h 
One frigate was seen flying over the lagoon and the exposed 
coral area nofcth of the lagoon* We watched this bird fly back-and- 
forth for some time* It flew about 10 feet above the ground and acted 
as if it were hunting* Lewis had seen frigates catching rats on Kure 
Atoll, and suggests that this bird may have been hunting mice* 
Golden Plover 
The population of goldies was estimated at 100 birds* This 
number may fall low of the actual number* One is impressed with the 
number of individual Golden Plovers, as they occupy most areas of the 
island* But they are seldom seen in sizeable groups like other shore- 
birds* They were observed to feed singularly and loosly associated 
with turnstones* However, a group of seventeen goldies was seen in 
the late evening with about U0 turnstones and several tattlers* 
Ruddy Turnstone 
Ruddy Turnstones numbered about 200. Banded individuals were 
looked for but none were found* About 20$ of the turnstones are 
bright-*colored now. The molt is progressing well* Of three specimens 
collected all had new flight feathers, were molting the tail feathers, 
and had moderate body molt* 
%ile glassing the turnstones that were feeding on the coral reef, 
I believe I saw the cause of the extreme band wear found in Alaska 
last summer. Feeding turnstones were seen to drop-back on their heels, 
thus lowering the body to pick food from under the coral shelves. They 
remain in this position for some time slowly moving and feeding* Since 
the band is worn on the tarsometatarsus between the toes and the heel 
it would be scraped along the coral when the birds are feeding in this 
position* 
