Crossin, Richard S., 1965-1966, 1968

CROSSIN, RICHARD 1965 Duplicate copy

R.D. Gossin 1965 Journal (1) Waihiki, Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaiian Is. 1 July arrived 29 June at 11:50 p.m. Yesterday (so) visited The Shannator, and did a bit of shrimping on specimens from the deep seas. New Lake pretty capable. Mustel is highly independent, but apparently well versed on operations for at sea. Have seen very few birds here so far. Indian Myna - very abundant, very starling-like in actions and gait- are all around good sturmid. Three Gavilans are abundant, but not as noisy nor pugnacious as on the mainland. One ad. Brazilian Cardinal - a most striking species. Spotted doves are fairly common, very reminiscent of our Mourning dove. Barred doves are everywhere abundant. This species must be conspecific with Scaurafella or vivensera, although I am unable to see the connection in terms of geography, separated as their habitats are. Mexico - China. Several of the calls of Argulus exactly equal some of Scaurafella. A few Japanese White- eyes were seen. Manana Island, 1 mi offshore Honolulu, Oahu left Honolulu about mid afternoon accompanying Mr. Dly, Brian Harrington, Dale Nusted and Jeff Selfe on landing run. Sooty terns adults were very R.D. Gossin 1965 Journal (2) July 1 difficult to catch in daylight as we banded Sooty Terns and Wedge Tailed Shearwaters. Estimated over 200,000 sooties, ca. 30,000 Noddies and possibly that many wedge-tails. Several dark phase wedge-tails were dug from their burrows. Several sets of 2 eggs for wedge-tails. Most eggs appeared fresh and many birds seemed to be just mature. A very few Sooty terns with eggs and chicks ranging through all ages. The Noddies practically all had eggs, a few very young chicks. Most noddies slightly separated from the sooties and appeared most abundantly on the higher ridges and along the gullies. At night the pair of wedge-tails stayed together, the & ? incubating, other member settling close proximity. Several sets of 2 eggs and one of 3 in Noddies. Banded 1,000 birds of mixed species and ages. Very cool with several showers throughout the night. We left the island about 6:35 a.m. I was charged and microscopically attacked by a Wedge-tail that day's had just landed, cocoanut palms (excellent) on island.

R.D. Crosin Journal 1965- 2 july. 1st day out of Honolulu for Grid run. Left Honolulu 2:48 p.m. aboard Shearwater. Spent the first day observing birds, and getting the feel of the ship. Total # birds seen: 225. 3 july 2nd day out on Grid run. Spent the day at Shearwaters. Dayle is very well versed on all phases of the fieldwork and I am relying wholly on him to do so. He has excellent vision and the most amazing ability to make counts of birds at fantastic distances. Brian Darrington also is very good at observations; Jeff Tisdell was some seconds yesterday evening but appears all right today. Seems a bit listless and disinterested in the work. Spent some time after observations in preparing blood vials, stringing dip nets, making dye markers etc. We have done no collecting as yet, but are prepared for it when we reach the Grid. It is now a little easier to spot and identify some of the birds. Sooty terns and Wedge-tails are the most abundant. The captain came by and discussed some of the points of the trip with me. R.D. Crosin Journal 1965 4 july 3rd day out on Grid Run Awoke very tired at 5:05 a.m. after figuring bird lists until 12 last night. Very few birds today. A few showers showing off. To the SE. Spotting is becoming somewhat easier and I feel I will be able to identify most of their species within a few more days. Separating P. hypoleucos vitiensis from P.h. hypo- luxus is readily done when the bird comes in reasonably close. The food aboard the Shearwater is excellent, and the entire crew are very friendly, some fairly well versed on bird species. By 1:00 p.m. Several large feeding flocks have passed the ship. On is often attracted to such a flock by seeing a large frigate or two. Beneath these but lower, to do so normally, or abundance of sooty terns are swirling, and yet beneath those will invariably be a number of Wedgetails and sometimes a P. hypoleucos or two. Tropicbirds are not often seen singly, but occasionally, a pair. These seem to do the front run- ning of all and generally join on or two Passer (sometimes)

R.D. Green 1965 Journal 4 July 3rd day out to Sea Grid. over the ship before heading on. The sea is very hot today some scattered clouds, but this seems only to intensify the sun's rays. Dayle has been working constantly whilst not on watch at getting various odd jobs done for the big island push on Taccaneby. We should hit the grid Tomorrow afternoon and Taccaneby on the 15th. Yesterday lost sometimes with sudden trouble, but this has been jipped and ship no running smoothly. We are now starting to run into large flocks of Sooty terns, usually with some mixture of other species. typical procedure is to spot a frigate bird or two which often accompany the flocks. They one can see the masses of mulling Sooties beneath the frigates, but usually well sky bird although often many are beneath the horizon. Usually some wedge- tails are with the flocks, but always low to the water and very difficult to see. Occasionally a few P. hypolucus (either Bonin or Corte) accompany the flocks. These flocks usually do not come R.D. Green 1965 Journal 4 July cont) 3rd day at sea on tired Deer near the ship, but split and drift to either side far out or two entire group may move off to one side or the other. Dark phase Wedgetails, have become more numerous. 5th day at sea on tired Deer 5 July. 2:00 p.m. Birds not as numerous Today as they were yesterday, a few large flocks of Sooties. Dayle worked on the outboard engines today. The new one is shot and cannot be repaired, so we will have to depend on the old engine for every thing. I am so thankful Dayle is on this run, as his opinion on mechanical matters is priceless. We will not hit Johnston until some time this evening as still no collecting as yet. My intent to start Tomorrow morning. Brian and I fried up two scoopouts for land pickups today and things are quite ready for the grid run. Dayle pressed a little advice out last night on gun safety, I am sure anyone, to see if I will be able to hit these Sea birds from a bouncing, swaying deck. they look as if they should be quite easy

R.S. Brossin 1965 Journal 6 July 5 day at Sea (Grid Area) We entered grid at 0741. Birds seem to be particularly scarce here. There was much distant cloud cover over most of the morning, but Toward afternoon it became just cloudy over the entire area. There appeared to be a great abundance of birds seen on the water, and very few in flight. Perhaps vision for surface feeding as this birds is greatly hampered by cloak cover. Several tropicbirds were seen to take off from the water. 4 birds were collected. I shot one dark-phase Wrybilled shearwater and finished a Ph. mygipennus, 03 that insisted on flying off after Bryan had flambeated it with 302 4 shots. I forced up very badly on the first shooting this morning on a flock of Sooty mixed with mudwings and hypolutes. I believe a slight case of fluid fever from not shooting in so long. Shrig are progressing along quite well. I have have the feel of the Operation down pretty well. Observations are becoming much easier and paperwork is becoming some easier after each days work. R.S. Brossin 1965 Journal 7 July 6th day at Sea Running NE up speed by 2 grid Today. Sea gull south (about 15 knot winds). Several light rain showers plus misty weather, wind and deep trough, more visibility. Birds very bad. Aside from this, however, there definitely is far less birds here in comparison to the run to the Grid from Honolu- lube. Jean Fernandezy Petrels with mottling upper wing, courts give the appearance of Vermicelles Petrels or possibly non-mottled petrels. White aurist marks are prominent in some cases. The underwing pattern showing all white except the outer primary tips which are black usually design- ate it with fineness to Jean Fernandezy. Cerinialis shows a very white neck against a dark back. This appears to be plain enough at close range to distinguish them from Jean Fernandezy. We kept watch on the flying flock as the birds is colored intermittently with heavy spray. No birds collected as yet today 8:55 p.m. and no shots fired.

R.D. Gossin Journal 1965 7th day at sea (Grid area) 8 July. 3:30 p.m. So far have collected 3 Red- tailed Tropicbirds and 1 mostly torn One flock of ca. 40 birds, not seen - counted. As now appeared it, fish could no seen jumping from the water. Shortly afterwards a large school of fish (ave. 2 1/2 ft long) could be seen swimming just beneath the surface. The weather today, has been clear with little wind - hot. Birds again, today, are few and far between. 8th day at sea (Grid area) 9 July 8:20 p.m. Have been running in a NE direction up one leg of the grid all day. This NE direction is very bad for birds; a 16 or more knot wind is hitting the ship almost directly and allows for bad visibility, plus all observations must be done from the flying bridge because of heavy wash over the foredecks. This, of course, almost eliminates collecting. Only one bird collected today - a Red-tailed Tropic bird which, daylight, buzzed toward evening. Birds appear to be slightly fewer in this grid. I believe the bad visibility connects with the wind is actually cutting our sighting records down con- R.D. Gossin Journal 1965 5th day at sea (Grid area) 9 July rough sea is not especially bad, but the actual stuffing of specimens is most aggravating with winds, continually sifting feathers and every object sliding about the room including the persons working. "If these skins consort bad, and I presume they will, I would suggest total skinning while on cruise, with complete foot renewal etc. and freezing the skins to be made up in part. If this is at all feasible, the quality of the skins could be improved many times. 7th day at sea (Grid area) 10 July Traveled SW most of the day and so had good observation, plus good collecting. Since the wind is predominantly from the NE, these SW runs are drastically different from the NE ones. Going into the wind makes observations very difficult in that there is enough wind movement to cause device vibrations, thus seriously impairing distant sight. On NE runs the bird is generally under heavy spray and thus collecting is practically nil from the flying bridge. Several wild

R.S. Grieve Journal 1965 10 July 2 day at sea (grid area) Total of 14 birds collected, 9 of which, Neither collected or participated in, The shooting is getting much easier for me now that I am able to judge for the rocking and dipping of the ship plus I am now getting a better idea of how to judge distance on the water. 11 July 10 day at sea (grid area) Running NE most of the day, so observations more good for only a short time in the morning. tried a little collecting from the bows under heavy spray - 6 birds collected. White neck petrels are apparently most abundant in the southern part of the grid whereas Chrysolophus seems to be the common petrel in the W part of the grid. Shinning is progressing along with collecting so we should be ready for the islands with not too much back-work. 12 July 11th day at sea (non-grid) Observations carried on from the bows. King got a little wet occasionally throughout the day, but not out too bad. We have run a cycle here in, R.S. Grieve Journal 1965 12 July 16th 11th day at sea (non-grid) that the common petrel this far north is again Phylloscopus either Bonin or Cosh race. The P. sternas are again rare although they were quite abundant in the South. Creagrus seems to be apparent in comparing the bird count of this year with July 1964. In the latter year no P. sternas were seen, whereas this year 188 in the grid alone were observed. 13 July 12th day at sea (non-grid) Running due N today - expect to arrive at Tasmanian tomorrow about noon. By cutting off some of the last leg of the grid during the night when no observations would be made coughing, we are able to save several hours. A number of fice eyed Ploceus have been seen so far today (1220). They have the composition noted for Ploceus when we first left Schinzie, a large frigate high eye, below it the only terms, some I turn on sterling or 65 as the water and a lesser number of ruddy tails shinning the waves beneath the ploceus.

R.S. Corsin 1965 Journal Lanai 14 July Lanai arrived 1120 - landing quite smooth, but had hard squalls all the way in. Island pretty well covered with brush up to 10 ft high - peculiar [pettibald flower with all 5 petals lying on one side - ] Several ironwood trees in clump about the island. this tree is very similar in leaf to turner's. 2 coconut palms toward center of island. Within the ironwood trees along the SW shore there were about 10 pair of Fairy terns with varying sized downy white ducks - few dark marks on head. Also in the ironwood trees about 20 pair of Hawaiian Terns with nearly grown young final nest. of twigs and grasses. The island is honeycombed with wedge tailed slim water lourous - all appear to have incubated egg. Layman Albatrosses - all nearly grown young. Black footed Albatrosses - same. Large triangle lined colony varying sized young up to near adults. Some Red footed Baby, still in Nests, Most Blue faced Booby spray large & Running. R.S. Corsin 1965 Journal Lanai 14 July (cont.) Lanai Red tailed Tropicbird on incubating egg and with varying sized young. The nest is a scooped out depression in the sand under the dense shrubs. Many Terns on eggs, but chicks eggs to adults are everywhere. The Terns use both the ground and abandoned booby nests in to low shrubs. Bustill - Hughes Curlews - about 30 adult birds. Ruddy Turnstone - 200 - 300 adults. Black Turnstones - 1 Collected Terns in the afternoon. Lanai 15 July Banded all night in the Sooty tern colony. Work was interrupted both by a full Moon when it was clear and hard showers every so often. Started raining very steadily in the morning and bounced up the banding of Boobies, and young Albatrosses. The albatrosses are nearly ready to fly and practice at fanning there during a good drill. As the morning went on showers became more frequent and heavy and the wind picked up considerably. By 11:30 the

R.S.Grossin 1965 Journal 15 July (cont) Zacanski rain was falling steadily with ferrin gusts at mile per. Throughout the afternoon and night very strong driving winds and rain soaked every object in the tent and at times threatened to lift it from its stakes. Work was impossible during this period. Cleared up early in the am on 16. 16 July weather now cleared up pretty good. Banded most of the day. Says & concentrated on Solly tern. Chick + a few young albatrosses. The footy chicks were practically all of a size from fully feathered to flying stage and many already flying. Sending very difficult in the baytonie so we teamed up and by puring the band set for a sack we could sew them around and pick up 20 or so, band them etc. Started the blood work at dark and continued this until after 4 am when we started breaking camp. The bleeding started at very badly for me by my killing a nice high albatross chick. After this I sized the lazy subalbino. R.S.Grossin 1965 Journal 16 July (cont) Zacanski vein under the wing on albatrosses. This is quite pronounced and easy to see after a few of the under wing covert are plucked away. Naturally there is no danger of killing the bird in this manner. Attempts to bleed other large birds in this manner, such as frigate, boobies etc. did not succeed because the skin on these birds is very dark a black and the vein does not show up as in the albatrosses. Ca. 112 blood samples collected but about 8 in the centrifuge machine. The centrifuge tubes we are using are very bad and crack at the small bottom with the greatest ease. Finished up the blood spinning on ship at 1000 a.m. left off the island about 500 am. After blood works completed until about 5 p.m. now getting ready to hit layon. Should arrive about 8:00 p.m. Landing shortly, before 8:00 p.m. Del & Brian went on with the ship first to test the antenna and set up a light duo to guide the ship when it returned with myself, Torkoff and the gear. Estimating Coral shoals seaward the island of

R.D. Crossin Journal 1965 17 July Laycan Laycan aid entry can be made even with a small boat only in certain small channelway, and sandy beach for landing which occurred without incident. We set up the tent with Daylo & Spring so as not to repeat the sloppy job I tent setting which occurred on Sarian ski. We then set out to land. Sixty tons all night. 3 our still very stiff and sore from the mast conditions which occurred on Laycan ski. The story of terns first appeared will and could not be easily worked, but we worked into better sections later in the night. I spotted a Laycan teal way upon light ground and gridded at six in the left headlamp. Finished my landing at daylight - landed 1000 shots, any or del similar. 18 July Laycan Tried to grab some sleep after bombing all night, but the flies are terrible and sons swarmed the camp area. Saw the Laycan finish for the first time. Sank I depressing - reminds many much I am English Swarvel with some yellow mattered over R.D. Crossin Journal 1965 18 July cont. Laycan the frontal area. Upon entering into the backing area (through hopo) came upon (a pair of Delphin's) piled at their suitings burrow with a small newly hatched chicks. The term Laycan appeared to have very good young birds as compared to Sarian ski and in certain areas not a chick could be found. A few scattered birds were still on eggs. We gave up the periodicity of getting any sleep after about an hour or so and splitting up into two parties we went out for ticks. Daylo and I examined hundreds of possible host before finally finding one on a young dusty tern. All species present were searched, but we encountered only one other tick (Xenodex) on a young Ruddy tern. Brian and Jeff had little better luck and found only a few. Both specimens that Daylo and I found were on the underwing surface in the radius-ulna area. Brian's stated he had found some on the upper wing in this general area. Daylo and I found a small number of the Sift ticks (Ceratophyllum). this species remains more first during the Laycan

R.J.Bisson Journal 1965 16 July. Laycan and remains attached - unlike Brisco, stated about them leaving the last during daylight hours. We handled some Sooty Terns and Albatross throughout the day and began banding Sooties in earnest again at dark. Everyone was very tired from the grind over the past week with little play and a lot of work now and then. Finished my banding about 7:00 a.m. and tried to get a few hours sleep before the flies came up at daylight. 19 July. Spent the day banding Sooties and Black Terns. Sooty skulls ran hotoken by being a small hand net with one person banding - the other swaying the net and attending. Dayle and I have some sneaking suspicion that the boys are doing a bit of band chucking because of the rapidity, which they finish at times - although either as necessary very fast. At dusk we again banded Sooty adults and Laycan Albatross (fled). Spent the day banding Laysan and Black Tern Albatross. Wound up all handy by night (ca 9:00 p.m.) saw for a few Albatross birds. Started wood work about 10:00 p.m. Wood work went slow and we did not finish. 20 July R.J.Bisson Journal 1965 20 July (cont) Laycan until after daylight on 21. Much of the problem, here was that everyone was dead beat after the previous weeks and few old days of island work. Despite the prospect I taking forward to boarding Shearwater in the morning, it became very difficult to keep awake. 21 July After unwinding my the banding, Jeff and Bryan went out and finished my fleet than 100 Albatross bands that remained, and we broke up camp. All but from the Shearwater cause in and we loaded - leaving the island at 10:00 a.m. After unloading things, upon reaching the ship, Shyld and I started blood work (centrifuging). By this time it became very, very difficult to stay awake. Came by with 108 samples. Finished blood work about 2:00 p.m. Such time Arrived back at Honolulu about 5:00 p.m. 24 July 2 Aug. Out for Honolulu, Hawaiian). Dashed Off in Shearwater from Honolulu at 0910. Mr. O'Brien is not acting as Captain. Brescian author - Capt. Kaul will be returning. Bisson Anderson

