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{ "text": "Some laysans are still dancing and\na pair of Black. Boots was also seen\ndancing.\n(or stage of breeding cycle)\nPerhaps the population size and\nhabitat precludes club formation but no\nevidence of clubs was seen in this area.\nSeveral of the juvenile masked boobies\nshowed a pronounced flecking on the back.\nApparently some at least are beginning\n(to molt into subadult plumage).\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n[illegible]\n [TRANSCRIPTION_TRUNCATED_DUE_TO_LOOP]
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1963 Green Is; Kure Atoll, Hawari, Pacific Ocean R. Clapp - Journal - Dec. 15 Much of the morning was taken up with records and upon the activity study. Prior to beginning the activity study a single fairy tern was seen flying over the island in the vicinity of the boat pier. Spent some time during activity study watching displaying haysan at foot of tower. While earlier displaying vigorously at the time of observation they were merely facing one another, frequently dropping bill to ground to manipulate or near manipulate small objects at the surface. There were occasional instances of tucking the bill under the wing but none resulted in the full, rather formal display, with a bill snap upward. This preening under the wing, while perhaps serving a display function is not ritualized as in the bill snap upward; and the release of the head from under the wing has a very "casual" appearance. Occasional preening of the breast feathers took place by both birds. Shaking + ruffling the feathers also occurred. Besides bowing and mandibulating at ground the birds grab gently at one another's bill and nibble one another around the neck. The aforementioned behavior patterns occur either when the birds are standing up or when both are resting on their tarsi in the sand. One of the two birds neither of which had yet been handled by us; roached down, picked up a small straw; turned its head and put it behind it. Possibly this is some antecedent of nest-building behaviour partially
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Clapp, Roger 1964 March 14--Landed on Jarvis about 9 and set up camp in the building left by the IGY. Cats are plentiful and relatively "tame". One of their major retreats is the building. When we cleaned it out, we found many birds feathers indicating their diet. Among those feathers readily identifiable were a number of sets of wings of Sooty Tern. A young booby was found (sp.) and in later explorations under the house, we found the carcass of a young Red-tailed Tropicbird. In the afternoon Fred spent much time shooting and retrieving cats under the house. In the evening he spent most of his time chasing cats around the island getting some thirty in all (from many of which blood samples were taken. Stomachs examined were found to contain feathers. After setting up camp we ran the usual survey of the island. Boobies are very abundant (perhaps 750 Brown Booby 2500 Red-footes and 5500- 6000 Masked Boobies. The majority of Masked Boobies are pre-breeding (In pairs and territorial although few eggs have been laid.). The Red-feet are slightly more advanced in their cycle, although most ests are empty. Many Red-foot nests on the island are placed flat on the ground. Others are placed low (8 - 12") in small Sida bushes; with not even a "platform" of sticks under their nests. (Very possibly it indicates that Red-feet have colonized this island "recently"). Several nests (but by far the minority) are placed on elevated areas such as barrels, or perhaps the framework of the weather station left by the IGY. All boobies on the island (except Brown Boobies which are apparently "congenitally nervous") are much tamer than on other islands.
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Clapp, Roger 1964 Last night I banded 505 Masked Boobies (largely from an enormous club of 800 or more). And was able to walk erect through them causing only faint disturbance. A very pleasant contrast to Enderbury. A total of about twenty-four interisland recoveries were obtained. None of these birds were neck-ringed. I think that this tends to imply that these birds were not on their islands of banding origin when we came through for our recoery rate was high enough on some of these islands. So it seems likely that at least one out of twenty-five would have been marked. These birds were possibly "visiting" the island on which they were banded when banded. This is highly hypothetical. None of these interisland birds had any trace of "subadult" plumage but the 4-6 whose voices we recorded all have female voices. Also spent some time examining the seawreck for Molluscan fauna. On the West Beach at least this fauna is extremely impoverished. A few morula, a few "Hermit-crab" turbans and three species of small cowries were obtained (one Cypraea caput-serpentis). Two species of Conidae were seen in the sea-wrack. One (a small purplish species; the other was Conus ebraeus. This latter, which on the Phoenix Islands, was one of the commonest forms in the sea-wrack is quite scarce here. I later examined the rook-bordered pools (there are several blowholes) at about noon but the number of living shells were very scant (only two or three seen all encrusted, one a very worn morula). The few other shells seen were inhabited by the hermit crab with blue and black barred legs but shells are at such a premium that one individual was seen to inhabit a much battered and broken shell.
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Clapp, Roger 1964 7 Cat killing and insect collecting proceeded as usual. Forty-eight cats killed today. Huber found a number of interesting live shells a Cypraea lynx (alive, I think) which had a generally darker surface coloration than others of this species I have seen. He also found a number of money cowries which were about the maximum size (about 1 inch). Smaller specimens of this species appear to have a whitish cast to the shell while larger individuals have a pronounced yellowish color. Went out and banded masked boobies again this evening. Did 343. Birds now relatively hard to get but managed to finish second string; do third string, and 43 of Doug's bands in an enormous club (some 1100- 1300 birds) near the north end of the island. A number of these birds were color-marked from previous nights. Arose about 7:30 and went cat-hunting with Nick and Big Charlie. Saw relatively few cats four, which we got. One of the four was a kitten and I demurred at giving the final blow but Nick was only two glad' to oblige. Collected about seven Brown Booby eggs, (two singles, five eggs the fresher appearing of two) and three Masked Booby eggs. One of the latter was a "freak" egg only about 1/2 the normal size. In addition it lacked the usual chalky coating. It contained (when prepared) a normal yolk but the egg white appeared proportionately thicker.). These eggs plus all red-foot eggs collected on the 15th were all fresh. Along the northwest shore the reef (a short distance north of Millersville) has a large number of lat rocks which Nick and I examined for shells. Several live money cowrie were found (as well as what
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Clapp, Roger 1964 8 appeared to be a morula with spines on the shell.). Only a total of about four species of shells were seen. Tropicbirds were present at nest sites (three or four) under the corrugated metal-roof remnants of Millersville. Since cats were also found in numbers at this area it appears that adult tropicbirds are "cat proof" unlike frigates and sooty terns. March 18--Went out in early morning banding tropicbirds and killing cats with B. Charley. Banded eighteen tropicbirds representing as many ests. All were pre-laying. Killed some fourteen cats. Two litters found in the many dens we dug out. (One litter of one, one of three). Banded Masked Booby and Brown Booby with Nicki and Redgie that evening. Got 171 MB, 15 MB. Banding difficult birds getting jumpy and while moon (1/4 full) was up; about three out of four birds along the beach flew. Tropicbirds seen displaying. March 19--Left island at about noon. A total of 6810 birds banded of which I did 207½ (sixteen Brown Boobies, eighteen tropicbirds, and 2040 Masked Boobies.). Got on ship, ate dinner, and collapsed into my rack where I slept the sleep of the exhausted until supper. Packed some supplies for Christmas; but left job uncompleted as we do not yet know our conditions of going ashore. March 26--Fanning Island, Line Group, Pacific Ocean Somewhat overwhelmed by the effusive welcoming of the Copra plantation manager on Fanning we stopped for a beer. This gentleman, one Palmer has been on this island since 1936.
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Clapp, Roger 1964 Insects are frequently taken by flying at a leaf. The birds respond well to a wet squeak which sounds a good deal like the food begging call of the young. One Hawaiian Noddy gave a bill down followed by a gape and a loud squeal (which was the unidentified bird call I heard on Faming.). April--Palmyra Entering the harbour many Red-footed Boobies were seen on a small island to the left. After we set up camp I followed the perimeter of the island looking for Red-feet but found none. On this 45 minute excursion saw many Bristle-thighed Curlew; Golden Plover, and Wandering Tattler. Several Ruddy Turnstone were also seen. Following this Fred and I went out to get Red-feet for blood samples. There appear to be a fair number (3 to 5 percent) of northern Red-feet on this island. Two of twelve specimens collected were this form. For the most part red-feet are not breeding. Two nests investigated conatined nothing and a small bird respectively. Common noddies are nesting at various areas in young coconut palms. One egg which was opened was fresh. Since this island has no systematic coconut harvest as did the last two there are a relatively large number of young coconuts. Sooty Terns nest along the runway. Theyoung are generally well developed and very many are capable of Flight. 1298 nestling and 100 adults were banded that night by Doug and myself as well as two Golden Plover. Golden Plover seen here do not have black fronts but head coloring is richer than in winter birds. Are these immatures which have not yet gone north?
