Ely, Charles A., 1963-1964

December 3, 1963 Dr. Charles A. Ely 1 of 2 Warm - calm seas but big swells, scattered clouds; light wind. 1100 - commenced observations 1117 - jaeger sp. 1 SE 128 - black-footed albatross 2 SW frigate ♀ 1 SW 1129 - brown booby Im. 1 N 1131 - frigate 1 E 1155 - black-footed albatross 2 1216 - " " " 3 SE 1230 - wedge-tail 1 N 1235 - brown booby (1 ad, 1 imm) 2 1237 - wedge-tail (Imm) 1 (see later summary) 1238 - black -footed albatross 3 1241 - pomarine jaeger 1 SE 1241,- frigate ♀ 1 1256 - pomarine jaeger 2 E 1259 - " " 1 ∇ 1315 - " " 1 W 1319 - " " 1 W 1324 - black-footed albatross 1 NW - following ship 1351 - pomarine jaeger 1 1336 - " " 2 1357 - black-footed albatross 1 1359 - pomarine jaeger 1 NW 1404 - black-footed albatross 4

Dr. Charles A. Ely December 3, 1963 2 1412 - wedgetail ? 1 1412 - black-footed albatross 3 1427 - wedgetail. 1 (see later summary) 1428 - " 1 " " " 1430 - " 1 " " " 1438 - pomarine jaeger 2 NW 1448 - bottle-nosed dolphin (David Acr) - 110 counted, 200 est. first northwest then south. All black - constantly jumping out of water straight up, coming down sharply on abdomen. 1453 - Pomarine jaeger 2 1514 - masked booby 1 NE 1514 - Wedgetail 1-------prob. same bird (see summary) black-footed albatrosses 8 following ship 1529 -pomarine jaeger - 4 circling aft. black-footed albatrosses 7 following ship pomarine jaegers 5 " " wedgetail 4 " " 1600 - black-footed albatross - 1 - collected on land line 1619 - wedgetail (see summary later) E' 1630 - Pomarine jaeger 3 1648 - Following birds on water or in air off fantail Pomarine jaeger - 6 Shearwater (wedgetail) - 5 Black-footed Albatrosses - 13 1700 - Wedgetail 13 - sitting and circling stern. 1703 - pomarine jaeger 8

Charles A. Ely December 3, 1963 3 1708 - Pomarine Jaeger 4 1755 - black-footed albatross - caught on hook and line. banded 737-45001 20° 48' N - 158° 52' W 1800 - flock of birds has been around fantail for some time. Observations made from here: Maximum number at 1 time: Black-footed albatross - 12 (+2 collected) Pomarine Jaeger - 12 Wedge-tailed Shearwater (Imm.?) - 7 These Wedge-tails were apparently immatures and are the same that we were calling "New Zealand ?". We saw pink feet and legs (1 was banded W K) and Wedge-tails. The wing coverts and back feathers have light edges and this gave the strongly contrasted upper parts which we had called New Zealand ? (We saw some birds within 50 feet). The Albatross and jaegers collected at garbage - Wedgetails were also attracted (by other birds?) but did not all light near or apparently feed on garbage. 1829 - secured bird watch. Three albatrosses were caught on hand line. The birds flew into the line snagled it around a wing and were then pulled aboard the ship. They did not take the bait offered. Released bird flew (apparently) O. K.

Charles A. Ely December 3, 1963 (20° 48.5' N - 158° 52' W) Specimens 1 of 1 Diomedea nigripes--FNO435. Captured by Bob Fleet with a hand line from YAG 39 at 1775. ♀ - ovary 30/ 1¼ mm; 1. ova - 15 mm. weight 6 lbs. (about 2100 gms). data by Bratley skin by Ely. Heavy fat. Soft parts colors - iris dark brown; legs black; bill light brown, black at base and hooks grayish black. Gape pink in middle, blue at edges and toward throat. Molt - fresh plumage. (20° 56' N - 158° 33' W) Diomedea nigripes FNO434. Captured by Bob Fleet with a hand line from YAG 39 at 1600. ♂ testes 26 X 17 mm. weight 7 lbs (about 3200 gm.) heavy fat. data and skin by Bratley. Soft part colors - iris dark brown; legs black; bill light brown, black at base and hooks gray black. gape pink in middle, blue at edges and toward throat. Molt - fresh plumage. December 4, 1963 1 of 2 Day was warm with very little wind - from partly cloudy to clear with deep swells but almost no waves. 0630 - observations began. 0636 - black - footed ablatross 2 - following ship 0644 - Sooty Tern 1 - S 0648 - Wedgetail 3 following astern 0652 - frigate 1 E 0704 - wedgetails 5 follwing astern

Charles A. Ely December 4, 1963 0710 - wedgetails 1 0722 wedgetail 1 0729 - Sooty Tern 1 Feeding in large school (300 yards x Fairy Tern 1 200 yards) of fish 5 -8" - not flying fish Wedgetail 2 however. 0741 - Sooty Tern - 2 NE 0743 - Wedgetail 1 0753 - Wedgetail 2 E 0758 - Sooty Tern 2 N 0758 - White Tern 2 N - diving Shearwater 2 0759 - Wedgetail 1 NW 0804 - White tern 1 N 0812 - Wedgetail 1 N 0825 - " 1 NE 0827 - " 2 S 0831 - " 1 NE 0835 White terns 12 Sooty Tern 3 Wedgetails 4 Large booby sp.? 1 NE actively feeding flock with much diving. 0842 - Shearwater - 1 SE 0844 - Wedgetail - 2 SW 0846 - Black-footed Albatross - 1 SE Now total of three at fantail

Charles A. Ely 1963, December 4 6 0852 - wedgetail - 1 0855 - " 1 097 - Sooty Tern 1 S 0915 - Frigate (Imm.) 1 NE 0930 Sooty Tern 14 Feeding flock, actively diving White Tern 1 Saw fish jumping but no flying Brown Booby (ad.) 1 NE fish seen. Frigate (Imm.) 1 Wedgetail - 8 0935+ - Black-footed Albatross 1 Momentarily joined flock. 0944 - Sooty Tern 1 NE 0958 - Harcourt's Storm Petrel 1 B? Just off bow 1009 - " " " 2 SW flying off port 100-300 yards with ship. 1010 - Wedgetail - 2 1021 Wedgetail 1 1036 - Now only 1 Albatross off fantail 1039 - " " 2 " " " 1101 - White Tern - 5 SE 1101 - Wedgetail - 1 NE 115 - Now three Albatross at fantail 1205 - White-tailed Tropicbird - 1 SE 1218 - Wedgetail 2 S 1235 - Black-footed Albatross captured on hand line and banded 737-45002. 20° 05' N - 161° 57' W

Charles A. Ely 1963, December 4 7 1300 - Red-tailed Tropicbird - 1 NE 1341 - Shearwater 1 Se 1355 - Japanese White Eye ? 42 S 1413 - White-necked Petrel 1 W 1425 Booby sp. ? 1 Pterodroma sp. 1 Wedge-tail 1 S Black-footed Albatross 1 loose flock? 1449 - Bonin Petrel 1 NE 1450 - " " 1 NE 1513- Red-footed (?) Booby 1 N 1522 - Wedge-tail 1 N 1545 - Japanese white eye 1 S - Heard call - circled ship twice at close range, once flying over low. 1635 - Black-footed Albatross - 2 off fantail 1650 - None seen off fantail 1652 - Red-footed Booby - 1 SW (Imm) 1700 - Black-footed Albatross 1 SW 1712 - Wedgetail - 1 SW 1715 - Red-footed Booby - 1 SW ( probably same bird for an hour - see later) 1722 - White-necked Petrel - 1 NE 1725 - Wedgetail 1 SW 1736 - Wedgetail 1 SW 1736 - Pterodroma sp. 1 Wedgetail 1 NE around fantail

Charles A. Ely December 4, 1963 1745 - Wedgetail - 5 1746 - Red-footed Booby - 1 probably same as 1715 1801 - Bonin Petrel 1 NE 1801 - Shearwater / Petrel 1 SN Wedgetail 2 N 1823 - Shearwater 1 SE 1824 - Harcourt's Storm Petrel 1 NE - 20-30 yards off starboard 1824 - Red-footed Booby 1 SW (see later) 1833 - Wedgetail 1 NE 1840 - Red-footed Booby 1 NE 1850 - Secured bird watch. It has been very difficult today to determine the actual number of birds seen. For example from 1 to 3 Albatrosses were near the ship most of the day yet I have no idea how many birds were actually represented. The evening Red-footed Booby records probably all refer to the same bird. It was kept in sight for many minutes at a time. Even the Wedgetails seemed to follow the ship more frequently and more consistently than usual. We wonder whether the presence of the albatrosses might not attract other birds to the fantail area and perhaps encourage them to remain near the ship. The wedgetails were again "immature" birds- contrastingly marked on the back - again we saw both typical wedgetail flight and our so called "practice flights". Most birds flopped more than usual and often with a very light wing tip (almost a flutter). One bird was seen soaring at least 50 ft. above the waterwith albatrosses. No "real adults" observed yet.

