Baker ( 1951 :277) but but :277) generally recognized 1951 by Baker (
This This size difference in bones is roughly propor
Gallicolumba Gallicolumba
Micronesica Micronesica 25(1), 1992
Myiagra Myiagra
Gallicolumba Gallicolumba
Erythrura Erythrura
and and
or or any other regional monarchine in the distinctive
Myiagra Myiagra Jreycineti
from from Pohnpei, but is smaller (total length mm 16.0 com
M. M. oceanica
from from Halmahera, Northern Moluccas. Skeletons are not
M. M. p/uto).
Pratt Pratt The 1985). Micronesian Pigeon occurs through much of
& &
M. M. caledonica caledonica
M. M. ga/eata
Baker Baker Humeral 1951:276). lengths of other
Ducula Ducula oceanica
sp.; sp.; and Micronesian Pigeon,
10) 10) in
5) 5) in (Engbring (Engbring
The The undescribed duck is represented by a juvenile single coracoid (USNM
4. Extinct Extinct 4. and undescribed species (a small, perhaps duck, flightless Anatidae
3. 3. Not recorded previously from the Mariana Islands but still occurring
The The flycatcher is represented by a humerus (USNM 453471) and ulna
= =
= =
Monarcha, Monarcha, Rhipidura,
size size of entire humeral end, and orientation of cotyla scapularis (facing nearly
surface, surface, extent of convexity of ventral surface, great amount of widening toward
sternal sternal end, reduced development of the procoracoid region, great reduction in
anatids anatids (the "moa-nalo's"; see Olson
anatids, anatids, rather than those of flightless rails, in the extent of concavity of dorsal
436620). 436620). This unusual specimen agrees with the coracoid of flightless Hawaiian
theless, theless, some preliminary remarks are warranted. sp.; sp.; and large parrotfinch,
new new sp.; giant ground-dove,
each each of these species before they can be named and described properly. Never
that that this absence is a recent event.
(1951:198) (1951:198) noted the conspicuous absence of large pigeons in the Marianas. The
bones bones of populations populations are candidates for endangered status (Engbring & Pratt Baker 1985).
Micronesia Micronesia (Belau, Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei, Kosrae, Marshalls), although certain
ensis ensis
as as tentative. The nearest and only other Micronesian record of a swamphen is
the the small Palauan population of Purple Swamphen, imal imal end a radius of (USNM 453552), and thus identification its must regarded be
past. past. The probable swamphen from Payapai Cave is based only on a single prox
off Thailand off Thailand (Taylor suggest 1989), a much greater range for
of Blue-gray of Blue-gray Noddies is on Bikar in the Marshall Islands, 2,700 km east of Rota.
The The record from Rota, and an unconfirmed sight record from the Andaman Sea
elsewhere elsewhere in Micronesia: Noddy, Blue-gray
Guam, Guam, where it had been regarded as endemic.
for for being slightly smaller.
sified as a subspecies a as subspecies sified of
phyrio? phyrio? humerus, humerus, the ulna from Payapai Cave is inseparable from that in
as as a full species today (Pratt et al. 1987),
available available for populations of
(n (n
(n (n
tional tional to that in wing measurements (65-73 mm in
M. M. pluto; pared pared to 17.3 mm in
slender slender shaft. USNM 453471 is qualitatively inseparable from the humerus in
Myiagra Myiagra p/uto oceanica shapes shapes of the caput humeri and both fossae pneumotricitalis, as well as in the
in in
(USNM (USNM 436625). USNM 453471 agrees with the humerus in 78 78
.I .I
relatively long bill, whereas a complete pedal claw (USNM 436641) seems to to seems 436641) (USNM claw pedal complete a whereas bill, long relatively
reminiscent perhaps of a medium to large-sized meliphagid (honeyeater) with a a with (honeyeater) meliphagid large-sized to medium a of perhaps reminiscent
Cave that probably represent additional extinct or extirpated species but are too too are but species extirpated or extinct additional represent probably that Cave
fragmentary to identify even to family. A partial rostrum (USNM 453427) is is 453427) (USNM rostrum partial A family. to even identify to fragmentary
in Belau, Chuuk, Pohnpei, and Kosrae. Kosrae. and Pohnpei, Chuuk, Belau, in
from New Caledonia, 13.0-13.8 mm (n (n mm 13.0-13.8 Caledonia, New from
Artamus, Hirundo) Hirundo) Artamus,
