2 General Discussion Numbers decreased 17 % from 2960 in January to 2445 in February. This decrease was due mainly to a drop in Sooty Tern numbers which more than accounted for the difference of 515 birds. Sooty Tern numbers dropped 585 and, although they were still the predominant species of the area, they accounted for only 73 % of the total compared with 91% in January. There is no apparent cause for this decline. An increase was anticipated. Procellariiformes were very scarce in the area. The two most plentiful, Black-footed Albatross and Leach's Petrel, showed no apparent gain in numbers from January. Wedge-tailed Shearwaters reached a new low of seven birds, and the wintering and migrating Procellariids were almost totally absent. Of significance was the recording of a dark-phase Fulmar in the area, the first live sighting in the Central Pacific Ocean. In addition a Bristle-thighed Curlew was seen for the first time in the BCF grid. Other interesting records include a Herald's Petrel, a single Sooty Shearwater, two Christmas Island Shearwaters, eight phalaropes of undetermined species, and the reappearance in the area of Laysan Albatrosses. Overall distribution patterns were similar to those found in January and March last year. Greatest bird concentrations occurred within 50 miles of the high Hawaiian Islands and in the southern end of the area, especially in the southeastern corner. The appearance of Black-footed Albatrosses south to 10°N was unexpected. No Procellariid was seen within 200 miles of the high Hawaiian Islands. Numbers of most species are expected to increase in March concurrent with the approach of the summer breeding season.