Methods.--The program was started in the traditional nest- 
ing area on the north side of the east end of runway 6-24 on 3 June 
1958, after nesting was well under way. A crew of five enlisted men, 
under the direction of a chief petty officer, worked during daylight 
hours only (0800-1600). Clubs were used until the remaining birds 
became so harassed that they could not be closely approached. 
Shooting was then tried. The results are shown in table 12. In 
addition to reducing the population to some extent this procedure 
kept the birds harassed. By 17 June, after less than 15,000 (table 
12) of an estimated 100,000 birds had been killed, the birds 
deserted this area. 
Concomitant with this desertion, there was a marked in- 
crease of birds in a new colony which had started to form before the 
killing program had begun. This colony was located south of the west 
end of runway 6-24 (in zone 9), an area not previously utilized by 
sooty terns. 
Killing was commenced in this second colony on 23 June, at 
which time at least 50,000 birds were present. After approximately 
7,000 (table 12) had been killed, this area, too, was deserted. 
After the program was terminated on 2 July, the sooty terns 
did not attempt to renest, and did not settle on the ground. However, 
each evening for several weeks thereafter, several thousand terns 
congregated in the air high over their traditional nesting area. 
Results.--The sooty tern killing program fell far short of 
its goal of exterminating the Sand Island tern colony. Only 21,600 
of an estimated 150,000 birds were killed. 
However, it did harass the birds sufficiently to cause them 
to leave, thus eliminating for the remainder of the season any 
potential problem they might create for aircraft operations. 
There is every reason to believe that the terns will return 
to their traditional nesting area next season. However, if such a 
program of killing and harassment were continued for several seasons, 
it is believed that the birds may eventually desert the island. 
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