INTERIM REPORT OP S.I. UNOFFICIAL AUXILLIARY #L 
Not only is tkis an inter!® report (as the heading will have told you) 
it is also a first report. Therefore, perhaps I would not be amiss in introducing 
both the auxilliary and myself to you. The auxilliaxy is a locally forned, 
non-subsidized, non-profit making, non-sponsored organization. It was formed 
in reaction to the local non-conservationist "Ban the Bird" movement. (Their 
motto: "Let us not leave a tern unstoned I" At present the movement (ours, not 
theirs) has a rather low membership due to recent rains causing strong odors of 
feathers, etc., to be carried by the prevalent easterly winds. However, with 
the advent of the dry season we hope to increase our membership. With luck we 
may number twenty by the time of my next report. As for myself, I attended a 
small college in Mobile, Alabama, though not for long. I am a firm believer 
in lost causes, and, as anyone who read the "Droppings" a few weeks ago knows, 
I am a very poor poet. Enough said, on with the report. 
The other day, having slept thirteen hours, showered, etc., and eaten a leisurly, 
two hour brunch, 1 decided to wander down the road towards the bird colony and make sure 
it hadn't moved since last week. As I wended my way thitherwards (it was a golden, 
romantic day. The sort which would make me want to write of wooded declivities, 
and I would work it into this report somehow but we have neither trees nor even 
small declivities here.) But am I wended my way thitherwards my eye chanced to 
light ugk>n a beautiful specimen of omithogalum (i think this is the first one 
reported from this area.). I stalked it slowly and cautiously, but unfortunately 
just as I reached striking range it metamorphosed into a clump of grass. Therefore, 
I was unable to band it, but I have added it to my year list. 
QUESTIONS: May I count it twice, once as an omithogalum and once as an 
omithogalum appearing to be a clump of grass? 
May its new state be considered a new sub-species? If so, 
suggest it be named omithogalum grassi. 
But I digress. 1 rather logically deduced that if the omithogalum can 
metamorphose into a clump of grass, other species may metamorphose into other 
things. I have therefore, assembeled on the floor of my room one dozen of each 
of the following: rocks, eggs, barfs, and dead birds. Ten each of each species 
of plant on the island, assorted boards, bricks, bottles, etc. I now spend all 
my time lying on my bed faithfully watching them. As soon as one re-metamorftooses 
I will immediately band him and mark for identification with red spray paint. 
Promising to keep you informed, 1 remain, 
Sincerely, 
Gerald L. Pond ET2-S2 
USCG LORSTA, APO 105 
San Francisco 
P.S. Have given one dozen bird bands which I re-claimed from dead birds to 
the S.I. personnel here. Where is my Junior Bird Watcher Badge? I will not 
give them the one-hundred bands for my Intermediate Badge until I have received 
the Junior. Also, do wounds received while extracting wedge-tail shearwaters 
from their burrows during banding operations count towards Purple Heart 
equivalency? Please advise. 
P.P.S. Subtract eighteen from estimated membership at time of next report. 
