SIC 9 PRELIMINARY REPORT AT-SEA SURVEY 
7 September to 5 November 1965 
NON-GRID ONLY 
This report covers the observations and collections made at-sea during 
the Southern Island Cruise No. 9 during the period 7 September through 5 November. 
During this period a total of 326.6 hours of diurnal observations and 2967 miles 
were covered. A total of 34,610 birds of 38 species was noted. Periodic 
nocturnal observations amounting to 22.7 hours were completed throughout the 
cruise. A total of 2,445 birds was recorded during nocturnal observations. 
The vast majority of these (2,02 6 ) were observed over Canton Island on 24 October 
before sunrise. 
The Smithsonian team consisted of Richard Crossin (in charge of At-sea), 
Robert Fleet (in charge of island operations), Warren King, Cameron Kepler, 
Dayle Husted, Ken Amerman, Paul Woodward, Brian Harrington, Jeff Tordoff, and 
Richard Maze. Crossin was in Honolulu from 23 September to 10 October. King 
returned to Washington, D. C. on 11 October and was replaced by Maze for the 
remainder of the trip. The SIC 9 Cruise was made aboard the U.S.N.S. Shear¬ 
water. Excellent cooperation and assistance was received from the officers 
and crew members. 
The extensive cruise track can best be divided into three sections. These 
will be referred to in this report as follows: 
AREA a. Honolulu to Southern Grid (Howland-Baker) via Johnston Atoll, 
7 September -- 15 September. 
AREA b. Southern Grid to Samoa and return with island work throughout the 
Phoenix Group. 21 September -- l4 October. 
AREA c. Southern Grid to Honolulu via Canton and Christmas Islands, 
23 October -- 5 November. 
Numbers of birds were highest in Area a. This was primarily the result of 
