- 8 - 
than during the July cruise* Density (birds/linear mile) showed a similar 
drop from 8*91 in July to 6.19 during the present cruis^but present lower figures 
are considered a reflection of decreased activity in the grid^especially near the 
islands. Birds were abundant in all sectors of the grid with peak days on Ik 
August between Howland and Baker and on 17 August W-SW of Howland. The percentage 
of streamered birds in the Howland breeding colony is now great enough to where 
it is more profitable to carefully scan flocks for marked birds than to attempt 
collecting in hopes of taking banded birds. Of l£ birds collected, one was banded 
(Howland). A large portion of the chicks on Howland Island are beginning to fly 
and immatures were recorded in the grid for the first time during the present 
breeding season. Apparently immatures leave the grid area and do not return until 
the adult stage is reached. Immatures noted at sea during the present cruise 
were always accompanied by adults, presumably parent birds. This is especially 
noticeable when any immature leaves a feeding flock to investigate the ship in 
that an adult bird is sure to follow close behind, invariably calling loudly. 
The Sooty Tern was the only tern species recorded in the grid during the present 
survey, except for a questionable sighting of a Fairy Tern during nocturnal observations. 
* 
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% 
