56 HOMING AND RELATED ACTIVITIES OF BIRDS. 



the east (against the birds). The sky was slightly clouded but not hidden. The ship 

 was 372 knots from Key West and 220 from the nearest mainland, 88 west longitude 

 and 26 4' north latitude, steaming almost due west. Both birds were placed upon the 

 roof of the after-deck house. No. 19 was frightened and flew away at once. No. 23 

 refused to fly, vomited up its fish, plumed itself, and settled itself down on the roof, 

 apparently for the night. I climbed up on the roof, whereupon it took fright. Both 

 birds started to the northward and were lost sight of immediately. 



Strange to say, No. 23, after a time, came back on board the ship and was captured 

 by one of the sailors at 9 p. m. I examined the bird and found it dry and uninjured 

 and released it again to the northward. About an hour later it came back on board 

 again. It was frightened off by a sailor, but returned 10 minutes later. I decided to 

 let the bird have its way and find out how far it would follow the ship. Remained on 

 the deck until 7 in the morning, then flew eastward, alighting in the water half a mile 

 from the ship. At this time the ship was 500 knots from Key West. 



May 21, 8 a. m.: Released 4 noddies, Nos. 20, 21, 22, 24, and 6 sooties, Nos. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. 

 The sooties all took flight at once. No. 12 first, when released, flew due east. The 

 others went to the northeast, flying strongly. No 11 went down into the water. The 

 noddies showed a tendency to hang around the decks, but finally all dropped astern and 

 alighted in the water. The birds on release were all dry. The breasts and tail feathers 

 of the sooties were badly soiled, but not caked with excrement. The tips of their wings 

 were broken for half an inch and the lateral feathers of the tail were broken off in most 

 cases. The day was clear, with a light breeze from the south. The position of the ship 

 was as follows: 520 knots from Key West, 240 knots from Galveston, latitude 27 52' 

 north, longitude 90 3' west. 



May 21, 7 p. m.: Released two noddies, Nos. 17 and 18. The sky was completely overcast. 

 A little wind. Both went astern and settled in the water. Heavy rains set in during 

 the night and continued steadily during May 22. This unquestionably gave the birds 

 a much harder task to accomplish than was ever put upon a homing bird before. 



May 23: Clear morning with strong wind from east. San Marcos lying at wharf. Small 

 sand island half a mile to northward. Fed remaining birds and turned them loose on 

 deck. All were dry and clean and seemed to be in good health. Fed as shown in 

 table 19. No. 13 was released first at 5 h 30 m a. m. It flew down to the sand island and 

 alighted. The others sat on the deck for some time. The sooties then took flight, all 

 reaching the sand island. The remaining 3 noddies flew down to the water and began 

 to wallow in it near to the ship. They then arose and began to fly, flying with some 

 gulls. At 7 a. m. they were still fishing and flying strongly and at that time were lost 

 sight of to the westward. The 3 noddies, Nos. 14, 15, and 16, were observed again at 

 12 h 50 m p. m., fishing from the Mallory dock. Their flights were short, not more than 

 800 yards. They sat on the dock a good part of the time. The birds were lost sight 

 of soon after the above record was taken and were not seen again. 



RETURNS TO BIRD KEY FROM THE SECOND GALVESTON FLIGHT. 



The record of the returns of these birds to Bird Key is given below in the 

 form of field notes. The nests were observed several times each day. Every 

 effort was made to keep the nests in good condition, to drive out strange birds, 

 etc. We had been especially fortunate in choosing our locality; the nests 

 were not molested very much by rats, gulls, and other enemies of the birds. 



May 25: Noddy No. 22* was noted on the nest at 5 h 15 m a. m. Evidently the bird had 

 returned the afternoon of the 23d in good condition. Took nest and began habit of 

 sitter. Mate on nearby limb. This mate had not been any too faithful. 



May 25: Sooty No. 9 noted on the nest at 2 h 45 m p. m.; might have arrived earlier in the 

 day, since I was at Loggerhead from 9 a. m. to 2 h 45 m p. m. Bird in splendid condi- 

 tion. Red markings showed easily and clearly. Was sitting egg eagerly. 



*Refer to Lashley's notes (p. 54) for time of release, weather conditions at time of release, dis- 

 tance from Bird Key, etc. The numbers of the birds given here are the same as those in Lashley's 

 notes. 



