Notes on Behavior and Abundance of the Black-Footed Albatrosses in the Pacific Waters off the Continental North American Shores

Abstract

SEVERAL ornithologists, among them Miller (Condor, 38: 9-16, 1936; op. ½it., 42: 229-238, 1940; op. ½it., 44: 3-9, 1942), Anthony (Condor 26: 33, 1924), and Willeft (Condor, 39: 226, 1937), have reported upon the Black-lootedA lbatross( Diomcdcan igripes). Though many 'sea stories' mention the albatross, and though thousands of service men have seen this interesting bird follow transports and fighting ships during the recent war, few ornithologists seem to have had opportunity to study them at any length in the open sea. I had just such an opportunity when assignedf or duty aboard a ship February 22, 1945. The nature of the duty was such that our ship remained in a given area for about twenty-five days before being relieved. Five trips in all were made while I was aboard, which included parts of seven months (Feb. 23, 1945, to Sept. 15, 1945).