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Transcription
Herring Gull
(Larus argentatus)
Undoubtedly the most common large gull found in the grid at this
season was the Herring Gull. Despite periodic checks of the gulls
following the ship, no species other than herring and glaucous-winged
gulls were found doing so. This is in contrast to specific composition
of gull populations in equivalent latitudes along the coast (where the
california gull predominates). All the large gulls seen in the grid
followed the ship for hours, and one distinctively marked bird was
noted to be present for at least eight hours. The age composition of
those following the ship averaged approximately 50 per cent adults and
the rest were immatures and sub-adults. This would suggest that younger
birds have a greater pelagic wandering tendency as the age ratio in a
normal population would be predominately adult birds.
Two specimens were collected.
Black-legged Kittiwake
(Rissa tridactyla)
This was the most abundant species throughout the grid during this
survey. Density declined from north to south. Age composition was
predominately immature birds (67 percent immatures in the northern
third, 100 per cent immatures in the southern third). Apparently
the grid includes a pelagic border of the range for this species. This
is suggested both by the density distribution (see Table 2) and the
age distribution.
Two specimens were collected.
Xanthus Murrelet
(Endomychura hypoleuca)
Two birds were sighted during the survey.
Rhinoceros Auklet
(Cerorhina monocerata)
All sightings of this species were in the northern two-thirds
of the grid; most were of swimming birds. It should be noted that
the density figures for the alcid are not comparable to the other
species for two reasons. First, they spend most of their time on
the water where observations are difficult. Secondly, because alcids
spend considerable time diving, they often go unseen. Thus density
figures should be used as an index only within the alcid group.
Three specimens were collected.
Grid Summary
As may be seen from Table 2 and the species accounts, the grid
seems to include the pelagic range border for several bird species.
Whether this is due to ocean currents, isotherms, or is in fact a