Acrocephalus, Myiagra, Monarcha, Rhipidura, Myzomela, Foulehaio, Aplonis, Aplonis, Foulehaio, Myzomela, Rhipidura, Monarcha, Myiagra, Acrocephalus, with a total length of 16.3 mm compared to 12.9-13.8 mm (n (n mm 12.9-13.8 to compared 16.3 mm of length total a with
surface of condylus ventralis. USNM 436622 is larger than in any congeners, congeners, any in than larger is 436622 USNM ventralis. condylus of surface
caput humeri and tuberculum dorsale; and more bilaterally symmetrical distal distal symmetrical bilaterally more and dorsale; tuberculum and humeri caput
of margo caudalis; in cranio-ventral aspect, concave silhouette of area between between area of silhouette concave aspect, cranio-ventral in caudalis; margo of
shape and position of both fossae pneumotricipitalis; stout shaft; size and shape shape and size shaft; stout pneumotricipitalis; fossae both of position and shape
passerine genera of the region region the of genera passerine 15.3 mm (n (n 15.3 mm
plete humerus (USNM 436622) that is referred to to referred is that 436622) (USNM humerus plete
14.2 mm (n (n 14.2 mm
different angle of the diagonal muscle scar on the caudal surface of the shaft. shaft. the of surface caudal the on scar muscle diagonal the of angle different
(the only extant species in the genus) because of its slightly larger size and the the and size larger slightly its of because genus) the in species extant only (the
equivocally if it is referable to to referable is it if equivocally
a more distinct impressio ligamentum collateralis medialis and a more distinct distinct more a and medialis collateralis ligamentum impressio distinct more a fte hf. oe pcmn o hs ag art r nee t dtrie un determine to needed are parrot large this of specimens More shaft. the of
diagonal muscle scar running distad from crista fibularis on the caudal surface surface caudal the on fibularis crista from distad running scar muscle diagonal
436602 436602 agrees with
Solomons, New Guinea, Australia; introduced to Belau this century). USNM USNM century). this Belau to introduced Australia; Guinea, New Solomons,
tralia), or Eclectus Eclectus or tralia),
aterrimus aterrimus
436602) roughly the size and shape of that in the Palm Cockatoo Cockatoo Palm the in that of shape and size the roughly 436602)
tarsometatarsus, and pedal phalanx (USNM 436623, 436660, 436588). It is most most is It 436588). 436660, 436623, (USNM phalanx pedal and tarsometatarsus, new sp. from East Polynesia (Steadman in press). press). in (Steadman Polynesia East from sp. new
similar in size and other features to the largest species in the genus, genus, the in species largest the to features other and size in similar
abilities of the extinct whistling duck (cf. (cf. duck whistling extinct the of abilities
Cook Islands is undetermined (Steadman 1991 1991 ). (Steadman undetermined is Islands Cook
New Zealand region (Worthy 1988, Livezey 1989) and Hawaii (Olson (Olson Hawaii and 1989) Livezey 1988, (Worthy region Zealand New
the Mariana Islands, mainly as migrants (Reichel (Reichel migrants as mainly Islands, Mariana the bling ducks ducks bling
able. During the 20th century, at least 11 species of of 11 species least at century, 20th the During able. huh eei eainhp aedfiutt icr i ti snl pcmn dab specimen, single this in discern to difficult are relationships generic though
360 s uh mle ta te oaod n n o te aain pce. Al species. Hawaiian the of any in coracoid the than smaller much is 436620
perpendicular to, rather than nearly parallel to, the long axis of the bone). USNM USNM bone). of the axis long the to, parallel nearly than rather to, perpendicular
1991 ), flightless or nearly flightless ducks are unknown in the Pacific. The flying flying The Pacific. the in unknown are ducks flightless 1991 nearly or flightless ),
Aside from the taxa listed in Table 2, there are two bones from Payapai Payapai from bones two are there 2, Table in listed taxa the from Aside
The extinct parrotfinch, parrotfinch, extinct The
The large parrot, Psittacidae new sp., is represented by a tibiotarsus (USNM (USNM tibiotarsus a by represented is sp., new Psittacidae parrot, large The
The giant ground-dove, ground-dove, giant The
(New Guinea, Australia), Pink Cockatoo Cockatoo Pink Australia), Guinea, (New
= =
= =
(Anas (Anas
6) 6) in
1) 1) in
spp.) should be examined closely when more material is avail is material more when closely examined be should spp.)
