R.S. Crossin 1966 SIC 11 March 6 - 1-03S; 173-44W - 2-11S; 172-27W Xmad Mostly single sightings, predominantly Storm Petrels until late afternoon when flocks began showing up. These composed of ST, CNT, FT and a few Aud. Shear and Xmas I. Shear, WT. These are most likely Phoenix Island birds. Reached Canton Island about midnight. March 7 - 2-33S; 171-12W - 2-01S; 169-31W Bird numbers down as we move away from islands into open water. Total 120. One White-rumped Storm Petrel with odd white belly - not a White-throated Storm Petrel - and one small dark storm pet w/o white rump. March 8 - 1-25S; 167-49W - 0-56S; 166-13W Total 64 birds, mostly Sooty Terns in one flock (42). One Sooty collected banded Enderbury 65. Probably this is the NW limits of Phoenix Island Group birds ranging out. Mostly quiet all afternoon. March 9 - 0-19S; 164-32W - 0-19N; 162-53W Slow day as would be expected this far from any islands. 89 birds - mostly Sooty Terns (36) and Storm Petrels (White-rumped - 29) 2 of which were Leachs' collected. March 10 - 1-00N; 161-07W - 1-25N; 159-33W Total number of birds not unusually high, 181, considering the nearness of land, but considerable variety of species exhibited. Two most common forms were Sooty Terns, 119, and White-rumped Storm Petrels (32). One of these latter was a Harcourts Storm Petrel. The majority are unquestionably Leachs - 3 collected. Due to arrive at Christmas at day break. March 11 - Christmas Island Arrived on island about 0930. Mr. Wardell was off on the other side of the island, so we spent an hour in waiting. After his return and lining up the old dilapitated Land Rover we headed out on survey. One colony of Sooty Terns is established on seaward side of main road about 5 miles from ______ on N. side. Another scattered colony is spread along the long axis of the island by carver way, but this did not seem dense enough to work. Spent the entire night at the PUR colony 5 miles from ______ with Harrington, Lewis, Smith and Heryford. Banded 7,400 Sootys and took ca. 110 samples of blood. Chicks were mostly between half grown and nearly ready to fly. Max and Dayle spent day on Moto Upua. Phoenix Island Petrels with everything from fresh eggs to grown chicks. March 12 - Went out to Sooty Tern colony on south end of island by deserted, long air strip. This extended for about 5 miles - long axis of island - and was in dense grass and Sida. Chicks ranged from week old to nearly full grown. Entire party went here - banded 7600 between chicks and adults.