SWENNEN C & DUIVEN P (1982) Short announcements: On the behaviour of a Manx Shearwater Puffinus p. puffinus. LIMOSA 55 (4): 140-140.

Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus A Manx Shearwater was kept in an aviary (10 x 10 x 2.5 m3) for several days. The entire floor of the aviary consisted of a one meter deep basin. The bird was given Sprat Sprattus sprattus as food. By spreading its wings while keeping the flight feathers downwards, the shearwater could take off from the water without flapping, even when there was very little wind. The bird could hover against the wind for some time. but could not soar in the cage due to lack of adequate room. The bird searched for food either by swimming with an erect neck, by water trampling and searching in the created upward current, or by diving. For propulsion under water the bird only used its wings. Swimming under water was almost as fast as the cruising speed of a diving Guillemot Uria aalge. Usually a distance of 30-50 meter was covered under water during a single dive.

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