-2- ITINERARY 19 February 1968 1900 (+7 time) Depart San Diego, California 23 February 1630 Arrive Manzanillo, Colima, Mex. 25 February 1900 Depart " " " 30 March 0330 Arrive " " " 31 March 0900 Depart " " " 5 April 0800 Arrive San Diego, California. The following report summarizes bird and marine mammal observations conducted aboard the R/V DAVID STARR JORDAN during EASTROPAC Monitor Cruise No. 76 conducted by the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries for the purpose of tuna research. During the period 19 February through 5 April 1968, 269.2 hours of diurnal observations were conducted over a distance of 1996 nau- tical miles and 4,589 sea birds were recorded. Excellent cooperation and assistance were received from both Dr. Thomas (Cruise Leader) and the scientific personnel and from Captain Forster and the ship's personnel. Their time and assistance given to launching and operation of the skiff are directly responsible for the successful bird collecting activities performed during this cruise. The cruise track extended from San Diego along coastal Baja California to Manzanillo, Colima, on the Mexican mainland where the ship refueled, and thence to a point offshore Acapulco, Guerrero, where oceanographic studies were initiated. From Acapulco the cruise extended to 105° longitude and thence southward on this line to 20° S latitude. The original cruise plan, designed for a return north along 98° longitude, was changed and a return north via 112° longitude was made. This latter cruise leg was originally designed for the R/V THOMAS WASHINGTON, but serious illness to a crewman aboard that ship required that a run be made to the Galapagos. The WASH- INGTON presumably conducted survey work along the 98° longitude line after departing the Galapagos. Except for a span between 20° S- 105°W to 10° S- 112° W, oceanographic work was continuous aboard the JORDAN until return to Manzanillo. METHODS Bird observations were primarily conducted only while the ship was underway between stations. Some observation time was spent while in the skiff during station time and these data are included in the total. Ob- servations were made from the flying bridge which afforded the best poss- ible view of the surrounding ocean. As Harrington pointed out in the Oct.- Dec. 1967 cruise report, continuous binocular observation for one person is impossible and birds were primarily spotted with the naked eye, with subsequent glassing for identification aid.