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SPECJE3 ACCOUNTS 
V edge-tailed Shearwater (8) 
Cf the eight birds recorded, five were light phase. This is hardly a typical 
ratio of southern hemisphere birds where only 2-3 X of the indivi ; u i: are 
light phase, but the sample is so small that no generalities can be irawn. 
Large numbers of primarily dark phase birds were encountered in t*»n rich feeding 
area north of the grid (6-7°N during the present cruise)* Large numbers 
(109) of dark phase birds noted in the December 1966 grid cruise probably 
represented birds moving North to this area. 
New Zealand Shearwater (l) 
1_ 
An individual recorded during the present cruise represents the second sighting 
of this species in the grid. No specimens have yet been taken. 
Audubon’ s Shearwater (U nocturnal) 
This species has b^en irregularly recorded in low numbers on prevL ;s cruises. 
Apparently the birds are "ship-shy" during the day, but attracted -y the snip’s 
lights at night since the majority of grid sightings have been nocturnal. 
Juan Fernandez Petrel (l) 
Phoenix Island/Tahiti Petrel (l) 
Except for the two above sightings and 1 small Pterodroma , pe^re re absent 
from the -rid area. A presumed Phoenix island Petrel was seen offs] ore Howland 
at dusk on 20 January. This species has been showing up in small numbers on 
Howland during previous surveys ard there exists a good possibility that a few 
pairs are nesting at present or will in the near future. Suitable high grass 
cover for resting is now prevalent on the island. 
Leach’s Storm Petrel .(1 + 1 nocturnal) 
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» 
White-rumped Storm Petrels (23 ,+ 15 nocturnal) 
* 
Density of this group dropped to O.OI 4 during the present survey from 0.07 during 
