Gould, Patrick J., 1963-1965
Page 411
Image from the Biodiversity Heritage Library. Contributed by Smithsonian Institution Archives. | www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Transcription
Gould, P. J. 1963 (Wedge-tailed Shearwater) 5 collected, all had stomachs filled with flying fish (none had wings on them). The wedge-tails would fly low and fast over the fish and either hit a fish in mid air or (more commonly) they would splash into the water and chase the fish by hopping and jumping along with fore and bill thrusts until the fish was captured. Once a fish was caught the bird would immediately rise and swallow the fish in mid air. No precision diving from high in the air was noted. Groups of Shearwaters would occasionally be noticed forming on the water. These birds did not feed but went through preening movements and some wing stretching. There were always birds in the air. In general these sitting birds would be joined by other birds periodically, and a few would leave the sitting group from time to time. No single birds were ever noted sitting on the water. Much more flapping was required while the birds were actively catching fish than when hunting. September 8--Pacific Ocean, 4 days out Oahu, Hawaiian Is. Following is a series of observations made by Roger Clapp while on watch: 0544 10 Wedge-tails group of individual birds flying in from the NNW and then returning in the same direction. Flying up from waves in soaring circles. ("Possibly these are members of a just dispersing flock." 0553 1 Wedge-tail headed S 0555 1 Wedge-tail headed NNW 0601 7+ Wedge-tails headed NNW 0604 10 + Wedge-tails headed NNW, then SSE 0615 2 Wedge-tails headed NnW. "Bird shit from 15'." Also performed comfort movements while on the wing; bringing one foot up and ruffling and smoothing on flank feathers--also (apparently) yawned. 0616 3 Wedge-tails headed WSW 0632 2 Wedge-tails headed NNW