Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-12-14
PACIFIC BIRD PARADISE.
Laysen Island Nesting Place Of Al.
batross, Frigates and Petrefs.

batross, Frisates and Petrefs.
To the northwest Of the Hawaiian
Islands, about an equal distance from
the shores Of Asia and America, says
the Los Angeles Times, there Is a
small group Of islands and cliffs upon
which hundreds Of thousands Of birds
live. Every year they lay their eggs
and raise their young. Among small
strips Of land and rock there is what
might be called a veritable bird para
disc. This is the island Of Laysan.
Laysan measures about five and a
half kilos by four kilos, and posses
ses no vegetation save few thickets
and occasional seaweed and now and
then a sickly little palm tree. Upon
the banks are to be found large quan-
titles Of driftwood, brought from the
shores Of America by the currents
But the number of birds that come
there at the season Of nesting ex-
ceeds the widest imagination. There
are places on the island where 1t
would be impossible to put the foot
without crushing a bird, nest or an
egg. Apparently, to the eye, there
are hundreds Of thousands Of birds.
There are albatross, white and brown,
petrels and frigates in innumerable
colonies, but distinct.
The albatross Of Laysan are Of two
kinds, the white and the brown. The
latter live chiefly in the southern
part Of the island. They are, more
over, fewer in number than their
white cousins. The two kinds unite
in colonies, which are always distinctly
separate, however. Their nests are
almost Identical, simple little mounds
Of earth with a hole in the middle.
The female here lays a solitary egg.
The parents provide for the nourish-
ment of the young until the latter
is able to go to the sea and hunt for
himself.
The Albatross are good neighbors
among themselves, but they show a
decided repugnance to. living in the
vicinity Of the frigates. These big
birds, so remarkable for their swift
ness in flight, are great gluttons. All
those who travel in the south seas
know with what obstinacy they keep
up with the speed of the vessel in
hope Of getting food.
The frigates are also to be found in
prodigious numbers at Laysan and
about their neighboring nests.
The males, with their brilliantly col
ored plumage, are beautiful birds, and
there is nothing more curious than
to observe the naughty air which they
assume on account Of their beauty.
The frigate is neither a born SWIM
mer nor diver. This, however, Is
compensated for by his extraordinary
power of flight.
The petrels are very numerous in
Laysan. They show a preference for
the crevices of the rocks during the
day. They are in fact birds Of night
habits and avoid the bright lights.
But when the tempest breaks forth
and the wind RACES they mingle their
cries with the noise Of the elements.
The fish and other marine animals
which at some time come to the sur
face, are chased by the petrels and
seized from the crest Of the waves.
The frigates, who are watching the
petrels in the chase, seize this mo-
ment for capturing their abandoned
young. The elton is among the re-
markable kinds of sea gulls. Citons
are noisy, squalling, quarrelsome
birds, whose principal occupation Is
keeping up incessant cries to disturb
the repose Of the other occupants.