37 % of the birds in AREA a; 4) 4 February, just north of 
2°North. One large feeding flock containing 302 birds was 
encountered here. The flock consisted primarily of Sooty 
Terns. 
Present Cruise SIC 9 
AREA b. Total Birds 2801 9059 
Terns were again the dominant species group throughout 
AREA b and accounted for 83^ of the total birds. Common 
Noddy Terns, however, were the dominant species and were 
nearly twice as abundant as Sooty Terns. The majority of 
the Common Noddles were accounted for north of the Tokelau 
Islands and north of Samoa. Sooty Terns were abundant through 
|| i 
the Phoenix group. Shearwater-petrels (almost exclusively 
dark phase Wedge-tailed Shearwaters) were very low in number 
throughout the area, accounting for less than 3 % of total birds. 
Present Cruise SIC 9 
AREA c. Total Birds 2483 6009 
Sooty Terns were the dominant species each day through¬ 
out AREA c and accounted for 54^ of total birds. Wedge-tailed 
Shearwaters, predominantly dark phase, were abundant north of 
Christmas Island. White-rumped storm petrels were common from 
the Grid to Christmas Island, but only a few scattered sight¬ 
ings were recorded from Christmas to Oahu. Blue-faced and 
Red-footed Boobies showed a very similar picture: common 
to abundant between Canton and Christmas Islands, with no 
sightings of either species north of Christmas. 
