\86 Micronesica

rarity of the species on Guam, C. v. bartschi must be considered one of the most critically endangered species in the Marianas, and we therefore recom­mend a listing of endangered throughout its range.

The Marianas Crow (Cor vus kubary i) , known only from Guam and Rota , was recorded in only 16% of the station counts on Rota (Table 1), despite the species ' loud, " squawking" calls. It was recorded slightly more frequently on roadside counts (Table 2). The species is best considered un­common on Rota and rare on Guam, with per­haps less than 300 of these birds left in the world . We recommend a listing of endangered through­out its range.

The Cardinal Honeyeater (Myzomela cm·dinalis sajfordi) was uncommon on Saipan and Tinian, yet abundant on Rota (Tables I and 2). We recom­mend the following listings: Endangered on Guam, threatened on Saipan and Tinian, with no listing of the Rota population . Populations on Agiguan, Alamagan , Pagan, Agrihan, and Asuncion remain undetermined .

This study was supported by Federal Aid to Wildlife Restoration (Pittman-Robertson Act, 1937) and was greatly assisted by the cooperation of the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas.

References Cited

Baker, R . H. 1951. The avifauna of Micronesia, its ongm, evolution, and distribution . Univ. Kansas Pub!. Mus. Nat. Hist. 3(1): 1- 359.

Marshall , J. T. 1949. The endemic avifauna of Saipan , Tinian, Guam and Palau . Condor 51 : 200-221.

Shallenberger, R . J . 1978. Avifauna( survey in the central Ko'olau Range, O'ahu. Ahuimanu Productions. Unpublished. 104 p .

J. MARK JENKINS and CELESTINO F . AGUON , Division of Aquatic & Wildlife Resources, Department of Agriculture, Government of Guam , P.O. Box 23367, GMF, Guam, M.I. 96921

N Ew BIRD RECORDS FOR MICRONESIA

Most of the following are sight records, and as a result, have been screened carefully. We give a

brief description of the conditions of the sighting, and note field characters for those species more difficult to identify. Three of the records are repre­sented by collected specimens. These records are by

no means a product of the authors only, but derive from a number of observers in a variety of lo­cations. Due credit should be given to all who assisted . Contributors to the text include Paul Anderson, Pamela and Keith Axelson, Greg Bright, Keith Guthrie, and Warren King. Numerous other observers aided in pointing out new birds or confirming identification of birds. These include Robert Brownell, Phil Bruner, John Kochi , Douglas Pratt, Dennis Puleston, Thomas Ritchie, Takesi Suzuki , and Sabino Zacharias. Their help was greatly appreciated.

Birds Previously Unrecorded from Micronesia

Pelecanus conspicillatus- A USTRA LIAN PELICAN

The most dramatic new record for Micronesia was the arrival in Palau of 50 to l 00 of these birds in mid-July 1978 . Individuals, small groups, and large flocks (up to 52 birds) were reported from all parts of the Palau Archipelago. A wounded bird that eventually died was collected on 27 July 1978. The skin was identified and filed at the National Museum of Natural History under catalog number USNM 571157. The species is a resident in

Australia and normally sedentary, but strays have been recorded from New Guinea, New Zealand , the Solomon Islands, Fiji Islands and Indonesia. The distance from Australia to Palau, over 1800 km, is one of the greatest the bird has been known to wander. Of the large number that ar­rived in Palau, only four wild birds remained as of February 1979. The remainder of the flock departed of their own accord, were taken for pets, or were killed .

Haliastur indus- BRAHMINY KITE One bird observed on 29 November 1977 in the

Seventy Island Group, Palau (P. Anderson, R. Brownell, and J . Kochi). The bird was an adult, and was flying in an enclosed bay at a distance of approximately 200m from the observers. Several noddy terns pursued and dived at it repeatedly as it skirted the forested edge of an island and disap­peared from sight. The white head and breast, and russet back and wings were clearly visible, both with the naked eye and with binoculars, and the shape and manner of flight clearly identified the bird as an accipitrid . The individual seen in Palau was probably a stray from the Philippines or New Guinea, where the kite is resident.

