R.Clapp - 1964 Nov. 16. Maiana Atoll, Gilbert Islands. 1 Bristle-thighed Curlew, 1 "himbrel, 25 Hawaiian Noddy, 6-7 Common Noddy, 6-7 Reef Heron, and 1 Fairy Tgrn . One of the Ruddy Turnstone which I shot and which had flown away was lying on its side in the sand surrounded by a group of other Turnstones which appeared to be hostile to the injured bird. I fired at the bird to put it out of its misery and ended up with at least 7 other birds as well. The Hawaiian Noddies seen were feeding at the edge of the shore , and dropped and fluttered in their typical feeding flight movements. A Reef Heron came over to investigate the corpses of the three Ruddy Turnstones that I got on my second shot. I did not find out what would have happened as we were to collect a large series of birds in as short a time as possible. A single Frigate bird was seen flying over the island but the species was not determined. Binion decided to stay overnight on the island and asked the magistrate if we might have a place to stay. We were given the use of the transient house, a magnificent and beautiful example of Gälbertese architecture. We spent the evening speaking with the Gilbertese while I suffered with a raging toothache until Binion told me that we had aspirin with us. The natives sang several sorts of songs for us. Group songs, one ritual song, (which was rather monotonic and had pronounced ng. nasal sounding sounds in it.), and several forms of what could best be called ballet, sitting subspecies. However, the natives had good voices , (Better than most of ours at any rate) and sang several lively songs which were both melodic and enjoyable. It seems that many of their ritual songs are written in an older language which is only known to the more mature individuals of the group and which must be learned from them, before the composer does any formal composing. Several of the songs they sang us were known to have been passed down from person to person for at least 50 years.