Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-03-22
SCIENTISTS BACK
FROM LONELY
LAYSAN

With the determination of rabbits,
which are declared to have proved a
pest on Laysan island, a party Of nat
uralists and hunters returned from a
three months stay on the lonely and
sand swept islet as passengers in the
United States revenue cutter Thetls.
The party arrived early this after
noon, and from all accounts the trip
was an unqualified success. the scien-
lists accomplishing every mission for
which they we're sent.
No evidences of Japanese poachers
were found on any Of the islands visr
.itedr and IL the little .bfeWH EHeRs have
mad efree with Uncle Sans feathered
subjects, it has been some time In
the past. The difficult feat Of taking
a bird census of the islands was per.
formed, and while it is possible that
some of the birds were inconsider-
ate and therefore receive double
count, the figures are believed to be
approximately correct. The census
gives 10000 albafros, $4,000 petrol,
and $1,000 frigate birds
Several specimens of the rare warm
water seal were found at Laysan and
Neckar islands, and at Laysan a spe-
cies of islnd fail was found Several
of these rare birds were Gagged and
brought along.
The hunters killed about 5000 rab-
bits, which were endangering the
bird life of the Islands. When the
Thetis reached the party, they were
just out of provisions, but there had
been no accidents, and the health of
all was perfect.
The Thetis called at Laysan, Lysi-
ansky, Neckar and Midway islands,
and at Hermes reef.
The party sent here by the United
States department of agriculture and
which lived among the countless flocks
OF seabirds included Commodore G. r.
Salisbury, who recently retired from
service in the navy and was placed in
charge of the Laysan island expedi-
tion. With him were George Willett,
policeman-scientist from Los Angeles,
declared to be an expert in the clas-
sification of birds, as well as nim-
rod with true aim when it comes to
the determination of rabbits. w. s.
Wallace and A. M. Baily accompanied
the party
A thorough investigation was made
of the condition of the Hawaiian bird
reserve as it applies to Laysan and |
Lysiansky islands.
1T was the purpose of the party in |
starting away from Honolulu on the |
tenth of last December to visit Lay
san, the French Frigate shoals, Nekar |
island and perhaps call at Midway. I
Laysan island, however, was the |
Headquarters of the little isolated |
band of scientists and hunters Here !
they found the buildings and huts |
erected years ago by Max Schlemmer i
and his Japanese workmen in de-
plorable state of decay and dissolu- |
ton. Some time was spent in repair I
ing the structures with view OF max /
ing them habitable.
The rabbits have been multiplying I
at rapid rate within the past year,
and to kill them off was no small job /
of itself.
A pair of lively 'jacks" are thriving
on the meagre collection of bunch
grass that managed to survive the |
onslaughts of the rabbits.
Stretches of sand, strewn with eggs
offered picturesque spectacle TO the
party of four men, heretofore unae-
quainted with Bird Island life.
A number of cocoanut trees were
taken along and these were set out
with the hope that the rains that
sweep over the islet would serve to
keep them alive. The trees are of a
variety that will also thrive when
planted near salt water.
Wiflets, who accompanied the party
in the role of scientist and, hunter,
was former sergeant of the China-
town squad at Los Angeles. He is an
adept with the camera and brings
back large collection of views TAX
en- of the bird life on the islets COM
prising the reservation.
One task which the party set it
self to accomplish was to attempt to-
estimate the numbers of birds of vari-
Gus species that frequent Laysan and