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R.Clapp 1964 Marshall-Gilbert October-November 1964 Oct. 1 - Honolulu and 1st part day at sea. Morning spent checking out of hotel, rounding up good's etc, and getting personal belongings established on the Shearwater. Boat departed at 1500, making a spectacular 180 degree turn in the narrow channel leading from where the boat was docked. Rocks on one side of the channel, a large freighter on the other. Churned up a great deal of mud, and barely missed the other ship. A wacky maneuver but they made it. Sea watch started at 1520 as we left the harbour. Watch schedule set up with an experienced and one not so experienced watcher in three teams which watch for two hours at a stretch. (Huber and I, Ken Amerman and George Wislocki, Binion Amerson and Phil Lehner. 155 Wedge-tailed Shearwaters were seen today as the trip began. Most of these birds were seen within sight of Oahu. Wedgetails were a component of every flock seen today (9) but one. However only 76 of the total wedgetails were in flocks ( %) In the three feeding flocks in which they occurred wedgetails in every instance were associated with common noddies which in every case were numerically much more common (tending to represent about 90% of the flock total. The earliest flock seen at 1537 had a brown booby associated with it. Of the five "travelling" flocks of wedgetails, 2 were headed ENE and 3 NE. A single White-tailed Tropic Bird was seen at 1750 flying ENE. Oct. 2 - Two days out of Oahu - Gilbert-Marshall A relatively slow day. 337 birds were seen. Several unusual birds were seen including a putative Herald's Petrel and a Skua. 73 Wedgetails were seen 38 of which ( %) were in flocks. In the flock seen at 1312 a number of birds were sitting on the water. Some of these Wedgetails were preening and washing in the water. A single Newell's Shearwater was seen flying SE by Amerson and Lehner at 1017. A total of 37 Sooty Shearwaters were seen heading in a generally southerly direction. None in flocks.
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R.Clapp 1964 Oct. 3 Three days out of Oahu - Gilbert - Marshalls Few birds (149) seen. Very probable Pale-footed Shearwaters seen and a somewhat shaky Slender- billed Shearwater. Movie : Maniac - gaaah. Wedgetail numbers continued to decrease with 44 birds seen today with 30 ( %)of these seen in one flock. In this flock Wedgetails associated with Sooty Tern, "Bonin" Petrel, Pale-footed Shearwater, Commor Noddy, and White-necked Petrel. At 1659 a bird flew across the bow of the ship which may have been a Slender-billed Shearwater. Its flight reminded me of the Sooty Shearwater but the underwings were seen well and were much too dark for the bird to have been that species. The bird was all dark, with a dark bill, and appeared smaller than a Sooty Shearwater. Binion Amerson, who also observed the bird, was adamant that it was not a Christmas Island Shearwater or a Wedgetail. However, the foot color was not observed. The sun was not shining at the time. The only birds it could have been are these two species . A single Newell's Shearwater was seen flying SSE by Amerman and Wislocki. 12 Sooty Shearwater were seen today, none of which were in flocks. Oct. 4 Four days out of Oahu - Gilbert - Marshalls Fantastic increase in bird numbers caused by large flocks of Sooty Shearwater. 975 of this species were seen. Two more pale-footed Shear- waters were seen and 2 very probable Peale's Petrels. Wedgetail numbers showed a slight increase to 62 individuals. 25 ( %) were found in a flock mixed with Sooty Tern, White-necked Petrel, and a single Fairy Tern.
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R.Clapp 1964 Oct. 4 Four days out of Oahu, - Gilbert-Marshallss Two individuals, possibly Peale's Petrels were seen by Huber and myself, one at 0830 and one at 0855. The one seen at 0830 was seen but poorly by me. It was gray on the back, with gray black on the abdomen, and possessed white under-tail coverts and rear of ventrum. It had a white black bordered underwing like a Bonin Petrel and the flight was reminiscent of that species. The second bird was seen by Bihion Amerson who noted the darkening on the belly. The bird fit the description in Alexander but did not appear that dark dorsally. Light upperparts, grayish black on abdomen, white towards undertail area, and with a Bonin type underwing. Of the 975 Sooty Shearwater seen today 886 ( %) were seen in a total of 31 flocks. Numbers of Observations of Different Size Flocks 1-10 : 51 31-40 : 7 61-70 : 1 11-20 : 6 41-50 : 4 71-80 : 0 21-30 : 8 51-60 : 1 The first flock of 30 plus or minus was seen at 0940. Flock sizes ranged from 6 (1755) to 62 plus or minus 2 (1623) Oct. 5 Five days out of Oahu - Gilbert-Marshallss Sooty Shearwaters still abundant. 834 seen today. A Ruddy Turnstone came aboard the ship and died this evening. A Red-tailed Tropic bird came aboard at 10:30 P.M. Numbers of Wedgetails swelled to 88 today with 33 ( %) being found in flocks. The flock at 1445 was comprised of 26 Wedgetails and 15 Sooty Tern, all travelling South. Of the 834 Sooty Shearwater seen today 804 ( %) were in flocks. A total of 39 flocks were seen today ranging in size from 6 (0816) and 5 (1817) to 75 (1329)
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R.Clapp 1964 Oct. 10 - Taongi Atoll, Marshall Islands Arose at 7:30 and when I reached the flying bridge Taongi was in sight, a possible? Lesser Frigate was seen and Blue-gray Noddies and white- phase Wedgetails were seen. One immature frigate dove repeatedly at the fishline trailing the ship for about a minute. No Black-naped Terns were seen along the reef. From a distance the islands of this atoll did not look promising for birds as the number of birds over the islands seemed much scantier than on the "good" Phoenix- Island bird islands. Sibylla Island Off the atoll to the west in the morning both Phoenix phase and white-phase Red-footed Boobies were seen flying beyond the edge of the reef. At 1445 a feeding flock was seen as we approached the reef to again try the passage into the lagoon. The refoots seen were mostly white-phase but Amerson saw one Brown-phase bird. On the evening on Sibylla we banded redfoots and kept track of ratios of different phases. Of 179 adult birds banded, 171 were white phase, 2 were brown phase and 6 were Phoenix phase. Several instances were noted of Phoenix phase birds mated to white phase birds. (737-80017, 80041, 80053) One fully adult (from general plumage pattern tail color, and soft-part coloration) white phase redfoot (with a golden head wash) possessed an intermediate tan eye color. Face part colors were quite bright, gular pouch black, and feet were medium red in color. Apparently there are several types of immatures or subadults as the case may be. One bird, 737-80075, was generally of the appearance of a white phase bird except that the back, wings, and tail had mottled brown on them. Termed in further discussion as "immature white phase" (better Suba.)
