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The maJonty of the chapters in this volume are structured to include a balance between literature review, original data, and synthesis. The research approaches taken by the authors are generallyof two kinds. One centers on the long-term, in-depth study of a single species in which many aspects of its natural history are examined in detail. The other is a comparative one which involves investigating particular questions by examining species or by comparing groups of species that may include taxonomic andjor ecological affinities. Most of the chapters concern obvious aspects of breeding behavior including habitat selection, the effects of age on breeding, communication, mating systems, synchrony of breeding activities, development of behavior, prefledging parental care, and postfledging parental care. Of these topics, many relate directly to the advantages and disadvantages of coloniality-a conspicuous behavior pattern in marine birds. As such, they provide para.picuou for the further study of coloniality and the social behaviorof many other animals. Other important areas of marine bird breeding behavior (such as courtship behavior, antipredator behavior, information transfer) have not been included because of space limitations. Since man’s encroachment on the seashore and continental shelf poses certain threats to marine birds, a volume elucidating various aspects of their biology has multiple uses. As weil as being of value to ornithologists, the volume should be useful to managers involved with coastal planning.