Charles A. Ely December 5, 1963 Bob and Warren were told by Captain NOT to collect today because he didn't wat to stop. ETA - Pearl - now 1530 on 18th. Weather - Warm too hot with little wind - deep swells but very few waves. Partly couldy to clear. Slight increase in wind near dusk. 0630 - Observations began - too dark to see birds. 0647 - Sooty Tern 1 ? heard calling near ship 0735 - Red-footed Booby - 1 W. (Imm.) 0730 - Japanese White eye - two on ship (collected) - according to one of the chiefs these birds came aboard last night just before dusk (0730±) 0844 - Red-footed Booby - 1 NE 1008 - Red-tailed Tropicbird 1 ENE 1018 - Whale - 1 - 100 yards to starboard - 20 feet blow (currier). 1028 - Red-footed Booby - 1 N 1105 White-necked Petrel - 1 SE 1110 - 1 Petrel/shearwater 1 SE 1125 - 1 Wedgetail 1 SE 1147 - Dark Petrel or/ shearwater 1 SE 1206 Brown Booby - WSW (Imm.) 1322 - Harcourt's Storm Petrel - 1 ENE 1448 - " " " 1 WSW 1522 " " " 2 NW Pterodroma (?) 1 SE 1533 - Harlcourt's Storm Petrel - 1 NE 1606 - Petrel sp? or storm petrel ? or shearwater ? 1 SE Low over water - 300 yards across bow - well seen - small - storm petrel size but with thin term-like pointed wings - body dark? Underwing

Charles A. Ely December 5, 1963 10 white with black edges like Bonin Island Petrel erratic fast wing beats like a chimmey swift, interspersed with level glides - didn't look loke Bonin Island Petrel wings held stiffer than storm petrel - dorsal surface all dark incl. rump. ventral surface of body? - (W. R.) I didn't see bird .. Warren now thinks it as Audubon Shearwater. 1623 - Whale - 1 - 2000 yards starboard - broke surface twice (currier). 1628 - Wedgetail - 1 SE 1628 - Harcourt's Storm Petrel 1 SE 1724 - Wedgetail - 1 SE 1728 - " 1 SE 1850 - Secured bird watch. Were told today that we could shoot and even use whaleboat. (19° 41' - 162° 43' W) SPECIMENS Zosterops japonica FN0436 Captured alive on desk of yag 39 by Warren King at 0730. Had apparently come aboard with No. 0437 previous evening about 1730. ?, ovary 2 x 2 mm., no ova visible. weight 9 gms. moderate fat. skull partly ossified. data and skin by Ely. Soft part colors - eye pale yellow gray; toes and tarsus-dark grey; upper madible black: lower mandible black at tip, remainder gray. Molt - fresh plumage. (19° 41' N - 162° 43' W) Zosterops japonica FN0437 Captured alive on deck of YAG 39 by Warren King at 0730. Had apparently come aboard with No. 0436 previous evening about 1730. o, testes minute, weight 9 gms moderate fat. skull partly ossified. data and skin by Ely. Soft part colors - eye pale yellow-gray: toes and tarsus dark gray;

Charles A. Ely December 5 11 toes and tarsus dark gray; upper mandible black; lower mandible black at tip, remainder gray. MOLT-- Fresh plumage. 12/6/69 Rained during night and still raining at dawn. Ship in showers most of day often for long periods of time - partly cloudy to completely overcast. Wind much higher - to 25 knots. Deep swells roughest seas we've had on any YAG trip. 0700 - watch started - rain and heavy overcast. 0727 - Bonin Island Petrel 2 ENE Not actively feeding just milling Shearwater/petrel 1 ENE about. One bonin petrel with more Harcourt's Storm Petrel 1 ENE black in wing than usual. 0825 Laysan Albatross 1 SE - around fantail several times 0830 - White-necked Petrel 1 0913 - Wedgetail 2 ESE 0916 - Wedgetail 8 WNW Red-footed Booby 1 WSW 0923 - Wedgetail 2 WNW 0926 - White-necked Petrel 2 WNW 0932 - Bonin Island Petrel 1 ESE 0933 Harcourt's Storm Petrel 1 ENE (atypical; more petrel-like flight) 1057 - White-necked Petrel 1 SE 1100 - Bonin Island Petrel 1 SSE 1110 - Bonin Island Petrel 1 NNW 1111 - Brown Booby 1 ENE 1143 - Frigate 2 SSE

Charles A. Ely December 6 12 1145 - Red-tailed Tropicbird 1 ENE 1200 - rain started again 1215 - Red-footed Booby 1 NW Seabird sp. ? 1 ? 1217 - Petrel-shearwater 1 E 1221 - Wedgetail (Imm.) 1 NNW rain heavier 1253 - shearwater ? 1 SE 1253 - Tropicbird sp.? 1 SE 1253 - Petrel ? 1 SE 1335 - Sooty Shearwater ? 1 S against light couldn't see wing linings -1340 - frigate 1 1425 - Sooty Tern 20+ flock spread out over Red-footed booby 1 at least 1/2 mile; large Booby sp. 4+ SW "black" fish swimming Shearwaters and petrels 100+ in midst of flock area. flock seen from distance - probably more petrels than shearwaters. 1527 - Harcourt's Storm Petrel - 1 1544 - Bonin Island Petrel - 1 flock - Sooty Tern 6 some active feeding Shearwater-Petrel 4 Red-footed Booby 30 (both adult and immature) 1624 - Red-footed (?) Booby - 2 N 1645 - Bonin Island Petrel - 1 SSE 1702 - Red-footed (?) Booby - 6 N (2 imm.; 4 adults) 1710 - Frigate ? 1 NW 1715 - Red-footed Booby - 35+ in heavy rain squall, probably

Charles A. Ely December 6, 1963 13 flock 1719 - Red-footed Booby 1 N 1719 - Bonin Island Petrel 1 N 1725 - Dark-rumped petrel 1 N on H2O 1840 - Sooty Stern Petrel ? 1 SSE well seen and no white rumps noted. I think this sp. can) 1840 - Storm Petrel sp ? 1 SSE 1847 - Harcourt's Storm Petrel - 2 SEE - sat in H2O off bow. 1853 - Secured bird watch. December 7, 1963 Partly couldy - waves lower but white-capped part of day. Hot and light - moderate winds. Reached grid on 0400, still there 0500. 0650 - began observations 0750 - white-tailed tropicbird - 1 NE 0800 - started plankton sample 0807 - Wedgetail - 1 E 0850 - secured plankton detail 0816 - White-tailed tropicbird - 1 N 0850 - Red-tailed Tropicbird - 2 NE 0943 - Wedgetail - 1 NE 1144 - Harcourt's Storm Petrel - 1 W 1225 - Red-tailed Tropicbird 1 W 1240 - Wedgetail 1 NW 1410 - Red-tailed Tropicbird - 2 SW 1442 - " " " 2 collected (probably some birds).

Charles A. Ely December 7 14 1620 - resumed course after recovery of birds. 1707 - Harcourt's Storm Petrel 1 1845 - Wedgetail - 1 SE 1915 - secured bird watch. Recovery of the two birds was a circus. The bridge was not ready with smoke flares so threw a life ring and had a "man overboard drill." After the visual mess of launching the whaleboat starter was imperative. After a considerable time during which its a miracle someone wasn't injured the whaleboat was recovered and a ship-board recovery was attempted. One bird was recovered "fairly" quickly but the second was missed (by ship) on two straight passes then recovered on the third. Terrible navigating (Vanderwagon - Drieson) - even the Captain was upset. The elapsed time is proof of a very sloppy recovery - 1 hour and 38 minutes for birds dropped within 39 yards of each other. Will the whale boat motor be fixed?? (13° 26' N - 170° 08' W) Phaethon rubricauda - FN0438 collected by Bob Fleet at 1442 from YAG 39. Female - ovary 16 by 11 mm. large ovum 3 by 3 mm., weight 77gms. heavy fat. Flyint with No. 0439. Data by Bratley and Ely, skin by Bratley. Soft part colors - bill red-orange; black around nares; distal 2/3 foot black. remainder of foot and leg blue-white. Molt - wings fresh. tail: 1 new; 2 /- old, left - 2/3 length; 3 - 6 old, 7 - /new., 1 1/2 length. Little body molt. (13° 26' N - 170° 08' W) Phaethon rubricauda - FN0439 Collected by Bob Fleet at 1442 from YAG 39. Male - testes 6 x 2 mm. weight 650 gms. Heavy fat. Data by Fleet and Ely, skin by Ely.

