Gould, P . J . 
Tg6y~ - ~ 
(Wedge- tailed Shearwater) 
2 
It appears that there is a geneal tendency for these birds to go around in 
group of 2. Some lone birds are spotted and some groups of 3 but when more than 1 is 
seen they often stick together most of the time. 
In flight the wing pattern is distinctive. 
August 4 --2322 -23 50 hours- -full moon warm and light wind. 
Shining cargo light on water, we saw as many as 8 Wedge-tails in light beam 
at one time. May have been as many as 10-20 birds. They were flying back and 
forth very low and in tight circles. We often thought we saw them take off of the 
water as the light beam hit them. Saw several with small (ca. 3") silvery fish 
crosswise in their bills. Many were noticed swallowing while in flight. This was ac- 
complished by a slight upward flip of the head with a concurrent slight opening 
of the bill. The fish went down while head was at highest up and movement. Many 
Sooty Terns were wheeling overhead at this time. 
We have seen 3 or 4 dark phase wedge-tails during the last 2 days. 
August 5--ca. 5 mi. South Johnston Islnad, 4 l/2 to 5 hays out Pearl Harbor 
High winds and choppy sea today. Birds very scarce. The wedge-tails that I 
have seen today are moving so fast it' s hard to keep up with them. This appears 
to be due to the high winds. The speed of the birds flight evidently depends on 
the strength of the wind. 
1447. 1 Wedge-tailed Shearwater. 
1525. Very large flock flying very low over water, dashing back and forth, over 
school of 500 + flying fish, birds never appearing above the horizon ca. 45+ 
Wedge-tails, 30+5 Sooty Terns, 25+5 Shearwaters or petrels incident 1 fired. 
1630. 2 Wedge-tailed Shearwaters. 