Vol. 17. December 1981 187

Amaurornis olivaceus- BUSH-HEN An immature was found floating in the ocean

about I 00 m from Pulo Anna Island, Palau , on 25 May 1979 (J . Engbring). The exhausted individual was collected and filed at the National Museum of Natural History under catalog number USNM 582225. Having never been recorded from Micronesia, the bird is unequivocally a vagrant , possibly from the Australian or Philippine region . The bird most closely represents the Australian race ruficrissus. With this race it agrees in size, exact color of undertail coverts, and in having a slighter and less robust bill than in other races (compara­tive study by John Farrand, Jr.).

Himantopus himantopus- BLACK-WINGED STILT

This striking bird was observed at the Koror garbage dump in Palau (R. Owen , G. Bright, J . Engbring, and T. Suzuki). Only one individual, an adult male, was present. The bird was white with black wings (females and immatures have dark brown wings) and bright pink legs . The nape and back of the neck were grayish white. It was first seen on 5 September 1978 and was last recorded on 15 September 1978. The bird , which was relatively tame, fed by wading in shallow puddles. In Southeast Asia, the species is resident and/or mi­gratory. The individual that reached Palau was probably a southward bound migrant from Asia .

Charadrius hiaticula- COMMON RINGED PLOVER

Individuals observed at the Koror garbage dump, Palau, on 29 November 1973, 2 and 9 December 1973, 31 August 1974, and II , 14, 21 September 1974. On II December 1978, an in­dividual was observed on the Babeldaob runway, Palau (R. Owen). Field traits noticed were the typical plover shape, the fairly small size, the white and black neck rings , the white wing band , and the orange legs. The Common Ringed Plover is probably indistinguishable in the field from the Semipalmated Plover, Charadrius semipalmatus, of the New World . However, on the basis of the repeated sightings in Palau, and the distant range of the Semipalmated Plover, the birds recorded in Palau were undoubtedly Common Ringed Plovers. The Common Ringed Plovers recorded in Palau are probably migrants from Asia .

Charadrius veredus- ORIENTAL PLOVER Single birds were seen on Angaur, Palau , in 1977

on 10, II , 14, 19, and 21 October, and two birds on 12 and 16 October (J. Eng bring) . The birds com­monly associated with Lesser Golden Plovers, Charadrius dominica, on roads and mowed grassy areas. Field characters noted were the typical plov­er appearance and habits , uniform light brown upperparts , very faint white wing bar, whitish eyebrow and forehead , chest a uniform buff color, white belly, tail narrowly bordered by white, and yellowish legs. When flushed , the call consisted of a short , monosyllabic note. On the basis of range, the birds seen in Palau are separable from the very similar Caspian Plover, Charadrius asiaticus, a bird of central Eurasia and Africa . The Oriental Plover is a resident of Eastern Asia, migrating in the winter to as far as Australia and New Zealand . Three birds seen on Helen, Palau, on 18 October 1979, and one on Merir , Palau , on 19 October 1979, were attributed to this species (W. King, D. Puleston, and T. Ritchie) .

Numenius arquata- EURASIAN CURLEW A single bird was observed three times on 12

November and once on 17 November 1979 on the beach and tidal flats along the west coast of Saipan, Mariana Islands, between Lower Base and the village of Tanapag (K. Guthrie). On all occasions the bird was in the company of a Whimbrel , Numenius phaeopus, thus facilitating comparison of size and plumage pattern. The Eurasian Curlew was substantially larger than the Whimbrel, and its downcurved bill was much longer. In flight , the Eurasian Curlew showed a conspicuous white tri­angular patch extending from the rump to an apex on the lower back. This white patch was much more distinct than the whitish rump of the Whimbrel. The Eurasian Curlew also displayed conspicuous white wing linings in flight. The white back patch and white wing linings serve to dis­tinguish this species from the very similar Eastern Curlew, Numenius madagascariensis, which has been recorded as a winter migrant in Palau and the Marianas.

