Seal Island, the third on the south reef with vegetation, is a 
fairly long, narrow island with a variety of habitats. The east end 
is primarily a large exposed rock ledge like the southern section of 
Southeast Island with some sand beach on its northern side. We saw several 
Masked Boobies today and 13 Brown Boobies in one group, 1 Fairy Tern, 
1 immature Tropic Bird and several Petrels. From about 1600 to 1900 we 
noted many Christmas Island Shearwaters and Wedgetail Shearwaters passing 
the ship, frequently in groups of few to up to 100. The species do 
not seem to segregate. 
28 March 1963 
The weather was clear this morning but we ran into numerous rain 
squalls. The wind from the northeast has picked up today and the sea 
is somewhat rougher with many white-caps. 1 Frigate and 2 Brown Boobies 
were recorded this morning, an immature Boobie and a Tropic Bird this 
afternoon. Several Fairy Terns were seen and we again saw many Wedgetailed 
and Christmas Island Shearwaters. Some smaller Petrels which may be 
Bulwers Petrels. 
29 March 1963 
The weather deteriorated somewhat today, the seas becoming rougher 
with bigger swells, increasing the rocking of the ship and the wind 
increasing in velocity from the northeast. We saw few birds today 
and there was little to do. We noted a Tropic Bird in the morning, 
another at 1600. A Bonin Island Petrel at 1000. An unidentifiable 
bird and 3 Christmas Island Shearwaters. The ship is still moving 
