SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION 
WASHINGTON 25, D. C. 
Progress Report - Howland Island - Feb 8-12, 1964 
Five days and nights were spent on Howland. Birds, plants, mammals, reptiles, 
fish, Crustacea, and insects were studied. Photographs were taken of all 
major habitats. New personnel were trained and blood samples were taken. 
Birds 
There was a great reduction in numbers from previous visits. Only Brown 
Boobies were breeding (five nests) and only 10 species were observed. 
Recoveries 
Banded 
Returns 
pet. of Pop. Handled 
Masked 'Booby 
3 
157 
922 
95 
Brown Booby 
- 
10 
3^ 
50 
Red-footed Booby 
- 
4 
4 
40 
Shore-bird counts 
were made and populations 
were lower 
than October, 1963 
i > • i ■ «. 4 • • . « • 
species (bristle thighed curlew and ruddy turnstone) being 
w V 4 • V | 
Mamina 1 
s 
Cats were reduced in number from previous visits* Vie lound that 
cats could bo more easily run to death than shot so all four cats seen were 
run down and killed. No cat lasted more than about 3 00 yards. 
; V' p m 
oorpcise washed up on shore and this was measurea and skeletonized. 
Reptiles 
15 k geckos and 50 skinks were collected. Small green turtles were seen 
regularly feeding on the reef. 
Fish 
600 * individuals of 50 ^ species were collected with notes on habitat etc 
Crustacea 
l 60 individuals of 40^ species of land and reef crabs were collected 
ivlth notes on their ecology. 
