Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-09-23
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FROMBIRD GROUP
SAYSHSChNER

The rocks. reefs, shoals and islands
to the westward Of the Hawaiian
group, and Incorporated in the federal
bird reservations, are free from the
depredations of poaehers, according to
the report brought to Honolulu today
with the return OF the United States
revenue cutter Thetis, Captain J. H
Brown. his officers and Professor Carl
Elschner, German scientist, after
three weeks spent in visiting many
points in Nthe interesting archipelago,
, inhabited almost solely by the feath.
cred tribe.
Departing from Honolulu the The.
It's called at Bird island. Neccar
reef, French Frigate shoals, Laysan
and Lysiansky islands, thence to Her.
mes reef and lastly calling at Midway
island, the relay station for the Com.
mercial Pacific Cable Company.
While at French Frigate shoals the
United States supply and surveying
steamer Rainbow was passed. At
Bird island, the isolated rock that
rises to the height of several hundred
feet, almost in the direct route be.
tween Honolulu and Japan, a tremen-
dous surf was running, making the
landing OF small boats q physical i'm.
possibility. Two sailors belonging to
the Thetis succeeded in gaining the
land, and ii was from their statements
that a report Of the condition OF the
thousands of birds was received.
The Intelligent Jackass.
Professor Elschner was numbered
with the landing party that visited
Eastern island, one of the Midway
group. He reports that the colony Of
donkeys left there some years ago
has increased to the extent of 20
head. The animals are declared to
display more than Orcrnary intelligence
in procuring fresh water The island
is pronounced almost barren of vege;
tation, save scattered bunch grass.
The beasts, by the aid of their hoofs.
dig deep into the Sand and soon reach
water that is reasonably free from the
brackish faint from the sea. They
appeared sleek and fat despite the de-
ISOLATION found on every hand. On an
island but short distance away the
cable company has installed fine
plant with q large number of concrete
buildings to house its machinery and
the force OF officers, operators and la.
borers.
Studied Coral Conditions.
I Professor Eisch1er was given album
dant opportunity ito make a careful
and comprehensive study of coral for
nation, the deposit of gtiano and the
action of salt water on the several
varieties Of rock forming the islands
and reefs.
Albatross Have Fled.
The almost complete disappearance
OF the famous albatross from the ISL
arlls was ona Of thesinteresting iiseov-
cries made by the exploring and scien-
tific party in its recent tour. None Of
these birds was found in visiting
Bird, Laysan and the reefs and rocks.
At Laysan the collection of buildings
erected during the reign of King
Max Schlemmer some years ago, when
extensive gnano deposits we're work
ed, were found to be In sad state.
of repair. The wind and storms have
worked havoc with some of the struc-
The wind and storms have work
ed havoc with some of the struc-
much dilapidated. Not a trace of the
bird poacher was found there, while
many thousands of sea birds were
nesting and making their home there.
The party found the island overrun
with rabbits