R.S. Gosain 1965 Journal 2 Aug. Out from Honolulu, Hawaiian 30- and Larry Harker aboard and will be dropped off at French Frigate Shoals. Crew will then consist of myself, Dave, Ken Kneeran, Brian Harrington and Jeff today. Wolf-eels quite common out by port, also a few Common Mottle, Tasty tern, and scattered Bulwer's and Newell's 5- bad one school of porpoise (ca. 35). They allowed the ship to run right amidst them. Occasionally, 5 or 6 would be lined up abreast with all dorsal fins clearing the water and then disappear during in unison. The group played about the ship at approximately 30-50 yds for a few minutes and then all were gone. A few intermediate, wavy tails were seen earlier in the morning — also a few dartles from the main islands. There appear much lighter herons than those seen farther south. The wolf-eels have been the most numerous so far, with mighty few terns. With a crew of 5 for the island works, I have hopes of this being a somewhat better trip than last. Everyone seems in good shape — Jeff feeling a slight hangover from yesterday's drinking bout. R.S. Gosain 1965 Journal 2 Aug. Northwinds to Kauai, sun 1st day out Passing Kauai — many Newells and Dark-rumped Petrels (see specimen card for Dark-rumped Petrel wave). 3 August 2nd day at Sea After sighting Oahu, birds became increasingly numerous — Bulwer's petrels, especially were spread continuously over the area for many miles. Only a few Newell’s when near here and a very few Dark-rumped Petrels. One Red-tailed Tropicbird had hit the ship during the night and was found dead this morning by the crew. Throughout the afternoon birds were less abundant with mainly singles or doubles of Wolf-eels and Bulwer's Petrels. During late afternoon, singles became sparser and all birds seemed to be concentrated in a few large flocks. Well over a thousand were observed during a period of about 20 minutes. Three or four flocks made up this total. 4 August Dropped anchor about 0700 at French Frigate Shoals to let Benion and Jerry Harker off. They were landed and off by 0750. Most of the gear went into the rubber raft. A coast

R.D. Gossen Journal 1965 4 Aug. (at) Guard boat with 3 men came into the ship and a good portion of the light meter was stored aboard it. The coast guard boat also towed in the 3 rubber boats. I saw, we started toward Kaypan a few minutes after Siron left due to arrive about 1400 tomorrow. Birds were not too abundant about the islands as we left. Also appears to be more abundant off the north end with many others leaving the islands heading with. All 3 species of Boobies were present Fairy, Solly, Hawaiian Molly and a few Solly terns cruised to reef water. Frigate was present in some number. Dalmans then not out from yesterday as did Wedgetails, We are now in the process of packing equipment etc for Kaypan and final- ly up the birds which were brought from Honolulu from other trips. Only a few Common Petrels have been seen 20 feet up the Leeboards. None really came in close enough for collection. 67100 bands are avail- able for Kaypan. We may not get all 40,000 Solly terns on this trip. If the birds will probably have already R.D. Gossen Journal 1965 5 Aug. From Lihue to Japan Due to arrive in Japan at 15:00. Much bird activity this morning. Viceroys, Tails, and Sooties mainly- going in all directions. We passed Miao Reef about 09:00. The water all the area is very shallow as low as 80 feet according to Mr. Ashby's. Small insect like critters were flying from the top of the water through this area. They appeared about 25-30 mosquitoes and would dart or meander for a few miles to a few feet over the surface of the water - the brownish in color. On school of porpoise, stayed in front of the ship for some 10 minutes. At times high-pitched sounds were emitted by those that surfaced. A few whales also seen. Detected by a swift column of spray shot up from the surface of the water. One small ? storm petrel seen. Stood white on the horizon or wavy as it flew directly away- light beneath, gray or tops very possibly details in wings - Oceanodroma furcata? about size 7 inches.

M.D. Gossen 1965 Journal Zaysan 5 August arrived on the Island ca. 15:30. Set up camp and prepared for banding during the night. Ray & I had to run back to the ship to get the radio fitted which went out as soon as we started making first contact. Banded all night long. Moon was up very bright until 4:30 a.m. Dressed up the sortie banding, and I suspect will dictate a little longer each night. Banded 1800 Cristis & 100 Wedgetails. Got a couple skins stops from down on. Wholly very stiff & rare. Intend to work on banding a few Albatrosses & Frigate & look for Ticks, Rats & will also smoke Seal count from the loft. Many Wedgetails had small chicks; many other eggs pipped. Some had larger fully feathered young this time, few small chicks. A bare Chinstrap, Island Shrewwater, with large dish, very frosty egg, & covered young. Wedgetail babies are silver black. Ray & I took the Rubber raft- and went up to West Shore making periodic launching, to get a complete Seal count and lay to determine sex on the cutters. This became practically impossible because when one of a group was aroused, by turning R.D. Gossen 1965 Journal Zaysan Warrant it over, the others would immediately take for the water. Very few small pups were seen. Mostly the adults and most of the immatures were in the process of molt. Shaggy portions of the old coat still remained on the dorsal surface in tatters. One dead adult was seen on the North Shore. No seals were found in the East shore where large breakers come pounding over the rocks along much of this side. Seal Count Adults Subadults Pups 100 95 15 ♂ ♀ ♂ ♀ 6 8 3 3 individuals determined as to sex Fly Problems House flies are so bad that working conditions are drastically hindered. Writing is near impossible because the enormous little mothers crawl into your nose, ears, eyes etc. and just cover you. One must eat in great haste also or little will be left. They appear to be equally bad all over the island, but congregated in great numbers around camp.

R.D. Cressin 1965 Journal 7 Aug. Zaypan Banded Sooty Terns all night. Moon stayed rig until 0230 am. Banding very poor until moon set. 31 small chicks were collected and sent to Stilij for Brescian nasal nite study. Checked for ticks part of the day, not - banked some positive, and also banded 105 Trugul birds. Started banding Sooty terns at dark, but the bright moon forced up operations until about 3 am. Must try to set a stand schedule work for moonless nights. It takes twice as long or better to band as many terns my measures with, plus much more work and energy expended in trying to catch the many little critters, when there is moonlight. Wound up banding again at daylight - deal beat. 8 Aug. Woke up about 8:30 still bad beat. Everyone is quite tired and stiff for some 1/2 to check on Stilij down by the lake (plus check on the Zaypan Tern). No Stilij fork - no teal seen. Collected 50 flying young Sooty terns and the few chicks needed for Brescian nasal nite studies. Slit a few born in the evening and banded Sooty terns till dawn. Moon still forcing up the banding. R.D. Cressin 1965 Journal 8 Aug. Zaypan Just at dusk the main body of Sooty terns to the SW of the island started calling loudly and rising into the air. The wave swept along; more and more birds becoming involved - the sound increasing as greater numbers joined in. The wave eventually swept the Common Noddies and Brescian Noddies all about the camp. There too joining in, the rints into the air and Lord Kelleys. After about 5 minutes, most of the birds began settling back into their second or third positions before the clamor started. 9 Aug. Drove + I walked around the entire lake in search of ticks, and population census. Very few ticks and all Ornitho- cers. These found mainly on young Sooty tern. The fly problem is very bad now. Clove cover over us' had no matter when you walk. Dim the afternoon all the crew went down around the lake again to band young Red-footed Boobies and count Tegu Tin at dusk. Got very few Boobies, and there in the most inaccessible places in Dana Sarcely and the high shrubbery. At least 4 tick were seen. Banded terns all right

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.

14 Aug. 1965 20°52'N; 170°45'W — 15°51'N; 170°08'W Cochas Petrels were scattered throughout the day. Wedgetails and shorty turns again made up almost the entire total. 2 Bermuda Petrels and 2 believed to be slender-billed Shearwaters were Sheered by darrington 1 avemman. One White-webbed Petrel was seen by Avemman + 2 at close range. It probably flew from the water as I suddenly noticed it off the starboard bow heading away from the ship. 17°10'N; 169°48'W — 15°19'N; 169°07'W Spotted turn at Johnston Island at 0721. Birds quite numerous about the island for the next hour, but its number quickly trailed off and very few were seen for the rest of the day. 12 Orange-streamed birds were seen within sight of Johnston and 5 later during the day. These included 10 softy terns (10mm) and 1 wedge-tail turn Johnston plus 1 Red-tailed Tropic bird. Later during the day 3 more wedge- tails and shorty turns were seen with Streamers. Dark phase wedge tails started to pick up today (5 seen). A few undi- identified unidentified Shearwater petrel and one flock of 30 might possibly have been slender-billed Shearwaters. The flock of 30 was seen at 16:22. 15 Aug. 1965 17°15'N; 169°48'W — 15°19'N; 169°07'W first noticed them out at some distance swinging along & close to the water, very little arcing or banking. At that first sighting I thought them to be hobby terns. We Sheered them for some time at a distance and could not decide what they were. They then disappeared and then finally spotted them on the 420. We notified the bridge to swing the ship around to go over to them. I had the 12 ga. in hand to collected some but the entire flock raised up and flew away from the ship before I arrived in range. We chased them for some 10 minutes, but they were just walking away from the ship - standing on the shoal briefly and starting up again. Completely shrouded (black), Smaller than wedge-tails with no hint of the brown that light a dark phase wedge's good. Wings not rounded like Christmas, Tasman Shearwaters - Standing more pointed and bent as wedge tails. We asked the Bridge of the ship could be put on, but Mr. Ochton felt it was too rough. We were expected to hear in the gird by morning.

R. D. Gossin Journal 1965 NE area Grid. 30°55'N; 168°17'W — 12°40'N; 10°45'W 16 Aug. Entered grid before sunrise. The typical birdless NE Corner was most vacant Today. A total of 33 birds of 38 sighting. Shearwater-Petrels made up 28 of the 33. NO SOOTY Terns during the entire day. Cloudy all afternoon with a few squalls, during the day, NO birds collected. Grid area 13°00'N; 171°35'W — 14°17'N; 170°13'W 17 Aug. Running NE up leg of grid all day. The wind + moving against it makes for bad visibility, with the brinier Sea was comparatively rough. A total of 85 birds seen today. None collected. Although there were two small flocks, we were unable to catch either on with the ship. Petrels are mainly encountered as singles and scattered throughout the day, thermaltians. Terns more shewed today — all contained in two small flocks — one with 2 terns. Birds seem extremely wary of the ship — and wonder if continued collecting I in this area has not finally smartened them up. Both flocks that were shared broke up and split in all directions. No tropicbirds today. R. D. Gossin Journal 1965 Grid Area 15°35'N; 170°3'W — 14°10'N; 17°35'W 18 Aug. A slight increase in birds today, but certainly nothing compared to last month. Total of 143 seen today. (4 W/T Bnd), one Sooty Tern, Petrel collected. Plotochroa soteria including white-needles, Sooty Terns and shore of Rotauna — identified to race made up 26 birds — just under the number of widgeon. Sooty terns amounted to 54 birds, two flying terns showed up with flocks of Sooty terns and shear-pet. Running SW most of the day. Good visibility, but no birds, the few flocks of Sooty terns sighted practically vanished when the ship came near. We could at least a couple of birds in each flock have been shot at or terribly frightened by shooting sometimes in the past. Their wariness and flight when the ship comes near probably causes a chain-reaction of fear in the other birds of the flock. Petrels are just naturally wary under most conditions. Certainly Sooty terns do not act like this when out of the grid area where little collecting is being done. It will be interesting to note the behavior of birds when we start the new grid next month.

August 1965 A.S. Osten Journal Bird Area 13°34'N; 173°05'W - 14°30'N, 172°01'W Ran NW across the bottom of one leg of the grid for a short time in the early morning. Turned NE about 2:55. Quite a strong wind blowing and naturally we are running against it to the SE. Visibility is not too good and as yet never so far this trip birds are few and far between. One flock of Sooties and Shearwaters, appeared up when we started chase. The Sooties so naval just vanished. The Shearwaters, mainly White-necked - stayed far enough ahead so that we did no more than tuffle a few up with shot. So far (2:30 p.m.) have collected 5 birds. 3 more birds collected before sunset. One large flock of over 100 birds seen just at sunset. Heavy squall all about 20 chasing was useless as they were a good distance off. Petrels were the most numerous of any group (discreetly flocked) and were scattered throughout the day's observations. One Pomarine Skua seen in the afternoon. One Ad. Sooty tern was knocked down way off by Jeff and I. It took approximately 12 minutes before the ship came up to him. It then tore off from the 150 and flew about 30 yds. before Jeff knocked it down with a blast. August 1965 A.S. Osten Journal Bird Area 16°02'N; 170°56'W - 16°21'N; 171°40'W 20 August Finished up the NE portion of 3rd leg and turned SW about 0800 a.m. A few Newell's Shearwaters were about very early in the morning (1:00) and to pair just at sunset. Weather seen in between, the weather all day has been fairly uniform with scattered cloudiness and a few squalls off in the distance. Wind speed and visibility good - only problem is very few birds (310) total. The few decent flocks seen usually split up long before the ship gets to them and the Sooty terns just vanish. Their term certainly appears to be wise my about getting near the ship. A total of 10 birds collected today - 3 petrels, 2 TF and one Sootie's. The few flocks make up practically all birds seen today. Early this morning we shot down a Juan Ferasandy Petrel at long range and just inside the wing. It started calling and thrashing around quite a bit. Almost immediately (long before the ship got to it), a Newell's Shearwater and a Wedge-tail came in and sat slightly the downed TF. It was their Newell's that shot. A wedge-tail came in later in the afternoon to another downed wedge-tail. Perhaps Keno ideas of using decoys might work.

R.S. Glosson Journal 1965 21 August Grid Area 15°08'N; 173°06'W — 18°25'N; 172°11'W Running SW or NWT to last layby of grid from sunrise, at about 0925. Message received on radio that one of the albatross father had died and he was under the circumstances badly needed at home since he was the eldest child. Captain Aclton asked permission gave me to go directly to Johnston Island when Norman could catch a plane out and I readily agreed. The captain had just a minute before changed course hastily for Johnston. An average requesting permission to go to Johnston was sent. We moved toward Johnston on the assumption that permission would be granted. Change of Course to Johnston was executed at 0825. A total of 14 birds had been seen up to this point from sunrise. Two were collected (a light plane wedgetail and a fluffy furnature). Observations were kept from 0725 until sunset (1846) and attempts to collect were made — none was collected. Only one flock was seen during the day at 1217 in which 13 (16 Sooty terns) were recorded. Practically all other observations were single birds — mainly Pterodroma sp. Rain squalls were frequent throughout the whole afternoon. 50 birds were recorded. Only unusual birds were 1 fairy tern and 1 hermity petrel. R.S. Glosson Journal 1965 22 August 16°22'N; 170°25'W — 17°03'N; 169°05'W, within 50 m radius of Johnston practically all day An abundance of birds throughout the day. Johnston Island was sighted at 1235 and we were running abreast of it at about 1400 — 1420. Aclton departed before 1400 on a tiny which came out from the island. Shearwater-petrels were mainly seen up until Johnston, then Sooty Terns started picking up and increased in number going north as several large flocks were seen. Orange streamers were numerous abreast of Johnston (ca. 2 mi out). One flock of 10 Sooty terns went by heading north the island; 4 of which were streamer. 8 more were rapidly seen, and 19 more spotted in a large feeding flock after the dawn tower were just visible in the sunrise. A few more were seen on Sooty Terns throughout the rest of the day. Also streamed were a Brown Booby, an immature and one subadult. The large feeding flocks brought the number of birds up to 550. Day’s total of scattered shearwaters and those in flocks came to 270. 9 birds were collected during the day (4 Pterodroma, 4 wedgetail and 1 R.T.B.). Total of birds for the day was 843 (dinner).

R.D. Crossin Journal 1965 NE Johnston Ile. 18°11'N; 167°44'W - 19°23'N-165°35'W 23 August Run NE of Johnston until we came to the Cory banks (ca 500 fathoms) and then ran almost due east all day. Stay there. We had hoped to pick up birds along here, but the area is practically empty of birds. Only 2 sooty terns were sighted early in the morning. The birds that came in were 39 birds - 35 of them Shearwater petrel; 10 Portmann, 12 wedge-tailed and 13 others scattered among Christmas Island Shearwater(0), Sooty Petrel (3) Cochos (5), Phylodroma(3), Karmede Petel (1) and 1 shear-pet. One Black-bellied Petrel was seen about 2 minutes after sunset. No flocks were observed all day and no specimen were collected. Practically all sightings were of single birds (35 sightings/39 birds). 20°42'N; 164°31'W - 21°32'N; 163°17'W 24 August Fairly quiet day except for one large flock in the early morning. This contained well over 100 birds of which 70+ were Sooty Terns. 4 of them were collected - one was partially eaten by a shark before I picked it up. Throughout the rest of the day shear-water Petrel made up most of the sightings - these usually individuals. Only 6 R.D. Crossin Journal 1965 20°42'N; 164°31'W - 21°32'N; 163°17'W 24 August Sooty Terns were seen during the entire day. A number of Portmann's Petrels (24) showed up during the day - usually as individuals. One Golden Plover came about the ship but was missed when shot at. 25 Aug. Sighted a large flock shortly after 0600 and worked with it until 0900. Many newell's Shearwater (collected), one Pale- footed Shearwater, seen at star range, hit, but got away - Red-footed Booby, Blue-footed Boobies, Frigate, New- Moddies, Mobbie (many acting on it), Weldtails, and 2 Skuas. We lowered the skiff and the day's crew went out. One shark came high over the skiff and duly collided with it about 3 times - hit hard, but flew off. Doyle said it finally fell into the sea, but they were unable to find it. We could not see it fall from the Shear- water and even though we later served over in that direction, nothing turned up. Any Red-footed Booby immature was sighted at very close range to the Shearwater with any range Streamer - not collected, because the lighting was splendid and the birds were obviously aware, avoided this area.