Stercorarius longicaudus- LONG-TAILED JAEGER

One adult observed in Koror, Palau, on 17 September 1978 flying over the open ocean with a small flock of Black Noddies, Anous minutus (K . and P. Axelson). Field characters noted were the large size, dark blackish cap, lack of a breast band , white underparts with darker underwings, and a wedge-shaped tail with 20 to 23 em central tail

188 M icronesica

streamers. The wings appeared darker than the body and the indistinct white shafts on the first two or three primaries were visible from above and below. One bird in Palau that could be casually mistaken for a jaeger is the Brown-winged Tern, Sterna anaethetus, but the Tern is smaller and has distinct white underwing linings. The Parasitic Jaeger, Stercorarius parasiticus, also might be con­

fused with the Long-tailed Jaeger but it is less graceful and has a dark chest band. The Long­tailed Jaeger breeds in the Arctic, migrating to wintering areas in the South Pacific each fall and returning to the Arctic in the spring. Hence, it is probably a regular, but uncommon , migrant in the open ocean of Micronesia.

Cacomantis variolosus- BRUSH CUCKOO From 26- 28 June 1978, one bird was present at

the Biology Laboratory in Koror, Palau (J . Engbring, P. Bruner, R. Owen, and D . Pratt). The cuckoo frequented the low trees and bushes sur­rounding the open grassy yard. The specimen observed had uniform brownish-gray upperparts, a slate-gray head, face , and chin, and rufous-buff breast and underparts. The eye, eye ring, beak, and legs were dark. While sitting the upper tail ap­peared to be a uniform brownish-gray, but when in flight a few flecks of white could be seen. The Plaintive Cuckoo, Cacomantis merulinus, could possibly be mistaken for the Brush Cuckoo, but it has white bars on the underside of the tail , a some­what paler head than the remainder of the upper­parts, and the rufous buff color of the underparts extends only to the center of the breast. The bird that reached Palau was possibly from Australia, and was migrating north during the southern winter.

Merops ornatus- RAINBOWBIRD A flock of eight was observed at Tobi Island,

Palau, on 21 May 1979 (J. Engbring). All birds were immature, being drab and lacking the long central tail feathers of the adult. The long, slender, slightly decurved beak and black eye stripe were distinctive. They perched on exposed branches, making short forays for insects or other inverte­brates; one bird was observed eating a grasshop­per. The calls consisted of a short rising trill , voiced regularly , and also a clear, short, rising whistle. The species is resident in Australia, and is a north-south migrant occurring throughout the

islands north of Australia during the southern winter .

Delichon dasypus-ASIAN HOUSE-MARTIN One bird observed at the garbage dump in

Koror, Palau, on 3- 5 May 1978, and on 16 March 1979 (R. Owen, J. Engbring, and T. Suzuki). The bird associated with Vanikoro Swiftlets, Colfocalia vanikorensis, and Barn Swallows, Hirundo rustica. It was easily separated from the Swiftlets by its white rump and white underparts . Unlike the Swiftlets, the Asian House-Martin perched on tele­phone wires with the Barn Swallows. Its upper­parts were a uniform blackish-brown. The Asian House-Martin is probably inseparable in the field from the Common House-Martin, Delichon urbica, which has a more western range. The Asian House­Martin has been recorded as a migrant from the Philippines as well as Indonesia, and the indi­viduals that arrived in Palau were probably on a northward migration, passing from islands south of Palau to breeding areas in Asia .

Motacil/a cinerea- GRAY WAGTAIL From 12 October 1978 to 16 October 1978, at

least two and probably three were present in Koror, Palau (J . Eng bring). The call consisted of a three to five note twitter, totally unlike the call of the Yellow Wagtail, Motacilla flava, a common mi­grant in Palau . At rest and in flight , a broad white wing band extended across the secondaries. Upperparts were grayish , and underparts were yellowish. The tail was distinctly long. The birds regularly perched in trees . The Gray Wagtail is probably an uncommon migrant in Palau from Asia.

Anthus cervinus-RED-THROATED PIPIT Observed at the Koror garbage dump, Palau, on

25 March 1979 and on 26 March 1979 (R . Owen, J. Engbring, and G . Bright). Three birds were present on 26 March. The pipits seen in Koror had a distinct pinkish tinge to the throat and upper breast, separating the Red-throated Pipit from all but the Rosy Pipit, Anthus roseatus. The Rosy Pipit, however, has grayish upperparts and often heavily streaked underparts, while the birds ob­served in Koror were brownish above, and only faintly streaked below (one of the two appeared totally unstreaked below). Also, the Red-throated Pipit has a more extensive range, and its occurrence

Vol. 17. December 1981 189

in Palau is much more likely. One bird called, voicing three high, clear, monosyllabic notes. The Red-throated Pipit is a winter migrant to the Philippine and Indonesian region from Eurasia.

