BULLETIN

Volume 11 Number 2

PACIFIC SEABIRD GROUP
BULLETIN

Volume 11 1984 Number 2

The Chair's Page 35

Pacific Seabird Group News 36

Regional Reports 40

Southern California 40

Mexico 40

Conservation Section. * 41

Report: U.S. Section ICBP * 44

Washington Report .45

Letters to the Editor 49

Northern California Oil Spill * ■ * -50

Scientific Translations Committee 50

Book Reviews • • 51

New Publications * 57

Bulletin Board 59

New Members 50

THE CHAIR'S PAGE

A number of endeavors have been completed this year, the most significant being the estab-
lishment of an endowment fund for the organization and dissemination of symposia. Many sea-
birds do not restrict their activities to local regions but range widely. Those who study them are in
many countries, and often the quality of a PSG symposium might be greatly enhanced if a key
worker or two from distant countries could attend the meeting. They are often prevented from
attending due to the expense of travel. Endowment funds could be used in some of these cases.
Furthermore, while PSG in the past has relied on other sources to fund the publication of our
symposia, we cannot expect to do so indefinitely. Again, the Endowment Fund will be able to
help out.

At this time the fund is too small to be of significant aid. It needs to be fattened up before
the yearly interest accrued will be sufficient to provide any substantial support. To that end I
plan to recruit a Fundraising Committee at our next meeting in Long Beach which can use that
opportunity to have its first strategy meeting. The fund is an important investment in the future
for PSG, and the work of an enthusiastic and creative fundraising committee is essential. The
committee will need all the help it can get!

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SERVE ON THE COMMITTEE OR IF YOU KNOW OF SOME
PARTICULARLY EFFECTIVE, CREATIVE FUNDRAISING TECHNIQUES, PLEASE DROP
A NOTE TO ME (see back of Bulletin), and I will pass the information to the appropriate persons.

If, with the help of all PSG members, we can mount a concerted, determined effort for the
next three to four years to augment the Endowment Fund substantially, I believe it will contribute
greatly to the quality and number of future symposia. This will contribute measurably to pursuing
PSG's goal of facilitating the study of seabirds and their environment, and of making knowledge
gained from such studies widely available.

Judith Latta Hand

35

PACIFIC SEABIRD GROUP NEWS

1984 Election Results

The members of the Executive Council elected in the 1984 election are

Chair Elect

Secretary

Treasurer

Lora Leschner
Tony DeGange
Douglas Siegel-Causey

Regional Representatives:

Alaska

Hawaii

Mexico

Ed Murphy
Stewart Fefer
Enriqueta Velarde
Thomas Harvey
Steve Speich

Northern California
Washington

The results on the bylaw changes are:

Question 1
Question 2
Question 3

107 yes 4 no
109 yes 2 no
84 yes 25 no

As a result of these bylaw changes, references to gender will be removed. Chair for the
past three years will become members of the Executive Council, a quorum for the Executive
Council becomes ten, and the regional representative positions will be changed.

In 1985 we shall elect Regional Representatives from the following regions: Northeast
{Newfoundland, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massa-
chusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Europe), Southeast (New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland,
Virginia, District of Columbia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama'
Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Africa), Great Lakes (Ontario, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio'
Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota), Inland (West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee'
Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Montana,'
Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Idaho, Utah, Nevada, Arizona), Central California' (members
with Zip Codes starting with 940-953 and 956-958), and Southern California (members with
Zip Codes starting with 920-939).

In 1986 we shall elect Regional Representatives from Alaska, Pacific (Hawaii, South Pacific,
and Asia), Latin America (Mexico, Central America, South America), British Columbia and Wash-
ington, and Oregon and Northern California (members with Zip Codes starting with 954 955 and
959-961).

If you are unsure which region you live in, keep this list in a handy place. If you are inter-
ested in serving as a Regional Representative, especially for one of the new regions, please notify
the Chair of the Elections Committee, Stewart Fefer, U.S, Fish & Wildlife Service Box 50167
Honolulu, HI 96850.

36

Search for a New Editor

PSG is seeking a new Editor for the PSG Bulletin (and possibly a Newsletter) to assume
office no later than midsummer 1985. The responsibilities of the Editor will include:

soliciting contributions for the Bulletin
reminding regular contributors of deadlines
editing all copy

arranging for setting of the text
proofreading

preparation of camera-ready copy of text and illustrations
arranging for printing of the Bulletin
mailing of the Bulletin

serving as a member of the PSG Executive Council

Preparation and distribution of each issue will take approximately the equivalent of two
weeks. Additional time commitments may be required by Executive Council business. PSG pays
all expenses, but the position is strictly voluntary.

The position offers a unique opportunity to be in touch with seabird biologists and matters
throughout the world and to have a strong role in the development of PSG policies and activities.

Any member (or potential member) who is interested in the position and has the abilities,
time, and access to resources to fill it should notify Judith Hand or Dan Anderson as soon as
possible.

Results of the Publications Questionnaire

From 37 responses to the publications questionnaire the average ratings of the various
Bulletin features were:

PSG News

4.2

New Publications

3.9

Annual Meeting Abstracts 4.1

Bulletin Board

3.5

Regional Reports

4.2

New Members

2.6

Conservation Section

3.9

Scientific Translations

3.6

Washington Report

3.0

Field Reports

3.6

Book Reviews

3.6

Ratings ranged from 1

(little value) to 5 (great value). A couple of members

appeared to

reversed the scale; if so,

, the ratings could

be off by a couple of tenths either way. Every

feature was rated 5 by several members, and the overall averages indicate that the interest of no

given feature is so low that it isn't worth maintaining. A Canadian member wondered why we have
a Washington Report but no Ottawa Report. The answer is that a U.S. member offered to write
such a report, but no Canadian member has so far. An Ottawa Report would be welcomed and of
interest to all members. Who'd like to write one? Another member thought we should mail copies
of the Annual Meeting Abstracts to all members and not publish them in the Bulletin.

The members were 25 to 10 in support of publishing a newsletter, which is strong support
for serious consideration of such a publication. A couple of members appeared to vote no because
they thought a newsletter would replace the Bulletin. There is no plan to drop the Bulletin.

37

Those who commented thought that a newsletter should include up-to-date material that required
immediate action rather than material that would be of value to save for future reference. The
features most often mentioned for inclusion in a newsletter were PSG News, Conservation Section,
Bulletin Board, and New Members.

The support for printing articles from other sources was 29 to 7 and publishing more
original articles was rejected 15 to 19.

About a third of the respondents liked the Bulletin as it is and had no suggestions for
improvement. Another third made no comments or used this question to elaborate on a previous
response. A couple of members thought that there was a move afoot to change the Bulletin into a
research journal and issue a newsletter to cover what currently appears in the Bulletin. There is
no plan for such a change; the reason a newsletter is being proposed is to get information to the
members faster than is possible with a biannual Bulletin.

There were suggestions for reducing the number of pages in the Bulletin by using smaller
type, double columns, less white space, or few and smaller pictures. All of these are worthy of
consideration by the next Editor. Currently type size is limited by the variety of fonts available in
smaller sizes but this can be remedied. Double columns would give greater flexibility to layout but
take more time; they would probably be required if smaller type were used. The bulk of each
issue was reduced by about 25% when we shifted from typewritten to IBM Composer text in
1982. The current method of binding requires that the number of pages in each issue be a multiple
of four to prevent having blank pages. This restriction and the amount of text to be published in
each issue governs the extent and size of pictures used. Only the back of the Table of Contents is
reserved for a picture. If recent issues had been shortened by four pages each by compressing the
text and eliminating pictures PSG might have been able to save about $0.10 per member per
issue, or less than $1 00 per year.

