52 HOMING AND RELATED ACTIVITIES OF BIRDS. 



It was found impossible to purchase a supply of minnows and more than 

 half the birds died before reaching Mobile. Those which reached Mobile 

 alive were released on Thursday, June 9. The weather conditions were favor- 

 able on the 9th and 10th. On the llth a heavy wind set in which by night had 

 veered around to the south, becoming a veritable wind-storm. On the 12th 

 the storm from the south still continued. All day it was cloudy and windy. 

 After this time we gave up hopes of the return of the birds. None appeared 

 during the time of our stay at Bird Key. 



THE SECOND MOBILE TRIP. 



The birds were captured May 5, 1913. They were sent to Key West by 

 the government tug Peoria at 8 p. m., May 6. On May 7, they were shipped 

 from Key West by the Mallory Steamship Alamo, in charge of Dr. K. S. 

 Lashley. They were marked with green as shown in Table 16. 



TABLE 16. 



No. 1. Right wing. 



2. Left wing. 



3. Both wings. 



4. Top of head. 



5. Breast. 



6. Breast and right wing. 



No. 7. Breast and left wing. 



8. Breast and top of head. 



9. Breast and both wings. 



10. Two horizontal lines across breast. 



11. Cross on breast. 



12. Two vertical lines on breast. 



As the care of the birds on board the boat is probably the most essential 

 part of a successful experiment in homing, and as it has taken us some time to 

 learn the proper methods of handling the birds, we give Mr. Lashley's report 

 in full. It seems worth mentioning that it was not until this trip that we were 

 able to get all of the birds to their destination in fair condition. 



NOTES OF MR. LASHLEY ON THE CARE OF THE BIRDS DURING THE 



MOBILE TRIP. 



May 6: Arrived at Key West with birds in good condition. Wing and tail feathers a bit 

 broken. Purchased a large fish and cut it up to feed the birds, since I was unable to 

 get any large supply of minnows. Gave the birds salt water, with which they wet 

 themselves badly. Placed two pieces of cut fish in water in each compartment for the 

 birds to eat. I do not wish to use forced feeding unless necessary. If they have not 

 taken the fish by morning I shall offer them minnows which I have obtained, using 

 forced feeding wherever necessary. 



May 7, 10 a. m.: Each bird was offered minnows. Nos. 2 and 7 each ate 2. The others 

 had to be forcibly fed. Birds are damp and badly frayed. The strips of large fish 

 were not eaten by any of the birds. 



May 7, afternoon: More minnows were offered; 2 were forced on each bird which did not 

 eat of its own accord. Food records were kept separately. 



Left Key West May 7, 11 p. m.: Birds were loaded on top of deck house. Cage was closely 

 hooded with canvas. 



May 8, 6 a. m.: Gave birds 6 minnows each. All but Nos. 3 and 9 ate without being forced. 

 These two ate 2 minnows each and then refused. I forced 4 more on each at 10 o'clock 

 and left 6 to 8 minnows in each compartment. Birds are keeping themselves clean. 



May 8, 4 p. m.: Birds fed again. Nos. 3 and 9 again refused and had to be forced. No. 3 

 is more eager to escape than the others. 



May 10: Tampa was reached. Made 2 trips to Ballast Point in order to obtain minnows. 

 Obtained only enough for one feeding. Birds ate them eagerly. On account of accident 

 Alamo tied up until afternoon of May 11 for repairs. 



May 12: Only a few minnows left and these not keeping very well. Obtained a large fish 

 from the steward, but birds would not eat it; then gave them the rest of the minnows, 

 about 15 each, exhausting the supply. This was at 11 o'clock. There was no food for 

 them in the afternoon. For the last 3 uays I have put no water in the cages. The 

 birds come half way out of the door to eat and so keep dry. They do not show the 

 need of water and probably get enough with the fish to satisfy them. Nos. 3 and 9 

 are recovering and seem to be in better condition than they were on Friday. 



