7 Aug. After a few hours sleep. Birding is extremely difficult. The moon is almost full now and last night finally set at about 4.30 — about 15 minutes before light of dawn. Dense, and finished it. The terns are extremely wary and with the moon, most of the catchers were in the air as they fly up. Banded Sooty terns by catching them with the hand nets throughout the afternoon. An interesting phenomenon occurs at dusk with the terns (10 & 12 Aug.) this occurred again tonight at approximately sundown — practically all terns on the island rose up, calling loudly. They settled down within ten minutes. Banded Sooty terns during the day with net catching. Banded Wedgetail, all night. 10 Aug. 11 Aug. Banded Sooty tern, adults by net catching. Band Sooty Terns all night. 12 Aug. Collected Besler samples during the day. Collected blood during late after- noon and evening finished up blood and birdie camp. Boarded Theaerator about 9:00 p.m. (2100). Up till after midnight doing blood samples. The door on the outside lab does not 13 Aug. 54 accessories for layman additions Layman 12 Aug. Clear well because the material (aluminium) is completely corroded. This got into the lab while we never the island and landed in the ship, which ever brought from Henduba. The ships were placed in a hull drum with formaldehyde in a can. Hopefully they have not caused too much damage to the ships. After the blood work days and I are completely exhausted. This island work will kill a man if he stays at it. Durned Birds: 23°35'N, 171°26'W — 23°35'N, 171°03'W 13 Aug. Started observations in the morning. The sea has been freely rough since we left Layman. Birds are scarce today — most individuals apparently concentrated into a few large flocks. Still feel totally washed out. Right eye is very sure set and bloodshot where Sooty Terns make a lightning stab when I got care has for a moment while taking blood on Layman. 20°51'N; 178°45'W — 18°51'N; 178°08'W (14 Aug.) Relatively few birds seen for the day (605). The majority of birds are contained in a few large flocks. The sea was quite rough causing extensive roll to the ship and likely decreasing the efficiency of shooting.