SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION 
UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 
WASHINGTON 25 . D. C. 
November 12, 196^ 
Progress Report # 3 ----- ATF # 6 
From November 1 to November 12 three islands, Phoenix, Birnie and 
Enderbury, were visited in the Phoenix group# An at sea watch was 
maintained from Pago Pago to Phoenix Island although it wasn’t possibly© 
to collect any specimens# 
Phoenix Island 
The party 'landed here at 1700 on the 3rd and departed at 0800 on 
the 7th. The usual studies were continued on birds, mammals aid plants. 
16,926 birds were banded with 1,038 returns recorded# 150 blood samples 
were taken ( 40 from rabbits)# A complete absence of moon^JLit nights 
% 
made this our most productive visit to Phoenix. 
Birnie Island 
Landed at 1*500 on the 7th and departed at 0800 on the 9th. 
Usual studies with 884 birds beinc banded and 507 returns being 
recorded. 65 blood samples were taken ( 5 from Rattus exulans ). The 
blood sampling of rats proved difficult at first but it was finally 
possible to pool three rats to produce approximately 3cc of blood. The 
25 Ers^e needles work^l very well but clog rapidly and one therefore 
goes through a minimum of three per sample. With a sufficient supply 
of needles and our present experience it should be possible to take 
7-8 pooled samples an hour including catching of rats. On tthis island 
it became necessary to shift to a midnight to dawn working schedule in 
order avoid the moon# 
Enderbury Island 
Landed at 1300 on the 9th and departed at o800 on the 12th. 
2708 birds banded with 678 returns. 100 blood samples taken. No 
mammals observed on the island. Party starting to feel the effects of 
nine straight days and nights of work including setting up and breaking 
three camps. Three day break before landing on Jarvis should provide tifct 
to catch up on records, specimens and packing. 
