streamers on the outermost rectrices. The specimen, an adult male collected 
by Pearson, had a naked brood patch, no molt in the flight feathers, and 
enlarged gonads (12 x 8 mm,). About twenty minutes were spent searching for 
active nests but none were found. These observations, taken in conjunction 
with the tern 1 s behaviour, suggest that the Gray-backed Terns may be pre¬ 
breeding and that some nests may be present later in the month. 
Common Noddy Estimated (diurnial) population - - : 850 
(Anous stolidus ) Nest count : Nests/ egg 69 
Nests/ small chicks - 4 
Nests/ large chicks - -2 60 
133 
When Pearson and I first arrived at the lagoon some 600 Common Noddies 
arose from the central islet. Most flew out to sea to join a flock of 
about 250 more feeding off the northeasternmost point of the island. 
Only a very few small chicks were seen but 3 of 4 were dark phase and 
1 of 4 were white phase, a very similar proportion of dark to light to that 
seen in July. 
Most of the nests with eggs were concentrated on the easternmost end of 
the islet and along the souteasternmost side where small ledges afford some 
elevation above the water. One nest was found containing two eggs, one egg 
fresh, the other heavily incubated. In all,nine eggs were examined to 
determine their stage of incubation. Seven were fresh, one was slightly 
incubated, and one was heavily incubated. 
Judging from the large proportion of fresh eggs present, the very small 
number of young chicks, and the increased water level in the lagoon it seems 
likely that either little egg laying occurred between the July and August 
1966 visits , or that those eggs laid during that period were inundated and 
washed off the central islet. 
Fairy Tern Population -------------2 5 
( Gygis alba ) , Specimens Collected --------2 2 
Five Fairy Terns were seen flying over the coral rubble on the ocean 
side of the lagoon. One of the two specimens collected had a naked brood 
patch with but one or two feathers growing upon it while the other specimen 
possessed a nearly completely refe^thered brood patch* Neither bird was 
molting in the major flight fea thers. 
MAMMALS 
House Mouse Berlese samples taken --------2 2 
(Mus musculus) 
House Mice seemed to be as abundant as on our last visit but we were 
