Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-09-23
FLEE
FROM BIRD GROUP
SAYSELSCHNER

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 poachers, according to
the report brought TO Honolulu today
with the return of the United States
revenue cutter Thetis, Captain ]. H.
Brown. his officers and Professor Carl
Elschner, a German scientist, after
three weeks spent in visiting many
points in the interesting archipelago,
, inhabited almost solely by the feath.
cred tribe. e.. .'...... j..
Departing from Honolulu the The
tbs 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 physical i'm
possibility. Two sailors belonging to
the Thetis succeeded in gaining the
land, and it was from their statements
that report of the condition of the
thousands of birds was received.
The Intelligent Jaekass.
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 ordinary 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 send 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 a short distance away the
cable company has installed a fine.
plant with large number of concrete
buildings to house its machinery and
the force of officers, operators and la
borers.
Studied Coral Conditions,
Professor Elschner was given abnn-
dant opportunity to make careful
and comprehensive study of coral for
nation, the deposit Of guallo and the
action OF salt water on the several
varieties of rock forming the islands
and reefs.
AIbatross Have Fled.
The almost complete disappearance.
Of the famous albatross from the ISL
ands was one OF the Interesting discoy-
cries made by the exploring and scien-I
tifie 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 Schlem1mer some years ago, when
extensive gnano deposits were work
ed, were found to he 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.