R.S. Crossin 1966 SIC 11 Hull small flocks of Sooty Terns. Also many White-rumped Storm Petrels, 3 Leach's collected, so one might assume that most are Leachs, 24 others sorted. Left Baker at 0720, departed Howland at 1400. All night watch enroute to NW of Grid equaled total of 54 birds, mostly Sooty Terns, but scattering of 8 species. February 8 - 1-17N; 178-14W - 1-12N; 177-45W Very slow day bird wise - only 35 birds seen, scattered sightings of White-rumped Storm Petrels, 1 Leach's collected, terns, boobies. Finally got two engines running at 1600 - one has been out since early on 4th. Total of 10 birds seen during nocturnal observations. February 9 - 176-35W; 1-40N - 0-18N; 177-48W Number of birds increased considerably over yesterday = 228 - thus mainly on account of 6 flocks (155). Sooty Terns most numerous (181) and Storm Petrels (White-rumped) 31. Five of these latter were Leach's (collected). Few birds at night = 21. February 10 - 0-19S; 177-27W - 0-02N; 176-41W Sea very rough today with up to 10 ft. swells and wind up to 30 knots. Visibility poor and very few birds about - total = 27. 11 of these were White-rumped Storm Petrels. Shore birds were seen at night = 41, 36 of these were Sooty Terns. February 11 - 0-38S; 177-01W - 1-00S; 176-09W Low numbers again today - 31 total, 20 of these White-rumped Storm Petrels. Night watches were held until 1200 midnight. A total of 7 birds. February 12 - 2-09S; 174-58W - 3-20S; 173-35W Birds numbers picked up tremendously today. After 1600 flocks composed of Sooty Terns, Fairy Terns and Gray-backed Terns, with a sprinkling of Shear-pet. started showing up. Most of these were feeding flocks. Total birds 329 (294 in flocks). These are quite likely from populations in the Phoenix Group. Passed McKean after sunset. Due in Hull ca. 0730 tomorrow morning. Hull Island February 13 - Departed Shearwater at 0800 for survey of Hull Island. Max took one raft and complement of men and I took another. Max covered south side and I covered NW side - the two rafts meeting at the village on W end of island.