P.Clarr - 1964 Oct. 5 Five days out of Oahu - Gilbert-Marshall Number of Observations of Different Size Groups 1-10 : 31-40 : 61-70 : 11-20 : 41-50 : 71-80 : 21-30 : 51-60 : No Red-tailed Tropic Birds have been seen at sea for the prior four days, while a total of three were seen today. 0646 - 1 - flying E 0821 - 1 - flying N 1100 - 1 - flying N At 2230 one individual of this species came aboard ship, was banded and released. This at least demonstrates that some tropicbirds fly at night but the birds peculiar behaviour after banding might indicate that this is not usually the case. At first, when captured, the bird showed about the usual amount of resistance to be expected in this species. But when Binion Amerson, standing on the boat deck, cupped the bird in his hands and released the wings the bird would not fly and only sat there docilely (for five minutes or more as we debated what to do with the bird) It could be stroked on the back and head without arousing its ire but it seemed otherwise alert. Finally it was thrown into the air and it flew away. It was heavily infested with ectoparasites.