Lanius cristatus-BROWN SHRIKE On Tobi Island, Palau, 15 November 1977, two

birds were observed in low bushes alongside a taro patch (J . Engbring) . One shrike was an adult, and the other, being less strikingly marked and more heavily barred, was probably an immature. Field characteristics noted were the stout shrike beak, black eye mark , white eyebrow, uniform brown­gray upperparts, whitish underparts, the chest and belly being tinged with yellow buff, very faint barring on the chest and sides of the belly, and dark gray legs and beak. In addition to harsh scolding notes, the adult bird had a soft unmelodic, warbl­ing. The Brown Shrike is a resident of Eastern Asia, migrating in the winter to Southeast Asia, the Philippines, and New Guinea. The individuals that reached Palau were no doubt winter migrants. Another individual was seen at the same location on 21 May 1979 (1 . Engbring).

Locustella lanceo/ata- LANCEOLA TED WARBLER

One was seen at a range of less than 10 m on Helen, Palau, on 18 October 1979 (W. King, D . Puleston, T . Ritchie) . A second bird was studied in the hand after it came aboard the M. S. Lindblad Explorer on 17 October 1979, 150 km west of Helen . The heavily streaked back , streaked under­parts, and olive-brown tail lacking a white tip , were noted in both birds. They were probably migrants from Asia.

Range Extensions for Major Island Groups in Micronesia

Oceanodroma matsudairae- MA TSU DAI RA STORM-PETREL

Several were observed from 75 to over 300 km east-southeast of Koror, Palau, on 22-24 July 1979 (J . Engbring). The characteristic storm-petrel shape, distinctly forked tail, and white shafts to the primaries served to identify the species. Attracted to discarded garbage, only two to five birds were seen at any one time. Previously the species has been recorded only from the Marianas in Micronesia.

Phaethon rubricauda- RED-TAILED TROPICBIRD

One bird recorded from the island of Sonsorol, Palau (J . Engbring). On 18 November 1976, resi­dents of the island reported a tropicbird that was found and eventually died on the island 2 months previously . Unlike the White-tailed Tropicbird, Phaethon lepturus , which is a common resident of the island, the bird was described as being slightly larger and having a red tail. One red central tail streamer was produced (492 mm) as proof. It was filed with the National Museum of Natural History under catalog number USNM 527860. Although recorded from numerous islands in Eastern Micronesia and the Marianas, this is the first record of the bird in Palau. Another bird was recorded flying over the south point of Merir , Palau, on 19 October 1979 (W. King, D . Puleston, T . Richie) .

Sula dactylatra- BLUE-F ACED BOOBY One adult was observed soaring over Helen

Island , Palau, on 27- 28 November 1978 (G. Bright, J . Kochi and S. Zacharias). The Blue-faced Booby is distinguished from the Red-footed and Brown Boobies (Sula sula and Sula leucogaster) , which are common residents on the island, by its mostly white body, dark primaries, and dark tail. The light phase of the adult Red-footed Booby looks similar but has a white tail. Residents of the island reported that the bird had nested on a sand spit earlier in the year, but that its single egg was washed away in a storm. One bird, unmated according to S. Zacharias, was definitely defending a nest scrape on Helen on 18 October 1979 (W. King, D. Puleston, T. Richie) . The Bue-faced Booby ranges through­out most of the Tropical Pacific. In Micronesia it has been recorded from the Marianas, Marshalls , and Gilberts.

Butorides striatus- LITTLE HERON An individual was seen on 12 November 1979 at

low tide on the coastal flats south of Tanapag village on the west shore of Saipan, Mariana Islands (K . Guthrie). The small, short-necked, short-legged, slate-gray heron was feeding in tidal pools close to the narrow beach. Other marks observed included the black crown, whitish throat and malar area, heavy whitish longitudinal streaks on the breast, yellow legs, and rather thick blackish bill. The Little Heron has previously been recorded in Micronesia only as a vagrant in Palau.