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R. Clapp 1964 Oct. 12 Sibylla Island, Taongi Atoll Arose at 6:70 and collected 5 Wandering Tattlers on the windward side of Sibylla. Of particular interest was the similarity of molt in these birds. With the exception of 30013 these birds were essentially the same in their molt. Counting from outward-inward primaries 6-10 (30010-30012) and 7-10 (30009) were the primaries involved in molt. In two 6 was absent; in one 6 was in sheath and in one 7 was in sheath. 8-10 were new feathers. These could be easily distinguished by the blacker color as well as the lesser wear. There was no tail molt except for one individual which was replacing one of the central rectrices of the 12 . Conclusions : 1. Primary molt initiates the replacement of flight feathers and begins before either secondary or rectricial replacement begins. 2. Replacement in the primaries is proximal- distal beginning with P 10. 3. Primary coverts are replaced with their primaries. 4. The preceding feather in the primary molt sequence is partially our of sheath or well grown in sheath before the next primary is dropped. 5. Apparently no more than 2 primaries are non-functional during primary molt. 6. Light body molt is occurring on all birds on about Oct. 12 in the Marshalls. In the afternoon collected some frigate egg white, molluscs, and banded Fairy Tern and R.T.T. Bird. The single Golden Plover collected by Huber in the morning was generally not in molt. A few body feathers were in sheath and two rectrices were in sheath (L2 and Rl. All the other tail feathers appeared old. Crested Tern nests were found on the northern beach of the islet by Binion's party. Some 7 eggs, about 12 adults.
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R.Clapp 1964 Oct. 10-12 Taongi Atoll, Marshall Islands. Perhaps 400 Blue-faced Boobies occur on the atoll. Pre-breeding displays were seen by two pair behind the camp when we landed on the atoll. Most of the birds appear paired and there are very few nests. Only several immatures and no large young were seen by me. In banding 42 birds on the 12th I noted no subadults. Birds are scattered along both edges of the atoll in more open areas and in openings in the denser cover along the beach. Relatively small numbers of Brown Booby occur on Taongi. I estimate a population of 150 none of which appears to be breeding. A quick check of Great Frigate breeding stage on Sibylla Island on the 10th and 11th showed many with nests in the Messerschmidtia. Most frigate nests contained eggs. On a short tour of the southern end of Sibylla and the next islet to the south I found 23 nests of which 15 contained eggs, 6 contained large and medium young, and 2 contained small young. An estimated 4000-5000 frigates occur on this atoll. On the morning of Oct. 11 a female frigate and a white-phase redfoot took turns sitting on a nest. Several male frigates were seen which possessed the fully developed pouches of the adult male but possessed the white under-arts of the immature as well. An estimated 50 Bristle-thighed Curlew were seen on Taongi Atoll. Huber said that he saw a single Sanderling to the south of Sibylla Islet as we reconnoitered in that direction on Oct. 11. The bird was not seen subsequently. Wandering Tattler are as abundant on Taongi as any place I have ever seen them. It is common on the rocky reef on, the SE of Sibylla and on the islets to the south. I estimate 150 birds for the atoll.
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R.Clapp 1964 Oct. 23-24 - Jemo Island, Jemo Atoll Population Estimates RBC PL P.A.T. A.B.A. INH GW F.Tern 150 400 2000- 1000 400 Abund. H.Noddy 250 70 500-700 75-100 --- ---- R.F.Booby 1500 150 1000 500 1000 Com-Abund. C.Noddy ---- 25 100 25-50 --- 20 B.T.Curlew 1 2 1-2 --- 1 1 W.Tattler 8 5 0 --- 1 10 R.Turnst. 60 50 20 --- 40 70 G.Plover 60 50 20 --- 16 45-50 Gr.Frigate 2 10 25 15-25 2 ---- B.Booby 3 3 2 2 2 ---- R.Heron --- --- --- 1 --- ---- Revised Estimates Fairy Tern - 500-750 Hawaiian Noddy - 150-250 Redfooted Booby- 750-1000 Common Noddy - 25-50 B.T.Curlew - 1-2 Wandering Tattler - 5-8 Gr.Frigate - 10-20 Ruddy Turnstone - 60 B.Booby - 2-3 Golden Plover - 50 Reef Heron - 1 This island had very high vegetation with perhaps 200 Redfoot nests, upon some of which birds were incubating. All three phases of redfoots were seen but we were able to obtain no good estimates of their proportions. Mosquitoes were abundant and plagued us throughout the night. Binion and the others moved down to the beach while I hid beneath my Off impregnated sheet trying to read Carthy on Animal Navigation. I nearly got carried away by the rats which were very numerous. (They were very abundant in the moist litter at the base of the root systems of the large trees) The "crown" of the island is almost a hill, certainly much higher than on any other atoll we have so far visited. Perhaps 20-25 ft. in height This island or atoll unlike others visited is but a single lump of land. No lagoon.
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R.Clapp 1964 Oct. 25 Erikub Atoll, Marshall Islands Population Estimates for Enero Island Species RBC GW PL INH KEA Revised B.T.Curlew 50 45 20. 40 30 40-50 G.Plover 75 60-70 70 30 -- 60-70 R.Turnstone 75 75 75 30 -- 75 B.N.Tern 1 1 -- 2 -- 2 Fairy Tern 1000 400 300-400 300 200 400-500 Gr.Frigate 1 --- --- -- 11 1 Reef Heron 1 --- --- 1 -- 1 C.Noddy 100 800 80-100 50 50 100 H.Noddy 500 250 150 150 75 150-250 W.T.T.B. 4 4 -- -- -- 4 The White-tailed Tropicbirds were seen flying over the island and not on the island proper. Not less than 2 Hawaiian Noddies were seen on nest and a single Fairy Tern egg opened for examination proved to be almost ready to hatch. Population Estimates for Aradojiren Island Species RBC GW PL INH KEA ABA Revised Cr.Tern 3 -- -- 3 --- --- 3 W.Tattler 3 3 3 3 --- --- 3 R.Turnstone 20 5-6 5 10 --- --- 10-20 G.Plover 20 12-13 15.25 --- --- --- 15-20 Fairy Tern 200 200 80 300- 175 750 300-400 Hawa.Noddy 75-100 25 100 150 50 200 100-200 W.T.T.B. 1 -- --- 2 -- --- 1 B.T.Curlew --- -- --- 1 --- --- 1 Gr.Frigate --- -- --- -- --- 1- 1 Com. Noddy --- -- --- 50 --- 25 ?25-50? Fairy Terns were probably nesting and both old nests and young of the Hawaiian Noddy. A few moments were spent observing Fairy Tern behaviour. When startled by a gun in the distance these birds responded by with flight intention movements (wing-raising) and quiet "wheels" which may indicate that this "wheel" is a low intensity alarm or anxiety note. To a shouted monosyllable they responded by elevating the head from the shoulders and looking around.
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R.Clapp 1964 Nov. 1 - Kwadjalein Atoll. Spent the morning skinning birds with Larry in the lab. Both Sooty Terns skinned were very fat. Huber collected more fish for the turtles. In the afternoon we all (with the exception of Ken Amerman and George Wislocki) went over to Carlson Island to poison fish. While the rest went out to the edge of the reef with the rubber raft, I scouted the lagoon shore of the island while the entomologist, Dave Perkins collected insects. I collected a fair series of hermit crabs. There seemed to be three varieties (or age groups) commonly found) One, rathers, large, hairy, and red appears to be the same form that is found in the Phoenix Islands. Another, smaller is red and white but may be a young form of the red hermit crab. Another small form appeared to be gray or brown all over. Three examples of a fourth variety were seen. These are generally larger than the red hermit crabs, are a dull color, and are considerably less hairy. In addition their largest claw seems more well developed than is true of the red form. This species is considerably more active than the red form and it may be for this reason that their shells seem to be in poorer condition. When handled, unlike the red form, they struggle actively and vigorously to get away and retreat but seldom into their shells (all of which appeared to be Turbo) In addition , they seem to prefer heavier cover, all those examples seen having been seen either under shady coconuts, or in the dense foliage of the beach morning glory. As a whole Turbo shells seem relatively scarce around this island. Nereis ? or related shells are frequently utilized, and augurs or mitres scombrids ? sp ? and numerous other forms are utilized as well. While traversing the interior of the island I saw two rats, but they were not clearly enough seen so that I could be sure of the specific identification. Probably exulans One was missing a tail.
