2 
wseic. 
pci te 
cr 
Shearwaters and Red-footed Boobies definitely are down in numbers. Fri- 
are up but only slightly so. There are never more than 5 or 6 Sooty Terns 
around during the day ana probably a maximum of 30 or 40 at night. This must 
sound almost unbelievable to you, Binion. The bird situation on Johnston is 
very poor. At the present there are perhaps 20 Golden Plover, a few turnstones, 
1 or 2 tattlers and up to 6 Fairy Terns. I feel that it would be quite futile 
to devote much time to chasing the birds over there. With two people it might 
be possible to climb the ti'ees where the terns hang out (near the PX) and band 
a bird or two but even this is doubtful. 
I saw the Noddy with the blue streamer on its back once about a week after 
arriving (unfortunately I neglected to enter it in my notes) but have not seen 
it since. Since not too many of the noddies seem to have left I will watch care- 
fully for it from now on. I don ! t hold much hope though since it is extremely 
difficult to detect even in good light. It was a most unfortunate choice of 
colors or perhaps the blue was brighter originally. 
Its good to be brought up to date on all of the activity at the Smithson¬ 
ian. It sounds as if everyone is more than busy. The banding recoveries are 
certainly interesting, Binion. Please keep up the flow of these little tidbits. 
There are a few questions regarding some banding reports. Ken and I work- 
on them just before he left. He left a note asking me to find out from you when 
the Blue-faced Booby was banded. Also, should the Christmas Island Shearwater 
and Red-bailed Tropicbird banding reports be sent in since both species have 
left the island? 
It is interesting to hear that there are more people coming on the project. 
I will no doubt feel like a stranger when I return. Thank you so much for the 
snapshot of the new secretary, Sarah (she is indeed lovely although quite obvious- 
green). 
And speaking of secretaries I would like to forward a very special request 
from the ST's out here to you, Maryanna, for a picture (preferably pictures) of 
yourself at your alluring best. These fellows are the ones who receive mysteri¬ 
ous messages on mysterious subiects signed by the mysterious individual named 
Karyanna. Smellow and they want to know what she locks like. I have told them 
but they don ! t believe me and insist that they want to see for themselves. So 
please cooperate and help to improve the morale situation out here (my own in¬ 
cluded 111). 
Thats all for now. The mail run is leaving: immediately so 1*11 rush this 
letter off. 