CHARLES A. BLY December 7 15 Soft parts colors--(7 hours after death) - bill dusky orange, brighter orange at base, and lower edge of lower mandible, nares black with dusky streak extending to tip. gape flesh, tarsus and 1/5 base of toes bluish-white; rest of toes and web black. Molt--Primaries - 1. - starting to break sheath, 1 2 - 6 - new, 17 - 1/2 length: 18-10 old. Right wing - same pattern. Tail - 1 - 1, 2,4 - new; 3, 5, 6 - old, 7 - 2 in. out of sheath. ^1, 2, 3, 7 - new; 6 - 3/4 full length; 3 - 5 - old. Secondary 15 - just breaking sheath- rest new. Moderate, general body molt. December 8-1963 Warm - moderate winds, fairly calm seas (or few whitecaps - few scattered showers. Captain admitted cutting corners on the grid last night. Will check fix tonight to see how much. 0700 - observations began 0755 - stopped for plankton sample 0826 - Red-tailed Tropicbird - 1 NE 0837 - resumed course from plankton sample 0843 - Pterodroma sp. 1 NW 0903 - Red-tailed Tropicbird - 1 NE 0955 - Pterodroma sp. 1 NW 1100 - Wedgetail 1 NW 1240 - Red-tailed Tropicbird 1 SE : 1329 - seabird sp 3 SE 1337 - Pterodroma sp. 1 E

Charles A. Ely 1963, December 8 16 1350 - Fairy Tern ? 1 S could have been Wedge-tailed Tropicbird 1410 - Red-tailed Tropicbird 1 SE 1458 - " " 1 NE 1628 - Harcourt's Storm Petrel 1 SE 1657 - Masked Booby 2 NE Coll. 1710 - Laysan Albatross ? 1 NE 1710 - Masked Booby 1 NE 1852 - Wedgetail 1 SW 1910 - Bird watch secured Laysan Albatross 1710 --"Not positive but I think I saw a strongly hooked beak. Black tail, wings, and back; rump white and head white, white below. Flew low to H2O with few wing beats. Joined by masked booby (imm.) but too far out by that time." CAE. (13° 41.0' N - 171° 00.0 W) Sula dactylatra - FN0440 collected by Bob Fleet from YAG 39 at 1657. Female - ovary 14 by 5 mm.; weight 1894 gm. heavy fat. Data by King; skin by Ely. Soft part colors - iris pale yellow. Bill pale yellow (grayish-white cae) fading to gray (dark cae) at base. gular, flesh around eye and base of bill dark gray. gape gray. legs and feet gray. Molt -- wing feathers new; tail - 18 old; Λ8 - 1/2 full length. Small amount of body molt.

Charles A. Ely December 10, 1963 17 Clear to party cloudy. Warm to hot. Wind to 15 knots. Low seas and few whitecaps most of day. Cold front moving in from Northwest about dusk. 0715 - Observations began 0756 - Plankton detail 0811 - Masked Booby (Immature) 0839 - Plankton detail secured 0845 - White-necked Petrel 0911 - Masked Booby (Immature ) 1 NW in are 30 min. and starboard and stern. 0935 -. Red-tailed Tropicbird 2 SE 1000 - White-necked Petrel 1 NE Widgetail ? 1 NE 1015 - White-necked Petrel 1 SE 1026 - " " " L NE 1027 - Masked Booby (Immature ) 1 NW 1034 - Bonin Island Petrel 1 NE 1040 - White-necked Petrel 1 SW 1059 - Wedgetail 1 NE 1101 - Bonin Island Petrel 1 NE 1110 - Shearwater - Petrel 1 SW 1127 - Shearwater-Petrel 1 SW 1127 - Shearwater-Petrel 1 SW 1132 - Changed course to SW 1149 - 1 Red-tailed Tropicbird 1 SE

Charles A. Ely December 9, 1963 1256 - White-necked Petrel 1 E Widgetail ? 1 E 1458 - Red-footed Booby 1 E (Immature) 1506 - Masked Booby 1 SE 1525 - Kermadec Petrel 1 SW 1543 - White-necked Petrel 1 E 1543 - Bonin Island Petrel 1 SE 1744 - Red-tailed Tropicbird - 1 1801 - "" 1 SW off H2O 1859 - Harcourt's Storm Petrel 1 1900 - Wedgetail - 2 W 1901 - Dark Shearwater 1 W - "Medium to small dark shearwater-- typical shearwater flight, several quick flaps and long glide, often with high scale - above horizon. Seemed smaller than Sooty Shearwater - light was bad - 300 yards off bow." Warren King 1907 - Wedgetail - 3 Wedgetail ? - 1 thinner dark edges on wing. 1912 - Storm Petrel sp. - 1 SE 1919 - Masked Booby Immature 1 SE 1925 - Bird watch secured. December 10 Cooler with strong northwest wind (to 25 k), deep swells (to 15 ft.), much rolling (to 28° - hard to stay in bunk). Heavy seas, partly overcast with several showers. Horizon usually covered. Due to near constant spray on flight deck, observed from signal bridge. Wind was so strong it

Charles A. Ely December 10, 1963 19 was very difficult to use binoculars except from behind superstructure and scanning to rear. 0745 - observations began 0700 - changed course to NW 0800 - set plankton detail (due to rough seas took water only). 0832 - secured plankton detail and resumed course and speed. 0910 - Wedgetail - 1 SE 0945 - small Pterdorma - 1 SE 1040 - Red-footed Booby 1 each Imm. 1117 - White-necked Petrel - 1 N Wedetail 1 N 1349 - entered rain squall 1414 - departed " " 1455 - entered " " 1505 departed " " 1648 shearwater/petrel 1 NE - long wings 1815 - Red-footed Booby 1 NE 1845 - Wedgetail 1 NW Wedetail ? 2 NW 1915 - Secured bird watch December 11 Overcast, still high winds and strong waves. Slighltening toward evening. Scattered showers. Visibility fair to good.

Charles A. Ely 1963, December 11 20 0715 - Observations began 0728 - Wedgetail 1 Ne 0740 - changed course to 90° 0746 - Dark shearwater 1 S "Flew like Sooty Shearwater--very fast flying easily twice as fast as most birds observed. 800 yards off bow." Warren King 0750 - Wedgetail 1 SW 0800 - Set plankton detail 0810 - Wedgetail - 1 0815 - Pterodroma sp. 1 SW 0816 - Wedgetail 1 S 0820 - Wedgetail 1 NE 0830 - Dark-rumped Petrel 1 0835 - Wedgetail - 1 SW Imm. 0844 - secure plankton detail 0935 - White-necked Petrel 1 SW 0939 - Wedgetail 1 SW 0941 - " 2 SW 1006 - Pterodroma 1 NE 1036 - Masked Booby 1 NE 1038 - Wedgetail 24 circling but not actually Bonin Island Petrel observed feeding flock Dark-rumped Petrel 1 NE White-necked Petrel 1 Red-footed Booby 2

Charles A. Ely December 11, 1963 21 1054 - Wedgetail - 2 SW 1329 - " 1 S 1330 - change course to NW 1352 - Bonin Petrel 1 NW 1405 - Wedgetail 1 NE 1410 - Bonin Petrel 1 NW 1428 - White-tailed Tropicbird - 1 NW 1615 - Red-footed Booby 1 NW 1639 - Resumed cours and speed. 1700 - Wedgetail 2 NE 1715 - White-necked ? Petrel 1 NW "100 yards off bow. Appeared as if under wing linings were all dark, very large almost appeared jaeger-like. Whitish head-stoud." DB. (tunidade petrel ?) 1725 - Harcourt's Storm Petrel - 1 NW 1748 - Red-footed Booby - 1 NE 1800 - change course to SW 1818 - Wedgetail 1 SE 1845 - Red-footed Booby - 1 SW 1855 - " " 1 SW 1905 - secured bird watch. Sula sula - FN 0441. Collected by Bob Fleet from YAG 39 at 1615. Female - ovary 18 by 3 mm. Ova minute. Weight 1152 gm. Heavy fat. Data by King and Ely. Skin by Ely. Soft part colors - Bill - dusky black at tip - rest of bill flesh. Colored with much dark (dusky) mottling. Bare area around eye purplish blue; gular area faint lavender; gape bluish white. Iris grayish yellow.

Charles A. Ely December 11, 1963 22 Tarsus and toes pink above; toes flesh-colored below; webs bluish pink. Molt - None observed. December 12 Almost completely overcast; lower seas (few whitecaps) wind NE, 13½ k., swells NE - 5 feet. Scattered swells. 0700 - started watch 0734 - sufficient light for observations 0802 - set plankton detail 0830 - Re-detailed Tropicbird - 1 E 0840 - secure d plankton detail 1015 - small Pterodroma 1 SE 1022 - Red-footed Booby 1 around ship 1029 - Shearwater/Petrel 1 NW 1112 - Red-footed Booby 1 SE adult 1225 - White-necked Petrel - 1 NW 1330 - change course to 320° 1545 - unidentified bird seen by watch officer. 1615 - Golden Plover - 1 NW 1625 - Wedgetail 1 NE 1755 - Sooty Tern 1 S 1830 - change course to NE 1845 - Tropicbird on fairy tern - 1 SW 1000 yards to port. 1900 - bird watch secured. December 13 High winds directly into bow. Lower seas with fewer whitecaps. Partly cloudy with lower swells. Still much sea return.

