R.S. Corwin Journal SIC 14 1866 55 19 July 1-105; 1772-17 al To Howland Island Bird numbers low again today in SW Sector. Total 276, mostly Soft Tern 242. Only 8 small flocks amounting to 207 birds. 20 July. Howland to —— To Howland Is. Birds picked up tremendously Today as grid lag was run NW of Baker Island and ca 15 miles to S. Total 1457; mostly Soft Tern 1353, 6 Blue-streaked Soft Tern, 1 Brown Booby and 1 Blue- facial Booby were noted, Banded on Howland again tonight. 21 July. From a day between Howland → Baker → Howland today. Had Shift in 470 a short time (1230 - 1410) about Baker, Collecting 27 birds. 3 Banded and 1 banded and three Streaky Soft Tern were collected. 5 Blue-streaked Softies and 1 Red- facial Booby and 1 Blue-facial Booby were seen. Banded on Howland again until 0230. Left Island at 0245. Returned all night (what was left of it) and netted only 12 birds. 22 July Last day in Southern Grid. Total of 1069 birds most of these in flocks. (855). Frigate, mostly lesser, were numerous as many Soft Terns. 3-095; 174-34W —— 3-355; 174-08W 23 July Seas very rough due to arrive at McKean at 1100. Very few birds between, Baker & McKean. Struck ca 1115 - hit the beach at 1345. No bird problem although it was high, Soft Tern shore failed for some reason. Slip entire W beach side of the island R.S. Corwin Journal SIC 14 1866 56 23 July McKean Island Had ½ to ¾ incubated eggs which had been deserted and were mainly in various stages of sitting. appeared to be less than 1/3 of batch. These few young were from hatching to 1/4 grown being attacked by the few gulls throughout the entire west side. On Chumpy Side (s) flocks The birds seemed to hand somewhat better Quarters and in areas around the Stone walls on the side, small grouping of Softies were found either on eggs or attacking small chicks. There was no apparent reason for desertion. Of the vast numbers of eggs laying about throughout his years belt on the west side. Some eggs were found around the north and east sides of the island and a few small colonies Still in incubating in the Sids or the N side and around the lagoon. Some of these are oddly, small groups of 10 - 12 pairs, isolated by hundreds of birds from the rest birds. Due to the full moon for most of the night, birds were almost impossible to band in any number. Softies roosting in groups of up to 5000 about the lagoon were very jumpy and all would rise as soon as we entered the edge of the group. Almost the entire night of 23 was spent in collecting 200 Blue- Gemples (blue-faced Boobies), Lesser Frigate and a few Softies. Survey work, nest count, & population estimates made throughout the day - Banking performed at night. Strid, jumped out after completion. Left Shortly after daylight 25.