Parrot Parrot
Eclectus Eclectus
because of these characters: unique width, depth, and overall overall and depth, width, unique characters: these of because
E. prasina. prasina. E.
E
. .
cyaneovirens pealei, pealei, cyaneovirens
Eclectus Eclectus
Steadman: Extinct Birds from Rota Rota from Birds Extinct Steadman:
and disagrees with with disagrees and
Gallicolumba Gallicolumba
Erythrura Erythrura
Eclectus. Eclectus.
The nearest occurrence of of occurrence nearest The
(Cleptornis, Rukia, Zosterops, Coracina, La/age, La/age, Coracina, Zosterops, Rukia, (Cleptornis,
roratus roratus
If If
new sp., is represented by a single com single a by represented is sp., new
= =
so, so,
(Lesser Sundas, Moluccas, Bismarcks, Bismarcks, Moluccas, Sundas, (Lesser
13.8-14
Dendrocygna Dendrocygna
new sp., is represented by a mandible, mandible, a by represented is sp., new
4) in captive captive in 4)
it it
Probosciger Probosciger
is unlikely to represent represent to unlikely is
.
& &
5 mm (n (n 5 mm
Erythrura Erythrura
Anas Anas
Glass 1991). Outside of the the of Outside 1991). Glass
Cacatua leadbeateri leadbeateri Cacatua
Erythrura Erythrura
E. psittacea, psittacea, E.
new sp.) from Aitutaki, Aitutaki, from sp.) new
and and
have been recorded in in recorded been have
= =
= =
Cacatua Cacatua
rather than other other than rather
4) 4) in
2) 2) in
is is
Gallicolumba Gallicolumba
E. psittacea, psittacea, E.
E. trichroa, trichroa, E.
Probosciger Probosciger
E. trichroa trichroa E.
n 14.9- and
E. roratus roratus E.
in having having in
& &
James James
(Aus 79 79
Pyr
Falco, Falco,
Butler Butler
& &
(Japanese (Japanese
Asio j/am Asio
(Peregrine Fal (Peregrine
but but smaller than
(Common (Common Buzzard),
Accipiter Accipiter gu/aris
(Amur (Amur Red-footed Falcon),
F. peregrinus peregrinus F.
Ap/onis Ap/onis opaca
Buteo Buteo buteo
(Black Kite), Kite), (Black
25(1), 25(1), 1992
F. F. amurensis
typically typically are ornithophagous. There are no
Discussion Discussion
TAPHONOMY TAPHONOMY
in either Micronesia or Polynesia today. Various Various today. Polynesia or either in Micronesia
(unrecorded (unrecorded in Micronesia but widespread and
migrans migrans
Falco Falco
Micronesica Micronesica
(Chinese Goshawk), Goshawk), (Chinese
(Short-eared (Short-eared Owl) have been recorded as migrants at
and and
Milvus Milvus
Accipiter Accipiter
Tyto Tyto alba
all all poorly studied, occur in Melanesia. Concerning
Endemic Endemic to this Belau, is owl small and primarily feeds on
(Eurasian (Eurasian Kestrel),
Accipiter Accipiter
A. A. so/oensis
Leach 1988) and only three identifiable bird bird and three bones (Becker only identifiable Leach 1988)
(Northern (Northern hypothetical Hobby; record),
Accipiter, Accipiter,
& &
Asio Asio jlammeus
on on Pohnpei. The of scarcity rat bones in Payapai Cave argues against the
Species of of Species
There There are no resident avian predators on Rota or anywhere in the Mariana
The The great variety of small vertebrates (lizards, bats, birds) in the Payapai
I I interpret the vertebrate fauna of Payapai Cave as being accumulated pri
species of species
resident populations populations resident of
exists on on exists Rota today.
of rats or anything else on the floors, I am confident that no cave-dwelling predator predator cave-dwelling that no confident am I floors, the on else anything or rats of
dant and conspicuous rats are on Rota today, and how nearly all caves lack bones bones lack dant and caves on rats Rota are conspicuous all nearly and today, how
often common often common in Polynesia and as Melanesia), a candidate the for extinct/extir
meus meus
pated pated avian predator postulated to have on existed Rota. abun how Considering
rhog/aux rhog/aux podargina.