R.S. Brown 1965 Journal Kauai, Hawaii 3 Sept. Arrived on Kauai from Honolulu at 1400 - Hawaiian Airlines. Rented a Volkswagen at the airport and went to check in at the Kauai Sur Hotel where we had reservations. After getting squared away at the hotel, eating etc., we drove out to Kilohana Lighthouse off Rt. 56, arrived 1830 and proceeded to make a psp. count of red-footed Bobbies, Frugates and wedge-tails. One segment of the Bobly colony was on the east slope of the point adjacent to the lighthouse. Another segment was just south of this on the east slope. An island to the north a few hundred yards off shore also contained a colony of Red foots and one of Frugates. Estimate of Point about 400 RFB. Count - ad - 130 Subad. 10 Imm: 158 Nestig: 20 estimation Island RFB 130 CFig. 200 A number of Redfoots came in to the point through the night plus those that were seen going into nests below the edge of the cliff probably would join the total up to R.S. Brown 1965 Journal Kauai, Kauai 3 Sept. cont. about 680 for both islands and point. 55 mers banded at the point (no possibility of reaching the island). 25 returns were taken. Wedge tails were scattered all around the point on all 3 sides and down over the cliffs. The cliff is more sheer on west side - ca. 300 -400 ft at the point. Most birds are inaccessible. The majority of birds started coming in just at dusk. Burrows are scattered through the dense shrubbery along the sand in the grass patches on all sides of the point and down over the cliff, presumably in dirt patches along the ledges. The few nests checked in front of the lighthouse contained chicks about 1/3 groups. The ground is very hard and cannot be dug out by hand - hence the few burrows checked. An estimated 5000 adults about. 133 mers banded and 54 returns were recorded. After moving through the Red- Foot Slope once, the birds spotted at second attempt and the rest of the time spent on wedge-tails. Party finished work at 0130 and returned to hotel.

1965 1st day out Honolulu, Hawaii 20°45'N; 159°25'W 7 September Leave Honolulu 1015 aboard Shoarwater with crew of 9. Started picking up "Newell's" Shearwaters after leaving the harbour complex, and shortly afterwards, Sooty Shearwaters. Continuous sightings of both these species through- out early afternoon. All sightings so far (1020) have been in a westerly direction for the Sooty Shearwaters. The predominance of Newell's were headed North. Bulmer's Petrels are scattered intermittently with no prevailing direction of flight. A few Black-billed showing up. Very few terns, three mainly Noddies. Most Sooty Shearwaters are moving in fast direct flight with very little sustained sliding - the flight being a series of strong flaps. Woodward says this is not typical flight. A few were noted making high arcs and moving along with bill flapping. These were noted settling on 200 with 3 Bulmer's. One Black-winged Petrel seen. Scattered Bulmer's Petrels and mostly continuous sightings of Sooty Shear- and Newell's Shear for Remainder B Day. Total of 556 birds. Shearwater- Petrel predominant (330). Total of 14 species. 1965 2nd day out Honolulu 20°01'N, 161°14'W - 17°2'N; 163°20' 8 September Sunrise to 7:40 - scattered but fairly numerous sightings - Wedgetails, Sooty terns, lower number of Newell's Shear + Sooty than - a few Phippsiae and one White-necked A at very close range. 7:40 > Relatively few Sooty Shearwaters, & compared to yesterday. The number of Newell's dropped drastically also. Sooty terns, however, increased remarkably by over yesterday, and accounted for over half of the total which = 2219. A few enormous feeding flocks brought the total up to 3 times as many birds as yesterday. One flock of 1367 birds at 1700 comprised roughly of 50% St., 50% wedgetail was investigated quite thoroughly by running the ship into it and following. The majority of terns scattered off, but wedgetails continued feeding with not much concern for the ship. Large numbers would congregate and settle on the 80, advancing slowly by portions lifting off the 400 a few feet and settling back. Wedgetails which were scattered about and occasional Sooty terns would advance rapidly toward such milling segments of the flocks. Also were seen jumping on several occasions; flying fish were also flushing quite abundantly. Two orange streaked Sooty Terns were recorded today.

R.S. Gisborn 1965 Journal 20°01'N; 161°14'W - 2nd day at Sea Sic 9 17°12'N; 163°20'W 8 Septent. A two hour session of night watch was held from Sunset (1803) to 2000. A total of 25 birds were recorded - all Sharrowater Petrels. A nearly full moon helped some off its port side. Our light is turned out (port side) so close observation is limited to starboard side. The few wedge-tails that came under the light after full dark could be determined quite readily. The two hour watch tonight is more or less a practice run for the next two nights. N & S of Johnston when I intend to hold if this D not. Also. 18°33'N ; 165°16'W - 3rd day at Sea STC 9 17°36'N; 167°24'W 9 September Total numbers dropped drastically from yesterday. Total tally for during three partitions = 698 ; shear-jet 164, tern 459 - 7 melvin aijd flecks [illegible] total number (632). Wedge-tails and Sooty Terns were the abundant species. A few Bonin Island Petrels (4) and 17 P. Terns were scattered through- out the day observations, two larger (species?) were seen, one almost surely a long-tailed. A good percentage of the Sooty Terns more immature. One adult was observed with megastreams R.S. Gisborn 1965 Journal 18°23'N; 165°16'W - 3rd day at Sea Sic 9 17°36'N; 167°24'W 9S get ant. Nocturnal Observations were held from Sunset (1817) to 2206. A total of 131 birds were seen; 130 of these were accounted for day a flock seen flying 13 minutes after sunset (1830). Only Sharrowater Petrels were seen after this. 95 Sooty Terns were recorded in the flock. 10 September 4th Day at Sea - Sic 9 16°45'N ; 169°22'W Johnston Island in eight hours pressure. A strange absence of birds upon entry into Johnston. Sooty Terns were particularly scarce in comparison to visits to or near Johnston during July and August. Two Brownbody Tern's and one sub-ed Red-Foot were seen with orange streamers upon pulling into port at Johnston. Purpose of stop here is to refuel and re water so that the Sharrowater will have the designated 30% fuel upon reaching Pago Pago, docked in Johnston at 0745. Bad luck with a fuel line in the engine room kept us at Johnston until 1515. Few birds were encountered during the rest of the day, although Sooty Terns were once in evidence

R.D. Stoen Journal 1965 10 Sept. 1965 4th day at Sea: Sice 9 16°18'N ; 169°43'W During this time, one orange-tailed Common Tern, 5 Wedgetails w/ some Shearwaters and one sick ad. Red-footed Booby were seen during the remainder of daylight observations. One large flock of Sice 160 birds was Sheared at 1730. Apparently many if not most of the birds between Johnson and this point were concentrated in this flock. Nocturnal observations were carried on from Sunset (1824) until 2210. A total of 15 birds were accounted for during this time. No Tropical Terns and no Sooty Terns were noted - the red Shearwater, Petrel, mainly Wedgetails, 9 that could be identified. Both side lights were in use 20° to site, but of course visibility is limited to about 50-70 yds. One orange-tailed Wedgetail was Sheared at 2050. The Shearwater showed very clearly when the bird banked away from the light with underparts toward the ship, even though it was in the outer limit of the light. It made a circle around the ship and worked the saw it clearly from the fantail. R.D. Stoen Journal 1965 11 September 5th day at Sea: Sice 9 14°30'N, 170°25'W - 12°41'N, 171°5'W A few Sooty Shearwaters began showing again today. Yesterday more were seen. Juan Fernandez Petrel began showing (18) including 3 adult neck and 6 young & others. 8 P. hypopalea were also seen. 3 were close enough to be called Black-winged Petrel with certainty. No Borin Islands were seen, as the usual P. hypopalea may well have been Black-winged. A number of immature Sooty Terns are showing up - 32 Seen out of 247. This of course, does not mean that 215 did not seen - a good percentage of these could well have been imm., also, but the birds were not close enough to determine in most cases. 41 of the 62 Wedgetails were dark phase. Most of these seem at fairly close range appear to be the very dark southern hemisphere form. Night observations were held from Sunset 1828 to 2000. Only one Sooty Shearwater was seen and this before complete darkness. 6 flocks were seen, 3 of them feeding flocks. All 6 flocks accounted for 58% of total birds seen. Flocks primarily of Sooty Terns, lesser no. of Wedgetails.

R.S. Brossin 1965 Journal 12 September SR 55 Willy at Sea Sic 9 - 10°45'N, 172°35'W — 8°58'N, 172°55'W The number of birds picked up greatly. Today - total of 900. Sooty Shearwaters more in abundance - 101 + 22? I believe these to be all Sooties. Some of the boys are trying to make slender bills out of every Sooty that doesn't fly quite right or if silver dorsals show under the wing. I think lighting, wind condition and individual variation can well cover any slightly abnormal birds. All Sooties now going in a southerly direction. Plenty of small to medium flocks (21) amounting to 791 of the 900 birds brewed. (If birds more affected) Willy at Sea Sic 7 7°03'N, 173°56'W — 5°49'N, 173°57'W 13 September. Sea was perfectly calm, practically all day. Some very faint undulation, but not a whitcap over the entire ocean. Birds could be seen for better distance than I have yet encountered. Sooty Shearwaters were the abundant species 291 out of 510ths, 80 Sooty terns were recorded and 54 Wedge-tails. 27 small to medium flocks were recorded, only 3 of these feeding flocks. Late in the afternoon birds and windy went out in the skiff and collected 1 Sooty Shearwater and 3 dark phase Wedgetails. One from Fernando de Noronha was collected earlier in the day. R.S. Brossin 1965 Journal SR 55 8th day at Sea Sic 7. 5°00'N, 175°20'W — 5°04'N, 176°04'W Running W on 5°N line today and will continue until 1800 when we are due to head south to Lordland. Began running last night after a perfectly clear calm day yesterday and at noon today still raining. Mainly Sooty Shearwaters passing with Today - few Wedgetails - visibility quite limited due to the rain. This is the second day in which I am practically useless as far as helping with the work is concerned from midnight 12-13 my stomach starting hurting and nausea and pain has been with me since. I have little doubt that it is some other than my ulcer acting up. I am now taking medicine given to me by Mr. Ashton, but it has not helped the burning pain nor the nausea. Sooty Shearwaters have been the prominent bird all day. Three were collected from the Shearwater. We were unable to put the stuff in, because the wreck is broke. The Sooties have been going by, usually out of sight range. My legone and scope - all bound backward. The three collected vary considerably from the large bird collected yesterday.

{ "text": "R.S. Croasen\n1965\nSR\n55\n\n5°00'N; 175°00'W — 5°08'N, 176°00'W\n\nOr larger groups so that any notation\nof flocks would have little meaning.\nNone have ever been sighted to feed.\nIn specimens collected, the gannets are\napp - probably ½ - ¾ breeding size; Stomachs\nhave been empty and very heavy fat\npresent.\n\nOf a total of 8,954 birds seen\ntoday, 8,978 have been Shear Pet and\nof these 8,533 have been Sooty Shear-\nwaters = 94.4%.\n\nSR\n3°07'N; 176°27'W — 1°25'N; 176°30'W\n\nDory forth all day. Expected to arrive\nHowland Ca. 10:30 p.m. An abundance\nof Sooty Shearwater, but only slightly\nover half as many as yesterday.\nTotal birds 5412, SS 5253 = 97%\nWedge tail and Sooty tern were very\nsparse 51 and 77 respectively,\nmost of these encountered in two\nflocks.\n\nArmed Howland 2300. Tooked gear\nand shoved off in rafts ca. 0030. (16th.)\nFleet and Colton went air first with\nthe ship - made a bad play and flipped\nthe ship over part of the beach. No\nharm done. Both rubber rafts landed\nwithout incident. Whole crew ashore\nto get blood work done and before\nsamples collected.\n\nR.S. Croasen\n1965\nSR\n55\n\n5°00'N; 175°00'W — 5°08'N, 176°00'W\n\nOr larger groups so that any notation\nof flocks would have little meaning.\nNone have ever been sighted to feed.\nIn specimens collected, the gannets are\napp - probably ½ - ¾ breeding size; Stomachs\nhave been empty and very heavy fat\npresent.\n\nOf a total of 8,954 birds seen\ntoday, 8,978 have been Shear Pet and\nof these 8,533 have been Sooty Shear-\nwaters = 94.4%.\n\nSR\n3°07'N; 176°27'W — 1°25'N; 176°30'W\n\nDory forth all day. Expected to arrive\nHowland Ca. 10:30 p.m. An abundance\nof Sooty Shearwater, but only slightly\nover half as many as yesterday.\nTotal birds 5412, SS 5253 = 97%\nWedge tail and Sooty tern were very\nsparse 51 and 77 respectively,\nmost of these encountered in two\nflocks.\n\nArmed Howland 2300. Tooked gear\nand shoved off in rafts ca. 0030. (16th.)\nFleet and Colton went air first with\nthe ship - made a bad play and flipped\nthe ship over part of the beach. No\nharm done. Both rubber rafts landed\nwithout incident. Whole crew ashore\nto get blood work done and before\nsamples collected.\n\nR.S. Croasen\n1965\nSR\n55\n\n5°00'N; 175°00'W — 5°08'N, 176°00'W\n\nOr larger groups so that any notation\nof flocks would have little meaning.\nNone have ever been sighted to feed.\nIn specimens collected, the gannets are\napp - probably ½ - ¾ breeding size; Stomachs\nhave been empty and very heavy fat\npresent.\n\nOf a total of 8,954 birds seen\ntoday, 8,978 have been Shear Pet and\nof these 8,533 have been Sooty Shear-\nwaters = 94.4%.\n\nSR\n3°07'N; 176°27'W — 1°25'N; 176°30'W\n\nDory forth all day. Expected to arrive\nHowland Ca. 10:30 p.m. An abundance\nof Sooty Shearwater, but only slightly\nover half as many as yesterday.\nTotal birds 5412, SS 5253 = 97%\nWedge tail and Sooty tern were very\nsparse 51 and 77 respectively,\nmost of these encountered in two\nflocks.\n\nArmed Howland 2300. Tooked gear\nand shoved off in rafts ca. 0030. (16th.)\nFleet and Colton went air first with\nthe ship - made a bad play and flipped\nthe ship over part of the beach. No\nharm done. Both rubber rafts landed\nwithout incident. Whole crew ashore\nto get blood work done and before\nsamples collected.\n\nR.S. Croasen\n1965\nSR\n55\n\n5°00'N; 175°00'W — 5°08'N, 176°00'W\n\nOr larger groups so that any notation\nof flocks would have little meaning.\nNone have ever been sighted to feed.\nIn specimens collected, the gannets are\napp - probably ½ - ¾ breeding size; Stomachs\nhave been empty and very heavy fat\npresent.\n\nOf a total of 8,954 birds seen\ntoday, 8,978 have been Shear Pet and\nof these 8,533 have been Sooty Shear-\nwaters = 94.4%.\n\nSR\n3°07'N; 176°27'W — 1°25'N; 176°30'W\n\nDory forth all day. Expected to arrive\nHowland Ca. 10:30 p.m. An abundance\nof Sooty Shearwater, but only slightly\nover half as many as yesterday.\nTotal birds 5412, SS [TRANSCRIPTION_TRUNCATED_DUE_TO_LOOP]

R.D. Crossin 1965 Journal 5R 16 September Hawland Island — 0°25'S; 177°01'er W Had to go about 1 nm with rfts before berling as Ship was anchored at approx end 1 rels-4pm landing place at the Lighthouse. Briefly setting camp and split party into 3 groups (2 for blood works and me for Berbers). Heavy rains had completely soaked the island. Weather maint high and very luxurious. Only got half the needed blood samples because of lack of birds — Sooty Tern apparently cheerful. All samples from Kigate, Redfoot and Blue-footed Boobies. Arrived back at the ship at 0715 a.m. — Headed South for Baker. A few flocks of Sooty terns, a few bodies were encountered between Howland + Baker, but apart birds seem more Sooty Sheanwaters. Tremendous numbers were encountered coming in to Baker—up to 150 per minute were recorded streaming past the ship. Birds passed around the island on both sides, but more appear genear east to go around it. Arrived at Howland shortly after noon. Put Woodward +Tofy offshore and proceeded SW at 1300. A total of 11 flocks were noted from Baker to Sunset. Primarily of Sooty terns, but some frigate and Boobies during the early afternoon. Sooty Sheanwaters were abundant Begin Grid. R.D. Crossin 1965 Journal 5R 16 Sept. Eun Hawland Island — 0°25'S; 177°01' do W all afternoon. At total of 16,668 birds recorded for the day, 14,958 of which were Sooty Sheanwaters. Wedge- tabs, even very sparingly represented (22), Sooty Terns (1,584) — these of cmpose due to the abundance of flocks. 4 hours of night Observation yielded only 5 shear 1°04'Computing 17 September. Running NW until 0830, then turned directly E for the northern tip of the Grid. Scattered sightings of Sooty Tern were practically all headed E-NE more or less in general direction of Howland. On the eastward leg birds were very sparse; four sizable flocks were noted throughout the rest of the day. These flocks encountered throughout the area are distinctly different from western flocks. Wedgetails play practically no part in these, although a few are normally represented in larger flocks. Boobies, usually Blue-footed are present in most large flocks. A total of 762 birds seen, Sooty terns making up 87.0 %. Only 7 Sooty Sheanaters were seen. Apparently the huge numbers encountered enroute south have been practically the bulk of the migration. A pronounced meeting limit is apparent at about 178-179°W.

