6 
Gray-backed Tern (5) 
The same low numbers were recorded on all previous cruises. 
Common Noddy Tern ( 3 ) 
With at least several hundred birds based on Baker Island, this species 
might be expected more commonly in the Grid area. However, its manner of 
feeding in compact flocks might easily allow a population of this size to 
be missed with random survey movements. 
Blue-gray Noddy Tern (l) 
The single individual was sighted on 8 February northwest of Howland 
Island. This is the first record of its occurrence in the Grid. 
Fairy Tern (3) 
This species was commonly observed in mixed feeding flocks during the 
September and October surveys, but has been quite scarce since that time 
in the Grid. Only two were recorded in the Grid during the November- 
December survey. 
