DISTRIBUTION, IDENTIFICATION, AND ECOLOGY

Petrels and storm-petrels in North Carolina's offshore waters: including species previously unrecorded for North America

ß . . a reviewof all speciesand thefirst detailed, at-sea account of Band-rumpedStorm-Petrel and Soft-plumagedPetrel

David S. Lee

SIDEFROM STORM-WRECKED speci- STORM-PETRELS east of Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, at men records, little information ex- 38ø41'N,73ø34'W, on August14, 1975 ists about the marine distribution of BAND-RUMPED STORM-PETREL (USNM 567714). Band-rumpedStorm-Petrels (Oceano- To date I have accumulated over 75 droma castro) and almost none exists for LTHOUGHTHERE HAVE BEEN various sightrecords of Band-rumpedStorm-Pe- Soft-plumagedPetrels (Pterodroma mol- reportedinstances of the occurrence trels in North Carolina waters. These hs) Thus, theoccurrence of both of these of Band-rumpedStorm-Petrels (synony- range in seasonfrom May 30 through speciesoff the North Carolina coast is mous with Harcourt's and Madeiran August20. Exceptfor two birdsseen off interesting,particularly since their pres- Storm-Petrel)in the United States,par- Hatteras (May 30, 1982, Am. Birds ence does not appearto be a result of ticularlyin theSoutheast, all areassociat- 36:840) and four off of Beaufort(one on displacementby storms.This report is ed with stormsand the specieshas been June 13, 1983 and three on August 20, the first detailed, at-sea accountof Band- asumed to be an accidental. Peterson 1983, Wayne Irvin pets. comm.), the rumped Storm-Petrelsoff the North (1980) lists it as accidentalin Florida, sightingsare onesI personallyobtained American coast and the first North North Carolina, Montana, Indiana, Dela- off OregonInlet. With fourexceptions all Americanrecord of the Soft-plumaged ware, Pennsylvaniaand the District of encountershave been in deep-water Petrel.Information on a probableBermu- Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec. It is zones (500-1000+ fathoms). Three of da Petrel (Pterodromacahow), and on alsoknown from South Carolina (Shuler my records(each of a single bird) are the third and possiblya fourth North 1973), Tennessee(USNM 526349), and from 100-400 fathoms and Irvin's June American record of the Herald Petrel Texas(Oberholser 1974); there are single sightingwas from only 11 fathoms.The (Pterodromaarminjoniana) is also pre- records for Brazil and Cuba. The north- latter was encounteredafter nearly a sented. Most of these records are from em and inland recordscertainly result week of strongeast winds. The season deep-water zones (500-1000+ fathom from storm-blown casualties. In fact, andarea of typicaloccurrence are consis- contour).Current summary distributional Murphy (1936) cites several of the tentwith the ideathat this storm-petrel•s maps(Tuck andHeinzel 1978, Harrison above-mentioned records as classic ex- a highly pelagic, warm-waterspecies 1983)imply that these species should not amplesof long-rangetransport of birds Surfacesea temperaturesranged from be expected regularly in the western trappedin eyesof hurricanes.The spe- 80.2ø-83.1.øFfor my 70+ records.But NorthAtlantic, but this is perhapsmore ciesis recognizedas beinghighly pelag- the speciesis not confinedto the Gulf the resultof a lack of knowledgethan a ic, stayingwell out at sea,generally rath- Stream.On a trip on July 25 into deep true reflection of the normal distributions er solitary,and an inhabitantof tropical "green" water east of Oregon Inlet, we of these Procellariiformes. In order to and subtropicalseas. The elevencoastal encountered at least six individuals, Sur- presentthese records in perspective,a re- records for the Southeast are summarized face water temperaturesranged from view of all the speciesof petrelsand by Clappet al. (1982), andall appearto 80.2ø-80.5øF.Although the seas were storm-petrelsfound off the North Caroli- be storm-related.In addition,a specimen warm, the birds were not associatedwith na coastis alsoprovided. wasfound on the deckof a shipanchored the blue waters of the Gulf Stream. This

Volume 38, Number 2 151 temperaturerange is certainlywithin whatis normally recorded m areaswhere the Gulf Streamflows throughshallow waterduring the summer.In that the Band-rumpedStorm-Petrels were not en- counteredregularly in shallowGulf Stream areas, it is evident that water depthis a keyfactor in thenormal distri- butionof this species(see Fig. 1). Observationsof Band-rumpedStorm- Petrels off North Carolina (arranged chronologicallyby month,all offOregon Inlet unlessotherwise stated) are as fol- lows(* = specimenrecord)-: .May 30, 1982,37 milesSSE of HatterasInlet, two birds(Am. Birds 36:840) at about1000 fathoms (Captain Alan Foremanpers. comm.);June 13, 1983, off Beaufort, onebird (W. Irvin); June22, 1972, storm CAPE LOOKOUT wreck, Atlantic Beach, one bird (Chat 3823, *USNM); July 4, 1983,four birds (DSL,*NCSM); July 12, 1983,20 birds (DSL; *NCSM); July 19, 1983, 20+ birds(DSL, *NCSM); July25, 1983,six plus birds(DSL, *NCSM); July 29, 1981,one bird (DSL, *NCSM); August 9, 1983, eightbirds (DSL); August11, 1981, 12 birds (DSL, *NCSM), August 20, 1983, off Beaufort,three birds (W. Irvin). I shouldpoint out that my offshore countsare extremely conservative. When Figure1. Map of general area discussed. 100, 500 and 1000 fathom contours marked. Inner edge flushingflocks of restingstorm-petrels, I ofGulfStream stippled. Diagonal lines indicate deep green Water zone from which several Whtte- couldnormally confirm only one or two facedStorm-Petrel records were obtained. Dots indicate sightings ofone or moreBand-rumped as Band-rumpedsbefore they dispersed. Storm-Petrels in 1981 and 1983. In actualityprobably many more of the birdsencountered in flockswere this spe- muchopportunity to encounterthe spe- vided a convincingaccount as well as cies.Many singleflying birdswhich l cies. Fourth, summerstorm-petrels Were somegood points for field identification, suspectedwere Band-rumpedswere not not studiedcarefully until observersbe- andI seeno valuein scrutinyof the rec- includedin these tallys. cameaware that Band-rumpeds probably ord.Although his is the earliest record for This bringsup the question:If Band- occurregularly. Interestingly, the birds the area, it is certainlywithin a reason- mmpedsare so regularly encountered off foundon May 30, 1982were seen and ablyexpected season of occurrence NorthCarolina in the summer,why had identifiedonly days after the March- Basedon this information,the period theynot been reported previously 9.There April 1982 AmericanBirds [36(2)] ar- of occurrencefor Band-rumpedStorm- are several answers to this question. rived in the mail, bringingword of my Petrels in the western North Atlantic is First, the specieshas not been encoun- July29, 1981 offshorespecimen. fromlate May through mid-August, with teredregularly except off OregonInlet. A North Carolina State MuSeum staff peak abundancein mid-July. Offshore Most of the regularbird-watching trips memberwho was on the July 29, 1981 tripsI havemade into deep-water areas m operatingin the areadepart from Hatter- trip hada goodopportunity to studythe mid-Mayand throughout the fall suggest as Wayne Irvin, a researchassociate of speciesat close range. He wasalso on the the bird is not presentmuch outsideof the North Carolina State Museum May30, 1982trip and was not convinced this period.This expectedseason of oc- (NCSM), has been surveyingthe deep that the birdswere Band-rumpedStorm- currence is consistent with the molt se- watersoff Beaufortregularly and he has Petrels.They certainly were not Wilson's quenceof the specimenscollected (see onlyseen four. Thusthe speciesmay not Storm-Petrels(Oceanites oceanicus), but below).Furthermore Berndt et al. (1966, be Uniformlydistributed along the entire in his mind not conclusively Band- in Crampand Simmons 1977) sawbirds southeastern,or eventhe North Carolina, rumpedeither. They were observedas believedto be this speciesin the mid coast.Second, most of theregular trips closeas 25 yardsalong with Wilson's, North Atlantic (43ø30'-48ø30'N west to aretimed to encounterspring and fall mi- furtherattesting to the problemsof posi- 42ø30'W)in Juneand July, andthe pre- grants,and are just outside the document- tiveidentification of storm-petrelsat sea. viouslymentioned Delaware record is edperiod of occurrencefor Band-rumped PaulDuMont generously sent me a draft fromAugust 14, whereas on trans-Atlan- Storm-Petrels.Third, my previoussum- copyof a summaryof his observations tic VoyagesHarris and Hansen (1974, m mer's offshore work was concentrated that later appearedin AmericanBirds Crampand Simmons 1977) foundthem alongthe inneredge of the Gulf Stream (36:840;summarized by HarryLeGrand, only in the vicinityof knownbreeding (ca. 100 fathoms)and I did not have with commentsby R.L. Ake). He pro- stations between October and November

