Hackman, C. Douglas, 1964-1965, 1967

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Hachem, C.D. 1967 Field Notes March 20 Lisianski Island Landed on the island around 9 am in the Whale boat. Spent until 1:30 p.m. making a complete island circuit with Eric + Ernie in order to census and tag seals + turtles. Returned to camp & ate a quick lunch before heading out to measure eggs. The thick growth of Scaevola made walking a chore, especially when combined with the large numbers of shearwater-petrel burrows on the island. The soil on the island in the firat sand I've encountered on any island and the burrows are in really. Nornally, as light as I am, I can skitter across the tops of burrow without carrying too many of them in. This was not true on Tofuya & certainly isn't true on the island. About halfway across the island a burrow caved in while I was measuring a Red-footed Booby egg and I cracked my knee against one of the Scaevolae. It's three turned black + blue almost immediately, but didn't hurt very much. Since that we were scheduled to leave the island at 5:00 pm, this wasn't time enough for a complete survey of the island or anything more than a cursory check of the various bird populations. In the 3 hrs I barely managed to run a fairly decent survey of the southern half of the island. Saw several Red-footed Boobies but couldn't capture them - both Red-footed Boobies. The whaleboat returned at 4:30 pm instead of at 5 pm as scheduled so I was unable to get more than 12 sets of Blue- faced Booby eggs measured. During the 3 hours I was able to get measurements of eggs + nest descriptions p. 17 Hawaiian Noddy, 20 Great Frigates, 26 Grey-b. Tern, 18 Red-footed Booby, 13 Blue- faced Booby & 1 Fairy Tern. Had to check over 200 nests for these measurements. The majority of Red-footed Boobies were in nests but only 18 birds, of 65 or nests checked, had eggs. Had to check 60 Great Frigates nests, to get 20 egg measurements. As with other island populations, on this trip, we are a little too sad. Most birds are on fresh or back incubated eggs. Seabirds Terns are similar but not down during the day. The Blue-faced Boobies are the exception to this statement. On Lisianski we found one large young and four (4) small diving young in addition to four nests with small naked chicks. Hachem, C.D. 1967 Field Notes March 20 Lisianski Island Vegetation was fairly lush, Crocrodia, Portulaca and Tribulus were all in full bloom. The coconut trees and dense growth of Scaevola were in good condition as were the two coconut trees (we drank the milk from two coconuts + planted another). During the island circuit we found several very small turtles which we tagged. These turtles could be easily picked up + carried by one man. Aside from the several we tagged as this five or six of similar size were observed in the water. We saw no sharks around the insular reef nor did John and Dick, who did a great deal of diving in several areas. When we returned to the ship we learned that they had seen what they described as "two hundred" around the ship. At least 25 had been shot with an M-2 rifle & had been seen to sink. The crew of the ship seemed to have enjoyed this day. We were back on the ship by 5:10 pm and heading for Pearl + Hermes by 6 pm. Sailed out at 8:15 p.m. March 21 Pearl & Hermes Reef (Next page)
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Itinerary - March Leeward Depart Honolulu 10:15am March 6 Arrive Nawiliwli Harbor 8:30 p.m. March 6 Depart Nawiliwli, Harbor 8:15 a.m. March 7 Arrive Nihoa Island 0530 March 8, laid on island 0945 Depart Nihoa Island 1040 March 9 Arrive Necker Island 10:40 March 10 Depart Necker Island 5:15pm March 10 Arrive French Frigate Shoals 8:30am March 11 Depart French Frigate Shoals 5pm March 14 Arrive Gardner Pinnacle 8:30 March 15 Depart Gardner Pinnacle 8:45 March 15 Arrive Laysan I. 8:30 March 16 laid, March 18 Depart Laysan I. 2:30p.m. March 19 Arrive Lisianski Is. 9:00am March 20 Depart Lisianski Is. 4:30pm March 20 Arrive Pearl + Hermes Reef March 21 10 am Depart Pearl + Hermes Reef March 23 2:30 pm Arrive Midway Island March 24 2:15 p.m. Depart Midway March 26 1630am Arrive Kure March 26 12:00 pm. Depart Kure March 30 3:30 pm. Arrive Midway March 30 3:55 pm Depart Midway April 1 4:45 pm. Midway Time Arrive Honolulu April 1 Harkman, C.D. 1967 Field Notes March 23 S.E. Pearl + Hermes Reef odd & sb: When we first arrived here we found a note from Clan Pollock who had come down from Midway by helicopter. It seems they were caught in the storm that blew our craft down and tried to spend the night on North Island inside the helicopter. They had stated toward Midway but were fired back by strong wind with... A plane had to fly down from Midway the next morning to drop fuel + oil in the choppers so they could make the return trip in the helicopter. This morning I saw an orange streaked frigate at close range flying up from an area in which a number of nest were located. I waited around the area but the bird did not return. It was impossible to determine if this bird was just loosing in company of the breeding birds or whether it was actually breeding on Southeast Re. Left the island to return to the ship at 2:30 pm, along with John and the major portion of our gear. Also Erich & Dick remained behind to spray the mustardweed in hopes of eradicating it. As soon as I got on the ship I unloaded my locker back into the trunk & tried to pack all of my gear before she returned with the boat. When she returned he saw an adult Ring - billed Gull + yelled for me to bring the shotgun. I was down in the forward solid packing my second trunk full of gear, no one seemed to know where I was - not that it made any difference since the shotgun + ammo were both stored down in the bottom of the first trunk that had been packed. At 6 pm. the ship pulled anchor + steamed toward Midway Island.
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Hardman, C.D. 1967 Species Account Laysan Albatross (Diomedea immutabilis) March 19 Laysan Island No estimate was made of chicks because of the early + unexpected departure from the island. Judging from what was seen this must be close to 30,000 or so chicks on the island. March 20 Lisianski Island No estimate made due to short visit + limited time for a survey. Population probably in several thousand adults with nesting. March 21-23 Southeast I., Pearl + Hermes Reef Chick count - 5300. Most nests off the beach crest into the interior of the island. March 22 Cross I., Pearl + Hermes Reef Chick count - 25. 350 nests had been abandoned on this island for an unknown reason. Nests eggs were everywhere. March 22 Seal I., Pearl + Hermes Reef Chick count 34. About 175 abandoned nests were found. March 22 Kittery I., Pearl + Hermes Reef Chick count - #0 48 March 16 North I., Pearl + Hermes Reef (counting chick) Chick count 500 made by Charles S. Robbins. Hardman, C.D. 1967 Species Account Laysan Albatross (Diomedea immutabilis) March 24-25 Midway Atoll This species is everywhere one looks: on lawns, on the golf course, under thick vegetation, on the runways, on the roads etc. etc. Impossible to even begin guessing at the total population. No time to survey little island in anything other than a haphazard manner. March 26-30 Green I., Kure Atoll Started checking the interior for Laysan chicks in the afternoon of the 27th but was stopped by winds + rain for several hours. See map on next page with comparison of these totals with those obtained by Charles S. Robbins on 9-10 February 1967. On the morning of the 27th on the west end of the runway near the bird park I found an extremely small Laysan chick. It was 3½ inches high sitting relaxed (head down) and 6" long (sitting). The legs were completely covered with down. It was being brooded by a female adult who first found.
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Hachman, C.D. 1967 Wedge-tailed Shearwater (Puffinus pacificus) March 20 Lisianski Island None observed during a daylight visit (9-5) March 21-23 Southeast Is., Pearl + Hermes Reef About 40-50 birds roosting on the island at night and in the early morning. Not my normal pattern of pursuit. A few birds found exploring burrows. Most paired at present. March 22 Gross Is., Pearl + Hermes Reef None observed. Burrows on island show no sign of fresh digging. March 27 Seal Island, Pearl + Hermes Reef None observed. Burrows present on island but no signs of recent digging. March 25 Eastern Is., Midway Atoll Saw about 6 birds deep under Seacole thistles during a short visit. March 26-30 Aker Is., Kure Atoll Found about 8 birds on the ground in the north antenna fields. None were paired. No birds were found in burrows. Several were heard calling (March 26). Checked out 9 burrows and found 1 with a bird during the evening of March 27. Picked up 7 of 9 birds seen and found 4 on hauled on the evening of March 29. C.D. Hachman, 1967 Christmas Is. Shearwater (Puffinus nativitatus) March 8 Nikos Island 1 bird flying east along south side of island while fast boat load was heading in toward the landing March 10 Necker Island Gene Knidle saw 1 bird near the landing area. March 13 Trig Is., French Frigate Shoal 2 birds found in shallow burrow under Septimus March 14 White-Shark, FF Shoals None observed March 18 Layson Island About 25 birds were found, mostly under Scandela, on the NW corner of the island. Most birds were calling. All were alone or grand. No eggs were observed although a mate of the birds were paired. Some birds around Layson. March 19 Layson Island More than 70 birds were seen around a rock shelf along the north beach around 9:30-10 am while conducting a survey for seals. These birds were all grouped (running the shelves) so it is likely that the population in this area was double or possibly triple the mate of birds that were observed. Another small group of birds was found along the south + southwest beaches March 20 Lisianski Island About 20 birds were scattered here and there with dense growth of Scandela. None found in burrows. No egg or chicks were observed. Paired birds were common.
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Hachwan, C.D. 1967 Species Account Borin d. Petrel (Pterodroma hypoleuca) March 20 Lisianski Island None observed in burrows or over the island during the short daylight visit. Hundreds observed over the ocean, apparently moving toward the island, as we departed around 5 p.m. No fresh breeding was observed. March 21-23 Saultree d., Pearl + Hervey Reef Numerous birds on the ground and in burrows during the night. None observed during the day. At night (both nights) about 150 birds were observed - mostly above ground. Numerous burrows were inspected but no eggs or chicks were found. March 22 Kaho, Seal + Kittrey d., Pearl+Hervey Reef None observed. Many burrows found, some of which may have been made by this species, but none appeared to be fresh. March 25 Eastern d., Midway Atoll None observed during a daylight visit March 24-26 Sand d., Midway Atoll Numerous small colonies here and there in residential areas (1 below 300 and the quarter area, 1 near Hanley Field, one near the boat harbor were the only ones observed). These except for the one near the boat harbor are being slowly eliminated by increased human activity. Very few birds were found in the other areas where they were formerly very common. March 26-30 Kure d., Kure Atoll Large numbers of birds in the air, but few on the ground in the antenna field. Full moon made the birds difficult to capture. Found 2 birds in a burrow - no eggs or chicks. Checked 41 birds and found 8 banded (March 26). Many birds on the ground tonight - perhaps due to the quiet winds. Checked out 150 birds and found 8 banded birds (March 27). Checked out 58 birds and found 4 banded one (March 28). Many in flight over the antenna field. C.D.Hachwan 1967 Species Account Bulwer's Petrel (Bulweria bulwerii) March 7 1 bird at sea on edge of feeding flock March 8 N.hoa Island 4 heard calling often, south side - in burrows Could not determine breeding status because all birds found were deep in burrows under rocks but suspect that they are presently courting. Birds were giving a long involved call note much unlike the coo-coo-coo note I'm familiar with. Ship's crew commented about a number of small black birds on the ship during the night - probably this species. March 10 Necker Island None were observed but we weren't on the island during the night. Probably on the island but lie in burrows during the visit. March 11-14 French Frigate Shoals None observed. March 18 Layson Island About 20 birds calling (full call) on the north end of the island from burrows well [illegible] sp. Most burrows blocked were shallow. These birds flew up atonal oil when handled which I've never seen this species do before. No paired birds were observed + no eggs were found in the few burrows found + chicked. One bird was heard calling down over the lagoon on the west side of the island. March 20 Lisianski Island None observed during a daylight visit (9-5) March 21-23 Pearl + Hervey Reef
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March 1967 Red-tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon rubricauda) March 14 Whale-Iskate, French Frigate Shoals Nest found resting or on the ground. Four birds in flight around the island. March 14 Trig D, FF Shoals Three flying around Island. March 17 Offshore Layson Island Browndie counts of the island at noon: 18 birds in flight. March 18 Layson Island About 30 birds observed in flight as we landed & set up camp. No complete count was made due to other activities. Several w/ eggs. March 19 Layson Island A mid-day count of the eastern half of the island turned up 27 birds in flight over the island. March 20 Lejerski Island About 20 birds in the air over the island counting. Only 2 birds observed on the ground. No eggs or chicks were found. March 21-23 Southeast Island Pearl + Hema Reef Birds paired & courting regularly throughout the visit. Two birds were found on eggs on a pile of coconut branches along with 6 other birds. One bird was attacked mid & Scavenged during the entire visit but had no egg upon departure. March 27 Three Island, Pearl + Hema Reef 1 bird in flight over the island. No nest found. C.D. MacCormack Special Account 1967 Red-tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon rubricauda) March 8 Nihoa Island 15-20 in air midday. Several birds were seen under rocks by various party members but no eggs or chicks were seen. Suspect that no one, including me, checked very hard. March 10 Necker Island Saw only 10-15 birds in the air during the 6 hour visit. No nests or birds on the ground were observed by the party. These may have been well down the steep slope where none of us ventured... March 11 Tern Island, French Frigate Shoals Saw 2 birds while releasing Red-Nihaa Funnel. One of the Coast Guard boys told me they had just come back after being absent for several months. He couldn't remember how long they had been absent. March 11 East Island, French Frigate Shoals Saw three birds while walking around the island: 2 under a Messerschmidt and one under a piece of corrugated roofing. Plan to check breeding status & bird them tomorrow. (1 bird on an egg!) March 12 East D., French Frigate Shoals Total of 6 birds in flight over the island at one time. March 10-12 Tern Island, French Frigate Shoals 3 birds flying around the island in late afternoon. A night survey of the island didn't turn up any on the ground. March 13 Trig Island, French Frigate Shoals None found nesting. Three flying over island.
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Hacker 1967 Species Accounts Red-tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon rubricauda) March 24-26 Midway Atoll Hundreds in the air over Easter Island + scattered throughout the Scarcolls. Several eggs were found and measured. Not uncommon on Sand Island. No young was made. March 26-30 Green & King Atoll 24 in the air on the afternoon of March 26 with much calling and displaying. March 27 - On a circuit of the Northeast to south beach beaches about 7 birds were found under Scarcolls - all were chicked but none had eggs. March 28 - Checked out 20 birds in thick Scarcolls around the North + east side of the island + only found 1 egg. 16 birds in flight over the central resort at 2 p.m. March 29 - 140+ birds in flight over eastern end of island and 85+ birds flying over western end of island at 4 p.m. C.D. Hacker 1967 Species Account Golden Plover (Pluvialis dominica) March 8 Nihon Island 5 singles, 1 group of 2 observed during the entire day March 10 Necker Island [illegible] 2 observed March 11 Tern Island, French Frigate Shoals Three birds observed on the runway in the vicinity of the mess hall. March 11 East Island, French Frigate Shoals 11 Birds counted on a circuit of the island. March 13 Trig Is., French Frigate Shoals 2 birds around beach March 14 White Skate, French Frigate Shoals 8 birds foraging on beaches and shoals March 19 Leyson Island 75 birds observed on a complete circuit of the island. 560 birds were counted on the NW corner of the leagoon. The majority of these were in the leagoon in 1"-3" deep water about 100-150 feet from shore. Only two of these birds were in full breeding plumage. About 10 birds were molting + had large black splashes on their breasts. The remainder still in full white plumage with no sign of molt. Total population probably exceeds 1200 birds. Licinseli Island March 20 About 35 birds observed on a circuit of the beaches and a survey of the interior on the northern half of the island.
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C.D. Hackman 1967 Species Account Bristle-thighed Curlew (Numenius tahitensis) March 8+9 Nihoa Isled None observed. March 10 Necker Island None observed. March 11 Tern + [illegible]. French Frigate Shoals None observed. March 12 East Is. F.F. Frigate Shoal 1 Bird March 13 Trig Is. French Frigate Shoal 1 Bird March 14 Whale - Skate, F.F. Shoals None observed. March 19 Layson Island One flock of 45 birds observed on the south beach during an island circuit. Single bird + small groups of two or three seen at several other locations. Total population about 60 birds. March 20 Lisianski Island About 15 birds observed on the beaches and in the interior of the island. March 21-23 Southeast Is., Pearl + Hermes Reef One flock of 14 birds observed (23rd). Estimated island population: 20-25 birds. March 24-25 Midway Atoll None observed. Chan Robbins has observed several, off and on, since January 1967. C.D. Hackman 1967 Species Account Sandpiper (Calidris alba) March 11 Tern Island, French Frigate Shoals 6 observed feeding on runway near neso hall. March 11 East Island, French Frigate Shoals 1 observed on west end of island. Bird landed + stayed only a few seconds before flying on toward the northeast. March 13 Trig Is., French Frigate Shoals 3 observed along beach March 14 Whale - Skate, F.F. Shoals [illegible] 3 on beach March 14 Tern Is., F.F. Shoals 9 observed on runway and along NW beach. March 19 Layson Island None seen on beaches. 8 birds on a small sand bar in lagoon. March 20 Lisianski Island Eight birds observed on the west beach of the island. March 21-23 Southeast Island, Pearl + Hermes Reef 2 birds observed. March 22 Seal Island, Pearl + Hermes Reef 1 bird observed in a flock of Reddy Turnstones. March 24-25 Midway Atoll None observed. March 26-30 Green-Kene None observed
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Hachmann, C.D. 1967 March 8 Niihoa Island Large black ant is abundant on open ground and under vegetation. Runs rapidly in an erratic manner when disturbed. This species was also observed on French Frigate Shoals but was not seen on Necker Island (no thorough search was made) or the more northern islands of the chain. This species or one very similar to it is common on some of the islands in the Phoenix Group. Large reddish ant was found only in crevices or holes on large pieces of coral rubble and was very slow in its movements. The ant appeared reluctant to move far from the cover provided by the holes and crevices in the coral rock. Small reddish ant was collected from the same piece of coral rubble as was the larger one. The ant with the light, transparent abdomen was found under an overturned rock. All specimens were taken in the old Polynesian ruins 1/2 of the way [illegible] to Tanaga Peak. No other types were encountered but time was limited and no great effort was made. March 10 Necker Island Saw but did not collect a small black ant while censusing bird populations. After a light rain shower I could not find any ants. Had to depart shortly after this. March 11-14 French Frigate Shoals Collected at least 4 types but left vial on the island. Several Smithsonian field men will visit the island in Mid-May + will have instructions to return this vial to Honolulu if it can be located. Laysan & Lisianski Premature departure from Laysan precluded collection of ants. Very short visit to Lisianski - too many other activities. Southeast, Pearl & Hermes Reef Forgot to collect specimens. Hachmann, C.D. 1967 March 29 Green Island, Kure Atoll Found a large number of ants on the fresh carcass of a Great Frigatebird (Fregata minor) and trailed them back to their nest - under a rock. All specimens in the vial marked #1 were taken from the bottom surface of the rock. Many app were found - some collected. Specimens in Vial #2 were taken from the carcass of the frigatebird. Specimens collected at the request of Dr. John Macrolek, Bureau of Commercial Fisheries, Cooperative Fisheries Program, for a man named [at the Univ.] of Hawaii who is studying ants in the Leeward Island Chain with hopes of revising + clarifying the taxonomy.
