-2 
flew aboard the ship on 15 October# 
Birds per linear mile dropped to U.86 from a high of 33.1ii recorded 
during September. This is due to the almost complete absence of migrating 
Slender-billed shearwaters this month Sooty Terns accounted for 6h*2$ of 
the total birds seen. 
The majority (8lu5$) of the birds were seen in flocks. Sooty Terns 
accounted for 95 *2% of this total while lesser numbers of frigates and boobies 
were also present. Shearwater-Petrels were almost completely absent from 
feeding flocks. The largest number of feeding flocks (see Figure 2) was 
seen in the vicinity of Baker Island. 
Although it is difficult to accurately compare the September cruise 
and this one, a few differences are readily apparent. Slender-billed 
Shearwater and Sooty Terns were found in much smaller numbers this month 
than last, while the number of shorebirds increased. Mottled Petrels began 
migrating throughtthe area this month. Most other groups remained about the 
same. 
Comparing last year* s October cruise with this one v/e find that on the 
whole they were very similar except for the larger number of Wedge-tailed 
and Slender-billed Shearwaters last year and the larger number of Frigatebirds 
this year. 
Noteworthy sightings included 75 Mottled Petrels, 10 White-winged Petrels, 
10 Wilson 1 s Storm Petrels, one Erolia sandpiper, one Long-tailed Jaeger and 
one Skuarr. The Long-tailed Jaeger represents the first specimen collected 
in the Grid 
