D R A F T INTRODUCTION The sixth trip to the Equatorial Islands was supported by the USS Iipan (ATF 85) with It. Veissmann commanding. Smithsonian personnel were Fred Sibley (Leader), C. Douglas Hackman (Assistant Leader), Robert Long (Botanist); Richard Merrill, Paul Woodward, and Alan Anderson. William Foulkes (Army Pictorial Center); Chief Lee, Chief Tillman, and Capt. Holway (latter three from PMU 6) accompanied the Smithsonian party on part of the trip. The entire area was much drier than on any previous trip. This didn't effect the bird populations but the vegetation cover was greatly reduced. Thirteen islands were surveyed and a short visit was made to Canton. Complete surveys were made of all vertebrates present on the islands, photographs were taken, vegetation maps and botanical collections were made and various collections of herps, crustacea, fish, insects and ectoparasites were made to fill in gaps from previous trips. At sea observations were maintained from Honolulu to Howland Island, Sydney to Pago Pago, Pago Pago to Phoenix, and Palmyra to Honolulu. The following was accomplished in addition to the items noted above: 952 blood samples; 55,126 birds banded; 4,332 band returns; 262 birds collected; 28 mammals collected. Only the birds and mammals are reported on in this preliminary report. BIRDS It doesn't seem worthwhile to report the details of numbers of birds and numbers of nests found on this trip. These findings are in line with previous statements about the breeding cycles and population sizes. These details are available in progress reports and field notes and will be