LE3 .A278 1979

1979

Smith, Peter

Acadia University

Master of Science

Masters

Biology

Biology

The chronology of the breeding season, development of young, and territorial and feeding behaviour of the Eastern Willet catop trop horus se:mip a1matus se:mipalm:atus (Gmelin) were investigated at Port Hebert and Horton Landing, Nova Scotia. Three pairs were observed at Port Hebert in 1975. Data for four and three pairs were collected at Horton Landing in 1976 and 1977 respectively. Three types of intraspecific and four types of interspecific territorial behaviour are described. Overall, increases and decreases in the number of territorial events involving females and males respectively were noted as the breeding season progressed. Interspecific territorial behaviour increased markedly when young arrived on the marsh. Willet shore territories had unstable lateral boundaries and were largest when the young were on the marsh. These were used £or feeding and loafing by the adults and for foraging and cover by the young. ''---Nest sites were located within shore territories which possessed suitable habitat. Proportion of time spent feeding was greatest for females and males during the pre-egglaying phase. It declined thereafter. Females fed more than males with less success until young appeared on the marsh; at this time the trend reversed. The amount of time devoted to feeding was similar at different tidal stages.

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