2 
SIC #12 departed Honolulu on March 29 aboard the USNS Shearwater 
(T-AG 177). Smithsonian personnel aboard were: Max C. Thompson (Biol- 
ogist-in-charge, Island Work), Richard Crossin, Brian Harrington, Ken 
Balcomb, James Lewis, Dave Hoff, Frank Smith, Norman Heryford, Dayle 
Husted and Phil Shelton. The Shearwater was under the command of Mr. 
G. Krull® The usual cooperation was received from the ship f s crew® 
Intensive work was done on four islands: Enderbury, Phoenix, 
Hull and McKean. Due to last minute changes in orders, Howland and 
Baker were omitted from the first half of the trip. McKean was added 
to the itinerary when it was apparent that the prime objective of ban¬ 
ding Sooty Terns could not be accomplished on the three planned islands* 
In general it is safe to say that SIC 12 is about one month too 
early to obtain any numbers of Sooty Terns. They will be discussed 
later under each island. 
Since the grid was revised and shortened, time was available to 
spend off of Howland Island drifting all night. The skiff was put over¬ 
board and a run made up to the surf line of the island. Sooty Terns 
were present in large numbers but apparently were not yet on the ground. 
A ,morning survey showed very few terns over the island. Twenty-five 
birds were shot and showed various signs of coming into breeding con¬ 
dition. For more details see the Howland report. 
The results of the first half of the trip were disappointing and 
the prospects for the second half are also dim except possibly for 
Palmyra. 
The following is a list of species for each island visited. 
