SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION WASHINGTON 25, D. C. Progress Report - Howland Island - Feb 8-12, 1964 Five days and nights were spent on Howland. Birds, plants, mammals, reptiles, fish, crustacea, and insects were studied. Photographs were taken of all major habitats. New personnel were trained and blood samples were taken. Birds There was a great reduction in numbers from previous visits. Only Brown Boobies were breeding (five nests) and only 10 species were observed. 171 individuals were banded and 960 returns were made. Recoveries Banded Returns Pct. of Pop. Handled Masked Booby 3 157 922 95 Brown Booby - 10 34 50 Red-footed Booby - 4 4 40 Shore-bird counts were made and populations were lower than October, 1963 with two common species (bristle thighed curlew and ruddy turnstone) being absent. Mammals Cats were greatly reduced in number from previous visits. We found that cats could be more easily run to death than shot so all four cats seen were run down and killed. No cat lasted more than about 300 yards. One porpoise washed up on shore and this was measured and skeletonized. Reptiles 15 * geckos and 50 * skinks were collected. Small green turtles were seen regularly feeding on the reef. Fish 600 * individuals of 50 * species were collected with notes on habitat etc Crustacea 160 individuals of 40* species of land and reef crabs were collected with notes on their ecology.