190 M icronesica

Bubu/cus ibis- CATTLE EGRET A flock of eight Cattle Egrets was observed on

Takatik Island , Ponape, on 27 February and 4 March 1979 (K. Guthrie) . In Micronesia this spe­cies is a migrant , and has been recorded from Palau , the Marianas, and Truk. The egrets fed in short grass at the airport. The birds were in all­

white , non breeding plumage. Bill color was orange­yellow, and legs and feet blackish to greenish . These traits, along with the short , thick bills , the bulky heads, and the short necks, serve to separate the Cattle Egret from similar all-white egrets that occur on , or may occur on Ponape.

Egretta garzetta- LITTLE EGRET One was seen at Lower Base on the west coast of

Saipan, Mariana Islands, on 4 November 1979 (K. Guthrie). It was in an overgrown marshy area that contained many shallow rainwater pools and that was located about 600 m inland from the ocean shore. The all-white heron was readily identifiable as this species by its black bill , black legs, and yellow feet. In Micronesia the Little Egret has previously been recorded as a winter migrant in Palau.

Anas crecca- COMMON TEAL One bird observed on Angaur Island , Palau , on

14 and 17 October 1977 (J . Engbring). It was first seen in a small freshwater pond, associated with two Gray Ducks, Anas superciliosa . Compared to the Gray Ducks it was small , and probably meas­ured no more than 37 em long. The head , breast , and upperparts were drab brownish, there being no whitish spots or markings on the face. The greenish speculum was distinctly edged with white, both in front and behind. Two other small teal seen in Palau , one on 6 November 1978 and another on 17 February 1979, were probably of the same species. In Micronesia, the Common Teal has previously been recorded as a migrant to the Mariana and Marshall Islands. It was incorrectly cited by Owen ( 1977) as having been recorded from Palau.

Anas penelope- EURASIAN WIDGEON A male was seen at the antenna field on Moen

Island , Truk , on 17 and 18 June 1979 (K. Guthrie). On both occasions it was dabbling in shallow water in a low marshy a rea and was accompanied by five or six Gray Ducks, Anas superciliosa. Although observed at a distance of more than 200m, the Eurasian Widgeon could be readily identified by its rusty head and its buffy crown and forehead. The

upperparts were gray, and the undertail coverts black , contrasting with the white belly. The Eurasian Widgeon has previously been recorded in Micronesia as a vagrant in Palau , Yap, the Marianas, and the Marshalls .

Anas querquedula- GARGANEY Three individuals observed on Angaur Island,

Palau , on I 0 October 1977 (J. Engbring). Birds from this small flock were seen regularly during the following I 0 days , always in the same shallow freshwater pond . The ducks were small, being similar in size to the Common Teal, Anas crecca, with which they were once seen. The upperparts were overall gray-brown. On the face was a con­spicuous light eyebrow. In flight the upper wing coverts were very pale, and contrasted with the dark speculum. The trailing edge of the secondaries was bordered with white. In Micronesia the Garganey has previously been recorded only from the Mariana Islands. It was incorrectly cited by Owen (1977) as having been recorded from Palau .

Accipiter so/oensis- CHINESE GOSHAWK

One was observed on 19 October 1979 on Merir, Palau, circling low over the forest edge along the island 's eastern shore (W. King). Its rufous breast , white belly, white underwings with black tips and narrowly striped tail were all clearly noted. In Micronesia it has been recorded previously in the Marianas and the Carolines.

Tringa stagnatilis- MARSH SANDPIPER A single bird was observed 6 and 7 October 1979

at Garapan on the west coast of Saipan (K. Guthrie) . The bird was feeding along with several other small and medium-size shorebirds in two shallow rainwater pools in a grassy area not far from the shore. The Marsh Sandpiper was distin­guished by its thin , straight, needle-like bill , its slender, rather delicate build , and its relatively long legs. Underparts were pure white , upperparts generally gray to blackish, with a white forehead and face. In flight , the bird showed a conspicuous white triangle extending from the rump up the back , and a black and white barred tail. The Marsh Sandpiper has previously been recorded as a winter migrant in Palau .

