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the 220 total birds recorded, 2.70 were recorded on the Q f 10,12 
and 13 of December when cruise activity was largely confined to 
within 50 miles of Howland. Only nine birds were recorded on 
8, 11 and 14 December when cruise activity was largely 50-150 
miles from Howland. Large numbers of Hoxvland-streamered birds 
(mostly immatures) were again recorded this cruise. Immatures 
especially are attracted to the ship and afford easy sighting. 
Brown Booby (13 + 1 nocturnal) 
Consistent with the results of all cruises to date, numbers of 
this species are always low with the vast majority of sightings 
in close proximity to the two central islands. 
Fed-footed Booby (14 + 2 nocturnal) 
Fifty percent (7) of the birds were recorded in a large mixed 
feeding flock east of Howland on 13 December. Sighting of the 
majority of birds recorded in any particular cruise in one or 
a few mixed feeding flocks has shown a fairly consistent pat¬ 
tern for this species. Thus, depending upon whether or not a 
few major feeding flocks are encountered can greatly alter the 
density for this species in any particular cruise. In comparison 
Blue-faced Boobies have a more uniform distribution in the grid, 
at least near the islands. 
Great Frigatebird (1) 
Lesser Frigatebird (46 + 2 nocturnal) 
frigatebird snecies (148 + 2 nocturnal) 
ns usual most frigatebirds were recorded in conjunction 'with mixed 
feeding flocks near the islands. No frigatebirds were recorded on 
11 December in the southwest corner of the grid, although Sooty Tern 
flocks were recorded throughout the day. Nearby foraging and increase 
in numbers of roosting birds on Hovrland at night indicate that grid 
birds are based on that island. 
H 
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