Image from the Biodiversity Heritage Library.
Contributed by Smithsonian Institution Archives.
| www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Transcription
Gould, P. J.
1963
Dark Phase Wedge-tailed Shearwater
1
August 3--Ca. 2 days out from Pearl Harbor, S and W
While watching a flock of 40 + 5 Sooty Terns I saw what I was 80 per cent sure
was this species. 2 birds for the most part staying together. A large school of
flying fish broke the surface. At one point a flying fish arose directly in the
path of one of the Shearwaters. The shearwater neared slightly, caught up with the
flying fish and it looked as if the bird grasped the fish with its bill. At the start
of contact both fish and bird dropped into the water and the bird stayed in the
water for several minutes. This happened quite a distance off ship, but I was
watching through the 25+ Spotting scope as I'm sure the bird at least caught the
fish and probably ate it.
(or Christmas Island Shearwater?)--Pacific Ocean Grid Area--Number 6
Large flock sighted at 1613, ca. 20+ in flock milling about over the water.
Sooty Terns were overhead and 5+ Wedge-tails and at least 1 Bonin Island Petrel were
in the flock. This is the first grouping of this species we have seen--all others
have been singles or doubles.