MEN CAME INTO WRITING ROOM ABOUT 2:30 A.M. - THREW BLOTTER WITH TERN SQUID AWAY. WATCHMAN NOW HELPING ME ! FELL IN WITH SPIRIT OF OCCASION + EXCITEDLY REPORTED TO ME THAT LARGE BIRD HAD LANDED ON DECK. IT WAS GANNET - DESCRIPTION BELOW. I WAS VERY CAREFUL WITH BILL - EASY TO GRAB BY NECK - THEN WORK UP TO HEAD. SQUID IT DISGORGED ABOUT 4" LONG - NOT DIGESTED. WHEN THROWN FROM SHIP, TOOK FLIGHT READILY; BUT ATTRACTED BY LIGHTS + FLEW BACK ACROSS STERN HOUSE - COULD EASILY HAVE ITILLED SELF STRIKING RADIO OR GUY WIRES. THERE WAS CONTINUAL SQUAWKING ABOUT SHIP FROM SOON AFTER NIGHT-FALL - MOSTLY TROPIC-BIRDS. FOR ONCE PRACTICALLY ALL PASSENGERS KNEW THERE WERE BIRDS IN THE PACIFIC! IF ONLY "STAN" GRIERSON + "PUSS" PETERSON COULD HAVE BEEN WITH ME ON THIS TRIP ! WHAT A FIELD DAY (+ NIGHTS) WE COULD HAVE! IF I NEVER ARRANGE ANOTHER TRIP ALL MY LIFE, I AM GOING TO HAVE THEM IN THE FIELD WITH ME SOMEDAY. I THINK WE COULD REALLY CLEAN UP AS OBSERVERS + COLLECTORS. THIS IS NOT A COMMENTARY ON PRESENT TRIP - NO IMPLIED CRITICISM. HOWEVER, I CAN THINK OF NO TWO FELLOWS WHO COME CLOSER TO MY FIELD ENTHUSIASMS + IN A MORE CONGENIAL MANNER. THIS JOURNEY ACROSS 1000S OF MILES OF OPEN WATER IS REALLY AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE! I BELIEVE I COULD HAVE "TAKEN" A COUPLE OF YEARS ON A SURVEY SHIP OR WHALER AS "ASSISTANT NAVIGATOR"! POSSIBLE TO ACT AS OBSERVER ON "MOTHER SHIP" WHALER - AN IDEA FOR THE FUTURE. DESCRIPTION: GANNET - IMMATURE NO DOUBT (S. PISCATRIX) R.F. 13. BILL - PINKISH (PALE) - TIPS BROWNISH EYE SKIN - BLUISH FOREHEAD - BROWNISH {TIPPINGS} TO SHORT FEATHERS HEAD - NECK - NAPE - UNDERPARTS - WHITE TAIL + WINGS - BROWN (DORSAL + VENTRAL) FEET - WEBBED (4 TOES) PINKISH (GOOD) BACK - BROWN { DISGORGED SMALL SQUID - ABOUT 6-8. { LANDED ON DECK AFTER WATCHMAN CALLED ME 2:15 A.M. THROAT - PALE LAV. GRAY (FEB.7) PASSED 10-15 MILES N + W. OF CHRISTMAS IS. A POOR RADAR TARGET - TOO LOW. ABOUT 1:30 A.M. (FEB.7). A SHAME WE DIDN'T PASS IN DAYLIGHT! STIFF CURRENT SETS TO N. OF IS.