Rd Crossin 1966 Journal - SIC 14 65 Opolu Island, Western Samoa 30-31 July 1 Aug. Maq - Gymnomyza samoensis Seen on previous trips in heavy rain forest - not noted during the present survey. Wattled Honey-eater Foulebaia caniculata: Common to abundant in all types of habitat from coastal to cloud forest. Usually in pairs or small groups - feed regularly in low vegetation or in the lower to mid strata of tall trees. Noisy. Cardinal Honey-eater Myzomela cardinalis Very abundant in all types of habitat from coastal to cloud forest. Most often seen in dense lower vegetation, but goes into tall trees whose ever flowers are present. FB seem to be more in abundance, but Pulmonaria agrees with this. I would guess FB are more abundant with due consideration that the deals & would be less likely seen. Red-headed Parrot-finch Erythrum C. cyanos Common in the higher reaches of the rainforest and in cloud forest. Most abun- dant in grassy areas. Flies through the low vegetation and often escapes detection. Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer Common in all settled areas and in low elevations in the plantations of Coffee, Cocoa and Banana. Very ramming in posture, general behaviour odd cells besides color, shape etc., 2 Plainly platy Others apparently mating - hopping up a bank sideways, culling & raising crests to sitting? noted on two occasions. 66 Apis - Western Samoa 2 Aug. Shuffled the 0630 flight back to Pago, arrived 0715 - left Pago at 0800, Tutuila To 13-02S ; 170-48 W 2 Aug. Common Robbids abundant N. of Samoa, Fairy Terns and Red-footed Boobies also present in good numbers. As usual Fairy Terns completely absent in this area. White-tailed Tropicbirds strongly very low in number (7). We must go to Swains Island again to drop supplies. I voiced my displeasure to the captain that this forgetting to be a bad habit. 11-06S ; 171-05W - 10-16S ; 170-16W 3 Aug. Arrived Swains near daylight, surveyed the island. Collected a few skins: 3 Red Zealand Cuckoo, 3 Wandering Tattler, a few Golden Monarch, 1 Fairy Tern. Island appeared the same as all respect so last trip except for one striking chance concerning 2 species. During the present survey Common Robbids and Fairy Terns were almost completely absent from the island. During last previous survey they were extremely abundant - numbering into the thousands, breeding and appearing for all practical purposes - resident birds. Why both species should desert the island is a complete mystery to me at this time - I had always thought that Fairy Terns at least were resident in their island numbers on their southern islands throughout the year. Page has suggested that its large numbers seen on previous cruise were possible birds from the north. Most of both species appeared to be breeding on previous visits however.