R.D. Crossin Journal 1965 SR 1°04' lW; 177°35' iW — 1°17' sur; 176°04' iW 17 Sept. Cent. A few Shorebirds (Pretty Turnstone, Golden Plorer) scattered throughout the days Observations. At sunset one turn S. due to go into Baker to fix Rales for shore party. Night Observations were run from sunset (1844) until 22:00. A total of 13 birds seen—mainly Shearwater Petrel. Night Rades Cell to Howland Gives discouraging news. Electreport Only about 35 Soty terms heard over the Island at night—Very few frigates of either species and relatively few Bolivies. With no streamlined terms, It will be might impossible to tell for sure where the terms in the grid art from and what bars is being used. SR 0°02' S; 176°08' W — 1°26' 5; 176°38' W 18 September A very few scattered flocks of Soty Shearwaters heading South. Scattered flocks of Soty terms. None extremely large → 200. These generally scatter far and wide as soon as ship starts to approach. The birds, ever seem to be actually feeding. Fools, if present, invariably have dispersed by the time we arrive. The Ters Have a tendency to go very high R.D. Crossin Journal 1965 SR 0°02' 5; 176°08' W — 1°26' 5; 176°38' W 18 Sept. Cent. Before dispersing. A few scattered Shorebirds sighting, Few Bobolinks, Sagers, Trigehirds. A total of 1271 birds of which 1119 were Soty terms = 88%. Place practically all restricted to flocks B Which a total of 13 were encountered. Nocturnal Observations were held from sunset to 22:00 — A total of 7 birds seen. SR S.S Last day, Grid II. 0°22'5; 177°39' W — 0°31' N; 177°03' W 19 September Scattered large flocks of Soty terms. Through the day Observations. Soty Shear- waterers have been present through most of the day but numbers are very sporadic. At times a steady Stream of birds will be passing thru, and at other times a few scattered individuals for an hour or more mont term flocks not actually feeding and it is very difficult o approach them. They have usually scattered or gone up to great heights. Shorebirds (mainly Allen Pluer) scattered throughout the area. A total of 3218 birds. (more terns, (1563) than Shearwater Petrel (1329) — flocks being composed primarily of Soty Tern. Expelled to be back at Howland ca 22:00.

R.J. Brown 1965 Journal 58 Pick Pick Refloresan 1965 manana Island, Other, Hawaii 30 September Party of Helman, Croserin & Maze worked manana night thru 30th. Common Moddies still abundant on all lodges, Cliff fallings and higher ground around our mind the crater. Estimated 20,000 birds. Perhaps 10% large chicks, a few unfit unable to fly, Wedgetailed Shearwaters all had half-grown to 3y grown chicks. Estimated 60-75,000 Wedgetails on the island. Adults started coming in, just at dusk, generally cameron, high over the island. Chicks usually ejected way in burrows during evening hours, more prone to emerge from burrows after dark. Banders Chicks Adults Helman 100 600 Croserin 160 300 Maze 100 400 300 1900-2200 given Maze did very well for the first two days at banding, I expect him to do quite well after he gets to feel it. Banding went well as no moon up and adults were relatively came and easily picked up. Probably no more than 20% of adults had Chicks. 20 September Hornland to Baker & thence to Mclean Picked up Party of three from Hornland and head for Baker ca 0380 a.m. Picked up party of two from Baker in early morning and headed for McLean. A total of 13,851 birds seen today, 12,078 Soby Shearwaters, only 1,435 Sooty Terns. A total of 15 flocks (1725) and 10 feeding flocks (1361). Sooty terns making up most of the flocks. 21 September Observations from Sunrise to 10:30 when we arrived at Mclean. A total of 773 birds and 3 flocks (115). Only bird different from previous observations was a few Blue Grey Mobies, stunning as we approached behind. Only 126 Sooty Shearwaters; 144 Sooty Terns. Fleet reports from island that Sooty terns are very few and probably will have only two days work at least. McLean to Van Boston

Robinson 1965 7 October M...ana Island, Oahu, Hawaii. Party of Ely, Gossin, Mage and Chapman (and George Young [Sall Take]) worked Menas night of 7 October. Dorms sup most of the night; had bedding few light bizgels. Ely banded 200 Eminion boddies, but rest of party banded w...e tails the entire night Bandiing (w...e tails) Chicks adults Ely ca. 350 ca. 150 700 Gossin ca. 400 ca. 200 700 Mage 100 ↓600 700 Young ca. 150 ca. 150 300 2400 +100 boddies 3500 One Carlos possibly came one area othrow September was on island. About 10 rabbits seen, Agnes 7 mice mice, one collected. Boddies about same status as 30 Sept. A few Soty Terns seen over island (mainly from W with visits). One Black C...ound Night Heron seen on the island at dusk. Ca. 33 blood pera samples taken from ed. Wedge, left island at 6:30 a.m. Note: Some w...e tails chicks ca. 270 with primaries & secondaries protruding from feather sheaths. 10 October Pago Pago, American Samoa. Arrived ca. 0600 aboard成 Am flight 811. Island quite tropical—reminds one very much of Cayena, Mexico. Landward rain forest. Saw few birds — the Blue N...ifit Walygara Chloris, Cardinal Honeyeater, Red- United B...ibud, small surpluses. Crews went over to Western Samoa, returned today Left Pago Pago aboard Shanwater 0730, headed for Bohor. Relatively few birds first few hours, for being so close urnstile a large land mass such as this. Red-footed Booby, Common Fairy Terns, Few w...e tails (birds), Wolly Terns. One mottled Petrel: about 5 after 2 p.m. Flocks picked up somewhat total of 20 (1114) 16 of them, Stocking Flocks (1016). Three most numerous birds were Common B...ody (370) Red-footed Booby (355) and Fairy Tern (213). Red fots practically all the Dark Gray phase, only 2 White phase seen. 2nd day N. Samoa — 14°15'S, 17°10' Partly W — 9°65', 17228W Very few birds, scantly — mainly scattered styles. Only 3 flocks at all small. Only interesting sightings were mottled Petrels, 52 (1/3 days bird) all headed in a general SW direction. The dark aldoners very Diagnostic. These birds not only fly with high areas like the root/solder billed O...awators, but they also avoided the ship like them. 11 October 12 October

RS Brown Journal 1965 SR 5R 12 October 2nd day N Samoa coast 11°55' ; 171°46' function A Total of 32 Sooty terns were seen, in two small flocks. A number of Gulls, Black-wing and Vermilene Gulls were seen throughout the day. No areas of high concentrations were noted - widely scattered sparsely all day. Wedge-tail still all dark - 15 seen. Possibly one Palfoot seen. One Audubon's Shearwater before Sire. SR 55 13 October 3rd day N Samoa 9°45' ; 75°00'W - 5°56'5; 123°06' shall Relatively few flocks (2) even for this area. The two most common species seen were Sooty/Slender- Billed Shearwaters (218) and Sooty Terns (221). Most of the terns were concentrated in the two flocks. Sooty- Slender-bills were scattered through the day. Shearwaters. These were generally all small groups of ca. 5- 10 birds, except for one large flock of 54 and another of 25 shortly before sunset. The majority of sightings which were close enough to discern under- wing patterns showed light which may or may not mean Sooty Shearwaters.  Night observations were well from 3:5 to 10:00 P over 200 feeding flock was uncontested after sunset (32) Sooty tern and 4 wedge-tail RS Brown Journal 1965 SR 55 14 October 4th day N Samoa 10°55' ; 174°06' up to 8°55' ; 175°39' n Birds fairly scarce all day (214 total). Sooty/Slender-billed Shearwaters dropped do a low 24, terns 120. Only two flocks, both predominantly Sooty terns. Night observations for 4 hrs yielded not a single bird. SR 55 15 October 5th day N Samoa 0°45' ; 175°55' W - Herald Shoal land & Baker Total number picked up today (365), mostly Sooty tern (225) in two feeding flocks. Sooty/Slender-billed Shearwaters also picked up some (59), 1 collected. Birpairs were very abundant at both Baker & Howland. At Baker about 2OO came out from close off-shore as we approached the island. They became in front of the ship as we went on to board Kegler & Darrington. At Howland the populations again fled out from near shore as we approached and swam in front of the ship. Were at least 200. Put Fleet and Wages ashore and started on N.E. log of bird. Held all night watches and had rain all night any birds abundant (409) 340 of these Sooty tern. Impossible to say how many of the birds seen were repeat which return again and again to the ship at one time

R.S. Brown 1965 Journal 15 Oct. cont. Harlandt Baker + NE — Harland 55 0°45'S; 178°58'W When the ship stopped for a BT, a small flock of Sooty Terns, circled around the ship and one split from the flock and landed on the water just beneath the side light. It sat calmly in the water for about 3 minutes, peering about, and then flew off. This is at least the 5th instance I have seen of a Sooty settling on the water and looking up. 16 October 6th day N. Samoa 13°6'N; 176°17'W — 0°9'S; 178°36'W Rained all morning long, overcast and some drizzle set through out P.M. Only 367 birds, 252 (Sooty) Slender, Billed Shearwater. Only 1 feeding flock (exclusive of Sooty Tern). Night Observations yielded only 77 birds, 45 of them Sooty-Blunderbill before Sunrise. Night clear and no perhaps the birds were not attracted to the ship's lights as they had been the night before. Funnels did not come close. Torite as they had on night 17 is funny storm. 17 October 7th day N. Samoa. Sooty/Slender-Billed Shearwater, very abundant all day long. Usually in flocks of 5 — 20. Middled Petrel R.S. Brown 1965 Journal SR 0°32'N; 178°05'W 24 day N. Samoa South Grid 1°02'S; 177°46'W Although we duplicated almost exactly one track 2 (last month's) Grid where huge flocks of Sooty Tern (Total 1600) were seen on 19 Sept., today only 3 Sooty Terns were recorded. A complete shift of all birds in this area to some other point. An oil slick (Wesson Crude Oil) was spread out starting at 12.35. We stayed in the vicinity for 2½ hrs. Within less than an hour after slick layed out a Wilson's Storm Petrel came into it and started feeding. At the end of the two + ½ hrs at least 7 g had come to feed. United collected 3 from the ship, rounded at least 2 others. This is supposedly first records of this species on project. The Wilson's bubble to feed as it feeds. MacGillivray does not feed in this manner. Both hours are in the area and any unidentified Storm Petrel could be either in this area at this time. They appear too similar to be told apart in the field except for the feet dabbling of the Wilsons. Night watches were again held throughout the night. At about 11:30 p.m. we started passing through a gale

R.S. Brown 1965 Journal 19 Oct. 9 day N. Samoa 0°22'N; 178°01'W - 1°02'S; 177°19'W which lasted most of the rest of the site. Started collecting birds by the port side and pelicans was relatively easy by letting the ship drift down upon them. During the most intense rain, The birds would come in quite close and easy range. Wottled Petrels came in toward the light quite high, on at least 70 ft up. 3 of these were collected, 2 noddy terns, 1 Wilson's Petrel flew on the ship, and 16 Sooty terns were collected, 8 of them banded. Stormy lasted until about 0230 when birds thinned to practically zero. Only 3 were seen after this time. 10 day N. Samoa 0°45'S; 177°34'W - 0°18'S; 176°28'W Put out an oil slick about 0530 and by daylight it had spread over a good 10 acres. Ship was delayed during this time. We used fish oil and laguer, but the paint crew used for mixing with ship paint. Two storm petrels came in, but evidently the laguer is prohibitive to them. Custaceans or to do petrels for they would not remain on the slick. Yesterday, Venus oil slick kept the birds in the area. We left the area at 0720 when the birds were not 17 Oct. 8 day W. Samoan coast - 1°05'N; 177°02'W SS were irregularly spaced throughout day. I took a long, low shot at one and dropped it - supposedly the first one that has been collected in the project. Dayle went out in the ship during the morning, but failed on the Sooty - Slender billed flock. He collected one Sooty Tern, banded last month, as Hill Island. Flocks (mainly Sooty Tern) scattered through out the Bay - several posties collected, no other banded birds. Mariner - Three melanopoid flocks composed mainly of Sooty terns were sighted. A total of 8 birds collected (Wottled Petrel, 1 wedge tail, 1 Common Tern, and 5 Sooty Tern). Return discussion was held at 4 right again. Mainly Sooty Tern sightings. 8 day N. Samoa South End 1°04'N; 177°09'W SS 18 October NW pater's - birds - Very few birds, no Sooty terns, Sooty Shearwaters thinned out considerably. Jeff collected a Baracuda Storm Petrel supposedly 1 at 000 for project. Total 2646 birds (193 Sooty, 58 shear). Only one Treading flock of 6 Sooty Terns. No Turnup Shearwater, 32 birds, mostly Sooty tern.

R.B. Groom Journal 1965 20 Oct. Ant. 10 day N. Sector 04°45' / 177°54'W - 18°15' / 26°28'W Salty - Slender billed Shearwaters were incident in considerable number throughout the day (Total 1188). 5 flocks of terns & only 2 flocks were encountered, but the intensive feeding was not incident in any of these and a total of 2 birds were collected (not 1, but 2?). A few (7) muttonbirds are still coming through with the Salty Shearwaters. Night Shearwater were halts about 2300 because we Could not use the sidelights while attempting to find Baker Island. Steam squalls all afternoon had prevented the crew from getting any sort of decent fix. The island was finally spotted on radar about 2300. 1 day W. Simon Baker Island Here 7 of the ship's crew went in to see Barrington & Kepler off Baker and flipped the raft on the way out. An hour later 0800 we are still writing as to whether it will be necessary to go in with another raft and or fresh motor to get them off. Surf quite bad after yesterday and last night's storm. Took another raft in and pulled the first raft past the bad part and things went A.S. Gormin Journal 1965 Baker Island (Henderson Island) along well from there. Barrington and Vogler report very few birds on Baker as would be expected. Arrived at Henderson about 1300 and both rafts went in - one aft throughway in to pick up the boys. The raft that went in towed a line in from our raft and we stayed outside the breakers. After loading the raft we started towing them out and nearly had them through all the surf when a wave evidently caught their bow and turned it to port. I had one fleeting glimpse of the raft as it went sideways just clear on the crest of the wave and then the entire thing were over. All 5 people (Estitor, Pelly, Mannous, Fleet and Vial) made it back to the beach. Ok. We came back to the ship in our raft and after much water trouble day light has arrived and we will be unable to go into the island trails. Have dropped anchor. Rain All afternoon. The people on the island have set up the tent, but radio is not working and undoubtedly motor is not of commission for the boat. We will attempt to run a line in tomorrow morning.

A.R. Grossin Journal 1965 30 October Howland - Canton - 0° 04'N; 175° 39'W Shore party at 5.00 a.m. in morning. When we took another raft out. The sea was so rough, however, that we could not get in close and returned to ship. Shore party walked the raft around to the east (leeward at sunset) side and got out through the low wet there. Only problem was the abundance of Sea anemones offshore there. We picked them up and left area at 1000. A few painted and streamered Blue-footed Boobies and Brown and one Red-foot from Howland were seen out to about 30 miles from Howland. 13 flocks were seen throughout the day, total birds 616. Nocturnal watches held from 2000 to 2400 only 2 birds. Ran out of grid (100mi from Baker) at 2400. SR 0°57'S; 174°05'W - 1°5'8'S; 172°54'W Between Canton + Howland Islands Almost all birds (86% of 890) concentrated in 4 large feeding flocks - Sooty Terns, always most numerous by far. On two occasions an adult and immature Sooty Terns were seen sitting on boat. For one instance the immature was fed by the adult. An Arctic tern was collected out of a feeding flock of mixed terns and Shrimpers. A.R. Grossin Journal 1965 4 October SR Canton Island - Xmas Is. Shorewater at Canton at daylight. Boat came out from Canton with the two men from Coast and scientific survey - loaded gear and left Canton at 0630. Very few birds throughout the day. Over 3100 recorded while stopped at Canton. Mainly single lightings, though hot the day. A few mottled Petrels, swinging S. 2 Bassett one and two Shearwaters came close enough to be shot at. Forty/Blender-Willed Shearwaters, have practically stopped - only 2 today. A few Pterodromus hypoleucos starting to showing up. Sooty Terns practically absent - only two showed - both collected. Expect to arrive at Xmas Is. at 25 at 0600. Scary very choppy today - leaning into wind - twilighty bad. No flocks other than the few large ones near Canton early in morning. One banded Red-foot Booby was collected - banded on Christmas Island 1964. SR 1°39'S; 168°30'W - 1°00'S; 167°05'W Between Canton + Xmas Is. Scattered small flocks throughout the day, Sooty Terns predominant. Total of 503 birds, 10 collected: 1 Wedgebill (1978), 1 PFRS and 7 Sooty Tern. Mottled Petrels still moving through 75 singles, 32 Total. One banded 13 PFRS with a blue streamer was seen in the morning by fleet. Black-winged Petrel, now showing up - 14 total.