152 AmencanBirds, March-April 1984 in boatsand even more difficult to ap- proachclosely. They typically retreat and stay away at the approachof a boat. 1 have watchedBand-rumped Storm-Pe- trels feeding in associationwith other seabirds•Cory's (Puffinus diomedea), Greater (P. gravis), and Audubon's (P. Iherminieri) shcarwaters.Black-capped Petrels (Pterodroma hasitata), and Wil- son'sand Leach's storm-petrels.Unlike other western Atlantic storm-petrels, theydo not hesitateto alight on the water to feed. In my experience thc other storm-petrelsnormally alight on the sur- [aceonly to rest. In July andAugust 198I we followed severalfor long distances. They wouldfly to surface-feedingshear- waters, alight on the water, attempt to feed with them, and then take off' as our boat approachcd.Frequcntly we found smallflocks (5-30 individuals)of sitting storm-petrels.apparently resting togethcr after communal feeding. Sometimes theseflocks would be composedentirely of Band-rumpedStorm-Petrels, at other times a few Band-rumpedswould be mixed in a flock of Wilson's, and once we collectedboth of these specicsand Leach's Storm-Pctrelsin a single flock (July 19, 1983). Approximately50% of all Band-rumpedStorm-Petrels I encoun- Band-rumpedStorm-Petrel, showing darker wing coverts than Wilson's, and feet not projecting teredwere flushedfrom flocksresting on beyondtip of tail. Photo/R. Naveen. the surface.When approachedin mixed restingor feeding flocks, Band-rumpeds invariablywere off the water and several The pelagicdistribution of Oceanodroma bleto do soon one-daycruises). J. Chris- yardsaway before any other birds took castro in the Pacific is rather extensive topherHaney hasbeen conducting sys- wing. DuringJuly andAugust about 80% (Crossin1974) so it shouldnot be par- temicsurveys off the Georgiacoast. To of all rafts of storm-petrelsI found in ticularlysurprising that it is wideranging datehe hasaccumulated three sight re- deepwater containedone or more Band- in the North Atlantic as well. That this cordsof Band-rumpedStorm-Petrels (18 rumpedStorm-Petrels. documentationhas developedin such days of observation). One record from In flight Band-rumpedStorm-Petrcls piecemealfashion is a reflection of the September4 slightlyextends the known oftenfly higherabove the ocean's surface limitedeffort put into seabird study in the periodof occurrencein the westernAt- (I-3 m) than do our other storm-petrels. North Atlantic. lantic. Two birds were between the IO0- and characteristicallysoar like shear- While I feel comfortable that the sea- and 200-fathom contours and the third waters. They tend to be more direct in sonaldistribution of this speciesin the was over only about 40 fathoms. This their flight than Wilson's or Leach's westernNorth Atlanticis fairly well un- lattersighting was in an eddyof theGulf storm-petrels,but someof this is certain- derstood,the birds'geographic distribu- Stream(Haney, in press).Haney has not ly becausewe were frequentlyin pursuit tion is not. To date, North Carolina is the surveyeddeep-water areas so it is not of the birds. None of the birds I observed only areawhere Band-rumped Storm-Pe- possible to compare information on pushed forward ("foot-patter") with trels have beenencountered regularly, abundanceor even the regularityof oc- their feet as Wilson's often do. The zig- but this is a result of concentrated field currence. zag flight of Band-rumpedStorm-Petrels effort. Excluding storm-blown individ- hasbeen noted by severalauthors (Harri- uals there is only the previouslymen- Behavior at sea son 1983, Naveen 1981-1982, and oth- tioned Delaware record to the north. ers). They do characteristicallyfly in a Rowlett(! 980) doesnot record any tYom HE BAND-RUMPEDSTORM-PETREL'S zig-zagging course but the angles are his study area in the Northern Chesa- behaviorat seain manyways closely slightand this aspectof the flight pattern peake Bight, but his cruise transectsdo parallels that of Leach's Storm-Petrel may not be conspicious.Wilson's also not go farther east than the IO0-fathom (Oceanodroma!eucorhoa). Unlike Wil- may fly in zig-zag paths when tacking contour. South of Hatteras, because of son'sStorm-Petrels, Oceanodroma spe- into the wind. In high wind or when the greatwidth of the continentalshelf, it cies are not attractedby chum, do not closelypursued, Band-rumped's straight- is difficult to make regulartrips into follow boats, and seldom approach lineflight predominates. W. Irvin (pers. deep-waterareas (and virtually impossi- them. In fact it is difficult to follow them comm.)estimated a rapidly flying bird

