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5 
Wedge-tailed Shearwater. The only species seen every day of the cruise. 
Numbers declined with distance from the Hawaiian Islands, then in¬ 
creased in the area north and east of the Line Islands, this latter 
population being almost entirely dark-phase birds. Only 20 were seen 
within the Grid. Huge numbers were present around Kaula and Niihau, 
in flocks of 2 to 3 thousand. Twenty-seven were collected. 
Christinas Island Shearwater. Three were seen near the Hawaiian Islands, 
and 7 were sighted on May 11, the day of peak numbers of several species 
in the southern area. One was collected. 
Audubon 1 s Shearwater. Six birds were believed to this species but considerable 
confusion exists in the separation of this species and the similarly- 
appearing Newell's Shearwater. 
Newell's Shearwater. Apparently distributed randomly over the first half of 
the route. Only 2 were seen in the Grid, but 87 were found the last day 
in the immediate vicinity of Niihau Island. Some birds identified as 
Newell’s Shearwaters north and east of the Line Islands may have been 
Audubon's Shearwaters. The presence there of moderate numbers of Newell’s, 
most of which were flying south and southwest, is not to be expected at 
this time since this species returns to its breeding grounds now. The 
possibility also exists that they might be Manx Shearwaters. 
Sooty Shearwater. Numbers dropped off sharply over the last month. This 
month they were randomly distributed over the entire area. Fewer birds 
were seen in mixed flocks than in April. 
Slender-billed Shearwater. One bird identified as this species and few others 
« 
thought possibly to be Slender-bills were recorded at 8 degrees North. 
Pale-footed Shearwater. One bird was seen and collected in a feeding flock 
\ 
northwest of Johnston Island May 21. • 
