2 
16 July between the two islands. Other than a few scattered sightings 
of small Pterodroma , Wedge-tails were the only Procellarids recorded in 
the Grid. 
Blue-faced Booby ( Sula dactylatra ) b-k 
This species was commonly observed both between Howland and Baker 
and to the north of Howland. Although commonly associated with feeding 
flocks, Blue-faced Boobies often feed solitarily or in pairs. During 
the present cruise, birds on Howland were noted to regurgitate a con¬ 
siderable number of fish species other than the usual flying fish. The 
increased tuna activity in the area possibly is allowing the boobies to 
take advantage of small bait fish being driven to the surface. 
Frigatebirds Greater 0 
Lesser 1 
Unidentified 15 
The Lesser Frigatebird colony presently breeding on Howland is ap¬ 
parently the largest yet recorded. Despite great numbers of birds in 
the area, at-sea frigate sightings are surprisingly low. As has been 
suggested in the at-sea report, the reason for this is the widely scat¬ 
tered, high-altitude mode of feeding, of members of this group. 
Sooty Tern ( Sterna fuscata ) 9^9 
The breeding colony presently situated on Howland is primarily in 
the fresh-to-advanced incubated egg stage, but new subcolonies are still 
in the swirling stage. The long extended breeding cycle which occurred 
through most of 1966 and early 1967 is apparently to be repeated, and 
large numbers of terns can be expected in the Howland-Baker area for at 
least the next three to five months. The birds have switched nesting 
grounds to the end of the island opposite from that occupied during 1966, 
but streamered birds and band returns from the present colony indicate 
that only formerly Howland-based birds are currently utilizing the island. 
During the present cruise band returns on this species represent bandings 
from previous cruises for practically every month of the year. We are 
still far short of demonstrating any definite breeding period for this 
species on Howland, if one exists. 
Table 1 . Summary of Southern Grid observations, 15“18 July 1968. 
Date 
No. Hours 
No. Miles 
No. Birds 
Birds/Lin.Mi. 
15 July 
1.6 
16 
51 
3.2 
16 
3.2 
35 
778 
22.2 
18 
6.3 
69 
186 
2.7 
TOTAL 
11.1 
120 
1015 
8.5 
