HI observations of blue compact galaxies from the first and second Byurakan surveys

We present the results of a neutral hydrogen survey of 79 galaxies from a s tatistical sample of 88 Blue Compact Galaxies (BCGs) selected from the Firs t and Second Byurakan objective prism surveys to have a HII region-like spe ctrum, an equivalent width of the [O III] lambda 5007 line larger than simi lar to 50 Angstrom, and a velocity less than or equal to 6000 km s(-1). The detection rate for the statistical sample is 74%. HI masses range between 4 10(7) M-. and 5 10(9) M-. with the HI mass distribution peaking at 3 10(8 ) M-.. The full width at half-maximum of the KI profile varies between simi lar to 30 km s(-1) and 160 km s(-1), with a mean of similar to 92 km s(-1). These small widths are characteristic of dwarf galaxies. For comparison, p ie have also observed an additional 92 BCGs with weaker star formation and/ or larger distances, and/or interesting astrophysical properties. These in general have larger widths and HI masses.