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Hachman, C.D. 1967 Egg measurements + Nest Description Great Frigatebird (Fregata minor) March 20 Lisianski Island All nests in Scaevola, 15" to 34" high. Nest diameters 12" - 18"; Construction almost exclusively of Tribulus with occasional pieces of Portulaca + Boerhaavia. Egg measurement Sex incubating Condition of egg 46.35 x 65.2 mm male fresh 46 x 82.1 mm male opaque, shape: (O) 49 x 73.4 mm female fresh 49.95 x 70.55 mm male opaque 45.9 x 68.3 mm female fresh 50.8 x 70.6 mm male — 46.5 x 73.8 mm female — 47.6 x 67.7 mm female fresh 47.5 x 69.55 mm male fresh 47.35 x 70.25 mm male opaque 46.5 x 70.1 mm male fresh ✓ 45.3 x 70.4 mm male fresh 45.1 x 68 mm male fresh 47.6 x 73.85 mm male opaque 47.85 x 66.5 mm male fresh 47.4 x 67.5 mm female fresh 50.5 x 73.6 mm female opaque 49.55 x 69.3 mm male fresh 47.35 x 69.2 mm unknown fresh 47.65 x 69.0 mm unknown opaque Eggs were candled against the unshaded sun. Fresh eggs appeared pinkish in this light. Hachman, C.D. 1967 Egg Measurements. Grey-backed Tern (Sterna fuscata) March 20 Lisianski Island All nests under Scaevola and morning glory on sandy soil all measurements in millimeters: 33.5 x 46.4 all eggs were in slight depressions 31.5 x 43.9 in sandy soil. 32.5 x 44.7 32.8 x 46.2 33.1 x 48.7 33.65 x 47.35 32.9 x 43.15 33.5 x 46.2 33.75 x 48.65 32.9 x 42.55 egg hole - barely incubated 32.15 x 45.35 33.8 x 45.45 32.15 x 46.15 33.4 x 43.15 33.6 x 47.35 34.1 x 42.55 32.95 x 46.2 33.0 x 46.9 31.25 x 43.4 32.7 x 45.65
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Hachinson, C.D. 1967 Species Account Blue-footed Booby (Sula dactylatra) March 19 Lagoon Island Two birds were looing along the northern beach at 10 am. No nest were found around the beach crest. Only 1 nest was found on the entire island although the east + southern portion of the island were not carefully surveyed due to lack of time. No roosting colonies found or seen. March 20 Lagoon Island Walking along the beach crest around entire island. None observed in the interior of the island. Partial count of the beach crest for 1/3rds of the island (made while tagging birds + turtles). Single: Adult birds with: 2 eggs - 27 (one with a eggged egg) 1 egg - 10 1 egg+1 chick - 0 Adult male with: 2 eggs - 10 1 egg - 5 1egg+chick - 3 Unknown nests not checked - 174/1111 One large downy chick and four small downy chicks were observed. Five nests were found with small naked chicks one of whi[t] crossed out contained 2 naked chicks - just hatched today. March 21-23 Southeast Island, Pearl + Hernon Reef Sixteen nests found: AM 2eggs: 4 AM 1egg - 1 AF - 2eggs - 7 AU - 2eggs 4/16 No chicks were observed. Hachinson, C.D 1967 Species Account Blue-footed Booby (Sula dactylatra) March 22 Grass Island, Pearl + Hernon Reef One bird observed on island. No nests. March 22 Seal Island, Pearl + Hernon Reef 23 nests as follows: AF on 2 eggs - 12 AF on 1egg - 2 AM on 2eggs - 3 AM on 1 egg - 2 AU unknown contents - 4 No chicks were hatched. All birds were on open coral sand or in coral rubble away from vegetation. March 22 Kitty Island, Pearl + Hernon Reef One nest was observed but not checked for contents. No chicks were observed. All nests were sticks on sandy beach. March 25 Eastern D., Maiden Atoll Several nesting in a restricted city area. The nests were not checked for content. March 26-30 Green D., Line Atoll 22 birds were observed in antenna field-many of these nesting. Birds were difficult to work in the full moonlight. The land was handled but through the glare + descent a ship stopping all landing for the night (28 March) (27 March) Checked nests + measured eggs in South Antenna field March 28 Worked all the birds in the North Antenna field. None that were observed escaped-the birds seemed reluctant to fly for some reason. Captured + marked 75 returns. During the day the nests were surveyed in this area and in the South antenna field and found 43 nests in both areas as follows: South Antenna field: AM 2eggs - 3 AU -1 egg 1 AF - 2eggs 1 AF 1egg - 1 6 eggs + 1 immature
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Species Accounts Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster) March 18 Leyson Island None were found along beach on NW quarter of island during a five hour survey after dark. March 19 Leyson Island One bird was looping on a rock shelf on the SW corner of the island. The only one observed during the stay. March 20 Lisianski Island 15 birds were loating along the north shore and several others were found in the interior. No nests or young were observed. March 22 Seal Island, Pearl + Hermes Reef Three birds observed flying from the island. No nests. March 21-23 Southeast Island, Pearl + Hermes Reef Twenty-one nests were found as follows: Adult male on 2 eggs - 2 Adult male on 1 egg - 1 Adult female on 2 eggs - 11 Adult female on 1 egg - 4 Adult female with well hatched chick - 1 Empty nests, new construction - 2 21 Several immature birds roosted on the island. One immature fished in the small lagoon by several hours in the morning without apparent success. The bird made repeated dives, in series, from altitude of 2 to 5 feet. March 24-25 Midway Atoll None observed. March 26-30 Green Is., Kure Atoll One bird on a nest with one egg on a small dirt pile (bulldozed) on the edge of the Scat Hole in the interior. Three birds in flight at the same time. Both male + female were at the... Hachman, C.D. 1967 Species Account Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster) March 28 Green Is., Kure Atoll Found 3 active nests today + may have found another tonight in Horner, the north central field. All three nests found this afternoon contained 2 eggs and all were described + nests + eggs measured. There are at least 20-25 adults and 1 subadult on the island at present.
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Hachwa, C.D. 1967 Species Account Great Frigate (Fregata minor) March 17 Offshore Layson Island Benscilo, count at dawn - several thousand birds in the air. Majority of birds seen from the ships were immature + females. Some observed feeding on garbage from the ship but only after it had floated several hundred yards from the ship. None came close to the ship. One adult female observed chasing a Red-footed Booby but results of chase could not be determined because of distance + heavy swells. March 18 Layson Island No complete survey was attempted because of the activities. Numerous males displaying. A large number of birds on nests along west side of island all on Scacrola. Plan to survey three tomorrow. No landed birds were found during a check of the NW quarter of the island. March 19 Layson Island Had to pull off island before a complete survey could be done. Birds are present on eggs & empty nests. The majority of eggs are presumably fresh although some were checked. Population on island in close to 2000 birds. March 20 Draianali Island south About 200 flying immatures seen, the west end of the island and a field in the interior, perched on Scacrola. A large number of males were displaying on empty nests of new construction. Of 60 nests checked only 30 contained an egg. Of 18 nests where the sex of its incubating bird could be determined 12 were male. Shitler of 18 eggs that were coiled were fresh. Nests constructed who of Trichulus and all nests were located in Scacrola. Total nests about 200-250 on the entire island on the basis of an incomplete survey. Nests ranged in height from 1 foot to 3 feet. C.D.Hachwa 1967 Species Account Great Frigatebird (Fregata minor) March 8 Nikao Island Scattered all over island in little clusters, probably 7-8,000 birds. Checked 21 nests and found ?% of the eggs to be clean, pinkish when coiled (against sun) and the rest were dirty and opaque (well insulated?). A large number of immatures, 2-3,000 are present, many still on nests. No small young observed. Of 31 birds sitting on nests: 11 males on eggs 10 females on eggs 4 males on empty nests 6 females on empty nests. March 10 Nechea Island About 200 nests scattered around the island. Birds were found in little clusters on Chenopodium around the edge of the ridges. A number of nests were found on the same place as the build of the Red-footed Boobies in the Chenopodium. This plant species was used for the nest. The majority of nests were new construction but empty. Only 37 of 100 had eggs. March 11 East Island, French Frigate Shoals No nests. About 45 birds, mostly female immatures were sitting on the east side of the island during the afternoon. About the same number roosted on the island. March 13 Trig Island, French Frigate Shoals 1 flew over island - an immature. March 14 Whale-Back, French Frigate Shoals Forty-six immatures were sitting in the nesting colony - many on old looking nests. Of 165 new nests were found as follows: 166: males on nest: females must: Und sex a nest: empty - 17 empty - 4 empty (new) - 38 1 egg - 63 1 egg - 31 1 egg - 13 All eggs that were checked (24) were fresh.
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Hockin, C.D. 1987 Species Account Great Frigate (Fregata minor) 21-23 March Southeast Isld., Pearl + Howl Reef Saw one adult female with an orange stone attached to the left leg. Bird was sitting with a group of nesting Great frigate but I could not determine if it belonged. The bird failed to return during a 35 minute wait near the nesting area. 48 nests as follows: Adult female on egg - 10 Adult female on empty nest - 6 Adult male on egg - 16 Adult male on empty nest - 14 Empty, new construction - 2 48 The eggs were all candled (against direct sunlight) and all but two were opaque and dirty. There was a great deal of counting during this visit. March 25 Eastern Is., Midway Atoll. Hockin, C.D 1967 Species Account Great Frigate (Fregata minor) 26-30 March Pearl & Pine Atoll Afternoon count of birds in northern portion of the island at 3:20 pm - 137 on Scares, Scareole and 58 flying. A considerable amount of counting, thieving carrying, point inflation and some nest rolling (p. stubs) was observed. (26 March). March 28 An afternoon count of the central roost area turned up 114 frigate (29 in flight). Spent about 40 minutes watching if this species destroy nests after I had chased birds off in order to check breeding status. I noticed that the bird did not both a nest if it contained an egg but would immediately despoil the one if it was empty. Several female frigate refused to move from their nests even though they were empty and in spite of my showing them around + lifting them up in the air. The majority of the birds involved (14 of 18) in this nest destruction were subadult males. These subadults would move in rapidly as soon as a bird left an empty nest and one often would fly over, grab a full ball of the nest. Several adult males also made passes + took some vegetation but not in the same manner as the subadults. The subadults appeared to be doing this for ferrets. After making a strike + picking up some vegetation the bird would fly a few feet, drop the vegetation, wheel around and get in his or her mouth pos. at the nest. All adults involved in this pillaging appeared to be using the material for carrying or nest construction since all flew away with the vegetation. Several of these adults was observed landing at distant nests that appeared to be occupied by females. In view of the damage that would be caused by moving through the entire colony chasing all birds off their nests I stayed taking measurements + surveying nests. Before the main maranding started I checked 12 nests with the following results: AM AF 1egg - 5 1egg - 2 empty (new) - 2 empty (new construction) - 6
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Hachman, C.D. 1967 Species Account Sooty Tern March 12 East Is., French Frigate Shoals After last night's driving rain and 40mph winds (estimated) the Sooty population has been cut to a fourth of its former size. Only the birds on eggs remained on the island (about 5,000). March 13 Trig Is., French Frigate Shoal Fifty birds were on the ground on the north end of the island in Septimus. These birds were reluctant to fly even when closely approached. They were probably ready to lay. March 14 White- Skete, French Frigate Shoals About 150 birds on the north end of the island. No eggs were found. Birds were reluctant to fly when approached. March 14 Trig Island, French Frigate Shoal Fifteen fresh eggs were found among the 50 or so birds that were observed yesterday on the north end of this island. March 17 Offshore Layson Island Small groups of 3-6 birds flying passed ship throughout the day. No concentration observable from the ships during a complete circuit of the island in the morning. March 18 Layson Island A swirl of about 4,000 birds was over the South end of the islands at dusk (+ in the late afternoon). During a check of the NW quarter of the island a small group of about 200 was found on the ground in a bare sandy area between these sections of Scaevola. Three banded birds were captured out of this group all 903 series. No eggs were found. Hachman, C.D. 1967 Species Account Sooty Tern (Sterna fuscata) March 20 Laissoni Island. About 5,000-8,000 birds swirling off the island. No nests were found during this short daylight visit. March 21-23 Southeast D., Pearl + Hermes Reef Between 2,000 (daylight) and 5,000 (night) birds swirling over the island. No eggs were found. Birds were on the ground during the second night on the island but no eggs were found on the morning of the 23rd. The birds were coming down in bare areas between Mustahied, Sieyos and Bolanum. March 25 Eastern D., Midway Atoll March 26-30 Green D., Kure Atoll About 75 birds around the island during the day. In the evening about 500 birds swirling and chattering off the eastern end of the reef. None down at night (26th March). March 28 Only a few seen today. Strong, gusty winds appeared to have scattered the small swirling flock that was observed on the two previous nights on this nearest land or observed this evening.
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Gray-backed Tern (Sterna lunata) March 8 Nihoa Island Saw Eggs, no chicks found. The species appeared to be very common and distributed all over the island. Gene Kniddle commented that they commonly nested in the gullys to the west of our campsite but I didn't get me time to check. Population is at least 1,000 a[illegible] March 10 Necker Island Difficult to assess population because the birds were resting down the cliff walls around the island. No chicks were found. Only about 10 eggs were found. Two of these were hatched and were only slightly incubated. Population - at least 200 birds [illegible] March 11 East Island, French Frigate Shoals Four birds were observed during the afternoon during circuit of the island. None observed or dead at night. March 13 Trig Is., French Frigate Shoals 15 birds scattered around island. No nests found. March 14 White - Skete French Frigate Shoals 75-100 birds scattered over the island in little groups of 2-10 birds. Most birds behaved as if they had eggs but only 1 egg was found. Gray-backed Tern (Sterna lunata) March 17 Offshore Laysan Island Occasional birds seen or heard calling from the ship throughout the day. March 18 Laysan Island Numerous small groups of from 5 to 50 along the north + west shores in the NW quarte[r] of the island. These small groups were normally in or around Seawalls and clumps of grass. No hatched birds were observed among the approximately 400 birds observed after dark. March 19 Laysan Island Found a small colony with eggs around a series of rock shelves on the southwest beach while making the circuit of the island on a seal census. Saw 15 eggs but had no time to check this. Had to pull off the island hope measurements could be made. Total seabird population exceeds 1000 birds. March 20 Lisianski Island Small groups of nesting birds scattered fine and three under Scaevola. Three groups of birds yielded a total of 26 eggs. Total seabird population appears to be around 200 birds at the present time. One egg that was broken had been barely incubated. Nests were on bare ground in slight depressions made in the sandy soil. Several hundred south end of island. March 21-23 Southeast S. Pearl + Hermes Reef About 75 birds on the island in several locations - on the ground during the day. No eggs were found as the result of several careful searches. Birds are courting March 22 Seal Is., Pearl + Hermes Reef 25 birds on a rocky area on the north end of the island. No nests or eggs were found.
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C.D. Hackman 1967 Species Account Noddy Tern (Anous stolidus) Marshall & Nikau Island 1 downy young, 1 egg, most chicks 1/2 to 3/4 grown. Saw about 20 chicks nude, rather knittle mostly. Here [illegible] found a fair number of eggs here and there. Have no idea regarding total population although it must amount to several thousand birds. March 10 Necker Island None were observed. March 11 East Island, French Frigate Shoals Found 33 nests on a partial circuit of the island toward duck. All but 1 had eggs. Birds were on all 33 nests. One egg - accidentally broken - was barely incubated. Roosting population about 300 birds. March 12 East Island, French Frigate Shoals Found 15 additional nests for a total of 45 nests on the island. March 13 Twig I., French Frigate Shoal 37 nests were found. Total nude present: 175 birds. March 14 White- Skate, French Frigate Shoals 117 nests with fresh or barely incubated eggs. One egg broken by a bird as it left the nest was fresh. One 7/8 grown chick was observed. About 1500 adults were sitting on the beaches in four large groups. March 15 Leston Peninsula Several hundred birds were in flight over the island now passed by around 500 yds to the south. Hackman, C.D. 1967 Species Account Noddy Tern (Anous stolidus) March 17 Offshore Layson Island Several birds observed flying from island in the morning. None observed through the remainder of the day. March 18 Layson Island Several hundred roosting on Scarcals around the north + west shores during an after dark check of the NW quadrant of the island. Here birds were quite alert + difficult to approach. Only one bird with a bad was observed but this was about 20 feet into dense Scarcals where it could not be approached + captured. (Total island population close to 1000 birds at the present time.) 1 bird with an egg. No count made. March 20 Lisianska Island Only about 75 birds were observed. No nests or young seen found during a partial survey of the northern half of the island. March 21-23 Southeast D., Pearl + Hermes 9 birds found roosting on the island (night of 21st). No nests were found. March 22 Grass D., Pearl + Hermes Reef 1 nest found on beach crest on southern end of island with egg. Only 1 bird was observed. March 22 W Seal D., Pearl + Hermes Reef 9 on beach. March 25 Midway Atoll
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Hachero, C.V. 1967 White-capped Tern (Aren tenuirostris) March 19 Lagoon Island Five or six birds were carrying nesting material into the ironwood tree near camp. Several had what appeared to be leaves from Ispora sp. March 20 Kizinoaki Island Birds found nesting in Ironwood (Casuarina) while they seem to prefer and Scorpula. Small stage from new first construction to nearly fledged young. About 30 nests with eggs, 5 with small downy young + 10 with nearly fledged young were observed. These northern birds do not employ plants from the reef as much as the ones on the southern sides (Phoenix + Divis do) do perhaps because such plants are not as abundant here. Materials used: Scorpula, Crospostia, Tarkila, Broderania and several types of seaweed. One nest of recent construction contained five small Portuguese man-o-war. The majority of nests were saddled on branches in forks. One nest was found nearly suspended in the "ree" of several small branches arranged in a manner that is reminiscent of the Red-eyed Terns (Kites) leaves from a morning glory were also used in construction of their nest. Total population around 350 adults to 500 adults March 21-23 Southeast I., Pearl + Hermes Reef 5 birds roosting on island (night of 21st). Occasional birds observed during the day. No notes. March 21-23 Pearl + Hermes Reef None on island other than Southeast, P+H Reef March 24-25 Sand I., Midway Atoll Hachero, C.V. 1967 White-capped Noddy (Aren tenuirostris) March 26-30 Shen I., King Atoll 15 Observed over the lagoon (south side) during the morning hours (March 28). The CG personnel say that a large number roost on one end of the runway (east) every night but several trips past that area have not positively located them.
