SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION 
WASHINGTON 25, D. C. 
ATF Progress Report 
H. "• •wvi^ 
U V; nc» 
During the period from Feb. 3 to Mar. o, 21 days were speno asnore on 7 islands. 
20,045 birds were banded. uSoO returns were obtained, 7^ ciido were colle^ood, 
and 230 blood samples were taken. In addition, collections were made of fisn, 
Crustacea, and mammals on various islands. 
Each island visited is discussed separately in the body of this reporu. 
At-Sea Observation 
Two-man watches were maintained during daylight hours from Pearl Harbor to 
Howland Island and from Canton Island to Pago T Pago, American Samoa. The raw data 
is enclosed with this report. 
Various observations were made as we approached islands on the maximum 
range at which a bird could be seen. Masked Boobies are not visible to the 
naked eye at distances over one mile and Sooty Terns are not visiole ao distances 
over 3-4 of a mile. It is unlikely that these birds would be seen at these 
distances unless ono knew that a bird was there, oefore one began observing# 
Radar 
Despite considerable time spent on the set it st-ill ha sn 1 fc functionea 
properly# The ship has hopes of f ix ing tne wiring but so o.ar no lucx# nny 
attempt to use the repeater completely ruins the radar image on tne ship ! s 
radar* Photographs 
Good photographic coverage of the islands was maintained until two of the 
focal plane shutters ceased to function# 
Blood Samples 
The need for 8 cc* samples has greatly reduced the number of samples which 
can be taken in a given period as well as eliminating some birds from consideration 
entirely# (If one must sample more than 40 individuals to get 10 samples at 
is hardly worth the effort# 
