58 



HOMING AND RELATED ACTIVITIES OF BIRDS. 



homeward flight. That more birds did not return from Galveston harbor 

 is not to be wondered at when we consider the number of hawks which line the 

 Texas shores. Our birds reached there tired out and probably remained on 

 the shore for a time to rest; they would have made easy victims for birds of 

 prey. It is probable that the hawks are in part to blame for the poor results 

 we obtained from the Mobile flights.* 



TABLE 21. Time required for return (individual birds). 



It would seem from all these experiments that where proper conditions are 

 maintained the noddy and sooty can home from almost any distance up to 

 at least 1,000 miles. Furthermore, the territory over which they take their 

 flight apparently may be barren of any visual objects to which they previously 

 may have established habits. 



*In future experiments we suggest that they be released not less than 50 miles from any land. 