Common Common Barn-Owl, invertebrates invertebrates (Pratt et The al. next 1987:215). nearest resident is owl
various various places in the Marianas. The nearest resident is owl the Belau Owl,
con), con), and
Sparrowhawk), Sparrowhawk),
Islands Islands today, although
F. subbuteo F. subbuteo
Falco Falco tinnunculus
created created themselves (Steadman 1986).
often often are very poorly represented in cave sites, even in bone deposits that they
of of little consequence in a sample as small as 316 bones because birds of prey
1988), while Payapai Cave yielded 10 fish bones bones Payapai (none to while identifiable and yielded genus) fish Cave 10 1988),
Cave Cave deposit that suggests a predatory bird was involved in accumulating the
bones. bones. Even though no bones of hawks, or falcons, were recovered, owls this is
316 316 bird bones (Table 2). The complete lack of marine invertebrate remains
comprises comprises Layer II, is not anthropogenic.
which which lacks cultural features other than the thick band of wood charcoal that
(mollusks, (mollusks, urchins, etc.) is another indication that the Payapai Cave deposit,
(Davidson (Davidson
the the northern coast of Rota, for example, produced 261 identifiable fish bones
lizards, sheath-tailed lizards, sheath-tailed bats, and swiftlets, passerines. Four sites archaeological on
the the dominance bones of of small minimal of species interest to humans, such as
of of bones of humans, and pigs, dogs, the scarcity of bones of fish and rats, and or or within roosting the and cave; avian 2), predators. That this paleofauna is not
archaeological in in archaeological origin indicated is by its composition, particularly the absence
marily marily or by solely two non-human ), agents: natural l deaths of nesting species
Corvus kubaryi. Corvus kubaryi.
represent represent a non-meliphagid passerine than larger 80 80
responsible for these losses (see discussion of human impact on island birds in in birds island on impact human of discussion (see losses these for responsible
Engbring Engbring resided on Rota, 13 (62%) are gone. For now I assume that human impact was was impact human that assume I now For gone. (62%) 13 are Rota, on resided
sample size of bones. Of the total 21 species of landbirds now known to have have to known now landbirds of species 21 total the Of bones. of size sample
fous Fantail Fantail fous
Collared Kingfisher Kingfisher Collared
from the bone deposit in Payapai Cave: Yellow Bittern Bittern Yellow Cave: Payapai in deposit bone the from
thousands of years ago. The first example of a Micronesian "pseudoendemic" is is "pseudoendemic" Micronesian a of example first The ago. years of thousands
the "Guam" "Guam" the
to a single island will be found to have had much larger ranges hundreds or or hundreds ranges larger much had have to found be will island single a to
have suggested in Polynesia. Polynesia. in suggested have as in East Polynesia (Steadman 1989), many volant species supposedly endemic endemic supposedly species volant 1989), many (Steadman Polynesia East in as
that once were part of their natural distribution, as Franklin and Steadman ( ( 1991) Steadman and Franklin as distribution, natural of their part were once that
also will be important to evaluate the feasibility of translocating species to islands islands species to of translocating feasibility the evaluate to also will important be
the expanded passerine communities that existed in the past. This information information This past. the in existed that communities passerine expanded the
passerines, we may have adequate information to interpret the paleoecology of of paleoecology the interpret to information adequate have may we passerines,
ied the foraging ecology, microhabitat use, and social behavior of small passerines passerines of small social behavior and use, foraging ecology, ied microhabitat the
represented elsewhere in the Mariana Islands today. Craig (1989, 1990) has stud 1990) has (1989, Craig today. Islands Mariana the in elsewhere represented on Saipan and Tinian. When similar studies are conducted for other Micronesian Micronesian other for conducted are studies similar When Tinian. and Saipan on
