Ned-tailed Tropicbird - Nesting Ned-tailed Tropicbirds were surveyed 
in the rocky area on the west beach on July 13 and 17. Descriptions 
of 20 nests were taken including parameters of depth of cavity, clearance 
above egg, direction the entrance faced, and surrounding habitat* 
Thirty-three nests were marked with strips of red or yellow plastic 
adhesive tape so that any change in nest status between the July and 
August SIC# 14 visits might be determined. Nests with an egg were marked 
with two sti*ips of tape, nests with young were marked with one strip of 
tape, and the number of each nest was v/ritten on the nest marker. 
Descriptions of variations in egg pigmentation and measurements 
were obtained on 12 tropicbird eggs* 
Blue-faced Booby - ‘On July 13? descriptions of 12-Blue-faced Booby nests 
were made including such parameters as diameter of scrape, diameter of 
central depression, and the immediate surrounding habitat. Measurements 
were taken of 21 eggs. 
Three clubs were present on the island. Two contained about 300 
birds after dark; the third contained at least -300 birds. A much larger 
proportion of the birds in these clubs were in adult plumage than is 
generally true at other times of year. 
Brown Booby - Measurements of 9 Brown Booby eggs, descriptions of 6 nests, 
and detailed notes on nesting materials were obtained on July 15th. 
Ned-footed Booby - In addition to the data, routinely gathered on any 
SIC trip descriptions of 20 nests were taken and measurements of 20 eggs 
were obtained. A specific attempt on one evening to capture only roosting 
birds (i.e. birds not on nor near nests) resulted in the capture of 
15 Ned-footed Boobies. Thirteen of the fifteen had originally been banded 
on another island. 
Great Frigatebird - Additional data obtained for this species includes 
detailed descriptions of 20 nests, measurements of 21 eggs and notes 
on cannabalistic behavior. One nest with 2 downy chicks about 8 inches long 
was -found. • -• 
Lesser Frigatebird - Additional data obtained on Lesser Frigatebirds 
includes measurement of approximately 65 eggs, fairly conclusive evidence 
from egg data that a single Lesser Frigate female, may lay twice in the 
m 
same nest, a series of nest density counts in different parts of the 
colony, a fairly accurate assessment of the total acreage used by the 
Lesser Frigates on Howland, and some data on abnormal eggs and 
multiple use of one nest. 