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C.D. Hackman 1967 Species Account White Tern (Gygis alba) March 8 Wither Island Nests down on cliffs couldn't check breeding status. Not enough observations for population estimate. Population probably several hundred to a thousand March 10 Necker Island A few birds with eggs were observed along the higher ridges and cliffs. Most birds were located along the steep cliff areas where the nests couldn't be easily checked. Population appears to be around 500-1000 birds. Here found some small young gregarious NW Cape March 11 Tern Island, French Frigate Shoals About 15 birds around Coast Guard mess. Entire island was not surveyed. March 11 East Island, French Frigate Shoals. None present. March 13 Trig I., French Frigate Shoals None present March 14 Petrel Whales - Skate, Fr. Fr. Shoals None present. March 17 Offshore Layson Island Two birds observed flying west from island in the early morning but none for remainder of the day. March 18 Layson Island Only about 8 birds were observed during an afternoon check of the NW quarter of the island. One bird had a 3/4 grown nestling that was on a rock near the west shore on the edge of a dense growth of Scavola. All birds observed after dark except one on Hackman, C.D. 1967 Species Account White Tern (Gygis alba) March 18 Layson Island rock) were not nesting or Scarola sp. March 19 Layson Island About 100 birds were observed on a complete circuit of the island. One bird on an egg and 3 birds with 2 grown young were found. March 20 Lisianski Island Jill moved east. About 40 birds on the entire island! Only 1 egg, still wet on a dead branch of an Ironwood (Casuarina) about 5 feet above the ground. One adult observed feeding a white nestling. March 21-23 Southeast I., Pearl + Hene Ref Several birds were observed around the islets during the week. No nests were found. March 22 S Atoll Island, Pearl + Hene Reef Two birds sitting on an exposed shelf on the edge of the reef. No nests were observed. March 24-25 Sand I., Midway Atoll
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Hachman, C.D 1967 Species Account Black-footed Albatross (Diomedea nigripes) March 19 Layson Island No counts made on this island because of early, unexpected departure. A rough gu[illegible]imate would be entirely inadequate because large segments of the island were not even walked through. In general the Black-footed nests were along the beach crest and in one sandy area (exterior) along the northeast shore of the island. Population easily exceeded 10000 birds and there were large numbers of chicks. March 20 Lisianski Island Incomplete survey. No counts were made due to insufficient time on the island. The impression obtained by walking the beach crest and by a partial survey of the northern end of the island was that this species was not very abundant; perhaps 1000 or so but this would be pure speculation. March 21-23 Southeast Is., Pearl + Hermes Reef Chick count 1560. Most nests were around the island perim[eter], although a few were scattered here and there through the interior - particularly in the vicinity of the small lagoon. March 22 Kraso Island, Pearl + Hermes Reef Chick count - 1466. Mostly on the beach. Few birds were found in the vegetation. March 22 Seal Is., Pearl + Hermes Reef Chick count 325. More in the vegetation. March 22 Kittrey Island, Pearl + Hermes Reef Chick count 417. No vegetation or island to speak of. March 16 North Is., P+H Reef (Counted by Charles S. Robbins) Chick count 1150. Hachman, C.D 1967 Species Account Black-footed Albatross (Diomedea nigripes) March 24-25 Midway Atoll No attempt to make estimates since Chas. Robbins has been busy working on albatross for 3 months. Didn't have time for a full survey of both islands. March 26-30 Green Is., Kure Atoll Started a chick count along the beach crest on the afternoon of the 26th and completed it at noon on the 27th. See map on next page for comparison of these totals with those obtained by Charles S. Robbins during a visit on 9-10 February 1963 with Dr. Van Horne.
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Hackman, C.D. 1967 Species Account Japan Albatross (Diomedea immutabilis) March 19 Japan Island No estimate or counts made of chicks because of the early + unexpected departing from the island. Judging from what was seen this must be close to 30,000+ or so chicks on the island. March 20 Lisianski Island No estimate made due to short visit + limited time for a survey. Population probably in several thousand adults with nesting. March 21-23 Southeast I., Pearl + Hermes Reef Chick count - 5300. Most nests off the beach went into the interior of the island. March 22 Loro I., Pearl + Hermes Reef Chick count - 25. 350 nests had been abandoned on this island for an unknown reason. Fledg eggs were everywhere. March 22 Seal I., Pearl + Hermes Reef Chick count 34. About 175 standard nests were found. March 22 Kitty I., Pearl + Hermes Reef Chick count - #0 48 March 16 North I., Pearl + Hermes Red (cont by Chas) Chick count - 500 made by Charles S. Robbins. Hackman, C.D. 1967 Species Account Japan Albatross (Diomedea immutabilis) March 24-25 Midway Atoll This species is everywhere one looks: on lawns, on the golf course, under thick vegetation, on the runways, on the roads, etc, etc. Impossible to even begin guessing at the total population. No time to survey little island in anything other than a haphazard manner. March 26-30 French I., Kane Atoll Started checking the sites for Japan chicks in the afternoon of the 27th that was stopped by wind + rain for several hours. See map on next page with comparison of these totals with those obtained by Charles S. Robbins on 9-10 February 1967. On the morning of the 27th on the west end of the runway near the bird park I found an extremely small Japan chick. It was 3" wide, high sitting relaxed (head down) and 6" long (sitting). The head was completely covered with down. It was being brooded by a bandied adult who first found.
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Hachman, C.D. 1967 Species Account Wedge-tailed Shearwater (Puffinus pacificus) March 20 Lisianski Island None observed during a daylight visit (9-5) March 21-23 Southeast Is, Pearl + Hermes Reef About 40-50 birds roosting on the island at night and in the early morning. Not many [illegible] present. A few birds found exploring burrows. No pairs at present. March 22 Cross Is, Pearl + Hermes Reef None observed. Burrows on island show no sign of fresh digging. March 27 Seal Island, Pearl + Hermes Reef None observed. Burrows present on island but no signs of recent digging. March 25 Eastern Is, Midway Atoll Saw about 6 birds deep under Scandola thistles during a short visit. March 26-30 Green Is, Kure Atoll Found about 8 birds on the ground in the north antenna field. None were paired. No birds were found in burrows. Several were heard calling (March 26). Checked out 9 birds and found 1 with a bird during the evening of March 27. Picked up 7 of 9 birds seen and found four loaded on the evening of March 29. C.D. Hachman 1967 Species Account Christmas Is Shearwater (Puffinus nativitatus) March 8 Nihoa Island I had flying east along south side of isled while just boat load was heading in toward the lading March 10 Necker Island Gene Knittle saw 1 bird near the landing area. March 13 Trig Is, French Frigate Shoal 2 birds found in shallow burrow under Septeria March 14 Whale-Shots, FF Shoals None observed March 18 Layson Island About 25 birds were found, mostly under Scandola, on the NW corner of this island. Most birds were calling. All were above ground. No eggs were observed although a male of the birds seen paired. Some birds around Lagoon. March 19 Layson Island More than 70 birds were seen around a rock shelf along the north beach around 9:30-10am while conducting a survey for seals. These birds were all exposed (running the alvea) so it is likely that the population in this area was double or possibly triple the number of birds that were observed. Another small group of birds was found along the south + southwest beaches March 20 Lisianski Island About 20 birds were scattered here and there under dense growth of Scandola. None found in burrows. No eggs or chicks were observed. Paired birds were common.
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Hachron, C.D. 1967 Species Account Christmas Island Shearwater (Puffinus nativitatus) March 21-23 Pearl + Howers Reef None observed on any of the islands March 25 Eastern Is. Madway Atoll Saw about 10 pair and a number of single birds with Scareole Thrush. March 26 - 30 Green Is., Kure Atoll Saw 4 birds in flight over the runway at dusk. Could not find any birds on the ground (March 28) Saw two birds flying over the antenna field but none on the ground on the evening of March 28. C.D. Hachron 1967 Species Account Boni's Petrel (Pterodroma hypoleuca) March 9 At Sea 1 bird flying past ship about 1 hour after leaving Nihau Island March 12 Tern Island, French Frigate Shoals Found a colony of about 300 birds actively courting + digging burrows. Some birds in burrows that were about 3 feet long. No eggs were found in about 25 burrows that was checked. Most birds were located on the NE side of the island in the vicinity of the two tall radio masts. Banded 100. March 17 Laysan Island Several Thousands in flight around island between dawn and about 9 am. Very few during the rest of the day until just about dusk 6:40 or so. At this time there were large numbers moving back to the island. March 18 Laysan Island This species is everywhere on the island. Birds were evenly distributed through the NW quarter of the island. Many birds were calling + courting in flight at dusk. Numerous pairs on the ground were paired? Many are presently digging burrows at present. One bird I found in a foot deep burrow on the northern end of the island had a freshly incubated egg which contained a well developed chick (about 5 days from hatching). The egg was broken open when the burrow caved in under me. The adult was dug out + released. Very few of the birds inspected were banded (only a few new combs had bands). The total population is probably & in excess of 10,000 birds.
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Hachman, C.D. 1967 Species Account Bonin D. Petrel (Pterodroma hypoleuca) March 20 Lisianski Island None observed in burrows or over the island during the short daylight visit. Hundreds observed over the ocean, apparently moving toward the island, as we departed around 5 p.m. No fresh breeding was observed. March 21-23 Southfork D., Pearl + Hermes Reef Numerous birds on the ground and in burrows during the night. None observed during the day. At night (both nights) about 150 birds were observed - mostly above ground. Numerous burrows were inspected but no eggs or chicks were found. March 22 Hess Seal + Kitley D., Pearl + Hermes Reef None observed. Many bilocures found, some of which may have been made by this species, but none appeared to be fresh. March 25 Eastern D., Midway Atoll None observed during a daylight visit March 24-26 Sand D., Midway Atoll Numerous small colonies there and there in residential areas (1 behind 300 foot quarters area, 1 near Hardly Field, one near the boat harbor were the only ones observed). These except for the one near the boat harbor are being slowly eradicated by increasing human activity. Very few birds were found in the other areas where they were formerly very common. March 26-30 Kure D., Kure Atoll Large numbers of birds in the air but flew on the ground in the antenna field. Full moon made the birds difficult to capture. Found 2 birds in a burrow - no eggs or chicks. Checked 41 birds and found 8 loaded (March 26). Many birds on the ground tonight - perhaps due to the quiet winds. Checked out 150 birds and found 8 loaded birds (March 27). Checked out 58 birds and found 4 loaded one (March 28). Many in flight over the antenna field. C.D.Hachman 1967 Species Account Bulwer's Petrel (Bulweria bulwerii) March 7 1 bird at sea on edge of feeding flock March 8 Nihoa Island 4 heard calling often, dark south side - in burrows Could not determine breeding status because all birds found were deep in burrows under rocks but suspect that they are presently courting. Birds were giving a long involved call note much unlike the coo-coo-coo note I'm familiar with. Ship's crew commented about a number of small black birds on the ship during the night - probably the species. March 10 Necker Island None were observed but we weren't on the island during the night. Probably on the island but deep in burrows during this visit. March 11-14 French Frigate Shoals None observed. March 18 Lanai Island About 20 birds calling (full call) on the north end of the island from burrows well exposed up. Most burrows examined were shallow. These birds threw up stomach oil when handled which I've never seen this species do before. No paired birds were observed + no eggs were found in the few burrows found + chicked. One bird was heard calling down near the lagoon on the west side of the island. March 20 Lisianski Island None observed during a daylight visit (9-5) March 21-23 Pearl + Hermes Reef
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Hachway, C.D. 1967 Species Account Red-tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon rubricauda) March 24-26 Midway Atoll Hundreds in the air over Easter Island + scattered throughout the Scavola. Several eggs were found + measured. Not common on Sand Island. No young was made. March 26-30 Green Is., King Atoll 24 in the air on the afternoon of March 26 with much calling and displaying. March 27 - one circuit of the Northeast to south Beaches about 7 birds were found under Scavola - all were checked but none had eggs. March 28 - checked out 20 birds in thick Scavola around the North + east sides of the island + only found 1 egg. 16 birds in flight over the central coast at 2 p.m. March 29 140+ birds in flight over eastern end of island and 85+ birds flying over western end of island at 1 p.m. C.D. Hachway 1967 Species Account Golden Plover (Pluvialis dominica) March 8 N. Noon Island 5 singles, 1 group of 2 observed during the entire day March 10 Necker Island 2 observed March 11 Tern Island, French Frigate Shoals Three birds observed on the runway in the vicinity of the mess hall. March 11 East Island, French Frigate Shoals 11 Birds counted on a circuit of the island. March 13 Trug Is., French Frigate Shoals 2 bird around beach March 14 White Skate, French Frigate Shoals 8 birds foraging on beach and theroles March 19 Layson Island 75 birds observed on a complete circuit of the island. 560 birds were counted on the NW corner of the lagoon. The majority of these were in the lagoon in 1"-3" deep water about 100'-150' feet from shore. Only two of the birds were in full breeding plumage. About 10 birds were molting + had large blood splashes on their breasts. The remainder were still in full white plumage with no sign of molt. Total population probably exceeds 1200 birds. Lisianski Island March 20 About 35 birds observed on a circuit of the beaches and a survey of the interior on the northern half of the island.
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Hacker. C.D. 1967 Special Account Golden Plover (Pluvialis dominica) March 21-23 Southeast Is., Pearl + Heene Reef 15-20 observed along the reef + in the small lagoon area. March 22 Grass Island, Pearl + Heene Reef 2 birds seen during that visit. March 22 Seal Island, Pearl + Heene Reef 2 birds observed during a short visit March 22 Kittying Is., Pearl + Heene Reef 1 bird observed during a short visit. March 24-25 Midway Atoll March 26-30 Green Is., Pine Atoll 12 birds observed on an island circuit (26 March) 1 bird in charging plunge observed near bananae. C.D. Hacker 1967 Special Account Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres) March 8 N.Ihoa Island Flocks of 17, 23 + 32 seen flying over water on southside of the island. March 10 Necker Island Several small flocks were observed 5+12 and 5 solitary birds were observed along the ridges. The flocks were in flight over Shark Bay. March 11 Tern Island, French Frigate Shoals 48 birds observed on the runway near the mess hall March 11 East Island, French Frigate Shoals 48 birds counted on a complete island circuit March 13 Trig Is., French Frigate Shoals 41 birds counted on an island circuit March 14 Whale-Shake, French Frigate Shoals 34 birds counted on island survey. March 19 Laysan Island 250 birds around the beaches during a circuit of the island. 388 birds observed in the NW quadrant of the lagoon along the shoreline (the majority) or in shallow water within 50 feet of the shoreline. Total population close to 800 birds. March 20 Lisianski Island About 100 birds on the beaches + in the interior of the island.
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C.D. Hackman 1967 Species Account Bristle-thighed Curlew (Numenius tahitianus) March 8+9 Nihoa Island None observed. March 10 Necker Island None observed. March 11 Tern + [illegible], French Frigate Shoals None observed. March 12 East Is., Fr. Frigate Shoal 1 bird March 13 Trig Is., French Frigate Shoals 1 Bird March 14 Whale- Skate, Fr. Fr. Shoals None observed. March 19 Laysan Island One flock of 40+ birds observed on the south beach during an island circuit. Single bird + small groups of two & three seen at several other locations. Total population about 60 birds. March 20 Lisianski Island About 15 birds observed on the beaches and in the interior of the island. March 21-23 Southeast Is., Pearl+ Hermes Reef One flock of 14 birds observed (23rd). Estimated island population: 20-25 bird. March 24-25 Midway Atoll None observed. Chamberlin has observed several, off and on, since January 1967. C.D. Hackman 1967 Species Account Sanderling (Calidris alba) March 11 Tern Island, French Frigate Shoals 6 observed feeding on runway near mess hall. March 11 East Island, French Frigate Shoals 1 observed on west end of island. Bird landed + stayed only a few seconds before flying on toward the northeast. March 13 Trig Is., French Frigate Shoals 3 observed along beach March 14 Whale- Skate, Fr. Fr. Shoals [illegible] March 14 Tern Is., Fr. Fr. Shoals 9 observed on runway and along NW beach. March 19 Laysan Island None seen on beaches. 8 birds on a small sand bar in lagoon. March 20 Lisianski Island Eight birds observed on the west beach of the island. March 21-23 Southeast Island, Pearl+ Hermes Reef 2 bird observed. March 27 Seal Island, Pearl + Hermes Reef 1 bird observed in a flock of Reddy Turnstones. March 24-25 Midway Atoll None observed. March 26-30 Green-Kure None observed
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C.D. Hackma 1967 Species Account Nihoa Finch (Pseintrocta cantans) March 8+9 Nihoa Island An abundant species. Saw close to 100 in a small area on the south side during the two days. Gene Kinnell estimates a population of 20,000+. Many males singing. We captured 42 birds to transplant on Tern and East Islands, French Frigate Shoals. Found them difficult to capture in the heavy vegetation. In the cage, during transport, the birds readily ate cracked corn, orage, and sunflower seeds. March 11 Tern Island, French Frigate Shoals Birds released near mess hall. All but one acted healthy and alert. One male behaved as if it had sustained a foot injury and was not alert. The other birds began foraging almost immediately after release. Several birds were seen eating and bunn grass about 20 minutes after release. March 11 East Isd., French Frigate Shoals 10 birds were released and immediately disappeared in the heavy growth of Tribulus. None were observed during the rest of the day. March 12 East D., French Frigate Shoals 2 female types observed on the albatross court. March 13 Tern d., Fr. Frigate Shoals 1 male +1 female observed foraging near mess hall in the afternoon March 14 Tern d., Fr. Frigate Shoal 9 birds feeding under Ironwood trees in early afternoon. C.D. Hackma 1967 Species Account Nihoa Millerbird (Acrocephalus familiaris) March 8 + 9 Nihoa Island Saw only 10-15 during the two days. A difficult species to see because it is secretive and not inclined to lengthy flight. Prefer to stay in low vegetation near the ground. A number were singing.
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C.D. Hackman 1967 Species Account Blue-faced Booby (Sula dactylatra) March 8 N.koa Island 2 on rock ledge halfway to top - south side. seen to be only 2 on isled at present. March 10 Necker Island Breeding birds were scattered along the ridge in the bare areas. Nests usually occurred in little clusters - sometime 5-6 feet apart. Counted 108 nests: 43 w/ 2 eggs (also dont w/ eggson low caps) 23 w/ 1 egg (2 of these pipped) 1 w/ 1 egg + 1 naked chick 2 w/ small naked chicks 37 nests - unknown contents. All birds were reluctant to leave their nests. Possibly because they are seldom disturbed or possibly because many were on eggs that were about to hatch. Found one bird with a light blue egg - about the color of the lines on standard noteboks labeled pages. Measured a number of eggs; 8 sets of 2 ad 2 nests w/ one egg. Didn't have time to measure anymore because a compass gummed up my calipers. March 11 East Island, French Frigate Shoals About 15 birds roosting on the isled after dark. Captured 2 with bands + the rest spooked. Two of the birds observed were subadults. No nests. March 13 Trug Island, French Frigate Shoals Twenty-four nests: 6 w/egg, 17 w/ 2 eggs, + one with 1 egg ad 1 naked chick. Most about half were banded but only managed to capture three in the daylight. There were 41 adults on the isled. Hackman, C.D. 1967 Species Account Blue-faced Booby (Sula dactylatra) March 14 Whale - Skate, French Frigate Shoals 53 birds present on isled. Birds resting on the beach and on the beach crest. A few birds also resty in the interior of the isled or bare spots between or around clumps of Messerschmitts. 47 nests as follows: Adult Male on nest: 2 eggs - 14 1 egg - 3 Adult female on nest: 2 eggs - 9 1 egg - 6 Unknown sex on egg: : 2 eggs - 6 1 egg : 5 No chicks were found. March 14 Trug Island, French Frigate Shoals One of the two egg clutches observed yesterday hatched out this morning. Both naked chicks were still in the nest attended closely by a male. Both chicks were about the same size. March 15 Garden Cinnacles from 800 yds at sea. 7 birds flew out to look the ship over + followed us for about 45 minutes. March 17 Offshore Leysan Island Evening count of 9 birds returning to isled from the nest. March 18 Leysan Island A thorough check of the NW quarters of the isled only turned up 70 birds - five of which were banded and 2 of which had been banded previously.