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R.Clapp - 1964 Nov. 1 Kwajalein Atoll George Wislocki and Ken Amerman spent the day cruising the eastern side of the lagoon from . Kwajalein to Bigej , with stiops at Ebeye and Bigej. Extract from Amerman's Notes " We saw nothing notable. There were many Hawaiian Noddies in the lagoon and fewer than 6 Fairy Terns outside the reef. A few plovers were seen in the antennae field of the Loran station on Ebeye and 4 plovers and 6 tattlers on the lagoon shore of Bigej. Nov. 2, 1964 Kwajalein Island, Kwajalein Atoll Went over to the runway with Ken Amerman today to collect birds. Got some 15, many of which probably represent new records for Kwajalein. At least 6 ducks were seen. One (which was not shot) was surely a Shoveller. Another Lehner is sure is a female pintail,"a third is possibly a tufted duck. Two Sanderling were seen one of which was collected. Other birds collected included 4 Sharp-tailed Sandpiper and another small sandpiper which I did not recognize. This bird and 2 sharp tails were taken with a single shot from a group of five small sandpipers ! One whimbrel was collected and at least 7 others were seen. There were probably a total of some 200-300 Ruddy Turnstone 200 Golden Plover, about 25 Sharp-tailed Sandpiper , and 15-20 Wandering Tattler present along the airstrip. Strangely enough no Bristle-thighed Curlew were seen. Both the area near the terminal which is grassy and has great numbers of birds feeding on it and the airstrip were very well covered with birds. There is a very long strip (perhaps as much as a quarter of a mile) of fresh water down the center of the airfield between the runway proper and the taxi strip. Birds are very plentiful but shooting is difficult as ammunition bunkers, golf courses, buildings, and a weather station are all in the background.
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R.Clapp - 1964 Nov. 7 - Kwadjalein Island, Kwadjalein Atoll Spent the day skinning birds. End mate to arrive the afternoon of the 9th. Nov. 8. Kwadjalein Atoll, Marshall Islands Left the ship at 9:00 Am. to poison fish at North Loi Island. Enroute to this area two Hawaiian Noddy were seen that repeatedly alighted in the water. Huber missed several shots, as did Wislocki, but Binion finally scored two for one. These birds are somewhat notable in that the foot coloration as a whole is lighter than in Hawaiian Noddies that I have noted elsewhere. Where birds from other areas have very dark brown feet, the Hawaiian Noddies collected today had a much lighter foot coloration that was distinctly orangish in cast, almost but not quite as pronounced as in the Ruddy Turnstone. Another feeding flock of 7 Hawaiian Noddies was also seen enroute to the poisoning area. Large fish (which appeared to have the auxillary dorsal fin and silvery color which I associate with the mackeral group) were chasing small fish to the surface of the water. The attendant Hawaiian Noddies then fluttered at the surface of the water, frequently alighting to pick up these fish. The island itself was at present deserted of inhabitants but a single house with many scrawny chickens and graded sizes of pigs indicated that this isla supports at least one family. Hermit crabs were less abundant than they usually are but the small skinks with blue tails and black dorsal stripes were more abundant here (or at least appeared so) than they were on any other island so far this trip. They were especially abundant in the coconut debris and other vegetation rooted about in by the pigs.
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R.Clapp - 1964 Nov. 8 - Kwadjalein Atoll, Marshall Islands. I then collected birds while the rest collected fish and Dave Perkins hunted for insects. Got 3 Common Noddies and 2 Hawaiian Noddies from a mixed flock roosting on a sand spit. 2 Crested Terns were also roosting in this group, an adult and an immature, but I did not see them until they rose in flight. Both were shot over the shallow waters of the lagoon but were both too far out for wading. By the time I returned with Larry, his snorkel, his fins, et al the birds had disappeared, possibly to sharks as we saw two black tipped sharks in the channel as we approached the spot where the terns had been shot. On the island overall, I should say there were about 30 Fairy Tern (I collected) 20 Common Noddy, and a single white Reef Heron. The outer ege of the island had a wide reef (some 160 yds) but shorebirds were not numerous. About 10 Golden Plover, 25 Ruddy Turnstone, and 5-10 Wandering Tattler were all that were seen. Upon our return to the ship I went to the dentist and had three holes in my teeth (temporarily filled). (In the afternoon on the beach at North Loi I picked up a number of Strombs with red borders which appeared to be similar if not identical to those which I collected in the southern Phoenix Islands. This is the first island since there, upon which any numbers of this form have been found. Nov. 9 - Kwajalein Island, Kwajalein Atoll. Went into town in morning and did laundry. Skinned 5 Golden Plovers in the afternoon that Larry had shot this morning. He also got two ducks. The second mate arrived this afternoon and we were underway for Jaluit at 4:00.
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R.Clapp - 1964 Nov. 10 - At Sea and Jaluit Atoll. Skinned birds in the morning and mid-afternoon. (Common Noddy, Hawaiian Noddy, Sandpiper sp., etc.) Sighted Jaluit at about 1100 but it was not until 1500 that we completed our entrance into the lagoon and dropped the hook. While Binion conferred with the town scribe, the rest of us visited two islands (Enybor and . Lehner, Amerman, Perkins and I went to Enybor, Huber and Wislocki to Population Estimates for Enybor Wandering Tattler - 7-8 Scattered individuals Golden Plover - 5-7 " Ruddy Turnstone - 10 One small flock, ocean side Curlew sp? - 1 Reported by Amerman Reef Heron - 5-6 2 dark, 1 white, 3 mottled. Crested Tern - 2 Stern sp. - 1-2 1 collected Black-naped Tern - 15 roosting on sand spit Fairy tern - 10 1 collected Common Noddy - 20 3 collected Of particular interest was the fact that no Hawaiian Noddy were seen. The cover of the island included coconut, Pandanus, Messerschmidtia and seemed suitable for this species but not a single individual was observed. The Common Noddies were seen roosting in palms and three were collected in flight. A much smaller number of Fairy Terns was seen.( Only 3 seen and heard by me) There were many dark greenish lizards, about 5 inches long, which were primarily found on the coconut trees. One was collected. On this island , as seems to be generally the case on these Pacific atolls, Pemphis occurred primarily on the ocean side of the island. Brush was very dense in the interior and quite difficult to work through. In the center of the island were several holes containing fresh or brackish water. (They were apparently old bomb craters) However, the vegetation around the edge of these holes was so great that it seems highly improbable if a duck could use them at any time.
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R.Clapp - 1964 Nov. 11 - Jaluit Atoll. Up at 700 and got collecting gear together for a trip to the SE end of Jaluit Island and to Elizabeth Is. Lehner went with me. The rest (excepting Perkins) went north to poison fish and check (Lojeron) for birds as native informants state that this island has the most birds. They took a tent with them and will stay overnight if t there is any prospect of banding. Took a picture of a native outrigger sailboat this morning with Erybor (to the left) and Kogganbeck (to the right) in the background. We left the boat at 9:00 but it took us until 10:30 to reach Jaluit. We were introduced to the head man who kindly guided us around the island. The fresh water pool was small and only a Golden Plover and some other species of shorebird resembling this bird but larger. and with a grayer head were the only birds to be seen. This latter individual was later shot at by Phil, but unfortunately was missed. Continuing onward, northward along the islet, we encountered much flat, sandy and muddy area overgrown with Pemphis forest, coconut, and several other species which I did not recognize. This area is inundated at high tide but at the time we were there, the tide was out and there was but little standing water. Birds were relatively few and infrequent in this area (and over the island as a whole.) The density of birds (all species) was lower than on Erybor. A Curlew (probably Bristle-thighed - Lehner) or two was seen, but these birds were very jumpy and attempts to collect were fruitless. Small numbers of Golden Plover, Ruddy Turnstone, and Wandering Tattler were seen, while overhead flew small numbers of Fairy Terns, and slightly larger numbers of Common Tern. A single Crested Tern was seen perched on a branch on the reef lagoon) side, and several Reef Herons were seen. One Common Noddy, one Fairy Tern, and Two Golden Plover were collected.
