Smew Research Articles

On the consistency of a slight (?) Modification of quine'sMew Foundations

On the consistency of a slight (?) Modification of quine'sMew Foundations

Winter bird survey of lakes Izu and Uchi, Miyagi, with special reference to the waterfowl

Results of bird survey, especially of waterfowl, made at Lakes Izu and Uchi in Miyagi Prefecture, N. Honshiu, during January to March, 1965 and November, 1965 to March, 1966, are described. 69 species of 25 families of birds have been recorded. These comprise 28 resident species, 36 winter visitants, 3 wanderers and 3 transients, and 38 species of these were shore birds and waterfowl. The most abundant was Anser albifrons which was counted up to 1, 500 individuals. Among others there were: Cygnus cygnus whose highest number was 460 on February, 1966; Cygnus columbianus recorded up to 109 but decreased to ca. 50 in early February, 1966; Anser fabalis with the usual number about 50; Mergus merganser which reached 200 on January 17, 1965 and Mergus albellus about 20. Rare species included: one Anser caerulescens observed during February 24 and March 17, 1965; one Anser erythropus observed on February 18, 1966; one Circus cyaneus seen on February 24, 1965 and March 22, 1965 and one Anser albifrons gambelli confirmed by photo on February 18, 1966. This last species has previously been only recorded in 1925 from Lake Tega, Chiba Prefecture, and recently observed at Fukuda-machi, Sendai by Mr. Sato (unpublished) in December, 1964. Haliaeetus albicilla was often observed. Wintering periods, local distribution and movements of main species of waterfowl on the two lakes are mentioned.

Abreeding record of Mergus albellus at Wakasakanai, Hokkaido

No breeding record for Smew, Mergus albellus Linné, has hitherto been known in Japan ("A Hand-List of Japanese Birds", 4th edition, 1958). Reported here are : 1. Six adults and 5 young were observed at Wakasakanai, the northern part of Hokkaido, July 1, 1961. 2. The pond, where Smews were observed, was in fir forest and about 50m. in diameter. Carex curvicollis and its allies were on the watersurface.

The Edibility of Birds: Illustrated by Five Years' Experiments and Observations (1941–1946) on the Food Preferences of the Hornet, Cat and Man;and considered with Special Reference to the Theories of Adaptive Coloration

The Edibility of Birds: Illustrated by Five Years' Experiments and Observations (1941–1946) on the Food Preferences of the Hornet, Cat and Man;and considered with Special Reference to the Theories of Adaptive Coloration

A Wild Cross between Glaucionetta clangula clangula (Linnæus) and Mergus albellus (Linnæus): some Endocrine and Anatomical Features

A Wild Cross between Glaucionetta clangula clangula (Linnæus) and Mergus albellus (Linnæus): some Endocrine and Anatomical Features

The Use of Startling Colours and Noises

LAST January a friend showed me a smew (Mergus albellus) shot on the Dee, near Chester, the crop of which he had found be full of young flat-fish. He called attention to the dazzling whiteness of the bird's breast, and suggested that it must frighten the fish, and so be a disadvantage to it. A little consideration showed that the effect would be precisely the reverse. As long as the flat-fish remains at rest, its colouring assimilates so closely to the sand on which it lies, and with which it partly covers itself, that it would not be easily seen by the smew. But if, startled by the white object flashing down on it from above, it moves, it is seen at once, and of course captured. Anybody who has ever collected small insects, such as beetles, will admit the truth of this at once.