4 
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Prepared by Richard Crossin 
SMITHSONIAN QRID 
Survey No* 2k 
PRELIMINARY REPORT AT-SEA SURVEY 
August 1965 
OUTSIDE QRID ONLY 
This report summarises the observations and collections made at sea 
by Smithsonian personnel aboard the U.S.N,S« SHEARWATER during August 1965* 
The Smithsonian team consisted of Richard Crossin (Biologist in charge), 
• * 
Kenneth Amerman, Dayle Rusted, Brian Harrington and Jeff Tor doff# Excellent 
cooperation was received from the officers and orew of the U#S#N#S. SHEARWATER 
A total of 11 days (2-5, 13-15# 22-25 August) was completed covering 
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1,278 miles and 130.9 hours of diurnal observations. Twenty-two birds were 
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collected outside the Grid. Ehtphasis was placed on the Shearwater-Petrel 
group, especially Pterodroma, of which 10 were collected. 
The cruise followed a course through French Frigate Shoals for the 
purpose of disembarking personnel and thence to Laysan Island for an 8-day 
survey before continuing on to the Grid. After completing the Grid the 
cruise W as extended northeast to investigate the area just south of Kaula 
and Kauai before returning to Oahu. 
Ae expected, birds were quite abundant through the main Hawaiians and 
| along the Leeward Chain. Terns and the Shearwater-Petrel group were found 
in about equal numbers from Oahu to Laysan. Approximately two—thirds of the 
; birds observed during* the cruise were accounted for in this area. An un- 
t 
' expected low-density area was encountered on 23 August approximately 175 
f 
