1 
Eastern Grid Survey #19 
During 658 miles and 65 hours of observation, 3^9 birds of I 3 species 
were recorded. One hundred ninety (5^-5 percent) of these were ship follo¬ 
wers (gulls 8c albatross) and warrant separate statistical consideration. 
Highlights: 
1 ) No diurnal coverage in N.E. Section of Grid. 
2 ) First progression toward "normal” winter distribution in the Grid. 
3 ) General low density due at least in part to observing conditions. 
k) First recorded pelagic observation of Guadalupe Fur Seal ( Arcto - 
cephalus townsendi ). 
Problems: 
With the short days of December, it has become impossible to achieve 
equal diurnal coverage in all sections of the Grid. During this survey no 
diurnal coverage was achieved in the northeast corner, the area which acts 
as a qualitative indicator for the entire Grid. 
Secondly, observation of ship followers has become more complicated 
than during spring, summer, and fall surveys due to the presence of gulls. 
Albatross were eliminated from the tabular examination of earlier grid 
surveys, and now it becomes necessary to remove the gulls. But gulls and 
albatross cannot be treated as equally "qualified" ship followers. GuBs 
follow for relative short periods of time as evidenced by changes in 
age composition in the flock throughout the day. One arrives at a daily 
total by summing maximum numbers of all age classes of a species. The 
amount of individual interchange in the flock cannot be determined. It 
appears that gulls (Herring 8 c Glaucous-winged Gulls) may be "good” 
pelagic/oceanic seabirds but that their ship following tendency makes it 
impossible to treat accurately their quantitative distribution. 
Density (Non-followers) Density (Ship-followers) Density (Total ) 
o^ 
0 
.550 
— 
.09it- 
• 
0 
00 
.259 
.029 
.034 
• 
0 
00 
.857 
•335 
- 
.132 
.804 
.592 
1—1 
• 
.966 
•355 
9 
; 11 
- 
6 
5 
8 
5 
4 
6 
