Crossin, Richard S., 1965-1966, 1968
Page 60
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Transcription
R.S. Crossin 1966 SIC 11 over the lagoon at day break and 3 Bristle-thighed Curlews and 5+ Wandering Tattlers were also seen along lagoon shore early in the morning. Departed Canton at 0818. Enderbury Island February 14 - Arrive Enderbury 1330. Landing good, most of crew went off on survey, Bob DeLong and I spent afternoon tearing off old roof on house in preparation for putting on new green plastic roofing. Roof finished by evening. Spent early part of evening taking blood samples of Blue-faced Boobies on SW end of island. Party the spent to band frigates on NW end of island near the guano pile and Red-foot Boobies on SE end. Island is quite green and evidently has had recent raines. Sida is luxurious and blooming - present in varrying densities over most of the vegetated area of the island. February 15 - Made a shore bird count in the morning and entire crew worked the frigate colony for banding and blood samples at night. Left the island at 0610 on 16 Feb. Shearwaters and Petrels None present on the island. Max noticed what he thought to be an Audubon's Shearwater off the SW end on morning of 16 Feb. Red-tailed Tropicbird About 5 birds were displaying near the light house when we first arrived on afternoon of 14. There were very few in evidence after this time. One adult with a 1/3 grown chick was present next to the wall of the torn down building by the bomb shelter. This was the only nest that I had occasion to see. Blue-faced Booby One clubk of about 150 birds formed behind the house on night of 14, but had dispersed considerably by night of 15. Two other clubs were formed on night of 14 across the lagoon from house - there appeared to have roughly 100 birds each. Pairs and single birds were scattered irregularly over most of the island. A few pairs had large young. I would estimate that not over 600 birds were utilizing the island. Brown Booby These were present in thick scattered pairs over most of the vegetated part of the island. I noted less than a dozen nests on the west side of island, and suspect the E side was fairly comparable. A few chicks of varying sizes up to 3/4 grown were present, but most nests contained incubated eggs - all sets of two. Estimated 100 birds on the island. Red-footed Booby This species was present in 3 different concentrations. One on the SE side