A.Schwan Journal 55 1965 03°5', 165°06'W — 0°20'N, 163°30'W. Return Canta & Xmas Ds. 20 October A few large flocks, scattered small ones. 4 Tattlet. 584, predominantly Sixty tern. 13 Birds collected: 1 wedgebill, 2 banded BFTS, 2 RFB, 5 Sixty tern, 1 Sixty tern, and one Leach's Storm Petrel. This was during a total of 3 storm petrel species collected on this trip. It remains very doubtful if any of these white-rumped species can be held apart with certainty at any distance from the ships. If they are close enough to be identified — they are close enough to be collected. Mottled Petrel still moving through — 13 total. 22 Whole, seen — one large group 20. 0°51'N, 161°23'W — 19°24'N, 159°53'W 27 October See rough today, a 15 knot wind running into it made for bad visibility. We are behind fins so no flocks clearly. Collected 9 birds from the seawater. Total 5-72 birds. Small to medium sized flocks (30) through- out day. Mainly Sixty terns (38%). First Juan Fernandez Petrel seen in some fins, plus mottled Petrel still moving through. Abundance of Red Foot Boobies(39) A.Schwan Journal 55 1965 10°53'N, 15°12'W — Christmas Island Christmas Island, N. Pacific Ocean. Landed shore party at 11:45. Mr. Wardell, the resident Commissioner, has provided lodging for the entire Smithsonian party of 9 in the Officers mess Bldg. Very lush. There will be a landrover for transportation. The party made a survey in the afternoon. Here were less separate Sixty tern colonies noted; one on the NE point, one a few miles farther on from the village and one just beyond Carver way. All were without clicks or saps, although the last colony had a few full grown flying immatures. Following species observed: Phoenix de petrel 25-30 thinly populated, but seen all along coast. sup. side Restailed Tropicbird 400-500 Marsh Booby 200 Red-footed Booby 250 Tropicbird sp. 50 Golden Plover 200 actual count 108/610 to sunset Ruddy turn stone 8 actual count 11 Wandering Tattler 15 11 11 11 Evotia sp. 4 11 11 11 Benthic-thighed Curlew 6 11 Painted Stork 3, possibly 4. Sooty tern > 75,000 Gray-backed tern 7 28 Common Noddy 7 10 Hawaiian Noddy 50 Blue Gray Noddy 200 Crested Tern 50

Christmas Island, Pacific Ocean 28 October 1965 Fairy tern 5 Scarlet-breasted frigate 2 Christmas Island Wattle 5 Party of Brown, Todd, & Harrington took land rover about 15 miles out from Lander along N. side island for purpose of collecting. Following species collected: 1616—Samuel Crested tern 2 ad., 1 subad. Bristle-thighed Curlew 2 Solomon Plume 2 Scarlet-breasted frigate 2 29 October 1965 New Island District commissioner says that the previous D.C. definitely brought some scarlet-breasted frigates from Fanning some years back, so that it is definitely certain that they were introduced. Party went out again to survey west side of main island. Only terns on the N. side were still in the air as were the colony at Beaver way. This appeared to be in the process of leaving the island as we saw a part numerous were flying low out toward the ocean. A few samples of seera were collected — 2 BFB, 1 RPTB, and 3 cats. One BFB, 1 RPTB and 2 Shoulder Shanks were collected. A.S. Gresser Journal 1965 Kwajalein Island Fleet cat Party returned in late afternoon. Evening. Fleet, Todd, Woodward & Husted went out to Kwajalein to band, collect sera & survey. Crosby, Ogden, Mays, Emerson and Starrington went back to south side of island to collect sera and band. All three colonies of sooty terns (on N. end, or Beaver way) were either absent or a very few high up in the air. Only a few full grown immatures were seen on the second there at the Beaver way colony. Party proceeded down canyon way to where Frigate had been seen earlier in the day along the bayon area. 40 Red-footed Boobies were banded and 5 Blue-faced Boobies and 2 Great Frigate birds — banded and banded. 12 wedge-tailed shearwaters blood sera samples were collected. 7 cat, samples were also collected — cats being shot first. The cats apparently are very numerous I would imagine close to a thousand on the main island. One litter of 4 kittens. The small wedge-tailed colony had large feathered young, all dark phase seen. About 50 in the colony at your Boobies were not nesting — all 1963 Red-footed Booby were perched in

Xmas Island Misserschmidtia trees. I swam out to a small island in the lagoon where frigate were seen. Perhaps 50 birds with large, young were scattered about the island, but all adults flew off when I started into the small island. A few Noddies at Blue Gray Noddies trees roosting. About 4 or 5 Phoenix Island Petrels were seen under small bushes for sign of nesting. Petrel was calling in their strophos- type twitter. Party returned at 0430 30th. Xmas Island Party of Cronin, Woodward, Kepler, Marx, Harrington, Ammerman went out with land rover to survey "Blue Gray" and "Little Blue Gray" islands on sail, 1st & 2nd Xmas. "Blue Gray" was covered with about foot high to two feet high glass (leptinus) and Portulaca. About 10 pair of Blue-gray Noddies, 10 pair Common Noddies and ca 100 White-flanked Storm Petrels in some stage of nesting. (Common Noddies with 7/4 incubated eggs, Blue gray with fresh to incubated eggs) WTS P with fresh eggs, many settling on dry roots. I returned on WTS P, 12 banded. 30 October R S Groves Journal 1965 Xmas Island. Party of Fleet Cruising, Hrastal, Kepler, Harrington and Marx went out to Xmas Island about 7:00 p.m. for banding and blood collecting. ca. 60 Blood samples, 3 Phoenix Island Christmas Le Shewater Takers. Ca. 650 bands put on P.I.P., C.I.S., and WTS P. 4 Phoenix Island Petrels taken for skins. Met P.I.P. and C.I.S. just beginning to nest, a few birds with eggs. Wedgetails (all dark phase) with large chicks. Few frigates up?, Red-foot Borhes and Noddies roosting in the Misserschmidtia. Noddies and Fairy Terns, roosting in the palms. 3°40'N; 157°34'W Left the island ca. 0830. Left Christmas Island 0500. Started at-sea observations, at 0833. Large number of species (15) due to the proximity of land (breeding area), but few flocks. Scotty Terns were the most abundant species (89). An abundance of Red-foot Borhes (31), one collected by Capt. Vauld from the radar antennae. 2nd Day out of Christmas Island R 5°44'N; 157°32'W — 7°35'N; 157°22'W 55 Total birds 234 — practically all night sightings — total sightings 173. 63 Black-winged Petrels — apparently

R.D. Cresson Journal 1965 SR 5°44'W; 157°32'W - 4°35'N; 157°32'W. 2nd day out Xmas to Calau Not out migrating, many moving toward SW in fect, direct flight. Four birds collected: 1 TFP, 1 BW P, 1 PIP, 1 [illegible] SP. A few Mottled Petrel (7) still coming through, 1 Sooty/573 Shearwater seen well-struggler. One [illegible] much was observed at fair range migrating toward SW. SR 9°35'N 15°24'W Heavy rain - 40F? 3rd day out Xmas → Cohn 2 November Weather fairly clear all morning, min. spell all afternoon, sea choppy. Many Juan Fernandez Petrels (37) and Black wing Petrel (5-0). All Sooty terns (115) in two flocks. Storm Petrel still showing (3) Wedgetail was with white phase more abundant (18 light - 9 dark). Total birds 258 - 146 shearpet 125 tern- Many immatures in Sooty tern flocks, 20 in one flock of 78. 4 day out Xmas to [illegible] 3 November Storm Petrel and Black-wing Petrel still abundant. one 9 each collected this morning by 1000. Weather partially cloudy all morning. Two petrels collected - 1 BW P; 1 TFP, 3 flake, 172 birds total. Except for occasional Wedgetail, Juan Fernandez Petrel and Black-winged Petrel dominated the Laysan waters. A few Mottled Petrels (4) still coming through. R.D. Cresson Journal 1965 Q 5 Nov. Honolulu, Oahu arrive 1100.

R.S. Crozin 1965 Journal 1st day SIC 10 Hoodistutu South 15 November Party of Crossin, Husted, Maze and Delong left Chonolulu aboard SHEARWATER at 1600. Few birds in the harbor comply. Total of 39 nighties - few Pterod. some hypolimnas, Pomarine Jaegers, Noddy Terns, and Widgekails. Raining over Otahe as it had been for last weeks. 2nd day SIC 10 160-24W 20-27N 162-CW 19-40N Sea still rough, heavy swells. An abundance of Petrels - Black-wing and Juan Fernandez - a few Bonin Island. At least one Bonin seen with completely dark underwings. One Black-footed Albatross following ship all morning. Black-winged Petrels + Juan Fernandez Petrels, abundant all day. Flocks of Sooty tern - mixed Widgekail- Petrel flocks. One flock of ca. 15 juv- enero White eyes flew over. Dr. Long and D. kept throwing #4 shot at them, even though they were far off and see well: later Doyle shot one out of a pair. Two Lord's Storm Petrels collected. 7 birds total. Sea rough all day. Scotland rain & swell all after noon, few flocks. R.S. Crozin 1965 Journal 3rd day SIC 10. 18-52N; 164-0W - 18-11N; 166-00W Sooty/Slender-billed Shearwaters dominated the days observations with a half of the 304 birds seen. Juan Fernandez Petrels common throughout the day (77) and Black-winged Petrels (23). 20 Storm Petrels (throughout the day), probably all Leach's - two collected. The S-5b. Shearwaters certainly appear to be Sooty (Cruces). The Silver underwings appear to be predominant on all birds in close. Only 10 Sooty terns sat by fighting. Nocturnal observations yielded very little, total 20 birds 6.8 hrs. Two Black-footed Albatrosses followed ship all day - finally gave up at dusk. The sea was extremely calm most of the day - not upright, but downunda- cating swell. 4th day SIC 10 17-09N; 168-1W - Johnston Is. Few birds (257 total) / flock w/100 Sooty Terns. Sooty/56 shear waters 87. Juan Fernandez + Black-wing Petrels still common TF 59-DW18. Arrived at Sluster Atoll at 1500 - closed observations until 1800 sunset. 20c. Six run until midnight - 4 birds.

R.D. Coeain 1965 Journal SFC 10 19 November 1st day S. Johnston (15-53N; 171-11W - 14-15N; 17150 W) Sea fairly calm, clear and sunny, scattered mackerel scale clouds. Very few birds, few Sooty/Stender-billed Shearwaters, few Juan Fernandez Petrels. NO Sooty terns. Tried the 10 gauge out today - shoots well but as yet have not had enough chance to get the range. Skiffs went out in its shifful, the new Mere 26. Runs rung around the Shearwaters. Collected 2 birds - /ST Petrel and 1 Sooty Storm-petrel. Skippwent out again - collected 1 BFB, 15FP and 4 Slender-billed Shearwater. Sooty/stender-bills made up 77.90 of days' total. Total = 652. Only one flock of Sooty terns late in p.m. 100 birds towering very high (ca 1 min) with one Trig. Although 4 slender-bills were collected, it is certain that "slender-winged" Sooty Shearwaters are being seen. The two species are still migrating together. Sooty terns may be mainly up in the air and thus being mixed. All 4 Slenderbills were young birds by gonads (none matured) thus this portion of migration is probably young birds which would not breed this season. New Mere engines is really working - plus Willet Tablets for guiding Sooty Terns. 20 November 2nd day s. Johnston. 172-37W; 12-03N - 173-08W; 10-32N. Relatively few birds and few species represented. 1 flock of Sooty terns (65) made approximately all terns seen (65). Sooty/ Slender-billed Shearwaters scattered through, at the days' observations (106). - one Slender- billed collected from Shearwater. Two other RFTB and 1 TFB collected. Did not get Chiff in today as few birds and sea quite choppy. - also must conserve field for gull operations - Few terns seen rammed before they could approach into flock. Many of the Sooty Shearwater bills have been moving to SE. All these moving through now are probably stragglers which will not breed - possibly last year's birds. Slo 9 shunned out yesterday had very small gonads, but still very fat, although one apparently bred exeter emaile - stomach full. 21 November. 3rd day S. Johnston 8-30N; 173-58W - 6-41N; 174-35W 172 birds, that mainly Sooty/Stender- billed Shearwaters (101). Only one small (12) wandering flock of Sooty Tern. Juan Fernandez + Black-winged Petrels still common (17) - 49 Widge tails all dark - 1 collected. One white Petrel and one Kermedy Petrel seen.

R.D. Groom 1965 Journal 4-52N; 175-07W — 3-30N; 175-22W 22 November Birds fairly abundant (4/4 total). Species well represented (15). Forty terns accounted for approximately the half of the total (189). There were largely contained in numerous small flocks throughout the day. Scotty/Slade Tills still moving through in small numbers (total 47)—my Slender-billed collected. Juan Fernandez Petrel still showing—much farther south than last month, perhaps southward migration is now in process or feeding area has moved south. Few Phoenix Petrels, and a comparable abundance of Christmas Shearwaters (21). Pocturnal. Observation: one bird all night — five birds (total of 23). 23 November. Day coming into Howland (Southern Girl) Very few birds on of Howland. A total of 249 & of those Slender- billed Shearwaters. R.D. Groom 1965 Journal Howland Island, Pacific Ocean Arrived 1400 — set up camp. Party of Husted + Maze went down Northwest beach and Party of Crossin + DeTory went around Southwest beach. Count of 20 Solander Terns; 1 Bristle- thighed Curlew. The Red-footed Pody along in the dead Cordia grove contained the following: no eggs; 1 new nest being built 1/4 grown chicks — 3 3/4 " " 3 nearly fledged — 1 night check: 150 of. + flying min. A few Greater Frigatebirds imm. were still on the ground in the deck Cordia colony, there were generally ornaciated. A maximum of 50 flying overhead, mostly immi- tures. A few (<5) Lesser Frigate were seen. 3 immatures were noted in the old nesting colony on S. point. Blue-faced Boobies: Both afternoon round of the island and all night survey of clubs around the cuticle island produced following data: nests with eggs — 8 1/2 grown chicks — 1 nearly grown chicks — 1

R.D.Groves 1965 Journal Howland Island Blue faced Booby ant. Clubs of up to 100 were found. Large clubs were encountered on the NE and SE beaches. An estimated 1000 birds are roosting on the island. One nest w/egg was found on the NW beach. Since all blue streamers were put on either in Sept 65 or Oct 65, attempts were made to capture only un-streamered birds for return readings. 119 returns were recorded, 2 red-painted Booby birds were noted. 14 (add min) more found. Larger clubs were generally spotty, smaller ones were pretty thorough by covered. Brown Booby Estimated 40-50 birds were noted. 3 returns were recorded and 6 were banded +streamered. nests of eggs 9 1/2 grown chicks 1 1/4 " 1 Browns were mixed in with Blue faced in clubs. Sooty tern About 100 were noted off shore as we came up to the island in the afternoon. Possibly 100-200 were R.D.Groves 1965 Journal Howland Island Sooty tern ant. Heard over the island throughout the all night survey. None were ever seen landing. No other species were noted. Howland Island Berlee Samples were taken today. 13 samples total were taken, 9 of Brown Booby, 4 of Red-lobed Booby. Shorebirds were in low numbers again today (only a few Golden Plovers). Collected 106 blood samples, with accompanying streamering, banding and return rating when necessary on bodies. Broke camp at 0585- (25NOS) and left ca. 0630. 200 birds with surf on board ship ca. 0700 Run from Howland to Baker Practically devoid of birds as it was 7 of Howland. During 3 hrs of Observation only 13 birds seen. Only 2 Sooty terns. Baker Island Baker was green as was Howland. Vegetation all in good shape, flowering. Insect life said has been quite absent. The island proper was practically devoid of birds except for a few shorebirds - mainly Golden Plover. Along the rocky

R.D. Grossin 1965 Journal SEC 10 Back Baker Island Cont. 25 Nov. Cont. south and east shores, shorebirds were very abundant - mostly Luddy Turnstones, few Golden Plovers, numerous wandering Tattlers, few Cretiae, one Brith-thighed Curlew. All Luddy Turnstones that could be glassed were checked for lands - no sign. Two specimens (unlanded) were collected. No red-rumped Aleutian birds were seen, although it is doubtful if the paint would still show. One pair of Blue-faced Boobies had a full grassy fledgling on the west side of the island near the lighthouse. Approximately 300 Common Noddies were seen on the coral bar in the center of the small lagoon, on the east end of Ilo Island. They were just starting to settle down to nesting with 49 eggs found, mostly fresh from the clean appearance. One Brown Booby, ca 10 Sooty Terns, ca 10 Hawaiian Noddies were seen over the island. Nise were abundant, no cats seen. Landed at 11:30 - high surf, but caught it right and surfed in at the head of one swell at a very rapid speed (ca. 20 mph.) Reff then went back to ship. Had no trouble getting out. We finished the survey. R.D. Grossin 1965 Journal SEC 10 Back Baker Island Cont. at about 1530 and put out a flare for the ship - called the raft back in, one Waldie's Tattler and put out by 1600. The raft nearly was flipped when Ford + Baker came into the island as a large (ca 10 ft) swell. Caught them and filled the boat before towing it out. Our first attempt out failed and we brought the raft back 6 here and walked it down farther north to near where the large vehicle is on the beach. We finally tried it out through the surf, without a motor and made it with no difficulty. Surf was up to 10 ft. With little break except for sun - determinable. Calms such as they we went out on. SR SS 0-40S; 175-00W - 1-36S; 175-56W Southern Bird - 5 Baker's. My few finds (Total 62) - Fair, most of the day. An oil slick was put out and worked from 0900 -> 1200 with very little results. Only a few storm petrels came to it - one Leach's collected. Apparently there are migrants as they show little interest on the slicks. Jean Fernandez Petrel still showing as are Black-capped (Bonin's).

