E.C.Aldrich 1937 Plumage because their bellies were coal black from oil. All were marked exactly the same showing how nearly all of them are and their similar abilities to dodge waves higher than about 2"; no dead Sandlings were found at all. When a flock of Sandlings that weren't feeding were approached they all presented the same picture with their heads down, busily working on their breast feathers. Gulls were affected in various ways: some were completely oiled and were either on the drift line or at the base of cliffs. Some were only slightly oiled as on the breast like the Sandlings. This as above, reflected the the habits of this bird. I fane that fed by walking along the shore by the waves were probably the ones that were oiled on the bottom only. Those that alighted in or beyond the surf had oil on the wings at least, if not all over.