out migration as a possible reason for their concentrated abundance 
assumption of migration not being a reason for their aggregations. 
. To the 
I must make 
a retraction in view of more recent evidence. Since the Kittiwakes appear to 
nave vacated a former area of high density, migration is prooaDly the most 
suitable explanation for their disappearance; in the prior survey these Diras 
must have been feeding just before migration. In addition to the single Kitti- 
wake sighted in the southern section, one well-observed Sabine's Gull (adult) was 
seen there. 
Alcids 
Alcids were commonly seen in both nonugrid areas, out more so in the northern 
section. Here flocking activity was occurring as alcids (mostly Rhinoceros Auklets) 
were seen mostly on the water in the largest, groups with smaller launches seemingly 
on the move. In the northern section the following were logged: ^lcid so. a3 
Rhinoceros Auklet 1?0, Horned Puffin 8, Xanthus Murrelet 3, and Ancient Kurrelet 1. 
Of the last three only 1 Horned Puffin sighting is reliable as viewing conditions 
were ooor. We were much farther from land in the southern section than we were in 
the northern section and this provides a possible explanation why we saw so few 
the south. Here Rhinoceros Aunlets were the most common 0> — collected) 
vs u» ii ir«o. 
Icid so. and 2 Horned Puffins also being logged. Most of the Rhinoceros 
Auklets in the southern section were observed in laiais. two's. 
