WEDGE-TAILED SHEARWATER-Annotated List -- p. 2. -LISIANSKE 
9 (cont.) Burrows were normally less than two feet deep. An occasional 
bird was found incubating in the open beside a tuft of grass or beneath 
a bush. All nests examined contained eggs in varying stages of incubation. 
No chicks were found. Several to many individuals often congregate in 
open areas at night and at least some of these appear to be in the 
process of mating. 
LS^ 13 June 16-19, ’66 (PCS Rept) Estimated Population- $0, 000 
Number of young- none 
Nests with eggs --- 1 , 000 
Number banded--- 100 
Collected- none 
Blood samples- 102 
Wedge-tails were widespread but less abundant than on Laysan Island. 
Taey were absent only from the lowest protions of the interior of the 
island and were most abundant along the higher reidgetop near the edge 
of the Scaevola association. The breeding cycle was just beginning 
with much courting and digging obxerved and several fresh eggs found. 
At least 15-20 birds were found incubating on the surface of the ground, 
usually under Scaevola, but occasionally in open grassy areas with no 
protective vegetation. Two nests with eggs were found under the Casujjirina 
tree near the west beach. 
* 
Various Estimates 
Crossin Shelton Balcomb Smith 
--- 50,000 20,000 200,000 
30 f 0 nesting 
(ESC notes) Wedgetails were not nearly as abundnat 
as on Laysan, Here they are confined to small areas generally within the 
Scaevola edge along the beach. Individuals are scatterred throughout the 
island but in low numbers. Although the entire central portion of the 
island is dug up into mounds apparently this is jthe work of Bonin Island 
Petrels as Wedge-tails are not in this area. A few eggs were noted but 
most birds are just now digging burrows or setting in empty shallows under 
tufts of grass or other vegetation. 
On 19 June a small number (ca. 8 ) ; were noted sitting in shallows on eggs 
in the very open grass ..... with no protection from vegetation at all. 
Also 2 eggs were being incubated under the Casuarina tree on w. shore, these 
were also without ground cover. All eggs noted were very fresh. 
Shelton estimates 50,000 which I believe is a good guesstimate. 
17 Oct, 18-20, ? 66 (KB Rept) Estimated Population -- 250,000 ad.+ 50 $ 
Banded —------ 99 
Recaptured ----------—----- 2 
Specmens - 23 
This species is very abundnat in most areas of the "island. The population 
was estimated very roughly by figuring at least two, but probably less than 
three Wedge-tailed Shearwaters per 100 sauare feet of approximately 
1 
