Phaethon rubri cauda 
R. S. Crossin 
19^5 
July cruise - Grid area 
9 July - This has been the most simple bird to collect so far this trip. The 
birds are invariably attracted to the ship, and will often make 3 or 
4 passes about it, head out to sea --at times out of sight and then re- 
turn to the ship for a few more passes. White-tails appear to be just 
as curious, but these have been in the minority so far this trip. The bill color 
of this species is highly variable and may be due to age, reproductive 
cycle or perhaps other factors such as time of the year or food. 
Certain individuals show an almost back bill, with little or no hint 
of red or orange. Usually only single individuals are seen, but 
occasionally 2 or even 3 ma y come about the ship. Often one is seen 
to dive from varying heights of 50 to 200 feet up into the water, pre- 
sumably for fish. These dives are normally almost -vertical the birds 
often remain sitting on the water after a dive for some minutes before 
taking flight. Both the white - necked Petrel (P.e. externa ) have been 
observed in some numbers on this trip so far. The white-necked usually 
shows a very distinct white neck and nape at most any visible distance. 
These petrels are often seen in company with Bonin Is. or Cooks Petrels. 
They can usually be told from the Bonin or Cooks at any distance by 
their larger size and peculiar high sweeping arch made above the water 
at dose intervals. Hyp sle yeas will make an arch, but it is usually 
quick and not as high above the water as externa . 
Laysan Hawaiian Is. Pacific Ocean -(Laysan Albatross ) 
18-21 July Practically all birds on the island (estimated 10,000) are birds of the 
year. A few adults were noted to come in to feed young birds - this 
occurred mainly at night. The young range greatly in size or actually 
weight. Many still have the heads, necks and breasts covered with 
brown down, while a good portion of the larger ones are difficult to 
tell from adult birds. The pinkish feet of the adults as opposed to 
the blackish-grayish feet of the young seems to be a good character 
for telling them apart. The orangish bill of the adults apparently 
may also be acquired by young birds during the final stages of their time 
on the island. Many of the young with heavy down are extremely ? and 
xxx hardly weigh a few poinds. This variation in weight is most apparent 
throughout the group - some of the young being very heavy - others 
weightless practically. Many of the larger, stronger birds are now 
practicing their flying - often landing out in the water where they 
apparently are able to take oof from quite easily. Numerous birds 
can be seen on land fanning their wings, especially when the wind 
blows strongly. 
The birds are distributed throughout the island, but often congregate 
% in open spots in the fields or along the beach, many also on the shore 
of the lake in the daytime, but there more into the dense cover by 
night . 
The snapping of their beaks when they are approached is indist/inguishable 
from that noise made by Great horned Owls. 
There must logically be a great number of these young which will never 
make it. Numerous young can be seen lying about the island in various 
stages of decomposition. 