Volume38, Number2 153 doinghttle soaring to betravehng in ex- able (see Table 1) but well within the rived from Its nestingarea Our single cessof 18 knots(20.7 mph). Severalwe rangeof an adult sampleof 18 malesand July 5 specimenis aberrantand will be pursuedwent even faster. eight femalesfrom the Selvagens,Ma- discussedseparately. One July 12 b•rd In glidingflight, the birds hold their deira, and the Cape Verde Islands(see hasnew innermost primaries (# 1-7), pri- wingsparallel to the water surfacewith Crampand Simmons 1977), andstudy of mary#8 is one-halfdeveloped and #9- theouter primaries bowed below the rest individualsfrom variousbreeding sites 11 are old. The primarycoverts and tall of the wing. They resemblea small Au- around the world shows no significant covertsare in a similar developmental dubon's Shearwaterin flight, and they geographicvariation (Austin 1952). We stage.Four of the secondarieson each normallyremain at a constantheight. Ad- also measuredtotal length and wing- side and the left side of the tail are In &fional behavioralinformation is pro- spreadon freshly collectedindividuals. molt.There is no headmolt, andthe body vlded by the variousauthors attempting Total lengthvaried from 179 to 201 mm molt is moderate. The four birds collect- to describe differences between storm- andwingspan from 444 to 472 mm (see ed on July 19 are all in a stageslightly petrelsfor identificationpurposes. Here I Table 1). advancedbeyond the July 5 specimenin am reportingonly aspectsof behaviorI wing, body,and tail molt. The innermost myselfhave noted. Molt primaries(# 1-7) in three specimensare new,and primary #8 is one-halfto three- Age, weightsand other measurements UBLISHEDINFORMATION ONMOLT in fourthsdeveloped, #9 is still in its sheath Band-rumpedStorm-Petrels is scant. and #10 and #11 are old. In the fourth ASEDON MOLT SEQUENCE ofcollected According to Cramp and Simmons specimen#1-8 are new, #9 is three- individuals, five male and four fe- (1977),molting starts with innerprimary fourthsdeveloped, #10 is breakingas male birds all were post-hatching-year andbody feathers during the last stages of sheathand # 11 is old andmissing on the Individuals. The absence of bursae indi- thebreeding cycle and wing molt is just left and right wings, respectively.The catedthey were not juveniles. Reproduc- c6mpletedat the onsetof the next breed- primaryand tail covertsare in approxi- tive organswere reduced, but correspond ingcycle. Crossin (1974) presentsinfor- matelythe same sequence. The secondar- m size with other breeding-agedstorm- mationon molt sequence of 10 specimens ies are also in molt with various feathers petrelswe have collected.Male gonads collected in the Central and Eastern Pa- missing,old, in sheath,and new. Molt Is rangedfrom 1 x 2to 3 x 5 mmand cific. Since the North Carolina series of heavyon thehead, neck, back, andbelly females from 4.3 x 4.4 to 5 x 6 mm, spcimensis composedentirely of post- in threeof the birds, and heavy in the with no seasonallycorrelated change of juvenilebirds, the informationprovided head and neck of the fourth. The tall size. Total weightsranged from 42.8 to by their molt sequencedeserves discus- feathersare in variousstages of molt on 50.6 gm for malesand from 45.9 to 49.2 sion.In the earliestspecimen, collected all birds in this series, althoughCramp gm for females.These weights are heav- June22, all of itsfeathers appear old and and Simmons (1977) state that the tall Ier than those reported from nesting worn (I did not examine the innermost molt is irregular(I assumethis refersto grounds(41.7 gm mean,sample 376 Ga- primariesof the folded wings of the season).On a singleJuly 29 bird the pri- lapagos,Harris 1969; 43.5 - 5.0 gm specimenand the early stages of the molt mariesare all new, about 50% of the sec- mean, sample 12, Ascension, Allan sequencemay have commenced),and it ondariesare new and the body and taft 1962). Other measurements were vari- is assumedthat the bird had recently ar- molt is nearly complete.The upper taft

Table 1. Weightsand measurementsof storm-petrelspecimens from the Carolinas. Species Weight WingSpan WingChord TotalLength Tail Length Tarsus Wilson's Storm-Petrel Averageof 10 male and 10 femaleNC specimens 32.9 g 414 mm 144 mm 174.8 mm 76.5 mm 34.1 mm Leach's Storm-Petrel Male NCSM 4194 161 mm 85 mm 25 mm Male NCSM 8784 40.8 g 471 mm 206 mm Male NCSM 9515 43.0 g 471 mm 155 mm 198 mm 83 mm 21 mm FemaleNCSM 7899 37.6 g 152 mm 197 mm 81 mm 24 mm Female NCSM 8770 44.1 g 460 mm 154 mm 207 mm 81 mm 23 mm ? USNM 564835 162 mm 86 mm 24 mm Band-rumpedStorm-Petrel Male ChM 1972.37 34.0 g 147 mm 176 mm 75 mm 21 mm Male NCSM 8049 47.2 g 451 mm 148 mm 193 mm 74 mm 26 mm Male NCSM 9514 50.6 g 472 mm 154 mm 199 mm 70 mm 23 mm Male NCSM 9527 49.3 g 438 mm 144 mm 189 mm 70 mm 21 mm Male NCSM 9536 42.8 g 444 mm 144 mm 179 mm 64 mm 22 mm Male NCSM 9549 48.4 g 456 mm 153 mm 193 mm 70 mm 21 mm Female NCSM 9513 45.9 g 452 mm 152 mm 193 mm 69 mm 21 mm FemaleNCSM 9512 49.1 g 463 mm 152 mm 194 mm 68 mm 21 mm FemaleNCSM 8037 49.2 g 467 mm 151 mm 201 mm 71 mm 25 mm Female USNM 566873 147 mm 70 mm 23 mm White-faced Storm-Petrel Female USNM 527825 47.6 g 424 mm 151 mm 73 mm 51 mm

154 AmericanB•rds, March-April 1984 coverts exhibit a moderate molt. The Au- Food squid beaks 1.5 mm length. One con- gust I 1 specimenhas cntircly new flight taineda large nematodeand one numer- and tail feathersalthough many of the ous segmentsof a tapeworm. A feather, coverts are still in sheath and the back is HEONLY SUBSTANTIAL INFORMATION is that supplied by Harris (1969), presumablyingested while preening, and in heavymolt. This represcntsour latest who examined 15 stomachsof Galapagos a smallbit of gravel were alsorecorded. specimenrecord. I assumethat the entire specimens.He found that Band-rumped molt takes 9 to l0 weeks and once it is Storm-Petrels feed on small fish and ce- htentification at sea completed the birds depart for their phalopods. Regurgitated fish of two breedinggrounds. Such a molt sequence mist-netted adults were 37 and 50 mm in is in line with otherstorm-petrels whose HEPRINCIPAL OBSTACLE in under- length, and an estimated cephalopod standingthe marine distribution of migration is not transequatorial(Scott weight, based on beak size, was 3-4 Band-rumpedStorm-Petrels has been an 1970). grams. inabilityto distinguishthis speciesfrom The July 5 specimenis out of phase The birdswe saw were definitely feed- other white-rumpedstorm-petrels. This with the above molting sequence.The ing duringthe day, and the two collected knowledgedeficit has only recently been bird (NCSM 9536) is smaller in overall in 1981 were obtainedonly becausethey alleviated (Brown 1980, Naveen 1981- length and weight. Its wing length is were preoccupied by feeding activity, 82. andHarrison 1983a, 1983b). People similarto the otherspecimens (see Table although their stomachs were nearly notaware of field identificationproblems l), but the rump patchis narrower.This empty. at sea will have difficulty appreciating bird has completelynew primaries,se- A total of eight stomachswas exam- how inadequatemost field marks are for condariesand wing covertsand moderate ined. One was completely empty and speciesrecognition even under ideal sea to heavy head and body molt. The tail nonecontained recently consumed mate- conditions. feathersare in all stagesof development. rial; birds often disgorgelarge, recently Naveen(I 982) correctlynotes that as a The only specimen(and record) for South consumedfood items during collection. first stepin identifyingBand-rumpeds, Carolina (Charleston Museum # 1972 Six containeddigested portions of small "... you must know Wilson's Storm- 37) is also of a small bird with a narrow fishes--fleshyparts, small bones,verte- Petrel very, very well.... "Wilson's (and off-white) rump patch. Its molt se- brae,eye lensesor otoliths.One bird con- Storm-Petrelshave a vast repertoireof quence is out of phase with the North tained six otoliths that measured 1-3 mm flightbehaviors, several of whichclosely Carolina specimensexcept for the one in diameter. Two containedportions of resemble those of both Oceanodroma collectedon July 5. The tail containsa mixture of mostly old and a few new feathers.Some head and body molt is apparent.On both wings the outer two primariesare old, the nextone aboutone- quartergrown and the restare new. There is no reason to assume it would not have beenat the samemolt stageas the July 5 bird by the first or secondweek of July. The specimenwas captured alive after strongsoutheasterly winds 5 miles south of McClellanville, Charleston County, SouthCarolina; its stomachwas empty and it had no subcutaneous fat. Size and weight informationappears in Table I. Harris(1969) notesthat, as a rule, popu- lations in areas with warmer surface wa- ters have longer extremities and less white in the rumpcompared with thosein ß coolerwaters. A larger seriesof western North Atlantic birds would be useful, but these specimensstrongly suggeststhat two or morebreeding stocks occur off the North Carolina coast. Becauseof the angleof the carpaljoint of Oceanodromaand the orderlyand sin- gular replacementof flight feathers,it is not possibleto note molt sequencein flying birds, as it often is with Oceanires and most shearwaters. This is unfortu- natebecause it would be advantageousto collect specimensselectively, based on molt sequence,in order to determine a bird's age and possibletaxonomic vari- Wilson'sStorm-Petrel, showing paler wing covertsthan Band-rumped,card feet projecting ations. beyondtip of tail. PhotolR. Naveen.

