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TRANSMUTATION 
Some of the most interesting findings of the Pacific Project concern 
tr nsmutation of species. So far fifteen records have come to light of species 
which have changed to another speciessuch things as Ilue-faced Boobies 
turning into lackfooted Albatrosses and Canada Geese turning up as Boobies. 
So far this phenomenum seems to be limited to the Leeward.Hawaiian Islands 
but ’with increased field work and shifting of personnel it can be expected 
to turn u in other areas. The number of such solidly-substantiated reports 
clearly shows that it is actually transmutation which we are observin’ and 
not merely errors in record keeping. 
Since these are the first positive examples of transmutation brought 
to light it seems fruitful to speculate on the usefulness of this to a 
bird. If we accept t e fact that it is the bird which is changing and not 
the band (if the bird had the power to change the band size and number the 
Banding Office would be out of work so we will not consider that as a possi¬ 
bility) we can immedia ly see the advantage of a Canada Goose changing to a 
Blue-faced looby hen migrating through the Hawaiian Islands. Trigger-happy 
Pacific Project members have been instructed 1 o snoot everything unusual and 
a Canada Goose would not survive long under the assembled fire power while 
a Blue-faced Booby would be overlooked easily. 
Are we ot ove looking numerous unusual records (i.e. rare birds posing 
as a common species)? Should v;e shoot all bii >: . actually tell 
the true identity of these creatures? Great - 
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1 solution 
by the even ady field personnel. 
