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.

Four years ago we began soliciting articles for this volume from authors who were engaged in comprehensive research on whales. From the outset we decided not to limit the subject matter to behavior but to also include natural history. Much of what is known about the behavior of whales arose from studies whose principal aim was not behavior, much as it did for other animal groups before behavior was considered a distinct discipline. Thus in many of the articles behavior is closely intertwined with natural history and in others is completely overshadowed by a basic natural history approach. Our aim was to have the articles contain a review of the literature and include research findings not previously published. For all intents and purposes this aim has been realized, albeit perhaps not in as balanced a fashion in terms of species or subject matter as was originally planned. Nevertheless, we believe the articles present a wide range of informative works with a myriad of approaches and techniques represented. We are grateful to the contributors for their patience and understanding in awaiting publication, which has taken much longer than we originally expected. We are also grateful tor the assistance of a number of people, especially Julie Fischer and Lois Winn for their editorial efforts, and Jill Grover, Carol Samet, and Lois Winn for their help in indexing.

What have been brought together in these volumes are works represent ing a variety of modern quantitative studies on a select group of marine organisms. Some of the species studied here represent basic biological ex perimental subjects-in some cases, marine versions of the white rat and pigeon-that are being used for a wide range of studies. Other species studied were virtually unknown as experimental animals. The authors have studied their animals in considerable depth, often in both the field and the laboratory. It is this cross reference between real life and the artificial but controlled conditions of the laboratory which gives us the necessary understanding, and ultimately the means, for improving our rapidly deteriorating environment, a must for man's survival, maintenance, and improvement of the quality of living standards. A direct outgrowth of a AAAS symposium entitled "Recent Advances in the Behavior of Marine Organisms" held in December 1966, these vol umes include a reasonable balance between review and original unpublished research. Of the many persons who have made these volumes possible, we wish to especially thank Nancy Fish, Lois Winn, Mabel Trafford, and Deborah Brennan. The latter two accomplished most of the final editorial work. The personnel of Plenum Press were cooperative in all aspects of our rela tionship. Only the two editors are responsible for defects in the volumes. We believe the papers presented are significant and will be of importance to members of the scientific community.

What have been brought together in these volumes are works represent ing a variety of modern quantitative studies on a select group of marine organisms. Some of the species studied here represent basic biological ex perimental subjects-in some cases, marine versions of the white rat and pigeon-that are being used for a wide range of studies. Other species studied were virtually unknown as experimental animals. The authors have studied their animals in considerable depth, often in both the field and the laboratory. It is this cross reference between real life and the artificial but controlled conditions of the laboratory which gives us the necessary understanding, and ultimately the means, for improving our rapidly deteriorating environment, a must for man's survival, maintenance, and improvement of the quality of living standards. A direct outgrowth of a AAAS symposium entitled "Recent Advances in the Behavior of Marine Organisms" held in December 1966, these vol umes include a reasonable balance between review and original unpublished research. Of the many persons who have made these volumes possible, we wish to especially thank Nancy Fish, Lois Wino, Mabel Trafford, and Deborah Brennan. The latter two accomplished most of the final editorial work. The personnel of Plenum Press were cooperative in all aspects of our rela tionship. Only the two editors are responsible for defects in the volumes. We believe the papers presented are significant and will be of importance to members of the scientific community.