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Hackman, C.D. 1967 Species Account Blue-footed Booby (Sula dactylatra) March 19 Laysan Island Two birds were loafing along the northern beach at 10 am. No nests were found around the beach crest. Only 1 nest was found on the entire island although the east + southern portion of the island were not carefully surveyed due to lack of time. No roosting club was found or seen. March 20 Lisianski Island Nesting along the beach crest around entire island. None observed in the interior of the island. Partial count of the beach crest for 1/3rd of the island (made while tagging seals + turtles): female Adult female with: 2 eggs - 27 (one with a pyopied egg) 1 egg - 10 1 egg+1 chick - 0 Adult male with: 2 eggs - 10 1 egg - 5 1egg+1chick - 3 Unknown nests not checked - 14/11/11 One large downy chick and four small downy chicks were observed. Four nests were found with small naked chicks, of what contained 2 naked chicks - just hatched today. March 21-23 Southeast Island, Pearl + Hermes Reef Sixteen nests found: AM 2 eggs: 4 AM 1 egg - 1 AF - 2 egg - 7 AU - 2 eggs 4/16 No chicks were observed. Hackman, C.D 1967 Species Account Blue-footed Booby (Sula dactylatra) March 22 Grass Island, Pearl + Hermes Reef One bird observed on island. No nests. March 22 Seal Island, Pearl + Hermes Reef 23 nests as follows: AF on 2 eggs - 12 AF on 1 egg - 2 AM on 2 eggs - 3 AM on 1 egg - 2 AU unknown contents - 4 No chicks were hatched. All birds were on open coral sand or in coral rubble away from vegetation. March 22 Kittery Island, Pearl + Hermes Reef Close nests were observed but not checked for contents. No chicks were observed. All nests were on sandy land. March 25 Eastern D., Midway Atoll Several nesting in a restricted entry area. The nests were not checked for content. March 26-30 Green D., Line Atoll 22 birds observed in antenna field-many of these nesting. Birds were difficult to work in the full moonlight.. The bird one handled but through the glove + located a ship stopping all handling for the night (28 March) (27 March) Checked nests + measured eggs in South Antenna field March 28 Worked all the birds in the North Antenna field. None that were observed escaped - the birds seemed reluctant to fly for some reason. Captured + marked 18 returns. During the day the nests were surveyed in this area and in the south antenna field and found 13 nests in both areas as follows: South Antenna field: AM 2 eggs - 3 AU - 1 egg 1 AF - 2 eggs 1 AF 1 egg - 1/6 eggs + 1 immature
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Species Accounts Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster) March 18 Leypen Island None were found along beach on NW quarte of island during a five hour survey after dark. March 19 Leypen Island One bird was looping on a rock shelf on the SW corner of the island. The only one observed during the stay. March 20 Laiaistin Island 15 birds were loafing along the north shore and several other were found in the interior. No nests or young were observed. March 22 Seal Island, Pearl + Hermes Reef Three birds observed flying from the island. No nests. March 21-23 Southeast Island, Pearl + Hermes Reef Twenty-one nests were found as follows: Adult male on 2 eggs - 2 Adult male on 1 egg - 1 Adult female on 2 eggs - 11 Adult female on 1 egg - 4 Adult female with well nested chick - 1 Empty nests, new construction - 2 21. Several immature birds roosted on the island. One immature fished in the small lagoon for several hours in the morning without apparent success. This bird made repeated dives, in series, from altitude of 2 to 5 feet. March 24-25 Midway Atoll None observed. March 26-30 Green Is., Kure Atoll One bird on a nest with one egg on a small dirt pile (huddled) on the edge of the Scarcola in the interior. Three birds in flight at the same time. Both male + female were at this spot (21 Dec.) Hackman, C.D./ 1967 Species Account Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster) March 28 Green Is., Kure Atoll Found 3 active nests today + may have found another tonight in Bornea. the north antenna field. All three nests found this afternoon contained 2 eggs and all were described + nests, + eggs measured. There are at least 20-25 adults and 1 unbanded adult on the island at present.
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C.D.Hachwen 1967 Species Account Red-footed Booby (Sula sula) March 6 Oahu to Kauai 35 sec during crossing, most within 3 hours out of Honolulu Harbor. Most birds were sitting on the water in heavy rain squalls. All adults. March 7 Around Kilauea Pt. Light. Saw very few birds from the lighthouse colony while the ship celebrated the dawn Station. Only about 6 birds were observed. No naked birds were seen. March 8 Nihoa Island Sprinkled here and there over the island, Checked 10 nests and found 2 with eggs and 8 with fresh vegetation. Birds are apparently just starting to lay. March 10 Necker Island Population about 175 pair. Many birds on nests carrying or carrying vegetation. All nests had fresh vegetation. Of 106 nests, checked only 3 had eggs - only measured one of these. Birds prefered to nest on Chenopodium + used the species for the nest. Here were a few nests scattered around in the old Polynesian ruins but most were found along one slope in lush growth of Chenopodium. March 11 East Island, French Frigate Shoals Checked about 2/3rds of the island before the boat came back + we fixed dinner. Found 12 nests only 2 of which had eggs. Rest of nests were of recent construction-some still under construction. Nests were of Tridex + Chenopodium + some contained fresh Boerhaavia sprigs. One egg was popped. Nests were on Chenopodium or on old drillings or pieces of wood or metal left here when the original dawn Station was abandoned. After dark there Hachwen, C.D. 1967 Species Account Red-footed Booby (Sula sula) March 11 East Is., French Frigate Shoals (Contd) were about 80 birds on the island roosting. Six or seven pairs were on the nest together. About 8 birds roosted on the telephone poles. March 12 East Island, French Frigate Shoals. Found 5 more nests under construction - no eggs for an isled total of 17 nests w/ [illegible] only 2 that had eggs. March 13 Trig Island, French Frigate Shoals Twenty-nine nests: 14 with eggs (1 popped), 1 naked chick and 14 nests under construction. (w/ fresh vegetation) 32 birds were observed. March 14 Whale - Shark, French Frigate Shoals. Four nests were found on slightly elevated nests on the ground. I was seem surprised to find nests on the ground - although this is a fairly common occurrence on some of the equatorial islands it may not occur so often on the leeward Islands. Two of these nests were new but empty, the other two contained fresh eggs. Fourteen nests were found on the entire island: empty but new construction - 87 1 egg - 6 naked chick - 14 March 17 Offshore Laysan Island Occasional birds flying over the ocean on the west side of the island throughout the day. March 18 Laysan Island Chief of the NW quarter turned up about 25 birds all roosting on Seaweed sp. Six of these were returning (previous handed) and two new birds were headed. Birds were difficult to
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Hachman, C.D. 1967 Species Account Red-footed Booby (Sula sula) Layson Island March 18 approach in the moonlight in the thick, crackly Scaevola. Several pairs were sleeping on nests but no eggs or chicks were observed. Total island population probably around 150 birds at the present time. March 20 Lizard Island About 130 birds present on the entire island most with nests. Of 85 nests checked only 18 contained eggs. The other nest all contained fresh vegetation. Nest construction primarily of Tribulus and small amounts of Boerhavia as in one nest Scaevola. Nests ranged in height from 1 foot to 4 1/2 feet. March 21-23 Southeast Island, Pearl + Hermes Reef 27 nests: 9 with eggs (1 pipped) 10 with chicks 8 empty, new construction 27 Chicks ranged in size from just hatched to large downy with no feathers ('9 1/2"), Construction was in Scaevola or on the ground for Solanum. (See measurements + description section). Roosting population about 65 birds. March 25 Eastern Is., Midway Atoll Hachman, C.D. 1967 Species Account Red-footed Booby (Sula sula) 26-30 March Green Is., Kure Atoll An afternoon count (3:30 p.m.) turned up 79 birds in the central roost area. An evening count in the turned up 82 birds in [illegible] aread. (March 26 near the radar reflector. March 28 - an early, afternoon count of the central roost area (1:00 pm) found 64 birds sitting in Scaevola. Started to check breeding status this afternoon but had to stop when male frigate, destroyed a nest every time I chased an adult away. Saw 1 nest with an egg completely demolished within a matter of minutes. March 29 - all attempts to work thru species failed. The species is just beginning its nesting cycle and birds are not yet to the point where they'll sit tight as we approached (literally crashed) through the Scaevola. Birds were flying at an approach of 15-100 feet. None were captured. No hatched chicks were observed during this visit during several nights of roost inspection.
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Hachwa C.D. 1967 Species Account Great Frigate (Fregata minor) March 17 Offshore Layson Island Birds, cent at dawn - several thousand birds in the air. Majority of birds seen from the ships were immature + females. Some observed feeding on garbage from the ship but only after it had floated several hundred yard from the ship. None came close to the ship. One adult female observed chasing a Red-footed Booby but results of those could not be determined because of distance + heavy swells. March 18 Layson Island No complete survey was attempted because of that activity. Numerous male displaying. A large number of birds on nests along west side of island all on Scaevola. Plan to survey three tomorrow. No hatched birds were found during a check of the NW quarters of the island. March 19 Layson Island Had to pull off island before a complete survey could be done. Birds are presently on eggs and empty nests. The majority of eggs are presumably fresh although [illegible] were checked. Population on island in close to 2000 birds. March 20 Laisanaki Island south About 200 flying immatures, near the [illegible] end of the island and a few in the interior, perched on Scaevola. A large number of males were displaying on empty nests of new construction. Of 60 nests checked only 20 contained an egg. Of 18 nests where the sex of its incubated bird could be determined 12 were male. Shelter of 18 eggs that were coiled were fresh. Nest construction who of Tindlume and all nests were located in Scaevola. Total nests about 200-250 on the entire island on the basis of an incomplete survey. Nests ranged in height from 1 foot to 3 feet. C.D.Hachwa 1967 Species Account Great Frigatebird (Fregata minor) March 8 Nichoa Island Scattered all over island in little clusters probably 7-8,000 birds. Checked 21 nests and found [illegible] of the eggs to be clean, pinkish when coiled (against sun) and the rest were dirty and opaque (well incubated ?). A large number of immatures, 2-3,000 are present, many still on nests. No small young observed. Of 31 birds sitting on nests: 11 males on eggs 10 females on eggs 4 males on empty nests 6 females on empty nests. March 10 Neeka Island About 200 nests scattered around the island. Birds were found in little clusters on Chneopodium around the edge of the ridges. A number of nests were found on the same slope as the bulk of the Red-footed Boobies in the Chneopodium. This plant species was used for the nest. The majority of nests were new construction but empty. Only 37 of 100 had eggs. March 11 East Island, French Frigate Shoals No nests. About 45 birds, mostly females + immatures were sitting on the east aid of the island during the afternoon. About the same number roosted on the island. March 13 Ning Island, French Frigate Shoals 1 flew over island - no immatures. March 14 Whale- Shark French Frigate Shoals Forty-six immatures were sitting in the nesting colony - many on old looking nests. Of 160 new nests were found as follows (66): males on nest: females on nest: Und one on nest: empty - 17 empty - 4 empty (new) - 38 1 egg - 63 1 egg - 31 1 egg - 13 All eggs that were checked (24) were fresh.
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Hachison, C.D. 1967 Species Account Great Frigatebird (Fregata minor) 21-23 March Southeast Island, Red + Heron Reef Saw one adult female with an orange streamer attached to the left leg. Bird was sitting with a group of resting & courting frigatebirds but I could not determine if it had a nest. The bird failed to return during a 35 minute wait near the resting area. 48 nests as follows: Adult female on egg - 10 Adult female on empty nest - 6 Adult male on egg - 16 Adult male on empty nest - 14 Empty, new construction - 2 / 48 The eggs were all candled (against direct sunlight) and all but two were opaque and dirty. There was a great deal of courting during this wait. March 25 Eastern Is., Midway Atoll. Hachison, C.D. 1967 Species Account Great Frigatebird (Fregata minor) 26-30 March Southeast Island, Pine Atoll Afternoon count of birds in northern portion of the island at 3:20 pm - 134 on Scarcrode and 38 flying. A considerable amount of courting, thieving carrying, pond infestation and some nest robbing (for stilts) was observed. (26 March) March 28 An afternoon count of the central roost area turned up 114 frigatebirds (29 in flight). Spent about 40 minutes watching for this species, destroying nests after I had chased birds off in order to check breeding status. I noticed that the birds did not leave a nest if it contained an egg but would immediately drain with one if it was empty. Several female frigatebirds refused to move from their nests even though they were empty and in spite of my showing them around & lifting them up in the air. The majority of the birds involved (14 of 18) in this nest destruction were subadult males. Three subadults would move in rapidly as soon as a bird left an empty nest and one or another would fly over, and grab a handful of the nest. Several adult males also made passes & took some vegetation but not in the same manner as the subadults. The subadults appeared to be doing this for kicks. After making a strike & picking up some vegetation the bird would fly a few feet, drop the vegetation, wheel around and get in line for another pass at the nest. He adults involved in this pilfering appeared to be using the material for courting or nest construction since all flew away with the vegetation. Several of these adults was observed landing at distant nests that appeared to be occupied by females. In view of the damage that would be caused by moving through the entire colony chasing all birds off their nests I stopped taking measurements & surveying nests. Before the season marauding started I checked 12 nests with the following results: AN AF 1 egg - 3 1 egg - 2 empty (new) - 2 empty (new construction) - 6
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Hochman, C.D. 1967 Species Account Great Frigatebird (Fregata minor) March 28 Shear B. June Atall Five eggs were measured before + during the nest destruction that discouraged further measurements. Of those five eggs four appeared to be fresh by candling them against direct sunlight and one was dirty and opaque. March 29 Shear B. June Atall Did not capture any birds of this species at night. Several abortive attempts were made + the island was abandoned as too futile + too concealing. C.D. Hochman 1967 Species Account Sooty Tern (Sterna fuscata) March 7 off Kauai + Ni'ihau Islands. 29 birds observed in feeding flock as ship passed Stern with Ni'ihau Island. Numerous solitary birds + several small groups of 2-4 birds were also seen in this area. March 8 Nihoa Island Abundant over entire island nesting solitary or in dense clusters under heavy vegetation (chenopodium + sida). Most nests on bare ground but some were found on slightly indented pile of dead vegetation. We were unable to check the entire island due to lack of time + energy and the emphasis on the capture of 50 pair of Nihoa Finch. Population: many thousands, probably somewhere around 25,000 but this is pure guesswork. March 10 Necker Island Approximately 30,000 scattered over several slopes and forest ridges. Birds were in all stages of breeding from barely incubated eggs to flying young. In one area a few fresh chicks were seen. Birds nested in bare areas on the slopes, on little ledges, along the cliff sides and under dense growth of Chenopodium. About 25-30 % chicks. March 11 East Island, French Frigate Shoals Approximately 20,000 birds on the island just initiating their breeding cycle. Only a few eggs were found total on the west end of the colony. Birds are mostly in Tribulus but a few are on open ground along the beach crest. March 13 East Island - French Frigate Shoals After dark flight we went and saw the country of Butter
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Hachman, C.D. 1967 Species Account Sooty Tern March 12 East Is., French Frigate Shoals After last night's driving rain and 40 mph winds (estimated) the Sooty population has been cut to a fourth of its former size. Only the birds or eggs remained on the island (about 5,000). March 13 Trig Is., French Frigate Shoal Fifty birds were on the ground on the north end of the island in lethargus. These birds were reluctant to fly even when closely approached. They were probably ready to lay. March 14 White Skate, French Frigate Shoals About 150 birds on the north end of the island. No eggs were found. Birds were reluctant to fly when approached. March 14 Trig Island, French Frigate Shoal Fifteen fresh eggs were found among the 50 or so birds that were observed yesterday on the north end of the island. March 17 Offshore Layson Island Small groups of 3-6 birds flying passed ship throughout the day. No concentration observable from the ships during a complete circuit of the island in the morning. March 18 Layson Island A swirl of about 4,000 birds was over the South end of the island at dusk (+ in the late afternoon). During a check of the NW quarters of the island a small group of about 200 was found on the ground in a bare sandy area between dense sections of Scavola. Three hatched birds were captured out of this group all 903 series. No eggs were found. Hachman, C.D. 1967 Species Account Sooty Tern (Sterna fuscata) March 20 Ni'ainoli Island About 5,000-8,000 birds swirling over the island. No nest were found during this short daylight visit. March 21-23 Southeast Is., Pearl + Herrea Reef Between 2,000 (daylight) and 5,000 (night) birds swirling over the island. No eggs were found. Birds were on the ground during the second night on the island but no eggs were found on the morning of the 23rd. The birds were coming down in large areas between Matalaulau, Siesyo and Bolanum. March 25 Easter Is., Midway Atoll March 26-30 Green Is. King Atoll About 75 birds around the island during the day. In the evening about 500 birds swirling and chattering off the eastern end of the reef. None down at night (26 march) March 28 Only a few seen today. Strong, gusty winds appeared to have scattered the small swirling flock that was observed on the two previous nights so they weren't heard or observed this evening.
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C.D. Hackman 1967 Species Account Gray-backed Tern (Sterna lunata) March 8 Nihoa Island Several Eggs, no chicks found. The species appeared to be very common and distributed all over the island. Gene Kniddle commented that they commonly nested in the gullies to the west of our campsite but I didn't get time to check. Population is at least 1,000 and [illegible]. March 10 Necker Island Difficult to assess population because the birds were nesting down the cliff walls around the island. No chicks were found. Only about 10 eggs were found. Two of these were cracked and were only lightly incubated. Population - at least 2000 birds [illegible]. March 11 East Island, French Frigate Shoals Four birds were observed during the afternoon during a circuit of the island. None observed or heard at night. March 13 Trig Is., French Frigate Shoals 15 birds scattered around island. No nests found. March 14 White - Slate French Frigate Shoals 75-100 birds scattered over the islands in little groups of 2-10 birds. Most birds behaved as if they had eggs but only 1 egg was found. Hackman 1967 Species Account Gray-backed Tern (Sterna lunata) March 17 Offshore Laysan Island Occasional birds seen or heard calling from the ship throughout the day. March 18 Laysan Island Numerous small groups of from 5 to 50 along the north + west shores in the NW quarter of the island. These small groups were normally in or around [illegible] and clumps of grass. No banded birds were observed among the approximately 400 birds observed after dark. March 19 Laysan Island Found a small colony with eggs around a series of rock shelves on the southwest beach while making the circuit of the island on a seal census. Saw 15 eggs but did no time to check them. Had to pull off the island before measurements could be made. Total island population exceeds 1000 birds. March 20 Lisiantha Island Small groups of nesting birds scattered here and there under [illegible]. Three groups of birds yielded a total of 26 eggs. Total island population appears to be around 200 birds at the present time. One egg that was broken had been barely incubated. Nests were on bare ground in slight depressions made in the sandy soil. Several hundred south end of island. March 21-23 Southeast Is., Pearl + Hermes Reef About 75 birds on the island in several locations - on the ground during the day. No eggs were found as the result of several careful searches. Birds are courting. March 22 Seal Is., Pearl + Hermes Reef 25 birds on a rocky area on the north end of the island. No nests or eggs were found.