Volume38, Number2 155 Figure 2. Tail shapeand patternof typicalsummer (left-right) Band-rumped, Leach's and Wilson's storm-petrels. species.Their abundancein boththe sea- notappear straight in flyingWilson's. As wing coverts on Wilson's and Leach's son and zone in which Band-rumped pointedout earlier, Band-rumped Storm- being frayed and worn in the summer, Storm-Pcrtrcls occur on one hand com- Petrelstend to fly higher,with stiff hori- giving the illusiondorsally of a distinct poundsthe problem, but on theother usu- zontalwings, glide more, andhave a less diagonalbar andventrally in Wilson'sof ally providesa handycomparative refer- erraticflight than other locally occurring a whiteflash mark undermost light con- ence. Leach's Storm-Petrels are even species.The wingsdo not appearto rise ditions. closerin structuralappearance and size, above the horizontalon the upstroke, Rumppatches in Band-rumpedStorm- and also am found, althoughnot com- producingwhat others have referred to as Petrelsare reportedlyeven cut. This is a monly, in the same seasonand offshore a shallowwing beat. Leach'sStorm-Pe- resultof the whitetail covertsbeing black zone. trelsfly erratically,reminding one of a at the terminalend, maskinga leathered Band-rumpcdStorm-Petrels look (and low-flyingnighthawk (Chordeiles); Wil- look. The highpercentage of moltingup- are) larger than Wilson's and normally son's Storm-Petrelshave a wide reper- per tail covertsduring the seasonwhen fly differently. Contrary to statements toire of flight characters,and both Wil- the birds are off North Carolina, howev- previouslypublished, the differencein son's and Leach's regularly lift their er, tends to make this a less than ideal overall size between Wilson's and Band- wingsabove the horizontal,but this var- field mark (see Fig. 2). The various rumped Storm-Petrelsis striking in the ies with wind conditions. stagesof feathergrowth arrangethe black field and in hand. (This is in contrast to Undergood observation conditions the areasin sucha way that a clear white the measurements in Table 1, where long legs of Wilson's can be seen pro- band is not evident. People suggesting wingswere extendedto their maximum.) trudingpast the tail or hangingbelow the this as a viable field characterare basing I laid out fresh specimensof each and body,but theydo not normallyshow on it on observationsor specimensnear nest- tracedoverall outlines of the birds, posi- Band-rumpedor Leach's. The yellow inggrounds when the rumpis not in molt. tionedin typicalflight profile. Compar- webbingof Wilson'scan seldom be seen, I did notfind the shapeof the rumppatch ing theseillustrations Wilson's was 30% and I have collected one specimen to be a reliable field character for birds smallerin wingspanand 12% smallerin (NCSM 5948) that has no yellow in the summeringoff NorthCarolina. The rump totallength than Band-rumpeds. Surpris- webbing.The forked tail of a Leach's patchesof both Wilson's and Band- ingly,Leach's were 5% smallerin wing- Storm-Petrel is not obvious from certain rumped storm-petrels are, however, span but their total length was similar; anglesand the protrudinglegs of Wil- brightand clear (except for the oneSouth however,when the wings of Leach's are son's Storm-Petrols could be mistaken Carolina specimen) compared to stretchedto their full extent, they am for a forkedtail. The tail shapesof Band- Leach's. All Leach's specimensob- somewhat larger (also see Table 1). rumpedand Wilson's storm-petrolsare served or collected for North Carolina Thesedifferences are more strikingin the slightlydifferent (see Fig. 2), but this have generallyoff-white rump patches, field because Wilson's and Leach's do would not be a good field character. partlyobscured by darkishfeathers down nottypically hold their wings horizontal- Someliterature suggests the tail of the the center. Again the molt of the upper ly, as tracedon the paper, and therefore Band-rumpedis slightlyforked. This is tail covertsleaves dark-edged feathers in give the impressionof having even not the case in specimensI examined, variousstages of development,even fur- shorterwings. and "slightlyconcave or nearlysquare- therobscuring the patch.The birdswould The trailingedge of the wing on Band- tailed" would be a more accurate de- be closest in appearanceto reference rumpedsis nearlystraight, even when the scription. specimens6 and 7 in Ainley's (1980, primariesand secondariesam in molt. Band-rumped Storm-Petrels look Fig. 1) studyof geographicvariation in This is not true for Leach's, and because darker overall than summer Wilson's or Leach's Storm-Petrols. Thus, Leach's of wing anglethis areaof the wing does Leach's.This is partly a result of the are birds with light upper wing coverts

