Red-billed Tropicbird # Obs. = 6 This is the highest number recorded during any survey to date, and probably represents postbreeding dispersion from breeding localities to the south. In August Red-billed Tropicbirds were present around San Clemente and I suspect the southern Channel Islands vicinity is acting as a sub- sidiary distribution center at this time. Four birds were recorded in Section 6, the closest Grid area to San Clemente and San Nicolas; and two birds were recorded from the adjacent Section 5. Duck sp. (Pintail?) # Obs. = 42 Two flocks of about 20 each and two sightings of individuals were made in the northern third of the Grid. None of the sightings were seen well but were suspected to be Pintails. Birds showed only a moderate de- gree of attraction to the ship. Black Turnstone (Arenaria melanocephala) # Obs. = 2 One bird was seen near Pt. "Ash." A second bird was identified by call in Section 1. Marbled Godwit (Limosa pedoa) # Obs. = 1 The single sighting (17 September, Section 5) was noted as being a thin individual. It made no attempt to land on the ship. Pectoral Sandpiper (Erolia melanotus) # Obs. = 5 (1 collected) A group of three birds was seen in the western extremity of the center section (subdivision 4), and two individuals were recorded in the eastern extremity of the central section (subdivision 6). A bird was col- lected at sunset of the 17th as it hovered close to the helicopter deck. Red Phalarope Phalarope sp. # Obs. = 13 # Obs. = 4 Total = 17 - | + + | ++ ++ + | ++ + - | + + - | + + | + - - | 0 0 | + 0 | 0 0 - - | + + | 0 | - - | 0 | 0 0 | 0 | - EGS # 10 11 12 13 # Obs. (total Phalaropes) 48 260 81 17 The apparent decrease of this bird on the Grid presents an interest- ing problem. The relatively high numbers found on E.G.S. in July and August were largely associated with slicks and kelp patches in Sections 2 and 3. These oceanographic features have gradually dispersed or moved