A couple of members suggested that the Bulletin come out more consistently on time.
Independent of contributors' failing to meet deadlines, there has been a problem with the tradition
of publishing the annual meeting abstracts in the second issue of each year. This has meant the
issue could not be produced until after the annual meeting, which has been in January in recent
years. This issue breaks that tradition and will allow the next volume to appear earlier.

The improvement most often suggested was to include abstracts of the current seabird
literature. This suggestion has arisen before, and it is unfortunate that it wasn't covered in the
questionnaire. Producing such abstracts would require some dedicated volunteers and might
significantly increase the size of the Bulletin. Even a mere listing of titles would require considera-
ble effort. The recent literature supplements to the Auk/Ibis and Wildlife Reviews already do a
good job of covering the avian literature. To help decide whether the Bulletin should include a
listing or abstracts of current seabird literature yet another questionnaire is bound into the middle
of this issue; please give it careful consideration and return it soon.

Other suggestions were having Regional Reports include lab and museum studies as well
as field studies, a column in each issue highlighting the work of a specific member, and a page
in Spanish covering Latin American matters. All of these suggestions are good, and such contribu-
tions are welcomed. One member suggested that the Bulletin have a Letters to the Editor Section.
A good idea, but even though I've repeatedly asked for comments on issues from the members and
have written a few editorials that I thought would elicit responses, only Dave Ainley, Bill Bourne,
and Stan Senner have responded in the last 4V 2 years.

38

Finally, 25 members said they'd like to automatically receive symposium publications even
if their dues were increased while 11 said they would not This possibility is not currently under
consideration, but as PSG develops a more regular symposium publication schedule and assumes
more of the costs of publication, it may need to be.

The Editor thanks everyone who took time to fill out and submit a questionnaire. Your
responses will be quite helpful to the Executive Council.

PSG Symposium Volumes

The Proceedings of the PSG Symposium, Seattle, Washington, 6-8 January 1982, Marine
birds: their feeding ecology and commercial fisheries relationships, is now available. Copies have
been sent to PSG members. Members who fail to receive a copy and others can obtain one free
by requesting publication No. CW66-65/1984 from Distribution Section, Canadian Wildlife
Service, Environment Canada, Ottawa, ON K1 A 0E7, Canada.

Previous symposium volumes published in the Cooper Ornithological Society's Studies in
Avian Biology series are still available. SAB No. 2, Shorebirds in marine environments, has recently
been reprinted at $1 2.00. (It could not be determined at press time whether there is a special PSG
member price.) SAB No. 8, Tropical Seabird Biology, was announced in the last issue of the PSG
Bulletin. Price is $12.00 ($9.00 to PSG members). SAB volumes can be obtained from Cooper
Ornithological Society - EA, P. 0. Box 368, Lawrence, KS 66044. Checks should be made payable
to the Cooper Ornithological Society. All orders must be prepaid in U.S. funds.

Deadlines for the Next Bulletin

The deadline for all copy for the next issue of the Bulletin is 15 January 1985. All informa-
tion on conservation should be sent to the Chairman of the Conservation Committee (Dr. Kees
Vermeer, Inst. Ocean Sci., P. 0. Box 6000, Sidney, BC V8L 4B2, Canada) no later than 15 Decem-
ber 1984.

39

REGIONAL REPORTS

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, JEFFREY B. FROKE

Research activities by southern California PSG members include, in part, the following:

George Hunt (University of California, Irvine) reports progress in a new 3-year Antarctic
research project being made in cooperation with the British Antarctic Survey: George, along with
Dennis Hienmann and Dick Veit, is examining distribution of birds at sea and its relationship to
distributions of krill. Work is being focused in the Scotia Sea and Bransfield region.

George Hunt, Zoe Eppley, and Nancy Harrison are continuing a 3-year project in the North
Bering Sea, studying the distribution of seabirds near colonies in relation to availability of food
resources. Their work is focused on small auklets and murres.

Judith Latta Hand (University of California, Los Angeles) reports continued research
comparing high- and low-risk foraging patterns of juvenile and adult gulls during scramble feeding
situations. Further, and in collaboration with Brian Obst, Judith is continuing studies to sex
Western Gulls using external measurements.

Elizabeth Flint (also UCLA) is continuing her studies of Sooty Terns, focusing on breeding
biology and colony energetics in the Tern Island colony, French Frigate Shoals, NW Hawaiian
islands.

Charlie Collins (California State University, Long Beach) reports that 1) Barbara Massey and
Dick Zembal are continuing studies of Light-footed Clapper Rails in several southern California
marshes, establishing population estimates and using radio telemetry on selected individuals;
2) Dennis Minsky and Kathy Keane (CSULB) are continuing graduate research on California
Least Terns, studying nest spacing and parental roles in incubation, respectively; 3) Jon Atwood,
with Massey and Collins, is also studying Least Terns, focusing on age-structure of colonies, and
use of chick growth rates as a monitoring technique; and 4) Lauren Hays (CSULB) is completing
his graduate research on the winter foraging ecology of Western and Least sandpipers.

Stuart Warter (CSULB) is continuing to analyze Chendytes fossils.

MEXICO, ENRIQUETA VELARDE

Most of the research previously described (1983. PSG Bull. 10:14-15) continues.

New Projects

A cooperative study of Black Brant is being considered by the Mexican Wildlife Service and the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

A study of introduced species on Isla Isabela (off the coast of Nayarit State) by the Mexican
National Park Service.

The establishment of a calendar for tourist visits to the islands of the Gulf of California by the
Mexican Wildlife Service Subdirector for Water, Flora and Fauna. Enriqueta Velarde,
Institute of Biology, University of Mexico, and an assistant will collaborate on the project.
Dan Anderson, Univ. California, Davis, will act as an advisor.

40

CONSERVATION SECTION

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

Several important conservation issues regarding seabirds not previously reported in the
Bulletin have been brought up:

1. Gorda Ridge Mineral exploration

The Gorda Ridge issue was brought to PSG's attention by Michael Graybill and Janet
Hodder. The Minerals Management Service plans to explore and develop Gorda Ridge, a 180,000
km 2 area off California and Oregon, for polymetallic sulfides. Chair Judith Hand expressed PSG's
concern regarding this development to Mr. Zippin of Minerals Management Service (letter
March 15, 1984). Dr. Hand urged that the Minerals Management Service delays leasing activities
until sufficient information is available to judge the possible effects of proposed activities of
seabirds foraging offshore in the area.

