R.S. Brown Gray-backed tern 1868 McKean Island 24 Oct. A colony of ca. 3000 birds are situated with fine coral rubble on E side of island Directly opposite ramp. There are an estimate 70% heavily incubated eggs with estimated 30% or fresh eggs, primarily in the N edge. No chicks there in this particular colony. 25 Oct. Colony of ca. 2000 as on ave. slightly incubated egg between the circular NW walls and the large central complex of walls. Another colony of ca. 400 as on way slighter by incubates stage 2 and slightly incubated eggs. Flisten was performed on 40 eggs in the above two colonies as follows. Fr. 1 VSE 1. 5 VSE 2. 13 SE 18 ME 3 40 Considerable variation is presented in a single stone indicating that all birds do not settle at one time. They are possibly a steady, slow trickling in of birds in any particular colony which is why we can often find flying immatures in a colony amidst birds incubating fresh eggs. However, in fact, there are very few young about the island at this time. I have on occasion noted a few half-flying immatures, and very rarely (4-5) small medium downy chicks— These commonly in the N end of the island, and at night often listening for 30 nights. R.S. Brown Gray-backed tern 1868 Wicken, Island 25 Oct. right. A clink on S rocky beach crest ca. 400 with fresh egg + ca. 10 Large flybydzyng to flying formation. This is new egg laying since 3-4 days ago when I last went through this line Checking Brown Backed tern. A bit further east on the S end is a colony of ca. 2000 birds with SDY and 5-10 eggs around the periphery which were very fresh. Also a few (ca. 5) flying immatures which shows this colony has been occupied my lady (a slightly pregnant?) for some time. An estimated 1000 birds roosting along SE - SW shorelines of bayon. An occasional pair has eggs at the very edge of bayon or seaweed. 27 Oct. ca. 600 adults with ca. 200 eggs of slight incubation, and a handful (ca. 20-25) large flying young are situated along the rocky crest on N end of island.