FEAT DEPOSITS AND THICK-BILLED MURRE COLONIES IN HUDSON-STRAIT AND NORTHERN HUDSON-BAY - CLUES TO POSTGLACIAL COLONIZATION OF THE AREA BY SEABIRDS

Deposits of pear moss are found in association with several major seab ird colonies in the area of Hudson Strait and northern Hudson Bay. Bec ause such deposits are absent from similar ground away from seabird co lonies, they seem to have developed as a result of manuring by the bir ds. Consequently dates for the base of the peat provide minimum dates for the establishment of the bird colonies. Dates obtained at three co lonies suggest that they were established 1500-3800 years ago, well af ter the opening up of Hudson Strait. The colony at Akpatok Island, in Ungava Bay, was established earlier than the two colonies farther west , at Digges and Coats Islands, which accords with the idea that coloni zation of the region took place from the Atlantic.