SHEARtfATER-PETREL 
^ tfedgetailed Shearwaters, as usual, wwe the most abundant species in 
this group. Dark phase individuals increased as we proceeded southwest 
from Oahu, but were practically absent during the cruise from the grid 
to Lisianski-Laysan and back to Oahu. Distribution of the species was 
fairly uniform throughout the cruise, except for a tremendous increase 
on the last day (24 July) returning through the Leewards. 
Christmas Island Shearwaters were thinly distributed except for larger 
numbers near Lisianski and the larger Leewards. 
^ jriw Lewell's Shearwaters were seen during the cruise until the last 
day when 135 (more than of the total number observed) were encountered 
northwest of Oahu^ Last JulyQ^Sfe) very few were recorded although the 
ship returned through the Leewards. 
Bonin Island Petrels were much more abundant in comparable areas 
than last me nth, but the number^ of Cook's Petrels w e r e lower. The combined 
numbers of both types were fairly comparable to July 1964. Cook's Petrels 
exceeded Bonin Islands by approximately 5-1. 
Juan Fernandez Petrels (including white-Necked) remained fairly low 
in number until the grid was approached, whereupon the numbers greatly 
increased. Practically none were observed after the grid area enrout^to 
Lisianski and thence to Oahu. A few individuals showed molt in the flight 
feathers. The complete absence of this species in the grid last July can 
not be explained &t this time. Very large numbers were observed last 
month when the cruise extended southeastward near the line Islands, 
Bulwer's Petrels nearly doubled over July 1964, but over eighty 
percent of these were encountered during the last two days of the cruise 
through the larger Leewards. 
