Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-31

birds. The Importance of protecting
it against the depredations of plume
hunters, egg gatherers and other
poachers is hardly to be overesti-
mated, and it was with this idea in,
view, that the United States govern
ment a little more than three years
ago issued a proclamation setting
aside these bits of terra firma as q
national reserve, to be known as the
Hawaiian islands reservation.
During most of the year the islands,
surrounded as they are by dangerous
reefs, are unapproachable, but during
late spring and early summer, when
the birds are nesting and rearing
their young, a safe landing may be ef-
! fecting In boats. For ages past the
reefs and islets composing the reser-
walton have been favorite resort for
sea fowl, affording as they do excel
lent nesting sites and abundant food
for millionn of the feathered crea-
lures. Although so much disturbed
within recent years, the latter are
mostly as tame as barnyard poultry.
Today, according to an estimate
made by socialists from the United
States, there are about 10000 alba
trosses left on Layson island-though,
this is only about one-sixth of the
original colony as it was 20 years or
more ago. If the birds are left to
themselves and further depredations
can be prevented, they will doubtless
repair this loss-as will likewise the
other feathered species within the
limits of the reservation-and con-
tinue to live as they did for thousands
of years before civilized man intruded
upon their beautiful avian world.
A scientific expedition to Laysan
was organi al to the biological sur
vey, in cooperation with the state
university of Iowa, and an incidental
object in view was to collect speci-
mems of the birds, their nests. eggs
and the necessary accessories for
preparing a large panoramic group
for the university. This group, help
ed out by the realistic surroundings
and an artistically painted back
ground, will present to the eye a pic
ture so realistic that the observer
might well imagine himself actually
on Layson island-the various species
of sea fowls being shown in the fore
ground, dancing, rearing their young
and otherwise engaged as in life.
All of the old main rookery where
the albatrosses 10 years ago we're
numbered by hundreds of thousands
has been entirely destroyed. Over
those areas where formerly they we're
most abundant only piles of bones re-
main. The poachers killed the
helpless creatures with clubs, and
threw the wings and feathers into
car running along an old track form
erly used by a guano company, heap
ing the bodies up along the sides of
the track as they worked.
In an open guano shed were found
thousands of albatross wings which
had been placed there for shipping.
but never cured or removed, for the
reason that the marauders we're inter
rupted ia their task of determination
There were many birds with broken
legs. Killing clubs. nets and other
implements used by the poachers
were lying all about.
Not content with killing aud skin
ming the larger species. they caught
and Gagged the finches, honey eaters
and smaller birds. The Laysan finch IL
fine songster and makes a fine cage
bird The Laysan island Is an ideal
place for it; but (say the naturalists)
should anyone be rash enough to in
troduce 1t into civilized parts it woult
soon rival the English sparrow as q
+ pest
4 The poachers killed a great many
OF the gorgeous red-tailed trordc bird
but several hundreds of these are left
q They have by far the most beautiful
a plumage OF any of the featheTed erea
lures found within the limits of thu
reservation. With beaks of brigif
coral red, very long central tail feath
ers, and rose-tinted satin bodies, thei
appearance is striking.
On Laysan island and the smalle
islets and reefs OF the reservation
there are many species Of birds be
sides those which have been mel
toned. But by far the most import
ant is the albatross, renowned Il