Grav-backed Tern 
(Not recorded during December). 
Grid 2 Not recorded. 
Non-grids Two birds were observed in a mixed flock of terns on 5 
* 
January approximately 200 mi. SW of Oghu. On 15> January one bird, first 
identified as a Sooty Tern, was observed at a' distance in front of the 
t 
ship. The bird alighted on a piece of floating wood and as it floated 
k 
by was positively identified as this species. In good light this species 
% 
was recognizable at several hundred yards. 
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On 18 January a single, u gray-backed u tern was seen at moderate range 
i 
about 95 mi. SW Oahu. No black cap was seen and the bird may have been 
another species in winter plumage. 
Sooty Tern 
(Decrease from December of from 999 to 503 birds (68 sightings). 
Grids None recorded during daylight hours - compared with 93 in 
December. (See nocturnal observations). 
Non-Grids Decrease of U 03 j forty sightings, involving over half of all 
Sooty Terns observed, were recorded within 100 mi. of O^hu. An additional 
18 sightings were made between 100 and 300 mi. SW O s hu. Diurnal sightings 
of Sooty Terns greatly decreased as we approached Johnston Atoll. Flock 
size ranged from 5 to 70 birds. Almost half of all Sooty Terns flocks 
were within 100 mi. of O^hu. Immature birds were positively identified 
in some flocks. Of 25 bird flocks containing Sooty Terns, 10 were mixed 
feeding flocks; 7 were mixed non-feeding flocks and 8 were non-feeding 
Sooty Terns only. ^ 
In addition three other flocks totalling 19 birds, and a single bird 
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were probably of this species but were too distant for positive identificati 