156 AmericanBirds, March-April 1984 and smudgyrump patches,and Band- rumpedsconversely are all dark-winged with white rumps(Harrison 1983a). The white romp of Band-rumped S.torm-Petrelsextends around the sideof the tail more than in a .Leach'sbut less than in Wilson's (Naveen 1981-1982). This can normally be seen only under good light and sea observationcondi- tions. The size differencein our locally oc- curringstorm-petrels is not greatenough for me to spotindividual differences easi- ly in raftsof birdsresting on the water. This field problemis furthercompound- ed by the Band-mmped'shabit of quickly departingas a boat approaches.All local storm-petrels,unlike phalaropes,for ex- ample,seem to havethe sameoverall size and profileswhen restingon water. In spite of warningsto the contrary, Band-rumpedStorm-Petrels can be rec- ognizedeasily after a little field experi- ence, and can .bespotted immediately as somethingdifferent by anyonetuned in to beha.vioral profiles of storm-petrels,even whenthey havenot had previousexperi- ence with this species.The behavioral differencesare the key points, and stu- dents who have relied strictly on field Figure J. Head profiles of Band-rumped(above) and Leach's (below) storm-petrels. marks for identification will probably from Maryland (August 16, 1972, ter statusof Leach'sStorm-Petrel specu- have problemsrecognizing these birds. USNM 566273) and off Delaware (Au- lative at this time. Personswho accompaniedme on various gus.t 11, 1975, USNM 567713). The The molt informationwe have on offshoresummer trips had no troubledis- North Carolina regiondoes not appearto NorthCarolina birds is scant.The July19 tinguishingBand-rumped Storm-Petrels from the hundreds of Wilson's Storm- provide areas attractive to the Leach's specimenis an aOultshowing no molt, Petrelswe encountered. Often they were Storm-Petrel, which is a cold-temperate and the feathersappear worn. The Au- equivalentof the Band-rumped.Rowlett gust 21 specimen,also an adult, is well able to identify individualscorrectly at considerable distances. We were able to (pets. comm.) regardsLeach's as a d,eep- advancedin its molting sequence.Pri- maries #1-6 are new, #7 is three-fourths confirm these identifications with occa- waterspecies off theMaryland coast. Ac- cessibledeep-water areas off NorthCaro- developed,#8 is in sheathand the outer sionalcollecting of specimens,which un- lina, however,are mostlydominated by #9-11 areold. The primarycoverts, head doubtedlyshortened the learningtime. the warm Gulf Stream, which may ac- and neck are in heavymolt, the body in LEACH'S STORM-PETREL countfor the high percentageof inshore light molt, and the tail feathers are all records of this bird (see Lee and Booth new. Otherspecimens are from springor HEREARE SURPRISINGLYFEW REC- 1979). M•ny Leach's we encounterare fall have no observablemolt patternal- ORBS for Leach's Storm-Petrels from movingrapidly north or southduring mi- though most are immature.Cramp and North Carolina.Locally, it is essentially gration. Nevertheless,we have also en- Simmons(1977) andAinley et al. (1976) a transientwith a recordedspring migra- countered, well within the Gulf Stream statethat somebody-feather molt startsat tion periodfrom May 12 to June25. In and even in the summermonths, individ- the end of the breedingcycle, the tail and the fall the specieshas been seen from ual birds that did not seemto be actively wing feathersmolting soonafter. Adults betweenSeptember 16 andthe first week migrating.Excluding two storm-wrecked blown ashorein Europebetween October of November. An August 21, 1980, individuals,there are only four specimen andNovember exhibit early stagesof tail specimenrecord (NCSM 8770) is of an records for North Carolina. and primary molt. The main molt occurs adult bird, which I assumed was a va- On December 5, 1978, I observed a from Novemberthrough February in the grantthat had left its breedingarea early storm-petrelthat probablywas this spe- winteringareas. A similarcycle exists for as a result of nest failure (see information cies, and one was seen from the Chesa- Pacific birds(Ainley et al. 1976). Non- below on molt). However, several birds peake Bay Bridge-Tunnel,Virginia, on breeders, and I assumethis includes indi- were seen(and one collected) on July 19, January 10, 1971 (Am. Birds 25:558). viduals with nestingfailures, may start 1983, andI suspectthe speciesis more AnotherLeach's was seenoff OregonIn- primary molt betweenAugust and Sep- common in the summer than our few re- let on April 2, 1984. However, lack of tember. The molting August 21 speci- cords indicate. The National Museum sufficient offshore winter observations men, is an adult bird (based on lack of has two summer specimen records-- makesany statementconcerning the win- bursaand gonad size) so apparentlyits

Volume 38, Number 2 157 presenceoff North Carolinain the sum- waterthat is muchdeeper The few visits Dixon 1973, in Cramp and Simmons mer resultedfrom an early nestingfrol- I have made to the area have not revealed 1977),and an old reportof largenumbers ure. Its molt is well advancedbeyond any noticeabledifference in composition off Guinea in May (Bannemaan1914) what one would expectfor the time of of the bird fauna, but the number and However, the speciesis common and year. diversityof marinemammals, particular- widespreadin the SouthernHemisphere, Food habits of Leach's Storm-Petrels ly large whales, is strikingly different eventhough it alsonests at relativelyfew havebeen discussed or studiedby various from what is routinely observedin the locationsin that region. authors,with the findingscompiled most deep-waterareas in the Gulf Stream. A single Soft-PlumagedPetrel was recentlyby Cramp and Simmons(1977) Since the Hatterasregion is, to date, the seen off OregonInlet on June 3, 1981 and Clapp et al. (1982). Little infomaa- southernmost recorded area of occur- (35ø13'N, 74ø51'W). The bird was over tlon is availableabout specific food hab- rencefor Pelagodromain thewestern At- 1000-fathom-deepwater having a surface its. Four stomachs I examined all con- lantic, and since there are a number of temperatureof 75.6øF. It lookedslightly tained food items or traces of food items. sightingsin late summer and fall off larger than any of several Audubon's All contained remains of small fishes; statesto the north, I suspectthat this deep Shearwatersflying nearit. The bird flew one stomachhad 10 otoliths(2-8 in diam- "green-water" area off northeastNorth fromleft to right40 to 50 yardsin frontof eter). Legs of a small anthropodand a Carolina representsthe White-faced the boat and was studied well. It exhibit- small squid beak were presentin one. Storm-Petrel's southernmost area of nor- ed a Pterodroma"roller coaster"flight One bird had recentlyconsumed a pink, mal occurrence,and that strayswill be pattern,banking first oneway and then 15-mm ctenophoreand one had two 12- encounteredonly rarelysouth of the Hat- another so that both the dorsal and ventral mm jellyfish, very likely the pelagichy- teras area. surfaces were viewed. The ventral sur- droid Velella. A pieceof threadapproxi- On August28, 1981 a singlebird was face was exposedwhen the bird was di- mately 110 mm long was also in one seen and photographedover deep water rectlyin front of the boat. The arcsin the stomach.The presenceof ctenophores off Cape Hatteras,and two were seenon flight were not nearlyas high as thoseof and hydroidsin the stomachsis mostin- October9, but detailshave not yet been Black-cappedPetrels seen on the same teresting.Although they have not pre- published.The large numberof survey day, but like Black-cappedPetrels, one viously been reportedsuch food items tripsoff Hatterasfurther supports the idea wing or the otherwas pointeddown as would probablybe digestedso quickly that this storm-petreldoes regularly oc- the bird flew. The followingfield marks that it would be difficult to assess how cur here, but the regularityof its occur- were observed:wing profile pointed, regularlythey are consumed. rencein thearea described above is yet to crooked; underwingsdark, darkest on Stomachs of Leach's Storm-Petrels be determined. leadingedges but not pronounced;ven- were larger than those of the Band- The one stomach I examined contained tral surfaceof bodywhite with a visible, Rumpedand basedon eye-lensand oto- the partial skeletonof a small fish and seemingly complete, dark neck/breast lith size, prey was somewhatlarger. Ex- 6 + marine water striders, Halobates mi- band; dorsalsurface of body and wings cept for the "jellyfishes" no intactfood cana. The latter food items were not gray, large pale romp andtail; headand itemswere presentin anyof the Oceano- foundin any of the otherstorm-petrols I facewith somewhite pattern, with a dark droma I examined. have examined. No detailed food studies eye streak, and different from that of havebeen conducted for thisstoma-petrel Black-cappedPetrel, though not well and all of the incidentalreports of food studied.The bird hada compact,heavy- WHITE-FACED STORM-PETREL have come from the Southern Hemi- lookingbuild for its size. sphere. We attemptedto pursuethe bird but LTHOUGHTHERE ARE SEVERAL addi- were unsuccessful. In addition to 12 tional records of White-faced Stoma- Black-cappedPetrels, one other gadfly Petrelsto reportsince 1979 (seeLee and GADFLY PETRELS petrelwas seenthe sameday. Although Booth 1979), I do have some specula- not well studied, it was believed not to be tions on their area of occurrence. Two of SOFT-PLUMAGED PETREL a Black-capped,and wasnear enough to North Carolina's non-storm-related rec- the original sightingto have been the ords are from east-northeastof Oregon EWREPORTS OFTHE Soft-plumaged same individual as described above Inlet. All but three of my 95 offshore Petrel are available away from its I am well awareof theproblems asso- trips, and all trips by othersoff North breeding areas, and this specieshas not ciatedwith at-seaidentifications, particu- Carolina,have beensouth of OregonIn- previously been recorded from North larly for Pterodroma, and I would be let and usuallyinto the Gulf Stream.To America. It is one of the least known hesitantto reportthis sightingif it were the northeastof Oregon Inlet is a deep seabirdsin the North Atlantic, with small not for the fact thatthe pale morph of P "green-water" zone, which normally populationshaving staggeredbreeding mollisis sodistinctively marked and that lies inshore of the influence of the Gulf seasonson varioussubtropical islands in what I observedso closely matches illus- Stream(see Fig. 1). The two birds col- the easternNorth Atlantic (Madeira, ca. trationsand descriptionsstudied subse- lected, and a few other less detailed re- 50 pairs;Desertas, 45-50 pairs;and Cape quently.The darkunderwing alone rules portsfrom boatcaptains, have come from Verde Islands, 100 pairs; various outall otherAtlantic species. I would like this region in the late summerand fall sources).The extentof the marinerange to say that additionalfield charactersare during a period when migratingWhite is unknown,and there are only four pe- alsomentioned in theliterature (face pat- Marlin (Tetraœturusalbidus) regularly in- lagic reports:two southwestof the Ca- tern, scaly-lookingforehead, and mottled habitthe area.The speciesprobably does nary Islands, September(Bourne 1955); sides),but frankly I didn't seethem It not occur in less than 100 fathoms of one off Guinea,April (Bourne1965); one should also be stated that several races of water,and would typically be ex13ected in off Mauritania, September(Bourne and P. mollis have been recognized,and it

