DRAFT 
4 
INTRODUCTION 
The sixth trip to the Equatorial Islands was supported by the USS Lipan 
(ATF 85 ) with Lt. Veissmann commanding. Smithsonian personnel were Fred 
Sibley (Leader), C. Douglas Hackman (Assistant Leader), Robert Long 
(Botanist); Richard Merrill, Paul Woodward, and Alan Anderson. William 
Foulkes (Army Pictorial Center); Chief Lee, Chief Tillman, and Capt. Holway 
(latter three from EMU 6) accompanied the Smithsonian party on part of the 
trip. 
The entire area was much drier than on any previous trip. This didn't 
effect the bird populations but the vegetation cover was greatly reduced. 
Thirteen islands were surveyed and a short visit was made to Canton. 
Complete surveys were made of all vertebrates present on the islands, 
_ / 
photographs were taken, vegetation maps and botanical collections were made 
and various collections of* herps, Crustacea, fish, insects and ectoparasites 
were made to fULL in gaps from previous trips * At sea observations were 
maintained from Honolulu to Howland Island, Sydney to Pago Pago, Pago Pago 
to Phoenix, and Palmyra to Honolulu. The following was accomplished in 
addition to the items noted above: 952 blood samples; 55*126 birds banded; 
1*, 532 band returns; 262 birds collected; 28 mammals collected. 
Only the birds and mammals are reported on in this preliminary report. 
- - BIRDS 
i 
It doesn*t seem worthwhile to report the details of numbers of birds 
and numbers of nests found on this trip. These findings are in line with 
previous statements about the breeding cycles and population sizes. These 
details are available in progress reports and field notes and will be 
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