9 
your approval. The shearwaters from Australia should have 
reached their maximum concentration in the Aleutians by that 
time and it would be interesting to estimate the numbers on 
the "wintering" grounds, Iwould estimate the round trip time 
to be approximately one week. 
I have been giving some thought to the matter of having 
an observer on a fisheries research vessel south of the 
Aleutians this winter. It would seem that it may be a bit 
futile as the shearwaters and petrels will have returned to 
the southern hemisphere for the summer nesting season. The 
only birds that would be present possibly are the alcids and 
some larids. Of course the petrels (Leachs and Fork—tailed) 
that nest in the Aleutians would be present. 
The FSR ship will be at St. Paul and St. George for about 
one month so if we need anything it should be easy enough^ to 
get on short notice. 
The west wind is starting to blow abit and it looks as if 
if is going kick up a storm. 
Regards and all of that. 
Sincerely yours 
Max C. Thompson 
Pacific Project 
