The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1910-02-18
BIRD PARADISE IN PACIFIC.


kays2n Islana Nesting fl0ee Ok Aks
bntross, Frigates and Petrels.
To the northwest of the Hawaiian
Islands, 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 paradise. This Is the island Of
Laysan.
Laysan measures about five and a
half kilos by four kilos and possesses
no vegetation save few thickets and
occasional seaweed, and now and then
sickly little palm tree. Upon the
banks are to be found large quantities
Of driftwood, brought from the shores
of America 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
impossible to put the foot without
crushing a bird, a nest or an egg. Ap-
parently, to the eye, there are hun
dreds 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
Los Angeles Times says. The latter
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, how
ever. Their nests are almost identical,
simple little mounds of earth with a
hole In the middle. The female here
lays solitary egg. The parents pro-
vide for the nourishment 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
decided repugnance to living in the
vicinity of the frigates. These big
birds, so remarkable for theft swift
ness in fight, are great gluttons. AL
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 colored
plumage, are beautiful birds, and there
Is nothing more curious than to OBJ
serve the naughty air which they as
sumo on account of their beauty. The
frigate is neither a born swimmer nor
a diver. This, however, is compensat-
ed for by his extraordinary power in
fight.
The petrels are very numerous In
Laysan. They show 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 such times 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 moment
for capturing their abandoned young.
The elton is among the remarkable
kinds Of seagulls. Citons are noisy,
squalling, quarrelsome birds whose
principal occupation is keeping up in
cessant cries to disturb the repose Of
the other occupants of the island.