Dicuasion of the Smithsonian Gr i Av i f au na for May 1965 
Fourteen species were identified. This is identical to the total for 
1964. Newell’s Shearwaters and Kermadec Petrels were found this year* but 
not last, while Pomarine Jaegers and Grey-backed Terns were found only 
last year. 
A marked decrease in total number of birds over 1964 (from 55*000 to 
15*500) may have been due to several days of rough weather with a considerate 
amount of rain. Although this type of weather probably has little finfluence 
on the numbers of birds in the area, it has a considerable effect on 
observations. It is expected, therefore, that the actual numbers of birds 
present during May is more accurately represented by the 1964 figures# This 
reductionn in numbers was mainly the influence of extremely low numbers of 
Sooty Terns and Hodge-tailed Shearwaters observed. 
The composition of the avifauna from the standpoint of species groups 
was roughly the same as in 1964 with the Shearwater petrel Group being 
slightly higher and the Tern Group being correspondingly lower this year# 
♦ 
Terns, however, still accounted for over 50 percent of the total avifauna. 
The distribution of birds within the grid was somewhat different. 
1964 concentrations were in the eastern quadrant while in 1965 they were 
most numerous in the northern quadrant. This is still consistent with 
the greater density in the Northeastern half of the area. 
Seven Sooty Terns (four of which were collected) were observed with 
orange streamers indicating Johnston atol birds# The farthest from this 
atol was one observed l80 miles to the south. 
