Swain 1 s Island (coni . ) 
R.S. Crossin 
i960 
2k February 
190, 20 Fairy terns* Total birds = 225® Only 3 Sooty Terns noted, none 
yesterday. A few dark Wedgetails - Shear-Pet almost non-existent. 
8-155; 172-23W 6-17S; 173 -18W 
25 February - Only 90 birds today. 71 of them Sooty terns, more variety 
showing up finally - few Petrels, few White-rumped Storm Petrels and pair of 
Jaegers. Only 2 flocks, both traveling, and both composed of purely sooty terns. 
4-2 5 S; 174-17W 2-37S; 175-23W 
26 February - Numbers increased considerably today - 211 total. 100 terns, many 
White-rumped Storm Petrels, and a few White-throated. Some of the White-throated 
mere intermediate phase with just patches of white along flanks and a few mere 
completely dark phase. Ran nocturnal from midnight to sunrise, only 2 birds. 
27 February - Southern Grid-Baker to Howland. 0-52 S; 176-21W to How. 
Birds very numerous about the islands. Total of 698 - 580 of them Sooty terns. 
Numerous small to medium - sized feeding and traveling flocks. Ca 5? 000 Sooty 
terns swirling over Howland, but none on the ground as yet. About 15-20 were 
noted on the beach as we landed, 4-4- terns seen on all night observati ons. 
28 February - ? NE Howland. 1-15 N; 175-26 W - 0-14- N; 176 - 30 W. 
Numbers dropped off considerably away from the islands. 165 total - 100 terns, 
4-2 storm Petrels, 11 Leach 1 s collected so must assume that the vast majority of 
White-rumped Storm Petrels are Leach ? s. Few Terns upon reaching the islands 
and very few on Noc - ? - from Baker to Howland - 
1 March - Howland Island - 1-20 N; 177-28W 
Very few birds west of the islands - total 139 • Only 4-1 Sooty Terns - no feeding 1 
flocks. ^9 Bulwers Petrels - 3 collected - all new flight feathers, new body 
feathers with a light body molt. Most appeared to be migrating with general 
direction from NE to SE* All night observations held - total 8 birds. 
2 March - 1-1*9 N; 176-20W - 0-29 W; 177-31 W 
numbers picked up some today- mainly Sooty Terns in feeding flocks - 
totaH91?, 132 St. All night observations = 12. 
3 March 0-15 S; 177~2oW - 012; 176-llW 
Ran an oil slick in the afternoon but few birds came. Storm Petrels fairly 
numerous throughout day - 29 total, 3 Leach 1 s collected - all night observations 
= 26 birds. Diurnal ? = 120 
4- March - 0-13 N; I76-23W - - 1-07 S; 176 - 29 W 
Mostly storm Petrels today = 3 5? 2 Leach f s coll, only 83 birds total. All night 
observations accounted for 4-0. 
5 March - 1-03 S; I76-27W --- 0-00; 175-12W 
Last day in ? #5. Very few birds. Total of 34-, 15 of these WRSP, 2 Leach *s 
collected. Only 7 Sooty Terns sighted. Left ? at SS. 
6 March - 1-03 S; 173-4-4- W 2-11 S; 173 - 27 W 
Mostly single sightings - predominantly storm petrels until late afternoon when 
flocks began showing up. These composed of ST, CNT, FT and a few Aud. Shear and 
Xmas I. Shear., WT. There are most likely Phoenix Island birds, reached Canton 
Island about midnight. 
