Preliminary report of ectoparasite collect3 
during the first Pacific Project field trip. 
of "birds. Hie fauna from 25 "bird nests (10 species), one mesial 
nest, end 57 litter samples were collected "by the use of Berlese 
funnels. The accompanying list indicates the number of ectoparasite 
and nest fauna samples taken from each species on each island group. 
obtained from the birds include Mallophaga, Hippobiscidae, and Acarina 
[both mites and ticks (Argasiclae)3. In most cases specific information 
concerning the location of ectoparasites on tlie host ms recorded. The 
nest fauna includes many mites (both parasitic and free living), spiders, 
and insects: ants, beetles, flies (adults and larvae), moths, roaches, 
and earwigs. ITo fleas or mosquitoes were found but may show up at 
a different time of the year. A light trap was used but nothing was 
attracted. Each island was inspected for ticks. These constantly 
appeared in mid around nests of Albatrosses, Boobies, and Tern3 located 
on the ground. During the daytime ticks could also be,found under 
driftwood and rocks. The islands from which argasid tides were collected 
are Lisiraaoki Island, Howland Island, Pearl and Hermes Reef (Worth 
Island and nearby sandbar, Southeast Island, Grass Island, Seal Island, 
colony on Howland Island. Approximately three hundred live ticks were 
returned to the Rocky Mountain Laboratory, Rational Institutes of 
Health at Hamilton, Morrtana for study. 
The material from the collection is presently being sorted. As 
soon as this is done various groups will be sent to specialists for 
identification. Most of this is to be done at the U.S. Rational Museum. 
Problem aboard shin 
"Working conditions aboard ship were good only while in port and 
at anchor during calm seas. Ho microscope work could be done aboard 
ship while underway due to the constant rolling of the ship. The 
Earless funnels, however, could be operated at sea which greatly 
facilitated the processing of the neat and litter samples. 
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