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Contributed by Smithsonian Institution Archives.
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Transcription
Jaegers, 27 Arctic Terns, a Bonin Island Petrel, 2 Pale-footed Shearwaters,
and 3 Dark-rumped Petrels. Mottled Petrels were observed in springtime
for the first time on these cruises.
The data should be comparable for those of previous cruises.
Species Account
Black-footed Albatross
The range and numbers of this species were very similar this month
to those of April 1964. Birds were seen only in the northern quarter of
the area although one bird was attracted south to 17° N on the 151° W leg.
Numbers decreased from March's total of 76 to 26 this month. One bird was
banded on 12 April.
Laysan Albatross
Three birds were seen this month, all in the northern quarter of the
area. One followed the ship for five hours. Three were seen in April 1964
in the same general area.
Wedge-tailed Shearwater
The 519 Wedge-tails seen in April were concentrated in the western
half of the area, over half of which were within 50 miles from the high
Hawaiian Islands. A small secondary concentration in the southwestern
corner was chiefly of southern dark phase birds. This secondary concentra-
tion of dark phase birds was found in the southeastern corner in April 1964.
Numbers increased 16 o/o from March, a rise of questionable significance.
All of the northern birds had distinctly fresh breeding plumage.