Gould, Patrick J., 1963-1965
Page 408
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Transcription
Gould, P. J. 1965 (Wedge-tailed Shearwater) 2 It appears that there is a geneal tendency for these birds to go around in group of 2. Some lone birds are spotted and some groups of 3 but when more than 1 is seen they often stick together most of the time. In flight the wing pattern is distinctive. very dark brown light mottled brown dorsal wing mottled brown white ventral August 4--2322-2350 hours--full moon warm and light wind. Shining cargo light on water, we saw as many as 8 Wedge-tails in light beam at one time. May have been as many as 10-20 birds. They were flying back and forth very low and in tight circles. We often thought we saw them take off of the water as the light beam hit them. Saw several with small (ca. 3") silvery fish crosswise in their bills. Many were noticed swallowing while in flight. This was ac- complished by a slight upward flip of the head with a concurrent slight opening of the bill. The fish went down while head was at highest up and movement. Many Sooty Terns were wheeling overhead at this time. We have seen 3 or 4 dark phase wedge-tails during the last 2 days. August 5--ca. 5 mi. South Johnston Islnad, 4 1/2 to 5 days out Pearl Harbor High winds and choppy sea today. Birds very scarce. The wedge-tails that I have seen today are moving so fast it's hard to keep up with them. This appears to be due to the high winds. The speed of the birds flight evidently depends on the strength of the wind. 1447. 1 Wedge-tailed Shearwater. 1525. Very large flock flying very low over water, dashing back and forth, over school of 500 + flying fish, birds never appearing above the horizon ca. 45+ Wedge-tails, 30 ± 5 Sooty Terns, 25 ± 5 Shearwaters or petrels incident 1 fired. 1630. 2 Wedge-tailed Shearwaters.