3 
SPECIES ACCOUNTS 
Wedge-tailed Shearwater (4) 
Only small numbers* of Wedge-tailed Shearwaters continue to be recorded in 
the Grid, Although the exact cause of their absence is unknown it seems likely 
that the species has moved north of the area to a more productive feeding area, 
e.g., 5° N. This northward movement of southern birds has been demonstrated in 
other areas of the Central Pacific Ocean (CROMWELL Grid). 
Pale-footed Shearwater (l nocturnal) 
One individual of this species was seen on the evening of 18 September. 
It is likely that a few birds pass through the area undetected in the large flocks 
of Slender-billed Shearwaters. 
Sooty Shearwater (8) 
Eight birds identified as Sooty Shearwaters were recorded, in the Grid. In 
the past there has been a great deal of confusion between this species and Slender- 
billed Shearwaters. However, I feel confident that it is easy to separate the 
two species at close range. Sooties are larger and chunkier with white underwings. 
Slender-bills often show silvery underwings but they are not as light as the Sooties. 
This species travels singly or in small groups while the Slender-bills travel in 
large flocks. 
In May 1965 a small series of this species was collected near the Grid which 
indicates that the small number of migrants seen this spring were this species. 
Probably the same number of Sooties pass through in the fall, but the great number 
of Slender-bills passing through during this period make it difficult to make exact 
statements as to the status of this species. 
Slender-billed Shearwater (13235) 
or Slender-billed Shearwater (7808+312 nocturnal) 
This migratory species was again recorded in large numbers in the Grid during 
