Gould, P. J. 
I953~ 
Bonin Island Petrel 
1 
August ^5--ca. 100 mi. SW Johnston Island, Pacific Ocean 
These birds have become more and more common the farther we get from Hawaii. 
The gray back is quite visable. They are very rapid flyers, moving much faster 
than nay Shearwater I have seen. Although they generally do more flapping than do 
Shearwaters, they occasionally do a lot of gliding. Even when gliding they are 
much faster than shearwaters. Their wing beats are also much more rapid. 
In flight the ventral surface of the wing has a dark hashmark extending diagonally 
into the middle center of the wing. This species is easily told at a distance 
from the Wedge-tailed Shearwater by the extremely bright white underparts, more 
rapid flight and smaller size. 
Another good mark appears to be a dark patch extending from the nape down the side 
of the neck like a 3 jk collar. 
January ^--Pacific Ocean 2nd day out Oahu, Hawaiian I. 
Two individuals were seen today. 
January 11- -Pacific Ocean 9^h day out Oahu, Grid Area 
One bird today in flock with boobies, and other PterocLroma of 15^-0. 
January 12— Pacific Ocean, 10th day out Oahu, Grid Area 
1 bird today at 1030 flying WW. 6 Pterodroma were seen but not identified today. 
Some were probably this species. 
February 13- -Pacific Ocean, Grid Area SW Johnston Island 
One bird flying SE at 1552. 
March > --Pacific Ocean, 2nd day out Oahu 
1 bird at 0853 flew back and forth in front of ship several times then 
headed WWW. 