2. Bullet Train proposal

PSG was invited to comment on a draft of environmental considerations with respect to
building a high-speed rail system at Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, California. PSG Chair
Hand wrote Mr. P. L. V. Campo, Director at Camp Pendleton (March 28, 1984), expressing PSG's
concern about potential habitat loss resulting from building the railway. Comments by two PSG
members, quoted by Dr. Hand in her letter to Mr. Campo, follow:

The idea of a Bullet Train as proposed represents more than a threat to particu-
lar species. It represents a very real larger threat to already dwindling and reduced
coastal ecosystems. The issue is one of ecosystem or habitat preservation. From this
viewpoint, and not even considering the needs for national defense, etc., the proposal
jeopardizes the remaining coastal habitats in a way far more serious than the immedi-
ate impacts (which are serious enough). It represents an ultimate threat of total
development to the wild areas encompassed by Camp Pendleton. Military uses of the
land have been compatible with the natural values; indeed, the marines have en-
hanced and protected those values through stewardship. Thus any threat to the
integrity of the military uses ultimately jeopardizes the natural values. This is an odd,
but workable arrangement that seems to be the best current way to insure that the
natural values of the land remain intact.

I would, therefore, oppose the Bullet Train route as proposed. It is imperative
that for the time being, the military uses and the federal stewardship of that land be
maintained. An alternate, inland route (such as along Interstate 15) through lands
already under private ownership will ultimately provide the greatest benefit to society.

My major concern is that this project is another incremental habitat loss that
daily destroys rapidly vanishing habitats throughout coastal Southern California.

The most obvious example is the loss and degradation of coastal salt marshes and the
number of associated species listed as rare, threatened, or endangered. Very little
coastal marsh remains throughout southern California. Some of the best remaining
marsh/estuaries are found from Newport Bay to north of Mission Bay; adjacent
developments and water quality problems, however, are having negative impacts on
them. The potential impact to the listed species, riparian vegetation, and marsh/
estuaries should be viewed on a regional scale and not just on a local site basis.

41

3. Cobalt-manganese lease sale off Hawaii

PSG Chair Hand wrote Mr. C. J. Waltshire, Dept Planning and Economic Development in
Honolulu, expressing PSG's concern that a potential buildup of heavy metals in the food chain
of albatrosses and petrels in the area could result from the development.

4. Oregon Nongame Wildlife Management Plan

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has completed a Review Draft of the Oregon
Nongame Wildlife Management Plan. The plan was prepared by David B. Marshall and is intended
to provide a guide and reference for the maintenance and enhancement of Oregon's vertebrate
nongame wildlife resource. It describes the roles and authorities of the Department of Fish and
Wildlife and numerous other organizations that have vital roles to play in the management of the
resource. As a background and for reference purposes, the plan describes Oregon's vertebrate
nongame wildlife resource in terms of species numbers, distribution, populations where known,
habitats, problems, what must be done to maintain it, and who is to do what. It sets an overall
goal, describes strategies and priorities, and terminates in a five-year operational plan which
can be updated biannually. The public can see copies of the draft plan at the ODF&W Portland
Headquarters or at any of the ODF&W regional offices. A limited number of copies are available
upon request from the Office of the Director, P. 0. Box 3503, Portland, OR 97208.

5. Illegal slaughter of seabirds on North Keeling (Cocos Keeling, Indian Ocean)

Dr. J. B. Nelson brought the illegal slaughter of seabirds at the above locality to PSG's
attention in the following letter:

It seems that the days of mass slaughter of breeding seabirds are not yet over.

On North Keeling (Cocos Keeling) frigatebirds and boobies are being shot by the
thousand without arousing any response from the Australian Government, which is
now responsible for the island, or from Conservationists elsewhere.

On North Keeling (12° 10'S, 96°50'E, Indian Ocean) Red-footed Boobies {Sula
sula), Great Frigatebirds ( Fregata minor) and Lesser Frigatebirds ( F . arief) nest in
thousands together with many Fairy Terns ( Gygis alba) and a few Masked Boobies
{S. dactylatra), Brown Boobies {S. leucogaster ), Red-tailed Tropicbirds ( Phaethon
rubricauda), Whitetailed Tropicbirds {P. lepturus ), Sooty Terns ( Sterna fuscata) and
Common Noddies {Anous stofidus) (Stokes, Sheils and Dunn, 1984). On the other
26 islands of the Cocos Keeling group, which are more accessible, the seabirds have
already been wiped out and North Keeling is their one remaining stronghold, proba-
bly serving a vast area of the Eastern Indian Ocean.

As a result of a referendum Cocos Keeling recently became Australian territory
after almost a century during which the Cocos Malays lived under the paternalistic
jurisdiction of the Clunies-Ross family. As a result of their new nationality they find
themselves, for the first time, with real money and little to do. They have acquired
shotguns and outboard motors for their canoes and now regularly cross to North
Keeling, more than fifteen miles from the main island, where they blaze away in-
discriminately. Hundreds of seabirds, mostly Great Frigatebirds and Red-footed
Boobies, are killed and wounded. Many, perhaps most, fall into the sea and drift
away. The dugouts are dangerously heavily loaded for the return journey and it
seems only a matter of time before one capsizes, perhaps with tragic consequences
for the crew.

42

Whilst it was no doubt politically expedient for the Australian Government to
turn a blind eye up to and during the referendum, there can now be no excuse for
failing to stop this mass killing, which is illegal under Australian conservation laws
and punishable by heavy fines. Reasonable culling of many species of seabirds has
been widespread and traditional among oceanic islanders but the slaughter on North
Keeling is neither reasonable nor necessary for food and can in no sense be considered
as "culling." It is done largely for sport and for something to do. It far exceeds the
one or two hunting visits per year which were traditional (Covacevich, 1983).

The slaughter is without Government permit, is illegal and is clearly contrary
to Australian International agreements and commitments, such as the Japan-
Australian Migratory Birds Agreement. Yet it is occurring with the full knowledge
of the Federal Government, which administers the territory, and is creating scarcely a
ripple elsewhere.

Concerned people should give the Cocos killings whatever publicity they can
and could write to the Prime Minister of Australia, Mr. R. Hawke, at Parliament
House, Canberra, A.C.T. 2600.

Unless the Australian Government acts quickly, North Keeling will go the way of
the other islands in the group and lose its seabirds almost entirely. It seems extraordinary
that with their admirable stance on many conservation issues and a sympathetic
government, this flagrant violation should go unchecked.

As chair of the PSG's conservation committee, I followed up Dr. Nelson's request and
expressed PSG's grave concerns to the Australian P.M. concerning the Cocos slaughter (letter
October 1, 1984).

CWG-PSG JOINT ACTIVITIES

1. Dr. Stephen Kress, CWG Conservation Committee Chair, is now a member of the PSG Con-
servation Committee. In turn, I accepted Stephen's invitation to become a member of the
CWG Conservation Committee. This action should strengthen both CWG and PSG commit-
tees, particularly where we will plan joint action on conservation issues relating to water-
birds. Stephen's address is: Dr. Stephen W. Kress, Chair, CWG Conservation Committee,
Laboratory of Ornithology, Cornell University, Sapsucker Woods Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850.

2. The proposed joint CWG-PSG workshop on the conservation of waterbirds (see Bulletin
1 0 [2] , p. 66) has been tentatively rescheduled from 1985 to the 1986 IOC symposium in
Ottawa. The new schedule will allow digestion of the proceedings of the 1CBP workshop,
held in Cambridge in 1982, on the "Status and conservation of the world's seabirds." The
proceedings will be published in a 720-page book this December. (Most PSG members will
have received notices in the mail advertising the book.)