Charles A. Ely December 13, 1965 23 0715 - began observations 0725 - wedgetail 1 NE paralleling ship Imm. 0806 - " 1 NE joined above bird 0902 - dark-rumped petrel 1 W 0925 - Wedgetail 3 Pterodroma 1 0930 - Wedgetail 8 following ship 1010 - Wedgetail 1 NE 1042 - Bonin Island Petrel 1 1117 - Wedgetail 10+ Bonin Is. Petrel 4 Brown Booby 1 1130 - change course to 088. 1140 - Wedgetail 1 E 1145 - " 2 1145 - Red-footed Booby 1 1204 - Wedgetail 1 W 1205 - Red-footed Booby 1 NE 1404 - Petrel/Shearwater 2 E 1405 - Wedgetail 1 NW 1436 - " 1 SE 1437 - large Pterodroma 1 SW 1452 - Wedgetail 1 W 1503 - Masked Booby 1 around ship 1518 - Wedge tail - 15 W 1550 - " 2 E 1710 - " 1 - 1830. Crew idet Wedgetail near ship and of grid about sunset.

Charles A. Ely December 14, 1963 24 Strong wind from NE - 15+ knots most of day. Mostly cloudy but warm. few whitecaps. 0645 - started observations. 0720 - Red-footed Booby - 1 NW about 10 mi. N Johnston 0723 - " " 1 nw 0724 - Booby sp. 6 NW 0725 - Red-footed Booby 1 NW " " " 4 NW Probably morning disperse of 0726 - " " 1 NW Johnston Island birds to feeding 0728 - " " 2 NW areas. ?? is this dispersal 0729 - " " 4 NW radial an did all Johnson Is. 0730 - " " 1 NW birds fly this direction??? 0731 " " 2 NW 0738 - " " 1 NW 0745 - " " 1 NW 0746 - " " 7 NW 0748 - " " 1 NW 0752 - " " 7 NW 0802 - " " 1 NW 0806 - unidentified seabird 1 NW 0806 - Booby ? 4 NW 0807 - frigate 1 ~ 0810 - boobies ? 2 NW 0813 - frigate 1 boobies (sp.) 5 0814 - Booby (sp.) 1

Charles A. Ely December 14, 1963 25 0951 - Red-footed Booby 3 Ne 0959 - " " 2 NE followed ship for 15 to 20 min. 1110 - Bonin Petrel 1 SW 1114 - Red-footed Booby 1 SE 1351 - Wedgetail 1 SW 1555 - Bonin Island Petrel 1 SW 1600 - Red-tailed Tropicbird 1 N 1645 - Masked Booby 1 NW 1814 - White-necked (?) Petrel 1 S 1819 - Masked Booby 1 NE 1910 - secured bird watch. December 15 Partly cloudy and warm with 15 k. Winds from NE moderate whitecaps - sea fairly calm. 0700 - started observations 0725 - black-footed albatross - 1 followed ship to at least 1730 0735 - Wedgetail 1 0827 - " 1 SW 1134 - shearwater/petrel 1 SE 1210 - medium large, dark shearwater 1 1252 - Bonin Island Petrel 1 SE 1323 - Wedgetail 1 W 1332 - Red-tailed Tropicbird 1 SE 1433 - " " ,1 SE 1515 - Bonin Island Petrel 1 SW 1615 - Whale - 1 SW - 1000 yards to port, swimming casually, blowed several times.

Charles A. Ely December 15, 1963 26 - 1620 - Wedgetail 1 (with albatross) 1845 - Wedgetail (?) - S 1850 - secured bird watch. December 16 Cool with NE winds (about 15 k) moderate seas with few whitecaps partly cloudy. 0720 - dark-rumped petrel ? 1 "100 yards off starboard bow or less. Somewhat smaller and more delicate than typical D. R. P. Flew very lightly with numerous wings beats slightly swiftlike." WK 0738 - White-necked Petrel 1 S Shearwater-Petrel 1 S 0738 - Red-footed Booby 1 0640 - Pterodroma sp. 1 NW 0747 - Red-tailed Tropicbird 1 E 0756 - Shearwater/Petrel 6 NNW 0825 - Red-tailed Tropicbird 1 SE 0852 - Shearwater/Petrel 1 SSE 0906 - White-necked Petrel 1 0925 - Whale sp. 1 E 1000 yards off port 0935 - Red-tailed Tropicbird 1 0951 - White-necked Petrel 1 W 0959 - WHALE sp. 1 W 0959 - Red-tailed Tropicbird 1 1007 - shearwater/petrel 1 WSW 1251 - Red-footed Booby 1 ENE 1415 - Sooty Tern 1

Charles A. Ely 1963, December 16 27 1425 - Harcourt's Storm Petrel 1 flock Wedgetail ? 2 N unidentified petrel 1 dark brown above; wings dark below with large (long) white pattern - not distinct circle as in Kermadec. CAE. 1427 - Phoenix Island Petrel ? 1 N brown not black under wings WK 1430 - Phoenix Islad Petrel ? 1 NE probably above bird. Looked very chucky. Dark brown above, white below; mottled brown and white under wings. Coa. 1435 - Sooty Tern 1 Ne 1452 - Harcourt's Storm Petrel 1 Ne 1457 - White-tailed Tropicbird 1 Ne 1540 - Sea bird sp.? 9 2 - 3 miles off starboard - high above horizon - frigate or terns - most likely the latter. 1645 - Wedgetail 1 WSW 1745 - Wedgetail - 1 very long loose floci; not feeding. flock Fairy Tern 1 NW 12 sooties very high up. Sooty Tern 16 1838 - secured bird watch. December 17 Coll; moderate NE wind; low sea; no whitecaps; partly cloudy. Occasional showers during night. 0645 - watch started 0730 - black-footed albatross 1 0942 - white-tailed tropicbird 1 1012 - black-footed albatross 1 1027 -

Charles A. Ely December 17, 1963 28 1027 - Black-footed albatross 1 1044 - " " 1 joined other three off fantail 1048 - " " 1 1053 - " " 1 1054 - " " 1 1101 - " " 1 joined others (now 8 off fantail). 1109 - pomarine jaeger 2 1111 - " " 1 1119 - White-tailed Tropicbird 1 1129 - Pomarine jaeger 1 1146 - " " 1 1210 - " " 1 now total of five 1325 - frigate 1 1354 - now 2 jaegers and 2 albatross following ship 1400 - pomarine jaeger 1 1400 - Red-footed Booby 1 1430 - 2 albatross still following ship.

Dr. Charles A Ely 1963 Location Pacific Ocean - Observer Fleet-King-Batley Carrier Date Dec. 3, 1963 Time 1100 to 1829 Weather Warm Calm am. light breeze swell. Light wind scattered clouds 1st day out Abundance Breeding SPECIES 1-10 10-100 100-1,000 1,000+ Team 1 Sept 2 Sept 3 Remarks Laysan Albatross Black-footed Albatross 14 Wedge-tailed Shearwater 40 Christmas I. Shearwater Audubon's Shearwater Bonin I. Petrel Phoenix I. Petrel Bulwer's Petrel Sooty Petrel Red-tailed Tropicbird White-tailed Tropicbird Masked Booby 1 Brown Booby 3 Red-footed Booby Great Frigatebird 3 Golden Plover Ruddy Turnstone Wandering Tattler Sanderling Bristle-thighed Curlew Sooty Tern Gray-backed Tern Brown-winged Tern Common Noddy Hawaiian Noddy Blue-gray Noddy Fairy Tern Pewee? Jaeger 12 3 58 in 15 sight rige wady tail ? yager ag? 3 1 105 land coutes at least 60-70 individuals geys & albatros at stern of ship all afternoon florco > T - constantly changing track C4

Location Pacific Ocean - 2nd layout Observer Fly Fleet King Bratley Curtis Date Dec. 4, 1963 Time 0630 to 1850 Weather warm with very little wind - fair partly cloudy to clear with large swells but few waves. SPECIES Abundance Breeding 1-10 10-100 100-1000 1000+ Nests Eggs Young Remarks Laysan Albatross Black-footed Albatross 3 15 adults 11 sightings (1-3) Wedge-tailed Shearwater 57 39 sightings (1-8) Christmas I. Shearwater Audubon's Shearwater Bonin I. Petrel 3 Phoenix I. Petrel Bulwer's Petrel Sooty Petrel Red-tailed Tropicbird 1 White-tailed Tropicbird 1 Masked Booby Brown Booby 1 Red-footed Booby 1 5 sightings - good all were dead Great Frigatebird 3 Golden Plover Ruddy Turnstone Wandering Tattler Sanderting Bristle-thighed Curlew Sooty Tern 25 6 sightings (1-14) Gray-backed Tern Brown-winged Tern Common Noddy Hawaiian Noddy Blue-gray Noddy Fairy Tern 22 6 sightings (1-12) Harrocutt Storm Petrel 4 shearwater sp? 5 tern sp? 3 storm pet sp? 2 196 birds (great considerable concentration). shearw/petrel 1 8 flocks. white-necked Petrel 2 Japanese White-eye 43 (42, 1) - 2 coys nest moving 1 of chicks had seen bird on deck and before lunch (cox).

