Cam, I am concerned about the amount of time devojred to the Booby 
behavior study, Tae statement in the progress report th't it was being 
done daily is disturbing. I forgot to ask Dennis for details end I do ' 
not neve sufficient information to make a judgement but you must realize that 
any behavior studies are LOW priority and must not take time from other 
studies. I hope that I am concerned about a problem that does not exist. 
Another point that has come up is bettere exchange of information, 
it is perfectly within your privilege to write personal letters to Bill 
or to anyone else but please eitaer put Kure business in other letters 
to Maryanns or myself or send in censored versions so that we also know 
what is going on. T he entire operation is being streamlined and Maryann* 
and must know what is going on in ell press* are going to have in— 
creased efficiency and service to the field from both this office and 
from D*Cm but hsre sgsin It can*t happen over night# 
I read your description of the rat population on Lgysens with 
special interest. It isn't a very pleasant situation but it is certainly 
e fine opportunity to document this predation* From your descriptions I 
would guess that you have good notes on this. Be sure that you continue to 
document exactly what neppnes end that all of our people on the island 
observe this. If possible get photos, if you haven't alreedy. At the 
least, deserted nests, feathers and injured and d^ad birds should be doc¬ 
umented. Ahis should make an EXCELLENT paoer in addition to being one 
of our best examples of interaction to date. %ile it is fresh in 
mind, document all that you can remember about the spread of this con¬ 
dition in the colony. It was noted last year but I don't recall that it 
was so widespread - we'll ask Bill about this. Keep close watch on the 
situation in case the entire colony decides to get into the act. In the 
meantime DON’T try to errediefcte all the rats on Kure. This may not 
make us popular with the Audubon Society, S.P.C.A., etc. but biologically ' 
its an exceli.ont opnortu ity to watch developments* From your description 
l m assuming that it is not in the rat study area. A m I correct? If it is 
not and if tae condition continues to spread, try trapping rats in one 
part of tae affected area and carefully document the results. It would be ' 
very interesting to know waetner just a small part of tae rat population 
Is Involved or waetner all adjacent rats get the habit. V.’ith careful 
observation this little study should be a very important one. Then if 
conditions warrent we can attempt eradication after the rat program is 
comoleted in June# 
John called from the airport just before leaving. They aren't sure 
as usual as to iust what sera are desired but they do want 100 minimum 
per month, excluding sera from sick birds change my first request fer 200 
samples down to 150 . They would like 25-30 samples per week distributed 
among the more common species - albatrosses, frigates, boobies, petrels 
vyou can pool two samples), etc. 1(11 keep you posted as things develops. 
