SIC 11 
R.S. Crossin 
1966 
of the lagoon - worked by Thompson. Another concentration was present in the 
Messerschmidtia grove on W side of lagoon mixed in with the Greater Frigate colony. 
An estimated 450 birds were present here. Only about 25 pairs had nests, 
practically all with eggs. A third small concentration was present further up 
the next beach in the Cordia grove by the guano pile. Less than 100 birds were 
here and approximately 12 nestn with eggs were present. One nest contained a 
l/3 grown chick - dead. 
Great Frigatebird 
Concentrated primarily in one colony on W nest side of island in the 
Messerschmidtia grove. I estimated 5000 in this colony on eve of Ik, but this 
may have been too high. As numbers were certainly not this great on night of 
ik during banding operations. The island population is apparently somewhere 
between 3 and 4000 birds at this time. About 2/3 of the population appear to 
be immature birds (flying). Most adults are notu starting a new nesting cycle- 
cftf displaying and carrying nesting material. Approximately 75 nests were present 
in the main colony, about 50 with fresh eggs to slight incubation. One egg was 
hatching on night of l4 and one dead chick was noted (about 1/3 grown). All 
nests in the colony were built in the Messerschmidtia bushes. 9 nests were 
present on the south end of the island - these built on Sida clumps only a few 
inches from the grond. All contained fresh eggs. 
Lesser Frigate 
Approximately 300 flying immatures were present, scattered about the W end 
of the Greater Frigate colony. These were scattered about roosting mainly on 
the ground or in low vegetation. About 3 adults were noted on night of lb and 
2 or 3 on night of 15 . One cf had the throat pouch enlarged so apparently a 
few are about to begin a new nesting cycle. 
Golden Plover 
Distributed thinly over the island, with concentrations on the E shore. 
A total of 5^4 count. 
Ruddy Turnstone 
Found most commonly along the lagoon and shore lines, but small flocks and 
singles were noted over most of the island. Count of 627 on 15 Feb. 
Wandering Tattler 
Thinly distributed over the island - count of 7^- on 15 Feb. 
Bristle- thighed Curlew 
Thinly distributed over entire island. Count of 35 made on 15 Feb. 
Sooty Tern 
Swirls of up to 5000 were noted just behind the light house on evenings of 
14 and 15 Feb. About 200 more noted sitting on the west shore of the lagoon 