3rd Day out Location Pacific Ocean Observer Ely Fleet King - Bratley - Currier Date Dec 5, 1963 Time 0630 to 1850 Weather warm to hot with little wind - large swell but for now partly cloudy to clear. drift comes in from near dust. SPECIES Abundance Breeding Remarks 1-10 10-100 100-1000 1000+ Adults Young Laysan Albatross Black-footed Albatross Wedge-tailed Shearwater 4 Christmas I. Shearwater Audubon's Shearwater Bonin I. Petrel Phoenix I. Petrel Bulwer's Petrel Sooty Petrel Red-tailed Tropicbird 1 White-tailed Tropicbird Masked Booby Brown Booby 1 Red-footed Booby 3 Great Frigatebird Golden Plover Ruddy Turnstone Wandering Tattler Sanderling Bristle-thighed Curlew Sooty Tern 1 Gray-backed Tern Brown-winged Tern Common Noddy Hawaiian Noddy Blue-gray Noddy Fairy Tern Harcourt Storm Petrel 6 white-hocked Petrel 1 cell - on they last night Japanese Whiteeye 3 total # birds = 23 total # hawks = 0 petrels/alarawaters 3 tanbora? 1

Location Pacific Ocean - 4th day out Observer Fly-Fleet: King; Stratig-Curryer Date March 6, 1953 Time 0700 to 1853 Weather Rain or squalls most of day, partly cloudy to overcast moments. Visibility 2km. strong winds rough seas SPECIES Abundance Breeding 1-10 10-100 100-1000 1000+ Nests Pairs Young Remarks Laysan Albatross 1 Black-footed Albatross Wedge-tailed Shearwater 13 1-8 Christmas I. Shearwater Audubon's Shearwater Bonin I. Petrel 8 Phoenix I. Petrel Bulwer's Petrel Sooty Petrel Red-tailed Tropicbird 1 White-tailed Tropicbird Masked Booby Brown Booby 1 Red-footed Booby 69 Great Frigatebird 4 4 singles - flock of 30, 35 Golden Plover Ruddy Turnstone Wandering Tattler Sanderling Bristle-thighed Curlew Sooty Tern 26 Gray-backed Tern Brown-winged Tern Common Noddy Hawaiian Noddy Blue-gray Noddy Fairy Tern Hawaiian Silver Petrel 5 total albatross = 385 White-necked Petrel 4 total # plesks = 6 Sooty Shearwater? 1 red-footed booby? 6 booby ag? 4 und. stated shearwater sandy storm petrel' 1 storm petrel? 1 vagrant bird? 1 und. stated 1

Location [illegible] 5th Day out 1st on grid. Observer Fly - Meet - King - Bratley - Currier Date Sunday, 7/1963 Time 0650 to 1915 Weather Partly cloudy. was blue but with scuttle winds SPECIES Abundance Breeding Remarks 1-10 20-100 100-1,000 1000+ Male Female Young Laysan Albatross Black-footed Albatross Wedge-tailed Shearwater 4 Christmas I. Shearwater Audubon's Shearwater Bonin I. Petrel Phoenix I. Petrel Bulwer's Petrel Sooty Petrel Red-tailed Tropicbird 5 White-tailed Tropicbird 2 Masked Booby Brown Booby Red-footed Booby Great Frigatebird Golden Plover Ruddy Turnstone Wandering Tattler Sanderling Bristle-thighed Curlew Sooty Tern Gray-backed Tern Brown-winged Tern Common Noddy Hawaiian Noddy Blue-gray Noddy Fairy Tern Harcourt's St. Petrel 2 total birds 13 total fledgling 0

Location Pacific Ocean 6th day Observer Fly - Fleet - King - Beetle - Currier Date Dec. 8, 1963 Time 0700 to 1910 Weather Warm - sea light breeze - mod wind, low swell mod seas partly cloudy Species Abundance Breeding Remarks <1-25 25-100 100-1000 1000+ Males Females Young Laysan Albatross 1 Black-footed Albatross Wedge-tailed Shearwater 2 Christmas I. Shearwater Audubon's Shearwater Bonin I. Petrel Phoenix I. Petrel Bulwer's Petrel Sooty Petrel Red-tailed Tropicbird 5 White-tailed Tropicbird Masked Booby 3 1 call Brown Booby Red-footed Booby Great Frigatebird Golden Plover Ruddy Turnstone Wandering Tattler Sanderling Bristle-thighed Curlew Sooty Tern Gray-backed Tern Brown-winged Tern Common Noddy Hawaiian Noddy Blue-gray Noddy Fairy Tern 1? Marcouft S. Petrel 1 Petrel? 4 seabirds? 3 total + land 20 total + fresh 0

Location Pacific Ocean 7th day Observer Ely - Fleet - King-Dietzgen-Cuninon Date Dec. 9, 1963 Time 0715 to 1925 Weather clear to partly cloudy warm to hot wind to 15 knots low clouds + few whalers cold food coming in from NW at dusk. SPECIES Abundant Breeding Remarks 1-99 100-999 1000+ None Pairs Young Laysan Albatross Black-footed Albatross Wedge-tailed Shearwater 4 Christmas I. Shearwater Audubon's Shearwater Bonin I. Petrel 3 Phoenix I. Petrel X Bulwer's Petrel Sooty Petrel Red-tailed Tropicbird 3 White-tailed Tropicbird Masked Booby 5 Brown Booby Red-footed Booby 1 Great Frigatebird Golden Plover Ruddy Turnstone Wandering Tattler Sanderling Bristle-thighed Curlew Sooty Tern Gray-backed Tern Brown-winged Tern Common Noddy Hawaiian Noddy Blue-gray Noddy Fairy Tern Harvourt S. Petrel 1 Kermader Petrel 1 white-mocked Petrel ? red I. T. frid? 2 wedgetail? 5 storm petrel? 1 small bird unknown 1 shearwater/petrel 2 total birds = 36 total # florks = 0

5th day Location Pacific Ocean Observer Ely-Fleet-King Bratley-Currier Date Jan. 10, 1963 Time 0645 to 1845 Weather Calm sting NW winds (t 25 K) light swell (t 15 ft) heavy seas, partly overcast, very hazy. sea shore visibility very poor. Species Abundance Breeding 1-10 10-100 100-1000 1000+ nests egts Young Remarks Laysan Albatross Black-footed Albatross Wedge-tailed Shearwater 3 Christmas I. Shearwater Audubon's Shearwater Bonin I. Petrel Phoenix I. Petrel Bulwer's Petro. Sooty Petrel Red-tailed Tropicbird White-tailed Tropicbird Masked Booby Brown Booby Red-footed Booby 2 Great Frigatebird Golden Plover Ruddy Turnstone Wandering Tattler Sandpiling Bristle-thighed Curlew Sooty Tern Gray-backed Tern Brown-winged Tern Common Noddy Hawaiian Noddy Blue-gray Noddy Fairy Tern White-necked Petrel 1 total adults = 10 total chicks = 0 unlisted? 2 Storms ag 1 shearwater/petrel 1

9th Day Location Pacific Ocean Observer Elly Fleet King Bradley-Currier Date Dec. 11, 1963 Time 0715 to 1905 Weather Present, still high winds + strong waves - clearing toward evening scattered showers visibility fair to good SPECIES Abundance Breeding 1-10 10-100 100-1000 1000+ Males Females Young Remarks Laysan Albatross Black-footed Albatross Wedgetailed Shearwater 40 10 singles, 2, 2, 2, 24 Christmas I. Shearwater Audubon's Shearwater Bonin I. Petrel 3 Phoenix I. Petrel Bulwer's Petrel Sooty Petrel Red-tailed Tropicbird White-tailed Tropicbird 1 Masked Booby 1 Brown Booby Red-footed Booby 5 all singles Great Frigatebird Golden Plover Ruddy Turnstone Wandering Tattler Sandpiper 8-Plumaged Dunlin Sooty Tern Gray-backed Tern Brown-winged Tern Common Noddy Hawaiian Noddy Blue-gray Noddy Fairy Tern Dark-rumped Petrel 2 White-necked Petrel 3 Harrcourt's Petrel 1 total # birds: 61 total # flocks: 1 S terniformes 2 shearwater / petrels 1 small dark shore 1 white - ruck? 1

