SKUA (1) 
Irregularly recorded in the grid since last fall, always of single sightings* 
One was observed last month. 
SOOTY TERN (4469 ♦ 524 nocturnal) 
This species was dominant during every day of the cruise* Sooty Terns account 
ed for over 86 % of total birds (diurnal + nocturnal)* The Howland Island pop 
ulatioa is presently beginning a new breeding cycle, but as yet only about 30 
% of the birds are on the ground. If this population (roughly 70,000) is now 
* 
* 
stable, then little change in numbers can be expected in the grid until late 
summer. A total of 120 birds was collected (99 diurnal, 21 nocturnal)* A 
high percentage of these were not in breeding condition. This suggests that 
either a portion of the birds in the Howland breeding population will not 
currently nest or that there are numerous birds in the grid from non-breeding 
populations outside the Howland-Baker area. 
• 
GRAY-BACKED TERN (3 nocturnal) 
COMMON"NODDY ?5 + 2 nocturnal) 
BLUE-GRAY NODDY (2) 
WHITE (FAIRY) TERN (18+2 nocturnal) 
All 4 species have been thus far recorded in the grid in low numbers. The Gray 
backed Terns were recorded at night by call only* Fairy Terns have increased 
since last month# Higher numbers of this species were recorded in the grid 
last fall when large flocks of Sooty Terns were utilizing the grid area. 
