Amerson, B. 
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to tlie Whale Island area. We left at 7:40 with the rubber boat 
leading the way. Mail was first carried to Tern Island and we 
continued on. The whaleboat had to be lead through some areas due 
to small coral heads jutting up. We arrived at Whale-Skate 
Island about 10 a.m. , walked around the island and decided on a 
camp site. The gear was then brought in by rubber boat and cam p 
was set up (about middle of island ) . Only one island is now present 
and it appears the islands might have joined together. This island 
is now approximately 2785 feet long and 225 feet wide (widest point) 
and 5 feet high. A map will be on a separate page. The island is 
almost completely vegetated except for the beaches. Plants 
are similar to that of East Island except more mesoschmid and more 
ChenopodiriN There are no thistle- like plants. Three types 
of grass occur which cover most of the island. Our camp was made 
at the narrowest stretch with the best landing being at this point 
(even for a whaleboat). The island has many birds, mainly: Masked 
Boobies (nesting), Frigatebird (nesting). Common Noddies (nesting), 
Grey-backed Terns (nesting). Red-footed Boobies (nesting) (very 
few). The beaches are covered with seals and turtles. Just after 
lunch the front section of the rubber craft blew out and the boat 
had to return to fix it. During the afternoon I banded Black-footed 
Albatross chicks (almost ready to fly) and Ered banded Masked Boobies. 
During the night we handed adult and immature Common Noddies. Before 
going to bed we discovered we had banded exactly 900 birds today. 
One immature Booby (red -footed) was caught which had a hand on it. 
