Totally OT but on St. Kilda off the north-west coast of Scotland the islanders
used to put fulmar oil on the umbilical stump of new-born babies and use it as a
muscle rub.. It was once thought that the high infant mortality rate of 50% was
due to tetanus carried in the fulmar oil but was most likely due to the high
prevalence of tetanus in the St. Kilda soil and poor hygiene. They also used the
fulmar oil in their lamps. A fascinating place and an amazing history.
Plumage damage by Fulmar oil is a probable cause of some mortality in Sea Eagles
and Peregrines.
See also http://www.newzealandecology.org/nzje/free_issues/ProNZES24_84.pdf
Warham, J. (1977) The incidence, functions and ecological significance of petrel
stomach oils. Proceedings Of The New Zealand Ecological Society, Vol. 24
Liz
--------------------------------------------------
From: "Alan Gillanders" <>
Sent: Wednesday, August 11, 2010 2:54 AM
To: "Liz" <>; "birding-aus" <>
Subject: Snow Petrel lumped with Squids
.. and Boobies can shoot from the rear! On Mornington Island I was raising a
Masked Booby and it threatened an approaching dog with the head down, bill
snapping threat. The dog paused and came on. this was repeated. Just as I raised
my hand to throw something at the dog, the bird spun around, let fly and gave
the black hound a white blaze. It was still howling when it went out of my
hearing some 250 metres away.
Regards,
Alan
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