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C.D. Hachman 1967 Species Account Noddy Tern (Anous stolidus) March 8 Nihau Island 1 down young, 1 egg, most chicks 1/2 to 3/4 grown. Saw about 20 chicks under rocks mostly. Here found a fair number of eggs here and there. Have no idea regarding total population although it must amount to several thousand birds. March 10 Necker Island None were observed. March 11 East Island, French Frigate Shoals Found 33 nests on a partial circuit of the island toward dusk. All but 7 had eggs. Birds were on all 33 nests. One egg - accidentally broken - was barely incubated. Roosting population about 300 birds. March 12 East Island, French Frigate Shoals Found 15 additional nests for a total of 45 nests on the island. March 13 Trig I, French Frigate Shoals 37 nests were found. Total muls present: 175 birds. March 14 Whale Skate, French Frigate Shoals 117 nests with fresh or barely incubated eggs. One egg broken by a bird as it left the nest was fresh. One 7/2 grown chick was observed. About 100 adults were sitting on the beaches in four large groups. March 15 Andrea Peninsula Several hundred birds were in flight over the island now passed by around 500 yds to the north. Hachman, C.D. 1967 Species Account Noddy Tern (Anous stolidus) March 17 Offshore Laysan Island Several birds observed flying from island in the morning. None observed through the remainder of the day. March 18 Laysan Island Several hundred roosting on Seacocks around the north + west shores during an after dark check of the NW quarter of the island. These birds were quite alert + difficult to approach. Only one bird with a bad was observed but this was about 20 feet into dense Seacocks where it could not be approached + captured. (Total island population close to 1000 birds at the present time.) 1 bird with an egg. No count made. March 20 Lisianski Island Only about 75 birds were observed. No nests or young were found during a partial survey of the northern half of the island. March 21-23 Southeast Is, Pearl + Hermes 9 birds found roosting on the island (night of 21st). No nests were found. March 22 Gross Is, Pearl + Hermes Reef 1 nest found on beach crest on southern tip of island with egg. Only 1 bird was observed. March 22 Seal Is, Pearl + Hermes Reef 9 on beach. March 25 Midway Atoll
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Hachuron, C.D. 1967 Species Account White-capped Tern (Arous tenuirostris) March 19 Layson Island Five or six birds were carrying nesting materials into the ironwood tree near camp. Several had what appeared to be leaves from Eupora up. March 20 Kiskaiki Island Birds found nesting in Ironwood (Casuarina) which they seem to prefer and Scaesola. Small stage from new first construction to nearly fledged young. About 30 nests with eggs, 5 with small downy young + 10 with nearly fledged young were observed. These northern birds do not employ plants for the nest as much as the ones on the southern side, (Phoenix & Livia do) do perhaps because such plants are not as abundant here. Materials used: Scaesola, Crosswax, Trilium, Boerhavia and several types of seaweeds. One nest of recent construction contained five small Portuguese man-o-war. The majority of nest were saddled on branches in forks. One nest was found nearly suspended in the "reef" of several small branches, suspended in a manner that is reminiscent of the Red-eyed Vireo (Vireos) Stems from a morning glory were also used in construction of this nest. Total population around 1350 adults to 500 adults March 21-23 Southwest I., Pearl + Heme, Reef 5 birds roosting on island (night of 21st). Occasional birds observed during the day. No notes. March 21-23 Pearl + Henee, Reef None on island other than Southeast, P+H Reef March 24-25 Sand I., Midway Atoll Hachuron, C.D. 1967 Species Account White-capped Noddy (Arous tenuirostris) March 26-30 Shen I., Kure Atoll 15 Observed over the lagoon (south side) during the morning hours (March 28). The CG personnel say that a large newly built on one end of the runway [East] every night but several trips, past that passed that area have not [illegible] located them.
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C.D. Hachman 1967 Species Account White Tern (Gygis alba) March 8 Wihua Island Nests down on cliffs couldn't check breeding status. Not enough observations for population estimates. Population probably several hundred to a thousand. March 10 Necker Island A few birds with egg were observed along the higher ridges and cliffs. Most birds were located along the steeper cliff areas where the nests couldn't be easily checked. Population appears to be around 500-1000 birds. Also found some small diving gannet on NW cape March 11 Tern Island, French Frigate Shoals About 15 birds around Coast Guard mess. Entire island was not surveyed. March 11 East Island, French Frigate Shoals. None present. March 13 Trig I., French Frigate Shoals None present March 14 [illegible] Whale-Shake, Fr. Fr. Shoals None present. March 17 Offshore Layson Island Two birds observed flying west from island in the early morning but none for remainder of the day. March 18 Layson Island Only about 8 birds were observed during an after dark check of the NW quarter of the island. One bird had a 3/4 grown nestling that was on a rock near the west shore on the edge of a dense growth of Seserola. All birds observed after dark (except one on Hachman, C.D. 1967 Species Account White Tern (Gygis alba) March 18 Layson Island rock) were not breeding on Scaerola sp. March 19 Layson Island About 100 birds were observed on a complete count of the island. One bird on an egg and 3 birds with 2 grown young were found. March 20 Lisianski Island Tideland count. About 40 birds on the entire island!! Only 1 egg, 1/2 mile on a dead branch of an Ironwood (Casuarina) about 5 feet above the ground! One adult observed feeding a white nestling. March 21-23 Southeast I., Pearl + Herre Reef Several birds were observed around the island during the visit. No nests were found. March 22 Star Island, Pearl + Herre. Reef Two birds sitting on an exposed shelf on the edge of the reef. No nests were observed. March 24-25 Sand I., Midway Atoll
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C.D. Hachman 1967 Measurements Nihoa Island, March 8 Sooty Tern (Sterna fuscata) Many eggs on bare ground side, Sida and Solanum. Found a few eggs (5) on a slightly depressed pile of dried vegetation - small twigs + pieces of bark. Egg measurements are in millimeters 36.35 x 48.3 37.5 x 49.75 light incubation 36.95 x 53.6 37.1 x 51.7 35.9 x 50.95 35.45 x 46.85 34.8 x 51.9 35.95 x 52.32 35.9 x 51.8 37.25 x 51.15 37.5 x 49.84 35.6 x 52.7 36.9 x 48.15 37.3 x 51.9 36.84 x 52.41 36.15 x 50.7 36.65 x 51.16 34.78 x 50.75 37 x 52.5 36.75 x 50.75 36.5 x 51.15 Egg range in coloration from pure white with few spots to dark tan with heavy brown spotting. Several eeggs that were inadvertently broken were lightly incubated. Hachman, C.D. 1967 Measurements Great Frigatebird (Fregata minor) March 10 Necker Island Egg measurements are in millimeters. Egg measurement Stage of incubation Sex incubating 49.25 x 72.6 fresh ? 50 x 64.5 " female 50.8 x 68.2 ? male 46.65 x 68.7 fresh male 48.2 x 66.8 opaque female 47.8 x 72.2 fresh male 48.9 x 66.9 opaque female 46.2 x 68.4 opaque male 44.7 x 65.25 ? female 49.x 71.5 opaque male 48.5 x 69.1 opaque male 47.4 x 71.4 opaque male 47.6 x 70.1 opaque male 46.4 x 72.6 fresh male 47.5 x 69.5 fresh female 49.3 x 71.2 fresh female 48.6 x 71.1 opaque female 45.6 x 71.8 " ? 48.1 x 69.6 " female 48.2 x 66.2 " female Nest description: nests on Cheropecolin base + constructed almost exclusively of Cheropecolin twigs. Height above ground Diameter 8 mks. 15 inches. 10 " 14" 19 " 13 " 14 " 17 " 18 " 18" 12 " 16" 11 " 15" 9 " 16" 13" 16" 14" 12"
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Hachmann, C.D. 1967 Measurements + Nest Description Common Noddy Tern (Anous stolidus) March 11 East Is., French Frigate Shoals. (all egg measurements in millimeters) 38.3 x 52.75 on ground, on Tribulus mat, slight depression, 7" wide 36.65 x 56.1 nest 2" high x 10" wide on mat of Tribulus in Tribulus + Portulaca 36.8 x 53.7 nest on thin mat of Tribulus on old boards, several thin pieces of coral rubble, sea shells, frigatebird feather. nest 8" wide 36.6 x 53.85 nest 3" high x 10" wide of Tribulus, on ground, shells 38.2 x 56.9 nest 6" high x 11"wide of Tribulus twigs 36.95 x 51.5 nest 1/2" of Tribulus twigs on board. 37.45 x 52.8 under several leaning boards on thin mat of Tribulus about 7" wide 36.2 x 51.8 on bare ground on coral rubble, clear spot 4"x5" nest surrounded by Tribulus, Boerhaavia + Portulaca 37.65 x 51.5 Thin Tribulus mat (it") on sheet metal nest 11" wide. 35.3 x 51.5 Thick Tribulus mat (6"deep) x 11"wide in patch of Tribulus 38.15 x 56.95 1/2"mat of Tribulus on corrugated metal, 11"wide 35.9 x 53.9 on bare ground on coral rubble, slight depression, 6"wide 37.75 x 55.1 on thin mat of Tribulus + coral rubble nest 5 1/2"wide egg broken accidentally by dropped tape - barely incubated. Hachmann, C.D. 1967 Measurements + Nest Description Common Noddy Tern (Anous stolidus) March 11 East Is., French Frigate Shoals. (Egg measurements are in millimeters) 38.4 x 56.9 Thin Tribulus mat in Tribulus, no depression, also in nest: frigate feather + shells. 37.5 x 52.2 same as above 36.8 x 52.15 same as above, egg laying beside a piece of brown bottle. All eggs following were on thin Tribulus mats in a patch of Tribulus: 36.65 x 50.2 Average nest diameters - 6-8" 37.5 x 52.2 slight depressions in all. 37.2 x 51.6 36.8 x 50.6 Distance between egg centers on 37.4 x 52.9 4 nests: 17", 17", 25", 27" 37.5 x 52.6 37.15 x 54.6 7 empty nests were found in same area as above 7 nests. Birds were sitting on all nests. 37.9 x 50.7 36.65 x 53.85 37.35 x 52.0
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Hachman, C.D. 1967 Egg Measurements + Nest Descriptions Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster) 23 March Southwest Isd., Pearl + Hermes Reef (All egg measurements are in millimeters) 14.) AF 1 egg: 43.65 x 63.65. Diameter 16", bowl 5" and poorly defined, Depression 1". Construction primarily of grass stems + roots (Cynodon + Leptinus?) with very little Trichulus and a few small pieces of driftwood + several feathers. 15.) AF 2 eggs: 41.15 x 57.15", 42.80 x 63.00. Diameter 21", bowl 9", Depression 2 3/4". Construction of Trichulus, grass, Solanum leaves and several feathers. 16.) AF 1 egg: 39.90 x 68.45. Diameter 19", Bowl 8" well defined, Depression 2 1/4". Construction mostly of grass stems (Cynodon?) Trichulus and driftwood. One feather in nest of this species. Egg was bullet-shaped: 17.) AF 2 eggs: 38.85 x 60.95; 40.45 x 60.75. Diameter 18", Bowl 8", Depression 1 3/4". Construction materials: Trichulus, Sicyos and driftwood. 18.) AM 1 egg: 41.10 x 60.60. Diameter 16", Bowl 7", Depression 2 1/2" Construction of [illegible] Trichulus with some grass (Cynodon?). 19.) AF 2 eggs: 40.40 x 63.45; 41.2 x 61.9. Diameter 19", Bowl 7 x 9", Depression 1 3/4". Construction: Trichulus, [illegible], grass stems + roots (Cynodon + Leptinus?) and feathers. 20.) AF 2 eggs: 41.50 x 61.60; 41.80 x 58.90. No measurements. Small amount of Trichulus and grass roots + numerous bones. Nest very scant and sloppy. Page # 2 (continued) Hachman, C.D. 1967 Egg Measurements Great Frigatebird (Fregata minor) 23 March Southwest Isd., Pearl + Hermes Reef Checked 48 nests with the following results: Adult female incubating egg - 10 Adult female on empty nest - 6 Adult male incubating egg - 16 Adult male on empty nest - 14 Empty nests, new construction - 2 48 All egg measurements in millimeters: 47.20 x 70.85 48.45 x 71.05 47.35 x 68.90 48.50 x 76.25 fresh 52.10 x 76.60 49.30 x 74.00 48.25 x 73.60 47.80 x 69.50 48.10 x 73.50 47.90 x 71.35 47.90 x 70.20 49.70 x 72.65 46.40 x 67.80 49.65 x 69.05 47.15 x 72.20 fresh 47.60 x 69.25 51.20 x 71.50 50.40 x 75.20 47.55 x 79.45 47.00 x 72.80
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Hachwer, C.D. 1967 Egg Measurements Great Frigatebird (Fregata minor) March 28 Green Is., Kure Atoll Nests located on top of dense Scaevola thicket from 5' to 8' in height. Nests difficult to get to because of dense vegetation. Measurement was stopped when other frigatebirds (mostly subadult males) persisted in picking all abandoned nests apart. Four nests with eggs were not bothered by 7 nests that were new construction but still empty and destroyed. All measurements in millimeters: 49.35 x 72.60 opaque 48.15 x 72.70 fresh 48.25 x 69.85 fresh 49.05 x 70.15 fresh, 45.15 x 72.10 fresh Results of 13 nests checked AF: Empty 6 1 egg 2 AM: Empty 2 1 egg -3 Hachwer, C.D. 1967 Egg measurements Blue-faced Booby (Sula dactylatra) Kure Atoll, Green Is. March 27-30 All nests located in the north + south antenna fields - the majority in the northern field. Nests on bare areas and vegetation: Verbena, grasses, etc. South antenna field: AM 2 eggs 44.45 x 72.5 ; 43.85 x 71.95 AM 2 eggs 45.5 x 60.55 ; 45.4 x 65.2 AM 2 eggs 43.3 x 66.3 ; 45.9 x 66.55 AM 1 egg 46.85 x 64.5 AF 2 eggs 46.6 x 62.9 ; 47.65 x 62.8 AF 1 egg 45.9 x 59.55 North antenna field: AF 2 eggs 46.25 x 69.0 ; 44.9 x 61.95 AM 1 egg + 1 chick - not disturbed (chick small+naked-just hatched) AF 2 eggs 46.0 x 62.95 ; 46.85 x 65.25 AM 1 egg 47.35 x 63.3 AF 1 egg 47.0 x 66.6 AF 2 eggs 45.7 x 64.4 ; 43.7 x 66.5 AM w/small naked chick several days old- not disturbed AF 2 eggs 45.15 x 66.15 ; 42.95 x 69.25 AM 2 eggs 44.85 x 59.0 ; 47.4 x 70.85 AM(?) strange voice-gurgles-2 eggs 45.35 x 66.2 ; 43.9 x 61.2 AF 1 egg 44.9 x 73.05 AM 1 egg 47.65 x 68.75 AM 2 eggs 47.4 x 72.7 ; 45.45 x 68.05 AM 2 eggs 44.9 x 66.95 ; 46.3 x 66.7 AF 1 egg 48.1 x 62.95 ? AF 2 eggs 46.45x68.6 ; 45.65 x 66.4 AM 2 eggs 45.5 x 62.0 ; 43.9 x 61.7 nest of sticks near bare area. Additional nests: AM: 2 eggs -3 1 egg -1 AF: 2 eggs -4 1 egg 1 Also: AF 1 egg 45.8 x 69.6
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Hackman, C.D. 1967 March 8 Nhoa Island Large black ant is abundant on open ground and under vegetation. Runs rapidly in an erratic manner when disturbed. This species was also observed on French Frigate Shoals but was not seen on Necker Island (no thorough search was made) or the more northern islands of the chain. This species or one very similar to it is common on some of the islands in the Phoenix Group. Large reddish ant was found only in crevices or holes on large pieces of coral rubble and was very slow in its movements. The ant appeared reluctant to move far from the cover provided by the holes and crevices in the coral rock. Small reddish ant was collected from the same piece of coral rubble as was the larger one. The ant with the light, transparent abdomen was found under an overturned rock. All specimens were taken in the old Polynesian ruins 1/3 of the way [illegible] to Tanager Peak. No other types were encountered but time was limited and no great effort was made. March 10 Necker Island Saw but did not collect a small black ant while censusing bird populations. After a light rain shower I could not find any ants. Had to depart shortly after this. March 11-14 French Frigate Shoals Collected at least 4 types but left vial on the island. Several Smithsonian field men will visit the island in Mid-May + will have instructions to return this vial to Honolulu if it can be located. Laysan + Kiianshi Premature departure from Laysan precluded collection of ants. Very short visit to Kiianshi - too many other activities Southeast, Pearl & Hermes Reef Forgot to collect specimens. Hackman, C.D. 1967 March 29 Green Island, Kure Atoll Found a large number of ants on the fresh carcass of a Great Frigatebird (Fregata minor) and trailed them back to their nest - under a rock. All specimens in the vial marked #1 were taken from the bottom surface of the rock. Many apparently found - some collected. Specimens in Vial #2 were taken from the carcass of the Frigatebird. Specimens collected at the request of Dr. John Macrolek, Bureau of Commercial Fisheries, Cooperative Fisheries Program, for a man named Hawaii who is studying ants in the leeward Island Chain with hopes of revising + clarifying the taxonomy.
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C.D. Hackman 1967 Field Note March 8 Nihoa Island Up at 5:30 am. with the ship laying only 1000 yards off the north side of the is[land]. Too much surf on that side so we swung around island + checked landing spots on the south shore. Made landings in 2 trucks between 8-9am. Spent rest of morning until noon in hauling gear up to old Hawaiian ruins high on the hillside, Junkmonivided - 9:45 am. Set up a mist net in a small gulch near some Pritchardia to try and capture some Nihoa Finches. Gene Ernie + I spent about one hour putting net up and then attempting to drive some birds in - no success in driving. Gene + Ernie went across island to check food cache whilst guarded nets and took some egg measurements from Sooty Tern + Great Frigate. Spent the rest of the day near the nets + got only 6 birds to 6 p.m. Lost measurements from 21 [illegible] Sooty Terns + 21 from St. Frigatelli and 2 from Kid-footed Booby. Vegetation Side, Solanum blooming. Finches feeding on Solonum blossoms. Crocosteria flowering Seaburne's blooming. Small palms observed growing here + there. Cheonopodium flowering Sacked out at 9:30 with a light rain shower + a great deal of lightning off to the south. Three of us squeezed into a two man tent + slept fairly well in spite of the fact that most of the air mattress have been [illegible] punctured in handling. Heard a number of Bulwer's Petrels calling during the night. C.D. Hackman 1967 Field Note March 9 Nihoa Island Just before dawn it started to rain steadily. The sky to the SW looks ominous and doesn't show much sign of clearing. Hauling our gear down the gully + then getting it down the nearly sheer wall at the landing spot (about 100 ft.) high is really going to be great fun. Everyone is looking forward to it. Started hauling gear down at 8:30 and then lowered it down the difficult by ropes. This took until about 10am. Got the boats loaded + got departed island by 10:40 am. Punctured the bow of the miller boat in loading the gear. The boat partially deflated but was still good enough to come back + pick up the people + the cage full of Nihoa Finches (42 birds) we had managed as capture. Heard the Bulwer's Petrel giving an unfamiliar (to me) call last night. Call was quite unlike the coo-coo-coo note that is usually heard. Call consisted of a series of throaty phrases + [illegible] whistles - rather pleasant to listen to: wh uh eh eh eh eh whooo haw Call is a little hard to describe since I only heard it given three times clearly. She call was field, at a distance, on numerous occasions, throughout the night. Spend several hours straightening out gear + hanging things up to dry in the forward hold. Ship was in and out of heavy rain squalls until after dark with generally poor visibility. Saw a waterspout around 3 p.m. on the edge of one of the rain squalls.