REGIONAL CONSERVATION MATTERS

Southern California

Highlighting seabird-related conservation news in southern California is a recent decision
by House and Senate negotiators to extend for one year a ban on oil and gas leasing off the
southern California coast, including tracts within 15 miles of the Orange County shoreline. Repre-
sentative Leon Panetta (D-Monterey), a sponsor of the moratorium, said, "I hope this action will
finally convince the Interior Department to assure serious negotiations with Congress and the State

43

of California to work out a long-term policy for these areas." The action allows municipalities and
other agencies along the coast one more year to make their cases and concerns better heard by the
federal government.

Jeffrey B. Froke
Kees Vermeer

REPORT: U.S. SECTION OF THE ICBP

As one of PSB's delegates
meetings of the section. Seabird
issues do arise occasionally. It

to the U.S. Section of the ICBP,
matters are a minor part of the
is my view that it is important

I am pleased to report on recent
section's agenda; however, such
to maintain PSG's presence to

provide whatever input may be necessary.

In 1984 seabird entanglement was discussed at length during the June section meeting in
New York A presentation by a representative of the Marine Animal Entanglement Network an a
proposal that the section join the network to keep abreast of developments were on the program.
The section members voted in favor of joining the network.

The network's representative noted that, until now, entanglement concerns have concen-
trated on marine mammals (e.g., Dali Porpoise/gillnet interactions in the North Pacific) but that
closer coordination with seabird biologists would be desirable. There are many seabirds affected
by entanglement, and section delegates believed that participation in the network would allow
ICBP to play a more substantial role in future projects in this arena.

There also was a report that there soon will be state legislation banning gill-netting in
Monterey Bay. In this case, an ICBP grant to monitor gill-netting activities produced some benefi-

cial results.

At the Lawrence meeting in August, I was elected, in my capacity as PSG Delegate, to
serve as a director of the section for the next two years.

Ron Naveen
2378 Route 97
Cooksville, MD 21723

WASHINGTON REPORT

LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS

Of 12 bills moving through Congress that had a bearing on seabird, shorebird and wading
bird conservation, 8 passed. Five of these were reauthorization or extensions of existing legislation,
including Title III of the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act of 1972, the Marine
Mammal Protection Act, Wetlands Loan Act, Outer Continental Shelf Moratorium, and the Sea
Grant Program. The other three bills that passed concerned the Connecticut Coastal and Atchafalaya
Basin national wildlife refuges and the Mono Lake Basin National Scenic area. Bills that failed
were Ocean Dumping Amendments (Title I of the Marine Protection Research and Sanctuaries
Act), Ocean and Coastal Resources Management and Development, Emergency Wetlands Resources,
and U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone.

Reauthorization of the Marine Protection , Research and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 Tide III

This Act, which provides a mechanism for designating areas with distinctive recreational,
ecological, aesthetic or historical value as marine sanctuaries, expired in 1983. Title III has been
reauthorized for four more years. Marine sanctuaries may be designated as far seaward as the
Outer Continental Shelf, in coastal waters, or in the Great Lakes. After a lengthy review, the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recommends a site for the Secretary
of Commerce's approval and final designation by the President. Sanctuary designation should
facilitate coordinated and comprehensive management of an area.

Reauthorization of the Marine Mamma! Protection Act

The reauthorization extends continuing protection of all marine mammals through 1988.
A key provision is the authority for the federal government to place observers on tuna boats.
While their primary purpose is to monitor incidental catches of marine mammals, the observers
usually take notes on incidental seabird catches as well. In addition, the bill authorizes $1,000,000
for the Office of Protected Species (National Marine Fisheries Service) for research, education,
and other activities related to entanglement of marine mammals with nets and debris.

Wetlands Loan Act

This Act, which was extended for two years, authorizes the Treasury Department to loan up
to $200,000,000 for federal wetland acquisition against future receipts from the sale of duck
stamps.

Outer Continental Shelf Moratorium

The House and Senate Conference Committee extended the moratorium on oil and gas
leasing in environmentally sensitive areas off the coasts of California, Oregon, and Massachusetts
for another year. This marked the fourth straight year Congress has imposed a ban on offshore
energy exploration.

45

Sea Grant Program

A bill to reauthorize the Sea Grant program, which provides federal money for research in
coastal areas, passed Congress but faces a possible Presidential pocket veto since the Reagan
Administration has consistently opposed funding this program.

Connecticut Coastal National Wildlife Refuge

This bill, signed by the President in late October, rescues several small barrier islands from
impending development by creating a 142-acre refuge. The refuge, created primarily for the
conservation of migratory birds, includes Chiman, Faikner, and Sheffield islands and Milford
Point and provides valuable breeding habitat for several species of herons and terns. Faikner
Island supports Connecticut's only significant nesting population of the Roseate Tern and the
third largest northeast colony of the Common Tern. Milford Point is one of Connecticut's few
remaining nesting areas for the Piping Plover, a candidate for federal protection under the En-
dangered Species Act. Chiman Island, which has supported the largest heron rookery in Connecti-
cut for many years, is one of the largest wading-bird colonies in the Northeast.

Atchafalaya Basin National Wildlife Refuge

This bill provides habitat protection for at least 300 species of birds, including over 50,000
nesting egrets, ibises, and herons.

Mono Lake Basin National Scenic Area

A section of the California Wilderness bill, signed by the President, establishes a protective
land management system for Mono Lake's unique ecosystem, which supports 79 species of water-
birds. Management responsibilities for the area have been shifted from the Bureau of Land Manage-
ment to the U.S. Forest Service. The major issue not addressed in the bill is whether the City of
Los Angeles should continue to take water from the lake in quantities that may endanger the
survival of its unique ecosystem. The bill does require the National Academy of Sciences to
study the effects of declining water levels on wildlife, including waterbirds, and issue a report by
January 1, 1987.

Ocean Dumping Amendments

Title I of the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 passed the House
but failed in the Senate. The bill would have required the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
to designate permanent ocean dump sites for dredge spoils and sludge, to monitor the sites once
dumping begins, and to charge dumpers for the cost of processing their permits. Prospects for
action on ocean dumping legislation in 1985 appear brighter.

Amendments to the Coastal Zone Management Act

Efforts to amend the Act to require that federal Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) lease
sales be consistent with state coastal zone management programs failed in both House and Senate.
The "consistency" issue is likely to emerge in 1985, when the Coastal Zone Management Act is
up for reauthorization. Another amendment to share OCS revenues with coastal and Great Lake
states cleared the House but never reached the floor in the Senate.

46

Emergency Wetlands Resources Act

This bill, authorizing a major expansion of the wetlands acquisition program, failed to make
it through Congress due to a controversial rider. The rider would have allowed the Army Corps
of Engineers to begin construction of a pair of jetties that could adversely affect the Outer Banks
National Seashore and Wildlife Refuge, which contain important shorebird, wading bird, and
waterfowl habitats.

The United States Exclusive Economic Zone

In 1983 a Presidential executive order established an exclusive U.S. right to all resources,
from fish to minerals, out to 200 miles from U.S. territory. However, the enabling legislation never
progressed beyond the hearing stages. Many seabird, shorebird, and wading bird nesting grounds
fall within the area known as the EEZ and could be affected should economic development
activities be undertaken.

