The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1911-05-09
Land Birds. Of Laysan
Suffer From InrOads
Of Rabbits.
SCIENTISTS WARNING
Professor Bryan Is Back
From Island With
Danger Tale.
trrom snndas,s Advertiser.N

(From Sundays Advertiser.l
Starvation faces the remnants of the
rare species of land birds upon the lit
tie island of LaysaR of the Hawaiian
group, the islet which lies to westward
between Kauai and Midway islands,
for tens of thousands of rabbits are
swarming over the island and literally
devouring the sward covering.
Such was the condition of affairs
when the United States revenue cutter
Thetis arrived at Laysan from Homo
lulu on April "a. The cutter returned
yesterday with Prof. William Alanson
Pryan, the scientist, who accompanied
the members of the special expedition
sent there by the State University of
Iowa, and he points out that there Is
danger of the land birds, which claim
their food from the island itself, being
wiped out of existence. Laysan Island
boasts of one species of birds not found
in any other part or the world, as far
as the scientists in Polynesia are
aware, and the species is represented
by very few of the birds. Mr.. Bryan
saw half dozen pairs while on Laysan
this trip, one pair fearlessly approach
ing him. This, to Professor Bryan IS
mind, was dangerous condition, as, If
predatory expedition descends upon
the great bird island these fearless
land birds may be among the first to
be killed.
Land Birds May Suffer.
Professor Bryan stated that he was
ON Laysan eight years ago in connec-
ton with work for the Bishop Museum,
remaining there a month to ascertain
what was happening on the island and
to the bird life since the introduction
of English rabbits, Belgian hares and
nondescript rodents On landing he
found the island swarming with rab-
bits Directly they appear to be doing
no damage to the birds, but they are
eating the "cover off the island,' as
the professor puts it.
Indirectly, therefore, the land birds
are probably beginning to suffer for
their usual sustenance. AS far as the
scientists knew the rabbits were intro
duced on the island by Max Schlemmer,
the former liking of Laysan,' who
has not had any interest in the island Is
affairs since the Thetis made her mem
orable raid on it and the poaching
Japanese year ago.
Professor Bryan on his former visit
went there to collect data as to the
desirability Of introducing insect-eat'
ing birds on the island and other small
iBlets to prevent the determination of
the land species.
Razest Duck in World.
1.-THE rarest duck in the world is
found on Laysan," said Professor
ffT4 10. noxyo- haan Pn,ud onu.
where else and is known as the Laysan
teal. After spending a week on the
island I am fully convinced there are
not more than half dozen adult pairs
and a predatory expedition would mean
their determination.
"In connection with the cruise OF
the Thetis to Laysan and back, would
like to say that there is no place in
the world where one who wanted to
make summer cruise or fishing expe
dition could get more for his money
than cruising over to Laysan, fishing
and catching sharks. As far as climate
is concerned, these islands are veritable
health resorts.
'tThe State University of Iowa Sent
an expedition to Laysan, which wal
given the use of the Thetis. The ex
petition is under the leadership OF
Professor Dill and Artist e. A. Corwin
to secure specimens and background
studies from which to construct in the
university a cyclorama of the island
and its millions of bird inhabitants.
"From a promotion point of view
this expedition has more Significance
than people imagine, for it will be the
largest group in the world when com
pleted The reproduction of it should
have vast advertising and picturesque
value.
"The scientists are comfortabl,
housed in the old buildings erected BY
the guano company, and all are busily
engaged in photographing and collect
ing specimens. They expect to return
to Honolulu about the middle Of June
"one thing that struck me very
foreibly was the wireless system OF
board the Thetis. When ] made my
former visit to Laysan we were com
pletely isolated. We had no communi
cation with the world from the tim,
we left Honolulu until we returned. On
this cruise there was hardly tim,
when we were out of communication
with the world. Our wireless was very
satisfactory.
wireless for Midway.
tI believe that something should b
done to take ap with Washington chs
question of establishing wireless sta
tion on Midway Island. This would
rive vessels an opportunity to get II
touch with Honolulu mneh earlier thar
they do now. It would probably maxi
difference Of three DAYS In steamhri
leaving Japan. for instance. gettinl
into toneh with Honolulu
The Thetis. altar leaving the aeien
lIala If I.nYnnn aIallna TI.Inn.l.I -