R.S.Crosin Journal 1965 SR SS Southern Grid. O-40S; 175-00W - 1-36S; 178-56W 26 Nov. Cont. Rain nocturnal observations all night Red me period during the night when heavy rain squalls were coming Dar. we stopped the ship and was able to collect 3 Sooty terns and 3 Black- winged Petrels. Two other Sooty terns were collected, but we were unable to Petrel's term. A total of 151 birds, nearly 3 times as many as during day ever recorded - Practically all- 140- Sooty terns. SR SS Southern Grid O-51S; 176-06W - 0-04S; 175-18W 27 Nov. Very few birds (164). Rain an oil slicks from 0830 - 1100. Picked up 9 birds, with the ship, on stray-backed tern from bow. Very few Storm petrels came in, and then showed little interest in the slick put out. A Leach's and a Wilson's Storm Petrel was collected from the ship. Later on, in the day Hurtles collected a Hermit, making all three species collected in one day. Sooty terns were very few (25). All 4 species of terns (Sooty, Gray-backed, Common & Hawaiian Tern) were collected while meeting around with the oil slicks. Sooty/Slender-bills were the most numerous species (58), some with distinctly silver under wing. All night observations yielded only 8 birds seen. R.S.Crosin Journal 1965 SR SS Southern Grid O-40N; 175-11W - 0-32S; 176-38W 28 Nov. Very few birds again today (147). Day's observations Today again dominated by Sooty/Slender-billed Shearwaters (62) - nearly half 9 birds seen. Only 17 Sooty tern, mostly single wandering birds. Storm Petrels apparently still migrating, small flocks of up to 4 flying together - 21 total seen. Few Wedgetails (20) all dark phase. NO FLOCS. Nocturnal Observations yielded 82 birds - 11 collected. Most mainly during squalls after midnight. 1 Leach's Storm Petrel, (Hawaiian Tern), and 9 Sooty terns. When Birds are in an area of heavy squalls, they come into the ship's lights readily, but seldom come in close given enough to be shot during periods of clear weather. Picking up still being done on the side of ship and allowing the ship to slip down as the ship birds. SR SS Southern Grid 1-03S; 177-04W - 0-53S; 177-53 27 Nov. Very few birds. Heavy rain pre- cipitally all day - visibility poor (no chance for collecting). 43 of the 93 total were Sooty/Slender-bills Two small flocks. Nocturnal observations yielded only 22 birds, half (11) of them Sooty terns.

R.B. Groven Journal 1965 30 Nov. Southern Grid 0-24N; 176-30W - 1-02N; 175-59W Birds in creccel somewhat today over the past few days. (Total 259). This was primarily the result of 2 flocks of mid term Sea water. Forty term accounted for 155 (150 of them in the 2 flocks). A few Sooty / Tender bills still moving by (31). Put out oil slick for two hrs, but collected only 3 birds. Storm petrels may be migrating, but fat condition certainly does not agree. Most birds here have little to no good fat. Total night nocturnal observations yielded practically nothing - 7 birds; 4 at night, 4 of these just before sunrise on 1 Dec. 1 Dec. Southern Grid 1-29N; 175-43W - 1-37N; 176-32W Low, low 59 birds today. Poured oil slick from 6:00 sunrise until 11:00. Collected 42 birds off slicks; 6 Storm Petrels (teachs), and 4 Banded Boobies (312) + 1 Shanks Petrel, or at best this is a start to identifying them in the field. It blows down the slick just about like a wind bird - No Black except 5 wandering Sooty terms. Many Storm Petrels, but apparently they are all blacks! They fed quite actively on oil slick. Other birds appeared curious. R.B. Groven Journal 1965 2 Dec. Southern Grid 1-37N; 176-34W - 0-40N; 177-35W Put out an oil slick early, a.m., but lost nearly capsized with heavy swell. Fecs birds - Total today 47. Sooty/ Shaker bills most numerous bird w/ 13, BFB (6) 2 collected, both banded, mstrreamored also. Ansty. Blue Shearwaters bird was seen about noon. If its birds come in sort of the run, there is no chance of seeing paint or streamer and it sometimes happens. There is only a quick moment of collecting them - hence the blue streaming birds yesterday and the one today. One black Storm Petrel collected Today. Apparently they are the dominant Storm petrels here! Observations held all night - only on slicks - pet seen. 3 Dec. 0-20N-177-35W - 1-25N; 177-48W - Too rough to put out an oil slick at dawn. Swells increased all day. co. 25-30 ft. at 3:1300. Very few birds - scattered storm petrels and Bulwer's Petrel. Had here at least two sightings of an all dark storm strel. Appears smaller than Bulwer's, and the bigg flying ones with a more density storm Petrel flight = Sooty SP ??.

Rd Grossen Journal 1965 3 December Southern Grid 2-20N;177.39W - 1-25N;177.40W Very low numbers of birds (46 total) 19 of these storm petrels. Weather increasingly rougher as day went on. Swells up to 25-30 feet. We flock of 7 Storm Petrels. Have started up last (mother mat), lay 9 eggs. No birds collected. 4 December Wday N Grid 3-02N;177-30W - 3-24N;176-2W Rough weather all day, very heavy swells, intermittent squalls. Only 24 birds seen all day - mostly Petrels, Shearwater, 3 Sooty Terns. 18 birds collected. 5 December 2nd day N Grid 4-51N;174-53W - 6-03N;173-40W Very few birds until after 1200 noon. Heavy seas. At 1210 ran into a medium-sized flock, actively feeding. One hour later ran into another small, medium flock of St, FT and WT. Hundreds of thousands of fish were milling on the surface of the water over a broad front of about 600 yds. All birds were down on the thru with the fish. 3 birds were collected. One half hour beyond the fish about 200-400 porpoise were moving along in a broad front, perhaps herding the fish. 5 Dec. cont 2nd day N Grid 4-51N;174-53W - 6-03N;173-40W One half hour later in much the same area, another enormous flock of birds (estimated at 150 St, 200 WT few BWP + JFP + CTS.) were milling on the thru over a very large school of fish which turned the thru up for many hundred yds in a broad front. The fish school split up into at least a segment and one portion of it was followed until nearly 1800. Most of the birds of course went over to the segment of the fish school which was unattended by the ship. 7 more birds were collected and at least 6 shot down and lost in the many seas coupled with very bad light. The Chis appeared to be feeding, yet more hit any of two crews lines which were put out every time we passed through the school. The fish were nearly always in slight during the nearly 5 hrs we travelled with them. At times they would sound, just quickly disappear, milling on the surface. Most of the birds attacking the school would be right barn on the thru with the fish both Willytails and Sooty Terns.

6.December 3rd day N.S.Grid 7.12N; 172.09W - 8.29N; 170.53W Again encountered a few flocks of mixed tern - Shearpet today, but no concentrations of birds as yesterday, and birds feeding very lightly. Two medium-sized flocks - mainly Sooty Tern. Weather very rough, W. ca. 20 ft. swells, wind ca. 40 kts. We are heading into the sea and boat is taking water every 3 or 4th swell. Shooting very difficult and in fact dangerous. Boats being thrown up and dropped with terrific impact; Billy collects 3 birds - 1 Blue-faced Booby subadult, Baul #568-72041, a Leach's Storm Petrel and one Sooty Tern, the latter from a mixed feeding flock that we chased for 45 minutes with no other success. 7 December 4th day N.S.Grid 9.35N; 170.06W - 10.38N; 165.04W Extremely rough weather, wind ca. 25-30 kts, swells up to 20 ft. Intermittent heavy squalls, light drizzle, water over the bow all day long. A total of 10 birds seen. 5th day N.S.Grid 11.49N; 168.11W - 12.48N; 167.08W Extremely rough weather, wind up to 30 kts, swells up to 20 ft. Intermittent heavy squalls + light drizzle. Visibility nil for periods up to 1/2 hour. A total of 17 birds. One flock a W.T. 9 Dec. 6th day - Grid to Honu 13.45N; 166.06W - 14.25N; 16V-57W Seas rough, high winds, intermittent rain again today. Total Birds 16, few Wedgetails, few Petrels, 3 Sooty Terns. 10 Dec. 7th day S.Grid to Honu 16.06N; 163.24W - 17.21N; 162.08W Weather mostly clear, mild swells. Still few birds - Total 20. NO Sooty Terns, few Wedgetails, 10 Twin Fernands Petrels. 11 Dec. 8th day S.Grid to Honu 18.48N; 160.32W - 20.04W Mostly clear, rough seas, wind ca. 20 kts. Very few birds. Total 14, 4 Red-footed Boobies, few Petrels, 2 Sooty Terns. 12 Dec. Honolulu Hawaii Arrived Aloha at 0730.

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.

R. S. Crossin 1965 Laysan 7 August Less than 1,000 birds left. Most still appear healthy, although very reduced in weight. Very few newly dead individuals are to be found, so apparently most have at least left the island alive. One adult seen in the night by a chick. 8 August Two adults seen standing by chicks - daytime. 10 August One adult seen on the south end during the night. 18-21 July Black-footed Albatross - All Black-foot chicks are about equal in the size and weight ranges to those of the Laysan. A great many of the Black-feet are concentrated on the N end of the island along the beach. This is apparently the center of nesting. In comparing like stages of young, the black-feet appear to be slightly heavier and larger proportioned than the Laysans. Estimated number of Black-feet are about 4-5,000. No Black-feet adults were observed coming in to feed the chicks. 7 August Less than 50 individuals are now on the island. A number (ca. 25) carcasses were found on the north end of the island where the large concentrations were found in July. Those that remain are small, light individuals which do not appear to have the strength to even fly. 18-21 July Wedge-tailed Shearwaters - Next to the Sooty Tern, this is the most numerous bird on the island. The wedge-tails nest over most of the island and are not confined to specific colonial areas. They are to be found on the larger beaches, Scaevola stretches, within the tern colonies and around the lake in all types of cover. The burrows may be up to about 3 feet deep, but most are not dug to this depth. Occasionally a bird will be seen incubating an egg in the open, but I believe these are birds which have had their burrows destroyed at about the time of egg laying and have chosen the handiest spot because those in the open usually have very fresh eggs, whereas all eggs checked in burrows were in varying stages of incubation. In certain areas, especially in the grass tuft fields about the tern colonies, it is extremely difficult to walk, because the ground is so undermined with tunnels and ? ? inconstantly as one moves about. Estimated 100,000 birds on island. 7 Aug New estimate of between 150,000 and 200,000. Possibly up to 1/3 of the occupied burrows have newly-hatched chicks on piping eggs. Some new burrows are constantly being dug, but whether these birds will lay or not is unknown. Large clubs of up to a couple at night in open areas. In daytime large groups are found by the lagoon shore, but these increase at night. Christmas Island Shearwater - Estimated 3,000 birds on island. Very very few birds seen. Those that were seen were usually in Scaevola ? along the west beach. One pair was found with a full grown chick in a burrow within the Sooty tern colony on the east side of island in the grass clump field. This young was in a shallow burrow (about 1 ft. deep) and completely covered with fuzzy down (blackish). Another young about the same size was found crawling under dense Scaevola

R. S. Crossin 1965 Christmas I. Shearwater (contd) bushes on the east side of the island. This bird was collected on 21 July. The flight of this species is distinctly different from the wedge-tails. The straight-held rounded wings differ markedly from wedgies. August 7 - Estimation still remains at 3,000 at least 30 burrows were found so far with large young. These dark young are as large or larger than the parents, but still down covered. August 10- A banded bird (544-38003) was found with another mated bird which was not caught. A number of birds were found on the north end along the beach under the large boulders, some large chicks were noted here. Bonin Island Petrel - Aug. 7 - About 20 birds sitting in grass or at burrow entrances. No indication of nesting. About 1 dozen dead individuals found - at least one of these freshly dead. Estimated population 50 - 100 birds on the nights of the 5 and 6 only a few individuals were seen. August 8 Birds are increasing each night. 10 Aug - At least 10 birds seen by each of the members of the party during the nights banding. A few pairs seen by burrows. " 11 Over 30 individuals seen by me during the nights banding. Comparable numbers seen by other members of the crew. Considerably more pairs are now being seen. Husted and I observed one individual digging a burrow in the grass cover on west side. A few others were noted digging by other people. Bulwer's Petrel - Laysan 18-21 July On the first night on the island I discovered a pair of adults at the burrow; one outside, the other within. A chick estimated to be no more than a few days old was found within the burrow about 12" deep under a large tuft of grass in mixed grass-Seaevola cover at W side of island. Occasionally I found a single bird sitting quietly in clearings in the Scaevola cover. In the evening birds often were seen flying back and forth over Scaevola apparently attempting to locate their nest site. I believe the birds are not adept at locating the nest sites and may make 30-40 passes before finally zoning in. As a bird flies over the area near the nest site it moves very slowly and hesitatingly and once past the immediate area appears to recognize unfamiliar ground and immediately speeds up, takes a new swing around and repeats the process. A pair of birds were collected from a burrow on the 21 July. One of these was banded. Estimated population = 2,000 birds. 7 August Estimated population at least 2,000 birds. Many singles or pairs sitting by burrows, but the burrows are invariably empty. A few chicks are found. These small, down covered. Red-tailed Tropicbird - Laysan 18-21 July Estimated population = 3,000 birds. The red-tails nest primarily, if not exclusively under Scaevola frutescens and generally only where

R. S. Crossin 1965 Red-tailed Tropicbird 18-21 July (cont.) this was quite dense. A few birds were found with partially - well incubated eggs but the majority had chicks of varying sizes up to adult size. The nests are deep shallowed out places in the sand, usually under dense branch formations of the Scaevola. Leaves and other litter usually appear in nests, but this appears accidental and not brought in by the parent birds. In places nests are only a few feet from each other. One egg per clutch. 7 August - No change in numbers, most birds on nests had chicks of various stages - no eggs found. 11 Aug. - Eggs of all stages of incubation found, and chicks of all stages. A few immatures with the flying population Blue-faced Booby - Laysan 18-21 July Ground nester, all with large young. In no case did I observe more than one young - although at Lisianski 14-17 a few pair still had heavily incubated eggs or an egg and nearly hatched chick. Apparently 2 eggs may be a normal clutch, but only one of the set ever hatches. Invariably the young bird is attended by one parent. At Lisianski the few birds still in mid-nesting stages showed no evidence of a nest being constructed to hold the egg - rather a shallowed out area on bare ground. Estimated population = 1,000 birds. 7 August No change - numbers of breeding. 9 August One adult blueface observed incubating a dried-up albatross egg - probably Laysan Albatross. Egg in a scrape on the west shore of lagoon. Many other rotten albatross eggs about. Brown Booby - Laysan 18-21 July On the night of the 20th approximately 6 pr were encountered in dense Scaevola while searching for Laysan Albatross chicks. I did not at that time have the means to check the nesting very closely, but 3 nests were noted - 2 contained 2 eggs each, the toeker contained one small young. The two sets of eggs appeared very dirty and enst soiled and probably were of advanced incu- bation. A substantial nest of sticks and grasses was constructed on the ground in each case. No other birds were seen during the visit. On Lisianski a small colony of about the same size was noted, but all chicks were running about and nearly full-grown. Estimated population on Laysan = 300. 7 August Estimated population between 50 and 100 individuals: 2 nests with 3 eggs each noted and one nest with 2 chicks. Several half-grown chicks about west shore.

