McFarlane, R. W. Wake Island 5 
1963 
vegetation was apparently the messerschmidia type similar to what covers the 
rest of the island. 
The birds first arrived at this end on May 28-29. Started laying on 
Jane 6-7. 
This is the earliest the birds have ever arrived here. They usually 
remain until September. 
Rodent control--Mr. Valentine. 
I spent most of the morning with Mr. Sperling. He has had quite a 
bit of experience in the Pacific and Aleutian area, has been on Wake six years. 
He has recommended that we contact the Pacific Oceanic Fisheries 
Institute, U.S.F. and W., Honolulu. They have a great deal of oceanic data 
concerning the Pacific fisheries. He also said that there is a monthly 
mail boat (private) which plies the Aleutians from Seward outward. This might 
be a possible means of access for our work in that area. There are also several 
abandoned airstrips which might be suitable for charter flights in. 
I have been provided with a Cushman 3-wheel scooter for transportation 
for the rest of my stay. 
I have also been given an unidentified insect (fly) which bit one of 
the workmen and was collected. It is new to the island. Possibly a 
hippoboscid. 
I took scooter out to Wilkes I. this afternoon. Saw an unidentified s 
sandpiper from the bridge--gray-brown plain back and wings, dusky head, 
darker on crown, lighter on sides of head, neck, and upper breast. Dark 
stripe from bill through and beyond eye. Lower breast, abdomen and under 
tail coverts clear white. Legs yellow. Bill long, slender, bkssk. Feeding 
among rocks, bathing in belly-deep water. Had faint suggestion of wing 
