SOUTHERN GRID 
15-18 July 1968 
During the period 15-18 July 1968 Smithsonian personnel Richard S. 
Crossin, Roger B. Clapp, and C. Douglas Hackman made observations in por¬ 
tions of the Southern Grid in conjunction with Howland and Baker Island 
surveys on SIC 19* Observation hours amounting to 11.1 and covering 120 
miles were conducted during the three-day period. The small portion of 
the grid covered does not permit for an overall comparison by separate 
areas; hence no breakdown by square degree sections is included. The 
Grid was entered at 1812 on 15 July at 02 o 00 T S, 175°11- T W and departed 
at 1636 on 18 July at 02°00 r N, 176°11 T W. 
Numerous flocks were encountered along the entire track from ca . 
20 miles south of Baker to ca. 20 miles north of Howland. These were 
primarily Sooty Terns with associated frigates and Blue-faced Boobies. 
Direction of movement of most traveling flocks taken in conjunction with 
time of day and flight behavior leave little doubt that Howland was the 
origin of the vast majority of birds. All three groups are currently 
nesting on Howland. The present populations of Sooty Terns and Lesser 
Frigatebirds are among the highest recorded for the island, and they 
attest to the abundance of food In the vicinity of both Howland and Baker. 
The area about Baker has previously been the focus of heavy feeding ac¬ 
tivities, especially during the extended 1966 Sooty Tern breeding cycle. 
During the present cruise, however, huge mixed flocks of terns, boobies, 
and frigates were feeding directly offshore Howland. These could be 
readily seen from the Island. No comparable activity has ever been 
noted on previous trips. Coast Guard personnel aboard the PLANETREE in¬ 
formed me that variable numbers of schooling tuna were in sight almost 
continuously during the two days the ship was anchored offshore Howland. 
The entire vegetation on Howland (as well as on Baker) attests to long 
periods of drought since the last surveys made in early 1967 * [Whether 
or not this factor has any correlation with increased water productivity 
is unknown.] Recent rainfall has not yet produced noticeable changes in 
the vegetation. 
Species Accounts 
Only those species with additional information are discussed below; 
for total avifauna encountered in the Grid, see Table 2. 
Wedge-tailed Shearwater ( Puffinus pacificus ) 26 
All birds were dark phase. Although a small colony of Wedge-tails 
was found nesting on Howland during the present cruise, it is doubtful 
whether the colony is large enough to account for the at-sea numbers re¬ 
corded. What is more likely is that pre- or post-breeding birds from 
the neighboring Phoenix Islands are being attracted to the rich feeding 
areas about Howland and Baker. Practically all birds were recorded on 
