Ludwig, JP 1964 30 The influx of wedgetails here is incredible. No eggs found. Wedge- tail courtship prior to copulation (3 observed) is virtually the same as in Bonin Petrels and similar to the Albatross Mutual Preening by both birds takes place; then the (♂?) Moulting bird preens the (♀?) mate very vigourously about the head and neck and then abruptly mounts for copulation. After copulation each bird preens itself. Burrows are vigourously defended and often a wide space about the mouth of the burrow. Fights are common now. A total of 202 Wedgetails were banded tonight; 7 were dark phased. The Booby Colony continues its progress. Approximately 170 eggs 230 nests or young and about 10 young (2 banded) hatched. This group looks very good. Counted 418 roosting birds and could not see lower roosts where at least 40 nests are. Probably close to 600 Boobies on this point now excluding chicks. I noticed an apparent increase in the number of hippoboscids/bird tonight. Is it the case that buds when not at sea give the ectoparasites more niche to reproduce on? And also is there a need for hippoboscids to change hosts and to breed with a number of other flys rather than a single genetic line? If so, yearly concentrations of birds for breeding could be necessary for the parasite to maintain itself. Some of the Boobies tonight looked mottled on head and neck from the large numbers of Hippoboscids there. March 27, 1964 Up late this AM. Proceeded up to Wiamea Canyon in heavy rains.