Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1920-02-24
BIRD BREEDING
PLACE MENACED
Most Remarkable Refuge in the
World in Danger From
Hunters.
MANY RARE SPECIES THEE
Bird Reservation ic Under Control CT
the Department Of Agriculture
Protecting the Birds There Is
Precarious Business.
PAGE six

WASHINGTON. --Sticltlng ont In the
Pacific ocean 500 miles beyond Homo
lulu is a group of little islands. the
largest not more than two square
miles in area, and several OF them
barely rising above the waves at high
tide. Yet on those islands are many
hundreds of thousands of birds and
among them are at least six species
not found anywhere else in the world.
In 1911, one Of those species was rep
resented by six birds-all that were
left as the sole means Of perpetuatlnS
the species, and they concentrated on
single little island where one man
might kill them all in one minutes
shooting
That species-the LaySan teal-has
fortunately increased until there are,
by estimate, thirty-fiye individuals.
For the United States department Of
agriculture, for a few years, has con
trolled the islands as Il bird reserVa-
tiou-the Hawaiian islands reservation,
1t is called. But protecting the birds
litiF - al Hi U al ioto bt7''iNf'7' ~
possibility has existed always that one
or more OF the rare species might be
wiped out in day.
Abatross Destroyers Arrested.
BY way of illustration, this: one
day In 1909 the crew of the cutter
Thets found an old shed absolutely
piled full of albatross wings. A search
revealed the fact that % plume hunt
ers had landed on Laysan island and
had killed at least 3OUO 900 birds. The
men were captured, taken to Honolulu,
and formally arrested. Since that time
there is not known TO have been any
repetition Of such depredations, but
1t is always imminent.
Just now many tishermen-largely
nationals of countries other than the
United StateS-are extending their op-
erations from Honolulu out to the re
gion Of the bird reservation. Landings
on the islands are constantly immi-
nent, and such landings would be Il
menace to one Of the most remarkable
hird-breeding places in the world. The
bureau of biological survey, having
direct charge OF the reservation. Is
calling attention TO the fact that dis
turhing the birds on l.aysan or any of
the smaller Islands is Forbidden and
announcing that the reservation will
be protected, by whatever means are
necessary, for the benefit OF all the
peoples of the world.
Laysan, the largest Of the group is
one of the most westerly of the lIa.
Waian islands 1t has an area Of about
two square miles, and within It, con
forming generally to the coast line, is
large lagoon, This island is one Of
the most populous bird-hreeding places
on the globe. literally hundreds of
thousands Of birds resorting there to
lay their eggs every year.
Specialists of the biological survey
call attention to the fact that the
ostensble occupation of fishermen
does not mean that men may not be
very destructive To birds. The great
aux, they recall, was eXterminAtcd hy
thar exist only in the LaySHn group
Is duck-like bird, excellent for food,
and therefore most likely to be shot
by fishermen.
Rare Birds on Island
The species that nest there and no
where else are the Laysan teal, The
little Laysan rail, the Laysan honey
eater, the Laysan finch, the miller bird
Ga small warblerl, the Hawaiian tern,
and the Laysan albatross. Other Spe-
cies that nest principally ON LaySan
and adjacent islands and would be
in danger of determination If molcStrd
there, are the red-tailed tropic bird,
the black footed albatross, the gray,
backed tern, and the sooty tern.
The number of individuals of the ex-
elusive species in 1911 were estimated
To be Six of the Laysan teal, perhaps
100 Of the miller bird. 800 OF the
huney.eater. 1900 OF the rail, 300 OF
g