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.