The Hawaiian gazette., 1901-08-23
MAY WIPE
OUT BIRDS
Japanese Raid in
Small Islands
Serious.
7 n THE OPINION of DR.. David Starr
Jordan and other scientists who

IN THE OPINION of DR.. David Starr
Jordan and other scientists who
have been in the city recently there
is danger of the bird life upon the
many small Islands of this group being
wiped out or at least seriously dimin-
ished by the raid of the Japanese. This
conclusion is reached from the fact
that 1t is believed that the party of
japanese which was hunting birds on
Midway Island when the Iroquois went
there last year have been replaced by
another party, left there when the
schooner which acts as tender appeared
this spring.
From the fact that there was so
much work done by the Japanese at
Midway, it is thought that there were
other parties operating upon the small
islands 10 the west, and IL this is the
case there will be much damage done to
the bird life. The party of six men
found upon Midway by Captain Pond
was engaged in the collection of feath-
ers and down, the varieties of birds be-
ing taken Unfortunately. The attack
upon the birds was made in the most
unusual manner, as the young and the
old were being killed without any
choice. The old birds were taken as
often as the young and many of the
young We're left to die from want or
/ food.
/ The birds on the islands are princi-
pally the albatross or goney, the tern.
the bos sun bird and the loon. They are
so tame that they may be taken by
hand and robbed of their feathers or
killed without any weapons at all.
When they were found the men had
collected a large quantity of feathers
and were prepared for stay of six
months more. This fact was reported
to the Department at Washington and
Captain Pond was given orders to make
a yearly trip to the islands to report
upon any squatters that might be
found. This was not done owing to the
many duties of the commander of the
Iroquois, owing to the absence Of Cap
tain Merry. Now the year is too far
advanced to make such a trip in as
small vessel as the Iroquois. AS it
Is, however there would be little utility
in a visit owing to the fact that there
is no authority for the stoppage Of the
Killing OF the DlruS, only Il GILL loT d ic-
port upon any depredations.
That the concession of the bird and
fish privilege of these islands is val
liable Is shown by the fact that soor
after the last years trip of the Iroquoi!
there was an offer to take a lease Of thu
Midway Islands made by the japanese
Consul to Governor Dole. There wal
no action upon the proffer Of the Jap
anese except the sending to the Consu
of a complete statement of the small
islands of the group. 1t is thought tina
the plan of the Japanese was to secure
; the exclusive rights to the hunting ant
fishing privileges and then work then
for their utmost limit.
Commander Pond said yesterday tina
though the scientists We're afraid tina
there would be serious cutting int
the bird life that the immense numbe
of the birds of all species there made
, practically impossible to wipe them out
as few years of rest from hunting
would see the islands as well stocke
as before. Without doubt, he said, Their
would be parties sent to other island
where there are birds.