158 AmericanBirds, March-Aprfi 1984 would be unwise to speculatewhether relatedto age,sex, or molt sequence(Lee Consideringtheir proximity to Bermuda, this individual came from a North Atlan- unpubhshed)Based on the study of a the rich feedinggrounds found off North tic or SouthAtlantic race. Both popula- substantialseries of specimensit is ap- Carolinawould certainlybe logicalfor- tion centers and their recorded marine parentthat Black-cappedPetrels are ex- agingareas for thesebirds. rangesare well removedfrom the west- tremelypolymorphic or thatthe birds off The day the bird in questionwas seen ern North Atlantic,and dispersal behav- the North Carolina coast are recruited the surface water was coo1•8.3 ø and ior or dispersalneeds may not be the from a numberof distinctbreeding popu- most species encounteredwere of same for different races. In fact Bourne lations.While it is not my intentto delve boreal-temperate affinities•ommon (1983) suggeststhat the P. mollis assem- deeplyinto this problem here, the situa- Loons (Gavia immer), Northern Ful- blageof theAtlantic is composed of three tionwill castdoubt upon all sightrecords mars,Red Phalaropes (Phalaropus• fult- distinctspecies--P. mollisnesting in the of Bermuda Petrels off our coast. Black- carius),various jaegers and gulls. Publi- SouthernHemisphere and P. feae andP. cappedPetrels range from large (590+ cation of this record will not and should madeiranesting in the NorthernHemi- gm) birds with classicblack caps, wide not warrant consideration for Ptero- sphere.Bourne (1967) givesa goodac- distinctive collars, and conspicious dromacahow as a partof thedocumented countof long-rangevagrancy in Ptero- "rump" patches,to small(350 gm) birds North America fauna. droma. with little developmentof white collars and/or"rump" patches.Thus the small- HERALD PETREL BLACK-CAPPED PETREL estand darkest would approach a Bermu- da Petrel in both size and, from a dis- DARK-PHASEHERALD PETREL, for- ECAUSEOFMY INTEREST inthe Black- tance, appearance. merly South Trinidad Petrel, was cappedPetrel (Pterodroma hasitata), The bird in questionwas seen well, sightedby StevePlatania and me on Au- I have from time to time summarized the andclose enough that it couldeasily have gust21, 1980, ca. 57 miles southwestoff knowninformation concerning the local beencollected, and certainly would have Oregon Inlet (35ø28'N, 74ø43'W), in occurrenceof this bird (Lee and Booth beenif the species'total populationwas over 1000 fathomsof water. This repre- 1979). This speciesoccurs off North not knownto be so small. The apparent sents the third record for North America Carolina at all seasons,but it appears BermudaPetrel was considerably smaller The otherrecords are specimens,one in most commonly in May, October, and than a Northern Fulmar (Fulmarus gla- the samearea on August20, 1978 (Lee December. Of my sightings, 85-95% cialis) that was in view at the sametime. 1979) and an inland storm-wreckedindi- have been in deep-waterareas (500- The bird looked smaller than the smallest vidualin Ithaca,New York, on August !,000 + fathoms),in spitethe fact that Black-cappedPetrels I haveseen or col- 26, 1933 (Allen 1934). The 1980 bird well over 50% of my observationtime lected, and there was no white on the was seenas it glidedabout 20 feet from hasbeen in shallowerwaters. The species neck or rump. The headlooked propor- our cruisingboat. On my earlierencoun- is seldom seen over water less than 100 tionallysmall, andI assumethis was be- ter with thisspecies, "chum" for attract- fathomsdeep, and the limited amountof causethe bill was smallby comparison. ing birds was present.This individual time I have spent in water much over The black on the underwing seemed flew in at 15-20feet to "inspect"an Au- 1000 fathomssuggests that it is not com- muchmore pronounced, covered a great- dubon'sShearwater I hadjust collected mon in extremelydeep areas. During the er area, and/orwas arrangeddifferently andthat was floating on the surface.The summermonths, at least, it occursinside thanin P. hasitata.The facepattern was bird banked, half-circled the boat, and theGulf Streamin deep-waterzones, but not well studied, but there was at least flew off, allowinggood views from the here is not particularlycommon. (In one some white between the hood and the front,a three-quarterprofile, ventral sur- of my earlierpapers I suggestedthat this beak (well within the rangeof variation face, andrear. The bird hadjaeger-like specieswas confined to theGulf Stream.) of dark hasitata). Additionally, the tail paleflash-marks on the undersidesof the mayhave been shorter; at leastthe overall primaries,similar to thoseof the 1978 BERMUDA PETREL flight profile of the bird was different specimenI have described(Lee 1979) fromthat of Black-cappedPetrels. This is Thereis no questionas to the identityof ONAPRIL 18, 1983, I saw abird that I actuallythe secondor third bird I have this bird. Both of the Herald Petrels I stronglysuspect was a BermudaPe- seenof thistype, but theonly one I was haveobserved flew with minimalwing- trel (Cahow). The sighting was at able to studyclosely. The bird certainly flappingand with wingsparallel to the 35ø18'N 74ø45'W, over water more than looked different from the 1000 + Black- water's surface,and they did not exhibit 1,000 fathomsdeep. The overall small cappedPetrels I haveseen during the last the high-archedsoaring and the cadence sizeand dark coloration strongly suggest- nine years. or depthof wing beatstypical of other ed thatthis bird was not a Black-capped The abovedescription was forwarded Pterodroma species. At least seven Petrel.I reportthis record with someres- to David Wingate, BermudaConserva- Black-cappedPetrels were observedthe ervation.Perhaps the only merit in this tion Officer, who concurredthat the de- sameday, and underidentical wind and discussionis to alert studentsof pelagic scriptionfits that of a BermudaPetrel. To sea conditions, these birds did not have birds to the likelihood of the Bermuda date there are no verified records of P. the flight profile of the Herald Petrel Petrel occurrence off North America and cahow at sea, so there is little with which Flight patternand the bird's directap- theseemingly impossible problem of sol- this recordcan be compared.Wingate proachto boatsmay be good clues in id visual verification. statedthat the colonyhe hasbeen closely identifyingthis species,especially •n First, the problem.The Black-capped monitoringhas been steadilyincreasing view of their variableplumages. Petrels we encounter off the North Caro- overthe last few years.Although the spe- On July 18, 1983, Benton Basham, lina coastdisplay remarkable variation in cies remainsquite rare, the chancesof Mary Kay Clark, Ron Naveen,and I saw size and markings.This variationis not encounteringthese birds is increasing. a jaeger-likebird, which we watchedfor

Volume 38, Number 2 159 Figure4, Headprofiles of Black-capped Petrels, showing plumage variation from dark (NCSM 7551, top) to light (NCSM 7752, bottom). Note variationin bill shape.Drawing/R. Kuhler.