NONLEGISLATIVE ACTIONS

Entanglement Network

In November of 1983, 14 nationwide, nonprofit organizations including American Cetacean
Society, National Audubon Society, and International Council for Bird Preservation-U.S. Section
united in an informal coalition dedicated to eliminating incidental and debris-related mortality of
marine life, including seabirds, shorebirds, and wading birds. During its first year the network
focused on marine mammals. At its annual meeting the board approved raising seabird protection
to a major priority. During the next session of Congress the coalition may focus on amendments to
extend jurisdiction for bird protection up to 200 miles, on securing fundingfor significant research,
and on enforcement and programs related to the effects of entanglement and debris on seabirds or
wading birds. If you have information or photographs documenting the effects of entanglement on
seabirds and/or shorebirds, please write to the National Coordinator, Nancy Wallace, 6404 Camrose
Terrace, Bethesda, MD 20817.

Fish and Wildlife Service Publications

By next spring the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is expected to issue three reports: "Inciden-
tal Seabird Catch in Salmon Gill Nets," "Seabird Management Plan for Alaska," and a report to
Congress.

The report to Congress, due on 31 December 1984 (Federal Register, voi. 48 #210, Friday,
28 October 1983, p. 50004), covers potential sources of funding for the Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Act of 1980. The purpose of this Act is to provide grants to states for developing
state fish and wildlife conservation plans and for carrying out actions for the benefit of fish and
wildlife, especially nongame species and populations.

Restrictions on Marine Mammal Permits

Since 1980, the Office of Protected Species of the National Marine Fisheries Service has
prohibited willful discard of fishing gear while operating under these permits. This restriction
was extended to permits issued to foreigners in 1983.

47

Role of the Coast Guard

Under the Magnuson Act, the Coast Guard now cites foreign fishing vessels seen dumping
netting within the 200-mile EEZ. They are also empowered to cite anyone dumping garbage or
other pollutants within three miles of the coast. The Coast Guard also is considering making
entanglement a major focus of their education programs.

National Marine Sanctuary Status for Monterey Bay

The federal government has dropped Monterey Bay from marine sanctuary consideration
without any public comment. Several environmental groups are considering a formal petition as
well as initiating a letter-writing campaign to Dr. John Byrne, Administrator of the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

* * #

* *

With the inauguration of the President on 21 January 1985 and the convening of the 99th
Congress, the legislative and regulatory process will resume. Congress will once again consider
reauthorization of major environmental Acts that failed in the last session as well as Acts that
expire in 1985, such as the Endangered Species Act and the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act.
Regulatory issues will probably revolve around budget issues. These actions will be covered in
subsequent Washington Reports.

Daphne Gemmill

48

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

c/o Department of Zoology, The University, Aberdeen, Scotland
The Editor of the Pacific SBG Bulletin, 12 July 1984

Sir,

Gerry Sanger makes some provocative remarks about my contribution in his review of the
Proceedings of the Symposium on Birds of the Sea and Shore, Cape Town, 1979, actually pub-
lished in 1983 although it says 1981 (PSBGB 10:79-81), which can hardly be allowed to escape
comment. In the first place, I am surprised he canes Joanna Burger and not me for repetitiveness,
since I was actually repeating a good deal of old stuff in the vain hope of enlightening South
Africans, and only sent in a short summary which I was then ordered to expand by the editor. This
explains why it contains a certain amount of waffle.

Secondly, since Sanger expresses surprise that I did not mention V. P. Shuntov, while it
seems to me that he made a useful contribution to our knowledge of seabird distribution in the
temperate North Pacific in the days before modern North Americans rediscovered that ocean,
and one important discovery, the winter quarters of Hutton's Shearwater from New Zealand in
the area of upwelling during the SE monsoon off NW Australia, if only someone had succeeded in
deducing what it was at the time {I tried, but failed), I fear I feel that his 1972 monograph is
better classified with the great Russian novels, since it succeeds in missing most of the seabirds
of the world, much of the biology of the rest, and fails to explain the origin of its statistical data,
Gerry needs to cultivate his critical faculties.

Thirdly, since Sanger expresses surprise that I should consider that the auks inhabit com-
paratively sheltered seas, 1 wonder whether he realises what really rough ones are like? For exam-
ple, the oilmen thought that they knew about bad weather until they arrived in the North Atlan-
tic, where their reports were full of awe-struck statements such as "This platform was generously
designed for a 90 ft 100 year wave, but we now have working experience of 130 ft waves..."
Despite growing experience of the legendary southern Roaring Forties and Furious Fifties (where I
write this), the area off the Hebrides is still the only part of the world where I have found myself
looking UP at the waves from the bridge of a largish ship.

Under these conditions while Fulmars and Kittiwakes (not to mention albatrosses) although
a bit subdued still appear able to cope, our auks tend to cut and run for the more sheltered waters
such as the North Sea, and even so still get wrecked on a dramatic scale there at regular intervals
(and even penguins come ashore). I have become rather curious why nobody seems to see anything
similar in the North Pacific; is it because your weather is seldom so bad, or because you do not go
out in it, or because people seem curiously reluctant to report anything for the first time in North
America? It appears from a growing number of records by the members of the Royal Naval Bird-
watching Society in particular that while our auks are happy to go out to sea in fine weather in the
summer, when the weather deteriorates in the winter and more aerial species do go out to sea the
auks move south or inshore and take cover. I await further enlightenment about the situation in
the Pacific.

Congratulations on a good seabird bulletin.

Yours sincerely
W. R. P. Bourne

49

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA OIL SPILL

On 31 October the oil tanker SS Puerto Rican was ripped by explosions about ten miles
west of the Golden Gate. Three days later it broke in half and the stern, containing about 1 ,000,000
gallons of oil, sank on the continental slope, 1 1 miles southwest of the Farallones, just inside the
Point Reyes/Farallones National Marine Sanctuary. The bow, which contained about 2,000,000
gallons of oil, was eventually towed to San Francisco.

An oil slick estimated to contain about 100,000 gallons of oil spread northeastward from
the sunken stern about 30 miles. The slick intersected the Farallones, came ashore at Point Reyes
on 10 November, and entered Bodega Bay on 1 1 November. An oil boom prevented oil from
entering Drakes Bay.

By 19 November the slick had moved northward out of the area. However, a standing slick,
0.5 X 6 mi, remaining at the site where the stern sank on 18 November indicated that oil was
continuing to leak from the stern.

Aerial reconnaissance found concentrations of loons, grebes, and murres to the south and
inshore of the Farallones, in an area not contaminated by the oil slick. The slick appeared to
have moved through an area with relatively few birds. Also no fur seals were found in the area, and
it is thought that they escaped oiling.

As of press time, about 630 oiled birds had been taken to cleaning centers, and about
640 dead birds had washed ashore on the mainland and Farallones. From these numbers and
experience from other oil spills it was estimated that from 4000 to 5000 birds had been oiled.
About 80% of the oiled birds were murres; in Bodega Bay White-winged and Surf scoters were the
most common oiled species. The Sanderling study plots in Bodega Bay were heavily fouled.

The 1971 San Francisco oil spill of 840,000 gallons killed about 20,000 birds. In 1983
the bird mortality in the area from gill nets was 25,000 birds. The murre population on the
Farallones dropped from 90,000 in 1980 to 35,000 in 1984 from the combined effects of gill
netting and El Nirfo. Thus, while the recent spill appears to have been less catastrophic than
that in 1971, it hit an already depressed population.

The staff of Point Reyes Bird Observatory will continue to monitor the effects of this
spill. The Editor thanks David Ainley for providing timely information on the spill.

