---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Wed, 4 May 1994 23:21:32 -0700 (PDT)
From: Frederick Sharpe <fsharpe at sfu.ca>
To: Dan Victor <dvictor at u.washington.edu>

Hello all,

I am currently conducting research on tool using behavior by whales,
primarily how they use bubbles and low frequency sounds to modify the
behavior of fish schools to make them easier to capture. During the course
of my studies, I have also been able to document the deployment of bubbles
by rhino auklets and common murres. These alcids use burst of bubbles to
apparently modify the flight trajectory of fish, or isolate fish from the
school where they can be more efficiently apprehended. Has anyone in
there travels or boat trips ever noticed the production of bubbles by
birds in associations with fish schools? There is some evidence that
marbled murrelets also utilize bubbles. I am currently conducting studies
at the Bamfield Marine Station on the west coast of Vancouver Island. I
am capturing schools of Pacific herring conducting bubbles tests. Does
anyone have any bird bubble observations they would like to share????

Cheers,

Fred Sharpe <fsharpe at sfu.ca>
Simon Frasier University
Vancouver, B.C.