Xenus cinereus- TEREK SANDPIPER A single bird was seen at Lower Base on the west

coast of Saipan , Mariana Islands, on 4 and I 0 November 1979 (K. Guthrie). The bird was feeding

Vol. 17. December 1981 191

along with various other small and medium-size shorebirds at rainwater pools in a marshy over­grown area about 600 m inland from the ocean shore. It was readily identified by its distinctive upcurved bill and by its bright orange-yellow legs. In flight the bird displayed a conspicuous band of white on the trailing edge of the inner half of the wing. The Terek Sandpiper has previously been recorded as a winter migrant in Palau.

Charadrius alexandrinus- KENTISH PLOVER A single bird was seen on 12 November 1979 on

a stretch of narrow muddy beach north of the commercial port on the west coast of Saipan, Mariana Islands (K. Guthrie). Several other plover species were nearby, facilitating comparison and identification. Marks observed included a white collar around the back of the neck, a blackish patch at each side of the breast, black stripe through the eye, a rufous tinge on the nape, white longitudinal wing stripe, and white edges on the tail. The bird had a black bill and greenish legs . The brown upperparts were distinctly lighter than the upper­parts of two other Charadrius plovers present. The Kentish Plover has previously been recorded as a winter migrant in Palau.

Actitis hypoleucos- COMMON SANDPIPER A single bird was observed on a coral jetty at

Kolonia , Ponape, on 25 Feb.ruary 1979 (K. Guthrie) . Characteristics observed included small size, straight bill , unmottled grayish-brown upper­parts, and white wing stripe and tail edges that were conspicuous in flight. The bird had a distinct gray wash on the breast, darkest at the sides. Otherwise, the underparts were white. The bobbing gait and characteristic flight during which it glided with wings bent downward were also typical of this species. The Common Sandpiper is possibly in­separable from the Spotted Sandpiper, Actitis ma­cularia, in winter plumage, but the Spotted Sandpiper is a New World bird . Its occurrence in Ponape is much less likely than that of the Common Sandpiper, a regular migrant to Micronesia.

Calidris a/pina- DUNLIN A single bird was seen 28 October and 3 and II

November 1979 at Garapan on the west coast of Saipan, Mariana Islands (K. Guthrie) . The bird was feeding along with various other species of small and medium-size shorebirds at two shallow rainwater pools not far from the ocean shore. The

most distinctive mark was the relatively long ( 11/ 4

to 11/ 2 times head length) black bill with a distinct droop at the tip. Upperparts were unmottled plain gray, underparts white except for a pale gray wash across the breast. In flight , the bird showed a typical stint rump pattern; dark in the center and white on the edges. When flying, it also displayed a white wing stripe. The Dunlin has previously been reported as a vagrant from Palau and Ponape.

Sterna hirundo-COMMON TERN Up to four individuals seen at coastal sites along

or near Ponape Island , Ponape (K. Guthrie). Observations were made on 17, 21 , and 24 October 1978, 2 December 1978 and two or three times during the ensuing week , and on 25 February 1979. The Common Tern was seen in the company of two other species, the Black-naped Tern, Sterna sumatrana, and the Little Tern , Sterna albifi·ons . It was the largest of the three species, with a stouter build and much darker upperparts than Black­naped Tern . All Common Terns seen were in winter plumage, with white forecrown , grayish hindcrown, and black nape. Bill color was black and the legs dusky red. All birds had a heavy black band on the leading edge of the inner half of the wing. When the birds were at rest this black band showed as a heavy curved black mark on the forward part of the wing. At rest, the tail did not project beyond the wingtips. Similar terns which could possibly occur in Ponape are the Arctic Tern , Sterna paradisaea, and the Roseate Tern, Sterna dougallii. In Micronesia, the Common Tern is a winter migrant and there are records from Palau, Yap, the Marianas, and the Marshalls.

Sterna a/hifrons- LITTLE TERN Up to 16 individuals observed in coastal sites

along or near Ponape Island, Ponape (K. Guthrie). Birds were recorded on 24 October 1978, 2 December 1978 and on two or three occasions during the ensuing week, and on 25 February 1979. They were seen in company with the Black-naped Tern , Sterna sumatrana, and the Common Tern , Sterna hirundo . All birds except one were in winter plumage, with black bills and the black on the head restricted largely to the nape. The one bird acquir­ing breeding plumage (25 February) had a black­tipped orange bill and more black on the hind­crown than the other birds. Little Terns are winter migrants in Micronesia , and have pre­viously been recorded from Palau, the Marianas, and Ocean Island.

