Instructions for maintaining at-sea daily log

At-Sea Daily Log E 1. Use Higgens Eternal Ink, never ballpoint. Pencil can be used only as a last resort. 2. Put date and page number on each sheet. 3. Write 1200 position of ship on each sheet of the Log (at top of page). 4. Mark in course heading on each sheet and indicate changes as they occur. 5. Begin a new sheet for each day of observation. 6. Do not abbreviate names (ditto marks are acceptable, when legible). 7. Do not write in superfluous remarks (i.e., fly buzzing overhead, good shot, etc.). 8. Do not use slang or obscene words. 9. Be sure all writing, especially numbers, is easily read and understood. 10. For each day note time observations began and secured. Also note time of apparent sunrise and sunset. 11. For nocturnal observations note condition of moon. 12. Note all rain squalls by time and duration. 13. For each bird where even a little doubt exists as to identity, give a complete description. 14. Put a question mark after each sighting where the birds were not definitely identifiable such as terns on the horizon (i.e., Sooty Tern?). 15. If the bird cannot be identified to species, identify it to the closest taxonomic unit. i.e. Tern Gadfly petrel Shearwater Shearwater-Petrel Bird 16. Repeat the time for each sighting i.e. 0900 Sooty Tern N 0900 Sooty Tern S } These two not together 0900 Sooty Tern S

At-Sea Daily Log E 2. 17. Do not repeat the time if the birds are together. h i.e. 0900 Sooty Tern Wedge-tailed Shearwater 18. Write in information, such as this bird collected or this bird has red-tag, under remarks. 19. Direction of flight especially important for migration birds such as Sooty Shearwaters. 20. Wherever possible note the age, sex and/or color phase of all individuals. Give percentage of each class in flocks. 21. Indicate all behavior patterns such as courtship displays, chasing of other birds, sitting on water, etc. 22. If a banded bird is collected, write band numbers under remarks. 23. For birds that follow the ship (i.e., albatross) make at least hourly counts and indicate maximum number observed at any one time. 24. For each flock or individual indicate whether birds were feeding or milling about. 25. For each feeding flock or individual indicate whether flying fish were present or any other food source. 26. If birds are collected from a feeding flock, note stomach contents under remarks (i.e., Squid regurgitated when shot). 27. Indicate all sightings of mammals with direction of movement, numbers, and description including size and shape of spout. Whenever you are in doubt about whether or not to note a piece of information - NOTE IT!