DRAFT 
Mar.-Gil.-At Sea 
16 
Inter-atoll Observations 
A much greater variety of birds was seen on the open ocean than within 
l ie Marshall and Gilbert Islands. Only 19 species were identified between 
atolls, compared to 36 found on the journey to and from them. Furthermore, 
90 percent of the birds seen belonged to only 5 species. 
For the most part, the avifauna present between atolls reflects the 
populations on tha atolls. Thus, though in total numbers the Sooty Tern is 
one of the 5 major species found at sea in the Marshalls and Gilberts, it 
was found only in the vicinity of the atolls khere nesting colonies occurred, 
with one exception. It was almost totally absent south of Taka Atoll. The 
Red-footed Booby, found in numbers only on atolls north of Makin, shows a 
similar distribution. 
ihe most striking differences between the two areas are the nearly total 
lack of Procellariids among the Gilberts and Marshalls and the great numbers 
of Fairy Terns and Noddies, especially Hawaiian, which were totally absent 
1 
between Honolulu and the atolls visited. Again, this reflects the situation 
on the islands. Except for Wedgetail Shearwaters, which occurred in numbers 
A 
only on Taongi Atoll and sparsely on Bikar and Taka, and one Christmas Island 
Shearwater taken on Taoggi, no Procellariids of any sort were found on the 
Giloerts and Marshalls visited. Noddies and Fairy Terns, on the other hand, 
became the dominant and sometimes sole seabird species^on the southern high 
coconut islands. 
Exceptions, of course, do occur. Already mentioned was the occurrence 
of Harcourts’ and Sooty Storm Petrels between Makin and Malana Atolls. In 
addition, nearly 200 Shearwaters, believed to be Slender-billed, were suddenly 
and inexplicably encountered between Malana and Kuria Atolls. 
Species accounts follow: 