160 America.n Birds, March-April 1984 Figure$. Dorsaland ventral color variation in theBlack-capped Petrel. Bird at top(NCSM 7551) representsa darkextreme in pigmentation, bird at bottom(NCSM 7552) representsa light extreme.See textfor details.Drawings/R. Kuhler.

Volume 38, Number 2 161 severalminutes The bird in questaonwas than currentlybelieved residentand abundant migrant Recorded dark on the breast,body, andwings, but from March 8 to October 20, but com- SUMMARY we were too distantto distinguishwhite mon only betweenApril and mid-Sep- flash-marksin the wings. We initially tember.Found at all depths,occasionally suspectedit to be a darkjaeger; but as it REESPECIES OFGADFLY PETRELS and even close to shore, but most common flew off, it exhibiteda protractedsoaring ur speciesof storm-petrelshave within a few miles of the 100-fathom now been documented from the Hatteras flight and flew at an intermediateheight contour. (10-15 feet) above the sea, which sug- area of North Carolina (Lee and Booth, gested it could have been this Ptero- 1979; andthis report). It is alsolikely that White-facedStorm-Petrel (Pelagodroma the Bermuda Petrel occurs here. Al- droma. Based on flight behavior and marina). Temperate. Five recordsbe- speedthe bird certainlywas not a jaeger. thougha goodobservational data base is tweenAugust 31 and October2. This is a The sightingwas within a quarter-mileof not availablefor all of thesespecies, it deep-waterspecies expected to occur the 1000-fathom contour, at 35ø22'N and seemsappropriate to makesome specula- southof Hatterasarea only as an occa- 74048 'W. tive commentsabout seasons of expected sional stray. The identificationproblem causedby occurrenceand ecologicaldistributions of these birds. In some cases, the latter initialjaeger-like appearance is consider- Leach's Storm-Petrel (Oceanodroma able. I have now accumulated a substan- can be supportedby similarobservations leucorhoa).Temperate, transequatorial Oal numberof summerjaeger sight and in other portionsof the species'range. migrant and potential rare winter resi- specimenrecords (mostly Pomarine) as All are pelagic, and several exhibit dent.Essentially a springand fall migrant marked local zonation in offshore distri- well as one summerspecimen record of a (May-June and September-November) SootyShearwater (Puffinus griseus). The butions.In fact manyof the mostinterest- Severalsummer records exist. A poten- erraticflight patternand flight silhouette ing recordshave come from areasaround tial winterresident. Although this bird is of the SootyShearwater should eliminate the 1000-fathom contour zone. Local dif- considereda cool-temperatewater spe- any confusionin that directionif the bird ferencesin watertemperature, on the oth- cies,it is alsofound in the deepwaters of can be observedfor any period of time. er hand, seemto havelittle impacton the theGulf Stream.Presently available rec- marine distribution of these birds. The The potential confusionwith jaegers is ords exhibit no indication of marked difficult to comprehend. The deep, terms temperate,subtropical, and tropi- zones of occurrence. steadyfalcon-like wing beatsof jaegers cal applyhere to the species'worldwide in typical flight and the fact that they distribution,exclusive of migrationperi- Band-rumped Storm-Petrel (Oceano- od. normallyfly 15-20 feet higherthan the dromacastro). Tropical. Disperses wide- Herald Petrels I have observed would ly from breedingislands. Uncommon but Black-cappedPetrel (?terodroma hasi- seemingly separatethem. On the other regular summer resident observed be- tata). Tropical-subtropical.Disperses hand, I havenot yet seena HeraldPetrel tween May 30 and August 20 in deep exhibitingthe typicalroller-coaster flight widely from known nesting areas but warm offshore waters over 500 fathoms profile of Black-cappedPetrels, and its generally recognizedas a non-migrant. extendedhorizontal wing positiondoes Common to abundant at all seasons. Peak PERSPECTIVE not suggestin my mind what a Ptero- countsin May, October,and December. dromashould look like. This is probably Characteristic of the 500-1000 fathom an artifact of my very provincialfield zone, less common between 100-500 theNPREVIOUS relatively STUDIESrich foragingIhave inferredgrounds thatoff experiences.It is thereforeinformative to fathoms and past 1000 fathoms. Most the Outer Banks of North Carolina ac- note that other experiencedobservers of records are in the Gulf Stream, but the countsfor a rich speciesdiversity of ma- seabirdsalso at first mistookthe July 18 speciesoccurs in otherdeep-water areas rine birdsand that assigning the statusof bird for a dark jaeger. in summer. accidentalor vagrant to even the rarer Herald Petrelshave beenreported dis- speciesmight not be appropriate.As I persingnorth of the subtropicalconver- Bermuda Petrel (Pterodroma cahow). becomemore familiar with thevariability gence in the Pacific (Rumboll and Jehl Subtropical(?). Distribution at sea un- of the local marine micro-environments 1977), andthe graduallyincreasing num- known. One tentativeApril record.Pres- resultingfrom currents,water tempera- ber of recordsin the North Atlanticsug- enceof speciesoff North America needs ture, season,and depth, it is apparentthat geststhat the SouthTrinidad Island popu- confirmation. thesefactors combine with seaproductiv- lation alsois not, aspreviously believed, ity and accountfor the area's ability to sedentary.Two old recordsfrom the east- Herald Petrel (Pterodroma arminjon- providea dramaticspecies diversity The ernNorth Atlantic, at Cheshire,England, iana). Tropical. Two or three North Hatterasarea has long beenregarded as a April 1908, (P. neglecta), and off the Carolina summerrecords July 18 (?) and biological Mason-Dixon Line between Cardigancoast, Wales, 1889 (P. leucop- August 20 and 21. All sightingsfrom boreal and tropical maritime elements tera), are likely to representP. arminjon- deep water in Gulf Stream. While thesefaunal elements are support- tana. The specimensare not available ed andtransported by majoroceanic cur- and since both speciesidentified are Soft-plumagedPetrel (Pterodromamol- rents, the latitudinal position is one of tropical Pacific birds the recordsare not lis). Subtropical-temperate.One June temperate seas. Thus, the seabirds as acceptable. Interestingly, as early as record from over 1000 fathoms. well as marine mammals are often simul- 1914 authorsstarted suggesting that the taneouslyrepresented by temperate,bor- speciesinvolved was probably P. armin- Wilson's Storm-Petrel( Oceanitesocean- eal, and subtropicalspecies all within a joniana. Thus Herald Petrels may be icus). Temperate-boreal,transequatorial relativelysmall geographicalarea. Dur- more wide rangingin the North Atlantic migrant. Commonto abundantsummer ing the springand fall, migrantspecies

