6 
The only frigatebird observed in the Tokelau Islands. On Matanga 
Island on Fakaofo Atoll we observed a roosting flock of approximately 450 
in a grove of Pisonia trees. On WukunonQ. Atoll we saw no roosting flocks 
but birds were observed headed in a northerly direction at a high altitude 
eac' ening. At Atafu Atoll on Fenualoa Island, there was an estimated 
500 roosting in a grove of Pisonia . 
Phaethon rubricauda . Red-tailed Tropicbird. 
The only record of ours was provided by Douglas Hackman on Nukunono Atoll 
on March 1 where he saw a bird flying overhead. The nun on the island had 
in her possession several tail feathers that had been picked up, indicating 
that it is probably a frequent visitor. 
Phaethon lepturus . White-tailed Tropicbird. 
Paul Woodward saw this tropicbird flying overhead on Fakaofo Atoll on 
February 27 . We have no other records. 
Duck sp. 
Although we saw no ducks during our stay. Father Goldfinch, the Catholic 
priest on the island of Wukunonu, said that nearly every year in the months 
of February and March a few ducks do come to the island. The nun there 
identified*, them as Gray Ducks, Anas superciliosa . We were unable to verify 
her identification of the species. 
Pluvialis dominica . Golden Plover. 
Specimens —5* Fakaofo: cf testis 9 x 6 mm., 118.0 gms., 9 ovary minute, 
157*5 gms., heavy fat. Wukunono: cf ovary granular, 124 gms. 
Common bird on all the atolls. The birds were beginning the prenuptial 
molt. 
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