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R.Clapp - 1964 Nov. 11 - Jaluit Atoll Upon our return to the center of the village we were greeted by the Womans Club (a local version of the PTA ?) and made honorary members (somewhat informally) Leis were garlanded around our necks and both Phil and I were given a fan and an excellent specimen of what I believe is a map cowry. We were invited to lunch and after waiting some twenty minutes, the women's cub arrived wearing bright green dresses which I believe are an emblem of the club. They had breadfruit, three boiled chickens, some sort of dumpling thing and coconut milk. (I hope to never drink another drop of coconut milk, sociality or no sociality). After finishing our simple repast, we were garlanded again and each women of the club contributed one or several large tiger cowries, (and another I do not know) to our store of goods. We [illegible] some 15 in all and I must admit it felt a bit like Halloween in reverse. Finally after, Phil and Dave, had exhausted their touristy impulses (Lehner now has the world's largest collection of color slides of Marshallese with some idiot with flowers in his hair among them) we left the island for Elizabeth. (Our guide was to return for the stack of green bananas we had been given. Parenthetically for those who may be interested in animal behaviour, individual distances decrase in Marshallese social life with outlanders like us in the following scale (from closest to furthest.) Adult males, Adult married females with children, small children, adolescent males, and nubile maidens. Oh well.) We finally got off the island at two and reached Elizabeth at three. The central lagoon proved to be a small stagnant area with much heavy leaved growth around the southern end and bordering right on the village. They headman of the village stated that four ducks had been shot recently and there on the lagoon was another. From here on the tale becomes tragic. Phil, who was shotgun today, crept along the bayou until he was close to the bird, and began to quack quietly to it. It apparently worked better than squeaking for shortly he commented
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R. Clapp - 1964 Jaluit Atoll - Nov. 11, 1964 that he was less than 20 feet from a New Zealand Cuckoo. Which as the bird flew then into the bush ahead of me it proved to be. I called Phil from duck hunting, and tried to show him where the bird was perched. Disgusted nodoubt with my tremors, he handed me the gun, I took aim, sighting carefully, and shot--- and missed. And the duck flew away. Some days are like this. This idland if anything, had fewer birds than Jaluit. A few Fairy Terns, a few Common Noddies, small numbers of Golden Plover, Ruddy Turnstone, and Wandering Tattler were seen as well as a few Reef Heron. We recircled through the area in which the New Zealand cuckoo had been seen but had not a bit of luck. (Perkins on the other hand got a beautiful Aesnmid on Jaluit, and his first aphis lion of the trip of Elizabeth. So we returned to the ship, I prepared the birds with Phil's help, and Phil and Dave went to the luau on the beach while I finished up taking care of the birds. While on Jaluit I got a number of Marshallese names for the local birds. These are as follows. Golden Plover -- Koloej Fairy Tern -- Mej Mejo Common Noddy -- Bejwak Hawaiian Noddy - Jkar Brown Booby -- Kalo This later term was taken when I discovered that a single immature Brown Booby was being kept as a pet by our guide. He had brought some 20 ? of them from ? but the others had died. This bird was raised from a nestling, and while his diet apparently is still largely supplied by his Marshallese keeper, is also capable of fishing for himself.
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R.Clapp - 1964 Nov. 12 - Jaluit Atoll and At Sea Got up early in the morning and went over to Enybor with Binion, Ken, and Dave. The same flock of 15 Black-naped Terns was sitting on the smae sand spit as it was the other day. Intermixed with these birds and roosting with them were about 30 Common Noddies. Binion did the shooting, while I took care of the specimens. 3 sumatrana , one adult and two immature, were obtained as well as a Common Noddy and a Hawaiian Noddy. The immature Black-naped Terns were both in primary molt. Those feathers in the wing which had been already molted and regrown were much lighter in color than those immature feathers which they were replacing. The anterior portion and the anterior half of the posterior portion of the web were but a very faint, smoky gray which would appear in the field as white. The older, outer primaries, on the other hand were very dark gray to black in this area. Perhaps it might be possible to estimate age of young Black-naped Terns in the field by the amount of black showing in the wing in flight. These immature birds also varied from the adult plumage in that the feathers on the anterior, proximal part of the wing had a dark bar on them. In addition, I thought that there was a variation in gape color between young and old birds, with the younger birds having a distinctly more pinkish gape, while that of the adult tended to be salmon colored. However, the colors were too similar and the sample size too small for me to be sure of this. We went then to the island, off which the ship is anchored and where the missionary, Father Donohue, holds court. We were feted by yet another women's club. This group wore a uniform consisting of a dress with a pattern of red and white squares. Leis, of course, were the order of the day and they gave us a number of woven items including mats, cigarette cases , and some purely decorative items. When we returned to the ship Larry and I spent the rest of the day skinning while the others kept a largely profitless watch. Stopped skinning at six, watched Mary, Mary, and skinned until 2300.
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R.Clapp - 1964 Nov. 13 Makin Atoll, Gilbert Islands Skinned a Hawaiian Noddy in the morning while waiting to sight Makin. Makin was sighted about 10. Two more of Huber's Green (?) Turtles hatched bringing the total that has hatched up to three. Weights of newly hatched turtles were 27-27-, and 28 gm. We all started ashore for Butaritari at 1400 towing a native outrigger sailboat with the local officials aboard. We dropped Larry and George there and went across the lagoon to Hawaiian Noddies'were very abundant there, not less than 3000 birds , I should say. We also saw about 60 frigates, both greater and lesser, at dusk, a brown booby, one apparently white- phase adult red-footed booby, 6 reef herons, 2 gray, the rest white or mottled, about 10 ruddy turnstones, about 6-8 golden plover and about 4-6 wandering tattler. While Crested Terns were not seen over the island, at least ten of them were seen in a feeding flock with Hawaiian Noddies not far from the island. Their method of feeding was distinctly different from that of the noddies. The noddies would continually course low across the surface of the water, stooping to pick a fish up, or fluttering in one spot or even alighting. While the Crested Terns fluttered at the water's surface occasionally, more often they would obtain their prey in short shallow dives, from above the substratum of feeding Hawaiian Noddy. Perhaps 10-15 Fairy Tern were seen on the island. There were likely not less than 1000 occupied nests of Hawaiian Noddy. Binion counted 200 nests in a single tree, I counted over 60 in another. All 11 of the Hawaiian Noddy collected had brood patches. One great frigate, 2 lesser frigate, 3 fairy tern , 11 Hawaiian Noddy, 1 Golden Plover, 3 reef heron, 4 crested tern, and one brown booby were collected. As we returned to the ship after dark, we heard again and again a hissing sound which sounded like a leak.