R. S. Crossin 1965 Laysan Red-footed Booby 18-21 July Estimated population = 1300 birds. This species builds a frail nest of sticks, usually on Scaevola bushes, but occasionally other shrubby type plants are used. All nest observed contained young from large still down covered to nearly fully-feathered individuals. 7 August No change from July. Frigatebird 18-21 July Nesting season well along all nests with young ranging from a few still covered with white down to adult-size birds. All nests observed were of sticks forming a shallow platform in Scaevola frutescens bushes. Apparently only one young nest. Estimated population = 5,000 birds. The adult o' often seen on the nest shading the young, both morning hours and P.M. so shifts probably vary with each pair. 7 August No change in numbers, young larger as expected. 11 August Possibly numbers are up this month - this probably due to more immatures in the air. Laysan Teal 18-21 July On the night of the 17th just after landing we started banding Sooty Terns on the west side of the island. I captured one individual of this species which had been wandering about in the Scaevola - grass tern colony. This was some distance from the lake. On another o casion one individual was flushed from the dense tangle formed by the con ? plant which surrounds the lake. Estimated population = < 200 birds. 7 August 6 adults, 2 ducklings about 3/4 grown seen so far. 9 August After banding until dawn, we came back to Camp and observed an adult o' feeding in the surf on the west shore. The bird would run down the beach as the tide went out and grab up crustaceans or some small animal life, then the tide would swoop in and carry the bird up the beach - then the feeding would be resumed. Two birds (adults) seen along the ease shore of the lagoon. One flew w west over the heavily vegetated belt surrounding the lagoon and was chased for about 100 yds by a common nobby tern. In the afternoon the entire crew of 5 went into the area on the east shore of the lagoon banding Red-footed Boobies. With all the tramping around, no teals were flushed. Two were seen on the shore of the lagoon in late afternoon and right at dusk Ken saw two which may or may not have been different birds. Jeff caught one banded bird way over on the south end of island by the rail- road.track (band No. 615-30603). This may be the clue to the problem - they may be scattered at random - over a good portion

R. S. Crossin 1966 Honolulu to 20-34N-158-05W January 24 - From 1015 to 1400 we stayed within a few miles of port checking compasses on the ship. Left Harbour Complex in Honolulu at 1400 with crew of 9 Smithsonian team aboard. Max Thompson (charge of Islands), Dayle Husted, Bob DeLong, Jeff Tordoff, Jim Lewis, Norman Heryford, Brian Harrington, and Frank Smith. A few Brown Boobies and Red-footed Boobies around the harbour, in one case a feeding flock of 12. After getting out of the harbour, a Black-footed Albatross started following the ship and soon we started picking up Pomarine Jaegers. Up to 11 were sighted at one time. The birds would fly ahead of the ship and land on the H2O, picking up and taking off as the ship approached. I collected two and Thompson and Smith collected two for a small series of 4. When a bird was shot down, all others from around the area would rush in and hover over the downed birds. No doubt the hit bird resembled one diving for food. Most were light phase, but a few were intermediates, and one or two dark phase birds. One small flock of 26 Sooty Terns were noted, being "attended" by 5 Pomarine Jaegers. January 25 - 2nd day S. Oahu, 18°45'N-159°29'W - 17.03N; 160-37W Sooty Terns often in pairs - no one definite direction, also 140 (40,100) in two separate feeding flocks. One Black-footed Albatross followed ship all day and a Lays Albatross followed from 0815 - 1021. A total of 10 Red-footed Boobies, few Fairy Terns (6 in one large mixed feeding flock) and few Wt tropicbirds and one wedge-tail. Sea rough. January 26 - 15-08N; 161-52W - 13-28N; 163-00W Total of 91 birds, few small flocks w/ Sooty Terns. Abundance (10) of White-tailed Tropicbirds. Ordinary day away from land during January. Sooty Terns were abundant through the night from 2030 on. No special direction - not to NE. January 27 - 1-36N; 164-12W - 10-08N; 165-20W An abundance of Kermadec Petrels today (10). One apparently a Kermades, with pure white head. Juan Fernandez abundant today (24). Few Sooty Terns (59) mainly in two flocks. First dark-phase Wedge-tail sighted today. January 27-28 - 10-08N; 165-20W - 11-13N; 167-14W Nocturnal. The seas were so rough all night that watches could not be held on the bow. Jeff nearly got knocked over the side, so all the rest of the watches were held on the bridge or flying bridge. The noise, however, from the engines almost drowns out any Sooty Tern calls and so the few seen may not be indicative of the number passing over. The ship is in constant roll with no one getting sleep and ships crew continually asking the question "Is it absolutely necessary to make this run?". January 28 - 11-13N; 167-14W - 12-01N; 168-15W Very few birds (57). Kermadec Petrels still in number = 8. Terns practically non-existent comparably = 8. Juan Fernandez Petrels still numerous = 20, few

R.S. Crossin 1966 white necks = 4. At 1704 a flock of 12 Petrels and 2 Sooty Terns were seen very close to ship, but weather would not permit shooting from the bow. Petrels composed of 3 Kermadecs, 2 White necks and 7 Juan Fernandez - all in tight knit group with the 2 Sooty Terns overhead. Weather still very rough on NW run. Ship rolling so bad that the captain changed course after the freezer compartment sprung open and spilled contents all over, lumber shifted on decks, fire extinguisher broke lose from the hull and filled same in SI crew quarters - every one getting banged around a bit with up to 40° rolls. Bow constantly awash - no shooting. January 28-29 - 12-01N; 168-15W - 12-23N; 170-08W Changed course to favorable seas and most nocturnal held from bow where Sooty Terns could be heard. Total of 64 birds recorded - mostly Sooty Terns = 60. Most terns were headed (when direction was detectable), N or NE which would put them into Johnston Atoll far to the N-NE of our night position. January 29 - 12-23N; 170-08N - 13-24N; 171-31W Only scattered sightings today - 24 birds total. Rough weather. Held night watches again all night, slightly higher number (34) on nocturnal, mainly all Sooty Terns. January 30 - 14-48N; 172-24W - 15-49N; 171-03W Another practically birdless day - total of 19. No Sooty Terns today. Nocturnal yielded 149 birds, mainly Sooty Terns = 130. Tordoff dropped 2 Red-foot Boobies by letting them get over the deck before firing, and having them drop on deck. The night before the Captain shot at one setting on the radio wire and dropped both Booby and insulator with the 30 cal. carbine. One of the two Red-feet collected was banded - French Frigate Shoals, an immature bird. January 31 - Johnston Atoll - 16-21N; 169-41W Birds picked up tremendously as we approached the atoll - 358 birds, mainly Sooty Terns (284) and boobies. Spent most of the day at Johnston fixing leaks in the pipes in the engine room. Ken Amerman says there are roughly 100,000 terns on Sand and they are just beginning to lay. Night watches south of Johnston Atoll were held continuously, Sooty Terns common throughout the night, as were Red-footed Boobies. February 1 - 14-22N; 170-48W - 12-31; 171-49W Ran completely out of birds today - a grand total of 25, 10 of these Sooty Terns. Night watches likewise were producing nothing so we discontinued these at 2130. February 2 - 10-30N; 172-50W - 8-36N; 173-42W Day practically birdless until about 1630 when we started picking up a few feeding flocks of Sooty Terns. Area here evidently rich in food as these are the first feeding flocks we have seen in some days.

R.S. Crossin 1966 SIC 11 Howland Baker February 3 - 6-31N; 174-18W - 5-05N; 175-00W Collected a Puffinus puffinus early in the morning, and saw several more throughout the day. These do not appear to be typical Newell's, possibly are P. p. opisthomelas from Baja California. Many White-rumped Storm Petrels through out the day - collected 3 Leach's and saw 48 other unidentified. Christmas Island Shearwaters common. At 1502 saw first large flocks of about 35 Sooty Terns and shear pet and throughout the rest of the afternoon large flocks of up to 325 birds seen. Mostly Sooty Tern and dark Wedge-tails with a sprinkling of Christmas Islands, Juan Fernandez Petrels and Storm Petrels intermixed. Fish (probably tuna) were noted jumping during chasing some of the large flocks. A new evidently very rich feeding waters to attract so many birds as the area to the north has been especially devoid of most every species. A total of 13 birds collected = (6 Wedgetails [5 darks, 1 intermediate with mottled barring on flanks and breast], 2 Sooty Terns [1 ad, 1 imm] 1 Puffinus puffinus; 3 Leach's Storm Petrels, and 1 Bulwers Petrel. Total of 927 birds recorded for the day; 802 of these in flocks (10). At least 3 Sooty Terns noted between immature and adult plumage. This could be a once-over molt and thus relatively few would be noticed unless one was in the area where the sub-adult birds are when undergoing molt. February 4 - 3-07N; 175-49W; - 1-53N; 176-26W Total birds 367, mainly Sooty Terns. 302 birds were encountered in one feeding flock. Otherwise sightings were irregular. The ship has been on the blink since early morning with a leaking, actually gushing oil line to one engine and so we are running on single engine. Most collecting was done today with the skiff operating out from the ship. Held all night watches, but only encountered a total of 8 birds. Between Howland and Baker and west to 0-27N; 176-52W. February 5 - Total of 101 birds today, primarily terns with a few boobies of all 3 species. Upon landing at Howland shortly after 0700 an estimated 75 Sooty Terns were noted over Howland. Max informed me by radio that 1-5000 were over the island during late afternoon and night which looks like a breeding colony shaping up. All night observations held on board Shearwater. Terns (actually only a few) most numerous when we doubled back east and passed within a mile off Howland at 11-1200 P.M. February 6 - 1-02N; 176-03W - 1-01N; 175-18.5W Ran one eastern leg of the Grid while the people were on the Islands. Running all day again (since early morn of the 4th) on one engine, oil leak. Few birds - total =66. Nocturnal yielded 79, mainly Sooty Terns. February 7 - 0-11N; 176-29W - 1-06N; 177-05W Starboard engine still out with oil line leak. Picked up DeLong and Lewis on Baker, we had difficulty getting out with the surf and broke the case around drive shaft on one of the new Merc engines. Birds more numerous today, an abundance of

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.

R.S. Crossin 1966 SIC 11 Experienced no great difficulty coming in or out of the lagoon. Very few Sooty Terns were encountered on NW side of island - a scattered few flying high over head. Max encountered one swirl and collected 3 - one of which possessed a broad patch and so nesting may soon commence. The following estimates are concerned with my portion of the survey (NW side within the lagoon: White-tailed Tropicbird - only one individual with an exceptionally long tail was seen flying over the coconut palm grove surrounding the village. Brown Booby - scattered individuals were seen over the lagoon and taking off from the small islets along NW shore. Estimated 150 birds seen, mostly adults. Frigate birds - Frigatebirds were abundant over the lagoon, and perched on the taller vegetation along the islets - appeared to be Greaters although no ad. σ were seen so species must be regarded as belonging to either Lesser or Greater. Estimated 200 seen. Golden Plover - three individuals were seen along the lagoon shore. Ruddy Turnstone - one individual was seen at the cove on the N landing area and one other along the lagoon shore on NW side. Wandering Tattler - one was collected at the cove on N landing channel and approximately 10 more were seen, mostly single bires, along NW lagoon shore. Bristle-thighed Curlew - one individual was sighted flying over the lagoon near the village on W tip. Sooty Terns - estimated 200 individuals were observed flying, usually in small groups, over lagoon on NW area. Gray-backed Tern - abundant on NW side, numbers seen continuously over lagoon and NW islets. A colony of roughly 1000 birds flew up from the 3 small islet W of landing channel. A stop was made, but no evidence of nesting was present. Smaller group of up to 100 flew up from other islets toward village. Estimated 2000 birds were scattered over NW portion of island. Common Noddy Tern - small numbers of birds were seen rising from every islet from N landing area up to the dence coconut palms area near village. An estimated 500 birds were seen along this NW shore of the lagoon and out over the lagoon. Hawaiian Noddy Tern - an estimated 50 birds were seen along the NW islet, but larger numbers were observed leaving the island during early morning. Fairy Tern - scattered individuals were seen all along NW side (flying), but numbers were greatest in the coconut palms grove about the village, where the birds were noted alighting in the palms. Estimated 150 birds seen - mostly about the village. Crested Tern - Two were seen over the open ocean before passing into the lagoon and 5 were noted on a sand bar on the NW lagoon shore. Hawaiian Noddy Tern - an estimated 50 birds were seen along the NW islets, but larger numbers were observed leaving the island during early morning. New Zealand Cuckoo - one collected by Max near the lagoon side of village as it progressed through the coconut palms. February 13 - 4-27S-172-14W - 3-48S; 171-42W At 1630 one of the oilers cut his finger off in the compressor belt and ship changed course from en route to Phoenix instead to Canton Island. Arrived Canton ca. 0100. Canton Island February 14 Took Jeff back onto Canton at 0300 to be shipped off to Honolulu as his throat is no better and he is quite concerned. Came back to ship after seeing Jeff aboard an Air Force Rescue Plane. Appeared to be about 2000+ Gray-backed Terns on the small island E of the channel, 25+ Hawaiian Noddies seen flying

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

R.S. Crossin 1966 SIC 11 of the lagoon - worked by Thompson. Another concentration was present in the Messerschmidtia grove on W side of lagoon mixed in with the Greater Frigate colony. An estimated 450 birds were present here. Only about 25 pairs had nests, practically all with eggs. A third small concentration was present further up the next beach in the Cordia grove by the guano pile. Less than 100 birds were here and approximately 12 nests with eggs were present. One nest contained a 1/3 grown chick - dead. Great Frigatebird Concentrated primarily in one colony on W nest side of island in the Messerschmidtia grove. I estimated 5000 in this colony on eve of 14, but this may have been too high. As numbers were certainly not this great on night of 14 during banding operations. The island population is apparently somewhere between 3 and 4000 birds at this time. About 2/3 of the population appear to be immature birds (flying). Most adults are now starting a new nesting cycle- ♂ displaying and carrying nesting material. Approximately 75 nests were present in the main colony, about 50 with fresh eggs to slight incubation. One egg was hatching on night of 14 and one dead chick was noted (about 1/3 grown). All nests in the colony were built in the Messerschmidtia bushes. 9 nests were present on the south end of the island - these built on Sida clumps only a few inches from the grond. All contained fresh eggs. Lesser Frigate Approximately 300 flying immatures were present, scattered about the W end of the Greater Frigate colony. These were scattered about roosting mainly on the ground or in low vegetation. About 3 adults were noted on night of 14 and 2 or 3 on night of 15. One ♂ had the throat pouch enlarged so apparently a few are about to begin a new nesting cycle. Golden Plover Distributed thinly over the island, with concentrations on the E shore. A total of 544 count. Ruddy Turnstone Found most commonly along the lagoon and shore lines, but small flocks and singles were noted over most of the island. Count of 627 on 15 Feb. Wandering Tattler Thinly distributed over the island - count of 74 on 15 Feb. Bristle-thighed Curlew Thinly distributed over entire island. Count of 35 made on 15 Feb. Sooty Tern Swirls of up to 5000 were noted just behind the light house on evenings of 14 and 15 Feb. About 200 more noted sitting on the west shore of the lagoon

R.S. Crossin 1966 SIC 11 with Gray-backed Terns on 15 Feb. These were not as yet with eggs. Gray-backed Tern Estimated 2000 birds, mainly confined to the lagoon shore area. Two nests with eggs were found on the 14 Feb. Common Noddy Tern An estimated 100 were observed on the island mainly about lagoon and on the south end. No nesting was in progress. Hawaiian Noddy Tern Estimated 500 were roosting in the Cordia grove on the NW side of island. Old nests were present, but no current nesting was in progress. Blue-gray Noddy Terns Two birds were noted on the west side of island. Fairy Tern Only two individuals were noted. Pintail Duck Three were seen on the northern most pond in the center of the island. All appeared to be females. February 16 - Enderbury to 5-22S; 171-08W Total birds 155, mainly Sooty Terns and dark wedgetails. February 17 - 7-31S; 170-55W - 9-33S; 171-03W Birds relatively scarce until mid afternoon when flocks of Sooty Tern, huge numbers of Fairy Terns and Common Noddy Terns started showing up. Total numbers of birds = 434, 394 of these in 9 flocks during late afternoon. Shear-pets still in the minority with only 10 sightings for the day. February 18 Swains Island Arrived at Swains Island before daybreak. The entire SI party went ashore at dawn and surveyed the island. Most of the village was flattened by ca. 100 ft. tidal wave which smashed over the island. The vegetation was most harmed at the SW beach. A Mr. Jennings owns the island or more likely in conjunction with a brother and sister who do not live on the island. Ownership has apparently been in the Jennings family since 1814 when the original Jennings settled there. The present owner had been in the Air Force and attended the Univ. of Arizona in 1953. He is presently in this mid-30's. We had a short chat about local items about Arizona and Mexico, all of which he clearly remembered.

R.S. Crossin 1966 SIC 11 The island is very densely vegetated, primarily coconut palms, interspersed with broad leaf evergreen. Orchids and other epiphytes are very dense on most of the trees and testifies to the abundant rain which the island must receive. Birds - Golden Plover - scattered throughout the island, and strangely, found in the most dense vegetation. At least 20 were noted by myself. One was collected. Sanderling - DeLong collected one on the south beach. No others were seen. Common Noddy Tern - extremely abundant over the entire island the birds nest commonly in the coconut palms and many were seen carrying nest material to sites. Also many gounge were noted being fed by adults on the palm fronds. 5 specimens collected. Estimated 20,000 on island. Hawaiian Noddy Tern - scarce - only three individuals seen. One collected may be more common than this first survey showed. Fairy Tern - extremely abundant over the whole island. This species was noted perching in all types of vegetation. Estimated 30-40,000. New Zealand Cuckoo - about 10 birds were seen and more heard - none was collected. In addition to the above - Red-footed Boobies were seen off shore; and the natives claim that a large pigeon, probably Ducula pacifica is found. About five of us are fairly certain that the Black-naped Tern was seen from the ship along the beach just at sunrise. Pago Pago, American Samoa February 19 - Very few birds, Upon arriving near islands yesterday - total of 61. Arrived in harbor this morning before daybreak. Max and I make connections to go to West Samoa. Western Samoa - Took the 1730 Polynesian Airline flight out from Pago Airport and arrived about 1815 on island on Upolu, Western Samoa. The airport is roughly 20 miles from the main town, Apia, and a rickety old wooden bus makes the haul along a narrow hardtop road. Plane fare over was $26.60 round trip. We stayed at the Aggie Gray Hotel at $10. a day. Rainy seasons is on and rain fell in torrents most of the night. February 20 - Made connections with a Mr. Gray at the hotel to send a boy off into the country to get a car - a Datsun - which is the only available rental car in Apia - at $15 per day. It rained the entire day, mostly in torrents and we decided to leave on the late afternoon flight back to Pago. Our trip up the mountain in the rent car was halted by an enormous tree which had blown across the road just at the beginning of good clove forest above the seismograph stations. Area to this point is rather heavily settled.

