89 . 
31 Dec. 196^ Shore-bird and seal census. We had 
80 GR 105 RT, 1 WT, 2 Sanderlings, 5 Bristle-thighed 
Curlews, 21 seals. The Laysan nests were 729, a decrease 
from 841 the previous week, and 832 the week before. 
The storm here raged from Dec. 16 to 22, so the abandon- 
ments occured a full week after the storm abated. 
Blackfeet suffered the most, the counts revealing a 
decrease from 271 nests to 190 - a 30 per cent decrease. 
Most the the nests lost were on the West beach, from 
exposure to waves or heavy wind and sand. 
At least 4 Glaucus-winged gulls were seen this day. 
Laysans were checked. Booby behavior was observed 
afijer dinner. 
1 January, 1965 Rested on this first day of. the year. 
Checked the albatross nests, Dennis did some skins, I 
transcribed notes. 
2 January. We bagan the report for thi s period, checked 
the Laysans. Took 9 bliod samples and Me Bee cards on 8 
Laysans. Of 8 birds handled randomly, 2 had the back rot* 
ing condition. Thisebirds were bled. Another extreme 
case of the rot was seen and this bird was also bled, 
then destroyed. The entire thoracic area was exposed, 
and the scapula hung free. The bird could not use one 
wing, and was beginning to limp - literally being eaten 
away by whatever this disease is. Blood from tnase birds 
is btting labelled as specifically from sick birds in toe 
hopes that the causes of the diseases. can be assessed. 
We have taken one specimen, and have its blood also. 
This rot is foul smelling, evil looking, completely 
debilitating, and thoroughly disgusting. 
On south x>Int I saw 6 Glaucus-winged Gulls. 
After the movie I went out and banded and painted Red 
8 Red-footed Boobies. There were no recoveries. 
3 January, 1965 While writing the report, I spun down 
the blood samples taken yesterday, then checked Laysans. 
On the beach there were two new gulls, a Glaucus Gull, 
clearly seen, esp. the pink at base of bill, ligheter 
primaries, and light feet, and a Glaucus -wingod Gull 
with an ad. type mantle, although the bird is still 
mottled belowi Transcribed some behavior notes There 
were 12 seals on N.Pt. 
1 
o 