10th Day Location Boulee Atoll Observer Fly First King Bret & Currier Date Dec 12, 1963 Time 700 to 1900 Weather almost completely overcast. low sea (for lagoon) west NE 13-kt well N E S ft outlined shores Abundance Breeding SPECIES 1-10 10-100 100-1000 1000+ New's Eggs Young Remarks Laysan Albatross Black footed Albatross Wedgetailed Shearwater 1 Christmas Shearwater Audubon's Shearwater Bonin Petrel Procellaria Petrel Buller's Petrel South Petrel Red-tailed Tropicbird 1 White-tailed Tropicbird Masked Booby Brown Booby Red footed Booby 2 Great Frigatebird Golden Plover 1 Ruddy Turnstone Wandering Tattler Sanderling Bristle-thighed Curlew Sooty Tern 1 Gray-backed Tern Brown-winged Tern Common Noddy Hawaiian Noddy Blue-gray Noddy Fairy Tern White-naped Petrel 1 total # birds = 11 total # flecks = 0 Petrel one ag stormy/petrel bird und Tropic bird/fairy 1

11th day Location Pacific Ocean Observer Ely-Fleet-King-Brotley-Cunnir Date Dec. 13, 1963 Time 0715 to 1720 Weather High winds directly into bow, low seas-few whitecaps- partly cloudy-low swells. Abundance Breeding SPACES 1-10 10-100 100-1000 1000+ Males Eggs Young Remarks Laysan Albatross Black-footed Albatross Wedge-tailed Shearwater 36 18 young; 2,2,2,8,10 Christmas I. Shearwater Audubon's Shearwater Bonin I. Petrel 5 1,4 Phoenix I. Petrel Bulwer's Petrel Sooty Petrel Red-tailed Tropicbird White-tailed Tropicbird Masked Booby 1 Brown Booby 1 Red-footed Booby 2 Great Frigatebird Golden Plover Ruddy Turnstone Wandering Tattler Sanderling Bristle-thighed Curlew Sooty Tern Gray-backed Tern Brown-winged Tern Common Noddy Hawaiian Noddy Blue-gray Noddy Fairy Tern Dark-ranged Petrel 1 tot. # 50 nr. flocks = 1 Shearwaters 29 3 petrels/shear 2

12th day aleeson johnston at 0726 Location Pacific Ocean Observer Ely Fleet King Brattleb Currier Date Dec 14 1963 Time 0645 to 1910 Weather strong wind most of day from NE partly cloudy but warm all day few whitecaps SPECIES Abundance Breeding Remarks 1-10 10-100 100-1000 1000+ Nests Eggs Young Laysan Albatross Black-footed Albatross Wedge-tailed Shearwater 1 Christmas Island Shearwater Alderman's Shearwater Bulwer Petrel 2 Phaeton's Petrel Sulphur-crow Sooty Petrel Red-tailed Tropicbird White-tailed Tropicbird Masked Booby 2 Brown Booby Red-footed Booby 41 Great Frigatebird 2 Golden Plover Ruddy Turnstone Wandering Tattile Sandpiper Bristle-thighed Curlew Sooty Tern Gray-backed Tern Brown-winged Tern Common Noddy Hawaiian Noddy Blue-gray Noddy Fairy Tern white petrel 1 under seahorse 1 booby eggs 12 boobies 6 total fish = 69 piscators = 4

"th day Location Pacific Ocea. Date June 15, 1963 Time 0700 to 1850 Observer Elg., Fleet, King, Bratley, Currier Weather partly cloudy - 15 K. wind from N.E. and whitecaps fairly calm SPECIES Abundance Breeding 2-10 10-100 100-1000 1000 No. Yes Yrs. Remarks Laysan Albatross Black-footed Albatross 1 Wedge-tailed Shearwater 4 Christmas Island Shearwater Audubon's Shearwater Brewer's Petrel 2 Phoenix Petrel Bulwer's Petrel Sooty Tern Red-tailed Tropicbird 2 White-tailed Tropicbird Masked Booby Brown Booby Red-footed Booby Great Frigatebird Golden Plover Ruddy Turnstone Warbling Vettler Sandpiper Bristle-thighed Curlew Sooty Tern Gray-backed Tern Brown-winged Tern Common Noddy Hawaiian Noddy Blue-gray Noddy Fairy Tern fished chig nearly all day. total + fresh = 12 total # fresh = 0 mud shearwater + gulls 3

14th Day Location Pacific Ocean Observer Elly - Fleet - King - Beatty - Cunnier Date Dec. 16, 1943 Time 0700 to Weather Cool with NE wind - mod. seas. partly cloudy. SPECIES Abundance Breeding 1-10 10-100 100-1000 1000+ Nests Eggs Young Remarks Laysan Albatross Black-footed Albatross Wedge-tailed Shearwater 2 Christmas I. Shearwater Audubon's Shearwater Bonin I. Petrel Phoenix I. Petrel Bulwer's Petrel Sooty Petrel Red-tailed Tropicbird 4 White-tailed Tropicbird 1 Masked Booby Brown Booby Red-footed Booby 2 Great Frigatebird Golden Plover Ruddy Turnstone Wandering Tattler Sanderling Bristle-thighed Curlew Sooty Tern 18 Gray-backed Tern Brown-winged Tern Common Noddy Hawaiian Noddy Blue-gray Noddy Fairy Tern 1 Hamerli's Petrel 2 White-n. Petrel 3 total * = 57 total # females = 3 unident. land 9 chicuate/gyred 9 Ringdove 1 unident ? 2 unid. "ra" petrel 3

15th day Location Cooki Isom Observer Fy, Fleet, King, Bratley-Currion Date Dec. 17, 1963 Time 0645 to 1430 Weather cool and NE wind; sea state no whitecaps; partly cloudy remarks show during night SPECIES Abundance Breeding Remarks 1-10 11-50 51-100 100+ + Nest/4 # of Total Laysan Albatross Black-footed Albatross 8 Wedge-tailed Shearwater "" sightings of 20 hrs Christmas I. Shearwater Audubon's Shearwater Bonin I. Petrel Phoenix I. Petrel Bulwer's Petrel Sooty Petrel Red-tailed Tropicbird White-tailed Tropicbird 2 Masked Booby Brown Booby Red-footed Booby ? 1 Great Frigatebird 1 Golden Plover Ruddy Turnstone Wandering Tattler Sanderling Bristle-thighed Curlew Sooty Tern Gray-backed Tern Brown-winged Tern Common Noddy Hawaiian Noddy Blue-gray Noddy Fairy Tern Pomarine Jaeger 5 total of "" sightings "" hrs. Total 17 birds Nests 1 - falling down.

Ely, Charles A. 1964 FIELD NOTES November 7 - Midway Islands, Eastern Island Went to Eastern on 930 shuttle, returned on 1420 shuttle. Spent first 20 - 30 minutes with Dr. Fisher and assistant watching them record Laysan data. Then spent remainder of time covering approximately two-thirds of the island. Coverage was concentrated along the beaches and the Scaevola thickets within several hundred feet of beach. Visited all parts of the island except the restricted area on the Southeast end. Black-footed Albatross--Present in good numbers and scattered throughout the entire island including the more open areas in the interior. Some were under scaevola or casuarina; even a few in the weedy areas. No eggs were seen but some birds especially on the south end had scrapes, often with green Scaevola leaves inside. Many birds stood their ground when approached but responded with much bill clucking. Call notes included whistles and donkey-like brays. Some dancing was seen. Birds were more concentrated than the Laysans. One bird with green paint on forehead and base of bill was captured - 737-76915. Laysan Albatross - few seen, mostly scattered among Black-feets. Seemed to be more common in open areas yet some were seen under Scaevola and some in thick weedy areas. Dr. Fisher confirmed that birds are just beginning to come in - the rate is increasing daily. No attempt was made to capture numbers of albatrosses since both Fisher's group and Chan's group will be working the same area. I did make a superficial check of the old carcasses on the west beach probably washed up from the slaughter of last year. Most of the birds were half

Ely, Charles A. 1964 2 buried and with parts missing, yet I still saw four bands. Why couldn't Fish and Wildlife have taken the time to collect bands when killing the birds? Band numbers follow: 737-47584 667-44076 667-19196 667-19194 I made no attempt to determine species. Wedge-tailed Shearwater - Dr. Fisher told me very emphatically that Wedge-tails were finished nesting and had all left (July - August nesting season) and that there weren't any on the island. I found the first five (still with down on head on head, nape and neck) under Scaevola near the north beach. Did not see a burrow. The next bird was an adult (dead several days) on the concrete under the antenna field (no band). In a bunker under Scaevola and between the antenna field and the East side of the island were five young of different ages - the largest apparently ready to leave, the smallest almost completely down covered. A half-feather young was under plywood nearby and an older young under Scaevola on top of the bunker. Scattered about in the same area under Scaevola and in good burrows were six others which I handled - all unbanded. There was considerable evidence, on the East and South parts of the island, of considerable burrowing? With the tunnels covered in. Whether this was done this year I don't know. Having found so many birds I discontinued looking but recorded several in the weedy area in the central part of the island and several under Scaevola on the south part. Most of the these were found while handling young tropicbirds. I handled 17 young birds plus the dead adult.

