Relationships between egg size, chick size at hatching, and chick survival in the Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus

摘要: The relationships between egg size, chick size at hatching and survival in Whimbrels Numenius phaeopus were studied over a three-year period the Shetland Isles. Three measurements of all positively correlated with volume, though relationship was strongest hatchling body-weight. In two three years proportion chicks from brood which survived to fledging increased significantly mean weight brood. Within broods, significant effect on detectable only up 7 days after hatching. Between volumes weights individual female showed relatively little variability, indicating that these attributes could be controlled large extent by inheritance.