11-07-63 Although it was raining buckets, chilly and wind of 20-30 Kts., we went again to the observation towers this AM. I was amazed to find Masked and Brown Boobys very active, albatross soaring over the lagoon, and Frigates and Red-foots flying very well in the galestrom. But, the biggest suprise was the hyperactivity of the Hawaiian Noddys. In the 90 minutes I spent on the tower at least 200 of them troup'd by in a steady stream, bucking the winds about 15 Common Noddys did likewise. Two seals were again seen courting in the surf edge again as before: I guess there must be something to this common contention to bliss, sex and happiness: At least the seals like it. In the afternoon went up the towers again for several hours, and again the Red-foots were very active as were the Frigates, other boobys and noddys. Saw several albatross also. I also watched a group of four Black-foots dancing, and I am sure that if I had not inadvertently interrupted the group, that at least one pair would have copulated. All elements of their display were used except copulation. In the evening I skinned a Brown Booby that I had unfrozen when the bad weather hit again. Just before bed on the way back to quarters I saw a large rat and tried to catch it, but instead I smashed my head into a lowered shutter for the bad weather: Doc tells me that I will have one, maybe two scars on the forehead from it. Thank God my hard head is that thick. 11-08-63 Spent much of today resting as I have a disturbing headache and I think slight concussion from last evening's encounter with the shutter. Eyes are slightly dilated, and aspirin don't help. Managed to accomplish the reworking of the Rat skeletons, and provided each with a Whill-Pac and inoculation of dermestids: But, the fungus has gotten to some of them, and I am not sure if if the dermestids will now eat the partially destroyed flesh. Reinoculated several bird skeletons, and redried three which had become fungus cultures. Later I skinned a Red-footed Booby adult which had bled all over itself from a broken wing, and the damn thing made up into a terrible skin. I am ashamed of it. Bill and Ken got 172 albatross today and reported numbers Laysans for the first time. Tomorrow I will go out regardless of how my head feels.