The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1920-01-06
RARE BIRD SPECIES
In GREAT DANGER
A MENACE TO THE
WORLDS MOST REMARKABLE
BREEDING GROUND.

WASHINGTON, D. C.-Sticking
out in the Pacific ocean 900 miles
beyond Honolulu 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 these islands are
many hundreds Of thousands of birds
and among them are at least six spe-
cies not found anywhere else IN the
world. In 1911 one of those species
was represented by six birds-all that
were left as the sole means of per-
petuating the species-and they con-
centrated on a 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-fve individ-
uals. For the United States depart
ment of agriculture, for a few years
has controlled the islands as a bird
reservation-the Hawaiian Islands
Reservation, it is called. But protect
ing the birds there is a precarious
business. The possibility has existed
always that one or more of the rare
species might be wiped out IN a day.
Albatross Destroyers Arrested.
BY the way of illustration, this {:
One day in 1909 the crew of the cut
ter Thetis found an old shed abso-
lutely piled full of albatross wings.
A search revealed the fact that TWEEN
ty-three plume hunters had landed on
Laysan Island and had killed at least
100000 birds. The men were captur-
ed, taken to Honolulu and formally
arrested. Since that time there is not
known to have been any repetition OF
such depredations, but it is always I'M
minent.
Just how many Extraordinarily
nationals Of countries other than the
United States-are extending their
operations from Honolulu out to the
region of the bird reservation. Land
ings on the islands are constantly i'm
minent, and such landings would be
a menace to one of the most remark
able bird breeding places known.
The bureau of biological survey, hav-
ing direct charge of the reservation,
is calling attention to the fact that
disturbing the birds on Laysan or any
Of the smaller islands is forbidden
ard 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 Ha
waiian Islands. 1t has an area of about
two square miles and within it, con-
forming generally to the coast line, is
a large lagoon. This island is one Of
the most populous bird breeding
places on the globe, literally hundreds
of thousands of birds resorting there
to lay their eggs every year.
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 Ca small warbler), the Hawaiian
tern and the Laysan albatross. Other
species that nest principally on Lay
san and adjacent islands and would
be in danger of determination if mo-
Tested there are the red tailed tropic
bird, the black footed albatross, the
grey backed tern and the sooty tern.
The number of individuals of the
exclusive species in 1911 were esti-
mated to be: Six of Laysan teal, per
haps 100 Of the miller bird, 800 of
the honey eater, 1000 of the rail,
2,7O0 of the finch and 100000 of the
albatross. Indications are that, while
the teal has increased, the other spe-
cies have probably decreased.
The islands composing the reserva-
ton are Laysan Island, Ocean or Cure
Island, Pearl and Hermes Reef, Lysi-
anski or PeIl Island, Mary Reef, Dow
sett Reef, Gardiner Island, Two
Brothers Reef, French Frigate Shoal,
Necker Island, Frost Shoal and Bird
Island.
For flu, pneumonia, colds and ris-
ing breasts, use PLURASAV.
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