were recorded during nocturnal observations, but net during the day. 
Attempts to mass band Sooty Terns on Howland Island were made by the 
survey party on the nights of 2-3, 3-4, and 8-9 May. A nearly full moon 
combined with probably normal restless behavior of Sooty Terns during the 
early egg-laying period made for futile banding and only a few thousand were 
banded and streamered (see SIC 12 Howland report). Since the Sooty Tern is 
by far the most numerous and important species affecting the grid area, an¬ 
other attempt should be made to mass band and streamer the Howland Island 
♦ 
# 
population. A period during the dark of moon in July would probably be roost 
productive. At present, the minute percentage of banded Sooty Terns collected 
at sea hardly justifies the efforts of collecting and processing of specimens 
in large numbers such as have been taken during the present and previous 
surveys# 
Density (birds/linear mile) was so tie what lower during the present cruise 
(7.50) than during the April survey (8.22). Apparently a level has been reach 
ed with the present Howland Island population. The very high densities such 
as were recorded in September 1965 (65.29) depend not only upon great influxes 
of migrating shearwaters, but large numbers of terns from breeding areas other 
than Howland. 
Peak bird days were noted on 2, 3, and 6 May, all in the vicinity of 
Howland-Baker. Moderately high daily totals were recorded west of the Islands 
with very low daily totals to the south, southwest and northeast of the is¬ 
lands. An abundance of feeding and traveling flocks of primarily Sooty Terns 
were noted on the peak days. During early morning observations about Howland 
Island, numerous Sooty Terns were noted moving southward into the Baker area. 
Conversely at dusk near Baker flocks of Sooty Terns in fast, direct flight 