Ely, Charles A. 1964 Red-footed Booby - as with other species I did not attempt population counts but many adults and some immatures were observed roosting in Scaevola and Casuarina in the central and east parts of the island. They did considerable soaring over the north (windy) part of the island. Blue-faced Booby - Three adults were seen on the ground in the restricted area on the south part of the island. As I watched a sub-adult ? (brown head, white neck) joined them but was forced to remain some distance from the adults. Great Frigatebird - Up to a dozen birds were seen soaring over the north end of the island. Red-tailed Tropicbird - Only a few adults were seen over the island at any one time. On unbanded adult was found alive, with a broken wing on the east side of the island. I searched for young in Scaevola around two-thirds of the island and handled a total of forty-seven young (most of these well feathered). Only two were banded; both of these were under Scaevola on the north side of the island: 635-21507 635-21509 A total of eleven birds were found along the north beach; nineteen along the east beach; four near the buildings and eleven along the southwest beach. In one patch of Scaevola along the East beach four young were in an area of not over 100 square feet. The first four birds and an occasional later one were asleep; frequently birds would call my attention to them by calling. In all cases birds were very beligerent when handled and also very loud screamers. Although most birds were well

Ely, Charles A. 1964 feathered, two (one near building; one along southwest and with adult) were small, covered with down and with only the shortest rudiments of remyis. Two unbanded young were found dead. Two adults were captured with their young (one unbanded; one 635-20019 with the very small young along southwest beach). In addition two unbanded adults were captured with no egg or young in evidence. The adult with young in southwest area regurgitated the posterior 4 inches of a "herring type fish" about 2 inches thick at the pectoral area - no head or dorsal fin present. In all I handled fifty birds and didn't have any bands with me. I'm sure most of these birds will fledge within a month. Sooty Tern - One adult heard and seen over island shortly after arrival. Later saw and heard two adults over antenna field. Found remains of several - long dead and no bands. Captured an immature that had on injured left wing which had apparently healed. The bird was lively but couldn't fly. It was unbanded and thin but in good plumage. The white edges of the feathers were almost completely gone but there was no evidence of molt to adult pattern. A second immature was observed in flight at very close range near the restricted area on the south port of the island. It was flying normally. White edges to some feathers could be clearly seen. Common Noddy - Saw a few birds overhead and along the beach at intervals. Later saw twenty birds on sand bar at southwest part of island. Near antenna field captured an immature in excellent plumage but with an injured wing. The bird was thin, active but could not fly. Parallel of the Sooty mentioned above.

Ely, Charles A. 1964 5 Fairy Tern - an occasional bird was seen over the island. I can't understand why they don't nest on the south end of the island where there are many casuarines. Perhaps the layer trees on Sand Island are just too favorable and absorb the entire population. Golden Flover - Common in all parts of the island. I saw no flocks but sometimes several birds would be fairly close. On the runways and in the open grassy areas they were usually quite widely spaced and some agnostic behavior was noted. Very noisy, especially in flight. Noted even in the thick weedy area, under Scaevola and Casuarines. Ruddy Turnstones - usually in small flocks of three or four to about ten birds. Observed both along the beach where plovers were rarely seen and in the vegetated areas. Even flushed from thick Scaevola and Casuarina. Most of the singles in vegetation would jump up like woodcock, call and dart away. They should make excellent snap shooting. Most typically small flocks were seen among the plover and albatross in more open areas. All birds seen were flushed but none had painted rumps. Wandering Tattler - I never saw more than one bird at a time but suspect that there were several on the island. Most often seen along the beach but several times flushed from the open areas inland from the beach, Snow Bunting - Flushed a bird from weeds at edge of beach to the open beach itself where the bird remained for a minute or so. I had a very good look at close range and there is no question of identity (brown and white pattern, perched - white in wing and tail in flight). I flushed the bird ahead of me three times while walking north along

Ely, Charles A. 1964 6 the west beach. As we reached the north end the bird raised into the air and flew (or was carried) back along the beach to near the area where it was first seen. Yesterday afternoon and last night were very cloudy with heavy rain most of the night. Today was clear to partly cloudy, warm and with a strong north wind. Today's trip to Eastern was just a get-acquainted survey. After returning from Eastern walked around part of Sand Island, watched white-capped noddies and other species and just piddled. Then eate and started notes.

"Report of Photographic Proceedings At Sea - November 1964" Smithsonian Institution Pacific Project Washington 25, D.C. Upon learning that [illegible] films at sea motion photographs of the birds at sea were desired, the rental of 16 mm motion equipment was investigated from several local (Hawaiian) photographic establishments. Equipment suiting our needs was finally found to be available from Mr. Bud Theunes of Pacific Camera (Pacific Films Corporation) and could be rented as we desired. A trial of equipment and period of acquaintance with the equipment was made from the Kanohe Marine Air Station, Wailuku, Maui. Four hundred feet of black & white film were shot on the sea birds frequenting that area and sent to the Museum for app- roval (see preliminary photographic report #2 and/or Test Films). The report being favorable to attempt motion photography from a ship at sea, all needed available necessary equipment was procured. Immediately upon leaving the Harbor the equipment was positioned forward on the ship in the first available vantage point for

through coverage of the passing birds. In trying lenses of 50mm, 152mm and 300mm focal lengths the 300 mm was found to provide the largest image however presented difficulties in finding birds in its very small field of view. The extraneous movements made by the roll & pitch of the ship plus small movements of the photographer often made rotation of a bird in the field difficult. Aside besides being prone Very vivid on the screen. A speed of 48 FPS was chosen to slow the motion of the birds plus reduce unavoidable movements. A faster speed would be desirable for reasons of clarity in the final result. A telephoto lens of a longer focal length would be most ideal and particularly one of a zoom design. This would allow the bird to be "picked up" easily and more quickly in the field, allowing greater coverage at close distance. It would however emphasize more greatly the extraneous movements and therefore should be used with a camera having a greater range of speed. A Miller Fluid Head & Tripod were used and found to be most satisfactory. A friction head and metal tripod would surely prove to be nearly useless. Weather Conditions on November

were such that frequent tearing down & setting up equipment was necessary to prevent its damage by corrosion. Similar conditions existed when on a course heading into the waves where salt water & spray are constantly being driven across the vantage point by high winds. When on courses of this nature photography was first attempted for this season. As much of the equipment as possible was covered with black photographic tape or plastic to protect it from the normal salt air. All equipment was cleaned after each period of use and returned in as good condition as when rented. Prolonged exposure (months) would surely necessitate frequent cleaning to keep the camera in proper working order. November was found to be a month low for the presence of birds and many hours passed before one would present itself close enough to be recorded. It is suggested that further photographic attempts at sea be carried out in months when the seas are reasonably calm and the bird population high -- such as April, May, June & July. With these conditions plus the recommend lenses the amount of footage could easily be quadrupled

and with more effective results. It should be kept in mind that it is necessary to shoot many feet of film, which possibly can never be fixed. Motion photo graphy, unlike stills, in which, wearily every shot can be planned before it is made. Likewise each new kind that comes along presents a slightly different situation making planning minimal and difficult. Immediately upon arrival in port the equipment was cleaned thoroughly and returned. The exposed film was delivered to KGB Television studios for processing. In the final film many scratches, developer stains, smog and finger prints will be noted along with a severe lack of contrast. These are all due to careless processing and result in an unpleasant imprinting feeling for this processor. No other nuclear processor is available in Hawaii. In the future film will be returned to Washington, D.C. where proper measures can be taken to ensure high quality results. F. Douglas Whitman

PHOTOGRAPHIC REPORT (DAILY Notes.) BIRDS AT SEA - NOVEMBER 1964 2 Nov. 64 Photographic Motion (16mm) equipment was set up after leaving Pearl Harbor in hopes of securing photos of Saugers. A short period of time was used in getting equipment situated on the rails-deck and lenses affixed in their most convenient positions on camera. After settled and in a ready-to- shoot position we were told to clear the deck for salt-water wash down. We cleared! The wash down occured -not on the rails-deck but amid-ships some two hours later. The equipment was again set up on the [illegible] level which limited shooting to ca. a 40° Arc. Return to the rails-deck was not made and a few very short sequences of wildtail shearwaters were procured. No Saegers were photographed as they did not fly into my limited 40° area. A total of ca. '60 was shot for the day.

