SOOTY TERN 
HOWLAND BIRDS ANNOTATED LIST 
Feb. I, 1965 ---- Hackman - (Species Account) " 6 returns " 
Feb. 2, 1965 —- Hackman - (Species Account) " 37 returns, 
8800 new bandings, 1 recovery (Biological Survey 
38-312056) " 
Feb. 1, 1965 ---- Hackman - (Journal) "On the southeastern- 
shore , in the general vicinity of colonies on previous 
visits, is a two stage colony. On the northern edge 
of this colony are several scatterred groups with 
nearly fledged young. These are the remnants of the 
colony that was ptesent during the October 1964 
visit. Along the edge of the nearly fledged groups 
is a new colony with birds on eggs," 
!l A new Sooty Tern colony is located along the 
beach crest on the Leeward (west) sM shore running 
from Itascatown to a point 200 feet south gf the 
Amerlia Earhart lighthouse. The colony extends from 
the edge of the Lepturus on the beach inland for 
about 250 yards. A few Gray-backed Terns nests were 
found along the edges of this colony in the sparsely 
vegetated portions of the beach. This is the first 
time either species has nested at this location in 
our experience. Approximately 10,000 Sooty Terns 
and 60 Gray-backed Terns are in the lighthouse 
colony. " 
Feb. 1, 1965 ---- Hackman —(Journal) "Late in the evening 
the Sooty Tem co lony near the Amelia Earhart lighthouse 
began toexpand inland as more and more birds came into 
the is land. These birds are gathering in small, 
circular clearings in the Tribulus. A few eggs are 
already being laid in this section of the colony, 
(See Journal for diagram ) (See also page 23 for 
banding totals, returns, and recoveries, all species) 
Feb. 1-2,1965———HACKMANi——"Two colonies actively nesting. Tbe older 
colony on the windward side contains abour 3000 nearly fledged 
young and about 25,000 plus- birds on heavily incubated eggs. 
The newer colony, being expanded by new layings, at present 
consists of 10-15000. Total population 75,000 plus. 
