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Between January 1965 and March 1967 4,926 observations were made on 20 species of petrel feeding in the Southern Ocean from the research ship USNS Eltanin. Most observations were made at night while the ship was stopped on oceanographic research stations. Observations were made possible by bright decklights, following birds with the powerful bridge lights, or under moonlight. Eleven feeding methods were distinguished. Most common were surface seizing [49.1%: used by 14 species), dipping (25.2%: 9 species), and surface plunging (c. 0.6%: 6 species). Seven species foraged entirely at night, and five fed by day only. Food recorded was chiefly crustaceans and squid. The submergence time and prey-handling time for some species are also given.