3 
ENDERBURY ISLAND 
The water level in the lagoon was down about 6-12 inches in 
depth from March. However, the vegetation was still green indicat¬ 
ing continuing rainfall. It was obvious that little of value could 
be gained by staying on the island the allotted days so we moved on 
to Phoenix ahead of schedule. 
Species Accounts 
Wedge-tailed Shearwater -One bird was seen cruising the surf line 
about 0900 April 13. 
Red-tailed Tropicbird -The mating season is in full swing now with 
many adults looking for nest sites. One 3/4 grown nestling (found on 
SIC 11) was banded. Population 150+-. 
Blue-faced Booby -One small club present on the island near the house. 
One blue-streamered bird was captured and the return taken. Twenty- 
three nests with eggs were found. Population 300+-. 
Brown Booby -Population was down from SIC 11. Five nests with eggs and 
seven with nestlings were found. Population 100+-. 
Red-footed Booby -Twenty-one nests, contents unknown were seen high in 
the Cordia on the SE side of the island. Adult numbers are down con¬ 
siderably. Population 50+-. 
Great Frigatebird -The nesting season was well under way with an esti¬ 
mated 5,000 birds present. The largest concentration was in the Messer - 
schmidtia north of the house. We found 747 nests with eggs and three 
with chicks. Large scale banding at night in frigatebird colonies 
should be discouraged due to a large pro ortion of the nests being 
abandoned. 
