30 
* 
presumably all representatives of the Fanning Island populations. Bulv/er 
Petrels, the third most abundant species, became commoner late in the day 
(closer to Christmas Island) as did Phoenix Island Petrels and Wedge-tailed 
Shearwaters. Bulwer Petrels, however, were not recorded during the brief 
Christmas Island survey nor were they seen during offshore periods or be¬ 
tween Christmas and Jarvis. The linear density of Bulwers, .25 birds/mile, 
is easily the highest recorded anywhere during the four months but the 
logical explanation, that they were from local Christmas Island breeding 
populations,is not immediately substantiated by the data. 
Christmas to Jarvis 25 March 
Area covered 
About 10 miles southwest of Christmas Island 
to about one-third of the way to Jarvis Island 
■jf Miles of Obs.: 62 
Time Period : , 1200-1845 (sunset) 
Species 
i 
Sooty Tern 
3i.o 
53 
Rea-footed Booby 
19.2 
33 
Sooty/Slender-billed Shearwater 
19.2 
33 
Wedge-tailed Shearwater 
14.6 
25 
Phoenix/Tahiti Petrel 
, 2.9 
5 
Storm Petrel 
Xi.8 
3 
Shearwater/petrel 
1.8 
3 
Blue-faced Booby 
. 1.8 
3 
Christmas Shearwater 
1.1 
2 
Red-tailed Tropicbird 
1.1 
2 
Frigatebird 
1.1 
2 
Blue-gray Noddy 
1.1 
2 
Pterodroma 
1.1 
2 
Miscellaneous 
1.1 
2 
100 
171 
Most of the observations are 
expected 
result 
Linear density = 2.?o 
results of the proximity to 
the most significant point of interest. I believe most if not ail were 
Sooty Shearwaters. No Sooty/Slender-bills were observed to the north 
among the Line Islands. This may have some implications on the migration 
route and is discussed further in the species account. 
l 
Little flocking activity was noted in this section (average # birds/ 
sightings = 2.5)• 
2. Phoenix Islands 23, 24, 26 January 
Area covered : Southern Grid (2°S) to Enderbury via Canton; between 
Enderbury and Phoenix Islands 
4 
# Miles of Obs.: 243 
I 
/ 
4 
