THE SEA‐BIRDS OF GOUGH ISLAND

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Abstract
SUMMARY: Between November 1955 and May 1956 continuous observations were made on the sea‐birds of Gough Island. These have been augmented by further occasional observations during seven subsequent years, and are compared with all previous published records for the island.A check‐list of 30 species of sea‐birds has been compiled and substantiated, as far as possible, by a series of skins of 20 species.Nearly 900 sea‐birds cf 20 species were caught and measured, considerably more than at any previous time there; in the case of eight species, these are analysed in detail and some are compared with those from other populations.The relative status of each species was estimated, together with total breeding populations where possible. In same cases the distribution of nests was mapped.A detailed sound and photographic record, of 14 and 16 species respectively, was made.Numbers of Wandering Albatrosses Diomedea exulans dabbenena and skuas Catharacta skua hamiltoni were ringed and colour‐marked respectively to enable a more detailed study to be made of them.General observations were made on the nesting seasons, breeding behaviour and moult of various species which are treated systematically.

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