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R.Clapp - 1964 Nov. 15 Makin Atoll; Gilbert Islands. In to Butaritari Island by 8:30 to pick up Lehner and Wislocki who stayed overnight. We then moved down to some sand flats along the lagoon. These flats were extensive and were about 1-3 mile wide and perhaps three ? miles long. At low tide there was much coarse sand interspersed with low pools. Some sort of grass was much in evidence in the deeper water. There were large numbers of shorebirds. present. While I got nothing resembling an accurate estimate I suspect that the stretch we worked contained not less than-200 Golden Plover and 200 Ruddy Turnstone with Wandering Tattler more numerous than either species. (Although these figures may well be low.) There were many Godwits (more than 40 seen I should guess) and two species of Curlew, Bristle-thighed and the Whimbrel. Of the two curlew, more of the individuals that I saw were Bristle-thighed than were Whimbrel. Reef Herons were more abundant here than any other place we visited on this trip. I saw (counted) 30 plus in one sweep of my binoculars along the lagoon shore. These birds seemed to prefer the edge of the sand flats bordering the lagoon where the water pools were deeper probably because of the number of fish in these small pools. There was an almost exact 50-50 ratio between white and dark phase birds, and strangely enough I noted no particularly mottled individuals. Most of the dark phase birds were very dark, appearing almost black at a distance but one individual seen was grayish brown, whether due to basic difference in plumage or to age and feather wear I do not know. Some 15 Hawaiian Noddies were seen, as were a few Fairy Tern, Common Noddy, and Crested Tern, one of which was roosting on the edge of the lagoon. The birds were very jumpy and as a group we had relatively poor results. Binion shot a Bristle-thighed Curlew, Larry shot a Curlew
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R.Clapp - 1964 Nov. 16. Maiana Atoll, Gilbert Islands. In to the northern end of Maiana by 1100. The reef was very shallow and it took us along time to reach the shore. The expanse of flats was more than a mile across and the outer section was primarily rocky coral which became more and more sandy as you approached the island. Trigger- fish were seen in the shallow pools among the coral and brittle stars were numerous. Ecologically these flats appear to very different from those found on Makin. This area suported primarily Wandering Tattlers and Reef Herons with a few Crested Terns perched on the outer rocks. Binion went to the village on the left with George while Larry went one way with the 12 gauge and Ken and I went the other with the 16. As we moved south along the beach the area became more and more sandy and we spotted scattered numbers of Ruddy Turnstone and Golden Plover as well as 1 or 2 Bristle-thighed Curlew and about 8 Godwits. Some 15 Crested Tern were roosting on the sand flats, both adults and immatures, but I was unable to obtain any. One of the small islets (twenty yds. acorss) off the end of the village towards which we were headed had about 6 Black-naped Terns on it. Adults were with well flying immatures. Some 20-30 Common Noddies were seen in the Palms bordering this village, and small numbers of Fairy Tern and Hawaiian Noddy were flying overhead. Returned to the ship by 1:00 P.M. and the ship shifted anchorages to the southern end of the island. All of us went ashore with the exception of Larry, who stayed on the ship to skin birds. The trip in to the village took 1 1/2 hours by raft and it was 4:15 before we reached the island. Ein single bare-breasted was present on shore but was a great disappointment. By the time Binion finished talking with the police officials, etc., it was nearly 5. I finally got out with the shotgun and worked to the south of the village on the outer beach for about one mile. In this stretch we saw about 200 Ruddy Turnstone, 50 Golden Plover, 40 Wandering Tattler,
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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.
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R.Clapp - 1964 Nov. 17, 1964 - Maiana Atoll, and Kuria Atoll We got up at some godawful hour (5:45) I think it was, and returned to the ship. Binion shot a Black-naped Tern on the way, an adult. After eating a hasty breakfast I spent the rest of the morning preparing the specimens we collected uesterday including the 18 Ruddy Turnstones (12 of which I prepared as alcoholics) Although, my enusiasm was perhaps too great yesterday, I got a number of interesting notes on the molt in this species, since this was the only adequate series we have gotten from any atoll. Later I packed away more of my eyes. I think I have about 5 dozen now, which should furnish the beginnings of a small scale investigation. Probably either Laridae or Scopacidae and Charadriidae should be used as base groups for this proposed, if slightly amateurish, pilot study. We reached Kuria atoll and were ashore on Kuria Island, the more southern of the two islands by four. This island did not have the expanse of sand flat that Makin and Maiana did and appeared to be a typical Coconut Island. Very many of the coconuts were dead, with their corwns broken off, possibly from the typhoon of 1958. These broken stubs frequently have Fairy Terns nesting*on*them perching on them and these birds may be nesting. Of the four Fairy Terns collected today, (of which two were on such stubs) all had brood patches. Hawaiian Noddies occur in small numbers and many nests (although not nearly so thickly found as on Makin) were situated in the limbs of dead trees. Some of these nests appeared to be occupied. Common Noddies were perhaps the most numerous tern in the mile or so stretch of interior we worked south of the village. They were commonly observed perching on palm fronds some 60-75 feet up and seen flying over just as frequently. Using the 12 gauge I collected 12 birds with
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R.Clapp - 1964 Nov. 18. Kuria Atoll. Six of us went ashore in the morning. Larry and Binion went to investigate Oneaka Is, (the more northerly one) and the other four of us went to Kuria again. George and Phil walked northward while Ken and I took the twelve gauge and went south. There were very few birds on the flats just before the area of lower vegetation where the Pemphis occurs. Tattlers, Golden Plovers, Ruddy Turnstones, Reef Herons, and a single Bristle-thighed Curlew. There were probably not more than 40 Ruddy Turnstone, 25 Golden Plover, 15 Wandering Tattlers and 5-6 Reef Herons (both white and black phases - No mottled birds seen) On the way down I collected a Bristle-thighed Curlew and on the way back a Ruddy Turnstone. On the way back Ken collected 3 Golden Plover and a Ruddy Turnstone. The birds were skittish and difficult to approach. A single Sooty Tern was seen flying over the sand flats about 9:30 headed north. We went to the inland "pond" that Binion Larry, and Ken went to Yesterday afternoon. There were practically no shorebirds at it. About 5 Ruddy Turnstone and 3 Golden Plover were there. This area had much low Pemphis growth about it and apparently extended from* for some distance to the south. We found another inland pond between the first pond and the shoreline of the lagoon but there were no birds upon it and very little standing water. We moved down the coast a short distance and noted that the area became more and more rocky. Birds were very scarce in this area. On the edge of the Pemphis area near the lagoon I shot two Hawaiian Noddies from a nest. Both proved to have brood patches. When I shot a large number (200-300) Hawaiian Noddies swirled into the air. I should estimate that in this area covered this morning there were not less than 500-700 Hawaiian Noddies, 300-400 Common Noddies and 100-200 Fairy Terns.