R.S. Crossin 1966 SIC 11 February 20 - Birds Banded Rail (Rullus philippensis goodsoni) very abundant in dense vegetation from coast to cloud forest. The birds can disappear in a flash in the under growth. Encountered all along the road to the seismograph tower and above. A few individuals seen in an open pasture were noted to run to cover with alarming speed. White-throated Pigeon? (Columbia vitiensis) one individual of this species was probably noted just below the seismograph station at the edge of heavy rain forest. White-rumped Swiftlet (Collocalia spodopygia) common throughout the area from coastal to cloud forest. The birds feed butterfly like about large forest trees as well as out over the open meadows. White-collared Kingfisher (Halycon chloris manuae) although Mayr credits us flat-billed kingfisher (H. reairvirostris) as the only kingfisher on Upolu it was definitely the White collared of manvae race which we were seeing abundantly. Usually perched on vegetation or on curres along the road. Polynesian Triller (Lalage maculosa) very abundant from coastal to cloud forest in open country. Very numerous in open pastures below seismograph station. Island Thrush (Turdus poliocephalus) common in dense forest from above apice to above seismograph station. Samoa Fantail (Rhipidura nebulosa) very abundant in heavy forest and brush land near seismograph station. Samoa Broadbill (Myiagia albiventris) a few were noted near the seismograph station in heavy forest or along the road. Scarlet Robin (Petroica multicolor) very common near seismograph station in heavy forest. Squeak out into open easily. Samoa Whistler (Pachycephala flavifrons) abundant in the heavy forest - cloud and rain, but difficult to approach. Polynesian Starling (Aplonis tabi?ensis) only a few of these were seen in heavy forest near the seismograph station. Samoa Starling (Aplonis atrifuscus) seen in small groups, visually lower down near the coast, scarce up high. Mao (Gymnoyza samoensis) an adult and bob-tailed juvenile were seen below the seismograph station. Wattled Honey-eater (Foulebraio carunculata) only a few seen along heavy rain forest below seismograph station. Cardinal Honey-eater (Myzomela cardinalis) fairly common from coastal to heavy cloud forest. Red-headed Parrot finch (Erythrura cyanovurens) only two seen, an adult ♂ and a juvenile ♂ collected near the seismograph station in grassy brushy fields. In addition, the Red-vented Bulbul, (Pycnonotus cafes) was observed in Gpia. February 23 - Pago Pago, American Samoa, 13-16S; 170-47W Leave Pago Pago at noon. Very numerous flocks of Fairy Terns and Common Noddy Terns all day. Total of 904 birds - mostly RFB, CNT and FT.-Shear-pets, except for a few dark Wedgetails, practically non-existent. February 24 - Swains Is. 11-22S-171-10W - 10-06S-171-37W Numbers dropped off, most birds around Swains Island - mostly Noddy Terns

R.S. Crossin 1966 24 February Swain's Island (cont.) 190, 20 Fairy terns. Total birds = 225. Only 3 Sooty Terns noted, none yesterday. A few dark Wedgetails - Shear-Pet almost non-existent. 8-155; 172-23W - - - 6-17S; 173-18W 25 February - Only 90 birds today. 71 of them Sooty terns, more variety showing up finally - few Petrels, few White-rumped Storm Petrels and pair of Jaegers. Only 2 flocks, both traveling, and both composed of purely sooty terns. 4-25 S; 174-17W - - - 2-37S; 175-23W 26 February - Numbers increased considerably today - 211 total. 100+ terns, many White-rumped Storm Petrels, and a few White-throated. Some of the White-throated were intermediate phase with just patches of white along flanks and a few mere completely dark phase. Ran nocturnal from midnight to sunrise, only 2 birds. 27 February - Southern Grid-Baker to Howland. 0-52 S; 176-21W to How. Birds very numerous about the islands. Total of 698 - 580 of them Sooty terns. Numerous small to medium - sized feeding and traveling flocks. Ca 5,000 Sooty terns swirling over Howland, but none on the ground as yet. About 15-20 were noted on the beach as we landed. 44 terns seen on all night observations. 28 February - ? NE Howland. 1-15 N; 175-26 W - 0-14 N; 176 - 30 W. Numbers dropped off considerably away from the islands. 165 total - 100 terns, 42 storm Petrels, 11 Leach's collected so must assume that the vast majority of White-rumped Storm Petrels are Leach's. Few Terns upon reaching the islands and very few on Noc - ? - from Baker to Howland - 1 March - Howland Island - 1-20 N; 177-28W Very few birds west of the islands - total 139. Only 41 Sooty Terns - no feeding' flights. 49 Bulwers Petrels - 3 collected - all new flight feathers, new body feathers with a light body molt. Most appeared to be migrating with general direction from NE to SE. All night observations held - total 8 birds. 2 March - 1-49 N; 176-20W - 0-29 W; 177-31 W numbers picked up some today - mainly Sooty Terns in feeding flocks - total 191?, 132 St. All night observations = 12. 3 March 0-16 S; 177-26W - 012; 176-11W Ran an oil slick in the afternoon but few birds came. Storm Petrels fairly numerous throughout day - 29 total, 3 Leach's collected - all night observations = 26 birds. Diurnal ? = 120 4 March - 0-13 N; 176-23W - - 1-07 S; 176 - 29 W Mostly storm Petrels today = 35, 2 Leach's coll. only 83 birds total. All night observations accounted for 40. 5 March - 1-03 S; 176-27W --- 0-00; 175-12W Last day in ? #5. Very few birds. Total of 34, 15 of these WRSP, 2 Leach's collected. Only 7 Sooty Terns sighted. Left ? at SS. 6 March - 1-03 S; 173-44 W - - - 2-11 S; 173 - 27 W 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. There are most likely Phoenix Island birds. reached Canton Island about midnight.

SG started typing from here on.

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.

R.S. Crossin 1966 SIC 11 March 13 - Christmas Island Entire party went out in rubber raft to Motu Tabu. Banded ca. 700 Christmas Island Shearwaters, Phoenix Island Petrels and wedge-tails in combination. Wedge tails were primarily digging new burrows. The Phoenix Island Petrels had fresh eggs up to full grown chicks and nested mainly under clumps of vines and dense bushes and under sheltered Messerschmidia trees, as did Christmas Island Shearwaters which ranged through same stage of nesting. A few Red-tailed Tropic- birds with eggs and/or chicks were noted. Fairy Terns abundant - eggs to young, mainly in the Messerschmidia trees. Hawaiian Noddy Terns - eggs through chicks, nests built mainly in Messerschmidia trees of leaves of same tree. Common Noddy Terns - eggs through chicks, no nests built - the eggs laid on bare spots on to the ground, usually under dense Messerschmidia. Banded Sooty Tern chicks and adults in the colony on south end of island during the night. Intermittent rain squalls seriously hampered work. March 14 - Party went out to Cook Island about mid day. The Sooty Tern colony was just finishing a nesting cycle. About 500 adults were sitting on the ground, but only about 10 full grown flying chicks were present. A few Crested Tern chicks were scattered about - 1/2 - 3/4 grown. A few Blue-gray Noddies appeared to be nesting. Fairy Terns were especially abundant in all the gringing Messerschmidia trees. Common Noddy and Hawaiian Noddy Terns present in low numbers and nesting. Banded Sooty Tern chicks and adults on the N end of the island (before PMR) from [illegible]. Roughly 7000 banded in combination. Chicks ranged from half to tull grown. Colony of ca. 150-200,000 birds. Cats are very abundant here as elsewhere in the vicinity of colonies and are taking a great toll of chicks. Finished banding after 0300 and broke camp and returned to Shearwater. March 15 - 2-30N; 157-36W - 4-35N; 157-32W First day N Christmas - numerous birds - 1210 total. Dark wedge tails very common - 345 total. Most WT going N or NW throughout A.M. Many returning S. during P.M. Very large feeding flock at dusk (1750). Phoenix Island Petrels common throughout day - 25. Sooty Terns very abundant - 720. Most birds string out traveling, except when in large flocks (feeding). Red-footed Boobies common in flocks up to dark. Probably the vast majority of the days total were birds based on Xmas Is. or others in the Line group. March 16 - 6-34N; 157-30W - 8-36N; 157-31W Considerable number of birds observed, but practically all confined to 3 flocks. Total of 459 birds, 418 in 3 flocks. Flocks composed of Sooty Terns and Wedgetails. One flock with 200 wedge tails were 90 percent light birds, so apparently represent northern populations. A few Juan Fernandez and Phoenix Island/tabit Petrels about, Storm Petrels have dropped off drastically since Xmas Island. Seas continue very rough and hinder collecting as spray shoots over the bow and it becomes impossible to stand watches from there. March 17 - 10-39N; 157-33W - 12-36N; 157-39W Seas quite rough, wind strong - very few birds. A total of 41, mostly Sooty Terns in 2 flocks (33). Only 9 sightings over entire day.

R.S. Crossin 1966 Journal SIC 11 14 March X-mas Party went out to Cook Island about mid-day. The Sooty tern colony was just finishing a nesting cycle. About 500 adults were sitting on the ground, but only about 10 full grown, flying chicks were present. A few Crested Tern. Chicks were scattered about - 1/2 - 3/4 grown. A few Blue-grey Noddies appeared to be nesting. Fairy Terns were especially abundant in all the fringing Messerschmidia trees. Common Noddy and Hawaiian Noddy Terns present in low numbers and nesting. Banded Sooty Tern chicks and adults on the N end of the island (before PUR) from London. Roughly 7,000 banded in combination chicks here ranged from half- to full grown - Colony of ca. 150-200,000 birds. Cats are very abundant here as elsewhere in the vicinity of ______? and are taking a great toll of chicks. Finished banding after 0300 and broke camp and returned to Shearwater. 15 March - 2-30 N; 157-36 W - 4-35 N; 157-32W First day N. X-mas, numerous birds - 1210 total. dark Wedgetails very common - 345 total. Most WT going N or NW throughout A.M., many returning S. during P.M. Very large feeding flock at dusk (1750) Phoenix Island Petrels common throughout day 25. Sooty terns very abundant - 720. Most birds strung out traveling, except when in large flocks (feeding). Red-footed Boobies common in flocks up to dark. Probably the vast majority of the days' total were birds based on Xmas Id. - or others in the Line group. 16 March - 6-34 N; 157 - 30 W - - - 8-36 N; 157 - 31 W Considerable number of birds observed, but practically all confined to 3 flocks. Total of 459 birds, 418 in 3 flocks. Flocks composed of Sooty terns and Wedge- tails. One flock with 200 Wedgetails were 90% light birds, so apparently represent northern populations. A few Juan Fernandez and Phoenix Is./tahitian Petrels about, Storm Petrels have dropped off drastically since Xmas Island. Seas continue very rough and hinder collecting as spray shoots over the bow and it becomes impossible to stand watches from there. 17 March - 10-39 N; 157-33 W --- 12-36 N; 157 - 39 W Seas quite rough, wind strong. Very few birds. A total of 41, mostly Sooty Terns in 2 flocks (33). Only 9 sightings over entire day. 18 March - 14 - 40 N; 157-49 W - - - 16-52 N; 157-47 W Seas again very rough. Could not collect, supposedly because starboard engine controls were ready to break, but without doubt reason in activity was crew and Capt - alike - have chammel fever. 10 Phalaropes?/ Sanderlings. sighted but of course could not collect any. Appear to be Red Phalaropes, but uncertain until one is collected. 30 Sooty terns for a total of 44 birds. 19 March - 19-00N; 157-42 W - 20-58 N; 158-57 W Day similar to yesterday. Total of 45 birds few more petrels, 1 Sooty/slender bill; and possibly 1 mottled Petrel. 2 Phalarope sp. again today. Arrive Honolulu about 8-830 tonight. 2 Black-footed Albatrosses started following ship today.

R.S. Crossin 1966 7 March - 2-33 S; 171-12 W - - 2-01 S; 169 - 31 W 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. 8 March - 1-25 S; 167-49 W - - 0 - 56 S; 166 - 13 W Total 64 birds, mostly Sooty tern in one flock (42). One Sooty collected - banded Enderbury 65. Probably this is the NW limits of Phoenix Island Group birds ranging way out. Mostly quiet all afternoon. 9 March - 0-19 S; 164-32 W - - 0 - 19 N; 162-53W Slow day as would be expected this far from any islands. 89 birds - mostly Sooty tern (36) and Storm Petrels (White-rumped - 29) 2 of which were Leach's collected. 10 March - 1 - 00 N; 161 - 07 W - - 1 - 25 N; 159 - 33 W Total number of birds not unusually high, 181, considering the numbers of band, 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 Harcourt's Storm Petrel. The majority are unquestionably Leach's - 3 collected. Due to arrive at Christmas at daybreak. 11 March - Christmas Island Arrived on Island about 0930. Mr. Wardell was off on the ? 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 mi from London 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 mi from London 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 Opua. Phoenix Island Petrels with everything from fresh eggs to grown chicks. 12 March - X-mas 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 7,600 between chicks and adults. 13 March - Christmas Island Entire party went out in rubber raft to Moto Tabu. Banded ca. 700 Christmas Island Shearwaters. Phoenix Island Petrels and Wedgetails in combination. Wedgetails were primarily digging new burrows. The Phoenix Island Petrels had fresh eggs up to full grown chicks and nested mainly under clumps of vines and dense bushes and under sheltered Messerschmidia trees, as did Christmas Island Shearwaters which ranged through same stages of nesting. A few Red-tailed Tropicbirds with eggs and/or chicks were noted. Fairy terns abundant - eggs to young, mainly in the Messerschmidia trees. Hawaiian Noddy Terns - eggs through chicks, nests built mainly in Messerschmidia trees of leaves of same tree. Common Noddy Terns - eggs ? chicks, no nests built - the eggs laid on bare nets on the ground, usually under dense Messerschmidia. Banded Sooty Tern chicks and adults in the colony on south end of island, during the night. Intermittent rain squalls seriously hampered work.

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R.S. Crossin 1966 SIC 11 March 18 - 14-40N; 157-49W - 16-52N; 157-47W Seas again very rough. Could not collect, supposedly because starboard engine controls were ready to break, but without doubt reason in actuality was crew and Capt. alike have channel fever. 10 Phalaropes ?/ Sanderlings sighted but of course could not collect any. Appear to be Red Phalaropes, but uncertain until one is collected. Thirty Sooty Terns for a total of 44 birds. March 19 - 19-00N; 157-42W - 20-58N; 158-57W Day similar to yesterday. Total of 45 birds few more petrels, 1 Sooty/ Slenderbill, and possibly 1 Mottled Petrel, 2 Phalapes sp. again today. Arrive Honolulu about 8-8:30 tonight. Two Black-footed Albatrosses started following ship today.

R.S. Crossin 1966 = 190, 20 Fairy Terns. Total birds - 225. Only 3 Sooty Terns noted, none yesterday. A few dark Wedgetails - shear-pet almost non existant. February 25 - 8-15S; 172-23W - 6-17S; 173-18W Only 90 birds today - 71 of them Sooty Terns. More variety showing up finally - few Petrels, few White-rumped Storm Petrels and pair of Jaegers. Only 2 flocks, both traveling, and both composed of purely Sooty Terns. February 26 - 4-25S; 174-17W - 2-37S; 175-23W Numbers increased considerably today - 211 total, 100+ terns, many White- rumped Storm Petrels, and a few White-throated. Some of the white-throated were intermediate phase with just patches of white along flanks and a few were completely dark phase. Ran nocturnal from midnight to sunrise, only 2 birds. February 27 - Southern Grid - Baker to Howland - 0-52S; 176-21W to How. Birds very numerous about the islands. Total of 698 - 580 of them Sooty Terns. Numerous small to medium sized feeding and traveling flocks. Ca. 5,000 Sooty Terns swirling over Howland, but none on the ground as yet. About 15-20 were noted on the beach as we landed. 44 terns seen on all night observations. February 28 - NE Howland - 1-15N; 175-26W - 0-14N; 176-30W Numbers dropped off considerably away from the islands, - 165 total - 100 terns, 42 Storm Petrels, 11 Leachs collected, so must assume that the vast majority of White-rumped Storm Petrels are Leachs'. Few terns upon reaching the islands and very few on Noc - or from Baker to Howland. March 1 - Howland Island - 1-20N; 177-28W Very few birds west of the islands. Total 139. Only 41 Sooty Terns - no feeding flocks, 49 Bulwers Petrels - 3 collected - all new flight feathers, new body feathers with a light body molt. Most appeared to be migrating with general direction from NE to SE. All night observations held - total 8 birds. March 2 - 1-49N; 176-20W - 0-29N; 177-31 W Numbers picked up some today - mainly Sooty Terns in feeding flocks - total 191, 132 ST. All night observations= 12. March 3 - 0-16S; 177-26W - 012; 176-11W Ran an oil slick in the afternoon but few birds came. Storm Petrels fairly numerous throughout day - 29 total, 3 Leachs' collected. All night observations = 26 birds. Diurnal total = 120. March 4 - 0-13N; 176-23W - 1-07S; 176-29W Mostly Storm Petrels today = 35, 2 Leach's collected. Only 83 birds total. All night observations accounted for 40. March 5 - 1-03S; 176-27W - 0-00; 175-12W Last day in SG # 5 - very few birds - total of 34, 15 of these WRSP, 2 Leachs collected. Only 7 Sooty Terns sighted. Left Grid at SS.