R. S. Crossin 1965 Phaethon rubricauda July cruise - Grid area 9 July - This has been the most simple bird to collect so far this trip. The birds are invariably attracted to the ship, and will often make 3 or 4 passes about it, head out to sea-at times out of sight and then re- turn to the ship for a few more passes. White-tails appear to be just as curious, but these have been in the minority so far this trip. The bill color of this species is highly variable and may be due to age, reproductive cycle or perhaps other factors such as time of the year or food. Certain individuals show an almost black bill, with little or no hint of red or orange. Usually only single individuals are seen, but occasionally 2 or even 3 may come about the ship. Often one is seen to dive from varying heights of 50 to 200 feet up into the water, pre- sumably for fish. These dives are normally almost vertical the birds often remain sitting on the water after a dive for some minutes before taking flight. Both the white - necked Petrel (P.e.externa) have been observed in some numbers on this trip so far. The white-necked usually shows a very distinct white neck and nape at most any visible distance. These petrels are often seen in company with Bonin Is. or Cooks Petrels. They can usually be told from the Bonin or Cooks at any distance by their larger size and peculiar high sweeping arch made above the water at dose intervals. Hypsleveas will make an arch, but it is usually quick and not as high above the water as externa. Laysan Hawaiian Is. Pacific Ocean -(Laysan Albatross ) 18-21 July Practically all birds on the island (estimated 10,000) are birds of the year. A few adults were noted to come in to feed young birds - this occurred mainly at night. The young range greatly in size or actually weight. Many still have the heads, necks and breasts covered with brown down, while a good portion of the larger ones are difficult to tell from adult birds. The pinkish feet of the adults as opposed to the blackish-grayish feet of the young seems to be a good character for telling them apart. The orangish bill of the adults apparently may also be acquired by young birds during the final stages of their time on the island. Many of the young with heavy down are extremely ? and [illegible] hardly weigh a few pounds. This variation in weight is most apparent throughout the group - some of the young being very heavy - others weightless practically. Many of the larger, stronger birds are now practicing their flying - often landing out in the water where they apparently are able to take oof from quite easily. Numerous birds can be seen on land fanning their wings, especially when the wind blows strongly. The birds are distributed throughout the island, but often congregate in open spots in the fields or along the beach, many also on the shore of the lake in the daytime, but there more into the dense cover by night. The snapping of their beaks when they are approached is indistinquishable from that noise made by Great horned Owls. There must logically be a great number of these young which will never make it. Numerous young can be seen lying about the island in various stages of decomposition.