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Location Oahu - 20°13'N; 158°05'凹 / -22 min Observer R. Clapp + D. Hackman Date 8 June 1968 Time 1300 to 1905 Weather - Miles 57 Hours 5-43 SPECIES NUMBERS REMARKS Laysan Albatross Black-footed Albatross Wedge-tailed Shearwater 22 19 light phase, 3 not recorded Sooty Shearwater Slender-billed Shearwater Christmas Island Shearwater Newell's Shearwater Juan Fernandez Petrel White-necked Petrel Kermadec Petrel Phoenix Island Petrel Mottled Petrel Bonin Island Petrel Black-winged Petrel Bulwer's Petrel 17 Leach's Storm Petrel Red-tailed Tropicbird White-tailed Tropicbird Blue-faced Booby Brown Booby Red-footed Booby 5 3 Ad.; 1 Imm.; 1 subad. Great Frigatebird 90. 1 Imm. Lesser Frigatebird Golden Plover Ruddy Turnstone Sooty Tern 78 Gray-backed Tern Common Noddy Tern 5 Fairy Tern Pomarine Jaeger Petrel sp. 1 bird sp. 3 Dolphin sp. 5 Total Mammals 5 Total Birds 132 Total Sightings Total Flocks 4 (58) Feeding (100) Total Species 7 SI-MNH-11-1-66 Location 18°13'izr; 158°07'w - 15°56'美; 158°27' w Observer Clapp + Hackman Date 9 June 1968 Time 0535 to 1915 Weather - Miles 137 Hours 13-40 SPECIES NUMBERS REMARKS Layson Albatross Black-footed Albatross Wedge-tailed Shearwater 23 20 dark phase; 2 light pl.; 1? Sooty Shearwater Slender-billed Shearwater Christmas Island Shearwater 7 1 Newell's Shearwater 3 Juan Fernandez Petrel 2 White-necked Petrel 3 Kermadec Petrel Phoenix Island Petrel Mottled Petrel Bonin Island Petrel Black-winged Petrel 6 Bulwer's Petrel 2 Leach's Storm Petrel Red-tailed Tropicbird 1 White-tailed Tropicbird 2 Blue-faced Booby Brown Booby Red-footed Booby Great Frigatebird 90. 3 Lesser Frigatebird Golden Plover Ruddy Turnstone Sooty Tern 65 Gray-backed Tern Common Noddy Tern Fairy Tern 2 Pomarine Jaeger Petrel sp. 9 Shear-Pet bird sp. 1 Total Birds 132 Total Sightings Total Flocks 2 (72) Feeding (62) Total Species 11 SI-MNH-11-1-66
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Location 14°05'N; 158°34'operatorname{W} - 12°16' an; 158°50' do Observer Clapp + Hackman Date 10 June 1968 Time 05:40 to 19:15- Weather Miles 136 Hours 13-35 SPECIES NUMBERS REMARKS Laysan Albatross Black-footed Albatross Wedge-tailed Shearwater 10 7 dark phase; 3 ? Sooty Shearwater Slender-billed Shearwater Christmas Island Shearwater Newell's Shearwater Juan Fernandez Petrel 4 White-necked Petrel 2 Kermadec Petrel Phoenix Island Petrel Mottled Petrel Bonin Island Petrel Black-winged Petrel 12 Bulwer's Petrel 1 Leach's Storm Petrel Red-tailed Tropicbird 1 White-tailed Tropicbird Blue-faced Booby Brown Booby Red-footed Booby Great Frigatebird Lesser Frigatebird Golden Plover Ruddy Turnstone Sooty Tern 2 Gray-backed Tern Common Noddy Tern Fairy Tern Pomarine Jaeger Petrel p. 20 Shear-Pet 2 Long-tailed Jaeger 1 bird sp. 3 Total Birds 58 Total Sightings Total Flocks 4 (26) Feeding 2 (14) Sitting 2 (13) Total Species 7 SI-MNH-11-1-66 Location 09°53' up; 159°00' per operatorname{W} - 07°33'N; 157°12' do (22 min-) Observer Clapp + Hackman Date 11 June 1968 Time 05:50 to 18:50 Weather many squalls Miles 126 Hours 12-38 SPECIES NUMBERS REMARKS Laysan Albatross Black-footed Albatross Wedge-tailed Shearwater 29 20 dark ph; 9 unknown. Sooty Shearwater Slender-billed Shearwater Christmas Island Shearwater Newell's Shearwater ? 1 Juan Fernandez Petrel 10 White-necked Petrel 1 Kermadec Petrel Phoenix Island Petrel Mottled Petrel Bonin Island Petrel Black-winged Petrel 7 Bulwer's Petrel Leach's Storm Petrel Red-tailed Tropicbird 2 White-tailed Tropicbird Blue-faced Booby Brown Booby Red-footed Booby Great Frigatebird 1 ad. or Lesser Frigatebird ?o 1 Imm. or ? Golden Plover Ruddy Turnstone Sooty Tern 158 2 Imm. Gray-backed Tern Common Noddy Tern Fairy Tern 1 Shear-Pet = 51 Pomarine Jaeger Shear-Pet 1 Petrel p. 2 Tropibird = 2 frigate = 2 Tern = 159 Cetaceans 35-50 Total Mammals = 35-50 Total Birds 214 Total Sightings Total Flocks 5 (170) Feeding 4 (162) Traveling 1 (183) Total Species 8 SI-MNH-11-1-66
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Location 04°56'N; 159°24'W — Fanning Island Observer Clapp + Blackman Date 12 June 1968 Time 0545 to 1445 Weather Miles 90 Hours 9-0 SPECIES NUMBERS REMARKS Laysan Albatross Black-footed Albatross Wedge-tailed Shearwater 5 1 lightphase, 3 darkphase, 1 unknown Sooty Shearwater Slender-billed Shearwater Christmas Island Shearwater Newell's Shearwater 1 Juan Fernandez Petrel White-necked Petrel Kermadec Petrel Phoenix Island Petrel Mottled Petrel Bonin Island Petrel Black-winged Petrel 8 Bulwer's Petrel Leach's Storm Petrel Red-tailed Tropicbird White-tailed Tropicbird 1 Blue-faced Booby Brown Booby Red-footed Booby 12 Great Frigatebird Lesser Frigatebird Golden Plover Ruddy Turnstone Sooty Tern 13 Gray-backed Tern Common Noddy Tern Fairy Tern 35 Pomarine Jaeger Shear-Pet 1 Petrel go. 2 Shear-Pet = 17 Hawaiian Noddy bird go. 1 Tropicbird = 1 Booby = 12 Tern = 49 Misc = 1 Total Birds 80 Total Sightings Total Flocks 1 (7) TF Total Species 8 ST-MNR-11-1-66 Location 13°11'S; 170°54'W — 11°36'5'; 170°23'W Observer Crossin, Clapp, Blackman Date 6 July 1968 Time 0705 to 1219 Weather Miles 122 Hours 12-14 SPECIES NUMBERS REMARKS Laysan Albatross Black-footed Albatross Wedge-tailed Shearwater Sooty Shearwater Slender-billed Shearwater Christmas Island Shearwater Newell's Shearwater Juan Fernandez Petrel White-necked Petrel Kermadec Petrel Phoenix Island Petrel Mottled Petrel Bonin Island Petrel Black-winged Petrel Bulwer's Petrel Leach's Storm Petrel Red-tailed Tropicbird White-tailed Tropicbird 10 Blue-faced Booby Brown Booby Red-footed Booby 1 Great Frigatebird Lesser Frigatebird Golden Plover Ruddy Turnstone Sooty Tern 2 Gray-backed Tern Common Noddy Tern Fairy Tern 6 Pomarine Jaeger Pterodroma p. 1 Shear-Pet = 1 Tropicbird = 10 Tern = 8 Total Birds 19 Total Sightings Total Flocks 0 Total Species 4 ST-MNR-11-1-66