162 AmericanBirds, March-Aprfi 1984 alsocontribute to the diversity Perhapsit Potter,Wayne Irvin, RonNaveen, David 1983b Seabirds an ldentxfication is importantto note that the area, al- Wingate.Captain Harry Baum, Jo-Boy guide. HoughtonMifflin CompanyBos- thoughrich in foodresources, is for the II, of the OregonInlet charterfishing ton. 448 pp. HARRIS, M.P. 1969. The biologyof storm mostpart unoccupied and unexploited by fleet, was mostcooperative and was al- petrelsin the GalapagosIslands. Proc locallynesting seabirds. Thus, while the wayswilling to providethe extraeffort Calif. Acad. Sci., 4th Ser. 37:95-166. Hatteras offshorearea does not support thatoften made a majordifference in the LEE, D.S. 1979. Second record of the South thepredictable biomass of say,the Grand overall successof the trips. R. Kuhler Trinidad Petrel (Pterodroma arminjon- Banksduring the summer months, it does preparedthe illustrationsof the storm- iana) for North America. Am. Birds boastthe largestdocumented species di- petrels.Funding, in part,was supplied by 33(2):138-139 __ and J. BOOTH, JR. 1979. Seasonaldis- the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (New versity of pelagic seabirds(Lee and tributionof offshoreand pelagicbirds in Booth 1979) and marine mammals (see Orleans Field Stations Belle Chasse and North Carolina waters. Am. Birds 33(5) Lee et al. 1982) in the westernNorth Slidell, Louisiana)Contract Nos. 14-16- 715-721. Atlantic.The gadfly and storm-petrels of 0009-80-044 and 92375-0312-82. This is __, J. B. FUNDERBURG, and M. K theregion appear to bea goodexample of contribution 1984-10 of the North Caroli- CLARK. 1982. A DistributionalSurvey of North Carolina Mammals. Occasional Pa- thecomplex seasonal and ecological 'dis- na Biological Survey. tnbutions of birds off Hatteras. North persof theNorth Carolina Biological Sur- vey 1982-10.70 pp. Carolinacurrently represents the north- MURPHY, R. C. 1936. Oceanic Birds of ernmost area of normal occurrence for South America. Vols I and II. Amer. Mus two species(Band-rumped Storm-Petrel LITERATURE CITED Nat. Hist. New York. xvix, 1245 pp. NY and Black-cappedPetrel), the southern- ALLEN, A. A. 1934. A new bird for North XVIX, 124 pp. most for one species (White-faced America. Univ. of the State of N.Y. Bull. NAVEEN, R. 1981-1982. Storm-petrelsof Storm-Petrel),and the only areafor non- to the Schools20(13):134-135. the World: an introductoryguide to their identification.Birding 13:216-239;14:10- storm-related occurrence in North Amer- ALLEN, R. G. 1962. The Madeiran Storm Peterel Oceanodroma castro. Ibis 103b: 15, 56-62, 140-147. ica for two, possiblythree, species (Her- 274-295. OBERHOLSER, H. C. 1974. The Bird Life aid Petrel, Soft-plumagedPetrel and AINLEY, D. G., T. J. LEWIS, and S. MOR- of Texas. Vol I. Univ. of Texas Press, possiblyBermuda Petrel). The remaining RELL. 1976. Molt in Leach's and Ashy Austin Texas. 530 pp. two speciesare transequatorialmigrants Storm-Petrels.Wilson Bull. 88(1):76-95. PETERSON, R. T. 1980. A Field Guide to andrange along the entireEast Coast of AUSTIN, O. L. 1952. Noteson somepetrels the Birds East of the Rockies.Houghton the United States. It is clear that the birds of the North Pacific. Bull. Mus. Comp. Mifflin Company.Boston. 384 pp. Zool. 107(7):391-407. ROWLETT, R. A. 1980. Observationsof ma- discussedhere are not evenlyor random- rine birds and mammals in the Northern BANNERMAN, D. A. 1914. The distribution ly distributedoff ourcoast; this applies to and identification of the Tubinares in the ChesapeakeBight. U.S. Fishand Wildlife bothgeography and season, but identifi- North AtlanticIslands. Ibis. (10)2:438-94. Service, Biological Services Program cationof factorsreponsible for localdis- BOURNE, W. R. P. 1955. The bird of the FWS 10BS-80104.February 1980.87 pp tributions will be difficult. As one astute CapeVerde Islands. Ibis. 97:508-56. RUMBOLL, M. A. E. and J. R. JEHL, JR __. 1965. Observations of seabirds. Sea 1977. Observationson pelagicbirds in the studentinquired: "How do the birds South Atlantic Ocean in the Austral Swallow 17:10-39. knowhow deep the water is?" Theacces- Spring.Trans. San Diego Soc. Nat. Hist sibfiity of the offshore Hatteras area __. 1967. Long-distancevagrancy in the petrels.Ibis 109(2):141-167. 19(1)1-16. makesit a practicalstudy site; the combi- __.. 1983. The Soft-plumagedPetrel, the SCOTT, D. A. 1970. The breedingbiology of nation of marine factors discussed above Gon-gonand the Freira, Pterodromamol- the Storm Petrel, Hydrobatespelagicus makesit a fortunateone. Ecologicalpat- lis, P. feae, and P. madeira. Bull. Brit. Ph.D. thesis,Oxford University. ternsdocumented here should eventually Orn. Cl. 103(2):52-58. SHULER, J. 1973. First SouthCarolinian rec- ord of Harcourt's Storm Petrel. Chat BROWN, R. G. B. 1980. Flight characteris- provideneeded insight and clarification 37:78. •nto micro-distributional factors for other tics of Madeiran Petrel. Brit. Birds 73:263-264. TUCK, G. S. and H. HEINZEL. 1978. A Field Guide to the Seabirds of Britain and portionsof the species'ranges. CLAPP, R. B., R. C. BANKS, D. MOR- the World. London. GAN-JACOBS, and W. A. HOFFMAN. 1982. Marine birds of the Southeastern United States and Gulf of Mexico. Part I ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Gaviiformes through Pelecaniformes. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of I THANKSteven P. Platania,E. Wayne Biological Services, Washington, D.C. Irvin, Mary Kay Clark, Gilbert S. FWS/DBS-82/01.637 pp. Grant (all of NCSM) for assistanceon the CRAMP, S. and K. E. L. SIMMONS (eds). 1977. Birds of the Western Palearctic. above-mentionedtrips. AdditionallyIr- VolumeI. Oxford. 722 pages. North CarolinaState Museum of vin generouslyshared sighting of storm- CROSSIN, R. S. 1974. The Storm-Petrels petrelshe made off Beaufort. George (Hydrobatidae).Pp. 154-205 in W. B. Natural History,P.O. Box 27647, Watson,.USNM, and Will Post,Charles- King (Ed). PelagicSeabirds in the Central Raleigh, North Carolina 27611. ton Museum,arranged for loanof critical and Eastern Pacific Ocean. Smithsonian specimens.J. ChristopherHaney (Uni- Contr.Zool. No. 158. 277 pp. versityof Georgia)provided useful infor- HANEY, J. C. inpress.Previously unrecord- ed andhypothetical species of seabirdson mationfrom his offshoreGeorgia stud- Georgia'sContinental Shelf. Oriole. 1es The followingpeople all provided HARRISON, P. 1983a. Identification of usefulcomments concerning this discus- White-rumped North Atlantic Petrels. sion andto eachI am grateful:Eloise F. Brit. Birds 76:161-174.

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