Catharacta maccormicki: Feb 8 feathers or coverts. 1762 (p.204) Replacement on Ventral track near crop area where track bifurcates, capital track stopped sides. No replacement on back - also around edge of breast patch. No flight feathers in counts. 1763 (206) Ventral tuft at bifurcation few on underside of neck, one pin feather, lower back, few on head. No flight feathers or coverts. Also around edge of breast patch. 1764 (42) Heavy replacement on ventral track one entire length. Mild on dorsal track & heavy in capitate tuft. No flight feathers. In counts involved Band #15 of above. 1761 = PM 34883 1762 = 657-61018 1763 = 617-07521 1764 = 617-00149 (New band put on chick) ad challenging blindings chick Pain 308: Chick flew when I approached landed on 331 territory, Adult - unbanded- of that pair landed in front of it & challenged chick hunched up + ran back to territory. Feb 10 Decline Shorebirds seem to be declining though not nearly so precipitously as the penguins. As far as I know & no chick has fledged in sense of being of any sort independent from parents yet. Also adults are still staying with chicks. Decline then