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Hackmen, C.D. Field Notes March 10 Necker Island After our Nihoa experience we learned our lesson: today we travelled light. We took in too much gear oute Nihoa. We left the ship around 8:30 am but didn't land on the isled until 10:40 because of outboard motor problems. The landing looks quite scary because the it is made set onto a rock shelf but our lading was uneventful. The surge at this spot picks the craft up almost even with the top of the shell (when you jump off) and then dings about 8-10 feet on the water, hecker (when you really hang on.) Immediately after landing we flipped and tagged two turtles and checked out 11 sallo (lanbalot) that were swimming on the edge of Shark Bay. We then split up. (John + Dick to survey the reef life) the rest of us to make a bird survey. On the way back I counted several species + took egg measurements. This island is up and down much like Nihoa but is much easier, to work because it isn't heavily vegetated. Vegetation is patchy on the ridges + lush (in a few areas) on the slopes. Plants: Sebacia, Abrosadium, Panicum, Portulaca ad Portulacaeatum (Serrivium). I almost took my camera onto the island but am glad I didn't. The fellow in the bow of the raft made several bad scenes with the gear. My bag ended up in the water, but fortunately it floated or I would had lost my calviers + some oth unrepleable gear. This island would have photographed beautifully and I missed some good pictures. Felt it would be better to miss a few picture tha to lose my camera completely. Hackmen, C.D. 1967 Field Notes Illegible. March 11, 1967 Ten Island, French Frigate Shoals Arrived off the isled around 8:30 am but didnt around on the ship until close to 10 am while both whale boats, the Boston Whale + another boat were put into the water + loaded. Went into Ten Island + spent about 1 hour releasing Nihoa Finches + socializing. Left for East Isled around 1200 and arrived there around 11:20 pm. East Island, French Frigate Shoals March 11, 1967 Immediately set up camp with Ernie + Sue. Then Sue + Dick went back to Ten Island to pick up John + the rest of our gear. Ernie + I set up camp + got drinks ready for the evening chow when the rest returned. Took a quick survey around the isled to count seals + survey for birds. The others returned at 5:15 - the wind in from the south so they had a rough trip across exposed water.... It was rough on the first trip + roughte the second. After dinner, consisting of pork chops (freeze-dry) and corn- both cooked in Dutch we sat around + talked until after dark. Then Sue, Ernie + I loaded Ternators + Plovers for about an hour. Returned to camp about 8:15, picked up some bands + went out with Ernie to look for bandled birds. About 9:15 the rain started to fall and we were forced to quit. The wind is about 25 mph and the rain is really driving across the island mixed with sand - both sting + get in the eyes. The bird are very difficult to handle in the rain. Returned to camp + wrote up field notes while waiting for the rain to stop. The rain came down hard + dark and the wind started to howl so I got in the tent & unrolled my sleeping bag and sacked out.
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Hachman, C.D. 1967 March 15 passing Gardner Peninsula Sighted island at 6:30 am. Sea was rough and surf was pounding halfway up the side of the island. The ship didn't even slow down. We passed about 800 yards to the north of the island. A number of Blue-faugh broki came out to greet us and followed along for about 1 hour or so. Spent the rest of the day cruising toward Jayson Island. Gene Knolle saw a Glancous Hill on the island as we passed. I missed it! March 16 Off Jayson Island Ship stood to off of Jayson Island around 8:30 am. One whaleboat was lowered full of gear, with here, Ernie + me in the advance party. The wind + surf looked wrong but we wanted to go in and take a close look. So close we could see the surf breaking in and over the channel. The rollers, in close, were about 15 feet high. Spent the rest of the day on the ship just falling around catching up on field notes + other odds + ends. The crew spent the greatest portion of the day fishing off the fantail. Around 1 p.m. one fellow hooked into a 7 foot grey shark and after a lot of wrestling around the crew managed to kill it and then drag it out, the long club for ward. The shark was a female. Several other sharks were caught during the afternoon. The crew also devoted a great deal of time to fishing for a species of jack from the fantail--several of these were caught. Spent some time on the flying bridge watching bird flocks but saw nothing unusual. March 17 Off Jayson Island Up at six am + out on deck to check bird populations + take a look at the surf. The wind is still from the west and there is a heavy swell from the NW directly into the channel. The ship made a complete circuit of the island around 8:20 and all loading areas had heavy surf. The ship anchored about 1000 yards off the SW side for the remainder of the day. I devoted the rest of the day to a criticism of the Warren Commission Report on Hachman, C.D. 1967 March 17 Off Jayson Island the Kennedy assassination + spent a good portion of the day watching the bird flocks around--on the island. Nothing unusual. Until 9 am there were thousands of albatross + Bonin J. Petrel, over the ocean around the island. Through the remainder of the day, there were small numbers of albatross present including the lobolungists of black-footed albatross that hung around the ship patiently awaiting the penguin garbage dumpings. There were about 50 of these birds. After lunch Dick + I teased several of these birds with small pieces of cheese. This was intense competition between the three birds with one bird almost completely dominating the other two. The most aggressive of the three submerged all but its tail several times to retrieve rapidly sinking piece of cheese. dominant Once, after the dominant bird dived (much like a typical puddle duck) and failed one of the other two birds ran about 10 feet across the water and dove completely submerging itself for about 5 seconds. This bird dove to a depth of about 4 feet but not without great effort. The bird that successfully dove then spent about two minutes in ruffling, rearranging + preening feathers. B.P.F. Albatross and sharks were observed feeding together on several occasions during the day but not harmoniously. When sharks were present the albatrosses were nervous and kept their wings elevated to facilitate quick take-off. Sharks were within 2-3 feet off of one of the albatross at two. These birds either patterned out of the way or took off. When the sharks lost interest in the garbage the birds returned. It was also observed that the black-f. Albatross does not appear to be too fond of vegetables (raw, for salads). Around noon a large number of pieces of cabbage, lettuce +
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Haederson C.D. 1967 Field Notes March 17 Off Layson Island Celery were descended. She quickly drew about 15 Bl.-f. Albatross but none were observed eating anything. All picked at a few items and then took off. One Black-f. Albatross in Babbling plumage was observed several times yesterday. All pinions on the right wing were pure white. The bird also had a rectangular-shaped white area across the belly. There are very few Soot Terns around the island and from what can be seen from offshore no large colony on Layson at this time. According to Stone Kridle's records most species should have chicks by this time. Last year at this time in March he was finding well fledged grown (at least 1/2) chicks for most species. However, on the trip we have found only a few nestings for such species as Blue-f. + Red-f. Booby. Mostly we are finding nests under construction and fresh or only moderately incubated eggs. I had hoped for large numbers of chicks so that weights and complete plumage description could be made. To date, I can have been able only to take egg measurements for a few species and have taken no weights from chicks. The Soot Terns available on each island when combined with the misty days and bad weather that have been experienced have precluded taking weights + description from the few chicks thus far presented. Very few birds have been checked to this point because we have been unable to work at night at the choice locations because of the weather. If we can get onto Layson tomorrow we still plan to spend 2 nights and 3 days there so perhaps I'll be able to get something done. March 18 Layson Island After near two days of idle waiting the surf moderated and we were able to land. Finally got the last float load of gear + people on the island at 1:20 p.m. Set up camp + then began capturing Layson Frigate. It took us until nearly dark to capture the 100 birds we were after. Haederson C.D. 1967 Field Notes March 18 Layson Island The 100 birds we were after. These birds are certainly much easier to capture than were the ones on Nikoia Island. A full day half a day of trapping around or Nikao only yielded 2 birds whereas several hours here yielded more than the 100 birds we wanted. These birds will be transplanted on Southeast Island, Pearl + Hermes Reef. The first impression is that these birds are more colorful than those on St. Nikao. They appear somewhat long and their bills seem to be thick with a much more pronounced look on the upper mandible. The impression is that they also sing more but this may be simply due to the large male present here on Layson. When we first arrived I scanned the shore of the lagoon with my binoculars. There appeared to be several hundred Shortwings in numerous large groups. There will have to be checked sometime tomorrow. After dark Stone and the others went down to the lagoon to capture some Layson Teal while I worked around checking birds for bands. In five hours I covered about 1/2 of the island. She didn't meet with much success where most species of terns were concerned since the moon is slightly passed + full and these species are pretty alert. Although about 400 Albatross were checked none were found with bands. Only a few of the several hundred Bonin Island Petrels that were checked were banded and these were all in the vicinity of the campsite. Sacked out at 2 a.m. March 19 Layson Island Woke up around 6:30 and ate a hearty breakfast of coffee and peanut butter + jam sandwich. Around 8:30 am Dick Woer and I started off from camp on a complete circuit of the island. Our purpose was to count seals + chicks + obtain good observation. The others followed us at a distance of about 1/2 mile tagging seal pups
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Hacheman, C.D. 1967 March 19 Layson Island and subadults. We counted 199 seals of all ages on a complete survey of the island. The walk around Layson is a long but interesting one. Fish balls of and bottle of all shapes, sizes and descriptions litter the beaches along the north and east shore. On some areas there may be as many as 75-100 fishballs in less than 50 feet of sand. The pink found on the beach is fascinating. Large numbers of light bulbs are found high on the beach - unbroken. We have found some neon bulbs. Among items found today: 3 raffle balls, a plaque marked "No 3" Boat", b/11/11, int red and bl/4 light bulbs, a can headlight (sealed beam), wine + whiskey bottle galore, a canteen (USA Army type) made in 1918, a military thermos jug, float cork + pole, a can of metal polish, an oxygen cylinder, and one chrome dog among other things. We found several enormous pieces of bamboo on the beach - one was 30 feet long and had a diameter of about 9-11" at the butt end. Along the east beach we found many small piles of Portuguese man-o-war. These were all small - about 1 to 3' long and light blue in color. We had seen large numbers floating by the ship during the two days we had to lay off of the island! I am continually amazed by the lack of abundant life on these northern island reefs. The variety of fish and other creatures is minimal when compared with that which exists on the reefs of the equatorial islands. These northern islands are almost barren in comparison. There are also very few crabs on these northern islands when compared with those to the south. We made the complete island circuit in little more than 3 1/2 hours. The six or so miles around seem like 20 toward the boat because walking in the loose sand is difficult and quickly tires a person. After eating a well rounded lunch: 2 glasses of Tang, 2 cups coffee, + 2 peanut butter + jam sandwich I headed for the lagoon to make a shocked count + to take a few pictures of some of the birds that were present. Around 2 p.m I was trying with Hacheman, C.D. 1967 March 19 Layson Island a pair of binoculars + my single lens reflex camera in an attempt to obtain a decent photograph of a Layson Tern. It seems to work fairly well but I couldn't hold the binoculars + the camera steady enough. I was just starting back toward camp to borrow Ernie's tripod before going completely around the lagoon when the ship began to blow its siren and horn. Later, When I arrived in camp I learned that the baromate was falling + the surf was rapidly building up again + we had been requested to come off of the island. Since there were 20 some men from the ships who were on the island picking up fish balls and looking at the birds, it took about 4 trips with the whole boat to get everyone and all of the gear back to the ship. During one of the trips they crashed 3 times on the boat + caused some minor hull damage when the boat was slammed by a large wave that was just starting to break. One crewman got a nasty bump on the head as the boat pitched over the wave. So once again something has come up to ruin all our plans + cut into our field work time. I had planned to measure eggs of a number of species tonight as well as surveying the southern + eastern quadrant of the island. On this whole trip I have only had a little more than 1 full night of working time. Hardly enough in which to accomplish anything! Checked about 75 Layson Albatross nests the first afternoon and night on the island but found no fleas in the nests! Also checked in about 30 Black-footed nests but found no fleas there either.
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Hockman, C.D 1967 Field Notes. March 20 Lisianski Island Landed on the island around 9 am in the Whale boat. Spent until 1:30 p.m. making a complete island circuit with Jim + Ernie in orde to census and tag seals + turtles. Returned to camp and ate a quick lunch before shelving out to measure eggs. The thick growth of Scaevola make walking a chore, especially when combined with the large number of cheiranthus-petrel burrows on the island. The soil on this island is the finest sand I've encountered on any island and the burrow cave in easily. Normally, as light as I am, I can skirt across the tops of burrows without caring for many of them. This was not true on Taroa and certainly isn't true on this island. About halfway across the island a burrow caved in while I was measuring a Red-footed Booby egg and I cracked my knee against one of the Scaevolas. The knee turned black + blue almost immediately but didn't hurt very much. Since it was we were scheduled to leave the island at 5:00 pm there wasn't time enough for a complete survey of the island or anything more than a cursory check of the various bird populations. In the 3th channel I barely managed to run a fairly decent survey of the southern half of the island. Saw several seabirds but couldn't capture them - both Red-footed Boobies. The whaleboat returned at 4:30 pm instead of at 5 pm as scheduled so I was unable to get one the 12 sets of Blue- faced Booby eggs measured. During the 3 hours I was able to get measurements of eggs + nest dimensions of: 17 Hawaiian Nody, 20 Great Frigates, 20 Grey-b. Tern, 18 Red-footed Bool., 13 Blue- faced Booby and 1 Fairy Tern. Had to check over 200 nests for these measurements. The majority of Red-footed Soobies were on nests but only 18 kinds of 85+ nests chiled, had eggs. Had to check 60 Great Frigate nests to get 20 egg measurements. As with other island populations, on the trip, we are a little too early. Most birds are on fresh & barely incubated eggs. Sooty Terns are swimming but not down during the day. The Blue-foot Boobies are the exception to this statement. On Lisianski we found one large young and four(4) small downy young in addition to four nests with small naked chicks. Hockman, C.D 1967 Field Notes March 20 Lisianski Island Vegetation was fairly lush. Erogrostis, Potalea and Tribulus were all in full bloom. The Ironwood trees and dense growths of Scaevola were in good condition as were the two coconut trees (we drank the milk from two coconuts + planted another). During the island circuit we found several very small turtles which we tagged. These turtles could be easily picked up + carried by one man. Aside from the several we tagged another five or six of similar size were observed in the water. We saw no sharks around the inside reef nor did John and Dick who did a great deal of diving in several areas. When we returned to the ship we learned that there had been what they described as "two hundred" around the ships. At least 25 had been shot with an M-1 rifle and had been seen to sink. The crew of the ships seemed to have enjoyed this. We were back on the ship by 5:10 pm and heading for Pearl + Hermes by 6 pm. Sacked out at 8:15 p.m. March 21 Pearl + Hermes Reef (next page)
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Hachiman, C.D. 1967 Field Notes March 21 Southeast Is., Pearl + Hermes Reef Arrived off the atoll at 6:50 am and piddled around looking boats, etc., etc. for quite a while. Finally got into the isled by whaleboat around 9 am. + had camp pitched by 9:45 am. Spent until noon banding + releasing Taylor Teal and Lawson Finch here on Southeast. The first two ducks released took off and headed straight out to sea - out of sight. We may clipped the net of the linds that were released. None of the other finches made any attempt to leave the island. Of the Taylor Finches, male were color banded red and female, color - banded blue. The weather looked threatening all day and was quite cool (about 64° with a stiff breeze) and we all froze toward evening. Built a nice cozy bonfire and sat around it while eating lobsters, cooked in butts and chili and beans. It was a delicious dinner with the lobsters courtesy of John + Dick who did some diving this afternoon and managed to capture about five big lobsters. Around 12:30 p.m. there, Ernie + I went around the isled to tag seals + turtles. This took us about 3 hours because we get side-tracked + spent some time poking around on the reef. Ernie caught an octopus, that was right on the shoreline, after a lot of pulling and tugging and took it back to camp for lunch. I spent about 1 hour beating open a coral head from which I obtained about 7 different types of crabs - all quite small. Around 3:30 we returned to camp. Here and I spent about 2 ½ hours pulling up mustard weed quite to see how much work would be involved in pulling all the plants on the island up. We pulled up an awful lot of mustard but hardly made a dent in the overall area. Gene said the military brought it here on one of their frequent visits. It appears that the mustard is rapidly spreading and that certain plants (Berberis + Tribulus) cannot compete very well with it. Most plants are in full bloom at the present time. After dark Dick + I went around the island checking birds for bands. Didn't have much luck with any of them, then three staged Black-footed Albatross. Every thing else left while we were still quite a distance away. Can with an overcast sky it is much too hard to effectively capturing most of these birds. We went around the island in time + didn't manage to capture much of anything. Hachiman, C.D. 1967 Field Notes Southeast Is., Pearl + Hermes Reef March 21 It sprinkled several times while we were going around the island. It looks very much so if we're going to be rained upon before we get off of this isled - if not tonight then tomorrow. At the present time (11:45 pm) it is sprinkling lightly again and the air for the feel of rain. The sky is extremely dark to the north and the wind in second brisk. I gave up on the birds around 11 p.m. She quit around 10 p.m. + went back to camp while I chased around the island again to no avail. Everything on this island is sparing for some reason or other. Couldn't get within 100 feet of most they bailed. Modely a White-capped Noddy + only managed to capture 2 Blue-faced boobies out of about 17 tried for. Southeast, P+H Reef March 22 It went down to about 60° last night and everyone froze. No one wanted to get up because it was so chilly outside. A couple of those seals finally got up and built a big bonfire in front by the tent and then the rest of us came out. It looked + felt like rain (which we could see off in the distance in several directions) so we stayed around camp doing little odds + ends. Around 9 am I was out counting nest + measuring a few eggs when here called and asked me to go along with him to Gene, Seal + Kettley Islands to help tag seals + turtles. We left camp at 9:15 and arrived at Glass around 10:00 am. There we worked Kitty and Seal Islands before returning to camp around 4 p.m. On the way back we stopped at several seal spots to count seals + turtles. Tried a new tagging system today. It seems I'm too light to hold my end of the tow pole down when tagging the subshell seal so Hank did this (along with Ernie) and I held the tag on the flying. The day before (1 or 2 amish) I had held several seals lift me up + come and under my side of the tape ... my weight didn't seem to slow the seals up one bit. Today with the two heavy weights working the tape there were no problems. The evening before we had lobsters (off the reef) fried in butter for dinner along with some fresh-day chili and beans
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Hachman, C.C. 1967 March 22 Southeast Island, P+H Reef It was a delicious + thorough enjoyable meal. Tonight Ernie + I cooked talents & fixed a dinner consisting of freeze dried pork chops, potatoes, apple sauce + corn fed (off the reef). This was pretty fair but didn't compare with the lobster meal of the evening before. Just before dusk Ernie + I hauled about 200 Black f Alligator chiles with his hands. After dark with the moon nearly 3/4 full (it cleared around 2:30 in the afternoon) it was impossible to capture ray snakes. I can many hand with snake but couldn't get close to many of them. The Sooties were down on the ground in several places but were difficult to capture. By running through them with a net and by standing in one place waiting just as they flew by I was able to testune & bowled 8 Sooty Terns. I can many more land birds than these but could not get close enough to capture them. I made 5 circuits of the island + the settled Terns for about 2 hours before finally giving up completely + catching out. Caught the following landed birds: 11 Red f. Booby, 1 Brown S. Petrel, 8 South Janet + 1 Layson Teal between 8:30 pm and 1:45 am. I didn't try to had any because the would have represented futility at its best. While returning from seal + turtle tagging on the other islands we stopped at one of the many sand spits because it had 9 scale seals (actually 14 were on the spit). I jumped out of the boat in my bare feet + walked down the beach to the fr. end. Near that fr. end there was a large area covered with jagged coral rubble. In the middle of the coral rubble sat one of the Layson Teal we had wing-clipped today + released on Southeast Is. I got within 3 feet of the bird before it patterned away into deep water. Apparently the bird had wandered off of Southeast Is. + flew down to this sandspit (about 4 miles from Southeast Is.). Set up at 3 am + changed the batteries to the light used by the ship for bearings. Hachman, C.C. 1967 Field Notes March 23 Southeast Is., P+H Reef Woke up around 4 am to find everyone shuffling around mumbling. She had gotten out of bed to pull the boat up high on the beach. They all shuffled back in (still mumbling to themselves) around 4:15 and went back to sleep. Set up at 7 am + sat around the morning's camp fire until about 8 am. Ernie, I, & Ernie + I the spent the next two hours counting alligator chicks. After finishing with the alligators chicks I got out all of my gear + made a census of the islands terns, presumed eggs, describe nests + weigh chicks of several species. Finished then around 1:30 and returned to camp, ate lunch + helped break camp. The whole boat came in at 2:30 and John + I returned to the ship with the bulk of the gear. John + I spent the rest of the afternoon sorting sorting gear + repairing. When they + the others returned we all pitched in and stored the rest of the gear. They had stayed on the island in order to spray the mustard thistles was growing so profusely there. We were steering toward Midway Is. by 6 p.m. Spent the rest of the evening until 11:30 catching up on field notes + species accounts. Odds + ends: While on Swan Island yesterday I hunked down to measure a frigate egg and felt something crawl on me. The area near the frigate nest was infested with ticks. I collected a few of the bird but didn't have time to very many. In the dark this spent on Ernie (about 40 minutes) I was bitten at least 4 times - several behind my right knee. Found several injected ticks later on. Here are the first and only type I've seen all throughout. Have checked all other islands but haven't seen any. Couldn't find any with Ernie. John said he had one crawling on his leg on Southeast Is. but I couldn't find any on either of the two nights we were there.