SCIENTIFIC TRANSLATIONS COMMITTEE

The Smithsonian Institution has resurrected its translating program. The history of research
on birds of the Soviet Union: Gaviiformes to Procellariiformes, edited by V. D. Ilyichev and V. F.
Flint, has been recommended for translation. Volume two of Birds of the Chukchi Peninsula and
Wrangel Island by L. A. Portenko has been translated and is in the final stage of editing.

Douglas Siegel-Causey

50

BOOK REVIEWS

The marine ecology of birds in the Ross Sea , Antarctica. 1984. David G. Ain ley, Edmund F.
O'Connor, and Robert J. Boekelheide. Ornithological Monographs No. 32. X + 97pp., 42 Text
figs. $9.00 ($8.00 to A.O.U. Members). American Ornithologists' Union, Washington, D.C.

David Ain ley and his co-workers are some of the most experienced of recent American
Antarctic ornithologists. In the present work they provide a summary of data gathered on six
cruises in four different field seasons, as well as an overview of a broad range of relevant Antarctic
ornithology and oceanography. Their perspective is unique, bringing together experience in breed-
ing biology, pelagic distribution, food habits, and oceanography. The major portion of their
monograph is devoted to documentation of species' distributions and numbers, with short sections
on feeding behavior and trophic relations. In their synthesis they discuss avian community compo-
sition, biomass and trophic interactions, and oceanographic factors affecting seabird occurrence
such as ice cover, sea surface temperature, and vertical temperature profiles.

They recognize three distinct seabird communities; a high-latitude community associated
with the ice pack, a coldwater community associated with icebergs north of the ice pack, and a
Subantarctic community of species that move across the Polar Front. Not surprisingly, given
David Ainley's recent publications, they de-emphasize the importance of the Polar Front as a
barrier to bird movement and emphasize the roles of the ice pack and particularly the Antarctic
Slope Front in determining bird distribution and abundance. They make the interesting observa-
tion that there is an apparent lack of birds near the center of the phytoplankton bloom in the
ice-free, central Ross Sea that contrasts with high concentrations of birds at the edge of the bloom.
Ainley et al.'s analyses of microhabitat preferences of different bird species within the pack ice
point up the need for a careful examination of the ice habitat and how it is used by birds.

In presenting species distribution and abundance, Ainley et al. have divided the data into
two seasons, early summer, when their coverage of the Ross Sea was reasonably extensive, and late
summer, when coverage was minimal. For the illustration of late summer cruises, they show
changing bird densities with coded patterns along cruise tracks and use letters to designate unusual
sightings.

For early summer, Ainley et al. present contour maps of bird densities, with contour inter-
vals varying from species to species. Although this approach is excellent in concept, their extrapo-
lations seem too liberal. The number of samples (30-minute strip transects) was not stated for any
of the contour zones depicted, and given the length of ship tracks in the regions, in some cases the
contour zones had to be based on fewer than 20 counts. In addition, Ainley et al. extrapolated
into regions where there were no counts. It is unclear how contour bounds were determined, how
reliable these bounds are, and whether Ainley et al. made their extrapolations based on habitats
defined by physical conditions. If the contours were subsequently used to provide evidence for the
effect of these physical conditions on bird distribution, there is the possibility of circular reasoning.

The extrapolation in the contouring procedure is also of concern because the contoured
areas were used to estimate total populations and the biomass of birds in the Ross Sea. When
checked against colony counts the result for skuas was reasonably close, but we have no way of
checking the accuracy of the population estimates for other species. It seems premature to be
estimating regional populations in this area based on the limited pelagic observations presently
available.

51

Ainley et al. provide important new insights about trophic relations of Antarctic seabirds.
They find that the past emphasis on krill at high latitudes in the Southern Ocean may have been
overstated. In contrast to the studies of Croxali, Prince, and co-workers at South Georgia, where
krill apparently constitute the major portion of most bird diets, at higher latitudes fish and squid
may predominate in the diets of some species. Ainley et al. also comment on the very broad
overlap in diets of high-latitude bird species in similar habitats and the clumping of both breeding
and nonbreeding birds near colonies; both observations are taken as evidence of a lack of competi-
tion for the rich food resources available. This finding will be an important factor in our delibera-
tions about the possible impact on seabirds of a commercial krill fishery.

Dietary information from birds at sea is hard to come by in the Antarctic, and the new data
offered by Ainley et al. are an important addition to our knowledge. However, samples of two or
three birds taken at a single time may not be independent, and are inadequate to compare diets us-
ing indices such as Morisita's index of overlap. Thus, their conclusions need to be seen as tentative.

My negative comments concerning overenthusiastic extrapolation from the available data
aside, Ainley et ai. have provided a great deal of valuable information on a previously poorly
known portion of the Antarctic fauna. They provide useful insights into the interrelationships
between physical and biological processes. Theirs is clearly the most important study of pelagic
birds at high latitudes presently available, and it should be in the library of every serious student of
polar ornithology. It presents a challenge to ail of us to quantify bird distribution and abundance
and to relate these features of the bird fauna to physical and biological processes in the sea.
George L. Hunt, Jr., Dept. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Univ. California, Irvine.

Seabirds of eastern North Pacific and Arctic waters. D. Haley (ed.). 214 pp. $39.95 plus $1.50
postage and handling. Washington State residents add 7.9% sales tax. Pacific Search Press, 222
Dexter Ave. N., Dept. SB, Seattle, WA 98109.

A biologist often has difficulty in finding a publication to recommend to the general public
that provides basic information on the organisms he/she studies as well as conveying some of the
appeal and interest inherent in them. This book may be that publication for PSG members.

The main body of the text consists of chapters on each of the bird families represented in
the North Pacific marine avifauna and a chapter on seabird conservation written by 13 seabird
biologists (most of whom are PSG members) and an introduction, an overview chapter on the
structure and biology of seabirds, and introductions to each avian order covered in the text written
by the editor, Delphine Haley. Careful editing is evident in the uniformity and conciseness of the
text, still allowing individual expression by each author. Although the editor is not a seabird
biologist, her contributions are authoritative and only occasionally extrapolate beyond proven
fact. Each author summarizes what is known about a particular seabird family with variation in
emphasis depending on the authors' interests and available knowledge. Many bring in aspects of
the role seabirds have played in literature, art, and religion. The text is written for the general
reader and is neither burdened with technical detail nor condescending. The authors who relate
some of their field experiences are more engaging than those who stick to the facts, but all are
interesting in their own fashion. I found a few cases where facts weren't quite right, such as the
implication that all murrelets lay two eggs, or had to remind myself that some generalizations
referred only to the North Pacific avifauna rather than to all seabirds, but these problems wouldn't
be noticed by most readers or seriously mislead the novice. There is some repetition among the
introductory material and that in the familial accounts, but it may be helpful for readers not
familiar with seabirds.

52

I found the treatment of seabird conservation unsatisfactory. Conservation is mentioned by
almost every author as well as in a final chapter by Warren King. Usually the mention of threats
were too general and repetitive to give a sense of immediate or specific concern. King's chapter is
unbalanced in painting every source of seabird mortality with the same brush and misses a good
chance to inform the readers on the complexities and tradeoffs involved in ensuring the continued
health of seabird populations.

A classification of seabirds, a bibliography for further reading (there are no references in
the text), brief biographies of the authors, and an index complete the text.