there of species of of species of there o h iln' pseie omnt. ae uo mdm itiuin, n im an distributions, modem upon Based community. passerine island's the to
proved prehistoric record of birds from Rota might also reveal the past occurrence occurrence past the also reveal might Rota of from birds record prehistoric proved
the disappearance of at least the first two species. Rats and perhaps cats also may may also cats perhaps and Rats species. two first the least at of disappearance the
have been involved in the loss of Rota's rails. rails. Rota's of loss the in involved been have lived on the island. Human-related losses of wetlands probably was a factor in in factor a was probably wetlands of losses Human-related island. the on lived
three other rails rails other three
translocated to Rota (Witteman et al. 1991). The current sample of bones is too too is bones of sample current 1991). The al. et (Witteman Rota to translocated
Rail ( ( Rail small for this absence to be significant. Rota's caves did produce evidence that that evidence produce did caves Rota's significant. be to absence this for small
birds of prey, I believe that that believe I prey, of birds
iana Islands). Perhaps Perhaps Islands). iana sponsible for much of the paleofauna from Payapai Cave. Cave. Payapai from paleofauna the of much for sponsible
ocn sad (0 m N o oa 40k N ftenrhrms Mar northernmost the of NW km 400 Rota, of NNW km (800 Islands Volcano
The resident population of of population resident The
on cliffs that provide easy access to shorelines, a setting like that of Payapai Cave. Cave. Payapai of that like setting a shorelines, access easy to cliffs provide on that birds, including a variety of both seabirds and landbirds as well as bats and geckos geckos well as and as bats landbirds and seabirds of both a variety including birds,
the resident Peregrine Falcons in Fiji Fiji in Falcons Peregrine resident the (White et al. 1988). The Peregrine Falcons in Fiji also prefer to roost and nest nest and roost to prefer also Fiji in Falcons Peregrine The 1988). al. et (White
Four species of extant, indigenous landbirds from Rota were not recorded recorded not were Rota from landbirds indigenous extant, of species Four
As the prehistoric data base for Micronesian birds improves, I predict that, that, predict I improves, birds Micronesian for base data prehistoric the As
The limited prehistoric record from Rota has added added has Rota from record prehistoric limited The
By brief survey of Rota did not yield any bones of a rail similar to the Guam Guam the to similar rail a of bones any yield not did Rota of By survey brief
Gal/iral/us owstom), owstom), Gal/iral/us
& &
Pratt 1985, King 1985, and Steadman 1989). The number of lost lost of number The 1989). Steadman and 1985, King 1985, Pratt
(Rhipidura rufifrons). rufifrons). (Rhipidura
flycatcher, flycatcher,
(Po/iolirnnas cinereus, Gal/inula chloropus, Porphyrio? Porphyrio? chloropus, Gal/inula cinereus, (Po/iolirnnas
(Halcyon chloris), chloris), (Halcyon
Monarcha, Acrocephalus, Acrocephalus, Monarcha,
F. peregrinus peregrinus F.
EXTINCTION AND BIOGEOGRAPHY BIOGEOGRAPHY AND EXTINCTION
Myiagra Jreycineti, Jreycineti, Myiagra
which recently was extirpated on Guam but is being being is but Guam on extirpated was recently which
Steadman: Extinct Birds from Rota Rota from Birds Extinct Steadman:
F. peregrinus peregrinus F.
F. peregrinus peregrinus F.
Their absence probably is an artifact of small small of artifact an is probably absence Their
once resided in the Mariana Islands. Of all all Of Islands. Mariana the in resided once
Mariana Crow Crow Mariana
(F. peregrinus nesiotes) nesiotes) peregrinus (F.
nearest to Rota is is Rota to nearest
s h ms lkl t hv be re been have to likely most the is
now known from Rota. Rota. from known now
and and
Cleptornis, Cleptornis,
(Corvus kubaryi), kubaryi), (Corvus
Erythrura Erythrura
(lxobrychus sinensis), sinensis), (lxobrychus
F. p. Jruitii Jruitii p. F.
each of which is is which of each
feed heavily on on heavily feed
and and
Myriagra Myriagra
n Ru and
sp.) once once sp.)
in the the in 81 81
Pimm, Pimm, J. D.
