Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-04-04
RARE BIRDS
LEAVE ISLANDS

declared as practically extinct save
for a few specimens which find
home and resting place on the lonely
sand islet many hundred miles to
the westward of Honolulu, have been
forwarded 10 the mainland in the
United States army transport Sher-
man that was given. a hurried dis
patch for San Francisco, shortly be
fore seven o'clock last night.
The Laysan island rail is dirinu-
tive land bird, that possesses just
rudimentary wing, but not OF suf-
cient development to carry il any dis
lance from the earth.
Commodore Salisbury and his party
of hunters and scientists who spent
three months on Laysan island gath
ering specimens of eggs as we'll as
birds, and who departed for the coast
in the Sherman, stated that the rail
gains a livelihood by pirating upon
eggs laid by the feathered tribe that
nest in thousands on the sand, at Lay
san.
The eggs are broken by one of the
larger sea birds and it is then that
the rail descend upon the feast and
through continuous chatter succeed
in driving the larger bird from the
food.
Several cages of rail were shipped
in the Sherman. The Isaysan island
party packed many cases and crates
with feathers, stuffed birds, and
hope to succeed in landing a large
and valuable collection of eggs,
The early dispatch of the Sherman
to the coast last night occasioned
much unfavorable comment with
local army people. A dance had been
arranged at one of the seaside hotels,
but in view of the early departure of
the transport, the affair was not the
social success as planned. ...*.
The Sherman reached her wharf at
two O'Clock yesterday afternoon ana
was ordered out for the coast at five
thirty resulting ina very hasty and
unsatisfactory visit ashore for the
large delegation of army folk and
civilian passengers. 49,.
More Steamers for the Merchants
Line,
The feet of steamships operated
between New York, the west coast
of South America and Pacific coast
ports by w. r. Grace & Co., under
the name of the Merchants line, has
been augmented by the addition Of
the new steamer Chincha,' built by
the J. L. Thompson & Son Shipbuild-
ing Company of Sunderland.
The Ohincha is as feet in length, |
of 50 feet beam and so feet depth Of
hold. The vessel was built on the
longitudinal system of framing, and |
is of the shelterdeck type, with three
complete decks and fourth deck |
forward, Win specially high tween |
decks for the carriage of cattle.
A complete electric lighting sys-
tenn has been installed, and acetylene |
lighting is provided for the purpose |
of working cargoes and lighting the |
hold from the deck. The large saloon |
amidships is of polished oak and is
deliberately fitted. Accommodations |
for number OF passengers and for
the captain, navigating officer and |
engineers are in commodious and |
wellfurnished rooms on the bridge 1
deck. -. III:
The Chincha will be operated via |
the Panama canal i'm connection with |
the other vessels of the Grace boot |
when the big ditch is open for the
Worlds traffic. It can maintain a.
speed of thirteen knots fully loaded
~ - ......-
Finds Unusual Climatic Conditions
Here.
Declaring that he found unusual Gill
matte conditions following the SHIFT
ing of the course Of trade Winds that
sweep the seas in the vicinity Of the
Hawaiian islands, Captain James y.
Miller Of the United States geodctiC
survey steamer Patterson is credited |
with giving out the statement that
this change in the course Of prevail
ing winds is responsible for unsCa-
sonable weather along the coast The
Patterson arrived ri Seattle on March
2Gth. ....
Of Kauai Forts. /
Two well known windjammerS, theI
schooner Defiance, with lumber from
Columbia river pCUs, and size british
ship Jordanhill are reported as still
riding at anchor at Port Allen. Tho
Defiance is being rapidly discharged Of
lumber and is promised prompt dis
haICl 10 tue 1EnSunu.. lIH JbIud3!tlill
sailed from Kahutui for Port Alien.
there to finish cargo. '-.
..-: -
South Seas Phosphstes on the Way.
There is q possibility that the bark
entine Irmgard. with nhosphatcs from
Nakaaea, viii reach destination az
along the Iatjor rart Of this
month. The Irmgard left the south
sea phosphate island with material for
Hawaii, but was Obliged to put into
Tahiti for repairs. The vessel is now
thirteen days out.
-
Two schocHers, which have been
more or less regularly engaged in
umher trade, are now en- rumt" from
r;ravs Harbor to Honc;rid with juu-
Ter The Fearless and Aric} sailed
rom the North Pacific Port in time to
ring them to destination by the mid
lie mart of the present month.
The Hall in departing for Kauai
- a,rr;ad - small list ,f T.