AREA B 17-21 February 1968 This area is one of low bird density with a very high (85 percent) proportion of storm petrels. AREA C The North Equatorial Current System 22-24 February, 5 April 1968 This area comprises the North Equatorial Current and its counter- current. Bird densities are higher than in areas to the north and south. About equal numbers of shearwaters, petrels, storm petrels, and terns occupy this area. This was the only area with significant numbers of large petrels. AREA D South Equatorial Current 25-27 February, 24-25, 28 March, 3-4 April 1968 This area is much like area B with very low bird densities and a high (84 percent) proportion of storm petrels. AREA E Zone between South Equatorial Current and Central Pacific Water Mass 28 February, 14-16 March, 20-23 March 1968 This is an area of water-mix, with patches of water having varying salinities and temperatures. It has very high bird densities and the largest concentration of Sooty Terns recorded for the trip. AREA F Central Pacific Water Mass 29 February to 13 March 1968 This area has a very low bird density. Sooty Terns were the most abundant species, but almost equal numbers of shearwater/petrels, storm petrels and tropicbirds were present. AREA G Galapagos Islands Area 17, 19, 26 March 1968 The Galapagos Islands' birds, chiefly the Galapagos Storm Petrel.and the Swallow-tailed Gull, predominate in this area. AREA H Coastal 6-8 April 1968, Boobies (84 percent) are predominant in this southern coastal area. SPECIES ACCOUNTS Only those species for which there is additional information are included. For the others see the Tables by area. WEDGE-TAILED SHEARWATER One dark phase collected All Wedge-tailed Shearwaters seen south of the equator (except two near the Galapagos) were dark phase birds, indicating that these are birds breeding in southern islands, probably the Marquesas. Birds seen north of the equator were almost evenly divided between dark and light phase, with a few more light phase than dark. Most of these birds were observed in the high bird density areas of the equatorial currents.