The book is illustrated with 90 color photographs and 17 drawings of seabirds. These alone
make the book worth owning and convey much that the text tries to get across. It would be hard
to assemble a more comprehensive and beautiful set of seabird pictures. Despite scientific argu-
ments on the health of ecosystems, diversities of gene pools, and other objective matters, it is the
subjective appeal of seabirds that attracts people (including most biologists) to them and that will,
if anything, eventually save them. These photographs will do much through their charm and
humor to attract new champions for seabirds.

This book deserves wide distribution and will appeal to anyone interested in natural history.
PSG members should recommend it to their local libraries, or, better yet, donate a copy to them.
- J. G. S., Jr.

The Native Forest Birds of Guam. 1983. Jenkins, J. M. American Ornithologists' Union, Monograph
No. 31. X + 61 pp., color frontispiece, VI color plates, and 24 text figures. (Available from
Frank R. Moore, Assistant to the Treasurer AOU, Department of Biology, University of Southern
Mississippi, Southern Station Box 5018, Hattiesburg, MS 39406. $9.00 ($7.00 to AOU members).

In preface, virtually all the native forest birds of Guam have unexplicably declined over the
last 20 years, and most are now critically endangered. Seven were included on the U.S. Endangered
Species List in August 1984. By the time Jenkins conducted his study in 1978-79, most species
were already restricted to a small portion of northern Guam. The decline has continued since
Jenkins' study; thus, the status of ail birds is now much more precarious than is indicated in the
monograph.

This monograph presents a medley of biological and ecological information on the eleven
native forest birds of Guam, Though it is based on Jenkins' 1978-79 field study, much of the
information was collected by former staff of the Guam Aquatic and Wildlife Resource Division
(GAWRD). (In fact, the monograph is in some ways an edited and polished version of a bulky,
unpublished report written by Nick Drahos, formerly of the GAWRD.) The core of Jenkins'
monograph, pages 6-50, comprises species accounts describing distribution, habitat, behavior,
food habits, nesting, and status.

Descriptions of observation methods are vague; data were collected opportunistically on
"foraging, general activities, and courtship and mating behavior for each species." The various
habitat types were not randomly sampled, conceivably biasing certain information such as food
habits. When nests were located, relatively detailed information was taken, including egg measure-
ments, clutch and brood size, incubation dates, nestling periods, parental care, and fledging.
Weights and measurements are given for four species. Food habits were determined primarily on
the basis of field observations, though a few stomach contents were analyzed.

53

Status was determined from roadside counts and from station counts. Results of the road-
side counts, which began in 1961, should be accepted with caution. These counts were conducted
on established routes from a vehicle moving 20-30 kph, and though suitable for sampling certain
species such as the Guam Rail, they are poorly adapted for most small forest birds such as the
Guam Broadbill, which was never recorded. Also, roadside counts were conducted by a number of
biologists and conservation officers with great diversity in training and experience. This may
explain certain of the irregular results. For example, the Rufous Fantail exhibited conspicuously
low numbers in 1974, when only 1-2 fantails were recorded per 160 km; in 1976 this figure
jumped to 9-35 per 160 km. Such a fluctuation in a resident forest species is notable and unlikely,
particularly since most birds were declining during this period. These and other variable results of
roadside counts should be pointed out. Nevertheless, for certain species, roadside counts clearly
illustrate the pattern of decline.

The station counts initiated in 1978 were conducted by trained biologists and produced
a much more reliable population index. Observers conducted weekly counts at eleven stations
that were established in representative forest types on northern Guam. Counts lasted 15 minutes,
during which time all birds heard or seen were noted, and the distrance from the vehicle was
recorded.

Distribution and abundance are clearly displayed on maps. In delineating range and abun-
dance categories on maps, however, the actual determination of boundaries is nebulous. There is
no indication of the number of sample points used to determine boundaries.

Species accounts smoothly blend a conglomeration of information, from historical accounts
to scattered GAWRD field notes. Much of this information was collected in dissimilar ways by
dissimilar people, yet it has been efficiently compiled.

Briefly mentioned are native wetland species, resident seabirds, migrants, and introduced
species. A checklist of Guam birds is included, but it should be used cautiously since several
species are sight records that have not been fully documented.

A succinct review of potential causes for the general population decline is included. Pesti-
cides, introduced predators {most specifically the brown tree snake, Boiga irregularis), avian
disease, habitat destruction, and typhoons are discussed. Recommendations for future conserva-
tion and management are made.

Though his monograph is perhaps modest compared to some of the tomes that have been
produced from other avifaunal communities, Jenkins reviews and assimilates all that is known
about the forest birds of Guam. This is the first such work for any island of Micronesia, and it
will serve as a solid foundation on which to base future studies. The monograph is particularly
relevant in that it is the study of an imperiled fauna that may soon be no more. - John Engbring,
U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, P. O. Box 50167, Honolulu, HI 96850.

Pelagic distributions of marine birds off the northeastern United States. K. D. Powers. 201 pp.
NOAA Tech. Mem. NMFS-F/NEC-27. no price given. NOAA/Northeastern Fisheries Center,
Water St., Woods Hole, MA 02543.

This publication presents the results of a 26-month study of the distribution of seabirds
found on the shelf waters of the Gulf of Maine, Georges Bank, and Middle Atlantic Bight. Even
though the oceanography of this region has been well studied, this is the first systematic study

54

of seabirds in the area. The text consists of an introductions brief description of the oceanography
of the region; an explanation of methods; results in the form of maps of the seasonal abundance of
the seabirds observed, a brief narrative for each species, and a description of community structure;
a brief discussion; a list of references; and several appendixes.

The Gulf of Maine/Georges Bank region was found to support higher densities of birds than
the Middle Atlantic Bight throughout the year. Of the 46 species recorded, ten {Northern Fulmar,
Cory's Shearwater, Greater Shearwater, Sooty Shearwater, Wilson's Storm-Petrel, Northern Gannett
Red Phalarope, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, and Black-legged Kittiwake) were numeri-
cally dominant The discussion relates the community structure found to the hydrology of the
area.

As in most such studies, the author and other observers were restricted to making observa-
tions opportunistically on a variety of vessels with the agreement that they were "not to interfere
with general operations." As a result, there was no possibility of designing a sound sampling
scheme, and there is no firm empirical basis on which to compare the results with future work. On
the other hand. Powers is to be congratulated for his pioneer work and for producing the best
record available of the distribution of seabirds in this region. - J. G. S., Jr.

The Audubon Society master guide to binding. Vol. 1. Loons to sandpipers. Vol. 2. Gulls to
dippers. Vol, 3. Old World warblers to sparrows. John Farrand, Jr. (ed.). 448, 400, and 400 pp.,
respectively. $13.95 each. Alfred A. Knopf, New York.

This three-volume field guide is illustrated with color photographs (except in a few cases
where paintings illustrate species or plumages for which photographs were unavailable) of living
birds for all species regularly breeding in North America north of Mexico plus most species which
occur irregularly. Most species are illustrated with two or more (up to six) photographs showing
differences in plumage with age and season. The text is on the lefthand pages opposite the illustra-
tions. Each volume has identical introductory material giving a brief history of "birding" in North
America, suggestions for using the guide, how to identify and find birds, and a map of North
America. A synopsis of the characteristics of the orders included is found at the beginning of each
volume, and a similar synopsis introduces each family. Essays on classification and nomenclature,
birding equipment, and how to report a rarity appear toward the ends of the first two volumes.
Each volume ends with brief descriptions of accidental species (with no illustrations), a glossary
(identical in each volume), and biographical sketches of the authors and artists.