3 November 64 Equipment was erected on the Milo-deck at 0800 hours in cloudy weather. The seas are high with & spraying white-caps and causing ca. 10° rolls. A short rain squall necessitated securing equipment for a short (15min) while only once in the early morning. Light conditions varied frequently and many clouds caused much glare & reflection on the water. The remaining footage on Reel #1 was shot. Upon opening the camera to change film the latter 30-50 feet of that reel was found to be g jammed and was therefore lost. Reel #2 was started. closeness of birds to the ship and scarcity of birds indicate that few birds will be recorded. Also finding a flying bird in a 1/2 x, 16 MM field from a rolling ship is extremely difficult--especially if the bird is small and fast- flying. A very short sequence was shot at 2 small petrodroma (one Bonin, 1 Cooki) and a longer sequence following of

one of these birds. A long sequence was made of a large shearwater- petrel. Equipment was put under plastic cover while attending meals and secured shortly after sunset. NOTE - 48 FPS are being used so that even if the bird is in the field of the lens for a very short time it will have a reasonable screen-time. The slow motion caused by this speed will likewise give greater opportunity to show wing patterns but not necessarily flight patterns in general. Once the bird is in the field of the lens and the lens is stopped down to f/32 or f/122 it is difficult to follow due to the very low intensity image reaching the eye through the single-lens viewing feature. Hence very short scenes in many cases.

4 November 64 Equipment was set-up at 0800 hours. Weather cloudy & sea rough. At 0930 word was received again of salt-water wash-down so equipment was secured in cases. Before all of it could be got under cover the water system was turned on, wetting tripod, lenses and cases and one ANGRY cameraman. Thorough cleaning was necessary to guard against corrosion of equipment. Photographic operations ceased (initial) at 0930 and were resumed at 1230 hours. For the total day ca. 250' of film was shot on the flocks (and individuals) of Sooty Shearwaters passing through the area. One sequence was made of feeding Sooty Shearwaters. One rain squall hampered operations for nearly an hour however it is felt that some good footage was secured despite several interruptions.

5 November 64 Photographic proceedings did not commence until 1200 hours due to the fact that word had been previously given that the decks would be washed in the A.M. It never occurred! Rough seas necessitated constant guard of the equipment to insure its upright position and close birds were nearly non-existent. A total of 35 feet were shot on a tropicbird. Cloud cover was very heavy accounting for constant changes in light conditions. The course change at J.I. presented the problems of heavy wind, salt spray and heavy rolls. The equipment was secured shortly after the turn and it is felt that the shoulder harness will have to be used while on this course if the weather continues as is. By using the harness the equipment can be covered while not in actual use yet need not be in constant attendance. The 48 FPS may be fast enough to slow the movements of hand-holding (Over)

using hindsight after viewing the films, hand-holding would not be feasible at 40 fps to give steady results.

6 NOVEMBER 64 Rain squalls in the A.M. and a general lack of birds through- the day resulted in no footage taken. Due to the constant rolling of the ship the shot shoulder harness was fitted and may be of great use for rough weather. The speed of 48 FPS may sufficiently slow the hand-held movements to make them less noticeable on the screen. (Not true! J.P.) Using the hand-held feature ires one easily & quickly due to the weight and bulkiness of the equipment. A model running speeds even faster than 50 FPS would be useful in these respects!

7 NOVEMBER 64 No photographic operations attempted today due to excessive rolling, wind and salt-spray of the up-leg course! 8 NOVEMBER 64 The same course and weather conditions exhibited today as did yesterday therefore no film was exposed. Birds were also very scarce. It appears that the down-leg courses will be the only opportunities for photographs this month. A month with more calm seas and greater numbers of birds would be advantageous! (April, May or June for example!)

9 NOVEMBER 64 The equipment was set up at 0830 hrs. on the Hils side and was attended thereafter until 1700 hrs when the slip changed from the down-leg course to the cross leg. One-half hour was taken out for the noon meal. For the time spent and the reasonable shooting conditions the quantity of birds was small and a very few footages were shot. A goodly portion of a flock of Sheamsters & petrels (together) were photographed and some 20 feet of a Red-tailed Tropicbird. It is most discouraging to spend so long a time and have so few subjects. One one heavy roll P. Dumont caught the camera as it was about to smack upon the side - causing a slight strain on trip leads. The 400 ft. film chamber (reel ?) was attached to the camera providing a greater length of film able to be shot at one time. It is an advantage as invariably when a long sequence is possible the 100 ft rolls run out.

10 NOVEMBER 64 No photographic attempts today due to Course & weather conditions. A total of Co.. 700 feet have been shot for the total cruise thus far, surely not enough to warrant the cost of equipment rental nor time awaiting birds to appear within photographic range! This venture should surely indicate the necessity of starting early with such an operation on the project. It was suggested early enough (Feb 64) that adequate coverage of the Birds at sea could work in the B.I. files. Likewise a professional photographer has been on the project long enough to have built up the file of photos which will be wanted at final report time.

11 NOVEMBER 64 The gear was set up on the Helideck at 0830 hrs. however was dismantled twice soon after due to rain squalls. No birds were photographed until after 1500 hrs. though the equipment was in constant attendance. Rain squalls in the area brought in several birds and 150 feet (Masked Booby), 40 feet (Sooty Tern - 4-, silhouettes) and 50 feet (White-tailed Tropicbird) were shot. A total footage of 900+ has now been exposed. In a good bird month and mild, calm seas, a total (without exaggeration) of 1000 feet could be had at this stage of the cruise. I would estimate that in April, May, June & July a good coverage could be made of the majority of the birds in the area. For the remainder of this cruise photographic operations will depend on the sea conditions. Perhaps footage can be made from the flying bridge.

12 - 14 NOVEMBER 64 No photographic operations carried out for this period of time due to high winds, waves & spray and heavy rolls. 15 NOVEMBER 64 Sea very calm! Equipment set up on heli-deck at 0800 hrs. and it proved to be a most successful day! Approximately 500 feet were shot on; two separate Shearwater sp., Frigatebird, R.-T. Tropicbird, Kennodie petrel (distant), Wedgetailed shearwater (short sequence), Sooty shearwater and an interrupted sequence on whole-boat pickup of sooty shearwater. Mechanical difficulties were experienced with the camera stopping in the middle of sequences due to an apparent bad contact in a switch. Before the situation was able to be corrected a great deal of good footage was lost such as

15 Nov 64 (CONT.) A Prugatibird diving on other birds and some good close shots of the two shearwaters. It produced many angered words but has since been corrected and should not occur further. Finding birds in the small telephoto field of 300mm remains to be the most major problem with the equipment. Followed closely by the fact that stopping down to the prescribed f/stop sufficiently darkens the field so that it is difficult to follow the bird at all times. Today's footage should prove most valuable for some good shots were made - barring any failures on the part of the photographer. 16 NOVEMBER 64 Equipment set up at 0730 hours however heavy rolls and cloud cover plus the lack of birds within range prevented its use for about two hours. As the light became better around 1030 hrs. Birds also began to increase and some footage was shot on white-tailed tropicbird, black-footed Albatross, widgetail shearwater and a distant flock containing Fairy Terns. During the shipboard pickup of a shot W.-T. Tropicbird a group of

5 more w.-t. Tropidurids gathered and provided good motion shots. A B-f. Albatross also was photo- graphed at the same time. A later sequence on w.-t. Tropidurid of nearly 1110 feet was most glibly the shot easily smoothly covered though light conditions were not the best. A total of ca. 400 feet were shot today.

17 NOVEMBER 64. Equipment was set up about 30 minutes after sunrise. The ship was slowed specifically for this purpose and for a period of one hour was held in the water to allow coverage of the jays & black fated albatross. Some reasonable shots were made of these two birds and it was felt that more could be obtained in the following period of time it would take the ship to maneuver into the harbor. the Camera was not put into storage until the harbor lounge had been passed. (in hopes of securing Brown Booby shots.) one individual mark recorded however very briefly, on anticipation of flight. So ended photographic proceedings November 1964.

List of Photographic equipment in order of importance. 1. BASIC { 16 mm Arriflex single-lens reflex 400 foot film chamber Nickel-Cadmium battery (for camera) Miller Tripod and Fluid Pan-head 300 mm f/5.6 Killfitt Telephoto Tripod-Triangle (for holding leg position) Eye-patch (to allow eye care in long shots) Film changing bag - slate - Cine Meter} 2. Additional 400 foot film chamber 2. " Battery 3. 150 mm Telephoto lens 4. 50 mm Normal (2x) lens. 5. Addition Tripod with friction head 6. Shoulder Harness TO BE Desired -- CAMERA BODY WITH WIDER RANGE OF FPS ZOOM lens of WIDEST RANGE POSSIBLE Side Viewfinder Larger Tripod-triangle & means of securing Tripod to deck. SLATE with pre-written legend (Permanent) Fitted equipment cover for rain squalls WEATHER-proofed equipment (plastic spray) Compartmented case for accessories to prevent being blown away (could be easily made) Film used - Reels 1 through - 6 Tri-X DXR-455 7 " 10 Dupont - Rapid renewed 931A Mag.