B. M. M. B. Butler,
L. L.
In In
Olson, Olson, S.
L. L.
Pimm, Pimm, M. Ripley, S. D. Ripley,
B. B. M. Butler (ed.), Archaeological
L. L.
In In
Olson, Olson, S.
S. A. A. S. Temple (ed.), Bird Conservation 2, pp.
References References
L. L.
In In
Acknowledgments Acknowledgments
Micronesica Micronesica 25(1), 1992
Wiles Wiles improved the manuscript. This is contribution number
Stephenson, Stephenson, Taisacan, E. and G. Witteman. I particularly thank
F. F. Leach. Fish 1988. bone.
J. J.
R. R. & &
1951. 1951. The avifauna of Micronesia, its origin, evolution, and distri
J. J. Craig, H. Kurashina, N. G. Miller, S.
H. H.
J. J. 1989. Observations on the foraging ecology and social behavior of
R. R.
R. R.
R. R.
1602. 1602. Micronesia Area Research Center, Univ. Guam. 33 pp.
71-105. 71-105. Univ. Wisconsin Press, Madison, Wisconsin.
status, status, and future prospects.
92 92 pp.
8. 8.
Derrickson, Derrickson, H. Kurashina, S.
Southern Southern Illinois Univ. Carbondale Center Archaeo. Invest. 0cc. Pap. No.
Investigations Investigations on the North Coast of Rota, Mariana Islands, pp. 335-356.
eyes eyes (Zosteropidae) on Saipan, Micronesia. Auk 107: 500-505.
the the Bridled White-Eye. Condor 91: 187-192.
Invest. Invest. 0cc. Pap. No. 8. threatened threatened birds. Int. Council Bird Pres. Tech. Pub. 8: 1-383.
lands, lands, pp. 473-475. Southern Illinois Univ. Carbondale Center Archaeol.
ed. ed. Archaeological Investigations on the North Coast of Rota, Mariana Is
bution. bution. Univ. Kansas Pub. Mus. Nat. Hist. 3: 1-359.
S. S. Dillon Ripley very generously funded the field research. I appreciate his
Our Our first glimpse of a prehistoric Micronesian avifauna indicates that great
R. R.
D. D. Reichel,
Engbring, Engbring, J. & H. D. Pratt. 1985. Endangered birds in Micronesia: their history,
Engbring, Engbring, J. 1988. Field Guide to the Birds of Palau. Conserv. Koror, Off., Palau.
Driver, Driver, M. G. The Account 1989. of Fray Juan Pobre's Residence in the Marianas,
Davidson, Davidson, J.
Craig, Craig, R. J. Foraging 1990. behavior and microhabitat use two of species of white
Craig, Craig,
Collar, Collar, N. J. & P. Andrew. 1988. Birds to watch: the ICBP World Check-list of
Becker, Becker, J. J. & B. M. Butler. 1988. Nonfish vertebrate remains.
Baker, Baker,
690 690 of the New York State Museum and Science Service.
Reichel, Reichel, and G.
Derrickson, Derrickson, Reichel, and Taisacan for helping to excavate at Payapai Cave. D.S. ments ments by
Pahlavan Pahlavan assisted in curation, while G. Petri helped with library research. Com
S. S.
ation ation and assistance kindly were provided by R. E. Beck, M. B. Beehler, W. Burt, J. J.
in in part by National Science Foundation grant BSR-8607535. Logistical cooper
continuing continuing interest in tropical island birds. Laboratory analysis was supported
of of birds remains to be explored.
Probably Probably the same is true elsewhere in Micronesia, where the prehistoric record
losses losses of birds occurred in the Mariana Islands since the arrival of humans.
are are expanded.
species species on Rota almost surely will increase when excavations at Payapai Cave 82 82
Steadman, D. W. W. D. Steadman,
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Steadman, D. W. W. D. Steadman,
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Pyle, P. P. Pyle,
Pratt, H. D., P. L. Bruner Bruner L. P. D., H. Pratt,
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