My initial impression of these volumes was negative. The title is all wrong; what "master"
birder needs 4V 2 pounds of color photographs, including multiple ones of species such as Black
Skimmers and Killdeers? I would guess that a "master" birder would need only a few 3" X 4"
cards to help with the identification of obscurely marked rarities. The claim on the covers that the
books are full of "personal secrets for identifying particular species" seems exaggerated; I find few
hints for identification not found elsewhere. The AOU classification sequence of species is followed
throughout, but this means that similar-appearing species are often separated. The plate of black-
headed gulls in the new Peterson eastern field guide is much more helpful than thumbing through
five pages to compare breeding Franklin s and Bonaparte's gulls. The photographs show species in
a variety of poses and lightings rather than the standard lineups found in most guides. The quality
of the photographs varies from sharp focus to blurs. The style of the paintings varies and contrasts
sharply with the photographs of living birds. Often the colors are too bright. The orange breast in
the painting of the Mongolian Plover is nothing like the natural coloring. There is much redundancy
in the text. The almost 30 pages of introductory material reproduced in each volume are a waste of

55

space since most will buy all three volumes. There is also some repetition in the characterizations
of the orders, families, and species. Even within species accounts the same material appears in the
introductory paragraph to a species and in its description (e.g., "The Whimbrel is a beautiful, large
brown shorebird with a long, decurved bill and a quite conspicuously striped head." "This curlew
is a large brown shorebird with a long, decurved bill (2-3/4 - 4") and conspicuous striping on the
crown.") The "key experts" have neglected to mention the pale underwing coverts of the Ashy
Storm-Petrel and that intermediate phase Parasitic Jaegers have complete breastbands, and make
uninformed statements to the effect that White-rumped and Baird's sandpipers are seldom found
in flocks larger than a few dozen birds.

A detailed comparison of these guides with others, however, points up some real strengths.
The number of plumages illustrated and the details given in the text are much more extensive than
those found in the Peterson or Robbins field guides. Only in Harrison's seabird guide are more
details found. Each illustration shows some detail valuable for identification not found in any
other illustration. In many cases other field guides don't mention important details, don't illustrate
them, or omit them in illustrations (e.g., the "ear patch" in the winter plumage of the Yellow-
billed Loon is only mentioned in Peterson's guide, illustrated wrong (it's not there) in Robbins'
guide, but well illustrated in the Audubon guides). For the first time we have illustrations which
really show what Baird's Sandpipers look like.

Overall, I think these volumes would be a valuable addition to most birders' bookshelves.
They would be awkward to use in the field but helpful to keep in the car for quick reference.
Most important, they give enough detail so that a person unfamiliar with a species can get a feel
for its variation by studying the text before going to the field. Since everyone is a novice when
it comes to seeing a new species, this book will be helpful even to most "master" birders. -
J. G. S., Jr.

Short-tailed Albatross - the white-winged wanderer over the sea. 1984. H. Hasegawa. 43 pp.
¥ 1,200 plus surface postage of ¥ 450 (Japanese yen). Heibonsha Ltd., 5 Sanbancho, Chiyodaku,
Tokyo 102, Japan.

This is a children's book, entirely in Japanese, on the breeding biology and efforts toward
conservation of the Short-tailed Albatross. It is illustrated with 46 of Dr. Hasegawa 's beautiful
photographs. Shown are views of the nesting island, Torishima, views of the nesting areas, and
many close-ups of albatrosses on land and sea and in the air. Photographs show eggs and chicks
and many plumages of juvenile, immature, and breeding birds. The variety in the plumages of
breeding birds is especially interesting.

I think many PSG members would want to own this book for the photographs alone.
The price is less than $10.00, and the book can be ordered directly from the publisher at the
address above. Since bank charges are now higher than the cost of the book, the publisher suggests
that payment be made in International Postal Money Order. If payment is made in bank draft add
¥ 1,500.

I thank Carl F. Carpenter for bringing this book to my attention. - J. G. S., Jr.

56

NEW PUBLICATIONS

Proceedings of a symposium on seabirds , Ocean Research Institute , University of Tokyo , 20-21
October 1983.

The proceedings of this symposium were published in the Marine Sciences Monthly , Vol 16,
No. 4, 1984. The symposium papers comprise the entire issue and are completely in Japanese.

Translations of the paper titles and page numbers are:

Kuroda, N. Introduction: An overview of seabird research. 190-194.

Sugawa, H. Increase in Far East Asian populations of the Black-headed Gull. 194-198.

Nakamura, K. Distribution and migration of Procellariiformes in the northwestern Pacific near *
Japan. 199-204.

Ogi, H., & H. Tanaka. The main seabird distribution and feeding habits in the Subarctic Pacific
region. 205-211.

Watanuki, Y. Feeding habits of the Slaty-backed Gull in the reproductive season near Hokkaido.
212-216.

Hasegawa, H. Recent studies of the Short-tailed Albatross. 217-220.

Tanaka, H,, & H. Ogi. On the biological concentration of chlororganic compounds. 221-225.
Mizutani, H. Biogeochemistry of seabird breeding sites. 226-230.

Suzuki, K. Dynamics of soaring in the Wandering Albatross. 231-234.

Ono, K. Paleontology of seabirds. 235-244.

Yoshii, M. Banding investigations of seabirds. 240-244.

Hamanaka, T. Heavy metal accumulation in seabirds. 245-251.

[The Editor thanks Carl F. Carpenter for bringing this publication to his notice and Dr. Shi-Kuei
Wu, Zoology Museum, University of Colorado, for translating the paper titles and authors' names.]

Status and Conservation of the World's Seabirds

The results of the seabird workshop/symposium at the XVIII International Council for
Bird Preservation World Conference will soon be published. The publication. Status and conserva-
tion of the world's seabirds {J. P. Croxall, P. G. H. Evans, and R. W. Schreiber, editors), will
contain 46 papers. The status of seabirds for specific geographic regions is covered in the first
38 chapters. The remaining eight chapters cover the effects on seabirds of predation, human
exploitation, fisheries, and habitat destruction.

57

PSG members should have already received a snp^iot « . . . . „ , , ^

The regular publication price is £ 24.40 plus £ 2 00 Colt P ' " T' !T ^ , CB '

sent to ICBP, 219c Huntington Rd„ Cambridge. CB3 ODL UnSd Kingdom '

Wingtips

The first issue of the new periodical Wingtin s hae ^ , . x

or+ - i_- + _ ** ^ nas been received. Contents include a brief

article on the Bent life histories, announcements rennoc+;« ■ x r . , , .

or , or+ - . ./ A « .. , ® requesting information or field assistance for

venous projects, an article on the A O U check, lst of Nonh Amffan ^ 24 pages Qf tgbles

comparing the names used in the fifth (1957 and sixth (1983) editions of the checklist and
common names used in various field guides, a I, sting of regional atlas projects, book reviews, and
a calendar of meeting dates of many organizations of interest to ornithologists.

PSG members can receive a free issue bv senHinn +u ■ .

Box 226, Lansing, NY 14882. " 9 their name and address to: W ' n ^ s '

SAVE OUR

SHEARWATERS

58