Frigaxebirds 
Greater 
Lesser 
Unidentified 
2 
12 
A few singles encountered with mixed feeding flocks, usually near 
breeding islands. Our at-sea observations never reflect the numbers 
present, not even near islands with immense breeding populations as on 
McKean during the present trip. I believe this can be mainly attributed 
to the frigatebird f s mode of foraging in that individuals space themselves 
over a wide area and usually remain at high altitudes until a ready source 
of food is apparent on the surface. 
Sooty Tern ( Sterna fuscata) 98 ^ 
Sooty Terns comprised 62 percent of total birds recorded. There 
were no real concentrations; the expected higher densities existed around 
islands with breeding populations. Medium to large feeding flocks were 
noted north of the Southern Grid on 18 July; these presumably were from 
the large population now present on Howland Island. This particular area 
has usually been quite devoid of terns during past seasons even when 
large concentrations were breeding on Howland. A few small feeding flocks 
were encountered at 5° N on 19 July. These presumably marked the area of 
rich waters along the current boundary where huge concentrations of both 
Sooty Terns and Wedge-tailed Shearwaters have periodically been noted on 
previous cruises. On 22 July, offshore Johnston Island, Hackman and I 
observed several Sooty Terns being savagely pursued by Great Frigatebirds. 
The terns were noted finally disgorging food which the frigates deftly 
scooped up. This is the first time that either of us have seen Great 
Frigates pursuing Sooty Terns, although Lesser Frigates do so commonly 
in the south. 
Common Noddy ( Anous stolidus ) 15 
Hawaiian Noddy ( Anous tenuirostris ) 7 
Blue-gray Noddy ( Procelsterna cerulea ) 25 
Practically all noddies were recorded in a large mixed feeding flock 
about II miles north of McKean. All three species are abundant residents 
of that island. 
Fairy Tern ( Gygis alba ) 109 
Several concentrations were noted: near Fanning Island on 12 June, 
throughout the Tokelau Islands, and just north of McKean. These appear 
to represent respective local populations. 
