Journal SIC 11 
R.S. Crossln 
196b 
14 March X-mas 
Party vent out to Cook Island about mid-day. The Sooty tern colony vas just 
finishing a nesting cycle. About 500 adults were sitting on the ground, but 
only about 10 full grown, flying chicks were present. A few Crested Tern. 
Chicks were scattered about - l/2 - 3/4 grown. A few Blue-grey Noddies 
appeared to be nesting. Fairy Terns were especially abundant in all the fringing 
Messerschmidia trees . 
Common Noddy and Hawaiian Noddy Terns present in low numbers and nesting. 
Banded Sooty Tern chicks and adults on the N end of the island (before PUR) 
from London. Roughly 7,000 banded in combination chicks here ranged from half- 
to full grown - Colony of ca. 150-200,000 birds. Cats are very abundant here as 
elsewhere in the vicinity of ? and are taking a great toll of chicks. 
Finished banding after 0300 and broke camp and returned to Shearwater. 
15 March - 2-30 Nj 157-36 ¥ - 4-35 Nj 157^32¥ 
First day N. X-mas, numerous birds - 1210 total, dark Wedgetails very common - 
345 total. Most WT going N or HW throughout A.M., many returning S. during P.M. 
Very large feeding flock at dusk (1750) Phoenix Island Petrels common throughout 
day 25- Sooty terns very abundant - 720. Most birds strung out traveling, except 
when in large flocks (feeding). Red-footed Boobies common in flocks up to dark. 
Probably the vast majority of the days’ total were birds based on Xmas Id. - or 
others in the Line group. 
16 March - 6-34 N; 157 - 30 ¥ 8-36 N; 157 - 31 ¥ 
Considerable number of birds observed, but practically all confined to 3 flocks. 
Total of 459 birds, 4l8 in 3 flocks. Flocks composed of Sooty terns and ¥edge- 
tails. One flock with 200 ¥edgetails were 90 % li^ht birds, so apparently represent 
northern populations. A few Juan Fernandez and Phoenix Is ./tahitian Petrels about, 
Storm Petrels have dropped off drastically since Xmas Island. Seas continue very 
rough and hinder collecting as spray shoots over the bow and it becomes impossible 
to stand watches from there. 
17 March - IO-39 N; 157-33 ¥ — 12-36 N; 157 - 39 ¥ 
Seas quite rough, wind strong. Very few birds. A total of 41, mostly Sooty 
Terns in 2 flocks (33)* Only 9 sightings over entire day. 
18 March - 14 - 40 N; 157-49 ¥ - - 16-52 N; 157-47 ¥ 
Seas again very rough. Could not collect, supposedly because starboard engine 
controls were ready to break, but without doubt reason in activity was crew and 
Capt - alike - have channel fever. 10 Phalaropes?/ Sanderlings. sighted but of 
course could not collect any. Appear to be Red Phaloropes, but uncertain until 
one is collected. 30 Sooty terns for a total of 44 birds. 
19 March - 19-00N; 157-42 ¥ - 20-58 N; 158-57 ¥ 
Day similar to yesterday. Total of 45 birds few more petrels, 1 Sooty/slender 
bill; and possibly 1 mottled Petrel. 2 Phalarope sp. again today. Arrive Honolulu 
about 8-83O tonight. 2 Black-footed Albatrosses started fUlowing ship today. 