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Itinerary - March Leaves Depart Honolulu 10:15 am March 6 Arrive Nawiliwili Harbor 8:30 p.m. March 6 Depart Nawiliwili Harbor 8:15 a.m. March 7 Arrive Nihoa Island 0530 March 8 (on island 0945) Depart Nihoa Island 1040 March 9 Arrive Necker Island 10:40 March 10 Depart Necker Island 5:15 p.m. March 10 Arrive French Frigate Shoals 8:30am March 11 Depart French Frigate Shoals 5pm March 14 Arrive Gardner Pinnacle 8:30 March 15 Depart Gardner Pinnacle 8:45 March 15 Arrive Layson Is. 8:30 March 16 (landed, March 18) Depart Layson Is. 2:30 pm March 19 Arrive Lisianski Is. 9:00am March 20 Depart Lisianski Is. 4:30 pm March 20 Arrive Pearl + Hermes Reef March 21 10 am Depart Pearl + Hermes Reef March 23 2:30 pm Arrive Midway Island March 24 2:15 p.m. Depart Midway March 26 11:30 am Arrive Kure March 26 12:00 pm. Depart Kure March 30 3:30 p.m. Arrive Midway March 30 3:55 p.m. Depart Midway April 1 4:45 p.m. Midway Time Arrive Honolulu April 1 Haskin, C.D. 1967 Field Notes March 23 Southeast Is., Pearl + Hermes Reef Odd & Ends: When we first arrived here we found a note for Chen Rolfe who had come down from Midway by helicopter. He claims the plane caught in the storm the helicopter that dawn and had to spend the night on North Island inside the helicopter. They had started toward Midway but were forced back by strong head winds. A plane had to fly them from Midway the next morning to drop fuel + oil for the choppers so they could make the return trip in the helicopters. This morning I saw an orange stemmed frigate at close range flying up from an area in which a number of nest were located. I waited around the area but the bird did not return. It was impossible to determine if this bird was just loafing or copying of the breeding birds or whether it was actually breeding on Southeast Is. Left the island to return to the ship at 2:30 pm. along with John and the major portion of our gear. Steve Crane + Dick remained behind to spray the mustardweed in hopes of eradicating it. As soon as I got on the ship I unballed my tackle bag into the truck & tried to pack all of my gear, before Steve returned with his boat. When Steve returned he saw an adult Ring-billed Gull + yelled for me to bring the shotgun. I was down in the forward fold packing my second tackle full of gear + no one seemed to know who I who - got that it made any difference since the shotgun + ammo were both stored down in the bottom of the first tackle that had been packed. At 6 pm, the ship pulled anchor + steamed toward Midway Island.
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Hochman, C.D. 1967 March 26 Kure Atoll Eric + I left the BOQ at 10 am + carried on geo. about 4 blocks down to the hangar for the flight to Kure. We certainly didn't need any orders for this flight because no one asked for any ID at all. Plane had to hold on the runway for 15 minutes until all of the albatross got out of the way. At the first sign of a break the pilot roared down the strip and immediately climbed to about 300 feet. The atoll is absolutely beautiful from the air with many brilliant shades of blue and green. Saw four turtles in the Midway lagoon and several sharks. About halfway along I saw what appeared to be several dolphins swimming thereabouts in a patch of light blue water. The plane flew at 1500 feet on the crossing. From this altitude the Lagoon Albatross looked about = 30 wide + were easily identified as were the Black- footed Albatross, Red-footed Gulls, Red - T. Tropichil and Bonin D. Petrel (which were numerous). As the plane turned for the final wheels down approach onto Kure I counted 14 adult + 2 subadult seals on a sandpit south of Green Island. No turtles were observed. Spent about 1/2 hour walking around 1 part of the island in an attempt to show the pilot a "moonlit trail" Although we checked many burrows + beat through a lot of Scardola none were found. The plane flew back to Midway around 2:15 pm. I spent the rest of the afternoon going around the beach checking for Black-footed Albatross chicks. Returned to evening chow and then walked some more beach. By full dark I had finished 7/8 of the beach on the island. Hochman, C.D. 1967 March 26 Even D., Kure Atoll Just before dark while walking the beach for Black- footed Albatross chicks, I encountered two adult seals on the edge of the Scardola on the beach crest. One seal [illegible] immediately bellowed and charged rapidly (for a seal) but was easily evaded. I then tried standing my ground and the seal stopped short about 3 feet away and backed off. This enabled me to move in closer and check the other seal for a tag because each time the seal retreated I moved forward. The female was bleeding from the vagina and acted very sluggish. It seemed reluctant to move so I backed off to keep from disturbing her too much. She was apparently beginning to give birth. Returned to the carnashio for my camera + flash attachment + returned to the seals in hopes of actually witnessing and photographing a seal birth. Got back to the two seals at 8:30 pm and sat around watching until 9:40 p.m. The seals had moved down onto the open beach from their narrow open area in the Scardola and were quite nervous at my approach. The full moon was out by this time and the Seals could see me clearly in spite of my headlamp. A chunk of the area in which they had initially been observed turned up some blood on the sand and on the vegetation; but not a large quantity. I decided, finally, that if she was giving birth that the event was still many hours away as I left the seals and began capturing birds. The bright moon was a great help to the birds but certainly didn't help me. I tried Red-footed Bobbie roosting in the Scardola on the south end but by the time I finished crocheting through the heavy vegetation all were gone. I then worked a few bodied albatross (Lagoon) and had a great deal of trouble with them - some restricted areas. Around 10:30 I tried Bonin D. Petrels but found that most of them were in the air. In 35 minutes I only caught 6 of 50 that were on the ground and 9 redleg tails which were in burrows.
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Hachman, C.D. 1967 Field Note March 26 Green Is., Kure Atoll I ran across about 25 Blue-faced Cookies, many on nests and decided to try them. The third bird I tried to handle ended the landing for the night. It came me coming in the moonlight and began running. When I grabbed as it went by it was just a bit fast, and got me on the hard. She fell sliced right through my pigskin glove and took a chunk out of my finger which then felt like a stuck pig. After I stopped bleeding I returned to the barrack hoping to find a couple of band aids so I could keep on landing without having to worry about getting a lot of blood in the cut, but everyone was shaded out completely for the night. Rather than risk getting sand in the wound - which could lead to a serious infection - I returned to my room + wrote up a few notes before packing out at 12:30 am. The whole day was much anyhow - I couldn't land too many big birds. March 27 Green Is., Kure Atoll Up at 7:20 am with breakfast shortly afterward. At 8:10 am I went out to the north beach + finished the count of Black-footed Albatross chicks. This took a considerable amount of time because of the dense Sea-rose everywhere. All of the little cul-de-sacs had to be checked out along the entire length of the shore. Finished up at 11:35 am - just in time to hurry back + change clothes + washup for lunch. I could not find the seal that looked as if it were giving birth last night. Perhaps I was wrong about it. After lunch, I counted Razor chicks in the south antenna field and caught 4 or 5 Blue-faced Cookies that had nests in the area. The eggs were measured. I was so busy doing this I didn't notice the weather. Just as I bent over to capture the last female in the area it started to rain - buckets-full. Since it was about 1/2 mile back to the barrack, I got slightly drenched. Rain started at 2:30 p.m. along with gusty winds (20-30 mph). Spent the rest of the afternoon catching up on field notes. Wait out at night for about 3 hours and almost froze. Hachman, C.D. 1967 Field Note March 27 Green Is., Kure Atoll The storm we had during the afternoon brought strong, cool winds with it from the NW (10-25mph). In this wind the birds had no trouble in taking off. Blue-faced Cookies + Browns just spray into # air + were gone before I could get near them. Bonin B. Petrels were down in larger numbers than they were last night + I checked about 150 birds for 8 band returns. Saw + checked 9 Wedge-tails + got 1 banded bird. Did not attempt to handle Red-footed Cookies because it was so light. Plan to wait one more night + hope that it will be darker then. The moon is coming up late each night now. Couldn't get near the Red footed Cookies I tried. Made terrible noise. Around 10:45 p.m. I got extremely tired and could hardly keep my eyes open. Since I was attempting to work Blue-faced Cookies I got discouraged about four times + then decided to call it a night. The pace of the past two months finally caught up with me. Packed out at 11 and got a good night to sleep which should enable me to work the birds hard tomorrow night. March 28 Green Is., Kure Atoll Up at 7:10 am. Out measuring Blue-f. Cooky egg + checking nest for the rest of the morning until 11:30. I spent about 45 minutes in the bird shack looking on the gear stored there. We don't really have much gear then at the present time other than the jeep, motorcycle and the balance scales. Lots of little odds and ends here and there but nothing of either great value or importance. Almost no field supplies other than shot projectiles. The door on the bird shack is in bad repair, almost completely dislodged and only hanging on by one hinge. I don't have time this night. It's better to catch up work since I don't think I'll have enough time as it is to finish all I've laid out. The next person stationed here, if there is a next one, should have instructions to repair this door. He person should take a new set of hinges with him.
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Hockessin, C.D. 1967 Field Notes March 28 Green Island, Kume Atoll Had planned to spend the afternoon checking Red-f. Booby + Great Frigate nests in the central roost area. I began taking egg measurements from frigate but had to stop. As soon as I freed a bird off its nest about 12 Subadult males swooped in and completely dismantled it. Several adult females, without eggs, refused to leave their nests - the seemed to realize what would occur if they left. The nests that contained eggs were not bothered but fresh empty ones were immediately deserted upon and torn up. Each bird would swoop down + pull a piece of vegetation out, fly about 50 feet before dropping the vegetation and then wheel around + return for another chop at the nest. Since I was afraid I'd totally disrupt the nesting cycle if I went around chasing all of the birds off their nests I just stopped completely. I walked into the Scarpola toward a Red-footed Booby nest that was off by itself and the bird flew when I was about 75 feet away. While I struggled through the underbrush the frigate completely shredded the nest and broke the egg so I stopped working Red-foots, as well. Spent the rest of the afternoon checking seals + counting more Rayson Allattons chicks in various locations for comparison with the total Chan Robbins did in February. Saw a gull flying along the north beach around 4:15 pm but it was about 250 feet away and I couldn't tell by eye color size it was going away from me. The bird had a pure white tail + black marks on the wing tips like a King-billed Gull. She bird was an adult. Ate cheri + played billiards until dark. It looked threatening again + the wind was gusting. Headed out to start Blue-f. Boobies, Brown Boobies, Bonin I. Petrels + anything else I can catch that is wear a band. Hockessin, C.D. 1967 Field Notes March 28 Kume Island, Checked for banded birds until 12:30 am when the moon came out bright and still nearly full. As soon as the moon came out I couldn't get near anything. Checked close to 200 birds and got 165 returned. The large number of return for such a small sample resulted from working Blue-f. Booby and Rayson Allattons. For the first night since arriving here both were easy to approach. I did put off working them open + red-footed boobies because of the moonlight. I didn't want to get them all upset and nervous before that were some dark nights. Tomorrow & night I'll give the Red-footed booby a try because it will be dark until about 1:30 am. The Blue-face Boobies, were a little hard to capture because they kept running around. Only 2 of the 78 birds handled made attempts to fly - and then half-hearted. It took a little time to round each bird up. Capturing each bird involved running around in circles after the bird until it wandered into heavy vegetation or fell into a Sherman trap. I was afraid to run because the entire area was full of burrows - didn't feel like breaking a leg tonight. There weren't as many Bonin Boobies on the ground tonight but banded birds were easier to find. I saw the bands on all four of the birds I found tonight before the bird was picked up. She same applies to the four wedge-tails - the band on all four were visible before the birds were captured. Brown Boobies were very spooky this evening in contrast to last night when I was able to capture 8 out of 18 sitting on the Scarpola on the edge of the north antenna field. Tonight I grabbed one bird and the rest scattered in all directions. I almost wish I had more time here because I'm not going to finish with the albatross counts. Counting the chicks take some aim + shame because of the thick vegetation. I have about 1 1/2 full days to the 20th, and still haven't come close to completing over half the island. During my trawl today I checked around 20 Red-tailed Procellaria today but only found one with an egg. Checking the things is very time consuming because it require crossing 15-20 feet into dense Scarpola (at times 10 feet high). She takes 5-10 minutes, capturing the bird,
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Hickson, O.D. 1967 Field Notes March 28 Green D., Kune Atoll Which usually manages to stay just out of your grasp as you keep getting hung up in the vegetation, may consume almost as much time or more. Once you have the bird checked for a bed and she looked at the nest site the battle is only half over - you still have to get back out of the Scacole. She may take three or four minutes of circling around. It's all very frustrating and tiring. The same procedure must be followed in order to check Red-footed Booby or Great Frigate nests, or to attempt to capture these two species. At night, as you flounder around in vegetation that is over your head, trying to figure out where in the hell you are, every bird within 100 yards in all directions is fully alerted and ready to flee. It's a word anyone manages to capture any Red-foot at all on this island because they all seem to be in the densest portions of the Scacole where there are no trails. Saw several Christmas D. Shearwaters flying around late the afternoon but still have not found any on the ground at night. They aren't terribly common here to begin with and I haven't been able to discover their favorite haunts as yet. The fellows here tell me that a large roost of Hawaiian Nody Tern (White-capped) can be found near the end of the runway (880 feet east). Several early evening trips up that way have failed to turn them up. Returned to barracks + worked on field notes + today's heading returns. Looked at my watch + promptly cackled out when I realized it was 2:30 am. Time flies! No wonder I felt tired! March 29 Green D., Kune Atall Up at 7 a.m. Spent all morning making a census of Tayan Albatross chicks in the area not encrusted by chloroform during this February visit. It takes three or four days to census each area because of the dense Scacole. While counting I checked band numbers on both species of albatross and marked the birds with red + blue spray paint. Made roost counts of Red-footed Booby + Great Frigate in both roosting areas. Returned to barracks area + explored sand more shea-wots burrows but still could not find any chicks or eggs. Spent the rest of the morning chasing down Layson Albatross + checking numbers. Spent a hour after lunch making a survey of island vegetation and found many introductions - several that were quite a surprise. I didn't go to far from the barracks because it was threatening again (as did rain between 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. as I did some paperwork). After the rain stopped I spent another hour and a half chasing birds on the other side of the runway. Vegetation here is thick + lush, probably because of the frequency of rain showers (2-3 per day). Verbascum sp. has almost completely taken over the NW sectors of the antenna field where it grows to a height of 1½ to 2½ feet in a thick mass. The species is also beginning to appear in the south Antenna field in a few areas. In the interim, about 150 feet island from the radar reflector, forming a right angle with the reflector and the main antenna mast I found a patch of mint. Square stemmed, white flowered, about 1½ feet high. There were two main clumps and many sprouts over an area of about 10 feet in diameter. The plant did not have a pleasant odor so some might do. An incomplete plant survey Thursday: 1) Scacole - common + dwarf covers about ⅓ of island in dense, almost impenetrable thickets. Not flowering or fruiting. 2) Verbascum sp. - has high through large segments of the south antenna field. Spreading into other areas. In full bloom. 3) Cupharia sp. - small plants scattered in barracks lawn - an introduction? 4) Crocostis sp. - the large native species, here and there in other areas. 5) Thistle sp. (Son thistle?) - scattered around in cleared areas near barracks (common?) - also occurs along runways. 6) Cyperus sp. - in barracks lawn + in cleared area 7) Phlox - two - scattered in barracks lawn - introduction? 8) Indigo fistulae - in full bloom, scattered around island in clearing a basic nest material for boobies + frigatebirds.