192 M icronesica

Hirundo rustica-BARN SWALLOW Up to seven were recorded on Takatik Island

Ponape, from 1-8 December 1978 and again on 2S February 1979 (K. Guthrie) . Clearly visible marks were the dark metallic blue upperparts , the chest­nut throat , the white belly, and the white wing linings . At least one of the birds seen in February had long tail streamers; none were visible on the birds seen in December. The Barn Swallow is a winter migrant to Micronesia, recorded from Palau, Yap, the Marianas, and Truk.

Passer montanus-EURASIAN TREE SPARROW

This species was noted , but not closely observed, on Kwajalein Island in the Marshalls on 8 October 1978 (K. Guthrie). A subsequent visit to K wajalein on 30 July 1979 provided an opportunity to con­firm the identification of five individuals. Field marks noted were the brown cap, black throat , and black ear patch. Birds were most frequently seen around the open-air movie theater near the Kwajalein Missile Range headquarters building, where ten or twenty gathered at one time. The House Sparrow, Passer domesticus, has been re­ported from the Marshalls but was not observed on Kwajalein on either of the above two dates. The only other island group from which the Eurasian Tree Sparrow has been reported in Micronesia is the Marianas.

Acknowledgments

In addition to those people acknowledged in the introduction and who contributed to the text numerous other observers aided in a variety of ways. Storrs Olson of the Smithsonian Institution kindly corresponded with the authors and handled specimens. Funding for the field work was supplied in part by the National Audubon Society through the efforts of C. John Ralph of the U.S. Forest Service and George Peyton, Jr ., of the National Audubon Society. John Farrand, Jr. aided in com­parative studies .

Reference cited

Owen, R . P. 1977. A checklist of the birds of Micronesia . Micronesica 13: 65- 81 .

JOHN ENGBRING, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Box 50167, Honolulu , Ha waii 96850

ROBERT P. OWEN , 1918 Magnolia Blvd. W. , Seattle Washington 98199 '

NINE NEW BIRD RECORDS FOR GUAM AND ROTA

Oceanodroma leucorhoa- LEACH'S STORM PETREL

On March 25, 1980, two Leach's Storm Petrels were sighted near Guam during a seabird survey at Rota Banks, 16 km offshore. The birds were observ­ed at close range by John Eads and Anne Maben for approximately 20 minutes. This species is most abundant in the central Pacific from September through May and breeds in many coastal Asian and North American localities (King, 1967). Recorded in the Marshalls by Huber (1971 ), this is the first record for Leach's Storm Petrel in the Marianas.

Both individuals were dark-plumaged with dis­tinctly forked tails and white rump patches almost interrupted in the middle. Their size appeared smaller than several Matsudaira's Storm Petrels (Oceanodroma matsudairae) seen earlier in the day. A brownish band across the upper wing coverts could be observed in the strong sunlight. Single individuals were recorded several times between 8 and 16 km offshore of Guam on March 27 and 29 by John Eads. No additional observations of this species were recorded during subsequent surveys throughout 1980.

Phaethon rubricauda- RED-TAILED TROPIC­BIRD

On March 19, 1981 , Gary Wiles observed eight to ten Red-tailed Tropicbirds soaring in several small groups near a 50-m-high cliff approximately I km west of Funiya Point on Rota Island Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas. Th; presence of several juveniles without the character­istic red central tail feathers may indicate a small breeding colony.

Red-tailed Tropicbirds have been previously re­corded in the Marianas Islands only from Maug and Pagan (Baker, 1951). Other sightings from Micronesia include Palau (Engbring and Owen, 1981), the Carolines and the Marshalls (Baker, 1951).

Anas americana- AMERICAN WIDGEON A single male American Widgeon was observed

by J . Michael Scott, Fred Ramsey, John Engbring and Anne Maben on February II , 1981 on Fena Lake, Guam. The bird was in the company of a male Eurasian Widgeon (Anas penelope) and three female Widgeons of undetermined species. The American Widgeon's gray and green head and