General Summary
Fewer birds were seen this month than last, due mainly to the fact
that the ship passed in darkness through the area just north of Oahu where
large numbers of Noddy and Sooty Terns were seen in May. However, large
numbers of Sooty Terns were seen over 100 miles north of Oahu on 1 July.
A new record of 26 flocks was recorded on this date, mainly small groups
of Sooty Terns. Except for Juan Fernandez Petrels, numbers this month
were roughly comparable to June 1964. Six hundred and eighty-seven Juan
Fernandez Petrels were seen in the southern part of the area. Numbers
comparable to this were not seen until July last year.
Interesting sightings were 8 Kermadec Petrels, 4 Phoenix Island or
Tahiti Petrels and a few possible Pterodroma leucoptera.
Species Account
Black-footed Albatross
Two birds of this species were seen this month, compared with only
one last June. One was in the northeast corner and the other one was seen
at 16° N. It followed the ship for four hours. The other one did not
follow the ship.
Wedge-tailed Shearwater
Numbers increased slightly over last month's total and June 1964's
total, 1054 individuals being seen. Dark phase birds were more numerous
in the southern part of the area than May and got as far north as 15°.
Almost all of these dark birds were molting. Several birds were flying
in a northerly direction indicating perhaps movement to more northerly feed-
ing grounds. This would account for the increase this month over May with