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Hadlson, C.D 1967 March 29 Green &. Gene Atoll Field Notes 9. Boerhaavia sp. - common in clear areas throughout the island. Used in frigate + red f. Bird's nest. 10. Chenchia sp. (Sard bun gram) - Several plants found in banancho lawn - introduction. 11. Oxalis sp. - spread through banancho lawn - introduction. 12. Casimira sp. (Ironwood) in banancho area - introduction. 13. Toumepota messeschmidtii - Several large trees along beach crest. 14. Solanum species (black berries, pale leaves, flowers) - common in cleared areas - blooming + fruits at present 15. Coconut (Litchedski sp ?) - introduction around banancho + in several other areas (near Bu. & more Hotel picnic area). 16. Cordia species - several near basketball court on the edge of the antenna field. 17. Sesamium - like species - small, dark leaves, the petals, flowers with 5 lanceolate flowers that are white at the base, stamens yellow (5), 5 sepals alternating with petals. Found on roadway to plane spot near diesel fuel tank tanks - blooming. 18. Nightshade species - small plant with small white flower with yellow pistil, 5 petals. Leaf typical nightshade leaf. Fruity, Family common in cleared areas. 19. Morning Glory species - common along edges of Seacole around the perimeter of the antenna field. In bloom. 20. Grass sp. (Eriogonum ?) small plant located on north side of basketball court. Fruiting head is purplish as it ripens, leaves, small, long + pointed. 21. Grass sp. like common crab grass, 3-5 purplish headed, head flat + heavy, leaf thin, fluted + hairy, near north side of basketball court. 22. Plant similar to Daisy Fleabane that occurs on Atlantic coast (Maryland) - located between banancho + wind shack. There may be several other species of grass and composites here that because I have trouble identifying species of both - especially with no references. There are also several tree species of shrub that have been introduced around the banancho that I could not & identify although all are fairly common in Hadlson. Hadlson, C.D 1967 March 29 Green &. Gene Atoll Field Notes 23. Grass sp. Pubescence in leaf + fruit axils. Undersides of leaves not hairy. Fruiting heads consist of two rows of seeds that are flat and ragged edged + tend to become purplish. Could not count stamens accurately, but there appeared to be 3-5 on each seed. Leaf broad 16 mm hairy for lot 1/2" + in leaf axil stamen purplish purgled Seed: 3-5 Stamens 2.8 mm wide Fruiting heads about 20 mm long. Saw plants with 2 to 3 heads per stalk. Plants averaged 7 1/2" from ground to tip of fruiting head. 24. Sea Grape (Medicago sp ?) behind banancho - several 25. Unknown plant - no square (ground stem), [illegible] (1.55mm wide) - 3 leaves, toothed ([illegible]?) Medicago sp? typical leaf fine toothed terminal leaves (12.45 mm to 16.85 by 24 mm) fruit 7.6 mm wide - fruits appear to consist of 3 white (+ can be unruined) Seeds like tiny lima beans, shiny @. Fruits flat on top. Not flowering
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Hachman, C.D 1967 Field Notes March 31 Sa'd & Midway Island, Up at 0700 and directly are to OOD + base security to check onto the island. Then to Mr. Tennyson Industrial Relations, Room 209 in the Administration Building to attempt to line up a seat on Saturday a log flight to Honolulu. He knew all about me (the Kindle had warned him that I might not have orders) and was very accommodating. He took the set of encrypted orders I had written up on SI letterhead from yesterday phone call with Dr. Kyle + told me to be at the terminal before 12 noon tomorrow in order to check in. Returned to BOQ to find that Dr. Kyle had called. I called him back + learned that a telegram had been sent from the contracting agency to verify the orders + had sent only copies to several addresses, as well as to the CO of the zone. I called Mr. Tennyson + told him of this. I then picked up binoculars + camera + walked to the run-off area near the end of the runway to check on the ducks, shorelarks + snails there. Mainly just killing some time. Returned from run-off area at 2:00 p.m. + was almost back to the BOQ when someone called + there was George Young in a pickup truck. We went out at night + got some specimens but had to quit because it got so darn cold. We were both chatting away around midnight + finally said heck with it. We had several interruptions but mostly - people checking to see if we belonged on the runway area at night. Each one turned in his light - except I could just sit there while birds ran in all directions like mad. We finally quit from cold + frustration. April 1 Up at 7:45 am, met George at 8:30 am + we then made the rounds for several hours: Hospital, Security, etc. And at 10:45 we went out along the beach near the dugout and in a total of 44 Black-footed Albatrosses in 1 hour 1 minute before exhausting the local supply. George said that were the only pros around so we shookred off. In all I helped George pick up about 130 samples. Could have had many more if they had Hachman, C.D 1967 Field Notes April 1 Sa'd & Midway Is. Took luggage over to air terminal + checked in a 9am before going out to work the Black-foot population. I understand personnel leaving the island should check-in as early as possible in the morning. Not to do so is to risk being stamped dumped off of the flight. The Northwest Atlantic plane was late as usual so George + I killed some time by eating a couple of hotdogs at the chiefs club + then watching several innings of a soft-ball game. The plane arrived at 3:10 about 2 hours late. It took off again for Honolulu at 4:45 p.m. The plane flew at 12000 feet + hit a little rough weather for about 45 minutes. Whole trip was cloudy + overcast. We passed by some towering cloud formations - several higher than the plane. Arrived in Honolulu at approximately 10:20 pm + took about 1 hour to get off plane + then through U.S. Customs. Miscellaneous: Somewhat must have been an enormous ray apparently bashing in the shallow portion of the lagoon near Easter Island as the plane took off. Saw one red albatross strike (Lanyon) by the left wing tip shortly after take-off about 100 feet off the ground.
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C.D. Hachman 1967 Species Account Layson Finch (Bittirrita cantans) March 18 Layson Island Late in the afternoon I walked into the Ironwood (Casuarina) where all of the Hawaiian Noddy nest are located to place some of the captured Layson Finches in one of the bird nets we were using for carrying cages. The noddies all flew out of the tree as I came into the area. I wasn't under the tree for more than two minutes, when I observed a female finch about five feet away. She landed in a low noddy nest and without delay broke the egg open and ate a little. The female was promptly chased away from the nest by a male who then quickly consumed the entire egg shell and parts of the contents. It took the bird only five minutes to completely consume the entire shell. After dark I returned to the tree to measure the noddy eggs and found a banded male sleeping on top of an unmarked Hawaiian Noddy nest. The bird had its head tucked in and was so soundly asleep that I picked it up, read + recorded the band + replaced it on the noddy nest before it became aware of what had occurred. The bird woke up + practically left the nest. Birds appear to be common + widely distributed throughout the atoll. Total population - several thousand. March 21-23 Southeast I., Pearl + Henea Reef About 95 birds released on this islet around noon on the 21st. One found in sick condition with a wing injury (male) on the morning of the 23rd. Numerous birds observed feeding on Tribulus spinosus Cyperus during the visit. C.D. Hachman 1967 Species Account Layson Duck (Anas laysanensis) March 18 Layson Island Only 15 ducks were visible in the lagoon by binoculars, check from the campsite at 5:30 p.m. Two other birds were observed in a tidal pool on the NW shore by John Macjolek around 4:30 p.m. The crew caught 12 ducks to be transported to Pearl + Henea Reef. March 19 Layson Island A bird circle, east of the East, north + west shore at 1 pm accounted for only 8 birds. March 21-23 Southeast I., Pearl + Henea Reef 12 birds (5 female) released around noon on the 21st. The second bird released flew out to sea and was joined by the first one released. All subsequent birds were wing clipped before release. Four were observed rooting on the night of the 22nd. One drake was found dead on the shore (north) on the morning of the 23rd. March 22 Sand spit near Hana I., Pearl + Henea Reef One wing clipped drake was on the north part of this sand spit along with 14 seals. The bird eluded capture by putting into deep water and was last seen swimming toward another sand spit in the direction of Southeast Island. This bird appeared healthy, but since it was wing clipped its chance of surviving in open water appears to be quite small owing to the large number of white-tipped sharks in the area. The bird may have wandered off of Southeast I. + been pushed down to the sandpit by strong wind + currents moving in that direction. The sand spit was about 2-3 miles from Southeast Island.
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C.D. Hackman 1967 Species Account Hawaiian Monk Seal March 8 Nihoa Island 2 adults in core near landing on south side of island March 9 Nihoa Island 1 adult in core near landing as we hauled gear down the cliff. March 10 Necker Island Five adults and 1 subadult were sunning themselves on the rocks near Shark Bay. None were tagged. March 13 Trig B, FF Shoals Tagged: 8 pups (2 male, 4 female & 2 unk sex) Rescued: 7 - adult female (5 with pups) 1 - adult male 2 - subadult males 1 - subadult female Total Tagged: 8 pups + 3 subadults March 14 Whale-Steak, FF Shoals AF - 6 Unclassified adult - 1 Subadult male - 4 5 Pups tagged - 3 male + 2 female 4 subadult males tagged 1 recovery (USNM) - retagged with metal clip March 14 Trig B, FF Shoals Tagged: 1 additional pupa just born - umbilical and still attached - & gave 1 additional adult female & island (for total of 8 adult females on Triggell with pups). March 11-12 East L, FF Shoals Tagged 5 pups + 2 subadult . Total population: 5 pups. 4unk. subadult, 1 male subadult, 4 AF, 2 AM, 4 unknown adults. Hackman, C.D. 1967 Species Account Hawaiian Monk Seal March 19 Necker Island Made a complete survey of the island beaches which took 3½ hours starting at 8:45 am: AM - 45 AF - 54 Subadult male - 30 Subadult female - 22 Subadult unknown 7 Adult unknown 13 Male pup 12 Female pup 7 Unknown pup 9 / 199 seals Of the 54 adult females, 18 had small pups and 6 had large pups. One subadult male was found along the northwest beach that had suffered a severe back injury - Somehow or other it had torn a great gash in its back (flesh? or chalk?). This was rotting and appeared to have a massive infection. The seal could not move its hind quarters very well and made no effort to get away from us even though it was only about 4 feet from the water. A subadult male was also found dead & appeared to be freshly died. An unknown age subadult & a boldly disengaged adult and a small pup were also found dead on Granville beach. One adult female was observed on the west lead that was in the process of giving birth. Tagged 33 (20 pups)
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March 22 Southeast Island, P+H Reef It was a delicious + thoroughly enjoyable meal. Tonight Emie + I combined talents ad fixed a fine dinner, consisting of frozen dried pork chops, potatoes, apple sauce + core full (off the reef). Fish was pretty fair but didn't compare with the lobster meal of the evening before. Just before dusk this p.m. I hauled about 200 Black f Albatross chicks with his hook. After dark with the moon nearly 3/4 full (at climax around 2:30 in the afternoon) it was impossible to capture any more. I saw many birds with hands but couldn't get close to many of them. The Sooties were down on the ground in several places but were difficult to capture. By running through them with a net ad by standing in one place setting bird on they flew by, I was able to lecture & double footed terns. I saw many more headed birds than this but couldn't get close enough to capture them. I made 5 counts of the isled + the settled Terns for about 2 hours before finally giving up completely + sailing out. Caught the following headed birds: 11 Red f. Boodie, 1 Bonin St. Petrel, & Sooty Tern + 1 Layson Teal between 8:30 pm and 1:45 am. I didn't try to bed a ny because the would have represented futility at its best. While returning from sea + turtle tagging on the oth. isled, we stopped at one of the many card spits because it had 9 visible seals (outcall 14 more on the left). I jumped out of the boat in my fine feet + swelled down the head to the far end. Near that & ad there was a large area covered with jagged coral rubble. In the middle of the coral rubble sat one of the Layson Teal which was wing-clipped tightly + released on Southeast Is. I got within 3 feet of the bird before it pattern away into deep water. Apparently the bird had wandered off of Southeast Is. & then came down to this card spit (about 1 mile from Southeast Is.) Set up at 3 am + changed the battery to the light used by the ship for bearings. March 23 Southeast Is., P+H Reef Woke up around 4 am. To find everyone shuffling around mumbling. She had gotten them out of bed to pull the boat up high on the beach. They all shuffled back in (still mumbling to themselves) around 4:15 & went back to sleep. Set up at 7 am + sat around the morning's camp fire until about 8 am. Here, Emie & I then spent the next two hours counting albatross chicks. After finishing with the albatross chicks, I got out all of my gear + made a circuit of the isled to search for more eggs, describe nests + weigh chicks of several species. Finished at around 1:30 and returned to camp, ate lunch + helped break camp. The whole boat came in at 2:30 and John + I returned to the ship with the skull of the gea. John + I spent the rest of the afternoon aboard sorting gear + repairing. When they & the others returned we all pitched in and stored the rest of the gear. They had stayed on the island in order to spray the mustard that was growing as profusely there. We were altering time & Midway by 6 p.m. Spent the rest of the evening until 11:30 catching up on field notes + species accounts. Odds + ends: While on Guam Island yesterday, I found down to measure a frigate egg and fill something crawl on one. The area near the frigate nests was infested with ticks. I collected a bit of the bird but didn't have time for very many. In the short time spent on Green (about 40 minutes) I was little at least 4 times - several behind my right knee. Found cured frogbit ticks later on. These are the first and only type I've seen all this trip. Have checked all other isleds but haven't seen any. Couldn't find any with either. John said he found one crawling on his leg on Southeast Is. but I couldn't find any on either of the two nights we were there.
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Itinerary - March Seaward Depart Honolulu 10:15 am March 6 Arrive Nawiliwili Harbor 8:30 p.m. March 6 Depart Nawiliwili Harbor 8:15 a.m. March 7 Arrive Nihoa Island 6:30 March 8 land on island 0945 Depart Nihoa Island 1040 March 9 Arrive Necker Island 10:40 March 10 Depart Necker Island 5:15 p.m. March 10 Arrive French Frigate Shoals 8:30am March 11 Depart French Frigate Shoals 5pm March 14 Arrive Gardner Pinnacle 6:30 March 15 Depart Gardner Pinnacle 8:45 March 15 Arrive Laysan I. 8:30 March 16 Lands, March 18 Depart Laysan I. 2:30pm March 19 Arrive Lisianski I. 9:00am March 20 Depart Lisianski I. 4:30pm March 20 Arrive Pearl + Hermes Reef March 21 10 am Depart Pearl + Hermes Reef March 23 2:30 pm Arrive Midway Island March 24 2:15 p.m. Depart Midway March 26 11:30 am Arrive Kure March 26 12:00 p.m. Depart Kure March 30 3:30 p.m. Arrive Midway March 30 3:55 p.m. Depart Midway April 1 4:45 pm. Midway Time Arrive Honolulu April 1 1967 March 23 Southeast I. Pearl + Hermes Reef old + new: When we first arrived here we found a note for Chen Robbins who had come down from Midway by Helicopter. It seems they were caught in the alien this wind came down and had to spend the night on North Island inside the helicopter. They had studied island Midway but were forced back by strong head winds. A pilot had to fly down from Midway the next morning to drop fuel + oil for the chopper so they could make the return trip to the helicopter. This morning I saw an orange stemmed green finch at close range flying up from an area in which a nest of sorts was located. I waited around the area but the bird did not return. It was impossible to determine if this bird was just loafing in company of the breeding birds or whether it was actually brooding a Southeast. Left the island to return to the ship at 2:30 pm. along with John and the major portion of our gear. Alan Cinco + Dick remained behind to spray the mustard weed in hopes of eradicating it. As soon as I got on the ship I unloaded my tackle back into the trunk & tried to pack all of my gear like she returned with the boat. When she returned he saw an adult King - billed Skull & yelled for me to bring the shotgun. I was down in the forward fold packing my second trunk full of gear + no one slowed to know what I was not that it made any difference since the shotgun + ammo were both stored down in the bottom of the first trunk that had been packed. At 6 pm. the ship pulled anchor & steamed toward Midway Island.
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"February 1965 Journal Atoll Fakarofa, Tokelau Atoll February 27 The morning shortly after dawn I walked around to the other side of the island in order to watch the nesting Lesser Frigatebird, Brown Boobies and Hawaiian Molly Merl's agent. There were about 450 Lesser Frigates, 800 Hawaiian Molly Mergs and 6 Brown Boobies. Most of these birds had roosted over the tops of some 60' Cocoa trees. In connection with the birds here it is interesting to note that the Fairy Tern do not come close to or hover above a person walking around as they do on all other islands we have visited at one time or another (except Louis Atoll). But yesterday Paul found a plant he said resembled corn, growing in one of the cultivated Taro patches. The afternoon I went over to look at it. The leaves were smooth and did not have the ragged edges that corn leaves have nor did they have the heavy pubescence of corn leaves. The leaves were joined together in such a manner that the plant resembled an enormous piece of corn grass. The plant was 9 feet high and the total length of the leaves was 4 feet." "February 27 Spent the afternoon taking pictures of some of the more typical plants on the islands we've visited. I was unable to photograph some of the smaller species due to their inaccessibility and the lack of light. Four photographs were taken of the corn-like species described earlier. Short species seen but not collected include: 'bee-wing fly, a large moth similar to the Sphinx moth and several species of moths. A number of small insects have undoubtedly been missed. The mosquito flies, fortunately, as day feeders. When working certain islands during the day one is literally mobbed by mosquitoes. Life is awful during the daylight hours but at night you aren't eaten alive. Near one of the Taro patches we found numerous clumps of Sago Palm grass. This species was undoubtedly introduced in the soil brought from Samoa. The soil was used as ballast by sailboats running up to Fakarofa from Samoa. On the return trip these ships were loaded with copra. Since the native soil was poor in quality the natives dug the pits and utilized all that was brought from Samoa. Feb 28 Fakarofa Atoll, Tokelau Atoll Set up at 6:00 a.m. and started the long trip across the lagoon. Since one of the motors acted up the trip took about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Finally arrived at the ship about 8:20 and pushed off shortly afterward for Nukunonu Atoll."
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Nuckman, C.D. 1965 Journal March 2 Tokelau Tokelau Atoll Nuckman Tokelau Island The soil on Tokelau Island is extremely poor and sparse. It consists mainly of coral rubble with only small amounts of organic material. Consequently the vegetation, in many areas, isn't tremendous impressive. Birds Nest Polypodium and a fern that closely resembles the Christone Fern (native to the south earth U.S.) compose the bulk of the ground cover. There is an extremely sparse growth of Brachyaria (Thunb variety) and a Scaevola-like grass Scaevola I messerschmidia and Surama (cult land) are common plants in the understorey, with the last two confined primarily to the beaches. The canopy is predominantly Cocos with varying amounts of Pandanus Pisonia Morinda and Kuni (?) Several Cordia subcordata was found. Other plants encountered include Elaeagnus sp Cassytha filiformis and several helobaceous species that have been introduced. This plant growth pattern holds for all of the islands on the atoll. The Birds Nest Fern seems to be the primary source of organic soil. Each fern's root system is extensive (like each there is a small pile of decayed plant material. This material is held tightly together by the extensive root system. The cocos debris and other plant material that fall onto the ground are not held tightly in any manner so consequently due to the heavy annual rainfall, this materials are washed away as fast as they form. This washing away is facilitated by the extremely porous soil. Black and White Photographs Roll #1 Fakarava Island Tokelau Group Feb 27 (36 exposure roll) #1 Cassytha filiformis on Scaevola frutescens f11/125 #2 Closeup of #1 f16/60 #3 Scaevola frutescens f11/125 #4 Sedge + grass association f22/30 #5 Taro patch with banana trees - cultivated - Taro 8+ tall, Banana 15 feet tall in 3 foot depression f11/125 #6 Grass species - 1 foot tall f16/60 #7 Shoreline of Matongo Island - typical of all 13 in the Tokelau Group showing a canopy of Cocos Pisonia, lower story of I. messerschmidia Scaevola and Pandanus + ground cover of ferns f11/250 #8 Cocos and Scaevola in foreground - looking to the windward reef f11/250 #9 Pandanus framed by Cocos f11/250 #10 I. messerschmidia f8/250 #11 I. messerschmidia in bloom f8/250 (closeup) #12 Birds Nest Fern + Polypodium f5.6/250 #13 Pisonia + Cocos Forest - ground cover entire of ferns f5.6/250 #14 Birds Nest Fern on Pisonia trunk. Height right hand fern (from ground) 12 feet; left one - 9 feet. f5.6/250 #15 Morinda act in Pisonia forest - Al Samuelson in foreground. f5.6/250 #16 Surama sp on small islet ferrying laborer out of
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Photographs - Roll #1 (cont'd) #17 Surunga sp. (closeup) F16/250 #18 Pandanus fruit F5.6/250 #19 Polypodium sp. - closeup F8/250 #20 Triumphetta sp. - closeup - F8/250 #21 Sedge species - closeup F1/250 #22-25 Corn-like plant in Taros patch - several angles + distances. March 3 Atafu Atoll, Pacific Ocean Atafu is very similar to the other two isles in the Tobelman Group in respect to the vegetative associations in Coconut - Pandanus - Prosopis with some Morinda and Ficus sp. scattered about. Around the shore of the isle there is a belt of Scaevola and I messerschmittia that is mixed with Surunga sp. at times. The ground cover consists of Banks Hott Fern, the common Polypodium and such plants as Boerhavia and Cyperus-like grass. Triumphetta is a canopy plant in the interior of the islets. Besides this is a very limited variety of plants on these islands and the pattern of associations is virtually predictable. Grant-uses this islet, because of its recent rains, is probably the richest of the Tobelman Group. The leaf debris abounds with moths, springtails and other minute fauna. Caterpillars are less conspicuous than them on the other two islets so, as the result, the vegetation is in far better condition. Because of the huge help (17 mature finally congregated around our campsite) collecting was something of a chore rather than a pleasure. This situation resulted partly from the fact that this atoll is fairly small and it took only 25 or 30 minutes to reach our islets from the village. On the other islets it took from 2 1/2 to 6 hours to reach our camp which resulted in about no visitors at all. Packed finally packed out at 10:20 a.m. after several hours of insect collecting.