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Location 08°52'S; 171°05'W 06°38'S; 171°06'W Observer Crossin, Clapp, Mackman Date 7 July 1868 Time 0740 to 1918 Weather Miles 116 Hours 11-38 SPECIES NUMBERS REMARKS Laysan Albatross Black-footed Albatross Wedge-tailed Shearwater 2 light ph. Sooty Shearwater Slender-billed Shearwater Christmas Island Shearwater Newell's Shearwater Juan Fernandez Petrel White-necked Petrel Kermadec Petrel Phoenix Island Petrel Mottled Petrel Bonin Island Petrel Black-winged Petrel Bulwer's Petrel Leach's Storm Petrel Red-tailed Tropicbird White-tailed Tropicbird 3 Blue-faced Booby Brown Booby Red-footed Booby Great Frigatebird Lesser Frigatebird 1 Golden Plover Ruddy Turnstone Sooty Tern 207 Gray-backed Tern Common Noddy Tern Fairy Tern 46 Pomarine Jaeger 1 Phalacrocorax p. Shore - Pet = 3 Tropicbird = 3 Frigate = 1 Tern = 253 Total Birds 260 Total Sightings Total Flocks 3(249) F 2(202) Total Species 6 SI-MNR-11-1-66 Location Enderbury Island - 03°17'S; 171°50'W Observer Crossin Date 12 July 1868 Time 1630 to 1935 Weather Miles 31 Hours 3-05 SPECIES NUMBERS REMARKS Laysan Albatross Black-footed Albatross Wedge-tailed Shearwater 1 Light ph. Sooty Shearwater Slender-billed Shearwater Christmas Island Shearwater Newell's Shearwater Juan Fernandez Petrel White-necked Petrel Kermadec Petrel Phoenix Island Petrel Mottled Petrel Bonin Island Petrel Black-winged Petrel 3 Bulwer's Petrel Leach's Storm Petrel Red-tailed Tropicbird White-tailed Tropicbird 1 Blue-faced Booby 5 Brown Booby 2 Red-footed Booby Great Frigatebird Lesser Frigatebird Golden Plover Ruddy Turnstone Sooty Tern 80 *e Gray-backed Tern 5 Common Noddy Tern Fairy Tern 7 shear-Pet = 4 Pomarine Jaeger Tropicbird = 1 Booby = 7 Tern = 92 Porpoise (Tursiops) 5 Total Birds 104 Total Sightings Total Flocks 2(74) T E 1(68) Total Species 8 SI-MNR-11-1-66
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Location McKeon Is. → 01°41'5"; 175°23'W -1430-1750 Observer Crossin Date 15 July 68 Time 1000 to 1948 Weather Miles 66 Hours 6-28 SPECIES NUMBERS REMARKS Laysan Albatross Black-footed Albatross Wedge-tailed Shearwater Sooty Shearwater Slender-billed Shearwater Christmas Island Shearwater 1 Newell's Shearwater Juan Fernandez Petrel White-necked Petrel Kermadec Petrel Phoenix Island Petrel Mottled Petrel Bonin Island Petrel Black-winged Petrel 7 Bulwer's Petrel Leach's Storm Petrel 2 Red-tailed Tropicbird 1 White-tailed Tropicbird 1 Blue-faced Booby 5 Brown Booby 2 Red-footed Booby Great Frigatebird 1 ad 81 Lesser Frigatebird Golden Plover Ruddy Turnstone Sooty Tern 178 Gray-backed Tern 1 Common Noddy Tern 10 Shear-Pet = 24 Fairy Tern 12 Storm Pet = 3 Pomarine Jaeger Tropicbird = 2 Audubon's Shear (15) Frigate = 10 Shear-Pet 1 Booby = 7 White-Vh SP 1 Tern = 232 Frigate bird (Go.) Hawaiian Noddy 6 Blue-grey Noddy 25 Total Birds 278 Total Sightings Total Flocks 4 (229) 4E (157) Total Species (6) ST-MNH-11-1-66 Location → Baker Is. → Howland Is. → 0746 - 0830 Observer Crossin, clapp Date 16 July 1968 Time 1350 to 1545 Weather Miles 32 Hours 3-14 SPECIES NUMBERS REMARKS Laysan Albatross Black-footed Albatross Wedge-tailed Shearwater 24 all dark phase Sooty Shearwater Slender-billed Shearwater Christmas Island Shearwater Newell's Shearwater Juan Fernandez Petrel White-necked Petrel Kermadec Petrel Phoenix Island Petrel Mottled Petrel Bonin Island Petrel Black-winged Petrel Bulwer's Petrel Leach's Storm Petrel 2 Red-tailed Tropicbird White-tailed Tropicbird Blue-faced Booby 29 Brown Booby 1 Red-footed Booby 1 Great Frigatebird Lesser Frigatebird Golden Plover Ruddy Turnstone Sooty Tern 711 Gray-backed Tern Common Noddy Tern Fairy Tern 1 Shear-Pet = 24 Pomarine Jaeger Tropicbird = 2 Frigate sp. 7 Booby = 32 Booby sp. 1 frigate = 7 Skua 1 Tern = 412 Skua = 1 Cetacean 6 Total Birds 778 Total Sightings Total Flocks 25 (676) T 21 (230) Total Species 9 ST-MNH-11-1-66
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Location Howland Island → 02°36'N; 175°54'W 55 Observer Crossin, Clapp, Hackman Date 18 July, 1968 Time 1020 to 1958 Weather Miles 106 Hours 9-38 at 11K. SPECIES NUMBERS REMARKS Laysan Albatross Black-footed Albatross Wedge-tailed Shearwater 35 all dark ph. Sooty Shearwater Slender-billed Shearwater Christmas Island Shearwater Newell's Shearwater Juan Fernandez Petrel 1 White-necked Petrel Kermadec Petrel Phoenix Island Petrel Mottled Petrel Bonin Island Petrel 5 Black-winged Petrel Bulwer's Petrel Leach's Storm Petrel 2 Red-tailed Tropicbird White-tailed Tropicbird Blue-faced Booby 13 Brown Booby 1 Red-footed Booby 2 Great Frigatebird Lesser Frigatebird 1 Golden Plover Ruddy Turnstone 319 Sooty Tern Gray-backed Tern Common Noddy Tern Fairy Tern 2 Pomarine Jaeger Shear Pet 1 white-winged Petrel 1 Pterodroma sp. 6 frigate sp. 6 Total Birds 395 Total Sightings Total Flocks 9(348) T 7(562) Total Species 11 ST-MNH-11-1-06 Location 04°34'N; 175°14'W - 06°48'N; 174°18'W 55 Observer Crossin, Clapp, Hackman Date 19 July 1968 Time 0735 to 2003 Weather Miles 137 Hours 12-28 at 11K. SPECIES NUMBERS REMARKS Laysan Albatross Black-footed Albatross Wedge-tailed Shearwater 33 all dark ph. Sooty Shearwater Slender-billed Shearwater Christmas Island Shearwater Newell's Shearwater Flacks Juan Fernandez Petrel 2 FF1003 59 ST48 UT93F1 White-necked Petrel Kermadec Petrel FF1142 50 ST30,WT26 Phoenix Island Petrel / Tahiti 1 Mottled Petrel Bonin Island Petrel 4 Black-winged Petrel Bulwer's Petrel Leach's Storm Petrel Red-tailed Tropicbird White-tailed Tropicbird 2 Blue-faced Booby Brown Booby Red-footed Booby Great Frigatebird Lesser Frigatebird Golden Plover Ruddy Turnstone 79 Sooty Tern Gray-backed Tern Common Noddy Tern Fairy Tern Pomarine Jaeger Shear Pet 1 Shear-Pet = 43 Petrel sp. 2 Tropicbird = 2 Tern = 79 Total Birds 124 Total Sightings Total Flocks 2(109) both Feeding Total Species 6
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Location 08°36'N; 173°43'W — 10°36'N; 172°31'W Observer Crossin, Clapp, Blackman Date 20 July 1968 Time 0724 to 1954 Weather Rain squalls all day. Miles 137 Hours 1230 @11K SPECIES NUMBERS REMARKS Laysan Albatross Black-footed Albatross Wedge-tailed Shearwater -8 all in dark phase Sooty Shearwater Slender-billed Shearwater Christmas Island Shearwater Newell's Shearwater Juan Fernandez Petrel 7 White-necked Petrel 2 Kermadec Petrel Phoenix Island Petrel Mottled Petrel Bonin Island Petrel Black-winged Petrel 9 Bulwer's Petrel 2 Leach's Storm Petrel Red-tailed Tropicbird White-tailed Tropicbird Blue-faced Booby Brown Booby Red-footed Booby Great Frigatebird Lesser Frigatebird Golden Plover Ruddy Turnstone Sooty Tern 1 Gray-backed Tern Common Noddy Tern Fairy Tern Pomarine Jaeger Phaethon aterna 2 Shear-Pet=31 Pterodroma g. 1 Tern = 1 Total Birds 32 Total Sightings Total Flocks 0 Total Species 5 all Northern Grid Location 12°29'N; 171°35'W — 14°29'N; 170°36'W Observer Crossin, Clapp, Blackman Date 21 July Time 0705 to 1954 Weather Rain squalls. Miles 130 Hours 12-43 SPECIES NUMBERS REMARKS Laysan Albatross Black-footed Albatross Wedge-tailed Shearwater 5 4 dark, 1 light gull. Sooty Shearwater Slender-billed Shearwater Christmas Island Shearwater Newell's Shearwater Juan Fernandez Petrel 8 White-necked Petrel 3 Kermadec Petrel Phoenix Island Petrel Mottled Petrel Bonin Island Petrel Black-winged Petrel 12 Bulwer's Petrel Leach's Storm Petrel Red-tailed Tropicbird White-tailed Tropicbird 1 Blue-faced Booby Brown Booby Red-footed Booby Great Frigatebird Lesser Frigatebird Golden Plover Ruddy Turnstone Sooty Tern 17 1 min. Gray-backed Tern Common Noddy Tern Fairy Tern 1 Pomarine Jaeger JF/WN Petrel 2 Pterodroma g. 4 Total Birds 53 Total Sightings Total Flocks 1 (17) Feeding Total Species 6