-11 
Arctic Tern cont . 
lmen from near the Southern Grid area the previous fall. Very 
low numbers are likely present throughout the area of interest 
but these could easily be mistaken for Sooty or Gray-backed Terns. 
Sootv Tern A=2260 B=2003 C=5017 
The Sooty Tern, by far the most abundant species during the 
cruise, was present in varying numbers each day and accounted for 
54 f. of the total birds recorded. Distribution was irregular with 
several peak days. In area A an abundance of birds (1007) were 
noted on 1 April E-NE Johnston Atoll. A second area of concentra¬ 
tion was npted on 4 April (807 birds) between 7*5 and 6° N. A broad 
area fluctuating roughly between 3 and 7° N has shown high concen¬ 
trations on other cruises. Schools of milling tuna were noted here 
again during the present cruise. A small percentage of immature 
birds were present in feeding flocks. 
In area B high concentrations were noted between Hull and Mc¬ 
Kean Islandd. Hull Island did not have a population of breeding 
birds at that time. 
In area C concentrations were noted on 13 May upon approach 
to Palmyra and on 20 May, one day south of Oahu. The concentrations 
near Palmyra could have been from that island since the breeding 
colony was just terminating a cycle. 
A Christmas Island banded Immature was collected just E of 
the Southern Grid, roughly 700 miles distant from origin. A few 
Hull Island banded immatures collected in the Southern Grid last 
fall showed north and westward dispersion. Rich feeding areas 
such as that of 3-7° N might be utilized by immatures from the 
line and Phoenix Islandfisduring their non-breeding years. 
