Abstract
SUMMARY (1) This study sets out to test the hypothesis of Jenkins, Murray & Hall (1975) that the size of the population of shelducks at Aberlady Bay, East Lothian, is regulated by competition for feeding space in the late winter flock, the formation of a dominance hierarchy and exclusion of subordinate birds. (2) The predictions of this hypothesis were tested, using individually marked birds, by removal and re-addition experiments, observations of aggressive interactions and feeding behaviour in the winter flock and of subsequent territoriality and breeding performance. (3) Experimental removals of birds from the winter flock were not followed by settlement of an equivalent number of birds, even though birds were passing through the area.
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