The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1910-01-20
WASHBURN PRINTING CO., Publishers
BIRD PARAUISE IN The PACIrIC.
Laysan Island Nesting Place of Alba
tross. Frigates and Petrels

llOSS, p11SdISo anu \ SSA~AS'
To the northwest of the Hawaiian is
lands, about an equal distance from the
shores of Asia and America, there is
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 i've and half
kilos by four kilos, and possesses no
vegetation save a few thickets and occa-
sional seaweed, and now and then
sickIy little palm tree. Upon the banks
are to be found large quantities of drift
wood, brought from the shores of Amer
lea by the currents.
But the number Of birds that come
there at the season OF nesting exceeds
the widest imagination. There are places
on the island where it would be impos
sible to put the foot without crushing a
bird a nest or an egg. Apparently, to
the eye there are hundreds of thousands
of birds. There are albatross, white and
brown, petrels and frigates liza innumer
able colonies, but distinct.
The albatross of Laysan are of two
kinds, the white and the brown. The lat
ter live chiefly in the southern part of
the island. They. are, moreover, 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 nour
ishment of the young until the latter is
able to go to the sea and hunt for him
self
The albatross are good neighbors
among themselves, but they show a
decided repugnance to living in the vi
cinity of the frigates. These big birds,
SO remarkable for their swiftness in
fight, 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
the neighbOring islets The males, with
their brilliantly ,c0lored 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 swimmer nor diver. This, however,
is compensated for by his extraordinary
power in fight.
The petrels are very numerous in Lay
san. 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 9TH
er marine animals which at such times
come to the surface, are chased ny 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 remark
able kinds of sea gulls. Citons are noisy,
squalling, 'quarrelsome birds whose prin-
cipal occupation is keeping up incessant
cries to disturb the repose of the other
occupants of the .island.-Los Angeles
Times.